Until a few years back, the IITs were considered the place only for the exceptionally intelligent, that evident in their short but highly difficult entrance test, the IITJEE. On the other hand, BITS accepted students on the basis of their score in the boards - ensuring invariably, the student intake was some of the most hardworking and diligent students from across the country, maybe not with as much amount of grey matter (only according to the set measuring scale) as IITians.
The new scheme of things, seems to me, to have BITS assume the place of the IITs and vice versa. The reason - the current IIT-JEE paper requires a vast knowledge of details and trivial information, especially in the Chemistry and Physics sections, thus ensuring a place for the industrious. Add to that the fact that the percentage of reservations in the IITs has gone up considerably and you'd be forced to rethink. BITSAT - the online admission test for BITS, accepted a few years back, focuses on skills such as language and analytical thinking (apart from PCM) - which one would be safe to say, have more to do with gray cells rather than sheer hard work.
A good number of my friends who came out with flying colours in IITJEE achieved scores in BITSAT, modest for their JEE scores. One wonders if that was because of their carefreeness after JEE, or reflective of what I've mentioned above.
PS - Admittedly, an inspiration for this article may be some of the most exceptional people I've encountered in my life after coming to BITS Pilani.
The new scheme of things, seems to me, to have BITS assume the place of the IITs and vice versa. The reason - the current IIT-JEE paper requires a vast knowledge of details and trivial information, especially in the Chemistry and Physics sections, thus ensuring a place for the industrious. Add to that the fact that the percentage of reservations in the IITs has gone up considerably and you'd be forced to rethink. BITSAT - the online admission test for BITS, accepted a few years back, focuses on skills such as language and analytical thinking (apart from PCM) - which one would be safe to say, have more to do with gray cells rather than sheer hard work.
A good number of my friends who came out with flying colours in IITJEE achieved scores in BITSAT, modest for their JEE scores. One wonders if that was because of their carefreeness after JEE, or reflective of what I've mentioned above.
PS - Admittedly, an inspiration for this article may be some of the most exceptional people I've encountered in my life after coming to BITS Pilani.
I'm guessing you are in BITS..
ReplyDeleteHence the need to try and show that BITS > IIT.
Trust me kiddo..IIT is THE THING in India.
I have immense respect for the top 1000 people who make it to the IITs. I suppose you didn't notice the Question Mark in the title. I don't mean to pass a judgement or even defend my point. With due respect, I would like you to think subjectively and not just objectively. Thanks.
ReplyDeletePS - The point was not BITS>IIT or IIT>BITS. If we could only stop putting everything to a measuring scale!
I always had an inkling to start with that the post would not be very pleasant to IITians or pro-IIT people, and the question mark miss their eye.
ReplyDelete'One wonders if that was because of their carefreeness after JEE, or reflective of what I've mentioned above.'
You might not know me Sahil. I am also a BITSian. Anyway, well written :) Perfectly neutral.
ReplyDeleteAnyone who thinks that this post is about comparison of the two universities is getting needlessly defensive.
I think BITS prepared me for life, not just corporates.
ReplyDeleteBITS Pilani - 2005 batch.
@Shashank Bhaiya - Thank you :)
ReplyDelete@Aditya Bhaiya - From the words I've heard from numerous passouts, I guess it's just what BITS is all about.
2 years in iit delhi and a life spent with my brother who passed out from bits. All i learned is that it really doesnt make a difference if its an iit or bits or any other engineering college. Its a complex set of parameters that define a person. Its never the college that makes the students, it the exact opposite. So its pretty much redundant to validate one's potential on the basis of one's college(not that our system gives us enough alternative parameters).
ReplyDeleteIn a nutshell, its a futile discussion.A neutral stand is nothing but an initial opinion gone rogue in an attempt to appease.
If my comment seems a little offensive,re-read it. The offense isnt really directed to your article. Its directed to the whole concept of making an aura about a college. The day u feel u've outgrown the aura is when u will actually be able to feel the escence of these institutions,coz my friend, no giant can ever feel he is walking with giants.
I'm glad you pointed that out. Thanks. College doesn't matter what matters is what you make out of it.
ReplyDeletePS - The post was never meant to compare BITS and IIT.