ONCE, during an aptitude test, a young boy of 14 wrote, "I would like to be a bhai (mob boss), as I will get money and status. Everybody would be scared of me and I will not have to go to college."

It stunned me. But I could also see he was just being honest. His statement reflects the attraction that we all hold for fast money.

Often, students come to a crossroad where they must choose between taking the easy way out or going the arduous route. There usually comes a point when we are tempted to take the shortcut, even if an inner voice says otherwise.

Let's look at two students who nearly got duped trying to take a shortcut.

Simi had been working at a call centre for several years after completing her Class XII. At 25, felt the need for a Bachelor's degree. When she checked with various Indian universities, the idea of studying for three years daunted her.

Then, a newspaper advertisement for a one-year Bachelor's degree from an American university in India caught her eye. She came to me for investigation and consultation. But further research into the university and its accreditation proved it was not really authorised to offer its courses in India.

So even though the university was accredited under a slightly unusual law in California to offer degrees to mature students, no offshore operations were approved. Were Simi to do the course, it would not be held valid either in India or overseas.

Photograph: Getty Images
(Photograph used for illustrative purposes only)

1 | 2 | 3 |  

e-mail: Shivani Manchanda

Suggest a story idea! Write to us!