GLOBAL EDUCATION COUNSEL

USA UNIVERSITY

noreply@blogger.com (Redefining Boundaries..) — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 07:31:00 +0000

Texas A & M

Introduction:

Texas A&M University, often called A&M or TAMU, is a coeducational public research University located in College Station, the University is centrally located, approximately equidistant from three of the 10 largest cities in the United States (Houston, Dallas and San Antonio) and the state capitol (Austin).

It is the flagship institution of the Texas A&M University System. It opened on October 4, 1876 as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, the first public institution of higher education in the state. In 1963, the Texas Legislature renamed the school to Texas A&M University to reflect the institution's expanded roles and academic offerings. The letters "A&M" no longer have any explicit meaning, but are retained as a link to the university's past. Bustling 5,000-acre campus with 46,000-plus students and a nationally recognized faculty. Texas A&M has two branch campuses, one in Galveston, Texas, and one in the Middle Eastern country of Qatar. There's access to world-class research programs and award-winning faculty.

Academics:
With more than 120 undergraduate degree programs for students to choose from, Texas A&M University has one of the ten largest student bodies in the nation — and the largest outside a major metropolitan area. Texas A&M offers a comprehensive selection of 240 master's and Ph.D. degree programs and the only Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) in Texas. Numerous programs have earned top rankings by U.S. News and World Report and other organizations. The university's academic and social support networks are focused on helping students succeed. Texas A&M's ability to produce effective leaders with extraordinary character, integrity, and a "can-do" attitude, truly sets it apart from other universities. At Texas A&M, students have a wealth of opportunity to pursue their lifelong career goals. Many of Texas A&M's degree programs are ranked in the top 10 nationally.
The ten colleges making up Texas A&M University are as follows:

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
College of Architecture.
College of Education and Human Development.
College of Geosciences.
College of Liberal Arts.
College of Science.
College of Veterinary Medicine.
Dwight Look College of Engineering.
George Bush School of Government and Public Service.
Mays Business School.

Admissions:
To apply to the university the student needs to submit a completed application form, along with the required test scores like SAT / GRE / GMAT TOEFL depending on the course requirement, transcripts, recommendation letters, statement of purpose and all other required documents as per the University. Once all the documents are received they will be reviewed by the university and the decision will be informed to the students.

Scholarships and Financial Aid:
The Regents Scholarship is offered to assist students in achieving their educational goals at Texas A&M University. International students are not eligible for this scholarship. Generally it is difficult to get scholarships for international students. Generally students applying for Doctoral programs are preferred for any type of assistanceship or scholarships.

Costs:
General expense for international students is approximately ranging between $26,000 – 30,000. Depending upon the course or department the fees may vary the fees is subject to change without notice. Students are expected to meet all financial obligations to the University by designated due dates. Failure to pay amounts owed may result in cancellation of the student's registration and their being barred from future enrollment and receiving official transcripts.
Library:
The University Library system includes the Sterling C. Evans Library, the Cushing Memorial Library and Archives, the West Campus Library, the Policy Sciences and Economics Library, and the Medical Sciences Library.
The general academic library is the Sterling C. Evans Library. The bulk of the library collections and services are located in or near the Evans facility. Among these collections and services are the Humanities and Social Sciences Reference division, the Map Library, and the Administrative Offices.
Adjacent to it is the Evans Annex, a six-floor library addition that houses United States and Texas State documents, the Dwight Look Science and Engineering Reference Services section, the Educational and Media Services library, a student computing center, and an eight-level parking garage.
The Cushing Memorial Library and Archives is located on the west side of the Evans building. Constructed in 1930, it was the first freestanding library facility on campus and is now home to special collections, rare books, and the University Archives.
The West Campus Library houses collections and services supporting teaching and research in business as well as the agricultural and life sciences.
The Medical Sciences Library, also located on the West campus, supports teaching and research in human and veterinary medicine. It is located adjacent to the Reynolds Medical Building.

Housing:
There are two types of housing at Texas A&M, on-campus and off-campus. Both types each have their strong points, but it's up to students to decide which the suitable option for them is.

ON-CAMPUS HOUSING
Living on campus is a wonderful opportunity to learn how to live in a community of individuals with different interests, cultures, lifestyles and attributes. The residence hall staff helps the students adjust to a living and learning community that will enhance their academic, personal and educational successes. Accepting the responsibility for making good decisions, practicing good citizenship and developing a tolerance for the values of others will help ensure success at Texas A&M.
OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING
Living off-campus can be just as enriching as on-campus. You will have more freedom in where and who you live with, but you will also have more responsibilities involved with living off-campus.
Other Facilities:
Texas A&M University has more than 800 student organizations on campus, so there is truly something for everyone. The University put a great emphasis on sports. The University sports include Archery, Baseball ,Cross Country ,Diving ,Equestrian ,Football Men's Basketball, Men's Golf ,Men's Swimming ,Men's Tennis ,Soccer ,Softball ,Track and Field, Volleyball ,Women's Basketball ,Women's Golf ,Women's Swimming and Women's Tennis.

Texas A&M University is dedicated to the discovery, development, communication, and application of knowledge in a wide range of academic and professional fields. Its mission of providing the highest quality undergraduate and graduate programs is inseparable from its mission of developing new understandings through research and creativity. It prepares students to assume roles of leadership, responsibility, and service to society.

USA UNIVERSITY

noreply@blogger.com (Redefining Boundaries..) — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 10:57:00 +0000

Stanford University

Introduction:
The Leland Stanford Junior University commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university located in Stanford, California, United States. The university was founded in 1885 by former California governor and Senator Leland Stanford and his wife. The Stanfords used their farm lands in Palo Alto to establish the university hoping to create a large institution of higher education in California. Bordering Palo Alto and Silicon Valley, Stanford is less than one hour from San Francisco, redwood forests and the beaches along the Pacific Ocean. The sprawling campus, which at 8,180 acres is among the biggest in the United States, also provides its own unique beauty.

Stanford is deeply committed to enrolling a student body that includes students from around the world. Stanford University enrolls many international students every year. The university is divided into a number of schools such as the Stanford Business School, Stanford Law School, Stanford School of Medicine, and Stanford School of Engineering. Stanford is recognized as one of the world’s leading universities. Their renowned professors offer students a remarkable range of academic courses that are paired with an extraordinary breadth of extracurricular activities and opportunities for research, independent study and public service.

International students have been always an integral part of the university from its inception.. The interactions among students with different backgrounds and experiences create a dynamic environment in which to learn and live. The admission process at Stanford is thorough and carefully considers the backgrounds of each applicants and how they may impact and contribute to the University campus.

Academics:
Schools
Three of Stanford's seven schools offer undergraduate and graduate programs: Earth Sciences, Engineering, and Humanities & Sciences. The other four offer graduate programs: Business, Education, Law and Medicine. Graduate degrees are offered in more than 60 departments and programs in seven schools.

Admission Requirements:
Undergraduate Admissions:
Most undergraduate students enroll at Stanford as freshmen (first-year students) upon completing twelve years of elementary and secondary schooling. Those who have not attended another university must apply as freshmen, even if they have had 13 years of schooling. An applicant applies to Stanford through the Office of Undergraduate Admission, not to a particular school or department within the University. Stanford does not give preference to any major. All students, freshmen and those transferring from another university may enter only in the Fall Semester.

The SAT I or the ACT is required of all undergraduate applicants. University does not accept substitutions, and applications without scores from one of these tests will not be considered. It is recommended that students make arrangements to take the required tests well in advance of application deadlines. It is unlikely that scores from tests taken after deadlines will arrive in the office in time for review process. If English is not the student’s primary language, students should take the (TOEFL) Test of English as a Foreign Language test, the results of the test helps the University to further gauge the ability of the student to write and understand English.

Graduate Admissions:

Graduate students applying for any masters needs to fulfill the prerequisites of each department along with that they need to prepare for the following list of documents these are generic requirements some departments may also want some specific documents which students needs to provide.
· Statement of Purpose.
· Letters of Recommendation.
· Transcripts.
· All attested Mark sheets.
· Test Scores as applicable for e.g. Masters Students needs to give GRE & TOEFL.

University will not admit a student unless they are certain either that the student is self-funded or that they are able to provide financial aid. Unfortunately, some applicants are not offered admission simply because no funds are available even though they are otherwise well qualified.

Costs:
The estimated cost of attending Stanford University for one academic year of three quarters (September to June) for undergraduates is approximately ranging between 23,000 $ to 36,000 $ for a student. And for graduate is approximately ranging between 30,000 $ to 38,000 $ for a student.

Scholarships and Financial Aid:

Stanford University has limited financial aid resources for international students. Stanford can offer admission with financial aid to only about 40 applicants a year. Thus they admit only a small percentage of the hundreds of applicants who need financial aid, and the amount of aid needed will be a factor in the admission decision.

Admitted students demonstrating need according to the Financial Aid Office's uniform method of analysis will first receive a combination of student loans and eligibility for an on-campus job. If there is additional need beyond the self-help expectation, Stanford will offer a scholarship or grant to meet the remaining need. Financial aid recipients are expected to take substantial responsibility for financing their own education.

Housing:
A number of campus housing options are available to students: dormitory rooms, apartments, and cooperative houses. Single students and students who are attending Stanford without their spouse, partner, or children are eligible for assignment to Single Student Housing.

Library:
Stanford University Libraries and Academic Information Resources (SUL/AIR) develop and implements resources and services within the University libraries and academic technology units that support research and instruction. Faculty, staff, and registered students at the University may use the resources and services of the libraries. Information about library resources and services is available at all library service points in the University.

Other Activities:
The arts community thrives at Stanford with academic divisions in music, drama, art and dance offering classes, lectures, performances and exhibits. Numerous student groups also help the creative arts flourish on campus.
Stanford students work hard, and they play with equal energy and enthusiasm. From public service to performing arts, from intramural sports to student government, students take part in dozens of activities beyond the classroom.

noreply@blogger.com (Redefining Boundaries..) — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 10:05:00 +0000

Hotel Management

Hotels are easily the most favourite hangouts people now-a-days. Not only in day today affair but they even form a very part of peoples regular traveling. They are one of the most important aspects of a country's infrastructure.
With increasing globalisation, career opportunities in hotel industry are not only limited and increasing within the country but are also providing scopes of a career internationally as well. With the growth of hotel industry propelled by foreign and domestic tourism and business travel, the demand for well trained quality personnel too has grown impressively. Thus this industry has a bright future.

Hotel industry involves combination of various skills. A hotel consists of departments such as:
v General Operations which co ordinates and is responsible for staff management, financial control, provision of services, quality control and customer care.
v Front Office which takes care of receiving the guests, making room reservations, handling correspondence and preparing bills and keeping accounts of the guest services.
v House Keeping which is responsible for the work of keeping the hotel, the rooms, the bars, the restaurants etc. clean and making it presentable to the guests and ensuring facilities and comfort to them.
v Food and Beverages Department is responsible for all the food that is prepared and served in the hotel. The main functions performed by the department are- presentation, preparation and service of food and beverages involving kitchen, bar and baker.
v Accounting Department deals with all the financial transactions like purchase of materials, offering of services to the guests etc. This department also compiles information required for budgeting, pricing of food and services and so on.
v Sales & Marketing is responsible to maintain contacts with travel agents and tour operators as well as other potential corporate clients in order to sell hotel facilities. Advertising and Public Relations is also normally handled by this department.
v Engineering / Maintenance Department take care of the maintenance of the building and various machines involved in the premises.
v Security department which provides security to the guest and their belongings and employs security Officers/ guards for this purpose.

Lots of lucrative and interesting openings are there for hotel management graduates in various fields like:
v Hotel & Restaurant management
v Airline Catering and Cabin Services
v Club management
v Cruise Ship Hotel Management
v Hospital administration and catering
v Hotel and Tourism Associations
v Forest Lodges
v Guest Houses
v Institutional Management (supervising canteens in college, schools, in factories, company guest houses etc.)
v Catering departments of railways, banks, armed forces, shipping companies etc.
v Hotel and catering institutes
v Self employment

Some of the universities offering different types of courses in Hotel Management abroad are:
Australia:
Griffith University
Southern Cross University
University of Canberra
Victoria University of Technology
RMIT
UTS
University of Western Sydney
Willim Angliss
Switzerland:
School of Hotel and IT Management Neuch, tel Hotel and IT Management, Switzerland
Les Roches School of Hotel Management, Switzerland
Swiss Hotel Management School, Switzerland
UK:
Halifax University
West London College
Cavendish College
Canterbury Christ Church University College
Hertfordshire Institute of Technology and Management
University of Wales Institute Cardiff

Global Education Counsel
www.globaleducationcounsel.org

noreply@blogger.com (Redefining Boundaries..) — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 06:39:00 +0000

Studying in Singapore

Singapore comprises of the main island of Singapore and some 63 offshore islands. It is eight hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. There are close to four million Singaporeans of Indian, Chinese, Malay, and Eurasian ethnicity. The main religions practiced are Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Christianity and Hinduism. The four official languages in Singapore are Bahasa Malayu, Chinese (Mandarin), Tamil and English. Singapore's climate is warm and humid, with only slight variations between the average maximum of 31 degrees Celsius and minimum of 23 degrees Celsius. This makes it ideal for those who enjoy sunbathing, swimming, sailing and other water sports. But for those who do not enjoy the tropical climate, Singapore is sheltered from the worst effects of the sun with air-conditioning in almost all of its shops, hotels, office buildings and restaurants.
Singapore is considered to be the premier education hub in Asia, offering a diverse and distinctive mix of educational services in a safe, cosmopolitan and comfortable environment. Singapore Education offers a broad-based curriculum and global perspective to equip students with the relevant qualifications and training that serve as a Springboard to a Brighter Future. Singapore offers all the technological excellence of the West. It is less expensive to study in Singapore than in most other major cities of the West. Students who are part of this dynamic growth process would have opportunities in the various Financial, Information Technology and Manufacturing sectors. With political stability and a conducive study environment, Singapore is an ideal place to gain an internationally recognised educational qualification.
Singapore has both local and foreign universities and institutions which offer world recognised courses to students. Higher education is provided by three kinds of institutions, universities, polytechnics, and other centres of public and private training. There are three institutions of university level, the National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University and Singapore Management University. They are almost wholly financed by the Government, whose representatives are members of the governing councils. All post-secondary programmes offered by public and non-public institutions must be approved by the Ministry of Education, Higher Education Division.

There are lots of private Universities or institutions which are affiliated to universities in other countries like UK, Australia, and USA having their campuses in Singapore. The advantage of studying at private schools is that one can obtain a world recognised degrees from Universities in countries like USA, UK and Australia at a comparatively lower cost (almost 1/3). Another important aspect is that Singapore is geographically closer to India as compared to other popular study destinations. Singapore also has a large Indian community which makes it is easier for the Indian students to adjust.
Strategically located, Singapore is poised to grow tremendously in the new millennium. The economically less expensive options for various courses and excellent quality of education is now attracting students to Singapore in large numbers. Selection of the right country and the right University is certainly on the minds of the students and their parents and they will certainly not go wrong by selecting Singapore.

Global Education Counsel
www.globaleducationcounsel.org

noreply@blogger.com (Redefining Boundaries..) — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 06:17:00 +0000

Opportunities in Mass Media

Changing times have revolutionised prospects in all most every career field one can find today. So many new and exciting career options are lined ahead which makes it difficult to choose one. Mass Media is one such field which offers many interesting career options to all in the field. It covers a wide area, comprising of closely related fields of advertisement, communication and public relations.

Mass Media covers following courses under it:

Journalism
Film & Television
Advertising
Public relations

Book Publishing

Mass Media being widely spread requires a combination of skills and traits. It is not easy to get in and progressing is even difficult. In general, excellent communication skills, being a good team player are important, besides being confident and hardworking. Physical stamina and will power count in favour for jobs in mass communication. Other attributes vary from one another depending upon the area one pursues. Anyone who is creative, dynamic, and enterprising and has flair to project his ideas, thoughts, observation through different mediums of communication can accommodate himself comfortably in this industry.

Opportunities for placement in diverse fields of mass communication are available in publishing houses, radio and television companies, corporate world, entertainment industry, media industry, advertising agencies, public relations agencies, government organisations, teaching etc. As far as remuneration is concerned it varies from one area of mass communication to another. However in every area, it is much dependent on the size of the organisation, its location combined together with the level of responsibility and experience of the candidate.

Many Universities broad offer courses in Mass Media under various majors. One can opt either for a Diploma/Bachelors degree/Masters degree/Post Graduate diploma. The courses available could be journalism, creative writing, advertising and so on. Students need to check the contents of the program before selecting their University as each may have different course content. Some of the Universities are:
UK:
þ Cardiff University
þ Bristol University of West of England
þ Coventry University
þ Leicester University

Australia:
þ Bond University
þ La Trobe University
þ RMIT University
þ University of Melbourne

Singapore:
þ MDIS, Singapore
þ Nanyang Technological University

USA:
þ Georgia State University
þ Texas Tech University
þ University Of Texas At Austin
þ RIT
þ New York University

Note: The Universities are in random order.

Courtesy:
Global Education Counsel (division of Growth Centre (I) Pvt. Ltd.)

noreply@blogger.com (Redefining Boundaries..) — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 06:37:00 +0000

Admission Process for USA

United States is considered as the most popular destination among students. The US schools, Universities and institutions offer excellent education and training quality. The education received from a US Universities is recognized everywhere in the world. The Universities institutions in United States attract students from all around the globe. These schools and institutes not only teach but also help incoming students in various other matters; earning scholarships or free-ships and or getting a part time job to meet study expenditures. Anyone can opt and earn degrees or certificates from US institutions. The International students mainly choose to migrate to US at two stages. After completion of 12 years of schooling or equivalent to earn undergraduate graduate degree; And After completion of 16 years of education or equivalent (i.e. college education) to earn a graduate degree.

Compared to other countries, admission procedures of US Universities
are highly competitive for international students. The procedure is even more competitive in the top educational institutes. Universities and colleges have their own selection criteria and decide which student meets those criteria. You must apply to each college and university of your interest separately every College or University has its own unique policies. It is time consuming and it is important that the applicants must start preparing well in advance. It is very important to begin the admission process early as the application deadlines are far in advance of the start of the semester. Students should also schedule the required standardised tests needed for admission on time so that they have the results of these tests on time to be sent to schools. Normally there are two major academic sessions i.e. fall intakes in August-September or spring intakes i.e. January-March.

Application process is the stepping stone for any student who wishes to go abroad and study. Since the university does not meet the student personally their entire evaluation and perception of a student depended on the application. Admission officers look at a variety of factors, including essays, prizes, community service and work experience, hobbies, and special talents, as they review applications to try to determine your potential for success at their institutions. So it becomes very crucial for a student to present himself or herself in best possible manner that will make his or her application stand out distinctly from the several other applications that a University generally receives.

When students apply to any University they have to be sure that they send all the required documents well before the application deadline. Some Universities even have early deadlines. If a student misses out on these he/she may have to forego the intake. Once the application is sent then the University responds either with an acceptance offer or a reject. The student then needs to follow the instructions if he/she wishes to join the University. Universities usually inform students of their admission decisions well in advance of the beginning term.

It is also likely that a student may receive a letter that informs him/her that they are on a ‘waiting list’. This generally means that the admission office determined that they were qualified for admission but there was not enough room to admit all qualified applicants. If a student is placed in the waiting list of a college they wish to attend, they will be asked if they are interested or not in trying to get a seat in it. If the student shows the willingness to be apart of the Institute he/she may be offered admission if space becomes available.

The major steps for applying:
· Identifying university and the course that the student wants to pursue – Every University offers hundreds of course so it is essential the students recognize the University that offers the course as per their requirements.
· Obtaining the required Application Forms – It can be obtained online or by requesting the University to send the printed form.
· Taking various required tests- Student needs to appear for the tests and meet the criteria of scores required by the University to which they wish to apply.
· Reporting various test scores to the universities- Students are allowed to send some scores free while taking the tests. If they apply to any other University they have to make sure that the scores are sent on time.
· Arranging and preparing essays and recommendation letters- These are one of the important aspects of application and play a crucial role in getting students an acceptance form.
· Preparing financial documents – The student needs to provide the proof of sufficient funds to cover the costs of the course as well as the living expenses.
· Preparing other important documents: Along with recommendations and essays students also need to send their mark sheets and other relevant certificates
· Completing and sending Application Forms along with required documents- The form needs to be sent to the right place as per the instructions provided by the University.

Planning ahead gives you sufficient time to make successful applications to the colleges of your choice especially if you want to apply for scholarships. Moreover, generally the deadlines for scholarships are earlier than the university ones.
Your study and stay in US will be a great experience; you will be able to share your knowledge with best brains, since scholars from all part of the world come here for study or work. Stay and study in US means having enriched with latest technological knowledge which will give you an edge over others in real life. Hence a US degree is beneficial in several aspects and preferred over others.

noreply@blogger.com (Redefining Boundaries..) — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 06:19:00 +0000

VISAS

Once student receives admission in the desired University, comes the most important stage, VISA. This is where it is actually decided whether student will be able to pursue his/her studies abroad. Different countries have different Visa procedures and regulations. The students should obtain maximum information about it before applying. Obtaining a Visa is the last but very essential step to go abroad to study further. Every student has to be extremely cautious while presenting the papers or while attending a Visa interview. There are certain important things which a student needs to bear in mind while applying for the student Visa. A student Visa is just the permission granted to a student to go to a particular country to study and then return to his/her home country. There are different procedures to obtain Visas for different countries. For USA the students have to appear for an interview; for UK the students need to submit their documents and if required also appear for an interview. For Australia again only the documents need to be sent to the Consulate.

Certain important documents required for student Visa irrespective of the country are:
Proof of admission:
Applicants must submit the proof that they have been unconditionally accepted to an accredited academic program.
They must have received an acceptance letter from the school.
Applicants should carry their relevant certificates, transcripts listing courses they have taken and grades received, their TOEFL score report, and any other score reports usually required for the course (GRE, GMAT, etc.)
Prove that they have the skills and background necessary to successfully complete the course.

Proof of Sufficient Funds:
Applicants must prove that they have enough funds to support their tuition, health insurance, and living expenses.
They must show how they plan to meet these expenses, either through waivers, on-campus employment, assistantships, scholarships, or personal funds.
If applicants have received scholarships, they must provide evidence that the organization providing the scholarship has the intent and ability to pay.
If they plan to use personal funds, they must show that they have adequate funding for the entire course of study, in terms of liquid cash, fixed deposits, property, and jewelry and so on.
Applicants must submit their sponsor’s bank statement, IT returns and related documents to the Consulate.

Once all the required documents are submitted, a consular officer can make a decision about whether or not to issue a visa. Students should allow sufficient time for the processing of visa application. Granting of Visa is entirely at the discretion of the Consulate. Applicants must ensure that they have submitted all the required documents that will help them establish their intention of returning back upon the completion of their education.

Students should also note that Student Visa does not allow a student to work in any country abroad. Students need to seek separate permission to be able to work while they are taking their classes. In some countries it is even illegal for a student to work while he/she is in that country on a student Visa.

USA

The US Visa process includes
Applications
Interview

There are different types of student visas:
F-1 (Student Visa). The F-1 visa is for full-time students enrolled in an academic or language program. F-1 students may stay in the US for the full length of their academic program. F-1 students must maintain a full-time course load and complete their studies by the expiration date listed on the I-20 form.
M-1 (Vocational Student Visa). The M-1 visa is issued for students attending non-academic trade and vocational schools. The M-1 visa is valid for at most one year. Recipients of an M-1 visa may not change fields of study.

U.S.A Visa Processing Time
At least 5 business days before your visa interview appointment.
U.S.A Visa Application Documents
Passport should be valid for more than 6 months from the date of return.
One photograph as per specification.
Original signed form DS-156
Original Form DS-157 only if you are 15 to 55 years of age.
Original form DS-158 only if you are applying for F, M or J visa.
Valid HDFC Bank fee receipt
U.S.A Visa Fees: Mode Fee
Visa Fee is payable in cash or by DD/HDFC Bank cheque favoring “US Embassy - Visa Fees” current fees is approx 131 $ (Rs 6550 approx). The amount of fees varies as per the Dollar rate.

UK
Visa is a certificate that is put into your passport or travel document by an Entry Clearance Officer at a British mission overseas. The visa gives you permission to enter the UK. Student visas are normally granted for an initial period of one year, usually determined by the length of the course to be studied. Students however must be able to show that they have been accepted on a course of study at an institution of further or higher education (for example, a university) and that he/she will undertake:

a recognised full-time degree course
a course run during the week involving at least 15 hours organised daytime study per week.
a full-time course of study at an independent fee paying school.
They must also:
be able to pay for their course and support themselves and any dependants and live in the UK without working or any help from public funds.
Passport should be valid for more than 6 months.
An explanation of his current status.
Evidence that he plans to leave the UK when he completes his studies
Although if the applicant is a degree student and he successfully complete his studies, he may be able to take work-permit employment if he meets the requirements for this.
Letter from the institute confirming that the applicant has been accepted and that the course meets the immigration rules.
The cost of the course fees and receipts if paid.
Details of your accommodation and their costs.
How many hours will the applicant study?
The start and end date of the course.
Relevant diplomas or educational certificates. In case the applicant has a degree he has to send his passing certificate as well as his degree certificate.
Certificate from an organization which shows that his English is good enough for him to complete the course. E.g.: International English Language Testing System(IELTS) and Test of English as a Foreign Language(TOFEL)
If the visa applicant is self employed he needs to provide his company documentation and most recent tax certificates.

UK Visa Processing Time
Minimum of ten working days approx(during peak periods it may take a little longer)
UK Visa Fees:

· Visa Fee is payable by DD favoring “British Deputy High Commissions “approx 99 Pound (Rs 8400/- approx). The amount of fees varies as per the pound rate.

Study Abroad Essentials

noreply@blogger.com (Redefining Boundaries..) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 06:43:00 +0000

Vaccinations

Most US universities require applicants to have taken MMR (Measles Mumps Rubella) at least once during their life. Even if you have taken MMR as a child, it is recommended to take the MMR before you leave for the US. UK universities generally do not require applicants to have taken prior vaccinations. If you are student going to Canada, Australia, or New Zealand you need to clear medical requirements before you are granted a student visa. This includes a chest X- ray and often blood test as well. No matter which country you are going to study in, it is highly recommended that you actually take MMR, Hepatitis B, Meningitis, Diphtheria, Tetanus and other useful vaccinations.
You can take these vaccinations from any registered doctor or hospital. However it is best to take the vaccinations from doctor who understands overseas student’s medical requirements.

Health Insurance

Students studying in US and Canada can buy health insurance from the university they are studying in or from an independent insurance provider ( provided the university permits) How ever all international students in the US must be covered under insurance policy. The UK on other hand has one of the best insurance systems in the world and international students in the UK, whose courses are longer than six months in duration, qualify to receive subsidized treatment and hence do not need to pursue chase any additional insurance. And if you are studying in Scotland, you not even need to pursue a course longer than six months to avail of the insurance benefits.
When you apply for student visa to Australia, one of the requirements is that you register for the Overseas Student Health Cover Programme before you actually arrive in Australia. So there is no question about trying and testing new insurance policies. Even
Universities in New Zealand require applicants to have a comprehensive travel and medical policy. Which is generally purchased from the university? In rare circumstances, this policy can be bought from an external company and the university evaluates the external insurance policy.

Foreign Exchange

The RBI allows you to take up to $100000 abroad for you education and incase your I-20 or admission letter states a higher amount , RBI may allow that as well ( please check the latest foreign exchange rules directly with RBI) In short, you can easily obtain foreign exchange for your education abroad. Always carry your money in sensible denominations: travelers Cheque, cash , demand drafts (Check allowed cash limits with RBI) You can also wire transfer your money to your university’s account even before you get there. Wire transfer is safe, cheap and fast and many Indian banks charge as little as Rs250 for a wire transfer. If you prefer you can use it as a debit or ATM card.

Ticketing

Some airlines such as Air India British Airways allow extra baggage allowance for students. Remember to fly reputed airlines, which will not unnecessarily delay in flights or cancel your bookings. Remember to reconfirm your reservations at least three days before you fly and leave early for the airport. This is a very busy season and you do not want to miss your flight because you did not turn off your TV in time to leave for the airport. Make sure you check baggage specifications because before you choose your airline. Earlier if you were flying to the US you were allowed two bags of 32 kilos a total of 64 kilos. This has now been reduced by most airlines to 23 kilos per bag and totaling 46 kilos.

Indian Immigration & Customs

If you are traveling to the US, UK, Canada, Australia or New Zealand you do not need to have ECNR or Emigration Check Not Required in your passport. If you get an immigration officer who insists on you having an ECNR, call the manager of the airport because you do not need ECNR while traveling to developed countries (such as the ones mentioned above) If asked at customs , honestly state the amount of foreign exchange that you are carrying. As a student you are allowed to carry the amount mentioned on your I-20 or admission letter.

When you reach your destination country make sure that you have your passport and I- 20 or admission letter with you when you land. Do not make the rookie mistake of putting your I –20 or admission letter in your checked baggage. Remember, when you land you first encounter immigration and only after that are you allowed to collect your checked in baggage.

At the foreign immigration counter you may be asked the reason for your visit, how long you plan to stay in the country and how you plan to fund your education. Make sure that you answer all the questions asked honestly and to the point. In some countries you may also be fingerprinted at the immigration counter. Do not worry, as this is a routine procedure.

Special note for customs when you land and clear immigration and collect your bags, you will encounter customs just before you leave the airport. The customs officer may ask you about the contents of your bag and if you are carrying fresh food with you. Again make sure that you answer the questions honestly. Remember, all customs officers are aware that food can always be found in any Indian students bag.

Scholarships!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Redefining Boundaries..) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 10:52:00 +0000

A scholarship is an academic gift given to a student from the University or any other institute or trust. They are given by different organization and sponsors based on things like academic and other talents. Scholarships can help the students for college, books, and living expenses. If a student gets a scholarship he/she doesn’t have to spend much from their end. Scholarship becomes important because student doesn’t have to repay it.

Scholarships are a direct link between student ambition and student success. It is an important factor to consider for students applying abroad. Careful planning is both necessary and wise. Foreign nationals are required to show proof of sufficient funds to cover at least the first year of their college education to apply for a student visa. The burden of securing necessary funding can be challenging, and sometimes frustrating. Family/personal Savings may be the only reliable source of funding when anyone plans begins any program of studies abroad. It is at this time that a scholarship helps.

University funding is easier to get in the United States than in U.K., Canada, Australia or New Zealand. Most students who go to Australia and U.K. are self funded students. Assistance of funds is more likely in Graduate studies and less in Undergraduate courses. Also funds are more likely to be available in fields like Engineering, Physical Sciences and Biological sciences, rather than in courses like Humanities, Social Sciences and Management.

Students are required to submit a financial aid application if they intend to seek financial assistance for studies abroad. The policies regarding financial aid vary considerably. The profile of a college usually indicates the type of financial aid it offers. For aid, students have to submit the institution’s own financial aid forms, as well as the Foreign Student’s Financial Aid Form, which is provided by the college and administered by the College Scholarship Service of the College Board. A bank statement will also often be required. Some details, usually asked in these forms are :

1. Your total personal annual income
2. Total annual income of your Parents
3. Your average annual living expenses
4. Some details of your and your parents' assets
5. Sources of funding for your education other than from the University

Even if no assistantship is available at the time of admission, most Indian students manage to get some kind of financial aid from the university after one or two semesters. So it makes sense to go to the US for education if you can manage one year’s expenses on your own.

Postgraduate students have to indicate their requirement for financial aid at the time of filling in the application form. The different types of financial help are:

Merit based assistance is awarded in many forms, from tuition waivers, various types of assistantships, to fellowships. The most common are listed here :

Tuition Waiver: This means that the student does not have to pay the tuition fees at the university. However, general fees (for the use of university facilities like the library, computers, and sports and health services) usually have to be borne by the student. A tuition waiver is frequently awarded in conjunction with a scholarship or teaching/research assistantship.

Scholarship / Fellowship: This is usually an outright grant based on the student’s academic ability and performance. Hence, only a truly outstanding student may be considered for this type of award, before enrolling at the university. A full scholarship would pay for a student’s entire living expenses at that university, whereas a partial scholarship would require additional funds from the student.

Assistantship : Most students who receive assistance usually do so in the form of an assistantship, i.e. a cash stipend sufficient for their living expenses, and/or tuition waiver. To get this, they have to work for a maximum of 20 hours per week. This work normally consists of teaching and research activities. These are usually for graduate courses. Teaching assistantships are more likely to be in universities, which have large undergraduate classes whereas research assistantships tend to be more common in those fields and universities in which considerable research is in progress. Information brochures of most universities give this information. Often, teaching and research abilities must be proved before assistantship is granted. Hence, many universities grant this only after the first semester. You may also be required to take TSE (Test of Spoken English) to qualify for a teaching assistantship.

Students have a greater chance of getting financial aid if they:

1. Show evidence of a high level of academic achievement
2. Achieve high Standardized Examination scores (GRE, GMAT, TOEFL etc.)
3. Demonstrate financial need but have private funding to cover some of the cost. Financial need is not crucial for some awards.
4. Enroll in a field or have teaching experience in a subject offered at the undergraduate level (to increase opportunities for a teaching assistantship)
5. Specialize in a field or have a research interest which parallels that of the department and faculty or private funding source (which increases opportunities for research assistantships and grants)
6. Have outstanding letter(s) of recommendation and an impressive statement of purpose.
7. Send a sample of professional writing, published or otherwise.

Why an EXECUTIVE MBA?

noreply@blogger.com (Redefining Boundaries..) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 10:43:00 +0000

If you have about 8-10 years of work experience and doing well in your field and if you feel the need to upgrade or enhance your knowledge and employ-ability then Executive MBA could be a good option for you. An Executive MBA (EMBA) program is typically open only to applicants with at least eight years of professional experience. Executive MBA education meets the needs of the organization to build managerial talent in the most effective and efficient manner available today.

If the idea of getting into EMBA seems interesting to you then here’s what you need to know:

An Executive MBA (EMBA) program provides the experienced, working professional with the opportunity to earn a Master's degree in Business Administration without significant disruption to his or her current pursuits. While EMBA students complete their degrees within two years, same as their traditional two-year MBA counterparts, they do it on a different schedule. Part time programs, on the other hand, typically take three years to complete.

EMBA programs are structured around individual cohort classes that begin throughout the year. All members of a class begin the program at the same time, progress through the program in sync with each other, and graduate as a group. Because EMBA students are continuing to work while in the program, they have the unique opportunity to put the new skills they learn in the classroom to use immediately. This combination of coursework and day-to-day experience also exists in part time MBA programs, but EMBA programs have an added advantage—the collective professional experience of cohort members. While the EMBA curriculum is traditionally the same as the MBA curriculum, it is influenced and enriched by the breadth and depth of each class's professional knowledge.

EMBA programs generally run for two years. Between work and school obligations, EMBA programs are extremely time-consuming; prepare to forfeit nearly all free time if you pursue this option. Part-time programs generally require three to four years to complete, although students with undergraduate degrees in business can sometimes place out of a number of courses, thereby shortening the process.

Executive MBA programs attract a diverse group of professionals, but all share a desire to expand their knowledge and skills. Professional experience and performance, academic records, GMAT scores, and professional recommendations all play a part in the admission decision. Most students will have at least 10 years of professional experience under their belts by the time they enter a program, with a significant portion of this experience at the managerial level. On the other hand, two-year MBA students usually average three to five years of work experience.

While the structure of an EMBA program can vary from program to program, most are fairly similar, in that they are designed to accommodate to a full-time work schedule. For example, classes at some EMBA program meet one full day per week, alternating Fridays and Saturdays for the length of the program. Some meet on consecutive Fridays and Saturdays every other week. Some EMBA programs are divided into four terms, each of which begins with a week in residence at the concerned University. After that, students meet every other weekend for classes Saturday and Sunday. Some other programs offer weeknight options as well.

Generally the majority of EMBA program participants are sponsored, either fully or in part, by their employers. Recently, however, this has changed, as more students have been asked to foot a portion of the bill themselves. The number of students paying the full cost of their own tuition has also grown considerably.

Participants who are not sponsored by their employers usually qualify for loans, scholarships, and other types of financial aid. It is important to view the cost of any graduate program as an investment, with benefits reaped over the life of a professional career. In addition, because participants continue working during the program, the opportunity cost of attending an EMBA program is less than for a traditional two-year, full-time MBA program.

Some Universities offering EMBA are:

USA:
1. Columbia Business School
2. Cornell University
3. Northwestern University: Kellogg
4. Ohio University
5. UC Irvine
6. University of Pennsylvania: Wharton

UK:
1. City University: Cass
2. Henley Management College
3. Imperial College London: Tanaka
4. London Business School
5. University of Bath School of Management
6. Warwick Business School

Australia:
1. Australian Graduate School of Management
2. Bond University
3. Curtin University
4. Queensland University of Technology
5. University of Melbourne

Singapore:
1. National University of Singapore, Singapore

Pursing an EMBA gives you the unique opportunity to instantly implement the knowledge you gain as a student into your professional life. In fact, much of the coursework is designed around combining what you study with your day-to-day professional experiences.

IELTS - in a nutshell!

noreply@blogger.com (Redefining Boundaries..) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 05:17:00 +0000

IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System; it tests the complete range of English language skills. IELTS is accepted by most Australian, British, Canadian and New Zealand academic institutions. American academic institutions are increasingly accepting IELTS for admissions purposes. It is also recognized by professional bodies, immigration authorities and other government agencies. IELTS is jointly managed by The University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), The British Council and IDP Education Australia. IELTS tests are administered at accredited Test Centres throughout the world.

There are two different Modules:
1 Academic
2 General

The Academic test is used for University entrance. Academic is suitable for candidates planning to undertake education at undergraduate and graduate levels study. General Training is suitable for candidates planning to undertake non-academic training or work experience, or for immigration purposes.

IELTS is not a test in which a student can pass or fail. The assessment is reported according to a scale from bands one to nine. Band one indicates that candidate has virtually no English skill at all. Band nine is native speaker proficiency. Universities typically require a band score of between 6 and 7 and more depending on the course and the ranking of the University. The scores are valid for two years.

The IELTS test has four components –
a) Reading
b) Writing

c) Listening
d) Speaking.

The Listening, Reading and Writing components of the test are always completed immediately after each other and in this same order on the same day. The Speaking tests is generally conducted a day prior or later to the exam date. IELTS exam is conducted generally three to four times a month. Students need to register for the IELTS exam at least ten to fifteen days prior to the test date. Duration of the IELTS exam is approximately two and half hour test. Reading – 60 mins, writing- 60 mins, speaking – 11 – 14 mins, listening – 30 mins.

Things to take care during the test:

a) Know the date, time and place of your test and arrive before the scheduled starting time.
b) If you arrive late for any of the papers, report to the supervisor or invigilator. You may not be allowed to take the test.
c) Take into the test room only the pencils and erasers which you need for the examination.
d) You may not lend anything to, or borrow anything from, another candidate during the test.
e) Listen to the supervisor and do what you are asked to do.
f) Tell the supervisor or invigilator at once if you think you have not been given the right question paper, or if the question paper is incomplete or illegible.
g) Read carefully and follow the instructions printed on the question paper and on the answer sheet.
h) Fill in the details required on the front of your question paper and on your answer sheet before the start of the test.
i) You may not ask for, and will not be given, any explanation of the questions.
j) You may not leave the test room without the permission of the supervisor or invigilator.
h) You can not leave your seat until all papers have been collected and you have been told you can leave.
k) When you leave the examination room you must leave behind the question paper, your answer paper, any paper used for rough work clearly crossed through and any other materials provided for the test.
l) Do not make any noise near the examination room.

Under usual test circumstances, the candidates will receive their Test Report Forms approximately two weeks after they complete their test.

Scoring pattern:
IELTS provides a profile of a candidate’s ability to use English. Candidates receive scores on a Band Scale from 1 to 9. A score is reported for each module of the test. The individual module scores are then averaged and rounded to produce an Overall Band Score according to the band score conversion table.

The IELTS score plays vital role in getting admission in Universities abroad. Getting a good score in IELTS will always help international students in receiving Financial Aid, or Assistantships. Some European and Australian universities may accept a lower IELTS score with the condition that the student takes English courses before they start working on their actual degree.

How to develop skills that will help you get into B-School.

noreply@blogger.com (Redefining Boundaries..) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 08:34:00 +0000

The magic of MBA does not seem to end. Every year an increasing number of students are desirous of pursuing this degree. Though there can be hundreds of reasons as to why students find this option the most lucrative one, what one needs to focus on is what does it take to be an MBA? The answer may be as simple as “clearing the entrance exam, followed by Group Discussion and Personal Interview”. Though this will ensure a seat in a reputed college; but pursuing the course successfully is an entirely different aspect.

After the initial enthusiasm of being one of the few privileged and the deserving ones to pursue the course, reality starts sinking in. Quite a few students find it difficult to cope with the demands, the competition, the rigorous study, the long college hours, the projects, placements and so on. Though most of the students decide on a career path quite early, very few take the pains of working towards developing on the areas that need improvement. This may happen as apart from concentrating on the admission procedure many students happen to overlook on the impact of personality attributes that play an important role while pursuing the course.

To ensure that a student is able to cope and successfully complete the course, some of the qualities required are communication skills, creative thinking, logical reasoning, leadership, team spirit, confidence, ability to handle pressure, decision making, problem solving abilities, initiative, presentation skills, competitiveness, being accountable, emotional stability, being proactive, adaptability and social sensitivity. Though this may not be an exhaustive list of skills, but definitely encompasses the most essential ones. Though a requirement in all the courses, in case of an MBA degree these qualities become inevitable.

While in Degree College, a student has ample time to prepare for the dream degree. Apart from the academic development, a student can concentrate on the extra-curricular activities that will add value. There are various occasions available during a student life to develop these areas.

Inter /Intra college competitions, being a member of various committees/councils, events /days, and College festivals – all these activities are full of opportunities of development. Sounds odd; but definitely true! A closer look at each event of the college broadens the perspective.

Inter /Intra college competitions: Various competitions, right from Antakshri to Sports to quizzes to debates, all these events not only give us an opportunity to portray our talents, but also hone skills. Participation in such event is very essential, as it not only gives us a chance to evaluate our self, but also to enhance our strengths and work on the improvement areas. The belongingness to ones college and the competitiveness with the guest college/s certainly raises the accountability level, thus improving the performance. Self-confidence, the ability to face crowd, perform well under pressure, sportsman spirit, presentation skills, competitiveness are definitely polished.

College Committee Members: Every college has their in-house committees /councils. Being a part of these councils – which may range from cultural committees to sports to literacy circles to being the class representative, everything is a value adding activity. These are all the positions of responsibility. With every chair of responsibility, and these responsibilities definitely sharpen qualities like decision making, organizing skills, leadership, problem solving, creative thinking, initiative, communication skills, ability to motivate the team, accountability.

Events /days: Whether it is organizing or participation, though many intellectuals feel, that it is a waste of time, being a part of the event is also worthwhile. This not only shows your team spirit but also improves creative thinking. College day, Traditional day, rose day or any other day, gives an ample opportunity also portray the initiative that you have. Social sensitivity and the ability to appreciate and participate are certainly enhanced.

College Festivals: Now-a-days, college events have become like any other mega event. Sponsorship, media awareness, advertising, budgeting and so on, all have become a part of the new, changing face of the college festival. Students are expected to ideate, plan and implement the entire event, find sponsors, negotiate and delegate and also complete the project. So being a part of these activities will sharpen skill sets like handling pressures, decision making, problem-solving, communication and negotiating skills, confidence, adaptability and time management.

These are some of the aspects of a college life which give a student an opportunity to brush up their skills. Apart from these, Reading, is one of the most important aspect which a lot students forget. Reading not only increases knowledge, but also proves beneficial to our overall development. So, students go ahead and enjoy & make the most of the college life with full zest and participation, but without overlooking the academics, as that is one of the most crucial aspects of you entering your dream degree – MBA.

Cracking Common Entrance Tests - CET

noreply@blogger.com (Redefining Boundaries..) — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 06:12:00 +0000

Are you still confused about taking MBA as an option? In this current scenario of recession, are you wondering whether such an expensive investment would gain you the desired benefit and return? Then, for you this should come as a silver-lining: Even if there is a tough scenario around, fresh MBAs are given ample of opportunity to prove their worth in the corporate world! The idea behind this is, no matter from whichever stream you come from, you always have an edge over others, if you are an MBA degree holder.

This piece is going to shower some light on the guidelines to crack an MBA entrance exam and be a part of your dream institute. There are number of entrance exams that one candidate may consider to appear for. Few of the Tests are conducted by the MBA institutes themselves, on a national basis, like for example, CAT is conducted by IIMs, XAT by XLRI, and NMAT by Narsee Monjee Institute of Management and so on. Likewise, Maharashtra State Government conducts Common Entrance Tests – CET for the MBA aspirants within the state of Maharashtra. This test score is accepted by the institutes that come under government of Maharashtra and other institutes that individually accept the score.

The CET Written Exam is of two and a half hours duration and has multiple choice objective type questions for maximum 200 marks and does not have negative marking. The sections involved are Verbal Ability, Reading Comprehension, Quantitative Aptitude and Logical/ Abstract Reasoning. The questions are in assorted variety, where the question types are distributed across the question paper. Post the written exam you are required to appear for Group Discussion and Personal Interview rounds which hold 17 Marks for each parameters. And, including the scores allotted for past academic record and the work-experience of a candidate the total marks of CET Exam comes to 240.

There are few general tips which can be applied to all the sections to secure a good score in CET. These has been listed section-wise.

QUATITATIVE ABILITY:
Attempt questions in three rounds.
Round 1
1. Attempt all one liners.
2. Attempt all two liners.
3. Attempt all four liners.

Round 2
Come back to the leftover questions of Round 1. Under pressure, you might just have left easy questions from Round 1 not attempted. Attempt them again.

Round 3
If time permits, tackle the lengthier questions on your favorite topics. Lengthier questions are easier.

VERBAL ABILITY

Most students attempt English Usage or Reading and Comprehension questions.
In Para Jumbles, look out for structural and logical connectors.
Before attempting Reading Comprehension, scan the questions once.
Narrative RCs have generally proved students' nemesis. Be careful.
Grammar questions should be your forte.

REASONING ABILITY

1. Spend more time reading the question.
2. Assess and arrange.
3. Solve, don't judge.
4. Use the elimination method.
5. Don't be obsessed with problems you cannot solve.
6. While preparing, choose variety over quantum.
7. Decision-making.
8. Develop Ability to work under pressure.
9. Adaptability.
10. Time management.
11. It's a speed game.
12. Accuracy, accuracy, accuracy!
13. Groupism helps.

This is an exemplary pattern of approach that becomes sharper and accurate with more practice. Ideally each candidate should always remember this.

MBA-Entrance Exams are designed to test the skill sets you will need to be a great manager. Management is a different cup of tea. Your intellectual abilities are important, but they are definitely not the end-all at making you a pro. There are other skills that are just as important. So, look at the patterns of exam like a typical multi-dimensional problem a manager would face. Normally any such problem would have to be solved in a given time frame. The solution should adhere to certain basic minimum requirements. A good manager should also be able to provide a solution that is fairly accurate. Besides, he should not crumble under pressure.

These also happen to be the skills you need to ace MBA-Entrance Exam!

Destination Canada!

noreply@blogger.com (Redefining Boundaries..) — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 08:18:00 +0000

If you are one of those who seek a high quality of life above anything else, Canada is the place for you. It has been consistently ranked by the UN as the number one country in the world to live in. Having a large population of Asian students, Canada offers a truly international educational experience. Furthermore, the Canadian degree or diploma is instantly recognized around the world as being of the highest standard. And you get all this at a remarkably low cost…..both in terms of cost of education and the cost of living. Tuition fees for international students in Canada are much lower than comparable countries.
With over 90 universities and 150 colleges and technical institutes, featuring virtually every program imaginable, Canada may just be the place of your dreams.

EDUCATION SYSTEM IN CANADA:

Universities: Canadian universities are largely public funded, and, as a result, offer consistently high quality education at lower tuition rates for international students than their counterparts in competing countries. They offer a broad range of courses and degrees from undergraduate to doctorate and also certificate and professional degrees.

University Colleges: University colleges offer students a choice of either academic oriented university degree programmes or the more practical-oriented college diplomas and certificates. They also offer combined degree/diploma programmes and university transfer programmes.

Community colleges: They typically have more vocational-related curricula, with small classes, off-campus course offerings, a greater ratio of laboratory space to class room space, and an interactive teaching style. The uniqueness of Canadian colleges lies in the combination of employer-centered curricula. These institutes have the primary function of responding to the training needs of business, industry, and public service sectors. Most colleges and technical institutes offer diplomas and certificates rather than degrees, however, more and more now grant degrees and applied degrees.

Technical College: This is a privately owned and operated school with the main objective of preparing students for the job market after a short period of instruction. The emphasis at career colleges is on practical skills over a broad range of programmes. They specialize in such areas as business, computers, and secretarial skills. Although privately owned, these institutes are provincially approved and regulated, ensuring that programmes standards and quality are maintained.

The academic year usually starts in September and ends in May, and is normally divided into two semesters. Some institutes operate on a semester or trimester system and admit students in January and/or May as well as September. Many institutes offer a limited number of courses and special programmes during the summer session

Tuition Fees and Living Cost:
Tuition Fees:

Undergraduate Programs (Tuition fees p.a. in Canadian Dollars)
Arts & Business $5000.00 - $10000.00
Science, medicine and Engineering $7500.00 - $ 12000.00

Postgraduate Programs (Tuition fees p.a. in Canadian Dollars)
Graduate Certificate $ 7500.00 - $ 12000.00
Graduate Diplomas $ 7000.00 - $ 15000.00
Masters Degree Courses $ 10000.00 - $ 20000.00
Doctoral Degree Programmes $ 10000.00 - $ 15000.00

Living Expenses:

The living expenses range from CDN $ 7,200-11,000 per year.

Benefits of Canadian Education:

1. A degree or diploma from Canadian educational institutions is instantly recognized around as being of the highest standard.
2. Tuition fees for international students in Canada are much lower than other comparable countries.
3. Canada spends more per capita on education than any other country.
4. There are 1, 00,000 international students from all parts of the world annually in Canada.
5. Canada is renowned all over the world for its tradition of hospitality and tolerance more than 600,000 Canadians trace their roots back to India.
6. Canada offers a wide choice of over 90 universities and 150 colleges and technical institutes.

Language requirements for studying:

In Canada, universities or colleges operate in either French and/or English. Thus, each school has a language proficiency requirement. Test scores are sent to the school along with your application and will be considered in conjunction with your academic record. The TOEFL is the most common one. Most schools ask for a minimum score of 95 on the IBT TOEFL IELTS (Academic Module) is also accepted as a standard exam the accepted score is Band 5.5 for a UG program and band 6 for a masters program.

Accommodation

Acceptance to a Canadian university or college does not ensure you a place in student residences. At Canadian schools, residence and accommodation is administered separately from admission, usually because a school cannot guarantee places in student housing for all those it accepts. On most campuses a large portion of the student population lives off-campus, in private houses and apartments which they seek out and rent independent of their school. Living off-campus then is an accepted thing; in fact if a university suddenly could offer spaces in residence to all its students, many would probably decline. Some campuses do not offer any student housing whatsoever (most community colleges do not); some have agreements with other schools in the city that allow students to live in their dorms. With each application package you fill out for a school there should be some information about housing and possibly an application for a place in the residences.

You can make an informed choice of studying in Canada by visiting this website it contains comprehensive information http://www.studyincanada.com/ which can help with regards to your queries regarding studying in Canada

Destination AUSTRALIA!

noreply@blogger.com (Redefining Boundaries..) — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 09:51:00 +0000

Australia has emerged as a popular destination for higher education because of its strong educational infrastructure, a high quality of life, and relatively lowers expenses. Australian degrees are gaining increased acceptance in the global arena. A peaceful and relaxed atmosphere, together with the cosmopolitan charisma of cities like Sydney and Melbourne have made the land referred as Down Under a hot destination. About 200,000 international students from 140 countries are studying in Australia.

Education System

1. Primary and Secondary schools.
The system is equivalent to 10 +2 education in India. Certification at the end of schooling is by continuous assessment within schools and public examinations .The course forms the basis for entry to universities or other tertiary institutions.

2. Foundation studies.
Foundation studies give international students the knowledge and skills for a smooth transition from learning in their home country to undergraduate studies in Australian universities. Foundation studies are usually one year in duration .The foundation course is divided in to various streams like arts and science subjects the common feature of the program is that university allocates a provisional admission for the student who achieves the prescribed grades.

3. Vocational Educational and Training Institutes.
The Vocational Education and Training gives students practical skills for their careers. The VET sector is divided in to two sections.
A) A nationally recognized government system of Technical And Further Education ( TAFE)
B) Private Providers

TAFE is the largest provider of tertiary education courses in Australia with about 250 institutes and over a million students including about 41,000 are international students. The VET awards certificates, advanced certificates, associate diplomas and diplomas. Studying at TAFE level is also a way of gaining entry termed a pathway to Australia’s Universities. Most TAFE institutes have arrangements with specific universities, enabling students to gain credit for a portion of their study undertaken at TAFE. The VET courses include computing, design, pilot training, business management, hospitality and tourism and many other courses.

4. Universities. (Higher Education)
There are 37 public universities and two private universities in Australia which offers both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. The most popular courses of study for international students have been in the field of Business Administration, Economics, followed by Science, then Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. University studies can lead to following awards – Undergraduate - Bachelor Degrees, Bachelor Degrees (with Honours), Undergraduate Diplomas, Associate Diplomas; Postgraduate - Doctoral Degrees, Masters Degrees, Graduate Diplomas, Graduate Certificates.

Financial benefits of Australian Education.
Undergraduate degrees are generally three years in Australia as compared to four years in US.
There are many One Year masters program including MBA, thus you can save on living costs and tuition fees.

Cost of Education: A Brief Look

All Tuition Fee (In Aus $)
Undergraduate Courses Annual Tuition Fee
Bachelor Degree
Arts,Business, Economics, Law A$10,000-$ 13,500
Laboratory Based degree course
Science and Engineering programs A$11,000-$ 16,500

Postgraduate Courses Annual Tuition Fee
Graduate CertificatesGraduate Diplomas A$ 9,000 - $ 16,000
Masters degree coursesDoctoral degree programmes A$11,000 - $ 18,500

MBA
Length of MBA program varies considerably between institutions, depending on the mode of study, but ranges from approximately nine to 15 months full time. The fees in the table below are shown as the approximate annual cost of the full-time MBA program.
Courses Annual Tuition Fee
MBA A$15,000 - $ 30,000

Annual Living Expenses in Australia - Approx. A $ 12,000 per year

Entrance Test required
IELTS exam (Academic Module) is required for studying in Australia. It is necessary to take the IELTS in order to gain admission and a visa. For admission into undergraduate degree programmes your band in IELTS should be at least Band 5.5 and for Masters Degree program it should be Band 6 and above, however the score would vary from university to university.

Accommodation
Australia has a large range of different accommodation options. With choices ranging from university accommodation or Homestay, to self-catered apartments or share houses, there’s an option to suit every personality and budget. Different types of accommodation are obviously subject to different costs and availability. The type of accommodation you choose influences how much you will have to pay and how early you will have to arrange it. For instance, university halls of residence are generally very popular and require students to apply for a room well in advance, whereas rental accommodation is generally readily available and can be organized when you arrive.

MUST DO:
Before you arrive in Australia you should contact the accommodation service of the Australian institution you will be studying and confirm the accommodation options available and the costs involved.

Summing UpYou can make an informed choice of studying in Australia by visiting these 2 web sites they contain comprehensive information http://www.studyinaustralia.gov.au/ and http://www.immi.gov.au/ which can help you with regards to all your detailed queries.

Timeline for USA - Fall Intake

noreply@blogger.com (Redefining Boundaries..) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 10:03:00 +0000

Feb – Apr: Begin the search for colleges and register for the concerned tests and start the preparation for them.

May - Jun: Shortlist the schools and request application material or download application forms.

Jul - Oct: Take the tests. Finalize universities to apply. Collect required documents and Essays/Statement of Purpose.

Oct – Dec: Review your application package. Mail application packets before the university deadline.

Dec - Jan : Respond to additional information requested by the school /college / university, if any

Jan – May: Await responses from the Universities. Accept one school's offer, and notify them. Prepare for Visa application.

June: Apply for a visa. Plan to arrive at least 15 days prior to orientation (2 months if you have to take an English course).

Jul – Aug: Fly to a bright future.

Destination U.S.A!

noreply@blogger.com (Redefining Boundaries..) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 09:34:00 +0000

Every year, several thousand Indian students leave India to study in Universities abroad and it is not surprising that majority of them find their way to universities in United States. Out of the many international students who go to US every year 14% of international students are from India.

The American system of education is renowned for its flexibility, diversity and commitment to excellence. The US educational experience is among the best in the world. Many US colleges and universities are known throughout the world for the quality of their academic programs. Private institutions such as Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, Cornell, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and public institutions such as Univ. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Univ. of California at Berkeley, Univ. of Michigan at Ann Arbor, Univ. of Wisconsin at Madison, and Univ. of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are familiar to students, educators, and business leaders everywhere. In addition to the more well-known institutions, the US has hundreds of other high quality public and private colleges and universities. The depth and breadth of options available are amazing. A degree from a US college or university is a stamp of excellence that marks you for life.

Education system in US
The education system in the US is a very different from the prevalent systems in India. That which is a 3-year Bachelors Degree in India is a 4-year Undergraduate Degree in the US (i.e. B.Sc., and M.Sc. are called BS and MS). Also the 2-year Post Graduate Degree in India is a 2-year Graduate Degree in the US and the 3-year Doctoral Degree in India is a 3-year Post Graduate Degree in the US. If the chosen course happens to be medicine then the duration is even longer.
Undergraduate education begins after secondary education, students have primarily three options.
a) Pursue a 4-year undergraduate programme
b) Join 2-year Associate Degree or Certificate courses with a community-or junior-college
c) Take up 2-year credit/non-credit Associate Degree or Certificate courses with technical or vocational training institutions. The credit Associate Degree can be transferred to degree courses at a university.

Graduate education is the US is equivalent to post-graduate education in India. Education at this level in the United States can be of two types:
a) Professional studies that require the student to have already earned an undergraduate degree, leading to a Masters degree
b) Post-Masters Research or Doctorate study, and further on to Post-doctoral study and research.

Prominent reasons for Undergraduate studies in US.
A four year bachelor’s degree from the US enables the student to complete the minimum 16 years formal education criteria, which is a pre-requisite for TOP MBA programs in US.
Admission into undergraduate programs at top universities is easier than getting admitted into the same university for the graduate program. If a student is successfully completes his under graduation with a good academic performance from a particular university his chances of getting a tuition waiver for the graduate program is very high.
After completing their undergraduate degree Indian students often take up employment for 2 to 3 years. This not only enables them to save money for graduate school but also garner requisite work experience and adds considerable value to their CVs.
Undergraduate students have a choice of nearly 700 major fields of study and are required to complete general education requirements in addition to their major. The obvious benefit is that students will be exposed to a wide range of subjects, which contributes to the flexibility of the US education system.

Prominent reasons for Graduate studies in US.
1. US universities have one of the most advanced education systems in the world with excellent programs available in all streams.
2. Universities are popular for their academic excellence and providing the latest technology equipment and resources.
3. Sizeable Indian student population, last year 74,603 students have gone for US for studies in which 70% are for postgraduate studies.
4. There are two traditional categories of graduate degrees -- master's and doctoral

Master’s
Master's degree programs are growing and evolving, with degrees offered in just about all fields. Master's degrees can be professional or academic. Professional degrees, such as a (MBA), are designed for employment or advancement within a given field. Academic degrees, such as a Master of Science, are designed for intellectual growth and a prerequisite for doctoral work within a given field. Master's degrees may take one to three years to complete.
Doctorate
Doctoral degrees, the highest possible earned academic degree, can also be professional or academic. Professional doctoral degrees, such as the Doctor of Medicine (MD) and the Juris Doctor (JD), stress the practical application of knowledge and skills. Academic doctoral degrees, the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), focus on advancing knowledge through original research in a given academic field. Doctorates may take three to six years to complete.

Application requirements.
Each school sets its own admission requirements. Because of the large number of international students seeking a US education, the schools do not make exceptions to their requirements. Most schools require a minimum of a high school diploma with solid coursework in science, mathematics, English, and humanities. They will also require academic entrance examinations such as the TOEFL, SAT, ACT, GRE, and GMAT. The more higher your scores on these exams and the better your grades, the better your chances of being admitted. Generally you must have a 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale to be admitted, especially for graduate school. Some schools set very high standards for admission.

With all the above information you will be all set to fly towards your dream destination.

U.K. Lifestyle!

noreply@blogger.com (Redefining Boundaries..) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 08:56:00 +0000

United Kingdom, apart offering an opportunity to take world class education also allows a wonderful opportunity to experience the country's vibrant culture. Although the UK is relatively small in size, it offers a wealth of attractions. It is a nation which is as diverse as it is accessible and affordable. UK cities and towns display a rich and varied historical and cultural heritage. In Britain you will find most people are kinder to you if you behave politely, respecting local people and customs. You may sometimes upset people by things that you say or do, even if these things seem perfectly normal in your own culture.

Certain important aspects of living in UK are:
Greeting people:
British people are quite reserved when greeting one another. Greeting can be a bright 'Hello' 'Hi' or 'Good morning', when you arrive at work or at school. The usual formal greeting is a 'How do you do?' and a firm handshake, but with a lighter touch between men and women.

Food:
The staple food of England consists of meat, fish, potatoes, flour, butter and eggs and is traditionally based on beef, lamb, pork, chicken and fish and generally served with potatoes and one other vegetable. The most common and typical foods eaten in England include the sandwich, fish and chips, pies like the Cornish pasty, trifle and roasts dinners. International students staying with British families can expect to eat the same sort of food as their host family. If a student is residing with a host family, the host families will, of course, take into account any special dietary restrictions that he/she may have for religious or other reasons.

Table manners:
The British generally pay a lot of attention to good table manners. Even young children are expected to eat properly with knife and fork. It is impolite to start eating before everyone has been served. Never chew with your mouth open. No one likes to see food being chewed or hearing it being chomped on. It is impolite to have your elbows on the table while you are eating. Don't reach over someone's plate for something; ask for the item to be passed. Never talk with food in your mouth. It is ok to eat and drink something while walking down the street, unless you want to seem posh.

Dinner Invites:
If you cannot eat a certain type of food or have certain dietary restrictions, it is alright to tell your host several days before the dinner party. Arrive on time, but try to avoid being too early as your host may not ready to receive you too soon. Take a bottle of wine or some flowers or chocolates to give to the host as soon as you have arrived.

Personal Space:
British people like to have a lot of their own personal space. They want their own privacy. Some people may worry that if they make friends with you, you may not understand their social customs. They may also worry about interfering with your own personal space. If you are a woman, a British man may worry that you will feel threatened if he starts speaking to you. If there are several spare seats in a public place, most people will sit away from other people. People don't touch others very much, and will usually apologise if they touch someone accidentally. It is rare for people to go to someone's house without having arranged it first.

Religions in Britain:
Britain is a part of global village of many tribes with parallel worlds of religious scholarships and practice. The government in the UK is strongly in favour of a multi-racial society and you will find a range of religions followed in most towns and cities throughout the UK. The Skyline of the major cities in Britain - London, Glasgow, Cardiff, Leicester, Bradford, Birmingham, now has a new horizon shaped not only by the familiar spires and towers of churches but also by the domes and minarets of mosques. Religious communities in the UK have built a number of temples and other places of worship.

Leisure:
People enjoy various indoor and outdoor activities in England. The most common leisure activity in the UK is watching television. The second most popular activity in Britain is visiting or entertaining friends or relations. The British are known as a nation of gardeners. Most people have a garden on their property. Gardening has been a popular pastime. Sports and physical recreation have always been popular. Local governments provide cheap sport and leisure facilities such as swimming pools, tennis courts, parks and gold courses. People go to watch other people play sports like football or take part in sports themselves.

The British are particular about manners, dress and speech. They are famous for their politeness and self-discipline. They also have a strong sense of humour.

American Lifestyle!

noreply@blogger.com (Redefining Boundaries..) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 07:09:00 +0000

Many of the social and behavioral aspects of everyday life vary greatly from country to country. Some students might find it initially difficult to understand the way Americans behave and what they really mean to say you will have to remember certain important points to handle social interactions in the US comfortably.

Greetings:
Upon meeting people for the first time Americans shake hands with a phrase such as, “Pleased to meet you”. In a more casual setting with peers, people often just say ‘Hi’. It is usually acceptable to use the first name of someone of the same age group. Older people may be addressed with ‘Mr. /Ms/Mrs. /Dr/Prof’, etc., along with the surname. Most women prefer to be addressed as ‘Ms’ (pronounced: ‘mizz’), irrespective of whether they are married or not. The use of nicknames is fairly common.

Personal Space
When two people are talking to each other, they tend to stand a specific distance apart. Each person has an invisible boundary around their body into which other people may not come. Try to avoid physical contact while you are speaking, since this may also lead to discomfort.

Friendship/Acquaintance:
You need not hesitate to ask somebody for instructions on how to use the vending machines. People enjoy doing things together and exchanging ideas. However, a close relationship need not be really presumed. Strangers on the street may say ‘Hi’ as they pass you, and the clerk at the check-out counter of the grocery store will ask you. “How’re you doing?” This does not mean that you tell them that you have a cold and two exams coming up. A casual reply of, “Good, how about you?” is usually sufficient.

Social Invitations:
An invitation could be extended by a telephone call or a written note that specifies a time, date and place. It is polite to accept or refuse. If invited to a meal, you may offer to bring along some food or drink. It is considerate to send a thank you note as well, or to telephone your thanks the next day. If a friend has invited you to drop by anytime, it is best to call before visiting to make sure it is convenient for them. For a casual dinner invitation, do not arrive more than 5 minutes early, because your host may still be preparing for your visit. Arriving more than 10 minutes late is considered rude if very few people were invited. In case you will be late, it is best to call and inform the hosts.

Telephone Etiquette:
It is advisable to seek your host’s permission before using their telephone to make a call. You can reverse the call charges or use your Calling Card to pay for the call.

Noises:
It is not polite to burp in public or to slurp your soup. It is not appropriate to play loud music or otherwise disturb the peace late at night

Calendar Dates:
In the United States, dates are written as month/day/year. This is the opposite of the Indian method, in which dates are written day/month/year. So while 4/3/67 would be March 4, 1967 in India, it is April 3, 1967 in the United States. It is best to write out dates using the month name in order to avoid confusion.

Relationships:
Men and women generally treat each other as equals, and in an informal but respectful way. There are no traditional role demarcations as is in the case of Indians. It is acceptable for a woman to ask a man to go some place with her. The expenses may be divided, or one person may pay for both. To invite or accept a date expresses an interest to be with and to get to know that person. Women students must remember that they are not required to go out with anyone unless they really want to.

Some Common Social Behaviors of Americans:
Americans have no negative associations with feet and do not feel it necessary to prevent others from being touched by their feet. Americans show respect and deference for another person by looking him or her in the face, and not by looking down. Informal, relaxed postures are common. Lack of formal posture is not a sign of inattention or disrespect. Americans are uncomfortable with silence. They expect to talk constantly when in the presence of others. Even the weather is better as a topic than silence. When Americans offer food and drink, they expect the other person to say ‘yes’ at once if the food is desired. They do not expect polite refusals at first. You may not be asked a second time.

As in any culture, it takes time to make good friends. Just be patient, try to meet as many people as possible, and with time you may form friendships while in the United States that could last a lifetime.

Australian Lifestyle!

noreply@blogger.com (Redefining Boundaries..) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 06:13:00 +0000

Once students reach Australia, they will start noticing the differences in culture and lifestyle immediately. But the real differences between Australia and their home country will only become clear once they start to get to know the Australian people. For most newcomers, exploring the cultural differences is one of the most rewarding things about living and studying in Australia, or any new country for that matter. It is therefore important to remember the different aspects of Australian culture.

Food and living
Australians have three meals a day of which dinner is the biggest. Breakfast is usually self serve and consists of toast, cereal, fruit and fruit juices, milk and tea or coffee. Standard of hygiene are high in the preparation of food to the public and tap water is safe to drink in any Australian town. Fresh food is plentiful at shops and markets. Seafood's and all meats, fresh fruit, salad and vegetables are of high quality and quite safe to eat. The dress is very casual around the home, shopping and sightseeing. Work and evenings out usually require a higher standard of dress. Australian people wear their shoes inside, so you don't need to take your shoes off before entering the house or before going to the toilet.

Australians tend to say what they think
Australians tend to give their opinions freely and openly. This applies in basic situations, such as saying yes or no when offered a drink, as well as when discussing complex political scenarios in a university tutorial or over dinner with friends. Generally, Australians are not overly concerned whether people they are speaking to agree with their opinions or not.

Most Australians like their personal space
Australians tend to stand quite far from each other when they're talking. As a general rule, two people talking to each other stand at least one metre apart. When somebody stands closer than this, the average Australian begins to feel quite uncomfortable.

Australians generally pay their own money
When most Australians go out to a social function in a group, it is generally expected that people will pay for themselves. This applies as much to going out to lunch/dinner with friends, as to seeing a movie. A good common example is going out to dinner. At the end of the meal when the bill is brought to the table, the total amount will either be divided equally among the number of people who ate the meal, or each person will examine the bill and contribute the amount they owe.

Most Australians place a high priority on time
Australia is a very time-oriented place. This is reflected in their public transport system, which is strongly measured by how closely it runs to its published timetable; also in their education system where class, lecture and tutorial schedules are very strictly adhered to. If you are unable to make an appointment after you have made one, you should give as much warning as possible, even 24 hours notice if you can. The same applies to meetings with friends, although the rules are generally a bit more flexible.

Australians tend to be spontaneous talkers in conversation
Australians tend to be rather spontaneous in conversations and may talk lot of additional information that may not be totally essential to the main point of the conversation. One reason for this is that Australians tend to feel uncomfortable with periods of silence and often prefer to fill the gaps with jokes, or by quickly introducing a new topic of conversation. The key is to understand the general meaning behind what is being said.

Gifts
In Australia it is common for the person who is celebrating the birthday to receive gifts from friends. Such gifts are generally not expensive. Inviting friends to a dinner party at home is a common social activity in Australia. If you receive this sort of invitation, it is not normally necessary to bring a gift to the person's house. However, if you drink alcohol, it is very common to bring a bottle of wine to contribute to the meal. Occasionally people also bring flowers, although this is certainly not expected.

Australians respect other people's privacy
The average Australian is very aware of not intruding too much into other people's personal affairs. There are a range of issues that are best avoided when talking socially to many Australians on your first meeting. They include discussing a person's marital status, religion, income and age. Australians also tend to respect other people's physical privacy. For example, many Australians will expect other people to knock on their bedroom/office door, or announce their presence, by saying "excuse me", before entering.

Australians place great importance on individual responsibility
Whether it's at work or in a study environment, Australians believe people should take individual responsibility for their own actions. In a study environment, students are expected to produce essays and reports independently. There are great penalties for copying another person's work without properly acknowledging it.

Almost all Australians have a sporting interest of some kind.
Australians enjoy variety of sports like baseball, swimming, cricket, athletics, netball, softball, soccer, hockey, basketball and tennis. Watching sport is also common for most families. Many thousands of people attend professional football games every week and many more watch all forms of sports on the T.V.

Entrance Exams.

noreply@blogger.com (Redefining Boundaries..) — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 10:23:00 +0000

Each year, several thousand Indian students leave the country’s shores to study in foreign universities in US,UK, Australia, Canada, Germany to name a few. Western higher education system is renowned for its flexibility, diversity and commitment to excellence. The six major features of the international education system that make it attractive to Indian students are: Size, Diversity, Multi-culturalism, Flexibility, Accessibility and Post- graduation job prospects.

So in this article we will discuss the various international exams we need to take while going abroad namely SAT, GRE, GMAT. We will discuss each of these exams in detail.

About SAT
The SAT is an aptitude test. Like all aptitude tests, it must choose a medium in which to measure intellectual ability. The SAT has chosen Math and English. Most of the aspirants for undergraduate studies to US need to take it. NEW SAT takes about 3 hours and 45 minutes. It contains Critical Reading, Math and Writing Section. The NEW SAT is about 2400 marks, English section is for 1600 marks while Math section is 800 marks. The writing section is measured on a scale of (0 to 6 points). SAT is offered 6 times a year in India you can register for the exam online on http://www.collegeboard.com/. The present fees for SAT is around $ 85 USD, You will select a test day, pay with an international credit card and complete the transaction entirely online. SAT scores are valid for a period of 5 years.

About SAT SUBJECT TEST
SAT subject test where formerly known as SAT II, subject tests are given to access your skills in specific areas subjects include Math, History, Physical Science, Literature and SAT Subject Tests are given to assess your skills in specific areas. Subjects include math, history, physical sciences, literature, and foreign languages. SAT Subject Tests are an hour long and consist entirely of multiple-choice questions.
The score is from 800 marks. It is taken as per direction of universities for the choice of programs mentioned.

About GRE
Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is taken by students interested in pursuing their Masters program in US but renowned universities across the globe accept GRE scores. GRE is essentially a computer adaptive test which is about 2 hours and 30 minutes. It consists of Verbal, Quantitative and Analytical Writing. The scoring pattern of GRE is on Verbal (800), Math (800) and Analytical Writing section is graded on a scale of (0 to 6 points). GRE is offered all year around you can register for GRE on http://www.gre.org/. You need to pay $160 USD for registration. GRE scores are valid for a period of 5 years.

About GRE SUBJECT TEST
The GRE Subject Tests are intended to measure your knowledge of specific subject matter. Subject Tests are available in eight disciplines: Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology; Biology; Chemistry; Computer Science; Literature in English; Mathematics; Physics; and Psychology. These tests are given in paper-and-pencil format. These tests are given separately from the GRE General Test and require additional fees. Check with the universities to which you are applying to determine whether any of these extra tests are required.

About GMAT
The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is taken by students interested in pursuing MBA program in the US. It is also accepted by major business schools world wide. It consists of 3 sections (Quantitative, Verbal, and Writing). It is a 4 hour computer-adaptive test (CAT). Scoring pattern is on a scale of 800. GMAT is offered all year around you can register for GMAT on http://www.mba.org/ . You need to pay $250 USD for registration. GMAT scores are valid for a period of 5 years.

Importance of SAT, GRE, GMAT
As the admission process gets tougher every year. It is mandatory for the students to prepare sincerely for the above exams. The preparation time for these exams extends from three months to six months. On a broad spectrum the ETS board the governing body for the exam evaluates students on their knowledge in Math and English from grade eight to degree level, but individual stress is given on basic writing skills as far as Analytical writing is concerned.

DO's AND DONT's OF EXAM PREPERATION
The Do’s
1. Be realistic in your expectations.
2. Do take the writing Analytical section seriously.
3. Take practice test with the sole aim of improving your endurance and timing.
4. Take mock test as far as possible it acts as a dress rehearsal.
5. Practice alone makes you perfect.
The Don’ts
1. Don’t be too confident about your test taking abilities.
2. Don’t focus only on particular testing areas at the cost of other sections.
3. Don’t be obsessed about scores during practice.
4. Don’t burn the mid night oil without a proper back up plan.

Applying to U.K.

noreply@blogger.com (Redefining Boundaries..) — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 09:16:00 +0000

Every year, many students travel from around the world to study in the UK. Quality standards for UK institutions are among the best in the world. There are many educational institutions that welcome international students in the UK. Student can choose from a variety of routes through the education and training system, combining different types of course according to your needs and abilities. Many courses can also be taken through distance learning in student’s home country. The variety of specializations means student is able to find a course that suits the interests, ambitions and passions. For example, in the UK, one can specialise in anything from computer games programming, ocean engineering, satellite positioning technology or sound engineering to multi- media design, anthropology, cross-cultural psychology, hotel management or dance.

UK degrees can take only three years and postgraduate master's courses only one year ' compared with four years and two years in most other countries. This means student saves a great deal on both tuition fees and living costs. The courses are shorter because they are more intensive, and therefore more efficient in terms of time and money. Under existing work regulations, international students in the UK can work up to 20 hours a week when studying and full time during vacations.

Application to Universities abroad is not an easy process. It involves time, careful planning and a significant degree of financial commitment on the part of students who wish to study abroad. As a set rule, if a student wishes to enter a university in the Fall semester (August/September) then s/he should commence the applications process in June/July of the previous year. This timeline however is greatly dependent on the deadline within which the student has to apply. Students also need to start preparing for the required standardised tests at least a year in advance. This enables them to obtain the necessary scores well within the time of the application.

Following is the general application process to Universities abroad: The admissions process entails:
STEP 1:
Prospective students need to first gather the information about the universities they’re interested in. They should identify the Universities which offer the course of their choice.
STEP 2:
Students should then short-list the universities depending on several aspects like budget, preference of location, course offered, infrastructure and so on. This is important because they need to focus on a few select universities for taking their application process further. More importantly, they can have their standardized test scores sent to select universities at no extra costs. By identifying a few universities correctly, students can save a considerable amount of money in the form of application fees, standardized test score fees.
STEP 3:
Students from all over the world seek admission into universities abroad and so to facilitate the process of evaluating these students for admission, several standardized tests have been developed. All the international students are required to take these tests depending on the level of study, course and country.
SAT (students applying for a Bachelor’s degree in USA)
GMAT (for students applying for MBA)
GRE (Graduate Record Examination)
LSAT (Law School Admission Test)
MCAT (Medical College Admission Test)
TOEFL/IELTS as English proficiency tests

While SAT and GRE are required only while applying to USA, GMAT is generally preferred by all the leading schools of the world. It is however mandatory for pursuing MBA in USA. IELTS is required if applying to UK/Australia/New Zealand/Singapore and so on. TOEFL should be taken if applying to USA.
STEP 4:
Students must prepare all the necessary documents to be submitted to the University along with the application form. Students need to provide:
Transcripts from all universities/colleges attended
Letters of recommendation
Essays/Statement of Purpose
Resume
Financial capability certificates/Bank Statements
Final Application form, including application fees
Financial aid forms
Test results (if applying to more than four universities)

Students might be required to submit a separate form for Graduate Assistantships. Some Universities also require students to complete an imminisation form. All this information is available on the university website. Students are therefore required to thoroughly check the requirements of every University they are applying to as it may differ from one University to another.
Most post graduates get a teaching or a research assistantship which may include a tuition waiver in addition to a small stipend for services rendered (i.e. teaching/researching).

However, before applying to any university, it becomes important that the student takes a long hard look at his/her return on the investment made. Studying abroad is not cheap; therefore it is very essential to choose the ‘What’ and the ‘Where’ wisely.

The UK is a cosmopolitan place to live. Many thousands of families from around the world have made the UK their home, creating a richly diverse, open-minded, multicultural society. There are also more than a quarter of a million international students in the UK at any one time.

When students come to the UK, they get three countries and a province in one: England, Scotland, Wales and the province of Northern Ireland. Each has its own distinctive history, landscape and modern culture. And, because they're all within easy reach of one another, they're easy to explore. The national air, rail, coach and bus networks will get one almost anywhere in the UK ' so a car is not required, like in some countries. Discounts or special rates are generally available for students on most forms of transport.

UK qualifications are recognised and respected throughout the world and is a solid foundation for building ones future, boosting career and prospects for a higher salary. UK universities, colleges and schools provide a vibrant, creative and challenging environment which helps to develop student’s potential to the maximum.

Why Go Abroad?!!

noreply@blogger.com (Redefining Boundaries..) — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 10:15:00 +0000

Why should a young student leave all the comforts and luxuries of life and head out for a challenging life and that too abroad? Alien country, unknown people, diverse culture and lifestyle, different food, investing large amount of money – all seems so threatening. How can one adjust there and then one is expected to study, score well and the make a career? Sounds impossible!
If you feel this is impossible, then you need to check with the Lakhs of students that went abroad last year to pursue their studies. Yes, Lakhs of them for a Bachelors & masters degree in various fields from various cities of India. The only focus that they had on their mind was their future.
Lets see a few reasons as to why they would have left all the comforts and took a calculated decision to study abroad.

Some of the top reasons are

An international, cross-cultural experience
Approach things with a lot more self confidence and sharpened
Better pay scales
Capacity for growth
Enhanced career prospects – skills and experience that employer’s value
Independence
Option to study at some of the world’s finest university
Opportunity to interact with the best of people from all over the world, in terms of Faculty and students
Outstanding programs offering a variety of vocations to choose from.
Well-prepared to enter an increasingly international job market
Self-reliance
Ability to explore alternative ways to address life problems
An overall developed personality

Finally, the long-term impact of study abroad on a student's personal, professional, and academic life shows that study abroad positively and unequivocally influences the career path, world-view, and self-confidence of students.
So even now if you are thinking of not going abroad…then think about the above points and make a sound decision.

General Admissions Procedure.

noreply@blogger.com (Redefining Boundaries..) — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 08:44:00 +0000

Most of the Universities abroad have more or less similar application process. However every College or University has its own unique policies. It is time consuming and it is important that the applicants must start preparing well in advance. It is very important to begin the admission process early as the application deadlines are far in advance of the start of the semester. Students should also schedule the required standardised tests needed for admission on time so that they have the results of these tests on time to be sent to schools.

The basic steps for applying abroad are:

Identifying country- This is a critical aspect as it plays a very important role in determining a budget and also the intake.

Identifying university and the course that the student wants to pursue – Every University abroad offers hundreds of course so it is essential the students recognize the University that offers the course as per their requirements.

Obtaining the required Application Forms – It can be obtained online or by requesting the University to send the printed form.

Taking various required tests- Student needs to meet the criteria of minimum score required by the University to which they wish to apply.

Reporting various test scores to the universities- Students are allowed to send some scores free while taking the tests. If they apply to any other University they have to make sure that the scores are sent on time.

Arranging and preparing essays and recommendation letters- These are one of the important aspects of application and play a crucial role in getting students an acceptance form.

Preparing financial documents – The student needs to provide the proof of sufficient funds to cover the costs of the course as well as the living expenses.

Preparing other important documents - Along with recommendations and essays students also need to send their mark sheets and other relevant certificates

Completing and sending Application Forms along with required documents- The form needs to be sent to the right place as per the instructions provided by the University.

Important documents that a student needs to prepare:
· Score reports of SAT / IELTS / TOEFL / GRE / GMAT
· Completed Application Form
· Essay/s or Statement of Purpose
· Resume
· Recommendation letters
· Transcripts and mark sheets
· Relevant Certificates
· Financial Documents

When students apply abroad to any University they have to be sure that they send all the required documents well before the application deadline. Some Universities even have early deadlines. If a student misses out on these he/she may have to forego the intake. Once the application is sent then the University responds either with an acceptance offer or a reject. The student then needs to follow the instructions if he/she wishes to join the University. Universities usually inform students of their admission decisions well in advance of the beginning term.

Each college provides the information regarding confirming the acceptance of their offer of admission and also how to prepare for the first term. This information is generally included with the letter of admission or in materials that are sent to the student shortly after he/she accepts the offer. Student may be required to submit a financial deposit to the institution that you plan to attend. This is to guarantee the place in the class.

It is also likely that a student may receive a letter that informs him/her that they are on a ‘waiting list’. This generally means that the admission office determined that they were qualified for admission but there was not enough room to admit all qualified applicants. If a student is placed in the waiting list of a college they wish to attend, they will be asked if they are interested or not in trying to get a seat in it. If the student shows the willingness to be apart of the Institute he/she may be offered admission if space becomes available.

If a student receives admissions in more than one university, they have to decide which one they want to attend. At this stage, they should compare a few objective and mostly more subjective criteria. The points that student should consider are as follows:

Best program curriculum, length of program, choice of courses
Best funding offer or best program with respect to costs
Cost of living
Strength of related departments/program
Overall reputation of university/department/program
Location-region, safety of neighborhood
Climate
Social life
Facilities available
Accommodation & housing

Application process is the stepping stone for any student who wishes to go abroad and study. Since the university does not meet the student personally their entire evaluation and perception of a student depended on the application. So it becomes very crucial for a student to present himself or herself in best possible manner that will make his or her application stand out distinctly from the several other applications that a University generally receives.

Introducing GEC.

noreply@blogger.com (Redefining Boundaries..) — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 07:19:00 +0000

The education scenario is undergoing a sea change and the international scenario is escalating and making more and more opportunities available to students who are interested in pursuing their ambitions of a global degree. In spite of these changes, one thing has not changed: the commitment and the enthusiasm of educationists like us to make these dreams as realistic as possible.

Global education should not only be viewed as a challenge, but also as an opportunity. To make this opportunity available and accessible to a large number of career aspirants, the Global Education Counsel is being formed. The aim is to counsel and coach students on the various options available in the global scenario. The belief is bringing about the right fit between the student and the university. Our activities are designed to ensure that the right scores are obtained and emphasize on matching the profile of the student with that of the university.

In today's dynamic world, change is the mantra and managing the change has become vital. In order to sustain in this competitive world it has become important to choose the right career. Growth Centre [I] Pvt. Ltd., a Counselling & Vocational Guidance organization strives at broadening the career horizon in a way as to enable a student to make a perfect career decision that will spell success. This is carefully done by qualified Psychologists by using Psychometric Assessment and Personal Counselling. We help in mapping the future and managing it successfully with the help of a Career Action PlanT, tailor-made to suit the growing needs and aptitudes.

We have encompassed a gamut of activities as a part of our services. The Psychometric Assessments, Test Preparatory Courses, the Admissions Counselling, and inclusion of Workshops for the overall development of the student ensures that a holistic approach is used to make informed decision about careers