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6 May, 2020

7 minutes Read

Leaving A Top-10 B-School To Chase A Dream - Two Time CAT 99 Percentiler's Journey Against All Odds

I decided to go for one of the top-10 B-Schools in Indai, studied there for 1 month, attended the complete induction process, and realized while contemplating during those long guest lectures that I had not put my cent percent, so decided to give it another shot.

Well, it was indeed a big step, to leave a top-10 B-school and to venture again into that uncharted and uncertain territory known as CAT. But as Sydney J. Harris once said “Regret for the things we did can be tempered by time; it is regret for the things we did not do that is inconsolable”. So, I convinced my parents, my mamas, chachas, buas, and a heck lot of other people, and eventually on June 31st, withdrew my admission.

The plan was simple; 5 months, 10 hours a day, 50 mocks, a score of 99.8+ and the Mecca of Indian B-schools (A, B, C) is mine. But, you know how the saying goes, and indeed the universe was listening to my plans, and having a good laugh, because, exactly 7 days later, while my parents were out of town, and I was all alone, I heard my cat (well, the animal) screaming from the top of our terrace, she got stuck there, and I had to do something, so I climbed up there, picked her up, and while coming back, lost my balance, fell from a height of 6 ft, and broke my right arm; not just broke it, but utterly smashed it. So, there I was with 2 broken bones, 1 bone shattered into pieces, and a dislocated elbow, alone at 1 AM.

As you can guess, I had to undergo a surgery, and had a plaster of 3 kg on my right arm for the next 2 months. After a lot of hospital visits, injections, X rays, and physiotherapy sessions, here I was, good as new, ready for the battle.

Now, New Plan: 3 months, 30 mocks, and a score of 99.6+, and the holy trinity is mine. But, you know the Universe and its laughs. Anyway, I prepared for 3 months, scored 100 percentile in a few mocks. Everything was going well, and then the CAT came (this time, the exam).

On the D-day, I couldn’t replicate my momentum, It just wasn’t my day, and I attempted only 66 questions (24 in VARC, 14 in DILR, and 23 in Quant), my lowest ever attempt by way too far. I came home, checked the analysis by IMS and TIME, and knew that I WAS DOOMED. I may not even score 98 percentile, may not even get a call from IIM Shillong, let alone the Trinity.

The next one month was a nightmare: sleepless nights, bouts of jitters, and what not. And, as per my habit from engineering days, unlike my peers, I never calculate my score in advance, never. All I can think in this 1 month along with preparing a little for IIFT and XAT was what everyone was going to say. How am I going to face everyone, particularly how am I going to face myself? I had left a school that most would kill for. But you know, you can’t cling to the past because no matter how tight you hold on, it’s already gone.

The one thing that apprehended me the most was whether I’m going to stop believing in chasing my dreams, and be stone-cold pragmatic like the rest?

Fast forward to the Judgement Day

The day of reckoning came, I got a call from a friend that results are out, I put the phone down, prayed to get what I deserve, not a bit more, not a bit less, opened my laptop with shivering hands, downloaded the scorecard, and read that number, the number that is going to define me for the next 6 months, the number with which everyone is going to judge me and my potential, and there it was 99.42 percentile.

One thing that I should have told you is that whenever any important event is about to conclude, I always ask the Universe for just one thing, “Ghutno te nahi, je maariyo, te khade khade” ( it roughly translates to, that if you are going to doom me, then let me go down with dignity). And that is what I got. Yes, I scored below my potential, at this percentile, no A B C, but still, it was a respectable percentile, and it saved my confidence, and my spark.

But, how in the world did it happen, and then I saw the sectionals. VA-RC – 72 (with an attempt of 24) I.e. 100 percent accuracy, Quant – 61 (90+ accuracy). OVERALL: 168 (90+ accuracy). Now, the unusual thing here is VA-RC, if you are even a little acquainted with the world of CAT, then you know that it never happens. NEVER. In the last 2 years, I have attempted 60+ mocks, and have never ever seen even 90 % accuracy in VA-RC, not mine, not anyone else’s. It’s nothing short of a miracle (and I’m the biggest non believer on the face of earth).

That day, I understood one thing, that the universe (you can call it a matter of chance, a random anomaly or whatever) has conspired to save my confidence, my dignity, and the most important of all a belief - that if you work hard, and put everything, every damn effort, then everything else will fall into place, and even if takes a miracle to save your ass, it will!

*******

Update - Note from Team InsideIIM on 7th May 2020: The author, Nishant Sahni reached out to us requesting us to remove the name of the B-School he left after a month. He also informed that his intention to write the story was to share his journey so that it helps someone going through the same dilemma and not to intentionally or unintentionally, hurt anyone - particularly the students and alums of that particular B-School.

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Comments

Shivesh Gupta

AISKAI National gold medalist in Grappling ( Yupp have certificate and pic with proof )🤠 Antisocial Fitness Non-fiction books Likes to mess with people's head - will be a future HR ✌🏻

Indeed a powerful story, Never heard of someone attending B-school for one month and dropping out. Kudos to your Dedication for defying the norms!

6 May 2020, 02.49 PM

+Read Replies (1)

Nishant Sahni

NISHANT SAHNI is a graduate in C.S.E. from NIT Raipur. An avid reader, and a track runner, he aspires to start his own venture after completing his management education. His academic profile is as follows: 10th/12th/Graduation - 95/91.4/8.77 Overall CAT 2019 performance: OA/VA-RC/DI-LR/QA - 99.42/99.65/92.97/98.81 IIFT - 99.04 percentile

Thanks shivesh for appreciating the effort.

7 May 2020, 01.19 PM |

Batul saifee

I believe educational institutes in india especially IIMs breaks the dreams of passionate MBA aspirants rather than cultivating it. They have set paradigm for ideal MBA students that is excellent past acads. This is not fair.....giving so much weightage to past (sins) academic score is so unfortunate. Why don't they at least quality those candidates for GDPI round to know their side of the story and at least give them a chance to prove themselves through CAT and interview. If they don't find those candidates good enough in interview them don't shortlist them bit at least give them another opportunity by shortlosting high scores for GDPI round ignoring past academics. Can you please through your platform petition for changes in such a system. A system which taken more lives than making it. A system of a top educational institute which is a reason of depression, fear and misery among large number of students instead of being a ray of hope and opportunities.

6 May 2020, 03.38 PM

manjit nath

Hi Nishant. Its really disheartening to read your story. You have scored a great percentile- a dream that many harbor but only a few achieve. You took a big risk by leaving a top bschool in hopes to get into another top bschool. People like you would do great 4-5 years down the line after graduating from any of the top bschools. Narrowing down options to just IIM ABC is simply not worth it. I know you are an engineer with extraordinary academics and CAT percentile and you have every right to dream about IIM ABC. But, I would request engineers to consider other top bschools like FMS, MDI , etc which are as good as IIM ABC. There might a few differences which would not even matter few year later after an MBA. And with that stellar percentile, you can easily convert a top 10 bschool apart from ABC. Kindly consider that you got a choice, there are many particularly from non-engineering backgrounds who face difficulty securing a seat even in a decent bschool. Moreover, they don't even get good job opportunities after completing their bachelors degree. Things are even worse for arts graduates. In the recent batch in IIM B, arts students comprise 0.00% of the batch. So, you can understand how sad it must be on their part- no good job, no good MBA college, nothing. You got a great academic profile, a degree from NIT, and a stellar CAT percentile. With just a few months/years of work experience, you can make it to the top IIMs and if you wish you can make it to the top bschools abroad. You don't have much to worry about. You are already sorted than many others. I wish you all the very best for your future and all your hardwork will pay off on day.

6 May 2020, 03.53 PM

+Read Replies (3)

Nishant Sahni

hey manjit, thanks for your input. I completely agree with you on all accounts including the fact that all the top B-schools, IIMs and standalones are equally good, and it doesn't matter much where you end up in, especially a few years down the line. And I didn't leave MDI because I thought that MDI or any other non IIM for that matter is not good enough, it was just a personal choice. I realized that I had not put in my cent percent effort, and there was a spark to do better, just to see my limits, whether I can prepare diligently for the next 5 months or not. It had nothing to do with the school being an IIM or not. Also, I was fortunate enough that I was able to afford my decision - in monetary terms and in terms of support from my family and friends. I just didn't want to have any regrets in future that what would have happened, had I given it a shot. Hope you understand. :)

7 May 2020, 01.45 PMEdited |

manjit nath

Hi Nishant, thanks for your response. I understand it was a choice. I simply wanted you to feel good about yourself that you got not only one choice but many choices to choose from. And what you have mentioned is very much correct that we should take chances so that we do not regret later in life. We live only once so its worth to take some second chances and given that you have utilised your second chance so well and secured a high percentile, I am very much happy for you that you made your second chance worth it. Moreover, I am also delighted to know that you filled up NITIE , FMS forms and you are waiting for your results. I sincerely hope you convert both of them. Your chances of conversion look very high for both the institutes and both of them have the potential to direct you to the path of fulfillment in your personal and professional life. All the very best to you and do keep us updated!

7 May 2020, 02.43 PM |

Nishant Sahni

thanks for the appreciation. :)

7 May 2020, 06.24 PM |

Hi Nishant. Its really disheartening to read your story. You have scored a great percentile- a dream that many harbor but only a few achieve. You took a big risk by leaving a top bschool in hopes to get into another top bschool. People like you would do great 4-5 years down the line after graduating from any of the top bschools. 
Narrowing down options to just IIM ABC is simply not worth it. I know you are an engineer with extraordinary academics and CAT percentile and you have every right to dream about IIM ABC. But, I would request engineers to consider other top bschools like FMS, MDI , etc which are as good as IIM ABC. There might a few differences which would not even matter few year later after an MBA. 
And with that stellar percentile, you can easily convert a top 10 bschool apart from ABC. 
Kindly consider that you got a choice, there are many particularly from non-engineering backgrounds who face difficulty securing a seat even in a decent bschool. Moreover, they don't even get good job opportunities after completing their bachelors degree. Things are even worse for arts graduates. In the recent batch in IIM B, arts students comprise 0.00% of the batch. So, you can understand how sad it must be on their part- no good job, no good MBA college, nothing.
You got a great academic profile, a degree from NIT, and a stellar CAT percentile. With just a few months/years of work experience, you can make it to the top IIMs and if you wish you can make it to the top bschools abroad. You don't have much to worry about. You are already sorted than many others.
I wish you all the very best for your future and all your hardwork will pay off on day.

Aditya Trupta Pattanayak

6 May 2020, 05.36 PM

Kumar Rishi Raj

Looking forward to know where our brother ends up.

6 May 2020, 06.07 PM

+Read Replies (2)

Nishant Sahni

hey rishi, thanks for appreciating the efforts man. Got done with most of my interviews. Converted SIBM and NITIE for now. Waiting for the results of the rest. And a couple of interviews of FMS and IIM B are still pending. Once decided, I surely would let you know where the universe takes me to. :)

7 May 2020, 01.35 PM |

Kumar Rishi Raj

Wish you all the luck man.❣️

7 May 2020, 01.40 PM |

sabyasachi parida

Heck of a journey man! Very inspiring. All the best for your future. So, which institute did you finally join?

7 May 2020, 09.53 AM

+Read Replies (1)

Nishant Sahni

hey sabyasachi, thanks for appreciating the efforts man. Got done with most of my interviews. Converted SIBM and NITIE for now. Waiting for the results of the rest. And a couple of interviews of FMS and IIM B are still pending. Once decided, I surely would let you know where the universe takes me to. :)

7 May 2020, 01.28 PM |

AKSHAY RAJ

Akshay is a various reader and loves reading fictional novels especially the ones by George Orwell and Paulo Coelho. He is supposed to be an Electronics & Communications engineer by degree. This year he is joining IIM K for his MBA.

Even after converting IIM K why did he choose MDI G

7 May 2020, 10.17 AM

+Read Replies (2)

Nishant Sahni

hey buddy, both MDI and K are indeed comparable. Both have certain edges in different domains. Just the fact that I belong to NCR, and was not much keen on going to south, and also marketing being my priority - an area in which MDI centainly hold an edge, I went for MDI.

7 May 2020, 01.31 PMEdited |

AKSHAY RAJ

Ok got it. Also best of luck for the future .

8 May 2020, 08.03 AM |

kripanshu upadhyay

where are you now

7 May 2020, 12.22 PM

+Read Replies (1)

Nishant Sahni

hey kripanshu, got done with most of my interviews. Converted SIBM and NITIE for now. Waiting for the results of the rest. And a couple of interviews of FMS and IIM B are still pending. Once decided, I surely would let you know where the universe takes me to. :)

7 May 2020, 01.34 PM |

Luikang Robin

Man... I admire your dedication. Hope luck turns in your favour this time.

7 May 2020, 06.49 PM

Satanik Kushari

Incredible brother. You did what your mind directed, you did the right thing and that's the way to have success. Bravo!

7 May 2020, 11.00 PM

Tushar Tonde

Hello sir , first of all I would like to appreciate your efforts , you totally deserved it and all the best for upcoming interviews and results. I am thinking from past couple of weeks to do somewhat like you did so I request you to please help in getting out of this dilemma , I have scored 97.54 percentile this year but I have poor academic profile 10th/12th/Grad - 86.33/80/74 also I am GEM from a private university and had an average interview so there are very few chances that I could make it to the even Baby IIMs , I do have admission offer from XIMB & IMI Delhi. I am currently in final year of UG and have job offers from MNCs but I believe that I can do much better in CAT2020 , so finally I want to ask you even if I convert baby IIMs and above mentioned colleges should I go for them keeping in mind the current pandemic and recession situation can affect placements of such tier-2 colleges, if NO, then should I prepare for it alongside the 9 hour job in a different city or without it ? Thank you in advance for your guidance.

8 May 2020, 04.46 AM

Hello sir , first of all I would like to appreciate your efforts , you totally deserved it and all the best for upcoming interviews and results. I am thinking from past couple of weeks to do somewhat like you did so I request you to please help in getting out of this dilemma , I have scored 97.54 percentile this year but I have poor academic profile 10th/12th/Grad - 86.33/80/74  also I am GEM from a private university and had an average interview so there are very few chances that I could make it to the even Baby IIMs , I do have admission offer from XIMB & IMI Delhi. I am currently in final year of UG and have job offers from MNCs but I believe that I can do much better in CAT2020 , so finally I want to ask you even if I convert baby IIMs and above mentioned colleges should I go for them keeping in mind the current pandemic and recession situation can affect placements of such tier-2 colleges, if NO, then should I prepare for it alongside the 9 hour job in a different city or without it ? Thank you in advance for your guidance.

Vinamra Maliwal

Hi Nishant, I too have a kinda similar story like yours. Graduated in 2018 from NIT Allahabad in CSE. Quite Decent Academics. Scored 99.04 in CAT 2018, Converted IIM K. But dropped the idea of joining it because It's the holy Trinity that we all crave for. Fast forward to CAT 2019. Messed up in verbal. Scored 98 percentile. No calls. All this with my 9 to 5 software developer job at an MNC. I am now again planning to appear for CAT and GMAT as well this year in 2020. I have a question for you. What are the colleges you are willing to take up this year and if you don't get them somehow ( I wish you get them ) Are you willing to give one more shot ?

8 May 2020, 11.58 AMEdited

Manjunath V Desai

Awesome story dude..in between your 1st attempt and second what were you doing? and how did you manage to defend that gap in interviews? please suggest

10 May 2020, 08.50 AM

Deepak Nagpal

Hi InsideIIM team, Although you guys have removed the name of the college from the article, but it is clearly present in the URL and also in the comment section.

30 Jun 2020, 05.01 PMEdited