How to compare MAT Score Accepting MBA colleges; know 5 key parameters: Expert View

There are 330 business schools offering you admission to MBA/PGDM 2016-18 on the basis of MAT 2016 May exam scores. AIMA has however withdrawn this list of B-schools from its site after declaration of MAT 2016 May result. But the fact remains that neither you would be exploring admission opportunity in all the 330 B-schools nor you would be able to apply in all of them.

Now with MAT May 2016 score card already received by you, the decision has to be taken which MBA programme you should join and whether with the available score you would be able to get your desired B-school.

To help you out of dilemma how to compare the management institutes Prof S K Agarwal, expert on MBA education shares 5 key parameters comprising updated AICTE approval, legacy, faculty, fee and placement that would guide you to arrive at the right decision should be applied  to choose the best MBA institute.

Current AICTE approval
Before taking a decision on admission, it will be a very good idea to spare a few minutes to read the mandatory disclosure well to find out that the B school enjoys the AICTE approval for current admission session also-overall as well as for the programme in which you are going to seek admission in particular. If satisfied you may go forward. If confused contact the B school as well as AICTE.

The institute might bluff in any form but it has to submit the facts before the regulatory body, exaggeration or concealment of facts may pose trouble for the B school in the form of cancellation of approval, suspension of a particular course temporarily or permanent. The institutes avoid both the situations.

Programme offered & Intake
Please thoroughly read about the approved Courses running at the institute, year of launching the course, number of shifts for the course, whether full time or part time whether the programme is accredited and the permissible intake in each programme.

It is surprising but true that even before seeking and obtaining approval from the regulatory authority AICTE, a few B schools start taking the admission to various proposed MBA programmes. It is also possible that more than permissible strength is allowed to take admission to a particular course. Please remember that in case of non approval by AICTE, it will be difficult to take back the deposited money from these institutes, in case you wish to withdraw your admission at a later date.

Legacy
How old is the B school? When did it start functioning?  This fact will let you decide better on admission criteria. You will find ‘Mandatory Disclosure’ on the home page of the B-school. This fact is mentioned in this document. If there is some mismatch between what’s available in ‘about us’ and ‘Mandatory Disclosure’, believe the statement in ‘Mandatory Disclosure’.

It is a fact that usually B schools established in some year may not be able to start functioning in the same year due to one or other problem. This gap between year of establishment and year of functioning could be of a few years also. The alumni base, corporate connections, learning experience, ROI all could get adversely affected if the B school is not old enough. It is advisable to cross check this fact also.

Teacher student ratio
Different type of faculty members are mentioned on the site of a B school like core, adjunct, guest, visiting and in some cases the administrative staff is clubbed to project better teacher student ratio at the institute. Sometimes you may find the number only without any segregation. This remains confusing to know the facts. The best way is to focus on permanent faculty strength as this will decide how careful the B-school is to impart you the best education. An optimum faculty-student ratio of 1:10 can enhance your learning alongwith good mentorship from the faculty.

Please note that higher the strength of core or permanent faculty better will be the learning environment at the institute.

Fee structure
If I have to spend more to get same quality of career prospects and learning experience that are offered by other B-school, why would I join the expensive B-school? Accordingly Fee structure is one of the very important parameters to decide which MBA you should join.

Since the fee structure of a B-school can play an important role in taking a decision on MBA admission, it is necessary that we should be aware not only about the fee but also about the acceptability of May MAT 2016 scores by the B-school and about whether admission opportunity is still open.

Average Placement
It is not the highest or lowest placement but the average placement package which determines what you could expect to get after completion of your MBA. If the average placement package goes on increasing year after year, you can expect higher packages after 2 years.

Return on Investment (ROI) or the placement data as mentioned on the website should be trusted as no other option is available. It’s quite possible that the B school has calculated its average placement taking into account domestic and international placements giving a rosy picture. To get to know this fact, it’s better to contact Alumni of the b school who has been the part of current placement process.

Make your choice
Below are shared hard facts about few B-schools who will accept May MAT 2016 scores for few more days and where admissions are open

The institute which is old, has good infrastructure, optimum faculty student ratio, consistent good placement record with low fee structure should be preferred.

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