The first reality check was delivered today.

Today McKinsey announced its shortlists. The list is full of Dean’s listers. The firm also seems to prefer people from a couple of corporations. A couple of diversity candidates have been short listed as well.

As usual complaining, including disappointment and frustration, started – the firm came and said so many things but eventually shortlists only those with top grades. The fact is that it suits these consulting firms to pick up the top graders. They have empirical evidence that these people perform very well.

The argument is this

1. Show me a reason why I should not shortlist a person with a brilliant academic record.
2. Show me a reason why I should shortlist a person without any good academic record.

It is incorrect to assume that those good in academics are not good in others. At least, 60 % of those people good in academics also excel in other fields (don’t have any data to say the same about their personal life though). At the same time, it is also incorrect to assume that those not doing well in academics do not have anything to offer. If that was the case, then Professors should be ruling the business empires. But, to repeat, it suits consulting firms. The onus to convince the recruiter to shortlist, however, rests with the candidate himself.

It is important and good to be self-aware. But human beings are eternal optimists and primarily incapable of estimating their own worth*. Once the exercise of self-estimation is done, it becomes quite clear on how it was wrong in applying to a firm where all along one knew that one is not going to get a call. It pains to get a ding. But amidst such great peer-group, one should be prepared to be battered with many a ding.

PS:
1. Was quite disappointed at not finding the name (in the shortlist) of one of the bloggers – the best all-rounder on campus, in my opinion.
2. Happy that i did not apply. Would not have got short listed in any case 🙂
* I estimate myself based on what i ‘can’. Others estimate me based on what I ‘am’.