Friends, after a long wait, and quite a bit of climax, I made it to IIM Calcutta.....I applied to IIML as well (a little unwillingly though, just to see), and got through, and was in a big big confusion on whether to go or not, but had kind of made up my mind...but 2 days before I was to submit IIML Fee, I got this second list from IIMC....
For the benefit of future applicants, who will surely visit this year's thread...I am putting my interview experience and assessment of IIM B, C & L. Didn't apply for A (am thinking now why??..actually thought that A follows a rigid international experience criteria, which I did not have at allso didn't care much). I will first briefly tell my profile, preparation, and then go on:
GMAT: 700
Work Experience: 7.5 years ( as of joining the program)
Education: Masters in Economics
ECA: Very Average
Work area: Business Analytics (data analytics, statistical modeling etc.)
Some positives in Application: Diversity factor in Education and Work
Negatives: very poor acads in Masters, No International work-experience, Very little ECA, and instability in jobs...worked for 6 Companies in < 8 years!! (worse, I changed the last company in Sept-2009)
With negatives outweighing the positives for sure, I had some Idea that my interview has to be real good, and only then I stand a chance at these institutes. I wanted to improve on my GMAT, as honestly, I thought that I could get more, which will help in outweighing the negatives in application. I somehow motivated myself to retake GMAT, and started preparation around July-09, thinking that I will improve 700 to around 740 etc., then may be and seriously apply for B-Schools in 2011, or if I could hit GMAT before interviews that take place starting Sept-2009 end, then may be I can present my better score to IIMs at interviews this time itself.
Side by side, I also started preparing for application. Application was no real hard work, and I think entire application for B, C can be prepared in 2 days each, IIML's in less than a daybut one must get one's thoughts together on why MBA, how can one evolve as a leader through this course etc
However, I got this shortlist for interview around Aug end I guess. Then, my friend told me to stop studying for GMAT, and rather focus on interviews. Thinking that I have three weeks with me for IIMC intw, I stopped preparing for GMAT, and instead diverted effort for interview preparation. Here's my assessment about interviews:
ALL schools test you on your elegance, alertness, and presence of mind, your ability to handle stress and market yourself.
If you are having a stress interview, just extend your level of patience and politeness to the extreme, with touches of aggression while making a point (but never in direct response to any Qn from the Profs). This will let them know that you have the right kind of ability, not just to handle different kinds of situations, but you can also adapt and vary your expressions to requirements. In case you see the interview / or a response to any question going very cool, and the interviewer not making any objections etc, and just listening, then they are giving you a chance to market your knowledge about something they asked. You can make it or break it by the answer. If you don't know, then rather that blabbing around, just give some logical thought-points, and Then say that you don't really have too much of information, or would need proper research to answer this question. English doesn't really matter. Only few things are needed: You must speak clearly, with mature confidence, and be able to present and construct your opinion maturely and Logically.
IIMC: Result- got through in 2nd list
The school looks at how good you are in the areas which you have studied, and in which you are working. It may test you on knowledge on your areas of interest and expertise. It may also go into your academics, and may touch on your knowledge of general events around, say your native place, or current place.
I was Only asked questions from my field of study and work. Field of study I had left around 7 years back, but somehow had concepts still ringing in my mind, so was able to answer. Here are some of their questions, if I do not recollect answers, then I will skip to next Qn. It was a no pressure interview, but they tried to laugh at me sometimes, as if I am giving stupid answers:
Q: What happened in Masters. Is this first division, or second division. Looks like a poor second division.
A: Blah blah. (Not convinced)
Q: Which are the different major financial centers on the globe
A: I said, NY, Chicago and London.
Q: Why London?
A: It's a hub of currency trading etc.
Q: No no, that's ok, but why London?
Q: What have been the main developments in Banking Industry in India since independence
Q: What are your interest areas in economics
A: Macroeconomic and public policy. And the next moment I thought why I have said that. They can easily screw me on that. I should have said something like Resource economics ď Š
Q: What are the different Monetary Policy tools of RBI
A: CRR, SLR, OMO
Q; Detailed definition of all 3
Q: What has been the difference in the stimulus package given by India and the US in response to current crisis
Q: Why have the Indian banks not been affected by subprime
A: Did not invest in MBS etc..also explained risk aversion of people and so banks in India and Capital Account Convertibility policy
Q: What do you think about Capital Account Convertibility policy
A: Gave the shittest answer possible
Q: Relationship between some key macro variables, like exchange rate Money supply and Capital inflows
Q: What happens if RBI stops intervening in currency market
A: I was getting somewhat murky and was giving shorter answers by now. I answered the question, and the Prof said that are you sure. I paused for a moment , thinking, & said Yes. Then one Prof gave a sarcastic smile to another Prof. Then they asked the same question. I explained the sequence of answers. Then they said, hold on. What if . I said he said correct, but then after this I thought he may be right as well. Said, yes yes, you are correct. I was looking at the question from another angle. I am sorry, could not comprehend this direction of the question. Prof smiled, & said Ok.
By now they had judged enough and let me go.
IIMB: Result: Waitlisted, and missed
The schools looks at ability to handle situations and market yourself. In PGP, they focus a lot on Acads. In EPGP, they look at good acads, plus whether a person has had good and stable experience as well, or has just played stupid with career. It puts much more weight to diversity than other schools, and less weight on GMAT. It also looks at the Need of MBA for an individual, and while looking at application, decides case by case on who will benefit from IIMB EPGP. Pressure interview:
Q: You have put in your application wrongly, looks there is something you have not put.( I realized I have made a mistake of not carrying print out of my application (something I usually don't do). )
Q: Tell us what do you do. We don't know. (did some cross questions, by which I got to know that they knew very well what I work on)
Q: How many people report into you. Tell us the hierarchy. (I started from top, the Unit Head, and they cut me, said tell us from the bottom, as from top, there would be lot many levels, we don't want to waste time)
Q: What is your current compensation. (I guess they thought it is a little on the higher side, so perhaps they wanted to see how do I tell it, boast of it or what). I told very politely.
Q: Analytics is a hot area these days why do you want to do MBA then. Its paying you well
Q: In analytics, you work across product life cycle, and across organizations departments, so you already know what you want to achieve through MBA, then why MBA
Q: What designation you look for after EPGP
Q: What career, industry after EPGP
Q: Why IIM Bangalore. Go for other schools
Q: Why this 1 year program EPGP, go for 2 year program if you are too interested in learning management and business concepts.
Q: Go for a distance learning program then, why EPGP
Q: What have been your achievements in your life.
Q: You have changed 6 jobs in < 8 years, and now you changed one more 2 months ago. What do you think of yourself, that you can do anything. Are you serious about program. Why should we think so. Tell us why you changed each job.
Q: What happened in Masters. Low percentage.
Q:What do you think you will gain out of international module. We don't think you will gain anything. ( I previously spoke about pursuing career in Financial services, and they said that from visit to China, you will not gain anything, as it is a manufacturing hub, and not a financial services baton. So that part of program is waste for you)
Q: You have done masters in economics, hows been the transition from this Masters in economics towards your role in the industry, what have been the key learnings
Q: So what do you think is important for team management & leadership
IIML: Result - Got Through
Didn't really research or got to know what exactly L looks for. But my intw was a mix of topic on current affairs from my field, on testing knowledge in my area, and some general Qns. Pressure interview.
Q: So you have done masters in Economics. Good. I want to know about NREGA, have u heard of it, can you please tell me. (.I had read about NREGA like 2 years back, a little bit. Blabbered)
Q No no, I want to know about NREGA. Do you actually know which Indian states have benefitted from NREGA.
Q: From an economist's perspective, what do you think is the best way for govt to utilize NREGA.
( I was getting a little pissed of by repeated Qns on something I didn't know much on. I actally said that yes, govt had given out some 5000 Crores for this program, only to check later that the amount is around 10 times more. Finally I said that I will need to collate more facts before giving my opinion). Prof smiled.
Q: What happened in Masters. Your percentage seems to be going down and down after class 10th. Do you think you will be able to cope up with the curriculum.
Q: What the heck, you are changing jobs in like 7, 7 months. And if we take you, you will again leave your job in 7 months. Is 7 your favorite number, or what.
Q: Lets come to agriculture. What do you think India's agriculture needs.
Q: That's ok. Tell me from an economists perspective
Q: What and why do you think is OR is not India's agriculture sustainable in the long run
Q: Do you know what's the contribution of different sectors in India's GDP. And what % of population works where
Q: Ok, is GDP a true indicator of economic growth, or there can be other ones as well
Q: Do you do something apart from work. You have not mentioned nothing in application.
A: I told them there was no area in the application where I could mention.
Q: There is an area called as Additional Information
A: I believe "Additional Information" is not used to mention interests, it is used to mention things like Gaps in Employment, or other factors in Application which look a little suspicious. Interests & ECA carries a separate section
( Prof grudged)
Q: Ok but you would do something apart from job as well, no. Any interest areas
A: Yes, reading people like thesenamed a few
Q: So what's the difference between thought-line of these 2.
Q: Einstein said once.some quote ""can you tell what would that mean.I delved in and gave an answer
Q Why MBA.
That's it.
With disclaimer: its all personal experience and opinion, so no footprints. Intw patterns may take a swing from year to year. Like this year IIMB was asking questions on why IIMB, why EPGP, why MBA to everyone...they may follow a different line of attack next year.
A big Thanks & Good Luck to fellow Puys
... PG Rocks!
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