My journey can be summed up by one of my favourite quotes from Shakespeare:
"It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves."
In early 2021, I found myself accepted into one prestigious Literature college for a Master's program in English Literature. The opportunity seemed perfect, but something didn't feel right. As much as I loved literature, I couldn't imagine turning it into a formal career. I wanted to keep it as my passion, not a profession. So, despite the allure of top colleges,
I decided to search for my true calling.
As a child, I had always been drawn to writing and business. In my 12th standard, I decided to monetize my writing skills and became a freelancer. This experience exposed me to the world of branding, persuasive communication, and the thrill of converting prospects into clients. Freelancing ignited my love for marketing.
Dropping the idea of pursuing literature, I dove headfirst into writing and marketing. I joined a startup as a copywriter and social media manager, working closely with the marketing team to launch campaigns and promote the brand. It was during this time that
I had my "eureka" moment – I realized that marketing and business were my true calling. While I couldn't picture myself as a literature professor, I could clearly envision myself as a marketer and businesswoman.
In January 2022, I stumbled upon
MICA, the Mecca of Marketing, while researching the best marketing colleges. It was love at first sight! I delved into its curriculum, pedagogy, and alumni base, and I was convinced that this was the place to pursue my marketing dreams. However, getting into such a sought-after b-school wouldn't be easy. The first hurdle was the CAT exam, and my main concern was the quant section since I had abandoned math after 10th grade.
Despite my reservations, I committed to preparing for the CAT exam, knowing that my dream B-school was within reach. With only eight months left, I faced the challenge of balancing a full-time job and studying. I would come home in the evening, watch video lectures while eating dinner, and practice math problems until bedtime. Since my verbal and logical reasoning skills were strong, I dedicated most of my time to mastering quants from scratch. Just when everything seemed to be going smoothly, I encountered a setback in March when a road accident left me bedridden for over a month. Nevertheless, I tried to keep myself positive and make the most of my time.
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In late April 2022, I took my first mock test and scored an impressive 98%ile, sending me into a state of euphoria. However, I let overconfidence get the best of me, and my dedication waned. I started prioritizing office work over my preparations, and the results showed when I scored a disappointing 32%ile in a subsequent mock test. Realizing that I needed to fully commit to my preparation, I resigned from my job, serving my notice period to free up more time. Unfortunately, wrapping up my tasks at work left me exhausted and unable to focus on lectures. Nevertheless, I persisted, giving my best despite wishing for more time or an earlier start.
From September 2022 onward, I devoted myself entirely to preparation. Although I struggled with quants, my verbal and logical reasoning improved steadily. I immersed myself in learning tricks and solving numerous mock tests to enhance my skills. By November 2022, with the exam day fast approaching, I felt more confident and relaxed. On the day of the exam, I gave it my all, even though it didn't go exactly as planned.
I scored 94.32%ile, ensuring my eligibility for MICA.
Immediately after CAT, I had only a week to prepare for MICAT. I dived into the preparations with renewed determination.
MICAT, with its unique sections like psychometrics and descriptive, required additional effort. I thoroughly enjoyed preparing for the descriptive section, which allowed my creativity to shine. Every day, I would challenge myself with picture prompts, and time myself to simulate exam conditions. However, when MICAT 1 results arrived, I was crestfallen. I had failed the psychometrics section and didn't qualify for the rest. It was a devastating blow, and I felt that my dream of attending MICA was slipping away.
However, I had one more chance with MICAT 2, and I was determined not to leave any stone unturned. I threw myself completely into preparation, giving my all. When MICAT 2 finally came around, not only did I qualify in the psychometrics section, but I also delivered my best performance overall. I received a GEPI call from MICA, and I began preparing for the next phase.
GEPI preparation at MICA was unlike any other b-school. Alongside the standard interview questions, I created a creative portfolio with QR codes. I conducted multiple mock interviews with mentors to fine-tune my performance. The day of the GEPI arrived, and as I stepped onto MICA's beautiful campus in Ahmedabad, excitement overwhelmed my nerves. A surge of energy erased my anxiety, and I felt at home in the auditorium, waiting for my turn. First, the group exercise went decently well, boosting my confidence for the personal interview.
At 4:45 PM, my name was called for the PI. As I waited outside the cabin, I noticed the panellists taking extra time with my SOP form, which made me a bit nervous. However, once the interview began, it turned into the most enjoyable interview I had ever experienced. It felt like a warm conversation rather than a typical interview. We discussed my likes and dislikes, and my work, and engaged in a delightful game of wit. The panellists resonated with my love for books, and
I left the interview room with a wide smile, knowing that MICA was where I belonged.
Then came April 11, 2023, the day the merit list was released. And there it was, my name in the offer letter, confirming that
I was finally ready to pack my bags and embark on the journey of a lifetime at my dream b-school – MICA.
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