Prospects of Studying in USA & Canada Post a Three-Year Bachelor’s Program!

Students with a three-year bachelor’s degree from India, (amounting to 15 years of total study i.e., 12+3) are often unclear about their eligibility for higher education programs in the USA and Canada. With 80 percent of the universities in the USA and Canada requiring a 16^th year of study, it puts considerable limitations on options for students planning to study abroad following their B. Com, B.Sc., BAF, BMS, B.A. etc. Some universities might even require a WES or another third-party evaluation to check for equivalency with the USA/Canada degree programs.

Considering these limitations, we need to examine the alternatives available for students with a three-year bachelor’s degree.

• Apply to only those universities that do not require the 16^thyear of study.

However, with this option your choices are limited and many of the top schools may get ruled out. You can send an email communication to the university requesting for an exemption however, our experience has shown that their replies are often generic and vague.

For instance, we had a student with a BMS background who wanted to apply to NYU for an MS in Marketing. The university replied to her email request by asking her to apply as they considered exceptions on a case-to-case basis. After going through the entire application process, she received a rejection because of not having the 16^th year of education. Many universities would not be upfront in their communication as they earn application fees on every application received.

• Complete a Master’s Degree in India (2 years) and then apply abroad for a second Master’s Degree.

A Master’s degree in India like a M. Com, M. Sc, etc. will give you an added 2 years of study making you eligible for the master’s programs in the USA and Canada. This route does postpone your abroad education plans but expands your university options. Often students chose to pursue their master’s program in India via correspondence and work simultaneously to enhance their resume.

Students would previously drop-out from their master’s program in India after completing their first year and go ahead with their higher studies plan abroad. Universities in India have therefore, become strict in their approach and provide the first year marksheet along with the second-year results, forcing students to complete their two-year program in India.

Note: The first year marksheet is sufficient for programs in the USA, however, it will not suffice for universities in Canada which require the Master’s completion certificate.

• Complete a One-Year Diploma program in India as your 16^thyear course.

This option will make you eligible for approximately 80% universities in the USA, however, you are still not eligible to apply to universities in Canada.

• Apply to countries other than USA and Canada.

You can apply to universities in countries other than USA and Canada, where the 16^th year of education is not a mandatory eligibility criterion as your backup option.

• Pursue a Diploma Program in Canada.

A diploma program in Canada does not require you to complete 16 years of study. This is also a viable option as the diploma programs are also in high demand with lucrative post-study work prospects. This can also serve as a pathway to a future Master’s option in the country.

For more information visit Collegepond, an overseas education consultant.