Each
year the number of students sitting for CAT and MAT increases. As chances of
gaining admission to top institutes declines, students end up devoting years of
study and preparation without realistic expectation of success. However, there
are other options for students out there! If you want to be judged
holistically, if you are a smart individual but bad test-taker, or if you are
simply hankering for global exposure, applying abroad is your best route
forward.
Applying
to top institutes overseas requires a combination of factors. The first are the
exams—you may take either GRE/ GMAT as most colleges accept these tests. These
tests are less comprehensive in material covered than the CAT and are only one
part of your whole application.
Students
also need to prepare their professional CVs, speak to professors for
recommendation letters, write individual essays for each college, and ready
themselves for interviews. In the strongest applications, each of these
components is well-rounded.
Students
may help themselves greatly by gaining experience in their respective field
through internships and work experiences. Colleges often try to “look beyond
the numbers,” for applicants—looking beyond just marks. Work experience, an
understanding of one's own caliber, and plentiful involvement with social
projects and campus service all go toward strengthening the applicant's profile
It
is important to receive right counseling in navigating these requirements. A
good counselor can help shortlist colleges according to “fit,” i.e. through
their suitability for individuals instead of blindly following rankings.
Counseling can introduce you to programs like HBS 2+2 or YLP or even similar
courses likes MIM, LBS etc. By working with an experienced mentor, you can
maximize chances of admission by picking the right courses and the right
schools. They can also help write essays showcasing yourself most positively,
run through mock interviews with you, and keep your focus on the final
goal—admission at a top university! A mentor can also help you apply to correct
scholarships and funding sources, as expenses are a major concern for all
applicants. Ensure your counselor is suggesting the best colleges for you, not
their own pocket.
There
are many non-Indian options for higher education. If one does badly in
CAT/GMAT/GRE, they can apply to Singapore/UK. Many colleges do not even require
GMAT scores and only require undergraduate marks. However, you must be careful
as both countries have several sub-standard institutions that are
moneyspinners, not educational enterprises. But colleges like Bath, CASS, LSE,
LBS, NUS, SMU, and NTU have tremendous value.
For CAT you must prepare all year, and be judged on one
exam. Since there is only one round a year, risks are high and students
eventually have fewer choices. Applying to the US/UK's top MBA programs allows
for much more autonomy in the process. At the same time, you will be exposed to
world-leading resources, cutting-edge facilities, global networking opportunities,
and an international peer group. While it might seem scary, with the right
guidance you can achieve admission to top MBA programs worldwide.
(The
writer, Mr. Rohan Ganeriwala, is the Co-founder, of Collegify, an educational
institute for study abroad)
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