Its 02 hrs (02:07 hrs to be precise), on 7th May (technically). And I am writing this blog (after four months!) not because I am turning out to be a writing freak but because I am not getting sleep. As far as I can guess, it has nothing to so with the hectic life going on, nor it has to do anything with the extra bit of stress I am putting myself in. Its because of my excitement to be in one of the IIMs, IIM Lucknow (called as HelL by the so-called HelLites, will definitely like to see whether it has been named aptly). Sometimes I feel if the case would have turned 9 alphabets earlier i.e, the news would have come 18 days earlier..! (Those who still didn't get it, I am talking about IIMC).
When I look a little back, my last two months has been really hectic (yeah hectic for me). It all started on 28th Feb, when finally, after a series of unexpected 'surprises' from CAT 2009, it was time for the written results. It was on the lines expected other than verbal, yet again, ending on the bit lower side. The only doubt in my mind was obvious. A and S were the first one coming with their shortlists and I was a bit dejected not finding my 5878*** in either. It started taking toll when I came to know that I missed a just by a whisker - 1 score..! that turns out to be 1/7.5 of a question (not taking into account the negative marking). Anyway, my wait did give me a smile when I got the calls from all the remaining (Include the twin R's too). And the demanding time started.
With three projects running (including the much coveted IPL), very little time for filling up of forms and TIME gd-pi prep schedule on the weekends, I had no time for even thinking anything other than these. As expected, I did all the formalities just on the verge of the 'deadline' - a typical engineer (Oops! Should I say Engineering student?).
I still remember the last day for IIMB's interview form submission. I wrote the SOP in minmum possible time. I had just finished writing the SOPs and had just enough time to drop it in the campus after penning it down (provided I could arrange for a bike!). And guess what..! there was a call for fire-drill...! It hadn't got any other time..! I quickly got a printout of the SOP and proceeded outside with all the necessary stuffs with me. Thank God, it wasn't up-to-the-mark and it had to be done some other time. I quickly finished it off, went to the campus with Mohit and dropped the form just 3 minutes to the deadline. :)
One thing which I always enjoy doing, no matter how complex the situation is, is making plans - travel plans to be precise. I had to plan for a (first time) Delhi trip and an everything undecided Mumbai trip. I was lucky that I didn't had any interview clash..! With the interviews scheduled on 18th (B), 22nd (C) and 27th (FMS, in Delhi) in March and 2nd (SPJ), 5th (MDI), 7th (L), 10th (I, declared very late), 12th (NITIE, in Mumbai) and 15th (K) in April, they were almost evenly distributed - though it had a disadvantage that the two most important in the lot were so early by that I got only a day each to prepare for them. Nevertheless, I had to do my best in the available time frame and I am glad that I did. i
I am not going to discuss all the experiences in details but would give a simple writeup. B, was pretty good to start with with very good essay and equally good interview. I was happy, or rather would have said lucky at that time, that one of the panel members knew the mobile VAS market well. We both were happy with each other. The interview did end-up with great enthusiasm which was cut short when I came to know that it was shortest in the lot and lasted somewhere around 12-14 minutes only. Verdict - thought of making it through.
C, the most important one, had a gd on IPL which, to my surprise, was not a fish market. I did pitch in with a couple of important points and one of them was even discussed for sometime. As expected, it was an average one. I was the second one to be interviewed, which made my life easier as I had to attend office after it and had a flight to Jaipur the next morning (If you guessed, you are right, I had not started packing yet). The interview was going good as I was asked logical questions on my job and company which suddenly turned into a haywire when the youngest member in the panel asked me whats a virtual mobile network is! I had no clue about it and I knew that it had nothing to do with either my job or company (Later, I asked a couple of persons about it and even they too didn't know about it). Nevertheless, I was supposed to know the answers of the next few questions that followed, though not related to me specifically. They were questions on mobile platforms and all. The oldest member in the panel then went to the current affairs where I was drilled about censorship and social values. Verdict - Boundary case, considering high CAT score and OBC certificate to back me up thought of making it through (even a few IIMC guys felt the same).
Next it was turn for enjoyment. What? Aren't interviews a form of enjoyment? He he.. even then, I had made the most out of the 4 days break along with the travel. From Bangalore, I flew to Jaipur on 23rd to attend Nikhil's marriage. It was a nice experience as I not only saw the Rajasthani marriage but also the city of Jaipur. I cant forget the Lassi which I drank in one of the famous shop (Sorry, I am not able to recall the name) near the HawaMahal. There I also had a few conversations with IIM C passouts (Well, just passouts :)). The two days spent there were awesome as it included mostly fun. It was, then, time to head towards the National Capital.
To Be Continued... (I could have used TBC, but there can be someone out their reading this blog might not know what it is, so...)
P.S.1 : I have added these PSs just because it seems to be a new tradition nowadays. Don't Mind ;)
P.S.2 : Default Disclaimer applies.
P.S.3 : Sorry for making it so long, I had (and still have) so many things to say, but its 02:58 hrs now! so I sud again try to get some sleep. Gudnite.. C Ya.. :)
