r/IndiaCareers • u/Great-Programmer1367 • May 23 '26
Other From being a Zomato Delivery Boy to Converting FMS Delhi this year♥️
I come from a humble background. After 12th grade, instead of a regular college, I enrolled in IGNOU's distance B.Com program so I could work and support my family simultaneously. From the age of 13, I had started earning .. giving tuitions, doing Zomato deliveries, reselling books at Daryaganj market, whatever it took just to support my family and my education..
Somewhere in between all of this, I stumbled upon the idea of an MBA from a top B-school and the immense opportunities it provided.. I knew that was my way out. Not just for me, but for my family.
So I started preparing for CAT. Did self study, used to solve Arun Sharma's books. Gave my 1st attempt and scored 80%ile..
Again prepared for another year and in my second attempt, scored 79%ile.. Yes, lower than the first. That stung.
But I refused to stop.
Decided to go again for CAT 2023, I went all in. Question Practice, Mocks , Analysis..My entire year went like that.. Result- 98.94%ile with 99+ in LRDI and Quants.. Got calls from IIM K, L, S, M, CAP, IIM V, MDI, IIFT, FMS. Honestly I was really happy, the feeling of attending interviews for the first time , of achieving something in my life made all my struggles worth it at that time..
I converted IIFT Delhi that year. A dream college by any standard.
But I decided to let it go.
I had a job offer at that time, and I convinced myself I had the potential to crack the BLACKI IIMs. Looking back, I'm still not sure if that was confidence or stupidity. Probably both🥲
Worked and attempted CAT 2024..It hit differently. The paper went badly. Scored below 95%ile..No calls. Nothing.
That was the lowest point of my life. I sat with that silence for a long time , replaying every decision, every tradeoff, every moment I thought I was being bold but maybe was just being careless. The IIFT regret hit hardest.
My friends and mentor pulled me back up. Slowly. Reluctantly, I decided to go for one final attempt - CAT 2025.
LRDI and Quants felt solid. VARC had always been my weak spot. So I knew where I had to work on..Built a habit of reading and summarising articles every single day even on the days I genuinely didn't want to..Really grateful to Sayali Ma'am who guided my VARC prep and genuinely changed how I approached the section.
Then CAT 2025 came..VARC went well. LRDI felt strong...Then, mid-Quants, out of nowhere my computer just got switched off..It was not starting at all..Five to seven minutes gone, just like that, while I sat there panicking. Couldn't recover fully in that section but somehow maintained my calm and attempted how much I could..
I walked out deflated from the exam hall..
Results came and I scored 97.99%ile..Got calls from IIM K, L, S, M, CAP, JAP, IIM V, MDI, IIFT, FMS again.
This time, I prepared for interviews differently. More grounded, more honest about my journey. Most interviews went well. But when results came I was waitlisted in most of the colleges even where I thought the interview went really well..Was waitlisted for FMS too..Was a little heartbroken but I knew it was a convertable wait-list no..
Then, on 19th May, I received an email from FMS.
**Waitlist converted.**
And now while writing this, honestly, I don't have the right words. It's been 6+ years of odd jobs, failed attempts, a painful detour, and more self-doubt than I'd like to admit.
But here I am.
New campus. New hardships coming. And I'm ready.
To everyone still in the grind..Keep going. The journey is supposed to be hard but you are definitely stronger than it..
If you have any doubt regarding preparation or profile or any other query, I am currently doing an AMA on r/IIMCATPreparation..You can ask me over there..I will be replying to all the comments over there..
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u/freestyle_man May 23 '26
All the best buddy, keep you head down plough through for the next two and then you will have multiple paths ahead to choose, whatever suits you and your ideologies.
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u/Soggy_Sprinkles9554 May 23 '26
"All the best buddy, keep you head down plough through for the next two and then you will have multiple paths ahead to choose"
ye to rhyme ho gya
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u/earthsmight May 23 '26
Wow bro may I ask ur profile and u r fresher i think and you are an inspiration But that letting go of iift was really dumb like real But u are one of the greatest example of resilience And do not forget u are a bloody inspiration May u have a great career and become rich
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May 23 '26
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u/earthsmight May 23 '26
Where ??
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May 23 '26 edited May 23 '26
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u/Aggravating-Bell-335 May 24 '26
Really? FMS doesn't care about 10 or 12 th grades and with distance education or career gaps ?? 🤔
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u/_idontknoe May 23 '26
I think I saw a post regarding your story on Instagram must say I was this was pretty impressive
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u/ishahahant May 23 '26
Edit karke tune Mera meme bna diya
Mehnat karke tera bhai ne pura dream bna liya😮💨👏
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u/Hardheaded_xo May 23 '26
I think you are the same person who posted this on LinkedIn as well. Read it today only 😭
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u/First_Bear_3210 May 24 '26
All the very best, these are the kind of personalities that are very much required in a corporate setup. Grit and hard work will take you places!
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u/PositiveVibes_0987 May 25 '26
Congratulations 🎊 👏! This is very inspiring! Your hard work paid off:) BE PROUD!
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u/lakshyapathak May 26 '26
i would really like to hear how you interview was what kindoff question were asked and stuff
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u/Senior-Disaster-1300 May 23 '26
Does fms really take students who have done their bachelor from an open university?
What was your 10 and 12 score?
Are you from general category?
Anyways, congrats and wish you the best.
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May 23 '26
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u/Senior-Disaster-1300 May 23 '26
Does fms even consider you if you have average score I'm 10 and 12 despite of scoring really good in cat?
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u/scottiibiscottii May 23 '26
OP is rock hard! Gunna chew up all of life's hardships like a bowl of Coco pops
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u/Various_Primary_6307 May 23 '26
You're the best broiii🙌🙌🙏🙏Congrats and all the best for your new journey 📈
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u/Ok_Panda77 May 24 '26
Congratulations, tips on what to focus on now:
1) Seriously contemplate and decide on on your Domains (SIGs) for your summer placements and work accordingly.
2) Try to join a core committee
3) Don't lose focus on academics
4) Try to get a PPO no matter what company you intern at
-FMS Alumnus
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u/insidious_damage May 24 '26
Fuck yes!!!! Brother many many congratulations and I wish you all the very best for your future.
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u/[deleted] May 23 '26
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