MBA 2016: Got good opportunity despite low scores; time to introspect and decide-don't delay

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MBAUniverse.com News Desk |
April 6, 2016
Not shortlisted by IIMs and other top B schools, I searched for other good options and now got the opportunity to pursue my dream of doing MBA despite average scores
I have arrived at the firm decision that there is no use to run after the IIMs when good B-schools offering high RoI MBA programmes are there and are ready to accept my scores

Holding the score cards of CAT 2015; XAT 2016; CMAT 2016 and MAT February 2016, I am  standing at the cross roads where to head for in order to pursue my dream of doing MBA. Not shortlisted by IIMs, XLRI, FMS, SPJIMR, MDI or IMI to which I had applied for, what other good options could be there for me to pursue MBA in 2016 became a big question before me considering the fact that despite appearing in all the above exams for consecutive 2 years, I remained only an aspirant and not an MBA student.

Determined to do MBA in 2016
Agreed that it is not the end of life but it is also a fact that I wish to pursue MBA and wouldn’t like to delay it further for another one year, preparing again for CAT/XAT or any other exam. The irony is that I neither scored a very high over all percentile nor sectional percentile that could have enabled me to get a call from the top B schools like IIMs, FMS, MDI or others. The performance in XAT was also not much better. On the top of it, I did not care to apply in many good B-schools where I could be shortlisted for PI round. However, one thing is certain that I would like to begin my MBA programme in 2016, come what may!

Have given up the rat race
After spending much of my time in going for introspection whether I need to prepare for one more year for CAT 2016 to get into top IIM, I have arrived at the firm decision that there is no use to run after the IIMs when good B-schools offering high RoI MBA programmes are there and are ready to accept my scores. There may also not be any substantial improvement in the scores next year as 2 years have also passed preparing for and appearing in the exam.

Besides, even if I improve on overall percentile, any dip in sectional percentile may drag me back and I will have to begin from the point zero again. Another situation that I can visualize is that both CAT and XAT have come out with structural and content changes in the exam. On the top of it they announce these innovative changes at the nick of the time when you are more than halfway through your preparation. I find it difficult to suddenly switch over to absolutely different study pattern.

Any change in the name of CAT convening IIM, also brings with it the change in test pattern. The fact will be visible in CAT 2016 also as IIM Ahmedabad is no longer going to convene CAT 2016. This may further aggravate the situation.

Introspection led by good counselling
Good sense prevailed and after doing some introspection I preferred to have good mentor counseling which led me to conclude to go ahead with my MBA plan choosing the best available B-school who will accept my score card and may offer admission to its flagship MBA/PGDM programme in 2016.

MBA with choice: Nothing taken as granted
I may choose the most preferred B-school where I wish to pursue MBA 2016-18 out of 3500 B-schools offering management programmes in India. But the point whether I fulfill the requisite parameters to get admission in it, is more important to know. Else I would be living in a fool’s paradise and on one fine day will come to know that I am not selected for admission by the B-school.

For example, if I am keen to pursue my MBA/PGDM 2016-18 from IIM-A,B,C or L; or from FMS, MDI, IMI, IMT, BIMTECH, IIFT, JBIMS, SPJIMR and so on, I have to do some introspection and that is – have I scored high sectional and over all percentile in CAT 2015 or XAT 2016 as required by the dream B-schools? Do I have excellent academic profile so as to outshine my peers? On the top of it, did I apply to these B-schools in time? These are only a few of the many factors that I have to take into account if I plan to get into one of these highly ranked B-schools where admission process for MBA/PGDM 2016-18 has already closed.

The WAT and Personal Interview round in IIMs, SPJIMR, MDI, XLRI and other top rated B schools who accept CAT and XAT scores is over or going to be over shortly, many B-schools like FMS Delhi and others are yet to begin their PI round. Although I already applied to these B-schools but even those who have scored a high over all percentile in CAT 2015 as high as 98-99 couldn’t get the opportunity as the dip in their sectional percentile wouldn’t allow any admission opportunity in MBA 2016-18 in these B-schools.

Not only me-many others are there
The truth is said to be stranger than fiction. Number of candidates despite scoring an overall 99 and above in CAT 2015 were not shortlisted by any of the 19 IIMs for the simple reason that they could not score balanced and good sectional percentile in the exam. Their chances to get shortlisted by IIMs are thrown overboard. In their frenzy of over confidence they did not apply to many other good B-schools like IMI, IMT, MDI, BIMTECH, TAPMI, FMS among others. Now they stand with all those who scored average percentile in CAT/XAT/CMAT or MAT and are searching for good admission options to pursue MBA in 2016.

Low or high sectional percentile: No worries
One of the biggest reasons for not applying to more B-schools is sudden unexpected dip in overall or sectional percentile. Now I am left with 2 alternatives, either to choose from what best is available or go ahead with a firm target for MBA 2017 and begin preparation right now. But I would prefer to go for the former idea instead of putting in one more year and come out again pulling a long face.

I got the opportunity
What I understand is that not all IIMs are equally good. Out of 19 IIMs only a few top ones are well established and recognized by the corporate and industry. So when I have the better opportunity with my scores to get into an institute that has legacy with large alumni base, offers a good learning experience with optimum student-faculty ratio; has been going with rising and good placements year after year; the alumni appreciating the infrastructure, I do not find a point to cry for brand IIM.

In fact it is the passion of learning and doing MBA that will take me forward on my career path rather than the name of an IIM. Thousands are there for whom IIMs remain a mirage and they study from a non-IIM and later offer employment to many coming from IIMs. Accordingly the vote goes in favour of grabbing the opportunity to choose one of the good B schools which has the proven track record and great USPs instead of running for only IIMs.

I have understood that the passion to prove can bring better result even after not studying in IIM. The timely and right decision is more important than simply go on waiting. Now it is your turn to set the things right and turn the table in your favour while choosing the best MBA institute.

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