Situated at Mumbai, Karan Gupta Consulting is an education and career consultant, which has counseled and has assisted students to successfully achieve admission to a prestigious overseas university. In an interview with Insights Success, Dr. Karan Gupta, the Founder of the company discusses about the history of the company, its various activities, collaborations, student development activities, and future plans.
- Kindly tell us about the inception of the company. How are you contributing towards creating global resources and manpower?
I established Karan Gupta Consulting in 1999, more than two decades ago. We specialize in helping students with their career aspirations and study abroad options. We guide students who wish to enhance their careers and many of their students choose to study abroad, enhance their skills and then come back to India and work with top firms or create innovative startups, thereby contributing to the global economy.
- What kind of services are you providing to students, working professionals, and companies?
We help students by chalking out a career map for them. We conduct psychometric tests such as the Pearson DAT, MBTI and Strong which help us understand a student’s strengths, passion and aptitude. We then suggest various options for the students which include study options abroad. Once a student decides on his or her plan, we shortlist universities and courses where the student can apply to. We then help the student preparing their applications which includes help with their essays, resume, recommendation letters, portfolios and so on. At this stage, we also help students with profile building and advise them on how to build a successful and impressive application. If needed, we prepare students for admission interviews as well. Once a student gets admission, we then guide the student on how to get a study visa. And finally before the student leaves to study abroad, we conduct workshops where we prepare students for culture shock, settling into a foreign land, foreign exchange, shopping lists and so on.
Many students want to work abroad before they return home and we prepare students by teaching them networking. Universities outside of India do not work on a ‘placement model’ and expect students to network to find jobs. We assist students by helping them understand what is networking and stress the importance of them starting networking from the very first day of their education abroad.
- How is the company assisting students with applying for various colleges and universities? How is it preparing them to successfully complete various gateway exams to pursue overseas education?
Besides helping students with their profile building and application process, we assist students with preparation for the GRE, GMAT, SAT, ACT, TOEFL, IELTS and AP exams. We are dedicated to providing the best preparation services for standardized tests. Students who prepare for exams with us follow a systematic schedule of lectures and practice sections designed to cover all areas of the test. Our video lectures introduce the key techniques for effective test preparation, and our expert tutors are available to explain particular problem areas and to solve difficulties encountered in class work and homework. Our program is structured yet flexible: Students proceed through the course at their own pace. The course is designed to be completed in 12 weeks, but we can arrange an accelerated or an extended program.
Students complete our specially designed, timed, computer-based study units and simulated tests during class, and complete tests from official course material. We place particular emphasis on building a strong foundation in grammar, reasoning and reading skills, and math concepts. We also train students in effective essay writing. To top it up, there is a series of mock tests at the end of the course. And like all other KGC services we can offer the entire training course online.
- Kindly enlighten us about various achievements and collaborations of the company.
Every student I have counselled has succeeded in achieving admission to a prestigious overseas university. In addition, 90% of those students win some form of scholarship or funding thanks to his direct experience working for the Admissions and Aid Funding department of a major US university. 158,000 students, graduates and professionals from over 60 countries have attended his seminars on overseas study, graduate career guidance and continuing education.
As one of India’s most successful education consultants in practice since 1999, I have counselled over 50,100 personal students and have delivered seminars to over 158,000 people.
I attained my education from the University of Texas at Austin, Harvard Business School, University of California San Diego, University of Mumbai and IE Business School. I have gathered first-hand experience of studying, working and living overseas including working in Admissions and Funding departments. I have obtained degrees in Psychology, Business and Law and I am a Certified Careers Advisor. I was awarded an honorary PhD by Ecole Superieure for my two decades of work in the field of education. I am a TEDx speaker and have worked towards equal opportunities for education and empowerment of underprivileged children.
- Kindly enlighten us about your philosophy and the game plan behind achieving success.
My business philosophy is driven by his belief that education is the most powerful tool we have at our disposal, and that a lack of knowledge about how the educational system works should be no barrier to entry. Every student that I have counselled has been accepted to a university or higher education setting. I believe that knowledge is power and my knowledge of grant and scholarship funding systems abroad has helped 90% of my students achieve some level of funding support, and 20% have achieved full scholarship or financial aid packages. I feels, that getting the right advice in this area is crucial for students. I went to the US on a full scholarship to complete my undergraduate education. Pursuing an American education and working in the Office of Admissions, Financial Aid and International Student Office enriched my knowledge of international admissions. I learnt how to effectively prepare an admissions application and how to maximize a student’s chance of admission and financial aid.
As well as an in-depth knowledge of the academic world, I have a passion for education, and in particular for helping the most disadvantaged to access it. I have formed the non-profit Karan Gupta Education Foundation with a specific mission to provide access to education for the most disadvantaged children and women, and have received awards from the Wharton Business School and the Times of India for outstanding contributions to education.
I always try to offer a broad range of educational consultancy for students, graduates and those looking to develop or even change their careers. Students are able to receive advice on higher education, test and exam preparation, career choice and aptitudes, overseas education including student visa application and scholarship advice, career development and career change coaching. Based in Mumbai, Karan Gupta Consulting works with students across India and worldwide and has delivered careers and education advice to over 158,000 people in 60 countries.
- Please tell us about the various collaborations and accreditations of the company.
I am a member of the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), one of the most prestigious organizations for college counselling. I have personally counselled over 50,100 students. Educated at the University of Texas at Austin, Harvard Business School, University of California San Diego, University of Mumbai and IE Business School, I have gathered first-hand experience of studying, working and living overseas – including working in Admissions and Funding departments. I have obtained degrees in Psychology, Business and Law and am a Certified Careers Advisor.
- Please tell us about the future prospects of the company.
Going forward, me and my team will continue to serve the needs of the thousands of students who need help with career guidance and counseling. We believe that every child deserves an equal opportunity for education and through our various services and courses, our mission continues to be that no child will be left behind.
