What does it take to get into PGPX?

During last couple of days, some of the applicants to PGPX III have been contacting me and wanted to get a sense of what takes to make it. Well, having got selected to the programme does not automatically qualify me to answer this question, but like many other subjects, this one too interests me and thus I have a point of view.

IIMA's website, IMO contains some important information and cues about what it looks for in the applicants. I don't think there would be too many differences from what top global B schools look for in their students; but yes it would be worthwhile to begin the discussion with those which would be more IIMA specific.

Work Ex: IIMA website says that the programme objective is to develop bright, enthusiastic, and aspirational executives into management leaders and change agents in the global arena. It is a full time residential programme for executives with substantial work experience leading to a One Year Post-Graduate Diploma in Management for Executives.

http://www.iimahd.ernet.in/pgpx/pgpxone.htm

Paraphrasing the above, the output from the programme is intended to produce leaders who can be global change agents. And an input required to produce this output would be executives who have substantial work ex(9-10 yrs was avg during first two batches). I would tend to imagine IIMA might like the avg work ex of PGPX III around the same, as it would clearly offer a differentiated product in Indian / Global scenarios. Only IMD ( avg 7 years) and LBS-Sloan (avg 14 years) would perhaps feature in this league of offerings. This in few years would establish clear differentiation in the minds of applicants, recruiters and others on how PGPX is different from ISB and from IIM's PGP programmes. The placement story of PGPX I is a vindication of how differently the recruiters look at the output of this programme. Hence, if you qualify in terms of age (Min 27 yrs), WE close to what IIMA is looking for would be an advantage. Of course exceptions are always there. I know 2-3 students in my class with work ex of 6-7 years also, but of course they are aged 27 or above.

International exposure : The desired output of wanting to create global leaders also mandates some understanding of how business is done globally. The average international WE of people in my class is about 3.5 years. A careful look at the programme structure would tell us that the international immersion programme (http://www.iimahd.ernet.in/pgpx/sponsers.htm) is meant to prepare the participants to take on challenging assignments anywhere in the new globalised world.

Diversity: As Indian economy continues to roars the way it has been, opportunities to do business and work here would always entice people from around the world. And IIMA would be surely list among the best B schools they may consider to study at. The ascent of CEIBS (http://www.ceibs.edu/) and its popularity among the western world is a part of recent history that may repeat itself ! IIMA, I am sure sees this opportunity and would go all out to admit interested and suitable international applicants.

Among Indian applicants admitted to my class the class diversity in terms of age ranges from 27-54. People from diverse professional backgrounds such as defence personnel, Civil servants, bankers, entrepreneurs make up the class in addition to junta like me from different industries and from different functions.

Academic excellence: One habit IIMA would love to keep. Having got used to a reputation of academic excellence ( 1/3rd of Indian Management research comes from IIMA), IIMA's natural orientation would be towards people with high academic calibre (barring exceptions like the one writing this blog !). There is an open emphasis on high gmat scores (http://www.iimahd.ernet.in/pgpx/faqs.htm#4). So, this one is a no brainer. PGPX would expectedly, has the highest average and median gmat scores for a one year programmes with comparable work ex (7-10 yrs) at around 700.

Disclaimer: Needless to say, but to avoid confusion I would like to reiterate that above views are personal . There may be differences from IIMA's selection criteria as I did not serve on IIMA adcom. More importantly my own views might themselves change as I experience the programme. The intention of this post is to help applicants with apping and may be have a discussion around the subject to clarify some aspects. It is recommended that applicants to write to the PGPX office for any information directly at: pgpxquery@iimahd.ernet.in