Nishant Nandwani's Review On IMT - Institute Of Management Technology, Ghaziabad

I applied to almost all the top 20 bschools in the country and got a confirmed admission from baby IIMs, XIMB Bhubaneswar, SIBM and finally IMT Ghaziabad. I chose IMT Ghaziabad because of strong alumni network, its reputation, the facilities available at the campus, its location and its vibrant student life. Yes, I did get rejected from other bschools. One particular instance I remember is from SPJIMR. I underperformed in the group interview stage and couldn't understand what was being exactly the motive behind the interviewers question. In admission process, the candidate needs to meet the eligibility criteria defined by the college. Then the candidates need to undergo an entry test like CAT, XAT, or GMAT. Later on, candidates have to fill an online application form in which his or her personal details along with their educational background are asked. Candidates short-listed are taken for critical thinking test and personal interview. This is the stage where the communication skills and personality get tested. Call is finally taken based on the performance in entrance examinations, academic records, experience relevant to the job at work, and the performance in GD and PI. The shortlisted candidates are contacted to extend to them the admission offer, and subsequently, they must enroll through the whole process and present all their required documents, and pay the fees.

Generally the class strength at IMT Ghaziabad is around 60-70 students, with an overall PGDM strength of about 740 students. Then there are specialisations in marketing and Finance with an approximate strength of 100 to 120 each. The institute has a predominantly male student base with about 36 percent girls and 64 percent boys. Cultural diversity also marks the institute with students hailing from different states like Maharashtra, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal among others, that really add to the classroom discussions. Peer learning is greatly encouraged and often, marks are earned on participation. Thus, students arrive to class for engaging reasons. Most students have good attitudes toward attending classes since they can learn through insights from faculty members and the team spirit created by peers.

It has a good record of summer placements with high numbers, though not 100 percent always. But generally, around 5-10 percent of students do not get placements. They then seek internship opportunities through their respective networks or off-market sources. Most students get paid internships, and the average stipend ranges between INR 20,000 to INR 40,000 for a month. The highest stipends go as high as 1,00,000 INR, but some might get as low as INR 10,000. Some 60-70% of students are converted into PPOs. The internship scenario for other courses is roughly on par, though the placement rates and the stipends may vary slightly.

While the college has a very good placement record, it still does not place nearly 5-10% of its students, and those students go through all sorts of workshops, mock interviews, and one-on-one mentoring by the instituition to ensure they get placed. Average CTC is around INR 19 LPA. The placement committee plays a crucial role in coordinating the process and, while many see it as transparent, some students feel that improvements can be made in terms of communication concerning criteria placed on placements.

At IMT Ghaziabad, the total estimated costs of the two-year MBA program amounts to 21,50,000, which includes tuition fees, mess fees, hostel fees, transport fees, etc. Besides this, students incur monthly expenditures such as food, grocery, and transport. It is at par with fees of colleges in the similar league. All girls get a scholarship of 25%.

A well-equipped campus with multifarious sports facilities such as an indoor court for basketball and badminton as well as outdoor grounds for cricket and football, is available. Besides these, the campus provides a gym offering a total range of fitness facilities. The auditorium and library are modern, holding a wide collection of books that students can easily access; the hours in the library are convenient, and third-party databases are available for research. The campus covers a substantial area, and since most of it is walkable, the distance from the hostels to the academic block is not too long. However, personal vehicles are not allowed in campus, and the campus site is open to relatives who may visit the students, with an arrangement made in advance. Besides the main canteen, there are several other food stalls. There is a medical center with a qualified doctor to treat students in case of any medical issue.Cafeterias open till late, which permits the student to hang out and study well into the night. Many students go out, on occasion, to nearby hangouts and the locality is pretty safe around the college too. The college holds several major fests and cultural events, providing it with a vibrant campus life.. There are also other active clubs and committees, as well as Marketing and Finance clubs, which add more significant value to your CV. International immersion and student exchange programs with the partner universities in the USA and Europe attract around 20-30 students per year and usually require a supplementary fee for participation.

hostels are gender-segregated. Boys are not provided with entry into girls' accommodation; however, girls are permitted to enter into boys' hostel inside the campus. Students have to come back latest by 11 PM into the campus. The menu is changed every week, but quality is different. Security inside the campus is very strong as it has proper guards and no major threat is reported recently; in fact, students feel very comfortable while dwelling in this campus.There are a variety of sharing options available. Mostly it remains single and double occupancy, but most students prefer double because it provides privacy and company at the same time. There are AC, geysers, Wi-Fi, almirahs, study tables, and comfortable beds. The hostel is well taken care of to make sure the place is nice to live in. Washrooms are cleaned daily. The hostel rooms are cleaned regularly, too.

The process of admission starts online and usually begins in September and closes in November (Phase 1). The most favored entrance exam is CAT although the safe score is bound to be 90 percentile or above for a good chance of getting a call. Results of the entrance exam test are declared in January; and then shortlisted candidates are invited for critical thinking test and personal interviews in between February and March. The final list of selected candidates is usually announced towards the end of March, and admission offers are dispatched in April. Admission has to be confirmed by paying fees before June or July when classes start. The college operates on a merit basis for its selection procedure and refuses unofficial alternate admission routes like management quota or donations.

The curriculum is rigorous and challenging. But very updated and helpful. There are many tests though, which can be reduced a bit. And maybe from the 1st term itself students should be given the option to choose their subjects rather than studying everything. Teaching methodology is good and our faculty are very knowledgeable and helpful. One sir is Niraj Singhal our MIS sir who also gave me tips for SIP prep. Same for our Marketing Management sir - Shubhojit sir who helps us learn marketing techniques so easily which are helpful in the real world There is mandatory attendance of 80% which is quite annoying and should be reduced.