Keep the expenses in mind

Dear Sir,

I wish to know about universities in the US offering scholarships and fundings, their criteria for application to study MS in Engineering, especially in Texas/ Houston/ Dallas, etc.

Swati

Dear Swati,

Since your query is about MS in Engineering, I presume that you are an engineering student or that you’ve already completed your engineering. If not, be aware that to do an MS in USA, one has to have completed 16 years of education. Wherever you study, whether it is in the state of Texas or in any other state, the admission criteria is the same. After 16 years of education, here you need to take up GRE (Graduate Record Examination, www.gre.org), which is common to any stream of education at Master’s level, and TOEFL, which tests your proficiency in English language (www.toefl.org.) All universities offer scholarships for meritorious students. You seem to be looking for scholarships to fund your study abroad. Bear in mind that only high academic achievers are likely to get financial aid of any sort, be it assistantship, full scholarship, or fee waiver. These days, it is even more difficult. Be on the lookout for advertisements in newspapers when a foreign university or government and other charitable institutions offer scholarships, which keep appearing every now and then for specific programs, mainly for doctoral programs and rarely for Master’s programs. Be aware that it is an academically highly competitive area. Browse through the following websites for more information on financial aid: www.finaid.org, www.nafsa.org, www.fulbright-india.org, www.fulbrightonline.org, www.IEFA.org, www.uiowa.edu, and www.fordfound.org. Also, there are some Indian sources such as Tata Endowment: www.tata.com and Agha Khan Foundation: www.akdn.org. Last of all, contact Indian nationalised banks which give soft loans for higher education with liberal repayment schemes.

Respected Sir,

I am a final year student of BSc (Computer Science) with an aggregate of 65% so far. I want to do MBA in Finance after my degree and I have already given CAT for the same. I am also waiting for the MAT exam. Besides, I also wanted to know the procedure to apply for admissions in foreign universities. Please give me details regarding the fee structure, possible scholarships, installments (if any), etc. As my parents cannot afford a huge sum, I am hunting for an institute which is tailor-made for students like me. Information about colleges in India would also help.

Sharath

Dear Sharath,

I see that your interest lies in the area of management than in the science field. It is good that you know what you want to study and that you have started your preparation by taking up CAT and MAT. Be aware that management education in any country abroad is a very expensive affair, costing you nothing less than Rs 12 lakh and above, plus the living expenditure of about Rs 4 to 6 lakh. Do not be under the illusion that there will be a tailor-made institute for you. You will have to match the admission requirements of universities. Since the cost of education in any country abroad is very high, it is advisable that you get a couple of years’ work experience and write GMAT (Graduate Management Aptitude Test) and then try to enter a reputed university. That way, the expenditure of management education is worth, as your entry level and career growth prospects in the industry here will be good. I understand that your family cannot afford such expenditure.

Hence, you may look at financing your education by raising education loans from nationalised banks. Alternatively, you can look at the many good universities and institutions in our country whose educational standards are on a par with the B schools abroad. As you have already realised, the chances of getting into a good institute is through the many entrance examinations. Go ahead and give your best shot with good preparation.

The author is the Director of Banjara Academy. Send your queries to: Studying Abroad, DH Education, Deccan Herald, # 75, MG Road, Bangalore-560001, or email us at: [e-mail]