Saw someone else post their transcript so thought might as well. Please do note that I don't recall the exact questions and answers as well as others who have posted their transcript.
Info:
PCM + CS
Currently in 12th
BSc Economics Candidate
Mumbai; 4th Feb; 8:00a.m
TRANSCRIPT:
1] Bit of informal conversation about my 10th grade school because they found its name interesting (not sharing the name since I don't plan on getting doxxed)
2] What do you think of Trump’s Tariff Policy?
-> Personally, I've got really strong opinions against Trump, so I gave a proper 1 to 2 minute rant/criticism about his policies.
3] Why do you think Trump would have implemented such a policy then?
-> Ma'am I think Trump is misleading people by telling them what they want to hear. When his supporters hear 'tariffs', they immediately think its an automatic tool to protect the local American economy from foreign competitors without realising what it actually means for local prices. He's only implementing it as a marketing tool, in most cases he's enforcing the tariffs only to cut a deal for reducing it later.
4] Design a social media marketing campaign for 16-19 year olds for any product of your choice.
->Picked video games cause it popped in my head first for some reason. Talked about how I would need to specify the target audience even more. So targetting a particular gender demographic, like mostly boys for a game like Call of Duty or girls for a game like Sims. Realised this might sound a bit gender-conforming, so clarified although either gender can play either game, the target audience is typically set like this - they seemed to appreciate that lol. Went on about marketing on the right platforms, like Instagram, Reddit or Discord where people interested in gaming typically lurk. Also mentioned people like to watch YouTube videos/trailers of the game before they make the purchase so sponsoring famous YouTubers to make reviews could also be done.
5]Can you explain inflation?
->answered with hypothetical example of prices of TVs a couple years ago and now.
6]But that is a non essential good, what about inflation of essential goods like groceries? How can government contain it?
-> explained how subsidies to local producers can contain it ~ by getting the producers to reduce costs for the consumers and then using subsidies to pay for the losses they incur.
5] Why Economics, do you have a specific interest in a particular field?
-> had a prepared answer
6] Why Economics in IIMB specifically?
-> had a prepared answer, I did mention here how I appreciate the holistic approach by including subjects like data science and humanities in the curriculum as well
7] Give me an example where an Economist or Data Scientist can suffer if they don't have knowledge of humanities in real life?
-> Gave an example of crime rates in impoverished regions. Said a data scientist may just conclude on the basis of data that poor people commit more crimes because of the correlation and thus advise more enforcement in these areas. They may fail to realise that these regions may have systemic problems like lack of basic amenities and education which drive people to criminal activities. Greater enforcement without provision of these amenities may cause them to become more hostile to the police, which may actually increase the crime rates.
8] You said you liked football(in the SoP) are you a player or a watcher?
->said i do both, represented school in 9th and 10th, also regularly watch matches.
9] Would you start a football club at IIMB?
-> Would rather start an overall sports club so that maximum sports can be represented. They then went on to talk for a minute amongst themselves of how the first batch will be the one to create the entire culture of the campus.
10]Any questions for us?
->asked about capstone project in final year, they explained very nicely.
Note: At least for this Panel, they did not ask anything that was not mentioned in SoP. I had mentioned Trump in the SoP and also my experience as marketing head of my school event, that’s why they asked those questions.
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Hey there! Im the other person who posted a transcript, and after looking at yours, lol im having an inferiority complex. It is an incredibly difficult task to tackle hostile, polarizing opinions (like yours on Trump) at such interviews, your diplomatic skills show! I can only hope I get to meet you on campus, yikes!
Oh well you should know that I was not exactly as articulate in answering this as it looks like when you read the transcriptðŸ˜, definitely a lot more uhh-s and umm-s in there. As for geopolitics, I would say I'm quite well knowledged in that field (extremely active reddit comment section debater) and I got really lucky that they asked questions on whatever I said I was good at in the SoP only.
Its funny because reading yours gave me an inferiority complex too. Hope to you see you on campus as well!
reading both of yours is giving me some complex, and i havent even given a interview yet.
Interviews can be scary. It is not. At the end of the day, they're just Indian uncles and aunties: it's like talking to your parents' friends.
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I'm having so much fun reading these transcripts, amazing job! Good conversations like these are essential. The professors want students who can critically think and give a more nuanced answer (unlike someone random).
You gave very good examples -- and this was possible only because you're /well-read/.
Haha thanks! I would say the professors being extremely sweet and constantly smiling did help a LOT as it gave me the assurance that I'm not babbling something outlandish.
Your point about tariff being a communication/marketing tool is spot on. There were a couple of articles shared by IIM professors on the same. He is banking on the intellectual-bankruptcy of a particular set of people who still think that the foreign company pays the tariff (and not the importer -- which is passed to the consumer in most cases).