IIM Bangalore PI - All about SOP

IIMB PGP Interview – 24th Feb 2022

Waiting time – 10 mins

Time for interview ~25 mins

Profile – 95/90.2/82 (CAT – 99.93)

2M, 1F (1M was way too sweet)

1. Why MBA?

Ans. Told my prepared answer

2. What is underwriting in your work? Some discussion around it?

Ans. This word was there in my SOP - they asked me what it means and I tried explaining them the internal lingo of my workplace and then they more or less understood my line of business at workplace

3. Why is Tesla not selling via dealers? And selling directly?

Ans. Since underwriters are ones who deal with dealers in my work, they asked me this. Told them dealer takes commission and Tesla could be taking some part of it by bypassing dealer but not sure.

4. Have you heard about the company called Ola Electric? How did Ola say they will sell?

Ans. I read somewhere they are trying the Tesla way of selling but told them not sure, they followed up with future plans of Ola - told not sure. This was the moment I felt this is not going good.

5. So you are from Kota, the coaching hub. What is the education scenario currently?

Ans. Mentioned about pros and cons of the society and emphasised on the dark side of suicide rate and also the competition with online education.

6. Assume I'm in a small village in East India, should I send my kid to Kota?

Ans. I said in a humorous way - first Sir I think you should ask the kid if he/she wants to study for IITJEE or take science. He smiled and said yes. Then I mentioned the leanrings this city can give the kid.

7. You mentioned in your SOP that people inspire you. Tell me 2 people who inspired you apart from friends and family?

Ans. Mentioned my maid as the first one. The discussion went later on labor laws and if she gets paid enough. The 2nd one I mentioned was the local politician name since I suddenly became blank. He later asked me a person whom I've met (since I hadn't met that politician) - told about a mentor of mine who is an ex-Army officer and how his stories transformed me.

8. Family discussion? They asked I’m comfortable sharing, Core philosophies? Competition and how you feel? Importance of some of the philosophies.

Ans. Told about a shop my parents run and how small businesses changed my outlook and taught me a lot at grass-root level. Highlighted the importance of trust in the business. The sweet professor said – I teach the value of this in my class too.

9. What will you do after MBA from IIMB? Family or corporate and what’s the plan.

Ans. Told them I'm interested in consulting and would like to work in a corporate.

They read the SOP in and out. I said some points – they said yes we saw in SOP.

Overall a friendly panel, wanted to have just a good conversation.

Verdict - Waitlisted (later Converted)

(Half the interview is decided when you write SOP, so make sure that is coherent)