Final Results - Business Schools To Join, Taking CAT Again And More - LIVE CHAT Transcript

The Creator of InsideIIM.com and alumnus of IIM Indore conducted a live chat recently to help you figure out your strategy forward. Taking final decisions, deciding to reject schools, taking CAT again. Ankit scored 99.7 percentile in CAT 2008. He worked at Bank of America Merrill Lynch before deciding to work on InsideIIM.com full-time. Here are some excerpts from the chat- Karan Babbar

I have converted the FPM programme of IIM Ahmedabad. however, I'm a bit sceptical about the post-fellowship opportunities. Can you please throw some light on it?

Ankit Doshi

IIM A FPM is a very prestigious PhD equivalent programme. You won't get PGP level opportunities but you will always be employable as an industry worker, researcher or as an academic. Technically, the point of the FPM is to produce researchers and academics but they do get hired by companies as well.

Ankit Doshi

Before the question is asked, please don't follow the rankings released by the HRD Ministry. Whatever parameters they are using, you will make major career blunders if you select schools based on that list!

  Jagadish Tangirala

Hi Ankit, I have close to 4 years work ex. Decent acads. 96 Percentile GEM. What do you have to say about baby IIMs. Is it worth joining them with my work ex?

Ankit Doshi

Probably not. I would rather go for PGPX/EPGP at the IIMs. Look at ISB as well.

  Ishan Kushwaha

My profile goes like 10th 67%, 12th 63%, grad (btech 67%), no work ex.NC-OBC. I converted to NMIMS Bangalore and SIMS Pune this year. But I want to get into better colleges will my profile will be an issue for the IIMS or the other top notch colleges? Should be going for workex and then plan for MBA as the profile is low

Ankit Doshi

Your acads are below average and will be a problem. However, if you think you can score above 95 percentile in CAT you could get into better schools including the new IIMs (not baby IIMs) and places like NITIE, IITs etc.

Vivek Sheoran

Which will be better choice IIMB or IIML or FMS Delhi?

Ankit Doshi

IIM B > IIM L > FMS Delhi - Some people will say FMS > IIM L - Both are good schools. But I would choose IIM L over FMS.

  Gowtham Dnr

Hello, sir, I am a manufacturing engineer and will graduate in a month didn't get a job yet, I gave cat 16 and got 80 percentile and my profile is 10th -89.5, 12th- 93.5, b.tech- 6.62 CGPA so should i give a shot for cat 2017or should I get a job somehow. Please give a feasible solution.

Ankit Doshi

You should take CAT again and you should ALSO DEFINITELY TAKE UP A JOB

  Jagadish Tangirala

Thanks for the response. But I don't know whether any placement assistance is provided by IIMs for Executive degrees and if it is there, how are the packages compared to normal PGP offered by those institutes?

Ankit Doshi

There is assistance for full-time residential EPGP/PGPX at IIM A B C and Indore. This I can assure you. The salaries are higher than PGP in most cases because of the high work experience.

  Karan Diwan

Hello sir, 10/12/grd (fresher)- 85/72/71. CAT-80 (SC) current calls IIM Shillong (wl-41) and new IIMs so between IIM Shillong, Ranchi and NITIE which one should I select (if I convert) or if I go for CAT 17 so do I stand any chances to get a call from old IIMs?

Ankit Doshi

If a supply chain management career is what you are seeking then nothing is better than NITIE. Otherwise its a toss up between IIM Shillong and NITIE. You would choose either based on parameters that appeal to you. I'd definitely choose NITIE over IIM Ranchi.

  Reetik Barik

Hello Sir! I have 95% in 10th, 89% in 12th and 8.12 CGPA in civil engineering! I don't have any work experience nor have I excelled in some of the extra curricular.... Is it difficult for me to get into IIM A, B, C, FMS etc despite a scoring perfect 99 percentile?

Ankit Doshi

99 percentile is not perfect. 99.99 is! Hahaha! Don't worry. With your acads a 99+ score will definitely fetch old IIM calls. A 99.7+ could make sure IIM ABC

  Suhasini Gupta

Hi Ankit, Scored 97.4 CAT, General Female Non engg, No work ex, graduated with B.com(h) in the year 2015 from Delhi University (Distance Learning) (the year gap owing to CA, could not clear it). Awaiting new IIMs results along with IIT madras, Waitlisted at MDI and IMT, converted IMI. Should I go in for New and Baby IIMs (if I convert them) or give CAT another shot. [Acads - 93/88/64] Currently preparing for CFP (Certified Financial Planner).

Ankit Doshi

MDI is your best call. I think you could take CAT again if you don't get into MDI if doing MBA is not a necessity this year. You can definitely make it to the old IIMs as well with a higher percentile.

  Neha Agarwal

Hi Ankit, I have an admit from IMT-G, XIMB and MICA for Marketing. Which college would you recommend?

Ankit Doshi

Tough one. I'd say MICA and IMT-G are almost same for Marketing. IMT-G gives you the option to shift to other domains as well which MICA won't. The MICA experience, however, is the stuff of legends :P

  Kartik Gulati

Is it worth it do MBA from Tier 2 b-schools?

Ankit Doshi

Depends on factors like your current salary, your financial background, your acad profile etc. There is no one fixed answer that applies to everyone.

  Reetik Barik

Do excelling in some extra curricular really matter for getting admitted in the top notch IIMs?

Ankit Doshi

It definitely helps during the interview stage

  Dibesh Parida

Is MDI Murshidabad worth joining

Ankit Doshi

I'm afraid I have very little knowledge about the school. I know of its existence but there is no data available for me to give you an answer to this question.

  Jayesh Patil

Hello Sir, Profile: SSC/HSC/BE (Elex Mumbai University) - 94.61/82.33/72, CAT 2016 - 98.18, 16 months of work experience in an Engineering consulting startup, NC OBC. I left my job in October last year to prepare for CAT. Had all calls except A. However, couldn't convert B, C, S as of now. Now I am really confused what to do. I have WL51 at FMS. Should I look for a job and give another shot to CAT next year or settle with any college I might get an admit this time?

Ankit Doshi

You should evaluate your options at the end of May. I have a feeling you will get into one of the top schools like IIM I or IIM K. Have you applied to NITIE, IIT Bombay?

  Vivek Sheoran

I have 70% b.tech,78% 12th,85% 10th with 10 months of workex till now....what percentile would fetch me IIMABC (NC-OBC)

Ankit Doshi

97 percentile plus

  Amruta Tarsode

Hello Sir, Can you please help me rank these: IIM L, K, I, S, IIT B and the other new IIMs (Ranchi, Trichy etc) - These are my calls as of now.

Ankit Doshi

IIM L > I = K > IIT B > S > New IIMs

  Reetik Barik

What does excelling in extra curricular really mean? Grabbing one of those national level certificates or just incubating it as our hobby might help too?

Ankit Doshi

Interviewers are smart enough to figure what you have done. Generally, people have excelled at a decent level. State/National.

  Reetik Barik

So that means as of now I haven't grabbed any of the state/national level certificates, so my dream of getting into older IIMs shattered? :p

Ankit Doshi

It's not a necessity but something that helps candidates stand out.

  Neha Agarwal

I am more keen on MICA too but the placements there are a little dicey. Would you have any idea about the career growth prospects after graduating from MICA

Ankit Doshi

Not an objective question. There are some alumni who have done tremendously well. Check our platform (insideiim.com) for content on the same.

  Suhasini Gupta

Thanks for the response. I have a three digit wait list number at MDI, unlikely to convert it. Is it worth going to IIT Madras (awaiting results)?

Ankit Doshi

Probably, wait a year since you have time on your hands.

  Naman Jain

Hi Ankit, I have admits from XL BM and FMS and am hoping to convert L. I am inclined towards finance and will be writing CFA L2 this June. Was wondering what should be my preference order among these 3. On the contrary, I have heard that few top finance roles are offered at these campuses. As such, would it be feasible to join FMS and rewrite CAT in order to try my luck for the holy trinity? (I have a good profile and had calls from A and C this year). TIA.

Ankit Doshi

Take up IIM Lucknow for sure if you get in. In general finance, roles are at a premium these days because of scarcity. Check InsideIIM placement reports over the last 4 years for more details. For finance, I would be indifferent between XL and FMS. The campus experience at XLRI and IIM L is likely to be better than at FMS. I would not wait one more year. These 3 are top campuses and I would take whatever I get among these 3.

  Jayesh Patil

I have applied to NITIE. None of the IITs. I feel I might have wasted around 8 months and yet won't be going to the older IIMs. So, the thought giving a better shot next year comes up.

Ankit Doshi

What is the guarantee you will get in next year?

  Aditi Kumari

Hi Ankit, My profile being 10-85 12-83 Grad-55(2016 Have calls from IMT G (DCP) and K.J Somaiya for communication. Which one would be wiser to join? Interested in marketing.

Ankit Doshi

I am indifferent between the two. I think the career prospects won't be very different whichever one you choose. You need to look at other things like city, campus experience etc. to make this decision.

  Abhijith Dharmapuri

Dear sir, how is ICFAI, Hyderabad? How well will I be placed if I perform above averag in MBA? will my b school matters in the long run?

Ankit Doshi

In the long run, the only thing that matters is the quality of your work experience unless yo are in the top 10 schools of India which do have a premium, unfortunately. ICFAI Hyd is a decent 2nd tier school. I have nothing else to say about it. Not in the top 20 schools in India for sure.

  Rohan Gupta

Hi I'm a GEM in ECE my credentials are : 10th - 87.4% 12th- 86.2% Grad- 88.8% CAT percentile - 92.16 I have converted IMI PGDM core IMT Ghaziabad GLIM Chennai and KJS Mumbai I'm pretty keen to take up IMI core but just wanted to know how would my Acads pan out for the IIM's if I reconsider for CAT'17?

Ankit Doshi

Acads are good for IIMs. At a score above 99, you will definitely get old IIM calls.

  Ankit Aditya Bhatta

Good Evening, Sir! It's Ankit, I am a Mechanical Final year. I have been selected for XIMB-RM, I have an interest in operations and agri business. So should I take the course ?? Please answer by referring to the placements, facilities, environment and scope of RM. Thanks.

Ankit Doshi

Depends on your ambition in life. If I have time on my hands and if I have good acads I would look at IIM A ABM or IIM L ABM.

  Abhishek Kshirsagar

Hey, Ankit. I have converted IIM Bangalore and FMS, Delhi. I wish to start my own company in future (just like you did). Which college should I go for?

Ankit Doshi

Depends on your family background. There is no comparison prima facie. IIM B over FMS any day. But I understand your concern around fees. If entrepreneurship is your goal then why do MBA at all? If you are going to work for a few years go for IIM Bangalore

  Sumit Dembla

Hi, My academic profile- Xth - 88.6 XIIth- 82.6 B.Tech - 68.34 Work exp - 30 months How much percentile needed for top IIMs for my profile. Please guide.

Ankit Doshi

99.5+

  Rohan Gupta

Also, sir, could you let me know which b school would be a better prospect for the future, IMI Delhi or IMT Ghaziabad?

Ankit Doshi

Same difference :-)

  Aman Juriani

Hey, Ankit! Below is my profile: 10th: 86% 12th: 72% B.E. : 72.3% CAT OA: 97.46%ile VA: 95. DILR: 88.56 Qa: 98.12 Work ex: total work ex of 12 months. Currently not working. Resigned a month before CAT 2016 Calls: NMIMS, MDI, XIMB, NEW IIMs NMIMS- REJECTED MDI - WAITLISTED (will convert hrm program in the subsequent lists, but reluctant to join) XIMB: CONVERTED but didn't pay the fee. NEW IIMs: AWAITED What shall I do in the current scenario? Shall I search for a new job and start preparing again? Or shall I settle down with any new IIM which I get! Owing to past acads, is it possible to get better calls next time? Also, age is a constraint so probably I can give only one more attempt. Lastly, should I take GMAT? The EEO of ISB is another doorway?

Ankit Doshi

Old IIMs will be tough because of acads. I would join the likes of Udaipur, Ranchi etc. in your position. GMAT and ISB you need some quality work ex since your acads won't cut much ice.

  Rohit Thorat

Hi, Ankit. My profile is 10/12/Btech -92/76/8.36. I have converted MDI-PGPIM and hopeful of converting SIBM-Pune and new IIMs. Can you plz guide me through what should be my order of preference considering I have 34 months of IT work experience. Also, it would be great if you can order the new IIMS as well to the best of your knowledge.

Ankit Doshi

Can't order New IIMs as honestly, I haven't figured an objective way to rank them. I would go for SIBM Pune over MDI PGPIM. MDI PGDM > SIBM Pune. SIBM Pune overall New IIMs for me but I know people who have chosen the IIM brand.

  Amruta Tarsode

Thanks for the sorted list of MBA colleges! Is CFA a plus point during MBA placements? I am an ECE grad. What will help me cultivate my profile in the coming 2 years at B-school?

Ankit Doshi

For this purpose check YOBO on InsideIIM. It is an e-book on how to make the best of your 2 years at MBA and answers all these questions.

  Gaurav Kumar

Hi Ankit, 10th: 78.67 12th: 86.8 B.com Hons (D.U.): 63 HR consulting experience(AON): 28 months till May, 2017 CAT 2016: 90.65 XAT 2017 : 90.9 (missed XL HR cut off by around 1.5 marks) Converted IMT-G,IMI, FORE MICA. Paid fees at MICA.(Interested in Marketing) Wanted to get into a top-bschool Is it true that leaving MICA and spending one more year will be worth only if I crack a top 10 level college, and not even IIFT or MDI types? Is it worth leaving MICA considering my profile?

Ankit Doshi

You will know where you are going to do your summer internship before you get your results for next year's CAT/XAT. You can take your call accordingly. This is assuming you will join MICA and will still take entrance tests. Largely, I agree to this view though.

  Saurabh Gupta

Hi Ankit I have calls from the new IIMs.. Scored 97 Percentile..Have 20 months IT work Ex.. Have 84/79.6/89 in 10/12/btech. Should I leave this year and try next year or take new IIMs??

Ankit Doshi

Can try again

  Suhasini Gupta

Thanks for the response. Planning to reappear for CAT and in the meanwhile will look for job or internship. I have completed my graduation in B.com(h) through Correspondence (64%), will I face issues during placements in B-schools? What can I do to improve the chances of my CV being shortlisted? (Interested in Finance. As I mentioned earlier I am pursuing CFP.)

Ankit Doshi

Check YOBO on insideIIM. Ensure you do well academically on campus. Don't worry about anything else. Participate in a lot of extra-curries too.

  Aman Juriani

Thanks for the reply! Which New IIM should I choose, if I am inclined towards consulting?

Ankit Doshi

None. New IIMs are not known for Consulting.

  Arpit Bhatt

Hello, My academic profile- Xth - 88 XIIth- 67 B.Tech - 65 currently pursuing BE Mechanical (last sem) How much percentile needed for NITIE and other top b-schools like IITs for operation management for my profile. Please guide.

Ankit Doshi

98-98.5 percentile for NITIE. 99 for IIT Bombay.

  Ramneet Kaur

MICA or SBI PO? I have a gap year.

Ankit Doshi

They are not comparable. Depending on your career goals you need to decide. If a career in marketing, advertising, communications interests you - MICA is the place.

Which domain is the new IIMs known for?

Ankit Doshi

Sales & Marketing, Operations, Middle office and back office finance roles, Retail Banking etc.

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