Dear sir, my nephew would like to pursue his postgraduation in the US. What do you think would be the right time to appear for Step 1 exam? Does he have the option to choose subjects as well? What is the minimum score to qualify? Kindly advise

Ans: Hello Deepak,

First and foremost, thank you for contacting us. We are extremely sorry for the part pertaining to Educational prerequisites, having mistakenly written Bachelor’s. Pursuing medical studies in the USA can certainly be fruitful, however, multiple steps are involved in the process, right from preparing for standardized exams to making applications for universities. The application process is as under:

1. Prerequisites:
• Academics: Your daughter will need to complete 12 years of schooling comparable to that of the U.S. high school education. This typically requires completing grades 11th and 12th.
• Standardized Tests: Prepare for and give the requisite standardized tests:
â—¦ SAT or ACT: Undergraduate admissions require one to appear for general standardized exams like the SAT or ACT. Certain universities might favor one over the other.
â—¦ SAT Subject Tests: For competitive programs like medicine, specific subject exams might be needed or recommended by certain universities.
• English Proficiency: If English is not your daughter's primary language, appear for the TOEFL or IELTS English language proficiency test.

2. Research and Choose Universities:
• Universities and medical programs that correspond to your daugther’s academic objectives, choices, and monetary capabilities should be researched.

3. Entrance Tests:
• MCAT: The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is required for admission to the majority of American medical schools. An applicant’s comprehension of scientific principles, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities are assessed in this standardized test.

4. Application Process:
• Online Applications: Via the Common Application or specific university websites, complete online applications.

• Transcripts: Academic marksheets including those of grades 11th and 12th, as well as any other pertinent education should be submitted.

• Recommendation Letters: Your daughter will require outstanding LoRs from professors, mentors, or professionals who can attest to her intellectual prowess and character.

• Statement of Purpose: Typically, applicants must compose a convincing personal statement outlining their purpose to pursue a medical career, relevant experiences, and attributes that make them a viable candidate.

• Extracurricular Activities: Talk about extracurricular activities, community service, leadership roles, and research experiences that you have undertaken.

5. Prepare Your Finances:
• Medical studies can be costly, therefore, budgeting is essential. Look into various scholarship opportunities, grants, and financial aid possibilities that universities offer.

6. Applying for a Visa:
• On being accepted, your daughter must apply for a student visa (F-1 visa) to study in USA. This entails submitting necessary documents, attending an interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate, and proving she can pay for her education and living costs.

7. Pre-departure Preparations:
• Before leaving for the USA, make accommodation, travel, and other essentials arrangements.

8. Arrival and Orientation:
• Once you arrive, adapt yourself to campus life and academic expectations by attending orientation programs organized by the university.

Depending on the university and course, the process can differ a little. Check the official websites of the universities your daughter is interested in frequently and adhere to their particular application guidelines and deadlines.

The medical sector in the USA being highly competitive, securing admission to medical schools can be difficult. Your daughter will need to maintain excellent academic standards, actively participate in extracurricular activities, and perform well on the required exams to increase her admission chances.

In addition, speaking with a qualified educational counselor or advisor who specializes in assisting students apply to foreign universities can provide tailored guidance throughout the application process.

For more information, you can visit our website.

Ans: Opting for an undergraduate degree in the US offers access to world-class education and diverse cultural experiences. However, the high tuition costs and living expenses can be a drawback. The application process involves standardized tests, essays, and recommendation letters. Consider scholarships and financial aid options. Weigh the benefits of a U.S. education against the associated expenses to make an informed decision.

Ans: Hello D,

To begin with, thank you for contacting us. I am happy to hear about your husband’s plans to pursue an MS in the USA. To answer your question first, considering your husband’s background, having acquired 14 years of professional experience, and even at the age of 38 years, it is indeed possible for him to now apply for MS (Master’s of Science) programs in the United States. Candidates who have acquired different experiences are highly sought-after by a number of universities in the USA. Taking into account this factor, your husband’s MBA degree in 2009 from IIM Dubai, will definitely be a plus point, which I believe, in turn, will definitely make him an invaluable asset. I suggest that you take the below mentioned factors into consideration and then make a final decision:

1. Take into account your husband’s age and years of professional experience:
Your husband’s decision to pursue a Master’s degree in the USA is a wise choice. Although his age may not match the ages of the other candidates opting for a Master’s course, I would like to let you know that having acquired 14 years of professional experience will definitely serve as a plus point in this academic pursuit. Candidates with diverse work experiences having been employed at different companies, are often preferred by the Admissions committees. Your husband’s 14 years of professional experience surely brights to light his level of maturity, unwavering dedication, and the different ways in which he can prove to be a perfect fit for the program he intend pursuing.

2. Researching and Shortlisting Programs:
This is a crucial step in the application process, wherein your husband needs to conduct an extensive study and shortlist programs that align with his interests and academic objectives. Considering his background, I believe, he would surely wish to pursue management, and business-oriented programs or maybe programs in an associated field that matches his abilities. Accordingly, he can look into programs viz., Master of Science in Finance (MSF), Master of Science in Management (MSM), or Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT), etc. I suggest that he selects the perfect program, and for that he will need to investigate universities and the programs they have to offer, and finally select the one that best resonates with his professional ambitions.

3. Appearing for the GRE as a program prerequisite: Addressing your query concerning whether or not your husband would need to appear for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), I would like to inform that you will need to inquire with the specific university and program your husband intends applying for. Each university and program has varying prerequisites. In my opinion, the GRE standardized test may be a necessity while applying for certain programs. On the other hand, considering your husband’s past educational accomplishments and professional experience, other programs may not require him to appear for the GRE. I suggest that he meticulously investigates the entry criteria of the universities and courses he wishes to apply to.

4. Applying to universities and programs: As a part of the application procedure, your husband will need to submit important documents. I recommend that he prepares an excellent application. He will need to submit a compelling Statement of Purpose, endorsement letters from professors and employers who can attest to his academic achievements and character, as well as results of mandatory standardized exams. He should strongly focus on his professional experience and explain how it makes him the perfect fit for the program he intends applying to. I recommend that he begins the application process beforehand.

5. Plan your Finances: I know that studying in the USA is a costly affair, and for that reason, your husband should budget his finances correctly, so as to cover his cost of education, including living and tuition costs, as well as other miscellaneous expenditures. Also, a number of grants, scholarships, and other forms of financial aid, in addition to part-time employment possibilities, are offered by majority of the universities. I recommend that your husband looks into the available assistantships, scholarships etc. as these can help alleviate the high costs of studying.

6. Obtaining a Valid Visa and following Immigration Guidelines: Your husband, on securing admission, will be required to obtain a valid student visa in order to study in USA. An F-1 visa is the required one. I recommend that he conducts an extensive study and prepares for the visa application process.

7. Consider Long-Term Prospects: Your husband should take into account his prospects for the future and understand in what way the Master’s program opted for by him resonates with these prospects. I believe that undertaking internships, career guidance, and building connections while still pursuing his Master’s degree will go a long way in enabling your husband bag employment possibilities upon graduating.

Summarizing the above, I would like to tell you that taking both, your husband’s age and professional experience into account, he is eligible to apply for USA Master’s programs. Nevertheless, I recommend that he conducts a comprehensive research and opt for those courses that best match his aspirations. Not just that, he should also make a compelling application as well as possess a sound financial strategy. I also suggest that he finds out whether or not the particular programs require him to appear for the GRE or not, and that he adheres to other prerequisites for admission if required.

For more information, you can visit our website.

Ans: Hello,

First and foremost, thank you for getting in touch with us. I am happy to hear that your child is currently studying in the 8th grade and you want him to pursue college in the USA. To answer your question first, I would like to tell you that scores of standardized tests viz., the ACT or SAT are required to secure admission to a number of colleges in the USA. These exams aid colleges in evaluating a student's preparedness for studies at the college level. I would like to tell you that although a solid intellectual foundation can be offered by programs like the International Baccalaureate (IB) or Cambridge AICE, a number of colleges in the USA do not accept them as alternatives to the SAT/ACT.

I would recommend that you motivate your child to study for the ACT or SAT, and make sure he very well understands the unique prerequisites of the universities he wishes to apply to. Not just that, your son might also consider taking SAT Subject Tests as advised or mandated by certain universities. Remember, maintaining a high academic standing and participating in extracurricular activities, frequently influence US college admissions, and thus, your son should focus on the same.

For more information, you can visit our website.