BITS Goa graduates with 9/9/8 profile and 99.6 CAT can still be rejected at IIM Indore because Indore's composite score doesn't give special weight to elite UG institutions; it weighs 10th and 12th heavily. This thread includes a BITS Goa 9/9/8 profile with 92 CBSE 10th, 92 HSC, 99.
63% CAT, and 22 months workex who was rejected at Indore. BITS elite brand doesn't compensate for sub-94% 10th at Indore's academic threshold. IIM Indore at Rs 16.
5L fees and Rs 25 LPA average values raw academic scores above UG institution brand. For BITS Pilani, Goa, Hyderabad graduates targeting IIM I, the game plan is: ensure 10th above 94%, 12th above 92%, UG above 85%, CAT 99.7+.
Without these, even elite UG doesn't guarantee I conversion. BITS candidates should target: IIM Calcutta (accepts lower 10th/12th for strong profiles), IIM Lucknow, Kozhikode, FMS, SPJIMR, XLRI. IIM C at Rs 27L fees and Rs 34.
23 LPA average is often a better target for BITS graduates because C's composite formula weights CAT and profile quality more than pure academics. Non-IIM alternatives worth considering: ISB YLP (for those under 24), XLRI via XAT, IIFT via IIFT exam. Don't assume elite UG will override academic cutoffs; each IIM has specific formulas that penalize below-threshold performers regardless of other factors.
Prepare your application strategy based on each IIM's stated and historical cutoffs, not on prestige assumptions. Check your eligibility at collvera.