Stream Doesn’t Matter as Much’: IIT Graduate Credits ₹55 Lakh Offer to Institute’s Brand
Stream Doesn’t Matter as Much’: IIT Graduate Credits ₹55 Lakh Offer to Institute's Brand
A recent Reddit post has reignited the debate among IIT aspirants about whether it’s better to prioritize the prestige of an older IIT or to secure a preferred branch like Computer Science (CS) at a newer IIT.
Reddit Link.
The author shared their experience of choosing a less popular branch at IIT Madras instead of a CS seat at IIT Bhilai, which led to a job offer with a salary of ₹55 lakh per annum. They emphasized that the “IIT tag” carries significant weight in career prospects, stating, “A degree from an old IIT isn’t just a degree, it’s a signal.” The post argued that while technical skills can be learned independently, the brand value and network of an established IIT offer unmatched opportunities. The author remarked, “You don’t need a CS degree to be a great developer. What you do need is access to the right ecosystem, and Old IITs provide exactly that.”
This viewpoint sparked a variety of responses. One user pointed out, “My friend got a 1 crore package in India in placements with CS from ‘not old’ IIT. There is no set rule. At the end of the day, you have to work hard and seize the opportunities available.” Another user added, “I low key feel OP is one of those who get annoyed if someone from a tier 3 college earns the same salary in the same position as they do.”
This conversation reflects similar feelings shared in various Reddit threads, where users weigh the decision of opting for a favored branch at a newer college against a less appealing branch at a more renowned institution. In one of these discussions, a user suggests, “When you choose a college, always go for the older IITs, even if you get good branches in tier 3 IITs.”
