As one of my friends also has gone through the same situation, I might be able to provide you with some tips that could be useful to you.
In most cases, case-based GD is offered, therefore XAT decision-making questions can be useful during preparation. If you have any prior work experience, you should expect some questions from that section as well. Hence be prepared in that way to walk through this interview round.
TAPMI is considered to be much better than K J Somaiya. I can say this because my brother has completed his education from TAPMI and I have some friends who have studied in K J Somaiya.
Hence, TAPMI is better than K J Somaiya and deserves a better ranking in magazines and websites.
FORE and KJ Somaiya are both excellent. The curriculum is designed in consultation with industry leaders and the growing demands of the industry as an ongoing process at FORE, making it relevant to the workplace. FORE has a strong connection with the corporate world and is a preferred destination for recruiters because it provides value to the recruiter as well. The average CTC offered by both institutes is nearly identical - FORE: INR 14.04 LPA & KJS: INR 12.28 LPA.
If you are not from Mumbai, you must also consider the cost of living. Delhi/NCR is always less expensive than Mumbai.
One of my friends from school is an alumnus of Great Lakes. According to him, the institute has a very good 1-year PGPM program.
There is not much difference between the faculty of Great Lakes and that of institutes like XLRI, IIMs, ISB, etc. Teachers from other countries also visit the campus. In addition to these, the methods of teaching are always being updated and enjoy high acceptance in the industry.
The following table gives a brief overview of the institutes:
Institute | Great Lakes | K J Somaiya Mumbai |
Fees | 16,95,2000 INR | 8,17,290 INR |
Average Package | 13 LPA | 10 LPA |
Top Recruiters | ADP, Cognizant, Happay, Hexaware, Manipal Business Solutions, Newgen Software, etc | Amazon , Citi, GEP, Infosys, Cognizant, ICICI, Capgemini, Infosys, JP Morgan |
Duration of course | 1 year | 15 months |
You can make decisions based on your preference of location, convenience, budget, etc. Thorough research goes a long way.
KJ Somaiya is better than SK Somaiya. It ranks higher and is more reputed among students. If you have good grades, you should choose KJ Somaiya without thinking any further. KJ Somaiya has a great student crowd. So, the peer-to-peer learning opportunities are good.
The institute has a good placement record as well. KJ Somaiya placements 2022 had an average CTC of INR 10.9 LPA.
XAT or Xavier Aptitude Test is a national-level entrance exam conducted by XLRI, Jamshedpur for admission to management programs offered by more than 150 B-schools across India, including SP Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR), K J Somaiya Institute of Management Studies and Research, Institute of Management Technology Ghaziabad (IMT Ghaziabad), T A Pai Management Institute (TAPMI), and FORE School of Management.
Each of these B-schools has its own XAT cutoff score based on factors such as the number of applicants, the difficulty level of the exam, and the availability of seats. Generally, the XAT cutoff scores for these B-schools range between the 80 to 90 percentile.
It's important to note that while cutoff scores are an important factor in the admission process, they are not the only factor. Other factors, such as your academic background, work experience, extracurricular activities, and performance in other selection rounds, also play a crucial role in the admission process. So, it's always a good idea to aim for a high score in XAT and prepare well for other selection rounds to increase your chances of admission to the MBA program of your choice.
Certainly, having work experience is often seen as a valuable asset in an MBA program like SIMSR. In fact, a significant portion of SIMSR's MBA student body consists of individuals with four or more years of work experience. These students seem to be thriving in the program and finding it to be a worthwhile investment in their professional development.
Additionally, if you are looking to pivot or advance in your career, SIMSR's MBA program could be a good fit for you. The program provides a strong foundation in business principles and management techniques and can help you gain the skills and knowledge you need to pursue new opportunities or take on more leadership roles within your organization. Overall, the combination of work experience and an MBA degree from SIMSR can be a powerful combination for anyone looking to make a meaningful impact in their career.
Of the three B-schools, my favorite would be GIM mainly because of the high ROI it offers. Also, the community you spend time with becomes your family. Spending 2 years in your program makes you closer to your juniors, seniors, faculty, and your own batchmates. There is tremendous harmony between everyone and you develop a sense of community while spending time with them. You don’t necessarily have to socialize to develop networks, the process is rather natural. You know almost everyone on campus and even some visiting alumni by their first name. You don’t have to necessarily be a part of a club or committee and can seek help or information from anyone at any anytime.
The faculty comprises professors with Ph.D. degrees and experience of more than 10 years. There is no compromise on the quality and GIM hires the best faculty.
GIM lays great emphasis on the holistic development of students by encouraging activities like movies, games, treks, outings, and extracurricular activities. This does not mean you can compromise in your academics. You have to equally focus on completing your assignments, projects, and other class readings. Balancing your academics with extracurricular activities is tough initially but once you get adapted to it, it will make your corporate life better in the long run. You will focus more than just your work and spend some time on extracurriculars also.
Goa Institute of Management is a good choice only if you are seeking more than just a degree. If you are seeking a rich learning experience and a community that will stay throughout your life, then this is the best choice for you.
Living on campus is one of the key components of an intensive learning experience. K J Somaiya Institute of Management has a residential facility on campus for students. Large hostels have been built to give students the best amenities. All the hostels are located inside the same campus, are under the surveillance of a CCTV camera, and provide a safe environment for both boys and girls.
The hostel is divided into two buildings, one for boys called "Sandipani" which has 11 floors and 1,53,000 square feet. The hostel accommodates 683 boys. The other building is named "Maitreyi" is for girls and is 94,000 square feet in size over five floors. The hostel can accommodate 373 girls at a time. The rooms are bright, comfortable, clean, and airy, with all the necessary accessories.
The hostel also has contemporary amenities, which include a fully furnished gym, laundromats, a student mess, an activity area, and internet access. A fully furnished medical room is also available in the hostel around the clock, and an ambulance is always available.