“Are you calling… me back?” I asked, confused, as an admission committee member smiled and gestured for me to return to the interview room.
A few minutes earlier, I had just walked out of what I thought was the final interview round. Now, I was being called back in, and when I walked through that door again, they handed my a red colored file. Inside it was a spot admission offer to Goa Institute of Management. Just like that. This blog is about GIM Achievers Round
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Let’s rewind. What is GIM Achievers Round?
The Achievers Round is GIM’s one of a kind admission process that focuses on your profile rather than just your test scores. What GIM really cares about is you as a person. They take into account your academic history, work experience, and any achievements in sports, arts, or leadership, basically anything that reflects who you are and what you’ve accomplished. It’s a holistic and personal approach that feels incredibly empowering, especially for someone like me.
Honestly, my CAT results weren’t great, and I felt pretty let down. But the Achievers Round turned everything around for me.
It was a four step process :
- Achievement Submission:
I gathered all my achievements, those moments that truly shaped who I am. - Shortlist Email:
A few weeks later, I received that shortlist email “You’ve been shortlisted for the Achievers Round.” That moment of recognition was simply unmatched. - Written Ability Test (WAT):
We had a few minutes to collect our thoughts and then 20 minutes to write, a chance to show how we think when the pressure’s on. - Two Rounds of Interview:
The first round was a typical panel interview where they asked technical questions about my academics, career aspirations, relevant experiences, and general awareness. It went smoothly.
Then came the unexpected moment, I was called back in. This time, it was for the Directors round - the final conversation. Surprisingly, it turned out to be the best interview I’ve ever given. There was nothing technical about it. They genuinely wanted to know me, my story, and my experiences. Instead of the usual “Why MBA?” questions, it felt more like a conversation about my interests, goals, and how I would fit into the GIM community. It was so much more human and authentic compared to the high pressure group discussions and personal interviews of the regular rounds.
Just ten minutes after I walked out… I was called back in. That’s when they handed me the red file. Inside it was a spot admission offer to Goa Institute of Management.
The Achievers Round was not only an admissions process but also a holistic step where one’s story, journey, and effort are still relevant. And if you get the opportunity to be part of this process, walk in with confidence. Be real. Be honest. Be you.
Because that’s what worked for me. All the best!
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