According to the information compiled from the YKS application statistics, a total of 168,7 female candidates applied to YKS for the quota of “women aged 35 and over”, which was implemented for the first time this year.
Within the scope of the application for women who have not had the opportunity to go to university for the first time this year, a total of 21 thousand 42 quotas, 8 thousand 105 undergraduate and 12 thousand 937 associate degree, were allocated.
The distribution of applications by provinces of female candidates aged 35 and over who applied to YKS, held on 17-18 June, has been determined. Accordingly, the highest number of applications was made from Istanbul with 40 thousand 92 candidates.
Candidates in Istanbul were followed by Ankara with 13 thousand 721 candidates and Diyarbakir with 9 thousand 302 candidates.
These provinces are Adana with 9 thousand 93 candidates, İzmir with 8 thousand 512 candidates, Gaziantep with 6 thousand 940 candidates, Şanlıurfa with 4 thousand 571 candidates, Kocaeli with 4 thousand 138 candidates, Antalya with 4 thousand 101 candidates, 3 thousand 855 candidates. Bursa followed.
Number of candidates according to the provinces where the earthquake occurred
The number of female candidates aged 35 and over who applied to YKS from the provinces of Kahramanmaraş, Elazığ, Kilis, Diyarbakır, Adana, Osmaniye, Şanlıurfa, Adıyaman, Gaziantep, Malatya and Hatay, where earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş were experienced, also drew attention.
Accordingly, the highest number of applications from the earthquake region came from Diyarbakir with 9,302 candidates.
Adana with 9 thousand 93 applications, Gaziantep with 6 thousand 940 candidates, Şanlıurfa with 4 thousand 571 candidates, Elazig with 3 thousand 227 candidates, Malatya with 2 thousand 575 candidates, Hatay with 2 thousand 538 candidates, and 2 thousand 238 candidates. Kahramanmaraş was followed by Osmaniye with 1977 candidates, Adıyaman with 1197 candidates and Kilis with 666 candidates. The total number of female candidates aged 35 and over who applied from 11 provinces affected by the earthquakes was 44,324.
Thus, more than a quarter of the applications for the women’s quota in universities came from the provinces where earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş were experienced. The ratio of the number of applications from the earthquake area to the total applications was over 26 percent.
The distribution of the applications made to the “quota for women aged 35 and over” among the provinces affected by the earthquake is as follows:
| Province name | Number of candidates |
| Diyarbakir | 9302 |
| Adana | 9093 |
| Gaziantep | 6940 |
| Sanliurfa | 4571 |
| Elazig | 3227 |
| Malatya | 2575 |
| Hatay | 2538 |
| Kahramanmaras | 2238 |
| Osmaniye | 1977 |
| Adiyaman | 1197 |
| Report | 666 |
| TOTAL | 44324 |
The oldest candidate is 79 years old
The age distribution of female candidates who dream of university ranks has also been determined. Among the candidates, the oldest of whom was 79 years old, there were 1. 78 years old, 77 years old 3, 76 years old 2, 75 years old 4, 74 years old 5, 73 years old 10, 72 years old 12, 71 years old 16 and 70 years old 18 candidates.
The highest number of applications came from 35-year-old candidates. 17 thousand 682 candidates are 35 years old, 16 thousand 133 candidates are 36 years old, 14 thousand 969 candidates are 37 years old, 13 thousand 422 candidates are 38 years old, 12 thousand 482 candidates are 39 years old, and 11 thousand 207 candidates are 40 years old.
“We believe that universities should be accessible and inclusive for all members of society”
President of YÖK Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar pointed out that the quota for women aged 35 and over is not limited to childhood and youth, and used the following statements:
“Today, one of the best examples of lifelong learning in our country is provided by women over the age of 35 who take the YKS exams in order to study in additional quotas opened to universities by YÖK to complete higher education. Participating in the marathon is very meaningful in terms of showing the determination of Turkish women. In the age range I mentioned, 168 thousand 7 women sweated to study at university. As the Board, we believe that universities should be accessible and inclusive for all members of society, if they can be successful.
We believe that each of them will build success stories that will set an example for our society and the whole world, with the university doors we have opened for our female citizens over the age of 35 who could not take the higher education exams in high school, although they did, or who could not reach the goals they wanted in secondary education and could not go to university. Congratulations to all candidates who took the exam. I hope they get the programs they want and go to college.”