u/Living-Lab4850

So I Will Start From The Beginning. I Am A 5/5/6 General Male. Gave Cat In 2025 and Scored Great Percentile(won't share it for some reason) But it was quite high. I got offers from IIM cap, sirmaur and Jammu Basically. I had my interview In IIM JAMMU on 3rd March. In Beginning of June I got a mail of Waitlisted in IIM JAMMU, and Got Ineligible In Sirmaur cause of less than 60% in boards. I Lost hope I really wanted an IIM. But I understood not everything has to go how I want to go. In End of June I Got A Mail From IIM BODHGYA. I got provisional Offer I took it. Paid the fees and Had to report there today on 1st. On 30th I got My dream college mail, IIM JAMMU. And I have made it in. I left bodhgya and paid for Jammu I will report there on 10th.

I Never Believed in God, but Now? I Do. Whoever is reading this? Guys you will make it too. Trust your instincts and Surrender. You did what you could do. Rest is On him.

Be well and I hope everyone gets what they want.

Also I am Getting So Many Holy shits in comment,let me tell you something else too, when the shortlist came I was not offered Bodhgya. On 28th they called me on my phone not email a call, and told me, "You were ineligible but we had an internal meeting and we have decided to Send you an offer" I cried over the call and You know the rest

Firstly, I wonder what's so important to be discussed outdoors on a Sunday evening, that too in formal wear. On top of that, the entire batch is being asked to stand like a military drill.

I fail to understand why the institute gives so much authority to students who are appointed to facilitate recruitment. These senior students summon the entire junior batch and harass them for trivial things like soiled shoes, mismatched socks or a beard. And the institute pretends that nothing like this ever happens.

I'm surprised why there hasn't been any outrage about this. Why no complaints on social media yet? Why is the junior batch silent? Doesn't everyone sign an anti-ragging affidavit right before the admission?

Here's everything you'll need: [electric razor recommendations please]

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Documents -U guys know this

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Bedding

Bedsheet pillowcover (3 sets)

Blanket or quilt if its a cold place

Pillow (check if provided)

• Towels (min 3) Clothing

• 2 full Formal wear sets (all black sb notched lapel)

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Smart casuals. Basically polos and casual shirts with jeans or trousers. dont think they will allow joggers. Generally the above 2 types are mandated

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Good Winter gear if u r going to shillong

Gym or sports training clothes

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• Sleepwear

• Undergarments (7 10 pairs)

• Socks(7 8 pairs)

Shoes Flip flops + sneakers + one formal pair (black laced)

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Toiletries

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Shampoo, soap, facewash, toothbrush/paste, razor, deodorant Nail cutter, comb

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Toilet paper roll and disinfectant

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Small bucket n mug -Electric razor that shaves clean (I need suggestions here)

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Electronics

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• Laptop + charger

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Phone + charger

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Extension board

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Earphones

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Power bank

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Laptop sleeve (rain proof if it rains a lot)

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• Scientific calculator

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Stationery (i think clg will have shops) • Notebooks, pens, highlighters, sticky notes

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Folder/binder for documents

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• Stapler, scissors, tape

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Food stuff

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2 Water bottle (2L and 1L)

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Electric kettle (if allowed)

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Coffee/tea/Maggi for late nights

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• Snack stash for the first week -Dry fruits

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Health & Meds

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Basic first aid: Dettol, bandaids, Volini/Moov

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Personal medication if any

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Paracetamol, antacid, ORS sachets

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And that other thing if things get heated in bed. Would suggest buy and try at home if u have never tried it. Better to know ur specs than fumble at the end moment.

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Misc

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• Padlock (for room/cupboard)

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• Hangers (15 to 20)

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Laundry detergent, clips and a clothesline to hang clothes ofc

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Mosquito net

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• Umbrella

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Small fan if summers (check hostel rules)

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Torch / small night lamp

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• Ziplock bags, rubber bands, safety pins

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Iron (if they allow it)

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Money

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• Cash but not a bucketload of it.

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UPI set up and working -net banking if its not set up yet

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cards

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And get a watch. A good one.

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If you have done your MBA, kindly mention the following things in comments.

1. MBA college + Grad Year

2. Starting salary and current salary post MBA - breakup of fixed vs variable

3. Total years of experience after MBA

4. Industries you worked in, current industry

5. Things that worked for you

Example

XLRI, 2020

22 now 45 (5 variable)

5 years

Consulting and automobile

Xyz worked for me well

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After spending 2 years at IIM Lucknow and now working in consulting, one thing I've realised is that CAT aspirants either massively overestimate or underestimate the role of academics after getting into an IIM.

Before MBA, people often think: "9/9/9 = life sorted." "Bad acads = no future."

But honestly, reality is much more nuanced.

Yes, academics matter - especially for admissions and some SIP/placement shortlists. But once you enter a top B-school, your profile becomes a combination of:

acads

workex

Communication skills

CV spikes

networking

PORs/case comps consistency interview performance and sometimes even timing/luck

I've personally seen:

people with average acads crack great consulting/ finance/marketing roles,

and people with stellar acads struggle because they couldn't communicate well or handle pressure/ interviews.

At the same time, completely ignoring academics is also unrealistic because some firms do use them as filters.

But after a point, your ability to perform inside the MBA environment matters much more than just your past numbers.

MBA is honestly one of the few places where your story can evolve beyond your 10th/12th/grad marks.

Curious to hear different perspectives from aspirants, students, and alumni:

Do you think academics are overrated or underrated after MBA admissions?

What matters most during SIPs/finals according to

you?

Have you seen people outperform their "on-paper profile"?

What actually surprised you the most once you entered a B-school?

And if you could go back, what would you focus on more before joining MBA?

Would love to hear honest opinions and experiences :) or help anyone who needs help...

Cant believe people in here think tier 2 MBA are bad.

I'm a 9/9/9 GNEM, Did my BA from my local college and was top of my class working as a content writer at marketing firm for 4lpa with 7 months experience. Was planning to give CGL next year so applied for CAT that year as a joke.

Didn't study at all for the exam but still got like 90 %tile and trust me it wasn't that difficult. Had a change of mind and Got into a tier 2 MBA(like FORE/ KJ/GIM/IMI/TAPMI) and got a package of 12 Ipa base(13.6 CTC).

By spending around 22l i got a job that pays amazing and i was average in my batch and dont know why people get depressed on tier 2 while im getting a 20% hike this year which i think is great growth, but cant believe people complain.

I know people spending 25 lakh on VIT/ SRM happy at 7lpa yet people here complain about bad ROl. These people worked day and night for JEE and got 90-92 %tile. My medical friend spent 701 on his MBBS makes 8lpa now.

Its easy to get in tier 2/2.5 NON IIMs college(atleast compared to NIT/IITs/NLUs/GMCs) and i did my BA+MBA at 251 and will pay it back in no time.

Life is good and I dont understand why people say its bad when in this country its so tough to make even 10lpa even in top tier careers like engineering

at 7lpa yet people here complain about bad ROI. These people worked day and night for JEE and got 90-92 %tile. My medical friend spent 701 on his MBBS makes 8lpa now.

Its easy to get in tier 2/2.5 NON IIMs college(atleast compared to NIT/IITs/NLUs/GMCs) and i did my BA+MBA at 25I and will pay it back in no time.

Life is good and I dont understand why people say its bad when in this country its so tough to make even 10lpa even in top tier careers like engineering even after spending 3-4 I on jee coaching + Engineering college fees or grind for years for 8lpa goverment job.

To all the graduates from great school, kindly mention the following things, will help greater number of aspirants

1. MBA college and grad year

2. Current salary - fixed and variable

3. Starting salary

4. Industry/company with which you work

5. Honest tip or reality check

In school I was always the 'smart kid'. Then CAT preparation humbled me badly.

People solving LRDI sets in 8 minutes while I'm stuck for 40.

Quant formulas disappearing in exam pressure.

VARC accuracy going from 85% to 45% randomly.

CAT is probably the first exam where hard work alone doesn't feel enough.

But honestly, that's also why this exam changes people.

Anyone else goinugh this phase?(