When it comes to studying abroad, the United States of America is one of the top choices of Indian students. According to US Consulate officials, a total of 1,057,188 international students enrolled at US higher education institutions, of which 2,68,923 students were from India. Keeping this in mind, the US Consulate believes that this year too, the largest number of international students in US will be from India. Several American universities ask for ACT score, which is currently administered by ACT, a nonprofit organisation of the same name. The ACT CEO Janet Godwin talks to indianexpress.com about the growing demand of ACT in India, how Indian students can improve their application, and more. How many Indian students are taking the ACT? About 3,000 Indian students took the ACT last year, and we are committed to grow that number further. There are many students who would benefit from taking the ACT, but who may not know that it is an option for them or why it would be beneficial to take it. The US is the top choice for Indian students pursuing higher education abroad, and the number of Indian students choosing to study in America continues to grow. The vast majority of colleges and universities in the US recognise an ACT test score as a valid, reliable readiness indicator for admissions, course placement, and scholarships. Test scores help students save time and money by ensuring that they are correctly placed in courses that align with their ability to be successful while supporting a strong path to graduation. Which universities accept ACT scores? There are currently nine Indian universities that have an ACT college code that allows us to send student scores (at the Students request. These are Flame University, Maharishi Institute, Mahindra Ecole Centrale, Manipal University Jaipur, NMIMS University, OP Jindal Global University, Shiv Nadar University, SP Jain Sch Global Mgmt Mumbai, Srishti Inst Art Design Tech. Outside of this, many other universities in India and around the world take the ACT score as part of a holistic admission process. In the US, a vast majority of colleges and universities accept ACT test scores. Test scores help students save time and money by ensuring that they are correctly placed in courses that align with their ability to be successful while supporting a strong path to graduation. How is ACT using AI to better the test taking environment for students? ACT has been at work on a number of AI projects for the past several years, and is implementing appropriately focused on elevating student experience. We are using AI tools to support the scoring of ACT exams, which means students receive their scores more quickly. We know that choosing a school is a challenge so we are using AI tools to help match students to the institutions that best fit their goals. We are also exploring ways that AI can better individualise the student experience when engaging with ACT, so that students are given more targeted insights about their achievement and learning paths. At a time when the world is forecasting an economic slowdown and housing crisis, why should Indian students still head to the US for higher studies? There are a number of benefits for Indian students studying in the US, including developing a global perspective and leadership skills in addition to gaining strong academic credentials. As part of their college-going experience, students have the chance to learn from some of the world’s leading expert, and connect with America’s global leaders in business, research, and international affairs. US colleges and universities are recognised worldwide as places of inspiration, innovation, and opportunity, equipping students with the skills and networks necessary to solve global problems while also promoting cross-cultural connections. It is believed that since the US is expensive and the immigration policies are better in Canada, Indians students tend to go to Canada. However, due to diplomatic tension, do you think the US will get the benefit? American universities see the value of Indian students and are actively recruiting them. The Indian students constitute a quarter — 25 per cent — of the more than one million foreign students currently studying in the United States. In fact, the US is the top choice for Indian students pursuing higher education abroad, and the number of Indian students choosing to study here continues to grow. To help Indian students find the right study opportunity, the US Department of State offers free advising services to prospective students, both virtually and in-person, at six EducationUSA advising centers throughout India in New Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai, and two in Hyderabad. All six centres are staffed by EducationUSA advisors who offer accurate, comprehensive, and up-to-date information about opportunities to study in the United States, helping Indian students find the best program and fit from among more than 4,500 accredited US higher-education institutions. Several experts have said that Indian students lack soft skills but are leaders in technical skills. How can students improve their soft skills? Being ready for college and career requires that students have both the technical skills to be successful, as well as the “soft skills” that are an essential part of post secondary success. Soft skills ensure a student’s ability to present effectively, clearly communicate their ideas, and work as part of a team. Focusing on mastering these skills and other dimensions of readiness ensures students are prepared with the full range of knowledge that they need to be successful in college, career, and life. How is the education sector changing in terms of study abroad, and what should Indian students keep in mind when applying for foreign universities? What’s important to understand is that successfully studying abroad is about more than academics. College is an important transitional moment in students’ lives. It’s often the first time they are away from home for an extended period of time. It can be especially challenging for students to navigate these experiences while attending a school that is thousands of miles away from their home, in a different country, culture and language. It is also important for a student to have a clear sense of why they have chosen a particular school or field of study. What academic interest is driving them, and what networking and career opportunities do they want to take advantage of? We’re seeing more students choose to study abroad than ever before: More than a million students were studying abroad in the US last year, and that number continues to climb. Students pursuing study abroad opportunities should seek out objective, commonly used measures to assess the level at which they are working and their own level of academic readiness, so they know they are prepared for the academic challenge. Which courses and universities other than the Ivy League do Indians prefer? Engineering, computer science, and associated fields are often preferred by Indian students. Science pre-med programmes, intended for students who go on to medical school, have also continued to see strong international interest from Indian students. Business programmes are also popular among Indian students. Have you seen an increase in the number of Indians picking new age courses? Many schools are folding in newer fields of study, both as standalone programmes, as well as within the choice of classes that students take as part of an undergraduate programme. Students have the freedom to try new courses outside of their major or degree programme, and many Indian students are doing that while they continue to focus on historical areas of interest, such as engineering. Indian students are sampling the many, and growing, education opportunities available to them in US undergraduate programmes.
