Education advice - Counselling for Career-45

Q.
I am an OBC (Other Backward Classes) student reading physics, chemistry and maths in Class XII. I scored 84 per cent in my Xth board exams. I want to do BTech. Are there any scholarships for further studies? - A Yadav

A.
Most state governments, including Delhi’s, offer merit-based scholarships to all SC/ST/OBC students who are pursuing post-matriculation/ post-secondary (college/university) studies in government-recognised institutions, according to the scholarship scheme prevalent in the state. In Delhi, to avail of the scholarship, students have to obtain a minimum of 60 per cent marks in the senior secondary exam and the family income of OBC students should not exceed Rs 1 lakh. The family income condition is not applicable in the case of SC/ST students. The amount and eligibility criteria for the scholarship depend on the scheme prevalent in the state. The scheme is implemented by the Department for the Welfare of SC/ST/OBC/Minorities of the state government concerned. For more details regarding the scheme, you can check the websites of the respective state governments. The Delhi government website is www.delhi.gov.in.
Q.
I completed Plus-Two with 73 per cent marks in 2005 and then trained to become an airhostess. Now I am a second-year BA student and want to pursue an MBBS degree from a good university. Can you recommend a university where I can get admission without appearing in the entrance test? — Angelina

A.
Securing a seat in a medical college is possibly the toughest proposition today. All medical colleges take in students after a competitive entrance test. The course is extremely challenging, requiring many long years of dedicated study. The halo around the medical career makes it alluring but you must be sure that you have the abilities and the motivation to work in this demanding field, which requires almost eight-10 years of study if one wants to become a medical specialist. As you are doing graduation and have trained as an airhostess, you may like to consider working with an airline or travel agency, in customer care or hotel management, travel and tourism. Most airhostess training institutes provide classes in personality development, customer services, and help in building confidence and social and communication skills. If you do not wish to become an airhostess, the training can also help you get a job in hotels, travel companies, public relations and event management and in customer care with service organisations, or in the travel and hospitality sector. If you wish to be in a medical-related field, you may take up a post-graduate programme in hospital management. It is important to select a career option matching your aptitude and personality, keeping in mind the skills you have developed and can use to succeed.
Q.
I want to do PhD from an American university. I am in my second semester of MSc in botany at the University of Delhi. So, it’s too early to decide on a topic but my areas of interest are aromatic and medicinal plants. Which American universities do research in these areas? I will need financial aid. Are living expenses covered in financial aid? My relatives in the United States can help me get financial assistance. I am thinking of getting into Yale, Princeton, Stanford, Brown or Penn. What other colleges, universities should I consider? — Shyla

A.
There are many websites that will provide you information on the colleges and universities offering research programmes in your area of interest. There are any number of universities and institutes offering study programmes in research areas related to medicinal plants, biodiversity and so on. It is important for you to identify a specific topic of interest. There are websites such as www.collegeboard.com, www.petersonsguide.com and www.usnews.com that give listings of colleges and universities and their ratings, costs of study, funding, and admission tests required for admission. It is also advisable to identify one or two possible faculty mentors from the department handling the research areas who can guide you when submitting your application. Make sure that your personal statement describes your specific research interest and how your prior educational background has prepared you for it. Most research programmes require you to take the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) general test, which measures verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and critical thinking and analytical writing skills. The exam is required for admission into a Master’s/and sometimes research and PhD programmes in the US. You may also be required to take the GRE Subject Test in the area of intended study. Check the requirements of each university.

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