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Sushil

Sushil Sukhwani  |543 Answers  |Ask -

Study Abroad Expert - Answered on Aug 10, 2024

Sushil Sukhwani is the founding director of the overseas education consultant firm, Edwise International. He has 31 years of experience in counselling students who have opted to study abroad in various countries, including the UK, USA, Canada and Australia. He is part of the board of directors at the American International Recruitment Council and an honorary committee member of the Australian Alumni Association. Sukhwani is an MBA graduate from Bond University, Australia. ... more
Shalini Question by Shalini on Aug 04, 2024Hindi
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Career

Hi My daughters are studying in Cambridge international school abroad. What are the requirements to be enrolled in Indian universities for UG?

Ans: Hi Shalini. First and foremost, thank you for getting in touch with us. However, I would like to let you know that we only deal with overseas education. If you are interested in getting your daughters to continue their education abroad in countries like the USA, the UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, etc., then do get in touch with us and our team of qualified counselors will be more than willing to assist you.

For more information, you can visit our website: www.edwiseinternational.com
You can also follow us on our Instagram page: edwiseint
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Sushil

Sushil Sukhwani  |543 Answers  |Ask -

Study Abroad Expert - Answered on Oct 09, 2023

Asked by Anonymous - Oct 08, 2023Hindi
Career
Hello Sushil, my son hasn't completed any UG course inspite of getting admission into 3 premier colleges in India. Now he wants to apply for a course in MIT or Stanford. He has scored 117/120 in TOEFL. Expecting his SAT result by this month end. Can you please guide us with the admission process ? Also is there any organization which can assist him with scholarship for the program. He is an extremely intelligent and hardworking student. It is just that the education system here wasn't convincing him to finish what he started.
Ans: Hello,

First and foremost, thank you for getting in touch with us. I am glad to hear about your son’s plans on enrolling in a course at leading American universities viz., MIT or Stanford. I would like to inform you that it’s very likely for many students to alter their educational pathways. Similarly, remember that applications made by students who have chosen to embark on different education paths are taken into account by the above mentioned universities. Follow these steps to ensure a successful admission process:

1. Education Prerequisites: The education prerequisites for each university is unique. I would suggest that your son fulfills these minimum requirements that generally require him to maintain a strong grade point average (GPA), high scores in the ACT/SAT exam, and complete challenging courses in high school.

2. Submit TOEFL Test Results: As mentioned previously, your son has scored 117/120 in the TOEFL examination. I would like to tell you that this is indeed outstanding and must satisfy the prerequisites for English language competency.

3. Submit Marksheets: Your son will need to acquire and submit official marksheets from all his past academic institutions.

4. Craft a Compelling Personal Statement or Essays: A strong Statement of Purpose (SOP) or personal essays demonstrating your son’s past experiences, character, and reasons for him aspiring to study at MIT or Stanford University need to be prepared and submitted.

5. Endorsement Letters: As part of the admission procedure, your son will also need to obtain compelling recommendation letters from professors or instructors who can attest to both, his personality and skills.

6. Showcase Extracurricular Achievements: Remember that showcasing one’s extracurricular activities is also a vital part of the application process, thus, I would recommend that your son demonstrates his participation in extracurriculars, highlights his roles as a leader in any event as well as talks about his accomplishments.

7. Submit Standardized Exam Results: As soon as your son receives his SAT result, he should submit the same. Its crucial to achieve high scores as both, Stanford and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) welcome these tests.

8. Appear for Interviews: Keep in mind that certain programs may require your son to appear for interviews as part of the admission procedure. He should be well prepared for the same. I would recommend that he investigates common interview questions and prepares his responses to those queries.

9. Investigate Possible Scholarships and Monetary Assistance Options: Multiple scholarships and financial assistance possibilities are offered by these American universities. I would suggest that your son takes into account the available scholarships and funding alternatives, and applies for the same.

10. Making Applications for External Scholarships: As an answer to your query, I would suggest that your son conducts a comprehensive study on external grant possibilities that provide assistance to international students. These scholarships, with varying eligibility criteria are offered by organizations viz., Rhodes Scholarship, Fulbright, or numerous other groups.

11. Adhere to Application Deadlines: Do not miss out on the application deadlines for both, Stanford and MIT. Submit each university’s application on time.

12. Plan your Finances: Consider the living costs, tuition fees, medical costs, as well as other study abroad expenditures, and plan your finances accordingly.

13. Meet Visa and Immigration Rules: To study in the USA, familiarize yourself with the visa and immigration guidelines. Also, prepare the required paperwork ahead of time.

14. Take into account possible routes: If it is taking a while for your son to secure admission, I would suggest that you take into account other possible routes viz., getting him enrolled in community college transfer courses. This pathway has been opted for by a number of students which has proven to be successful.

15. Acquire Guidance: Meaningful insights and assistance can be provided by study abroad organizations and consultancies to international students who can guide them throughout the application procedure and help them obtain grants or scholarships. I recommend that you get in touch with such consultancies.

In the application, your son should describe his prior school experiences as well as pen down the reasons for him not completing any undergraduate course despite securing admission to three prestigious colleges. In addition, if granted an opportunity, he should throw light on his capacity to grow and succeed. These universities have cut-throat competition for admission. Your son’s opportunities to secure admission and obtain monetary assistance can be boosted through submitting a robust application.

For more information, you can visit our website.

..Read more

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Asked by Anonymous - Sep 11, 2024Hindi
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Hello Sir, my age is 37 and I am currently employed in the private sector with a monthly salary of 1.75 lakhs. I would like to provide a summary of my financial situation and seek advice on how much corpus I would require to comfortably retire at the age of 45. Current Financial Overview: Real Estate: 3.5 crores (includes 3 houses and a plot) Stocks: 7.5 lakhs Mutual Funds: 13.5 lakhs Corporate Bonds: 2 lakhs Employees' Provident Fund (EPF): 21.5 lakhs Public Provident Fund (PPF): 8.5 lakhs (investing since 2013) PPF (Wife’s Name): 1.5 lakhs (invested this year, continue to invest the same amount each year) Gold: 20 lakhs Home Loan: 23 lakhs (balance with LIC), Planning to close within 1 year time-frame. Systematic Investment Plan (SIP): Investing 30,000 monthly (recently started, 3 months ago) Term Insurance: 1 crore (premium of approximately 35,000 annually) Health Insurance: Company-provided (7.5 lakhs limit) National Pension System (NPS): Investing 50,000 annually (started this year) Monthly Expenses: 50,000 (including child’s fees and other expenditures, excluding investments) & Investing 50K in Gold every month. Family Details: I have a 6-year-old son and am expecting a new baby in October 2024. My wife is a homemaker. Could you please provide guidance on how much corpus I would need to retire comfortably at 45, considering my current financial situation and future goals? Thank you for your assistance.
Ans: You've outlined a comprehensive overview of your financial landscape, which provides a solid foundation for planning your retirement. With a goal to retire at 45, you have eight years to build and secure a sufficient corpus to ensure a comfortable retirement for you and your family.

Key Financial Assets and Liabilities
Real Estate: Rs 3.5 crore
Stocks: Rs 7.5 lakhs
Mutual Funds: Rs 13.5 lakhs
Corporate Bonds: Rs 2 lakhs
EPF: Rs 21.5 lakhs
PPF: Rs 8.5 lakhs (self), Rs 1.5 lakhs (wife)
Gold: Rs 20 lakhs
Home Loan: Rs 23 lakhs (planning to close in 1 year)
SIP: Rs 30,000 per month (recently started)
NPS: Rs 50,000 annually (started this year)
Insurance: Term insurance of Rs 1 crore, company-provided health insurance of Rs 7.5 lakhs
Monthly Expenses: Rs 50,000 (excluding investments)
Evaluating Your Retirement Corpus Needs
To determine the corpus required for retirement at 45, we need to consider several factors, including your expected expenses during retirement, inflation, and the number of years you plan to be retired.

1. Estimate Post-Retirement Expenses:
Current Monthly Expenses: Rs 50,000 (excluding investments)

Inflation Adjustment: Assuming an average inflation rate of 6%, your current monthly expenses will likely increase by the time you retire.

Post-Retirement Monthly Expenses: Assuming you maintain a similar lifestyle, and considering inflation, your monthly expenses could rise to approximately Rs 80,000 by the time you retire.

Yearly Expenses: Rs 80,000 x 12 = Rs 9.6 lakhs annually at retirement age.

2. Determine the Number of Years in Retirement:
Retirement Age: 45 years
Life Expectancy: Assuming you plan up to 85 years, you'll need to plan for 40 years of retirement.
3. Estimate Required Corpus:
Corpus Required: The corpus needed to sustain your lifestyle for 40 years considering inflation, and safe withdrawal rates.
Assumptions:
Post-retirement, you could adopt a safe withdrawal rate of 4% annually.
Expected returns on the retirement corpus post-retirement could be around 7%.
Using these assumptions, the corpus required to sustain annual expenses of Rs 9.6 lakhs for 40 years with a 4% withdrawal rate can be calculated.

4. Corpus Calculation:
Given the complexities of long-term retirement planning, a simplified method to estimate the corpus is:

Corpus Calculation Formula:
Annual Expenses at Retirement Age (Rs 9.6 lakhs) x 25 = Rs 2.4 crores
This formula is based on the 4% rule, which suggests that if you withdraw 4% of your corpus annually, your savings should last for 30-40 years.

However, considering the uncertainties and potential changes in your lifestyle, a more conservative approach would be to plan for a corpus of around Rs 3-4 crores. This takes into account potential healthcare costs, lifestyle changes, and other unforeseen expenses.

Current Asset Evaluation and Future Planning
Now, let’s break down how your current assets can contribute towards building the required corpus and what additional steps are necessary.

1. Real Estate: Rs 3.5 Crores
Real estate is a significant part of your net worth. However, liquidity is an issue with real estate.
You might want to consider whether you plan to keep these properties for rental income, sell them closer to retirement, or downsize.
2. Stocks: Rs 7.5 Lakhs
Your current stock portfolio is modest. Over the next 8 years, aim to increase your investment in stocks through systematic investments (SIPs or direct stock purchases) to leverage market growth.
3. Mutual Funds: Rs 13.5 Lakhs
Continue your SIPs, and consider increasing the amount when feasible. Diversify into equity funds with a good track record, and consider a mix of large-cap, mid-cap, and hybrid funds to balance risk and return.
4. Corporate Bonds: Rs 2 Lakhs
While bonds are safer, they offer lower returns. It’s good to have them for stability, but focus more on equity for growth at this stage.
5. EPF and PPF: Rs 31.5 Lakhs
Your EPF and PPF investments are doing well. Continue with these contributions as they provide tax-free returns and security. Consider increasing your contribution to PPF if possible, as it offers a secure, long-term return.
6. Gold: Rs 20 Lakhs
Your monthly investment of Rs 50,000 in gold is significant. While gold is a good hedge against inflation, it should not dominate your portfolio. Consider reducing the monthly investment in gold and reallocating some of these funds into equity SIPs or mutual funds to enhance growth.
7. Home Loan: Rs 23 Lakhs
Closing this loan within a year is a wise decision, as it will free up cash flow and reduce your financial liabilities, allowing you to invest more aggressively for your retirement.
8. NPS: Rs 50,000 Annually
Since you’ve just started investing in NPS, it’s a good tax-saving tool with the added benefit of a pension. Continue with this investment, as it will provide you with a regular income post-retirement.
9. Term Insurance and Health Insurance
Your term insurance cover of Rs 1 crore is adequate. Ensure it is kept active as it provides financial security for your family. Review your health insurance coverage to ensure it meets your future needs, especially as your family grows.
Future Investment Strategy
Given your current asset base and retirement goal, here’s a roadmap to help you reach your target:

1. Increase Equity Investments
With 8 years to retirement, your portfolio should have a higher equity exposure to maximize growth. Gradually increase your SIP amounts in equity mutual funds or direct stocks.
Consider reallocating some of your monthly gold investment into equity funds to enhance returns.
2. Diversify Mutual Fund Investments
While continuing with your current SIPs, consider adding diversified equity funds and index funds to your portfolio. A balanced mix of large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap funds will provide the necessary growth potential.
3. Consider Additional Real Estate Monetization
Evaluate if selling one of your real estate holdings closer to retirement could provide liquidity and enhance your retirement corpus. Alternatively, rental income can supplement your retirement income, but be cautious about the management and upkeep costs.
4. Maximize Tax-Advantaged Accounts
Continue contributing to your PPF and NPS accounts, as PPF provides tax-free returns and NPS contributes to a secure retirement corpus. Maximize contributions to these accounts within the allowable limits.
5. Focus on Debt Repayment
Prioritize closing your home loan within the next year. Once this debt is cleared, redirect the EMI amount into your retirement savings.
6. Emergency Fund
Ensure you have a sufficient emergency fund, equivalent to at least 6 months of expenses, to cover any unforeseen events without dipping into your retirement savings.
7. Plan for Healthcare and Child’s Education
Given that your family is growing, it’s essential to plan for increased healthcare needs and your children’s education expenses. Consider setting up dedicated funds for these goals, separate from your retirement corpus.
Regular Monitoring and Review
Retirement planning is dynamic. It’s crucial to review your investments regularly, at least once a year, to ensure they are aligned with your retirement goals. Adjust your strategy as needed based on market conditions, changes in your financial situation, and progress towards your retirement target.

Final Insights
Based on your current financial situation and assuming disciplined investment and regular reviews, accumulating a corpus of Rs 3-4 crores by the time you retire at 45 is feasible. This corpus, combined with your real estate assets and other investments, should provide a comfortable retirement with a reasonable withdrawal strategy.

Focus on increasing your equity exposure, reducing unnecessary debt, and ensuring your portfolio is well-diversified to achieve higher growth. As you approach retirement, gradually shift your portfolio towards more stable, income-generating assets to preserve your capital.

Retirement planning requires careful consideration of both current and future needs. By staying committed to your investment strategy and making informed adjustments, you can secure a financially independent retirement at 45.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

...Read more

DISCLAIMER: The content of this post by the expert is the personal view of the rediffGURU. Investment in securities market are subject to market risks. Read all the related document carefully before investing. The securities quoted are for illustration only and are not recommendatory. Users are advised to pursue the information provided by the rediffGURU only as a source of information and as a point of reference and to rely on their own judgement when making a decision. RediffGURUS is an intermediary as per India's Information Technology Act.

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