Your Counsellor Replies

Your Counsellor RepliesI‚m in my final year B.Sc and would like to study for a MCA degree after graduation. Which institutes offer this course and what are their eligibility requirements?Bikram Singh, New Delhi The basic qualification for admission into MCA (Master of computer appli-cations) is graduation in any discipline with maths as a subject until class XII. There are many reputed institutes/ universities which offer the two-year MCA study programme. Among them are: University of Mumbai (www.mu.ac.in); University of Pune (http://cs.unipune. ernet.in); Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi (www.jnu.ac.in); Delhi University (www.du.ac.in); IIT Roorkee (www.iitr. ernet.in) etc. You have to apply separately to universities of your choice by responding to their admission notifications advertised in prominent dailies. From this year on, the All India MCA Entrance Test (AIMCET), is being conducted by the Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, on behalf of the Union ministry of HRD. For the list of institutions participating in AIMCET 2004 visit www.iitr.ac.in/aimcet.I‚m in Plus Two (science) and would like to qualify as an IAF (Indian Air Force) pilot. Please advise.Ravi D‚Souza, PanjimTo qualify as an air force pilot you have to seek admission into the air force wing of the National Defence Academy, Khadakvasala (Pune). And to do that you need to write the National Defence Academy (NDA) examination. Unmarried males who have successfully completed Plus Two with physics and mathematics and have attained the age of 16.5 years, are eligible to apply for admission into the air force wing. Admission dates and criteria are notified twice a year. Good physical and mental health is an important requirement for admission into the NDA. Candidates who habitually wear spectacles are not eligible for the air force. I‚m in my final year B.Com and would like to pursue a career in marketing. Which study courses would you suggest?Shalini Mehta, Mumbai Marketing can be related to different industries, products and services. It can also be divided into direct marketing, tele-marketing, market research, advertising, marketing strategy, brand management, product development, sales and retail. You could opt for a diploma in sales and marketing or retail management, but your best option is to qualify with an MBA in marketing from a reputed B-school. Against the backdrop of the current boom in retailing, specialising in retail management and marketing is a good option. After graduating, you could apply for admission into the 18-month retail management and marketing programme of the ITM School for Business Leadership at the Centre for Development of Leadership and Human Potential, ITM University Campus, 25/26 Institutional Area, Sector 4, Kharghar (E), Navi Mumbai 410 210. I would like to study aeronautical engineering. Other than the IITs, which reputed colleges offer this subject? What chances do I have of getting into NASA?Srinivas Rao, BangaloreThere are a limited number of colleges offering aeronautical engineering. They include Anna University, Chennai 600 025 (www.annauniv.edu); Hindustan College of Engineering, Chennai 603 103 (www.hindustancollege.com); and Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh 160 012. NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) offers educational opportunities, fellowships etc, for students…