The Red Pen
The Red Pen provides customised education consultancy services for undergraduate, MBA and postgraduate studies abroad.
The Red Pen. Is A Global MBA Worth It? As the 2014-2015 international MBA application cycle chugs along, many potential applicants are wondering, “is a global MBA for me?”
Understandably, the significant investment of funds and time required to complete an MBA abroad are reasons enough to consider alternatives. After all, if you can do an MBA in India for a fraction of the cost with nearly the same return on investment, why would you go abroad? Or you may be wondering if the type of role and exposure you will get post-MBA could have been achieved by simply working an extra few of years (while earning all along). How Many Colleges Should I Apply To? A worried parent recently said to me – “The school is limiting the number of U.S. colleges to which my daughter can apply to ten.”
My response: “Ten?! That’s a lot of applications!” Until recently students were satisfied with applying to around six colleges. But with the tightening of admit rates, applicants are casting a wider net to distribute their chances of admissions to good colleges. Indeed, many highly selective colleges claim that they could reproduce their incoming class three times over and still have a perfectly qualified pool of students. I still believe, however, that ten colleges are more than enough for any student. Where I often see student’s list bulging unnecessarily is in the “dream” category; colleges where they want to “try.” A student I worked with last year violated several of these pieces of advice by applying to 22 colleges. So with all of this in mind, choose your colleges carefully. Decoding MBA Admission Results. For global MBA applicants, round one results are starting to come in.
Unfortunately it is the rejections that come first. For a lot of people, plans for getting a Global MBA are part of a lifelong trajectory, the next step in their professional process. If your round one MBA application results are not what you had hoped, there are some useful strategies for moving forward. The first thing you need to do is step back and look carefully at your application to try and understand what went wrong.
Did you rush through the application and complete it at the last minute? Next, look at your list of colleges. Mark your calendar: Application Deadlines. A message especially for parents and students who are applying for undergraduate colleges with December 31st deadlines or MBA applicants aiming at round two deadlines: If you do not have your essays in the final stages, your recommendations well on their way and your official transcripts in hand, it’s too late!
I am so surprised this year with how many people are waking up late in the process. Missed US deadlines? Apply for these countries. It is the New Year and most of the undergraduate applications for the US were submitted on December 31st.
If you are not headed to the US or you did not manage to get your applications done in time, there are still lots of options when it comes to study abroad. Canada: For most Canadian universities the application deadlines continue through February and even March. Each university application procedure is different and often the applications are processed province-wise. So if a Canadian university is one of your choices, check the applications now so that you know when the deadlines are and you can have your applications ready in time. Another good piece of news about Canada is that the Universities typically do not require the SAT/ACT, so you do not need to worry about standardized testing if you haven’t taken any yet.
MBA Admissions: Be resourceful. I get questions all the time, ranging from the obvious to the obscure.
You may be surprised to know that I actually do not have all the information stored in my brain. Just like everyone else, I use technology and other compiled resources to answer questions and provide students and families with the information they need. Some resources are better than others, so today I’ll share my favorite picks with you. I hope that as the next application cycle begins, around July this year, readers can use this list to help them get started and answer basic questions.
How to select your subjects wisely. Students in 10th standard are busy preparing for upcoming board exams.
But for many, an additional looming turning point is subject choice for the 11thand 12th standard. As I meet students who are facing this decision, I have found that there is a lot of misunderstanding about which subjects you should choose and why. Subject choice decisions tend to be most difficult for IB and A level students, but even students heading for ISC and HSC need to understand the implications of their subject streams. The main source of misunderstanding on this topic stems from the idea that at such a young age, students should choose courses of study that will help them in their career, which is arguably five to six years away from 10th grade. Instead students and parents should be asking “what am I good at?”
Of course subject choices do matter when thinking about college-level studies. How to take a power break. Summer is just around the corner and students everywhere are starting to make plans for how to spend their free time.
While younger kids can still get away with lazy days of sleeping late and maybe a fun family holiday, students who are in 9th to 11th standard should be finding ways to spend their summer more productively. There are basically three main options for planning a unique summer – internships, structured summer programs (e.g. summer schools or summer institutes), or social service. And of course, on top of any of these, there is likely to be some academic preparation mixed in – e.g. SAT vs ACT : Which is right for you? Should I take the SAT or the ACT?
I hear this question regularly. The honest truth: It does not matter. Colleges view both test equally. Most US colleges require either the SAT I or the ACT with writing. But how do you know which test is right for you? In India students and schools are sometimes less aware of the ACT option than the SAT. Other parameters to take into consideration when deciding between the tests (at least, with the current SAT and ACT): · The ACT includes trigonometry but the SAT emphasises story problems and creative application of concepts · The ACT emphasises grammar and syntax while the SAT focuses on comprehension and vocabulary.
Get the most out of online learning. Online degrees, distance learning, MOOC’s (Massive Open Online Courses)– whatever we call it, many students are becoming more and more interested in technology-enabled education.
In fact, earlier this month Coursera announced the first MOOC-based MBA degree with the University of Illinois College of Business. It almost seems as if students no longer have to struggle for an admissions seat, travel half way around the world and pay a quarter of a million dollars to get a global education. Industry experts are banking on the promise and opportunity that MOOC’s offer to students. But even the most optimistic, including Rick Levin, CEO of Coursera, acknowledge that a complete disruption of traditional learning is unlikely in the near future.
Applying abroad? A five-point plan. 5 Things Indian students should know if they’re considering undergraduate study abroad. Often I meet applicants who want to study outside India (mainly US and UK), but who seem to be unaware of some of the major components and requirements of the application process. Here is a list of things I wish everyone knew before they think about whether study abroad is the right choice for undergraduate studies. 1.)
Different academic criteria count in different places – If you want to study in the UK, your 10th board marks (or 10th standard school marks if you haven’t taken a board exam) and your predicted 12th standard board score will be taken into account for admission. However those who wish to study in the US should know that every school report card and mark sheet must be sent to the college with the application from 9th standard onward. Taking the GMAT or SAT? Learn to multi-task. As deadlines approach, some applicants still have not completed important components of their applications. The cause of delay often seems to be timing, scheduling and an inability to multi task. A good recommendation letter is the key to success.
Having great recommendations for global business school programs is a crucial piece of the application. However this does not simply mean that you must secure a letter from a manager at work which is full of superlatives about you. The golden rule, when it comes to recommendations is NEVER write your own recommendation – there are many steps you can take to avoid this common trap where your boss tells you to write the letter and he/she will sign it. This is a bad approach because your recommendation letter will most likely sound exactly like your essays, with all the same grammatical mistakes and presentation style. Pick the right varsity, get funded too. It is no big discovery to learn that undergraduate education abroad is expensive. As of August 2014, the annual cost of attending college in the US is approximately $50,000 to $60,000 or Rs. 30 to 36 Lakhs. That is a whopping quarter million dollars over four years. Applicants who are disabled should check for special accomdation.
Academic accommodation for learning differences Most would agree that the topic of learning differences is not commonly acknowledged or openly discussed in India. Hopefully the success of popular films like Tare Zameen Par have helped to open up the conversation somewhat, but I also want to do my part by raising the issue of academic accommodation for students with learning differences.
These can range from dyslexia, dysgraphia, attention deficit disorder, and other learning issues (see for a list of the most common) and they range in severity. It is important to acknowledge that no learning difference is too insignificant. Every child should have the chance to succeed. If you are a student who requires academic accommodation, the most important first step is obtaining a reliable evaluation. How to choose your major at a business school. Often business school applicants ask which global program they should consider if they are interested in a particular management subject, such as corporate finance, marketing or human resources. Know before you go: Points for students and parents. Colleges in the US will start within the next month and students are already starting their educational journeys beyond India’s borders. Study medicine abroad, directly after Class 12th. When students ask about studying medicine outside India, my first piece of advice is always to proceed with caution.
Plan to study in Germany? Here’s what you should know. Explore study abroad options in Australia. Australia has recently become a bigger spot on an Indian student’s map of dream study destinations. Already ranking high as a holiday location, there is no doubt that Australia is filled with beautiful scenery and has an adventurous vibe, but now we know its educational facilities do not fall short either. Indians studying in the US are a profitable investment in talent.
Recent Open Doors Report data from the Institute of International Education revealed that the number of Indian students enrolling in higher education in the US grew by 30% last year. This data was all over the news. ‘Set aside time to explore other pursuit’ Why recommendation letters are a vital link.
As application deadlines approach pressure is on not just the applicants but also the recommenders. Maximise your chances at financial aid, but be realistic. Read all you can, write every day. Typically Indian students who want to study abroad tend to be focused on STEM subjects (a common acronym for subjects including Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). Even business requires strength in math, which puts the majority of student interests in STEM fields.
SAT vs ACT: How to spot the differences. Rankings: Choose your college wisely. Pathway programmes: What you need to know. Community colleges can be a good alternative for higher education abroad. Boarding school, a great option for parents seeking a holistic education for their children. Crossing the big hurdle – the Oxbridge interview process. How to crack the MBA interview. Treat Oxbridge interviews like discussions. Applying to US colleges? Read & review before you submit! Being proactive while awaiting your MBA Round 1 results. Getting Camera Ready! You have been placed on our waitlist…what now? You made it to Oxbridge – get up to speed with some of the traditions! Summer – Time to play and work? MBA Interview Prep 1: ‘Tell Me About Yourself’ MBA Interview Prep 2: Do’s and Don’ts – Preparing for a team-based interview. Trumped by US education? Consider the Netherlands. MBA Interview Prep 3: Difference between admissions committee and alumni interviews.
Are You Choosing the Right Subjects for Class 11 & 12? MBA Interview Prep 4: How to Thank Your Interviewer. GMAT or GRE: Which test should I take for business school? Waiting for admissions results? Some tips to keep you sane. Applying for an MBA in the upcoming application cycle? Consider these guidelines for effective time management. Korea – A unique experience for international students with targeted goals. Waitlisted? Guidelines on using this time wisely. Dinged Everywhere? Don’t give up – Here’s what you can do. How to Create a Business School Resume – Your Professional Narrative. Australia: The New Destination for Culinary Dreams. Don’t Mind the Gap – Top 3 Reasons to Consider a College Gap Year. 8 Ways to Get a Head Start on US College Apps. What are ‘MBA Goals’ and Why Do They Matter?
The Statement of Purpose – Your Voice in a Master’s Application. American English or British English? Tips to help you when applying to university. Building a Resume – Why Bother? Considering a Master’s? Six popular destinations you may want to explore. MBA Applications – Frequently Asked Questions Part 1. 5 Tips to Socialize as an International Student. Looking Beyond London – University Options for Indian Students. Flexibility to pursue multiple interests through joint degrees at UK universities. Letters of recommendation: Leave nothing to chance. Who Needs a College Counselor. MBA or Master’s, which one’s for me??? Applying abroad? A five-point plan. Study medicine abroad, directly after Class 12th. Explore study abroad options in Australia. Understanding the new SAT & how international students can prepare for it. Application Agents. Know Your Resources. Education Consultants in Mumbai. Study Abroad, MBA Abroad Counselling and Undergraduate Admissions and Master's Degree Advice for Students.
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