I still do remember the excitement of getting my first b-school call, a feeling quite difficult to put into words. After slogging to get that perfect score in CAT, an interview call seems to be the recognition of all that hard work. You know you have crossed the first hurdle and are ready to battle with the next one. B-school calls are not just a culmination of your efforts but an opportunity knocking at your door. You now need to leave no stone unturned until you reach your final goal. No one formula can help you convert your calls. But, here’s what I feel could be helpful to plan your preparation:
Step 1: Plan well
You might have very few shortlists or you may be lucky enough to get a lot of calls. In either case, you first need to prioritise and strategise. Look at the processes conducted by each and every b-school that you have a call from. B-schools usually conduct GD (Group discussion), WAT (Written ability test) and PI (Personal interviews) to prepare the composite scores of the candidates. Check what processes you need to prepare for.
Step 2: Research about the b-schools
Conduct detailed research of each of the b-school. You need to know about the courses offered, unique things about the b-school, the mission statement, faculty information and any other relevant information available on the website.
Step 3: Improve your general awareness
Not much can be done in the short duration but ensure that you are updated with current affairs, geopolitical scenarios, national as well as international events and other important information. General awareness becomes a deciding factor for a large number of PIs. Check out the trending topics on the internet and try to make sense of the business news. A basic knowledge of the stock market, economics or any other field related to business could be a plus point.
Step 4: Be thorough with your resume
Go through your own profile and try to list down important points such as your achievements (both academic as well as extra-curricular), your strengths, weaknesses, high and low points in life, challenges, positions of responsibility, hobbies, interests, goals (both short-term as well as long-term), why MBA at this point of time, preferred domain and so on. If you have work experience, make sure you are thorough with the projects you have worked on and also have detailed information about your workplace. If you are a fresher, you may expect questions about your graduation subjects, PORs, academic projects and internships.
Step 5: Practice more and more
WAT
If the b-schools have WAT as a part of the selection procedure, then start your practice by writing short essays on different topics. The past year's topics will be available on the internet. Gather relevant statistics about different topics that can be used in the essay.
GD
Try to make a list of various GD topics used by b-schools in the past. Analyze each topic FOR and AGAINST to generate viewpoints.
Step 6: Confidence is the key
Strive for improvement but be confident about your preparation. Surround yourself with positivity, read up interview experiences of people on the internet, talk to seniors who have made it and research more to gather as much information as possible.
Converting a call is not a very tough task if one is well-prepared and confident. Work hard, be yourself, believe in yourself and success will follow you. All the best to all you aspirants!