Well, it may sound weird, but colleges aren’t colleges anymore. The very concept of junior colleges is in jeopardy. Junior colleges, I mean the real ones, are on the verge of extinction. They are being replaced by what are known as ‘integrated colleges.’ But, what are Integrated Colleges?
Integrated College Meaning
Integrated colleges are nothing but tie-ups through which the coaching institutes in India have been trying to capture the education sector. And when I mention the education sector of India, I’m talking about an industry currently pegged at 100 billion dollars by India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF).
This industry includes everything that comes under education; pre-schools, schools, colleges, universities and so on.
Integrated colleges are a popular choice among engineering as well as medical aspirants. But there are a few things you need to be careful about before choosing an integrated course. Let’s discuss which is better integrated or non integrated college in detail:
- Gateway to board exam:
Integrated colleges serve as a medium for enrollment as a junior college student with the respective ‘Board of Education’. Once a student enrolls with an integrated course offered by a coaching institute, he is automatically enrolled with an integrated college. All in all, they are a gateway to appear for the class 12 board exam.
- 100% attendance:
Students need not attend these integrated colleges. They are marked present for the entire two years. So, no defaulter lists and 100% attendance. Students are required to attend college only during practicals. Hence, no college, only classes!
- Umpteen study hours:
Students in integrated colleges end up with ample study time helping them crack competitive exams like JEE (Advanced) and NEET. This increases their chances of getting into reputed colleges like IITs, NITs and AIIMS.
- Good internals:
Once you enroll for an integrated college, you are assured with good internal marks. This helps you to score well in your board examinations with good practical and oral marks.
- Massive investment:
Everything comes at a cost. The fee charged by coaching institutes for integrated courses is usually 50% higher as compared to non-integrated courses. In addition to this fee, you also need to pay the fee of the integrated college which is the same as any junior college.
- Unfair competition:
Since all that matters to a coaching institute is money, they accept students with all kinds of grades and let them compete against each other. This is all very good for clever students. The ones who suffer are the average students. They feel incapable of coping with the studies, the competition and the way of teaching.
- No backup:
In non-integrated courses, students learn in colleges as well as classes. Therefore, even if they feel incapable of coping with the pace of teaching in the classes, they always have the backup of being taught by the college professors. Unfortunately, this backup becomes unavailable for students opting for integrated courses.
So, if you are confused about which is better integrated or non-integrated courses, now you have a better understanding about both the courses. It will help you make an informed decision. All the best!
FAQs
- What are Integrated colleges?
Integrated colleges provide a medium for junior college enrollment with the relevant “Board of Education.” A student is immediately enrolled in an integrated course if they sign up for one of a coaching center’s integrated courses.
- Is Integrated College Good?
Integrated colleges collaborate with so many institutions that they cannot provide students with the best faculties compared to non-integrated colleges. Additionally, they must save their top instructors for their coaching branches. But they are not all bad.
- Which is a better integrated or non-integrated course?
When seen from the student’s standpoint, a stressful, competitive environment makes studying a challenge. Both kinds of courses have advantages and drawbacks of their own. It depends on students which course they find better. Both courses have a few benefits and drawbacks as per interactions with parents.
- Students that take integrated courses don’t have to spend as much time studying for difficult examinations.
- Time management and improved class-coaching balance are required for integrated courses.
- Lab and language classes, extracurricular activities, board test preparation, and competitive study time can overburden students.