How Was Your KVPY 2019 Interview: An Immersive Experience at IIT Madras

Today, Irsquo;m going to attempt to recreate the KVPY 2019 interview experience for you in a dolby digital quality experience. It was my first formal interview, and I assure you, I can never forget it. The reason behind this, besides my nerve-wracking emotions, is the venue: IIT Madras.

Setting the Scene: A Journey through IIT Madras

I reached the entrance of IIT Madras at around 8 am, greeted by security checks and the hum of academic life. After completing the formalities, I was seated in a room, doing one of the hardest tasks: waiting.

The Interview Redux: From Anticipation to Discovery

Finally, I was called into Interview Room 1, where I stood nervously in front of the professors. The interview that followed was a blend of knowledge sharing and nervous anticipation.

Chemistry Professors Experience

P1, P2, and P3: It was a room full of chemistry professors, all of whom seemed to be enjoying the conversation except for me, who was sporting a high level of nervousness. The atmosphere was light and pleasant, as the professors played around with my responses to make the environment less tense.

Question 1: Why do you want to do pure science? Who motivated you?

My response was straightforward: chemistry, particularly organic chemistry, was my primary motivator.

P3's Encouragement:

P3's words of encouragement did their job, helping me relax and proceed with the interview.

Learning through Challenges

The next question was a bit trickier, forcing me to think on my feet about obtaining benzene from an alkyne. I managed to write the correct equation, but my mistake with H3PO4 instead of H3PO2 was noted. The professors didn't seem perturbed and instead remained supportive, even when I couldn't find the mistake in a seemingly straightforward conversion method.

The conversation then shifted to spectroscopy, and I was able to explain the basics to the satisfaction of the professors.

Question 2: Can you explain SN1 reactions' formation of racemic mixture?

This question was more challenging, but the professors remained patient, guiding me to explain the concept through the carbocation planarity and the energy profile diagram.

Final Question: How many planes of symmetry for benzene?

The answer was simple, but the nervousness during this phase drove me to hesitate. However, I managed to confidently state that benzene has six planes of symmetry.

Lessons Learned: This interview was a valuable experience, teaching me the importance of confidence and the value of nervous anticipation in shaping a successful interview.

Conclusion: A Lasting Impression

Leaving IIT Madras that day was a mix of relief and a strong desire to return, perhaps under more favorable circumstances for another interview. This experience has been instrumental in shaping my future aspirations and ambitions.

Do you have any KVPY 2019 stories to share? Or are you preparing for similar interviews like I was? Please leave your thoughts in the comments below.