Do's & Don'ts for B-school admission 2013

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MBAUniverse.com News Desk |
April 2, 2013
As MBA aspirants weight their options and approach closer to their final decision on admission, MBAUniverse.com brings you a set of Do's and Don'ts on B-school admission 2013-15.
Sitting on multiple admission offers from different B-schools must be a joy for an MBA aspirant, but it is an equally cumbersome exercise to make a final decision
GD PI WAT rounds are currently on at various B schools and soon the final list of selected students shall be out.  Many B-schools have already announced the list of finally selected candidates and waiting lists. Sitting on multiple admission offers from different B-schools must be a joy for an MBA aspirant, but it is an equally cumbersome exercise to make a final decision on selecting a B-schools that suits you the most as per your scores, affordability and aspirations.

As MBA aspirants weight their options and approach closer to their final decision on admission, MBAUniverse.com brings you a set of Do’s and Don’ts on B-school admission 2013-15.

Do’s for B-school admission:

1. Always check for Accreditation and Affiliation

Before finally selecting a B school, one should necessarily check the accreditation of the institute. It must be AICTE/ UGC/Ministry of HRD approved. Also check for affiliation of the institute before submitting the fees. Clearly check the date and extent of approval given to the institute.

To check whether your institute is AICTE approved or not, please check the following link:

http://www.aicte-india.org/misappmanagement.htm

2. Check for hidden fees

Apart from tuition and examination fees, institute asks for various other fees clubbed under different heading. You must seek complete fee structure of the institute and look into each heading.

There are various headings in a fee structure of the institute like registration, boarding, lodging, security fees, library, foreign tours, etc.

One need to question the institute management regarding any unnecessary fees added in the fee structure. Also check for the module of fee payment and installment options.

3. Check for number of faculty

Quality of education is the backbone of any management programme. Hence, faculty should be given due weightage while choosing a B school.

Student must check the number of permanent and visiting faculty. High ration of Faculty per student results in regular and frequent faculty-student interaction which ensures quality academic environment.

Apart from the number of faculties, one should also check for their qualification and average experience. 

4. Placements @ campus

Placement is one of the most attracting features of any B school. It also indicates the level of industry interface of a B-school.  Therefore, a student must check the placement statistics and past year records while weighing their options. This also helps you to determine the ROI period which means the amount of time required post your MBA degree to get your investment back.

One must try to figure out the number of offers received per students, average domestic salary projection, international placements, number of companies visiting the campus, etc.

If you are not sure about the specialization, you should look into the functional and sectoral placement trends, number of companies, name of the companies of various sectors which visited the campus in past few years for placements.

5. Industry Collaborations

Every B school needs to have strong industry collaborations, MOUs, to strengthen their brand value and also support placements. This helps students to interact with industry, take up mini-projects and get occasional exposure to working environment. 

Students must check the level of industry exposure provided to the students at the particular B school. Excellent industry collaborations would result in better placements, exposure to industrial visits, summer internships, guest lectures, etc.

6. Mandatory disclosure

According to the policy requirements, every institute has to submit information regarding its directors, members of board/governing body, faculties, placement records, admission status, selection criteria, etc to AICTE which is termed as Mandatory Disclosure.

You can find the copy of Mandatory Disclosure on the website of the institute. This will give you an actual figure of the student’s intake in the past year, selection criteria, fee structure, payment procedure and various other facilities provided to students at the institute.

Don’ts for B-school admission:

1. Never submit your original documents

During admission, some B schools ask for original documents from the students. They maintain that the documents would be kept as records and will be returned back only after completion of one year or the full course. They do it to ensure that a student does not leave the institute in between the session or without payment of fees.

Students should avoid providing original document to the institute. Original document should however be provided at the time of admission so that the institute could check academic and other records required as part of eligibility criteria for admissions.

But student must always retain the original document and keep it with themselves.

2. Avoid full payment of fees

Student must avoid submission of full fees at one go. Every institute provides installment facility on depositing fee for the programme.  To be on the safer side, students are advised to submit the fees as per the installment system applicable at the institute.

3.Avoid staying outside the campus

Student must opt for the accommodation/lodging facility provided by the institute in the campus. It’s always beneficial to stay in the campus than staying outside the campus.

This would ensure your involvement in campus activities and will also ensure regular and updated flow of information and also regular attendance in class. Exchanging ideas with classmates will prove to be an added advantage.

4. Avoid Approaching agents/brokers for Admissions

Students who look to book their seat in a B-school often come across mediators or admission agents.

Always avoid getting admission to a B-school through an agent as he will charge a percentage of admission fees as his commission. In some cases they also mislead students on different aspects of the MBA programme offered by a particular institute. Instead one should directly contact to B-school admission office or other concerned B-school officials. Almost all the B-schools flash their contact detail on their respective website.

Stay tuned to MBAuniverse.com for more news and updates on B-school admission 2013-2015.