What exactly makes IIM A the top choice of those elite students who gain admissions into many IIMs? And which is the next best institute after IIM A? We at MBAUniverse.com posed these questions to several CAT toppers, about to join B-schools this summer.
Among the CAT 2008 toppers who were interviewed by MBAUniverse.com, five selected Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM A) as their final destination. They are Sayali Kale (99.91 percentile), Amit Tandon (99.49 percentile), Glen D’Silva (99.83 percentile), Alay Mehta (99.99 percentile) and Sitaram Agarwal (99.53 percentile).
‘Best in business’
When asked about the reason for selecting IIM A, the toppers did not spend too many words in justifying their decisions. Amit Tandon, who got offers from IIM A, I, K, FMS and MDI, said, “I decided to join IIM A as I feel it’s the best in the business.” Alay Mehta, with the distinction of having got through all seven IIMs, in a similar tone said, “I chose to join IIM Ahmedabad, for all the usual reasons.” “IIM A is the dream institute of any person appearing for CAT,” said Glen D’Silva, who converted the calls from IIM A, C, L, I, K, NITIE, MDI, IMT and SP Jain.
‘Faculty’
Faculty is an important criterion for choosing any institute. IIM A, which is the apex institute among the Indian B-schools doesn’t hold any exception in having the best faculty. IIM A faculty members are not only highly recognised in the Indian field of research, but also in international conferences and seminars. Some of the noted faculty members are Anil K Gupta, Centre for Management in Agriculture, AK Jain Marketing education pioneer, G Raghuram of Public Systems Group to name a few.
Sayali Kale converted calls from all six IIMs except IIM Shillong. She says, “I have chosen this institute because of the talent it attracts, its faculty and its method of teaching.” Glen D’Silva, too, said, “The faculty that IIM A possesses is unparalleled in the country.”
‘Teaching with Cases’
IIM A was set up in 1961, with active involvement of the Harvard Business School (HBS). HBS is well known globally as the pioneer of case study method of teaching. Introduced to business education in 1925 by HBS faculty, the case study method is a powerful interactive learning process that brings the complex and dynamic realities of
business analysis and decision making into the classroom.
Thus, IIM A has also followed its foot steps. IIM A has a unique teaching pedagogy which makes the institute stand apart from the rest.
Research is an integral part of the institute and provides a major interface with the wider academic and business world. It provides new theoretical frameworks that enable reassessment and refinement of current practices and thinking.
Sitaram Agarwal, who was only selected by IIM A, said, “IIM A is the business school which will nurture me the best – specially their case-based pedagogy.” Sayali Kale, too, reiterated the same when talking about IIM A’s case study method of teaching.
‘Business leaders galore’
Alumni members hold an integral part of any institute. The institute’s activities and programmes for its alumni are directed towards building lifelong bonds of kinship with the institute. For Glen D’Silva, the alumni base of IIM A was an important criterion for selecting IIM A over other IIMs. “IIM A has one of the oldest and best alumni networks in the country. Noted alumni of IIM A like KV Kamath, VS Banga, Kiran Karnik and Harsha Bhogle have left their mark in different fields,” said Glen.
According to most of the toppers, if someone gets through IIM A, there is no need to search for reasons to choose it for final admissions.
The name itself is enough, according to Sitaram Agarwal. “My decision would be unaltered even if I had converted other calls,” Sitaram said.
Glen D’Silva, too, voiced a similar opinion and said, “I had no difficulty in choosing IIM A over any other institute.”
Who is next?
After speaking to a plethora of CAT toppers, there is no doubt that IIM A is the top choice. But can we place IIM B next in line? Is IIM B the next most preferred destination among other IIMs? The CNBC TV 18 ranks IIM B second in the top 30 MBA institutes in India. The 2008 CAT toppers, who got through IIM B, definitely selected it over other IIMs. But does this trend indicate that IIM B is leading the pack of IIMs after IIM A?
Dr. Pankaj Chandra, Director of IIM B, in an interview with MBAUniverse.com (http://www.mbauniverse.com/interviewinn.php?id=61), said that the institute stands an advantageous position over other IIMs. “The institute is able to conceptualise and execute its programmes and initiatives far more quickly and effectively. As a result, it is able to undertake many contemporary initiatives.”
Another important factor which draws attention towards the institute is its location. Bangalore is known as the Silicon Valley of India.
“Since we can function around the year, it helps us link up globally. The access to industry is great too. Telecom, IT, Avionics, Manufacturing, SME – they are all here,” Dr. Chandra said. The climate of the city, which is pleasant throughout the year, also gives a boost in attracting students towards it.
Now let’s see what the toppers who selected IIM B over other IIMs think. Amey Mashilkar (99.14 percentile), got final admission offers from IIM B, C and K. He chose B. He said, “I chose it because IIM B has an excellent curriculum.” Prashant Kumar (97.67 percentile) got admission offers from IIM B and L. While explaining his reason for choosing IIM B over IIM L, Prashant said, “I want to build up my career in Management Consulting and IIM B has better suited faculty and location for the same.”
