DoMS IIT R - Timeless!

Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, is one of the premium institutions of higher learning in the country. Its Department of Management Studies (DoMS) began imparting an MBA more than a couple of decades ago, with a strong focus on research and also providing an opportunity of dual specialization. With a relatively low fee and a high prospective RoI, I joined DoMS to pursue my dreams of becoming a skilled manager. I was not disappointed!

The course is divided into four semesters. The pedagogies used for teaching the course include the renowned casebook method, groupwork and individual assignments, roleplay etc. There are electives in the second year of studies, with the point of difference being the opportunity to dual-specialize.The professors have read and researched at the best B-Schools in the country. They always prodded us to be fearless and to go with our gut. The exams were not difficult but it was quite hectic to handle the academics and extracurricular activities together. Nonetheless, it turned out to be a great experience.

The median stipend offered to the students of our batch stood at INR 53,000. The highest stipend offered was INR 1 lakhs, which was a notable achievement when one lays their eye on the YoY change. Out of 47 participating companies, 27 were first time recruiters.The internship roles were quite similar to what we were offered finally, at the executive placements. Tata, RBS, Oyo, Royal Brothers, Jaro and PayTM were the key visitors.I was recruited as a business analyst intern at an early growth-stage startup. It was a mind-bogglibg experience, which ended up providing me a lot of perspective on where I wanted to be once I graduate out.

The average package provided to the students at the "executive placements" (as we call our final placements) is Rs 10.12 LPA. The highest package offered to our batch stood at INR 18.68 LPA, which was quite an achievement given the downturn the economy had been facing. Out of the 35 visiting companies, 21 were first-time recruiters. Operations, consulting, IT, analytics, finance and general management roles were the most popular. ZS, KPMG, HCL, Wipro, AirPay, Vedanta and Boston Analytics were some notable recruiters.I ended up getting placed in a renowned MNC as a business analyst. Thus, my efforts at the campus had finally bore fruit. It was splendid and fulfilling.

The total tuition fee for the two-year course stands at Rs 8 lakhs. Adding on the other experiences still ensures that the total expense turns out to be relatively lower, when compared to other notable B-Schools. This, I quote my seniors, "ensures peace of mind as a working professional". The option of borrowing via an education loan is available from the campus itself, with the State Bank of India (SBI) and Punjab National Bank.

There are a ton of events which kept us on our toes (pleasantly) throughout the academic year. "Sangharsh" is the annual sports meet, where premier B-School students come along and compete. "Exuberance" is the annual sports fest, while "Regalia" and "Reminiscence" are meetups with alumni. "Thomso" is the institution's annual cultural festival, which boasts of being the largest and the most-attended one in the state of Uttarakhand. "Cognizance" is the tech festival, where our clubs organize business-centric events.All in all, it was a stupendous feeling to be here and to organize, take part and attend these events. It all goes towards making a well-rounded personality out of one.

Hostels are provided to the students at substantially lower costs than one's expectations. We were provided with large, spacious and hygienic rooms, with amenities like study table and chair, racks, mattress and appliances like lights and fans. There are satisfactory common facilities, which include washrooms, laundry and mess.The mess food is quite tasty, along with being healthy and nutritious. We used to gather and talk there, while working out our assignments and catching our breath amid all the rush. In a way, we created our best memories out here.

As applicants, we were shortlisted on the basis of our CAT percentile. One must note that students from the IITs at the undergraduate level from the engineering departments (who had already cleared JEE) are exempted from this process and are called straightaway for the PI. There is no separate preference for work experience, which is a plus point for freshers.Others had to appear for the group discussion and the personal interview at IIT-R. We were provided cheap accommodation facilities at nominal costs during the process. The interviewers were the professors themselves, who grilled me extensively on my past academic performance. Since I was a fresher, I was also questioned on this point. In the end, however, I ended up getting selected. It was a joyous moment for me!