Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications
Friday, Oct 08, 2004
Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications Friday, Oct 08, 2004 |
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Life
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Books Columns - Browser's Corner So, what's stopping you? Sravanthi Chellpalli
Going to the US to study is exciting but surely the process of applying to various universities isn't. To begin with, do you know why you want to study there at all? And how do you go through the maze of requirements in the application process? How do you deal with that bugbear of all applications — writing a statement (on why you want to study in that particular institution)? Wanna Study in the US? (Rupa & Co, Rs 395), written by Natasha Pratap, who studied English at Stanford University and Oxford, and Law at Cambridge, has "101 tips to get you there", as the sub-title promises. Natasha, who was in Chennai recently as part of a book tour, says the applicant has to give the process his/her all. To begin with, she says, develop your extra-curricular activities well in advance, as US universities look for all-rounders. Also, learn as much as you can about each university you are applying to. Further, concentrate your energy on making a thorough job of few applications rather than a sloppy job of many. Her recommendation: "Not more than 10 universities". And, her advice is to spread the choice among higher, middle and lower-tier schools. Also, do the TOEFL, GRE and GMAT well in advance. Your statement of purpose is for the universities to assess what you are. They want to recruit "impressive human beings, not impressive statistics," says Natasha. So it's in your best interests to write the statement yourself rather than get someone else to do it. Realising that this is an area where many Indian students find themselves at sea, she recommends that you think of your life as a jigsaw puzzle of a lovely painting that is being reassembled by you. The statement of purpose is meant to convince the admissions committee that the very next piece in that puzzle is the programme you are applying for and that without it, the picture won't be complete. Make your statement personal without it being a boast or a sob story. Have a grand vision, not a grandiose one. Don't be modest or conceited about your achievement; be matter-of-fact. And beware of saying that making bags of money is your goal in life. This is not an objective that differentiates you from millions of other aspirants; mull over how this education will help you contribute to society, and build on these lines. And don't beg or plead for admission... display confidence by saying something like, "Given the opportunity to be admitted to ... " Stick to the word limit — ignoring it would reveal you are careless or incapable of writing to the point. Impress the reader with your thoughts and not with big words. And do not use colloquialisms or slang — for instance, you may have enjoyed your course in journalism but to say you had a blast is unwise. The book contains many more tips on how to deal with the statement of purpose or its equivalent and even carries many sample statements. The author also has tips on how recommendation letters should be written and what type of people among your teachers, mentors and colleagues would be the best suited, apart from information on scholarships available and how to deal with other nitty-gritties. An interview with a Harvard alumnus, who was on the admissions committee, reveals that members on the panel can usually make out whose essay is genuine and whose is not. Carelessness — typos, too much whitener, too many words, delayed paperwork — are the bane of many an application. Natasha runs a niche boutique called `Words for Any Occasion', which offers creative writing services and customised writing workshops for institutions.
India Untouched: The forgotten face of rural poverty
A personal account of the experiences of a philanthropist, working with the poor in South India. The backdrop is the day-to-day lives of a majority of Indians who live in villages untouched by the economic progress buffeting several cities since reforms were introduced in 1991. Through his stories, the author attempts solutions to the hardships faced by millions living in poverty and social deprivation. The Saga of a Professional
In the New Millennium, only professionals can help make India a developed nation, says the author, who is a management expert. "In a liberalised India, a professional must not be a creature but a creator of the economy... He must be result-oriented." The book offers a fresh perspective on managerial issues. The author shares with professionals the lessons learnt from his personal experiences.
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