Some General Lessons on GD/PI as Symbiosis Date Draws Closer

So this is the second year Symbiosis is going to have Group Discussion / Personal Interview for those who qualified after writing the SET – Symbiosis Entrance Test. What should one expect? Before giving my guidelines, take a look at what happened in last years GD/PI, that should give a good indication as to what you should expect.

Jenisha Parikh, originally from Bombay, and currently studying in NUJS, Kolkata shared her experience from last years GD/PI for the readers of this blog, which she had cleared with panache! Over to Jenisha.

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Just after CLAT got over last year, students who got selected for the Symbiosis GD/PI had no chance to recline back in relief as the interview was scheduled just one day after the CLAT day. Out of fear and paranoia, I arrived an hour early in my crisp formals with all my certificates. First, we had a group discussion. For this, we were divided into groups of roughly 10-15 students per group. The topic which my group was allotted was ‘terrorism’. Also, from my discussion with students in other groups, I can say that the other topics allotted were based on current affairs and social issues.

If you want to stand out, it helps if you are well read. Since the topics are not very difficult, everyone would have something substantial to say. What one must do is to think of points which no one in the GD has yet raised or will raise, and that is where your reading and general knowledge helps.

For example, on a topic like ‘terrorism’, we had comments like- ‘the government must do something, we need to impart training to our armed forces etc. However, such generalised statements would not really make an impact as it is purely based on common sense. If one can link the Isreal- Palestine issue to terrorism, if one can talk about the much debated legislations like AFSPA thereby relating terrorism to human rights, if one is well versed with the story of how Sikh extremists were routed from Punjab, if one can link ‘waging of war against Union of India ‘to terrorism (as done in Kasab’s case), then that would show that some thinking has been done by you and you are actually making an effort to understand the problem and this would definitely give your arguments an edge over the clichéd one’s.

Secondly, in a GD, it is also important to listen to what others are saying. In my group, I noticed that everyone was simply eager to put forth their arguments without patiently listening to what others had to say. Such an approach should be avoided as firstly, it is important to be courteous to your fellow students and also, you might end up repeating what others were trying to say or what they already said. If you listen patiently, then you can frame a good counter argument to it.

Thirdly, be confident when you speak(it's a general rule for every GD/PI). When someone is rebutting your point, you have to be quick and sharp to think of a counter to that. And such quick thinking can happen only if you are confident about what you are speaking.

Next, we had a personal interview. They had a good look at my certificates and initially all the questions were based on my activities in school and college. However, do not forget to have an answer to the question - ‘WHY LAW and WHY SYMBIOSIS?’ [Ramanuj: Don't say this is my back up option if I don't get law schools! For god's sake, have a better answer with some substantial reason prepared. They may ask you what would you do if you get through to a law school. Then you can be more honest and say “I will go for NLS if I get it!”]

Further, we were even tested on legal knowledge, as a good number of questions regarding the constitution and the general legal awareness were asked. I was asked about the Bandhua Mukti Morcha case, the latin term for the ‘right to be heard’ (audi alterem partem). On the basis of my discussion with other students, I can say that the level of difficulty of those questions was moderate. However, I clearly remember students saying that they messed up their personal interview as they were unable to answer the legal knowledge questions properly. So do not get nervous if you are unable to answer those questions as you might mess up the rest of the interview. [Ramanuj: If they are asking difficult questions, they will ask them to everyone. And everyone is going to be stumped, so not to worry. However, how a person handles a question to which he/she doesn't know the answer to shows a lot of things about that person. Remain confident and pleasant through out. Be graceful even when telling them you don't know it. Show youa re applying your mind, don't plead ignorance recklessly. Think for a moment, and then politely and gracefully say 'Sorry, I don't know this'.]

Finally, I would just like to say that be confident and do not get nervous. You do not have to worry if you are not an expert at a GD/PI (or have no experience). I also lacked experience as it was just the second GD/PI in my life. All you need to do is to use your common sense and talk confidently. They are looking for an all-rounder where possible. [Ramanuj: But well, we all know they won't get the best of the students. Relax, be confident, there is not much choice that they have!] Even if your certificates do not really show the same, try to project yourself as a responsible and a smart student at the personal interview. At the GD, make good arguments and at the same time, listen to what others have to say as this shows a rare combination of smartness, humility and patience in you.

And yes, do enjoy your trip to Pune!

Best of luck to all.

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Now that was some awesome help from Jenisha. I shall qucikly outline some ideas that you could use:

1. GD is not merely about how much you know, but also about your social intelligence. Don't be pushy. Don't fight for your arguments. Accomodate others. But don't be too quiet. You have to take initiative and speak up – no one is going to give it to you in a platter. You must find the natural opening where your point fits in.

2. Arguments and logical inferences are better appreciated than general claims. Don't waste your time saying generally known and accepted stuff. Don't try to show off how much facts you know. Rather come up with a sharp argument, that will be the best.

3. When there is no new argument to be made, or people are arguing too much, introduce new facts and invite arguments in light of such facts. That way you facilitate discussion, that helps.

4. Being co-operative rather than competitive helps. If everyone else is being very competitive, still let your efforts to co-operate with otehrs stand out.

5. Even if you know nothing good on the topic, simply take the role of the moderator of the discussion. That's a valuable role. First carefully hear out for a while what others are saying. Focus on rationalizing and summing up the different arguments brought forth by others, try to find a conciliatory approach and bridge gaps between different points raised.

6. You may not be the wisest or the most witty guy in the room, but you could certainly be the nicest. That is appreciated.

All the best! If you find the post useful, kindly leave a comment saying so – otherwise there is little incentive for kind souls like Jenisha to help out you guys!