College review for ASCOMS, Jammu

The MBBS curriculum is structured to provide an understanding of human anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, and clinical practices. The inclusion of subjects like community medicine influenced my decision as it connects theory with societal healthcare needs. Clinical rotations offer exposure to patient care. These experiences bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical application. Exams include internal assessments and final university exams. The difficulty level is moderate to high.

Internship is of 1yr compulsory rotation type, like in all medical colleges, with a stipend of Rs 12,300. All clinical departments are touched in the year under the orders and regulations laid by NMC.

The tuition fee for 2018 batch was Rs 4,50,000 per year, for 5 years. The hostel fees is around Rs 42,000. The total fees per year including registration fees, admission fees and miscellaneous charges along with a Rs 50,000 security deposit amount to Rs 6,00,000 for the first year

Students of ASCOMS are invited to many North Indian College events like EUPHORIA by GMC Chandigarh (February-March) and PULSE by AIIMS Delhi (September). Library is fully equipped with all sorts of references and textbooks but students prefer online studies these days. The classrooms are equipped with smartboards for expressive and extensive learning. They are all air-conditioned for the students. Sports week in winters is an annual function which the college cherishes. Also, educational and cultural functions are a norm in ASCOMS.

Rooms are of duplet and triplet fashion, equipped with a bed, a study table and a chair for each student. Fans are of the ceiling variety and provisions for AC are also available. Meals are good, quality varies day to day. Canteens have a fixed menu for the week, one can enjoy food there. The hostel is pretty affordable and allotted on first come - first serve basis. Rooms and PG are available in 2km radius of the college with adequate facilities and safe surroundings.

After 12th, I appeared for JEE and NEET-UG exams. From JEE, I secured a top seat in NIT, Srinagar for Computer Science engineering and applied for admission. But my mind was somewhat inclined towards the medical field, so once the results were out, I chose ASCOMS as my college for pursuing MBBS. The admission was pretty simple, I was guided by the college administration after the counselling list was out. Entry is solely by NEET-UG, cut-off stays around 630 these years. The admission is stress-free, the real grind is in the degree, but that's obvious, after all we're becoming the future doctors.

The teaching faculty to student ratio is around 1:10 per department. They're encouraging and approachable to a very good extent. Personally, I liked the ophthalmology faculty, they had a sweet approach towards the students, Dr Dinesh Malhotra, Dr Renu Hashia, etc were the leads. On the contrary, the Biochem faculty is a bit unfriendly and strict towards the students. Dr V. J. Chrungoo, the HoD Biochemistry is infamous for his supplementary record. In 2019 batch, he failed 34 candidates out of 100. There are a couple of exams spread over the year, but the main are the sendups and professionals, at the year end. Syllabus is coverable and exams are of medium difficulty which can be passed by focussed study.

The campus is big enough and has a football and cricket ground, a basketball court, a couple of lovely parks for sitting around and chilling. There are 3-4 cafeterias in the campus where the students and faculty have snacks and meals for a break during the day. Girls hostel closes around 8pm in summers and 7pm in winters. Boys hostel doesn't have such restrictions. The locality is perfectly safe with guards patrolling the campus at night to ensure safety.