us economy

Is This the Best Time to Pursue a Master’s Degree in the US?

Dilip Oak's Academy

With their impeccable quality of education, well-designed coursework and on-campus placement programs offered by the US universities, the US is one of the most sought destinations for higher education. Why US? (read blog). But the current uncertain economic scenario has posed many questions for these prospective graduate students, thus making it difficult for them to decide their future plans. Let us try to address these concerns:

Is the US on the verge of recession?

Recession alarms are being sounded in the US, predicting an economic downfall and, consequently, an increase in unemployment. According to statistical reports, in January 2022, the unemployment rate in America was 4%. which currently is 3.7%. In fact, it has been consistent in recent months, and the Fed is making efforts to ensure that it does not exceed 4%. More specifically, the tech unemployment rate is only 2.1%, indicating a continuous demand for technical skills. Technical jobs have always dominated the job market. So pursuing a graduate program to make yourself technically proficient will help you easily secure these job opportunities.

Layoff/Hiring freezes by tech giants:

This year has witnessed many layoffs and hiring freezes by companies like Facebook, Twitter etc., to implement cost-cutting. Marc Zuckerberg explained the reason for this extreme step in his message to the Meta employees. According to him, the online market had received a boost during the pandemic, and the surge was expected to continue. Consequently, huge investments were made; however, the returns were below expectations, thus resulting in economic losses. Moreover, various cost-cutting strategies implemented to combat these losses were inadequate, leading to downsizing and suspension of new hiring. Of course, the other companies could have a similar reasoning, but should this affect your decision to pursue a graduate program?

Even amidst these adverse circumstances, the available data shows that the aggregate demand for technical expertise is still strong enough to counterbalance the slowing economy. Nonetheless, this is the correct time to equip yourself with the latest skill set so you will have an edge over your peers when the scene changes.

Is there inflation in the US?

Post the 2008 recession, the US economy had revived within three years and continued performing well until the pandemic shook it again. However, it quickly revived within two years. But in mid-2021, the inflation rate started rising and was at its peak in June 2022, reaching 9.1%. As this was well above the targeted 2% inflation rate, the Fed is making desperate efforts to alleviate the inflation rate or ensure that it does not escalate. Interest rates have been increased to encourage the flow of capital, and manufacturing activities are being promoted. Consequently, the average annual inflation rate has stooped down to 7.7% in October, the lowest since Jan 2022. The recent data trends are definitely encouraging and indicate signs of improvement. (Optimistically, we believe it will soon change). More importantly, you will complete your program in 2 years, so making any hasty predictions about the future is not logically justified.

Now what?

So when this cloud of uncertainty is looming over our heads, how do we decide? As mentioned earlier, this would be the best time to pursue higher studies. On a more philosophical note, remember that change is the only thing constant in this universe. Indeed, we cannot predict the future, but we can prepare for it. One of the things that the pandemic has taught us is to be prepared for the unpredictable. Remember, amidst all these cyclical changes, highly skilled technical manpower will always be in demand. So, if your decisions are firm, take this calculated risk and pursue your dreams of studying in the US!

 As a trusted study abroad consultant for nearly three decades, Dilip Oak’s Academy will be with you through every step of your journey! Wishing you all the BEST!!!

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Advantages of Pursuing a Master’s degree in the USA

Dilip Oak's Academy
Master’s degree in the USA

Here are top 7 reasons why you should pursue a Master’s degree in America:

Strong American economy:

America is the largest economy in the world, with a GDP of $ 23.32 trillion, which is 24% of the world GDP. For this reason, they have the capacity to absorb thousands of immigrants and offer those with good technical skills high paying jobs.

Shortage of technical manpower:

America is the world leader in technology for the past 100 years. Apart from engineering fields, IT giants like Google, Facebook, Microsoft, Amazon, and Apple have created vast employment opportunities, which is constantly generating the need for technically skilled resources. Since the available domestic manpower is insufficient, skilled immigrants will always be in great demand.

Updated university syllabi:

American universities keep updating their syllabi to keep pace with industry trends and the latest technologies. This enables their alumni to get good job opportunities all over the world.

Research-based education:

This is perhaps the most important reason why the American education system is so popular. Universities in America lay a strong emphasis on research. Most of their professors are constantly engaged in active research. Likewise, they encourage students also to take up the thesis option and carry out independent research during their programs of study. Their labs are also outfitted with the most advanced equipment and facilities. The overall exposure that students receive greatly builds up their practical skills.

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

Scholarships and funding opportunities for your Master’s Degree:

American universities are non-profit organizations funded by the government and private donors. They offer financial assistance to students in the form of scholarships, Research, Teaching and Graduate Assistantships, tuition waivers, campus jobs and internships. This makes education in America very affordable.

No discrimination:

The American social system is unbiased. American universities and corporates welcome people of all nationalities and ethnic backgrounds. Hard working, intelligent and innovative students can prosper in the American corporate world. Good examples are Sunder Pichai and Satya Nadela.

Special quota for H-1B Visa:

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) students with a master’s degree have an additional quota of 20,000 for the H-1B visa (work permit) over and above the general quota of 65,000.

Considering all these benefits, we strongly recommend that students consider pursuing graduate degrees in the US.

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.

Impact of COVID-19 on American universities & admissions: An overview by SUNY Binghamton

Dilip Oak's Academy

IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES & ADMISSIONS (1)

Last week, Dilip Oak’s Academy conducted a webinar on the current scenario in American universities, the impact of COVID-19 on admissions for Master’s degree, and funding opportunities in the USA. The webinar was presided over by Maggie Wolford, director of graduate admissions and recruitment, SUNY Binghamton. Here is an overview of her valuable insights into the scenario in America concerning several important pointers viz.:

  1. Location: Universities in the major cities like San Francisco, Chicago and New York have been more affected by the pandemic as compared to those in remote areas, like SUNY Binghamton, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, University of Oklahoma, Norman, etc.
  2. Financial impact: High class, Tier 1 research universities (those offering STEM courses) can sustain the effects of the pandemic, but liberal arts and other smaller universities have incurred significant losses.
  3. Factors for resuming in-person instruction: Universities will decide whether to start the in-person instruction soon or wait, depending upon the number of COVID cases in the area, cost of testing, and testing policies. (whether they have compulsory testing, voluntary testing, or symptomatic testing, and the budget for each)
  4. Spring semester schedule: The majority of the universities are quite likely to push their spring semester start dates. Usually, the spring semester commences in January, but universities might extend it to February. In that case, students will have extra time for project completion, but their holidays will be reduced.
  5. Impact on funding: Due to online instruction, positions for Teaching Assistantships are likely to reduce. Research Assistantships will also depend upon whether the university is funded by the government or by private agencies. Government funding has been reduced significantly for other fields, but a few like Supply Chain Management and Healthcare Management will still receive enough funding. Graduate Assistantships won’t be affected since university jobs like web page development, networking, etc. will continue.
  6. Impact on CPT and internships: CPT is activated only after completing two on-campus semesters. If you join in the spring semester, you cannot work on the CPT in summer. In that case, you can utilize the time for summer courses and graduate early, or take campus paid internships which don’t require CPT. For example, lab assistant jobs, office jobs, admin jobs, etc. You can also take up certification courses free of cost, which will add to your résumé.
  7. Impact on admissions: Presently, the examination system all over the world has been disturbed due to the pandemic. Many universities have waived the GRE requirement, and they are accepting unofficial transcripts as well. But the situation will remain uncertain for a few more months.

For the full webinar, you can visit our YouTube channel:

and subscribe to it for regular updates and videos on higher education in America.

For detailed guidance on higher education in America, Canada and Germany and assistance on university selection, drafting SOPs and LORs, join our admission counseling today!

 

 

 

 

Time to rejoice: Trump administration revokes the rule regarding online classes for fall semester

Dilip Oak's Academy

A huge relief for International students

Indian students can now heave a sigh of relief as the Trump administration has finally revoked the new visa rule that required International students taking fully online classes in the US for the fall semester, to return to their home countries.

In our last blog dated 08/07/2020, we wrote in detail about the new rule and its possible repercussions on existing and new students aspiring to go to the US.

Soon after the announcement of this rule on July 6, Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and many other institutes as well top American IT companies had filed lawsuits against the administration, seeking reversal of the rule. In response to these lawsuits, the Boston Federal Court revoked this rule on Tuesday, and asked the immigration authorities to pull the directive and return to the “status quo.”

Another factor that contributed to the reversal of the rule is the fact that a whooping number of international students join US universities every year and provide the required tuition revenue. International students contribute billions of dollars to the US economy every year. Sustenance of the new rule would have plummeted the enrollment and subsequently led to a deep financial crisis for the universities as well the country.

Now that rule has been revoked, international students, including Indian students, will be able to stay in the US even if they are pursuing online classes for the fall 2020 semester. New students who are in the process of joining the US universities for spring 2021 sessions will also be able to smoothly continue their visa process and education in the US.

Trump as the new US President: The Benefits for Indian Students

Dilip Oak's Academy

Donald Trump has been elected as the new US President. This blog intends to cover what it means for Indian students intending to pursue MS in US.

It is important to note that skilled immigrants with advanced degrees have started more than half (44 of 87) of America’s startup companies valued at $1 billion or more and are key members of management or product development teams in over 70 percent (62 of 87) of these companies- according to a 2016 National Foundation for American Policy study. Most of these entrepreneurs and key personnel at some point obtained H-1B status, often after studying at a U.S. university.

Thus, skilled immigrants have been a powerhouse of talent, proficiencies and entrepreneurship.

A. Republicans support lawful and skilled Immigration

-Republicans largely oppose illegal and unlawful immigration but they have been in favor of skilled immigration for decades. Today in US, there are over 11 million illegal residents (Largely from Mexico and other Latino countries). Compared that to just 85,000 H1B’s (work permit visas) are awarded every year for skilled foreign workers.
– Now the Republican Party controls both – the US senate and house along with the presidency – which could open up a passage for the skilled immigration bills to pass.This opens up the gridlock of the last 10+ years. Allowing more visas for students with STEM degrees.
– Today getting H1B visas (work visa) after finishing advanced degrees is hard, and permanent residency even harder. With above changes, it should get easier for Indians with advanced degrees to get more student visas and work visas, as 99% of the Indians fall under “skilled immigration (STEM)” category

B. Economy will create more Jobs – Creating higher demand for skilled workforce that America does not have today

– Trump is proposing lowering of taxes. He is also suggesting more manufacturing to happen in the US and is against outsourcing of American jobs. This implies that the US economy will have to create more skilled jobs within America itself. But today America faces a severe dearth of a skilled workforce with advanced STEM degrees. Indian students in US will be in high demand to fulfill those new jobs that will be created in US. Also fewer jobs will be outsourced – which creates increased demand for jobs within the USA, in turn benefiting Indian students in America

C. Trump thinks India as an allied nation
– This will open doors for the stronger relationship with India, as India is a natural ally in this new order. This will open up lot of opportunities for Indians

Why the White House Wants You to Stay in America After Your ‘MS in US’

Dilip Oak's Academy

As this video from the White House explains, it all boils down to one thing – if, you have done your ‘MS in US’ and want to stay on in America afterwards, then the President is pretty convinced that you are good for the American economy. Foreign students in the fields of science, technology, engineering or maths, a large number of them Indians, form a highly skilled pool of talent that has the potential to bring multiple benefits to the American economy – provided they are allowed to live and work there. At the moment,however, according to President Obama the US economy is being robbed of those benefits by what he calls America’s “broken immigration system”. Here’s why Obama wants it fixed (to see the full coverage of President Obama’s speech announcing immigration reforms, see our previous blog ‘Obama Announces Executive Action on Immigrant Reform: Good News for Your ‘MS in US’ Plans’).

Fixing the broken immigration system will:

  • make it easy for entrepreneurs to start new businesses, creating new jobs for American workers
  • grow the economy and create jobs and cut the deficit
  • boost GDP by 5% or 1.4 trillion dollars by 2033

The explanation of how that will happen goes like this:

  1. In 2010 70% of the foreign graduate (bachelor’s) students in American colleges and universities were studying science, technology, engineering or maths. The idea is that if they can stay and work in America where they were educated, they will contribute to developing the innovative technologies and processes that make the US economy more competitive and productive. This will also make it easier for entrepreneurs to set up businesses in the States.
  2. Having a highly skilled workforce and a consequently more productive economy will increase the rate of return for companies and businesses who invest in the United States and that will lead to more investment in the future.
  3. Ultimately, more entrepreneurs and highly skilled workers, higher economic productivity, plus increased investments in US would increase America’s real GDP by 1.4 trillion dollars by 2033

But there are other great benefits for Americans in fixing the broken immigration system:

  1. immigration reform will boost demand for goods and services, create more demand for labor and thus more jobs for American workers
  2. employers currently paying their employees under the table will have to pay the same taxes as everyone else – the increased inflow in taxes will reduce the US deficit by 850 billion dollars.

So, if you intend to do your ‘MS in US’ and plan to stay on in the States afterwards, it looks like the American President and the White House are all set to give you a warm welcome. Make the most of it!

 

Obama Announces Executive Action on Immigrant Reform: Good News for Your ‘MS in US’ Plans

Dilip Oak's Academy

 

This is the full coverage of President Obama’s televised speech announcing his immigrant reforms. It covers a lot of ground, but, if you are a prospective ‘MS in US’ student, there is some really good news in it for you. The important part for you comes about three and a half minutes into the video where the US President summarizes the key immigration reforms and measures he intends to undertake. In an indication of the importance he gives it, his announcement that he intends to make it easier for high-skilled graduates and others to live and work in America in the US economy is the second point that he makes. The specifics are not given here, but the intention is very definite: America is going to be made a more welcoming place for high-skilled immigrants, graduates and entrepreneurs – we’ll give you an update on what exactly Obama plans as soon as details become available.

In the mean time, if you are wondering why President Obama and the White House are so eager to have you stay in their country after your studies there, our next post (Why the White House Wants You to Stay in America After Your ‘MS in US’) will tell you why. You will be surprised to find that the American government thinks that it’s a really good idea – for American workers, for the American GDP, and for America’s position as the world’s leading economic power.

So, after years of debate, of pleas from American business and obstruction by the Republican politicians, it seems that, in his last two years in office, President Obama is determined to fulfill his election promises on immigration.This means that if you are thinking that you would like to stay on in the United States after your ‘MS in US’, it won’t be such a hard-to-achieve dream: opportunities in America are opening up to you.

Refer to our blog Why the White House Wants You to Stay in America After Your ‘MS in US’ for further information

Pre Departure Orientation For Spring 2015 Semester

Dilip Oak's Academy

Congratulations! You’ve secured admission to an American university – and you’re rightly thrilled. But do you know all the formalities you have to go through in order to get there? And, even if you have thought about them a bit, do you know all the details relating to the important matters below?

• the student (F1) visa
• foreign exchange
• airport formalities (port of entry/immigration procedures)
• insurance
• medical checkups & immunizations
• initial formalities in the university
• accommodation (on- & off – campus)
• financial and other formalities for the first semester of studies

If you don’t know about these, then you need to find out because they are all a part of the next stage in getting to your university in America. There’s a lot to take care of, it’s all complex and crucial – and if you are a first time traveller it’s all going to be very new and confusing. You know that mistakes will mean headaches, delays and increased costs you can’t afford; and you know that there’s only one way to do this: that is to get things right from the start.

Worried? Don’t be. We have an excellent solution for you – Our Pre-Departure Orientation Program for students planning to join American universities for the spring 2015 semester. In this program Mr. Oak, with his decades-long experience in the field, will guide you through the complexities of going to America. The program has been organized just to make your journey to your American university smooth and hassle-free.

What are the other benefits of attending?


But that’s not all.
1. In addition to the orientation, you will be given ‘Get Set to Go’, a booklet written by Mr. Dilip Oak, which explains all these matters in detail – so you have a written guide to go back to any time you have a doubt.
2. You will also get an excellent opportunity to connect with other students going to your university – at the end of the program we form groups of students joining the same university so that you can make joint travel plans and staying arrangements at the university.
3. Finally , we will also provide contact details of seniors studying at your university so that you can contact them in advance and:

a. make temporary housing arrangements
b. schedule airport pick-up and
c. help you cope with the initial settling process

Who can attend?

Please note that the Pre-departure Orientation is only for those students (and parents of students) who have received confirmed admission to American universities for the spring 2015 semester. So, in order to get passes for the program, you must show the I-20 form issued by your university (or your stamped F1 visa).

When and where is the Orientation?

Date: Sunday, 23rd November 2014

Time: 10:00 am.

Venue:

Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan School Auditorium,
Opp. J.W. Marriott, Off Senapati Bapat Road,
Pune 411016

PLEASE NOTE: SEATS ARE LIMITED.

COLLECT YOUR ENTRY PASS FROM THE ACADEMY SOON.

Higher Education in the US: How to Make it Happen!

Dilip Oak's Academy

US is the #1 choice for Indians going abroad for higher education

Today, the dream of getting a US degree is no longer something that only the “rich” can dream of. Now many students from middle class backgrounds can also get higher education in the US, without putting a huge financial burden on their parents. This is evident from the recent trends:

  • Overall, the number of Indian students going abroad for education increased 256% in 2000-2009
  • An estimated 21 million students will be admitted into American universities in Fall 2013

The facts also show that America is the most popular educational destination especially for engineering and business:

  • The top three destinations for Indian students going abroad are: #1 America, #2 Europe, #3 Australia
  • America dominates, with a lion’s share of over 50% of the students
  • The top two streams at American grad schools are Engineering & Business

There is great demand for higher education in the US.

 

What is driving the trend?

As the American economy recovers from the recent 2008-2010 Global Economic Crisis, employment rates in the country are improving. There is a great need for skilled labour, particularly of engineering graduates across fields. According to US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projections, US companies alone created 178,000 engineering jobs between 2008 and 2010. In fact, Engineering (Biomedical Engineers, Software Engineers and Environmental Engineers) featured at the very top of BLS list of the “Fastest Growing Occupations.” This growth is being driven by the growth of technology giants such as Google, Apple, Oracle and a sharp rise in the number of ‘start-ups’ or new technology companies. The change in traditional businesses to automated, mechanized or digital formats is another reason driving a huge need for engineers in the US.

What makes it possible for the middle class?

The key factors that make an American education possible for all types and categories of students are the availability of:

  • a variety of easy funding and repayment options
  • focused examination preparation and coaching
  • professional counseling through each and every step of the admissions process has made this possible.

Find out more on how YOU can get an American degree at our FREE SEMINAR on “Higher Education in the US”

Time: 5.45 to 8 pm

Date: Sunday the 17th of February 2013

Venue: Ganesh Kala Krida Manch, Pune.

This seminar is open to all students, working professionals and parents.

No prior registration needed!

In case you have any questions, please contact the Dilip Oak’s Academy Office

By e-mail: support@dilipoakacademy.com, OR Call: +91-020-25656237, 25678066, 25654052