With 2 lakh+ candidates appearing for CAT this year, the number has been on the rise ever since. Out of lakhs of test takers, only 5,000 make it to the prestigious and coveted IIMs. That’s like the cream of the country - a mere 2%.
But when achievers from engineering, economics, accounts, technology and mathematics background from across the country come together, some blood is bound to be shed. After all, in a system where the “bell curve” defines it all and we abide by it, someone’s ought to get the leftover share of the pie. Scoring a 40/50 might land you a B or an A, depending on how others fare in a subject. But does that mean that you are any less? Definitely not. All it means that your strengths are different from others and you have scope for improvement in these subjects.
While striving to be 1% of the 1%, people lose sight of their strengths and find themselves caught in the vicious identity crisis.
In this highly intellectual and competitive environment, it is important to look beyond, to accept one’s shortcomings with grace and learn with an open mind, to believe in oneself, to stretch one’s boundaries, to chisel one’s strengths and to improve upon one’s weaknesses. In this place which might seem to be overwhelming and unforgiving at first, help is given to those, who ask for it - if one embraces the opportunities and focuses on being the better version of oneself as compared to the person who stepped into the campus.
A B-school shatters your “I am perfect” mould, only to push you towards reaching your true potential. The path may seem dark, but as Professor Dumbledore said, “Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times if one only remembers to turn on the light.”
So, take one step at a time, brace the storm of “failure” and be willing to a whirlwind change in your life – and you are sure to rise like a phoenix from the ashes and experience the magic this place has in store for each one of you!