Should I join Prin L N Welingkar Institute of Management Development and Research Mumbai or attempt the CAT again? This was my first attempt

Honestly, I think joining the PGDM in E Business at Welingkar Institute of Management is a solid option. The curriculum is well-designed and covers a lot of relevant topics like AI, data analytics, and digital marketing. It's definitely preparing us for the corporate world.

Plus, many companies like Accenture and Morgan Stanley come for internships, and the stipends can be quite good, with some students getting as much as 80,000 per month. However, the fees are around 14 lakhs, which is quite steep. Still, the average package for placements is about 12 lakhs, so if you’re aiming for a good return on investment, it might be worth it.

If you're still young and don't mind putting in another year of hard work, and you're super confident about doing better, then trying the CAT again might be a good idea. You might just crack it this time. But if you feel like you don't want to spend more of your or your parents' money by waiting another year, or if you think your score won't improve much, then joining could be the way to go. The return on investment is pretty decent, and even colleges with a fee of 15 lakhs often lead to similar job opportunities. The faculty is solid, and the teaching methods are quite similar across the board unless you're aiming for the very top schools.

Only consider a second attempt if you're sure you can score above the 95th percentile and your academic background is strong enough for top-tier colleges. If you're leaning towards Welingkar, make sure to deeply research the course they offer to ensure it's the right fit for you. Don't just agree without being certain.

Hey there.

I wish I knew a bit more about your background, like your academic history and why you're considering an MBA. But I'll do my best to help you out with the info I have.

You've probably heard that Welingkar is ranked in the top 5 in Mumbai and around 6-7 in Maharashtra, but I'm not going to bore you with those numbers. Instead, let me give you a clearer picture of how this college stacks up nationally.

Unfortunately, Welingkar doesn't make it into India's top 50 B-schools. However, KJ Somaiya does. So, when people say Welingkar is among Mumbai's top 5, it makes you think, right? Especially when it's not even in the country's top 50. But that's something you'll have to decide for yourself.

Let me share a bit of my story. I was in your shoes not long ago. I took the CAT in 2016 and got a 79.98 percentile, which isn't impressive. I applied to a few colleges anyway because I wasn't keen on retaking the exam. I'd already taken a year off to prepare and was determined to start my studies in 2017. I got an offer from Welingkar and even went through their GDPI process. Before paying the fees, I wanted to dig deeper into what the college was like. Luckily, a friend of my dad's was an alumnus. He mentioned that while he's successful and earns enough for his family, it took him 20 years to reach a position that top MBA graduates achieve in just 5 years. This highlighted the gap between elite B-schools and regular ones. He also mentioned that his company, a big US-based MNC, only hires fresh graduates from India's top 10 colleges. He didn't directly say whether I should join Welingkar, but his story gave me a lot to think about.

Gathering my courage, I spoke to my parents about trying the CAT again. I managed to convince them, and now I'm waiting for my results. I feel confident that my score will improve this time. I'm really glad I chose to aim higher instead of settling. I don't know where I'll end up, but I won't have any regrets about not giving it my all.

Make sure you think carefully about your choice. Good luck!

I would say consider the PGDM in Research and Business Analytics at Welingkar if you’re keen on analytics and tech. The faculty is really experienced, and the course covers essential tools like Python and PowerBI. Many companies come for internships and placements, and the average package is about 12.25 lakhs, with the highest around 24 lakhs.

But keep in mind that the total fees are around 14 lakhs, which is a significant investment. If you’re looking to specialize in analytics, this could be a great choice, but if you’re unsure, maybe retake the CAT and explore other options.

It really comes down to a few "ifs." If you think you can score higher in your next CAT attempt, then go for it. If you're okay with waiting another year, that's also a good reason. If this was your final year in college and you're ready to try again, then it makes sense to retake it. If a better job offer comes your way, that could be a reason too. But if none of these apply, then diving into the program and giving it your all for the next two years might leave you feeling happy with your decision.