Bangalore - RSM Interview

Reached Bangalore yesterday by Brindavan Express. By 2:00 PM I checked in and went around the Majestic area. It has been 3 years since I had last come to Bangalore and I felt that nothing has really changed except for a new overbridge to cross the K.G. Road. After browsing for several hours I came back to my hotel room and read my essays once again. My career goals essay could have been better(It definitely would have if my career goals were better..quip) but I really liked my essay on travel(I'm a dumbo..When I love travel my essay on travel would obviously be good !!). Woke up today fresh and after a little bit of trouble with no hot water I finally got ready. Reached the the Le Meridien hotel and met jat_pagla from www.pagalguy.com. He wearing a suit and was very smart. He already had admits from HEC Paris and GISMA, Germany(100% scholarship here). Like me he seemed to be really enthu about RSM. Mr. Rick Rudolph called him first and conducted his interview. Mine was at 10:40 AM and he called me sharp. It was quite unlike ISB. No interview rooms or interview panels. Just me and Rick sat on a sofa and started chatting.

Before we even started he wanted to know how I managed to get get my salary increases staying in one company(Boss doesn't he know about Indian IT industry). The first question was to introduce myself to the RSM Class of 2009 in 30 seconds. I compressed my intro and probably did one in 25 secs. Then he wanted to know how I got into engg. He seemed to be very much disturbed about the fact that anybody he meets in India is an Engineer. I told him how I had always wanted to be associated with technology and how I came to the IT industry. He then wanted to know about my experience and what I want to do post RSM etc. I thought I gave ok type answers but he did not seem to be convinced at all. He kept grilling me and repeated that I don't need an MBA to get into technology consulting. Finally he decided that I'm quite incorrigible and asked me a set of very interesting questions

What is the best advice you got in life?
My answer was "Itz not the size of the dog in the fight, itz the size of the fight in the dog"

What is the one thing you will carry with you to space?
Inspired by Sunita Williams I said "Bhagavad Gita". He asked why. I said that I derive a lot of personal strength from the Gita. Oh God. It has been atleast 15 years since I did the Chinmaya Mission's Gita classes.

What will you do if you are in a room for a whole day and have just 1 sheet of paper?
Very strange question and I gave an equally weird answer. I said I'll make a paper rocket and keep playing with it till I come out !!!!

Tell all different things that you can think of related to number 7?
Seven wonders of the world, Snow white and the seven dwarfs, Seven seas, Seven nations of SAARC(what a weird answer. later realized there are eight countries in SAARC)

If you relate your personality to an animal which would it be?
It will probably be a bird. I'm like the eagle.

What makes you unique?
My life experiences, my professional experiences, overseas experience with a major american railroad..blah,blah, blah !!!!

Finally it was my turn to ask questions. One, explain the PLD program at RSM and two, why only 4% of students are Dutch? Got decent answers and then I thanked Rick for the opportunity to interview with RSM.

All in all stress free like the ISB interview but as usual no stellar moments. Will have to keep my fingers crossed till first week of Feb ! This evening I met Bhagya, a friend from www.scoretop.com and a Wharton aspirant. I thought I have faced quite a few challenges in my personal life but this girl thrashed mine in all respects. I'm sure she is the next "Indra Nooyi" in the making.