After JEE 2018 : Choosing branch and college, and taking a drop

Disclaimer: The views presented here are mine(and based on some facts in few cases) and I would not be responsible if anyone ruins his/her future by reading this. Choose carefully and consult multiple people.

See opening closing ranks of previous years here : JoSAA site. Take a look and look at the seats available and possible at your rank.

So JEE 2018 is over and results are out too. Congratulations to all those who did well. Now comes the real dilemma. Which college to choose? Which branch to choose? Should I drop? Should I take a partial drop?

First, I'll come to droppers. You might be thinking that taking a drop is a waste of an year. While its true in a sense, but if you feel you can score more next year, then surely go for it. It won't make a difference in the long run. Plus college life is tough and you get to stay in coaching(the best phase in my life till now) for another year. Its a blessing in disguise. Droppers know what all mistakes they committed and can easily make up for it. You don't have boards and all. If you feel you can improve your performance significantly, then do go. I have seen people achieve a lot in drop year. However, if you are getting an IIT/ BITS with a good position(compared to your potential) then you should join it. Drop only if you feel you didn't study well in 11th/12th and are willing to study now. Or if you messed up the paper real bad, and will ensure you won't do it the next time. If you studied hard enough and still didn't make it, there isn't much point in repeating as you probably won't make a difference in another year. People will call you dropper, get over it and don't listen to them. Prepare well. You aren't wasting time if you are studying well in drop year. Try to get into a coaching class if possible. Partial drop isn't recommended because it is really tough to study for JEE in college. But some people have done it in past. A friend of mine changed from BITS Pilani to IIT B Electrical. But again, better focus on one goal.

Coming to those who won't be dropping, I recommend you to read the above paragraph too, so that you will understand that dropping isn't a bad idea if you can improve your rank. Anyway, coming to the point, I guess the preference of choosing a branch and college should be-

Old IIT 'good' branch >BITS Pilani 'good' branch=Old IIT 'okayish' branch> New IIT 'good' branch= BITS Pilani 'okayish' branch= top NITs > New IIT okayish 'branch'=other BITS.

Note that this order is pretty rough, and consult seniors from colleges for more information. But this is the general guideline. Some more myths which have to cleared are -

1. IITB= IITD= IITK So if you live in Delhi and feel that you would waste your opportunities by not joining IIT Bombay, it's a myth, and stay in Delhi if you wish to stay close to home(only if your branch is better/same). Last year a student in top 5 AIR chose to stay in IITD as his home is near it. And IITD has the almost the same prospects as IITB.

2,. While IIT tag is important in society, BITS Pilani has a very good research/placement/future prospects. So join BITS Pilani if you are getting it, instead of joining new IITs just for the IIT tag.

3. If you don't have an idea of what to do and have a good rank, opt for CSE/ Electrical because these have good prospects in future. You can always change your branch after first year to 'lower' branches, but changing branch to CSE is tougher than shifting low.

4. Please don't join IIT Bombay 'low' branches instead of say, BITS Pilani CS, thinking that you will change your branch to a good one. IITB has many top 3000 AIRs in it, and to change branches you need to be in top 1000 or below of 10000 IITians. It is tough. Only 10-12 students get into CSE after branch change, and you have to be top 10 in a college which has many top 100 AIRs in it. Still many have done it, and it is not impossible. So go for it if you feel like, and take an informed decision.

5. Top IITs have a good reputation everywhere. IIT Bombay boasts of a rich culture and is quite active in many fields like Entrepreneurship, Cultural activities, Tech clubs, etc. If you are into one of these things, IITB might be suited for you. But it is competitive too. If you join Old IITs 'okayish' branches, you get to stay with people who are better than you at that point(almost all top 50 rankers would be there). It causes some people to move into depression, and on the other hand it gives a healthy competition to many people. Many people who get into IITB regret it, because its too competitive, and even after getting good JEE ranks, many are unable to cope up. People who take up CSE/Electrical in new IITs are happier. Because they are the toppers in their college, as compared to the case where they would be last rankers in IITB or IITD, and get more time for other stuff. New IITs although having relatively poor infrastructure and opportunities, give more peace than the highly competitive old IITs. These things are important too.

Coming to my college(IIT Bombay), if you are someone who is into cultural activities/technical clubs/startups, someone who can deal with pressure, and someone who can manage time well, then IIT Bombay is for you. But don't get too lost into other activities too much, this is not your aim.

If you are someone who is 'different' and want to pursue research/non ' conventional' branch(like Aerospace engineering/Aeronautics/Physics/Mathematics etc.)then I highly encourage you to pursue it. Try to get the best possible college for these topics(if you are clear with your goal). You will simply love your job/branch. Don't listen to others saying that you should join this/that branch. Follow your heart, but again, think wisely.

There are some other good colleges like IISc, IIITH, IISER, CMI, etc. I have no idea about them, except for the fact that they are really good and reputed.Consult people from these places for more information.

This was all I had to say, and  I'll sign off with these words which many elders say that college/IITs/branch are temporary things. What matters is your dedication and hardwork. And it really doesn't matter which college are you in as long as you are happy. A happy person in a private/local college is much better off than a sad/depressed person at IIT Bombay : )

P.S.- I'll say it once more, I am only one year into college, and I might have been bit biased towards IITs. This is what I had inferred from the internet and seniors. Sorry for any wrong information, and do consult people from your possible colleges and research well. Ask as many people as possible and don't get confused. Take your time and discuss with your family members too. And finally, it's your call. You are responsible for taking your life's choices more than anyone else. Also, no offence meant to any college. 'Good' and 'Okayish' are the branches labelled by society and the trend, and not me.