While the YKS results were announced on July 20, attention turned to the YKS preference lists officially starting on July 27. Preference counselors advise candidates, who have 24 choices, not to opt for departments and universities that they are not comfortable with, or that leave them with question marks after visiting and getting information. Education Expert Ertuğrul Tut warns that the satisfaction rate between the first and last choices in the preference list should not be too wide, emphasizing to choose the profession that will make you happy in the future, not the profession of the future…
The university preference process officially starts on July 27, 2023, and continues until August 8. During this period, when candidates must act consciously in line with their expectations and dreams, Ertuğrul Tut, Manager of Educational Institutions and Guidance Services at Üsküdar Üniversitesi, shared important technical information and tactics regarding the creation of preference lists.
Number of students taking the language exam increased by 100%
Ertuğrul Tut, stating that candidates should carefully examine the quota guide, said, “This year, as in previous years, there are no major differences in equal weight, numerical, and verbal scores. On the other hand, we can predict a difference in language scores due to the 100% increase in the number of students taking the language exam compared to last year. In previous years, earthquake victim quotas were added this year to the school valedictorian quotas applied in state universities. Martyr, veteran relative quotas and quotas for women over 34 years old were also provided. Candidates will definitely see this difference when they look at the quota guide.”
‘The tendency to earn money more easily and quickly’ is reflected in preferences
Tut noted that especially after the pandemic, with digitalization, they observed increased demand for certain programs in engineering and health fields, and also drew attention to a different point: “The ‘tendency to earn money more easily and quickly,’ which started with the previous generation and has spread to this generation, is also reflected in preferences, and we are directly asked about these departments. Of course, the answer to this question primarily involves guidance towards the profession that suits an individual’s personality traits and abilities. Generally, fields that involve more work in digital platforms such as software, computer, and visual communication design are prominent. Or fields with international opportunities and those that can lead to jobs abroad stand out in preferences. Health-related fields, of course, always maintain their importance.”
“Families should not complete their unfulfilled dreams through their children”
Education Expert Ertuğrul Tut stated that during this process, they observed different profiles of family behavior patterns. “Mothers and fathers often try to realize their children’s dreams through their own dreams. This can create pressure. In our interviews, generally, if the candidate talks a lot and can express what they want, the family usually leaves the decision to the child. This is not very healthy either, because sometimes there can be mistaken choices. The candidate should know themselves very well, and the family should support this and act as facilitators. For a proper career plan, the family should also express their opinions and provide guidance. Families should not complete their unfulfilled dreams through their children.” he advised.
“It is very important for the candidate to know themselves, we provide recommendations”
“We try to guide the candidate through career tests and provide recommendations. A career test is an important stage in the process of making the right choice, but for a more ideal result, the candidate must know themselves very well, and parents must know their child very well. Because a profession is not something that can be changed midway. This title comes before your name for the rest of your life. Choices should be made according to correct, healthy, and satisfying orientations, and the satisfaction rate between the first and last choices in the preference list should not be too wide. In other words, both the first and last choices should be departments and programs desired by the candidate.”
“Choose the profession that will make you happy in the future, not the profession of the future”
Tut also provided information on professions of the future, stating, “Some trends give clues about what lies ahead. Fields related to health or digital media are listed among the professions of the future. When we form sentences starting with ‘professions of the future,’ there is a perception that other professions might not have a future. Therefore, choose the profession that will make you happy in the future, not the profession of the future. When you choose a profession that makes you happy, there is actually no great need for the profession of the future.”
“Read the opportunities offered by universities carefully”
Tut concluded by emphasizing that opportunities such as scholarships, dormitories, transportation, and ERASMUS should be thoroughly researched. “There is no longer a distinction between state or foundation universities. Candidates should ask themselves, ‘A university where I will feel good.’ First, the department is chosen, then the university and city. On the other hand, they should definitely look at the scholarship opportunities offered by universities. In situations where living and economic conditions are difficult, you can evaluate different scholarship opportunities that suit you. For example, Üsküdar Üniversitesi provides a 35% discount for the first choice, 15% for the second choice, and 10% for the third, fourth, and fifth choices when a paid program is written as the first preference. In addition to the ÖSYM scholarship, if all of the first 5 preferences, which also include paid programs, are Üsküdar Üniversitesi, an additional 25% discount is applied to the remaining amount after the scholarship they received. Furthermore, we have many international opportunities and a high number of universities with ERASMUS agreements. Especially in recent times, international opportunities attract the interest of students. Laboratory and application areas, being in the city center, and the short distances between our campuses are significant advantages. Most importantly, a university’s backbone is its academic staff. Having an academic staff consisting of highly successful experts in their fields is a very important asset.”