'Indian students do very well in U.S.'

By V.Geetanath

HYDERABAD, DEC. 6. Once, it was like a dream going abroad for higher studies. Only a privileged few managed to go overseas to England or the United States but much has changed over the years. It is estimated that over 40,000 students from India opt to study in the US every year, especially in the technical and management courses.

Yet, there is always an information gap with many prospective students not being aware of the courses that are available, where to apply and how to do it. Browsing the Internet is a good alternative but many would like to have a personalised approach.

Besides, additional information on medical facilities, housing, where to go for holidays, and nitty-gritties are not available. This is where `The Presidents' Network Inc'., comes in.

The network has been formed by 91 college and university presidents representing 34 States offering free services in recruitment of international students, processing applications, file preparation, credential evaluation about distance learning, off-campus housing and travel.

It was started in 1994 for students within US and later expanded for the international network for generating funds to the varsities and providing service to international students flocking to the US at the rate of 320,000 per annum from all over the world!

Dr. Mark L. Hopkins, Executive Director, The President's Network Inc. was in Hyderabad recently for conducting a seminar in association with `Campus Abroad', the overseas educational counsellors and promoters. Dr. Hopkins says universities in the United States have a special liking for Indian students as "they invariably do well in the test scores, work hard and being proficient in English is a major plus point".

He goes on: "Indians students are very well prepared because the educational institutions here are very strong, particularly technical education. They seem to be natural with mathematics". Moreover, they would not feel out of place anymore because in California and Silicon Valley, every third person is an Oriental. "Go to Seattle or Silicon Valley, probably there are more number of Indians more than anywhere else outside India," he exclaims.

"India has to be proud of its students and its institutions but I realise they are not always sure and wondering what to do next," he comments. Annually, President helps 1,800 international students to come to US and out of them, 1,100 are from India.

Dr. Hopkins, who himself worked as a professor, dean and president of a college says as many as 500 undergraduate and 200 graduate courses were available in this network in 56 colleges and varsities where Indians are enrolled.

"We act as the funnel in helping students qualify by giving as much information as they need. But, finally it is upto the student to decide what course to pursue and in which college," he explains.

During the course of the seminar here, he found there was also a heavy demand from the medical community as in hospital administration and also in pure sciences. Transcripts from an accredited college or high school, TOEFEL scores (500 for UGs and 550 for Gs), GRE score of 1,530 or GMAT score of 530 or the SAT score of 1,000 or above were the minimal requirements for a prospective student.

The student should also provide for supporting himself financially for one full year. "Don't come expecting scholarships it will only end in disappointments," he warns. International students probably get misled by the college brochures which mention about scholarships and assistantships not being aware that this information is for the benefit of American students only. Financial assistance could be expected from second year onwards, he says.

"We talk to everybody and lead the international student till he or she reaches the university without charging a pie," he adds. More information can be obtained by reaching him direct at presnet@presnet.net or the website at http://www.netcom.com/presnet?. Or, through the Campus Abroad offices at campus@vsnl.com.

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