Experience at my dream college: DR Ambedkar Institute Through KCET

My KCET Success Story: From Rank to Admission

Firstly, I’ll tell you about the admission process through which I got admission in my college. I got 17585 rank in the KCET, which is Karnataka common entrance test. After my results, I applied for counselling process to get admitted to an Engineering college. There were, in total, three rounds of counselling throughout the college allotment process. But, I got  DR Ambedkar institute of Technology, my dream college, in the first round itself. So, I instantly paid the KEA fees and got admitted to the college.

Balancing Acts: A Look at College Hostel Life

My college journey has been a mixed bag of experiences, marked by both its strengths and shortcomings. The campus, though showing signs of age, offers a decent hostel facility with clean rooms and adequate security. I didn’t stay in my college hostel. But, according to some of my friends, the food quality and taste is pretty good. There are two messes, 
1. North mess 
2. South mess
The fees for North mess is INR 4,000 -5,000 more than south mess. Both provide unlimited food for the students. Talking about the security and restrictions, there are nearly 3-4 security guards at both hostel gates. So, it’s nearly impossible to enter in the hostel without hostel ID card. The hostel gate closes at 10 PM and nobody can enter the hostel after that.

The Hidden Curriculum: Lessons Beyond the Syllabus

The academic experience is a bit of a both positive and negative. The faculty pool is constantly changing, with some professors being highly dedicated and experienced, while others seem less engaged. The syllabus is often incomplete, leaving students to independently cover the remaining portion through group projects and self-study. They basically tell us to create groups of 4-5 members and make a PPT presentation on specific topics. Nearly 60-70% of the syllabus was completed by them, remaining was allotted to the students as group activity presentation. We had to do the last 1-2 units of the syllabus by ourselves. This helped me in gaining confidence, overcoming stage fear and communicating clearly without any fears. This approach, while fostering self-reliance, can be challenging for students who may require more structured guidance.

More Than Academics

On the brighter side, the college fosters a vibrant campus life. The annual fests, Kannada Kalarava and Sanskruti, along with branch-specific events, provide opportunities for students to showcase their talents and bond with their peers. The formation of new clubs further enriches the extracurricular scene, encouraging participation in various activities such as dance, sports, and cultural events. I had great memories being the promotional and marketing team lead at Electrotech fest, our branch fest, which helped me to solve problems in real life and gain leadership experiences.

The Impact of the Pandemic on Placements

When it comes to placements, the college has a decent track record, with regular recruiters like TCS and Wipro. However, the overall quality and quantity of companies could be improved. While the highest package offered is nearly INR 22 LPA in 2022, the lowest end of the spectrum is 2.5 LPA. Due to the recession during the COVID phase, most of the companies that were visiting our college for placements every year didn’t come in the last year. The ones that attended the placements drive
 were sales companies. They offered roles such as customer executive, sales, etc. positions for an Engineering graduate. Due to this, my seniors had to face many problems. 

Reflecting on My College Journey: Growth and Gratitude

Overall, my college experience has been a learning experience, shaping my skills and perspectives, and preparing me for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. While the challenges have been real, they have also been opportunities for growth and development. I have learned to adapt to change, to work independently, and to collaborate with others. I have also learned the importance of time management, stress management, and self-care.
As I look back on my college years, I am grateful for the experiences I have had. I have met some amazing people, learned a lot about myself, and grown as a person. I am confident that the skills and knowledge I have gained will serve me well in the future. 

About the author: 
Praveena has recently competed her graduation from Dr. AMBEDKAR INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. She had great memories being the promotional and marketing team lead at Electrotech fest. She is grateful for the experiences she has had during the college journey.

Note: The views expressed in this article are solely the author’s own and do not reflect/represent those of Shiksha.