MCAT examinations have admissions in the USA and Canada, mainly. Both these exams are a lot different from each other. Also schools accepting these tests are varying. So, firstly you have to sort where it would be better for you to pursue Medicine.

UKCAT and BMAT are quite different and the schools accepting the results for these tests are varying.

Universities accepting UKCAT: Along with some universities outside the UK, up to 30 universities in the UK accept results of the UKCAT. 

Some of the universities that do are:

• University of Aberdeen
• University of Birmingham
• University of Bristol
• Cardiff University
• University of Dundee
• University of Newcastle
• University of Nottingham
• University of Edinburgh

Universities accepting BMAT:

Only seven universities in the UK accept the results of BMAT examinations. These universities are one of the most highly ranked universities in the UK as well as the world for studying medicine.

The universities that do accept results of BMAT are:

• University of Cambridge: Even though initially the BMAT score is not much of a deciding factor for making it through to the interview stage. BMAT can be a factor in determining final acceptance. Other factors can be your GCSEs and performance in the interview.
• University of Oxford: The University of Oxford tends to interview just 30% of candidates and puts a 50/50 stress on BMAT and GCSEs. This can be a matter of relief for applicants who did well in their GCSEs since the score can counterbalance a sub-par BMAT.
• Imperial College: The Imperial College of London requires candidates to achieve a minimum score on every section. You will not secure an interview if you do not hit a minimum threshold, making consistency very important.

Number of attempts:

• UKCAT: Applicants can be allowed to appear for the exam only once a year. The exam can be rescheduled as it is also held from July through October.
• BMAT: This exam can be taken by the applicants in either September or October. In case of the October exam, you will have to ask your school for registration and for September, you will be able to do it on your own. You can appear once a year for BMAT.

The UKCAT is extremely time constrained but the concept tested can be relatively easy. The BMAT concepts can be a little difficult. The manner in which the questions are set can be tricky but applicants have enough time to understand and answer the questions properly.

The Information Technology (IT) branch at MNNIT Allahabad is as good as the Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) branch at the institute. There is not a major difference between the two branches.

• Course Structure: Many people have the notion that IT students are not taught coding. This is totally wrong and almost 80% of the course structure of both the branches are identical. There are some CSE subjects such as Microprocessor, Embedded, etc. which are not taught in the IT branch, and some IT subjects such as Graphics which are not taught in CSE. Else all other important subjects such as Operating System (OS), Networking, etc. are taught in both the branches. 
• Placements: In terms of placements, barring very few companies such as C-DOT, a Government of India (GoI) enterprise, almost all companies allow both CSE and IT, students, during their campus placement process. It’s pretty common to find someone from the IT branch and someone from the CSE branch being recruited in the same company in the placement drive. So, you need not worry about placements from the IT branch.
• Professors and Grades: The same subjects are taught by different professors in the two branches. This sometimes fuels the feeling of a bias of the institute towards the CSE branch among the IT guys which is not entirely true. Even though the professors are different, exams are written by you. So, study well and secure good grades.

The bottom line is that if you are not getting CSE, then you should definitely consider IT if you are interested in coding.

My friend is a pass out from IIIT Sri City and was placed at a well-reputed company. According to his experience, the secret to their great placement record is their curriculum.

As we all know that IIIT Hyderabad is the mentor institute of IIIT Sri City, it gets excellent faculty and placement assistance. The curriculum is totally different compared to NITs and IITs, so you will have a year of advantage over others because in IIITs there is no PCM in the first year.

You will be taught core subjects in depth from the first year itself, unlike regular B.Tech. This is a major plus point that helps train you enough for the placements later. Currently, the average package at IIIT Sri City is about 8–9 LPA and the highest is 24 LPA.

You might also get offered semester-long internships out of India in which you will get paid too.

Here is a list of some companies who recruit at IIIT Sri City:

• C A Technologies
• Michelin Tyres
• Seedo Labs
• Smart Pix
• O C Tanner
• HSBC Bank
• Mac Software
• Perceptive Analytics
• Spring M L
• Glocal Health Care
• Byju’s
• Flipkart (Operations)
• Zipper Technologies
• Apache Footwear

However, the placement package and company also depend on your skills and capabilities. So, you will need to strictly adhere to their curriculum to climb the ladder of success. Also, in case you miss the campus placements, the rigorous curriculum and training will make you capable of getting any good-paying job outside the campus.

Manipal College of Dental Sciences (MCODS), Mangalore has been ranked at number 6 for Dental by NIRF in 2019 and offers three popular courses in BDS, MDS, and PG Diploma. MCODS, Manipal on the other hand has been ranked at number 5 for Dental by NIRF in 2020 and offers popular programs in BDS and MDS.

While both the institutions offer a great program in Dental sciences, let us take a look at some of the main features that set them apart:

Admissions:

• Admission to both institutions is done on the basis of rank secured in NEET UG/ NEET MDS.

• One must have secured 50% marks in 12th with PCB and English as a compulsory subject.

• The total seats available for BDS at both campuses are 100.

• The fee structure at both campuses is also the same i.e. 26.40 Lakhs.

Campus:

MCODS Mangalore:

• The University is known to have some of the best facilities in terms of classrooms, teaching labs to a spacious and well-stocked library with all important resources and e-books.

• It has a CAD-CAM, digital X-Ray machine, and CBCTC scan to provide students with the best technological facilities available in the country.

• The hostel and mess facilities are good too, with a separate block for students from all departments.

MCODS Manipal:

• It has high-speed internet access all across the campus and offers an outdoor sports complex and gymnasium.

• Students also have separate study rooms in the hostel as well as on-campus.

Faculty:

MCODS Mangalore: The University oversees some great and intellectual faculty members, some of who have also been part of the dental council of India. They are academic professionals with years of experience in dentistry.

MCODS Manipal: The faculty at MCODS Manipal are known for being extremely professional and helpful to students and are available to solve any doubts or queries that they might have.

Placements:

The number of companies that visit dental institutions is low but students graduating from these colleges have a higher chance of getting admissions in a reputed university for their masters.

While both the institutions are great for BDS, students can make a more informed choice based on the given factors above.

No weightage is given as such to the past academic performance when it comes to placements. You must have cleared the minimum required marks when it comes to academics to get shortlisted for the interview.

Once you enter the interview room, the academies do not play any role. Everything depends upon your personality and confidence that you pose in an interview which will help you in clearing it. Academies do play an important role when it comes to campus placements.