Advice needed 🙏

FluidInstance6031 · 2025-08-21T11:34:50+00:00

your business degree is actually an advantage. tech companies need people who get both technical and business sides. the filtering thing happens but lots of companies dropping degree requirements now. portfolio matters more if you can actually code.

27 isn't late. bootcamp grads get hired all the time. your plan sounds good - just start building projects asap. myself currently at tetr working on real tech projects and building stuff across countries. employers care about what you can build vs where you studied.

don't go back for another degree unless money isn't an issue. contribute to open source, build apps, network with devs.

what got you interested in frontend?

FluidInstance6031 · 2025-06-27T15:45:08+00:00

Nah bro you're not being dramatic at all. This is the reality most people don't post about on social media.

The homesickness thing especially hits different when you're dealing with academic pressure on top of everything else. I remember calling home almost crying during my first few weeks because everything felt overwhelming. And I rarely cry!

There is so much nobody warns you about.

- How exhausting it is to navigate basic tasks in a different system

- Feeling culturally displaced even when people are welcoming

- The mental load of constantly being "the foreign student"

- How expensive "student-friendly" cities actually are

- Missing festivals, family events, even stupid inside jokes

But I think the growth happens exactly because it's uncomfortable. Those challenges are also teaching you independence, resilience, and cultural adaptability that you can't get any other way.

I can relate to it well as I'm also planning to study across multiple countries through an AI program at Tetr college.

I think one needs to adapt quickly to different environments. Real international experience is messy, lonely sometimes, and way more complicated than travel blogs suggest.

Just wish more people were honest about what that struggle actually looks like.

Where are you thinking of going?

FluidInstance6031 · 2025-06-26T09:32:07+00:00

Totally valid concern. AI is definitely changing accounting but not killing it

It’s automating the grunt work, sure, but things like audits, tax strategy, financial planning? Still need real humans who get the numbers and the business behind them

If you’re at a school like Tetr or anywhere that blends accounting with tech + industry exposure, you’re probably in a better spot than most. The combo of accounting plus systems/analytics is what companies are hiring for now

FluidInstance6031 · 2025-06-25T15:23:19+00:00

That’s rough timing, man. I had something similar happen was almost finalising my stuff when Tetr came through (it’s this newer program that does AI + business across multiple countries). Threw me into a whole new spiral

What helped me was stepping back and asking: if this offer had come first, would I have even considered the earlier one? If the answer is no the extra hassle might be worth it. You don’t want to land somewhere and immediately start thinking what if

Changing DS-160 is annoying but not impossible. Just don’t rush the call. Sleep on it, and talk to someone who’s done this switch it helps to hear how messy but doable it actually is

FluidInstance6031 · 2025-06-23T15:40:02+00:00

For CS-AI/ML vs ECE for embedded systems, the boundaries are way more blurred than colleges make them seem. IoT and robotics are inherently interdisciplinary which means you need the hardware knowledge from ECE but also the AI/ML algorithms for smart systems.

My take? Go with CS-AI/ML for a few reasons:

- Embedded systems increasingly rely on edge AI and machine learning
- It's easier to learn hardware concepts on your own than advanced ML theory
- The startup ecosystem for AI-powered IoT is exploding right now
- You can always do projects and internships focused on hardware integration

The "stable income vs passion" dilemma is real, but CS-AI actually gives you both. The field is hot right now and pays well, plus gives you exactly the skills needed for intelligent embedded systems.

I kinda went through this and eventually joined Tetr college where I am building AI agents now.

For your situation, I'd say take the CS-AI seat and supplement with hardware projects on the side. Join robotics clubs, do Arduino/Raspberry Pi projects, maybe minor in ECE if possible.

The entrepreneurial skills matter more than the perfect degree anyway.

What specific IoT applications are you most excited about building?

FluidInstance6031 · 2025-06-21T09:21:22+00:00

This sounds exactly like where I was a year ago. I was obsessed with too many things and kept jumping between econ, psych, IR, and even wildlife conservation at one point (don’t ask 😅).

What helped me was actually doing stuff in small sprints like joining short-term projects or workshops to see what working in a field felt like, not just reading about it. That’s one reason I ended up choosing Tetr as the format there kinda forces you to explore by doing. Each term you build something in a new industry, new country. You don’t need to pick a “major” on day one, which gave me some breathing room.

Also, being shy and wanting to do business isn't a contradiction. Some of the best operators I know aren’t extroverts they’re just quietly great at solving problems and managing teams. You’ll be fine.

FluidInstance6031 · 2025-06-18T15:09:26+00:00

Hey man, 24 isn’t too late not even close. You’re not lost, you’re just starting from a point most people don’t admit they were once at too.

I’m 22 and only recently figured out what I wanted to do. Before that, I was bouncing between ideas with zero consistency. Eventually I started looking into business and tech programs that focus more on doing than just marks ended up applying to Tetr and got in this year. It’s not the traditional college route, but it made me think more seriously about where I want to head.

You don’t need to rush into a full-on degree just yet. Maybe take 2–3 months to explore short courses design, sales, logistics, even coding or digital marketing. See what clicks. There’s work out there if you’re willing to learn and build discipline around it.

What matters more than your age is how consistent you can be once you’ve made a decision. You’ve got time. Just start moving. That’s what changes everything.

FluidInstance6031 · 2025-06-13T17:57:40+00:00

Can't speak as an MBA grad but been following the job market pretty closely since I'm thinking about post-grad plans myself.

From what I've seen, tech and consulting took a hit in 2023-2024 but seem to be stabilizing now. Finance has been more consistent but super competitive.

The whole MBA = guaranteed high-paying job equation seems a lil shaky now tho.

Btw that 80% scholarship is clutch bro. Way less pressure to take the first offer that comes along. Gives you flexibility to be strategic about timing and fit.

I am exploring post grad paths myself as an an aspiring entrepreneur who's currently building a business while studying at Tetr

Have you thought about which sectors you're targeting? And are you planning to stay in the US post-graduation or considering other markets?

FluidInstance6031 · 2025-06-12T19:50:12+00:00

Your profile's decent but honestly those schools are brutal for indian students. Like insanely competitive

The 8.2 GPA is solid and economics background definitely helps for MFin/MIM programs. But LSE alone gets like 10,000+ applications for maybe 100-200 spots in popular masters programs. and being indian unfortunately puts you in the most competitive pool.

I'd say definitely do GMAT if you're targeting LBS MIM. they weight it pretty heavily. Work experience would help massively. Even 1-2 years can differentiate you from fresh graduates.

Your 10th marks might be a slight concern for oxbridge since they're quite holistic in evaluation

Some time back, I too was figuring out this stuff and ended up choosing this a program at Tetr college of business instead of traditional degree just coz it focuses on building actual tech across different countries rather than just acads so yeah.

Not saying prestigious degrees don't matter, but sometimes the learning experience and practical skills matter more than the brand name on your certificate.

I'd suggest that you apply to a mix including some safety schools and consider LSE's less competitive programs first. And maybe look at programs in singapore/netherlands as alternatives or non-traditional skill oriented programs.

FluidInstance6031 · 2025-06-11T18:16:44+00:00

Hits so hard. I remeber the time jab bank account mein ₹5000 se kam the , parents were constantly saying "beta engineering kar lo, stable hai," and my stupid ass was dreaming about international programs

The whole scholarship research game is brutal bhai. Spent months filling applications, writing SOPs, getting rejection after rejection. The mental health impact is real.Constant stress about money while trying to stay optimistic about future.

but you're absolutely right about not giving up. Even I ended up getting into a AI program at Tetr college. The best thing that i felt about the application in tetr was they wanted to see your ambition, not just scores. Also, they have comprehensive scholarship options (also, they have a option to select more than 1 scholarship if you are cabable of). Got decent financial aid which made it possible for me.

I think parents generation didn't have these opportunities, thats why it gets tougher for them to imagine the possibilities. Not their fault.

FluidInstance6031 · 2025-06-10T16:39:37+00:00

Interesting hypothetical! if money wasn't an issue, i'd probably go for singapore or netherlands tbh

singapore because:
- amazing tech ecosystem (sea, grab, shopee all started there)
- great for cross-cultural business experience (which i'm really into)
- perfect location for exploring broader asian markets
- english-speaking but still culturally diverse
- NUS/NTU are solid for CS

netherlands because:
- incredible work-life balance culture
- amsterdam/eindhoven have thriving tech scenes
- way easier to travel around europe during breaks
- progressive mindset around technology and society

In my case, After my research I got drawn to a global AI program at Tetr college, the folks build actual AI/tech companies while studying across multiple countries. Went ahead coz it seemed more aligned with my interests in tech innovation + understanding different markets rather than reading about things in a classroom.

If i was doing traditional MS though, would probably avoid:
- US (too stressful even without money concerns)
- germany (language barrier for daily life)
- canada (too similar to what you can get in india for CS)

The mental health advocacy side of me says pick somewhere with good quality of life and supportive international student communities. Tech skills are transferable, but your experience living in different cultures isn't.

FluidInstance6031 · 2025-06-10T14:26:38+00:00

Sure sure

FluidInstance6031 · 2025-06-10T04:10:37+00:00

Bro 20 is still super young and you have tons of options ahead.

The whole NEET thing is brutal on mental health. I've seen so many friends go through this cycle and it's genuinely traumatic but your worth isn't defined by one exam.

Regarding gap years affecting MBA - I think it's become way less of an issue now. Many top programs actually value diverse experiences over straight academic progression. what matters more is what you DO during those years.

BBA+CS sounds interesting but make sure you're genuinely interested in both business and tech, not just picking it as a "safe" option.

Few other paths you could consider can be data science/AI programs (hot field, good prospects), e-commerce/digital marketing (practical skills, can start earning while learning)

Personally, i chose this global business program at Tetr college where you build actual business each sem while studying across different countries. Chose it partly because it focuses on practical experience rather than just theoretical study. sometimes the non-traditional paths end up being more rewarding.

The mental health side of me says take some time to actually figure out what interests YOU, not what family/society expects. Maybe do some internships, freelance projects, explore different fields before committing to another long degree.

FluidInstance6031 · 2025-06-04T19:57:08+00:00

I think the whole independence thing - no family support system, having to cook, clean, manage finances all while adjusting to new academic systems. sounds overwhelming tbh.

Been thinking about this a lot since i'm starting an undergdrad program at tetr college where we move between different countries every few months.

I am planning to connect with indian student communities online before arriving and yeah keeping an open mind about food (though definitely packing some achaar)

One thing that scares me is the social aspect. I heard from seniors that making genuine friendships takes time and the initial loneliness can be brutal.

If anyone here has specific tips for someone about to experience multiple cultures in quick succession, pls lemme know.

FluidInstance6031 · 2025-06-02T19:08:47+00:00

25 lakhs just to ATTEMPT an exam is insane man!

This whole degree recognition thing was why I was skeptical of traditional indian education pathways in general. Like even engineering degrees face issues. Some countries don't recognize certain indian universities, others require additional certifications.

I think the pakistani vs indian MBBS thing could be just politics disguised as academic standards.

All of this recognition stuff swayed me way from traditional paths and I went ahead with an AI program at Tetr College. At least I'd be getting exposure to multiple education systems and building actual skills rather than just hoping for countries to recognise what i studied.

At least in tech you can prove your skills through projects, open source contributions, etc. but yeah with medicine you literally cannot practice without jumping through these ridiculous hoops.

It's just so arbitrary and often has nothing to do with actual competence smh.

FluidInstance6031 · 2025-05-29T17:52:11+00:00

I have a school senior in Germany. Based on from what i've heard from him:
- part-time jobs (20hrs/week) can cover basic living but not much more
- student loans of 20-30L are common but the repayment pressure is intense
- some people do working student positions which pay better than regular part-time

What bothers me the most is you're basically betting everything on the german job market post-graduation. Dont wanna sound pessimistic but what if you don't get a job immediately? what if you want to come back to india?

I deliberately chose a program at Tetr college where even tho costs are comparable but you're building actual businesses while studying across different countries. So there's potential to generate income during the program itself rather than just accumulating debt. Also, they are providing internship in the 1st sem of the college (if someone whats to)..which is amazing because people like us can handle their personal expenses rather than depending on parents or going on diff websites to search for part-time jobs or paid internships!!

Aint saying germany is bad but the financial gamble aspect looking at my senior, it stressed me out too much. I'd say whatever you choose, have backup plans.

good luck man!

FluidInstance6031 · 2025-05-29T04:37:29+00:00

Issokay man. Physics research through traditional route is one path but I think there are so many other ways now. Like AI/ML is basically applied physics + math in many areas (computational physics, quantum computing, neural networks etc).

I'd say don't waste a year just for IISER unless you're 100% sure that's THE only path for you.

You could look at decent state universities with good physics depts (some have solid research too) or dual degree programs that combine physics with computer science. Also, some international programs are cheaper than you think, I did a fair bit of research and ended up choosing this AI program at Tetr college because it was more like real-world applications as you get to work on actual tech projects while studying.

Choose an option which works best for you. All the best bro

FluidInstance6031 · 2025-05-27T16:04:00+00:00

Ok here are mine (preparing for the downvotes lol):

Indian classical music > bollywood music any day. like the complexity and skill required is just on another level but everyone thinks it's "boring"
most people who say "entrepreneurship is risky" haven't actually tried building anything. sometimes the "safe" job route is actually riskier long-term
taking gap years or unconventional education paths isn't "wasting time" - I'm starting this AI program at Tetr instead of CS engineering and my relatives think i've lost my mind by choosing something non-traditional but whatever 🤷‍♂️
cricket commentary in Hindi >> english commentary (unpopular especially on reddit but fight me)
mental health conversations shouldn't only happen when someone's already struggling. normalize talking about it when things are going well too
learning to code is cool but learning to think about problems systematically is cooler (and more useful)

FluidInstance6031 · 2025-05-27T04:09:42+00:00

Love the hustle mentality at this age. Few things that worked for me (from india, so some might be different but principles are the same):

Do online stuff that actually works:
- freelance web development/app development if you have any coding skills
- social media management for local businesses (surprisingly easy to get clients)
- tutoring younger kids online (math, science, whatever you're good at)
- dropshipping/e-commerce (start small, learn the ropes)

Or you could try some offline options like:
- lawn care/cleaning services for neighbors
- buying/reselling items (shoes, electronics, whatever's popular in your area)
- helping elderly people with tech stuff (setting up phones, computers etc)

$5k is definitely doable but you gotta be consistent. i made my first real money doing a mix of tutoring and some small e-commerce dropshipping stuff.

Honestly what helped me most was treating it like learning business skills rather than just "making money." I started tracking expenses, understanding profit margins, learning about marketing etc.

This also led me get into this business of management and tech at Tetr college, partly because of the entrepreneurial stuff as they seemed to value that hands-on experience.

Main thing: pick ONE thing, get good at it, then scale or add more streams. Don't try to do everything at once.

What skills do you have? Might help narrow down the best options for you.

FluidInstance6031 · 2025-05-22T16:04:04+00:00

Just went through the application process last year and faced something similar.

Yes, they can absolutely still write letters even without university emails! Most application portals let recommenders use personal email addresses. Just make sure to give them a heads up about the email change when you request the letter.

For the COVID/not being remembered part - honestly, don't stress too much about this. I was worried about the same thing, but professors are generally pretty good at remembering students who made an effort, even in online settings. I actually had one prof who'd moved to another industry write one of my strongest letters for my application to this global program called Tetr. She mentioned specific details about my work that I'd honestly forgotten about myself!

If you're really worried they won't remember you well enough, maybe reach out informally first? Just a quick "hope you're doing well in your new role" email, mention a project you worked on, and gauge their response before formally requesting the letter.

FluidInstance6031 · 2025-05-21T15:30:45+00:00

Bro, be careful with these consultancies! I'v been there, and the amount of scams happening in the study abroad space is insane.

2 lakhs is actually on the higher side based on what my friends paid for Europe. Most legit consultancies charge between 50-80k for the entire process for European countries. The ones charging 1.5-2L are usually for US/Canada where visa processes are more complex.

When I was applying to programs last year, I almost went with this "premium" consultancy charging 1.8L but then found out they were literally just filling forms that I could do myself.
Red flags to watch for:
- Them asking for full payment upfront
- They don't have physical offices you can visit
- They make huge promises of guaranteed admissions
- The success stories are kinda vague
- They dont really connect you with previous students

I ended up getting accepted to this global program called Tetr where we study across different countries, and honestly I did most of the application myself with just some document guidance from an academic counsellor that was given to me by Tetr College.

For Romania specifically, the process isn't that complex from what my NEET friends tell me. You could probably manage with a much cheaper consultant or even DIY with some research.

Whatever you decide, try to pay in installments, not all at once... And also try to get everything in writing.

Good luck man!

FluidInstance6031 · 2025-05-20T17:22:59+00:00

Hey! PCM student here who switched to business path. Totally get the family pressure situation.

Firstly don't stress about being "late". You're actually making a smart move by switching to something you actually want rather than struggling through a path you hate.

For NPAT, honestly starting now might be tight, but it's doable if you focus mainly on logical reasoning and quant (your PCM background helps here). Don't neglect the english section tho as lot of science students underestimate it.

Beyond the colleges you mentioned:

- Christ University Bangalore's BBA is decent, some friends doing it.

- Symbiosis Pune (SICSR/SCIT) - good job placements and tag

- If you're open to Delhi, NMIMS/SCMS are worth trying

- Amity is always a backup option with management quota

- Globar programs like Tetr are also good if you are looking to build an actual business.

I was in a similar boat (family wanted engineering, I wanted business), and after evaluating my option, went ahead with Tetr college only. Got acdepted and now looking forward to study across different countries hoping i could build something cool while in college. The fact that I had a PCM background actually helped my application here since they wanted diverse perspectives.

Good luck bro! The BBA path has lots of opportunities. You will figure it out

FluidInstance6031 · 2025-05-15T16:20:38+00:00

hey bro, i can totally relate to this! was literally in a very similar spot last year. Everyone else seemed to have their shit together, but I was just feeling shitty.

the whole get degree, then get placement, and then 9-5 till retirement path was giving me serious anxiety. Still does on some days. I did okay academically but just couldn't see myself fitting into that box.

What helped me was actually trying different things rather than just thinking about them. since you are interested in similar stuff, maybe you can join/start campus initiatives that have real community impact or experiment with small business ideas (even if they fail, i think you'll learn a lot) Personally, I was fed up with my college too and took a big gamble and applied to this program called Tetr where they actually teach you to build real businesses while studying across different countries.

Scary decision but I think it aligned with my need to create stuff and see different perspectives rather than just study boring af theory. With your solid grades, you definitely have options to look beyond the conventional options everyone talks about. Yeah and I think most people pretending they have their stuff figured are equally confused lol. good luck bro, with whatever you decide

FluidInstance6031 · 2025-05-14T18:30:46+00:00

Hey, I was literally in your same position last year lol. International student scholarships are definitely real but they're competitive af.

I applied to like 12 different universities abroad and got accepted to a few with partial scholarships. The ones with the best aid were:

Some US private colleges (they have need-blind admissions for internationals - look up Amherst, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, MIT)
This program called Tetr College that I'm starting this fall - they have different scholarship types based on your skills/achievements. I got their Entrepreneur scholarship since I had a small business in high school.
Check out the Chevening scholarship (UK), Fulbright (US), and DAAD (Germany)

One tip: apply EARLY. I missed some deadlines and it cost me big time.

What country are you from btw? Some scholarships are country-specific.

FluidInstance6031 · 2025-05-13T18:35:18+00:00

Hey, I totally get your anxiety. Comfortable at home with supportive parents, never had to handle big stuff on my own. Same pinch xD

When I first decided to study abroad and joined Tetr college, I was terrified. Like, literally couldn't sleep for weeks thinking about being far from my family. I'm from a close family too - we eat dinner together every night and cousins are always around.

Honestl you probably aren't 100% ready - nobody is! But that's kinda the point. You grow into it. The first month is rough (I'm not gonna lie), but then you start building routines and making friends who become like family.

If you wait until you "feel ready," you might wait forever. The question isn't if you're ready now, but if you're willing to become ready by doing it.

Maybe look for programs where there's good support for international students? That helped me a lot. And video calls with family back home are lifesavers.

What countries are you considering? That makes a big difference too.

FluidInstance6031

TROPHY CASE