Q. Is MS the best available choice for PG?
A. Masters will definitely give you the much needed exposure that we lack here in India. You will get to know some of the latest stuff and learn under the best professors. US is said to be the place where all innovation takes place. So to be in the heart of technology surely helps in shaping your career. Even some of the low ranking universities in US are place well above those in India. Another advantage is the less competition to get admission to US universities. Compared to India, it is comparatively easy to get into top 30 US universities.
But, keep in mind that there are institutions in India like IITs and IISC which offer the same edge in terms of research and technology. Also, there are students who get awesome placements after passing out from these colleges.
In the end it is a personal choice whether to go to US or do Masters here in India. And according to me going for MS to US is not at all un-patriotic- as most of us are going to come back after some experience.
Q. What about life after MS?
A. According to many professionals that I have talked to, coming back to India immediately after MS is not beneficial. First, you don't get such good salary here in India as compared to that in US. And second the experience of working in US is more valuable than the degree.
Considering the current scenario I think it is beneficial to return back to India after gaining some good experience there.
Q. What is the starting salary in US like?
A. Considering that you graduate from a good university [say in top 50]
you can get package anywhere between 50k to 110k US$ per year. As per statistics the average starting package in US is around US$ 60k-65k per year.
Q. When should one plan to return back to India after MS?
A. Ideally you need atleast 3-5 years in US to get back the amount that you have spent and make some savings. You can stay more if you want to. But generally the span is somewhere between 5-10 years before one decides to come back to India. The thing in mind is to repay the loan and make good savings
before coming to India.
Q. Job scene in US at present?
A. This is a very crucial question for all of us. At present the job scene in US seems to be good with most of the companies already hiring in good numbers. The overall economy is also improving day by day. And we all are positive that by the time we graduate, everything will be normal. :)
People there who have gone before us are able to find good jobs and internships. The important thing is to keep trying. In short if your graduating from a good school with good knowledge, you are bound to find a good job and keep things moving..
SOME STUFF ABOUT STUDIES...
Q. How much time do I need for studies before giving the GRE Exam?
A. This is very personal. It depends and varies from person to person. Keep in mind that you need to learn around 4000-4500 words and get good practice. On an average people say that start going through the words around 3months before and get to serious studies at at least 50days before your exam date.
Q. What should be the ideal study plan?
A. There is nothing such as an ideal study plan which when followed will give you 1500! In general students start with Barrons or flash cards. Revise it a couple of times and simultaneously start solving the questions. And the around 30 days before the exam, start with tests.
Q. Should I join Oak's academy for GRE coaching? What are the benefits and shortcomings?
A. Oak's class is preferable if you are one of those guys who can't sit and study alone. I personally had a great experience of the class and it was useful. You get to know about how others are preparing. The material they provide is great. It is very difficult to find such stuff in the market and that too at one place. Also they give you 5 online tests which are very difficult but which give put some pressure on you in your final days of preparation. You can make good use of the AWM appointments which will definitely improve your GRE AWM score.
Just keep in mind that this class isn't like one of those school classes where teachers used to get things done from you. GRE prep is all about how honestly you study on your own. But you get the right direction at Oaks.
For a person who has absolutely no idea about the exam, Oaks is the place to be. You will get all the details @ Oak. You will also get some good tips and things that you must take care of during and before the exam.
Q. I haven't joined Oak. Won't I be able to score?
A. Friends, Oak is not everything. Self preparation is what is needed. Everything depends on you and you alone. I have seen many people who have score in 1500s without joining Oak. A lot of stuff is available on the net. But you will have to spend your time in finding it.
In short, don't get bogged down because you didn't join Oak. Try your best and you will hit the 1500 mark!
Q. What are the resources available for GRE preparation?
A.
First and foremost, get the latest copy of Barrons.. Its one of the best books that you can get. Don't take the quantitative part seriously because the questions asked in the exam are a bit tougher. But the word list is awesome. Even Oak uses the same word list.
For tests you can do Davidsons, Princeton, Kaplan and finally Power Prep. Also go through the Big Book for English questions. Its good stuff.
I'll upload the files and software setup for the same.
Q. Study Material!
A. The study material necessary [decreasing order of importance] is
as follows:
1. Barrons
2.
Big Book
3. Kaplan Test
4.
Princeton Test
5. Davidson Test
6.
GRE Bible
7. GRE Nova
SOME GOOD BLOGS..
1. http://whiteopal.wordpress.com/2009/03/26/a-gre-test-takers-experience/
2.
http://kapeeshsaraf.wordpress.com/2008/06/22/how-to-prepare-for-the-gre/
3. http://greghost.blogspot.com/
4. http://www.happyschoolsblog.com/gre-exam-study-practice-tests/
CHECKLIST OF THINGS TO BE TAKEN FOR "THE DAY" !
1.
Passport: It is compulsory to carry your passport [original and not photocopies] for the test. They don't entertain any reasons for failure to bring passport. You aren't even allowed to enter if you don't have your passport.
2.
Something to eat and drink: You'll get around 10mins break in between Quant and English. So you can carry some water and some snacks if you want to. As the duration is 3-4 hrs there are chances that you'll get nervous and some glucose or biscuits will surely help.
3.
List of 4 universities where you want to send your scores: ETS allows you to send your GRE scores to 4 US Universities for free. It is good if you take out sometime from your preparation and fix these 4 universities. It takes US $23 per university to send your official scores.
To get an idea about which university to send your score to please read post-GRE FAQs. I've explained stuff regarding which university to choose and how..
4.
Some warm clothing: The air conditioners are really at their full speeds in the Exam center. So it is advisable to take some warm clothing with you. There is a very high possibility that you will need it.
Q. What is the best time for taking the test?
A. It is generally said that the GRE test is difficult in the months of Oct-Nov.. I personally don't know the reason why. But as this is the general belief I personally feel that its good if we avoid these months.
The best times to give your GRE is
july-august and
jan-feb.. For COEP students its the best time. As we don't have much work load in this period.
