Let us first analyze the meaning of STEM, the acronym STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics and refers to all subjects that fall under these four disciplines. Courses such as Aerospace Engineering, Biology, Physics, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics among many others fall under this domain though the full list is far more exhaustive. Speaking of a career path, while some of these subjects can offer a straightforward progression to a particular field, others might lead to revolutionizing the agricultural industry or the energy sector.

Due to the presence of most-revered universities and institutions for STEM courses in the US, a large number of international students, especially Indians, turn to the US to pursue them. Because certain research institutions provide openings for students to work simultaneously with their professors/instructors and implement their classroom learning in the laboratory/workshop, it has become the prime reason for attracting many aspirants. Taking any of the STEM courses from the US will be one the most important decisions of your life given that the US has been at the forefront of scientific and creative innovation for decades now.

And, if you are serious about getting any of the STEM degree, a few reasons below will help consolidate your decision for studying in the US:

1.Global Outlook – All international students studying in the US get a life-transforming experience unlike anywhere else, and it is mainly due to the open-minded culture that persists in the institutions and life in general. This adds to the students’ invaluable learning experience which makes them fit to find unique approaches to solving everyday problems, within community and work places. Moreover, interacting with the local student community is beneficial to both, the international students and the local students, in building a global network. 

2.Thriving Diversity – Despite a large population of international students in the US, Indian students never feel out of place, it is more of a home away from home given a large population of Indian students studying in the US and the ones working and living there. Indian students can find just the right amount of familiarity when it comes to things Indian. Moreover, it’s a country that not just houses Indians but attracts a good amount of student pool from across the globe, making the country as the most diverse and liberal. 

3.Active lifestyle – Undergraduates and post graduates in American universities do not have a dull moment. Given a wide range of activities to choose from, students are required to participate and engage actively in the areas of their interest. Students can get involved in sports, debates, concerts, societies, clubs and even volunteer in organizations to pursue community work. 

4.Easy Access to Silicon Valley – Of the many reasons, the prime one for taking a STEM course from the US is, easy accessibility to Silicon Valley. It is no hidden fact that California aka ‘Silicon Valley’ is the technological hub, and due to this very reason, a big chunk of students are attracted to it, where new innovations are being made every day. Moreover, universities offer uninterrupted access to innovative companies and people building the latest and top-class technology. The students benefit enormously from interactions with these companies and have access to their cutting-edge resources.

And, last but not the least, students with STEM degrees are highly sought after as there is a growing demand for scientific thinkers and solution providers. STEM degrees from the US offer great opportunities for students not just in India and the US alone but, across the globe, as countries are constantly searching for a STEM workforce with a wide range of skills that are becoming increasingly important, not to mention the highest salaries that come from studying its disciplines.

International students who pursue a STEM degree are eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT) employment, which allows them to work in the US for up to 12 months. An added advantage of being a STEM major is that international students can then request to extend their OPT for 24 months.

Taking higher education in the US increases your chances of higher earnings and lowers your chances of getting unemployed, especially during an economic crisis—such as the current times of Covid-19. Pursuing your Graduate studies in the US can be the best decision of your life. The experience gives you an opportunity to undergo a different style of education while enhancing your perspective about the world. A postgraduate degree from the US, UK, Canada is highly sought after by reputed companies in India and abroad, because they understand the rigors of the program and the leadership qualities these universities impregnate a student with.

But to get an admission in their respective colleges, taking a GRE test is essential, especially if you are applying for colleges in the US and Canada. While it is optional for the universities in the UK—baring a few where it is mandatory, it will be a good idea to take one. GRE test evaluates your critical thinking, verbal and quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing. This test aligns with the skills that are required for success in today’s demanding graduate programs at colleges; it allows the admission officers know that you have the caliber to excel as a student at their university. But before you attempt one, there a few pointers you must keep in mind:

What is the Ideal Time to Appear for GRE?

1)    Master’s Immediately After Graduation: Students who would be going for their master’s immediately after completing their bachelors, the ideal time for taking the exam would be the end of the second year or the beginning of the third year (If you’re pursuing three-year undergraduate program). If you’re taking a four-year program, then you could take it at the end of the third year of the beginning of the fourth year. 

2)    Work Experience After Graduation: Students who want to take a break after graduation or work for a few years before embarking on their educational journey can take the exam depending on the gap they’re taking. Ideally three months before the application process. 

3)    Take Exam in September-October: The best months to appear for the exam are September and October because the applications for the PG program start in December and January. Giving the exam a bit early provides the student with an advantage of reappearing for the test in case of a low score in the first attempt.

Preparation Time:       

A minimum of 3-4 months of preparation is essential for GRE though not mandatory. It depends on the students’ caliber. But if a student feels he needs help, then he may choose to join an institute that shall help him polish his concepts and provide him with an environment to clarify doubts. 

Important Points:

1.     Validity: The GRE test is valid for five years, and a student can choose to give as many tests as he wants with a gap of minimum 21 days.

2.     Number of Attempts: A student can choose to send the best score from the tests he may have given.

3.    Ideal Score: A student should aim to score a minimum of 310 to get into good universities but if the student is eyeing for Ivy Leagues or Pedigree then s/he should aim above 320.

4.     Is GRE enough?: Only GRE score is not going to get you into your dream colleges. It’s the overall application that has to be dynamic inclusive of your GRE score.

IELTS and TOEFL are basically English language tests to judge the applicants’ proficiency in English language. The tests are conducted throughout the year so you can choose dates that are most convenient with you. Whatever dates you choose, make sure that you are well prepared for it. An English test may sound simple, but you will not be able to nail it unless you have  practiced enough and are equipped with the strategies to complete all the questions within stipulated time. The test takers are tested on four skill sets, namely – Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing - which in essence are core elements of any language.

Many students, despite attaining education in English medium schools, are intimidated by the test, but let me assure you that with a few simple steps, students or for that matter anyone can ace the test with flying colors.

Follow 6 Simple Steps to Ace the TOEFL or IELTS Test:

1. Know the Pattern:The pattern of each test is different. Though, you are required to appear for all the skill sets – Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing – the pattern of each section is way different than the other. The number of questions and type of questions are also very different for all the sections. Therefore, familiarity with the structure, types of questions and knowing how you need to proceed efficiently is of prime importance. Moreover, since each section is  allotted a specific time, the test taker is expected to finish within that time frame. And no, there is no facility of taking more time in one section and adjusting it in the next, so, learn to maintain a pace wherein you can attempt all questions correctly within the timeframe assigned.

2. Take at least a month to prepare:If your English language skills are good then we’d suggest you give a month to prepare yourself. However, if English is not your forte, we’d recommend you to take anything between 2-3 months. In the first week, attempt individual sections, then move on to completing two sections together, and from the 3rd week onwards you should complete all four sections in one go (You can get free Practice Tests on Khan Academy). Once you get the hang of practicing all sections, start giving mock-tests. During your preparation you must give at least 4 mock-tests, 1 every fourth day starting the fourth week, and keep track of your progress.

3. Read the Questions Carefully:Often students don’t read questions carefully and lose out on easy answers. These careless mistakes can cost marks. To minimize damage, underline key words in the question to keep track of what you need to do and what kind of an answer you are looking for. Do not rush the question. Read and respond carefully before moving on to the next question.

4. Make Note of Repeated Mistakes:When you give the mock tests, make sure to note the mistakes you are committing. Sometimes some students keep repeating their mistakes, without noticing that they are making the same ones over and over. The idea of taking mock tests is to identify if there are any recurrent errors. Learning from your mistakes and rectifying errors will help you scale up your scores. A good way for avoiding such errors is to find the reason for each incorrect answer. Knowing the reasons will keep you away from replicating mistakes. 

5. Read, Listen and Watch English News and Channels: While you are preparing for the test, it is essential that you read as much as you can. Inculcating reading habits will change your thought process, empower you with more vocabulary to express yourself and help you understand a variety of texts, academic and non-academic. Listening to and watching English News or Movies or Series will further enhance your skills. Choose programs or series of your interest as they would hold your attention and compel you to understand the topic in discussion. Till the time you are done with your test do not waste time on any other language. 

6.  Practice, Practice and Practice:There is no alternate to practice; and hence the more you practice the better you shall become. Practicing the same types of questions over and over empowers you with the ability to quickly spot answers. Also, once you know the pattern and have been practicing it for a while makes it easier to identify what you are looking for. 

You must take into account that the level of language used in these tests is similar to the level you will get in an academic setting in universities abroad. Thus, you must take the practice tests as a foundational experience, which will prepare and equip you to handle college level education. 

Be assured, if you follow these 6 simple rules, you can clear the TOEFL/IELTS test with flying colors. Not only this, the variety of questions that you will practice during the one-month period will stimulate your cerebral juices so much so that you will find a new control over all your subjects. So, what are you waiting for? …… Get Started! 

SAT is a standardized test organized by the College Board to evaluate the Verbal [Reading + Writing], and Mathematical skills of the candidate. SAT is required to be taken by students seeking admission to undergraduate courses. An applicant can take the SAT subjects test to show his/her knowledge and understanding of the particular subject if he/she is looking forward to getting an admission in a particular course. 

An official SAT score report is required by most of the colleges which are sent directly from the College Board. To send SAT score free to universities consider the following points :

• The candidate who aspires to pursue an undergraduate course should register themselves on the College Board for the SAT test. The registered students need to sign up to send SAT scores for free and they can send up to 4 FREE Score Reports. 

• After logging in to your College Board account, choose the option “send score” in order to share your score with the selected universities for free. 

• The student can choose the “send available score now” option if he/she wishes to send their score right away, otherwise, they can choose the “send scores when available” option, if they are registered for an upcoming test.

• The offer of sending a FREE SAT Score is available from the day of registration up to 9 days after the SAT test date. The students in India are allowed to send unlimited scores for free to any India Global Alliance member universities in India.

• The test scores are released officially within 6 – 10 weeks from the test date and the score report is sent to the colleges within 10 days after the official announcement of SAT score by the College Board.

• There is no need to hurry, take your time and choose the universities wisely otherwise, you will have to pay an additional fee for choosing another university after the 9-day period.