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STUDY ABROAD |
IICHE (Indian Institute of Careers and Higher Education) can be described as a consultation company where the client gets highest degree of professionalism, complete reliability, correct advice, confidentiality, excellent practical information base, sincerity and total commitment to its clients.
WHAT ARE THE FACILITIES PROVIDED BY IICHE IN THIS AREA ? |
PHILOSOPHY:Any person going abroad for higher education must have a definite plan. He or she must not pursue higher education abroad just for the sake of it.It is vital that the student has meticulously & pragmatically planned his career before starting any process for obtaining higher education abroad. In this career plan, if going abroad for higher education or for work is necessary, then only should he start the process of studying abroad. We have usually found that the approach of students is not correct. To them America or Australia, etc. is solution to their problems. If it was really so, then of course these advanced countries would not have any poverty, unemployment, crime or any other problems. One must remember that education is not an end but a means to the end.
AIM :There are 3 objectives :
-The student must get admission in the best possible university. Maybe not the top ranking, butthe university best suited to the students' individual requirements.
-The studentmust get a financial aid, if not immediately, then at least in the 2nd semester or quarter.
- The studentmust gain certain skills before leaving India in order that he gets a better paying job on campus or off campus.
APPROACH: Integrated, Easy, Time, Saving. The student is able to save his 4-5 months of precious time & a cumulative saving of Rs. 15,000 /- to Rs. 50,000 /-.
FACILITIES:Individual dealing with each client, excellent up-to-date library, Electronic typing, Computer facilities including Internet, complete related stationary & allied items.
PROCESS:Includes everything starting from deciding the country, the course, selection of university to packing & pre-departure orientation.
EXPERTISE:Expert consultation by ONLY those persons who have studied & worked abroad.
IICHE (Indian Institute of Careers and Higher Education) : AN INTRODUCTION |
Indian Institute of Careers and Higher Education (IICHE) has been established in view of the multidimensional problem of unemployment & problems of unsatisfied employed personnel. IICHE (Indian Institute of Careers and Higher Education) conducts systematic studies and research in different vocations & higher education in India & advanced countries, imparts career counselling, consultation and does career management of its clients. It also conducts research in manpower planning, training, HRD, and acts as liaison between the educational institutes and the industrial & commercial establishments. Congregation of eminent professionals who have studied & worked in different countries backs it. High degree of professionalism, complete reliability, correct advice, confidentiality, real world information base, sincerity and devotion makes IICHE (Indian Institute of Careers and Higher Education) an organisation committed to the welfare of the youth.
IICHE (Indian Institute of Careers and Higher Education) has been making a small effort in this direction by conducting career workshops in different schools (for IX to XII class) at a negligible cost. The objective of these workshops is to cultivate a pragmatic rational thought process in every student and to improve their planning & decision making process. In the workshops students learn a practical approach & develop the capability of choosing a right career & and successfully pursuing it. The students enjoy the interactive mode while they are being exposed to the real world facts & world of higher education in India & advanced countries. IICHE (Indian Institute of Careers and Higher Education) also helps educational Institutions to establish & develop their own Career Counselling & Vocational Guidance Center. It also provides educational consultation to premier educational institutions of the country.
In its Overseas Education consultation services for the United States, Canada, U.K. & Australia, consultation from 3 to 12 months is provided by only those persons who have studied & worked in that country. The objective is to seek admission in a good foreign university & prepare the student so that his stay on foreign land is gainful & a wonderful learning experience. Consultation for study in undergraduate programs, graduate programs and Ph.D. program in all fields of study is provided. The air-conditioned institute has updated library on different careers, professions and courses available in India & abroad, multimedia computer facilities, Internet, audio-visual aids and a very friendly relaxed atmosphere. Simple, easy, practical & rational approach is used to help students. Both English & Hindi are used.
IICHE (Indian Institute of Careers and Higher Education) is a bridge to help the transition of a teenager to an adult from his protected life under his parents into the real world. We at IICHE endeavor to help each student to understand & face life as a whole thing with its complexities & not merely prepare him to just earn his bread & butter. Our approach is integrated. Our aim is happy youth. Individuals who shall be creative. People who will contribute something positive for the betterment of mankind, for the goodness of life. Only in this way we can truly hope of fulfilling the dreams of our great leaders to have
A COUNTRY WHERE THE MIND IS WITHOUT FEAR & THE HEAD IS HELD HIGH
WHY STUDENTS WANT TO GO FOR HIGHER EDUCATION ABROAD ? |
In the present environment of rapid growth of technology, increasing
specialisation, obtaining higher education in advanced countries has gained
considerable significance. Students are finding very difficult to obtain
high quality education in India because of increasing competition because
of limited good colleges and high cost of higher education. Educational
& job opportunities, high quality, extremely flexibility in education,
high standards of living, exposure to new world, new culture and good monitory
returns have made higher education abroad very lucrative in modern times.
35,000 Indian students went to the
United States in 1999 for higher education.
WHY IS IT NECESSARY TO DO RESEARCH BEFORE TAKING A DECISION TO STUDY ABROAD ? |
With the increase in number of students wishing to obtain higher education abroad, there has also been an increase in number of dubious consultants & agencies promising students the easy way out such as "Guaranteed Admissions" or Guaranteed Admissions with Financial Aid or Guaranteed Jobs. In spite of presence of Internet (which too is packed with similar Advertisements) there is a tremendous lack of correct information. In cases where the information is available, it is very difficult to understand, process & take some judicious use of that information. Not only that, but different Canadian, Australian, British universities have started organising career fairs in major metros of India to market their institutions and attract foreign students. Australian universities are the most aggressive & commission agents in all major metros of India. Obtaining admissions in foreign universities is a very time consuming, extremely expensive and a difficult process. However, students lured by these opportunities just jump into the process without even understanding the whole process. They just want to study abroad without taking into different factors such as opportunities in India itself, career plans after their education, selection of country (everyone wishes to go to US or to Australia), etc. If there is any planning, it is at a very superficial level. The end result is that even after wasting a couple of thousands to few lakh rupees, either the student is still in India or does not do well on the foreign land or returns back to India.
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WHAT RESEARCH SHOULD BE DONE BEFORE STARTING THE PROCESS TO STUDY ABROAD ? |
The students must have a comparative information regarding various countries such as the size, culture, society, acceptability of foreigners, etc. They must have thorough knowledge of the various education systems, academic opportunities, programs & study areas, work opportunities, work culture, scope of their studies & work in the country of their choice. They must also have an accurate idea regarding eligibility, costs, etc.
For e.g., the students
have in their mind the education system in India. However, the system is totally
different & extremely flexible in countries such as the United States. For
e.g., Arts & Commerce students generally think that only engineers can go to
US or one can only go for an MBA only. The truth is that a B.Com. can also study
computer science at Masters level in the United States. The system is so
flexible that a student can choose his study load, the courses, can have his own
choice of professors, & can also choose the day & time of his classes.
Students also do not know that a student can go to the US even after his XII
class. That all Indian degrees are acceptable at US
universities. Also there are hundreds of US universities, which accept 3-year
Indian degrees.
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SHOULD I STUDY ABROAD ? |
Retrace your steps back starting from the final objective in your life. Do a reverse study. Answer these questions honestly, carefully and logically.
i. Have you done Career
Planning?
ii. Analyse your academic & professional
goals in context of your decision to pursue graduate or undergraduate study.
iii. Is your approach right? Will your choice of academic
goals lead to achievement of your professional goals?
iv. In this whole planning, does Going Abroad for education
come in?
v. How can study in the U.S., etc. enhance your
career? What are the higher education opportunities for you related to your area
of studies in that country?
vi. Can you receive the same
training at less expense in your home country?
vii. Can
you get admission in an Indian university for the same quality of education?
viii. How useful the training and experience in the U.S.A.
will be, if you work in your home country or in any other country?
ix. Understand that obtaining education is not the final
goal but it is a means to the end.
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THE ACADEMIC SYSTEM IN THE UNITED SATES |
-The Academic year is of nine to ten months. In some universities, it is divided into either into two semesters (Fall & Spring) and in some into three quarters (Fall Winter & Spring).
- The Fall Semester or Quarter generally in almost all the universities begins from I week of September. The Fall semester finishes in December while the Fall quarter finishes around I or II week of November. Then begins the Winter Quarter, which finishes around March. Then begins the Spring Quarter finishing around I week of June. Then is the Summer Quarter or the Summer semester. The Spring semester begins from January and finishes around I week of June.
- Several universities have Semester system but many have quarter system too.
- Majority of the universities accept international students (i.e. students coming from different countries) only in Fall semester or Fall quarter and some accept in all the semesters or quarters. This is called rolling admission. However, even within a university some departments have rolling admissions, some do not. Again even in the same department of any one university there might be rolling admission for the undergraduate program but not for Graduate or Ph.D. program.
- The quality of a university has nothing to do with the kind of Academic system they adopt.
- US education system is extremely flexible. It is based on the system that if you have the capability to study and if you can pay for the tuition, etc. then you can study anything or everything irrespective of your age or your background.
- So one can do two degrees together. If you are a Commerce graduate you can still do a Masters in computer science, but then you have to take some basic courses too. You can change your area of study whenever you want to do so. At the beginning of each semester or quarter, a student is offered say 50 courses. He can choose number of courses, i.e. he can decide (academic load), i.e. how much he wants to study. He can select his choice of course. Each course is taught by at least two professors. A student can select his professor. Each professor teaches 5 days a week at different times. The student can decide on which day he wants to study & he can also select the time.
- Majority of the tests are open book. If the student is not prepared for a test has been ill, he can take up the test later, on any day after scheduling it with the professor.
- The marks are not on percentage basis. There is Grade point average system. That is your test scores are based on marks obtained in comparison to other students in the class.
- The class room atmosphere is very informal & the students even go to bars, etc., with their professors. The professors are addressed on the first name basis. The students attend class in shorts & T-shirts.
- There is no fixed length of a degree. An undergraduate degree can be completed in less than 4 years & a Graduate in less than 2 years.
- There is great respect for professors in the American society.
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THE ADMISSION CALENDAR : A REVERSE CHRONOLOGICAL JOURNEY. |
Start from end, that is the day you would attend your first class. Almost all-good universities admit international students in Fall only.
1 Classes begin : I or II week of September or in some by Aug. 15.
2 On campus : Aug. 25. Arrive early to find housing, learn day to day activities, registration
3 Luggage done. Latest by Aug. 18. Receive airline tickets. Latest by Aug. 10.
4 Visa. Latest by Aug. 1.
5 Pre-departure correspondence : March 1 (early bird)-June 30 (Late comer). Sometimes the decision letters come very late & one has to use express mail for all pre-departure formalities.
6 Decision letters received by you : March 1-June 15 (15-20 days for postage from US).
7 Decision letters posted by University : Feb. 15-June 1. It takes 1-4 months for the university to process an application and take decision.
8 Application Package plus ETS score reaches university : Nov. 30-March 1.
9 Complete the applications-EARLY BIRD STARTS FROM SEP. 15. Post all the applications by Jan. 15. LATECOMERS START FROM DEC. 15. Posts all the applications by March. 15. Remember many good universities have Jan. 1-Jan. 15 as the final application deadline date.
10 Should receive application from the University : Aug. 1 - Oct. 30
11 Request of Application must reach the USA : July 1
12 Registration for TOEFL, GRE, GMAT, SAT, etc. by Jan. 15 to May. 15.
13 Start studying for ETS exams between Feb. 1 - June 30.
14 Complete the process of "WANT TO STUDY IN THE USA" i.e. Analysis of academic and professional goals and of possibility of studying in the US by December 30.
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Remember the following |
You shall be doing a-lot-of things during time gaps. For e.g. between there is a 3 months gap between sending the application and receiving the decision. The dates and the boundary lines you have fixed or drawn will not be adhered to in actual practice, as you shall be getting many applications late. You might have to retake your ETS exams. Similarly in the gap of 5 months between receiving the decision letters & actually leaving for USA, you shall be corresponding with universities from where the decisions have come late, will be packing your luggage, preparing visa documentation, learning about US, deciding what course to register for and may be even involved in giving your local exams. REMEMBER that the process of sending applications and post-decision correspondence continues simultaneously. Some universities take early decisions while some send even the application material very late.
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CONCLUSION |
To get admission in good universities preferably with a financial aid one should start the process at least 18 months before the actual date of reaching to the destination university.
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PREPARING FOR TESTS |
1. Arco's, Barron's,
Guides, etc. Always buy new books as the format of the tests change every year.
2. Coaching classes. Level of test is not above 10th or
12th.
3. Nature of tests. 100% objective. Verbal,
Mathematical and logical (analytical, critical reasoning, etc.) sections. Time
based. Speed, accuracy important.
4. Preparations : No
half hearted preparation. No repeating of exams. The score remains same or even
decreases. Average considered. Do not try to learn English from basic. Almost
impossible to improve upon.
KEY TO HIGH SCORE : Spend a good amount on material for preparation of tests. Practice a lot with as many new tests as possible.
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SELECTING UNIVERSITY |
IT IS THE MOST VITAL PART. Match your profile & objectives with the university's profile & what you get from the university. Get all the applications before starting the process. Spend at least 2-3 hours a day for next 15 days & then select 8-10 universities.
1. Prepare a list of 50 universities of which you would apply in 15. Rate them as A, B, C. Choose from Private, State supported, Religious, Ivy League. Choose only accredited ones.
2. Narrow the list to 15 - 20 universities after you receive the application forms. 5 universities have to be decided fast which have early application deadlines &/or are universities, you strongly want to attend. These 5 are required in the ETS exams application forms too.
3. Factors important for narrowing the list (Institution Profile) :
GEOGRAPHY: Very Important. Region-climate, exposure (big city), crime rate, ethnic factors (more Indians), cost of living. Location in that region - rural, urban, suburban.
QUALITY :
i. Quality of education. : By your course & not by general ranking.
ii. Faculty Profile : Research activities, where they got their degrees from, past experiences, their publications and activities.
iii. History : How old is it, Past accomplishments and Triumphs.
iv. Further academics enhancement opportunities (Ph.D.).
v. Research activities.
vi. Laboratory facilities.
vii. Placement record : Which & how many companies come to recruit How are the alumni placed in jobs, their positions.
viii. Mean GMAT, GRE, SAT score : Gives an idea of admission standard.
ix. Class Profile. : Age, undergraduate background, experience.
x. International Students Body.
SIZE
Small : Attention that is more personal. Important for
undergraduates.
Big : More diversity, prominent faculty,
etc.
EXPENSES
Tuition + Other academic expenses + Living + Miscellaneous (take into consideration geography. It is a very important factor).
ADMISSION STANDARDS
Compare your academic records, ETS scores with published admission standards and acceptance rate. Choose the one where the academic excellence of the class matches yours. GPA should be good for getting a good job.
AVAILABILITY OF FINANCIAL AID
TA, RA, other assistantships, campus jobs, athletic & academic scholarships. Evaluate your computer literacy, typing capabilities, etc. Big University offers more chances but more competition. Metropolitan town (More off campus jobs).
PLACEMENT SERVICES: Placement cell, career fairs, campus interviews.
DURATION OF THE COURSE: Same course may be completed within 1 or 2 or 3 years at different institutions.
INSTITUTION CALENDAR: Semester or Quarter system.
MISCELLANEOUS: Student support bodies, Academic & non-academic support systems (International students exchange programs, Research programs, Extracurricular activities, professional student bodies such as MBA association), work load.
RATING: If available. The ranking must act just as guideline and are not to be totally relied upon as different agencies rate differently and each has their own criterion of rating. They are of good use in finding the top 20 universities.
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THE APPLICATION PROCESS |
1. Printed application of the school of about 4-6 pages (many unknown words like county or zip or transcripts, etc.). Should be fully electronic typed. No short forms.
2. Financial Statement: Printed form, supporting documents, financial affidavit from parents, bank, sponsors. Most difficult to complete.
3. Recommendation letters: From Employers, Professors. Should match with other things such as your academic scores, etc.
4. Transcript package & Transcript request form: Only copies of mark-sheets certified by the registrar & put inside a sealed envelope with sign & seal of the registrar on top are accepted.
5. Extracurricular Activity Sheet: Be brief to the point and complete in space allowed. List all your activities but do not overdo. Do give your achievements, positions held with dates, elected or nominated leadership position, etc.
6. Resume: Very Important. Clear, to the point, relevant dates, figures, addresses. Achievements or job description should be specific & not general. No short forms at all. Let the reader draw the conclusions. Minimum use of adjectives. Should be in one page.
7. Essays: 2 to 5. Very Important. Again, don't tell about yourself using adjectives. Let the reader draw those conclusions.
8 Academic summary sheet: School & College record. If possible, give the grading system.
9 Employment history sheet: Company, Position, Duties, Salary, Dates of joining & leaving. Specific Achievements.
10 Medical Record Sheet: X-ray reports, vaccination record.
11 Covering Letter: Very Important. Should be to the point & Clear. Clarify any confusion that you might think might be drawn in the application and also list the application contents.
12 ETS scores: Very important to reach the university in time.
13 Fee: $30 - $90. Demand Draft in dollars.
14 Many Blue, Green, Yellow cards: Acknowledgment, Address, Housing, etc.
15 Additional Information: Very Important. Include in appendix profiles of your college, university, company, city, etc.
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WHAT TO DO BEFORE & AFTER SENDING THE APPLICATION ? |
¨ Reread all material.
¨ Check, recheck.
¨ Make copy of complete application package.
¨ Try posting without using stamps. Use Franking machines.
¨ Send the application material in a plastic coated envelope put further in a cloth bound envelope.
¨ Keep a calendar of events, dates of sending application, receiving of acknowledgment, decision letter, etc.
Remember in case of Graduate admissions the Admissions department is a different office & the department where you have applied in, is a different department. Unless not all the formalities are over the application will not be sent to the Admissions Committee of the department where you are seeking admission.
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PREDECISION CORRESPONDENCE |
Send anything more
required & asked by the university in their post correspondence after the
application reaches the admissions department. More information. Sometimes More
fee. Missing ETS score.
POST-DECISION
CORRESPONDENCE
Admission
Denied :
1. Reconsideration
request.
2. Holding application.
3. Provisional admission.
Accepted :
1. Thank you letter.
Further information request.
2. Will receive more
material to be typed : Housing forms (vegetarian food, non-smoking roommate)
3. More cards, Insurance forms, Medical forms, I-20,
Mathematics record sheet (calculus proficiency), Computer literacy.
4. Requesting Course Waiver & Credit Transfer policy
& related forms. Completing them. Sending course outline, Syllabus, etc. to
4 to 5 different departments.
5. Letters for financial
aid : TA, RA, Advisor, to Other departments too ( Housing, computer, etc.).
6. Letters to Student bodies.
7.
Insurance Company.
8. Letters for deferring deposits
($100 - $200).
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TAKING THE FINAL DECISION |
HOW TO GET
ADMISSION IN THE BEST UNIVERSITY?
Biggest Mistake: It is very
wrongly thought that very Good ETS test scores will get you admitted in a top
ranking university & will get you a financial aid and other parts of the
application are not so important. Actual fact: The whole
application is important. The application package, when sent weighs 300 to 500
grams. The Admissions Committee considers everything. It gives a tremendous
importance to your academic scores, to your work experience, to your essay &
even to your letters of recommendation. Also is given importance to your
non-academic activities & achievements. Main Point: The whole
presentation of the application should be homogeneous. There should be no
contradiction. Also extremely important is the selection of the university. You
must know what will get you an admission & a financial aid.
1. VERY
VERY IMPORTANT. Very careful analysis going back to the question 'Should I
pursue Higher Education in the U.S.?' Your dreams, money,
etc.
2. Ask
university to Hold your admission if you are not joining that university.
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TYPES OF FINANCIAL AID & OBTAINING IT |
Higher education in the United States is very expensive. The cost per year (living + tuition) for studying in the U.S. is about Rs. 8 lakhs to Rs. 17 lakhs and is even more in professional programs such as medicine, veterinary or dentistry. Family member i.e. wife or any elder person means an increase of about 10 - 15 % in living expenses. It is very necessary for a student coming from a middle class family to have some or the other form of financial aid. The following types of financial aid are available:
¨ Fellowship: Awarded strictly on basis of academic or professional merit. Covers tuition and/or living expenses. Very few. Usually free money without any work associated with it.
¨ Assistantships (Work with compensation): There are usually 4 types (classified by no. of work hours) of assistantships in each kind of assistantships. For e.g. a teaching assistantship can be Quarter Time, Half Time, Three Quarter Time (3/4 time) and full time.
¨ TEACHING Assistantships : Requirement : Good command over English and subject. Would be required to pass TSE. The work would be to supervise undergraduate laboratory classes, lead discussion groups, teach small classes, take tests, grade papers, etc.
¨ RESEARCH Assistantships: Relatively easy to obtain and mostly offered to Ph.D. students. Mostly related to the student's study area.
¨ GRADING Assistantships: The assistant has to grade the papers of undergraduates taught by the professor for whom the assistant works. Many times, it becomes a small part of teaching assistantship too with additional remuneration paid for grading.
¨ ADMINISTRATIVE: They are of several types such as at foreign students office. Keep eyes and ears open. Various kinds of administrative assistantships are listed below. There are several other types and their nature and name varies from one university to another.
¨ Student Life: Judicial affairs and alcohol education center : Holding sessions, advising students who are referred judicially & assisting alcohol and drug related programs.
¨ Service Learning Centre: Help students decide on community programs, placements group representations, recruit, train and supervise student volunteers.
¨ Student government & organisation advising: Provide advice and consultation to number of campus governing and programming groups and registered student organizations. Conduct leadership skill workshops, help in activity planning, scheduling, problem resolution, etc.
¨ Minority Student Leadership Program: Same as above but aimed at minority campus governing and programming groups and registered student organizations.
¨ Student & Leadership Development: Planning & Implementation of conferences and other leadership development programs. Assisting new students with campus life orientation.
¨ Student Leadership Training: Doctoral level graduate assistant administers student leadership training course under the supervision of the division of students affairs and college of education. Recruitment, selection, consultation, development of course material, conducting research, etc.
ASSISTANTSHIPS AT UNIVERSITY HOUSING PROGRAMS
¨ Residence halls: Supervising and
training undergraduate staff in halls. Group Advising, Programming, Students
contact, referral, educational discipline, career advising etc. Live in
(residence halls) positions with meals included as part of remuneration.
Preference to individuals with undergraduate residence hall or closely related
experience.
¨ University apartments:
Staff supervision, student contact, programming, discipline and mental health.
Previous human-services experience is preferred.
There are many other positions in Health Center,
Enterpreneurship development program, Industrial development institute, etc.
FULL TIME ASSISTANTSHIPS
Complex directors, residents directors, program assistant,
associate director, resident director (University apartments), etc. Maximum
course load is-so-fixed that the completing a graduate degree program may take
three to four years.
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WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS ASSOCIATED WITH AN ASSISTANTSHIP? |
i. Monetary compensation (usually taxable) according to the type of assistantship and number of work hours & also waiver of tuition Fee. The compensation is usually not only sufficient to cover your expenses but the student can even save about $ 300 to $500 per month.
ii. Discounts up to 50% or more or less in tuition fee and waiver of six or more credits tuition fee per term.
iii. Discounts & privileges in On-campus facilities, eating, library, intramural facilities, permits for parking, priority in university apartment housing, etc., as you are an employee of the University.
iv. All compensations listed above vary from one university to another.
v. All these positions are not related to the students academic performance during the period of assistance but related to his assistantship performance. However one must reach certain minimum GPA (3.0 usually).
vi. Assistantships are usually awarded for one academic year (consisting of 3 terms) but in many cases the award may be only for 1 term. Research assistantships are renewed every year but the teaching are generally given for the period of study.
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HOW TO OBTAIN FINANCIAL AID? |
1. If you can't study in a foreign country without a financial aid, then the first step in obtaining a financial aid starts with the right selection of the university. Study in detail the complete profile of the university. See, whether you fit in easily or not. Your profile should be above the average profile of the class. Then only, think about applying to that university.
2. What you are & what you have (skills, qualifications, etc.) can not be changed. Hence, it is vital that you present yourself in a manner that will get you an admission with a financial aid. Thus, the second step is to know exactly what the university requires from you. Then, you package yourself in a manner that brings out or emphasises the qualities, which the Admissions Committee is looking for, for granting an admission with a financial Aid.
In case, you reach a university without a Financial Aid. Then you must do the following to get a Financial Aid as quickly as possible :
1. Be persistent, and patient. Be alert. Visit concerned persons frequently.
2. Talk openly, freely and make clear specifically what you can deliver.
3. Show your interest to the extent of working free.
4. Resume should be very well made.
5. Strong typing, Computer skills very important.
6. Always remember that Be an early bird. Applications for assistantships are processed & decided upon as early as first or second week of February. Many universities have deadlines for application for financial aid & these deadlines precede school application deadline.
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US VISA : THE GRAND FINALE |
1. Start preparing from
the day you decide to go to the Unites States.
2.
Thorough preparation.
3. Rehearse interview.
4. Valid passport (valid for 6 months after your intended
date of travel), Photos, I-20, Recommendation letters, fee, financial
documentation, experience certificates, property, land ownership documents,
house receipts, loan papers, share certificates, UTI certificates, investments,
income tax returns & everything possible under the sun. Do not carry or show anything of which you yourself are not
very sure. Papers systematically arranged. Easy access.
5. Proof for coming back.
6. Be honest, bold & very very clear.
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PREDEPARTURE ORIENTATION |
1. More correspondence.
Requesting Graduate or Undergraduate catalogue of courses offered.
2. Study and understand the courses thoroughly.
3. Plan the first quarter or semester.
4. Complete any formality left such as Housing or medical
check up.
5. Luggage : Copy of application packet,
syllabus, course outline, clothes, utensils (pressure cooker), spices
(vegetarian), cooked food, International driver's license, Canadian visa,
Traveller cheques, credit card (Master or Visa or American Express), extra
spectacles, books, credit cards, credit records, Indian high class gifts,
etc.
6. Study : Postal, Bank, Medical systems, Taxes,
Insurance. Culture, society, ethnic diversity. Academic system in the U.S. Life
on & off campus, culture shock, jet lag, time difference within and outside
the U.S.
TICKET & TRAVEL
Be very clear of the date and time, departure procedures, international reporting time. Documents, luggage size or weight, I-20 stamping by USINS (US Immigration and naturalization services), D/S-duration of status - 1 to 2 years or more. Register for frequent flier program.
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THINGS TO BE DONE IN THE FIRST FEW WEEKS |
1. Get Social Security
No. (required for opening an interest paying account or else needed everywhere
to stay and work in the USA).
2. Learn about taxes
3. Learn about insurance (health)
4. Know about on campus hospitals, health center, free
health facilities. Don't be afraid or feel shy to talk to the people at the
health centre & the finances involved. You must very clearly &
specifically know what is free and what is not free?
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WHAT TO DO ON CAMPUS? |
1. Find a job. Any or specific such
as computer, etc. First come first get.
2. Make
friends.
3. Go to bars, parties.
4. Participate in sports activities. Go for canoeing,
golfing, body building.
5. Watch movies, go for shopping
at malls for fun (great experience).
6. Become member of
organisations such as :
¨ Matching up of new students
with international or American students. Kind of having a friend.
¨ Adopt-A-Grand-Parent.
¨ Volunteer
organisations - Make many friends.
¨ Academic societies,
etc.
8. Go to near by sightseeing. One day tour.
9. Buy at least a used bicycle.
10.
If possible, buy a used car. Will be extremely helpful. Take somebody's help in
buying it.
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MAJOR PROBLEMS & COPING WITH THEM |
1. Culture Shock. See
above & in Interpersonal relationships.
2. Study
pressures : Managing time, right course load.
3. Food :
Vegetarian's hell. Vegetarian's delight. Lot of variety of juices & cheeses and even all kind of
vegetables & fruits. Learn to cook. Satisfied appetite helps a lot in coping
with study pressures.
4. Money : Plan well. Keep check
on Dollars, Cents will take care of them. Save by using coupons, discounts etc.
Minimum shopping of unwanted things. MANAGE TELEPHONE BILLS. Take advantage of
SALE. Learn to use every facility offered like 1-800-No's, credit card
discounts, yellow pages, recorded messages, magazines, buyers guide, newspapers,
student-aid services, etc. Learn to use these things.
5.
Keep on supplementing the income by hourly jobs (waiter, maintenance, front
desk, international students center, etc.).
6. Winters :
Here comes the season of Home sickness, depressions.
7.
Insurance and taxes : A lesson to teach anyone that one should not be spoon fed
or should not try to act too smart (too much dependence on parents). The US IRS
(internal revenue services) & other offices too will at least make you
humble.
|
COPING WITH CULTURE SHOCK |
1. Get plenty of rest.
2. Take time to think and talk.
3.
Be optimistic.
4. Make you and your room comfortable.
5. Make friends as quickly as possible, particularly
Indians.
6. Keep a diary or a journal of daily
events.
7.
Try not to search for "things like home". Things are different. Explore and
enjoy them.
8. Keep an open mind.
|
INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS |
1. Very
individualistic.
2. Don't go too close so as to
interfere with their privacy.
3. Anybody can be a friend. Colour, class, even age is no
limitation.
4. Time. Very important. Be punctual.
5. CUSTOMS - If you don't know, ask about them. They will
be delighted.
6. Take help, only in SOS situation.
7. Open up. Be yourself. Do join activities of your
academic (say MBA) group.
|
TERMINOLOGY |
There are not only many foreign words but many conventional
words seem to be foreign as they are pronounced differently such as schedule.
Credit :
Also called as credit hour or credit point. Units colleges use to record the
completion of courses of instruction. Different colleges have different credits
per course & different number of credits required for an academic degree.
Instruction fee is conventionally charged as dollars per credit hour.
Grade
Point Average (GPA) : A system of recording academic achievement based on an
average, calculated by multiplying the numerical grade received in the course by
the number of credits allotted to that course. 4.0 system is a common system.
The grading system is then averaged as decided by the instructor.
Grading
System : Decided by the instructor.
Waiver : Normally given for pre-core courses to students on
the basis of prior study or experience. It means that the student does not have
to study the course in which the waiver is granted. Awarded by the instructor of
the course after examining the course outline or the syllabus, the mark-sheets
and/or talking to the student.
Advance Placement or Advanced
Standing : A waiver of some of the studies normally required for an
undergraduate degree, granted to a student on the basis of prior study or
experience. Also given to graduate students for pre-core courses.
Transcript : A certified copy of students educational
record containing of courses. Similar to mark-sheet.
Credit Transfer : The credits
for the core courses can be transferred on to your present college record if
that course has been studied earlier at an accredited institution or some good
institution in your home country. Requires mark-sheets and almost all the times
consultation with your academic advisor.
Undergraduate : A student
enrolled in a program leading to bachelors degree.
Graduate : A student who has completed a course of study
either at the High School or at the College level. A graduate program at a
university is a study course which offers masters degree to students holding
bachelors degree.
Social Security Number : A unique number issued by the
U.S. Government to persons residing in the United States. Required everywhere in
the U.S. For working or getting a license or even opening a current account.
Core :
Courses a student must take and complete satisfactorily in order to obtain a
specified degree.
Pre-Core : Courses a student must take and complete
satisfactorily before enrolling for the core courses or other advanced courses.
These are required for the students who in a graduate program comes from another
discipline. These courses can be waived if proficiency in them can be proved.
Usually there are 5 to 7 precore courses.
Date : Month first, day second
& year comes last. 9-4-94 means Sept. 4, '94 and not March 9, '94.
BS or MS
:Bachelor of science degree awarded in fields of science, mathematics or
technology.
BA or MA : Bachelor of Arts degree awarded in
non-science fields, such as arts, commerce, management, etc.
Open book
exams : Examinations in which the students are permitted to use
textbooks.
|
SOME INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE UNITED STATES |
¨ USA is the one of the largest and the most powerful country in the world. It is fourth largest in population. The USA covers the entire midsection of North America, stretching from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific ocean in the West. A train travelling at 96 km/hour will take more than 45 hours to cross the country. New York is the largest city of US.
¨ President of the United States is the most powerful person on earth. His yearly salary is more than Rs. 1 crore.
¨ The land of USA is varied with its warm beaches of Florida and Hawaii and its frozen northlands of Alaska, the mid-western prairies and the snowcapped Rocky mountains. Forests cover 33% of the land.
¨ Out of the total population of 250 million, about 118 million are employed in the civilian labor force. Hispanics & Asians constitute two of the fastest growing segments of the US today. The medium income of American families is about Rs. 15 lakhs. Over three-fifths of all families and individuals are in the middle or high-income ranks. They are able to afford not only the basic needs-food, shelter, clothing, but also many comforts of modern living. Almost every home has electricity & 99% of the villages have electricity too.
¨ More than 19 million people are in the manufacturing sector. The GNP of the US is about 4.5 million-million dollars.
¨ 98% of American homes have TV.
¨ Chicago is the world's busiest airport with one flight landing & taking off every minute.
¨ 65 million copies of newspapers are printed every day in 34 languages.
¨ In spite of more than 170 million passenger cars, buses, trucks the public transportation in the United States is poorer than India too.
¨ United States spends $70,000 million in R & D and employs about 750,000 scientists.
¨ 50% of the people employed are having professional & technical qualifications. There are more than 2.5 million full time teachers. About 650,000 professors teach in universities. There are about 2.2 million doctors, pharmacists & para-medicos. A student has to study for 10 years after school to become a specialized doctor and work for three years before entering private practice. US has more than million engineers. About 1.6 million men & women work as Physicists, Chemists, Biologists & Mathematicians. There are about 450,000 computer scientists out of which 27% are women. There are 2.3 million professional accountants & about 550,000 lawyers.
¨ Americans spend 40% of their income on services.
¨ 1200 million dollars is spent yearly on music.
¨ There are 32,000 libraries in the United States. In addition, there are at least other 3,200 libraries such as university based, medical, etc.
¨ 13% of the population is below poverty line.
¨ A person in the US has to work 5 minutes to earn enough to buy ½ kg of bread, 2 minutes to buy 1 kg of potatoes, 6 minutes to buy a litre of milk, 20 hours to buy a woolen suit & 28 hours to buy a TV.
¨ An average American expects to live to the age of 70.
¨ Only one percent of population is illiterate. New methods of instruction that encourage children to develop their creative abilities are being devised and tested in schools. More effort is being made to guide young people into careers suited to their talents and abilities. Career counselling starts from the primary education & continues up to undergraduate level. A counsellor is one of the most important person in a student's life.
¨ The cost of higher education is substantial in private colleges and universities, but is much less in those supported by states and cities. A large number of students work to pay their expenses; many receive scholarship grants, some of which cover almost the entire expenses of attending college. Every year more than 15 million adults take adult education courses that range from engineering to writing poetry. Many adult education courses are given at night in public schools, town halls and community centers.
¨ The vast expanse of the USA is divide in seven regions through which are spread out almost 3000 higher education institutions generally termed as 'college' or 'university'. These colleges/universities offer almost 500 different fields of study, providing international applicants with a variety of options and opportunities for education. There are several types of colleges, universities, private institutions, liberal arts colleges, specialized institutions, men's colleges, women's colleges, military colleges, etc. There are more than 60 million students enrolled in universities & schools.
¨ Some are large while others are quite small. A college is as big as occupying 500-1000 acres of campus. Some have river flowing through. Students from 50 to 140 countries are studying at these colleges, with 6000-50000 students living on campus.
¨ The class room atmosphere is very informal & teachers are addressed by their first names. The students carry coca-cola, etc. in the class dressed in shorts & T-shirts. Pencil is generally used for writing.
¨ Some universities are considered most reputable as they form an Ivy League. Considered to be highly selective, these institutes are renowned the world over for their educational programs.
¨ Every year Americans make voluntary contributions of nearly $65,000 million & about 22,000 foundations spend about $3,500 million to promote educational, medical & other welfare projects.
¨ United States is a heaven for recreation activities for the youth & tourists. From Disney world in Florida to Las Vegas United States offers, abundance of natural & man made attractions. Hollywood, base ball games, football, basketball, McDonalds, beaches and so many other attractions are the favourite past times of the American youth.
¨ Students start to earn after school to pay for their tuition. Many hold even part time jobs during schooling too after school hours.
|
SOME INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT CANADA |
¨ In land area, Canada is the second largest country in the world. Extending across North America from the Atlantic to the pacific coast for over 5,120 km. Canada is slightly larger in territory than North America. Canada has six time zones, with a population of approximately 30 million people. It has four distinct seasons ranging from snowy white winters to warm, sunshine filled summers.
¨ The population is nearly 30 million and the most dense habitation is along the Southern border.
¨ Canada has picturesque landscapes, the Western side of Canada is mountainous with lakes and forests, while the East has many beaches villages and fishing villages.
¨ Canada is divided into regions on the basis of cultural and economic variations. Quebec and Ontario have the maximum concentration of people.
¨ Canada being in the far northern hemisphere has a cold climate but conditions vary from region to region. January is very cold for nearly two-thirds of the country particularly along the coast of British Columbia. The Pacific coast of Canada is cool and fairly dry in summer but mild, cloudy and wet during winter. Summer in North Canada is short and cool while in South Canada summers are warm and long.
¨ Degrees from Canadian universities are among the most widely recognized in the world. With an excellent education system from the primary to post-graduate level, Canada is increasingly the country of choice for foreign students looking for university education or career training.
¨ In 1994, 1995 and again in 1996, the United Nations Human Development Index has rated Canada number 1 in the world for its overall quality of life.
¨ Canada is widely perceived as a land of trees and snow. People are often surprised to learn that Canada is a world leader in software development, telecommunications, aerospace, urban-transport, biotechnology, mining technology and environmental industries. There are many centers of excellence in science and technology across the country.
¨ Canada is a country with abundant natural beauty, as well, being rich in cultural heritage. Its physical splendor can be seen in spectacular settings across the country from the wondrous Rocky Mountains in the West to beautiful Signal Hill on the East Coast.
¨ World-class theatre, music, restaurants, cultural and sporting events can also be enjoyed year round. Canada provides a remarkably safe, clean, friendly, multicultural environment in which to study and which explains why more than 100,000 international students choose Canada every year.
¨ Studying in Canada means enjoying a choice of 90 universities and 150 colleges and institutes.
|
NAMES OF SOME GOOD US UNIVERSITIES |
¨ Arizona State
University
¨ Boston University
¨
Brown University
¨ California Institute of Technology
¨ California State University
¨
Case Western Reserve University
¨ Colorado State
University
¨ Columbia University
¨ Cornell University
¨ Drexel
University
¨ Duke University
¨
Florida A & M University
¨ Florida Institute of
Technology
¨ Florida International University
¨ Florida State University
¨
Georgetown University
¨ George Washington University
¨ Georgia State University
¨
Georgia Institute of Technology
¨ Harvard University
¨ Illinois Institute of Technology
¨ Indiana State University
¨
Indiana University at Bloomington
¨ Iowa State
University
¨ Johns Hopkins University
¨ Louisiana State A & M University
¨ Massachusetts Institute of Technology
¨ Michigan State University
¨
Mississippi State University
¨ New York University
¨ North Carolina State University at Raleigh
¨ Northeastern University
¨
Northwestern University
¨ Ohio State University
¨ Oklahoma State University
¨
Oregon State University
¨ Pennsylvania State University
at Park Campus
¨ Princeton University
¨ Purdue University at West Lafayette
¨ Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
¨ Rice University
¨ Rutgers, Newark
& New Brunswick ¨ Stanford University
¨ SUNY at
Albany, Buffalo, Stony Brook
¨ Syracuse University
¨ Texas A & M University
¨
Texas Tech University
¨ Tufts University
¨ University of Alabama at Birmingham
¨ University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
¨ University of California Berkeley, Davis, LA, Riverside,
Irvine, San Diego, etc.
¨ University of Cincinnati
¨ University of Colorado at Boulder, Denver
¨ University of Connecticut at Storrs
¨ University of Delaware
¨
University of Denver
¨ University of Florida
¨ University of Georgia
¨
University of Hawaii at Manoa
¨ University of
Houston-University Park
¨ University of Illinois at
Chicago
¨ University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
¨ University of Iowa
¨ University
of Maryland - College Park
¨ University of Maryland -
Baltimore
¨ University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
¨ University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Campus
¨ University of Massachusetts at Amherst
¨ University of Missouri, Kansas city & at Rolla
¨ University of Nebraska, Lincoln
¨
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
¨ University
of Oklahoma
¨ University of Oregon
¨ University of Pennsylvania
¨
University of Pittsburgh
¨ University of South
Carolina
¨ University of Southern California
¨ University of Tennessee at Knoxville
¨ University of Texas at Austin, Arlington, Dallas
¨ University of Virginia
¨
University of Washington
¨ University of Wisconsin at
Madison, Milwaukee
¨ Virginia Polytechnic & State
University
¨ Virginia Commonwealth University
¨ Washington University
¨ West
Virginia University
¨ Yale University
|
NAMES OF SOME GOOD CANADIAN UNIVERSITIES |
¨ Athabasca University
College, Alberta
¨ Augustana University College,
Alberta.
¨ Bishop's University, Quebec
¨ University of Calgary, Alberta.
¨
University College of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.
¨
Concordia University, Montreal.
¨ University of King's
College, Halifax.
¨ Lakehead University, Ontario
¨ Laurentian University of Sudbury, Ontario
¨ McGill University, Montreal.
¨
Mount Allisan University, New Brunswick.
¨ Mount Saint
Vincent University, Nova Scotia.
¨ Nova Scotia
Agricultural College, Nova Scotia.
¨ Nova Scotia College
of Art and Design
¨ University of Prince Edward
Island
¨ University of Regina, Regina.
¨ Ryerson Polytechnical Institute, Ontario.
¨ St. Thomas University, New Brunswick
¨ St. Francis University, Nova Scotia.
¨ Saint Paul University, Ottawa.
¨
University of Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan.
¨ Technical
university of Nova Scotia.
¨ University of Winnipeg,
Manitoba.
|
IICHE (Indian Institute of Careers and Higher Education) : A PROFILE |
¨ IICHE (Indian Institute of Careers and Higher Education) provides individual career counselling to students from Class IX up to Graduate level.
¨ IICHE (Indian Institute of Careers and Higher Education) establishes Career Counselling & Vocational Guidance centers at different educational institutions of the country and also imparts management consultation to them.
¨ IICHE (Indian Institute of Careers and Higher Education) provides COMPLETE consultation to students who wish to study in USA, Canada, Australia & UK for Graduate, Undergraduate & Ph.D. programs. The objective is to seek admission in a good foreign university & prepare the student so that his stay on foreign land is gainful & a wonderful learning experience. Stress is on building a career instead of just studying on a foreign land.
¨ IICHE (Indian Institute of Careers and Higher Education) conducts career workshops. The objective of these workshops is to cultivate a pragmatic rational thought process in students and to improve their planning & decision making process so that they develop the capability of choosing a right career & successfully pursue it.
¨ IICHE (Indian Institute of Careers and Higher Education) has one of the largest most updated education & career information database for India & abroad. The experts at IICHE (Indian Institute of Careers and Higher Education) are highly educated professionals who themselves have studied & worked in these countries. IICHE (Indian Institute of Careers and Higher Education) has a large base of highly satisfied individual clients and educational institutions.
¨ IICHE (Indian Institute of Careers and Higher Education) has complete infrastructure including multimedia computers, Internet, printers, fax, answering machines and efficient trained staff.
|
PROFESSIONAL CAREER COUNSELLING. NEED & RELEVANCE |
One of the most important decisions in a person's life is choosing his career. A happy career leads to a happy individual. It is our strong belief that any student in spite of his excellent academic, personal, financial background has every possible chance of failure if he does not choose & plan his path properly. Young students severely lack necessary latest current facts & information, are unaware & ignorant of modern trends & changes and are immature & inexperienced to take a rational decision. In absence of right guidance, they choose a career on their own. Their career choice is usually guided by friends choice or what is in vogue at that point of time.
|
BENEFITS OF CAREER COUNSELLING |
In Career counselling, we improve the decision-making processes of students by improving & correcting their logic & providing them with information required to take the right career decision. The benefits are that students begin to See Life More Widely & Deeply. There is a broadening of horizons. They become focused. Students develop a deep insight and cultivate a rational thought process. Career counselling provides immense practical help in taking right decisions and planning their present activities & the future. Thus it tremendously improves your decision making process. Students generally limit the world on their own. World is full of opportunities. After career counselling their approach towards life changes dramatically. In General, we find them becoming happier, confident, extrovert, hard working. They start having more belief in themselves. Modesty replaces arrogance.