The NEET UG admissions in India can be a stressful time for many students. Owing to this, they end up committing minor errors that lead to the instant rejection of their application which results in wasted academic years. To handle these challenging times, it is best to keep a fresh mind and focus on how to avoid mistakes during NEET UG admissions in India so that you take advantage of every timely chance to get into your choice of college and course. Most of the errors that are commonly made by the applicants are easy to avoid with careful attention to detail. In fact, an application that successfully qualifies all the hurdles and shows no error will seamlessly move on to the next level with elevated chances of securing admission into dream medical colleges. The role played by research during this period is unparalleled as it will give the candidates a prior idea of the approach that they need to adopt.

Common Mistakes that should be avoided

Before Registration

Admission Strategy- Once you have made up your mind to appear for the NEET examination and develop a career in the medical field, the next step is to sort out a plan for the steps you are going to take to achieve this. Make a proper strategy in advance about your study schedule for your NEET entrance examination and commit to it as well. Early on, research about your choice of college so that you are not confused later on. Set goals and aims that are achievable based on your capacity as a student.

Check on Deadlines- Applicants must keep a constant check on the dates and timelines that are issued by the authority for registration, admit card, exam as well as results. If you miss the dates of any of the steps then there will be no leniency or a chance to go ahead with your application. Sometimes, the registration portal is reopened keeping in mind the demand for applications. 

Choice of Course- The NEET examination is taken to study courses like MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BHMS, etc. You are required to fill out your choice during the registration period and before your counseling based on your score in the NEET examination. Students often make the error of not having a clear mind/choice about what they want to study as they opt for whatever is available to them. Students must think through their choices and then prepare for their studies and exams accordingly. 

Knowledge about Medical Colleges- Aimlessly selecting medical colleges is another negligence made by the applicants. It has been observed that students look for ways in which they can change in MBBS medical college in the later years of the program. Therefore, to avoid any situation that might harm your learning process, applicants should do sufficient research about fee details, college location, their means of transport, facilities provided by the college, infrastructure and promised faculty, etc.

Filling the Application Form

Incomplete Personal Details- In the application form, personal details include name, parent’s name, category, aadhar card or other identity proof, address, age, religion, etc. Your personal details should be the same in all formal documents submitted by you. Avoid errors concerning spelling mistakes, caps lock letters, or short forms of words. Write the address of your permanent residence only in the section that asks for it. If you have a different ‘present address’ then there is an option to write both of them separately. Give honest details only and do not be indolent with such vital details.  

Incomplete Credentials- Credentials consist of all your academic details until now. If you are a student who has passed/given their senior secondary examinations then you shall fill in proper details about the subjects that you have studied, secondary examinations, etc.

Typos in Contact Details– A confirmation of your application is sent in the form of an OTP through your phone number or mail. Putting in the wrong details is a common mistake in NEET UG admissions. Even if it is a genuine typing error while filling out your form it is expected that you take extra precautions while submitting your contact information.

The language medium of NEET– Applicants ignore certain trivial details like selecting the medium of their examination in the application form. The exam is conducted in 13 different languages and is an important part of your application form. It is preferred that you shall choose the language medium in which you have completed your academic journey until now. Even if the exam is giving an option to be conducted in your mother tongue, do not conform to it unless and until you are absolutely certain about understanding questions as well as other instructions in the language. 

Selecting Exam City– Candidates are supposed to select two cities in their order of preference. It is better to choose the first preference as the city in which you are already residing. While the National Testing Agency always prefers to give you a preference of your own choice, in some rare situations you might have to come to a different city for your NEET examination. Thus, do not commit the error of choosing your second preference mindlessly and instead opt for the one that is nearest to you after your first preference. 

Scanned and uploaded Documents– Signature, hand and thumb impressions, passport size photographs, secondary school certificate, PwD certificate, reservation certificate, etc. are some of the documents that are to be scanned and uploaded as part of your application form. The officials are entitled to reject or refuse to submit your application if you make the mistake of submitting it in an unacceptable condition. All your details should be clearly visible. Also, adhere to the image size which is recommended in the NEET UG application form. 

Error/Delay in Payment- The form gives you different options to submit your fees in the online method. When you select a mode of payment ( credit/debit card, net banking, etc.), ensure that the account that you are using has sufficient funds required for submission. In case there is a failure in the process, you might have to fill the entire form from the beginning.  Any kind of delay in submitting your payment even after the deadline has approached will lead to a rejection of your application. 

Recheck/Edit before Submission– Before clicking on the final submission, very keenly fill out all the details you have filled in. If you are unsure about editing/proofreading your form or uploading the official documents then you can take the help of professionals in computer cafes who have som experience in this work. Even if you filled out your form with patience and dedication, take a few extra minutes and revisit the entire form again. You never know the minor errors that might have missed the eye. 

Download Confirmation Page- Towards the end of your application, do not forget to download and print your confirmation page. It will have generated details through which you will be able to download your admit card for the examination. It is formal evidence that your application is now complete and submitted. Students must secure this document until the whole admission process is complete.

The Process of Counselling

Lack of Knowledge– The counseling process begins once the NEET results are declared. It involves registration, locking of choice, and other formalities such as working out the quotas and vacancies. Applicants who are unsure about this process can contact an NEET counselor or Medical Education Consultants for guidance. They will also help you understand the eligibility of each category, the counseling schedule along with the documents that are to be kept prepared. 

Timely Registration– To get involved in the counseling process you first have to register yourself on the official website of the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC). Fill out the information about your name, contact details, NEET roll number, medical colleges that you want to study in, etc. Make wise and informed decisions about all your choices as you have reached the final stages of your NEET UG admission.

Keep Tab on the allotment letter– The MCC will make the final decision about your college and choice of course. Notifications are sent on the official website once the committee finalizes the candidates for which you must regularly keep on checking the updates. Do not forget to download the allotment letter which will guide about the next steps that have to be followed by you. 

Report to College Within Time- Reach your college premises and present yourself after receiving your allotment letter. Remember that just because you have been given an allotment letter, it does not mean that your admission is now confirmed. Carry all the documents with you to avoid any trouble.

Proper Documents for Admission– Once you have reached your medical college the process of your admission will begin. You will be informed about the documents that you need to carry. Verification of the said documents will then be carried out. Familiarize yourself with the fee submission structure early on (arrange all your funds as well) as it is an initial step of your admission. Colleges also make the applicants go through a medical fitness test with which they should comply. 

Unjustified stubbornness about the choice of college- The NEET UG admissions are a stiff competition with students from all over the country trying to confirm their seats into good colleges. Although you should certainly plan ahead about your choice of college and course, try not to limit yourself. You will have better chances of admission if you are ready to explore college and courses with an open mind. 

Unlawful Means of Admission– It is unfortunate that sometimes future medical professionals resort to unjustified ways to get their medical admission. Paying hefty money as bribes or using power or influence can land you in serious trouble. The purpose of the NEET UG admission is a fair and equal chance for all. Applicants should respect this procedure and trust their hard work. 

Conclusion

There is no doubt that the entire process of NEET UG admissions can be tiring to one’s mind and body. An overwhelmed mind will certainly make multiple errors during the course of their admission process which can lead to either a rejection of their application or low scores in the NEET examination. Students should not burden themselves and be careful about the mistakes to avoid during NEET UG admissions. Planning and strategy can be the powerful underestimated tools that you can use to counter every task that you have to do within this period of 2-3 months. You must contact MBBS Admission counsellor for NEET to streamline the process and get admission to the best colleges. We, at Mediplor have been providing Neet consultancy services to students for 20 years. Get in touch with us and talk to our Medical Admission Consultants right away.