Education Q&A: MBA in the US

I would like to pursue an MBA in the US. I have eight years of middle management corporate banking experience, my Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) score is more than 720 but my undergraduate grades are quite poor. Do I have a chance of entering a top 20 business school? David, Dubai Your GMAT score, undergraduate grade point average (GPA), number of years of work experience are some of the criteria top schools in the US consider. Business schools are not only going to look at your undergraduate grades but also the professional programmes you have done. As part of the application process, you have to write essays to show the school you are a strong candidate. Take time to write these. Schools want to see what you will bring to the class and if you will be successful in your career. Recommendation letters and interviews are also important. You need to start well before the due date to prepare your application. You should work on your application with a good college counsellor. You also need to have good knowledge of the schools to find out which ones offer you a programme that suits your needs. Rather than focusing on the top schools, I would recommend finding a programme that would help you succeed in your chosen career path. What is the difference between these computer science courses: a three-year Bachelor of Science (BSc) , a four-year Bachelor of Engineering (BE or BEng) and a four-year Bachelor of Technology (BTech) offered by Indian universities? Mudassir, via email Bachelor of Computer Science (BCompSc or BCS) is an undergraduate degree that can be awarded after three to four years of study depending on the course. The programme focuses on mathematical and theory of computers. Different institutions teach the same curriculum but offer different degrees such as Bachelor of Arts (BA) in computer science, Bachelor of Applied Science in computer science, Bachelor of Computer Applications and Bachelor of Science in information technology. A Bachelor of Engineering (BE or BEng) is given after three to five years of studies depending on the country and institution. You will need to check if the institution's programme is accredited by a professional society. Bachelor of Science in engineering (BSc Eng), BBESc, BSE or BASc are undergraduate degrees in Engineering. Bachelor of Technology (BTech or BTech Hons) is given after three to four years. This is for students who have done a BSc degree with supervised internships or practice-based courses. BE and BTech in India are similar courses with different names. There may be a slight difference in the ratio of theory and practical study. Both focus on programming and mathematics. Computer engineering deals with design of specialised software and incorporates more hardware material into studies. After a BE or BTech you are an engineer whereas after doing BSc you are a graduate in computer science. Ask me a question… Verma began his career with Ernst & Young before moving on to set up the Gulf operations of IDP Education Pty. He now leads Intelligent Partners in Dubai developing a wide range of solutions in areas of international education. Contact him by emailing friday@gulfnews.com