This might seem like a shallow statement but when you look at an average student from a top-tier college and an average student from a lower-tier college the difference that you witness would not surprise you if you just look at their CVs.
It’s not as if they have done something exceptionally great but the CVs of students who get selected in top management schools like top IIMs, ISB, XLRI, FMS, SPJMR, and JBIMS are highly analytical. They know how to quantify their achievements and in the end, that’s all that matters. It’s all just numbers and data.
Typically, the students have impressive academic records and have been part of numerous non-academic avenues that have helped them in understanding the importance of extra-curriculum activities.
Some might have told you that most of the students who go to these top colleges have work experience but that is not true. You do not require work experience to get into your dream college. If you’re looking to get into one of these top management colleges and do not have an exceptional profile, just start focusing on your speed and accuracy for the written examination and polish your CV. Highlight the things that have impacted you and that you think would help you in becoming a better manager in the future.
Past Academics are not just mere parameters for admission but they evaluate your consistency in performing well across various academic stages. This signifies your flexibility to adapt and maintain a consistent result. Thus a well-maintained and stable academic record ensures your competency and is given more importance than inconsistency in your academic profile.
Most B-School consider past academic records to ensure the student’s ability to give consistently good results. XLRI too is one such institute, the only difference being that initial shortlisting is not done on that basis. This enables candidates with a valid reason for average past academics to justify their profile. In fact, their justification can even convince the panelists to consider them over other candidates with better past academic records.
The reason I am so confident about this is that my sister told me her batchmates comprised both; students with excellent past academic records and students with below-average academic records. These students managed to seek admission by performing excellently in the post-written process.
So, XLRI does consider past academics but not for initial shortlisting and the overall weightage given to academics is comparatively less than other B schools.
Due to the prevailing Covid-19 situation, XLRI took interviews online for 2021-23 batch. My brother had a zoom interview for XLRI BM. He completed Integrated M.Sc from IIT Kanpur and then pursued M.Phil and Ph.D. from Tilburg University.
The interview lasted for 40 mins. There were four interviewers.
Overall, his XLRI Interview experience was smooth.
It’s advisable to attempt CAT again next year only if you are confident that your CAT percentile will be much better next year and you will have something in your profile that will make IIM A take you or maybe IIM B.
Once you join a big B-School, you will find that the turmoil is the same everywhere. You will find the glittery life is not what it seems and you will see everyone around you is equally talented and has managed to convert to a top B-School in India. Again, the cat race will begin irrespective of whichever B-school you go for.
In my opinion, rather than taking a drop, it’s better to go for XLRI right away. The job opportunities and exposure offered are at par with IIM Ahmedabad so you don’t have to worry about placements. Your B-School is just a stepping stone in shaping your career and not the sole determining factor. So, your growth in the corporate is solely dependent on your work ethic. Go for IIM Ahmedabad only if you are adamant about the IIM tag.
I would strongly assert that FMS is way ahead of XLRI. I have mentioned a few strong points that support my opinion. Before I begin, let me enlighten you on the fact that this answer is based on thorough research and reviews of graduates of respective B Schools.
Fees
Industry Acceptance
Placements
While both excel in placements, it’s the extremely low fees at FMS that make the ROI amazing.
Overall I would say that FMS is a clear winner when compared to XLRI
XLRI is an elite B School that not only offers a plethora of management programs but also a wide range of executive education courses. Owing to its serene location in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, XLRI Jamshedpur has a rather lively and mixed community of peers, faculty, pool, and staff.
The course curriculum is taught through a practical approach and is quite rigorous. The Pedagogy involves experiential learning, a Case-based approach, and real-life examples. The faculty pool comprises extremely qualified and learned professors that impart Knowledge through unique methodologies and make the students ready to face the corporate world.
XLRI does not solely focus on academics and gives equal importance to extracurricular activities. Its rich extracurricular culture is promoted through a variety of cultural sports and social activities. A number of student-driven clubs and committees work relentlessly throughout the year to enable students to develop holistically
With the right mindset of learning and reaching new heights, one can make the most out of the enriching campus life at XLRI Jamshedpur.
XLRI has released the required XAT cutoff 2022 for their PGDM HRM and BM program. Here is the XLRI HRM Cutoff:
Category | VALR | DM | QA | Overall |
Male Engineering | 80 | 75 | 80 | 93 |
Female Engineering | 75 | 68 | 74 | 90 |
Male Non-Engineering | 80 | 75 | 73 | 90 |
Female Non-Engineering | 75 | 68 | 64 | 87 |
Students who meet the cutoff requirement will be shortlisted for the GD-PI round of admission.
At IIM/FMS/JBIMS/SPJIMR/IIFT/XLRI, attendance is seen as a crucial aspect of the learning experience. Every effort must be made to be present in class and to participate actively in the discussions. In fact, class participation is considered to be such an important factor in determining grades that a significant portion of the total course weightage is allocated to it. This system is in place to encourage students to be engaged in the learning process and to ensure that they are taking full advantage of the educational opportunities available to them.
On the other hand, at IIT Kanpur, there is a more relaxed approach to attendance. While it is still advisable to attend classes and to be present for lectures, there is no strict requirement in place. This gives students more flexibility and allows them to choose when they want to attend classes based on their personal schedules or other commitments. It also means that engineering students are not penalized if they miss a class or two, as long as they are able to make up for it by participating in other ways, such as completing assignments or preparing for exams.
Overall, both B-schools and Engineering colleges have different approaches to attendance and class participation. While IIM Ahmedabad places a strong emphasis on being present in class and participating actively, IIT Kanpur takes a more relaxed approach. Ultimately, the choice between the two institutions will depend on the individual student's preferences and learning style.
Life post-MBA from top B-Schools such as FMS, XLRI, MDI, NITIE, JBIMS, and SP Jain for most people is comfortable, because of decent pay packages and perks. Most alumni of these institutes are placed in companies and sectors of their choice. Here are the recent placement highlights for these institutes.
Institute | Average CTC (in INR) | Highest CTC (in INR) |
FMS | 32.4 LPA | 58 LPA |
XLRI | 30.78 LPA | 60+ LPA |
MDI | 26.07 LPA | 1.14 CPA |
NITIE | 25.41 LPA | 49 LPA |
SP Jain | 26.06 LPA | 46.65 LPA |
JBIMS | 27.63 LPA | 42 LPA |
Achieving a work-life balance can be difficult. However, doing MBA from these institutes will certainly teach you how to handle the pressure of professional life.
Game theory is an essential aspect of business and almost all the major B-schools have game theory as part of their curriculum. Whether it's a mandatory course or not might vary depending upon your institute.
I am sure you have all heard about the prisoner’s dilemma which was only the tip of a giant game theory subject. MBA is supposed to teach you how to make decisions that serve you in the best interest despite adversity and game theory could help you optimize your decision-making. All things said it’s not an easy subject.