Important things to remember for a successful admit to International Master in Business (IMB)

Important things to remember for a successful admit to International Master in Business (IMB)

In this article, we will talk in detail about what it takes to get in the International Master in Business (IMB) programme at SDA Bocconi Asia Center Mumbai. The prestigious triple crown accreditation – AACSB, AMBA, EQUIS puts SDA Bocconi School of Management in the top tier schools’ around the world, it is currently ranked sixth best business school in Europe by Financial Times.

The program is an amalgamation of solid theory-based academia, case-study methodology, international experiences, certifications & corporate exposure through live projects and internships. It extends over two 11-month modules, which includes a 4-month specialization semester spent at the SDA Bocconi main campus in Milan, Italy, where students have an option to choose their specialization subject from a pool of more than 70 subjects. 

That being said, securing a seat at SDA Bocconi Asia Center is a different ball game altogether as the college follows a profile-based approach while shortlisting the candidates for its IMB program.

The process of shortlisting is based on an overall profile analysis. We’ve compiled a list of questions which will help you in securing an admit for SDA Bocconi’s IMB program.

What is the eligibility criteria?

To be eligible to apply for the IMB program, applicants must have an undergraduate degree in any discipline or should be in their final year while applying. The eligibility criteria for academics is a minimum of 50% across 10th, 12th and under graduation and a minimum aggregate average of 65% combining 10th, 12th and under graduation scores.

Do engineering or commerce students have an advantage?

Unlike other B-schools where a major chuck of the class either hails from an engineering or a commerce background, SDA Bocconi Asia Center believes in accommodating a diverse pool of talent in class, ranging from hospitality, fine arts, psychology, commerce, pharmacy to name a few. A consistent academic background irrespective of their graduation stream and a demonstrated ability to work under pressure will have an added advantage in the selection process.

What is a “safe score” to apply?

It is also expected that applicants must score well in various admission tests that SDA Bocconi Asia Center accepts. While the college does not indicate any “cut off” restriction, there are safe scores which can be deciphered from the previous year trends. Candidates scoring anything above the safe score range are encouraged to apply as the final selection is based on overall profile and not just the test scores. For students applying through CAT, a safe score of 90 percentile and above is considered favourable. Similarly, for GMAT- a score of 640 and above, for GRE -a score of 310 and above and for NMAT by GMAC -a score of 200 and above is considered favourable. Additionally, if the candidate does not have any of the above-mentioned score while applying or the scores available are not in the safe score range, the candidate can choose to sit for the Bocconi Test which is an internal exam held by the institute. It must also be noted that despite having other test scores, a candidate can still choose to sit for Bocconi test. The best scores out of all available is taken into consideration while evaluating a candidate’s profile. That being said, a high score definitely increases the chance of getting an interview call, but an average score could be compensated by the candidate’s excellence in other areas.

Are the academic scores the only major selection criteria?

Extra-curriculars such as relevant work experience, leadership position held, entrepreneurial experience, communication skills, creativity, interest in sports or cultural arts, and involvement in community or social clubs are additional considerations to the profile of the candidate. A diverse and well-rounded application has better chances of selection. Also, while filling up the application form, the candidates are asked to submit three to four essay-type questions, a well-defined statement of purpose and two references. Soft skills combined with a high-test score & proven academic consistency is valued & considered as a strong profile. 

How can a candidate prepare for the Personal Interview rounds?

Interviews are conducted following an initial selection based on the application submission. While freshers can expect domain specific questions, candidates with work experience are mostly checked upon industry related topics. When it comes to basic hygiene questions, it is advisable that the candidates be well prepared with these questions in advance. Identifying one’s strengths, shortcomings, key challenges faced in personal and professional space and steps taken to overcome those challenges are some of the common questions asked in the interview. It would be an added advantage if the candidate can support his/her answers with real-life instances. The personal interview is extremely crucial when it comes to extending an admission offer to the candidate.

It is advisable and fruitful for candidates to attend the webinars, info sessions, coffee sessions conducted by the SDA Bocconi’s admissions team to help get a better understanding of the school & it’s application process. 

Last date for Applications(R2): Jan 20th, 2020.  Apply here – Click Here

This article is written by Arunima Lal who is currently pursuing IMB at SDA Bocconi Asia Center & is part of the Student Admissions Committee.

Also,How should I prepare for GDPI and WAT for CAT? click here