Should I do my Bachelor's in India or abroad? While most people think of going abroad only for post-graduation, there are clear advantages to doing your graduation abroad, if you can afford it.

Here's what overseas education counsellor Karan Gupta, who chatted with Get Ahead readers, had to say: "If you apply to the US as an undergraduate student, you will have the opportunity to choose your majors after two years of study."

Want to study abroad? Preparation strategies

For those of you who missed the chat, here's the first part of the transcript:

Part II: How good are online degrees?

Karan Gupta says, Good afternoon and welcome to the Karan Gupta Chat Room. I am here now so shoot your questions.

sandeep asked, hi, this is sandeep. i'm in 12th science. i seek ur advise regarding engineering. should i go abroad for the bechlor's degree in engineering or i should do the bechlor's in india.pls advise

Karan Gupta answers, If you apply to the US as an undergraduate student you will have the opportunity to choose your majors after two years of study. This means that you can study anything you like for two years and experiment with different subjects before making a final choice. At the graduate level, you will not have this option open to you. Therefore, if you have the finances as well as the opportunity to go abroad now, I would recommend that you apply as an undergraduate student.

ssk asked, hi, i want to finish my graduation. i am a diploma holder and have six years of work experience. how is liverpool university to complete my graduation. is it recognised in india?

Karan Gupta answers, Liverpool University is an average one. Also, it depends on what programme you want to study. With six years of work experience, you could consider an MBA in a top university. Of course, you would have to take the GMAT as well as the TOEFL. However, some universities would ask for a bachelor's degree and may not consider your diploma.

himanshu asked, hello karan i wanna ask that if one has applied for visa and after that he wants to change the university. can he do that?

Karan Gupta answers, Yes, you can change your university after applying for a visa. However, by law you are required to attend the university whose I-20 you took to obtain the visa for at least one semester before transferring. This requirement can be waived in some circumstances once you reach the university whose name appears on your visa. It is better if you go back to the consulate and get your visa changed to the university you really want to attend.

arpan asked, hey karan, me applying fr MEM course fr fall 2007, i was jus wondering how good r colleges like syracuse, NEU fr such course?

Karan Gupta answers, Syracuse and Northeastern University are both good universities for a course in engineering management. Once you have studied the courses of each of the universities in detail, you will be in a better position to decide between the two universities.

Rupesh Badhan asked, I COMPLAT MY B.PHARM. WHAT IS THE NEXT STEP FOR COMING TO ABROAD.

Karan Gupta answers, In order to apply to the UK, you will need to appear only for the IELTS. If you apply to US universities, you will need to take the GRE as well as the TOEFL. Once you have your exam scores, you can finalise your universities and then send in your supporting documents such as your SOP, resume, recommendation letters and so on.

chaitanya devendra asked, hii karan i am chaitanya and i am 24 years old ,i will be leaving for strathclyde this sept for my mba.what are you thoughts on this school? Thanks Chaitanya

Karan Gupta answers, I think Strathclyde is a good school. Most of the programmes offered by this school are good and students have been happy with the course content. However, getting jobs after you graduate from Strathclyde is not easy.

kallol asked, hi karan i'm now working at cognizant technology solutions pvt limited at pune...i have done my engg.from nit few months ago...i want to do ms.can u please tell me in details about all the colleges and other requirements..

Karan Gupta answers, It depends on where you plan to apply for your MS degree. If you want to go to the US colleges, you will have to appear for the GRE and the TOEFL. If you plan to apply for colleges in any other country, you will have to take either the TOEFL or the IELTS. Once you have the exams done, send the universities your documents and you will get your admission. After that, you can apply for your visa.

Parag asked, What are the best options of education available after 12th std,i.e. a degree course in USA.

Karan Gupta answers, As I have answered earlier, you can go to the US and take different majors and experiment with your course (for the first two years only).

Prasanna asked, Dear Mr. Karan, Iam a B.Sc Graduate doing my business granite export. I mainly want to go to US for expanding my business. Can I take up a management course in US and also concentrate in my businss there?

Karan Gupta answers, As a student in the US, you are required to study full-time. While studying full-time, you are permitted to work part-time on campus only. Therefore, you will not be able to concentrate on your business, if you are a full-time student.

harpreet asked, hi this is harpreet i have exp. in service industry for around 3 years & currently im workin in dubai...but now im planning to do a call center management program from uk... what do u suggest will be best for me?

Karan Gupta answers, You need to evaluate your career goals and see what it is you really want to do in life. Only after that will it become clear as to what your options are. I recommend an MBA for candidates with 3 or more years of work experience.

Prasenjit asked, Hi karan, I got Eramus Mundus scholarship in Uk to study comp science specialising in . In comparison with similar course in US..where do you find it in the context US counterparts

Karan Gupta answers, If you already have a scholarship to study in the UK, I would recommend that you take the scholarship and don't let it go. It is very difficult to get funding in the US.

kevin asked, How good is Heriot Watt univ,Edinburgh for Logistics and SCM..??? Do u see a future for post grads in Logistics and SCM..? Is a UK degree better than an Australian one ..??

Karan Gupta answers, Heriott Watt is an extremely average university and most likely you will have trouble finding a job after you graduate from this university. UK and Australian degrees are both good but it depends on the university you choose in the respective countries.

atul asked, Bio Informatics/ Technology - good institute and fees

Karan Gupta answers, Universities such as North-eastern University, Georgia Tech etc, have a course in bioinformatics. Visit their websites for info on fees.

gargi asked, Hi Karan, My Brother is doing MBBS. He wants to pursue his MS in UK. What are the procedures like? What are the chances for US. He need to clear some paper. Can that be done from India

Karan Gupta answers, It depends on what course he wants. Doctors can opt for pharmacy administration, public health, mollecular biology and so on. For US admissions, he needs to appear for the GRE and the TOEFL. For UK admissions he needs to appear for the TOEFL only.

Kshitij asked, Dear Karan, I have completed my Ba Hons in Film and TV Production from University of Westminster and now this September am doing my Msc in Media & COmmunication - Regulation and Policy Making from LSE (London [Images] School of Economics - London). firstly- What do you this my employbility chances would be in the production and media sectors? Secondly- Would this help me establish a Production House in the future? In other words do u think it is the right start for me?

Karan Gupta answers, A degree from LSE will help you score some brownie points with employers. And yes, with your education and prior experience you would be able to set up your own production house.

choprapals asked, i am a student of social work from TISS. i want to pursue M.A in Public Policy from gud American or LSE. moreover i got to know dual dgree programme of LSE in public policy and management.what should i take as more viable option?

Karan Gupta answers, The LSE's public policy course is very good and if you are interested in this course, you should go for it.

yudhishthira asked, is US education really good compare to UK?

Karan Gupta answers, It depends on the universities that you choose. You can find an excellent US university and a pathetic UK university and vice versa.

girish asked, How do you compare higher education provided in India with that in US or any other country in terms of cost and value benefits.

Karan Gupta answers, Higher Indian education is extremely cost-effective as compared to most other countries. However, always compare universities and not countries.

chanakya asked, hi, am a M.Sc. In Microbiology from Bangalore University. I intend to pursue Ph.D. in Bacteriology from an university in Canada [Images]. do I need to take up GRE?

Karan Gupta answers, Most Canadian universities do not require the GRE. However for PhD admissions, you should contact the professors and check if they have research positions available.

rajia asked, IS it safe for indian students to go to places like US and Uk after the plane bomb incident

Karan Gupta answers, YES. In general, most students face no problems in any foreign country. However a few cases of racial profiling have been brought to our attention.

sidhu asked, Want do an MBA from AIM, Manila. Please let me know how good it is in Global/Asia scenario, the prospects later.

Karan Gupta answers, AIM is a good school but getting jobs after studying at AIM is not easy. Also, many employers in India are not aware of AIM.

Rahul asked, Can u tell me where could i can GET BRAND COURSE?

Karan Gupta answers, Brand management and other courses related to this field are offered under the head of advertising. Therefore, you could look at a university which offers courses in advertising.

Karan Gupta says, Thank you very much for being here today. It was a pleasure to chat with you'll. Have a great day and look out for the next Rediff.com Study Abroad Chat.

Karan Gupta, founder of Karan Gupta Consulting, has been working as a professional counsellor since 1999. He studied at Ithaca College and then at the University of Texas at Austin in the United States. While pursuing his education, he worked at the Office of Admissions, Financial Aid office and the International Office. Karan is now the honorary study abroad counsellor at Jaihind College, Mumbai. For further information, please visit Karan Gupta Consulting.


Part II: How good are online degrees?

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