An insufficient JEE rank is not the end of your dreams. It’s just a small obstacle on your road to achieving what you want.

There is a reason why the JEE is considered one of the toughest examinations in India, if not the world. The difficulty level of the papers in the exam is not the only reason though. The sheer competitiveness of the exam owing to a massive number of applicants is also a factor. When you look at the numbers, you realise how. Over 1.2 million applicants gave JEE Main; the first phase of this exam. Only 2.2 lakh applicants qualified for the next exam — JEE Advanced. That’s a qualifying rate of 18%, roughly equalling 1 in 6 candidates.

Now, take into consideration that all the IITs in India only have a total of a little over 10,500 seats. The qualifying rate is now further reduced to 5%, roughly equalling 1 in 20 students. To put this in perspective, only the top 1% of all applicants actually make it to the IITs.

It is no wonder then, that engineering aspirants were eagerly waiting for June 11, 2017. Many of them waited with a sense of nervousness and apprehension. And when the moment of reckoning did arrive, it filled many hearts with joy while breaking countless more.

Candidates with an insufficient All-India Rank (AIR) feel like they’ve missed an opportunity. Some are even cursing their luck. Being competitive is always beneficial as it spurs them to excel. That competitiveness, however, might make a good performance seem like a failure.

In a world where futures are defined by results, marks and ranks, students often get disillusioned about their strengths and let their weaknesses define their prospects. Anything less than the best seems like a compromise. Except it isn’t. IIT is not the only way to achieve one’s dreams. Success is a journey and not a milestone. There is more than one way to travel this journey.

If candidates haven’t managed to make it to the IITs, here are some alternatives they can consider:

NITs: Candidates can pursue computer science, electronics, mechanical or chemical engineering at the National Institutes of Technology. Older colleges such as Warangal, Trichy and Suratkal are better than some of the newer colleges. Regardless, all the NITs consider JEE Main scores and AIR for admissions. IIITs: Candidates can pursue electronics or computer science at the Indian Institutes of Information Technology. For admission purposes, all colleges in this institute consider JEE Main scores, KVPY and olympiad scores. Of them, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Allahabad, are the best ones to aim for. IIST: If it’s a career in space technology that one seeks, then the Indian Institute of Space Technology is a great choice. Directly managed by ISRO, candidates can apply for the five-year dual-degree programme with master’s degree, that bolsters their chances of entering ISRO. IIST considers a candidate’s JEE Advanced score and AIR for admission. IISc: The Indian Institute of Science, also known as Tata Institute, is another great option for those contemplating a career in pure sciences and research. These courses are also highly beneficial for those who wish to pursue higher studies. Located in Bengaluru, this institute assesses a candidate’s JEE Main, JEE Advanced, KVPY and olympiad scores, depending on how many exams the candidate has given. IISER: Another great option for pure sciences and research is the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune. This institute has published 900 research papers and helps candidates aspiring for a Ph.D. IISER assesses the JEE Advanced score and state-board percentage of each candidate. If the candidate has given the KVPY exam, that score is considered too. State-Funded institutes: If candidates are unable to get into any of the above national institutions, there are various state institutions they can apply to. IIM: For a different career choice, candidates can opt for the Integrated Management course at IIM Indore on the basis of their Class XII Board exam percentage.

After completing one of the above courses, candidates can choose to opt for higher studies.

In India

IIT + IISER: Candidates get a second shot at IIT which offers an integrated M.S. + Ph.D. course. They can alternatively choose to pursue this course at IISER.

GATE exam: Candidates can choose to take the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering for admission to postgraduate programmes at IITs, NITs and various other state-funded engineering colleges.

Abroad

M.S: Candidates can pursue their master’s degree from an overseas university. Admissions are granted on the basis of their academic performance and a language test such as IELTS or TOEFL. Universities in the U.S. also require GRE and GMAT.

Ph.D: Candidates can also choose to pursue a Ph.D. after a master’s degree.

Integrated Courses (M.S. + Ph.D.): Candidates can opt for integrated courses that combine both of the above at overseas universities.

The announcement of the JEE results is just the first step towards a successful career. And success, just like results, is subjective. While studying at good colleges definitely helps, it is not the be-all-end-all.

The author is VP Educational Content, Toppr.com