IISc Bangalore M.Mgt Business Analytics Admission 2026: check eligibility, CAT/GATE/GMAT cut-offs, fees, selection process, seats, curriculum and career scope.
IISc Bangalore M.Mgt Programme 2026: Admission, Eligibility, Fees, Cut-off, Placements & Career Scope
For an engineering graduate interested in business analytics, technology management, data-driven decision-making and quantitative roles, the IISc Bangalore M.Mgt Programme deserves a different kind of evaluation from a conventional MBA.
The Master of Management offered by the Department of Management Studies, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru is a specialised management programme with a strong analytical and technology orientation. IISc describes the programme as providing exposure and training in Management and Business Analytics, while its placement information describes the M.Mgt as developing expertise in technology management and business analytics.
That distinction matters.
A student looking for a broad MBA covering marketing, HR, operations, finance and general management may evaluate IISc differently from someone interested in business analytics, data science, quantitative finance, consulting, technology strategy or analytics-led decision-making.
For the 2026–27 admission cycle, IISc has an approved intake of only 20 students for the M.Mgt programme. Applicants need an eligible engineering or technology degree and a valid GATE, CAT or GMAT score.
This guide explains the IISc Bangalore M.Mgt Programme 2026 in detail — including eligibility, entrance examinations, actual 2026 shortlisting cut-offs, fees, selection weightage, curriculum, placements, career possibilities and who should consider applying.
IISc Bangalore M.Mgt Programme 2026: Quick Overview
| Particular | IISc M.Mgt 2026 Details |
|---|---|
| Institution | Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru |
| Department | Department of Management Studies |
| Programme | Master of Management – M.Mgt |
| Primary Area | Management and Business Analytics |
| Programme Duration | 2 years |
| 2026–27 Intake | 20 seats |
| Basic Eligibility | First Class or equivalent BE/BTech or equivalent Engineering/Technology degree |
| Accepted Exams | GATE 2024/2025/2026, CAT 2025, or valid GMAT score |
| CAT Exam Applicable | CAT 2025 for the 2026–27 admission cycle |
| Selection | Entrance score + UG performance + communication skills + interview |
| 2026 Application Deadline | 25 March 2026 after extension |
| Application Fee | ₹800 – General/OBC/EWS; ₹400 – SC/ST/PwD |
| Area of Study Listed by IISc | Business Analytics |
| Institute Location | Bengaluru, Karnataka |
| Official Website | IISc M.Mgt Official Website |
IISc’s placement office states that its master’s programmes are two-year programmes and that students complete 64 credits, with significant flexibility and project work. Its description of M.Mgt specifically highlights technology management and business analytics.
Important note: Fees, entrance cut-offs, intake, programme structure and admission requirements may change from one academic cycle to another. Candidates planning for 2027 or later should verify the current notification on the official IISc admissions website.
What Is the IISc Bangalore M.Mgt Programme?
The Master of Management at IISc is not simply IISc’s version of a conventional MBA.
Its academic positioning is much closer to the intersection of:
- business analytics,
- management science,
- data-driven decision-making,
- quantitative methods,
- technology management,
- operations research,
- machine learning applications,
- finance and econometrics, and
- managerial decision sciences.
The Department of Management Studies officially states that the programme provides exposure and training in Management and Business Analytics. IISc’s placement information further describes the objective as developing managers who can understand and assess the influence of technology while using analytics for robust organisational decision-making.
Therefore, students should not select IISc M.Mgt merely because they want “an MBA from a famous institute”.
The better question is:
Does the programme’s quantitative, technology-led orientation match the kind of career I want?
For many engineering graduates, the answer can be yes.
For others, particularly those wanting classical sales and marketing, consumer brand management, mainstream HR, or a traditional general-management MBA experience, an IIM, FMS, XLRI, MDI or another conventional management school may align better.
IISc M.Mgt Eligibility Criteria 2026
For the 2026–27 academic year, IISc required applicants to possess a minimum First Class or equivalent in a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Technology or equivalent.
Candidates also needed an eligible entrance examination score from one of the following routes:
- GATE 2024
- GATE 2025
- GATE 2026
- CAT 2025
- GMAT, with the score remaining valid as on 1 August 2026
The official admission notice confirms these requirements.
Can a BCom, BBA, BA or regular BSc graduate apply?
Not under the regular eligibility stated for the 2026 admission cycle.
The programme requires an engineering/technology or equivalent qualifying degree.
This makes IISc M.Mgt fundamentally different from most MBA programmes in India, where graduates from almost any recognised bachelor’s discipline can apply.
For example, a BCom graduate with CAT 99.5 percentile may be eligible for several IIMs but would not automatically meet IISc M.Mgt’s engineering-degree requirement.
Can final-year engineering students apply?
Students should refer to the current admission notification for the precise conditions applying to final-year candidates. IISc states that candidates must have completed all requirements for the qualifying degree by the time of joining and must produce the required marksheets and degree/provisional certificates.
IISc M.Mgt Entrance Exams: CAT vs GATE vs GMAT
An unusual strength of the IISc M.Mgt admission system is that an applicant can enter the selection process through different examination routes.
For 2026 admissions, IISc accepted:
| Entrance Route | Applicable Score |
|---|---|
| CAT | CAT 2025 |
| GATE | GATE 2024, 2025 or 2026 |
| GMAT | Valid as on 1 August 2026 |
This flexibility makes the programme particularly relevant for engineering graduates who may already possess a strong GATE score and are considering moving towards analytics or management.
For example:
Candidate A: BTech Mechanical Engineering, strong GATE score, interested in analytics and operations.
Candidate B: Software engineer with two years of work experience and CAT 99 percentile.
Candidate C: Engineering graduate who has taken GMAT and wants a quantitatively oriented management programme.
All three could potentially enter the IISc selection pipeline if they satisfy the remaining eligibility requirements.
IISc M.Mgt Cut-off 2026
IISc published an official shortlisting cut-off report for the 2026–27 M.Mgt admission cycle.
These were the published cut-offs used for calling eligible applicants for the subsequent selection stage. They should therefore be treated as historical 2026 shortlisting cut-offs, not guaranteed future cut-offs.
CAT Cut-off for IISc M.Mgt 2026
| Category | CAT 2025 Cut-off Percentile |
|---|---|
| UR | 98.85 |
| OBC | 95 |
| SC | 87 |
| ST | 50 |
| EWS | 95 |
| PwD/PH | 90 |
| KM | 90 |
GATE Cut-off for IISc M.Mgt 2026
IISc reported the GATE cut-off as a score out of 1000.
| Category | GATE Score Cut-off |
|---|---|
| UR | 604 |
| OBC | 560 |
| SC | 440 |
| ST | 300 |
| EWS | 550 |
| PwD/PH | 550 |
| KM | 550 |
GMAT Cut-off for IISc M.Mgt 2026
| Category | GMAT Cut-off |
|---|---|
| UR | 675 |
| OBC | 595 |
| SC | 550 |
| ST | 500 |
| EWS | 550 |
| PwD/PH | 500 |
| KM | 500 |
IISc’s official 2026 cut-off notice specifies that CAT was considered in percentile terms, GATE on a score out of 1000, and GMAT according to the applicable score scale.
Does 98.85 CAT percentile guarantee admission?
No.
This point is crucial.
The CAT cut-off merely established the threshold for the next stage in the 2026 process. Final selection depended on several additional factors.
A candidate with 99.3 percentile could still lose out to a candidate with a different entrance-exam score if the latter performs substantially better in undergraduate academics, communication assessment and interview.
Similarly, future CAT cut-offs can move up or down depending on:
- number of applicants,
- applicant quality,
- available seats,
- exam-score distribution,
- reservation category, and
- IISc’s shortlisting policy for that particular year.
Students should therefore use 2026 cut-offs as a reference point rather than a prediction.
IISc M.Mgt Selection Process 2026
The final selection formula for 2026 is particularly interesting.
IISc assigns:
| Selection Component | Weightage |
|---|---|
| GATE/CAT/GMAT performance | 15% |
| Undergraduate performance | 15% |
| Communication skill | 30% |
| Interview | 40% |
Source: IISc official admission notification.
This means 70% of the final weight is attached to communication and interview performance.
That changes the preparation strategy dramatically.
A strong CAT percentile helps you reach the selection stage, but IISc is clearly looking beyond examination ability.
What should you prepare for the IISc M.Mgt interview?
An engineering graduate should be ready to discuss:
- undergraduate engineering subjects,
- final-year project,
- work experience, if applicable,
- quantitative reasoning,
- data interpretation,
- current applications of analytics,
- business problems,
- technology trends,
- why management after engineering,
- why business analytics,
- why IISc rather than a regular MBA, and
- personal career goals.
Candidates should also be able to explain technical ideas simply.
That becomes especially relevant when communication ability itself carries 30% weightage.
Imagine an interviewer asks:
“You worked on predictive maintenance in your mechanical engineering project. How could a manufacturing company turn that into a business decision?”
A good response should connect engineering knowledge with downtime cost, maintenance scheduling, asset utilisation and business impact — rather than merely explaining the machine-learning model.
That style of thinking fits the programme’s character.
IISc M.Mgt Admission Dates 2026
For the 2026–27 admission cycle, IISc later extended the last date for PG course programmes including M.Mgt to 25 March 2026.
The admission portal now identifies the 2026–27 PG course admission process as closed.
Students targeting the next admission cycle should not simply assume that the same February–March schedule will repeat exactly.
The Department of Management Studies indicates that applications generally commence around the first week of February and that shortlisted candidates are called for the subsequent selection process, but applicants should follow the fresh IISc notification every year.
Practical MBA4U advice
If you are targeting IISc M.Mgt for 2027:
- Take CAT/GATE/GMAT according to your strongest route.
- Start monitoring IISc admissions from January onwards.
- Do not wait for GATE results before checking the application process.
- Keep UG transcripts, category certificates and scorecards ready.
- Prepare for the interview independently of entrance-exam preparation.
Always check the current year’s official admission notice before applying.
IISc M.Mgt Application Fee
For PG admissions, IISc currently lists the following application charges:
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General/OBC/EWS | ₹800 |
| SC/ST/PwD | ₹400 |
The application fee is non-refundable, and payment is made online.
For future admission cycles, verify the amount before applying.
IISc Bangalore M.Mgt Fees 2026
IISc publishes the M.Mgt fee separately from its regular MTech/MDes fee structure.
Annual IISc M.Mgt Fee Structure
GN/OBC/EWS
| Fee Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fee – Annual | ₹2,00,000 |
| Gymkhana Fee – Annual | ₹1,800 |
| Other Academic Fees – Annual | ₹80,000 |
| Statutory Deposit – Refundable | ₹7,500 |
| Library Deposit – Refundable | ₹7,500 |
| Students Emergency Fund – Annual | ₹300 |
| First-year total shown by IISc | ₹2,97,100 |
SC/ST/PwD
| Fee Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fee | Fully waived |
| Gymkhana Fee – Annual | ₹1,800 |
| Other Academic Fees – Annual | ₹80,000 |
| Statutory Deposit – Refundable | ₹7,500 |
| Library Deposit – Refundable | ₹7,500 |
| Students Emergency Fund – Annual | ₹300 |
| First-year total shown by IISc | ₹97,100 |
The two deposits of ₹7,500 each are refundable and are payable in the first year. IISc also states that tuition and other applicable charges, excluding refundable deposits, are subject to a uniform annual increase of 5%.
Therefore, students should not simply multiply the first-year figure by two to estimate the programme cost.
Hostel, mess, medical insurance, personal expenses and other applicable charges should also be budgeted separately.
Is IISc M.Mgt cheap compared with an MBA?
From a tuition perspective, it is significantly less expensive than many high-fee private MBA/PGDM programmes.
However, ROI should never be calculated from tuition fees alone.
Include:
Total Cost = Academic Fee + Hostel/Mess + Personal Expenses + Financing Cost + Opportunity Cost
An engineer leaving a ₹10 lakh annual job for two years has a very different economic calculation from a fresher.
That does not make the programme unattractive — it simply means ROI should be calculated individually.
Does IISc Give Scholarship to M.Mgt Students?
Students should be careful here because scholarship information for other IISc programmes does not automatically apply to M.Mgt.
IISc explicitly states that students admitted to M.Mgt are ordinarily not entitled to Institute-funded scholarships.
They may, however, use scholarships or fellowships offered by external funding agencies if they meet the relevant eligibility conditions.
So do not assume that the ₹12,400 monthly scholarship associated with certain IISc MTech programmes automatically applies to M.Mgt.
It does not under the currently published general policy.
IISc M.Mgt Curriculum: What Will You Study?
The academic character of this programme is probably its biggest differentiator.
Historical programme material from IISc’s Department of Management Studies groups learning across areas such as:
Management
- Economics
- Marketing
- Strategy
- Accounting
- Risk Management
Analytics
- Probability
- Applied Statistics
- Operations Research
- Quantitative Finance
- Behavioural Science
Data Science
- Data Mining
- Machine Learning
- Advanced Data Analytics
- Decision models
It has also highlighted access to interdisciplinary electives from across IISc in areas such as neural networks, game theory, stochastic systems, computer vision, algorithms and related quantitative subjects.
Individual course information on the department website also demonstrates the quantitative depth. For example, IISc describes Applied Statistics as compulsory for entering M.Mgt students, while Time Series Analysis and Forecasting has been offered as a core course for Business Analytics students.
Why this matters
Consider two MBA aspirants.
Student 1: Wants FMCG sales, advertising, brand strategy and eventually a marketing leadership role.
Student 2: Enjoys probability, Python, optimisation and business decision-making and wants to work in analytics, fintech, consulting or technology.
Both may be excellent students.
But IISc M.Mgt is much more naturally aligned with Student 2.
Projects, Research and Industry Exposure
IISc master’s programmes combine coursework with substantial project activity.
The Institute’s placement information states that students in M.Mgt work on real business challenges through summer internships and final-year projects.
Older Department of Management Studies programme material also emphasised the possibility of substantial industry R&D internships or research-oriented work.
This research flavour is important.
At IISc, a management student exists inside one of India’s strongest science and technology research environments rather than inside a stand-alone business school.
That creates opportunities for interdisciplinary learning that may appeal particularly to students interested in:
- AI and ML applications,
- operations research,
- fintech,
- quantitative modelling,
- technology commercialisation,
- product analytics,
- digital transformation,
- data science, and
- deep-tech businesses.
IISc M.Mgt Placements
This is one area where applicants should avoid relying on unsupported third-party salary claims.
IISc’s Department of Management Studies has historically listed recruiters including organisations such as:
- Amazon
- Microsoft
- JPMorgan Chase
- Mastercard
- McKinsey & Company
- Goldman Sachs
- DE Shaw
- Flipkart
- Mercedes-Benz
- Citi
- Dell
- State Street
- ZS and others.
The department has also highlighted roles covering areas such as data and applied science, machine learning/AI, quantitative research, consulting and leadership-oriented positions.
However, for a current 2026 average package, median package, highest package or placement percentage specifically for the M.Mgt batch, MBA4U recommends using only a current official placement report when IISc publishes one.
Current verified batch-specific salary figure: Check official placement notice.
This is more responsible than repeating salary numbers circulating on college portals or discussion forums without a corresponding official IISc document.
Career Options After IISc M.Mgt
The programme’s quantitative structure can support several career tracks.
1. Business Analytics
Possible roles include:
- Business Analyst
- Senior Analyst
- Decision Science Analyst
- Product Analyst
- Strategy Analyst
These jobs require candidates to translate data into business recommendations rather than simply create dashboards.
2. Data Science and Applied Analytics
Engineering graduates with strong coding and quantitative capability can potentially explore:
- Data Scientist
- Applied Scientist
- Analytics Consultant
- Machine Learning-oriented business roles
Actual eligibility for individual roles depends on technical skills and recruiter requirements.
3. Consulting
Quantitative consulting, technology consulting, analytics consulting and strategy roles can be relevant.
Students comfortable with structured problem-solving may find the programme particularly useful.
4. Quantitative Finance and Fintech
Courses touching finance, forecasting, statistics and quantitative methods can be relevant to:
- financial analytics,
- risk analytics,
- fintech,
- quantitative modelling and
- research-oriented finance roles.
Competition for specialised quantitative roles is intense, so students need much more than the degree title.
5. Product and Technology Management
An engineer who understands technology and develops management capability may eventually work across:
- product analytics,
- technology strategy,
- digital transformation,
- product management and
- technical programme management.
6. Operations and Decision Science
Operations research and optimisation can be valuable in:
- supply chains,
- logistics,
- manufacturing,
- e-commerce,
- mobility,
- network planning and
- resource allocation.
IISc M.Mgt vs Regular MBA
| Factor | IISc M.Mgt | Conventional MBA |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Background | Primarily Engineering/Technology | Usually graduates from diverse disciplines |
| Primary Orientation | Business Analytics + Technology Management | General Management |
| Quantitative Intensity | High | Varies |
| Cohort Size | Very small – 20 seats in 2026 | Often much larger |
| CAT Accepted | Yes | Yes at many institutions |
| GATE Accepted | Yes | Rare |
| GMAT Accepted | Yes | At selected institutions |
| Marketing/HR Focus | Not the primary orientation | Common specialisations |
| Analytics/Data Focus | Very strong | Depends on institution/programme |
| Research Environment | Strong IISc science/technology ecosystem | Depends on B-school |
| Best suited for | Quantitative engineering graduates | Broader management aspirants |
Neither option is universally better.
A general MBA can be the stronger choice for leadership development across multiple conventional business functions.
IISc M.Mgt can be the stronger fit for someone wanting management education without moving too far away from mathematics, engineering, technology and analytics.
IISc Bangalore Ranking: How Should M.Mgt Applicants Interpret It?
IISc is one of India’s most prestigious academic institutions.
In the officially published NIRF 2025 rankings, IISc Bengaluru was ranked:
- No. 1 in the University category
- No. 2 in the Overall category
according to the Ministry of Education’s NIRF results.
But there is an important distinction for MBA applicants:
An institution-level IISc ranking should not be presented as though it were a specific ranking for the M.Mgt programme.
A student comparing IISc M.Mgt with IIM Bangalore PGP should therefore look beyond rank numbers and compare:
- programme objective,
- curriculum,
- cohort,
- career outcomes,
- recruiter profile,
- alumni network,
- functional breadth and
- career goal.
Who Should Apply for IISc M.Mgt?
The programme deserves serious consideration if you:
- have an engineering or technology background;
- enjoy mathematics, statistics or analytical problem-solving;
- want to combine management with technology;
- are interested in Business Analytics;
- want exposure to a strong scientific research ecosystem;
- are comfortable with a quantitatively demanding curriculum;
- are interested in analytics, consulting, data science, fintech, operations or technology roles; and
- value a very small cohort.
Who May Prefer a Traditional MBA Instead?
You may want to prioritise a conventional MBA if your primary interests are:
- FMCG marketing,
- sales management,
- consumer branding,
- advertising,
- mainstream HR,
- organisational behaviour,
- general management,
- broad corporate leadership rotations, or
- a traditional B-school ecosystem with a large MBA alumni cohort.
This does not mean such careers are impossible after IISc.
It simply means programme fit matters.
IISc M.Mgt Admission Strategy for CAT Aspirants
For General-category applicants, the 2026 CAT shortlisting cut-off of 98.85 percentile makes it clear that candidates should treat IISc as a highly competitive application.
But preparing only for CAT is insufficient.
Remember the final formula:
Entrance score 15% + UG academics 15% + Communication 30% + Interview 40%.
Once shortlisted, your focus should shift towards explaining:
- Why management after engineering?
- Why analytics?
- Why IISc?
- What problems have you solved?
- How does your technical background connect with business?
- What are your career goals?
A memorised “Why MBA?” response is unlikely to be enough.
Your answer should connect your actual educational and professional experience to the programme.
IISc M.Mgt Admission Strategy for GATE Aspirants
The GATE route is one of the programme’s most interesting features.
An engineering graduate who originally prepared for MTech may discover that their interests lie more in decision-making, optimisation, analytics, technology business or consulting than specialised engineering research.
For such students, IISc M.Mgt can provide an alternative route.
But ask yourself:
Do I actually want management and analytics, or am I applying simply because IISc accepts GATE?
Admission should not be driven by the institute name alone.
Read the curriculum and career orientation carefully.
Advantages of IISc M.Mgt
Very small cohort
With only 20 seats listed for 2026–27, the programme operates at a dramatically smaller scale than mainstream MBA programmes.
Strong quantitative orientation
The curriculum combines management with statistics, analytics and data-oriented subjects.
IISc ecosystem
Students study within a research-intensive science and technology institution rather than an isolated management campus.
Multiple entry examinations
CAT, GATE and GMAT provide different routes into the programme.
Relatively moderate academic fee
The published IISc academic fee is much lower than that of many premium private MBA/PGDM programmes.
Bengaluru location
Bengaluru offers proximity to technology, analytics, deep-tech, consulting and startup ecosystems.
Limitations to Consider Before Applying
A balanced decision should also consider what the programme is not.
Limited intake
Twenty seats make admission extremely competitive.
Engineering-focused eligibility
Most non-engineering graduates cannot use this as a standard MBA alternative under the current eligibility rules.
Specialist character
Students looking for a broad conventional MBA may prefer other programmes.
No ordinary IISc institute scholarship for M.Mgt
Candidates should plan finances accordingly.
Placement comparisons require care
Do not compare unofficial M.Mgt salary numbers against audited or official placement reports from IIMs or other B-schools.
Use comparable, official information wherever possible.
IISc M.Mgt 2026: Frequently Asked Questions
Is IISc M.Mgt equivalent to an MBA?
It is a postgraduate management degree, but its structure and orientation differ substantially from a conventional general MBA. The emphasis is on management, business analytics and technology-oriented decision-making.
Does IISc M.Mgt accept CAT?
Yes. CAT 2025 was accepted for the 2026–27 admission cycle.
Does IISc M.Mgt accept GATE?
Yes. GATE 2024, 2025 and 2026 scores were accepted for the 2026 admission cycle.
Does IISc accept GMAT for M.Mgt?
Yes, subject to the score being valid according to the admission-cycle requirements.
What was IISc M.Mgt CAT cut-off in 2026?
The official General/UR CAT shortlisting threshold was 98.85 percentile. Category-specific thresholds were different.
How many seats are available?
IISc listed an intake of 20 seats for 2026–27.
Can BCom or BBA students apply?
The 2026 eligibility required a first-class or equivalent bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Technology or equivalent. A normal BCom/BBA qualification therefore does not satisfy the stated regular eligibility by itself.
Is work experience mandatory?
The official 2026 eligibility conditions cited above do not specify mandatory work experience.
Does IISc provide an M.Mgt scholarship?
M.Mgt students are ordinarily not entitled to IISc-funded scholarships, although eligible students may access external scholarships.
What is the IISc M.Mgt fee?
For the currently published structure, the first-year total shown for GN/OBC/EWS M.Mgt students is ₹2,97,100, including ₹15,000 in refundable deposits. SC/ST/PwD students have tuition waived and the first-year total shown is ₹97,100. Future-year charges can change.
Is IISc M.Mgt good for Business Analytics?
Business Analytics is explicitly identified by IISc as the programme’s area of study, and its curriculum contains substantial quantitative, statistics and analytics content.
Final Verdict: Is IISc Bangalore M.Mgt Worth Applying For?
For the right candidate, IISc M.Mgt is one of the most distinctive management programmes available to Indian engineering graduates.
But its appeal does not come from being another MBA.
It comes from being different.
An engineer who enjoys quantitative work and wants to combine analytics, technology and business decision-making may find the programme highly relevant. The tiny cohort, IISc research environment, interdisciplinary coursework and Business Analytics focus create a profile that is difficult to replicate in a standard MBA classroom.
At the same time, aspirants should not choose it simply because IISc carries enormous academic prestige.
Compare the curriculum with your career goal.
If you want brand management, sales leadership or traditional HR, evaluate mainstream MBA programmes as well.
If you want to remain close to mathematics, data, technology, optimisation and analytics while building management capability, IISc M.Mgt deserves serious consideration.
And if you are targeting admission, do not focus only on CAT, GATE or GMAT scores. The 2026 selection formula places 70% combined weight on communication and interview performance, making your ability to explain your thinking, goals and engineering-to-management transition central to the final decision.
Admission information changes from year to year. Candidates should always check the latest IISc admission notice before applying.
Visit the Official IISc M.Mgt Admission Page
MBA4U Note
Need help comparing MBA colleges, entrance exams, fees and admission options? Explore MBA4U.in for practical MBA and Integrated MBA guidance.
Compare programmes carefully on curriculum, eligibility, entrance examination, total cost, placement profile and career fit — not merely on college name or an expected salary figure.