My Journey to IIT and Beyond: Is It Worth the Hype?
A personal account of how my journey to IIT began, unfolded, and whether it lived up to the hype
Since childhood, I’ve been an A-grade student — good at grasping concepts, strategizing my studies, practicing diligently, and delivering on exam day. A student like me shouldn’t face any trouble cracking competitive exams — or so I thought.
With this confidence, I embarked on the rigorous journey of preparing for India’s most elite institutions — the IITs. To the world, they’re premier institutes. To my parents, they were nothing less than gods. To me, they were symbols of hope and excitement.
I joined an IIT coaching institute in Kota — the mecca of engineering aspirants (yes, think Kota Factory). I moved into a PG, booked a lunch service, arranged an auto to ferry me to classes, and thus began my life as a JEE aspirant.
It didn’t take long for reality to hit. The plight of a 16-year-old living away from home for the first time began to overwhelm me. Homesickness crept in, compounded by endless outside meals and a whirlwind of peers with different personalities and goals. The real test wasn’t just academics — it was life itself.
The tipping point came when I fell ill in my PG. There was no one to offer comfort except a friend who’d become close due to our shared struggles. My parents, deeply disturbed by my condition, started visiting and even moved me to a more “luxurious” PG with air conditioning, laundry services, and everything else a middle-class family could stretch to afford. Back home, none of us had air conditioners, yet here I was, staying in a hotel-like setup.
For my parents, giving their best was a no-brainer. To them, IIT wasn’t just an institution; it was a path to changing our destiny. And so, I gave it my all too. I secured a rank, got into IIT, and thought I’d made my parents proud. My extended family was either beaming with pride or tinged with envy. But as 3 Idiots taught us: “We are happy when we succeed, but it pinches a little if a friend does instead.”
Life at IIT
Life at IIT was a rollercoaster. Living in a hostel, participating in workshops, joining clubs, organizing events — it kept me busy and excited most of the time, overworked and exhausted sometimes, and anxious or even depressed at rare moments.
The first year was all about novelty: new city, new friends, new subjects, new activities. The second year was filled with hope — studying hard, trying to being the best in class, and dreaming of being the best in India, the best engineer, or the best scientist.
The third year marked a turning point. It was all about preparing for internships — a precursor to the dreaded placements. Students hunted for industry projects to bolster their resumes, participated in competitions to showcase achievements, fired off cold emails hoping for foreign internships, and formed alliances to secure leadership positions. This was the race for most if us before the placement season.
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By the fourth year, everything depended on which category you fell into. Those with jobs in hand were chilling, soaking up the last leg of college life. Those without offers hustled off-campus, pulling strings and connections to land jobs. Aspirants for higher studies dove into entrance exam prep, writing SOPs, and taking mocks. Then there were the civil services aspirants, especially in IITs like Delhi, Bombay, and Kanpur, where proximity to political hubs inspired them.
I was in the first category. Having secured a decent job on Day 1 of placements, the pressure was off, and the rest of my final year was spent savoring every moment. Long days turned into lazy campus strolls, impromptu hostel room parties, inter-hostel events, volleyball matches under the evening sky, and card games in the park. Nights were reserved for binge-watching the latest movies and shows, thanks to the treasure of DC++ on the IIT intranet. It was a perfect blend of relaxation and celebration, a fitting finale to an unforgettable journey.
IIT in Retrospect
Back in 2013, there were only 14 IITs, with 7 being the “old and gold.” Getting into one of these was a big deal. Fast forward to 2024, and there are over 23 IITs, all with high-end campuses. The fees have soared to levels that make students and parents think twice before enrolling.
The IIT charm has evolved. Gen Z — the first generation raised with endless access to technology — no longer views IIT as the ultimate symbol of success. To them, a career is about passion, not just a paycheck. While IITs still hold aspirational value, it’s no longer the do-or-die dream it once was.
Moreover, the gap between IITians and graduates from other institutions is narrowing. Today, talent emerges from every corner, institute, and background. The IIT tag alone doesn’t guarantee “best in class” anymore.
Was It Worth the Hype?
Ten years ago, absolutely. But now? It depends.
Parents should recognize their child’s true calling. If your child is displaying the traits of a scientist, then yes, IIT might still be the best path. But if they excel in performance, art, or another field, nurturing their skills in a different institution might be a wiser choice.
The IITs themselves are adapting to the times. No longer just engineering hubs, they’re attracting global professors in arts, economics, design, and management. As they diversify, so do their students and the learning experiences they offer.
In today’s world, where knowledge is democratized through social media and Web 3.0, we’re moving toward an era where no single tag — be it IIT or otherwise — will define success. Instead, superior skills will hold the highest value.
So, is IIT worth it? It depends on your goals. But one thing’s for sure: no institution, no matter how elite, can replace the importance of passion, grit, and relentless curiosity.
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These views are purely personal, offering a glimpse into my journey for students aspiring to IIT. I hope it helps you get a taste of what to expect once you’re in — both the highs and the challenges that come with it. It’s worth noting that life at IIT hasn’t changed much in the last 40 years. The culture remains largely the same, as I’ve lived and observed through conversations with both Gen Z and millennial IITians.
