Well there are many categories to the answer to your question. I’m best suited to answer your question because I’ve been here for 3 years now and I’m currently pursuing my 4th year in Mechanical Engineering. (2013–17)
So let’s start.
General life – As far as life outside academics is concerned this is a great college. This college literally has so many options for you to venture into. From student clubs to proper technical clubs like the solar Mobil project and formula Manipal (pretty cool trust me) trust me you don’t want to waste your time.
Then there is the dramatics societies which don’t do much but hey you can party like anything with them.
Sports- The sports scene is quite interesting, we have two semi professional leagues in cricket and football (MIT Cricket league and MIT football league). I was a part of the latter. But there’s high competition even here. So you have plenty of time to up your game.
Food – Now coming to the culinary options. Trust me, nothing like this place. Ffs, Manipal has two Mexican restaurants! You have plenty of options and 9/10 you won’t be disappointed with the gastronomy in Manipal. Messes are normally better than the ones in any engineering college.