The Indian Thread #21 - Page 80

anvesh95 · 10-23-2012, 09:56 AM

Hey,

I don't get it. you moved to India just because it's easier to get a degree than America? Wow man, there are people who are working crazily to go to the US from here. No one studies because it'll be easier to get a degree or something, they study to learn. Also, the colleges in the US give you an experience that are an opportunity of a lifetime.

And about tedious, I don't quite agree. It's tedious here too. It's just that your grades and stuff don't really matter as much, so no one gives a ****. People don't care about getting good grades. Work wise, if you actually want to get 90-95%, you have to study like ****.

inayath · 10-23-2012, 10:41 AM

No doubt the colleges in the US give you an opportunity. Let's get out of this righteous state and step into reality for a bit, a reality you can't ignore and is pretty accurate..

It's far easier to get a BE in India and I'm sure there is not even debate to this. The academic requirements needed are far less compared to there. People are working crazily because they don't have an easy opportunity as I do in regards to just going there. I'm sure you're well aware that the problem isn't in the admission itself but it's in the visa. So that makes one thing clear.

Next lets be honest, I assume you're Indian just like me? It's INDIA man! Do you know how many kids get pressured to study to become a doctor or an Engineer. How aren't you aware of this? The Indian mentality is just a disgrace I tell you, and not to say this in an offensive way because I'm apart of it. Students get pressured to becoming all these things, most parents want their kids to be engineers, doctors, things of that nature. It's always study, study, study. I'm digressing into a different topic but my point is saying that NO ONE studies because it'll be easier to get a degree or because the degree is prestigious or something of that nature and they do it to learn like you said is preposterous. There are plenty who are willingly learning and all but definitely not all.

BE itself is a tedious process there. You need systematic hard work there, I'll tell you point blank honestly people who score 90% and such just apply themselves during exams. Like a week before internals and 2-3 weeks before externals and they get those scores. In America it's not like that at all, being able to complete it in 4 years is just an accomplishment on its own.

dasadhikarik · 10-23-2012, 12:03 PM

You don't have to work crazily to get into the US schools that Indian students typically get into. Superficially, it might look as though ALL of the indian students applying get into HYPSM and other top schools. Statistically, not more than 200 people do each year--and whether you even need to work crazily to get into these schools is debatable. Everyone in America agrees it's a crap-shoot, so whether you're in or not in the end has little to do with hard work and more to do with the fact that you fit the exact criteria that those top schools are looking for in that particular year. Other places, like the Public Ivies, are much more relaxed. Just get a good 2100+ SAT score (which, on its own, is not tough), keep everything over a B, write a decent essay when the time comes, and you should be ok. Public schools focus much less on extra-curriculars and all that other hogwash. They're there to give the middle-class an education in the more demanded subjects (engineering, science, med, etc.).

I agree with inayath when he says there are plenty who are willingly learning but definitely not all. For some reason, Indians are desperate to leave India, and when NRIs try to go back to India, everyone is suspicious about it (to the point where they completely scrap the IIT quota for NRIs). I heard from my dad (who is an IIT Madras alum) recently that they will be changing the IIT-JEE to reflect the general high school curriculum more, rather than all the supplementary material you get for a fee from cram schools and such. This is a good move, as it will allow NRIs such as myself a greater chance on the JEE in the future. I wish it had happened sooner. You must know that not ALL Indians want to escape India. This is not a case of them being slackers; it's just that studying abroad is an expensive hassle, so if you can avoid it and end up with a degree you are happy with, why not?

fall2016parent · 10-23-2012, 01:25 PM

Quote:

For some reason, Indians are desperate to leave India, and when NRIs try to go back to India, everyone is suspicious about it (to the point where they completely scrap the IIT quota for NRIs).

I had to laugh at this but it is true, grass is always greener on the other side. A lot of NRI do long or wait for an opportunity to go back. It is a pity that people have to get out of the country , to appreciate what they left behind.

ledzeppyguy · 10-23-2012, 03:02 PM

Hey guys I know I'm late... very very late, infact 1189 posts late... can I still join the party?

anvesh95 · 10-24-2012, 02:01 AM

Yes I agree with what you said, I just didn't agree with the fact that you moved to India since it's easier to get a degree here. I wouldn't do that. Only reason I'd move here is because if I wanted to do medicine.

I also lived in California, Bay Area, from 1996 to 2010. Where did you live?

anialways · 10-24-2012, 02:58 AM

Sure the grass is always greener on the other side. Also one must take into account the opportunities and exposure. So at the end of the day, it is also a question of choices. I do not know how many will agree with me on this. After all leaving your country at the age of 17/18/19 to pursue a college degree requires along with credentials a state of mind, which says "I am open to challenges of different people, environment, academia style, living conditions, food, language, culture, life style....." Basically ready to step out of my Comfort zone.

inayath · 10-24-2012, 06:22 AM

I lived in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois all the way up until 2009(high school grad). Then came here for engineering. I'm hoping like the above user said I can use this to my advantage. Right now currently looking at grad schools hoping I land a good one although my engineering percentage is only about 60%.

dasadhikarik · 10-25-2012, 08:08 AM

I'm not too sure that even for me, living outside India, the grass is greener in India, but I do know that the grass is CHEAPER in India; and since, in the end, it doesn't matter what kind of grass you're eating, might as well eat the cheaper kind if you can live with it.

anialways · 10-25-2012, 10:10 AM

So like I said earlier, at the end of the day, it is also a question of choices. And you have the right to disagree whether it is cheaper or greener whatever you want it to be. And I respect that. Good for you.

inayath · 11-03-2012, 05:00 PM

A question for those applying for graduate studies or were admitted. What GPA would a 60% percentage equate to?

orangeflower7 · 11-04-2012, 05:21 PM

hi everyone, I go to college in NY, but can someone who has studied engineering in college in India & US tell me which one was harder & which one was more fun. Where did you have more friends & better experience? Which one has better professors? Tell me everything about your experiences!

phr34k · 11-04-2012, 06:28 PM

I have experience in both the education systems. I was in a college in India doing my studies in Economics, but then I quit and came here. I agree with what Anvesh is saying. The main reason I left was the rigid, non bending education system in India. I couldn't decide what I wanted to study, I didn't have the liberty to do anything apart from choosing an elective sometime. India has a lot to catch up in terms of designing its curriculum. I agree that it's not easy, but I had an opportunity to go elsewhere.

Here in US the education is so much more different. You have the liberty to do anything you wish to and study however you feel like, take even two non related majors. If you truly want to enjoy learning, India is not the place for you. Also, India is anything but easy (in case of engineering). Trve, that here, in senior and junior years things get a bit hard, but then the courses are engaging and you don't mind putting the long hours needed for studies, because you enjoy it. In India, things get a LOT harder LOT faster.

orangeflower7 · 11-04-2012, 10:34 PM

Thanks for the answer, phr34k! What about extracurriculars & friends? How was that different in India & US? The reasons I am asking is because my parents want me to finish college in India!!! I just started college in NY & I find it a bit boring! Maybe its because I am doing engineering or maybe because my college is like that! Aren't the college students in India very fun people?

fall2016parent · 11-05-2012, 01:28 AM

Quote:

hi everyone, I go to college in NY, but can someone who has studied engineering in college in India & US tell me which one was harder & which one was more fun. Where did you have more friends & better experience? Which one has better professors? Tell me everything about your experiences!

Are you in undergrad or grad program? I can only tell you my experience 20+ years back. Undergrad in India (being in same culture) is a definite plus. Yes, it was a lot of fun and lots of friends in hostel. Still in touch. Coming to america as a graduate student, the culture is very different. Some can adjust to it faster than others. As for professors, I think, are good and bad both places. More TA's in the US at the undergrad level, much much bigger class size.
India was better in that respect. Research opportunities as a graduate student was better in america. Again, all these experiences are from 20+ years back. Students seem to adjust better these days ..(world is much more integrated due to the internet/technology era)..

What college do you go to in NY? You should try to join the international or the indian associations and that may help you to adjust and have some common extra curriculars/activities that you are familar with. I remember the guys used to have their own cricket club or join one in the area.

As far as Engineering in concerned, if you are in a reputable program in India, the undergrad courses are pretty similar but maybe more research opportunites exist here for students who want to take that on. Also yes, you can take electives or inter-disciplinary subjects are more flexible here. But on the other hand, the expense is 10 times more..so the more extra stuff you take, you are spending all this extra money and students then take 6 years to graduate and complain. So in that sense, I think India engineering has its advantages.