Like many changes happening across industries due to the pandemic, the CBSE board also announced a new system to evaluate the performance of the students. It has been decided by the board authorities that there will be two terms conducted at the end of each semester. The marks obtained would be aggregated at the end of the 2nd and final term which is to be conducted in March-April 2022. The system may sound simple, better and even easy for many students, nonetheless, there is a section of students who would have to embrace themselves for a busier year than the usual board year. And there are a couple of reasons for that.

All students aiming to apply for Undergraduate courses in the US, UK and Canada will first have to accept that it’s not going to be an easy year for them, and that they would have to adhere to timelines dearly, else their application may not make it in time. Thus, adapting to this new system and process is their only choice.

For students applying to the US, the process of early application and early decision (which takes place in early November) as well as regular applications(for which the deadlines vary from university to university, but for most it’s 1st January) was very simple and uncomplicated as, students had time to prepare supplementary essays for the universities they are applying to. But with the 1st term now taking place in November-December, students will not only have to prepare for their board exams, but will have to simultaneously devote time to their applications and essays. In short, applicants would not get any breather before their board exams, considering both—the application and preparation of Board Exams—are equally important. Needless to say, students will have to learn the art of time management to excel in both.

Moreover, colleges will expect exact scores rather than the predicted ones along with your mid-term results (that used to be used until last year) to be submitted, assuming the scores would come out by the start of registration time in January-February. For the UK and Canada also, the process is not going to be very different as their application deadline is 15th January. Thus, it goes without saying that students would have to ensure all their application essays are ready by then.

Considering the changes, it’s essential for all applicants to start preparing their essays early on to save themselves from any last-minute hassles. But more importantly, all students need to pull up their socks right from the beginning of XII grade and be very cautious about it. There is absolutely no space for any mishaps or slip-ups, especially for students eyeing foreign admissions.

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.

Unlike Trump’s leadership that had limited the movement of international students, Biden’s administration is far more flexible and international student friendly. As per research, from the day of the inauguration ceremony more and more students from the Indian subcontinent are keen on applying to US universities and colleges. Universities and authorities are expecting a return of Obama-type policies, which were far more welcoming for international students. It has also been predicted that under Biden’s leadership, student visas will be easily approved.

Education consultancies of India are in for some good times ahead as they expect a sharp rise in student application this year, especially after a report stating an impressive 20-30 percent spike in the application of Engineering and MBA courses.

The icing on the cake is Biden’s beliefs that foreign graduates with US degrees and doctoral programs should be given a green card as losing these highly trained youth to foreign economies could prove costly and would be a disservice to America’ economic progress. This may come as a blessing in disguise, especially for students who are aiming to either work in the US after college or hoping to obtain US citizenship later.

Looking at the recent protests and upheavals in the US, it is absolutely refreshing to look at a leader who is all in for diversity. Moreover, Biden’s inaugural speech (and his outlook in general) is a testament of how he would encourage racial and ideological diversity in the land of dreams. It must not be forgotten that Joe Biden worked as Vice President under Barrack Obama’s (didn’t we all admire this guy) administration and played a key role in instituting various policies. Evidently, in his new role as the President of the United States, Biden is proposing and lobbying for signing the American Rescue Plan for 2021, which means a lot of opportunities and leniency for international students. His policies would welcome young talent with open arms, and consequently preserve the critical role of diversity in colleges.

After the failure of Trump’s administration, the United States is finally looking ahead to a new day where new people friendly policies are being instituted and a new chapter beginning. The current administration is overhauling policies that stunt the growth of not only the youth but the country as a whole, and we have already witnessed reversal and revoking of certain policies which only indicates their aim at having a more inclusive community–the youth. The government’s approach is attracting the world’s best students from across the globe to its classrooms. Believe me, there is no better time than this to be studying in the US.

Moreover, the approach to education in the US is more applicable in real life. Be it an undergraduate course or an MBA, the pattern and methodologies of teaching far exceeds a student’s expectation. Here students are expected to look at real problems through case studies and devise ways or seek alternate ways to solve them. The format of classes is also way more different than what Indians have been used to: you will be compelled to participate in rigorous discussions with professors and students unlike the format experienced in Indian school or college, which is more lecture-based. 

To top it all, Biden is also looking into exempting recent graduates of PhD programs in STEM fields in the United States from any cap, as he feels these graduates are poised to make some of the most important contributions to the American economy and hence would not let go of them so easily. So, without a further ado, pick your course and check out the most relevant university for an exceptional educational experience.

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.