Well filling up a form seems to be the most boring thing in the world but it is a prerequisite for an entry to any college....
Criterion for filling up MBA College forms….
Today after a discussion with an MBA aspirant I could gather that there are a lot of doubts in the aspirants’ mind; well just decided to pen down a few of my observations about Entrance forms and colleges in particular.. Mind you these are all my personal opinions and have been created through after being in touch with the post graduate management education sector for the past 3 years….
CAT: Due to the ever-changing patterns its been common to see all aspirants blowing up a lot of money on filling out all forms possible and on the other hand some aspirants fill only the top B schools forms…
An example of either would be a guy who gets 70 percentile in CAT and has filled up all forms of colleges in the above 90 percentile region... Spending 15000 but getting no calls. Or else a guy getting 97 % and not filling up any forms apart from CAT….
I have a simple motto: Do not just reject the college straight off. Let the college accept you first then you reject it... (Applies to at least the top rung colleges, I definitely do not mean fill up the worst college in the country and after selects it , be proud to reject it ) So a guy (in the 2nd example) getting 97 percentile has screwed his chances to get into at least two of the top ten colleges… and the guy (1st example) has not clearly diversified the risk….
So following is a small strategy that helps most of the time...
1. Assess your level of preparation through measurement of performance in simulation tests and also the confidence levels.. Although simulation is not a guarantee but still gives you an indicative performance level. ( for short listing the percentile range you must apply to )
2. Clear your objectives of doing an MBA/Specialized MBA... Example and IRMA, TISS or MICA may offer an MBA which would be very specialized and would only be good for if you if you are really interested. Trust me a 10L package has no value in your life if you do not love what you do. ( For short listing the colleges you must apply to )
3. Talk to people who have done an MBA, talk to a sufficient number of people not just one guy/gal. ( concept of sample size …)
4. Coaching center counselors have a lot of theoretical knowledge and give you a lot of quantitative data… but as far as opinions are concerned (cannot take only their word for it )so collect the facts and do not take the opinions blankly.
5. Finally note down all colleges which come down in your percentile range (take a 5-10% relaxation on both the upper and lower sides). Percentile ranges can be got from previous MBA takers or coaching centers and also through the internet. (Validate all sources) .
6. Now strike of colleges you would not never want to go to (on the basis of locational/course/fees/placement preferences).
7. Fill in at least one college form per 1-2 percentile for the top end of your percentile range (as calculated in step 5) and after the top 4-5 colleges at least one college per 4- 5 percentile range.
8. This way you cover all the colleges you want to go to and also which fit in your bill.
Example: X is consistently getting a score in the range of 80-95 % in Simulation tests…
He is sure he’ll score an 85+ percentile in CAT. And moreover he is interested in operations aspects of business. X has his strengths in QA/LR/PS. X is a resident of Maharashtra . Wants to stay either in Maharashtra or can go to North India but does not want to go to south India or east india. (Would only go to southern parts of India if he gets through the top ten) X’s budget is 25K and says he is not going to fill forms for more than that
Analysis (Assuming cost of forms to be 1500 avg )
X’s percentile range: 80-100 percentile.
X’s special interest colleges: SIOM and NITIE: famous for operations MBA
X’s Rule outs IRMA, MICA... And all locational rule outs.
X’s choice list:
IIM’s , MDI, IMT , IMI , SP jain , Fore , LBS, SIOM, NITIE , XLRI,SIBM,SCMHRD, SIIB,NMIMS,TISS,FMS,DSE-MIB and MHROD,UBS,KJ Somaiya.IITD,IITM
X’s shortlist:
IIM’s : Top 2 percentile
MDI, IMT, SP JAIN, NITIE, IMI : Colleges in 95+ percentile.
Fore/LBS : fills one …college in the next 5 percentile
UBS, KJ Somaiya : colleges in the next 10 percentile
Sectorals: FMS... NMIMS... Symbiosis: 3 colleges (SIBM, SCMHRD, SIOM), XLRI, JMET (IIT Delhi, mumbai)
Will skip TISS: More known for HR and Social services.
Will skip other colleges through XAT.( Locational issues )
Will skip DSE and SIIB. A little redundant in the list
Total colleges filled 23;
Total cost 26K (Estimating 1500 per form for all forms except FMS/JMET/UBS: Rs 1000 avg...)
Forms : CAT, MDI ,IMT ,SP JAIN ,NITIE ,IMI, Fore/LBS , UBS,KJ Somaiya, FMS ,NMIMS, SNAP,SIBM ,SCMHRD, SIOM, XLRI( XAT ) ,JMET ,IITD,IITM
Percentile range : 80 -100 % + Specific exams : CAT (16 colleges) + SNAP( 3 colleges) + NMAT( 1 college ) + XAT ( 1 college ) + FMS ( 1 college) + JMET ( 2 colleges )
College ranks applied to: Top 35. (More or Less)
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