My journey to XLRI wasn’t something I had mapped out from the beginning. It slowly unfolded over the years, shaped by decisions, setbacks, and moments of reflection.
Back in 2021, I was preparing for the UPSC exam. Like many others, I was drawn to the idea of public service and creating meaningful change. But due to personal reasons, I had to let that dream go. It was a tough decision and felt like closing a door I had worked hard to open.
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After stepping away from UPSC prep, I shifted focus to placements during engineering. I started preparing and was able to get placed at TCS. Around the same time, I also gave the GRE and scored 314. The idea of studying abroad did cross my mind, but I decided to stay in India, join TCS, and gain some work experience first.
In 2022, just out of curiosity, I appeared for CAT without any preparation. To my surprise, I scored 95.8 percentile. That score pushed me to seriously consider pursuing an MBA. I had offers from a few tier 2 colleges, but I felt it was better to get some experience before jumping into B-school.
While working at TCS, I started preparing more seriously. In 2023, I appeared for CAT again. I scored 96.4 percentile, not quite what I was aiming for. I didn’t convert any top colleges that year, so I continued working, knowing I still had more to give.
In the 2024 cycle, I gave it everything. I scored 97.5 percentile in CAT and 98 percentile in XAT. These results gave me a fresh boost of confidence and a real sense of progress.
I got a call from XLRI for the HRM program. Honestly, I wasn’t sure I’d make it. My profile wasn’t perfect, and my score wasn’t the highest either. Still, I gave my best in the interview. It went well, and to my relief and excitement, I converted the call.
Today, I’ve joined XLRI to pursue my PGDM in Human Resource Management. Looking back, this journey, from civil service dreams to the corporate world, from GRE and CAT attempts to finally getting into a top B-school, spanned over three years. It taught me a lot about patience, perseverance, and trusting the process even when things feel uncertain.
