I am studying 3 yr B.Tech in an institute of National Importance and have a profile of 9/9/8.I wanted know will Tier-MBA colleges take in freshers.Also I don’t have any internships or any other thing major in my resume.People in Tier-MBA college pls share are there people like this in there and others who have any knowledge about it.Your help would be very much appreciated.

Disclosure: I'm an admissions consultant and did my PGPX at IIMA (2022-23). Just sharing patterns from the 12 R1 applicants I worked with this year (10 PGPX admits, 1 EPGP admit). 11/12 converted.

Profiles ranged from around 6 to 14 years of work ex. IT services, manufacturing, Healthcare, cricket, BFSI, consulting, a couple from core engineering. GMAT/GRE scores were all over the place. Least was 625.

What I noticed:

1. "Why now" mattered more than "why MBA."

Almost every interview went deep on timing. Why at this point in your career and not 3 years ago or 3 years later. People who had a clear answer tied to where their career was stuck did well. People who said "to upskill" or "to move into leadership" got pushed hard.

2. Post-MBA goals had to be specific and believable.

"Product management" or "strategy" isn't a goal. The ones who converted could name the kind of role, the kind of company, and why their background gives them an edge there. They also had a fallback that made sense.

3. Low test scores didn't kill applications.

Two people with scores well under the median got in. What saved them was depth in their work. They could talk about decisions they made, what went wrong, numbers they moved. Not just responsibilities.

4. Interviewers tested the resume line by line.

If something was on the resume, expect to be asked about it in detail. A couple of people had inflated bullets and it showed. Keep it to things you can defend for 5 minutes each.

5. Essays that read like LinkedIn posts didn't land.

The essays that worked were plain and specific. One real story told well beats five achievements listed.

For R2 folks:

- Write your "why now" answer first, before essays. Everything else builds on it.

- Get complete clarity on post MBA goals, talk to alumni who walked on the path

- why MBA, how it's fitting into you journey, what's your short term and long term goal.

- Do at least 2-3 mock interviews with people who'll actually grill you, not friends who'll be nice.

- Re-read your resume as if you're the interviewer looking for weak spots.

Ask anything about the PGPX process, interview format, or profile fit in the comments and I'll answer here. If you're an R1 admit too, congrats, and share your experience below so R2 people get more data points.

Hey guys, need some genuine advice.
I got a core engineering job offer with 21+ LPA CTC, around 14 LPA in-hand yearly, plus free food, stay and travel.

But the location is pretty remote. All my friends will be in different cities, and honestly, there seems to be no social life here.

I'm from a Tier 1 city and college, but most people here are from Tier 3/4 colleges. No offense, I can be good friends with anyone, but for work and career discussions, I feel having people with a similar mindset around me matters.

I'm worried I'll just end up working and staying in company accommodation with no life outside work.

Should I take the job, work for 2-3 years and then do an MBA, or just prepare for MBA directly?
What would you guys do in my place?

I am from a tier 1 IIM (BLACKI), I got consulting during my summers. The problem is that the company gives very few numbers of PPOs so I might have to sit for placements.

I have a 9/9/8 profile but my MBA grades won't be good (around 6), I have PORs, Live projects, Case comps etc but all are during my UG.

What are the chances of me getting consulting shortlists during the finals?

I have been seeing continuous layoffs at all top tech companies in core engg teams. I certainly believe SW engineering is far more complex than consulting, investment Banking, or equity research roles.

Aren't the layoffs coming for MBAs?

Well we all know how the economies around the world are getting crushed. Covid. Al. Iran war. Immigration.

A lot of you or someone in your close friend/neighbour would be planning to skip it through a MBA / Master’s abroad. Well the western world has closed its door for people wanting to work afterwards.
This was case in the past that people would go for master's, get a job and settle. However the west has really changed some rules in past 1-2 years. You would see same for US, UK and Europe.

Also specifically warning to people moving to UK and Europe for studies. The economy here is really struggling and not doing well. (see recents riots in Ireland and france and UK).

Here's my case and most of my friends who has moved abroad in last few years (2022-2025)
my_qualifications: International student, completed MBA in the UK last year from top Uni.

Currently on PSW and dealing with the job market + visa situation firsthand.
Right now the reality is that the UK is struggling to attract enough master's students, and international students are basically the ones funding the university sector. Because of this, even some top Russell Group universities are handing out offers to very average or below average applicants just to fill seats.

The job market for internationals is extremely difficult at the moment. Sponsorship has become harder ( Salary threshold increased) , even for core engineering roles where I can clearly see the open roles continuously reposted, and even PhD programmes are now prioritising home students. So that route isn't as open as people think.

Universities will offer scholarships to make things look appealing, but don't assume you're "winning" it's mostly a strategy to secure enrolments because they need the numbers. The Uni's think Indian students will shell lakhs just to move out in dream of settlement.

If you're thinking about coming to the UK for a MBA or master's, I honestly wouldn't recommend it unless you already have 5+ years of solid experience. And if you know someone who is planning to apply and has a financially weak background but academically strong, please let them know what the situation actually looks like. These are exactly the students UK universities are targeting because they rely heavily on their International fee status. Please share as much as possible.

PGPX Round 2 closes on 23 November 2026. If you haven’t applied yet, this is your last application window for the cycle.
I worked with 9 Round 1 interview candidates: 4 admits, 2 waitlists and 3 rejections. These are observations from their interview accounts, not a formula for admission.

The biggest lessons:
Know why IIMA specifically: One candidate handled tough analytics questions well, then was stopped when “why IIMA?” became a generic “why MBA?” answer.

Go beyond prepared industry answers: Follow-ups on US bond yields exposed gaps in one finance candidate’s understanding.

Put your answer first: Several candidates were repeatedly interrupted. Your main point needs to land before the explanation.

Practise recovering: One admitted candidate initially got a probability question wrong, then corrected it calmly.

Own the awkward CV detail: One admit faced repeated questions about a six-month gap and kept the explanation clear and consistent.

For Round 2, start with three separate answers: why PGPX, why IIMA and why now. Then pressure-test your career choices and practise extempore aloud.
A month can disappear into polishing sentences while the harder questions stay unanswered.

If you’re applying, what’s the one part of your profile you’d least want the panel to probe? Add your industry and years of experience for context, and I’ll share what I’d prepare.

Don't take admission in this college.

Twenty days in. Here's what twenty days told me.

They couldn't fill their own seats.

This institute is sanctioned for 120 seats. Previous batches filled them. This year, both sections combined: 57 students. That's 52% of the intake sitting empty. And instead of fixing it, they merged the two sections into one and carried on.

Then they staged the classroom.

We were told to sit together, tighter than we normally sit, so the room would photograph full. Photos and videos were taken. Those are the images that will be sold to the next batch. A hall built for 120, holding 57, arranged for a frame.

Why this matters more than it sounds. Fewer students means less fee revenue. Less revenue means fewer resources, thinner faculty, a weaker placement network. A weaker placement network means fewer students next year. You aren't joining a college — you're boarding something already going down.

And placements? The pitch is a pamphlet, not a record.

Not a single company visited our campus this year. The outgoing batch had to find placements on their own. The packages printed on their material don't match reality. When I asked the placement cell directly, the man hesitated — you could see it on his face. Nobody bites their own tail.

The day-to-day. Cameras on you. Constant calls. The management coordinator and HOD summoning students in the group chat like you're out on bail. Treated like an ex-convict, not a fee-paying adult.

Verdict: don't waste your time and money here unless you want the suffering. Twenty days was enough for me.

​

Hey everyone!

I'm a GEM in my final year of engineering, preparing for CAT with the goal of getting into a top B-school. I'm genuinely excited about the idea of experiencing business school, building a strong network, exploring new opportunities, and eventually landing a great post-MBA role.

Currently, I'm working as a Technical PMO and Product Operations Intern at a global ERP software company. There's a possibility of getting converted to a full-time role next year, so I might have some relevant work experience by the time I pursue my MBA.

My academic profile is 9/8/8 (10th/12th/graduation).

I'm trying to understand how I can make the most of my current experience and what career paths could open up after an MBA from a top B-school.

The career paths I'm particularly interested in are:

- Product Management: Could my experience in technical PMO and product operations help me transition into product management after an MBA?

- Consulting: Would my experience working in a global ERP company be useful for consulting roles, particularly at top consulting firms?

- Finance: Is it realistic to explore finance roles after an MBA with an engineering background and this kind of pre-MBA experience? Which finance roles would be worth considering?

I'd love to hear from people who are currently at IIMs, XLRI, other top B-schools, or have already graduated.

A few questions I have:

1. How is technical PMO/product operations experience perceived during MBA summer placements and final placements? Does it give me a meaningful advantage, or does it depend entirely on the role and impact I've had?

2. If I get converted to a full-time role before my MBA, how valuable would that work experience be for placements and interviews?

3. Considering my background, which of these paths — product management, consulting, or finance — would be the most realistic to target after an MBA?

4. For finance specifically, would I be at a disadvantage compared with people who have a commerce, economics, or finance background?

5. If you were in my position, what skills or experiences would you build before joining a B-school to improve your chances of landing a strong post-MBA role?

I'm not looking to choose a career solely based on salary. I'd like to understand the opportunities realistically, make an informed decision, and use my pre-MBA experience to my advantage.

Would really appreciate honest opinions, especially from people with similar backgrounds. Thanks!

Hi everyone, I'm a final-year B.Tech CSE student (graduating 2027) at IILM University, Delhi. My resume is attached with personal details removed.

My background:

About 1.5 years of cross-functional experience across brand strategy, UI/UX, full-stack development, and growth

Co-founded two ventures (a student freelance marketplace and a streetwear label) and am currently building a logistics SaaS platform

Currently working as a growth intern at a D2C brand

Target roles for now: Brand, Growth, Founder's Office, Business Analyst

My end goal:

I want to reach VP/board-level leadership in a corporate setting in the long run. My plan is to work for 1-2 years first, then do a top MBA in India (ISB is my main target) as a stepping stone toward that.

Funding:

I'll be financing the MBA through an education loan, so placements, average packages, and ROI matter a lot to me.

What I'm confused about:

Which exam should I take, CAT or GMAT, if I'm only targeting Indian B-schools?

Is 1-2 years of work experience enough before applying, given my profile is more startup-heavy than traditional?

Realistically, which colleges can I target (ISB, IIMs, others) with this profile?

Which B-schools are good for ROI if I'm repaying a loan, and how easy is it to get an education loan for them?

How do I start preparing while balancing a job and college?

If anyone with a similar profile has gotten into a good program, I'd love to hear how you approached it. Feedback on the resume is also welcome.

Thanks in advance!

Any updates from tata power after gamified assessment? Been like 1 month since the last assessment...

Hey I’ve 9/7/5.9 profile would i be considered during placements of mba colleges as 9/7/5 or 9/7/6 and what colleges don’t put much weightage on 10/12/UG? (In tier 1) pls clear the doubt

Does nmims online allow students to visit their campus/ library? I have heard from the counsellors saying many online students come to study in the library. Is this true?

Title: 10/10/8.98 profile — Chances at IIM ABC?

My profile:

10th: 100%

12th: 97.5% (MPC)

Graduation: 8.98 CGPA (BE ISE)

Category: General, Male, Engineer

Target: IIM ABC / ISB Hyderabad

I’m currently working in IT and planning to prepare for CAT 2027.

What CAT percentile should I target for IIM ABC? Is one year of preparation enough, and should I consider CAT 2028 if I don’t convert my target colleges? Also, how are the actual placement opportunities in consulting and product management?

I have given 4 years to this entire journey and I am honestly sick of it now. To give you a bg, I am a GEN ENGG Female, and have been decent at studies all through my life.

I am not after any placements, I just want to grow my startup and get a good tag from a college. IIM A/B/C or ISB, that would help me build startups or companies of my own. But PGP seems a far-fetched thought not and I have no energy or bandwidth to give CAT this year. I have secured a GRE score of 325, and have a decent profile. Do you think PGPX would help me? or should I try again in PGP only?

because of preparing for CAT/GRE/GMAT, neither am I able to focus on my job properly or my startup.

I would really appreciate some advice here.

Hi guys,

I got selected for the master's union PGP-TBM program but also I am considering appearing in micat 1. I have 8 years of experience with radio mirchi, First 5 years as radio jockey and 3 years as head of content. Alongside, I also started my own digital marketing company and worked with the government on several campaigns.

Please evaluate my profile for MICA.

Also tell me the colleges I can apply for MBA in marketing.

​

I'm a BBA 1st year student and considering doing mba from Chandigarh University, Punjab or Chitkara University. As they are nearby my home and my family is not allowing me to move out and also there admission tests for MBA are manageable for non maths students.

I genuinely dislike maths and numbers, so I'd like to know how maths-heavy an MBA in Marketing actually is. Is it manageable for someone who isn't good at maths, or do subjects like statistics, finance, accounting, and quantitative analysis make it difficult?

I also have a few questions about career prospects:

1. Maths: How difficult is the quantitative part of an MBA in Marketing? Can someone who dislikes maths still do well?

2. Jobs abroad: If I complete my BBA and MBA in India, can I realistically get a marketing job abroad, particularly in countries like the UAE, UK, Canada, or other countries? Or do employers generally prefer local graduates?

3. Future prospects: After 5 years, will MBA in marketing worth?

4. Job opportunities: How difficult is it for a fresher to find a decent-paying job after an MBA in Marketing? Which marketing roles have the best long-term prospects?

5. University choice: How much does the reputation of Chandigarh University or Chitkara University matter for placements in India and job opportunities abroad?

I'd especially appreciate honest opinions from people who have completed an MBA in Marketing, are currently pursuing one, or work in marketing internationally.

I'm looking for realistic advice, including the disadvantages and challenges, rather than just positive opinions