Pursuing studies abroad? Read this

This and more, was on the minds of young students wishing to pursue higher education abroad, when they chatted with Education Abroad counsellor Karan Gupta, on January 25

According to Karan," Getting admission to the top business schools anywhere is very, very difficult. You have to have excellent scores, work experience, etc, in order to get admission. Racism exists in every part of the world, including India. One has to deal with it and move on."

• Have a question you want to ask?

For those of you who missed the chat, here is the transcript:

Anil asked, Sir can you elaborate on usmle? Is it advantageous to practise in India?
Karan Gupta answers, The United States Medical Licensing Examination papers are not easy and most doctors from India cannot clear these exams. Furthermore, to clear Step 3 of the examinations you need to visit the US, which means getting a visa, which is not easy. I would encourage you to practice in India.

Sarita asked, Sir, I want to do a postgraduate course, where would it be more advantageous? In UK or Scotland? 
Karan Gupta answers, Scotland gives you a two-year work permit while UK does not. However, I would ask you to compare universities rather than areas.

Ravi_kb77 asked, Sir I have scored 80 per cent in the 10th standard and 65 percent in 12th standard. In Engineering my GPA was 8.5. Do I have a chance of getting admission for MS in a good University? What is the minimum GRE score required for the same?
Karan Gupta answers, What about your Bachelor's degree grades?  They are most important when looking for admission to a Master's degree course.

Manas asked, Does MS in Management Information Systems (MIS) have value in India? What about the job prospects in India?
Karan Gupta answers, Yes, it does. Many companies here know what MIS is, but getting jobs in India is not easy.

Rupan asked, Can you tell me the best institution for doing BBA in India?
Karan Gupta answers, This is a study abroad chat.

• How expensive is a foreign education? 

Destined asked, Is it true that top B-schools in US have tough admission procedure (Wharton, Harvard) for international applicants as well as they admit two to three Asian students per class to just have the cultural diversity? How much experience matters in getting admission to B-schools? In US there is no racism, while one experiences it in U.K, Australia. Is it true?
Karan Gupta answers, Getting admission to the top business schools is very, very difficult. You have to have excellent scores, work experience, etc. in order to get admission. Racism exists in every part of the world including India. One has to deal with it and move on.

Ash asked, Karan, I am a mechanical engineer and MBA having experience of nine plus years. What are the job prospects for me abroad? Please mention the particular country name also.
Karan Gupta answers, Without having an MBA from the university abroad, you most likely will have trouble finding a job in that country.

Rolson asked, Dear Karan, I want to pursue a career in MBA Marketing. If I opt for a foreign University (preferably US), which ones could I opt for (which the fees are not beyond 25-30 lakhs)? How much do I stand to earn after I am through with my MBA? Thanks.
Karan Gupta answers, Try the City University in the UK. It offers a one-year course and fits in your budget as well. After graduation, you could earn around 40,000 pounds.

Chakresh asked, How much does it cost for a one-year diploma course in foreign countries?
Karan Gupta answers, $15,000.

Hitesh asked, Which is the most preferable country for the field of Agricultural Engineering?
Karan Gupta answers, USA.

Sanjeev Sharma asked, Hi Karan, I have applied for MS in financial engineering programs at Columbia University, NYU, Chicago GSB and University of Berkeley. How will you rank these four universities?
Karan Gupta answers, All four are excellent. However, opt for Columbia or Berkeley, if you get admission to these.

• Is it better to study in the US or the UK? 

Saachi asked, Hi, I'm in my final year of college doing economic honours and currently applying for MSc Management in England. Is it as good as an MBA or should I go in for an MBA in the States?  I don't have any work experience. Also how good is Australia for MSc management or MBA and what are the job prospects there?
Karan Gupta answers, An MBA and an MSc are very different fields. Without work experience you are better off with an MSc. Also, compare universities rather than looking at a specific country.

Gaurav asked, Hi Karan, I have got offer letters from Rotman and Schulich for MBA. I want to do an MBA in consulting. Which one would you recommend? What would be the reasons behind your selection?
Karan Gupta answers, I would go for Schulich. I think it has good job prospects and the MBA classes are pretty good too.

Raj2005 asked, What are the job prospects in the US (preferably in academics) after doing a Ph.D. in management?
Karan Gupta answers, Excellent chances. You can work in a company or even in academia.

Armanhas asked, How helpful is the course ACRP pertaining to clinical research? And which MBA specialisation will help me in this field?
Karan Gupta answers, You should pursue a general MBA. This would help you learn about finance, accounting, marketing and all business specialisations. As far as ACRP is concerned, visit their web site. 

Priya asked, Hi Karan, I am a mechanical engineer, done B.Tech from IIT Guwahati. I am applying for MS in mechanical. Can you tell me places other than UK and Germany, where scholarship opportunities are many?
Karan Gupta answers, US has the best job opportunities as compared to any other country.

Hello asked, Hi Karan, suppose we get admitted to a B school in US, do we have to show the entire 50 lakhs in our bank account at the time of visa interview or is it enough to show some house property worth the amount?
Karan Gupta answers, No, you cannot show house property as a source of funds. You will have to show investments, cash balances as well as income.

Mayur Palod asked, Karan, it's a pleasure being with you...I am second year Pharmacy student aspire to pursue Masters in US.... so in a way I am in dilemma of giving new or old GRE...?
Karan Gupta answers, I would recommend that you take both the old as well as the new GRE. This way the universities will take the best score.

Atish asked, Hello

NK asked, Hi Karan.I am Naresh.. I am doing M.Tech in aerospace engineering from IIT Kanpur and have four years of research experience. I want to do do PhD abroad. Does my experience give me any advantage? Please clarify.
Karan Gupta answers, Yes, work experience is always preferred. The more work experience you have the better.

RiteshAgrawal asked, Karan, I am an s/w developer in a MNC. I want to do MBA abroad. What are the prospects?
Karan Gupta answers, This depends on which university you choose and which specialization you study during your MBA.

Gowrisahankar asked, Sir, I am presently working as Assistant Manager in an export company. I'm a BE Mechanical Engineer, total experience is three years. Want to do MBA from USA. Guide me to choose the colleges and what are other requirements?
Karan Gupta answers, After you get your GMAT scores, you will be able to finally select your schools. The top schools in the US are Harvard, Stanford, UPenn and so on.

Vipul asked, Hi Karan. I'm a working professional and am planning to go for an MBA in the 2008 session. I will have about 2.5 years of experience in IT by then. I would like to know if I stand a chance of securing admission in top foreign universities, given the fact that hey require minimum four to five years' of experience?
Karan Gupta answers, Yes, you do have a chance of getting admission in the top schools. However, you will have to appear for the GMAT and get a score of around 700+

Sriranjini asked, Hello sir, I want to do PhD in environmental science outside India. Ca you please help me out in this regard?
Karan Gupta answers, Take the GRE and TOEFL and then apply for admissions to US universities.

Harakiri asked, I want to study risk management either in UK or USA. Some good universities please...thanks.
Karan Gupta answers, Risk Management is offered by Georgia State University in the US. This is a very good course but make sure that you have studied the course content before you apply for admissions to this course.

Child asked, Hi, good afternoon, I am 52 years old and working as a middle level executive in Central Government. I am a doctorate in science and MBA in marketing management. I want to work on short-term project work in academic institutions abroad, especially Singapore. I don't have gre, tofel scores. Is it possible? I got my MBA from IGNOU. Is it possible to get admission for PhD in management studies abroad?
Karan Gupta answers, Yes, many institutes recognise MBA from IGNOU. However, you will still need to appear for the GMAT and the TOEFL for admissions.

Asif asked, Dear sir, can I join MBA course after completing BSc?
Karan Gupta answers, Yes, but you need full time work experience.

Manas asked, What are the career prospects of MS in US in India??
Karan Gupta answers, Depends on the job as well as the major you studied.

Amlan asked, Good Afternoon, Karan. This is Amlan. I have secured an admission into London School of Economics, MSc course. I plan to finance my study completely with loans. Will that cause visa problems, a la USA visa procedure?
Karan Gupta answers, LSE is in the UK and not the US. And no, you should not have any visa problems if you show a loan as long as you show how you plan to repay the loan back.

Dilip asked, Karan, it's great having you here. Tell me what is a good time to start preparing for Fall'08 and taking GMAT?
Karan Gupta answers, Take three to four months to study for the GMAT and take the exam by August 2007.

Rajesh asked, Hi, I am Raghuveer. I am doing MCA and after that I have a plan to go to Sweden. What are the criteria to get admission?
Karan Gupta answers, You will need only the TOEFL for admissions. Prepare your transcripts, mark sheets, recommendation letters, essay and resume and send it to the university along with your TOEFL scores to get admission.

Sridharan asked, Hi, I am BSC C.S graduate having 30 months of software experience. Does this give me an edge in undertaking MS in US?
Karan Gupta answers, Work experience is always considered at the time of application. Thus, it will be helpful.

Purpleyogi asked, Hi Karan, I am a MBA graduate from one of the IIMs in India and working in the IT sector. I am not satisfied with the money and growth in India. Do you think a second MBA from USA/UK makes sense?
Karan Gupta answers, It is best to work for at least three to four years before considering another MBA. If you are interested, you may consider a one-year MBA from a European B school.

Raj1210 asked, Hi Karan, I have three years of experience in one of the top notch IT firms. I want to pursue an MBA in US from one of the top five b-schools. I am thinking of going for an MIS now and then after a couple of years of experience, go for the MBA. Is this the right approach or should I try some other approach?
Karan Gupta answers, Since you already have three years of work experience, you could take the GMAT and try for an MBA in Fall 2008. Universities consider the overall profile of the applicant which includes academics, GMAT scores, work experience, exposure and so on. Keep a good mix of schools rather than targeting only the top five as admission to these schools are very difficult.

Pratik asked, Hello, sir. I have just read that US is considering three year graduates from India for admissions to MS in computers. How true is that?
Karan Gupta answers, Most universities in the US require 16 years of undergraduate education before they admit students to a Master's program. It will still take some time before universities have implemented the three-year formula.

Shashank asked, Hi Karan, how do you compare US b-schools with that of Australia, Singapore, UK and Canada?
Karan Gupta answers, While applying for an MBA, it is important to compare schools rather than countries. Look at the top B-schools worldwide and then make your final list of application.

Asdasda asked, How good are the prospects of getting an aid to do MBA in US?
Karan Gupta answers, International students are generally not offered financial aid. However, aid in the form of assistantships, scholarships and loans are introduced by the universities.

Karan Gupta says, Thank you all for being here today.

Part I: Choose the right course abroad