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Geeta Ratra  | Answer  |Ask -

Visas, Study Abroad Expert - Answered on Jan 03, 2024

Geeta Ratra has been an immigration expert for more than two decades and has strong knowledge of international immigration policies and procedures. She is vice president, operations, at Abhinav Immigration Services. Besides visa and immigration services, they also provide study abroad advice that includes application assistance, counselling and university shortlisting.... more
Manoj Question by Manoj on Dec 30, 2023Hindi
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Hi madam My son is doing Master in economics @ central university with 85% mark. He is interested to do his PhD at good university in USA/UK. What’s the procedure to apply and get a good university. Manoj

Ans: Hi Manoj,
To pursue a Ph.D. in Economics in the USA or UK, your son should identify potential advisors, excel in standardized tests like GRE or GMAT, prepare a strong research proposal, and secure compelling recommendation letters. Research universities aligning with his academic interests, considering faculty expertise and program reputation. Pay attention to application deadlines, and engage in relevant research or work experience to strengthen his application. Good luck!
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Sushil

Sushil Sukhwani  |564 Answers  |Ask -

Study Abroad Expert - Answered on Oct 13, 2023

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My son is Btech from IIT delhi having 3 years work experience in a software start up. he wants to pursue MS in computer Science,has Gre score above 350,TOFFLE score above minimum required.He applied last year too but didnt receive any call from Ivy League universities.This year too he will apply what should he do to get admission in good university sanjay
Ans: Hello Sanjay,

To begin with, thank you for contacting us. I am happy to hear about your son’s plans on pursuing Master’s of Science in Computer Science. As an answer to your query, I would like to tell you that your son should follow these recommendations in order to enhance his chances of securing admission to Ivy League universities.

As the first step, your son should make sure to draft a compelling application. This entails submitting a strong Statement of Purpose/Personal Statement that outlines his interest for the field of computer science, his accomplishments as well as his future goals. Not just that, he should also obtain robust endorsement letters from professors or employers who can attest to his character and abilities. As mentioned previously, your son has applied to only Ivy League universities. Remember that outstanding programs in Computer Science are offered by a number of high-class universities. I would suggest that he submits applications to not only Ivy League but rather to a broad variety of universities. In doing so, his chances of obtaining admission offers will be boosted.

Remember that extracurricular activities are an integral part of the application procedure, and thus, I would recommend that in order to showcase his passion for the field of computer science, your son should throw light on extracurriculars or outstanding achievements he has earned. Versatile applicants are often favored by admissions committees. As mentioned above, your son has already appeared for and obtained a GRE score of more than 350. I would say that though this score earned by him is respectable, it might not necessarily meet the criteria to secure admission to Ivy League universities. Earning a robust score can greatly enhance your son’s application, and thus, I would recommend that he re-appear for the GRE examination and strive to achieve a greater score.

When applying to certain universities, your son may be required to appear for interviews as part of the application process. I would recommend that he researches common interview questions and prepares his responses to those queries. If asked for, he should be well prepared to throw light on his past experiences, background, as well as his objectives for the future. Remember that one’s performance in the interview can greatly decide whether he/she secures admission. Your son should show his earlier application to academic advisors or counselors if possible as they would be able to point out areas that require improvement, provide meaningful insights, and guide him better. Lastly, with a number of universities have rolling admissions procedures, I would recommend that your son submits his applications ahead of time.

I would like to point out that although Ivy League universities are well-renowned, several other universities offer outstanding computer science programs that your son can consider applying to. His chances of getting admitted to a reputed program in the field of computer science can be enhanced if he applies to a number of universities.

For more information, you can visit our website.

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Sushil

Sushil Sukhwani  |564 Answers  |Ask -

Study Abroad Expert - Answered on Apr 16, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Apr 16, 2024Hindi
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My son doing bachelor of Phesiothrepy he wants his post graduation in USA and somr other countries please advise him for some good universities how to get admission and what is the process iam not as good as in financial
Ans: Hello,

First and foremost, thank you for getting in touch with us. I am glad to hear that your son is pursuing his Bachelor of Physiotherapy after which he intends pursuing his postgraduate (PG) studies in the USA. I would like to let you know that although pursuing higher studies overseas can be a fantastic opportunity, taking monetary considerations into account is crucial. As an answer to your question, mentioned below are some suggestions to locate economical options as well as the admissions procedure:

As the first step, your son should look into universities that provide affordable programs, or else, examine programs that offer monetary assistance or scholarships to overseas students. In comparison to others, a few universities might charge cheaper tuition fees. I would suggest that your son searches for public universities or ones that offer robust initiatives for financial assistance. Next, your son should make sure that the universities he is thinking about enrolling in are accredited by recognized accreditation agencies. This guarantees that educational criteria are fulfilled. If needed, your son should prepare beforehand for standardized tests viz., the GRE and TOEFL/IELTS. He can study with the help of various resources available online and in libraries. Remember that the application procedure and prerequisites differ between universities. Ensure that your son adheres to the guidelines set by each university and submits necessary documents viz., his academic marksheets, scores of standardized tests viz., the GRE, scores of English competency tests viz., the IELTS or TOEFL, personal statement, endorsement letters, as well as a CV or résumé. As part of financial planning, I would recommend that your son sets a realistic budget for pursuing higher studies abroad. He should consider the costs of living, tuition costs, medical insurance, as well as other additional expenditures. He should also look into the part-time employment opportunities for international students, and make sure that the work doesn’t hamper his studies. There are a number of scholarships available for international students that your son should look into. Scholarships based on merit or monetary support packages are offered by a number of universities. In addition, your son can explore external scholarship programs provided by governmental bodies, commercial businesses, or foundations. Besides conventional postgraduate programs, your son could look into other options viz., online programs, which may be comparatively cheaper and offer more flexibility. In order to acquire direction and assistance during the application procedure, your son can get in touch with the international student offices at the universities he’s considering. Not just that, he should speak with academic advisors or organizations with experience helping students study overseas.

Remember that there are several renowned universities in the USA and some other nations that are regarded for the robust Physiotherapy programs they offer. In the USA, your son can apply to universities viz., University of Southern California, Emory University, University of Iowa, University of Pittsburgh, and University of Delaware. In Australia, University of Sydney, University of Queensland, and University of Melbourne are well-known for their postgraduate programs in Physiotherapy. Universities viz., King's College London, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, University of Southampton, University of Nottingham, University of Birmingham, University of Manchester, and University of East Anglia in the UK are known for their postgraduate studies in Physiotherapy. Your son can consider applying to any of these universities. Your son can also apply to any of these Canadian universities viz., University of British Columbia, University of Alberta, McGill University, University of Toronto, and McMaster University that are well-regarded for their Physiotherapy postgraduate programs. These universities are well-known for their top-notch instruction, hands-on learning, and research possibilities in Physiotherapy. In order to ascertain which program best resonates with his interests, monetary situation, and professional objectives, I would recommend that your son conducts more research on each program. Besides, when selecting, he should also take into account variables viz., the location, amenities, experience of the faculty members, and alumni network.

For more information, you can visit our website.

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Sushil

Sushil Sukhwani  |564 Answers  |Ask -

Study Abroad Expert - Answered on May 27, 2024

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My son has completed bcom with acca in 2021 .He wants pursue his masters in uk He is working as audit associate. Which are best university and scholarship s.
Ans: Hello Marina,

To begin with, thank you for contacting us. I am happy to hear that your son has completed his Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) with Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and now aspires to pursue his Masters in the UK. To answer your question first, I would like to tell you that given your son’s experience in auditing, pursuing a Masters in the UK after earning a B.Com with ACCA is an excellent choice. Concerning your query regarding the best university, I would like to let you know that there are several leading universities in the UK that are renowned for the accounting and finance programs they offer viz., University of Oxford, Imperial College London, London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), University of Warwick, and University of Cambridge. Your son can apply to any of these universities.

Next, concerning your query pertaining to scholarships, you would be glad to know that a number of universities in UK offer scholarships to overseas students, and your son might qualify for a few of them. They are Commonwealth Scholarships, Chevening Scholarships, scholarships offered by individual universities, as well as External Scholarships.

I would recommend that your son thoroughly examines the admission prerequisites for each university, as well as looks into the program syllabus and possibilities for scholarships. Not just that, he should begin the application process in advance and seek counsel from academic counselors or experts in the field for guidance on selecting the best program and crafting a compelling application.

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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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7279 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Dec 18, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 17, 2024Hindi
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Question on Financial Planning: I am 53 years old and took retirement in 2023, a year ago. I have a corpus of approximately ?20 crores allocated as follows: ?6.5 crores in stocks ?5 crores in mutual funds ?5 crores in debt instruments ?2 crores in gold ?1.8 crores in a savings bank account** (to cover the next 12 years of household expenses). My monthly expenses are approximately ?1 lakh, and I receive: ?70,000 per month as house rent (?8.4 lakhs annually) ?10 lakhs annually as dividends from stocks. I have allocated ?5 crores in debt instruments to fund the higher education of my two sons (expenses will arise after 1 year and after 4 years). My goal is to grow my equity portfolio over the next 12 years since I do not depend on it for my current monthly expenses. Additionally: I have adequate health insurance. I own properties worth ?7.5 crores. I have no liabilities. My query: Is my financial planning on track, or do you see any areas for improvement or correction? I am open to suggestions for optimizing my investments, especially considering my goals of equity growth, funding my sons' education, and maintaining a comfortable retirement.
Ans: Your financial planning reflects strong foresight and effective resource allocation. With a corpus of Rs. 20 crores and no liabilities, your position is financially stable. Let us evaluate your financial setup from a 360-degree perspective and suggest areas for optimisation.

Assessment of Current Allocations
Equity Portfolio: Stocks (Rs. 6.5 Crores)
Your equity allocation reflects a growth-oriented approach.
A diversified stock portfolio is ideal for long-term growth.
Ensure the portfolio is well-balanced across sectors and market capitalisations.
Mutual Funds (Rs. 5 Crores)
Mutual funds provide diversification and professional management.
Review the fund categories to maintain a mix of large-cap, mid-cap, and flexi-cap funds.
Regular performance reviews are essential to optimise returns.
Debt Instruments (Rs. 5 Crores)
Allocating Rs. 5 crores for your sons’ education is prudent.
Ensure the debt investments are in low-risk instruments like bonds or fixed deposits.
Laddering maturity dates aligns well with your sons’ educational timelines.
Gold (Rs. 2 Crores)
Gold provides stability during market volatility.
Keep it as a hedge against inflation but avoid further allocation to this asset.
Savings Account (Rs. 1.8 Crores)
Holding Rs. 1.8 crores for 12 years of expenses is a cautious approach.
Move a part of this amount into liquid funds for better returns with liquidity.
Income and Monthly Expenses
Rental Income (Rs. 8.4 Lakhs Annually)
Rental income covers 70% of your monthly expenses.
Ensure the rental property is well-maintained to sustain consistent returns.
Dividends (Rs. 10 Lakhs Annually)
Dividend income provides an additional safety net.
Reinvest surplus dividends into mutual funds for compounded growth.
Monthly Expenses (Rs. 1 Lakh)
Your monthly expenses are comfortably managed.
Maintain a contingency fund of at least Rs. 20-25 lakhs for unexpected costs.
Recommendations for Optimising Equity Portfolio
Focus on Quality Stocks

Prioritise stocks of companies with strong fundamentals and consistent earnings.
Avoid overexposure to any single sector or company.
Systematic Equity Investments

Add to your equity portfolio gradually through Systematic Transfer Plans (STPs).
This reduces market timing risks.
Regular Portfolio Review

Review the equity portfolio annually.
Exit underperforming stocks and reallocate to high-growth opportunities.
Enhancing Mutual Fund Returns
Diversify Fund Selection

Include funds with different strategies to maximise returns.
A Certified Financial Planner can help identify high-performing funds.
Avoid Direct Mutual Funds

Regular funds offer advisory support for timely rebalancing.
This helps navigate market volatility effectively.
Utilise Tax-Efficient Withdrawals

Plan withdrawals systematically to reduce tax liability on capital gains.
Debt Instruments: Securing Educational Goals
Low-Risk Instruments for Predictable Returns

Allocate funds to secure options like government bonds, fixed deposits, or debt mutual funds.
Match the maturity timelines with educational milestones.
Avoid Premature Withdrawals

Breaking long-term debt investments can reduce returns.
Use other funds for emergencies to protect this allocation.
Optimising Gold Allocation
Retain as a Hedge

Gold should form no more than 10% of your portfolio.
Avoid further investments unless there are specific requirements.
Leverage Gold for Liquidity

Gold-backed loans can provide temporary liquidity if needed.
Savings Account Allocation
Move Funds to Liquid Investments

Savings account returns are suboptimal for such a large balance.
Move funds into liquid funds for higher returns and liquidity.
Emergency Fund Segregation

Retain Rs. 50 lakhs for immediate emergencies.
Invest the rest in short-term debt instruments or liquid funds.
Maintaining a Comfortable Retirement
Healthcare Planning

Ensure health insurance policies are adequate for critical illnesses.
Maintain a separate corpus for medical emergencies.
Contingency Fund Maintenance

Keep Rs. 20-25 lakhs readily accessible for unforeseen expenses.
Review this fund periodically to adjust for inflation.
Estate Planning

Draft a will to avoid disputes and ensure smooth wealth transfer.
Assign nominees for all investments and properties.
Taxation Considerations
Equity Taxation

Long-term capital gains (LTCG) above Rs. 1.25 lakhs are taxed at 12.5%.
Short-term capital gains (STCG) are taxed at 20%.
Debt Taxation

Debt instruments are taxed as per your income tax slab.
Choose tax-efficient options like tax-free bonds if needed.
Dividend Income

Dividends are taxed at your marginal income tax rate.
Reinvest dividends for tax-efficient growth.
Final Insights
Your financial plan is well-structured and aligns with your goals. However, optimising your equity and mutual fund allocations can enhance growth potential. Move idle funds from your savings account into liquid investments for better returns. Review and rebalance your portfolio periodically with the help of a Certified Financial Planner. Your current strategy provides a secure foundation for funding education, retirement, and wealth growth.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

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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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