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'My son wants to pursue MS abroad. Please advice'

July 25, 2015 10:32 IST

"Successfully completing your PGDM should put you ahead in crowd for job/career opportunities, both in your host country (NZ) and back in India."

"GRE and GMAT are snap shots of you from two different angles. In some cases GRE could be used in place of GMAT. Not always."

Overseas education consultant NNS Chandra offers advice on how to pick the right international education.

'My son wants to pursue MS abroad'In an online chat with readers, every Friday, overseas education consultant NNS Chandra addressed queries related to international admissions.

For those who missed the chat on July 24, here's the transcript:


Krunal Solanki: I have completed MSc environmental science and want to do PhD on environmental science in Canada. please suggest some good collage and university.

NNS Chandra: McGill UT or UBC should be in your mind. McMaster, Waterloo all have great programmes and labs, a interest and funds for research student.


murali-dhar: My son has completed BSc VisCom from Madras university in 2012.

He did a PG Diploma in Computer Graphics/Animation, now since last year he is working in a social media digital marketing co as lead designer.

Pls tell me options which course he can pursue further based on his current experience-G.Muralidhar

NNS Chandra: Hi Muralidhar, I understand. One way to go about this is to request your son to prepare a Statement of Purpose. His SOP should give us an idea on next steps.


Swaminathan viswanathan: I am 33 years and have completed my MBA.

I would like further specialise in business analytics. Kindly advise if studying abroad would be advisable to further specialise as it is an area of interest.

NNS Chandra: Of course yes, Mr. Swaminathan.

Put your training (MBA) and all your experience so far, you can bring ideas and solutions to the table, I am sure. Adding the right additional training would be the key. Be strategic.


kunal yadav: I have offer letter for George brown college in Canada for PGDM course.

I am a bit confused to go for pgdm in network security analysis or PGDM in wireless networking. Which one do you suggest to go for keeping in mind job and future scope point of view ??

NNS Chandra: Data shows network security professional are more in demand. But your job would depend on how good you are, how well trained you are, how presentable you are and your certification/designations, right?


Vinu Murthy: Hi Chandra, I have recieved an acceptance form Freiburg university for MS-computer science and I want to know how good the university is and reviews about it...thanks

NNS Chandra: Frieiburg Germany? It is one of the oldest and tallest in the region. A public research university.


SANJIV KALIA: Just to ask you if it is good to go for studies abroad after 12th or after graduation?

NNS Chandra: Sanjiv, In ,my opinion, yes. If you got resources that is the best idea. To become global citizens. Keeping cost (I know it is a lot) shut for a minute, experience, knowledge and understanding would be different.


Ganesh Walke: What does U-M do to help international students make the most of their experience at the university?

NNS Chandra: Great question Ganesh. Appreciate. The research journal Transitions In Global education where I am the lead editor discusses these issues and more, debate and review data.


saurav: I have done my BBA and want to pursue PG Diploma in business from NewZealand.. Please suggest me i am very confused ...... Future scope after studying PG dilpoma from NewZeland

NNS Chandra: Successfully completing your PGDM should put you ahead in crowd for job/career opportunities, both in your host country (NZ) and back in India.

It also depends on your status in NZ, your hard work and focus etc. Generally NZ got opportunities, that is what my data shows.


Simarjit Gandhi: Hello, I have an aggregate of 6.5 GPA from BIT Mesra in electronics and communications engineering.Looking for masters in Comp Science or related streams in US or in Canada(University of Toronto).

I haven't appeared for GRE or Toefl till now, 6 months work-ex in sales(not related to branch).

NNS Chandra: Simarjit - Univ of toronto is challenging. Can apply to MS CS if you have had subjects like data structures in the bachelors else it becomes more tricky.

Can apply to related streams like MS MIS/MS IS . You need the GRE and TOEFL or IELTS. GRE of minimum 300 and TEOFL of 80 or IELTS of 6.5

Simarjit - Univ of toronto is challenging. Can apply to MS CS if you have had subjects like data structures in the bachelors else it becomes more tricky.

Can apply to related streams like MS MIS/MS IS . You need the GRE and TOEFL or IELTS. GRE of minimum 300 and TEOFL of 80 or IELTS of 6.5


Jacob: My Son is doing his Btech Biotechnology from VIT , Vellore and he wants to do his PG in the U.S and pursue further for his Doctorate.

Can you suggest the best universities in the United States and Europe where he can target and plan for the future. Which are the latests specialisations coming up in this field.Possibility of scholarships, fees.

NNS Chandra: Hi Jacob,There are several opportunities for him to continue his studies.

He must decide on which area he want to stick within biotech, where he wants to focus in a boarder sense, science of it or applied technology.

What is his GPA now? Did he take a GRE?

University selection should be based on several things like that.


ultratechpcb: Hello, My son is in the 2nd year of Environmental Engineering. He wants to do MS from abroad.

Which is the best university and what is the criteria to get admission for MS.Also what would be the cost incurred for his education if doing abroad.

NNS Chandra: Most Universities would require your son to complete his GRE and TOEFL or IELTS (at required levels). Preparing an SOP is a good idea. Most case you need this along with your

transcripts and list of your achievements (extra curricular).

Other than Ivy League school which got amazing and reputed programmes in environmental engg, one can consider programmes in Stanford, John Hopkins and Carnegie Melon or even VT. Greta schools, great programmes.


sameersanghavi: I am Samir Sanghavi , 30 year Old, I have done my PGDM in operational Management form Welingkar Ins. And I am commerce student.

I have to go to Canada for further study. Kindly suggest Procedure and which course and University are alppy.

NNS Chandra: Dear Sanghvi, can I know what did you do for your Bachelors degree? Your work experience?

Several questions you need to ask yourself and find answers when you are considering North America to study abroad, like what exactly are you passionate about and what are your plans after your said study – spend few years in host country to work and settle or are you planning to go back.

Answers to these questions in most cases would lead to courses and university. You need an IELTS score at an acceptable level.


DEEPAL TRIPATHI: My daughter is studying in her 8th semester of B.ARCH, she wants to go aboard for her masters, so which exam she should appear like GRE, IELTS. From which sites she can search universities. 

NNS Chandra: Hi Deepal - Barch - you can get into good schools for M- Arch in US provided your GPA in undergrad and portfolio is excellent.

Yes GRE and IELTS/TOEFL is required. I would recommend the start search in university ranking lists.


sharad nema: Hi, I am Sharad I am currently working in IT from past 2 years , I want to switch my career in data analytics.

I want to know whether I can get into it through GRE or I have to go for GMAT as I have heard that some good bschools are now accepting GRE scores also.

NNS Chandra: Hi Sharad, can I know what your bachelor’s degree is in?

Did you receive any additional training in technology or management or do you have any certification or professional designation?

GRE and GMAT are snap shots of you from two different angles, right? In some cases GRE could be used in place of GMAT. Not always.


guru: My daughter is going to complete her 12th with science stream and like to do her bachelor in MBBS.

I would like to know the option a viable overseas example in Germany we need to learn German language, I am looking at countries who teach in English.

How about cost for studying Medicine in AUS, NZ or even in Middle east. How do we approach them.

NNS Chandra: Hi Guru, At least some of the med schools I know the academic delivery is fully in English and have students from all over the world are there.

I personally think it might be a good idea to learn the local language in the country you are studying to get the full experience. Especially in medicine.

Patient interaction is key, right? I am not sure on MidEast med schools.

But some of my students are studying in Caribbean and East European med schools and have great experience.


Lead image used for representational purposes only. Credit: Reuters

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Have questions for NNS Chandra? Post them here! You may also email him on syam.chandra@transwebglobal.com

About NNS Chandra

Based in Boston, USA, Chandra is an engineer by training, an academician by trade and researcher by passion.

He often shuttles between India and the US to coach students in admission related counselling.

He is associated with professional organisations like Study Iowa, NACAC, OCACA, ACA, ASCA to name a few.