Surviving the 21st century, a professionals survival guide (Part -3)

 

Read Part 1                    Read Part 2

“If you enjoy what you do, you won’t have to work for single day in your life”

Picking up where we left off in the last installment, we get into the nitty-gritties of a “happily ever after career”. So once you have decided your discipline of interest, it is imperative that you stick to it come what may. Unfortunately this is easier said than done, so often times - caught in the avalanche of “well meant and practical advice” from one’s well wishers, and that of “the frequent gold rushes” that grip the certain industry sectors from time to time - you are bound to be plagued by doubts – especially when you see your contemporaries pursuing domains of expertise that seems to be financially more lucrative and guaranteed to take them on a fast track to “success”. Whenever you are confronted with such advice or self doubt, remind yourself that a choice of career is a decision that is going to stay with you forever; and therefore its returns quotient should be never just be judged on a singular short term financial parameter - but on a number of other intangible parameters, like job satisfaction, your passion for the domain, and most importantly if it is something you would be able to bring yourself to do for the next 40 odd years of your life. An acid test for such a situation is “the billionaire test”. If you were a billionaire and did not have to work for a living for as long as you lived, which is the profession you would have chosen to pursue, would you rather be a “shark slayer” a “video game reviewer” or “a chef”. “Remember there is more success to be had by being the best in a mediocre field - rather than be mediocre in the best field.”

Now that you have zeroed in on your area of interest it is important to create a roadmap for achieving that goal, the crucial element of which will - of course - be the education and training you need to pursue. The term quality of education offered by an entity is often misunderstood, it is of course true that infrastructural accompaniments contribute to the quality of education, but if one were to pick a single most important factor that is critical in determining the quality of education it would be the overall academic environment that is on offer, i.e. whether  the academic institution in question encourages a culture that is steeped in a relentless pursuit of excellence and knowledge - or is it purely an entity that is solely dedicated to following a checklist of a prescribed syllabi.

To understand the implications of the above statement let us ask ourselves - why is it that - when all colleges virtuallyteach the same principles of engineering, some are more sought after thanothers? The obvious answer from a casual observer’s perspective would be “better job opportunities after completing college” but then why do industries prefer recruiting from some universities / colleges rather than others – even though they teach the same subjects and books? Again the obvious answer is; it is because they expect a higher “return on their investment” on recruits from those specific entities. In other words the industry perceives candidates from these educational entities to be genuinely passionate and involved in their chosen discipline, therefore - more attuned to prevalent industry needs, trends and norms, and consequently - more likely to come up with new ideas and concepts that will prove profitable for their organization.

Thus it follows an ideal educational institution should strive to create an overall environment that encourages or in fact demands - genuine passion, a continuous exchange of ideas, a research oriented, knowledge seeking mindset among its students, while pursuing active ties and collaboration with respective industry segments.

So for those of you who are in still in the “good job” and “good money” frame of mind – this is how the equation goes, the less importance you give to the monetary criterion while making a decision pertaining to your career, the better chances of you making more of it.

Unfortunately though the above may seem an obviously logical process - a lot of educational systems (not just institutes) get it wrong. That is why choosing the right system of education is sometimes as important as choosing the right institute and the right career.

To illustrate the above point better, let me site a somewhat extreme example, if you were an automotive design engineer would you look for a career in New Zealand? In all fairness if you were not too particular about the type of “job” you did – it may make sense, but otherwise it is commonsensical logic - that it would be futile for an automotive design engineer to seek a career in a country which has does not boast of a single car brand. Yet, in a mad zeal for a good “job”, numerous students make such illogical decisions pertaining to their career with alarming frequency- and unfortunately end up making compromises with their original career aspirations.

Concluding Part-4  coming soon

Surviving the 21st century, a professionals survival guide (Part -2)

Surviving the 21^st century, a professionals survival guide (Part -2)

(Read Part-1) 

During my eventful career as a business consultant and a career consultant, I have lived through a few more recessions and global economic shakedowns than I would care for. The one fact that was reinforced with unfailing regularity during these tough times was that - the ones who survived - and in fact sometimes flourished - were those who took a real passion in their professions, in other words, loved what they did - and was not just in it for the money. Though this might sound something out of a corporate motivational lecture, it is a fundamental truth of life that generates excellent practical real-world monetary dividends. 

To elaborate on the above - when money is the sole motivator for choosing a career the end result is usually mediocrity, the mass of “casualties” that are the inevitable fallout of any major global shake-downs or economic meltdown are these “professionals “ in the wrong field, i.e. who jumped in on the bandwagon in search of a quick buck, basing their choice of careers solely on market trends. 

Such a class of professionals usually provides grist to the mill of mediocrity, they have their uses when the economy - or any specific industry - is on the upswing, this is when organizations tend to be flexible with KPIs like productivity and profitability because the top-line looks so good and the future looks rosy. However they are the first casualties when things take turn for the worse. They were the casualties of the “dot com bust”, “the economic meltdowns” or other gazillion other debacles that the world of business and commerce has seen.   In other words they stop being RELEVANT.

Any career or educationconsultant will vouch for the fact that two questions they are asked most often are “what is the job opportunity in this field” or worse “which field has better job opportunities” these are possibly the single biggest career-destroying questions one can ask. To start with, one needs understand the clear distinction between the concepts of a job vs. that of a career, to put it succinctly a job is a temporary state of affairs – you may be in a job for 3 months or 30 years, but a career is something that defines your overall personal brand as a professional. To illustrate the point better consider the two following statements as the opening phrase of your CV and choose which you would like to be the statement that defines you.

“An electronics engineer with 5+ years of experience……”  

“An assistant manager with ‘xyz’ organization since 2002…..”

If you chose the second option, we wish you all the best and you can stop reading here.

If you chose the first option congratulations! You are already on the path of a successful career and your “relevance quotient” just went up a notch.

Now that we have established what you want your “brand identity” to be, the subsequent steps obviously are planning towards the goal and execution.

Planning: Ideally this stage should start from high school however, it is never too late. One of the most effective methods for narrowing down ones areas of interest, is to run, what I call the “boredom” test, i.e. if you did not feel like –or were bored of - studying during a particular study session; which is the subject or the book you would reach for to make the best of a bad situation? Look back and you will have your answer about your ideal choice of career. Continued in Part 3....

Surviving the 21st century, a professional’s survival guide (Part -1)

“The more things change… the more they remain the same”

Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr

The essence of success or even survival as a specie or as an individual has been –and will be - staying relevant in the bigger scheme of things - the human race being no exception, our tools and methods of ensuring survival may have become more sophisticated over the years but their primary objective remain the same. Of course our stated objectives are oft coated with a veneer of civility like say “making a difference” or “creating value” for the society, but stripped of all its niceties all these terms are euphemism for the basic survivalist instinct of staying relevant. It is for this reason capitalism has - and probably will - remain the essentially organic all encompassing philosophy that transcends all geo-political and socio economic barriers.

In all possibility even Bertrand Russell  had no idea how right he was when he said “knowledge is power”. If there is a single golden rule for staying relevant in today’s world it is to stay with if not ahead of the knowledge curve - a task that is becoming increasingly challenging given the exponential rate of change the world has seen almost on all fronts. By obvious extrapolation it follows that the quality of education one obtains is becoming an issue of ever increasing importance.

In a world of changing success paradigms, the definition of a “quality education” has also metamorphosed into something with more “survivalist” connotations. Academics, researchers and professionals can no longer be insulated in their glass houses from the hitherto murky world of real world business diktats; neither can degrees continue to be a piece of paper that gives them a starting advantage over their contemporaries. Fresh graduates no longer have the luxury of a “honeymoon” period. In this day and age the business world demands market ready professionals who can hit the ground running and start delivering from day one. Among the lucky who survive the challenge of course is to stay relevant.

Positions, jobs or even departments are constantly being rendered redundant and to paraphrase Charles Dickens “these may be the best of times, but not certainly the worst of times”. The obvious solution is to stay mobile. Mobility has become the buzzword crucial to the survival as a professional in today’s world, mobility that is not just guaranteed by ones nationality - but by ones competencies and perceived contributions to the global business model as a professional. 

Depending on one’s perspective (east or west) one of the biggest flip sides to the story of globalization - albeit unintended - has been the free flow of high end trained labor across markets, whereas this has brought many of the former economic powerhouses to their knees - as their pampered denizens fight for their “overpriced and underworked” way of life - it is no secret that it has opened up a whole new vista of opportunities for a select sector of trained manpower within the “third world countries” - with somewhat mercenary ethics. 

But as with everything there is a dark lining to this silver cloud, as complacency sets in, the “nouveau rich” breed of third world professionals run the risk of falling into the same trap of easy money as their western counterparts and -keeping with the laws of business - run the risk of being made redundant once they outlive their utility cycle. For as with technology – skills and knowledge come with a lifespan as well.  

So stay relevant by staying ahead of the knowledge curve.  How? Read the follow up article… 

Read Part -2

Are counselors a must while planning to study abroad ?

With globalization becoming worldwide phenomena, and global compatibility becoming more of a norm than an exception, the purpose of going abroad to pursue higher education is no longer succeeded by a “why” but a “how”. What role do consultancies play in helping students pursue their education abroad? Is it an absolutely a must?
The question should would better read as “ what role should consultancies play “.

The purpose of a consultancy is not limited to just getting students admitted to an institution of higher education abroad. Given the vast number of apparently enticing quick fix choices on offer, it has become imperative to be highly selective about the destination country, the institute and the courses on offer, else there is a good possibility that a student may find himself in a redundant career after having invested a lot of time and money in the venture. One should learn to distinguish between agents and consultants. An agent is one whose chief source of income happens to be the commission he gets from the universities he has ties with, thus his loyalties and are more likely to lie with the institutions abroad rather than the student in India.

A consultancy or consultant is more of a career maker i.e. it should offer solutions that do not cater to just short term needs but should take into consideration the long term perspective, that is future career prospects, student aptitude and interest and in short advise students about the best course of action rather than the easiest course of action, because often the end result of the later is frustration.

The efficacy of a consultant must not be judged by its ability to produce admits with least input from students, students should be made an active part of the process providing constant inputs and feedbacks.

The major purpose of consultancy is value addition. So while choosing a consultancy the focus should be on the actual benefits he/she stands to gain rather than the ad-ons. In other words the experience, knowledge and credibility of the consultant in question, but credibility being a matter of perception therefore the student should go about with an unbiased mind. For example many consultancies like other businesses, high light success stories, but twenty students with full financial out of the two thousand who availed their services does not speak of a great record, rather go for a consultancy where for example 50% of the twenty students acquired financial aid, even if the number of students enrolled were comparatively paltry. Second they should look for a personalized consultancy service, often enough, the entire process of consultancy becomes a check list of assembly line processes, with each process adding little value to the application, there being no concerted effort to build the student as a brand and focus on his/ her USPs. A strict appointment system does not always work in such cases because more often than not numerous course corrections are required before applying, the consultant should be at hand to advise.

Where well established consultancies score over students going about it on their own, are in their vast experience of interaction with thousands of students over the years, because often enough a students source of information happens to be his friend or family circle which is often limited. The inputs are often colored with personal perception and a tendency to justify ones own mistakes by blaming it on extraneous factors, for example the highly erroneous impression that US visas require a twenty to thirty lack bank balance for six months, else it is impossible to come by.

The other factor is analysis, a consultancy with its vast resources and well established network not only draws on data and facts, but also analyzes them to arrive at the real picture. For example, “studying abroad especially in America is an extremely expensive proposal and is not meant for middle class students”. Analyzing the figures officially released, there were around 80,000 Indian students who flew to USA last year to pursue their higher education. Now it is a commonsensical point that majority of these students happen to be from middle class families with parents in service, it is inconceivable that even 10% of these aspiring students let alone 80,000 will have had twenty lack to splurge for education, because this amount often happens to be the life’s savings of an entire middle class family. It may sound surprising but children of State Transport Bus drivers, second grade clerks in MTDC have successfully completed their degree from the US of A, and to clear up the point they were average or above average students, with their parents having no “additional” sources of income.

The answer to the second part of the question, as to whether consultancy is necessary, is It is not a must for any student merely seeking to get away to any country and any institute as long as it is outside India. But it is a must for any discerning, serious, career oriented student, because the repercussions of the smallest of decisions are often felt many years down the line.

HOW TO ATTACK SENTENCE CORRECTION QUESTIONS SUCCESSFULLY?

SAT & GMAT students have to face sentence correction questions on verbal section.Obviously the very word sentence correction suggests that there is some grammatical error in the given sentence which you need to trace out in the first place & then pick up the correct option from the given five options.Sounds simple isn`t it ? Well, it is simple provided you do your homework thoroughly on various grammar topics & have an intensive practice of a variety of sentences.

Here are a few tips to crack this otherwise tedious question type :


1. Always begin with the basics of grammar. Usually students overlook the basics & directly jump into the pool of SC questions which can prove detrimental to your performance.

2.Have a thorough knowledge of different types of grammatical errors.

3. Practice errorwise questions first to have clarity & then go for miscellanous errors.

4. Time your questions.you should not take more than one minute per question. initially you can have some concession on time but as you go further it should not exceed one minute.

5.Always make a note of the mistakes you make while solving. This helps in identifying your problem area & focus more on that.

6."PRACTICE MAKES MAN PERFECT" has proven true with many students & will be so even with you guys!!

CERTAIN TIPS THAT WILL HELP YOU DURING EXAM PREPARATIONS

1. Confidence and Self-belief:

The students should have confidence in themselves and belief in their own abilities. They should have a strong belief and confidence that they can clear the exam. Everything can be achieved through belief.

2. Knowledge and Hard Work:

Knowledge is necessary to clear any competitive exam. The students should have good knowledge about fundamentals and concepts of the subject. Without this, they can never hope to clear the exam.

For gaining knowledge, a lot of hard work and preparation is necessary. Knowledge cannot be gained overnight. Conceptual knowledge can be perfected by reading and understanding the concepts and then practicing questions based on these concepts.

3. Solving sample papers and past question papers:

This is the most important. Solving sample papers and past question papers will give an idea about the type of questions asked in the entrance exam and also give a lot of practice to the students. This will help the students in the actual exam.

While practicing and also during the exam, the students must always pay attention to their speed i.e. how fast and accurately they can solve the questions. It is advisable not to spend too much time on a single question. If they are not able to solve that question in a particular time limit, they should leave the question and move ahead.

4. Time Management:

Firstly, students must prepare a timetable for studying, and make sure that they are following the time table ritually. The timetable must be prepared for the period up to the exam and then broken up into monthly, weekly and daily schedules.
The students must then keep a record of what and how much they have studied and review their performance regularly.

Initially, a student should study for 3 to 4 hours a day for the competitive exam. Later when the exam draws near, around 6 to 8 hours can be put in.

5. Sharpness of mind:

Sharpness of mind is needed for competitive exams. A sharp mind gives conceptual understanding, ability to think out difficult or tricky questions and speedy response to the questions.

Sharpness of mind can be achieved by regular practice and also by doing brain exercises such as puzzles, crosswords, chess and sudoku.

Hope these tips will be useful for the students who are going to appear for the exams..

Best Of Luck!!!!!

How is it possible for any student with average financial resource to go abroad, what are the expenses involved?

Studying abroad has to be planned properly with due stress on country and college selection. Ironically though US universities appear to be very expensive on paper, a student pursuing Masters in America or Canada, from even a moderately reputed university should not have to spend more than 7 lakhs in the worst case scenario, irrespective of the projected amount written on the Brochure.

For Australia/ NZ the amount is anything between 8-14 lakhs, for UK it may go up to 20 lakhs if one plans to pursue his/her degree from a decent institution, in Germany though there are no tuition fees, living expenses are more than compensate for it.

It should be remembered that a good education abroad need not be expensive, in fact often the converse is true, some of the best universities, especially in the USA have a unwritten rule that an offer of admission should be compulsorily accompanied by an offer of financial aid.

The good news is extremely soft student loans by the Nationalized banks in fact have made it extremely easy for students with even the meager means to study abroad.

The Bottom line?

Following the herd is often more counterproductive than beneficial, one should things out for themselves and analyzing them. Though being skeptical is a part of the process but often enough we are skeptical to the point of underestimating ourselves. It has to be understood that the universities abroad believe in a process of selection, contrary to the process of elimination that we follow in India.

READING CAN BE TOUGH ON GRE, GMAT & SAT !!!!!

Reading of late has become a hard nut to crack on all competitive exams.Even the best of the students find themselves at their wits end when it comes to reading.But the point to debate here is,Is reading indeed an insurmountable arena? Is there no way to make it an all attainable arcade? Don`t you get disheartened guys!!! "there is always light at the end of the tunnel" & reading is no exception to this.All
it needs is loads of commitment & focus towards your preparation & a conscious effort to develop faster reading.Right from day one,when you decide on taking any of the above tests,think of reading extra stuff as the first step towards your goal.

Here is how you develop faster reading habit:

1.To begin with even a newspaper would do.Read stuff like the editor`s column & note the time taken to comprehend it on day one.

2.On the second day read another such column but taking a few minutes less than what you had taken on first day.Continue each day with as much less time possible to comprehend.

3.Religiously & consciously reading new stuff coupled with proper time management would slowly but steadily help you bud into a fast reader.

4.After one or two weeks try to grab some fiction or non fiction books but mind you never you fall in love with the books & get immersed into it.Instead have a practical approach to it from exampoint of view. Hence a strategic & well planned technique would surely put you in a better frame of mind glowing with confidence to take up any challenging passage in your stride.

Role of Consultant while going for foreign education

With globalization becoming worldwide phenomena, and global compatibility becoming more of a norm than an exception, the purpose of going abroad to pursue higher education is no longer succeeded by a “why” but a “how”.
What role do consultancies play in helping students pursue their education abroad? Is it an absolutely a must?

The question should would better read as “ what role should consultancies play “. The purpose of a consultancy is not limited to just getting students admitted to an institution of higher education abroad.

Given the vast number of apparently enticing quick fix choices on offer, it has become imperative to be highly selective about the destination country, the institute and the courses on offer, else there is a good possibility that a student may find himself in a redundant career after having invested a lot of time and money in the venture. One should learn to distinguish between agents and consultants. An agent is one whose chief source of income happens to be the commission he gets from the universities he has ties with, thus his loyalties and are more likely to lie with the institutions abroad rather than the student in India.

A consultancy or consultant is more of a career maker i.e. it should offer solutions that do not cater to just short term needs but should take into consideration the long term perspective, that is future career prospects, student aptitude and interest and in short advise students about the best course of action rather than the easiest course of action, because often the end result of the later is frustration.

The efficacy of a consultant must not be judged by its ability to produce admits with least input from students, students should be made an active part of the process providing constant inputs and feedbacks. 

The major purpose of consultancy is value addition. So while choosing a consultancy the focus should be on the actual benefits he/she stands to gain rather than the ad-ons. In other words the experience, knowledge and credibility of the consultant in question, but credibility being a matter of perception therefore the student should go about with an unbiased mind. For example many consultancies like other businesses, high light success stories, but twenty students with full financial out of the two thousand who availed their services does not speak of a great record, rather go for a consultancy where for example 50% of the twenty students acquired financial aid, even if the number of students enrolled were comparatively paltry. Second they should look for a personalized consultancy service, often enough, the entire process of consultancy becomes a check list of assembly line processes, with each process adding little value to the application, there being no concerted effort to build the student as a brand and focus on his/ her USPs.

A strict appointment system does not always work in such cases because more often than not numerous course corrections are required before applying, the consultant should be at hand to advise.

Where well established consultancies score over students going about it on their own, are in their vast experience of interaction with thousands of students over the years, because often enough a students source of information happens to be his friend or family circle which is often limited. The inputs are often colored with personal perception and a tendency to justify ones own mistakes by blaming it on extraneous factors, for example the highly erroneous impression that US visas require a twenty to thirty lack bank balance for six months, else it is impossible to come by.

The other factor is analysis, a consultancy with its vast resources and well established network not only draws on data and facts, but also analyzes them to arrive at the real picture. For example, “studying abroad especially in America is an extremely expensive proposal and is not meant for middle class students”. Analyzing the figures officially released, there were around 80,000 Indian students who flew to USA last year to pursue their higher education. Now it is a commonsensical point that majority of these students happen to be from middle class families with parents in service, it is inconceivable that even 10% of these aspiring students let alone 80,000 will have had twenty lack to splurge for education, because this amount often happens to be the life’s savings of an entire middle class family. It may sound surprising but children of State Transport Bus drivers, second grade clerks in MTDC have successfully completed their degree from the US of A, and to clear up the point they were average or above average students, with their parents having no “additional” sources of income.

The answer to the second part of the question, as to whether consultancy is necessary, is It is not a must for any student merely seeking to get away to any country and any institute as long as it is outside India. But it is a must for any discerning, serious, career oriented student, because the repercussions of the smallest of decisions are often felt many years down the line.

COMPOSURE COUNTS ON ALL COMPETITIVE EXAMS !!!!!

Despite burning the midnight oil, despite revising the Barron`s wordlist thrice, despite practising grammar & other questions thoroughly despite , despite & despite  everything, I landed up with a miserable score !!!!! 

We often hear students grumble post exam but have you ever given a thought why does this happen? 

Why do some best of the students come out with pathetic scores? 

 Yes , the one & only reason is " your mental composure on the d- day". We have seen many a battles lost due to panic !!  Panic is the real culprit.

Tranquility pays !!!! But the hundred dollar question is - How to cultivate " tranquility" " composure" &" peace of mind" when we are facing our career`s most crucial test? Do you think it is an unachievable & unattainable arena ? Absolutely not. 

Here are a few tips to make you the coolest student with  loads of confidence ready to win the battle with any & every competitive exam :

1. Right from the start  be focussed , set targets & work incessantly so that you don`t have to cope up with the pressure of last minute preparation.

2. Feed your sub-conscious every night that" you have  to do it" " you can do it" & " you will do it" that nothing is impossible .

3.  Always aim high &  never compromise for substandard things ,not even the score.

4.  Leave studies one or two days before the exam. Relax ,have fun ,freak out, watch a movie  talk to your friends {don`t discuss the exam} most important eat & sleep well. No need of butterflies in stomach at the thought of the exam !!! We dont need them because it is not the BE ALL & END ALL OF OUR LIFE!!

5. Deep breathe 10 times every day by closing your eyes. Give your 100% in deep breathing. Its a good confidence booster.

Observe the above five tips religiously & I dont see any reason why PANIC cant be kept at bay & why you cant come out with FLYING COLOURS IN ANY EXAM...

All The Best !

Preparing wordlists for GRE

Preparing for GRE is not a difficult task if done tactfully with some smart work; gaining maximum benefit with minimal efforts.

WORDLISTS:
As you know is a pain to study. Tell me how many of you actually DON’T MUGG UP your wordlist?? Do you have any idea that you actually know all the words ? Many students open the book and start doing wordlist or always sit with their flashcards by-hearting the words not knowing why !

There is a strategy my dear friends to do your wordlists.

Follow these 3 Simple Steps: There are 3 Categories of words.

1.EASY WORDS: In each wordlist as you know have 50 + words. Byhearting all at a time sounds & looks (the pages) also boring, one needs to know what types of word are they. The easy one’s - these are those types of words that do not require any introduction. You know their meaning. You need not by heart them because you know it’s meaning already. Just see and move on just see whether the word in a noun or adjective or adverb suffix – by looking at its ending (considering you are done with root prefix & suffixes).

2.MEDIUM WORDS : These are those types of words that you are familiar with i.e. you have seen some were, read in a newspaper, or a novel or in a magazine article that you don’t remember. But seems to look familiar.
You have to get the meaning of such words as you are already familiar with it should not take much time to remember. Don’t forget to apply the roots & stems tactics to it & be observant on what suffix it is.

3.The third and the Last category is the NEW WORDS: These are words which you are seeing for the first time. You have no idea where it has come from or its source of origin. Well dear friends you don’t have a choice but to by heart them.

But, by the time you have finished with your categorization you would be left with very less words to actually by heart. SOUNDS GREAT !!! Try it now !!

Best thing to do is never to get tensed take good food, Sleep tight. Feel good and be confident, it will automatically improve your capability.

Indian Students in the USA

The USA has for long attracted students from all over the world as a global leader in imparting quality education. With its flexible syllabus and booming opportunities, the USA has indeed become the cynosure for those desiring to pursue their higher studies abroad. India too is no stranger to this flourishing trend and as a result every year hundreds of Indian students set off to the USA in pursue of higher studies. So in this article let’s just talk about the life of Indian students in the USA.

Indian student population after China is the second largest population in the world that opts for higher education in the US universities. As a result there are a number of Indian students in the universities there. When a student arrives in the USA for the first time, he/she is helped by the fellow students there i.e. Right from picking the student up from the airport to settling the student in, help is always at hand. However it is imperative that the student has contacted his/her fellow students well in advance about their arrival.

There are many Indian communities or groups formed within the universities where all the Indian students can come close together and share their common interests and ideas. A feeling of togetherness is imbibed among the students at such times.

But this in no way means that Indian students are comfortable only among themselves. Students from all over the world come to the US so naturally a culturally diverse campus life is created. Being a part of such cosmopolitan environment is truly an exciting and exhilarating experience for the students. It is here that the students develop a completely different and a much broader perspective of life when they see and learn new things that ultimately help to develop their personality. It is here that they become global citizens in the true sense.

So life for Indian students in the US though a bit tough (considering all the part-time jobs and cooking one’s own meals) is not lonely. They have their friends and their teachers who understand them and thus help them in their times of need.

Getting your USA Visa

You have given your GRE, TOEFL, applied to the universities in USA and have even got accepted to the program of your choice and that too in the University of your choice. So now what? The biggest question of all- Will I get my Visa?

Getting Visa is the biggest concern of both the students and their parents who wish to pursue their higher studies in the USA. The day of the Visa interview is enough to give the jitters to the most confident of students as it is after all the deciding factor in whether the student will be able to pursue his/her dreams of studying in the USA. So let’s just talk about how to go about the Visa Interview.

Firstly and most importantly it is imperative to get your Visa interview appointment as soon as you decide on the university and get your I-20. Remember that your I-20 is required for your Visa. Also do remember that you take your appointment for the interview well in advance so that you can leave for the USA early and have enough time on your hands to settle in(because believe me there is seriously lots to do) before the actual commencement of your program.

The Visa interview may last for 3 mins or for 15 mins. It really depends on the Visa officer. Unlike any other myth the only thing that the Visa officer looks for in a student is whether how serious the student is about pursuing his/her studies once he/she goes to the USA. DO NOT LIE or exaggerate to the officer about your past or your goals for he is sure to see through the farce. Being honest and clear of your achievements and aims in life will only help you to get through your interview successfully.

Moreover make sure that you have all the required documents with you at the Interview (including the SEVIS receipt) and that they are neatly filed or arranged systematically in the folder (check how it is to be done). The Visa officer may not even see your file if he is convinced that you are a genuine and sincere student. The biggest of all- answer all the questions in fluent English as it is after all the official language of the US and is also the medium of study. So DO NOT become so nervous as to stammer or speak in grammatically incorrect English.

Remember it is only through your confidence and your veracity that you will pass your Visa interview successfully. All the Very Best.

AWA- Analytical writing assessment

AWA- Analytical writing assessment

The analytical writing assessment section consists of two writing tasks- analysis of an issue and analysis of an argument for gre and gmat students

How are the essays graded ?

The responses of each of these tasks are scored on a 6 point scale , with 6 being the highest score and 1 the lowest. A score of 0 is given to responses that are offtopic, are in a foreign language, merely attempt to copy the topic ,consist only of key stroke character or are blank. The readers who evaluate the responses are college and university faculty members from various subject matter areas. These readers read your essays holistically – i.e they respond to the overall quality of your critical thinking and writing.

Each response is given to independent ratings. If the rating differs by more than a point, a third reader evaluates your finals score is the average of the 2 ratings.

What is the importance of AWA scores ?
Your awa score plays a vital role in fetching you your most desired admits although it has an indirect impact. First of all in case if two students are vying for the same admit in the same university for the sam e program,your awa scroe forms an important criteria for admits apart from your academics,extracurricular,etc…secondly your awa score acts as testimony for the admission council to tesat the authenticity of you rsops and essays.

Some strict DONTS of the AWA section :

1.Do no start attempting before reading and understanding the topic properly.
2.Do not start typing before brainstorming the points or preparing a skeleton of the essays
3.Do not use this section as a platform to showcase your linguistic skills like vocabulary ,proverbs and idioms. Use everything in moderation
4.Do not try to increase the length of the essay simply by circulating the points thinking long essays will fetch you high scores. It is just not the case.
5.Do not give/overdo the statistics until and unless you are sure of them.

How to prepare for GRE quant?

The math’s section in GRE exam contains only three types of questions Graphs, Quantitative comparisons, and multiple choice questions .It consist of 28 questions and the time given is 45 minutes. The format is like 14 Quantitative comparisons, about 10 multiple choice questions and about 4 questions on Graphs. They may come in any order.

Before you start preparing for GRE quant keep in mind that in GRE the Mathematics skills tested are very basic, only 7th to 9th std algebra and geometry (Don’t worry no proofs) Knowledge is needed. But this doesn’t imply that Math section is easier...
It is kept at basic level so that students, who didn’t study math after their school years, will be able to score same as engineering, maths or science students. As said before the problems are based on basic maths will have simple solutions, but finding the simple solution may not be easy.

This section is designed to see how skillful you are at finding simple solutions, if you are doing long calculations you will not finish same part of the test as those student who can find short and simple solutions, So if you end up doing long calculations, and more of advance mathematics be sure you are going in the wrong direction..

Best way to start preparing is take a GRE Barron’s book, go through all the examples, tricks that are explained they will help you in revising your basics .when you complete exercises work out the tests .Don’t forget to revise Barron’s once or twice before your exam. After Barron’s there are few more books which give you more practice examples like Nova, cliff.

After that you can complete Kaplan’s 120 quant questions without difficulty. Last book to solve will be GRE Big book, at least try to solve 15-17 tests from the book, before starting to solve CD tests. In that also start with Cambridge or Princeton CD tests, which are easier if compared to others. Keep Kaplan’s CD for last 8-10 days , the scores you get from Kaplan tests are found to be parallel to the actual GRE scores.( only if you don’t spoil your exam ) so you will get the range of your score. After solving tests always try to find your weak areas and keep on improving them.

All the best…

Getting into a Good University…

Whenever we talk about giving TOEFL or GRE or for that matter any other competitive exam, it is typical to feel tensed or nervous. But what is more important is just how we handle this stress. It is true that we have to score if not high, at least a decent score on these tests so as to increase our chances in getting admitted to a good university. But even after studying diligently we may still not score well. At such a time it is imperative to not get depressed or disheartened and instead try again with all the confidence and sincerity.

Moreover it is significant to understand that our test scores are not the only ones that decide our chances in getting into good universities. It is the entire package that the admission officers see and that in turn decides the ultimate outcome. For example if you are active in extra curricular activities throughout your academic career then that is an appealing facet of your personality as it shows that you have an insatiable interest of learning new things and are not just a bookworm. Thus it is this quality that helps you stand apart from the rest.

So even if you do get low test scores do not get depressed. Concentrate on how you can otherwise present yourself in an appealing light. But do remember that some universities do require a minimum score as their eligibility criteria, especially in TOEFL so do check out every university’s terms and conditions and also carefully scrutinize their course content. You may come across some variations which may ultimately decide your interest in that particular University. So be vigilant while deciding on the University in which you wish to pursue your education and also develop your personality as much as you can so as to befit your interest.

It is important to know that it is your uniqueness that ultimately increases your chances to get in the University of your choice. Overcome your weaknesses; acquire skills that truly draw out your personality. Show passion for what you want to learn for in the end it is your fervor and zeal to really gain knowledge that truly matters.

On the Day of TOEFL

TOEFL is one of the essential tests for pursuing higher education abroad especially in the USA. A test that assesses a student’s proficiency of academic English, TOEFL is one of the deciding factors for the university to admit a student as well as for the VISA procedure. Here is the brief overview of how to go about on the day when you take TOEFL.

Like GRE or GMAT your passport is your hall-ticket for TOEFL. Make sure that your passport is in order before you even register for the TOEFL test. You will NOT be permitted to give TOEFL without your passport. Be sure to reach the test centre well in advanced so you can well complete all the formalities beforehand. You will be asked to fill a form and then your seat will be allotted to you. This process takes a better part of 15-20 minutes therefore make sure well before time.

Unlike GRE you are allowed to carry your watch and water bottle with you so it is alright if you carry these items. TOEFL lasts for roughly four hours so it is important that you are refreshed and alert. Don’t stress your self. Keep a cool head and concentrate on your test. It may happen that while you are still on the listening section some students have already reached the speaking section so make sure that you don’t get distracted. Also many students around you may start speaking on the same time. This is the time where you have to really concentrate on your task and do not lose your focus.

TOEFL is a fairly easy test. Do not be nervous but on the other hand do not get overconfident as well. You may see some simple but tricky questions so it is very important that you are well aware of the test pattern and the types of questions asked. Do well and increase your chances of getting into a good University. All the very Best.

On the Day of the GRE

GRE is probably the first step towards your goal in getting into a good university. So it is understandable that you wish to score really high on your GRE. Memorizing the wordlists and practicing various types of sums indeed give you the kind of self-confidence and assurance that you need for cracking GRE successfully. So in the hope of giving you a peek in the actual GRE day, in this article I’ll talk about what you should do on the day of your GRE.

As you know it is in your hand to decide when to take your GRE. You are also given the choice of time when you would like to take the test. (Choose this time wisely as you may be more comfortable in the afternoon slot than in the morning or evening and so on.) It is advisable to reach the test centre at least 30 minutes in advance of the actual test time. This is so because as you enter the test centre you have to fill out the forms that will be given to you and this seriously consumes a lot of time. Once you are through with it be patient until your name is called and you are admitted into the adjoining examination hall.

Remember that you are not allowed to carry anything with you in the examination hall, not even water bottle or handkerchiefs which you have to leave in the locker you are provided with. Your passport is the only personal item that stays with you throughout the test. Remember that you are NOT allowed to give GRE without your passport. Make sure that your passport is in order before you register for your GRE.

While all these procedures are underway, remain calm and composed. Do not panic and moreover do not study at the last minute, it will only confuse you more. It is normal to feel nervous but don’t let your nervousness get the better of you. Remember that all the other candidates are also sailing in the same boat and are as stressed as you are. Just keep a cool head and if you have studied diligently then you will surely do well on the test.

So work hard ahead of time. Last minute preparations won’t help you. Practice from as many materials as you can but two days prior to the test only go through important stuff and revise your vocabulary. Score high and increase your chances of getting into the University of your choice. All the Best.

GOING FOR FOREIGN EDUCATION

There recently has been a virtual stampede of foreign Universities offering various courses, which country or course would be advisable? Any specific courses which do or may command a great demand?

The answer is very simple, though slightly clichéd. It is always suggested that students utilize their years of education in India, not just to earn a degree but also to identify the field his/her interest lies in. It is far better to develop a clear focus about career goals (be it speech therapy or film technology) and work towards it, instead of trying to follow the market trend, because market trends never last forever. And there is nothing worse than being stuck with a non- lucrative career he or she has no aptitude or interest in.

As far as the selection of the country is concerned, any prospective student usually aims at working as a professional, even if for a limited period, in the country he/she plans to study in. One has to understand that each country has its own distinct advantage and disadvantage, so just as in life - the selection of the destination should be based upon the fact whether ones goals and expectations from a career perspective are in line with what the country has to offer.

For example an automobile engineer just looking an affluent lifestyle, without being too particular about his/her job profile may find Australia or New Zealand, with the promise of Permanent resident status an attractive destination. But not so for a career focused professional who is not willing to compromise on his/her job profile, and such a person may end up frustrated, because the primary requirements of these countries happen to be automobile mechanics and not automobile Engineers.

Thus proper enquiries should be made pertaining to work permit/visa/ immigration rules. Relevant exception clauses and possible scenarios must be analyzed to avoid future disappointments. A specifically important factor that should be taken into consideration is the consistency of the country pertaining to immigration and VISA rules (that is how often have they been changed/modified in the past few years) and whether it promises a long-term ability to absorb the number of international professionals landing on its shores.

A simple but effective way of choosing a destination and university is asking oneself as to how much weightage the university places on you as a student, that is whether the key factor in admission process happens to be the strength of your financial documents or your credentials as a student.

FACT visit of Dr.Yadav,MIS Dean of Texas Tech University

Pic 1 : Ajay Kapare with Avinash Sir


Pic 2 : (from left)Katre Madam,Mr.Ajay Kapare, Avinash Sir, Sunil Sir,Mrs.& Dr.Yadav


Pic 3 : Sunil Sir with Mrs.& Dr.Yadav


Pic 4 : (from left)Mr.Ajay Kapare,Sunil Sir,Mrs.& Dr.Yadav



Dr.Yadav,Dean of MIS department at Texas Tech University visited FACT Head office at Thane on 13th December,2009 along with his wife and associate Mr.Ajay Kapare.During his visit, Dr.Yadav interacted with the students of F.A.C.T, giving them guidance about MIS and also information of Texas Tech University.He also interviewed the students and gave admits to some of the F.A.C.T students for Texas Tech University !