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"A strong MBA candidate would have to demonstrate his or her maturity along with academic achievements.
"Whereas for an MS applicant a University would be expecting academic interest and achievement."
Overseas education consultant NNS Chandra offers career advice on pursuing an international career.
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 October 9, here's the unedited transcript:
Rahul Menon: Hi Sir, I have done my MCM from pune university and have 4.5 years experience as a software engineer.
My graduation is in commerce. I wish to pursue MS. My academic records are not great. am i eligible for MS.
NNS Chandra: Depends on school, Rahul. Any which way, your academic work matters more in MS application.
Experience is good to have. What about industry certification, have you tried that route?
mohd aslam: Hi sir I am in final year of master of pharmacology from Dr Bhanuben Nanavati college Mumbai I am interested in doing PhD pharmacology in us.
Sir I want to know best university for PhD pharmacology and admission process.
NNS Chandra: Aslam, choice of University for a PhD programme depends on several things. Mainly your thesis (research question) and your academic work so far.
I know closely about work going on in pharmacology and toxicology in BU and UT and several schools around North America.
Complete your graduation, get a good GRE and have a research question framed.
Sonny Sebastian: I want to do a post graduate course in baking and patisserie.
Can you please suggest a good college in USA?
NNS Chandra: The Culinary Institute of America and Johnson & Wales University offer baking and pastry arts programmes that lead to either an associate's or bachelor's degree.
Another way is to consider associate's degree in baking and pastry arts through community or technical colleges. Even combine with management or leadership.
shyamsundar: Good after noon, myself S Ravi BCom graduate and doing article-ship with Delhi based Chartered form. Please advice for further studies in USA
NNS Chandra: Depends Shyamsunder, are you looking at a grad programme or a bridge programme to continue your CA practice
Akshit Bagga: Hi Sir! I am in 3rd Year pursuing Chem. Engg. from UPES, Dehradun.
I am interested in doing MS in US and working towards building a good profile.
I am very confused about how I will be able to manage expenses as I belong to a middle-class family.
Is it possible to take 1st Semester fees and manage rest of the expenses by working there(or by RA/TA)?
NNS Chandra: Akshit, I would say it is not easy to cover your tuition and living expense with TA/RA revenue.
If you are good, really good, and your faculty is giving you your full eligible hrs/week, you could cover only a part of your tuition.
Getting a scholarship or a grant is the best case for you. All depends on you. Proceed with an application, make it strong. And then see. For now focus on your studies, ECs, GRE
rahul bhatt: Hello sir. I m rahul, I have done MCA, but working in BPO for the last three years.
Can you tell me which BPO can I join without hiding my MCA?
NNS Chandra: Rahul - I am completely understanding your question
Sandeep Mishra: I'm interested to pursue MS from US (Boston/Texas).
I have done BE in Electronics. Thereafter have worked as volunteer (Skill Dev Trainings) in an NGO.
I'm lil worried if my appli will be accepted by Top Universities or not as my line of work after graduation is different from my subject of Graduation.
Also, I'm married and have a one yr. baby, will this be any issue. Plz guide
NNS Chandra: My friend, American Universities love young people like yourself.
Working in an NGO (not for profits as we call here) is highly appreciated.
Come on, having a baby and being married got nothing to do with your application or your academic work.
As long as you think that is a distraction, I did my MPhil when our son was months old. It is a challenge. But universities do not care.
Akshay Narvekar: Hi, I have received admits for spring 2016 from UMass Lowell and New York University.
However, I have received an admit from NYU for MS Electrical Engineering and from UMass Lowell for MS Computer Engineering.
Post my MS I would like to work as a software developer in US. Which university will be a better choice for my post MS plans?
NNS Chandra: Congrats Akshay. I understand your challenge.
The NYU is a good brand. And would help you in securing position. But UMass programmeme would fit well in your scheme of things.
Go with your interest. And trust in your judgement. You should be alright.
Opportunities for a CS professional is more at this time in US.
UMass Lowell is a great campus, second biggest student body in the state.
I love the campus. And I am quite familiar with their computer science grad programmeme and it was was ranked among the top 100
rakesh-ashok: Is 3-yr working exp mandatory to take up MBA or MS, also reply to previous query.
NNS Chandra: Rakesh, When we evaluate MBA applicants we some times want to see some experience and maturity in there. Years depends.
In my experience I have seen mature and academically driven students who have even less than an year of post degree experience.
A strong MBA candidate would have to demonstrate his or her maturity along with academic achievements.
Whereas for an MS applicant an university would be more expecting academic interest and achievement.
Years of experience would have to be presented in a different way in a strong MS application. It is important.
rayees-farooq: Myself Rayees Farooq, I am a PhD scholar based in department of management, Lovely professional university.
I am on the verge of completion of my Ph.D and i have 6 publications in indexed journals and i have attended various workshops and presented papers in different conferences.
I want to do Post-doctorate in management outside India.
NNS Chandra: Great to get introduced Rayees. Absolutely yes. You must consider top universities.
What is your theses about? What kind of journals your works are published? Please send in the links.
rakesh-ashok: hi Chandra, I working global MNC with 3 yr experience as Software Test Engineer. What would be good MBA or MS, I have done B.E. in CSE
NNS Chandra: Hi Rakesh, If your experience and training so far is mostly in CSE/Software-testing I would recommend MS (of course unless you are passionate with management).
Your success in career and in life is a continuation of your current work/experience/interest.
vibha malhotra: Does doing a non credit pre college STEM programmeme from a top notch US college, add value to the undergrad applications to good US universities
NNS Chandra: Great question Vibha.
In my experience, it does make a difference in your application.
Committing to a Pre College programmeme and successfully completing it shows admission officers that you are an academically focused student.
Credit is a different issue altogether. If a programmeme is credited you can later trade in while in University. After admitted, right?
Abhishek Dave: Hello, I wish to pursue research/PhD in US but budget is a concern.
Can you please provide me some idea of how much it would cost.
NNS Chandra: Abhishek - Most of Doctoral studies programmes would offer students with generous scholarships and work/earning opportunities in campuses itself, in USA.
Depends on the faculty, department, university, right? General tuition plus living in USA would vary from 35 K to 45 K US $/year
Anand Hariharan: Mr Chandra, I am a working in India, with 12 years of experience in a large conglomerate. (Heavy equipment manufacturing sector - experience in manufacturing and in Sales and Marketing).
I have a BE and a 1 year full time Executive MBA from an Indian Ivy League Institution.
I wish to work in the US/UK.
Is there some programme which I can do that will help me in my goal?
NNS Chandra: Anand, Securing a work permit/VISA in UK is a challenge these days.
The US -- if you do register as a full time student you have a path to work permit.
Doing your Masters or a diploma should be your first step. You could also apply for job directly. Have you tried that?
sheetal: sir I will be completing my graduation, I want to pursue my education in finance in abroad, can you give me some details, from where should i start?
NNS Chandra: Sheetal, Great choice. If you are interested to study finance and passionate about this area, nothing like this. Booming field.
Even take a look at newer and interesting sub subjects in costing and accounting which are related to environment costing and accounting.
Professionals with training and interest are badly needed in Europe, North America.
Start? Start with University search. Based on your resource, interest etc.
Location/country is important starting point. Then faculty. Subjects offered. Admission criteria etc
nishal geooonishalg: sir I finished my BCom in the year 2007, and after that I started working in a finance firm and i am still working there, now I want to do my MBA in finance from UK, will it be a right career choice for me now, coz it has been 8 years I finished my graduation , please advice.
NNS Chandra: Eight years of professional and work experience would make you a strong candidate and an attractive one in any campus for MBA programme, Nishal.
Be confident about your years in job. Showcase that. In your SOP present it. Talk about it.
If you are running your SOP with me I could more clearly comment on DOING MBA AS A CAREER CHOICE in your case.
But generally, from what I understand you seems to be classified in UK admission process as a mature candidate. In my B-school we classify that way.
Aatish Jagmanani: sir I want to my masters in literature, and i want to do it from Stanford, can you give some feedback about the university?
NNS Chandra: Wow Aatish. Stanford? Great school. Great programme.
Wonderful campus. Faculty include Nobel Price winners to Rhode Scholars.
Where did you graduate from? Which school? Are you a writer?
One of the key things you need to pout together in a solid Stanford application is your PORTFOLIO.
With your recent writings, essays, published works, etc. etc. All the best.
Lead image used for representational purposes only. Image: Punit Paranjpe/Reuters
Have questions for NNS Chandra? Post them here! He'll answer them every Friday between 3 pm and 4 pm IST.