"University selection depends on several things, your grade, scores....
"You need to get several things done before you can succeed and secure a job in USA.
"For example, you need to formalise your knowledge with proper certifications and designations, may be you should get back to university, strengthen your academic and technical skills."
Overseas education consultant NNS Chandra offers advice on how to pick the right international education.
In an online chat with readers, every Friday, overseas education consultant NNS Chandra addressed queries related to international admissions.
For those who missed the chat on July 10, here's the transcript:
Pranobesh chakroborty: Best colleges/ university in USA and canada for Pharmaceutical research. chance of getting scholarships. Pl.let me know.
NNS Chandra: Hi Pranobesh, securing a candidateship in any doctoral programme would require academic and research focus.
My colleague Ms. Priya, based on her experience, says "pharmaceutical courses are very very difficult to get inno scholarships at MS level. Phd in any pharmacy course is highly competitive".
aastha bobby: sir, I am 42 year old female at canada or any US college and want to do chocolate making degree course. is it any open opportunity for me.
NNS Chandra: Interesting choice:-) I wish that I could do such a course. I would love to become a chocolatier!
I have heard about several community level programs. I know of a short program in Cornell for summer. What exactly are you looking at?
niveditha halappa: My son has got a GMAT score of 600.Which are the good colleges in USA where he can apply. Thank you
NNS Chandra: Dear Niveditha, MBA school selection not only hinged on GMAT scores, but grades, experience, and several academic and non academic achievements of candidate. email details, I can guide better.
Mahesh Moog: My sister's son is in class 12. We want to send him abroad for doing Medical Education.( MBBS) Want guidance regarding this.
NNS Chandra: Dear Mahesh, I know there are lot of students studying for MBBS in different parts of world, China, Russia.
I have limited info on them. Most cases I discourage those options.
Getting admission in USA/Canada for pre-med and then to Med program is not easy.
Last few years I had observed, with interest, some students from India studying in Caribbean Med Schools and getting trained in US Med School.
I was impressed with training and cost effectiveness. Check them out, or e-mail me, my office can give you additional info.
Pramod Sidhwani: I have done regular BA Hons in Eco from DU, can you please advise good unversity in US/UK for MBA in finance or other suitable field
NNS Chandra: By regular BA honors, you meant 3 years or 4 years, Pramod?
University selection depends on several things, your grade, scores....
navdeep: Hi, I will be shifted Canada after 2 month. I have 17 years+ experience in Accounts. I have completed MBA (Finance). What course will benefit for me. I am 45 years old. Write me. Navdeep
NNS Chandra: Welcome to Canada. I am right now in Canada. In a small town 25 minutes East of Niagara falls.
navdeep: But my question regarding course at this age. I will do job there.
NNS Chandra: I would recommend getting yourself some certifications and then working towards some designation would help on short term. On long term, it might be a good idea to go back to university and do a course.
nova: I have done my B. Com, I want to do MBA from USA. But I have serious health problem of Epilepsy. Please suggest in which university to apply where there is no discrimination. Study-Abroad
NNS Chandra: Dear Nova, I can assure you, from my experience working with student with severe condition of elliptical seizures at the university, there would be no discrimination. In North American Campuses. Please do email me. I can connect you with proper resources at this stage of application itself, those who are trained to direct.
aniruddha-joshi: I have heard that there is currently a saturation of indian students in US.I am planning to do MS in Industrial engg will the saturation or competition affect the chances of getting a job or internship.
NNS Chandra: I am fully agreeing and quoting Priya here "I would not call it saturation but yes, the number of applicants has increased and its difficult to get assistantships, scholarships and internships. but every year, the demand of need of skilled people only grows."
anand kumar bargale: My son is 12 year is old studying in 6 th class and i want to send him UK for further studies.
My plan is that after secondary education he will get easily admission in some good universities. kindly do comment.
NNS Chandra: Dear Anand, I am so glad that you are thinking of post secondary education this early.
It is always good to look ahead and plan. Preparing and starting in this direction can be fun, enjoyable.
No need to stress yourself or your son.I would be glad to talk to him. And you.
CHANDRASEKAR KOTHANDARAM: For a PHD admission to Business related research, is GMAT sought after or GRE ?
NNS Chandra: I would strongly recommend GRE. I took it. And also look at a research methodology training at university level. Might be of a big help.
Megha Nambiar: What is the criteria for 2nd mate exam and what all documents do I have to submit for the assessment?
NNS Chandra: Hi Megha, Welcome back. Did you change your plan? You were considering an animation program earlier, right? This is huge shift.
Jaydeep Amrania: Sir, I am Jaydeep (B.com graduate) having exp. of around 8 yrs and working as admin exec. Due to limitation in my qualific.
I am not getting senior level. post. I have hands on exp. in comp. hardware and intrstd. in comp. hardware and networking itself.
If I start pursuing any specialized course in comp. hardware and networking, can I get a good job opportunity in US?
NNS Chandra: Hi Jaydeep, you need to get several things done before you can succeed and secure a job in USA.
For example, you need to formalise your knowledge with proper certifications and designations, may be you should get back to university, strengthen your academic and technical skills. Email me with more details, I can provide you with some direction.
My colleague Ms. Priya is adding to my comment - if the intention is to get to the US, the best way is to go as a student, get a MS degree and apply for jobs. Direct H1 visas depend on luck and sponsor and can take a lot of time.
CHANDRASEKAR KOTHANDARAM: I am 46 years old, BE Mech, MBA and 24 years of experience in business development. I want to do PHD in business analytics. Does my Age affect my prospect of getting admission in good universities in Canada
NNS Chandra: Absolutely not, Chandrashekar. Age should not be a deciding factor for PhD admission. You might even get considerations as a mature student and some advantage for your years of experience. But no way you can short academic and research requirements for becoming a doctoral candidate.
Have you completed your research question, or area clearly identified?
Please feel free to send SOP/resume as an email along with your SOP/resume if you want me to review that. I should be glad.
Bharat Rakshak: Hi Chandra sir, I want to do Masters in transportation and Automation Design in Europe can you help me with some information like which university in Europe has this course and some additional information like fee structure, accommodation ets etc ….thanks
NNS Chandra: Hi Bharath, Are you looking to study transportation from the science or the management side?
There are great courses offered by top universities both in Europe and US in your focus area. Choice would depend on your background, current/under-grad study, grades, right?
Tuition fees in Europe – depends of city – average you can keep it to 15-18 K (US Dollars) for international non EU students, to give you an idea.
Meghan Yeragi: What is the eligibility criteria for LSAT?
NNS Chandra: Meghan - No official prerequisite. Intended for bachelors degree graduates and undergraduate students about to graduate, who want to apply to law schools. Having said that, I must add that you must have interest in pursuing a career in law.
Varsha Singhe: Sir I have passed my Nursing in January, 2015 and now I want to pursue my studies in post basic Bsc nursing and + with a job in abroad, so please can you give me some idea how should I go about it?
NNS Chandra: Hi Varsha, appreciate your interest in continuing your studying.
I had three nursing students from India came over from South Asia in last couple of years to Nursing Schools to Canada for advance study. And all of them got certified and now practicing. That can be one route. I have seen several of nursing grads moving to Europe.
Puspal Sinha: My son pursuing Aero space Engg. from Amity University, Noida. What is the job prospect in US if he gone through GRE.
NNS Chandra: Hi Puspal Sinha, I assume your question is more about job prospects after doing a masters in USA.
Depends a lot on university, program and grades, right? Generally the job climate in US, right now, is OK. My experience, I think your son should be alright.
Also,, my colleague Ms Priya notes – Jobs in core engineering fields are difficult to get. A lot of Indians students shift to Software jobs after finishing MS in core engineering fields. This could be for two reasons 1. jobs in core engg field and few and competitive .2. Software jobs and more and/or better paid.
Lead image used for representational purposes only. Credit: Fred Prouser/Reuters
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Have questions for NNS Chandra? Post them here! You may also email him on syam.chandra@transwebglobal.com
Based in Boston, USA, Chandra is an engineer by training, an academician by trade and researcher by passion.
He often shuttles between India and the US to coach students in admission related counselling.
He is associated with professional organisations like Study Iowa, NACAC, OCACA, ACA, ASCA to name a few.
