There are numerous factors that come into play when deciding whether to take up a college (or not) after your CAT attempt. Given the context of the Coronavirus pandemic, we highly recommend that you check out this curious article about CAT and COVID-19 before continuing to peruse this article. Here are 5 crucial factors to consider with regard to this age-old decision of “B-school or CAT?”.
1. Do I have it in me to retake CAT next year?
While wrestling and imagining various outcomes and implications of this decision, consider this: Do I have it in me to retake CAT next year? This is the most important and pivotal factor to consider while making this decision.
Do you have it in you to sit in a place and prepare for an additional year diligently, religiously and not feeling bad about having missed an opportunity? Then the decision is yours to take.
2. Too much work ex? Too little work ex?
Simply put, your age, work experience and number of attempts should not be a bother at all. This is extremely vital. Don’t let these factors bother you or hinder your dreams. There are plenty of people who have cracked this exam at 28, or on their 5th attempt or had more than 4 years of work experience. There is still a lot of value and opportunities to be seized.
Stop at nothing to get where you want to be and don’t let these factors define you. This article about Bharathwaj’s CAT and Life Journey is highly inspiring.
3. Money matters. Return on investment?
This is definitely a factor to worry about in terms of considering whether to reattempt CAT or take up a B-school this time around. Not many are privileged enough to be able to pursue what they like and are bogged down by financial difficulties. This factor involves some serious thought about loans and savings.
If your entrepreneurial drive, dream or start-up requires you to aim for the top B-schools such as IIM ABC, you’re looking at maybe 20-23 lakhs or even more than this range. This involves loan repayment for 5-8 years or how many ever years it takes. Stop and think to consider how unique your idea is. Do you see the idea springing up from some other company or are you sure of it’s novelty?
4. B-School Ranking
What you want out of this MBA experience and learning matters more than the CTC number. Sometimes, not even a 17 lakh CTC does not translate to a monthly take-home of 1 lakh. Move beyond CTCs, brand names and firm names.
It is who you are that is vital in terms of choosing a B-school.
Obviously, some tags and brand names do open a couple of doors, but it is who you are that matters than anything else. It isn’t settling for a college outside from the top 15-20. Think and worry about what you bring to the table. That is what matters the most. Click here to find b-schools ranked.
5. Introspect to understand your end goals from an MBA course
Here are some questions that you must be thinking about after everything we’ve covered so far:
- Return of Investment?
- What do I want to get out of my MBA?
- Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
The Decision
The decision should be absolutely yours and yours only. Take in these factors, think about how important is each factor to you, and based on the importance, and circumstances available, take that decision. All the best!
Learn for the sake of learning and take joy in the little things in life. Whether it will be a B-school or CAT or neither, stay safe and good luck!
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