After Eileen Kolberg (26) from Lesja finished her secondary education, she spent three and a half years entering her dream study: medicine at the University of Oslo (UiO). – It will be a very long road, says the medical student, who has only been there for a year and a half. She had to spend both time and money as a private student on taking the science subjects she was missing, and raising her grade point average. Together with a year at university, she received extra study and age points. Then a part-time job and loans were not enough. She had to use her savings, which she realizes is not possible for everyone. – It is a great pity that we may lose a lot of good doctors because it will be such a circuitous road. Although medicine is the subject with the highest score limit, this is a problem for other studies, such as law, dental studies and psychology. Many will therefore change the admissions system. Wants to move away from expensive private schemes The Solberg government set up an admissions committee last year. Among other things, they look at how the admissions system can be made as fair as possible. The solution to this will come before 1 December. – I expect us to think anew, says Maika Marie Godal Dam. NSO believes that the admissions system has a financial disadvantage for students. Photo: ISMAIL BURAK AKKAN / news She is the leader of the Norwegian Student Organization (NSO). They are clear that the committee must present major solutions to what they believe to be a fundamental problem. – Like prospective students spending tens of thousands of kroner on expensive private schemes. A possible solution is to look to Denmark, where motivation and experience are more emphasized. – We think it can reduce the ever-increasing character chase we see today, says Godal Dam. From entrance exams to lotteries Many of the courses with the highest requirements are at UiO. Here, they think it is possible to think anew. Vice-chancellor at the university, Bjørn Stensaker, emphasizes the importance of diversity in different courses. Then age points are not necessarily the best tool. – Gender is an important dimension that should perhaps be given greater emphasis, and ethnic or regional belonging can also be an alternative. The vice-chancellor at UiO believes that diversity should be an important factor in an admissions system. Photo: Jarli & Jordan / UiO UiO has, among other things, proposed to the selection that one can limit how much it is possible to improve grades, and instead use entrance tests, interviews and lotteries. – In order to get into the most popular studios, there is only a fraction of a difference. If you go out with almost only sixes, and still don’t get in, you are still qualified, and probably also motivated. Want more young drivers in work For Høgre, who helped set up the selection, it is especially age points that they want removed. Storting representative Aleksander Stokkebø (H) believes that too many users spend years taking up subjects and collecting age points. – It is a bad solution, both for the individual who uses valuable time, but also for society, which needs more young people in work. The Høgre representative believes that there will be grade inflation with the current system. Photo: William Jobling / news Stokkebø adds that age points are not a problem in themselves, but that the admissions system means that those who wait to study are rewarded. – We see that there is inflation in grades, which makes it difficult for young people to enter their dream university. We will do something about that. Looking at several solutions What will be the conclusion of the selection will not be clear until this winter. Nevertheless, leader of the selection and long-time Ap politician, Marianne Aasen, emphasizes that grades will still be important. – But we will consider this with age points, additional points and private examination. The committee will come up with its conclusions in December. Photo: Su thet mon / news Then there will perhaps be more limitations on what you can collect over several years. The committee looks to both Denmark and Sweden for other solutions. – We want more people to start studying earlier. Many people wait too long for higher education, because it is difficult to get in.
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