What You Need To Know Before Pursuing Medicine In USA

Do you dream of studying medicine in the United States? Well, you certainly have set your eyes on the best. However, you should know that it is exceptionally demanding for international students to pursue medicine in US. Only if you are willing to put your heart and soul and are passionate, then you can realise your dreams.

The application process is a bit time consuming, hence before applying, you must be sure that you have a four year bachelor degree. Each school lays down its own requirements of the subjects, but majority of them allow a science degree in biology, organic chemistry or chemistry. Therefore, it is imperative to decide the school while pursuing your under graduation to be prepared beforehand.

You will also have to appear for the MCAT test to determine your critical thinking abilities. Comprehensible writing, problem solving is assessed along with your knowledge of diverse scientific concepts pertaining to biology and chemistry.

With a suitable bachelor’s degree and a fine MCAT score, you are good to start the application process. However, as an international student you will be at disadvantage compared to native students as most of the public schools are obligated to utilize all or most of the funding received on students who are inhabitants of the institutions state. However, a student can successfully apply to a private university, but this is highly expensive compared to the state sponsored institutions. So, you should cautiously appraise the pros and cons of the each school that you will apply to and settle on which school is best suited for you.

A medical school normally takes 4 years completion with 3 - 7 year residency to undergo painstaking practical training in the chosen field. You can pursue a sub specialisation shifting from 1 to 3 years after which a fellowship can be studied for.

You will have to undergo intensive education and full-time participation is necessary. Usually first year will have broad memorisation, with the subjects- anatomy, pathology and biochemistry. The classes are divided between classroom and labs which gives theoretical and practical knowledge. You will also be going through clinical rotations while you study. This gives a firsthand experience on how to mingle with the patients and enables a student to diagnose a disease and its probable cause. Before you get the medical degree, you have to pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination test which is considered as board exam. The test will be in three parts which a student takes during his degree. You need to pass in all the three stages in order to gain entry in a residency programme.

Due to the amount of time, costs involved and the effort it requires this may not be for everyone. If you are really passionate about medicine and possess the mental ability to conquer the adversities then only should you decide to take this challenge. However, once you complete it then you will be counted amongst the best which makes it worth it.

The Best Australian Universities To Apply In

The education system of Australia is at par excellence with those of UK and US. We discussed some of the best Australian universities in the last post. Here is a continuation. The courses and programs offered in Australian universities are accredited by professional bodies, certifying development and upholding of standards, finest practice principles, and resources.


University of Western Australia

The University of Western Australia (UWA) (established 1911) is recognized globally as a top university. The UWA constantly ranks in the top 120 global universities and in the top 20 universities in the Asia Pacific region. It is divided into 10 faculties: Architecture, Arts, Business School; Computing, Education; Engineering, Landscape, and Visual Arts; Humanities, and Social Sciences; Mathematics; Natural and Agricultural Sciences; Law; Life and Physical Sciences; Medicine, Dentistry, and Health Sciences; and School of Indigenous Studies. There are more than 20,000 students with over 4,000 international students.

University of Adelaide
Located in Adelaide this was established in 1874 and is the third oldest university in Australia and has been divided into five faculties: Computer, Engineering, Mathematical Sciences; Health Sciences; Humanities and Social Sciences; Faculty of Professions; and Faculty of Sciences with each faculty having subsidiary schools. With four campuses present, this university is spread across the state: Roseworthy College, North Terrace, the Waite Institute, and Wine Centre. Existing student base is 22,000 with more than 6,000 international students.

Monash University

The Monash University was established in  1958 under an act of parliament and is situated in Melbourne. It has a student base of around 60,000 students, from almost 170 countries. It is regarded as the largest university in terms of student body and has 10 faculties: Arts; Art and Design; Business and Economic; Engineering; Education; Information Technology; Law; Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences; Medicine, Nursing, and Health Sciences; and Science.  8 campuses, including 2 international campuses make up the university. It has constantly been ranked among the top 50 global universities.

Macquarie University

The Macquarie University, situated in Sydney, was established in 1964 and is a public teaching and research university. There are four faculties: Arts; Business and Economics; Human Sciences; and Science with around 87 under-graduate and 124 post-graduate courses. The university also boasts of the largest student exchange program in the country. As of 2010, the university had a student body of more than 31,000 students counting more than 10,000 international students and a staff of above 2,100 academics and professionals. It has consistently ranked amongst the top ten Australian universities by different sources.

Queensland University of Technology

The Queensland University of Technology (QUT), established in 1989 is an extremely flourishing Australian university with a functional emphasis in courses and research. The university has been categorised into seven faculties: Creative Industries; Built Environment and Engineering; Business; Education; Health; Law; and Science and Technology. It has a massive student base of more than 40,000 students counting 6,000 international students and over 4,000 staff members. The programs offered at this university are quite high in demand and the graduate employment rate is quite well over the national average for the Australian universities.

So, make a choice of yours and pursue your dream of higher education.

Things You Should Know Before Applying for University Admission in Australia

Australia has a realistic education imparting system with first-class infrastructure and relatively lesser expenses, ranking third after UK and USA as the top choice for students pursuing higher education abroad. Studying here you will not only be gaining quality education but also a multicultural holistic environment where you can mature into a better individual.
If you are applying to Australian universities then you will need to gain some knowledge to make the entire process hassle-free. I will be outlining the applying procedure for you here-

Eligibility
If you want to study in under graduate programs in Australia then you must possess the proper government recognised senior secondary certificate (Australian Senior Secondary Certificate of Education/ equivalent certificate from your country). If you are applying for post graduation degree then you must have the bachelor’s degree of minimum 3 years. Certain post graduation courses may require you to have a 4 year bachelor degree program or relevant work experience as well. Hence, make sure to know the specific eligibility requirements before you apply. 

Pre admission
The university term in Australia commences from early March so you have to start your university hunting a good 12-15 month before the submission of applications. The best way to gain information is to surf the net and draw up a list of your favourite universities and courses. Be thorough in your research, visit the website of each university and lastly prepare a shortlist of the best available choices. If you have any doubts you can clear it by personally interacting with the university.
Application forms
It is always advisable to submit your applications a good 8-12 months before the closing date. You can download and print out the application to keep a regular hard copy with you.

Application requirements
Submit your secondary and higher secondary report along with the transcripts (mark sheets) of finals. You will need your marks to be converted as per the Australian grading system. Ensure that the transcripts should be in English and bundled with original certified copies. Scorecards of IELTS or GMAT must be provided. In case of students going for MBA or doctoral degrees they will need to produce work experience certificates and CV. A personal essay detailing your career aims, interests, extra-curricular activities, the reason for your choice to study the specific course and how you will manage your finances during the stay should be submitted. Letter of recommendation also needs to provided. 

Admission tests
While you are applying to the universities it is advisable to register yourself for all the stipulated admission tests. First, the IELTS exam is the lone English proficiency exam accepted by Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship. Certain universities may waiver the IELTS exam for you if a letter from your former institution proclaims that you have studied in English medium and have satisfactory proficiency in the language. Students who desire to pursue MBA program need to take the Graduate Management Exam which isn’t mandatory but still needed in majority of the colleges.

Why a College Education is Important

The world today is fast paced with technological advances and the job market has become very competitive. It is not surprising that employers want college educated candidates. A college education may be the finest investments of time and money for your career. While workers with a high school education may well secure jobs with good remuneration, it is the college grads that usually fare better by landing higher-level jobs with larger salaries. Also college grads are expected to obtain promotions, receive raises and develop interpretation and communication skillfulness that can be related to their jobs.

Better avenues and Higher Salaries
As technology advances, higher-paying jobs that were previously accessible to high school grads now entail some form of higher education. If you have college degree then several avenues are opened up to you than having a high school diploma does. Those who don’t have educational degrees are more liable to be restricted to basic jobs in service, construction and manufacturing sectors. While the manufacturing sector used to be at the center of our employment market, the trend today is changing to jobs in further sectors which want more definite proficiency. As a result employers are more likely to select candidates with better training and education from the vast number of available candidates.

The U.S. Census Bureau released a 2011 report of American Community Survey (ACS) which stated that people with a bachelor's degree were expected to earn a 40-year lifetime salary of around $2.4 million on an average, while high school grads could only expect a lifetime salary of about $1.4 million (www.census.gov). On average, those who had master's degrees received $2.8 million and those with professional degrees could anticipate life span earnings in surplus of $4 million.

Salaries by Major
The opening salaries of college grads normally surpass those of people who only possess a high school education, even though the subject a student majors in also controls his/her salary prospective. On an average basis a person with college education makes almost twice as much money as a graduate of high school. As per 2011 American Community Survey, people with an engineering bachelor's degree who found work in management could look forward to a lifetime salary of $4.1 million, which was approximately $3 million higher than the regular for those who majored in education and were in public services sector.

Better Life Skills
When attending their classes, college students regularly develop the reasoning dexterity required to make important life decisions, like purchasing a home to helping their kids choose their own college. In reality, college grads are highly likely to have kids who also go to college/university for higher education Other benefits of educational degrees may comprise of better self-discipline, study routine and supportive behaviors which make them successful in their career projects and responsibilities.
It has been evident in the past few years that job market has more opportunities for you if you have college education. You don’t need to look beyond the above facts to conclude that pursuing higher education in colleges in USA is the way to a better life.

The Rising Cost of College Education in USA

In this competitive world of ours college education has become more or less a prerequisite to landing n excellent job. However, many tend to overlook the fact that our nation’s education system is one of the costliest in the world. The costs of attending a four-year college can be a backbreaking experience for an average American family. By the time you have completed your college education there is a high chance that you will be swimming in a sea of debt literally.

According to data released by the College Board, tuition and fees of colleges in USA for one year at a private non-profit college increased almost 4% to $31,231 in 2014. If you chose to turn a blind eye to the inflation factor you would still be losing roughly $125,000 from your pocket over the period of four years. Now, if you're looking to complete your master's program or PhD, you can double the fore-mentioned total before you've completed your degree.

Moreover, looking at the data from Inflationdata.com, the college education inflation rate between 1985 and 2011 was 498.5%, compared to a mere 114.9% for the consumer price index. If college education had increased at a rate proportionate with the CPI, then a single dollar in 1985 would translate to about $2.15 in 2011 -- except based on the real college education inflation rate, each dollar in 1985 would be almost $6 now! Shocking and very depressing you will say but this is the hard truth which is staring at our faces.

Now after going through the data you will be forced to ask the same question which I have been asking - Why are college costs constantly outpacing the inflation rate? After much consideration I have come to the conclusion that it's in fact a convergence of several factors, counting rising faculty and operating costs and the want to refurbish older buildings, purchasing new equipments, and develop by constructing new libraries and research facilities essential to match the pace with a highly progressive digital age.

The conclusion is that college grads these days are being stressed with arduous amounts of arrears- an increasing $1.2 trillion student loan debt is presently outstanding and high school grads are in certain cases just avoiding college on the whole due to the ever more exclusionary costs. This is a highly disconcerting trend that we are experiencing today.

Is there any way of arresting this alarming trend? Is it possible that our college aspirers can achieve their dream of higher education without getting swaddled in debts? In order to find a solution a proper understanding of these impediments blocking the path of brilliant students gaining entry into universities in USA who don’t have the monetary means to attend college is necessary.

There is a ray of hope shining through as two states- Tennessee and Oregon have undertaken a major new program which other states might shortly follow: granting high school grads the chance to attend community college for free! This is a great step towards ensuring college education for all and I hope it is successful.

Is Three Year College A Feasible Idea?

Receiving a college degree has long been regarded as the sure-shot way to realize the American dream. However, that dream is diminishing as working class families fall deeper into shock while trying to pay the ever-increasing tuition. I have come across several education articles and blogs which talk about the need to introduce 3 year college in USA. I must say that the notion is quite attractive and a possible solution to the problem of ballooning student debt. We all know how much expensive it can be when paying tuition fees, boarding expenses, textbooks, etc for straight eight semesters. By the time you are have a college education you are in debts. Now certain schools are planning to introduce and some colleges have started three year bachelor degree courses.

Some may say that schools can compress their four year degree programs into three years. However, that is not a good idea as most of the college students these days require six years to complete a bachelor degree. So, we need a better approach- like revamping the curriculum; reducing the number of electives, shifting to shorter semesters, etc. This is exactly what a few colleges are doing.
The Grace College and Seminary, Baldwin-Wallace College, St. John’s University and Lesley University introduced three-year programs.
At Grace College both the calendar and the curriculum have been revamped to accommodate three-year graduation programs. The students are required to take more, small courses during the semesters of spring and fall. Any credits in the summer are free.

As per the school accounting a student will save up to 50% on college this way. On average, savings will amount to $8,893 for in-state four year public schools students and $30,094 reduction for the ones enrolled in private institutes. Also, students who require financial aid will be spared of a whole year of study loans. In this way the students can enter graduate school sooner instead of entering job market.

Slashing tuition by a quarter means the amount of money students borrow gets reduced. Almost 70% of the people with bachelor degree have student loans with average debt of $29,400.

Those who are skeptical about this should look closer. Several nations follow this system; three-year degree is deemed well enough for institutions like Cambridge and Oxford. Reducing the term to three year not only cuts down the costs but it also can dramatically raise the current low completion rate in colleges in USA. It will not affect the quality of education in any way as some may fear. Our economy has increasing demand of college grads and we need to ensure that we do everything to meet this demand.

This approach will put more pressure on the colleges in USA to control their ballooning tuition fees. It is high time we give our students some break and allow then to pursue their dreams of higher education.

The Rising Cost of College Education in USA

In this competitive world of ours college education has become more or less a prerequisite to landing n excellent job. However, many tend to overlook the fact that our nation’s education system is one of the costliest in the world. The costs of attending a four-year college can be a backbreaking experience for an average American family. By the time you have completed your college education there is a high chance that you will be swimming in a sea of debt literally.

According to data released by the College Board, tuition and fees of colleges in USA for one year at a private non-profit college increased almost 4% to $31,231 in 2014. If you chose to turn a blind eye to the inflation factor you would still be losing roughly $125,000 from your pocket over the period of four years. Now, if you're looking to complete your master's program or PhD, you can double the fore-mentioned total before you've completed your degree.

Moreover, looking at the data from Inflationdata.com, the college education inflation rate between 1985 and 2011 was 498.5%, compared to a mere 114.9% for the consumer price index. If college education had increased at a rate proportionate with the CPI, then a single dollar in 1985 would translate to about $2.15 in 2011 -- except based on the real college education inflation rate, each dollar in 1985 would be almost $6 now! Shocking and very depressing you will say but this is the hard truth which is staring at our faces.

Now after going through the data you will be forced to ask the same question which I have been asking - Why are college costs constantly outpacing the inflation rate? After much consideration I have come to the conclusion that it's in fact a convergence of several factors, counting rising faculty and operating costs and the want to refurbish older buildings, purchasing new equipments, and develop by constructing new libraries and research facilities essential to match the pace with a highly progressive digital age.

The conclusion is that college grads these days are being stressed with arduous amounts of arrears- an increasing $1.2 trillion student loan debt is presently outstanding and high school grads are in certain cases just avoiding college on the whole due to the ever more exclusionary costs. This is a highly disconcerting trend that we are experiencing today.

Is there any way of arresting this alarming trend? Is it possible that our college aspirers can achieve their dream of higher education without getting swaddled in debts? In order to find a solution a proper understanding of these impediments blocking the path of brilliant students gaining entry into universities in USA who don’t have the monetary means to attend college is necessary.

There is a ray of hope shining through as two states- Tennessee and Oregon have undertaken a major new program which other states might shortly follow: granting high school grads the chance to attend community college for free! This is a great step towards ensuring college education for all and I hope it is successful.

A new initiative from TN & OR - Free rides for Students!

We have discussed the rising cost of education in the universities in USA in the last blog. Addressing this alarming problem are the two states- Tennessee and Oregon. In May 2014, Tennessee passed the Tennessee Promise Bill and has become the first state in the nation to offer a free community college education to select students. The impetus was an estimate from the University of Tennessee that 55% of jobs in the state will be requiring a post-secondary diploma by 2025 - and as presently a meager 32% of Tennessee population holds two-year degrees. This path-breaking step has allowed several deserving students the opportunity to attend two years of community or technical college without tuition fees.

Under state Tennessee's free community college program, "Tennessee Promise" scholarships are to be handed out to students who have the ability to maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.0 and whose all other financial aid sources are exhausted. Pell Grants and Tennessee Hope scholarships are a few examples. The aim here is to attract approximately 500,000 high school grads over the next ten years who wouldn’t otherwise have thought of attending college.

Now you are probably wondering how these scholarships are being paid for. The Tennessee Promise scholarships are being supported by $110 million in surplus reserves from the state's lottery and another $47 million donation by the states' General Assembly. In entirety, the average scholarship per student is anticipated to be around $971, although that also comprises of donations received from the in-state Hope scholarships and other probable financial aid.

Now if we talk about the Oregon Promise it will allocate $10 million to no less than 10,000 potential in-state college students, even though the prerequisites to be eligible in Oregon are a bit harder than in Tennessee. The students must be recent graduate with GED or diploma and have minimum of 2.5 GPA. As in Tennessee, students are required to apply for federal and in-state grants first, and then can seek assistance program. Additionally, so as to incentivize student success, the eligible participants must sustain a cumulative GPA of or above 2.5, show acceptable scholastic progress, complete a FAFSA every year, and remain registered at least half time for the three semesters in each academic year. Lastly, all students are required to make a $50 per term co-payment to display their individual pledge to college. The state has started accepting applications in November for the fall session.

Now you may argue that the Oregon promise has certain restrictive requirements but I would like to point out that it is quite a generous middle-dollar scholarship because it is offering minimum benefit of $1000. The students who hail from low-income group will have their tuition covered by federal grants and also cover the college cost outside tuition including transport, nooks, food and housing.

We have the capacity to make tuition fee at public two-year universities and colleges in USA for all those who are motivated to work hard for it and ability to deliver results.