Difference between undergrad studies in India and the US

There is a tremendous difference between the curriculum and teaching pattern in India and USA. Students of all Indian boards like ICSE, CBSE and SSC have a stipulated theoretical pattern of studies.

Benefits of studying in India :

1. Indian Education is cheaper : Cost of Indian education is quite cheaper as compared to studying abroad. The financial burden to parents is less than 1/10th in case the student decides to complete under graduation in India.

2. Proximity to family : If the student studies from a college near his residence, then he can get the advantage of staying in a secure environment in the family. This proves a morale booster and increases the confidence of the students. Secondly, when children grow and study at home, parents are able to contribute and guide in a better condition than remotely.

3. Comfortable for students : Students friends group consists of the religion and language which is spoken and understood by the students. This gives way more comfort level than interacting with friends from unrelated culture. Students stay within the protected environment of their house where their daily needs are met by their mother and their financial needs are met by their father.

4. Marks based education : Indian education primarily focuses on marks. The more the marks obtained, the better will be the choice of college wherein the student will get admission post 10th grade.

Limitations of studying in India :

Indian education has its own limitation areas which create a hurdle in further studies. These limitations are :

1. Theoretical in nature : Indian education is theoretical in nature irrespective of the board opted. It does not focus on practical experience and hence Indian students find it difficult when they complete their studies and take up jobs. They cannot directly start working in any company from but need to be given practical training before they can contribute to their work.

2. Better chances of getting admitted in abroad universities than IIT / AIIMS : In spite of studying 24/7, some of the top rankers are able to more easily get admission in top rung US universities but not in IIT or AIIMS. There is a big gap between the number of students desiring admission in premier universities like IIT / AIIMS and the actual number of seats available on an all India basis. Far higher number of students are chasing very few seats.

3. Difference between education in Tier 1 vs. Tier 2 Indian colleges : There is a vast difference between the level of education imparted in Tier 1 colleges like IIT vs. Tier 2 colleges like NIIT, BITS etc. Thus, the second rung colleges are at a much lower level compared to the top rung colleges. Thus, there are far more students trying to get admission in the premier ones, else they decide to study overseas for under graduation.

4. Lack of soft skills training and minimal emphasis on English writing :

Indian colleges do not emphasise on soft skills and English writing skills which are a must have when the students enter the corporate world and also when they study abroad. There are many top scoring students in various fields but they lack when it comes to articulation of their projects or even while creating their own resume.

WHY TO PURSUE UNDER GRADUATION IN USA :

Benefits of pursuing under graduation in USA are quite a few and hence those students who are keen on achieving their goal and whose parents have the financial capability, go ahead with studying in USA. Reasons to pursue under graduation in USA are :

1) Holistic and broad-based : US education is holistic and broad-based which covers a wide spectrum of core and elective subjects as its curriculum irrespective of whichever stream the student chooses to study. The core subjects contain the subjects on the major opted for and electives contain subjects unrelated to the major and more general based to ensure over all grooming of the student.

2) Practical oriented : In addition to the theoretical knowledge, US education system relies heavily on case study as well as practical exposure. This helps the students when they complete their studies and are absorbed in the corporate world. They find the transformation from college to corporate world quite seamless.

3) Curriculum is continuously updated : The curriculum and subjects are updated frequently to include the technologically most advanced changes occurring in the world. These courses are very close to the requirements expected by companies.

4) Many cross-breed, combined and special courses : There are many special courses like the USC which has many specialised courses like – CSBA (Computer Science and Business Application), BCA (Business Administration and Cinematic Arts), BAIR (Business Administration and International Relations), BREF (Business Administration and Real Estate Finance).

UPenn has :

1) Jerome Fisher Program in Management and Technology

2) Huntsman Program in International Studies and Business

3) Nursing and Healthcare Management

4) Life Sciences and Management etc.

5) Accelerated / Progressive courses : Accelerated Programs which allow to complete Bachelors and Masters / MBA in 5 years instead of 6 years. These courses save time as well as money of students, provided the students are able to satisfy the conditions of very high GPA scores earned in the exams.

Thus every student needs to evaluate the options domestically and abroad and then take a well-analysed decision of higher studies.