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What percentile should I score in CAT (GEM) to have a fair chance for IIM ABCLKIS, MDI, FMS, SPJIMR, and NITIE provided I have 95% in both 10th, 12th and 8.7 CGPA in BTech (fresher)?
To increase your chances of getting a call from different MBA colleges, it's important to know their criteria for selection.
- IIM Indore focuses primarily on academic scores.
- MDI doesn't consider academic scores but may grill candidates for low scores.
- Bangalore looks for both academics and work experience.
- Calcutta typically gives out calls to candidates with very high percentiles.
- Ahmedabad looks for academic diversity.
- SPJIMR considers your overall profile and academics.
- Kozhikode focuses on gender diversity and requires a very high percentile score.
- Shillong and NITIE typically call candidates with scores around 97, but NITIE has a higher cutoff for VARC.
- For Bangalore, a fresher may need a score of around 99.8-99.9, and with work experience, a score of around 98.8 may suffice.
- For Kozhikode, aim for a percentile score of 99.9 or above.
- FMS typically calls candidates with a score of 99.3 but aims for a score of 99.6 to increase conversion chances.
How is life at SPJIMR compared to the old IIMs?
When compared to the top IIMs, SPJIMR is a rather moderately good B School. Yet the placements and roles offered by the B School are at par with that of IIMs. The major USP of the B School is its profile-based evaluation. This means a certain candidate can make it into SPJIMR even if he was unable to get a high CAT or XAT score of 98-99 percentile provided that his profile is excellent. With the required skills, qualities, and a decent academic record you could get admission and meet not necessarily get a very high CAT score. This gives a wider spectrum for students to showcase their skills other than academics. There are some more key points where SPJIMR fares rather well when compared to IIMs or other B Schools.
Fees: The primary factor that distinguishes SPJIMR from the top B Schools is the moderate fees. SPJIMR PGDM fees for 2 years is ?20.42 Lakhs (Total Fees) while that of top IIMs is above 20 lakhs.
Placements: The entire placement drive is concluded quite fast and is at par with the top IIMs. SPJIMR Completes Final Placements 2023 with 46% Rise in Highest Salary at Rs. 77.8 LPA and 3% Rise in Average Salary at Rs. 33.02 LPA; Accenture, BCG, HUL, Godrej, ITC, KPMG, P&G being the major recruiters.
Batch size: This is an often underestimated aspect when in reality it affects both, placements and the quality of education. SPJIMR batch size is around 300 while that of most IIMs is 350-500. The low batch size results in better bonding between peers and close relations with the faculty.
Location: Located in the Finance capital of India, SPJIMR offers a plethora of advantages. Easy access to CXOs and practitioners gives the learning experience at SPJIMR a practical approach.
Curriculum: The curriculum is unique in the sense that it targets not just the student's IQ but also EQ and creates socially and emotionally aware managers. This unique course curriculum at SPJIMR offers three distinct levels of learning:
- Self-awareness
- Self-management
- Societal awareness
Pedagogy: Apart from the regular courses and teaching methodology employed at other premier B Schools, SPJIMR takes five key initiatives in the ‘Non-Classroom Learning’ area which include ADMAP, DOCC, Abhyudaya, PG Lab, and Science of Spirituality.
All these unique aspects make life at SPJIMR a very good experience compared to old IIMs.
Are the job profiles offered at MDI Gurgaon on par with IIMs like LIK, not ABC? How much effort does one have to put into his future to get on par with the IIM graduates if one graduate from there?
IIML is clearly superior to MDI in non-marketing specializations in terms of placement. However, IIM I, K, and MDI are generally equal in terms of placements, except for a few banks that specifically seek out the IIM tag at I&K. If you work equally hard at either campus and all other operational factors are constant, you will likely end up in a similar position whether you choose MDI or I or K. However, as mentioned before, IIML still has the edge and requires more effort if you're in the finance or consulting field.
If you're interested in MDI, it's worth noting that recent placement reports show more and more prestigious finance and consulting companies are visiting the campus. This has helped MDI deliver well-rounded placements. So, if you're willing to put in the work, MDI could be a good option for you.
How do I get a package of 30 lakhs in the field of marketing, post MBA from IIMA/B/C, FMS, MDI, SPJIMR, and IIFT?
While many may shed their philosophies on how getting a high package should not be your ultimate goal and stuff, I am here with a different opinion. When you are investing a huge amount of money it is only right to expect a greater monetary benefit and a better lifestyle. So I have mentioned some techniques that will help you land a package of 30 LPA specifically in the field of marketing post-MBA from IIM ABC, FMS, MDI, SPJIMR, and IIFT.
- The first thing you need to do is lower your expectations as no marketing placements offer a package higher than 25 LPA. These highest offers are made by top firms like Reckitt Benckiser, HUL, P&G, and Asian Paints.
- You need to figure out what you really are after, a good marketing role or a high-paying job. If you are after the latter I suggest you go for big consulting firms like Mc Kinsey, BCG, or investment banks that offer 30+ LPA.
- But if it is the marketing role you are after, then make sure your resume reflects your marketing enthusiasm. This will further increase your chances of selection.
- Performing well in the competitions conducted by your desired company is another way to get a high-paying job.
- If the Final Placements are your last resort then make sure you have a stable and excellent CGPA. Many companies consider this factor while shortlisting.
These points will help you get your dream job but cannot necessarily guarantee it. It all ultimately depends on your efforts and obviously your luck.
What will a graduate of SPJIMR/IIM-K/MDI miss out compared to someone graduating from IIM’s A/B/C?
This question can be best answered by someone who has had a taste of both campuses. Fortunately one of my friends was lucky enough to move to IIM Ahmedabad after studying for a year at IIM Kozhikode. He shared his experience and the various things that contrasted in both the B Schools.
Faculty: Being the topmost B School, IIM Ahmedabad does attract some of the best faculties that are experts in their fields. They had too much knowledge and experience to impart making the classes a thrilling experience.
Crowd: While the crowd at almost all the good B Schools attracts only the best, IIM Ahmedabad is famous for its exceptionally good peer groups with only geniuses and masterminds in their respective fields.
Academic rigor: Normally B Schools offer a very hectic life with academic pressure combined with placements and clubs and committee activities. But at IIM Ahmedabad the topmost preference is Academics only. You are required to attend 3 lectures of 75 minutes of case study daily. These case studies are extremely lengthy and on average you are required to read 300 pages every day. Such economic rigor is lacking in the case of IIM Kozhikode.
There are several more minor differences between IIM Kozhikode and IIM Ahmedabad but these 3 are the main things an aspirant needs to consider while choosing one of the two B Schools.
What is the minimum CAT score required to get into IIM A, B, C or FMS, DU or MDI, Gurgaon?
The entire admission process to any college is divided into 2 broad spectrums; the initial shortlisting and the Final Selection. While it is easy to get a rough estimate of the minimum CAT score required to fetch calls from institutes like IIM ABC, FMS Delhi, and MDI Gurgaon, one cannot predict the CAT score required to get selected in the final round. This is because the final selection is done on the basis of a number of factors like CAT, Interview, academic background and overall profile. Based on my research and experience, I have tried my best to give a general overview of the CAT cutoff of these institutes individually.
IIM Ahmedabad: The minimum CAT score required for admission in IIM Ahmedabad MBA (PGP) for 2023 Admission is the 80 percentile. However, the actual CAT Cutoff for IIM Ahmedabad usually ranges between 99-100. They shortlist the top 50/100 people from different academic fields provided they clear the basic cutoff.
IIM Bangalore: The minimum cutoff for MBA Admission at IIM Bangalore is 85 percentile. However, candidates having a CAT Score of 99 percentile or more can expect a call from IIM Bangalore. They weigh in things like academic records and work-ex for giving out interview calls. So you can receive a call at a score of 95 and you can also not receive a call even at 99.99 %ile.
IIM Calcutta: Candidates must have obtained at least 85 percentile in CAT overall. IIM Calcutta gives major weightage to the CAT score and gender diversity.
FMS Delhi: FMS gives calls solely on the basis of CAT score and does not give any weightage to past academics at all. So the FMS CAT cutoff is as high as the 98 percentile.
MDI Gurgaon: MDI Gurgaon CAT Cutoff range between 93 and 95 percentile for admission 2023.
Is it advisable to settle on JBIMS, if one only aimed for IIM's?
Comparing JBIMS with IIMs is highly unjustified as IIMs are way ahead of JBIMS or FMS even if we consider the ROI. They are unique in many aspects such as
- IIM ABC and ISB is the only B-schools that offer Investment banking profiles in placement. Even if we look at other profiles, it’s easy to infer that they are much superior in terms of quality than the ones offered at JBIMS.
- Being a pass out of IIMs or ISB, you have an upper hand in the higher spectrum of one’s career, i.e, leadership roles.
- JBIMS or FMS lack the general ambiance and culture of a typical B School due to a lack of residential and campus facilities.
- The peer quality of IIMS and ISB are much better than JBIMS whose gender ratio, diversity, and competitive exam are very one-dimensional.
- The only significant aspect of JBIMS is the ROI which when negated makes JBIMS as mediocre as SP Jain and MDI.
- The placement statistics of JBIMS are much similar to that of new IIMs or average B Schools like MDI, and SP Jain. They are in no way in comparison to the top IIMs even with batch sizes as small as 120.
So one should choose JBIMS or FMS over IIM only if one wants to spend low fees, take no loans, or pursue MBA in Mumbai or Delhi.
Are the salary packages for IIMs higher than those from JBIMS?
IIMs can be broadly categorized into two categories; the first comprising IIM ABC and the second comprising IIM KIL. The total fees will be around 16-18 Lakhs or a few lakhs more for these IIMs. As far as the average package is concerned for IIM ABC, it is around 19-20 Lakhs while for IIM KIL it is merely 2 lakhs less. The highest CTC is around 60-70 (International) for these IIMs.
Coming to JBIMS, we get to witness a much higher ROI. This is because the average package is almost similar to these IIMs while the fees are much less. Also, it is a Mecca for Finance enthusiasts. JBIMS has many notable alumni that carry its brand name proudly. Some of them include
- Vinita Bali, Managing Director of Britannia
- Chanda Kochhar, Managing Director & CEO, ICICI Bank, India
- Nitin Paranjpe, CEO and Managing Director, Hindustan Unilever Ltd
- Ajay Piramal, chairman of Piramal Healthcare
So yes, the salary packages of certain IIMs might be slightly higher than that of JBIMS but considering the ROI factor that slightly differs doesn't really matter.
Why are IIMs more popular than ISB Hyderabad among Indian households?
There are many major reasons why ISB Hyderabad is not as popular as IIMs among Indian households. Some of them include
- ISB Hyderabad is a private non-AICTE affiliated institute that functions under a totally different model.
- Owing to its hefty fees(around 30+ Lakhs), it's almost inaccessible to an average Indian.
- The batch size is huge becoming a major obstacle during placements
- The 1-year program fails to provide in-depth exposure and is just a source of Certificates and a brand tag.
- It does not provide International placements to the majority of students who do not belong to the elite class.
All these reasons are strong enough to persuade one against joining ISB Hyderabad and is thus not much popular among Indian households.
The reason why IIMs are popular in contrast to ISB Hyderabad are
- Provided jobs similar in nature to the ones provided by ISB Hyderabad at a much lower fees.
- The 2 year MBA program provides an in-depth exposure to the curriculum in contrast to the 1 year program at ISB Hyderabad
So all this makes IIMs much popular in India despite ISB Hyderabad global rankings.
How good is placement at ISB, Hyderabad compared to IIMs (since number of students are much more in ISB, leading to tough competition)?
When comparing the placements of the two, ISB and IIMs, the batch size hardly matters because both institutes market different products. The background and profiles of students of both institutes are too versatile to draw comparisons. If I roughly divide the ISB students and the kind of placement scenario they face then
- 90% of students get their dream jobs in the desired sector and company
- 10% of the students get jobs that are below their expectations but not worse enough to forgo the offers
So the batch size does not matter here and ISB Hyderabad placements are themselves quite satisfactory.
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