FAQs

Freshers and candidates with strictly less than 36 months of work experience as on 30th June 2025 ONLY are eligible to apply. (Candidates with 24-36 months of work-experience can also apply for the Great lakes PGPM program. Candidates with 36+ months of work experience can only apply for PGPM).

Candidates with 2-3 years of work experience by 30th April 2025 are encouraged to apply for the One Year Flagship PGPM. However, they are also eligible to apply for the Two year PGDM.

In case an eligible candidate would like to apply for both the programs, they may do so by filling the application forms for both PGPM and PGDM separately. Candidates will be evaluated based on the respective program’s admission criteria. The admissions panel may also recommend the candidates for a specific program based on the assessment and program fit.

You can only re-apply in next admissions season. Re-applying in the same admissions season (in consequtive Cycles) is not permitted. If you have an improved score to submit, you can update it against the same application on your application dashboard as and when the respective entrance test results are declared.

Re-applying in consequtive cycles is not permitted. However, if you do not get an offer after appearing for the interview and have managed to achieve a significant value-adding change in your profile after that - such as an improved test score or a promotion/new job/workplace achievement, you can update it against your existing application. Entrance scores can be updated on the application dashboard as and when the respective test results are out. Other changes to your profiles can be shared over email (admissions@greatlakes.edu.in) and we will consider your application for the current/upcoming cycle. Improved GMAT scores can also be communicated via email. These profile updates can also be done for both situations - not getting a PI call and not getting an admissions offer.

Candidates in the final year of Graduation can apply provided they have the proof of graduation and marksheet by 30th June.

Internship or part time work experience is not considered. Only full time work experience is considered.

Yes, provided the experience is full-time experience.

The GMAT is the Graduate Management Admission Test conducted by Graduate Management Admission Council and is a globally recognized test for admission to business schools. For more information on GMAT please visit their official web site http://www.mba.com/india/the-gmat-exam/about-the-gmat-exam.aspx

CAT is the Common Admissions Test conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management for admissions to their Post Graduate Program. For More information please visit - https://iimcat.ac.in

GMAT scores taken on or after 1st Jan 2022 will be considered for admission. Candidates have to report their GMAT scores officially to the institute through GMAC in case an admission offer is made. The official score must reach Great Lakes before the candidate joins the program.

Candidates applying on the basis of their CAT score must note that only the scores for CAT-2023 and CAT-2024 will be accepted.

Candidates applying on the basis of their XAT score must note that only the scores for XAT-2024 and XAT 2025 will be accepted.

Our GMAT-ETS code number is V49-FX-40. You have to report your GMAT score officially to the institute through GMAC, if you are applying with GMAT score.

We do not have sectional cut offs for CAT/GMAT/XAT

At Great Lakes, we do not have fixed cutoffs and any minimum scores (or 'Safe Scores') are decided on after the completion of the application process and review of the overall applicant pool. Since the applicant pool varies in number and quality every year, the Safe Scores may vary as well. As a broad indicator based on the past experience, a 85+ percentile in XAT/CAT, 600+ score in GMAT would be considered suitable subject to meeting other criteria. This is however an indicative score and if we find candidates with an exceptionally strong profile with a slightly lower score, we may still consider the application. On the other hand we may reject a candidate with a high aptitude test score but with a poor track record in other areas. So while the test scores are important, we emphasize more on selecting well-rounded candidates with a strong overall track record.

Yes, you can. However, the official score report should be produced to Great Lakes during the interview sessions.

No. The CAT/GMAT/XAT score cannot be waived under any circumstances.

A TOEFL/IELTS score is required only for non-Indian students who did not have ENGLISH as the primary language of instruction during their undergraduate studies.

Great Lakes gives importance to the overall performance of an individual rather than excellence in a single field. We look at the candidate's past academic records, work experience, recommendations and essays (collected at the interview location). In addition, performance in GMAT/CAT/XAT and during the Analytical Writing Test and Personal Interview are considered while evaluating applicants.

Yes. You can apply online by making a payment through any credit/debit card. Alternatively you can purchase the key (required to unlock the online application) from IMS centers, Great Lakes City office and the Campus.

Admissions to Great Lakes programs are carried out only through the online application available on www.greatlakes.edu.in. Great Lakes Institute of Management has not authorized any third party to initiate applications on its behalf.

Great Lakes Institute of Management does not admit students under Management Quota or any other form of reservation. Any third party organization or individual offering management quota seats for Great Lakes programs would be fraudulent and applicants are requested not to approach such organizations or individuals.

Applicants have to provide the details/official e-mail id’s of the recommenders while filling the application form. The recommendation letters will be collected from the final selected candidates’ recommenders in an online format at a later date.

Students from other streams can also apply for the course. The candidate should hold a Bachelor's degree or equivalent from a recognized university (Minimum of 15 years of study).

No. You can complete the online application in multiple sessions. The changes will have to be saved every time the application is updated.

No it is not required.

We consider CAT 2023/2024, XAT 2024/2025 and GMAT Scores taken after Jan 1st, 2022.

It is at your discretion - However, if more than one score is reported, we will consider your best score for the admissions process.

No.

Details of the interviews and final admissions are available at "Key Dates" section of the admissions page.

Details of the interviews and final admissions are available at "Key Dates" section of the admissions page. The venue in each center will be intimated to you through e-mail.

For each cycle, results would be announced within (tentatively) 3 weeks from the last date of PI's for that cycle. .

NO. Our waiting list movement will be severely impaired if we give individual flexibility to students, irrespective of the genuineness of their demand. Please ensure to stick to the payment deadlines. Please keep a scanned copy of your demand draft with you (or screen shot of payment details in the case of online transactions) such that in the case of non-receipt due to postal delays or for any other reasons beyond your control, you have the backup document supporting you.

You have to pay the installment amounts by the due dates. On receipt of the bank loan, the excess amount paid will be refunded. Please approach M/s HDFC CREDiLA for your bank loan. They offer an immediate sanction.

Our refund policy is as per AICTE norms. All refund requests will be processed only after commencement of the program.

Great Lakes does not have a policy of deferred admissions. If, for some reason, you are not able to make it this year, then you have to go through the process of applying and qualifying next year. If you are called for PI for the next year, then an e-mail mentioning that you were an admit in the previous year will fetch some brownie points.

No. We do not. Great Lakes encourages applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds.

Yes.

Great Lakes has an excellent placement record and placements have been 100% since inception. However, we do not guarantee a job at the end of the program. The onus of converting the opportunity into an offer lies on the student.

Average CTC offered to the Class of 2024 was INR 15.1 Lakhs. For more details, you can access placement report here.

For the internship report, please visit here

We prefer professional recommendations because they are more relevant in terms of judging your professional capabilities. However, we also accept academic recommendations if it is from very senior faculty from your college.

No. The recommendation can be by any professor who has taught or guided you in your graduate program.

Yes. The admission form will not accept public domain email addresses such as gmail, yahoo etc.

The recommenders will be emailed a username and password that they can use to login to our website in order to complete the recommendation process.

Yes.

Yes.

There is an Indian Bank ATM within the campus. There are a few ATMs in Anupuram (2 kms) and Mahabalipuram (9 kms).

A doctor from Chettinad Hospitals visits regularly. The college provides transportation facilities to Chettinad Hospitals in case of an emergency.

There is a full-fledged general store inside the campus, where you can get all the daily necessities.

There are washing machines available in every bathroom. Optionally, an external agency which washes and irons clothes at a nominal charge is available.

The campus is located on the East Coast Road, 9 kms from Mahabalipuram en route to Pondicherry.

From Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus (Koyambedu) / Thiruvanmiyur / Guindy:
1. Board Route Number 118 which runs to Kalpakkam and get down at Kunnathur Bus Stop. The bus stop is 200 meters from the campus. Frequency: Every 30 minutes.
2. Board any bus which runs to Pondicherry via ECR and get down at Mahabalipuram. Hire an autorickshaw to Kunnathur.
From Chennai Central Railway Station: Board any Route Number 1 series, Get down at Thiruvanmiyur. From there follow the above directions.
From Chennai Airport:
Board any Route Number 70 series, Get down at Guindy. From there follow the above directions.
P.S.: Call Taxis are available at any part of the city which charge approximately Rs 1000/- to the campus. The numbers of some of the Call Taxi's are as follows.
Fast Track: 044 - 27432255\044 - 27432255
Bharathi: 044 - 28142233\044 - 28142233