My LPU Journey: From JEE Struggles to a New Beginning
JEE Advanced didn't go as planned. The results came in, and I had optionsIIIT Kalyani, IIIT Dharwad, IIIT Vadodarabut only for Mechanical or Civil Engineering. Not Computer Science, which is what I wanted. This is the story of how I chose a different path, and why "better to be the head of a cat than the tail of a tiger" became my philosophy.
The JEE Journey
Like millions of Indian students, I spent two years preparing for JEE with hopes of securing a seat in a top engineering college. The journey was intensecoaching classes, mock tests, late nights solving problems, and the constant pressure of expectations.
When results came out, I had secured seats at some IIITs, which many would consider a success. But there was a catch: only Mechanical Engineering or Civil Engineering were available, not the Computer Science I had dreamed of studying.
The Decision Point
I faced a choice:
- Option A: Take Mechanical/Civil at an IIIT, hope for branch change (difficult, competitive)
- Option B: Take a drop year, prepare again, aim for better rank
- Option C: Choose CSE at a private university like LPU
Many people advised Option Atake the IIIT seat, they said, the brand name matters. Others suggested a drop year. But I chose Option C, and here's why.
Why LPU?
The Philosophy: Head of a Cat vs Tail of a Tiger
There's an old saying: "Better to be the head of a cat than the tail of a tiger." In a highly competitive IIIT environment where I'd be studying a branch I'm not passionate about, I'd be struggling to survive. At LPU, in the program I actually wantComputer ScienceI could thrive, lead, and build something meaningful.
Success isn't just about the institution's name. It's about what you make of your opportunities.
1. World-Class Infrastructure
LPU's campus is genuinely impressive:
- Modern labs with latest equipment
- High-speed internet across campus
- Dedicated maker spaces and innovation labs
- Libraries with extensive digital resources
- Sports facilities that rival any university
Having the tools and resources to learn and build projects matters more than many realize.
2. CSE Curriculum That Matches My Interests
LPU's CSE program covers exactly what I want to learn:
- AI and Machine Learning The future of technology
- Cybersecurity A field I'm actively exploring
- Web Development Building on my existing skills
- IoT Connecting my electronics knowledge with programming
- Data Structures and Algorithms Foundation for technical interviews
- Cloud Computing Scaling my personal server knowledge
Compare this to struggling through Thermodynamics or Structural Analysis in a branch I have no interest in.
3. Placement Opportunities
While LPU doesn't have the automatic prestige of IITs, the placement record for CSE is solid:
- Major companies recruit from campus (TCS, Wipro, Infosys, Cognizant)
- Growing presence of product companies (Amazon, Microsoft, Google for select students)
- Average package is decent, high package can be impressive
- Key insight: In CSE, your skills matter more than your college brand
A strong GitHub portfolio, competitive programming profile, and real projects can open doors anywhere.
4. Freedom to Build and Experiment
At LPU, I can:
- Join hackathons and coding competitions
- Access entrepreneurship cells and startup incubators
- Participate in technical clubs and societies
- Work on personal projects without the pressure of branch change
- Focus on building skills, not just surviving in wrong domain
5. Peer Learning and Collaboration
Being in CSE means I'm surrounded by people who share my interests:
- Coding together, learning from each other
- Collaborative projects and hackathons
- Sharing resources, tutorials, opportunities
- Building networks in the tech community
This matters more than being in a marginally more "prestigious" college studying something I don't care about.
My College Plans
Academic Goals
Master Core Languages
- Python: Already comfortable, will deepen expertise in data structures, algorithms, frameworks
- C++: Essential for competitive programming and system-level understanding
- JavaScript: Building on my web development skills, exploring Node.js, React
Data Structures and Algorithms
- Daily practice on LeetCode (target: 500+ problems)
- Participate in Codeforces contests (aim for Expert rating)
- Master common patterns: arrays, trees, graphs, dynamic programming
- Prepare for technical interviews from day one
Specialize in Key Areas
- AI/ML: Deep dive into machine learning algorithms, neural networks
- Cybersecurity: Continue pentesting skills, explore security research
- Cloud: AWS/Azure certifications, scale my home server knowledge
Project Goals
DadsCloud
Scaling my personal Raspberry Pi cloud server project:
- Improve architecture and security
- Add features like automated backups, file versioning
- Implement proper user management
- Potentially productize for others to use
TripleETech
Building my tech services business:
- Website development for small businesses
- Technical support services
- Custom IoT solutions
- Growing from side project to sustainable income
Open Source Contributions
- Contribute to projects I use and admire
- Build portfolio that demonstrates real-world coding
- Learn from experienced developers
- Give back to the community that taught me
Extra-Curricular Goals
- Hackathons: Participate in at least 10 major hackathons in four years
- Technical Societies: Join and actively contribute to coding clubs
- Mentorship: Help juniors learn programming and electronics
- Blogging: Document my learning journey, share knowledge
- Networking: Build connections with seniors, alumni, industry professionals
Redefining Success
Many people measure success by college rank or package numbers. I see it differently:
- Success is doing what you love CSE, not Mechanical
- Success is continuous growth Learning and building constantly
- Success is creating value Projects that solve real problems
- Success is freedom Working on your own terms
- Success is impact Helping others along the way
In four years, I won't be measured by which college I attended, but by:
- What I built
- What I learned
- What problems I solved
- What value I created
Message to Others in Similar Situations
If You Didn't Get Your Dream College
It's not the end. College is four years; your career is 40+ years. What you learn and build matters infinitely more than the name on your degree.
- A mediocre student at IIT with no real skills will struggle
- An excellent student at any college with strong skills will succeed
- The difference is effort, not institution
If You're Choosing Between Brand and Branch
Choose branch over brand if:
- You're passionate about the field
- The branch aligns with your career goals
- You have the discipline to self-learn and build
- You value doing what you love over prestige
Brand matters less in tech than in traditional fields. Your GitHub, your projects, your skillsthese speak louder than your college name.
If You're Considering a Drop Year
Ask yourself honestly:
- Will one more year of preparation significantly improve my rank?
- Am I running toward something or away from something?
- Could I use that year learning actual skills instead?
- What's the opportunity cost of delaying college by a year?
There's no right answer, but make sure it's your decision, not society's.
The Bigger Picture
In India, we're conditioned to believe in a linear path: JEE � IIT � Package � Success.
But look at the real world:
- Many successful entrepreneurs didn't attend IIT
- Many IIT grads struggle to find their passion
- Your 12th-grade exam doesn't determine your life trajectory
- Skills, creativity, and perseverance matter more than rank
Failure isn't failing to get into IIT. Failure is spending four years studying something you hate.
Moving Forward
I chose LPU because it gives me what I need:
- The branch I'm passionate about
- Resources to learn and build
- Freedom to explore and experiment
- Opportunity to lead and make an impact
The rest is up to me. No college, not even IIT, can guarantee success. And no college, including non-IITs, can prevent it if you're determined enough.
My journey starts herein the program I chose, pursuing the field I love, building the projects I care about. JEE might not have gone as planned, but sometimes the detour leads to a better destination.
Better to be the head of a cat than the tail of a tiger. Let's see where this path leads.