My international experience - part 1

[techdude]

After my engineering in Telecommunication, I had the option of joining a software firm in Bangalore or to go for higher studies. During my 3rd year of engineering I had started researching on different institutes in USA and gave the GRE and TOEFL exams and then applied to some universities during my final year....

So by the time I graduated with my engineering degree, I had a few admits from some universities . I opted for Arizona State University in Phoenix, USA to pursue my masters in engineering degree. The experience at ASU was phenomenal....Amazing professors, great research labs, diverse peer group, very large and beautiful campus. Also, another interesting factor was that I had flexibility to select many courses of my interest area.

As Masters degree students, we could work for 20 hours per week to cover some of our expenses. I got an opportunity to work at STAR (Solar Testing and Research Center), a division of the largest energy producing company of the state. The company used to hire interns from the engineering college of ASU!

And soon in my first semester itself, the company decided to provide me with a scholarship, which provided me tuition fee waivers !!

More about my experiences later.....

[comp@ddict]

Interesting post, thumbs up

[dreamcatcher]

Excuse me, but which college did you graduate from?? i heard its impossible to get through a good college in the US unless you are from a well know college. What is the basic criterion?? Will a good GRE mark do??

[techdude]

Thanks compaddict...

Dreamcatcher:
I did my engineering from R.V.C.E. Bangalore..... Its pretty popular engineering college in Karnataka.

I think its a myth that only students from IITs go to US or other countries for higher studies....IITs are very well known there but students from other colleges apply and get admitted too....And gradually with good application and hard work, they make it big !!

Vinod Dham, popularly known as Father of Pentium chip graduated from Delhi College of Engineering and is currently an internationally known personality.

Vani Kola,very successful entrepreneur of the silicon valley, was a graduate of Osmania University if I am not mistaken....Am sure there are many more big role models.

So guess, graduating from a good college is great but in India there is so much good talent and less world class colleges and not everyone gets an opportunity to get into IIT level institutes.... So one should just persist and continue working hard even after graduating from non IIT level colleges...

US univerties look at many factors to give admission:
1. Your acads
2. Your career goals and motivation level which they try to guage via statement of purpose, which is part of the application package.
3. What else you have achieved apart from your acads.
4. If you have graduated, its a bonus which means that you have worked hard from early days to get into a good college.
5. How well you have scored in your GRE/SAT/TOEFL/GMAT as per the requirement of the course...
6. Have you taken special initiatives in your area of interest in which you want to pursue studies....

I may have missed something...will let you know if i realize later..... others can share too...

cheers

[MetalheadGautham]

Can you please provide more info about gre/toefl/sat/gmat ?

[Kl@w-24]

Some very good points there. Thumbs up for this post! If I may ask, what are you doing currently?

[blueshift]

Very nice. Good luck.

[dreamcatcher]

Is there any special perk for someone who has loads of relatives in the US?? I heard that it mattered somewhat as a gaurantee.

[techdude]

Having relatives in US is not required and no special points are given for this....but if someone has relatives there they can help and guide....

Before the student visa is issued the embassy needs to ensure that you can pay for your education and living expenses in a foreign country......so help from parents/relatives in India is sufficient.....

[Plasma_Snake]

Originally Posted by techdude

US univerties look at many factors to give admission:
1. Your acads
2. Your career goals and motivation level which they try to guage via statement of purpose, which is part of the application package.
3. What else you have achieved apart from your acads.
4. If you have graduated, its a bonus which means that you have worked hard from early days to get into a good college.
5. How well you have scored in your GRE/SAT/TOEFL/GMAT as per the requirement of the course...
6. Have you taken special initiatives in your area of interest in which you want to pursue studies....

I may have missed something...will let you know if i realize later..... others can share too...

cheers

OK, so here my answers to the following queries and then will generate a few of mine as well.

1. Well till 10th I was good in studies, scored 73% but f'd up my 11th so got only 55% in 12th.
2. Career Goal, hmmm Game Dev. by any means necessary!
3. Just some school level competitions, nothing much.
4. In process of graduating...
5. Haven't given any yet.
6. Well I'm doing a 1 year course for Comptia N+ and a 3 year GNIIT from my local NIIT center, if it counts.

So what do u say, if I score good in GRE, can I get into DeVry? They have a Bachelor's level program for Game Dev. Dunno much about any such more good Universities.

[Abhishek Dwivedi]

forgot to add: LOADS of MONEY

[hahahari]

^

[techdude]

sure....Having money helps...but many universities do offer scholarships like teaching assistantships and research assistantships...

[Plasma_Snake]

Oh! Yaar, meri baat ka bhi to answer do!

[Abhishek Dwivedi]

Originally Posted by techdude

sure....Having money helps...but many universities do offer scholarships like teaching assistantships and research assistantships...

yeah but like if ur course fee is $6000 thn u can get a scholarships wrth $2000 n rest ur on ur own...u can make some frm ur part time job but still not full....isn't thr neways to study on ur own...(dnt tell me loans )

[techdude]

Abhishek: It varies from case to case, kind of scholarships/stipends that you get; kind of your part time job.

In my case, i was lucky (and of course a bit hard-working too I guess) to get good scholarships and good internship/part-time opportunities to not only cover my fees and living expenses but also save some money at the end of my masters degree !

More scholarships are available for Masters and Phd. level programs as compared to bachelor degrees.

One just needs to be focused and persistent with one's dreams and efforts !!

Each one of us have to follow our own path but the following suggestions could help a few:

1. Take your class 10 exams seriously.
2. Take science or commerce or arts based on YOUR interest area..... It is a very critical stage of one's career.
3. Enjoy but study very hard too. Manage your time well in 11 and 12 and then try and graduate from a good college. Doing graduation from overseas could be a more expensive affair....unless of course you are a genius and get an admit from Stanford or MIT.
4. After graduation, one can opt for a job, work for a few years and then think about higer studies or directly go for higher studies. Evaluate your interest areas and think of your family and take their advice too. Talk to people who have been in similar situations. Listen to different people, get different perspectives but in the end do follow your heart!!

Originally Posted by MetalheadGautham

Can you please provide more info about gre/toefl/sat/gmat ?

Metal head :

SAT is the exam given during class 11 or 12 for bachelor degree from US universities.

GRE is required for Masters/Phd programs

GMAT is required for MBA in USA. Some Indian universities like ISB, also accept GMAT scores.

TOEFL is an English exam required for both bachelors and masters degree. Not very difficult exam.

cheers

[Plasma_Snake]

Nobody answered my questions.

[techdude]

Originally Posted by Plasma_Snake

Oh! Yaar, meri baat ka bhi to answer do!

Plasma Snake:

If I were you:

1. I would explore Devry game development program details online (am sure you have done this already...).
2. Write to them and ask them the exact admission requirements. I think its a private university and may not even have GRE as a requirement.
3. Try and find someone who has a done a game dev. program from there and take their feedback regarding opportunities after doing the program.
4. Explore what opportunities are available in the same field in India.
5. Which other good Universities in US/Australia offer programs Gaming.

Its worth doing all the research since it will be an important career decision.

Since you are looking for admission in an off-beat and niche program like Game Dev. getting admission might be less competitive...

best of luck...

[Plasma_Snake]

Wilco

[mehra.rakesh]

Originally Posted by Plasma_Snake

OK, so here my answers to the following queries and then will generate a few of mine as well.

1. Well till 10th I was good in studies, scored 73% but f'd up my 11th so got only 55% in 12th.
2. Career Goal, hmmm Game Dev. by any means necessary!
3. Just some school level competitions, nothing much.
4. In process of graduating...
5. Haven't given any yet.
6. Well I'm doing a 1 year course for Comptia N+ and a 3 year GNIIT from my local NIIT center, if it counts.

So what do u say, if I score good in GRE, can I get into DeVry? They have a Bachelor's level program for Game Dev. Dunno much about any such more good Universities.

U can't actually piggyback just on a good GRE score ... GRE is more like a formality for most top colleges .They look at other things .SOPs play a big role even in undergrad courses . In GRE u have a section for writing ,, it lets the profs have a sneek prevu of what's in ur mind .Getting a good score in this section certainly helps ... If u fckd up ur acads u must have a solid reason (not excuse) too ..

But if a college is not that big or popular then a good GRE score is more than enuf .... Oh and u have to give another exam TOEFL .....

P.S :: Isn't this college in canada ... ??? If so then no probs at all .. U can get in w'out worrying abt nething

[m-jeri]

Originally Posted by dreamcatcher

Excuse me, but which college did you graduate from?? i heard its impossible to get through a good college in the US unless you are from a well know college. What is the basic criterion?? Will a good GRE mark do??

Originally Posted by dreamcatcher

Is there any special perk for someone who has loads of relatives in the US?? I heard that it mattered somewhat as a gaurantee.

Originally Posted by Abhishek Dwivedi

forgot to add: LOADS of MONEY

@dream ..

having a good college is not a high prio there...a good academics will be sufficient for one..

the main and sometimes the only things they look..

GRE/GMAT score, Previous percentages, Your SOP (very crucial), If telephonic interview is there that also...its will be how much u can convince the guy that ur best for their institution...

Western education is SO matured that u cannot compare nothing with india... maybe IIT's and IIM's to a level...

and TBH.. IIT folks keep US univs as their safety nets..

Having a relative who is a green card holder does have a GREAT BIG help..., U can get loan from US itself(co-signor)... perks are..VERY low interest rates...the repayment options are very flexible...

@abhisehk...

it depends on the course u take....and the ROI... Return of Investment...

a MS... will cost about 16 to 18 lacs in total... and consider the sal u can make..u could break off in 5 years...in optimal case...

a MBA.. a good one will cost u abt 35~40 lacs... maybe....sometimes 50 too..it depends on college, How many years ... in UK u can complete a good one even in 20~25 lacs

Just think it as a Long term investment...more important that a house....it will decide ur future...

[Plasma_Snake]

Originally Posted by mehra.rakesh

U can't actually piggyback just on a good GRE score ... GRE is more like a formality for most top colleges .They look at other things .SOPs play a big role even in undergrad courses . In GRE u have a section for writing ,, it lets the profs have a sneek prevu of what's in ur mind .Getting a good score in this section certainly helps ... If u fckd up ur acads u must have a solid reason (not excuse) too ..

But if a college is not that big or popular then a good GRE score is more than enuf .... Oh and u have to give another exam TOEFL .....

P.S :: Isn't this college in canada ... ??? If so then no probs at all .. U can get in w'out worrying abt nething

DeVry is based in America and in Canada both but their NY center is said to be the best. As suggested by the Thread Opener, I will look for more such institutes before making the plunge. As for my +1 and +2 being F'd up, the reason or for some excuse is simple, I got my PS2 in my 10th class vacations and got so much addicted to gaming, that nothing else mattered and got under false impression that only Arts line could get me into that field whilst my folks wanted me either in Medical or Science field, so that was my self-destruct period but later my mum made me realize that by opting for I.T engineering I can very easily make a shift into the gaming line so got in line late in my 12th so was able to pass it with 55% marks. So u see my passion for gaming runs deep. Hell for my first video game, the Atari 2600, I prayed to god a lot and used to keep fast on Fridays. Seeing my so much dedication for it, my Parents finally got it for me after a whole friggin' month of fasting.

[MetalheadGautham]

Originally Posted by techdude

Metal head :

SAT is the exam given during class 11 or 12 for bachelor degree from US universities.

GRE is required for Masters/Phd programs

GMAT is required for MBA in USA. Some Indian universities like ISB, also accept GMAT scores.

TOEFL is an English exam required for both bachelors and masters degree. Not very difficult exam.

cheers

I am in class 12 right now. How do I go about attempting SAT ? When and by whom is it conducted ? What are the subjects I will be evaluated in ?

And what about TOEFL ?

[m-jeri]

^^...

dont.... get a degree....then think abt higher studies...

for more abt SAT just look into http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SAT

TOEFL ????....why just that??....first get a career plan u wish to follow... then think abt higher studies..

If u want degree and PG from abroad it would cost u like A LOT....

[Abhishek Dwivedi]

Originally Posted by m-jeri

^^...

dont.... get a degree....then think abt higher studies...

for more abt SAT just look into http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SAT

TOEFL ????....why just that??....first get a career plan u wish to follow... then think abt higher studies..

If u want degree and PG from abroad it would cost u like A LOT....

+1...am in 12th and nearly dead right now..studies and tension, that all i have right now

[MetalheadGautham]

Originally Posted by m-jeri

^^...

dont.... get a degree....then think abt higher studies...

for more abt SAT just look into http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SAT

TOEFL ????....why just that??....first get a career plan u wish to follow... then think abt higher studies..

If u want degree and PG from abroad it would cost u like A LOT....

Well, I want to write SAT because I need some good confidence boosters before I attempt CET, AIEEE and IIT-JEE examinations.

That Wikipedia link was really helpful, but I didn't get one main thing I wanted - difficulty level.

How difficult is SAT compared to Indian Examinations like AIEEE, IIT-JEE, Karnataka-CET, etc ? I am not worried about the language level tests because my language is quite good. But its the other tests that worry me. Are they as difficult as the AIEEE ?

Originally Posted by Abhishek Dwivedi

+1...am in 12th and nearly dead right now..studies and tension, that all i have right now

me too. I am getting pwned by studies and my performance is dropping alarmingly because of a sudden issue with concentration and confidence. I used to perform at very high levels when I was 15. Now I feel like I have aged 60 years since then without learning anything. But I am on a path to recovery, and I also have a definite career path planned out.

[Abhishek Dwivedi]

Originally Posted by MetalheadGautham

me too. I am getting pwned by studies and my performance is dropping alarmingly because of a sudden issue with concentration and confidence. I used to perform at very high levels when I was 15. Now I feel like I have aged 60 years since then without learning anything. But I am on a path to recovery, and I also have a definite career path planned out.

i used to perform at very high levels when i was 5...hehehehehe...
Back to point...SAT and others are damn easy as compared to the difficulty levels of JEE & AIEEE. As far as am informed, SAT will be after JEE and hence it won't be a confidence booster for ya..lolz...
JEE is BIIIIGGG thingy...lolz

[m-jeri]

Originally Posted by MetalheadGautham

Well, I want to write SAT because I need some good confidence boosters before I attempt CET, AIEEE and IIT-JEE examinations.

That Wikipedia link was really helpful, but I didn't get one main thing I wanted - difficulty level.

How difficult is SAT compared to Indian Examinations like AIEEE, IIT-JEE, Karnataka-CET, etc ? I am not worried about the language level tests because my language is quite good. But its the other tests that worry me. Are they as difficult as the AIEEE ?



me too. I am getting pwned by studies and my performance is dropping alarmingly because of a sudden issue with concentration and confidence. I used to perform at very high levels when I was 15. Now I feel like I have aged 60 years since then without learning anything. But I am on a path to recovery, and I also have a definite career path planned out.

heehehe...language is good... good one...

I was bought up in catholic schools..amongst private school goers and NRI frnds and relatives..i was also under the same impression... my lang is good...

But the test is not just abt that...

TOEFL and IELTS are as u know lang proficiency tests...ur abilities in lang can help u 50%....
but rest 50% u need to bust ur ass... for ex...this very post can be made VERY different sounding if i try to write in my english i tried to study for the tests..

yes tried..i didnt gave the test last year..coz i need some more work exp... u need to work a lot for making ur lang astute...

and Regarding the comparison... u know one thing...ours CBSE students like in 8th std learn a lot and tougher than compared to western education... but comparing the 12th grades and their senior high is like a leviathan... the qlty of education is so great that u cant compare it...

just try to ask or check upon the freedom and availability of subjects as musts and electives for them

I say this coz their Entrance exams like SAT..GRE...GMAT..are very different from ours...its a league of its own...and ours is in another league...

If sheer amount..Indian exams...sheer knowledge its western...

I know it sounds confusing and contradictory but its true... u just need to check some qns then u will understand... u will know abt the topics in those test...but the qns and answers are very different..

If u just want confidence boosters take the mock ones...as i cant say what will be ur outcome of SAT...maybe it will be great coz its easy for u..otherwise may not be coz its hard..try to look some qn papers up... ull know where u stand

check the following if u want

http://www.math.com/students/kaplan/...difficulty.htm
http://www.collegeboard.com/student/...t/sat/FAQ.html
http://surendranath.tripod.com/sat.html
http://www.indiastudychannel.com/exa...aper11696.aspx

I have only started thinking abt higher studies abroad like 3 or 4 months so my knowledge will be limited....

and abt ur last sentence...ur grades seems to be falling...

heheheh..its natural.... ALL my friends including mine..we all have descending grades....sometimes same..but it never goes up.... just ur a normal kid not a geek..nerd..

well if u consider urself to be a book nut then be alarmed..

[MetalheadGautham]

Well, about sat, wikipedia says that its conducted on this December too. So, can I attempt it now ? And what are the fees like ?

[m-jeri]

check this

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/...g/sat/reg.html

It may help you