How to Select Between FMS and IIT Management Schools?

Education

There is certainly no comparison between FMS, Delhi and management schools of IITs. Faculty of Management Studies, Delhi is one of the best management institutes in India, with extremely high return of investment (ROI). So, if any MBA aspirant gets a seat in FMS, he/she must not think twice before joining it. However, it may happen with a candidate that he/she gets selected for admission to both FMS and an IIT’s management school. Going by the reputation of IITs, one can be sure of the fact that their MBA programme is good. In fact, management schools of some of the top ranked IITs are ranked among top 10 management schools in India by NIRF.

So, how does one decide between FMS and IIT management schools? There are a few points one should always keep in mind while selecting an MBA institute. Let’s discuss them with regard to FMS and IIT.

Courses Offered:The candidate must check the courses being offered by both the schools. FMS offers only MBA (General), Executive MBA, MDP and Doctoral programme. It does not offer any specialization. If the IIT you have been selected at is offering the specialization of your choice, you must go for it.

Eligibility Criteria:Eligibility criteria for admission to FMS and IITs’ management programme are different. While in FMS, the minimum marks required in Graduation is 50% in aggregate (45% for SC/ST students), in IIT-Bombay’s SJMSOM, it is 60% in aggregate (55% for SC/ST students). Similarly, in other IITs the minimum marks required will be different from FMS.

Selection Process:Selection process for admission to MBA programme is same in both FMS and IIT, i.e. GD/PI and Personal Interview. However, the catch here is CAT exam score. The CAT cut off for admission to FMS is generally higher at 98-99 percentile while at IITs it is lower at 95 percentile. So if you don’t meet the cut off requirement at FMS, IITs are best for you.

Fees and Scholarship:An MBA programme in India is generally on the higher side. Check the fees and scholarship schemes of both FMS and IIT and select an institute on the basis of your financial strength. Also, check the scholarship schemes and bank loan assistance and other facilities of both the institutes and assess which one is more suitable to you. Take the decision accordingly.

Infrastructure:Before choosing between FMS and IIT, do check the infrastructure, pedagogy, faculty members, library, canteen, hostel, technology, sports facilities, class rooms, etc. These are important factors for determining selection of a college as this is where you will spend the next two years and develop your management skills to build a career.

Placements:Check previous years’ placement data of both the institutes to know which companies hire students for summer internships and during final placements. Also check average CTC and roles& domains in which jobs are offered to determine which of the two institutes will give your career a kick-start in the field of your choice.

Peer Review:Official brochures will tell you only the positive aspects about the institute. How good or bad an institute is can be known only by the students who have studied there. So before choosing an MBA institute, check with students who are already studying their or have graduated recently. They will be the best source of information on faculty, pedagogy, facilities and placements.

International Immersion Programme: Check what type of international immersion programmes are being offered at both FMS and IITs. In today’s globalized world, international exposure during MBA programme gives you an edge over your peers. So, do not ignore this aspect while choosing between FMS and IITs.

Home Campus: Any candidate who has graduated from IIT will prefer to join the same institute for MBA too due to familiarity of institute/campus and comfort he/she will have developed there over the years.