MICA, Ahmedabad Comparison

I always felt a bit out of place at Caltech, so I find it easy to talk about its drawbacks.

First off, I don't see how tough Caltech is as a negative. You're picking one of the toughest schools around, and graduating from there means you're pretty impressive. If you think about attending a top university, you'll realize it's not easy to train leading research scientists. Caltech is upfront about how challenging it is, which is probably why its acceptance rate is higher compared to other top schools. People aren't exactly excited to hear about the intense workload. It’s much easier to say, “Come to the happiest place on Earth!”

I know some really smart folks who studied for at least 8 hours a day, and I mean serious studying, not just hanging out. If you consider that, it’s a lot of time spent hitting the books. Honestly, I’m not sure how I graduated. Whenever I meet other grads, I think, “Wow, you must be amazing!” If I were just a regular person, I might say, “Cal Poly? Cool! My cousin goes there!” But I often have to run off, jokingly saying, “Oops, my pool’s on fire again!”

As for dating, it’s not a big deal for me. The male-to-female ratio is about 7:3, and even if no one told you, it's pretty clear dating might be tough. Spending all day in your room or playing video games doesn’t help. It’s just how things are with the numbers and workload. I recall someone asking me my major and joking about it being for the girls. I played along, but it was clear they weren’t serious.

In my view, a downside is something a new college student might not really think about but could affect their growth.

Here are some downsides:

• Caltech isn't very well-rounded. If you think life is all about science and math, you’ll love it. But if you want to meet new people, explore a city, learn about art and culture, or try new things, you might find it lacking. It takes a lot of effort to have those experiences since the environment doesn’t naturally support them. There's a lot more to life than just science and math, but I didn't learn much about that at Caltech.
• The network is small and very focused. In the business world, not many people know about Caltech. It’s much easier for a Stanford grad to get hired. Caltech’s network is strong but mostly in academia and research, which means fewer opportunities in other fields.
• Social skills are a bit lacking. Caltech folks are a bit different and tend to stay in their own group. This comfort and introversion make for an awkward social scene, and these habits continue into the real world, making it harder to connect with others in business or dating.

These can be issues, but Caltech teaches us that with enough time, we can tackle any problem. So, you might find a few Caltech grads who are very well-rounded and social...

MICA's PGDM program has a curriculum that’s constantly updated to reflect industry trends. First-year courses focus on marketing and strategic communication, while the second year allows for specialization in areas that align with career aspirations. The faculty are approachable, and the exams are structured to ensure we truly grasp the subject matter.

We also get a lot of hands-on experience through internships, which is super beneficial for our careers. The blend of theory and practice is what makes studying here so valuable.

I really believed MICA was out of reach for me initially, especially after getting rejected from a couple of other colleges. My CAT score wasn't stellar, but I was determined to give MICAT my best shot. After going through the rigorous admission process, including the GE-PI, I was surprised when I received my acceptance letter. Now, I'm enrolled in the PGDM program, and I can say that it was worth every bit of the effort.

MICA is a place that gets mixed reviews from its community. Some folks think it's not worth the hype, while others say it's a unique journey. Here's a straightforward take for those considering spending 20 lakhs to join the 2020 PGDM batch.

Let's talk about the downsides, since most other reviews highlight the good stuff, especially about campus life, which is indeed awesome. This is about the students, job placements, and value for money.

Cons:

First off, the batch diversity is lacking. It's not just about having a mix of genders, but more about the variety of backgrounds. You'll mostly find students from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Ahmedabad with pretty similar profiles.

The quality of the batch is probably the most disappointing aspect. Only about 20% of students come from prestigious colleges, and they're truly impressive. You'll see a few from places like St. Xavier's Kolkata, DU, and LSR. However, 80% of students are not up to par, and it's rare to find anyone from IITs, NITs, BITS, SRCC, or Stephens. Across my batch, senior, and junior batches, there were just 8 students from these top-tier schools among roughly 600 people.

Most of these 80% come from local colleges with minimal exposure, and their undergraduate degree often amounts to little more than three or four years of not much. Their academic backgrounds typically look like this: BBA, BCom, or BTech from some less-known college, with scores like 80-90% in 10th, 75-85% in 12th, and 65-75% in UG from a Tier 5 college.

I've come across students with a 5 CGPA from engineering schools in places like Mumbai or Indore, showing no creativity over two years in the course, which MICA supposedly emphasizes. Conversations with them can be as dull as talking to a piece of furniture.

While some might have worked hard to get into MICA (though their academic profiles suggest otherwise), it's more of a supply-demand situation where MICA gets tuition fees and students get jobs. Anyone claiming they're deeply passionate about MICA is likely exaggerating. The CCC program is a better fit for those who are truly passionate, creative, and hardworking.

Placements and internships can be hit-or-miss. However, the summer placement season is great for about 60% of the batch. If you manage to secure a good company during this time and get a PPO, your two years at MICA will be much easier.

Final placements can be disappointing. If your summer experience didn’t lead to a PPO, you'll face the same pressures during the final placements. One of the worst things is that your GPA from the first four trimesters isn't included in your CV. So even if you're the top student, it doesn't count much, and MICA tends to level everyone to the same playing field, regardless of GPA.

That said, MICA's placement policies are very student-friendly, unlike many other colleges. You have the freedom to accept or reject offers within a set timeframe. The placement committee treats everyone equally and doesn’t pressure you into accepting random jobs. If you don't want to go through the VIVO process (inside joke), it's entirely your decision. Big props to the placement team for that.

If you're thinking about trying your luck at MICA, aim for a good CAT percentile along with a decent MICAT score, and you might end up in a place full of surprises.

I'll try to share my positive experiences soon to give you a complete picture. Peace out.

Sri Venkateswara University is a great place to start your academic journey, with its peaceful environment and spiritual vibe. Here are some friendly tips for newcomers:

While education is important, remember that many successful people, about 90%, became millionaires without a degree. Focus on gaining skills like communication and computer literacy, as these are often more valuable in today's world.

Make use of the SVU library to read books and articles. Develop leadership skills and emotional intelligence too. Knowledge holds more value than just marks, as seen with Amartya Sen, the Nobel laureate in economics, who emphasized the importance of knowledge over mere grades.

Travel to gain fresh perspectives and maybe start a new venture. Remember Jack Ma's advice about finding opportunities in problems. Government jobs are becoming scarce, so consider self-employment or the private sector.

Live your life doing what you enjoy, ignoring unnecessary drama and negativity. Be true to yourself and avoid copying others, as this doesn't honor who you are. Build a team with shared goals.

Read newspapers to stay informed about societal happenings. Turn your savings into investments to tackle future inflation. Avoid the rat race and choose your own path. Spend weekends learning new skills, as they are your future financial tools. During tough times like recessions, these skills will support you. Best of luck, friends!

Before joining MICA’s PGDM-C, I wish I had realized just how much knowledge was waiting for me in the MICA Library. For two years, it’s like being near a gold mine of information. Ignoring the library while you’re there is like being thirsty next to a full well and not taking a sip. Take the time to dive into and explore the treasures within. The collection is carefully curated and well-maintained, and honestly, the MICA library could be studied as a subject on its own. Looking back, I wish I had made more effort to uncover the valuable resources it offers.

But since everyone has different expectations, here are a few things you might want to know before signing up for MICA:

• Numbers are unavoidable: Many assume they can skip math and accounting in a communications course, but MICA involves lots of number crunching and statistics, especially in quantitative market research.
• Embrace diversity: At MICA, you’ll meet people who think, speak, and act differently than you, from socializing to expressing themselves. Be prepared to accept and appreciate these differences.
• Sleep will be scarce: Whether due to assignments or the lively nighttime atmosphere filled with long conversations and independence, MICA will keep you up more than you might like.
• Stay true to yourself: Peer pressure can be strong, but it’s important to stick to your own beliefs. Even if you’re more reserved, you can still have a great time at MICA (if you catch my drift).

From my experience with the PGDM (Communication) at MICA, the online courses are pretty good overall. The curriculum is fast-paced and updated regularly based on industry input, which I appreciated. Classes are interactive, and the faculty is approachable, making it easier to grasp complex concepts. The assessment structure is rigorous but manageable, so if you stay on top of your studies, you should be fine. Plus, the placement opportunities are robust, which adds to the course's value.

Honestly, MICA is a fantastic place, but whether it's worth 20 lakhs depends on your perspective. The Post Graduate Diploma in Management (Communication) gives you a unique blend of marketing and communication skills, which is great. The faculty is very approachable, and the curriculum is relevant to industry needs.

However, the hostel facilities could be better, especially in the second year. The high fees might feel a bit overwhelming, but the average final package of around 19 lakhs does provide a decent return on investment. If you’re passionate about this field and willing to put in the work, it could be worth it for you.

Though I've never been in the CCC program at MICA myself, I've heard from many folks who have gained a lot from it. A common thing I hear from CCC graduates is that the program really broadened their creative thinking. I get why you might be worried about job placements, but I've been informed that both the course content and the job placement situation have improved a lot recently.

To make the best choice, I'd suggest reaching out to some recent graduates on LinkedIn to see if the course aligns with what you're looking for professionally.

The college establishes 100% Summer and Final placements every year. Leading companies visit campus and recruit students regularly. Roles revolve around marketing and related functions. There are ample opportunities for every student, and after joining the college, one should be assured of getting a job.