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"Are IIMs really distinctively different?"
Admin said : Here is an old debate regarding the IIMs and the rest-of-the-world B-schools. Nobody knows the reality except the people who have studied in IIMs and people who have studied in other B-schools and are far ahead of thier IIM counterparts.' At this point in time when we are just coming out of recession, I believe that YES for sure IIMs are precieved as a different set altogether but the reality is still beyond our reach. Dare2compete.com invites your opinion on this matter so that it opens the discussion to understand the reality of B-schools
bhanu garg said : I think the college is defined by two things- the quality of education being provied and the quality of students getting that education. Now, where IIM stand diffrent is the quality of students tht gets in the IIMs. In most of the B-schools u will find either good education or good students but there are very rare incidents where u will find both. on the other hand IIM is the place where there is a quality both from the students as well as professors. Having said tht i will stirctly deny if any body say tht ppl form IIM are distinctely diffrent. They may have an upper hand but there are many students who are actually better than the IIM students. As far as the packages in concerned, IIMs follows a very long history of providing quality students and they are in a way justifies to get such huge renumerations; after all brand does sell. And i m really not saying anything against it. they are just getting the fruits of the hard work which IIMs have put in over the years. If anyone has to succed, he can put in that much effort and excel...
Atul Gupta said : I recently read a book titled 'Jocker in the Pack: An Irreverent View of Life at IIMs' by two ex-IIM guys. Though a work of fiction, the book is largely based on life at IIMB. And to my surprise, I found striking similarities between the life at IMT and IIMB as described in the book. The ragging days, the rush to join clubs and committees, inescapable placement committee rules, sleepless nights playing CS, last minute assignments and presentations, anxiety for summers as well as final placements etc.. everything sounded exactly the same. I agree with Bhanu about the two things which defines an institute, but I disagree that the quality of students is lower than IIMs in other institutes, at least not in the tier-2 institutes which fare just below IIMs in annual rankings. One minor mistake in CAT or a stupid answer in interviews land them in tier-2 institutes. But that doesn't make any less deserving. In fact, they may eventually end up leading a bunch of IIM grads after a few years in the corporate world. I think the constant urge to prove themselves better than the IIM grads make them achieve it. In my opinion, what IIMs are distinctively good at, is the quality of education and academic rigor. I am not sure about other institutes, but frankly speaking I don't remember a day at IMT when I felt the pressure of academics. And when it comes to quality, I don't mean the quality of professors, but the academic model and the innovative methods of pedagogy which sets IIMs apart. However, Bhanu is correct that placements at IIMs are reaping the benefit of its long history, strong alumni and the brand name. But I think this equation will change in the next 10-15 years as more and more tier-2 institutes buildup their network and brand name in the corporate. And I wish that some day people will know IMT like they know IIMs today. :)
Gaurav said : well i think that IIM's had their very foundation laid to give INDIA excellent learning centres along with the IIT's and NIT's and they have very much lived to it to churn out so many corporates,entrepreneurs and many more eminent people who are trailblazers in their respective fields.who are imparted the courage in them to choose the path untrodden. or maybe they can afford to experiment and give a shot at their real calling because industry is always there to take them back..a luxury which ,barring a few more institutes almost all other B-Schools dont have..it lets them do what they love and when you are doing what you like,chances of your failing are less given that the individual has no dearth of intellect,brains,ideas,funding,guidance and whatever else it takes. it is definitely the brand name that has been built over the years that is paying off.many other colleges are there which are 15-20 years oldbut some how they could never rise to the likes of IIM's,maybe due to lack of leadership or simply because industry refuses to recognise the talent and brains that they have to offer..
manisha panda said : It is a common belief in the industry that brand matters. Even we as students run for a brand, try to associate ourselves with a brand --just to add a feather to our cap(resume) ,with a hope that it will help us reap benefits in future in terms of good placement...good package. I remember the days when i used consult a lot of guys in b-schools as well as the faculties when a choice for a b-school was concerned. I agree with Atul...."a single mistake in interview lands someone from iim to a tier-2 institute" But...that does not make us inferior to the iim graduates.I donot say that we have excelled beyond the capabilities of an iim graduate...but yes we have the capability to excel in future... Many industry are now recruiting mba guys from the tier2 and tier3 cities like nasik,nagpur,ranchi...who are ready to work in interior areas in managerial position ....because..its just not a sophisticated english communication ...or a degree from a Stanford,Kellog or IIM ...which can bring in business. It becomes difficult for a brand to sustain in market if it cannot bring in constant innovative products to excite the customers. Similarly understanding the needs of the local people and working accordingly will bring in profits in business. So it might take b-grade institutes 15-20 years to rise to the benchmark set by IIMs but i believe we have the talent,intellect and the zeal to excel in the industry.
Ankit said : As Manisha said, we have the zeal, talent and intellect to excel and may be out smart the other from premier institutes, my own belief is that Brand does matter as far as opportunities are concerned. I mean say for example consulting companies, why aren't they coming to other B-schools beyond IIMs. It is this opportunity due to which students like going to IIMs and other premier B-schools and there is nothing wrong in this. What we at best can do is to change the attitude of the industry that only going by rankings doesn't help them, they should go by their own selection process.
Debarshi Bhattacharya said : IIMs are distinctly different from the rest of the institutes in India. Forget students, even faculties , pedagogy for different courses , infrastructures, placements scenarios etc etc are bench marked against those of IIMs. Whatever happens in IIMs is a headline of ET .... And above all Brand matters and this is precisely the reason why the topic of discussions is IIMs and not the likes of SPJIMR, IMT, KJ SIMSR, etc etc ... Lets face the fact that there has been a growing concern in the higher education community across all streams . Colleges are discussed more for their placement scenarios rather than the research papers and patents published. The topic of the discussion among the students are which I-Bank pays how much rather discussing the new Business opportunities and B-Plan ... I am not blaming the students aspiring for fatter pay packages but excellence seems to have taken a back seat. (inspired by 3 idiots) With the opening of Foreign players and JV / alliances / Partnerships with the so called Tier 2 players , you may never know what is going to be the outcome in the next 10 years . So till then IIMs can relax and enjoy the Brand Equity ...
Abhishek Datta said : Being a MBA student, I feel that I know the differnce between an IIM and a non-IIM. In this Bschool Circuit, it is well known that except for IIM-A and IIM-B, the faculty and pedagogic style is same in the top 10 Bschools, which includes NITIE, MDI, IMT, SPJAIN, and others. But, as we know brand matters. However,I personally find that except for telling your neighbourhood aunty that you are studing in an IIM, the brand does not matter - the industry knows which college produces what type of managers.
sakshi misra said : With certitude I will second the thought that IIMs are distinctively different because its the hub of best brains of the country colliding together.They are one of those colleges in India where everyone wants to see himself.Students passing the series of rigorous CAT examination and imterviews are the creams that finally make it to IIMs.The pedagogy and the entire course structure is a landmark which compels other college to tread their way.
Milind Suryavanshi said : Ranking basded on placements are subjective. IIMs have an edge because of many reasons, firstly its a government initiative and thus good infrastructure and continuous attention by the education ministry. Secondly, they are old institutes and thus matured enough. These two things, over the period of time have won the confidence of corporates, government and other stakholders. However, the story does not end here. This scenario does not exclude the possibility of any other non-IIM to achive growth. As nations have shown in the past that in constrained economic situations, with right policies and execution, effective growth can be achived. There are many non-IIM private institute which have potentials to become leaders. These institutes are run by professional academicians and they focus mainly on faulty - quality of teaching, infra and academic rigour. I feel some tier II institute would surely find there focus and will produce able managers to the market in near future. IIMs would give an edge, but under free market conditions, this benefit lies for the period of 5 yrs. A good student, non-IIM, learned one, can manage the same growth in his career with his possesion of personal skills and self-identity. Milind Suryavanshi SIBM Bangalore
chetan galage said : They become different after going there and not before going to IIMs becauase the corporate exposure they get is awsome. Last week I was there in IIM A for their annual event Amaethon 2010. The discipline, the management, various speakers for the event are really amazing. So anyways if the other colleges are getting this kind of exposure then there will not be any distinctive difference between these people and other b school students, but are other b school students really getting this kind of corporate exposure or are they only worried about the their placemants??
Nikhil Joshi said : Let me assure you that life in an IIM is distinctly different from most other B-schools. I should know, I am studying in one currently. I would beg to differ with my friend Abhishek here about pedagogy in IIM A & B being very different from the others; while style of teaching (case study vs course study or instructor led vs student led) differs, there are only imperceptible changes in quality at least in the top 6 IIMs ( Shillong is still too new for me to have an opinion). The IIMs take their standing pretty seriously and the academic rigour and soft skills development is top class, which of course is the harbinger of opportunities and satisfied recruiters willing to pay a premium for talent. I think even the neighbourhood aunties know this much, which is of course how the brand gets built in the first place. Also, there is a lot of hype surrounding infrasturcture; lemme tell you that many IIM professors are exceedingly brilliant and effective; I would not mind sitting under a streetlight to listen to them. It is the intellectual capital not the monetary one which counts. There are many from the current crop in the IIMs who have left other Bschools (even after completing a year) to join IIMs and they will vouch for the same. And in the 'B-shool circuit' perhaps MDI,SPJIMR, FMS, XLRI and SJMSOM IIT Bombay are real competition for the IIMs. However in my opinion Milind got it spot on, the advantage can last but 5 years given the rapid pace of change in the corporate world. Then, it is the caliber of the individual that counts. Nikhil Joshi IIM Calcutta
Pradeep Chunduru said : Hello guys, I am a student of AIBS(Amity International Business School), Noida. I had been to IIM-Ahmedabad recently to attend a seminar there. Based on my observations at IIM-A during my stay, I support the statement that "IIMs more specifically IIM-A is distinctively different". Let me discuss some points in support of this: Firstly, IIM-A offers a very free environment of education. This allows the student to aim high and also acheive the same. He/She also gets the required expert support for the same at IIM-A. Apart from this, a student who is aspiring to do some activity is advised, funded, supported to go ahead with the same and emerge successful. This is the deficiency at other insitutes leaving apart the premier institutes like SPJain, IMT, JBIMS etc. Secondly, IIM is considered to be the industry best. As rightly pointed out by Mr. Bhanu and Mr. Gaurav, it has built a very strong brand value over the years. So, the market perceives the IIM pass outs as the best brains of the market. So, they are offered highest privileges compared to others. Thirdly, as the brand of IIM is world famous, the experiments made by the IIM pass outs though being a failure are viewed with great respect. This is not the case with others. If a student of other institute has to prove himself equivalent to the IIM products, he has to go beyond the boudaries generally set by their respective institutes. This involves good amount of risk. If he/she fails they face adverse consequences and if they succedd they donot get the expected recognition(mostly). Finally, as on date IIMs stand tall in their different and distinct methodlogy of education. If the same opportunities are provided to the students at other institutes, they too can challenge IIMs, hopefully in future. Pradeep AIBS, Noida
Shyam M Sundar said : Well its been said that there are tow kinfds of mba graduates in india one is iim graduates and others those who are not iim graduates. they are living in a new world actually to me, yes they are ahead than others not only in india
Kamlesh said : the road to sanity often is loaded with stones that make us cover miles....we call them milestones. Ladies and gentlemen, it was just less than year before when I was in my engg final year. Then came CAT. Had heard lotzz about this bird IIM...so didn apply for any other college...felt like getting a taste of this chick once :P luckily got into IIM A...and just as I was about to unfold the mysteries of this wondergirl.....i got lost in something....something i could not understand...something which I had never realised in life....i had read books by shiv khera, by jack welch and others..but never really felt that i could implement what they preached...perhaps i was not that strong in conviction and desires.But then here at A, I saw a group of people who could speak about the world, who could speak about reality, who could teach us think retrospectively, who could teach us speculate, who could make us realise the tangible and intangible weatlh on this world and the power of decision making. This group of people is something which makes IIM A what it is.Trust me friends..its not the group of students who r the best in the country...its not the best of campus placements..its the PROFESSORS whose knowledge,wisdom,intellect and zeal to impart learning that makes us enjoy and learn in each and every class. For those who want to make a decision on whether to join any B school or to wait for a couple of years if warranted and come to IIM A...do come....its a place where every day u learn and reach a new milestone towards a mission of becoming a learned and smart individual. Thanks and regards. Kamlesh Chauhan IIM A
amit bhatia said : this is completely ridiculous, saying apart that the IIMian`s are different, they are nothing different, they are made different. The kind of study, the amount they charge for the two years is very huge being a government institution. just saying this they are different, and sitting apart, will not gonna go solve the problem. we are living in the globalised world and in a democratic country, we can take the information from any place, for anything, so just saying this thing that they are different and just sitting idle isn`t a solution.? find out the solution my dear friends and be the entrepreneurs? help in building the strong india...........!!!!!!!!
Kamlesh said : @Amit Bhatia ... my dear friend..agreed to your side of the argument..."IIMians are not different..they are made different"....This is the point i wanna make when i say that the professors and the learning environment makes them different.And to add to it, its not that it is the only place to be...fully in favor of your view point that anyone who is good, dedicated and ground on his basics...can become a great leader and help building the Strong India Cheers!
Ayaz Matin said : The IIMs are not "really distinctively different" per se. Here is why I think so. India has a huge pool of talented individuals. The number of people who make it to IIMs is probably just a fraction of those who deserve to be there. Since opportunities are limited, only those who do well on their day make it. The rest try again or settle for other top B-schools. Now the students are at similar levels right now, before entering the B-school. What do the IIMs do so different, that students turn out to be supposedly way improved than others. The professors are great, but I'm sure there are good professors in other top level colleges too. The facilities are great, but again I'm sure there are many B-schools which can boast of world class services. The rigor is there in IIMs, but there are other B-schools too which make you slog your hinds off. The major difference that comes in play, is in the confidence and the belief of the individual. The respect, and admiration we have for IIMs in our society, and the extremely tough competition that exists for those coveted seats makes making to an IIM an adrenaline shot that lasts. You are charged up to do well, and you sincerely believe that you are the best. Here's where the difference lies. I sincerely believe that 'confidence' is the single most important factor in many situations in life, specially when there are so many individuals with similar abilities. Regarding the placements, all of us know that the real plush salaries go to just the top 10-15% of students in each college, and the rest get packages which are remarkably comparable. So, placements cannot be held responsible too much. Also, once you are into the industry, sooner or later, your compensation will match your true worth.
shashank raina said : See, distinct or not, one thing is more than clear, making it to the IIMs is nothing less than climbing the Everest. The selection procedure is simply grilling. Add to that the intensive course structure. Students truly get transorfed at IIMs. And that hard work gets reflected in the packages they get. So all of these factors make the IIMs different from the other B schools. But that doesn't take away the credit from the other good B schools. A student who couldn't make it to the IIMs is probably doing great at an MDI or IMT. So it is the quality of students that make the IIMs distinct.
Partha Sarathi Tripathy said : What i personally feel is that an educational institute let it be B-Schools or any institute of the world is known by its quality of teaching and approach being provided to groom up the students for the betterment of tomorrow.In one way or the other some believe that IIM produce the best entrepreneurs as well as managers of India in relative to others B-Schools.In one way if we see this believe is in no way wrong because out of many a few only make out or fortunate enough to get into those IIM's and only those people who are the best in all aspect academic,to co-curricular as well in there professional field.But the issue is that do really everyone at IIM are best.If we see many best entrepreneurs are there who not being having the IIM tag also proved themselves to be the best of mind in business.One best example i can give about our ex-railway minister Lalu Prasad Yadav who really turned the table of the Indian Railway for which he was being invited by the IIM's to deliver speech on his success.So it's not about IIM but rather it's about how far u utilize your skills,your ideas,your dream to turn to reality using up all those things been taught in B-Schools.From 7-P's to 5 C's.Or Rather MIS to HR skills..........
saurabh kumar said : Saurabh Kumar:- What I feel is, it's all about qualities of n individual. it is neither IIM's nor B- school's. its all about how fast u can act on innovative ideas. LIKE someone said, " A smartest person is that who can grab OPPORTUNITIES in shortest possible time". So, i feel that just being at IIM'S doesn't give anything, in few there can be a little possibility of extra benefit it can be a reputation built by them. So, if someone provide us with this time we can also come up with this reputation. " THE shortest line between any two points is still under construction ". So, i feel an institute like IIM still has to travel a far journey to shape its tradition & has to make way for B- schools to take up their expectations. Saurabh Kumar (MBA 2nd sem) KATHUA CAMPUS UNIVERSITY OF JAMMU
akash ranjan said : i strongly believe that IIMs are really different. the first thing strats with type of course they run in their institute and their selection process which is really good especilly for a professional course like MBA. they exactly know what kind of potential candidates are required for this type of course. second and most important reason what i think that MBA which is a professional course designed for corporate world are well run professionally by IIMs. and they are producing potentiial managers for the future.
Harish Nath said : Apart from the quality of students and faculties, one more striking difference between IIMs and other MBA colleges is the way a student starts thinking. Let us admit the fact that the students who get admission to IIMs are a little ahead when it comes to numbers. After entering IIMs they start believing that they are special. And it is this belief that makes all the difference. Like any other good institute the students have to get adjusted to the rigorous schedule and meet the necessary requirements at each level. But, it is the way they start looking at the world that makes all the difference. They start believing that they can handle any problem and change situations on its head because they are the best. When you have that kind of faith, it become consistent and gain respect. A lot of emphasis is also given on cases and numbers which really helps in the long run. and one more thing that IIMs do teach is to be humble. But, let us also understand the fact that they are admired because they are few in number. With more and more IIMs coming up, the quality of teaching is definite to go down. And with increase in numbers degradation of value generally happens.

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