Saturday, 13 June 2009: If students from outside Karnataka excelled in the entrance test for medical courses by grabbing 61 of the top 100 ranks, Karnataka students dominated the top 100 ranks in the engineering list.

About 90 per cent of the top engineering ranks of the Under Graduate Entrance Test, used as benchmark for private college admissions, were cornered by students from the State. In all, 41,994 engineering ranks and 5,895 medical ranks have been published. First-rank holder in the medical list V. Rajesh said he was happy with his performance, but had already chosen a seat in VIMS, Bellary. "As I am from Bellary, I have chosen this college through CET (rank 58). I would like to complete MBBS and specialise in Cardiology," he said.

Chandan Kulkarni, who stood fifth in the CET rank list secured the second rank in the COMED list. However, having scored 706 in AIPMT, he has opted for ASMC, Pune. "For now, I want to do my PG degree and become a neurologist. Both my parents are doctors and I guess this is why I like this profession."

Apoorva J., who stood first in PCM test, said she was very happy. With a CET rank of 123, she hopes to get into Electronics and Communication Engineering in one of the top colleges in Bangalore. "I was happy with both exams, but I think I did better in COMED-K." Rohan Ravindran, who stood second, was satisfied, but said that CET was his first preference. He has also made it to the extended merit list in IIT. He plans to top his engineering degree with an MBA and aspires to step into a corporate career. Arpita Duggar, who stood third, is all set to take up a seat in NIT-Surathkal through the All-India exam (rank 54).

Around 619 seats in 12 medical colleges, 722 dental seats in 25 dental colleges and 12,396 engineering seats in 129 private engineering colleges are on offer with the COMED-K. While the medical and dental counselling process will be held on July 1 and 2, the engineering seat selection process is scheduled from July 4 to 17.