Thoughts on ‘would you like to tell us something apart from the information given to support your candidature?’
Your profile and answers are very important now with your CAT/CET score. In any application form, you are asked details like exam scores, graduation stream, percentage marks, work experience, etc. because these points are basic hygiene factors and probably 50% of your profile. The other 50% of your profile is what you are as an individual. How your experiences have shaped your career. What learnings you have drawn from life.
First of all, don’t put a generic statement without any evidence. Don’t write ‘I am a hard working individual’ (Aren’t you supposed to be generally hard-working in life?) But if this hard work resulted in something worthwhile, mention that. For example: because of my efforts and inputs, xyz organization was able to improve productivity by x%. That adds value.
There are so many applicants out there. What is different about you? When you actually go through your MBA program, you understand the importance of this. Any product or service has to offer something different. So how do you put that in your answer? A lot of people simply won’t be able to think of an answer but sit and think. May be it’s your graduation. Say if you are a veterinary doctor or you handled 300 clients or may be managed an event of 500 delegates single-handedly or you paint really well. We always have something that we consider different from others. Make sure you mention it.
Remember, when the institute is selecting you, they also know that you have other options. So putting across points that will bring out what the institute is going to gain from you will definitely add value. For example: I have always tried to make the education institute I have been part of proud by doing xyz things.
If you have entrepreneurial mind and have decided on an idea, makes sense to talk about it. For example: I have always been fascinated about technology and currently building a prototype of xyz which I intend to pursue after MBA. Mentioning your traits with examples works well. For example: I can notice and remember small things about people. This helps me connect with others easily.
The last bit is anything that doesn’t have a place in the official form. For example, if you work with an NGO working for the development of special kids. If you don’t have a formal certificate, it’s ok. As long as you can talk about it and when asked, provide a mail from someone from that NGO.
Every individual is different and what you write should be about you. One solution doesn’t fit. Again, all the examples that I have given are just to help you structure your answer. If you copy paste from here and it’s not what you really stand for, you will pretty much close your case.
From ‘One who has ordered for Pizza is seated opposite to the person wearing blue T-shirt’, one can conclude that pizza person is not blue. From ‘One who has ordered for Patties is on the immediate right of the person in white T-shirt’, one can conclude that the patties person is not white. From ‘The only person who is between E and F eats Strawberry’, one can conclude that E and F don’t eat strawberry.
