IIM Visakhapatnam - The Sunrise IIM

IIM Visakhapatnam is one of the fastest-growing IIMs among new IIMs and is mentored by IIM Bangalore. Also, there is a pool of resources shared between IIMs. The best part is, IIM-V has a very less number of seats, i.e. 140 only for PGPM (MBA); however, it is increasing year on year. Not having a permanent campus, as of now, is a major disadvantage. Also, seniors and juniors reside in different hostels located 2 km away from each other, creating a little problem in interacting with seniors. But the good part is, juniors get a chance to stay in the beach hostel for 1st year, which is the most beautiful and memorable part of the IIM-V life. Although, the brand new and beautiful campus (permanent) of IIM-V is expected to be ready by December 2021 and students to be moved by the early months of 2021.

All IIMs provides general MBA (PGPM) degree and not the specialized one, and IIM Vizag is no exception which is the best part about IIMs. 2 years of MBA program is divided into 6 trimesters, 3 trimesters per year. In the first year, almost all subjects are of fundamentals and cover basics of all domains whereas in entire 2nd year is elective based. Also, the types and domain of electives are floated considering the interest of the batch where you can select any of the electives as per your interest, not necessarily from one domain only. Subject components mainly contain quiz, group assignments, projects, class activities, and written exams. In IIM-V, there are very few in house faculties as it is very new. Hence, there are numerous visiting faculties from IIM Bangalore, IIM Lucknow, IIM Kozhikode etc. comes to campus to take up different subjects. However, many professors joined the institute recently as in house faculty. Here, faculty to student ratio is 1:7 which is pretty good.

This year has been with a lot of turmoils and hardships; nevertheless, the placement committee was able to place all students for the internships. Few offers got revoked at the last moment due to the 2nd wave of Covid in April 2021. However, those people got placed in other companies and 100% of the placement was achieved. But I must admit, the quality of roles for the internship got decreased, particularly for this year. Especially as a fresher, it would be very difficult to get a good role in this time as many good companies had selection criteria of a minimum of 2 years of work experience. I would suggest the upcoming students, don't look at the stipend of your internship rather you should focus on the roles offered. Your maximum focus has to be on getting the best out of these 2 months of internship and learn to the fullest.

There is a separate body called 'CDS' in the institute along with the Placement committee that looks after placements, be it Summer or Final. There has been 100% placement in summers and finals for the past few years. KPMG, Deloitte, Yes Bank, ICICI Prudential, Bosch, MTR are some of the prominent recruiters. For the batch of 2020-2022, the highest stipend offered for summer internship is 2 lakh for 2 month internship period and the average is around 62k. The official Final placement report for this year is yet to come but if we see the last year's report, the highest salary offered is 27 LPA and the average salary is around 13 LPA. The majority role is offered in the sales and marketing domain followed by finance and operation in mainly the IT and BFSI sector followed by FMCG. You can get the placement report on the official website of IIM-V and I recommend you go through it.

2-year PGPM (MBA) is a fully residential program by IIM-V. Program fee includes Tuition fees, library, course material and books fees, hostel and mess charges, etc. Fees for the entire 2 years is around 14 lakhs. Though it is a huge amount for any student coming from a poor or middle-class background, you will easily get a loan from the bank even without the provision of any security. Every IIM has a provision of financial aid/Scholarship so as the IIM-V. Students are awarded the scholarship based on their financial need.

IIM-V is the only IIM having beach facing hostel. It is the most beautiful experience to live 1 year over there. It still gives goosebumps just by imagining. Classrooms' design replicates the Harward classrooms' and other infrastructures are of world-class too. There are various clubs for different domains that come under the business cluster, also dance and dramatics clubs, Sports club, Business and public policy society and different committees like alumni committee, Student acad council, all these started and run by students and comes under 'Student affairs council'. Along with guest lectures of industry veterans, 'Vriddhi', a flagship event of IIM-V run over a span of 2 days where industry experts are invited for talks on current industry problems and opportunities and directly discuss with students and faculties. 'Samaarambh' is an annual cultural fest of the institute. 'Sangram' is the mega inter IIM sports tournament played between southern IIMs (IIMB, IIMK, IIMT, IIMV).

As MBA is a 2-year residential program at IIM-V, hostel and mess fee is included in the program fee itself; however, if you want bifurcation, then the tentative cost is 1.5 lakh per year. As I talked about in earlier answers, 1st-year students stay at the beach hostel whereas 2nd-year students stay at different hostels. The hostel room is twin sharing with AC. Mess food contract is given to the 4-star restaurant which prepares a variety of culinary dishes of different parts of India and ofcourse, you'll have numerous options in food.

IIM-V conducts a separate admission process, and it is not part of CAP. The application form includes demographic info, academic details and work experience related details if you have any. You are also required to write max 600 words of SOP (Statement of Purpose) in the application form itself. Shortlisting for the next round is done based on your CAT score, past academic performance and work experience, as well as your SOP. If shortlisted, you'll be called for a PI. The interview is taken by faculties and industry experts in a panel of 2 or 3 people, and the interview mainly revolves around SOP and a few current affairs. You need to be very thorough and have to have stories behind what you have written in the SOP. Your Zeal to pursue the course, clarity of thoughts and alignment of the MBA course in achieving your end goal is what matters to crack the interview.