How to choose your engineering college

Choosing an engineering college in India is a significant decision that can impact your career path and personal development. Here are some key factors to consider when making your choice:

How to choose your engineering college

Just scoring well in JEE Main is not enough. What is important is to choose the right field of engineering you wish to pursue and which college should you enroll?
In this lesson, we will try to sort out your confusion on what should be the parameters to pick your engineering college. Should brand take precedence over placements or should faculty be given importance over infrastructure? Let’s find out…

(1) Rankings and Reputation

Look at national and state-level rankings of engineering colleges, such as those published by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), India Today, or other reputable sources. A college’s reputation can be a good indicator of the quality of education and faculty.

(2) Faculty

Research the qualifications and experience of the faculty members. Faculty who are involved in research can provide insights into the latest trends and technologies in their field.

If the faculty is good, the quality of education you will get will also be good.

Important tips by experts to check out if the faculty of an engineering institute is good are -:
(a) Review the number of faculty members with a PhD degree.
(b) Check out the number of faculty members with an MTech degree.
(c) Find out where your teachers have got their highest degrees. If it is from the same institute in which they are teaching, then the quality of education would not be very good.
(d) Find out the faculty-student ratio: A small ratio would mean personalized attention and help you to perform well in academics.
(e) Find out if your faculty members are active in research. These research-oriented teachers will normally have a better understanding of the latest developments in the area, and will therefore be in a position to explain better.
(f) Number of workshops, seminars conducted by the institute also reflects the quality of an institute.

(3) Accreditation

Your institute should be recognized by NAAC, AICTE or NBA. Accreditation is a process of quality assurance whereby Programmes in an approved institution is critically apprised to verify whether that programme meets the norms and standards laid down. It is important if you are interested in studying further or even applying for a job/migrating abroad. Get the legal status of the degree you study for. If the school is not well-known, make sure that the degree is recognized.

(4) Infrastructure and Facilities

Good infrastructure, such as well-equipped labs, libraries, and comfortable living accommodations, can enhance your learning experience. Visit the campus if possible, or take a virtual tour if available.

In fields like engineering, biotechnology and biology, having state-of-the-art and well equipped labs are a must.

Also check out the sports, hostel facilities to know more about your institute.

(5)Course Specializations:

If you have a specific engineering field in mind (like Computer Science, Mechanical, Civil, etc.), check if the college offers a strong program in that area. Look at the curriculum, faculty qualifications, and department facilities.

(6) Brand value

The names of some colleges, like IITs, NITs, BITS is enough and have a high brand recall because of their quality of education. This is reflected by the achievements of their alumni and the research output of faculty and graduate students, other colleges have high brand recall due to advertising on a large scale. The brand of an institute also has an impact on its placements. Big companies will make a beeline for IITs and other renowned institutes than compared to other institutes of less repute. Also companies that recruit thousands of students from campuses every year would typically not go to campuses where they are likely to get just 5-10 potential employees.

(7) Placements and Industry ties

Review the college’s placement records and the companies that regularly recruit from the campus. Strong industry connections can lead to better internship and job opportunities.

(8) Location

Consider the geographical location of the college. Proximity to industrial hubs can offer better internship and placement opportunities. Also, think about whether you prefer a college in a metropolitan city or a quieter, rural setting.

Trying to go for an institute in Delhi, Mumbai or Bangalore is preferable as most big companies recruit engineering students from big cities as it is convenient from them.”

(9) International Collaborations

Some colleges have collaborations with foreign universities. These can offer opportunities for student exchange programs and exposure to global education standards.

(10)Alumni Network

A strong alumni network can provide mentorship and networking opportunities. Check if the college has an active alumni association.

(11) Fees and Scholarships

Consider the tuition fees and other expenses. Also, look into scholarship opportunities or financial aid if you need them.

(12)Campus Life

The overall environment and culture of the college are important for your personal growth. Look into clubs, extracurricular activities, and campus culture.

(13)Student Reviews and Feedback

Try to get feedback from current students or alumni about their experiences. They can provide insights that you won’t find in official brochures.

(14)Research and Development Opportunities

If you are interested in research, look for colleges that offer strong research programs and facilities.