I exactly remember the date when I received a call letter for the selection process at SJMSOM- it was on 15
th of February last year. Little did I know, that among all the selection processes that I would be a part of, this letter would take me to the best one.
Once you apply to SJMSOM, you are intimated with e-mails for every single update. What is unique about the selection process at SJMSOM is that every candidate is assigned a buddy to personally help him/her with any queries that may arise. In addition, candidates have the liberty to choose their interview slot from a list of available options, so that one can choose the best slot that does not clash with any other commitments the person may have.
Finally, when the D-day arrived, I was naturally apprehensive about how I would perform, but at the same time, I was amazed to see how the entire process was managed by students. I am aware that all activities at IIT are student-driven, but the faith that the Institute rests on its students and the passion with which they are driven to accomplish their tasks is exemplary. Student coordinators were very friendly, which helped the candidates feel relaxed and composed at a time when they were very anxious about going through the entire process. They went to great lengths to help candidates and ensured that the process ran smoothly.
The process is set in place well before one arrives- candidates are divided into multiple groups and time slots. It all begins when candidates are made to sit in lecture halls and student representatives deliver a presentation about the institute- something which had filled me with great awe.
Following this presentation is the WAT or Written Ability Test, where candidates are given a topic, and within a given time frame, have to demonstrate their written communication skills on an A4 sheet of paper. Following the WAT, the interviews and verification of documents commence parallelly. Candidates are accompanied by student coordinators to the panel, which usually comprises 2-3 members and lasts for about 15-20 minutes.
Results are subsequently declared on the website and result updates are regularly prompted to candidates via email.
Author:
Mihika Shah