FAQTier 2 CollegesIs Great Lakes a viable MBA option based on R...
Tier2 Colleges

Is Great Lakes a viable MBA option based on Reddit community consensus?

Last verified March 2026 · Spot outdated data? Email verify@collvera.com
Claude's answer

Reddit consensus finds Great Lakes a viable MBA option for specific profiles — CAT 80-85 percentile candidates targeting Tier-2 consulting/banking/analytics career, Chennai/NCR career focus, Rs 20-21L fees affordable, moderate expectations, Kellogg branding appealing. Not optimal if IIM I/L/SPJIMR accessible (significantly better outcomes at similar fees).

Reddit consensus framework:

Great Lakes works for:

  1. CAT 80-85 percentile without better options
  2. Target Tier-2 consulting (Accenture Strategy)
  3. Banking middle management career
  4. Analytics specialization interest
  5. Chennai/NCR career geography
  6. Rs 20-21L fees affordable
  7. Moderate placement expectations (Rs 11-13 LPA)
  8. Kellogg branding appeals moderately

Great Lakes doesn't work for:

  1. CAT 90+ (better options accessible - SPJIMR, MDI, IIM I)
  2. Target MBB or top IB
  3. Premium FMCG brand management
  4. Financial fragility
  5. Higher-ceiling career aspirations
  6. Specific function specialization better served elsewhere

Reddit consensus comparisons:

GLIM vs IIM Indore: - IIM I: Rs 16.5L, Rs 25 LPA - GLIM: Rs 20L, Rs 12 LPA - IIM I significantly better ROI - IIM I accessible at CAT 97+ - Reddit: IIM I preferred if accessible

GLIM vs SPJIMR: - SPJIMR: Rs 26.5L, Rs 32 LPA - GLIM: Rs 20L, Rs 12 LPA - SPJIMR dramatically better placements - SPJIMR accessible at CAT 95+ - Reddit: SPJIMR preferred

GLIM vs MDI Gurgaon: - MDI: Rs 28.2L, Rs 22 LPA - GLIM: Rs 20L, Rs 12 LPA - MDI better placements - MDI accessible at CAT 95+ - Reddit: MDI preferred if CAT 95+

GLIM vs Baby IIMs:

vs IIM Ranchi (Rs 15L, Rs 15-17 LPA): - IIM Ranchi better ROI - IIM tag helps - Reddit: IIM Ranchi slight edge

vs IIM Udaipur (Rs 16L, Rs 15-17 LPA): - Similar outcomes - IIM Udaipur cheaper + DEM program - Reddit: similar choice, specific profile matters

vs IIM Rohtak (Rs 15L, Rs 14-16 LPA): - IIM Rohtak cheaper fees - Similar placements - Reddit: IIM Rohtak slight edge

vs weaker Baby IIMs (Sirmaur, Bodh Gaya): - GLIM better placements and brand - Reddit: GLIM clearly preferred

GLIM vs IMT Ghaziabad: - Similar placements - IMT NCR location - GLIM Kellogg partnership - Reddit: marginal differences

GLIM vs FORE Delhi: - FORE Delhi location - GLIM Kellogg partnership - Similar placements - Reddit: GLIM slight edge

GLIM vs TAPMI Manipal: - Similar placements - TAPMI BKFS specialization advantage - Reddit: TAPMI BKFS better for banking

GLIM vs GIM Goa: - GLIM slightly better placements - GIM Goa campus lifestyle - Reddit: GLIM slight preference

Overall Reddit ranking (Tier-2):

  1. Stronger Tier-2 options:
  2. SPJIMR (if accessible)
  3. MDI Gurgaon (if accessible)
  4. NMIMS Mumbai (NMAT)
  5. IIFT Delhi (IIFT exam)
  6. MICA (marketing specialized)
  7. SIBM Pune (SNAP)
  1. Similar tier to GLIM:
  2. IMT Ghaziabad
  3. Great Lakes Chennai/Gurgaon
  4. FORE Delhi
  5. 1
  6. TAPMI Manipal
  7. 1
  8. GIM Goa
  1. Weaker options:
  2. 1
  3. Welingkar Mumbai
  4. 1
  5. LBSIM Delhi
  6. 1
  7. SOIL Gurgaon
  8. 1
  9. Christ Bangalore
  1. Weakest Tier-3:
  2. 1
  3. ITM Navi Mumbai
  4. 1
  5. PIBM
  6. 1
  7. IIEBM
  8. 1
  9. Amity

For aspirants:

GLIM viable for specific profile:

  1. Age 22-27 typical
  2. CAT 80-90 percentile (can't reach higher)
  3. Moderate financial flexibility
  4. Chennai/NCR career focus
  5. Analytics, consulting, banking targets
  6. Moderate expectations
  1. Not viable for:
  2. Pre-MBA high salary (Rs 15+ LPA tech)
  3. Family financial strain
  4. IIM I/L accessible
  5. Premium career aspirations

Decision framework for aspirants:

If CAT 97+: Target IIM I/L/K, GLIM fallback only If CAT 95+: SPJIMR/MDI target, GLIM distant alternative If CAT 90+: MICA, NMIMS, SIBM (alt exams) over GLIM If CAT 85-90: GLIM competitive with strong Baby IIMs If CAT 80-85: GLIM, IMT, FORE comparable

Specific scenarios:

Scenario 1: CAT 92, 25 years, Rs 8 LPA, wants analytics career - GLIM analytics specialization fit - Rs 20L affordable - Moderate outcomes - Decision: viable

Scenario 2: CAT 97, 24 years, Rs 6 LPA, general career - IIM I/L accessible - GLIM is downgrade - Decision: skip GLIM

Scenario 3: CAT 88, 26 years, Rs 9 LPA, NCR career - GLIM Gurgaon reasonable - FORE, IMT alternatives - Decision: any works

Scenario 4: CAT 82, 27 years, Rs 5 LPA, function change needed - GLIM viable - SPJIMR via retake (94+) better - Decision: retake if age allows

Scenario 5: CAT 75, 24 years, Rs 4 LPA, urgent career reset - GLIM too expensive for ratio - NMAT/SNAP alternative paths - Decision: exam alternatives first

For overall decision:

GLIM is reasonable Tier-2 option: - Moderate cost - Moderate outcomes - Established brand - Good alumni network growing

Not ideal for: - Top tier aspirations - Budget constraints - Alternative exam paths exhausted - High-earning pre-MBA

Commit if: - Fits your profile exactly - Alternatives exhausted - Realistic expectations - Financial planning verified

Don't commit if: - Better alternatives exist - Retake feasible - Financial strain - Higher aspirations

GLIM delivers Tier-2 outcomes. Execute well for best results within tier.

Reddit community generally balanced on GLIM.

Check your eligibility at collvera.com/eligibility

Get a personalised answer for your profile
Claude checks your score, academics and category against 20+ colleges
Check Eligibility →MBA Game
Related questions
What is campus life like at FORE Delhi?
How should I prepare for FORE Delhi placements effectively?
What is campus life like at GIM Goa for MBA students?
What is the actual placement reality at IIFM Bhopal?
What hostel and food quality should I expect at GIM Goa?
View all Tier 2 Colleges questions →
AI