Saurabh Saini

“A basic understanding of your preferred area of specialization could be the differentiator”

Saurabh Saini is pursuing his management course at the Shailesh J Mehta School of Management (SJMSOM), IIT Bombay. A B. Tech engineering student from the Madan Mohan Malaviya Engineering College, Gorakhpur, he has won several awards and accolades. He enjoys playing Nun Chuck, a traditional form of weaponry, originated in Japan, designing T-Shirts, Souvenirs, logos and banners and is an avid listener of rock music. He is also one of the most enthusiastic event managers on campus. Saurabh shares a few important details with SJMSOM aspirants here.

Tell us about the admission process at SJMSOM in brief.

The admission process at SJMSOM starts with the JMET that is held in the second week of December. The JMET is the entrance test for admissions to the management programs at IITs. The basic qualification for the same is an engineering degree. Based on the scores of the applicants, candidates are short listed for the GD/PI process, which is held over a period of 4 days in the first week of March. The final calls are issued to candidates on the basis of their JMET performance, work-experience, extra-curricular activities and academic performance.

You have almost completed a year at the IIT-B campus and must be eagerly awaiting the next batch. If you could describe the distinctive ethos or culture of the school, what would you say?

While SJMSOM only admits candidates with an engineering background, the varied experience from different sectors of the business world that they bring with them makes for a great learning curve. Another distinctive feature is the academic ecosystem at IIT Bombay, which facilitates interaction between students pursuing varied courses -- from the B. Tech level to the PhDs.

What had been your greatest challenge during the first few months on campus?

The greatest challenge during the first few months was getting used to the busy schedule at SOM. With so many extra-curricular activities to be a part of, along with the rigorous courses to attend to, time management becomes crucial.

Do you feel that the panel looks for any definite set of attitudinal attributes in a student to ensure that he would fit in with the culture at SJMSOM?

I wouldn’t say there is a definite set of attributes that the panel looks for. However, they do expect the candidate to have a good overall record, both academic as well as extra-curricular. A general awareness about happenings in the global scenario is expected. The panel also likes to see a candidate who knows what exactly he/she wants from the program and has long term plans set out. Basic knowledge of the specialization one wants to pursue is viewed favourably and may give him an edge.

What has been your greatest realization about the MBA programme in general in this one year – something one never really grasps as an aspirant?

As an aspirant I always viewed an MBA program as something very exclusive and special, which required extra-ordinary skills. After a year at the MBA programme, I think an MBA is not that demanding. An aptitude for management and sincere efforts should see you through. But the “getting in” part is pretty rigorous.

Most call getters get very nervous about the next stage of the selection process. What would be the best thing to do with their time at this juncture?

The GD/PI stage is the final step to an MBA programme. While there is nothing to be anxious about, the candidate is expected to put in a significant amount of preparation to make a good impression in the limited amount of time.

As far as GD goes, there is no substitute to actually being in the hot seat. Try to get some first-hand experience of group discussions. The best option would be to enrol in the GD/PI prep courses organized by coaching classes. This provides you an opportunity to interact with candidates who have also been called for the GD/PI process at top colleges across India. You get an idea of what to expect and have an opportunity to compare yourself with your would-be competitor.

As part of the preparations for the personal interview, you should be prepared with a view on most of the major contemporary happenings in the global scene. Be ready for questions on any current topic and the best way to do so would be to stay tuned into the daily news and its analysis.

Brush up your knowledge of some of the subjects you studied during your engineering days. If you have been working, be prepared for questions on the responsibilities you shoulder at your workplace and how you have been able to make a difference. A basic understanding of terms related to your preferred area of specialization could also be the differentiator. So it would be a good idea to prepare on these fronts.

What would your message for MBA aspirants be, especially now when they are so close to their dream destinations, and yet so far?

The GD/PI stage is designed to identify candidates who would be best fits for the programme. The process as a whole may be viewed as a situation in which all shortlisted candidates are placed, and the person who handles this situation in the best possible way is selected. The very fact that you have been selected for this stage means that you have something to differentiate you from the thousands who took the entrance tests. Be clear and confident about yourself and your abilities, and things will fall into place.