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IT’S TIME TO PARTY, FRESHERS!
I am applying to B-schools in the coming year. I may not have a good enough score for IIMs and other top rung institutes. What are the criteria I should use to choose a good b-school? Are the top b-schools very different from the second-tier schools? What advise will you give me other than selecting a good school? I am a little lost.
—Namita
Putting aside the personal constraints you may have, there are three significant factors you should consider before making the choice of the B-school. Foremost is the
Students of department of journalism and mass communication, third semester at Shia PG College, organised a Freshers’ Party at a city lounge, recently.
On the occasion, the students from third as well as first were present along with the teachers and staff members.
A number of games were organised and played by all the students. Titles were also given away to the students. Shaifali Soni and Utkarsh Singh won the title of for Miss and Mr Fresher, respectively.
Also present at the do was head of the department, Pradeep Sharma. quality of the education the institute imparts and that would be reflected by the kind of courses the institute offers in its programs and the quality of its faculty that would be reflected in the kind of research they publish and disseminate.
The second factor would be the ecosystem that the institute provides in terms of infrastructure facilities for delivery of education and activities for well-rounded development of individuals. For this you need to find out what kind of infrastructure, both in terms of classrooms and living facilities the institute has. Also, what kind of technology does the school use in classrooms as well as systems. The third factor would be the agility of the institution in updating itself to address the current business needs and this would be reflected by how the institution and its leadership is shaping the institute and with what speed. This could be seen from what the school has been lately in news for. You may also look at the NIRF rankings of the schools. Look at all of these and then make an informed choice.
In general, the graduates from top B-schools are much better equipped to address business problems and exhibit leadership skills than graduates from second-tier Bschools.
Whether they are better human beings or whether they have greater potential to become better in future is not something that I can comment on. In fact, I have seen many students from the second-tier business schools do very well in life by putting in extra efforts, auditing courses/ certifications to supplement their knowledge and skills. So, while a top rung b-school does give you that great head start, what you do with it later is entirely up to you.
My first advise to you would be: Never stop dreaming. Everyone has the potential to be whatever they chose to be. The key is to chase your dreams with passion and perseverance. While you are in a business school, don’t keep your learning limited to the classroom. Learn from your peers, learn from other people that you meet in the course of life, learn from nature. Focus on developing your personality as well apart from the functional knowledge and skills. Most importantly, be sensitive to the people and things around you. Leadership is all about being inclusive, kind, empathetic and humble.
Have any questions about life, management, philosophy, education, literature, yoga, mountaineering in India, or psychological issues or all of these? Ask Himanshu Rai. He is the Director at IIM Indore, an author, mountaineer, yoga enthusiast and a Sanskrit scholar. Mail at askhimanshu@htlive.com
NEVER STOP DREAMING. EVERYONE HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BE WHATEVER THEY CHOSE TO BE. THE KEY IS TO CHASE YOUR DREAMS WITH PASSION AND PERSEVERANCE
Disclaimer: The responses in this column given by me are based on my learnings and experience. They should, by no means, be taken as a substitute for medical/ professional help.