US still a hot destination for Indian students

[sajiv]

VIJAYAWADA: The craze among students for pursuing studies in American universities was evident at D.V. Manor on Tuesday, when city based Ace Solutions organised a seminar on 'American education'.

Representatives of eight universities, including the University of Massachusetts-Boston, Schiller International University (Florida) and a few colleges arrived here and conducted on-the-spot assessment of candidates seeking admissions into various courses. The representatives came to the city to attract local students to their universities and colleges. Strikingly, the parents outnumbered the students, who were aspiring for a career in the US, at the seminar.

The organisers said that more number of enquiries came from engineering students. And, most of the students were keen on learning more about the scope for admissions in under-graduate courses in engineering, and post-graduate courses in biotechnology, chemistry and aeronautical engineering. The universities' representatives clarified many doubts about programmes that were offered in their universities and colleges."In all, there were nearly 700 enquiries. Of these, 150 enquiries are prospective," said Ashok Kallam, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ace Solutions.

University of Massachusetts-Boston Dean Dirk Messelaar, Schiller International University Associate Director of Admissions Kamala Dontamsetti, Alcorn State University (Mississippi) representative and Associate Director Gregory Reed, Northwestern College (Minnesota) Provost Alford Ottley, Dixie State College (Utah) Director Darryl Biniaz and Upper Iowa University (Iowa) International Coordinator Brian More explained about the programmes offered in their universities and colleges.

Faculty members of the Ace Solutions and other speakers said many students do not submit their financial assistance form along with admission form. It would give an impression to the university authorities that the respective student was financially comfortable, and, hence, would not consider the student for financial assistance. Moreover, students should submit their applications by November or December to stand a fair chance of getting admissions, as students across the globe aspire for education in US varsities.

They said that prospective candidates were being identified and their profiles would be verified later. Indian students had a misconception that high tuition fees charged by certain universities would mean high standards. But some universities would have surplus funds, so that they would be able to lower fees they pointed out.