Date: 4th February 2019
Profile:
Class 10 - 89%
Class 12 – 88%
BBA - 81% (Till 5th semester) , Christ University, Bangalore
NMAT SCORE: 214
Location: 6th floor, NMIMS Mumbai
Time: 11:45 AM
(P1 - Male, P2 - Female, P3 - Female)
Me: Sir may I come in?
P2: Yes, please.
Me: Good morning Ma’am and Good morning Sir.
P2: Please have a seat.
Me: Thank you.
P2: So what are you doing?
Me: I am currently pursuing BBA from Christ University, Bengaluru.
P3: So you have come here from Nepal? (Probably did not pay attention to my first answer. Busy going through my SOP-Statement Of Purpose)
Me: No ma’am I have come here from Bangalore as my college is still going on.
P3: OH, so you are still to graduate.
P3: So do you have a Nepalese passport?
Me: Yes ma’am.
(P3 seemed confused so I explained further).
Me: I was born in Nepal and came to India when I was 8 years old. I first studied at Welham Boy’s School, Dehradun after which I joined Christ University. I have been studying in India for the past 12 years and go back to Nepal for summer and winter vacations.
*Finally all panel members understand.*
P2: Being a fresher how will you cope up with students who have had prior work experience?
Me: Since I have just completed my BBA from Christ University I am aware and very well informed about the content in various subjects taught in the 1st year at NMIMS. Hence the transition from BBA to MBA would be easy because I would be able to relate to various management case studies.
Secondly, It would help me extend my learning curve in the same field.
Thirdly I would provide diversity to the classroom discussions as the official reports from the college website show that close to 70% of the batch joining NMIMS MBA (Core) belong to the engineering background. I would not be biased towards any industry as I have worked in none and would be open to all options. At the same time, I have done 2 internships which have helped create a base which would come in handy during summer placements.
Lastly, management exams come with a high-risk time scenario wherein you can give the exam once a year and hence there stands no guarantee of you converting the exam and the college of your choice next year.
P3: So you have won a distinction in an Entrepreneurship conference?
Me: Yes sir.
P3: What was the conference about and what did you do?
Me: Sir, the conference was organized by the Qualifications and Assessments, United Kingdom. We were enrolled on a basic entrepreneurship course after which we had to come up with our business idea by analyzing flaws in the market.
P3: What was your idea?
Me: I explained the idea and I was asked a few follow-up questions which I could answer with ease.
P2: Why don’t you take placements from Christ?
P1: Yes the placements at Christ are good. Don’t you think not having a work ex will be a disadvantage?
(My interview was back to why no work experience. I answered and the interview moved on.)
P1: So what is your long term goal?
Me: (Had prepared an answer beforehand and answered comfortably.)
P1: What is your father's business?
Me: (Answered with ease)
P3: So what are your hobbies?
Me: I am a fitness freak. I have taken part in various marathons and powerlifting championships.
P3: Oh... so then you must have taken part in the TATA-Mumbai marathon.
Me: No ma’am, unfortunately, I was not able to make it.
P1: Why?
Me: Christ has an 85% attendance policy and anything lower than that would lead to cancellation of hall ticket for final exams.
P2: During your MBA also you will have strict rules. So will you stop participating in marathons?
Me: (Answered and mentioned that I participated in various marathons in Bangalore so that I balance both academics and hobbies.)
P2: What is your dream company?
Me: ITC.
P2: Why?
Me: (Answered)
P2: What is a brand value?
Me: (Answered)
P2: Why not Patanjali?
Me: (Answered)
Thank you, Akash we are done.
This was my first MBA interview experience. I feel that there is still a lot of room for improvement. I was nervous as I did have other calls but none of them were better than NMIMS.
Result: CONVERTED.