Choosing Between MIT Manipal and PESIT: An Unbiased Analysis

I approached this decision with a clear objective, given my options to join both MIT Manipal and PESIT. In this article, I will provide insights, based on my experiences and thorough analysis, to help you make an informed choice.

Admission Procedures

Until 2020, both MIT Manipal and PESIT conducted their own entrance exams. However, there's a crucial difference: VIT (which I'm referring to as Vellore here) normalizes your rank based on the slot in which you write the exam. This means that one's VIT rank can significantly differ from their results in other entrance exams, making the VIT rank less reliable. VIT also has a larger intake, so the entrance exam is written by a greater number of students.

Fees

As far as cost is concerned, the fees are contingent on your rank. If you fall into the CAT-2 category, VIT offers a lower cost compared to PESIT. However, it's not straightforward to make a definitive comparison as the tuition is rank-dependent. Generally, VIT is cheaper for those in CAT-1 or CAT-2, whereas PESIT is more affordable for those not in this category.

Campus Environment

Unfortunately, I have not visited the Vellore campus of VIT. However, both schools seem to have great campuses based on online reviews and comments from alumni. The most notable difference is that VIT's campus in Vellore is denser, but most students opt for their tertiary education based on academic quality, not just campus environment.

Placement Opportunities

Both MIT Manipal and PESIT offer similar placement opportunities. The competition in VIT for placements is higher, but they also provide a great number of job opportunities. If you are in the upper quartile of your batch, you might prefer MIT Manipal due to less competition. Otherwise, both institutes provide comparable opportunities.

Academic Flexibility

While VIT offers a flexible credits system (Flexible Faculties and Course System or FFCS), PESIT has a more rigorous academic structure. Some students find VIT's flexible system beneficial, while others report it as hit or miss. Regardless, VIT’s flexibility is commendable, offering more academic freedom compared to PESIT.

Student Life

The student life at both institutions varies significantly. PESIT emphasizes a more structured and regulated environment, including policies about campus entry and interaction with the opposite gender. On the other hand, MIT Manipal offers a more adult-oriented and freer environment. My experience shows that students in VIT have more exposure to drugs and a party-oriented culture, but this doesn’t necessarily reflect their behavior. Similarly, PESIT does have easy access to drugs, but the actual participation is driven by the student’s choice, not just availability.

Seaside attractions are also a significant factor. MIT Manipal is a 12 km drive from a beach and a 3-hour train ride from popular Goa. This means that summers are more bearable in Manipal compared to Vellore, which can be quite oppressive. However, Vellore is more accessible to students based in Bangalore or Chennai.

Student Clubs and Faculty

Both PESIT and MIT Manipal have a variety of student clubs, ensuring that there is no lack of activities and involvement for students. With respect to faculty, the average is that you will find mostly average to poor professors, along with a few standouts. However, many students rely on self-study and cramming before exams, so the quality of faculty is not as significant as one might think.

International Recognition

While MIT Manipal usually ranks higher in global ratings, there is a general consensus that unless you come from an IIT, all engineering institutions in India are viewed equally. Therefore, your CGPA, projects, internships, and practical work experience hold more weight than the prestige of your university.

Conclusion

After carefully analyzing these factors, I opted for MIT Manipal as a backup choice due to similar fees and significantly more freedom. As a graduate, I can attest that the four years you spend on campus are very memorable, and student freedom is crucial. The overall hostel life and interactions are essential, outweighing any small differences in placement figures that are often fudged.