Author: Dilip Oak's Academy

Now get GRE Ready at your own pace with Oak’s GRE Self-Prep

Dilip Oak's Academy

Now gear up to prepare for the GRE at your own pace, from anywhere, anytime with Oak’s newly launched GRE Self-Prep: a 100% online self-paced learning module designed especially for Indian students.

After the resounding success of our online batches with live lectures, we have developed the GRE Self-Prep with the idea of providing a complete coaching experience to students sitting anywhere across the world at their convenience.

The GRE Self-Prep comprises:

Video Lessons

  • 22+ hours of video lessons for Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing
  • Key concepts
  • Topic-specific drills
  • Exclusive Analytical essay writing drills
  • Basic Math practice drills
  • Math formulae
  • Video modules with interactive transcripts for better understanding
  • Progress Tracking for self-assessment
    • Viewed status
    • Mark as Finished
    • My Notes

Focused Practice

  • Reinforce your understanding by solving the focused practice sets which include:
    • Topic-wise questions for the Quantitative Aptitude Section.
    • Specific question types for the Verbal Reasoning Section.
  • 600+ questions on the Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude sections combined.
  • Bookmark questions and take notes to help you focus on your problem areas.

Mixed Practice

  • 1700+ questions with explanatory answers
  • Focus on your target areas with our customized practice by choosing from our practice sessions. Choose from question types and topics, timed/untimed sessions, difficulty levels.
  • Customize your practice sessions by choosing from a variety of options like question types, topics, difficulty level, etc.

Timed and Untimed Practice Modes

  • Untimed mode to give you a good grasp of the techniques.
  • Timed quiz mode to train you to complete the questions in time.

In-depth Explanatory Answers

  • Detailed explanations, covering all crucial points for every question.

Personalized Dashboard

  • Track your Progress, access all features and get an instant analysis of your performance
  • Bookmark questions and take notes to help you focus on your problem areas.

Full-Length Tests

Timed full-length tests according to the ETS pattern.

AWM Essays: Personalized feedback and scoring as per the ETS 6-point scale.

Explanatory Review: Detailed explanations for every single question.

Detailed Analysis: Question-wise analysis to gauge strengths and weaknesses.

Vocabulary Module

In-built vocabulary module in Focused and Mixed Practice that allows you to

  • View the meaning and sample sentence for the difficult words used in each question or passage
  • Mark the words based on the difficulty level and status
  • Track difficult words at any time

So without further ado, check out our GRE Self-Prep packages HERE, and avail of all the learning features at the best price! 

As India’s leading Study Abroad Consultant, Dilip Oak’s Academy offers a comprehensive suite of admission counseling services that can guide you through the entire process from Shortlisting Universities to Visa Counseling. With our expertise, we have successfully sent 32,000 students to various prestigious American universities like MIT, Stanford, Cornell, and Carnegie Mellon. We also offer classroom and online coaching for GRE, TOEFL, and IELTS, as well as GRE Self Prep. To explore our services, book a free consultation or call us at 91-20-67444222.

How to secure funding and scholarships from American universities

Dilip Oak's Academy

Every year, thousands of international students apply for a master’s degree in the US, majorly because the US education system offers well-structured programs, research opportunities, exposure, and most importantly, funding opportunities. US universities are very generous and provide a lot of financial assistance in the form of full funding, scholarships, or RA/TA/GA.

In this blog, we will discuss the 7 important criteria that you need to consider in order to avail scholarships and funding. If you are currently in the application process for fall 2022 and you meet most of the criteria, you can still apply for scholarships. If you are aiming for fall 2023, this is the right time to start ticking each of these criteria and make your profile ready for securing funding. 

A high GPA: Students should have a consistently high academic record throughout the bachelor’s program (75% and above/GPA of 9.0 and above).

Paper presentations: Students who have a strong research aptitude and have published papers in nationally and internationally recognized journals and conferences, have high chances of securing full funding. At Dilip Oak’s Academy, one of our students, who presented three papers in international forums including Italy and the USA, received full funding for PhD in Computer Architecture from Georgia Tech, Ohio State, and Yale University.

Location: This is a very important factor that students often miss out on, while applying to universities. The majority of students apply to universities in the states of California, New York, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Michigan, Texas, Illinois, etc. Due to a very large application pool, getting financial aid from universities in these states is difficult. But if they were to apply to universities in the states of Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, New Mexico, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Idaho etc. their chances of getting aid would be higher because the number of applicants is relatively low. The quality of education in these universities is equally good.

Professors: Students need to thoroughly research all the professors of the universities they plan to apply to. One can directly find them on university websites or (add name) study their work, their experience and interest, get in touch with them, and see if they are ready to offer any assistantship. Of course, applicants need to have a very strong academic background to receive a positive response from the professors.

GRE score: Along with other factors, the GRE score is also important. A GRE score above 320 (preferably above 330) maximizes your chances of securing funding.

SOPs and LORs: The Statement of Purpose plays a crucial role in securing financial assistance. Students need to ensure that their SOP brings out their intent, their story, their passion and why they deserve to receive funding. Similarly, strong recommendations from professors, project guides, or team lead (for working professionals) makes a strong impact on the application.

Relevant work experience: A relevant work experience of at least two years acts as a testament to one’s skills and commitment to the field and convinces the admissions committee that the applicant is a deserving candidate for a scholarship/funding.

For detailed assistance on the application process, university selection, drafting SOPs and LORs and planning your MS in the US, join our admission counseling today!

Co-curricular activities that strengthen your application

Dilip Oak's Academy

For those of you who want to pursue higher studies abroad, it is time to focus on preparing a strong application and considering all the key aspects required to strengthen your profile, including co-curricular activities. 

Especially for those of you applying for undergraduate programs, your co-curricular and extra-curricular activities carry equal weight along with your academic and SAT scores. For the master’s program, your co-curricular activities will definitely set you apart.

Here are a few important co-curricular activities you can highlight and work on, to strengthen your profile: 

Undergraduate Applicants

  • School Headboy/girl, Class Prefect, House Captain, Model United Nations (MUN) speaker 
  • Editor or writer for college newsletters and magazines 
  •  Participation in Science clubs and projects
  •  Inter-class and inter-school competitions and state/national level competitions, elocution, etc.
  • Self-driven projects, seminars, and workshops 

Graduate Applicants

  • Technical quizzes during college fests
  • Filing for patents
  • Articles contributed for academic publication, state/national level technical competitions 
  • Seminars and projects 
  • Internship/ apprenticeship 

For detailed guidance on building your profile and going about the application process, enrol for our admission counselling services today! We provide thorough guidance on drafting of SOPs, selection of universities, application essays, and visa counselling. 

4 ways to deal with low GPA and still get into a good American university

Dilip Oak's Academy

A consistently high GPA in your Bachelor’s degree is one of the important requirements to get into good American universities. But what happens if your GPA is low? Do you still have a chance to get into a good university?

Of course, yes.

American universities have a very holistic approach to a student’s profile and apart from your academic credentials, they consider several other factors including your GRE score before confirming your admission.

So if you have a low GPA, here are the things you need to work upon and highlight in order to make your application impressive:

A good GRE score: Though a lot of universities are waiving off the GRE, we recommend you to take the GRE and aim for a high score (above 320) because a good GRE score definitely adds value to your application and testifies of your strong reasoning and analytical skills that are required for getting RA, GA and TA. To improve your GRE score or prepare for the GRE, avail of our GRE coaching services and enroll for our next GRE batch here.

Strong SoP & LORs: A Statement of Purpose (SOP) is your key tool to enhance your application. It is your only chance to communicate your goals to the admissions committee. Therefore, make sure that your SOP that compels the committee to look at you as a “value addition” to their organization. Under our admission counselling services, we provide personal sessions with our SOP counsellors and help you draft a winning SOP.

Also make sure that you get recommendation letters from professors or project guides under whom you have studied at least for a semester or worked on a project as well as employer you have worked for, for at least a year. This helps to build credibility and impress the admissions committee.

Work Experience: More than on-paper scores, American universities are interested in knowing your practical knowledge of subjects and application skills. A relevant work experience, either an internship or a job, will demonstrate your skills, agility, and ability to work in a dynamic environment.

Co-curricular activities: Projects and paper presentations add a lot of value to your application. Make sure that you’ve worked on strong projects, and presented papers in nationally and internationally recognized seminars and reputed publications.

Top 5 Reasons to Pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in the USA

Dilip Oak's Academy

The last few years have seen an increasing number of Indian students pursuing bachelor’s degrees in America. This trend has been strengthened by the increasing economic power of families who now want their children to benefit from the high-quality education that is available in America. For this reason, many professionals and those in business or top corporate positions are now sending their children to join American bachelor’s programs.

This trend has been further boosted by the fact that even parents who are not financially very strong can still afford an American education because their children can get tuition waivers and scholarships if they have exceptional academic credentials and high scores in the SAT, ACT or AP exams.

But what else makes getting a bachelor’s degree in America a good choice?

Tough Competition in India

Getting admission to top-ranked Indian institutions like the IITs, BITS, and NITs is now even more difficult than it used to be. Around 10 lakh students appear for the entrance examinations for these institutions but, only 11,300 secure admissions to the IITs, 19,000 to the NITs and 380 to BITS. This amounts to a total of 30,000 students, which comes to hardly 3% of the total number of applicants. As a result, other intelligent and above-average students who often miss getting admission by very narrow margins have to take admission into local colleges which do not provide the same level of facilities as the elite institutions. Nevertheless, it is still possible for such students to get admission to even some of the best US universities which offer high educational standards and world-class facilities.

American Education can be Affordable

As mentioned above, students who get high SAT scores (more than 1400 out of 1600) and have good academic records in standards 9, 10, 11 and 12 (if available), can get tuition waivers and scholarships from good American universities. In addition, campus jobs as tour guides, library assistants, food court and front desk staff and other such positions pay enough to take care of living expenses. This makes education in America can be affordable.

Academic Flexibility

In India, you are required to select your desired branch of study (e.g. Mechanical, Electrical or, Computer Science) right at the beginning of your bachelor’s degree and then, you cannot change your field of study.  However, in the US, you are allowed to take general courses and study different subjects of your choice in the first one or two years. Then, in the second or third year, you can select your specialization from a broad range of programs. The initial exposure you gain in the first two years of your course allows you to make an informed decision regarding which specializations to take up. You can also take a dual degree, e.g. as an engineering student, you can also take economics as your minor and graduate with both the degrees, an advantage that you do not have in India.

Updated Courses and the State-of-the-art Labs

With curricula updated according to the latest trends in education and industry, US universities offer students excellent exposure. The courses focus on practical skills and in-depth application, and research labs are well-equipped. This means that graduates from American universities are always among the best-trained in the market which increases their chances of securing good jobs anywhere in the world.

To help you get started with your preparation, we offer SAT Coaching  and also Admission Counseling through which we provide guidance on selection of universities, application essays and visa counselling.

Our next SAT batch starts 8th January 2022. Enroll Now and get started with your prep!

10 commonly asked questions about score reporting for GRE, IELTS & TOEFL

Dilip Oak's Academy
Score Reporting for GRE, IELTS & TOEFL

The application season for Fall 2022 is at its peak, and we know that many students have doubts about sending free and additional scores to the universities. Here’s what our experts at the Academy have to say about the most common questions on score reporting for the GRE/IELTS/TOEFL tests.  

1. What is free score reporting? 

At the time of the GRE and TOEFL tests, you can mention the names of four universities and its departments for sending scores as a part of your test fee without any additional charges. It is called free score reporting. Likewise, at the time of the IELTS test, you can mention the names of five universities for free score reporting. 

2. How much will it cost to apply to universities other than the four mentioned for free score reporting? 

If you apply to universities other than these four, you will have to request additional score reports by paying charges to ETS, Princeton. The additional score report for GRE will cost $27, and for the TOEFL, it will cost you $20 per university. 

3. What is the additional score reporting fee for the IELTS? 

The additional score report for IELTS will cost you Rs 250 (for online) and Rs 1500 (by courier through IDP website)

4. When should I send my test scores to the universities? 

Once you have finalized the universities, send your score reports. They take around 7 to 15 days to reach the universities so you need to send them well before the deadlines.

5. Do I need to send my scores to universities offering GRE waivers? 

No, you need not send your scores officially but you can upload the score card with the online applications.

6. Should I send the GRE score report directly to the university or through the ETS? 

Some universities ask you to upload a scorecard at the time of the application and once you receive the admits, they ask you to submit the scores through the official ETS website.  

7. How to send the score reports of the TOEFL? 

For the TOEFL, the majority of the universities require you to submit the scores only through the official ETS website. 

8. How long are my GRE scores reportable? 

The GRE scores are reportable for five years following the test date. 9.

9. How can I order additional score reports? 

Additional score reports can be ordered either online, through your official ETS account, by mail, or by fax. 

10. Can I pay for these score reports through a debit card or online transfer?

Yes, you can pay through Credit Card, Debit Card, and PayPal. But we recommend you to pay through Credit Card.  

For any additional questions or guidance related to sending your scores, filling out the applications, and financial documentation, you can seek help from our experts by enrolling for our admission counselling services today! You can also drop us an email at support@dilipoakacademy.com and we will get back to you! 

As India’s leading Study Abroad Consultant, Dilip Oak’s Academy offers a comprehensive suite of admission counseling services that can guide you through the entire process from Shortlisting Universities to Visa Counseling. With our expertise, we have successfully sent 32,000 students to various prestigious American universities like MIT, Stanford, Cornell, and Carnegie Mellon. We also offer classroom and online coaching for GRE, TOEFL, and IELTS, as well as GRE Self Prep. To explore our services, book a free consultation or call us at 91-20-67444222. 

Top 10 Trending MS Specializations in the USA

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Are you planning to pursue a Master’s Degree in the USA? Are you confused between the many specializations available? Do you need guidance on which specialization would best suit your interest and align with the most flourishing fields in the USA?

Then this blog is for you. Read on to get a quick insight into the top 10 trending specializations across the most popular fields in the USA and improve your chances of landing the best job upon completing your Masters.

Top Ten Trending MS Specialisations in the USA

Computer Science

1) Artificial Intelligence

2) Machine Learning

3) Robotics

Mechanical Engineering

4) Mechatronics

5) Robotics

Electrical Engineering

6) Artificial Intelligence

7) Embedded Systems

8) Machine Learning

9) Robotics

10) VLSI

For detailed guidance on choosing the right major and the right university, enroll for our Admission Counselling services today! We provide thorough guidance on drafting of SOPs, selection of universities, application essays, and visa counselling. 

 To help you get started with your preparation, we also offer GRE Coaching, TOEFL Coaching, and IELTS Coaching.

Advantages of Pursuing a Master’s Degree in Germany

Dilip Oak's Academy

Here are top five reasons to pursue a Masters in Germany:

1. No tuition fees: The greatest advantage of pursuing your Masters in Germany is that international students do not have to pay tuition fees since higher education in Germany is mostly funded by the state government. However, some universities charge a nominal semester fee and a small number private universities charge a tuition fee which is nevertheless very low compared to those charged by other countries.  

2. Industry-based specializations: Germany offers degree programs in very specialized fields such as Mechatronics, Commercial Vehicle Technology and, Advanced Signal Processing that are designed in keeping with industry trends. This increases your chances of getting high-paid jobs across diverse sectors. 

3. Quality education and internationally recognized degrees: German universities are known for their world-class education in terms of the advanced infrastructure, updated curricula and quality scientific research that they offer. A majority of these universities have affiliations with industry which helps students get internships and job opportunities after completing their courses in Germany as well as other countries in the European Union.  

4. Low living costs: Compared to other European countries, living costs in Germany are very low. Students also get concessions for housing and public transport.

5. Job opportunities: Germany offers a large number of jobs in technical fields and in Information Technology. After completing their Master’s degree, students can extend their visa for up to 18 months to find a job. They can also take up paid internships while studying. Indian students can also take up the on- and off-campus jobs for 150 full days or 240 half days. As mentioned above, students can also get good jobs in the European Union.

To help you get started with your preparation, we offer GRE Coaching, TOEFL Coaching, IELTS Coaching, and also Admission Counseling through which we provide guidance on the selection of universities, application essays, and visa counseling. 

Eligibility Requirements for Master’s Programs in Germany

Dilip Oak's Academy

1. Academic credentials

A majority of German universities require you to have completed 16 years of formal education (i.e. 12+4), i.e. a four-year Bachelor’s degree before going for MS. This is applicable to all students with a technical background in Engineering, Pharmacy, Architecture, and so on. For other fields like Arts, Management, and Computer Science, students are required to complete 17 years of education (i.e. 12+3+2).

German universities have a very high cut-off percentage. Hence, you need to have a minimum of 70% to 75% in your degree course or an equivalent CGPA of 7.5 to 8.5.

If you are planning to pursue an MS in Business Management, Finance, and Business Analytics, you are required to have relevant work experience of a minimum of 1 to 3 years.

2. Qualifying examinations

TOEFL or IELTS: English Language Proficiency Test scores are mandatory for programs taught in English. A minimum band score of 6.5 to 7 in IELTS or a score of 85+ in TOEFL is required by a majority of German universities. At Dilip Oaks Academy, we offer TOEFL and  IELTS coaching along with rigorous practice sessions and mock tests. (hyperlink underlined words)

GRE: a majority of German universities do not require GRE scores. However, some of the top universities, known as TU-9 universities, do require a GRE score. We recommend that you take the GRE if you aim to get into one of the TU-9 universities. Our  GRE Coaching will enable you to thoroughly prepare for the GRE. (hyperlink underlined words)

German Language: Some programs taught in English may require German Language proficiency certified up to the A1 or A2 level. Some universities may even require proficiency certified up to the B1 level.

We also offer Admission Counseling through which we provide guidance on the selection of universities, application essays, and visa counseling. 

Eligibility Requirements for MS Programs in Canada

Dilip Oak's Academy

1. Academic credentials

A majority of Canadian universities require you to have completed 16 years of education (12+4), i.e. a four-year Bachelor’s degree before applying for MS. This is applicable for students from technical backgrounds like Engineering, Pharmacy, and Architecture. For non-technical fields like Arts and Management, a student is required to complete 17 years of education (12+3+2).

Canadian universities have a very high cut-off percentage. Hence, you need to have a minimum of 70% to 75% in your degree course and an equivalent CGPA of a minimum of 7.5 to 8.5. Top universities especially, give a lot of emphasis on your performance in the last two years (i.e. the 3rd & 4th years) of your degree course.

If you are planning to pursue an MS in Business Management, Finance, or Business Analytics, you are required to have relevant work experience of minimum 1 to 3 years.

2. Qualifying examinations

TOEFL or IELTS: certain minimum English Language Proficiency Test scores are mandatory for admission to Canadian universities. A minimum IELTS band score of 6.5 to 7 or a minimum TOEFL score of 85+ is required by a majority of Canadian universities. At Dilip Oaks Academy, we offer  TOEFL coaching and  IELTS coaching along with rigorous practice sessions and mock tests.

3. GRE: Though a majority of universities in Canada do not require GRE scores, some of the top universities do, and so we recommend that you give your GRE if you aim to get into one of these universities. Our GRE Coaching will help you thoroughly prepare for the GRE exam. (hyperlink underlined words to GRE landing page)

We also offer Admission Counseling (hyperlink to Admission Counseling Masters in Canada page) through which we provide guidance on the selection of universities, application essays, and visa counseling. 

Advantages of Pursuing a Master’s Degree in Canada

Dilip Oak's Academy

With its international student population touching 6.4 lakhs this year, Canada has become the 3rd most popular destination for foreign students, especially Indians, who constitute 34% of this number. Since 2014, the Indian student population in Canada has grown by a massive 350%.  Premier but affordable education, internationally recognized degrees, and opportunities for Permanent Residency have led a large number of students to apply for Master’s degrees in Canada. Additionally, its small population of 37 million, and the steady growth of its economy have opened up multiple job avenues over the last decade, especially in the provinces of Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec, making them the most sought-after areas to settle in.

Here are the top six reasons why you should pursue a Masters in Canada:

1. Quality education and internationally recognized degrees: Canada is home to around 30 high-ranked universities offering degrees that are internationally recognized as equivalent to corresponding degrees earned in the US. These universities have highly qualified professors, mostly doctorates, with enormous experience in their fields.

2. Affordable tuition fees and living costs: compared to American universities, Canadian universities have a very affordable fee structure; in fact, their fees are the lowest of all English-speaking countries. This is because the Canadian dollar is much cheaper than the US dollar and the Euro. Further, living costs – the total housing, food, and other expenses – usually do not exceed 1,000 CAD per month which can be covered by on-campus jobs. Students can also apply for full-time jobs during summer and winter breaks and earn enough to cover their tuition costs.

3. Easy immigration and PR laws: unlike the US, there is no annual quota for work permits in Canada.  Also, under the new system, international graduates from Canadian programs of study can obtain up to 30 additional CRS points which count towards getting a Permanent Residency.

4. Job opportunities: the Canadian university curriculum is designed to meet the changing demands of the industry. So by the time students finish their master’s studies, they are well-placed to land good jobs and generally manage to do so within 6 months of completing their course.

5. Research-based education:  Canada ranks 4th in the world for the quality of its scientific research and Canadian universities actively encourage students to carry out research. Companies and government institutions in Canada also extend their support to Canadian universities by organizing learning programs and workshops for their students. The University of Toronto and the University of British Columbia have been recognized as the best Canadian universities due to the high impact of their research.

6. Cultural diversity:  Canada has rich ethnic and cultural diversity. Universities also conduct a number of cultural programs that help students to develop a broader global perspective.

To help you get started with your preparation, we offer GRE Coaching, TOEFL Coaching, IELTS Coaching, and also Admission Counseling through which we provide guidance on the selection of universities, application essays, and visa counseling. 

Eligibility Requirements for MS and PhD programs in the USA

Dilip Oak's Academy
MS and PhD programs in the USA

In order to pursue a MS and PhD programs in the USA, you need to meet the following academic and English language requirements:

Academic credentials:

A majority of American universities require you to have completed 16 years of education (12+4). So, complete a four-year Bachelor’s degree before applying for the master’s program. This is applicable for students from technical backgrounds like Engineering, Pharmacy, and Architecture. For non-technical fields like Arts and Management, students must complete 17 years of education (12+3+2).

A good GRE score:

The GRE (Graduate Record Examination) is a standardized aptitude test that assesses a student’s verbal and mathematical ability. The GRE, which is scored out of 340, is an internet-based test and can be taken throughout the year. The score is valid for five years and a minimum score of 300 is strongly recommended.

The minimum required TOEFL or IELTS score:

Since our native language is not English, we need to show that we have the minimum required English language skills to pursue graduate programs in America. For this purpose, you can take the TOEFL, which is scored out of 120. Most good American universities require a score of 80+ in TOEFL. You can also take the IELTS, another English proficiency examination, which is scored on a scale of 9. Most universities require a band score of at least 6.5 in IELTS.

Explore our numerous blogs on GRE Quantitative Reasoning and GRE Verbal Reasoning and pursuing education in the USA.

Good academic performance:

Your academics are as important as your GRE score. To get admission in good MS and PhD programs, you should have a consistently good academic record in all four years of your degree course. As far as possible avoid backlogs and year-downs.

Curricular and co-curricular accomplishments:

When applying for MS and PhD programs in the USA, American universities give weightage to the projects and seminars you have done as part of your course. They also consider co-curricular activities such as the publication of papers in nationally and internationally recognized journals and participation in conferences. Take up internships, whether paid or unpaid, to gain practical experience and boost your profile.

Relevant work experience:

Relevant work experience increases your chances of getting admission to good universities and securing good jobs after you have completed your MS.

As India’s leading Study Abroad Consultant, Dilip Oak’s Academy offers a comprehensive suite of services, including GRE, TOEFL, and IELTS coaching, as well as GRE Self Prep. Furthermore, our admission counseling services can guide you through the entire process from Shortlisting Universities to Visa Counseling. With our expertise, we have successfully sent 32,000 students to various prestigious American universities like MIT, Stanford, Cornell, and Carnegie Mellon. To enroll in our comprehensive overseas education consultancy services, book a free consultation or call us at 91-20-67444222.