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I don’t wish to make a career in advertising. Should I join MICA?
This is a major misconception among people that MICA is just an advertising school. The “C” in MICA stands for “Communication” hence it is a Communication Management School.
MICA offers a flagship program in Marketing with specializations such as Brand Management, Media Management, and Marketing Research and Analytics, to choose from. The institute offers better learning opportunities in marketing than any other general management course. All that the industry needs, the institution tries to cover in the form of marketing.
In addition to the above-mentioned specializations, it has also come up with two other specializations, namely, Digital Communication Management and Advertising Management. These are more related to advertising but advertising is nothing without marketing.
Also, the students of MICA indeed know about advertising but, they know marketing equally or you can say, better.
Is MICA-Ahmedabad good for a student who wants to pursue MBA in marketing?
MICA Ahmedabad is undoubtedly a good option for a student who wants to pursue an MBA in marketing if it comes to educational excellence, ranking, infrastructure, campus life, hostels, or placement.
Here are a few factors that make MICA, Ahmedabad a suitable choice for those interested in pursuing this degree program:
- Ranking and reputation: MICA Ahmedabad MBA ranking by NIRF is 37 out of 125 colleges in India in 2023. This proves the academic excellence, infrastructural ability, placement success, and reputation all over India.
- Accreditation: MICA Ahmedabad as well as the courses offered by it are accredited by NBA. The college is accredited by AICTE.
- Faculty & alumni: The professors are very good at teaching and most of them hold a PhD degree in their field of expertise. Vineet Kanabar (Content Marketing Lead, Spotify), Amogh Dusad (Head Content, Mini TV, Amazon), and many more eminent professionals are notable alumni of this institution.
- Placement: Placement statistics for the year 2023 are mentioned in the tabulated form-
|
Particulars |
MICA Ahmedabad Placement 2023 |
|
Highest Package |
INR 36 LPA |
|
Average Salary |
INR 20.09 LPA |
|
Top Recruiters |
Cognizant, Deloitte, Dalmia Group, Flipkart, Google etc |
After considering all of these factors, it is clear that MICA, Ahmedabad is the best fit for pursuing an MBA degree in marketing. The campus, programs, and opportunities available align perfectly with the goals of an MBA aspirant.
How do I get into MICA Ahmedabad?
MICA generally conducts two MICATs every year and they also consider CAT score for the final merit list. Your current-affairs game needs to be strong and well-rehearsed.
It is always advisable to enroll yourself in some or the other coaching center to make sure your preparation for the entrance exams is flawless and efficient. Appear in CAT or XAT first after you have gained enough exposure and experience of training from the coaching centers.
The creative section in the MICAT needs a little extra effort and attention from your end. Being well aware and informed about the media, marketing, and advertising industry will certainly help you score those extra brownie points in your overall score of MICAT.
This second stage of assessment is majorly to test an applicant’s personality and mindset and thought process, because MICAns are noticeably different from other MBA graduates and that’s what MICA is in search of.
Which is better for brand management: MICA or NMIMS Mumbai?
It would be recommended that you talk to the faculty, alumni, etc. of each of the schools and make an informed choice instead of thinking that either is 'bad'. Don't be naive and ask generic things like 'does a MICAn MBA have any disadvantages'. Remember, there are truly no absolutes and every institute can have its pros and cons depending on what you want out of it.
Assuming that you want to do Brand Management specifically, MICA is a great choice and potentially better than NMIMS given that it's a full-fledged specialization, something that MICA is known and reputed for, and you'll get good placements in that field. Additionally, MICA is known for its industry partnerships, collaborations, and real-world experiential learning opportunities, all of which can help you gain practical skills and industry exposure.
However, keep in mind that MICA is a niche school that focuses primarily on communications and marketing, so if you're looking for a more general MBA program that covers all aspects of business, NMIMS might be a better choice for you. NMIMS has a strong brand and reputation in the industry and offers a well-rounded MBA program that covers all the major functional areas of business.
Ultimately, it's up to you to decide which school is the best fit for your personal and professional goals. Do your research, talk to people in the industry, and consider your own strengths and weaknesses before making a decision. Remember, the school you choose is just one piece of the puzzle - your own hard work, dedication, and determination are what will ultimately lead you to success in your career.
How is XIMB, MICA, JBIMS and SIMSEE Mumbai for MBA?
Here's a closer look at each of these institutions:
- XIMB: XIMB is one of the top-ranked B-schools in India, offering a two-year full-time MBA program with various specializations. The institute is known for its academic excellence, experienced faculty, and industry-driven curriculum. XIMB has a rigorous selection process and admits students based on their CAT, XAT, or GMAT scores, followed by group discussions and personal interviews.
- MICA: MICA is one of the top institutions in India for a specialized MBA in communications management. The institute is known for its strong industry connections, experienced faculty, and innovative curriculum that focuses on various aspects of communication, branding, and marketing. MICA also has a rigorous selection process and admits students based on their CAT, XAT, GMAT, or MICAT scores, followed by group discussions and personal interviews.
- JBIMS: JBIMS is one of the oldest and most prestigious B-schools in India, offering a two-year full-time MBA program. The institute is known for its excellent faculty, strong alumni network, and rigorous curriculum that emphasizes real-world business applications. JBIMS has a highly competitive selection process and admits students based on their CAT, XAT, or CET scores, followed by group discussions and personal interviews.
- SIMSREE Mumbai: SIMSREE is a well-established B-school in Mumbai, offering a two-year full-time MBA program. The institute is known for its experienced faculty, diverse student body, and rigorous curriculum that covers various aspects of management. SIMSREE admits students based on their CAT, XAT, or CMAT scores, followed by group discussions and personal interviews.
Among the four B-schools mentioned, JBIMS has the strongest placement record, followed by XIMB, then MICA, and finally SIMSREE.
Does MICA India provide financial aid?
No, MICA as an institution does not offer financial aid. However, once you get selected in Mica you will get a detailed document describing the banks they have tie-ups with and also information about the interest rate, loan period, documents, etc. For e.g. you can get a collateral-free loan from the State Bank of India, Bhopal (Ahmedabad) against your offer letter from MICA. The institution will assist you in getting a loan.
Also, your placement will be sufficient to pay back your loan. Having said that, there is a certain ceiling cap on the loan amount. One of my friends who took admission at MICA in 2011, applied for an education loan at SBI. The fee was 12 lakhs and SBI capped the loan amount at 10 lakhs. The current fee for PGDM at MICA is 21 lakhs. I am unaware of the exact loan amount cap that SBI has now but it will be somewhere between 15-18 lakhs.
You can call the financial aid department at MICA for the details or you can directly call SBI to know the exact cap amount.
Rest assured, lack of funds shouldn’t be a concern of any kind at MICA.
What are the profiles offered to MICA Ahmedabad graduates in marketing?
MICA offers four basic specializations in Marketing- Account Planning (Advertising Management, Media Management, Brand Management, and Market Research.
One of my close friends went to MICA to study Account Planning. She had to change her major to Market Research because she missed some core classes in Account Planning. However, she got a good job with a Media company as a Brand Manager.
Now coming back to your question, the kind of job profiles you can expect as a graduate in marketing are as follows:
- Market Researchers in agencies like IMRB, Nielson, Mode, etc.
- Media Planners (and buyers) in agencies like Mediacom, Madison, Group M, etc.
- Account Planners and Account Managers, Client servicing in companies like O&M, Leo Burnett, Lowe Lintas, FCB Ulka, etc.
- Media sellers and managers in media outfits like Viacom, ZEE, Star, TOI, Jagran Prakashan, Twitter, FB, and Google.
- Marketing and brand management for companies like - P&G, Godrej, VIP, Reckitt, Perfetti, GSK, and many more.
To know about the placement statistics, you can visit the official website. Hope this answer was informative.
What is the way to get through MICA Ahmedabad?
Assuming that you are either getting admission in MICA for either MBA Marketing (PGDM-C) or CCC. The PGDM-C is the normal 2 year MBA Marketing course while the other one (CCC) is a crafting creative communication course for 2 years. The later one is a course specifically designed for anyone who wishes to pursue a career in advertising, branding, copywriting or direction.
Let’s begin by mentioning a little more details about both the courses and their respective admission processes:
PGDM-C/MBA
- To get yourself admitted into MICA for this particular course, you will have to appear for an examination called MICAT.
- This entrance exam tests you on your verbal ability, quantitative ability, logical reasoning, and data interpretation, convergent and divergent thinking, along with your writing abilities and creativity.
- Apart from MICAT, you are also required to appear for CAT/XAT/GMAT. After qualifying, you will be required to undergo a series of group exercises and personal interviews; the weightage of whose is as follows:
- MICAT: 20%
- CAT/XAT/GMAT: 20%
- GE+PI: 60%
MICAT: The psychometric testis a compulsory test to be cleared for passing the MICAT. The important point to be noted here is that there are no right or wrong answers to this test. All questions must be attempted and there has to be an overall display of stability and sanity.
There are other sections in the test as well, such as verbal, quant, and Irdi. They are similar to CAT but just slightly easier. Little CAT preparation would be enough.
Convergent and divergent section deals with all the questions category from CAT. You need to be reading the newspapers regularly to do well in this section. It deals with current affairs and everything about marketing, branding and creativity.
GE focuses on initiating your and showcasing your leadership skills. Do not become very aggressive and focus on taking up a role and doing it well. Some institutes might not conduct GE but MICA does.
For the PI, make sure your SOP is extensively written. Be a storyteller about your journey. Brush up your general knowledge and read about the recent trends. Research about the subject you are willing to take, questions will be arised from them. Lastly be confident and honest about yourself.
Which college is better for an MBA in marketing: NMIMS Mumbai or MICA Ahmedabad?
If you are looking for a college with a strong faculty pool, it's worth noting that MICA's faculty pool is better. Their faculty members have done impressive research work, and they've had CXO-level professionals from FMCG, FMCD, Advertising, and BFSI sectors take classes as visiting faculty and guest industry lecturers.
Both MICA and NMIMS have extremely strong alumni networks with alumni in impressive positions and careers. However, if you are interested in marketing specifically, MICA's alumni may be more advantageous as they have traditionally dominated this field.
Regarding placements, NMIMS has a slight advantage in terms of median and average packages. However, it's important to consider that the profiles that come to each college are different. While MICA is well-represented in other sectors, they haven't had consulting companies on campus, while NMIMS has been lagging in Advertising.
The fee and ROI are similar for both colleges, and they have similar student pools. However, a key differentiator is Campus Life. MICA has one of the most beautiful campuses in India, spread across 19 acres with over 3000 trees and well-maintained. In contrast, NMIMS is a typical 7-floor conglomerate office with zero foot space outside the building, and students do not live on campus.
These were essential parameters that mattered to the person who conducted the research, and they ended up selecting MICA over NMIMS. If these factors are important to you, then MICA might be the better choice for you too.
Is MICA worth joining given the hike in their fees from 16.5L to 20L, and average packages standing at 12.8L? How good is it compared to SIBM Pune or IIM Shillong?
There are several factors that you should consider before deciding on a business school. Fee is one of them; though the fees you pay at any business school is not directly equivalent to the average package offered, so keep that in mind before making any decision.
Now, Management schools generally increase their annual fees by 10 to 20% every two years. For instance, in the year 2018, MICA increased their fees from Rs 16.5 lakhs to 18.5 lakhs and then last year, they increased it again to Rs 20 lakhs. Similarly, SIBM Pune increased their fees by 20 % in the year 2018. Thus, bear in mind that most business schools change their fee structure annually or bi-annually while it is a deciding factor, it is also highly common.
Tabulated below are the recent fee structure and average salary offered by the institutes:
|
Institute Name |
Fee Structure |
Average Salary |
|
MICA |
21 LPA |
13.9 LPA |
|
SIBM Pune |
18.8 LPA |
20.14 LPA |
|
IIM Shillong |
10 LPA |
18.76 LPA |
Comparison:
- MICA is a good management school in itself but when compared to other business schools, it falls short. The college needs to work harder to establish itself as a full-fledged business school when compared to business schools like SIBM Pune or IIM Shillong.
- The college offers great placements but the roles offered are very different from the roles a traditional MBA would offer.
- Placement offers are mainly from the Media and Advertising field. For instance, this year alone FMCG made up 23% of the placement offers while Media and Advertising companies made up approximately 31%.
MICA is an excellent college with a unique structure; people are creative and innovative there. The college will definitely help you grow and will offer you a very different and unique experience, unlike a traditional management school. While it is a good and upcoming college; it has to work to match up to management colleges like SIBM Pune and IIM Shillong.
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