Getting into IIM Calcutta still feels surreal. If you had asked me in 2022 what I’d be doing a couple of years later, I would’ve confidently said “running a growing trading business.” Back then, that was the dream. But life had other plans.
This wasn’t my first attempt at building a future—or at starting over.
The First Setback: A Dream That Didn’t Pay Off (Literally)
I come from a humble, middle-class business family in Kolkata. In my second year of college at Seth Anandram Jaipuria College, I launched a PU vinyl B2B trading venture. Mornings were for business, evenings for college. I believed in it with all my heart. Sales were strong, but on paper. The mistake? Credit sales. I had debtors who never paid back. Eventually, I had to shut the business down.
Emotionally, I was shattered. I felt like I had burned my parents’ hard-earned money and worse—lost their faith. I spiraled. There were breakdowns. I felt unworthy. A failure.
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Starting Over—Again
That's when I chose to pivot and chase something new—an MBA. I began preparing for CAT 2023 in February 2023 with a clean slate and heavy heart. Every mock, every hour of study carried the weight of past failure. To cope, I used to sketch on the back of mock papers—a small mental release between grueling prep sessions.
On CAT Day, I did well. My result? 99.58 percentile. The joy was real—and so was the hope. Calls came from IIM K, L, I, S, CAP, SPJIMR, MDI Gurgaon and even XLRI Jamshedpur (XAT), NMIMS, SIBM Pune and SCMHRD.
But here’s what I didn’t know: Interviews are a whole new game. I didn’t prepare much—maybe burnout, maybe carelessness. Interviews clashed with college exams. I even had to miss the CAP interview due to a clash with IIM Indore.
End result? No IIM converts. I only converted NMIMS Mumbai—a good college, but financially heavy for me.
A Second Chance In A New City
I chose to join Department of Financial Studies (DFS), Delhi University—a rational decision. But inside, I knew: this wasn’t where I truly belonged.
Emotionally, I was at my lowest—dealing with the disappointment of results, a recent heartbreak and the stress of adjusting to a new city, Delhi.
But something inside me refused to settle.
In September 2024, with just 2.5 months to CAT 2024, I decided to give it one last shot.
I was already attending college, managing personal battles and healing emotionally. But I still found the strength to prepare—this time, smarter.
I didn’t join any coaching. It was self-prep, but with one crucial addition: a study partner, Vidhi Harpalani, whom I met via a Telegram group. Our mock discussions and shared accountability were game changers.
CAT 2024: A Quiet Storm
Mocks. Analysis. More mocks. I had learned my lesson: your mock performance under pressure defines your real performance.
CAT 2024 went well. When the results came—I knew my second shot wasn’t wasted. I withdrew from DFS and went all in.
Redemption, At Last
This time, I had the interview experience. I prepared better. I told my story with honesty. And the results spoke:
- IIM Calcutta – Convert
- IIM Lucknow – Convert
- IIM Kozhikode, Indore – Waitlist
It was emotional. This wasn’t just about getting into a B-school. It was a validation of resilience—that my failures didn’t define me, my heartbreak didn’t break me and that a second chance can still open first-choice doors.
What Helped Me (And Can Help You Too)
- Mocks are everything. They teach you to perform under pressure. Don’t skip analysis.
- Find a partner. Someone you can talk to about CAT—share the stress, the wins, the failures.
- Failure isn’t final. I failed in business. I failed in my first CAT interview season. Still got into IIM C.
- Own your story. Don’t hide your past—connect it to your future.
- Believe in yourself. That’s all you need. The rest can be figured out.
Final Thoughts
If you’re reading this with self-doubt, just know—it’s okay to break down. It’s okay to restart. It’s okay to be behind.
What’s not okay? Giving up on yourself.
I’m Anurodh Chaurasia. I’ve failed, I’ve cried, I’ve sketched through breakdowns—and I’m now walking into IIM Calcutta with my head held high.
“If you really want to achieve something, you have to take a risk. There’s no greater force than determination.”
