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Sushil

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Study Abroad Expert - Answered on Jul 31, 2023

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
Asked by Anonymous - Jul 11, 2023Hindi
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Career

My son wants to go for undergraduate in US. Please advise pros and cons. Thanks,

Ans: Hello,

First and foremost, thank you for getting in touch with us. With your son's interest in pursuing undergraduate education in the USA, it's critical that you understand the many benefits and downsides. Here’s a summary:

Pros:

1. Academic Excellence: Universities in USA provide excellent education and research opportunities, with degrees that are recognized worldwide.

2. Array of Options: The United States offers a wide range of academic programs and majors, allowing students to customize their education to their interests and future prospects.

3. Research Possibilities: Colleges in USA have well-funded research programs that allow students to partake in cutting-edge studies, work with renowned scholars, and earn priceless experience.

4. Build global networks: Study in USA allows your son to interact with students from many cultures, establishing a strong global network for future professional opportunities.

5. Career Opportunities: A degree from the United States improves career opportunities internationally since employers value the abilities and global exposure earned.

6. Extracurricular Activities: Extracurricular activities, clubs, and organizations at US universities often allow students to develop leadership abilities and pursue interests outside of academics.

Cons:

1. Exorbitant Price: International students studying in the United States endure higher tuition rates than domestic students, causing a major financial strain. Furthermore, living expenses, viz., housing and healthcare, add to the overall price.

2. Immigration and Visa Rules: Navigating the US visa procedure can be challenging and time-consuming. Your son must make sure he fulfills all the requirements and keeps up with any changes to the policy.

3. Culture Shock: Moving to a foreign country can be challenging, and your son might face culture shock. Getting used to a new environment, lifestyle, and social conventions takes time and patience.

4. Away from Home: For some students, being far from home can be emotionally stressful, particularly during significant events or trying times.

5. Competitive Admissions: Admission to prestigious US institutions can be fiercely competitive, and meeting the admission requirements can be a challenging procedure.

6. Medical Insurance: In the US, health insurance is mandatory, but it may also be pricey. Understanding coverage and selecting the appropriate plan is critical for overseas students.

The decision to study in USA depends on your son's particular circumstances, academic interests, and professional objectives. Pursuing a US undergraduate education can be satisfying if he is passionate about a certain field and aware of the difficulties and opportunities. Making an educated decision requires research into colleges, programs, and scholarships.

For more information, you can visit our website.
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Sushil

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Study Abroad Expert - Answered on Jul 04, 2023

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My son wants to go for MS degree in US. He is working as software engineer for one year now. Please advise pros and cons. Thanks,
Ans: Hello Sreekumar,

To begin with, thank you for contacting us. Choosing to pursue a Master of Science (MS) degree in the United States can be a significant decision with several pros and cons to consider. Here are some factors to keep in mind:

Pros:
1. Advanced Education: An MS degree can provide specialized knowledge and advanced skills in a particular field, allowing your son to deepen his expertise and stay competitive in the job market.

2. Career Opportunities: Many employers value candidates with advanced degrees, and an MS can enhance his chances of landing higher-level positions or advancing his career in the software engineering field.

3. Networking: Studying in the US can provide excellent networking opportunities, allowing your son to connect with industry professionals, potential mentors, and fellow students who may become valuable contacts in the future.

4. Research Opportunities: If your son is interested in pursuing research or academia, an MS degree can serve as a stepping stone towards a Ph.D. program and open doors to research positions or teaching opportunities.

5. Exposure to Diverse Perspectives: Studying in the US exposes students to a culturally diverse environment, which can broaden their horizons, foster global awareness, and provide a rich learning experience.

Cons:
1. Financial Considerations: Pursuing an MS degree in the US can be costly, including tuition fees, living expenses, and potentially higher healthcare expenses. It's important to carefully assess the financial implications and explore scholarships, grants, or assistantships to help mitigate costs.

2. Competitive Admissions: Admission to reputable MS programs can be highly competitive, especially in sought-after fields. Your son will need to prepare a strong application, including competitive test scores, letters of recommendation, and a compelling statement of purpose.

3. Temporary Stay: Pursuing an MS degree usually involves a temporary stay in the US on a student visa. It's essential to be aware of the associated visa requirements, potential limitations on employment, and the need to return to one's home country after completing the degree, unless pursuing further work authorization or education.

4. Personal Adjustments: Moving to a different country for studies can be a significant adjustment, including adapting to a new culture, lifestyle, and potentially being away from family and friends. Your son should be prepared for the challenges of living abroad and maintaining a support network.

For more information, you can visit our website.

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Sushil

Sushil Sukhwani  | Answer  |Ask -

Study Abroad Expert - Answered on Apr 06, 2024

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Career
My son is completing MBBS from AFMC Pune, He wants to pursue PG from USA , which universities are good for him?
Ans: Hello Suresh,

First and foremost, thank you for getting in touch with us. I am glad to hear that your son is pursuing his MBBS from AFMC Pune and further wishes to pursue his post-graduation from the USA. I would like to let you know that it is important for your son to select an appropriate university to pursue his postgraduate medical education in the USA and a number of variables viz., his academic success, area of expertise, budget, as well as his personal choices play a key role in this decision. As an answer to your query, I would like to tell you that there are several well-known medical universities in the USA that are regarded for the postgraduate programs they offer viz., Stanford University - Stanford University School of Medicine, Columbia University - Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, University of Washington - UW School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania - Perelman School of Medicine, Harvard University - Harvard Medical School, Yale University - Yale School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) - UCSF School of Medicine, Duke University - Duke University School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University - Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, and Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine.

Your son can apply to any of these universities that are prominent for the top-notch instruction, hands-on training, and research possibilities they offer to students. However, I would recommend that your son conducts a detailed study on the programs that each university offers, the experience of the faculty members, and a number of other aspects in order to ascertain which universities best resonate with his choices and objectives. Not just that, he should also take into account the prerequisites for application, which comprise of standardized tests viz., the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), personal statements, and endorsement letters. Remember that these differ between universities.

For more information, you can visit our website.

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |10854 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Dec 14, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 12, 2025Hindi
Career
Hello, I am currently in Class 12 and preparing for JEE. I have not yet completed even 50% of the syllabus properly, but I aim to score around '110' marks. Could you suggest an effective strategy to achieve this? I know the target is relatively low, but I have category reservation, so it should be sufficient.
Ans: With category reservation (SC/ST/OBC), a score of 110 marks is absolutely achievable and realistic. Based on 2025 data, SC candidates qualified with approximately 60-65 percentile, and ST candidates with 45-55 percentile. Your target requires scoring just 37-40% marks, which is significantly lower than general category standards. This gives you a genuine advantage. Immediate Action Plan (December 2025 - January 2026): 4-5 Weeks. Week 1-2: High-Weightage Chapter Focus. Stop trying to complete the entire syllabus. Instead, focus exclusively on high-scoring chapters that carry maximum weightage: Physics (Modern Physics, Current Electricity, Work-Power-Energy, Rotation, Magnetism), Chemistry (Chemical Bonding, Thermodynamics, Coordination Compounds, Electrochemistry), and Maths (Integration, Differentiation, Vectors, 3D Geometry, Probability). These chapters alone can yield 80-100+ marks if practiced properly. Ignore topics you haven't studied yet. Week 2-3: Previous Year Questions (PYQs). Solve JEE Main PYQs from the last 10 years (2015-2025) for chapters you're studying. PYQs reveal question patterns and difficulty levels. Focus on understanding why answers are correct, not memorizing solutions. Week 3-4: Mock Tests & Error Analysis. Take 2-3 full-length mock tests weekly under timed conditions. This is crucial because mock tests build exam confidence, reveal time management weaknesses, and error analysis prevents repeated mistakes. Maintain an error notebook documenting every mistake—this becomes your revision guide. Week 4-5: Revision & Formula Consolidation. Create concise formula sheets for each subject. Spend 30 minutes daily reviewing formulas and key concepts. Avoid learning new topics entirely at this stage. Study Schedule (Daily): 7-8 Hours. Morning (5:00-7:30 AM): Physics concepts + 30 PYQs. Break (7:30-8:30 AM): Breakfast & rest. Mid-morning (8:30-11:00): Chemistry concepts + 20 PYQs. Lunch (11:00-1:00 PM): Full break. Afternoon (1:00-3:30 PM): Maths concepts + 30 PYQs. Evening (3:30-5:00 PM): Mock test or error review. Night (7:00-9:00 PM): Formula revision & weak area focus. Strategic Approach for 110 Marks: Attempt only confident questions and avoid negative marking by skipping difficult questions. Do easy questions first—in the exam, attempt all basic-level questions before attempting medium or hard ones. Focus on quality over quantity as 30 well-practiced questions beat 100 random questions. Master NCERT concepts as most JEE questions test NCERT concepts applied smartly. April 2026 Session Advantage. If January doesn't deliver desired results, April gives you a second chance with 3+ months to prepare. Use January as a practice attempt to identify weak areas, then focus intensively on those in February-March. Realistic Timeline: January 2026 target is 95-110 marks (achievable with focused 50% syllabus), while April 2026 target is 120-130 marks (with complete syllabus + experience). Your reservation benefit means you need only approximately 90-105 marks to qualify and secure admission to quality engineering colleges. Stop comparing yourself to general category cutoffs. Most Importantly: Consistency beats perfection. Study 6 focused hours daily rather than 12 distracted hours. Your 110-mark target is realistic—execute this plan with discipline. All the BEST for Your JEE 2026!

Follow RediffGURUS to Know More on 'Careers | Money | Health | Relationships'.

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Dr Dipankar

Dr Dipankar Dutta  |1840 Answers  |Ask -

Tech Careers and Skill Development Expert - Answered on Dec 13, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 12, 2025
Career
Dear Sir/Madam, I am currently a 1st year UG student studying engineering in Sairam Engineering College, But there the lack of exposure and strict academics feels so rigid and I don't like it that. It's like they don't gaf about skills but just wants us to memorize things and score a good CGPA, the only skill they want is you to memorize things and pass, there's even special class for students who don't perform well in academics and it is compulsory for them to attend or else the student and his/her parents needs to face authorities who lashes out. My question is when did engineering became something that requires good academics instead of actual learning and skill set. In sairam they provides us a coding platform in which we need to gain the required points for each semester which is ridiculous cuz most of the students here just look at the solution to code instead of actual debugging. I am passionate about engineering so I want to learn and experiment things instead of just memorizing, so I actually consider dropping out and I want to give jee a try and maybe viteee , srmjeee But i heard some people say SRM may provide exposure but not that good in placements. I may not be excellent at studies but my marks are decent. So gimme some insights about SRM and recommend me other colleges/universities which are good at exposure
Ans: First — your frustration is valid

What you are experiencing at Sairam is not engineering, it is rote-based credential production.

“When did engineering become memorizing instead of learning?”

Sadly, this shift happened decades ago in most Tier-3 private colleges in India.

About “coding platforms & points” – your observation is sharp

You are absolutely right:

Mandatory coding points → students copy solutions

Copying ≠ learning

Debugging & thinking are missing

This is pseudo-skill education — it looks modern but produces shallow engineers.

The fact that you noticed this in 1st year already puts you ahead of 80% students.

Should you DROP OUT and prepare for JEE / VITEEE / SRMJEEE?

Although VIT/SRM is better than Sairam Engineering College, but you may face the same problem. You will not face this type of problem only in some top IITs, but getting seat in those IITs will be difficult.
Instead of dropping immediately, consider:

???? Strategy:

Stay enrolled (degree security)

Reduce emotional investment in college rules

Use:

GitHub

Open-source projects

Hackathons

Internships (remote)

Hardware / software self-projects

This way:

College = formality

Learning = self-driven

Risk = minimal

...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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