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'Is studying in the UK is no longer viable?'

September 17, 2016 08:01 IST

International education consultant NNS Chandra shares advice on how to pick the right international education.

In an online chat with readers every Friday, overseas education consultant NNS Chandra offers advice on how to pick the right course and career abroad.

For those who missed the chat on September 16, here's the unedited transcript:


Tirth Shah: Dear Sir, Most of my ECS were in science (I have changed my mind about what I want to do in senior year). I want to do science so I am applying to college of arts and science at UPenn. I am in IB.

Strong grades. What would be my chances?

What else can you recommend? IB Predicted : 39 Class Rank: top 1 per cent SAT: 2010 ACT: 31, I am retaking ACT hoping for a 33 to 34.

NNS Chandra: Shah, You seem to be a strong candidate. Congratulations.

Looking at last year's admission data, it seems you are a strong candidate in UPenn and would be quite competitive. Focus on essay. Share your experience. All the best


Shekar P: Sir I'm currently in final year of engineering in mechanical branch and my CGPA is 6.7.

After the two semesters , my CGPA will be around 7. But my percentile in class 12 was 54.5 per cent . Can I try for GRE?

NNS Chandra: Absolutely yes. Please test yourself. All the best.


Alkesh Jaiswal: Hi Chandra, I am Alkesh Jaiswal. I have done my BE in Computer Science and scored CGPA 6.02.Due to my percentage in X(53 per cent ) and XII(58 per cent )

NNS Chandra: Hi Alkesh, I went through your question several times. The question on MS or MTech is not that difficult. But I think you have many more things to consider.

Christy Gandhi: Can I know the cost of doing MS in USA and in Canada and in France? What about the cost in England and Australia?

NNS Chandra: Hi Christy, my experience the cost of studying MS varies based on different factors. So it a challenge to give cost.

Depends on course, location, years to graduate etc. I would ask my students to budget 25 to 30K USD an year for tuition, books, board etc it can increase a lot in some schools.


Vara Lakshmi: I am in eighth grade in Ahmedabad international school. My question is What are ivy league schools?

NNS Chandra: Brown University. Columbia University. Cornell University.Dartmouth College. Harvard University. Princeton University. University of Pennsylvania.Yale University.


Praneeth Chandra: Is studying in UK is no longer viable for a student from India? I am reading in newspaper today that things in UK are getting really tough? Is that true?

NNS Chandra: Hi Praneeth, I have not seen any data on the same. Only news items I have seen on this issue. But I do not think it is as you think.

BREXIT and campaign leading to that has created a lot of worries in the English society. I agree. And that is creating discussions around the world. I agree too.

We must wait to see more data on its effect on international students in UK. I would encourage you to wait. Before jumping into conclusions. At the same time you must closely pay attention of developing situation.


Image used for representational purposes only. Image: Punit Paranjpe/Reuters

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