Stand Out! Here's What SOIL Looks For In Its Students

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Make Your MBA Application Stand Out (What SOIL looks For In Its Students)

29 Jun 2022
- admin
- Student Careers
Deciding to pursue an MBA course is a major step for one’s career and professional life. The benefits that can potentially accrue on completion of an MBA from a good institute can propel one’s career and build a network for times to come.

As we head into the admission season, good business schools are swamped with applications and that makes it important to pay close attention to the application content and process. If one wants to get into a good business school, it is important to find out more about how to go about submitting a strong application that would stand out. The starting point is for one to understand that the business school looks at a complete MBA profile while considering the candidate for admission. It is key, therefore, to provide every bit of relevant information in the application to help the b-school make an informed choice. Knowing the ethos of the bschool and the process of evaluation is another important information to have as one approaches the application process.

Learning – The SOIL Way

What is the purpose of an MBA? Is it merely to equip someone to make a living and great career?

We at SOIL believe that management education should aim at holistic development. The idea is for all round development of an individual that makes them a great human being, helps to discover a true purpose and enables them to make a meaningful contribution to society in all respects.

On the way, we believe in developing professionals that are “inspired leaders” with a logical decision-making mindset, working with a strong value system. In short, contribution not only to self, but also to the well-being of community, nation and planet.

Whether it is Nurturing Character, Building Competence or Generating Enthusiasm, teaching methodology is unique in design as it enables students to define their purpose, identify their gifts and learn to leverage their strengths towards their calling and choosing a career after SOIL.

Applications – The SOIL Way

While the SOIL way is unique in its approach to management education, it would be pertinent to note that the SOIL Institute of Management’s application process follows a methodology that has a process designed to attract and retain the best talent for the future. SOIL follows an approach that looks to arrive at an intake decision based on an objective assessment of all aspirants. This approach makes an effort to recognise the innate talent in its applicants to derive the right fit. The process involves assessment on a mix of parameters like test scores, academics, extra and co-curriculars and achievements. The assessment process at SOIL looks to test the candidate’s psychographic profile to determine their management capability.

The SOIL Assessment

The assessment at SOIL is a well thought out process that uses scientific tools like psychometric analysis, scoring sheets with weighted average scores of various parameters, case study analysis, etc.

On the other hand, the panelists are also interested in understanding the personality of a student and this is done through a unique “Talent Appreciation Process” involving conversations with senior panelists drawn from the faculty and industry.

A detailed analysis of each candidate is done through each of these quantitative and qualitative assessments and a final call is taken.

What SOIL Looks For In A Candidate

The interview at SOIL is a self-discovery process that looks at taking in the best talent on a score of parameters. The admissions team looks for students who are –
- Beyond academics – a desire to unlearn and learn
- Independent and thinking beyond popular perceptions and biases.
- Able to integrate analytical and creative skills with business acumen.
- Have a latent urge to make a difference and a commitment to building oneself for the future.
- Capacity to think, learn, act, communicate and relate to others.
It may be pertinent to note that SOIL is one of the few B schools which doesn’t have a Group Discussion as part of its Admissions process. It assesses aspirants on the basis of group exercises that are based on self-leadership, group work and innovative thinking.

The Applications Refresher

The application mechanics are not that difficult. However, to enable a consideration by the panelists, information therein should be through and bring out the true self of the candidate.

To jog the memory, application should cover the basic particulars of the candidate keeping in mind the requirements of the course.
1. Eligibility Criteria in terms of previous education, the school and gradation scores should be met.
2. Work experience criteria demand that the candidate applying for the PGDM in Business Design should have 0-2 years of experience while those applying for the one year MBA – PGPM should have upwards of two years’ work experience. Since work experience is a parameter that gives the candidate an edge, the same should be elaborated in the application.
3. Transcripts covering education should be available.
4. Extra-curricular and Co-curricular activities, achievement and awards should be mentioned as these are key parameters during a SOIL evaluation.
5. Essays forming part of the application should be written by the candidate without external help.
6. Apply early, since SOIL follows a rolling intake and early applications stand a better chance of being accepted.
To Conclude

It is important for aspirants to manage the SOIL application process to communicate their personality and background to the admissions team. The assessment at the comprehensive intake stage forms the basis for creating an “Individual Development Plan (IDP)” as a developmental tool for each student, once he is inducted into the SOIL Programs. The IDP defines the student’s strengths, areas of improvement, career goals and action plan to leverage his strengths to achieve these goals. The progress is constantly monitored during the years. A comprehensive application will have a good chance of being accepted, will carry forward and ensure that the objectives of the program are achieved.