Background
I completed my Bachelor’s in Computer Science and Engineering with a specialization in Data Analytics from Vellore Institute of Technology, AP in 2021, followed by 21 months of work experience in the logistics space. My CAT score stood at 97.81 percentile.
Journey to BITSoM
I got to know about BITSoM in 2022 and was fascinated by the program. The modern curriculum, taught by stellar faculties from all around the globe, industry partnerships, the LBS program, and the personalized attention which is paid were the key factors that attracted me. Of course, the at-par placements with other top institutes played a role too but it was the comprehensive advantages that played a pivotal role.
Motivated by the potential of the B-school, I applied to the Batch of 2022. However, to my disappointment, I got rejected. The main reasons for this rejection were the lack of self-reflection and interview preparation. A 40-plus-minute interview is a test of your abilities and understanding, the truly deserving get selected at BITSoM. The one lesson I learned during this process was “
show the interviewer who you are, don't just tell them.”
Here comes 2023 and I reapplied for the program with enhanced self-reflection, bolstered work experience, and a clearer vision of my future goals, leading to my successful acceptance this time.
Instead of sharing my interview script, I would like to share a few of my learnings to help you ace the interview process.
1)
The interviewer remembers what you say: Let’s say you mention that you like reading the newspaper, perhaps at a later stage you might get a question about recent happenings. A question that someone else can skip, but you not answering it, somewhat hints towards you being dishonest.
2)
You don’t need to answer every question: It's okay to say "I don’t know" to a question, we are humans. Knowing your limitations is a sign of self-awareness and just giving vague answers reflects poorly. If it is a question from your mentioned area of expertise and you still don’t know it, lead the interviewer to another question. For instance, "While I don't possess a clear idea about X, I am well-versed in discussing Y."
3)
Have an idea about your future goals: Future goals are vital. While no one can precisely predict their future, it's essential to articulate a well-researched reason for pursuing an MBA that aligns with the values and ecosystem of the college.
Tip: Sit down every day for 20 minutes and write about your experiences from the past week, month, or even years. It may be about a small failure, habits, or your passion and hobbies. Don’t worry about making it perfect or readable: Go where the mind takes you, the point is that those thoughts are now out of you and on the page. Once you understand what you are feeling, then you can learn about your strengths and weaknesses. Being a little self-aware will make you feel confident while facing the interview and you will be perceived as being an honest individual.
Lastly, if you have been rejected before, it’s not the end of the world. It's essential to recognize and learn from any mistakes made. Rise again and show the interviewer the next time that you have worked on yourself and will continue to do so. Nothing like this will excite an interviewer.