What is your review of Management Development Institute Gurgaon?

I'll keep this short and straightforward based on what I've experienced. The faculty at MDI Gurgaon is truly impressive, no question there. The opportunities for exposure are also very good. However, the student experience, especially in terms of student committees, has been a major downside for me.

It feels like there's a lot of power struggles both within and between committees, which can have a negative effect on your mindset. The culture here seems to lean towards an authoritarian style of leadership, which isn't what you'd ideally expect from a business school. People often find themselves having to either keep quiet or adapt to this environment. If you're comfortable with that kind of politics, then you might be fine. But I strongly suggest looking into the real situation at any college you get into before you decide.

MDI Gurgaon stands shoulder to shoulder with the IIMs, having delivered top-notch management education for 45 years. It's one of India's top 10 business schools and a favorite among CAT aspirants, sometimes even chosen over several IIMs. The 2-year full-time PGDM at MDI is frequently rated as one of the best management courses in India. Its full-time Post Graduate Programs are accredited by the UK’s Association of MBAs. MDI has numerous student exchange partnerships with universities across North America, Europe, Asia, South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia.

They have a solid track record for placements, with salaries climbing each year. In 2018, the average salary package was INR 19.35 LPA, with the highest domestic offer at INR 35.00 LPA and the top international offer at INR 55.00 LPA. A total of 119 companies took part in the 2018 final placements.

Some key points:

• Ranked among the top 10 B-schools in India
• 100% placements, average salary INR 19.35 LPA
• Largest student exchange program in India, with one in five students spending a term abroad
• 75+ renowned faculty members
• Ideally located in Gurgaon, India’s corporate hub
• 40-acre green campus

Placements: All students from the senior and junior batches secured jobs during campus placements, often within two days. The average salary was around 19 LPA, with an average two-month stipend of 1.85 lacs. Students received offers in fields like marketing, sales, finance, operations, and general management.

Infrastructure: The campus is well-equipped with Wi-Fi, air-conditioned classrooms, and a library. There are sports facilities, including two grounds and three courts. The hostels are clean with double and triple rooms, and the canteen serves quality food, including non-vegetarian options.

Faculty: The teaching staff is excellent, with renowned professors such as Prof. Sanjay Bakshi, Prof. Jaydeep Mukherjee, and Prof. Ashutosh Dash. The professors often use case studies for teaching. The curriculum is comprehensive and challenging, particularly in the second year.

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As a former student of MDI, I can't help but give it a glowing review. I'll try to provide a balanced perspective based on my two years there and what I know about other business schools.

Pros:

• Great location and stunning campus: MDI is really close to all the fun spots in Gurgaon, like Cyber Hub and Sector 29, but it's still peaceful inside the campus. The place is beautiful with decent facilities, perfect for those campus romances to blossom.
• No reservation policy: MDI is a private institute, so there are no reserved seats. Everyone in my batch scored above the 98th percentile, which made for a pretty uniform group. I don't mind the reservation policies, but the homogeneous environment was nice.
• Active clubs and events: There are traditional clubs, but Illumina and Unnati stand out. Illumina is a market research event disguised as a Diwali fair where students work on projects for marketing companies by creating games. There used to be a rural event in Pataudi, but I'm not sure if it still happens. Unnati is a fund managed by MDI students, with investments from alums and students.
• Faculty: Professors come and go, but one standout is Prof. Sanjay Bakshi, known for his expertise in Graham/Buffett-style investing. He also runs Value Quest and is well-respected in the investment world.
• Placements: While not quite on the level of ABC, MDI's placements are comparable to those at L, I, K, and FMS.
• Alumni: Some alums have excelled in startups, like Hectar Beverages (Paperboat), Instamojo, and Cashify. Others hold senior positions, such as Amit Boni, head of Motorola India. You can find more details on the MDI website.
• Exchange programs: MDI has excellent partnerships with top European universities. About a third of the students go on exchange programs, and many international students visit MDI as well.

Cons:

• Weak alumni network: Alumni meets aren’t very active, with mainly recent graduates attending. There’s not much effort to strengthen and utilize the alum network.

I can't think of more downsides, though I believe the pros could be expanded. But again, this comes from someone who truly loved their time at MDI.