Even High Scorers May Queue Up for Mumbai University’s Additional Admission Round
Mumbai University’s (MU) undergraduate admissions process this year presents an unusual scenario: even students scoring above 90% in their Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) exams may need to wait for additional admission rounds to secure seats. As colleges prepare to release their third merit list, numerous requests are pouring in from applicants who missed earlier deadlines, signaling a shift in admission patterns this academic year.
Early Admissions and Changing Timelines
Typically, MU’s degree college admissions commence during the last week of May or the first week of June. However, this year’s schedule was advanced due to the early declaration of HSC results in the first week of May. Several principals noted that this advancement caught many students off guard.
“One reason for the current influx of late requests is that many students were away on vacation when admissions began,” explained a college principal. “They are now returning and realize they missed the earlier rounds.” This adjustment in timelines has led to some confusion among students about when and how to apply, resulting in a wave of last-minute applications.
The Admission Process and Portal Reopening
Mumbai University’s admission process is structured in multiple rounds. After the first three merit lists and admission rounds, the university typically reopens its online admission portal to accommodate applicants who missed previous deadlines.
This year, colleges are releasing their third merit lists on Thursday, with the admission window for this round closing on June 10. Following this, the university is expected to reopen the admission portal for an additional round. The academic session is scheduled to begin on June 13, providing a narrow window for all admissions to be concluded.
An MU official confirmed, “We usually reopen the admission portal after the three merit lists. This allows latecomers or those who missed earlier rounds a chance to apply.”
Why Are Even High Scorers Waiting?
What is surprising this year is that many applicants with high marks—above 90% %—are only now seeking admission, risking the possibility of joining through the additional rounds rather than the initial merit lists.
Several factors may be contributing to this trend:
- Lack of Awareness About Early Admissions: Some students and parents may not have been fully aware of the early admission schedules. Unlike junior college admissions, which are centralized and well-publicized, degree college admissions involve a more decentralized and staggered process. Many students mistakenly believe degree admissions will follow a similar centralized system, leading to missed deadlines.
- Students Returning Late From Vacation: The early declaration of results coincided with the vacation period, causing many aspirants to miss the start of admission rounds.
- Slow Admissions in Initial Rounds: Principals report that admission activity this year has been slower than usual, possibly due to the timeline changes or other unknown reasons. This slow uptake has also led to the lowering of cutoff marks in popular courses.
Lower Cutoffs at Leading Colleges
One of the notable outcomes of this year’s admission cycle is a dip in cutoff percentages for even the most sought-after courses in reputed colleges affiliated with the University of Mumbai. For years, courses such as the Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) at leading colleges have maintained high cutoffs, often well above 90%, even in the first merit list.
However, this year, several popular courses have witnessed their cutoffs drop below 90%, a rare occurrence in Mumbai’s competitive education landscape. A principal noted that slower admissions could be one reason behind this dip, as colleges seek to fill their seats and accommodate more applicants.
Lower cutoffs encourage more students with high marks to consider applying in the additional rounds, making competition less intense but still highly significant.
The Issue of Missed Pre-Enrolment and Application Forms
In addition to late applications, colleges have also observed a pattern where students fail to fill out either the university’s pre-enrolment form or the specific application forms for their preferred colleges. This confusion adds to the delay and complexity of the admission process.
“We receive inquiries every year from students who are unaware that degree college admissions are not centralized like junior college admissions,” said a principal. “They only realize they haven’t applied after cutoff lists are announced, by which time many seats have already been filled.”
This lack of clarity about the admissions process is a key factor contributing to the volume of last-minute applications and the need for an additional admission round.
What Does This Mean for Students?
For students, this year’s admission scenario presents both challenges and opportunities:
- Challenges: Missing the early rounds could mean limited choices in terms of courses and colleges, as the best options tend to fill up quickly. Waiting for additional rounds may also cause delays in the start of the academic year.
- Opportunities: Lower cutoffs in some popular courses and the reopening of the admission portal provide another chance for students who missed earlier deadlines. Even high scorers can find opportunities if they stay alert and act promptly.
Conclusion: Navigating the MU Admission Landscape in 2025
Mumbai University’s admission process in 2025 is marked by an unusual trend of late applications, even from high-scoring students. The early declaration of HSC results and an advanced admission timeline have caused some confusion and delays in the usual admission process.
Colleges are responding by releasing multiple merit lists, lowering cutoffs to fill seats, and preparing to reopen admission portals for additional rounds. Students and parents must stay informed and proactive to secure seats in their desired courses.
The experience this year highlights the importance of clear communication and awareness about the admission process, especially as universities and colleges increasingly move towards digital and staggered admissions.
As the academic session is about to start soon, students still seeking admission should keep a close watch on official announcements and deadlines to avoid missing out again.
