How to fund your US education

In an online chat with readers overseas education consultant NNS Chandra addressed queries related to US admissions.

akhilk-123: I got an MS admit in University of Michigan, but couldn't get any scholarship. Is there any way I can fund my US education.

NNS Chandra: You can always work. In campus or outside campus. I suppose you can secure student loan.

Ramya Krishnan: Sir,My son has just gone into XI STD. He wants to do his grad in the US. He has taken the physics chemistry and bio stream. What are the entrance exams that he would need to take to secure admission in the US universities? He is more interested in doing medicine. Kindly advise

NNS Chandra: Hi Ramya, Your son is planning to do grad or under grad in USA? Getting admission is a reputable pre-med program requires hard planned work.

Ramya Krishnan: Thanks sir, I am planning to do under grad in UK / US in medicine. Kindly advise

NNS Chandra: Hi Ramya, Where is your son studying? Which program? IB? He got nearly 18 months to get ready. Pre Med route in USA is challenging. So are integrated Med program like ones in Brown or BU. He must take several exams, like AMC, Harvard MIT challenge, SIN other than ACT/SAT.

Arun Goel: my son just passing out in BA from Panjab University.What kind of course he can do in USA.whether USA university accepts 15 years of study without GMAT but with IELTS

NNS Chandra: After college/bachelors there are several things he could do in America. A mature student with 15 years GMAT score is not that important but giving the test (either GMAT or GRE).

Mukesh Gandhi: My son have completed Dentistry. What he can do further ..

NNS Chandra: Depending on what he wants to do, he can try several routes. What does he want to do? Start practice now or go back to school for specialization?

nitesh khanvilkar: My daughter has passed 12th grade can she go for MS after 12th

NNS Chandra: MS (masters) is taken after UG.

K Kishore: My son is studying IInd year MSc Eco & BE Mech at BITS Pilani...It's a V year course...from when on should he start getting engaged in the admissions process for a PhD...in Engg or Economics...

NNS Chandra: That is beautiful program, which your son is in. Very good. He should start looking at university and start working with professors towards/on PhD. And start training on methodology etc. Now. Admissions application can go in 3rd or 4th year.

sapna sharma: Sir my daughter has learning disability in maths for which she has a certificate from AIIMS Delhi she dropped maths inin Class IX can she be exempt from maths for SAT EXAM

NNS Chandra: She can apply for extra time. There is no point in dropping math. In my opinion.

Vijaya Chopra: How is phd in applied mats in some good univ in usa . My son has just finished MSc in maths . He wants to pursue financial maths

NNS Chandra: Is your son ready with a research topic?

Ramit oberoi: Sir My brother is going to US to do MIS. He got admission in New Jearsey institute of technology. He is now preparing documents to apply for VISA and Loan. My family is showing resistance to the same because of lack of knowledge of college environment and future scope of the same. Kindly give me suggestion about this college, Its MIS course and future scope of the same course.

NNS Chandra: Ask your brother to take a look at the comments on school at student review or sites like that. It is a typical engg school. And MIS is a great option in an applied mode.

Vikas Gupta: My Daughter is in 12th commerce. Would it be advisable to pursue education in US after 12th.

NNS Chandra: Vikas Gupta, Doing Under Graduation in USA would give a head start in an American future. No question, But, it does require to commit a lot of resources and funds. Long term focus. a lot

Sourabh Rajput: Hello sir..myself sourabh..i m pursuing with my engineering 2nd year from electronics Branch from a private clg n i want to do masters in the same field from a reputated university of US..can u plz tell me what GRE score should i get to avail scholarship more than 50% of the tution fee for MS.. n how should i prepare for my GRE exam..i have about 2 years from now..

NNS Chandra: Hi Sourab, admission and scholarship decisions are based on GPA and GRE. Securing 50% of tuition can be a challenge. You must make an University feel they really need you - GPA, GRE and SOP and your EC matters a lot. No specific score I can think off.

saraswathi subramanian: My son has completed his 12th course from the ISC Board in Commerce. We are located in Mumbai.Would it be better to pursue higher education (MBA) after his graduation from India (Mumbai University).

NNS Chandra: I see you point. And doing an MBA in USA after UG in India might be the right choice for your son

Sunil chugh: my daughter is pursuing MSC Chemistry from DU, wants to pursue Ph D from USA

NNS Chandra: Excellent Sunil - continuing to be in campus and doing a PhD is great. What are her research interest? Formulated any hypothesis? SOP? Did she communicated with any lab/researcher in USA?

Shailendra Singh: What is cost and percentage required for admission in MBBS in US / UK

NNS Chandra: Hi Shailendra, In US education model, we do not have MBBS. UK yes. For an year of medical education in UK, I suggest you budget around 42,000 USD.

mary mathew: I want to study with US in Mechanical Engineer with a scholarship did I get

NNS Chandra: Great. Let me know if you got any questions or issues/

nitin digamber hadap: I am B tech dairy technologist working for last 14 years in industry. If i want to study in US do i need to get recommendation letters from my college?

NNS Chandra: You need academic recommenders, sure. But you do not need to go behind professors from 15 years back.

Sunil chugh: my daughter is pursuing MSC Chemistry from DU, wants to pursue Ph D from USA

Dilip Ramaiah: I am currently doing my animation course in Arena. what are the courses and universities available in US in Animation and what is the procedure to enrole there

NNS Chandra: There are several options. What is your major or degree in? experience? Those would determine you courses, right?NNS

Rajesh Samarth: Hello sir, my son has completed BE in ExTC he want to further study MS in US or any other course is there.

NNS Chandra: Hello Samarth, very good. let me know how can I help your son, may be ask him to get in touch with me.

Vimlesh Purohit: From where can i get the study material of LSAT preparation including Model Test Papers?

NNS Chandra: LSAT official site got several materials. Check it out. If you need more and good prep materials let me know. I can probably send you more.

Roshan Parkar: 1 Hi Sir, LSAT is a standardized test held four times each year at designated testing centers throughout the world, my question to you is whether this test is an integral part of the law school admission process in the United States?

NNS Chandra: LSAT, along with your GPA gives enough info on you and required fro American law training. Take it quite seriously, if you are considering to study law in North America.

Anirudh Karthik: Sir I am am in my 3rd year engineering, and i want prepare for GRE, im into electrical, i don't know from where and how to start my preparations. please guide me for my GRE preparation.

NNS Chandra: I would encourage you to check out GRE official website for first level of prep material. I used that when I first wrote it.

M S Sanghavi: hello sir, Hi,I am looking for part time mba in hr and hospital administration in US, can you help me with some good universities and the fee structure?

NNS Chandra: Are you an American citizen or do you hold a gree card? Part time studies for international student is rare. I can suggest several schools but I need additional data on you - grades, SOP, GMAT etc. You must budget 38-44 K USD (total cost per year)

Anirvan: How i can apply for gdpi ?can you help me with the procedure for gdpi?

NNS Chandra: You meant Group Discussions and Personal Interview, right? I can guide you in preparing. Yes. But, if I understand you correctly, by procedure you mean some services reacted to application. Which we do not get involved. I hope I understood correctly. If not please email me with exact question, please.

VIRENDER Gupta: I am B Tech - civil, BITS, Pilani. All 3 levels of CFA cleared. Working with Foreign Bank in trading divn. since 5 years. Got GMAT 710, should I opt now for MBA and which one should be applied.

NNS Chandra: Dear Virender,Congrats for the good score in GMAT. This plus your 5 years of experience and with Engg degree you should be in a strong position as an MBA candidate. May be 710 can be a challenge for Stanford or Wharton of the world, but several top schools should be interested in you. Putting the application and presenting yourself would be the key from now on. NNS

ANILKUMAR RAVAL: What is the prospect for a Mechanical Engineer for Higher study in US ? In which field one should peruse MS ? After doing MS is there chances of getting job ?

NNS Chandra: Hello Anilkumar, Studying for you masters, you must think of what subject you like. What are you passionate about. Ofcourse you must consider what would fetch you maximum value for your career, I understand. From what I have seen and learned so far (looking at job data), I think, the scope of getting a job after your MS is very high. NNS

koul anil: My GRE score is 320.Want to Pursue PG in Computer Science Engineering.Can you suggest University in US

NNS Chandra: Hello Anil - GRE score is important in admission process. Congrats for the score. Can I have your UG grade, subjects, SOP etc. to see how can I suggest the university, please?