Opting for MBA or PGDM Course? Here’s how you can shortlist B-schools

Admissions for MBA and PGDM courses are underway in many colleges including iFEEL Lonavala, XLRI, SPJIMR and MDI. Here are the factors to be considered while shortlisting B-schools.

For aspiring managers and entrepreneurs, B-schools greatly determine how you will fare professionally in the years to come. Therefore, it is crucial to shortlist B-schools carefully by comparing them with each other and taking all the important factors into consideration. Before diving deep into the how’s, let us talk about the why’s.

• It will make you understand the various application procedures and requirements
• It will help you identify the B-schools that align well with your career goals
• You will have an idea about the fee structure at various B-schools
• You have a higher possibility of getting admission at your target B-school

With that said, there are several factors that have to be considered while shortlisting your desired B-schools. Some of them are discussed below.

Career goals — First and foremost, you ought to have clarity of your career goals. Do you want to foray into business or entrepreneurship or do you want to work within the academia sphere? For instance, the PGDM course offered by iFEEL Lonavala is meant for those people who want to up-skill themselves in business management or kick-start a career in the same. Thus, based on your aspirations, you can shortlist B-schools.

Geographical location — When it comes to pursuing further studies, location may seem insignificant but it is an important practical consideration, since it determines how feasible it would be for you to travel. Moreover, location is also a major determinant factor of how productive you will be in your studies.

Course structure — Course structure and delivery approach differ from college to college and program to program. Institutes like iFEEL Lonavala focus predominantly on the practical aspect through a capstone project, internships, live projects, etc. It is not just about whether you are fit for the program but also about whether the program is fit for you or not.

Other than these, B-school rankings, cost and ROI, job placements and scholarships are the factors that have to be considered too. Other intangible factors include alumni network and faculty. Remember, not all B-schools may tick all the criteria, in the case of which, you have to consider the most important factors.