A J-school is different

Conceding to the fact that there isn’t any survey which rates a college admission process much like a B-schools rank survey, I have to take the entire selection procedure for a particular J-school, if anything, was top-notch.

 As part of the screening process, the Symbiosis Institute of Mass Communication, Pune declared a list of over 250 students based on their SNAP score as eligible to attend the group discussion and personal interview in their campus. The list came out with announcement that the students need to appear for the GD/PI within 10 days.

 If it was a b-school, the aspirant would spend their GD/PI preparation time on brushing up current affairs, subject knowledge and attend some mock interviews. But, as I mentioned, the procedure was unique, enjoyable, challenging and different.

 Within the span of ten days, three assignments were asked to do. If the candidate is final year student, this ten days period would definitely been a toiling one for him/her.

 `How a fresher could possibly do three assignments where he/she needs to interview top professionals in the field of publishing, print journalism, television journalism, radio journalism and online journalism?’, asked many of friends nonchalantly, little realizing that I just told them only a part of the assignment.

 The second was to write a feature on the life of a victim re-discovered after a terror/communal attack, or about the preparedness for facing, or, an awareness drive against Terrorism and/or Communalism/Rioting in your city by government and/or nongovernment agencies. Need to submit evidences in the form of photos, visiting cards, relevant newspaper clips to prove that the story is original.

 And the third one is to draw a detailed plan of a day-long interactive and fun-filled media-seminar cum contests in your city focusing on any two relevant themes of print/ television/ radio/ online journalism, or publishing. Give detailed day-plan, experts, and sponsors and media to be involved, publicity plan, audience details, rationale at each level, and technical logistics details through an on-ground research in your city. Make it as realistic as possible, with a budget plan as well.

 If I had to go by the common opinion, many of friends ditched the idea of applying to SIMC just for doing this assignment. They deserted the writer in them with no hope. My logical mind backed them. Little I realized the importance of this assignment in the selection process. But I did my part well.

 At the outset, it appeared as though only experienced, resourceful, or a person with wide network in media could do it. I believed so until I went to the venue.

 On the d-day, though, there were lot of let downs from the organizers’ part in time management, thankfully the ambience made all the difference it needed to make it a hit. The two days were scheduled in such a way that it fell on Fest O Comm, a festival organized by the communication department.

 The two days was a confluence of various events, interviews, group discussions, peer interface, and document verification in an exquisite sprawling new campus right on top of a hill, yes, hill. A serene environment, beautiful buildings and of course spacious canteen, lawns gives a perfect choice a college can have.

 

Campus

 

Whoever planned the procedure, its timing of interview has to be an illusionist. The entire event was organized by the students themselves and they were also given a role to select their prospective junior through peer interface.

And not all of the 250 candidates who were short listed turned up for the interview, there were much lesser than one can think. But, the students who made it were quite competitive.

 

Unlike my friends who abandoned the idea of applying, some students even from engineering background had done their assignments meticulously.

 

They had actually used their little contact and made a huge difference. Of course, these smart-arses had used social networking sites to get in touch with mediamen.

 

The final selection is based on their performance and their respective scores for 100 marks. The weightage given is 30 marks each for assignment and PI, 10 marks each for peer interface and GD, 20 for academic background and work experience.

 

 The applicant is making it or not, this admission process is  unique and worth going through. By large, this admission process is the one that ensures the college gets a destined journalist.