Is Thiagarajar College of Engineering a good choice?

I'm studying Bachelor of Science [B.Sc] in Chemistry at Thiagarajar College, and while the curriculum is extensive and well-designed, I think there are areas for improvement, like the availability of internships. However, the faculty is highly qualified and supportive, which helps a lot in understanding the subject. The college also offers various scholarships that can ease the financial burden. Campus life has its ups and downs, but overall, I've had a decent experience here.

I chose Thiagarajar College for my Bachelor of Business Administration [BBA] and I think it's a good decision. The college offers good placement opportunities, and many reputed companies come for recruitment. The faculty is friendly and helps us prepare for interviews and aptitude tests, which boosts our confidence. The fees are reasonable at around ?30,000 per year, and the infrastructure, including the library and computer lab, is quite decent. Overall, I feel supported in my academic journey here.

Positives:
Thiagarajar College of Engineering (TCE) is quite good when it comes to freedom and opportunities, especially regarding placements. Being an autonomous institution, it can make its own decisions about the syllabus, which often results in a more comprehensive curriculum than the one from Anna University. The college also has solid industry connections, on par with top colleges in Tamil Nadu. Located near Madurai’s main city, students have easy access to everyday necessities and the delicious food the city is known for. This is a plus for students from the southern districts. All departments are supportive of new initiatives and provide plenty of guidance. The teachers are approachable and genuinely interested in your academic and career growth. Plus, there's a strong alumni network with members in top positions across major companies.

Negatives:
However, the exposure here might not match what you’d get at some top colleges in Chennai or Coimbatore. TCE doesn’t host the typical big college events like freshers' parties, large cultural festivals, or sports events. Students are expected to be proactive, which is good in some ways, but it can be tough for those not used to such a system. The food at TCE, whether in the hostel or food court, might not live up to the culinary reputation of Madurai, so don’t get your hopes up there. When it comes to placements, students aren't allowed to sit for multiple companies like Amazon or Microsoft.

Overall, if your goal is to land a decent job and you’re a self-motivated learner who isn’t easily swayed by peer pressure, TCE could be a great fit. But if you’re looking for a vibrant college life or more extensive opportunities for higher studies, you might find it lacking. Just sharing my personal experience from my time there, but others might see it differently.

Hey there!

I can't sum up my time at Thiagarajar College of Engineering in just a few words, but let me give it a shot by breaking it down into three main points. I graduated from the Civil Engineering department back in 2015, and what really stood out to me was the freedom we had in our academics and projects.

Project Experience:
The college gave me the chance to secure government funding for my project, which was pretty cool. I worked on an interdisciplinary project with students from different branches instead of sticking to my own department. I reached out to professors in Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Material Science, and ECE for advice. Every single professor I approached was super supportive and always made time for me, even with their busy schedules. I never felt limited to just my field of study.

Another group of students worked on their project with help from the Thiagarajar Advanced Research Centre. We had access to the lab until midnight and even got to discuss our project with a professor from IIT Madras. The labs were open on Saturdays too, as long as we got permission beforehand.

Professors and Technical Staff:
The professors and students at TCE are what make it special. The teachers are dedicated, humble, and approachable. As I mentioned earlier, I got a lot of help from professors in other departments, which was crucial for completing my project. Most professors have finished their Ph.D., and others are working on it. They push you to aim for higher studies rather than just landing a high-paying job. I know friends who left jobs at companies like Zoho and Temenos to pursue their master's at IITs, NUS, and other universities abroad. Professors really spark a passion for research in their students.

Alumni:
Shoutout to Adharsh Mani for putting together a list of notable alumni. There's a long list of successful TCE graduates. Many are pursuing postgraduate studies at IITs and IISc, and there are entrepreneurs who've made a mark in the industry. If you're aiming for higher studies abroad, you'll likely find a TCEian at many foreign universities like Arizona State University and Oklahoma State University.

In short, TCE has something for everyone. It offers great opportunities for scholars seeking higher education, helps budding entrepreneurs build skills and industry connections, and hosts various clubs and activities for those interested in co-curriculars. Plus, it has a well-functioning placement cell.

I'm a former student of Sapthagiri, so let me give you the lowdown on whether SCE is a good place to spend four important years. SCE is pretty strict about discipline. If you're late, don't even think about knocking on a closed classroom door; the lecturer won't be happy and might not let you in. Dress code is enforced, so leave your mall outfits at home. There's not much to do around campus, and while the gardens look great, the classrooms could use some work. The EC labs have old equipment that's often broken, though they bring in better stuff for exams. There's a cafeteria and a canteen, but I'd suggest eating out at the nearby food spots instead. The library is okay, but remember to return your books on time to avoid fines. Attendance is crucial; if you don't make the cut, you might get detained. Mass bunking is tough, as there's always someone in class who spoils it for everyone else. The fests are kind of dull, despite the CAT team's efforts. Sports-wise, there's a TT area and a basketball court where cricket is usually played. The amphitheater turns into a pool when it rains because of clogged drains. After two hours of classes, there's a 15-minute break where all gates are closed, and guards patrol to prevent bunking. You might see routers around and think there's WiFi, but it's slower than 2G. The reference library has LAN cables with decent speed for laptops.

As for placements, they're decent for CS students. EC and Mech students might find it harder since core companies often leave without hiring. Regardless of your major, you'll need to learn programming if you want a job after graduation, or consider further studies. The placement officer is quite strict, so make sure to follow her instructions. The seminar hall isn't very impressive and fits around 200 people.

Since the college follows VTU, focus on memorizing for exams as there's little real learning involved. Internal exams matter a lot for your final grades, so keep a good average. Overall, the college is average. If you have the chance to go to an autonomous college, choose it over SCE to avoid dealing with VTU. Best of luck!