Hi, I’m Vansh Pundir from SRM, and if you’d told me a few years ago that I’d be writing about my CAT journey, I probably wouldn’t have believed you. My story isn’t about always wanting an MBA or having a clear plan. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.
The Dream That Wasn’t Meant to Be
I grew up in a family where the Indian Air Force was more than just a profession—it was a legacy. With two generations before me serving the nation, I always imagined myself donning the same uniform. I cleared all the required exams, but fate had other plans. A medical unfitness verdict ended my dream before it began. It was a tough pill to swallow.
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The Backup Plan and an Unexpected Turn
With my original dream out of reach, I turned to engineering, not out of passion but as a practical backup. I started doing internships, trying to make sense of what I wanted. The real turning point came when my best friend, Ilesha, encouraged me to look beyond my narrow lens. That’s how I landed in a Dubai-based consultancy, managing a new division and handling real managerial responsibilities. My mentor there introduced me to the world of MBA, and for the first time, I saw a new path opening up.
The Rocky Road of CAT Prep
I started my CAT prep in February, giving myself about 10 months. I joined 2IIM, where I was lucky to meet Rajesh Sir, whose philosophy and approach inspired me deeply. My mentor, who was then at 2IIM and later joined IIM Kozhikode, became my guiding light.
My first mock test score? A grand total of 6, with negative marks in DILR and Quants! It was humbling, to say the least. But I stuck to a disciplined routine, motivated by my mentor and the dream of making my family proud.
Just as I was hitting my stride, dengue struck. I was bedridden for over a month and a half. It was a low point—I was demoralized and felt like giving up. But my family and Ilesha pulled me back. With their support, I started from scratch, determined to give it my all.
The Big Day and Beyond
On CAT day, nerves got the better of me, and I stumbled in VARC. But I managed to recover in DILR and Quants. The days that followed were filled with uncertainty, sleepless nights, and endless speculation about scores and percentiles.
Interview calls started rolling in—IIM Mumbai, MDI Gurgaon, and, as a Delhiite, IIFT Delhi was the dream. I gave all my interviews in Delhi, except for IIFT, where I chose Indore just to spend Holi with my best friend. Funny how life works out—my IIFT interview went surprisingly well.
The Rollercoaster of Results
Results season was a rollercoaster. I faced rejections and waitlists—first IIM Mumbai, then MDI Gurgaon. When the IIFT result came out, my name wasn’t on the convert list. I was devastated and spent days questioning everything.
But then, a twist: I got an email asking for payment to secure my waitlist spot at IIFT. Turns out, I’d entered my CAT roll number instead of my IIFT registration number when checking the results! Relief, hope, and anxiety all at once.
I took admission at IIM Ranchi as a backup, still unsure if I’d make it to IIFT. Just five days before I was supposed to leave for Ranchi, the email came: I’d converted IIFT Delhi. I couldn’t believe it. Sharing the news with my family and best friend was one of the happiest moments of my life.
Looking Back
If there’s one thing my journey has taught me, it’s that setbacks are just setups for comebacks. I never planned for an MBA, but sometimes life’s detours lead you exactly where you’re meant to be.
To anyone reading this—never give up. Things really do work out in the end, sometimes in ways you can’t even imagine.
