How to justify a gap year at IIM interview?

Just like you, Rahul Malhotra is determined to get into a top B-school, in fact, he has his choices clearly defined – IIM, A, B or C. Last year, he took CAT and a couple of other management entrance tests that could get him a seat in one of the top B-schools in the country. He did reasonably well at CAT, getting interview calls from several places, but missed his dream institutes.

This year he’s back to prove his worth. Test results are declared, he’s made the cut and has got the awaited interview call. But somewhere there’s a nagging doubt… What about the gap years?!

Having any gap years in your education, or one or two years that may have elapsed since you graduated from college to the day you appear for the B-school interview can make you worry. Will these become stumbling blocks as you pitch your candidature to the interview board? Take the following poll here to share your viewpoint and also see what the others think about this situation.

Useful Tips to justify gap years:

• Work for an NGO to gain meaningful work experience and exposure
• Serve as a part-time faculty in a MBA coaching institute
• Take up a certificate course – e.g. NCFM/CFA in Finance; Brain bench/Expert Rating certifications are available in various disciples
• Avoid citing personal reasons that do not add value to your knowledge or candidature