A Reply to Queries of FPM aspirants

I and my colleagues are getting lots of e-mails regarding FPM at IIMs. The objective of this blog is to clarify the doubts of FPM aspirants to some extent.

Firstly, the requirement for the different disciplines (like Marketing, HR, Operations Research, IT, Strategy) at different IIMs for FPM may have been changed. For Instance, see the link provided – http://www.iimk.ac.in/fpm/fpm_admissionprocess.php , look at the requirements for FPM at IIM K for the Marketing Discipline. Likewise, the aspirants need to check the requirements of the specific area they are applying to.

Secondly, some aspirants are writing that they are interested in Marketing as well as HR and also IT. I advice them to please better focus on one discipline in which they are really interested. Do not run after every discipline. One needs to be very particular about the area in which he/she is applying to. Once you got into a discipline, it will be your bread and butter for the lifetime.

Thirdly, I need to address the queries regarding scores for different qualifying tests. I can just say that do not worry too much about the score. A good score will definitely increase your chances of getting in.

Best Wishes and Happy New Year.

What is expected from a Fellow Student?

As one enters into a fellow program, the life becomes completely different. A fellow program student should love reading and should have an urge for exploration and reasoning. Everyone will have at least moderately high expectations from the fellow student. The professors will desire that whenever in the classroom certain question is raised, then a fellow student should have a reasoned direction to look into the issue and delve with it. The PGP (MBA) program students will look at the fellow program student for insights as he/she is supposed to develop a reasoned process of thinking. FPM candidate’s learning will be completely different from that of a PGP student. Though the FPM program is a tough one, but the overall gain may far exceed the investment. Even then I advice the aspirants that they should deeply think and decide before investing a four year period.

Answers to the FAQs by PGPs

FPM is a DOCTORAL program of IIMs
Admission to FPM is through CAT, GATE, GRE, JRF etc
We get 17k/month in the first two years and 18k/month after that
We can get placed in ACADEMICS as well as INDUSTRY
First two year we have a Faculty Advisor and after that we work with a Guide
It’s a research program of two year course work and rest research
Our contingency grant to purchase laptops, books, attending conferences is 120000
We have around 24 courses in first year and 60 credit coursework in the second year
IIM-Kozhikode offers FPM in Operations, Marketing, OB&HR, IT&S, Strategy and Finance
We don’t teach after first year neither after second year, neither we have to be a TA
Till Now there are 7 ppl in 3rd year, 4 in 2nd year and one in first year
We have 30 days paid leave which can be used at any point during the year
One can join FPM even after B.Tech/BE without Work-ex
We don’t have summer training in the second year
We don’t have fees, rather we get paid
We have to pay only our mess bills

How to get into FPM @ IIMK

Hi friends

We all FPM students are receiving a lot of queries regarding the admission processes as well as the selection criteria for admission in FPM @ IIMK. So we request you all to put all your queries so that you need not to write to us individually and other aspirants may also get some more clarity.

Fellows @ K please inform all the people seeking information regarding FPM to this blog so that their queries can be addressed in an effective way.