MICA Ahmedabad has introduced new admission process for its PGDM-C 2016-18 batch and has launched computer based MICAT 2016. The exam will be held on December 13, 2015 in 14 cities. Post MICAT exam, MICA proposes to conduct GE-PI in Bengaluru, Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai by mid-January 2016. The registration and admission application process for MICA is open and is proposed to close on December 4, 2015.
The admission process/GE-PI at MICA will be held in 2 phases. The first phase will be held in the months of December/January and second in February/March. Dr Atish Chattopadhyay, the new dean at MICA suggests the applicants to apply in the first phase without waiting for their CAT or XAT results as the applicant will not need any separate preparation since MICAT falls between CAT and XAT exams. Another reason is that the applicant can appear for interviews in the city of his choice in January and will not be required to travel all the way to Ahmedabad which will be the GE-PI centre for second phase.
To apprise and spread awareness among MICA applicants about the changed admission process and how to pick better of two opportunities to explore admission in MICA, MBAUniverse.com held interactive session with Dr Atish Chattopadhyay, new dean of MICA. Dr Atish formerly served SPJIMR as professor of marketing and was Deputy Director in-charge of the 2 year PGDM (MBA) programme. Dr Atish Chattopadhyay is dynamic, entrepreneurial and well rounded professional in the area of management education in general and marketing in particular. He has recently joined as new Dean of MICA, Ahmedabad.
Dr Atish shares exclusively with MBAUniverse.com the thought and vision behind the new admission and selection process to the premier management institute renowned for Creating Leadership in Strategic Marketing and Communication.
MBAUniverse.com: Recently, MICA announced a new admissions process. What are the key changes made for Admissions 2016?
Dr Atish: It has been MICA’s objective to select the right student body. We continue with our efforts to reach out to aspirants and to make the process convenient and stress-free. The changes in this year’s admissions process are in terms of:
The date of the aptitude test will occur in between the CAT 2015 and the XAT 2016 in second week of December. Students need not prepare separately for the MICAT.
The test will follow a computer-based format, keeping pace with the advancement in technology and changing preferences of the younger generation; Interviews will be conducted in Bangalore, Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai in addition to Ahmedabad, in the third week of January, much ahead of the interview schedules of any other top B-schools. The first intimation of confirmed offers will be made by the end of January.
MBAUniverse.com: What is the thought process & rationale behind these changes?
Dr Atish: The primary objective is to increase, reach and make it convenient for aspiring MICAns. Earlier, the MICAT was held much later than the CAT and XAT, meaning aspirants had to prepare separately for it. Secondly, the interviews used to be conducted only in Ahmedabad, requiring the aspirants to take additional efforts and incur considerable costs in terms of time and money. We believe a stress-free admissions process will bring out the best in a candidate in terms of his/her creativity, which MICA as an institution is keenly looking for.
MBAUniverse.com: MICA has a three tier process for admissions - CAT/XAT/GMAT scores, MICAT scores, and GE–PI. Why this need for a different test - MICAT?
Dr Atish: CAT, XAT and GMAT test a candidate’s managerial potential, primarily through verbal and analytical capabilities as the world views it. MICAT, on the other hand, aims to uncover the candidate’s leadership potential, as MICA views it — in terms of creative thinking, consumer understanding and effective communication. This is why the MICAT is integral to our selection process.
MBAUniverse.com: One of the key changes you have done this year is that MICAT is now a completely online test. What was the reason and how does it help students?
Dr Atish: Today’s students are far more conversant with the computer-based format than with the pen-and-paper format. It also ensures accuracy, speed and user-friendliness. For any progressive institution, it is important to keep pace with the changing needs and the changing times. Hence, it is natural that we moved to a technology driven format.
MBAUniverse.com: You have also expanded GE–PI centres. Is the idea to reach out to more students?
Dr Atish: The idea is that more centres will make it both convenient and cost-effective for applicants. Earlier, students were reaching out to us, coming all the way to Ahmedabad. Today, we want to reach out as we find a large pool of applicants comes from remote corners of the country, particularly from the eastern and southern zones.
MBAUniverse.com: What kind of students should apply to MICA? What is the ideal profile? Are CAT/XAT cut offs very important?
Dr Atish: There is no ideal profile as we are looking for diversity. Diverse profiles coming together create MICA’s unique class profile. MICA in addition to analytical competence, looks for candidates who are creative, innovative, current in their thinking, and can look beyond just the bottom line - candidates who are passionate about people and the planet, and not just profits.
As far as CAT/XAT/GMAT scores are concerned, there is no minimum requirement for a candidate to get admission to MICA. It is relative to the pool within which they are being compared.
MBAUniverse.com: Your admissions process/GE-PI will be held twice: In Dec/Jan & Feb/March. What is your advice to students? Should they wait for CAT scores and then apply? What drawbacks can they face in round two?
Dr Atish: As to whether or not to wait and apply, here’s what I would do if I am an applicant. I would have preferred to apply in the first phase, take the MICAT in December and appear for the interview in January in the city of my choice. There are four reasons for this:
1. If I appear for the MICAT in December, post –CAT and/or prior to XAT, I would be in exam mode already and hence better prepared.
2. In January, I can appear for interviews in the city of my choice, and will not be required to travel all the way to Ahmedabad.
3. Having a confirmed offer from MICA by the end of January makes me completely stress-free ahead of all my peers, who will continue to appear for interviews in February and March.
4. Finally, if I don’t make it in the first shortlist, I can always have a second go in the same academic cycle, without needing to wait for a full year.
So far we have received very encouraging response from potential applicants who have welcomed the changes and thanked MICA for being aspirant-friendly.
Established in 1991, MICA is probably the first residential institute in the Asia-Pacific region, dedicated to creating Leadership in Strategic Marketing and Communication. The spirit lies in its grasping of contemporariness, addressing the needs of an ever-changing environment. Its alumni are serving in leadership positions in some of the best known companies in India and the world, in marketing, brand management, research & analytics, advertising, media, digital and other strategic marketing and communication-driven businesses.
Related Article
MICA Ahmedabad : Announces admission 2016; MICAT 2016 in CBT form on Dec 13; registration starts Sep 10
MICA commences new batch for PGDM-C 2015-17; registers greater academic diversity in class rooms
Dr Atish Chattopadhyay, new dean of MICA Ahmedabad: pledges to make MICA a global institution
MICA: After two year hiatus MICA returns to CAT fold
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