Factors that need to be checked before joining an engineering college

Students who seek admissions to engineering colleges have a difficult time choosing an appropriate college. Although the syllabus for all courses is the same across all colleges affiliated to a particular university, the college where you study makes a great difference. Some students do not know which criteria should be applied for choosing the right engineering college. They may join a college odd reasons – may be because their parents studied in that college, because their friends have joined the college, because a college is at a convenient distance for commutation and various other reasons. Can you take the important decision of joining a college for one of these reasons? When you are looking for a college which is going to be your alma mater, you have more serious issues to consider.

Affiliation: To which university is the college affiliated? This information is available on the internet.

Approval: An engineering college must be approved by AICTE ( All India Council for Technical Education). A college approved by AICTE has to follow certain norms with respect to admissions, qualifications of faculty, infrastructure and fee structure.

Expenses: Before joining an engineering college, the total expenditure for the entire course must be taken into account. If you are going to live far from home in a hostel, then you will have to pay for lodging and boarding in addition to tuition fees, books, stationary and other things. Check whether you can afford the expenses before joining the college.

Faculty: Check the merits of the staff. The teachers in the engineering college must be duly qualified and highly experienced.

Infrastructure: An engineering course is practice oriented. Classroom teaching and theory must be complemented by practical work. A good engineering college must have workshops and laboratories.

Library: Higher education is research oriented. A well-equipped library with sufficient number of text books and reference books is essential.

Discipline and general atmosphere: An engineering college must have a disciplinary code, anti-ragging law enforcement, women’s cell etc. all these factors contribute to the general atmosphere in the college and make it conducive for learning.

Hostel facility: The College must provide good hostel facility. Students are required to spend 3 to 4 years in the college. Hence the food provided to hostelites must be nourishing and enough.

Sports and cultural activities: Even though the engineering course is demanding, students must be given opportunity for indulging in sports and cultural activities for promotion of holistic development. The college must conduct and participate in sports events and competitions.

Transport facilities: For students who are day-scholars, there must be adequate transport facility.

Seminars and conferences: Engineering colleges must organize seminars and conferences at various levels and encourage students to participate and present papers.

Industry interface: Good engineering colleges must have association and tie-ups with MNCs. Students can be placed in the companies for internship. The college must invite guest lecturers from companies to guide the students.

Placements: a good engineering college must provide job training, interview skills, communication skills and PD training and support students for campus placements in deserving positions.

Making a wise choice at the right stage will prevent frustration and repentance at a later stage. Students must not pay heed to misleading advertisements, influences and advice given by strangers. They must check the credentials of a college on sound parameters before taking admission in an engineering college.