u/No_Feature_2004

okay so i graduated this june from LSR with an english hons degree (ge was commerce). and im planning to write CAT this year.

I'd posted about this same 4th year vs no 4th year confusion a while back too but still haven't figured it out.

so du's nep thing lets us take an extra 4th year, and if i do it I'd also get a research degree in english along with the regular bachelor's, plus a minor in commerce. so it's not nothing. i get degrees to show for it. but the problem is every single senior and professor warned us against it bc of research infrastructure issues😭😭

eventually after brainstorming for days, i came to two conclusions which I'll get to in a bit. but i also know i need internships/certifications/ngo work/maybe some independent research either way, that's non negotiable no matter which path I pick.

here are the two options I keep going back and forth on:

1. just take the gap. lock in on CAT prep only for the next 3.5 months, no internships or anything else (since I've barely started🥹). give the exam this nov. after that's done, use whatever time is left to pick up internships/certs/ngo work/research so the gap on my resume actually looks intentional and not like i just disappeared for a year.

2. do the 4th year. prep for CAT alongside it and still attempt this nov (ngl the odds of it going well feel low with everything else going on). after the exam, spend the rest of the year actually building my profile properly: internships, certs, case comps, maybe even a placement through the college placement cell since the research degree could work in my favour there. possibly work for a year after that, then give CAT in 2028 (after 2 years i.e. 1 year for 4th year and 1 year for work ex)

tbh idk which is the smarter move. im still so confused... is it worth stretching this out to 2028 for the research degree + minor + time to build some profile + a shot at placements + work ex or is a gap year and attempting CAT this nov (with a lil profile building after CAT) the better bet? if anyone's been through something similar, would genuinely love to hear how it played out for you.

guys please help me out 😭🙏

I graduated with a BA in english honours from LSR. and I've just started preparing for CAT because that's the only way i see myself landing a good job. But the uncertainty after returning to my hometown from delhi after graduating from a tier 1 college has been consuming me. I'm unsure whether CAT would be the right path for me rn with no work experience.

I'm currently in a dilemma whether i should do a 4th year or not. earlier when i heard our seniors and professors advising us against it, i was so sure about not taking this route. but considering the situation I'm in rn, i am rethinking my choice. here's a pros and cons list i made for this decision:

pros:

1.) I'll get a minor degree in commerce which will help me in my career trajectory later (corporate jobs/mba)

2.) I'll get a research degree which will make me eligible for research/editorial/content-related roles

3.) I'll get access to elite placements again (i was so stupid to not focus on placements the last 2 years and won't repeat the same mistake again)

4.) i can do internships meanwhile to strengthen my CV for future

cons:

(tbh i don't really have much of an opinion here as what I've heard usually negative things about it from seniors and professors. I'd like it if someone who had done a 4th year would guide me regarding this)

1.) an extra "research methodology" paper that I'll have to take up this year because i did not take it last year (as i was sure about not going for 4th year)

2.) research would be very difficult to manage and it would consume most of my time there with little roi.

what would be best for my situation rn?