How to select the right B School?

20 years ago management courses in India were synonymous with IIMs. Though IIMs continue to be the best B-schools in imparting business education in India, with time several good B-Schools have emerged to cater to the growing population of MBA aspirants. These institutes offer innovative courses to satisfy the needs of all sections of students.

Hence, it is very important to understand your needs and select the right institute. Since you will be spending a lot in your MBA, it is important you select the right institute. How do we differentiate between these colleges? Here are some tips that you can follow-:

1) Reputation: Some B-schools already have a very good brand value and are very well recognised in the industry. Students of these well-reputed B-schools are sought-after by employers across industry. The brand value of the college adds value to the student's CV. If it is a new or upcoming college, then it is advisable to consult with somebody in the industry to understand the industry perception of the college.

2) Rankings: Every year, reputed newspapers, magazines and websites release B-school rankings. Although these rankings are not very reliable, they give some idea about the relative merit of the college.

3) Accreditation: Does the college have the requisite approvals? Is it AICTE- approved? What other collaborations does the college have? It is very important to know what all accreditations your colleges have. If your degrees are not recognized, they won't hold much value especially if you're seeking jobs in the public sector.

4) Placements: One of the primary reasons why many students opt for MBAs is to get a well-paid job. It is for this reason that most students carefully study the official placement report of the college. When looking at the placement statistics, try and find out the job profiles offered. Also check out which companies hire from these institutes,

5) Alumni: Talk to the alumni, find out about the college and where they are placed. Try and get your doubts cleared about the quality of education offered and the facilities available.

6) Faculty and Staff: Find about how many permanent and temporary faculty members are there. Find out about their qualifications. A healthy mix of people with some industry exposure is preferred. This brings in insights from the industry and academics to the classroom.

7) Students: Data such as the average CAT/GMAT scores, average age, average work experience and male-female ratio gives you a fair idea of the student mix of the college.