UK's stricter visa rules for students.

Indian students along with other foreign students who want to study in the UK will be required to meet stricter entry criteria, the UK government British home secretary Alan Johnson announced recently. The new regulations will ensure that students studying below degree level have a limited ability to work in the UK, and that their dependants cannot work in Britain at all. It will be even harder for bogus students, whose only aim is to work in the UK, to come into the country, the British government has said. The details announced Wednesday come a week after Britain suddenly stopped issuing student visas in north India, Bangladesh and Nepal, suspecting large scale "irregularities". 

The UK Border Agency announced on Feb 1, it was not accepting any new applications under the Tier 4 student route of the points-based system at the following visa application centres: North India - New Delhi, Jalandhar and Chandigarh, Bangladesh - Dhaka, Sylhet and Chittagong & Nepal – Kathmandu.

The concerns were raised last year when a media investigation revealed that thousands of foreign nationals were residing in the UK under the false cover of bogus universities in the cities of London, Manchester and Bradford. The home secretary also confirmed that the government will implement plans to introduce a points test by 2011 for those who wish to earn British Citizenship.  Johnson said: "The Points Based System was introduced to provide a rigorous system to manage legitimate access to the UK to work and study, with the ability to respond to changing circumstances. We want foreign students to come here to study, not to work illegally, and today we have set out necessary steps which will maintain the robustness of the system we introduced last year. I make no apologies for that." 

The new measures include: 

* A good standard of English (equivalent of holding just below a GCSE in a foreign language) will be needed to come to the UK and study to improve English language competency further; 

* A good standard of English (again equivalent of holding just below a GCSE in a foreign language) will need to be demonstrated in order to study any other course below degree level; 

* Restricting the lowest level courses (A-levels and equivalent) to only the most trusted institutions; 

* Halving the amount of time a student studying below first degree level or on a foundation degree course, will be able to work, to just ten hours during term time; 

* A ban on bringing in dependants for anyone studying a course for less than six months; and 

* A ban on dependants of anyone studying a course lower than foundation or undergraduate degree level from working - they will face removal from the UK if found doing so. 

* A ban on foreign students studying below degree level if the course includes a work placement - unless that course is being provided by a university, college or training provider which has the status of "highly trusted sponsor"; 

* A requirement for students to demonstrate their English language ability by passing an approved secure test - this will apply to all students studying below (foundation) degree level, including those coming to study English language; and 

* Introduction of tougher criteria for defining which course providers count as "highly trusted sponsors" of foreign students. We expect that all publicly funded universities and colleges will count as highly trusted, and we will ensure that there is a rapid but rigorous system for ensuring that private training colleges can also gain that status as soon as possible. 

CRACK DOWN ON POTENTIAL ABUSE OF THE SYSTEM

The UK government said it "recognises the essential contribution genuine international students bring - economically, academically and socially - to the country as a whole, as well as to the universities and colleges in which they study. "However these steps are part of the government's commitment to crack down on potential abuse of the system." These changes are part of a radical overhaul of the student system that began last year. Since March 2009, the government has required all foreign students to be sponsored by a UK Border Agency licensed college and to demonstrate they can support themselves once they get here before being granted a visa. Also since March, any college or university wanting to bring in international students must be accredited and licensed. This has reduced the number of institutions able to bring students to the UK from over 4,000 to approximately 2,000.  Alan Johnson said: "We have already made fundamental changes to the immigration system to control migration in a way that is firm, and has a positive impact on our work force and economy. From 2011 we will put the mechanisms in place that will ensure that people who are allowed to become citizens have earned their right to stay here. We will do this using a points test, giving us the ability to take clear, enforceable decisions about who should be allowed to stay permanently, with the flexibility to raise or lower the threshold for citizenship, depending on the current interests of the country and economy."  Under the new rules anyone wishing to become a permanent resident will have to earn their right to citizenship. This will restrict the number of economic migrants granted citizenship, for example by limiting it only to those who have the qualifications or skills that the economy needs, or are living in parts of the country where there are specific skills shortages that they can fill.  They will also have to demonstrate that they could speak good English for their application to be successful. 

Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) 

Beginning February 22, all applicants for clearance to study in the UK will be required to have a special virtual number known as the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from their prospective sponsors. That number will be obtained from the central admissions teams that issue students with unconditional offers to study in their respective colleges confirming that they qualify to pursue the specified course. Once a student accepts such an offer, he or she will be contacted to ascertain the veracity of information provided during the application, paving the way for her to be issued with a special CAS from the university in which they wish to study and provide all information needed to apply for a visa such as the start and end dates for academic course, fees and documents used to assess their eligibility. The information will be uploaded on the UK government's electronic data management system where it will be shared among the various departments, including the UK Border Agency (UKBA) to help track the immigrants. The data will also be useful for security agencies that will use it to track the aliens' activities while they are in the UK. This means, the CAS virtual number and will replace the visa letter that is currently used to support applications to enter the UK for studies or in the case of visa extensions, to continue their studies in the UK.

MBA without GMAT in USA!

MBA in USA

MBA from the United States is perceived by many to be the most valuable in terms of career development and salary. It's no secret that an MBA degree can increase your earning power. A recent survey by the Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC) reports the potential for an immediate 40 percent increase in annual salary, depending on students' current and future jobs.

BUSINESS WEEK TOP USA MBAs RANKING:
	School name	Country

1	University of Pennsylvania  Wharton	US
2	Northwestern University  Kellogg	US
3	Harvard University	US
4	Massachusetts Institute of Technology  Sloan	US
5	Duke University  Fuqua	US
6	Columbia University	US
7	Cornell University  Johnson	US
8	University of Virginia  Darden	US
9	Stanford University	US
10	University of California (Los Angeles)  Anderson	US
11	New York University  Stern	US
12	Carnegie Mellon University	US
13	University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill)  Kenan-Flagler	US
14	Dartmouth College  Tuck	US
15	University of Texas (Austin)	US
16	University of California (Berkeley)  Haas	US
17	Xavier University  Williams COB	US
18	Indiana University (Bloomington)	US
19	University of Rochester  Simon	US
20	Washington University  Olin	US
21	University of Southern California  Marshall	US
22	Purdue University  Krannert	US
23	Georgetown University  McDonough	US
24	University of Maryland (College Park)  Smith	US
25	Emory University  Goizueta	US
26	Michigan State University  Broad	US
27	Georgia Institute of Technology  Dupree	US
28	College of William and Mary	US
29	Arizona State University (Main Campus)	US
30	Boston University	US
31	Ohio State University  Fisher	US
32	Pennsylvania State University  Smeal	US
33	Babson College  Olin	US
34	University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign)	US
35	University of Wisconsin (Madison)	US
36	University of Pittsburgh  Katz	US
37	University of Notre Dame	US
38	University of Iowa	US
39	Rice University  Jones	US
40	University of Georgia  Terry	US
41	University of Florida	US
42	University of California (Irvine)	US
43	Southern Methodist University  Cox	US
44	Thunderbird School of Global Management  Thunderbird	US
45	University of California (Davis)	US
46	American University  Kogod	US
47	University of Washington	US
48	Boston College  Carroll	US
49	University of Tennessee (Knoxville)	US
50	Brigham Young University  Marriott	US
51	University of South Carolina  Moore	US
52	University of Miami	US
53	Clark Atlanta University	US
54	Syracuse University	US
55	Rutgers University (New Brunswick and Newark)	US
56	Texas A&M University (College Station)  Mays	US
57	Tulane University  Freeman	US
58	University at Buffalo (SUNY)	US
59	George Washington University	US
60	University of Arizona  Eller	US
61	Case Western Reserve University  Weatherhead	US

How to join MBA college in USA without GMAT?

Almost 80% of the USA universities require GMAT for entry into MBA program. 20% USA universities accept students without GMAT scores in MBA program. The student is advised to research each institution and acquire an understanding of their entrance requirements.

MBA Programs With No GMAT Requirements
For those not eyeing for an MBA in top Business school, there are well known programs that do not require GMAT scores. For example, National University does not require any test scores at all for any baccalaureate degree holders with a 2.5 GPA or better. Test scores will be helpful for those with a lower GPA. University of Phoenix simply requires a 2.5 GPA with no test requirements for any of their graduate programs. Monroe College in New York requires 3.0 GPA in the Bachelor’s degree. Liberty University in Virginia requires 2.5 GPA and admits students with low level of English skills in their ESL program. Stevens-Henager College, Globe University, Eastern Washington University, Western International University and Stratford University are few of the institutions that do not require GMAT as the pre requisite for admissions into their MBA program.

Students who are considering MBA programs that do not require a standardized test should look carefully at each program's accreditation, academic rigor, and reputation. In general, there should be a minimum undergraduate GPA requirement to make up for the lack of a test requirement. Also, students who do not perform well on tests in general should note that graduate programs always require at least a 3.0 GPA for graduation. Anything below would be grounds for academic probation or dismissal.

Work Experience for GMAT

Some top Business Schools in USA accept students with work experience without GMAT Score for their Executive MBA (EMBA). To be eligible for EMBA program, one should have 5+ years of work experience. You will also have better chance to get admission into MBA program if your company is sponsoring you. Further, adult learners with regular jobs and busy lives – feel that their hard-earned money would be better spent on tuition and living expenses, and their valuable time on studying, work or family. GMAT score requirements are lower in the Business schools for their part time MBA programs.

Online MBA Degree with No GMAT Required: Program Overviews
The question arises in the mind- which schools offer online MBA degree programs and do not require GMAT for Admission? There are some schools, however, that do not require the GMAT for admission. In some cases, MBA programs that do not require the GMAT, administer entrance exams of their own. Below are 5 schools that offer online programs without GMAT.

Auburn University: Auburn University, in Auburn, Alabama, offers an online MBA program for doctors that does not require admissions testing. The Physicians Executive MBA at Auburn University was developed for experienced medical professionals who want to increase their skills and specializations; the online program takes longer than the on-campus program. Over 1,100 students have graduated from Auburn University's online MBA program.

Oklahoma State University:Oklahoma State University, in Stillwater, OK, offers an online MBA for dentists that requires the Dental Admission Test, but not the GMAT. The dental MBA program is a 36-credit program designed to help dentists better manage their offices and finances. The program benefits dentists who need to work full-time while taking classes.

Northeastern University: Northeastern University, in Boston, Massachusetts, does not require the GMAT, but the program does require students to have several years of business work experience before applying. Northeastern University's executive MBA program is a part-time program that can be completed entirely online. Students can specialize in a number of areas, including finance, general management, health care management, high technology management, innovation entrepreneurship and international management, among other areas

Colorado State University: Located in Fort Collins, CO, Colorado State University grants GMAT waivers for students with at least eight years of career experience and a minimum 3.0 GPA during the last half of their undergraduate college program. In the Colorado State University online MBA program, the on-campus classes are taped and mailed to students the next morning, allowing them to experience the course as if they were in the classroom. Students receive the full lecture, PowerPoint slides and class discussion and students can complete the class in anywhere from 21 months to 5 years.

No GMAT? No Problem, Harvard Says (Source: Business Week)

Harvard Business School (Harvard Full-Time MBA Profile) announced that it will no longer require MBA applicants to submit GMAT scores. Starting with the applications for admission to the Class of 2012, HBS will allow applicants to submit either GMAT scores or GRE scores. The news makes Harvard the latest in a series of top tier business schools to make the change. In 2006, both Stanford (Stanford Full-Time MBA Profile) and MIT’s Sloan School of Management (Sloan Full-Time MBA Profile) permitted the GRE for applicants to their MBA programs. The policy, while common among Executive MBA programs, is still the exception at top-ranked full-time MBA programs, although it’s unclear just how much longer that will be case now that Harvard has made the change. Harvard’s acceptance of the GRE is a big win for the Educational Testing Service, which administers that test. About 18 months ago, ETS took aim at the lucrative business school market dominated by the GMAT, launching a marketing campaign suggesting that switching to the GRE would result in more applications. The GMAT, which generates about $80 million a year for the Graduate Management Admission Council, is used by more than 4,000 graduate management programs worldwide. Deirdre Leopold, managing director of admissions and financial aid at HBS, said the GRE was allowed to make the application process easier for applicants considering graduate programs other than the MBA. Since many HBS applicants are also considering graduate programs besides the MBA, there is now no need for them to take the GMAT if they have already taken the GRE. We believe that both the GMAT and the GRE meet our expectations of what a standardized test can tell us about a candidate's ability to thrive in our MBA program. From the test-takers perspective, one big advantage the GRE has over the GMAT is price: the GRE costs just $150, versus $250 for the GMAT. But applicants haven't exactly been clamoring for a lower-cost alternative to the GMAT. From the schools perspective, the GMAT has a lot of research backing up its claim that it's a good predictor of success in a graduate management program, whereas the GRE is in uncharted territory. So will more schools opt for a GMAT-optional approach? ETS is predicting the floodgates will open now that Harvard has taken the plunge. David Payne, an ETS vice president, says the Harvard news, along with a new "no cognitive evaluation" section of the GRE that will be available in July (it measures teamwork, ethics, persistence, and creativity) will convince many other business schools to accept the GRE. Payne notes that over 220 business schools accept the GRE for MBA applications already, including 5 of the 10 top internationally ranked programs. About 25 new programs signed on in the last month alone, he said. Here's his take on the impact of the Harvard news: I think that number [220] will go through the roof over the summer and into the fall. Harvard is going to help us reach that tipping point. Other schools will say, 'If it's good enough for Harvard then it's good enough for our institution.'

You do not worry if you have scored less GMAT scores. Irrespective of your scores or whether you take these tests, you can still seek admissions in not only Kampus Landing partner universities but many other USA universities. But, unfortunately majority students do not know of these universities which accommodate students without TOEFL/GRE/GMAT and others.

MBA Admissions without GMAT in New York, USA I MBA Admissions without GMAT in Texas, USA I MBA Admissions without GMAT in Mississippi, USA I MBA Admissions without GMAT in Ohio, USA I MBA Admissions without GMAT in Alabama, USA I MBA Admissions without GMAT in Virginia, USA I MBA Admissions without GMAT in Arkansas, USA I MBA Admissions without GMAT in Connecticut, USA I MBA Admissions without GMAT in Wisconsin, USA