Latest update:
A student’s emotional Reddit post about missing out on IIT Madras despite years of hard work has gone viral, with many users expressing heartbreak and sharing stories of resilience.
IIT student’s emotional story of not making it to IIT Madras has gone viral on Reddit (Image-AI)
A heartfelt Reddit post by a JEE aspirant who missed out on getting admission into IIT Madras has resonated with thousands online. As the aspiration reflected on the sadness of seeing his childhood dream come to an end, the post sparked an outpouring of support from users who shared their own stories of setbacks, resilience and second chances.
In a post titled ‘Today (29/6/2026) I cried after so many years’, the student reflected on coming to terms with the fact that he will not be joining IIT Madras this year. He described it as “the end of my first dream ever” and explained that the ambition was very personal and had been with him since childhood.
According to the student, the dream was not inspired by training institutes, social media, or external pressures. Instead, it started during his school days when he asked his father what lay behind the gates of the famous IIT Madras. That moment stayed with him and gradually became his greatest academic goal.
“To be honest, the dream of IIT was not instilled in me by anyone else or social media. It started when I asked my parents what is inside this portal when I was around 7th or 8th standard. It was all my own dreams and expectations,” the student wrote.
The student admitted that he lost focus during grade 11, but said he devoted himself fully after that. He said he studied for nearly 10 to 12 hours every day during Class 12 and continued the same routine throughout his drop year in a bid to crack the prestigious entrance exam.
“I was a bit distracted in 11th, but I did everything I could in 12th and studied for about 10 to 12 hours a day during my senior year. But now I realize that it doesn’t matter.”
Although his efforts earned him admission into one of the top National Institutes of Technology (NITs) in the country, this achievement failed to fill the void left by not making it to IIT Madras. He admitted that even though he got a seat in a reputed institution, he could not celebrate as his heart was always attached to IIT Madras.
The emotional weight of the setback became clear during a visit to the Indian Institute of Technology’s Madras campus. Standing outside the entrance to the institute, he said that memories of years of preparation came rushing back.
“I realized how important this exam/college is to me when I shed tears in front of this gate. Man, I failed at the first thing I wanted with all my heart.”
The student also revealed that he chose not to take a photo in front of the iconic entrance because of a promise he made to himself years ago.
“I made a decision on the 10th that I wouldn’t take a picture in front of it unless I became a part of it, and now that that’s not going to happen, I won’t do it.”
The outcome was painful to accept, but he concluded his post on a reflective note, writing that it officially marked “the end of my first dream ever” and adding: “I guess it’s life.”
The post quickly gained attention on Reddit, where many users sympathized with the student’s grief and reminded him that one exam or university acceptance does not determine one’s future.
One user shared a remarkably similar journey, writing, “I had a similar experience. I used to dream of IITs in my JEE days but unfortunately couldn’t make it happen. During my BTech I had almost forgotten about it but maybe life had different plans for me. My college didn’t have a good track record in placement so I decided to give GATE and figure things out after the results and now I got a seat in IITM.”
Another commenter commented on the sentiment described in the post, saying, “I tried to embody your feelings. Standing in front of the gate and watching the students carrying their transcripts as they went to attend their next class on campus, thinking you could have been one of them. You are so close but so far. Life truly humbles you. Congratulations my friend.”
A third user linked his experience to missing out on admission in AIIMS, writing, “Similar story, I had a dream for Aiims delhi, then gave Rene and wished to at least get into AIIMS jodhpur (2nd goal).. but I won’t even understand that bcz ppl are scoring really well (I went from expecting below 300 rank to not knowing if I will reach top 500). I failed too. First ever big chance he gave me… I left him, I failed.”
He offered his last words of encouragement, saying: “I feel you, and I know exactly how you feel. Life goes on, my dear. All the best for the future, have faith that everything will work out.”
“General ho na gyada sabne mat dehna baas mahanat karna nahi health kharab kar log aur kuch nahi,” one commenter wrote.
Another user, who said he had experienced a similar disappointment, added, “Bro, I feel your pain even though you are in a good college, it’s not that good, I’m in my third year since the pain started. The pain will never go away soon but with time it will go away I think. Wait this will make you a stronger person mentally at the end of your college life.”
Read more
