From New York to New Zealand, foreign education is a great opportunity.
But what will be required of you?
Karan Gupta, overseas education consultant, held a chat with Get Ahead readers on June 7. He answered questions and eased concerns about immigration, travel and adjusting to life overseas.
For those of you who missed the chat, here's part two of the transcript
WORLIseaface asked, I live in Mumbai, went to Bombay Scottish. Have 87 percent. Wat now I need to do?
Karan Gupta answers, If you want to apply to the US for your undergraduate education, you will need to appear for the SAT and the TOEFL.
Satya2007 asked, Hi Karan, One of the major concerns with an international MBA has been the ROI. What would you like to comment on this specially with the immenent Slowdown.
Karan Gupta answers, If you choose a good B school in a good city, you will have a greater chance of getting a job when you graduate. Most MBA graduates are placed 3 months within graduation.
pre asked, Hi karan.. I have 2 years experience in IT industry..Want to do MBA abroad...How do u rate SP Jain Singapore ,Dubai Campus? Is one year course (Global MBA)better than MBA(2 years) from Indian Colleges?Need your valuable suggestions..Thanks in advance
Karan Gupta answers, SP Jain Dubai campus is a good university but you will have no job prospects in Dubai when you graduate. Most SP Jain students come back to India and look for jobs here.
Kuldeep asked, Hello Karan. My name is Kuldeep and i have done my Engineering in Information technology in 2005, Currently i am working as a Program manager in a reputed Software company. I would like to go for a Management cource, which country would you suggest and what kind of course would halep me in the area of my Job profile.
Karan Gupta answers, An MBA from any reputed Global school will help you advance in your career.
sanjay asked, hi, i have got admission for a masters programme in landscape architecture, but im now 34 yr old, do you thing i would be able to cope up?
Karan Gupta answers, Yes, if you are dedicated and attend class regularly, you will be able to cope.
drdhaval asked, hello, i have completed my Doctor of Medicine in Pharmacology... that is M.D. Pharmacology... which country will you suggest for me for further studies..
Karan Gupta answers, You can look at another doctrate level course in the US. You can opt for a different research stream.
tricha asked, i am doing my electronic media and wanto to pursue my post grad in advertising or graphic designing field. i want to know the best universities
Karan Gupta answers, You can look at the courses offered at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign and Arizona State University.
arjun asked, HI Karan, I did my graduation from IIT Delhi , currently with 5 yr exp in IT (will be 6 by the time ill join a school) ,with over 3 yrs international exp and GMAT score 650 . Can you suggest some schools where I can apply . I am looking for 1 yr courses and also can you suggest which stream of MBA will suit me (keeping job prospects and career growth in mind)
Karan Gupta answers, If you are looking for one year courses, you should consider European Business Schools such as Insead and IE Business School.
Deu asked, I want to do my Ph.D. in Germany. What should I do?
Karan Gupta answers, Take the IELTS and contact professors at the universities you are considering. If they have RA positions available, you can apply for admission.
JitenRatwani asked, I want to work abroad..any job is ok..I have background in electricals...I run my business at lohar chawl in Mumbai. Which course should I take up?
Karan Gupta answers, You can apply for a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or you can apply for an MBA.
shivam asked, hello sir, I have secured admisison to Penn state for MS in EE without any financial assistance. My Aunt who is a US citizen is sponsoring me....can this work against me in VISA interview...also how are the job opprtunities in Penn state for MS ee.. Regards
Karan Gupta answers, Be honest and straightforward in your visa interview. Demonstrate your family ties by showing your family assets as well. Penn State is a good university and you will have decent job prospects when you graduate.
KarthikS asked, Can u suggest me some good universities in US and Canada for MS in Computers, with 72% in UG and 1350 in GRE..?
Karan Gupta answers, You can look at USC, Columbia, U Penn, McGill, U of Toronto.
WORLIseaface asked, Sir, my cousin-brother went to Penn in Ivy League. Will I get legacy points for this connection?
Karan Gupta answers, NO
anantharam asked, sir, on what basis is financial aid given? And what is the chance that I will aid after I join a college? And what is the average expense for an MS student per year (all inclusive)?
Karan Gupta answers, Funding from universities abroad is very hard to get. If you are on campus you can meet faculty members to check if they are employing TAs or RAs.
additiv asked, Sir, I'm hoping to earn scholarship moneys. I leave in August. Is there any way to get money now, or too late?
Karan Gupta answers, Yes it is too late to apply for any form of funding now (except student loans). Once you are at your university visit your faculty members to check if any funding is available.
Manish Mhatre asked, good aftenoon sir..manish here I'm doing job after graduation but now want to study further in abroad is it tough for MBA in London
Karan Gupta answers, If you have at least 2-3 years of full time work experience and a good GMAT Score, your admission to B schools in London will not be hard.
Vitang asked, I want to pursue MBA from US or UK. The sole reason for it is there is much competition in India and also I would be at an advantage to join a MNC giving me a good Pay... Dont u think i m right in It...
Karan Gupta answers, Every student must evaluate his or her career goals before making this decision. If you have done your homework and know what you want, you can safely go ahead with this plan.
shafi asked, iam a bachler(B.com) iam looking for proffetional accounatnt course ,i want to study the above course in abroad,plaese advice me.
Karan Gupta answers, You can apply for a Master's degree in Accounting and along with that you can pursue the CPA.
Tushar asked, Hi, I am planning to apply to the National university of Singapore for BTech.I wanted to ask how good is the university? What are the job prospects after graduation from the university?
Karan Gupta answers, NUS is a good university with decent job prospects after graduation.
Tariq asked, sir i am a student of biotech and i want to do my project of last sem in usa can i do my project there
Karan Gupta answers, In most cases you will have to apply as an undergraduate transfer. You will need to take the TOEFL for admissions.
Abishke asked, Sir, I'm going to Australia when possible. Is it less expensive than options like Germany and Sweden?
Karan Gupta answers, It depends on the university you choose and the type of accomodation you select.
saurabh asked, sir .. i m studyin BPharm at mumbai university..and will b graduating in june2009.. i wish to go to US for further studies .. i m nt sure of how to get started wid my GRE TOEFL preparations.. and i hv been told that pharmacy students are nt encouraged ... the number of opportunites are limited... i wanted to know if i should b thinking about MS or 5yrs integrated PhD programme.. sir kindly can u let me know abt wat would b the pre requisites for admission.. eg .. wat sort of GRE score and acad profile
Karan Gupta answers, Please evaluate your career goals before you make this decision. If you want to committ for 5 years, then opt for a PhD. If not, then go for an MS. A GRE score of 1300 and above is considered 'good'.
abc asked, is usa better for ms or mba?
Karan Gupta answers, Depends on the university and your goals.
Darshana asked, I have a tourist visa and I would like to know whether I can change my status from B1 to F1 visa from the United States.
Karan Gupta answers, After 9/11, it is very hard to change your B1/B2 visa status to F1. You most likely will have to come to India and reapply for a student visa at the US consulate here.
rsr asked, Karan, How good is Warwick MBA? What are the job prospects after Warwick MBA?Please answer.
Karan Gupta answers, Warwick is a great school and among the top in the UK. However, getting jobs in the UK is not easy.
vivek asked, I am working after my MBA for last 5 years with a MNC in Finance. If I want to do further studies should I look at 2nd MBA or PHD as an option
Karan Gupta answers, An MBA is generally more valued in the industry as compared to a doctrate degree. However, this varies from job to job. So evaluate your career goals and then take this decision.
Sri asked, Hi Karan, i m working as Soft Engg since 1yr recently i attended a U.K university counselling, they offered me a seat, course is about to commence by september. Now i am confused whether i should go for that or not. Considering expenses & other things,,, and even i should quit from present job also. I would like to seek ur advice on this
Karan Gupta answers, Make sure you check the university standing and reputation before you make this decision.
Politic asked, Sir, I'm very interested in politics and studying anthropolgy. Which country has best programmes for this aspect?
Karan Gupta answers, US Universities have many programmes in Politics and in Anthropology.
dips asked, I have completed my Mphil in English and want to pursue PhD in English in USA.What is the procedure for admission?
Karan Gupta answers, Take the GRE and TOEFL and then apply to universities for admission. You can also contact the professors before you apply for admission.
soorya asked, I have Completed B.Sc(Visual Communication) and this may will complete M.Sc (Electronice media) from ANNA university campus. Plese tell any Specialisation coures or Diploma courses for 1 year in U.S for better propsepcts in abroad. Please guide me as i dnt knw abt u.s education. Tell courses name and few university PLEASE GUIDE ME SIR
Karan Gupta answers, Diploma courses will not get you a job. If you are planning to study abroad, you should consider degrees only. You can apply for a Master's degree in the US, the duration of which is 1.5 years.
Anand Ramanathan asked, I have done my BE and have about 5 years of IT exp. I have also completed MS(in Finance - provided by ICFAI via distance mode). I also have a GMAT score of 710. Will the MBA admission committee give weightage to my MS.
Karan Gupta answers, Yes, it will be an added bonus in your application.
ilava asked, hello sir, Im weak in English. but i would like to my MBA in abroad. is it possible can you tell me how can i make it possible
Karan Gupta answers, I would recommend that you join some classes here and strengthen your English skills before you apply for admission.
Ajoy asked, Hello Sir, Im a chartered accountant with about 1.5 yrs post professional qualification experiance in an MNC trading comapny in singapore. Prior to my CA i did my articleship in Ernst & young for about 2.5 yrs; Im targetting to give gmat soon and apply for an MBA in 2008 fall. Iwould like to know 1. The minimum scores I would need to apply to a respectable (top50) university 2. What universities you would recommend in asia for an MBA in finance. 3. Would international experience and professional qualification add weight to my application? Please revert - I'd be glad if you could mail me in detail at r.ajoy@yahoo.com Thanks a ton, God bless
Karan Gupta answers, A score of 680 and above is considered good for top B schools. In Asia you can look at NUS and ISB. And yes international experience is very useful to have in your application.
Krishna asked, Hii Karan, I am keen on pursuing Msc. in Eduation research Methodology from Oxford ..Do you think it is easy to get scholarships for doing such courses from premier institutes ..??
Karan Gupta answers, No, getting funding from any top university is never easy.
Part I -- 'Will I face racism in the US?'
DON'T MISS
~ Are you a student who is studying/ has studied abroad? What advice would you have for other students who may soon be pursuing studies in a foreign country? What are your experience as an international student? What were the things you wished you knew before you left home? Write to us at getahead@rediff.co.in and we will feature your experiences right here.
Karan Gupta is an overseas education consultant. He can be reached at kgc@karangupta.com
