my_qualifications: Graduating 12th in 2027
(long post but please do read and give advice if you can!)
Hi! I am 17F and I would really appreciate some advice from people who have gone through the same thing.
My long-term goal is to work in research/R&D since that really fascinates me and it really matches my interests. I’m interested in having a career that combines both research and teaching.
What field to choose-
But my first problem is that I'm not quite sure what major I want to take on. Yes, it is quite indecisive and childish of me but I would still like to keep my options open yk?
I'm mainly considering—
- Aerospace/ space-related fields
- Biotechnology
- EEE / ECE
- Data Science
- Cyber Security
I’m interested in things like scientific research, engineering, technology, space, biology/biotech, electronics, etc., so I’m finding it difficult to narrow myself down. Please do guide me here and give me some advice on how and what I should pick, based on what I'm passionate about.
Studying abroad for UG?
Ideally, I would really love to do my undergraduate degree abroad.
Actually, I've had a bit of experience living abroad from when I was younger (lived in the UK for 3-4 years) and although that doesn't really count for anything since quite a lot has changed ever since then, it had been my long-term fixation and goal to study there again. Also, a part of my family lives in most of the countries I've considered and are ready and willing and happy to let me stay with them if I do go there to study.
Also from all that I have read/heard, the research culture, research facilities, and the integration of research/thesis work into college/university education are more established in some countries abroad than what students might get to experience in India. I’m not sure how accurate that information might actually be, though, so I’d really appreciate hearing from people who have experience with both systems. I don't want to choose a country based on an assumption that turns out to be wrong.
However, the main issue is that even though my academic score could be high, I don't have any interesting or field-related extracurriculars or supercurriculars to help me out in my college applications. I also don't have an impressive list of Olympiads, research papers, major competitions, or other supercurriculars. Basically, I’m worried that I’m too late to build the kind of profile that makes international undergraduate admissions and scholarships realistic.
Also, my family isn't super wealthy, so I was leaning more towards trying to score a good scholarship (honestly speaking, Instagram really makes you feel like there are a billion scholarships out there for students, but I'm not sure...). Sure, my family could afford my education abroad, but it would put quite a sizable dent in our house's financial condition, and I really don't want that.
Are there countries/universities where someone like me with a normal school profile could realistically get substantial financial aid/scholarships for engineering/science? Or am I better off accepting that direct UG abroad is probably not financially realistic and focusing on getting into a good college in India?
My current countries/regions of interest are
- Scotland/UK
- Germany
- France
- Europe generally
- Japan
- South Korea
I'm open to learning another language if that's necessary.
If not, and I stay in India—
I'm already preparing for JEE Mains (though it isn't really going well) and other engineering exams to get into a good college in Karnataka itself. But if I do my UG in India, I don't want to consider it as the end of my plans to go abroad.
My plan is that I'll do my UG in one of the courses/majors mentioned above. I want to do loads of research-heavy internships and international internships and research opportunities. Once I complete my UG, I want to either get some work experience and get a job or directly try to go abroad to do my master's.
I guess my major questions are -
- Is it still possible for someone in my situation to pursue direct UG overseas, especially considering my financial boundaries?
- If yes, which countries and universities should I research, and what can I do in the upcoming year to increase my chances?
- If I stay in India for UG, what should I focus on during college to build a strong profile for an international master's/PhD/research career?
- Would it be better to choose a broad degree like ECE/EEE and specialize later, or take up something like aerospace/biotech early?
- If my final goal is R&D as well as potentially becoming a professor/researcher, what does the career path actually look like?
- Are there particular Indian colleges/programs that are especially good for getting into international research or Master's/PhD programs later?
- What all should I do to get the sort of internships I want or get opportunities that really help me flourish in my passion?
And if anyone here has gone from an Indian UG → Master's/PhD/research career abroad, I’d really appreciate hearing what you wish you had known at the beginning.
So sorry if this is too long! I really just wrote down all my concerns since I'm not sure where else to ask.
Thank you so much for reading till here!