Topper Views ( gate 2008)

Shivaranjani Popli : AIR 47, EC, GATE 2008
M.Tech.(EE), SPCom, IIT-Kanpur B.Tech. : Birla Institute of Technology B.Tech. CPI : 9.30 M.Tech. CPI : 9.5
Q. When and why did you decide to go for M.Tech.? A: I was more or less decided that GATE is my goal by the end of the first year. My parents were always very encouraging and optimistic, so when I couldn't clear JEE, they said, "Beta, peechhe mud kar nahi dekhte, agar IIT express JEE station par chhut gayi hai, to daud kar use GATE station par pakad lo. Also, I was not very happy with the college education system. I am academically oriented and have been brought up in a conducive environment, so higher studies was like a natural choice for me. Q. When did you start preparing for GATE in full swing? A: I was regular with my college courses, but 5th sem ke bad winter break (whole December) aur phir exam tak zor se padhi thi. Oh, by the way, I appeared for GATE in 3rd year only, and when I got a good rank, so I didn't appear the last year (luck hamesha sath nahi deta :) ) Q. How many hours a day on an average did you devote to GATE preparation in this period? A: 5-6 hrs regularly. Q. What was your mode of preparation? A: Self-study + I had got test papers and subject tests of GATEForum from my friend (that was really useful). Q. Did the college curriculum interfere with GATE preparation? If yes, how did you manage it? A: Never, I utilized all the time in my college, either in attending the relevant courses or enjoying with friends (that's too an important aspect). In fact, I used to get distressed on the days when college was off. I took leave from college only on saturday before the exam. My grades were not affected, if that is the parameter. Q. Did you appear for GATE in your pre-final year? Do you think it's a good idea to do so? A: Yes, as I said. And I do think its a good idea. In my case, I knew my aim and most of the important courses had been covered till then. People generally give it for the sake of experience but maine soch liya tha ki isi bar pure josh se dena hai, taki final year me load na rahe. Aur IISc ki application bhi timely bhari jaa sakti hai. But there is a little problem too, if you have to face interviews the next year/appear for IES then you have to revise everything again. Q. What was your way of studying/ what should be the way of studying? A: I used to study the relevant topics from GATE syllabus from standard books (mostly which had been referred in our regular courses), then I used to attempt the questions from GATEForum/Schaum series. After every topic I used to ask myself "Clear to you?", if not I would read other books, trouble my teachers, friends, etc. until I got satisfied. Also, a very important thing- my dear notebook. I used to note down all important points, tricks, formulae, etc in that. The thing is when you read a topic and attempt Qs, it seems easy but right before the exam everything seems to jumble. The things that you would have skimmed across vaporize. Phir Karn wali halat ho jaati hai, 'aata to tha par time par yaad nahi aaya.' So, I would insist do maintain a notebook, keep updating and revise it like a prayer every day. Q. What would you suggest about the last days say, one week preparation? A: Revised my notebook, did time bound question papers (9-12). Relaxed on the last day – cooked, played badminton, etc. Last day relaxation is important, its kind of fasting taaki jab exam dene jaayo to Qs par aise toot pado jaise bhooke sher ke samne khana rakh diya ho. Q. Having so many options, why did you choose IIT-Kanpur? A: Another worth mentioning thing-GATE scores went very high in 2009, and my score/rank didn't seem so good in that scenario (when I actually applied for admissions). Thoda baasi ho gaya tha. Anyway, I got a call for interview for PhD in IISc, I was not so motivated for PhD, so I didn't go. I applied to signal processing and communication in: (i)IIT, Kanpur: Got interview call- selected (ii)IIT, Delhi: Got interview call- selected (iii)IIT, Bombay: Got interview call, didn't wait for results, I had already decided for IITK. Mera IITB ka interview experience bahot acchha tha, professors were so nice and knowledgeable. When I consulted many people regarding which institute to choose, the moral of the story was agar acchhe se padh ke degree leni hai to IITK jao, but academics tough rahegi. Plus, I was so fascinated by the promptness and neatness with which IITK had organized and managed everything, I had to come here. Q. Are you satisfied with your decision? A: Oh, IITK is like heaven to me. Q. How should one choose the institute? A: Well frankly, maine faculty profile, etc. itni search nahi kari thi, I just kind of assumed that all IITs are equivalent and then worked on my instincts, because at that time I was not sure about my areas of interest. But, I don't think that should be the case. One should be clear about what one wants to do, must acquire enough knowledge about that from net, from seniors/well wishers/people who are in your field, GATE counsellor and then decide. That's before the decision, after deciding you must have faith in that and consider it to be the best decision you could have made in that situation. Q. Had you covered all the topics in GATE syllabus? A: Yes, almost. Antenna and DSP were not covered in college by then, but I had done the basic formulae of those (whatever I analyzed are important for GATE) e.g. the properties of antennae- directivity, radiation resistance,…………… similarly convolution, Fourier Transform, FFT in DSP. Q. Who should do an MTech? A: One must have an academic orientation; otherwise one will find oneself at sea. BTech me idea to ho hi jaata hai, whether its your cup of tea or not. BTech is about breadth, MTech, PhD are about depth, if you are willing to know something in and out, go for higher studies. Q. How would you compare M.Tech from IIT against Post-graduation from abroad? A: Hmm…… that tempts me to tell another story. I had taken GRE in my final year. People had suggested to me that IITs are far better than any low-ranking university, so I had applied to only 5-6 major universities in US. I had decided that I would go there only if financial aid is provided. I took this venture only because I had secured my admission to IITs. However, in the process I also realized that going abroad from a private engineering college is a big leap, at least for me; personal opinions can vary. Thankfully, I landed here. Q. Any other message? A: A human has got immense potential; the only thing is recognize yourself.