College and Branch Selection after JEE – What Actually Matters?

Once the JEE dust settles, a new kind of confusion begins — deciding what to choose and where to go. College and branch selection after JEE is a huge question for everyone, with thousands of rankers battling inner dilemmas, questions like these flood every student's mind:

• “Should I pick Mechanical at IIT Kharagpur or CSE at NIT Surathkal?”

• “Is it worth going to a lower IIT just for the IIT tag?”

• “Does branch matter more than college?”

There’s no perfect answer — but here’s a practical perspective that might help.

Circuital Branches = Safer Bets for Branch Selection

If your goal is higher and placement chances during your college and branch selection, then circuital branches like Copicking-the-right-college-and-branch-what-actually-mattersmputer Science, Electrical, or Electronics are solid choices, branches like Maths and Computing, ECE, and other similar options, also come under this category.

• High demand in the job market

• Access to both tech and non-tech roles (software, consulting, finance, analytics, etc.)

• Strong online resources for self-learning

• Better chances of landing internships and PPOs, especially in software

• Higher packages offered in campus placements

If you’re not too sure about your interests, but want to keep the most doors open — circuital is the way to go.

Core Branches are Worth It at the Top IITs

Now, let’s talk about core branches — Mechanical, Civil, Chemical, Aerospace, Metallurgy, etc.

If you're joining a top IIT (Bombay, Delhi, Madras, Kanpur, Kharagpur, Roorkee, Guwahati), even a core branch can be a great choice — even if you’re not deeply passionate about the field.

Because top IITs offer much more than just academics.

• You get exposure to non-technical fields — consulting, finance, product management, design, public policy, entrepreneurship, and more.

• There are tons of student-run clubs, internships, competitions, and fests where you can build skills outside your core curriculum.

• Many students from core branches land software or non-tech jobs, thanks to the institute brand, peer network, and internship culture

• You get flexibility, if you're interested in your core field you'll be able to get jobs in it too, and if you want to explore other non technical fields then there are enough opportunities for that as well.

• Note: Core jobs usually start at a lower salary than circuital jobs, but yes with more time spent in the industry the rate of growth of the salary is decent.

So even if you’re not planning to stay in your core field, a core branch at a top IIT still gives you the environment to explore, pivot, and grow.

Secretly Amazing Branches people often miss during college and branch selection after JEE

There are a few branches which offer amazing opportunities but are not often highlighted or well talked about. These branches include Engineering Physics, BS in Economics, BS in Mathematics. These branches have amazing research opportunities, as well as amazing placement opportunities with high paying offers compared to core job profiles. These also give you a chance to pursue a career in quantitative finance if you are interested in that (Very hectic work life but very high paying as well). These branches are surprisingly good, because fewer people know about them, hence their cutoffs are also low even for the higher IITs, and the opportunities once you get there are great.

What About Core in Lower IITs?

Here’s where things shift.

If you're getting a core branch in a lower-ranked IIT, you may find:

• Fewer companies visiting for core roles

• Limited exposure to non-tech opportunities

• Smaller alumni networks or fewer research resources

• Less competitive peer group and extracurricular depth

In such cases, you may want to compare it with better branches in NITs like Trichy, Surathkal, or Warangal — which often offer stronger placement outcomes and broader exposure than newer IITs with limited opportunities.

So, What Should You Do?

There’s no one-size-fits-all formula, consider the things I mentioned above, consider your interests, take into account the flexibility that your choices end up giving you, and make a decision accordingly. Do not

Final Thoughts

Choosing a college and branch is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make after JEE — but it’s not the only decision that defines your future.

Whatever you choose, make the most of it. At a top IIT, even a core branch can open doors far beyond engineering. And at the right NIT or IIIT, a strong branch can lead to amazing outcomes.

The real question isn’t where you go — it’s what you do once you get there.