The future is wide open in design or fine arts
q My child has done poorly in Class XI. I am thinking of shifting him to the National Institute of Open Schooling or NIOS. He is excellent in art but not very academically inclined. I need advice: is NIOS a recognised board? Also, what college and career options will be available to him after completing his studies from NIOS?
It’s important to remember that every child is different and has unique skills and talents. You mentioned that your son excels in art. Well, there are numerous college and career opportunities available to him in this field.
First things first — yes, you can shift him to NIOS, which offers a flexible and adaptable education at the secondary (Class X) and senior secondary (Class XII) levels. It is designed to cater to diverse educational needs and is a recognised board in India and many colleges abroad. He can take the senior secondary courses equivalent to classes XI and XII.
After completing his education through NIOS, since your child is good in art, he can pursue higher education in art and design through programmes such as bachelor’s in fine arts (BFA), bachelor’s in design (BDes) or bachelor’s of arts (BA) in fine or applied arts. There are various diploma and certificate courses too in areas such as graphic design, animation, digital arts and photography, which may be of interest to him.
If he is interested in entrepreneurship, it would be a good idea to do a course in business management in the next stage. This can help him start his own venture in the field of art. However, to reiterate, each child has different strengths and skills. Please don’t worry; help him focus on his strengths and skills, and he will excel in his chosen path.
Transfer student abroad
q I am currently in my second year of college in India. I want to transfer to a US college to study psychology next year. Is it possible?
Yes, transferring to a US university is possible. You’ll need to research institutions that accept transfer students and ensure that your current academic credits match their requirements. It’s important to review each university’s specific transfer policies as they can vary widely in terms of credit transfer, GPA requirements and standardised test scores (SAT/ACT or TOEFL/IELTS).
Some US universities known for strong psychology programmes and accepting transfer students include the University of California, Berkeley; the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; New York University, New York City; the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison; the University of Southern California, Los Angeles and Boston University, Boston. To apply, you’ll need academic transcripts, letters of recommendation and a personal statement explaining your interest in transferring. Applications can be submitted via platforms like the Common Application or to the university’s website. Be mindful of deadlines as transfer applications often have earlier cut-offs than regular ones. Also, reach out to the admissions offices to clarify credit transfer policies and course alignment. Don’t forget to explore financial aid or scholarship opportunities. NYU’s Wagner School offers scholarships to transfer students in many programmes. USC provides scholarships based on academic performance and leadership potential.
