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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.
Is there anybody who took a drop for CAT and got selected in IIMs?
Yes, there are many people who took a drop for CAT and got selected in IIMs. At this stage, your interview matters the most. So read well and prepare the best to answer ‘what were you doing in the meantime’.
Answer this question confidently because here they are not exposing your weakness but testing your confidence in yourself. Just say that I was preparing to be here for the interview. Further you can claim that all the other candidates who have taken CAT are still at a level same as yours in the interview round. So rather than experience it’s one eagerness and ambitions that counts.
All you need to do is impress the interviewer and you are good to go.
Is ISB better than IIM Ahmedabad for someone wanting a career in product management in India?
If you're considering pursuing a career in product management, it's important to choose the right business school that offers the best program and opportunities for this field. While both ISB and IIMs are well-known institutions for management education in India, there are some key differences to consider when it comes to their product management programs.
Here are some factors to keep in mind:
- Product management is not a top preference at IIMs: Unlike some other business schools, product management is not a major focus at the IIMs. As a result, there are relatively fewer opportunities for students to learn about and pursue careers in this field. While some IIMs do offer product management courses, these are often not as comprehensive or specialized as the programs offered by other schools.
- Limited recruitment for product management roles at IIMs: Due to the relatively lower focus on product management, not many companies that recruit from IIMs offer roles in this field. This means that even if you do take up a product management course at an IIM, you may find it difficult to secure a relevant job after graduation.
- ISB offers a better program for product management: On the other hand, it has a well-regarded program for product management. The school offers a specialization in product management as part of its PGPM which covers a range of topics such as product strategy, marketing, and innovation.
- More opportunities for product management roles at ISB: Because of its strong program for product management, ISB attracts a lot of recruiters from companies looking to hire for roles in this field. This means that you are more likely to find relevant job opportunities after completing your degree at ISB, compared to IIMs.
- IIMs are better for finance roles: While ISB may be the better choice for product management if you're interested in pursuing finance roles across private equity (PE), venture capital (VC), investment banks, or hedge funds, then IIMs are still the way to go. These schools have a strong reputation for finance education, and many top companies in these fields recruit heavily from IIMs.
If you're set on pursuing a career in product management, and you have a choice between ISB and IIMs, then ISB may be the better option. However, if you're open to other fields such as finance, then IIMs still have a lot to offer.
What is the least package at IIM Ahmedabad?
Many students drop out of placements to start working on their own startup. Apart from this the lowest package at IIM Ahmedabad was INR 11 LPA in the year 2021 and INR 6.75 LPA in 2016. This does not include incentives and variable parts of the CTC.
Why is IIM Ahmedabad the best?
Looking broadly, there are five major parameters that distinguish IIM A as the best.
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Quality of Intake: As the most sought-after B School, it attracts the most talented and passionate students. Good input results in good output. Peer learning is also more effective.
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Incredible Faculty Members: It has had the best set of on-campus and visiting professors. Even guest speakers are the best in the business.
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Infrastructure and Facilities: Because it has always been at the top, it has always had funds to invest in the best infrastructure. The fees are high, but there are government grants available.
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Alumni Network: The best jobs are given to students. They will now want to return to their campus and recruit students. This aids in placements. Furthermore, these individuals guide junior batches, which means you are being guided by the best.
Finally, IIM A is a brand that has proven its worth. People are aware of it. These perceptions are difficult to overcome, so only a small number of people prefer Bangalore or Calcutta over Ahmedabad. A has an unrivaled sense of pride.
How much percentile do I need to score in the CAT 2020 to get a call from IIM Ahmedabad as a general category candidate with 65% in 10th class 70% in 12th class 81% in engineering?
This might be disheartening but the truth is you will never receive a call from IIM Ahmedabad even if you score 100 percentile.
- According to the latest selection criteria of IIM Ahmedabad, you are disqualified even before appearing for the CAT exam. Since you have a poor academic record, your chances of getting a call from any of the BLACKI IIMs is almost none.
- Sohum Sen, who was one of the toppers of CAT 2019 did not receive a call from IIM Ahmedabad with a 99.98 percentile solely because of his academic performance which is 81% in 10th; 72% in 12th, and 7.93 in graduation.
- IIM Ahmedabad considers giving a call to candidates who have a minimum of 80% in their 10th and 12th examinations. Sohum Sen failed this criterion and you also do not qualify considering this fact.
Other top institutions give less importance to past academic records, you can aim for them. 99.7+ in CAT and 99.5+ in CAT XAT will ensure high chances of your selection in such institutions i.e. FMS, MDI, XLRI.
How good is JBIMS as compared to IIMs, XLRI, and FMS in regard to faculty, placements, alumni, etc.?
You are advised to choose wisely when it comes to selecting the top MBA colleges. Most of the top colleges have excellent faculty who are experts in their fields and students highly appreciate their teachings. The alumni network is a crucial factor to consider, and it is best to speak to students and alumni of the colleges to get a better understanding.
The top-of-the-line MBA colleges include IIMs A, B, and C, which are considered untouchable at the moment. XLRI stands out for its HR batch, the opportunities it offers, and its excellent course structure.
If you are comparing FMS, JBIMS, and XLRI BM, you can consider your interest and preference. The author is biased towards JBIMS as her husband is from that college and she has close connections with the students and alumni. However, if you get admitted to XLRI BM, it is a great brand to be associated with, especially if you are interested in finance.
When it comes to choosing between JBIMS and FMS, you can opt for JBIMS if you are sure about pursuing finance, else you can choose either. Among the IIMs, the author rates IIM L above JBIMS and FMS and considers JBIMS and FMS above IIM I and K.
It is suggested not to rely on the ROI concept, as the benefits of a good education cannot be gauged in one year and do not follow arithmetic progression rules. Instead, you should look at the opportunities offered by the college and how it fits into your plan. Do not base your decision solely on rankings posted in newspapers and magazines or the highest packages offered during placement.
I’m a fresher. I have converted FMS Delhi. Got waitlisted at C with a bleak chance. Should I retry CAT for IIM Ahmedabad Calcutta or stick to FMS?
The overall rankings of FMS Delhi and IIM A/C are comparable (IIM A & C rank better than FMS in terms of placements and college life though).
FMS has its own set of advantages, such as the best ROI in India and placements in the core Finance domain, among many others. You must have performed exceptionally well on CAT 201 to receive a call from FMS. Asking yourself the following questions will help you retake the CAT.
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What do you hope to gain from your post-graduation experience?
Start a career at a high salary, get a brand name, or develop your own personality by staying and studying with the industry's best minds.
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Which field do you want to begin your career in?
Consulting/core finance/marketing, for example.
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Are you willing to invest a year of your life to prepare for the CAT again, and are you confident of scoring 99+ percentile in 2019?
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The maximum amount of money you can afford to pay in fees.
Does it make sense going for a 2-year MBA from IIM-Ahmedabad/Calcutta at 29 years of age?
The answer to your question depends on the reason why you are willing to pursue an MBA and if the reason is strong enough to go for an MBA at the age of 29 years. See, age should never be a restricting factor especially when it comes to education. But your purpose should be well-defined and crystal clear. Pursuing MBA vaguely just to venture on new opportunities or career options might do you more harm than good. So the primary step in deciding if an MBA at 29 is good or not is to analyze your purpose. If you are changing streams for instance moving to Finance or MC, you need to know that your pay scale might see a new low.
I have another suggestion for you. Why don’t you compare the two programs;
- Regular 2-year MBA
- Executive MBA 1-year program
Compare the curriculum and prospects of these two programs. The reason why I suggested to you research the Executive program is that many experienced professionals (almost 95%) prefer the Executive program over the regular program. It suits their needs better.
The 2-year program is suitable only if you are looking for an internship and I Don't think that is the case for you. Moreover, if you consider the major aspects like classroom experience, rigor and placements, the Executive program is far more a viable option in your case. It will also allow you to reap the maximum benefits in less time. So do your part of the research and make an informed decision.
What advice would you give to an 11th-standard boy for getting admitted to IIM Ahmedabad?
You must keep an open mind. Be adaptable. You do not always get what you wish for. You must sometimes compromise. So, take a seat. Stop worrying and get on with your life.
Your preferences, likes, and passions do not always remain constant. They can change, and if they do, be open to it. Do what you believe is best for you right now, but don't be stubborn.
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