SPJIMR is a top ranked institute noted for its academic excellence, innovation and entrepreneurship; Dr V Sivaraman, PGDM Chairperson

SPJIMR Mumbai is one of the few B-schools that have successfully competed with IIMs in academic excellence, peer learning, pedagogy, faculty quality and high placements and have risen to the top of B-school rankings and reputation. With its innovative pedagogy and deep industry connect in a fiercely competitive Indian B-school marketplace, where elite institutions are competing for attracting the best student talent, SPJIMR stands out as second to none. SPJIMR will accept CAT 2017 and XAT 2018 scores for admission to its flagship PGDM 2018-20 programme. Application process for admission to PGDM at SPJIMR is proposed to close on November 24, 2017.

SPJIMR has beaten the economic slowdown throughout with its consistently rising placement packages year after year. SPJIMR alumni are highly placed and are occupying key positions across the Globe.
Important links:

• SPJIMR Mumbai Admission 2018: Announces PI dates; Application deadline closes on Nov 24
• SPJIMR Mumbai announces CAT 2017 cut offs for admission 2018: Apply online by Nov 24
• SPJIMR Mumbai: Placement 2017 over with 104 recruiters at campus; average salary goes up to Rs.20.9 lakhs

Moving forward in the journey of excellence, SPJIMR is focused on the mission to promote value-based growth in imparting management education. MBAUniverse.com spoke to PGDM Chairperson at SPJIMR Dr. Vasant Sivaraman an alumnus of IIM Calcutta to find out more about how the SPJIMR has achieved so many milestones, what are the future goals, who are the ideal candidates for SPJIMR, what are the key USPs that attract thousands of students to explore admission opportunity and what are the key components in SPJIMR admission criteria.

Edited excerpts from this MBAUniverse.com Interview follow:
Q. SPJIMR is a leading B-school. Please share the vision, key USPs and achievements, of this coveted B-school.
A. Our mission is to influence practice and promote value-based growth. We are now a top ranked institute noted as much for academic excellence as we are for our innovative programmes, an entrepreneurial approach and the idea of service to society.
More than 1,000 participants from diverse backgrounds are enrolled at any given time across a range of management programmes offered by SPJIMR.
The PGDM programme at SPJIMR has consistently been ranked amongst the top 10 in the country.
AACSB, the US-based accreditation body, has named SPJIMR as one of the 35 innovative global schools in the 2017 list of Innovations That Inspire. SPJIMR is the only Indian B-School in AACSBs 2017 list.
The AICTE has also approved our two-year, full time, residential Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM). The programme has also been accredited by NBA and AMBA (UK-based global accreditation agency.

Q. What makes SPJIMR a preferred MBA/PGDM destination for the candidates?
A. Here is how PGDM at SPJIMR stands out from the rest, the differentiators:
We offer a range of specialised courses and projects with various renowned international institutes through Global fast track and International Exchange. The practice helps students gain a global exposure to management and learn with schools and practices globally.
In addition to guest lectures, field visits, live projects and internships, the PGDM programme also offers the unique opportunities such as SPJIMR Business Academic Conclave (SBAC), Student Professional Development Cell and International Company Visits.
Location: While India is famous as being the fastest growing large economy in the world, Mumbai is at the heart of this growth story. Mumbai is a thriving metropolis and also Indias financial capital. Home to the most Global Fortune 500 company headquarters and biggest stock exchanges in India, Mumbai offers maximum exposure to economic and commercial activity.
Purpose: Amongst Indias leading MBA programmes, SPJIMRs PGDM devotes the highest number of credits and time to sensitizing its students to managements larger purpose in society. To prepare managers for decision-making that balance not only shareholders interest but also the interests of the community and employees, the PGDM curriculum includes ideas drawn from Eastern wisdom as well as Western efficiency.
Flexibility: The programme offers students the ability to choose a minor specialisation and flexibility to change their main or major specialisation.

Q: Who is an ideal applicant for admission in SPJIMR?
A. Aspirants who are grounded, team oriented and have the desire to make a difference will make for an interesting mix bringing versatility to the batch. We look for various factors in our applicants from diversity to versatility in their academics as well as achievements outside of academics. Intellectual readiness (academics) emotional readiness are key factors that are assessed. Emotional readiness includes work experience, extra-curricular activities and aptitude for and befitting the Institutes mission of promoting value-based leadership.

Q: Are there any major changes in your admission process 2018? Please share key changes.
A. We will be considering the overall profile of each and every applicant (with minimum qualifying scores being met). The admission process will be carried on with same vigour and strength as always to ensure we have a diverse, intellectual and versatile pool of students in the coming batch.

Q: SPJIMR accepts CAT & XAT scores. What is the importance of CAT and XAT scores in your selection process?
A. We consider the overall profile of every applicant which also includes a minimum score needed in each of the entrance tests. We do attach importance to academic background over the years including the entrance tests such as CAT.
There is a minimum qualifying score of 85 percentile (overall) and 75 percentile (sectional) needed to be eligible for the interview rounds.

Q: Please share what will be the weightage for CAT 2017 and XAT 2018 scores in your final selection 2018?
A. Test scores of CAT / XAT / GMAT define qualifying eligibility but multiple factors lead to a composite score. Final selection is a result of the applicants composite score, which takes into account the applicants profile, academic record, entrance test scores, relevance of work experience (if any) and performance in the two rounds of group interviews.
For specific qualifying eligibility and scores please do refer to http://spjimr.org/content/admission-process

Q. What are the key placement trends at SPJIMR including summer placement for 2018?
A. The autumn project backed by advanced knowledge of the chosen specialisation, helps the students generate greater placement opportunities. The number of pre-placement offers (PPOs) and pre-placement interviews (PPIs) as an outcome of autumn internship has consistently been more than 40 % over the years.
This year witnessed 104 companies lining up to hire the 229 participants of the Class of 2018. The campus also saw participation from 51 new companies and also five international consulting offers broadening the base of recruiters in a year that was also marked by FMCG and e-commerce picking up more candidates than ever before.

Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for more updates on SPJIMR Mumbai