Your counsellor repliesI‚m an above average Plus Two (science) student interested in studying medicine in the UK or US. Please advise.Lakshmi Iyer, ChennaiMedical training in theUK starts with acquisition of an under-graduate medical degree, also known as the pre-med. This five year study programme culminates in the award of a bachelor of medicine and surgery degree (MBBS) which is the primary medical qualification. Medical schools require applicants to have studied chemistry and physics, biology or mathematics in Plus Two. The British government restricts the number of seats offered to foreign students in med schools, with preference given to students from countries which lack medical training facilities. All students, including overseas applicants, are required to apply through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. Information about courses and eligibility criteria is available on the UCAS website, http://www.ucas.ac.uk/ucc/index.html or from the British Council offices. For overseas students the cost of medical education in Britain is about ‚£16,500 (Rs.13.85 lakh) per year excluding residential expenses. After graduation, overseas students can remain in the UK to complete their postgraduate, general, clinical, and other specialist training.In the US, four years of medical training starts after four years of undergraduate study. Subsequently there is five years of residency, depending upon the speciality you choose. Foreign applicants may discover that capacity reserved for non-US citizens is very limited.US medical schools require applicants to submit MCAT scores and possess a strong background in the sciences (biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics), good communication skills, knowledge of computers and strong credentials in the humanities and social sciences. Tuition fees are approximately between US$10,000-30,000 (Rs.4.5-13.5 lakh). I‚m in second year B.Sc and am interested in a career in the Indian Police Service. Please advise.Anil Kulkarni, PuneTo be eligible for the Indian Police Service (IPS), you have to be over 21 years of age, a graduate and you have to write the Civil Services Examination. After you succeed in CSE you can opt for IPS, IAS, Indian Foreign Service and several other all India government services, depending upon your position in the merit list. You can familiarise yourself with the pattern of the Civil Services Examination by logging on to www.upsc.gov.in. I‚ll be writing my class XII exam next year and wish to study engineering. Which branch of engineering offers the best job prospects?Deepak Rao, BangaloreAt entry level, marine engineers get the best remuneration, but working conditions are demanding. Within conventional streams, the IT industry offers better pay packages. However, it is only after two or three years‚ experience that an IT/ computer/ software engineer begins to earn big pay money. It is advisable to enroll for a branch of engineering which interests you. Ultimately, success attaches itself to the individual, so if you are good at your job, your prospects are bound to be good in any engineering stream.I‚m doing my B.Com in accounts and finance. Should I read for an MBA in finance or chartered accountancy?Neeta Puri, New DelhiThe knowledge acquired in B.Com will give you a good academic background for…
