FAQ’s

How does a masters program help me?

A masters program ensures that you get equipped to the latest dynamics of the field of study you choose. A good college gives you the opportunity to come in contact with the stalwarts of the field who give you insights that are valuable for your growth and personality upliftment. Be it arts or science, a masters degree gives you cutting edge over others.

What program is right for me?

You could consider the following things while streamlining your choices -

  • a) The area of specialization offered by the program
  • b) Intended research in the program
  • c) The teaching faculty and the work they’ve done in the past
  • d) Further job scenario
  • e) The Overall cost of the program
  • f) The Rank of your program
  • g) Network building

How long would be a Masters program? What is the difference between a Masters and PhD program?

A masters degree can vary from 9 months to two years depending on the course of study. However, a PhD program is a combination of masters and a PhD degree. Since PhD program is tough to get through, most students take up a masters program and convert it to PhD later.

What do the best colleges want from me?

It depends from degree to degree. However, academic consistency is something every college wants from you. Management courses seek for a very holistic profile that sometimes gives weightage to work experience as well. As a potential student you have to let them know that you are ready to work hard academically and are equipped with experiences beyond the realm of theoretical knowledge.

What tests do I need to take for Masters abroad?

  • a) The GMAT for management schools abroad.
  • b) GRE for social sciences, engineering, and medicine.
  • c) College specific written exams for some journalism and international relations courses.

What is the requirement of work experience?

The time duration is not specific but the content of work experience hold importance. If you have had work experience in relevant field of your study that supports your choice of masters, then that’s very preferable.

What is the overall cost we are looking at for a masters degree abroad?

It can vary between 25 lakh INR to 60 lakh INR based on the country, course and fees structure of different universities.

What options do we have for funding?

  • a) Scholarships- Lot of merit-based scholarships are offered that cover a lot of your cost.
  • b) Loans - Bank loans for students are easily available. This also includes soft loans from employers, family or institutions that provide monetary help to potential students.

How tough is the visa process?

Getting a visa is not tough per se. It requires a lot of detailing and advance planning with proper documentation.

What is a mode of payment of fees?

Wire transfer is considered the safest and most trusted way to transfer fees.

What makes a profile good?

  • a) An intellectually stimulated strong academic base.
  • b) Traits like leadership, social service and a lot of extracurricular activities.
  • c) Relevant work experience for some management and finance courses.

What is the importance of essays?

Essays throw light on who you are and what you are capable of. This makes them pivotal in your admission process. A good essay is a story backed with evidence and a foresighted approach showcasing your ambitions in life and how you wish to achieve them.

What is a letter of recommendation (LoR) and it’s importance?

An LoR is a written testimony from someone who has either taught you, worked with you or has been associated with you in close professional proximity. LoRs are a source of validation from trusted people about you and your capabilities. A good LoR really plays a very important role in fetching you your desirable course.

What is the right time to apply?

If you are an international applicant, then you should apply as early as possible, especially if you need financial aid. For students targeting the US, December or January is a good time. For Europe, Canada and Singapore, January and February are the most appropriate months. You must not forget that an application process actively takes six to eight months.

What is the difference between Masters in Management (MiM) and MBA?

First and foremost, MiM is not equivalent to MBA. There are a lot of differences between the two degrees. They are as follows-

  • a) Work experience - While MBA requires work experience, MiM requires little or none.
  • b) Exams to be undertaken - Both courses demand a GMAT. However, some universities do not need any GMAT for MiM.
  • c) Professional outreach - MBA is traditionally known to churn out corporate leader. MiM is more than often regarded as an addition to your existing bachelors’ degree with wider knowledge and skill set.
  • d) Academics - MBA and MiM do not have similar academic content. Barely 30-40% structure is similar.
  • e) Reputation - MBA enjoys a more reputed position as comapred to MiM. However, MiM has recently picked up a trend and is making it’s way through to be called a very promising course.

Why is an MBA from abroad more desirable?

An MBA from the world’s best ranked universities is your medicine for career boost and growth. It doesn’t matter whether your field is finance or Marketing, or you wish to have your own start up someday - MBA is you hall ticket to intensive exposure that these best colleges arm you with! Imagine the erudite faculty, diversity in classrooms and leader in various fields guiding you through your success journey. Wouldn’t that be completely worth it?

What should I keep in my mind while choosing my MBA program?

You could consider the following things while streamlining your choices-

  • a) The area of specialization offered by the program
  • b) Intended research in the program
  • c) The teaching faculty and the work they’ve done in the past
  • d) Further job scenario
  • e) Overall cost of program
  • f) Rank of your program
  • g) Network building

Is there any age limit for MBA?

No. However, in most of the students belonging to good colleges vary between the range of 27 to 40.

How long is an MBA program for?

On an average the program lasts 12 to 18 months. But there are a few colleges that run the MBA program for 2 years also.

What does a good B-School look for in its students?

B-Schools aim to churn out young professionals who are not only promising excellence but also carry the name and dignity of the institution wherever they go. Academic excellence, robust extra-curricular, leadership skills, excellent communication skills and relevant work experience matter a lot.

Which exam needs to be taken for MBA abroad? What is a good score in it?

GMAT is the standard exam for MBA across all countries. A socre above 700 provides you a competitive chance for the top 50 colleges. Lately, the score has shown a dramatic rise with students scoring above 750 out of 800, making the competition more intense.

What is the requirement of work experience?

Three years of relevant work experience is the general requirement. However, in some exceptional cases, relaxation is made and sometimes freshers are admitted.

Is it possible to get into MBA without the work experience?

Due to the competition, your chances would be very slim. Some elite universities like Yale, Harvard and ISB have launched a 2+2 program where you could secure an admission in your college for a two-year later seat. However, the competition still remains very high despite such lucrative programs.

What is the overall cost involved in an MBA?

Based on the country, living cost and tuition fee, an MBA can typically cost between 50 lakhs to 1 crore INR.

What funding opportunities does one have?

There are very few merit-based scholarships. Mostly students opt for loans from banks or soft leans from family or other institutions.

How tough is the visa process?

Getting a visa is not tough per se. It requires a lot of detailing and advance planning with proper documentation.

What is a mode of payment of fees?

Wire transfer is considered the safest and most trusted way to transfer fees.

What makes a profile good?

  • a) An intellectually stimulated strong academic base.
  • b) Traits like leadership, social service and a lot of extra curricular activities.
  • c) Relevant work experience.
  • d) Diversity of achievements showcasing a rock-solid personality and a team player who doesn’t give-up in pressure.

What is the importance of essays?

Essays throw light on who you are and what you are capable of. This makes them pivotal in your admission process. A good essay is a story backed with evidence and a foresighted approach showcasing your ambitions in life and how you wish to achieve them.

What is a letter of recommendation (LoR) and it’s importance?

An LoR is a written testimony from someone who has either taught you, worked with you or has been associated with you in close professional proximity. LoRs are a source of validation from trusted people about you and your capabilities. A good LoR really plays a very important role in fetching you your desirable course.

When is the right time to apply?

Students applying internationally should start the process early. Mostly round 1 begins around December and the entire process consumes six to eight months.

What makes the US most preferred undergraduate choice?

The US curriculum permits flexibility and customization as per the learning requirements of the student. The education system is world class, the faculty is rich and resourceful and environment is conducive to practical learning and growth. The liberal arts education allows you to choose major after a few years of study. The US system also provides opportunities in terms of internships and part-time work that equips the student with real time knowledge that extends beyond the theory.

Other than US, which countries provide a good education at the undergraduate level?

UK, Singapore, Canada and Continental Europe

What is the overall expense of studying abroad?

  • US - $41000 approx p.a.
  • UK - £20000 approx p.a.
  • Singapore- S$25,000 approx p.a.

Are there scholarship or aids available?

Yes there are two types of aids available. They are usually known as need based and merit based scholarships.

My child performance in Class XI has been below average. How would it impact his/her admission?

A dip in scores in Class XI is quite common in the Indian system of education. Colleges usually look comprehensively at your scores from Class IX onwards.

What is the importance of essays and Letters of Recommendations (LoRs)?

Essays throw light on who you are and what you are capable of. This makes them pivotal in your admission process. A good essay is a story backed with evidence and a foresighted approach showcasing your ambitions in life and how you wish to achieve them.


An LoR is a written testimony from someone who has either taught you, worked with you or has been associated with you in close professional proximity. LoRs are a source of validation from trusted people about you and your capabilities. A good LoR really plays a very important role in fetching you your desirable course.


In short, both essays and LoRs are extremely crucial for getting admission into the best colleges.

How to pick the best choices in college?

YEA has a very extensive short-listing process. Depending on the profile, the list of colleges is divided into Reach, Target and Dream colleges. We then counsel the students and parents so that they make their decision based on very intensive discussions.

When is the right time to apply?

The most appropriate time to apply is October. Mostly all the good universities open their early applications in October. The regular ones continue in December and January.

How to determine which test is needed and when? What is considered as a good SAT/ACT score?

The universities in US need the SATs/ACTs mostly. There is a mandatory English Language test that all the countries require. It is called IELTS or TOEFL. IELTS is generally preferred in the UK.


Now coming to what is a good SAT or ACT score. A good SAT score can be 1200 (based on the new scale of total 1600 points). It puts you in the top 25% of students. An average SAT score would be a 1000. Anything below a 900 is considered as poor. Similarly, for ACT, above 24 is considered as a good score. 20 is average and below 16 is poor.

What qualities does the Admissions Committee look for in the applicant?

A unique standout factor is something most of the universities look out for. This Unique Selling Point must be showcased very well in your essays and LoRs. Moreover, a holistic profile with emphasis on extra curricular, leadership skills and social service is very important.

What should be done if I haven’t decided on my college major?

There are some universities (like UK and Singapore) where the college major is fixed. However, in USA, the course selection is flexible. Liberal arts colleges are the most flexible in terms of letting students choose their major once they are admitted.

Which important deadlines I should keep note of?

  • US: 1st - 15th November for all Early Decision Applicants, 31st December for Regular Decision Applicants.
  • UK: 15th Jan for UCAS applicants.
  • Singapore: 31st March.

YEA would help me in what all areas?

YEA walks you through the entire application process, right from helping you write your resume, to applying for scholarships and filling out your visa form.

What do you mean by profile building? Does YEA help with that?

‘Profile building’ refers to activities undertaken to raise awareness of your expertise, skills, achievements and involvements. Through our Intensive Counselling program, we help you plan projects and internships designed to strengthen your resume. These also give you interesting perspectives to talk about in your essays and interviews.

Do you assure selection to a particular university?

No we do not guarantee sure shot selections. However, what we do promise is the best possible manner in which you can file your applications. Our trend for the last three years has not disappointed any student. They all managed to get into their desired courses and universities.

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