IIM Bangalore

The last one was like almost ages apart from its predecessors. All i did was sleep in that time. To my utter surprise, Cornell University gave me an admit and my joy knew no bounds.

The momentum was gone and even the usual ritual of filling up the interview form was also not there as it was done and sent beforehand. I was fed up of looking at the GATE book before every interview and didn't even touch it.

Another one in the morning.B has the least weightage for GD/PI amongst all B-schools. Most of it is already over even before you have spoken a word. Nevertheless you have to do the dance.

I could sense a wave of relief amongst all students as it was to be the last one for everybody. There were few very anxious people. I was sure most of them would be lone B-callers, the most dreaded lot. Because this being their only call they come all guns blazing while you are bored of the whole thing.

We are divided into groups of 12. And i was the first in my group!. The panel had a gentleman professor(GP) and a lady professor(LP).

LP made us sit in a room with a big round table in order. The two faculty occupied two chairs kept diametrically opposite in the corners of the room.

It was to be another case discussion. A Lady, who is a performer and a go-getter has been sent by her employer(auditing firm) to set up their branch in India. she is expected to get it up and running as soon as possible. While she does that here, she faces lot of bureaucratic hurdles and the process starts getting delayed. A Man approaches and offers help. He tells her he knows the way works get done in India which usually involve 'gifts' etc. And that she hire him as a consultant and he will get the work done for her.And we[people in GD] were supposed to tell what she should do?.

Classic business vs ethics case. IIMB just LOVE ethical issues.

GD started and we had a discussion. As usual utopian solutions were being thrown around. No bribing etc etc.

After the GD we were given a sheet of paper to write the summary in "free-flowing-english" and answers to 2 questions
1.Who do you think is the most influential person of the 20th century and why?
2.How does PGP at IIMB fit into your career plans?

Question no 2 was already asked in the interview form. Again?. Oh just wait.

Then i was called in for the interview.

LP:"Lets start with your introduction"

VC:Tape recorder on

LP:"And when did you feel that you needed an MBA?"
[third time!]
VC:Tape recorder on. Different tape though.

LP:"Tell me about what you work on"

VC:Tape recorder on. third tape.

GP:"How has [employer] been successful?.Did you know that at one point they were the most valued company in the world?"

VC:"Yes sir, They were fortunate that an Internet boom happened when they were at their peak. They have made some very successful acquisitions and continue to innovate"

GP:"But do you also know that they don't show liabilities of the companies they have minority stake in and thereby show good balance sheets?

VC(innocently):"Sir, i dont know such minute details and i have no idea about any of this"

GP:"No no.. thats fine!"

LP:"So.. you write poetry.. do you have any that i can see?"

VC:"Sure Ma'am!.." and opened my file and gave her.

She looked at 'If-i-ever' and 'Warrior'.

LP:"Sir... this boy is a romantic tragedy hero!" and they share a laugh.

GP:"So why steve jobs?"

Told about his initial achievements. And then how he got fired and made a dramatic re-entry. Inspirational story. blah and more blah.

GP:"whats your opinion on hogenakkal issue. should karnataka give water?"

VC:"Since Karnataka had given a NOC to the construction, i think they should stick to it. And also i believe that its for drinking water, so they should let it be constructed. Who knows TN may show a goodwill gesture for Karnataka in future"

GP:"whats your mother tongue?"

VC:"Kannada sir"

GP:"Very surprised to hear such opinions from a person of this state!"

GP:"And what about belgaum?"

VC:"Sir i think whichever state addresses the problems of the region - unemployment, infrastructure, literacy has the right to claim it. Even successive karnataka governments have not done anything over there"

LP took a look at her watch and nodded to GP.

GP:"Ok.. Thank you!"

I smiled and left.

Results were to be announced in a week and i had to make a visit to Tirupati. LOL!.