Choose right

The CET 2011 results are finally out. Every student has got a rank. The big question is, “Which course and which college will the CET rank get you into?” Selecting the right course and the right college requires permutation and combination of ideas, suggestions and facts. The entire process can become easy if the following factors are considered.

Choosing the right branch

No matter what your marks are, you must decide on what subject/branch you want. This can be done by doing a reality check about your interests.

- Genuine interest: If you are really interested in a particular branch, then you must know certain facts and figures about it.

- Aptitude: Each branch of engineering requires different aptitude and skills. Check out what you are good at. Select not the best branch, but the one which you can be best at. Meet students and professionals to know what aptitude is required.

- Personality: What qualities do you have? And to what kind of job do these qualities match? What nature of work do you like to do? You may do the “hottest” engineering course but what if the job you get tomorrow does not suit your nature? Check your personality and match with the options. Thousands of software engineers after 3-4 years of work in IT are today working under tremendous stress or have just changed their job because it was not giving them any satisfaction or happiness.

Choosing the right college

Do a quick check list of colleges: By looking at the previous year’s trend you will have a fair idea of which college you are likely to get a seat in. Make a list of 10-15 colleges and begin your search.

- Location: The place where the college is located matters a lot. If you select a college that is a good four or five hours away, you will waste precious time commuting every day.

- Approval by AICTE: All engineering colleges must be approved by AICTE. For details about how many seats have been approved by AICTE in each college, for each branch of engineering, log on to http://www.aicte.ernet.in

- Infrastructure: A good engineering college must have spacious class rooms, well equipped labs, a seminar hall, a hygienic canteen, a well stacked library, internet access for student, clean and spacious hostels, student clubs, etc. Don’t go simply by colourful college brochures. Visit the college if possible and get a first hand report.

- Faculty: Check the qualifications of the faculty members in the college. This can be done by visiting the college website or by visiting the college. A deeper study and critical feedback can be taken from college forums and pages on Facebook / Orkut and also meeting the present and ex-students.

- Placements: Every college today has a placement cell. Find out what kind of companies visit the college and the number of students placed each year. Also find out the branch wise and company wise placement record of colleges. The companies going on campus recruitments look for the track record of colleges, right from the cut offs they have during the 1st year of admissions, performance of students, infrastructure, facilities provided by the college, co-operation from the placement cell, and the performance of students who were hired by them in the previous years.  

- Fee structure: Many colleges charge hefty fees even after you have paid the CET fees during the counseling. College fees vary between Rs 10,000 to Rs 25,000. Some colleges charge for little things. When you meet students or visit a college find out the fee policy of the college. When you are selecting a college outside your city, consider the cost of hostel / room rent and food. Many times out of excitement we select a college and then realise that the college hostel fee is more than the admission fee!

-Extra curricular activities: During engineering it is essential to take part in inter / intra college festivals. Joining a college which has regular cultural, technical or sports fests will be a good foundation to strengthen one’s interests and hobbies.

-Brand name: Like it or not, the college brand matters. Students from a reputed college are easily recognised by companies, while others have to prove themselves. If you do not get your preferred branch in a reputed college, but want the tag of the college, it is good to go in for any branch in that college. Many companies which visit such colleges have job offers open for students of all branches as they believe the college has the best of students.

-Use Facebook / Orkut: Many times you get news about the college through social networking sites. Sometimes, students who may have had harrowing experiences in a particular college may share their problems and tell you what to do and what not to do there. Many times hidden facts and realities are often discussed in such groups.

Less popular engineering courses, high rewards

If you wish to be different from the lot, it is good to study less popular engineering courses like mining, cement technology, road transport, etc which are offered by very few colleges and have more than 100% placement record. Many students are simply crazy about the popular branches of engineering like computer science, electronics, mechanical, etc. and end up selecting a course in a not-so-good college.

The final call

Choosing a college because your friends are going there or because of its ranking is not a great idea as it does not take into account who you are and who you will become.

The factor of luck also cannot be ignored. Having worked hard to get high scores and even after having done your home work, you may sometimes still miss out on the college of you choice. At this final and critical point, ask for inputs from those who know you best and whose judgement you most trust. Then, make your final college selection.