Your Counsellor Replies

After completing B.Sc next year, I want to do an MBA in the US. Please provide information about admission requirements and fees. Also, which are the top ten universities for business studies in the US?
Arun Kolhatkar, Pune

To qualify for admission into an American B-school, you need to write the GMAT and TOEFL exams. These exam scores plus other application documents like essay (the most important part of an MBA application package) and recommen-dation letters are required. The admission decision is based on your complete profile, including test scores, application documents and work experience. Tuition fees of American B-schools vary from $15,000-38,000 (Rs.6.75-17 lakh) per year. The top ten B-schools in the US according to a US News & World Report’s 2005 survey are: Harvard; Stanford; University of Pennsylvania; Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Northwestern University; Columbia and Chicago Universities; University of California, Berkley; Dartmouth College; University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

I have completed my D.Pharm and want to pursue a career in forensic science and criminology. Please advise on study options available.
Pratim Nandan, Allahabad

You are eligible for admission into a Masters degree progr- amme in forensic science if you have also completed B.Sc in any one of the following subjects: physics, chemistry, zoology, botany, biochemistry, microbiology, applied science, engineering, computer science or psychology; B.Pharm, MBBS or BDS. Other options include enrolling for a one-year certificate course in forensic science at Delhi University, New Delhi 110007; a two-year Masters programme in criminology and forensic science at Karnataka University, Dharwad 580003 or at Doctor Harisingh Gour Vishva-vidyalaya, Gour Nagar, Sagar 470003.

Moreover M.Sc study programmes in forensic science are offered by the forensic sciences department, Forensic House, 30-A Kamaraj Salai, Mylapore, Chennai 600004; Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar University, Senate House, Paliwal Park, Agra 282004 and Punjabi University, Patiala 147002. A junior research fellowship scheme in forensic science is also offered by the Bureau of Police Research and Development to candidates preferably below 30 years of age who have obtained 60 percent and above in M.Sc (physics/ chemistry/ biochemistry/ anthropology/ zoology/ molecular biology/ maths/ biotech-nology/ microbiology/ pharmacy/ pharmacology/ computer science/ forensic psychology etc) or M.Phil in the same subjects.

Re criminology study options, the National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Science, which is the country’s nodal institution for training personnel employed in the criminal justice system, conducts several diploma and certificate courses in criminology.

I’m in third year B.Com and would like to enroll in an entrepreneurship study programme. Could you provide information on the diploma course offered by the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDI), Ahmedabad?
Anurag Patel, Mumbai

EDI offers a postgraduate diploma programme in business entrepre-neurship management. It has been specially designed for new entrants in business to acquire the necessary skills to run enterprises successfully. The one-year programme has three specialisations — new enterprise creation, family business management and agri-entrepreneurship — spread over four terms. The academic year begins in September. For application form and other information e-mail ediindiaad@sancharnet.in or pgdbem@ediindia.org.

I’m in final year B.Com (banking and insurance) and would like to pursue a career in banking. Can I get a managerial job in a bank after B.Com or do I need to do an MBA?
Shalini Raman, Bangalore

After your B.Com you could write the probationary officers (PO) exam jointly conducted by nationalised banks, to recruit graduates into their junior management cadre. After on-the-job training during the two-year probation period and working for some years, you could be appointed a manager. In the private sector banks too, first class graduates are recruited as officer trainees through a similar selection process. An MBA qualification however, would be advantageous as direct entry into the management cadres of private and foreign banks is mainly through campus recruitments in B-schools.

I’m doing my Plus Two (science) and keen on qualifying as a professional chef. What study programmes are available in this field?
Rahul D’Souza, Mumbai

You could enroll in a hotel management study programme of three or four-years duration. Training to qualify as a chef is included. However, specialised courses are available. After completing class XII you are eligible to apply for the three-year diploma in chef management offered by the Academy of Culinary Education, Cidade de Goa, Vainguinim Beach, Goa 403004 (www.acegoa.com), or the three-year diploma in culinary arts and kitchen administration of the Institute of Hotel Management, Rauza Bagh, Aurangabad 431001.

The Oberoi Centre for Learning and Development (OCLD-www.careers-theoberoigroup.com) offers a two-year diploma in kitchen management to hotel management graduates.

Which institutes offer study programmes in aerospace engineering?
Srinivas Rao, Chennai

The Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore offers ME (mechanical engineering) programmes in aerospace engineering. Perhaps the oldest and largest aerospace engineering faculty in India, it also offers exciting opportunities to talented students to pursue R&D work after postgraduation.

The Hindustan Aviation Academy owned by the Chennai-based Hindustan group of education institutions, offers degrees in aeronautical engineering and aircraft maintenance. VSM Aerospace, Bangalore also runs a programme in aeronautical engineering. The Indian Institute of Aviation, Dehra Dun offers a four-year bachelor’s programme in the subject.