Some candidates had qualified the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test in their first attempt at medical counseling on Thursday. Some had prepared for the exam on their own.
88 seats were allotted on the first day of counseling for special categories including children of ex-service personnel, eminent sportspersons and persons with disabilities. Out of 91 candidates called for counseling, 71 were allotted MBBS seats and two opted for BDS. While 12 candidates chose to be on the waiting list, three opted out. The other three candidates remained absent. Some of the handicapped candidates were hoping for a seat under the All India Quota in the college of their choice.
Madeline Jemimah R. (NEET Score – 560), ranked first in the state in her category, chose Stanley Medical College, but under AIQ, she chose JIPMER, Puducherry. He himself prepared for NEET using NCERT books. “I got a lot of time to figure things out while I was at home,” she said.
Al Asina J, second with 417 points, chose Madurai Medical College because it meant saving on hostel accommodation. A debilitating illness left her bedridden in 2020, and she underwent several surgeries. For a year, she prepared for NEET on her own, said the candidate, which required an assistive device to walk.
M. Brinda, who scored 548 marks and was allotted a seat in Madurai Medical College, had been preparing since class XI. “My teachers motivated me when I scored low in physics,” she said.
M. Kokilavani and A. Srinidhi became friends while waiting for the allotment order to join Kilpauk Medical College. Ms. Kokilavani, a first generation student, hails from a village in Tenkasi. His widowed mother, Muthucharam, makes beedis for a living. “The foundation was laid by the primary school,” said Ms Muthucharam. “But my mother taught me maths,” said Ms. Kokilavani, who scored 109 in NEET (Tamil) using ‘guide’ books. Ms Srinidhi, who scored 154 in NEET, was allotted a seat in BE Computer Science Engineering at NIT Tiruchi.
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