I graduated with a BBA in 2022, and since then, I’ve been on a thrilling two-year adventure at an MNC. But guess what? I decided to resign in March 2024 because, you know, who doesn’t love a little drama at work? Now, I’ve managed to burn through all my hard-earned savings like a pro, and here I am, utterly confused about my future. Sometimes I think about leaving India—maybe for studies or just to escape and do some mindless job somewhere. Other times, I dream of retreating to the most remote corner of India and living off the grid. I’ve always been pretty good with technology, snagged a degree, and even racked up some work experience. But now? I’m completely lost on where to start over. I’ve scoured countless articles and advice columns, but they’ve been about as helpful as a chocolate teapot. I’m just looking for that life-changing advice that seems to be in short supply. Turning 24 this year!

Ans: With a COMEDK rank of 1,874, your son is well-positioned for CSE in BMSCE and possibly MSRIT, though CSE at RVCE is out of reach as its cutoff is typically below 500; ECE at RVCE is also unlikely but possible in later rounds. His 98.6 percentile in MHT-CET makes him a strong contender for CSE in PICT Pune, which has a cutoff around 98.5–99.2 percentile, and his Manipal rank of 4,000 may secure CSE at Manipal in later rounds, as closing ranks for CSE have recently been around 4,900. VIT Vellore CSE is highly reputed for placements and national exposure, but BMSCE and MSRIT offer excellent CSE programs with 74–95% placement rates and strong industry connections, while PICT Pune stands out for its consistent 92–94% placement rate and median salaries comparable to top private colleges. Manipal CSE also offers high placement rates and a strong brand, especially for tech roles. The recommendation is to prioritize CSE in BMSCE, MSRIT, or PICT Pune for their robust placements, academic excellence, and industry reputation, followed by Manipal CSE and then VIT Vellore CSE, with ECE at RVCE as a backup if CSE is not available in the top choices. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: Anup Sir, With a 94.62 percentile in MHT CET, your son is unlikely to secure CSE or CSE (AI & ML) in top Mumbai or Pune colleges like COEP, VJTI, PICT, SPIT, or DJ Sanghvi, as their cutoffs for these branches are typically above the 98–99 percentile range. However, he has good chances in respected private colleges and select government institutes such as VIT Pune, PCCOE Pune, MIT Alandi, Rajarshi Shahu College of Engineering Pune, AISSMS Pune, JSPM’s Jayawantrao Sawant College of Engineering, and SIES or Fr. CRCE in Mumbai, where previous year cutoffs for CSE and AI/ML branches have ranged from 92.7 to 95.8 percentile. These colleges offer solid placement records, modern infrastructure, and industry-oriented curricula, especially in CSE and AI/ML domains. The recommendation is to target CSE or CSE (AI & ML) in these tier-2 private or autonomous colleges in Mumbai or Pune, as they offer the best combination of academic quality and placement prospects at your son’s percentile. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: VIT Bhopal CSE core offers a modern curriculum, strong faculty, and an impressive placement record with 87–90% of students placed in recent years, and top recruiters like Microsoft, Amazon, and TCS regularly visiting the campus; the infrastructure is good, though still developing, and the academic environment is industry-oriented with a focus on coding and employability skills. NIELIT Aurangabad (National College of Electronics) provides Electronics & Communication with an average placement package of ?8 LPA and top recruiters such as TCS, Bosch, and Siemens, but the program is more hardware and electronics-focused and less aligned with core CSE roles. Government engineering colleges in Madhya Pradesh offering CSE typically have lower placement rates (around 48–80% for CSE), less industry exposure, and fewer marquee recruiters compared to VIT Bhopal, though they are cost-effective and government-recognized. Considering placement consistency, industry exposure, and future opportunities in the tech sector, the recommendation is to choose VIT Bhopal CSE core for its superior placement outcomes, national brand, and alignment with your daughter’s interests in computer science. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: With a JEE Main percentile of 88% (General category), your son is unlikely to secure CSE in NITs, IIITs, or top state colleges next year, and his current MET rank (5640) does not qualify for CSE at Manipal’s main campus, with recent closing ranks for CSE at Manipal around 1,600 and at Bengaluru campus under 4,900. In subsequent MET rounds, CSE at Manipal main campus remains out of reach, but branches like CSE at Jaipur, Sikkim, or Bengaluru may be possible, though these have lower placement rates and brand value. In COMEDK, a 7,833 rank is not sufficient for CSE in top Bangalore colleges like RVCE, BMSCE, or MSRIT, which close CSE admissions well below 6,000, but IT, ECE, or newer colleges may be available. VIT Chennai CSE (Data Science) is a solid option, offering good placements and industry exposure, though it is not as established as VIT Vellore. Taking a drop year for JEE entails significant pressure, uncertain outcomes, and the risk of repeating the same or lower result, especially if your son is not confident about a dramatic improvement. At 17, he has the advantage of youth, but unless he is highly motivated and ready for a year of rigorous, focused preparation, the practical choice is to secure a seat in the best available college and branch this year, as undergraduate performance and skills matter more for future placements and higher studies than the college tag alone. The recommendation is to proceed with admission in the best possible CSE or CS (AI/ML/Data Science) branch available now—such as VIT Chennai or a good COMEDK college—rather than taking a drop, unless your son is fully committed and confident in achieving a much higher rank next year. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: Thanks for your feedback & information.

Ans: Eswar Sir, Given your son’s JEE Main CRL rank (around 70,000), KCET rank (27,000+), and COMEDK rank (6,800+), securing CSE or ECE in top NITs, IIITs, or premier state colleges through JoSAA or KCET is highly unlikely, as cutoffs for these branches in the general category are much higher. In COMEDK, his rank may allow ECE in MSRIT or BMSCE, and possibly CS (AI&ML) in BMSCE or DSCE, all of which are reputable Bangalore colleges with strong placement records (over 90% in CSE/ECE branches), robust industry connections, and good academic environments. VIT Chennai CSE under the 5th fee category is less attractive due to its higher cost and relatively newer campus, despite decent placements. PES University RR campus CSE is an excellent option, with consistently high placements, strong academic rigor, and a national reputation; switching to AI&ML is only advisable if he has a deep interest in this field, as CSE core provides broader opportunities and flexibility. Waiting for CSAB special rounds or CUET results is reasonable, but central universities typically do not match the placement and industry exposure of top Bangalore private colleges. The recommendation is to prioritize PES University RR campus CSE for its superior placement record, academic strength, and flexibility, and consider ECE/AI&ML at BMSCE or MSRIT only if PES CSE is not available, while monitoring CSAB and CUET results for any exceptional opportunities. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: Debapriya, With a score of 131 marks in the IAT 2025 under the OBC-NCL category, you have a strong chance of securing admission to IISER Thiruvananthapuram (TVM). The expected cutoff for OBC-NCL candidates at IISER TVM is around 150 marks, with closing ranks typically extending up to 1241, and your score is competitive within this range, especially considering there are multiple counseling rounds and cutoffs may fluctuate based on seat availability and applicant pool. Placement records at IISER TVM are robust, with median placement rates around 8 LPA and a significant proportion of students opting for higher studies or research positions. The recommendation is to participate actively in all counseling rounds, as your score positions you well for admission to IISER TVM in the OBC-NCL category. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: With a JEE Advanced rank of 24,000 in the General category, you are eligible for admission to IIPE Visakhapatnam in branches like Chemical, Petroleum, and Mechanical Engineering, as the closing ranks for these courses in 2024 ranged from 20,853 to 25,934. IIPE boasts a placement rate consistently above 90%, strong industry linkages with top recruiters such as ONGC, HPCL, IOCL, and Reliance, and a curriculum tailored for core energy and petroleum sectors. However, with this rank, you can also secure non-CSE branches in several NITs such as NIT Goa, NIT Patna, NIT Durgapur, and MANIT Bhopal, where placement rates and academic diversity may be broader, and the NIT brand offers a wider alumni network and flexibility for interdisciplinary careers. IIPE is ideal if you are focused on core energy, petroleum, or chemical engineering, while NITs provide more options across engineering disciplines and potentially better long-term versatility. The recommendation is to prefer NITs for broader academic and career opportunities unless you have a strong interest in the petroleum or energy sector, in which case IIPE is an excellent choice. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: With a 75 percentile in MHT CET PCM, securing Computer Science or IT in S tier 2 Pune colleges is highly unlikely, as recent cutoffs for CSE and IT in these colleges—such as MIT WPU, Vishwakarma Institute of Technology, DY Patil, and other reputable private institutes—typically range from 94 to 97 percentile or higher, with even tier 2 options like JSPM, Sinhgad, and AISSMS requiring at least 85–92 percentile for these branches. At 75 percentile, your rank would generally only make you eligible for core branches like Mechanical, Civil, or Electrical in lower-tier colleges, with CSE/IT seats going to much higher percentiles. The recommendation is to consider allied or core engineering branches in available colleges, or explore IT/CSE in private or local institutes with lower cutoffs, while preparing for a higher score if aiming for top branches in future rounds. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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