SRMIST - Pricey, but worth it, if you know how to make the best of it.

I chose the curriculum because coding is relevant, and the demand for programmers at present is at its all time high. The curriculum is relevant, in that we are taught to program in C and Python from the first semseter itself, with the languages updating to C++ and other languages in later semesters. We are also taught other subjects like computational biology, and subjects which are seemingly irrelevant for someone in the field of computer science. The civil and mechanical workshops prepare one for work in labourous areas lest they aren't able to get a job in the IT sector. Tests are conducted regularly. One's first test will be conducted roughly one month after their classes start. They are called Cycle Tests (CTs) and as of now, account for 60% of the internal marks. Rest 40% are external marks, also known as endsems. CTs are held around 3 times per semester, but it also depends on the credit value of the subject. CTs are easy as long as one has studied the topics properly.

Various internships are available at the college. Internships are available at big companies like Amazon, Adobe and at times, Apple. The internship period usually lasts for maximum of 6 months, with a minimum of 1 month, and of 3 months at average. The roles usually provided are ones related to management, and/or junior developer with an ample stipend of roughly 40,000.

As per my knowledge, students become eligible for placements after the 7th semester, but can be as early as 6 if they have secured an internship. Various companies visit the campus, ranging from Amazon to TCS. Mass recruiters like TCC offer a package of 6lpa, wheras Amazon can offer as high as 50LPA. The highest package secured was 1.1 crore, but I think it was an off-campus placement. On an average, the packages are around 8-10 lpa. Packages also range from 12-25 and 25-50 lpa depending on the student's performance. According to SRMIST, 100% of the students get placed, with the top students landing in MNC, and the lower ones being mass recruited. After getting my degree, I plan on working, as I am not interested in pursuing masters as of now.

The course fees as of now is 4.5 lacs per annum. As per my knowledge, the price hike is regular, with it being 3.5 lacs for the students who joined two years before us. From 2012 to 2023, the course fees has roughly doubled. The student intake is also high. With more students joining in the latter years, I expect the prices to increase to more than 5 lacs per annum. Also, one has to register for their end semster exams, which will be roughly around 3500-4000 depending on the number of subjects one has. The complete cost of education is nearly 30 lacs (18 lacs for tuition fees, roughly roughly 6-7 lacs for hostel fees(variable) and remaining 5 lacs for personal expenses). Scholarships are available for students who are board toppers, or JEE toppers. Army based scholarships are also available. If one maintains a CGPA of above 9 from the first semster itself, they can avail merit based scholarship. As per now, I have not undertaken any campus employment roles.

The overall campus life is nice. In-time for boys in hostels is 9pm, whereas for girls its around 5 to 7pm. The infrastructure is okayish. The variety of students leads to a diverse social aspect in the college. There are various clubs in SRMIST, each one of them having their own unique purpose. There are also fests held throughout the year. SRMIST's annual fest is MILAN, which lasts for about 5 days, and a techno-festival, called AARUUSH. The library has various books, and one can easily find the book they are looking for by going to the specific section. An SRMIST ID card is a must to enter the library. Classrooms have projectors equipped to do presentations, and are equipped with AC's, although AC's are absent in the buildings of old campus. SRM promotes extra-curricular activities, and various fields are present for the appropriate sport. Students help each other by making sites that help calculate CGPA, show food in mess, and so on. Various social groups are also present.

For first year students, the options include hostels with common washrooms( with / without AC), and ones with attached washrooms (with / without AC). Rooms have a steel bed, on which student must lay a matress that they've bought. Cupboards are also present, but can be requested during the first week if one is needed. Helpdesk exists to fix problems occuring in room, although they can be slow. Hostel registration starts after one has registered for their course. Fees is roughly 1.5lacs per annum for first years if they want one without AC (applies for both common and attached washroom). Hostel is not so affordable, as cheaper alternatives exists around in the form of PG or apartments. The meal quality is okayish, and is usually better than what one expects from hostel food. The menu is not very diverse, with rice and chapati being common food, but the curries make up for it. Snacks and breakfast are easily the best part of the food. More north indian food will be appreciated though.

The admission process was fairly easy. The eligibility includes one passing from their 12th Grade with an aggregate of 60% in PCM. The admission tab was clearly visible on SRMIST's website. The website needs to be explored to find the updated fees for the courses one is looking for, so it is inconvenient. Upon successful sign-up, one would be presented with options to proceed with choosing the date of the entrance exam (SRMJEE). Once chosen, SRMJEE can be answered on the chosen date. SRMJEE can be answered at home through remote monitoring, meaning that one is monitored through their webcam, and cheating is near impossible. The difficulty of the exam was around the same as VITEEE, but lower than JEE Mains. SRMJEE exam is held three times a year, so if one misses their first attempt, they can try two more times. The admission process can be improved by formally showing students of updated fee charts while registering on their website.