Benny Sam Mathew's Review On Pillai's College Of Architecture - [PICA], Navi Mumbai

The managements were highly supportive when it comes in terms of design and other submissions.

I took the MASA examination as suggested by the college teachers . It was fairly simple and had basic geometry and visual skills for test . I always had a keen interest in design be it fashion , photography , interiors or even architecture . I found the solace in architecture because it was a stable field in which I thought I would last for longer time and when I saw the college with my mom , the first thing that came in my mind was that this is what I need to go for . I had to gone for an engineering course but I chose architecture over it .

Being in the Mumbai University , it followed the same course structure as everyone else except for a few topics . the First Year was more of year to find ourselves in art and experiment with shapes and objects and have an inhand experience on materials . For example we had to play around with alphabets and carve them out on Siforex stone . We were made to follow hand drawings in the 3rd year , 3rd being intense and difficult because this year teaches you how to practically build things . 4th year taught us town planning & a prep up for the final year . 5year was solely design thesis and 3 months of internship .

I am not really sure about now , but the college did not provide internship at that time . However , I managed to work as an intern for 7.5k/month which was pretty good at that time .

There were no placements at that point in time .I am not sure about now . But from what I know that there are exhibitions held of the work of students where different architects from their respective firm comes and analyse the work of students and the select the best among them .

there are different sports & cultural events that take place Alegria being one . NASA is one of the important architectural fests that sought after which has many games with technical and fun aspect . Design Competitions are a common trait . Different design competitions in NASA are Gsen , Hudco , Nari Gandhi , Reubens & LIK keep the students involved in various fields of design . Cricket competitions take place annually.

The fee was fifty thousand rupees only . Which is feasible . There are other different and various miscellaneous expenses which include stationary , model making and tour. Some students in need are given exemptions and are allowed to pay the fee in part by part basis.

Ratan Tata educational trust scholarship was been provided for exemplary students . Other government schemes like Backward class and other were also provided for some students.

Being an architectural student , there was an equal mix of boys and girls different students from Town as well as villages come to study at this college. There is an Anti Ragging Cell which the college boasts about which keep freshers safe from bullying.

The hostel is pretty far away from the College , which makes it a long walk . Therefore students prefer to rent out a nearby flat on sharing basis or on Paying Guest format . This gives them more time for other work the Mess canteen was decent and moderately charged.

The seniors are very helpful and they provide their drawings and sheets whenever we needed them on the contrary we were also expected to help them finish their drawings during thesis and other submissions.

Our exams were on a yearly pattern which used to take place in between April to May . Following which if anyone has failed in any exam , they can attempt their ATKT in October . But this wasnt just the thing , there were many submissions on weekly and monthly basis . 70% is practical ( drawing submissions ) & 30 % theory . Theory exams take place annualy while submissions take place weekly & monthly . Submissions are hectic if you dont manage to finish your work on time , else its chilled out .

I was late in my admission due various external factors . Not really being sure of which course I wanted to go for , the campus of this college drew me near to select it as my college . I was referred by a professor who turns out to be one of our church relative. He guided us in the form filling and so on . Since I had first opted for engineering , I had filled out the forms for engineering & also paid donation during that period of that time . After filling the forms , I was given a tour around the college , and while I was at it , I noticed the very colorful and vibrant section of Architecture which is when I decided to switch over to architecture . I came back to the office and requested new forms to issued and filled . They asked me to first give the MASA examination which was held in the same college in the following week . I appeared for the examination and cleared it post which I filled up the Architecture forms in the college and paid the remaining donation . By luck there was just 1 seat remaining which I got . The professor and the admin department was very kind to help me out in every move.

Our principal did his studies at IIT Kharagpur and there are professors who have also done their masters . While this prevails , there are x collegian professors too . There were few professors who have been teaching Structures for years . Overall the professors are friendly and approachable .