Wish there was a Time-Machine.

I feel that every institute evolves with time. The course content, curriculum should be in sync with what the students are actually going to face in the market. Also the program need to have futuristic vision while ensuring that the capability of the students to visualise their careers 5-10 years down the line is improved and clear.

SNAP (Symbiosis National Aptitude Test) Score: 81.5/180 I was certain about pursuing a non-mainstream MBA and being a visual communication enthusiast, the Communication Management (Advertising) program was the best suited for my interests and aspirations.

The course curriculum is a good blend of theory as well as practical hands-on the industry. Modules like Creative Planning, Account Management, Event Management actually gave us a experience of how a client pitch is made (mock-pitch) sessions. My forte being Visual Communication (Photography & Design), I learnt how to sustain a creative interest as a profession and how to advertise and market myself to the potential clients.

Yes, the college definitely helps in getting the students internships and placements. A structured approach to internships and placements (Placement Cell) is present in SIMC, with a well networked Alumni Relations Cell.

In 2010-2012 batch (my tenure as a student) almost 99% of the students were placed. The companies that visited for recruitment were the best in their respective domains (Ad Agencies, PR firms, Corporates, Production Houses, Publishers, Channels, Research Firms). The average package offered in 2012 was around 4 lakhs.

The list of events at SIMC is extensive. Festivals with theme is the highlight. The best about going to a media school is the level of branding that you learn in the small things. We as students incorporated the festivals with the college name: SIMCinema (Film Festival), SIMClairvoyance (Interaction with leading industry professionals), Fest-O-Comm (Annual SIMC Festival), SIMConnect (Annual Alumni Meet) and many more.

The fees at SIMC are a little on the expensive side but they are met with the facilities and the infrastructure that is provided. I have stayed at quite a few hostels of various institutions and I must say that the facilities at SIMC (health, food, stay, sports) are one of the best.

My course was self-funded and I wasn't under any loan for the same. Hence I wouldn't be the best person to comment on that. However, quite a few batchmates had opted for student loan. The Union Bank of India is one of the best banks for student loans with a low rate of interest. There are other options as well. There are no scholarships that are provided in SIMC.

Campus life is the best phase of any student's life. Apart from the academic goals that every student aspires to achieve in a competitive post-graduate school, it is important NOT to miss out on the process of reaching there. At SIMC, the gender ratio is almost 1:1 (boys: girls). The interaction that happens during class projects, assignments is more on academic level. However for cultural events, sports there is different interaction that builds bonds of friendship and at times last for a life-time. SIMC being a part of Symbiosis International University, there are students from all over India and also some from South East Asian countries. I recall interacting with a few Indonesian students and one thing that I learnt from them was my badminton skills. There is a huge diversity on campus and hence you get introduced to various aspects of different cultures. The campus has the best sports facilities (squash courts, basketball courts, badminton courts, swimming pool, health club, gymnasium, football and cricket grounds). There are inter-batch sports and cultural competitions. The best experience was the SPL (Symbiosis Premier League) which was a cricket tournament on the lines of IPL where students actually buy players and make teams.

Hostels are comfortable and well ventilated. They are strict with regards to the timings but are flexible and considerate to genuine cases. On hygiene front they are well maintained. There are local house-keeping workers who you can pay a small amount monthly (INR:200-300) for cleaning purpose. There is laundry facility as well which is affordable if you plan your clothes set wisely. The mess at SIMC can be rated as good if not excellent. They serve breakfast (veg/non-veg), lunch, evening tea and biscuits, dinner(veg/non-veg). If you build a good rapport with the mess staff you might get food even during closed hours. (this is of course on an unofficial note).

The alumni network is well spread and very well connected with the current students; courtesy: Alumni Relations Cell of SIMC. There are interactive sessions with the alumni wherein a clear picture of the requirements , expectations and challenges in the industry is given to the students. The alumni is approachable and guide the students well.

Yes, the program is hectic and intensive. There are classes (specially in the 3rd and 4th semester) over the weekends as well. The exams are not straight forward theory questions. They are majorly application based questions testing the students capability to respond to a situation as a to-be industry professional.

The best thing about the faculty at SIMC was that they were not only professors but also mentors and facilitators. Every student in the course has a different perspective about communication design, so it is important for the faculty to understand the student's perspective and doubts, which is handled extremely well at SIMC.