CAT 2015: Exam takers; know how to choose the better ones among IIMs and non-IIMs, Compare

CAT 2015 score will be the shortlisting criteria at the first stage of admission to PGDM 2016-18 course, is the common feature in IMT, TAPMI, XIMB as well as in IIMs. So which one is better than its peers an IIM or one of the non-IIMs, is a big puzzle to crack. Should the B-school that shortlists on very high overall CAT 2015 percentile score is better or the one that considers high sectional percentile score in CAT 2015 be preferred, is another issue to be resolved.

The fact is that it is not a difficult situation to choose one of the top rated IIMs but weighing the top rated non-IIMs to IIM Shillong, Trichy and Udaipur could pose some problem. After finalizing your registration for CAT 2015, you must be wondering whether to submit the application for admission to PGDM programmes in IMT Ghaziabad, TAPMI Manipal and XIMB Bhubaneshwar also.

Please be clear on one thing that these Non-IIMs, if measured on same parameters as the above 3 IIMs are weighed upon, you may get astonishing result, may be in favour of the non-IIMs. These Non-IIMs despite not belonging to IIM family are well known and reputed not only in India but have also made global foot print and have carried the flag of Indian Management Education in many countries.

The facilities in all the above B-schools are excellent. Fee structure is more or less the same and none of the institutes lag behind in providing the best learning experience, so what should be the key focus areas while taking a decision assuming that you have received the final admission call from all the above top B-schools

Let us weigh each of these B-schools on same parameter to arrive at the right decision and to know which one to choose. Following 3 key parameters can guide you in arriving at the decision to choose the preferred B-school for MBA/PGDM 2016-18 on the basis of high scores in CAT 2015.

-- Legacy -- Fee structure -- placement

The legacy comparison The older the Institute the richer and versatile will be the learning experience apart from large alumni base. Going by the year of establishment these B-schools will form the following order

-- IMT Ghaziabad launched in 1980 -- TAPMI Manipal started functioning in 1980 -- XIMB Bhubaneshwar launched in 1987 -- IIM Shillong was founded in 2008 -- IIM Trichy started functioning in 2011 -- IIM Udaipur commenced operation in 2011

These institutes have produced great Managers and skilled professionals who stand 2nd to none in the field of Management.

If you compare the above 6 B-schools among one another going by their legacy and alumni base, you will find the non-IIMs imparting quality education at par and even better in some cases.

Fee Structure One of the most important aspects to assess and compare the B-schools is their fee structure. If we go by the fee parameter, it will be above Rs.10 lakhs for all these B-schools.

-- IMT Ghaziabad has a fee structure of Rs. 15 lakhs for full 2 years of MBA education. -- TAPMI Manipal PGDM course fee is Rs.14 lakhs -- XIMB Bhubaneshwar has fee structure of Rs.14 lakhs for 2 years PGDM course -- IIM Shillong Programme fee for PGP 2016-18 is Rs.14 lakhs (appx) -- IIM Tiruchirappalli has the fee structure of Rs.11 lakhs for PGP 2016-18 (under revision) -- IIM Udaipur PGP 2016-18 fee is Rs.11 lakhs (Expected to be revised)

Placements A look on the Placement in B-schools has more significance as the Return on Investment should be calculated before taking the admission in view of high investment of money and precious 2 years of your life. Although it is difficult to decide what package you would get after 2 years, you can very well check the past campus placement trends. If the trends are encouraging and average package goes on rising, it could be your dream institute. If there are drastic fluctuations you may not be sure of going for admission to it.

-- IMT Ghaziabad placement package in 2015 was Rs. 9.70 lakhs. -- TAPMI Manipal had an average placement of Rs. 8.70 lakhs in 2015 -- XIMB Bhubaneshwar students got average placement of Rs. 11.39 lakhs in 2015 -- IIM Shillong placement 2015 recorded an average compensation of Rs.13.04 lakhs -- IIM Trichy had average placement of Rs.11.78 lakhs in 2015 -- IIM Udaipur recorded average salary of Rs.10.28 lakhs in placement 2015

The facilities are equally good among all the 6 B-schools; fee structure is not much different. None of the institutes lag behind in providing the best learning experience, so now you have to decide whether to run after the IIMs who require not only high overall percentile but also the high and balanced sectional percentile or explore admission opportunity to other B-schools like IMT, TAPMI, XIMB where apart from overall CAT 2015 percentile other factors will also be taken into consideration.