List of Top 10 Universities of UK
1. University of Cambridge United Kingdom
2. University of Oxford United Kingdom
3. University College London United Kingdom
4. Imperial College of Science United Kingdom
5. The University of Manchester United Kingdom
6. University Edinburgh United Kingdom
7. University Bristol United Kingdom
8. University of Sheffield United Kingdom
9. King's College London United Kingdom
10. University of Nottingham United Kingdom
for more visit List of Top Universities of UK
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Top 10 Universities of USA list
Top 10 Universities of USA
1. Harvard University United States
2. Stanford University United States
3. University of California - Berkeley United States
4. Massachusetts Institute of Technologies United States
5. California Institute of Technology United States
6. Columbia University United States
7. Princeton University United States
8. The University of Chicago United States
9. Yale University United States
10. Cornell University United States
for more get List of Top 10 Universities of USA
1. Harvard University United States
2. Stanford University United States
3. University of California - Berkeley United States
4. Massachusetts Institute of Technologies United States
5. California Institute of Technology United States
6. Columbia University United States
7. Princeton University United States
8. The University of Chicago United States
9. Yale University United States
10. Cornell University United States
for more get List of Top 10 Universities of USA
Monday, March 23, 2009
Senioritis
You're in for next year. Everything is set in stone. Put your feet up and kick back for the rest of senior year. You might want to think again.
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/225/story/580674.html
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/225/story/580674.html
The Thin Envelope
So what do you do when the one envelope that was supposed to be fat is thin? Make confetti out of it! Put it in the shredder! Throw it at something as hard as you can, stomp your feet, pound your chest with your fists, and SCREAM!!!
http://www.usnews.com/articles/education/2009/03/10/4-reasons-a-rejection-letter-isnt-always-the-end.html
http://www.usnews.com/articles/education/2009/03/10/4-reasons-a-rejection-letter-isnt-always-the-end.html
Senior Year of High School
So you're going to be a senior. Time to take all the fun, fluff courses! Wrong!!!
http://www.dailynewstribune.com/lifestyle/columnists/x2072769899/COLLEGE-MATTERS-Choosing-senior-year-courses
http://www.dailynewstribune.com/lifestyle/columnists/x2072769899/COLLEGE-MATTERS-Choosing-senior-year-courses
ED vs EA
So what do all those letters mean?
http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_11858267?nclick_check=1
http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_11858267?nclick_check=1
College Visits
Doing online research and electronically interacting with colleges can create a more defined list of colleges to visit. Cutting costs involved with college visits is a wise consideration.
http://www.theacorn.com/news/2009/0319/schools/049.html
http://www.theacorn.com/news/2009/0319/schools/049.html
Gap Year Benefits
There are life experiences, maturity, and more financial resources to be considered as some of the benefits of taking a gap year.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/14/business/14year.html?ref=business
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/14/business/14year.html?ref=business
Gap Year Experience
This article gives a perspective from a parent's point-of-view. There are many positive things that can come out of a gap year experience--
http://blogs.ajc.com/opinion-talk-blog/2009/03/16/gap-year-enriches-college-experience/
http://blogs.ajc.com/opinion-talk-blog/2009/03/16/gap-year-enriches-college-experience/
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
How To Stay Connected
Here are 10 steps to stay connected with family friends while abroad:
1.) AOL Instant Messenger: AIM or any other kind of instant messenger (yahoo, msn, etc.) is a great tool to download on your laptop or computer if haven't already. Something like this is particularly handy for study abroad students because of time differences, especially if you're looking for instant communication.
2.) Blog: Why not blog about your experience? You can send the link to all your friends and family, and update them on your life in a new country. As with this blog, you can do more than just use text-- try different forms of media. I'm sure everyone wants to see and hear about your new home away from home and your different adventures. Wordpress is another site for free blogging.
3.) International Pre-Paid Phone Card: If you use pre-paid phone cards as your main form of communication to call home, it is going to get rather expensive. Keep a couple around in case of emergencies, or if you go traveling for an extended period of time and need to touch base with your parents. You may need to call ahead of time (toll free number should be somewhere on the back of the card) to get a specific number to call from different countries and directions.
4.) E-mail: If you're like me, you're checking your e-mail constantly. Chances are, you're going to have internet in your dorm abroad, or at least at the university. You will probably get another school address from your host university that you may check more often, so remember to give everyone the new e-mail!
5.) Facebook: Like e-mail, it's something that I think almost everyone checks frequently throughout the day. Send a friend a message or write on their wall, and you'll get a response back pretty quick. Also, as I'm sure 99.9 percent of people know, it's a great way to share your pictures and links (if you decide to blog, this is a great place to put it).
6.) MySpace: Again, it's a similar concept to facebook except you can jazz it up with a more personal touch if you prefer.
7.) Skype: This was one of the best ways, in my opinion, to stay connected while you're abroad. It serves as a multi-purpose communication resource. It's part phone, part messenger, part web cam all in one. My favorite feature about it was that you could actually talk person to person with everyone and it's FREE! Also, international calls to landlines are super reasonable. As a side note: you may need to get a head set if you don't have one built-in to your laptop.
8.) Snail Mail: Who doesn't like to get a letter in the mail here and there? Or even a postcard. It's a nice change if you're looking to get away from technology. Just remember to look into the cost of postage, and how long it takes to get to wherever you're sending it to. Keep in mind it may take a while for them to receive it...I know I've gotten postcards from abroad and they've arrived after the person has already returned back home.
9.) Web Cam: These are fairly reasonable to purchase, either at home or abroad. You'll just need to download a program for it (skype, aim, yahoo), as will the people you plan on talking with.
10.) Pay-As-You-Go Mobile: Buying a pay-as-you-go phone overseas was one of the best investments I made. I didn't realize what a good idea it was to have one until they informed us at orientation that most students purchased them. The phones themselves are relatively cheap, and calls within the country are inexpensive, too. When you buy the phone you can get an international sim card if you're going to use it to call home occasionally. Also, I know my phone had a feature where I wasn't charged for incoming calls...so have people call you instead :)
1.) AOL Instant Messenger: AIM or any other kind of instant messenger (yahoo, msn, etc.) is a great tool to download on your laptop or computer if haven't already. Something like this is particularly handy for study abroad students because of time differences, especially if you're looking for instant communication.
2.) Blog: Why not blog about your experience? You can send the link to all your friends and family, and update them on your life in a new country. As with this blog, you can do more than just use text-- try different forms of media. I'm sure everyone wants to see and hear about your new home away from home and your different adventures. Wordpress is another site for free blogging.
3.) International Pre-Paid Phone Card: If you use pre-paid phone cards as your main form of communication to call home, it is going to get rather expensive. Keep a couple around in case of emergencies, or if you go traveling for an extended period of time and need to touch base with your parents. You may need to call ahead of time (toll free number should be somewhere on the back of the card) to get a specific number to call from different countries and directions.
4.) E-mail: If you're like me, you're checking your e-mail constantly. Chances are, you're going to have internet in your dorm abroad, or at least at the university. You will probably get another school address from your host university that you may check more often, so remember to give everyone the new e-mail!
5.) Facebook: Like e-mail, it's something that I think almost everyone checks frequently throughout the day. Send a friend a message or write on their wall, and you'll get a response back pretty quick. Also, as I'm sure 99.9 percent of people know, it's a great way to share your pictures and links (if you decide to blog, this is a great place to put it).
6.) MySpace: Again, it's a similar concept to facebook except you can jazz it up with a more personal touch if you prefer.
7.) Skype: This was one of the best ways, in my opinion, to stay connected while you're abroad. It serves as a multi-purpose communication resource. It's part phone, part messenger, part web cam all in one. My favorite feature about it was that you could actually talk person to person with everyone and it's FREE! Also, international calls to landlines are super reasonable. As a side note: you may need to get a head set if you don't have one built-in to your laptop.
8.) Snail Mail: Who doesn't like to get a letter in the mail here and there? Or even a postcard. It's a nice change if you're looking to get away from technology. Just remember to look into the cost of postage, and how long it takes to get to wherever you're sending it to. Keep in mind it may take a while for them to receive it...I know I've gotten postcards from abroad and they've arrived after the person has already returned back home.
9.) Web Cam: These are fairly reasonable to purchase, either at home or abroad. You'll just need to download a program for it (skype, aim, yahoo), as will the people you plan on talking with.
10.) Pay-As-You-Go Mobile: Buying a pay-as-you-go phone overseas was one of the best investments I made. I didn't realize what a good idea it was to have one until they informed us at orientation that most students purchased them. The phones themselves are relatively cheap, and calls within the country are inexpensive, too. When you buy the phone you can get an international sim card if you're going to use it to call home occasionally. Also, I know my phone had a feature where I wasn't charged for incoming calls...so have people call you instead :)
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Whatever is, is so-so
This request came to the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC)'s listserv the other day:
Recently, two students have approached me with concerns about their classes (AB Calc; AP Chem). Both are strong students with rigorous course schedules; they've applied to some selective colleges. The math student had some [learning] issues so AB Calc was always a struggle; last semester he was able to pull a B- in the course. The other barely earned a C in AP Chem last semester and continues to struggle this semester. Both currently have an F right now. They've spoken to their teachers who think it's still possible for them to pull a C- by the end of the semester--but a passing grade isn't guaranteed.
Here are the students questions; should they:
1. Stick with the class and try to get a C or higher, which I am sure is the best possible scenario but is still risky.
2. Drop the class soon, contact all the colleges I have applied to BEFORE the get the decisions back.
3. Wait until I hear back from the colleges and then contact those I am admitted to about dropping the course.
This situation is neither recent nor unusual, especially in the realm of the super-conscious when it comes to college admission. It is part of the gamesmanship that seems to dominate the college process of the overprivileged, where tackling a tough course and sticking it out are not ends in themselves. Instead, the courses are there just to grace a transcript; unless they serve the goal of college admission, they're not worth the struggle.
The counselor is right to suggest that choice #1 is correct, but his/her hesitation and need to ask the college advising community demonstrate why it's so tough to be a college counselor these days. The true answer is, "You chose these courses and need to stick with them. Try to learn as much as you can. You both struggled last year but opted to keep going. Good for you! I admire your determination." The idea is to honor their willingness to challenge themselves by taking the tough road instead of the easy path. (Getting Fs seems to belie that statement, but one has to wonder these days if they simply haven't already given up.)
But, like telling the truth, taking the tough course doesn't always get you the reward you want. Trying to prove yourself in AP calc or AP chem doesn't mean you'll get an A; it means, if nothing else, that if you do all the work and try your hardest, you'll get what you earn. There are no guarantees, so unless you're really in it to try to learn the subject and not simply try to impress college admission officers, your effort is "wasted." (Many times I've heard a rejected candidate say, "What was the point of my taking all those APs if they didn't get me into Patrician University?") So which to reward, the effort or the grade?
Colleges put students in this double bind. There's a standard admission officer response to the student who asks, "Is it better to take a regular course and get an A or an AP course and get a lesser grade?" The answer, you can guess, is "It's better to get an A in the AP course!" Ha ha. At the same time, however, colleges tell students they should always be challenging themselves and not falling back on comfortable courses they can easily ace. So students push themselves into AP courses even if there's a good chance they'll do poorly. It's a calculated risk, with the AP label outweighing the rest. And classes become means to an end, which means if they're not serving that end, there's no reason to take them, and you can see where that's going (see F above).
So which part of the equation should a college honor more? In a world where there are plenty of students who DO get As in AP courses, there's no real dilemma for them. But for me there's always that nagging doubt: What if the student with the lower AP grade is actually a much more interesting student? There are many straight-A students who are more boring than an extra inning baseball game, and not a few others who offer compelling raw material for colleges to work with.
Luckily, many colleges out there are more than willing to forgive a C in calculus or AP chem if the student is clearly doing well otherwise and if there's clear evidence of effort and determination. As long as that student doesn't plan to be an engineer or a chemist, shouldn't his/her willingness to take the risk outweigh the grade in this case? Don't we hear a lot about students being afraid to do that (and college complaints that students don't take risks)? It's here that the most competitive colleges sometimes fall on their own sharp swords: It's difficult for them to take a chance on a student who really has taken chances and is intellectually alive because their own statistics would be affected.
It becomes a Mobius strip of logic and calculation rather than a humane and individualized decision. For that reason, perhaps the college admission community should try to untwist the connections between risk and achievement/gamesmanship and academic integrity. Maybe it's time to revisit why, in an age where so many colleges don't even require math, they still require it to be accepted, and so on. I'm not saying they shouldn't (and I can argue reasons why they should), but I am saying that a discussion of what being well-educated means at the high school level might do us some good. There's enough blather about it and enough testing; maybe we should step back to see where the current requirements have gotten us.
Recently, two students have approached me with concerns about their classes (AB Calc; AP Chem). Both are strong students with rigorous course schedules; they've applied to some selective colleges. The math student had some [learning] issues so AB Calc was always a struggle; last semester he was able to pull a B- in the course. The other barely earned a C in AP Chem last semester and continues to struggle this semester. Both currently have an F right now. They've spoken to their teachers who think it's still possible for them to pull a C- by the end of the semester--but a passing grade isn't guaranteed.
Here are the students questions; should they:
1. Stick with the class and try to get a C or higher, which I am sure is the best possible scenario but is still risky.
2. Drop the class soon, contact all the colleges I have applied to BEFORE the get the decisions back.
3. Wait until I hear back from the colleges and then contact those I am admitted to about dropping the course.
This situation is neither recent nor unusual, especially in the realm of the super-conscious when it comes to college admission. It is part of the gamesmanship that seems to dominate the college process of the overprivileged, where tackling a tough course and sticking it out are not ends in themselves. Instead, the courses are there just to grace a transcript; unless they serve the goal of college admission, they're not worth the struggle.
The counselor is right to suggest that choice #1 is correct, but his/her hesitation and need to ask the college advising community demonstrate why it's so tough to be a college counselor these days. The true answer is, "You chose these courses and need to stick with them. Try to learn as much as you can. You both struggled last year but opted to keep going. Good for you! I admire your determination." The idea is to honor their willingness to challenge themselves by taking the tough road instead of the easy path. (Getting Fs seems to belie that statement, but one has to wonder these days if they simply haven't already given up.)
But, like telling the truth, taking the tough course doesn't always get you the reward you want. Trying to prove yourself in AP calc or AP chem doesn't mean you'll get an A; it means, if nothing else, that if you do all the work and try your hardest, you'll get what you earn. There are no guarantees, so unless you're really in it to try to learn the subject and not simply try to impress college admission officers, your effort is "wasted." (Many times I've heard a rejected candidate say, "What was the point of my taking all those APs if they didn't get me into Patrician University?") So which to reward, the effort or the grade?
Colleges put students in this double bind. There's a standard admission officer response to the student who asks, "Is it better to take a regular course and get an A or an AP course and get a lesser grade?" The answer, you can guess, is "It's better to get an A in the AP course!" Ha ha. At the same time, however, colleges tell students they should always be challenging themselves and not falling back on comfortable courses they can easily ace. So students push themselves into AP courses even if there's a good chance they'll do poorly. It's a calculated risk, with the AP label outweighing the rest. And classes become means to an end, which means if they're not serving that end, there's no reason to take them, and you can see where that's going (see F above).
So which part of the equation should a college honor more? In a world where there are plenty of students who DO get As in AP courses, there's no real dilemma for them. But for me there's always that nagging doubt: What if the student with the lower AP grade is actually a much more interesting student? There are many straight-A students who are more boring than an extra inning baseball game, and not a few others who offer compelling raw material for colleges to work with.
Luckily, many colleges out there are more than willing to forgive a C in calculus or AP chem if the student is clearly doing well otherwise and if there's clear evidence of effort and determination. As long as that student doesn't plan to be an engineer or a chemist, shouldn't his/her willingness to take the risk outweigh the grade in this case? Don't we hear a lot about students being afraid to do that (and college complaints that students don't take risks)? It's here that the most competitive colleges sometimes fall on their own sharp swords: It's difficult for them to take a chance on a student who really has taken chances and is intellectually alive because their own statistics would be affected.
It becomes a Mobius strip of logic and calculation rather than a humane and individualized decision. For that reason, perhaps the college admission community should try to untwist the connections between risk and achievement/gamesmanship and academic integrity. Maybe it's time to revisit why, in an age where so many colleges don't even require math, they still require it to be accepted, and so on. I'm not saying they shouldn't (and I can argue reasons why they should), but I am saying that a discussion of what being well-educated means at the high school level might do us some good. There's enough blather about it and enough testing; maybe we should step back to see where the current requirements have gotten us.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Which Universities Offer Study Abroad Programs In England And Ireland?
By Anne Harvester
If you are currently a college student enrolled in a United States or Canadian college or university, you may want to broaden your horizons by studying abroad. England and Ireland both offer a wealth of educational opportunities for college students, so you will want to do a bit of research before you head off in order to find a study abroad in England or Ireland program that will work for you.
Before you go, you will want to consider the length of various study abroad programs in England and Ireland. If you wish to have a brief visit, a summer program lasting two to four weeks might be perfect for you. On the other hand, you may want to study overseas for a longer length of time. Semester and full year programs are available at several universities located in England and Ireland.
In England, Kingston, Lancaster, and Kent-Canterbury Universities all offer study abroad in England programs. For those wanting Ireland study abroad opportunities, Dublin and Carlow offer business courses at their Institutes of Technology.
If you would like to study in London, Kingston University's semester or year-long study abroad in England programs could be what you are looking for. You will enjoy excellent free bus service during your stay at Kingston, making it easy to traverse the city whenever you like. Many extra curricular activities are available for participants, including various sports and trips to historic sites in London.
If you wish to study abroad in England in a town with a rich history, then you might want to consider a semester or year at the University of Kent in England. Located in Canterbury, you can easily travel from the campus to both London and Paris, affording you with excellent travel opportunities when you are not studying. It is also the home of the world famous Canterbury Cathedral. Back in the classroom, you will benefit from current research being done at the University in areas such as drama, English, conservation and law, all of which make for an exceptional educational experience.
Those wanting to study business should consider Ireland study abroad programs offered in both Dublin and Carlow. Many students benefit from study abroad in England and Ireland programs because it gives you a global perspective that other college graduates will not have, thereby giving you an edge in today's tough job market when you return home. No matter your reasons for wanting to travel, study abroad programs in England and Ireland offer superb academics along with once-in-a-lifetime visits to historic and cultural sites.
If you are currently a college student enrolled in a United States or Canadian college or university, you may want to broaden your horizons by studying abroad. England and Ireland both offer a wealth of educational opportunities for college students, so you will want to do a bit of research before you head off in order to find a study abroad in England or Ireland program that will work for you.
Before you go, you will want to consider the length of various study abroad programs in England and Ireland. If you wish to have a brief visit, a summer program lasting two to four weeks might be perfect for you. On the other hand, you may want to study overseas for a longer length of time. Semester and full year programs are available at several universities located in England and Ireland.
In England, Kingston, Lancaster, and Kent-Canterbury Universities all offer study abroad in England programs. For those wanting Ireland study abroad opportunities, Dublin and Carlow offer business courses at their Institutes of Technology.
If you would like to study in London, Kingston University's semester or year-long study abroad in England programs could be what you are looking for. You will enjoy excellent free bus service during your stay at Kingston, making it easy to traverse the city whenever you like. Many extra curricular activities are available for participants, including various sports and trips to historic sites in London.
If you wish to study abroad in England in a town with a rich history, then you might want to consider a semester or year at the University of Kent in England. Located in Canterbury, you can easily travel from the campus to both London and Paris, affording you with excellent travel opportunities when you are not studying. It is also the home of the world famous Canterbury Cathedral. Back in the classroom, you will benefit from current research being done at the University in areas such as drama, English, conservation and law, all of which make for an exceptional educational experience.
Those wanting to study business should consider Ireland study abroad programs offered in both Dublin and Carlow. Many students benefit from study abroad in England and Ireland programs because it gives you a global perspective that other college graduates will not have, thereby giving you an edge in today's tough job market when you return home. No matter your reasons for wanting to travel, study abroad programs in England and Ireland offer superb academics along with once-in-a-lifetime visits to historic and cultural sites.
The importance of Automotive Engineering
By Quinlan Murray
What is Automotive Engineering?
The automotive engineering degree program comprises a four-year bachelor's degree that mainly concentrates on acquiring the automotive engineering skills that is extremely essential for the automotive industry at present.
Laboratory experience: College students who prefer this branch of study (Automotive Engineering Technology AET) receive hands-on laboratory experience in the process of automotive engineering, mechanical testing, metallurgy, emission and dynamometer testing. Moreover, the student is also required to do on-the-job automotive engineering internships which are regarded as an essential part of this college automotive AET degree and automotive engineering degree program.
Basic principles of automotive industry: Automotive Engineering Technology AET prepares individuals on how to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of automotive engineers and other automotive technology professionals. They are mainly involved in developing, automotive manufacturing and testing self-propelled ground vehicles and their systems.
Vehicular systems technology: AETdegree programsalso consists of instruction in vehicular systems technology, automotive design and automotive development testing, instrument calibration, automotive test equipment operation, automotive technology maintenance, and report preparation.
Graduates of AET degree program (automotive engineering degree & automotive technology degree) are among the highest-paid employees in reputed organizations. In this because of the fact that global automotive manufacturer in America requires automotive engineering development along with accurate skills that are obtained by the student during his course of automotive technology bachelors degree program. A student is often faced with the difficult decision of choosing from quite a few desirable and lucrative automotive engineering. But the
Bachelor's Degree Automotive Technology ultimately is the best choice.
Score: College Students who wants to pursue Automotive Engineering Degree and AET degree program must have a score of 2.75 GPA from high school and also a 17 ACT composite and math 19 sub-score. In case of a transfer student, he or she is required to have completed a two-year associate's degree. The norm varies from one institution to another but generally it is the same in most cases with a slight variation.
Professional help: Automotive Technology Program is taught by professional teachers. After completion of your graduation, you can do your doctorate degrees, masterҀs degrees, bachelor's degree and associate degree automotive programs.
Make your dream come true: If you have always dreamed of working with cars and cars are your only dream, you can actually turn your passion into a challenging, exciting and lucrative career while pursuing Automotive Technology Associate's Degree. An Associate's Degree in Automotive Technology will also be able to provide you a job in the automotive repair shop.
What is Automotive Engineering?
The automotive engineering degree program comprises a four-year bachelor's degree that mainly concentrates on acquiring the automotive engineering skills that is extremely essential for the automotive industry at present.
Laboratory experience: College students who prefer this branch of study (Automotive Engineering Technology AET) receive hands-on laboratory experience in the process of automotive engineering, mechanical testing, metallurgy, emission and dynamometer testing. Moreover, the student is also required to do on-the-job automotive engineering internships which are regarded as an essential part of this college automotive AET degree and automotive engineering degree program.
Basic principles of automotive industry: Automotive Engineering Technology AET prepares individuals on how to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of automotive engineers and other automotive technology professionals. They are mainly involved in developing, automotive manufacturing and testing self-propelled ground vehicles and their systems.
Vehicular systems technology: AETdegree programsalso consists of instruction in vehicular systems technology, automotive design and automotive development testing, instrument calibration, automotive test equipment operation, automotive technology maintenance, and report preparation.
Graduates of AET degree program (automotive engineering degree & automotive technology degree) are among the highest-paid employees in reputed organizations. In this because of the fact that global automotive manufacturer in America requires automotive engineering development along with accurate skills that are obtained by the student during his course of automotive technology bachelors degree program. A student is often faced with the difficult decision of choosing from quite a few desirable and lucrative automotive engineering. But the
Bachelor's Degree Automotive Technology ultimately is the best choice.
Score: College Students who wants to pursue Automotive Engineering Degree and AET degree program must have a score of 2.75 GPA from high school and also a 17 ACT composite and math 19 sub-score. In case of a transfer student, he or she is required to have completed a two-year associate's degree. The norm varies from one institution to another but generally it is the same in most cases with a slight variation.
Professional help: Automotive Technology Program is taught by professional teachers. After completion of your graduation, you can do your doctorate degrees, masterҀs degrees, bachelor's degree and associate degree automotive programs.
Make your dream come true: If you have always dreamed of working with cars and cars are your only dream, you can actually turn your passion into a challenging, exciting and lucrative career while pursuing Automotive Technology Associate's Degree. An Associate's Degree in Automotive Technology will also be able to provide you a job in the automotive repair shop.
What is Sound Engineering and Where Can You Get Trained?
By Abby Reid
Sound Engineering is has become a popular profession in todayҀs job market. Despite this, not many people know what is involved in Sound Engineering. Commonly referred to as audio engineering, this field deals with the usage of electronic devices for sound mixing, recording and sound editing.
Sound engineering plays an important role in movie and music production. However, with advancements in the sound engineering technology, the applications of the job have increased to include various jobs like aircraft crash investigation and many other complicated sound research systems. As you can see, a career in sound engineering gives you a wide variety of career choices. With the huge popularity explosion of this field, many sound engineering schools have opened up worldwide. However, several factors have to be considered for selecting the best Sound Mixing School.
Look For well experienced faculty
You are probably well aware of the fact that Sound Engineering is complicated field of work. It is imperative that you receive a good sound engineering education before jumping into the job market. Unlike some other tech fields, Sound engineering cannot be learned by reading up on it by yourself. Even if it could be, a good practical education in sound engineering is necessary to insure that you can get a good job.
To successfully learn the intricacies of sound engineering, you will need the assistance of some experienced people who knows the subject of audio recording very well. It is very important to make sure that the faculty of the training school you are looking into is well experienced and knowledgeable enough to provide you the best Sound engineering education.
Most of the audio recording schools will have inexperienced teachers who have earned the degree recently, and have little field experience. Because there are only few experienced professionals in the field of Sound Engineering, only a few schools get to have a good, experienced faculty at their school.
Look for audio recording schools with close association to the music industry
The association of the audio recoding school with the music industry will be beneficial in many ways. Apart from the increased career opportunities, such audio recording schools can offer you hands on experience in the sound recording and mixing techniques during the training period. As these schools will be closely linked with the music industry, they will be able to provide you seminars and interviews with the music industry experts.
The well equipped lab facilities
Sound Engineering education requires lots of practical classes than the theory ones. Hence the sound mixing school of your choice should be well equipped with sophisticated Sound engineering instruments. Getting Sound engineering education in such schools will prepare you to meet any challenges in the music industry.
The best place to get Sound Engineering Education.
Though sound engineering education is provided all over the world, only a few training schools will have all the above mentioned features. The Satellite Campus in Gilbert is one of the best sound mixing schools available.
As this campus is located in one of AmericaҀs fastest growing cities, getting into aspiring Careers in Recording Arts is not a big deal at all. The Gilbert Campus is in close proximity to Mesa, which is one of the worldҀs best education centers. As the campus is located near one of AmericaҀs most popular cities, schools there are closely associated with the music industry too. The Careers in Recording Arts are many and varied in the field of Sound Engineering.
Sound Engineering is has become a popular profession in todayҀs job market. Despite this, not many people know what is involved in Sound Engineering. Commonly referred to as audio engineering, this field deals with the usage of electronic devices for sound mixing, recording and sound editing.
Sound engineering plays an important role in movie and music production. However, with advancements in the sound engineering technology, the applications of the job have increased to include various jobs like aircraft crash investigation and many other complicated sound research systems. As you can see, a career in sound engineering gives you a wide variety of career choices. With the huge popularity explosion of this field, many sound engineering schools have opened up worldwide. However, several factors have to be considered for selecting the best Sound Mixing School.
Look For well experienced faculty
You are probably well aware of the fact that Sound Engineering is complicated field of work. It is imperative that you receive a good sound engineering education before jumping into the job market. Unlike some other tech fields, Sound engineering cannot be learned by reading up on it by yourself. Even if it could be, a good practical education in sound engineering is necessary to insure that you can get a good job.
To successfully learn the intricacies of sound engineering, you will need the assistance of some experienced people who knows the subject of audio recording very well. It is very important to make sure that the faculty of the training school you are looking into is well experienced and knowledgeable enough to provide you the best Sound engineering education.
Most of the audio recording schools will have inexperienced teachers who have earned the degree recently, and have little field experience. Because there are only few experienced professionals in the field of Sound Engineering, only a few schools get to have a good, experienced faculty at their school.
Look for audio recording schools with close association to the music industry
The association of the audio recoding school with the music industry will be beneficial in many ways. Apart from the increased career opportunities, such audio recording schools can offer you hands on experience in the sound recording and mixing techniques during the training period. As these schools will be closely linked with the music industry, they will be able to provide you seminars and interviews with the music industry experts.
The well equipped lab facilities
Sound Engineering education requires lots of practical classes than the theory ones. Hence the sound mixing school of your choice should be well equipped with sophisticated Sound engineering instruments. Getting Sound engineering education in such schools will prepare you to meet any challenges in the music industry.
The best place to get Sound Engineering Education.
Though sound engineering education is provided all over the world, only a few training schools will have all the above mentioned features. The Satellite Campus in Gilbert is one of the best sound mixing schools available.
As this campus is located in one of AmericaҀs fastest growing cities, getting into aspiring Careers in Recording Arts is not a big deal at all. The Gilbert Campus is in close proximity to Mesa, which is one of the worldҀs best education centers. As the campus is located near one of AmericaҀs most popular cities, schools there are closely associated with the music industry too. The Careers in Recording Arts are many and varied in the field of Sound Engineering.
Recommendation Letters
Before you ask a teacher to write a letter of recommendation for you. there are several things that you should take into consideration.
College 101 - What Every Student Needs to Know About College Recommendations
Posted by Interactive Desk on Mar 04 2009, 01:59 PM
By Sam Rosensohn,Special to the Times /
Keep in mind that the teacher recommendations that accompany a studentŇ€s college applications can make or break a candidacy׀thatŇ€s because 80 percent of the students who apply to any given school have the grades and SAT scores to get in.
So letҀs take a look at how teachers evaluate students and how important their college recommendations are, particularly if youҀre applying to a selective school.
The Common Application, which is currently the application of choice for 346 colleges and universities, including Amherst, Columbia, Harvard, Northeastern, Princeton, and Washington & Lee, calls for two teacher recommendations.
After noting how long the teacher has known you and in what context, the teacher is asked, Ó€What are the first words that come to your mind to describe this student?Ô€ The teacher has one line for the answer.
The teacher is then asked to list the courses in which he or she instructed the student, noting the year it was taught, and the level of course difficulty.
That done the teacher is asked, Ó€Please write whatever you think is important about this student, including a description of academic and personal characteristics, as demonstrated in your classroom. We welcome information that will help us to differentiate this student from others.Ô€
Freshmen, sophomores, and juniors, share more in class. Let your teachers see you at your best. Get to know your teachers better, take more initiative in your education, and things will improve in class and in turn so will your recommendations.
Juniors, since youҀre going to need two teacher recommendations, I suggest you line this up before the close of school in June. You could ask one to focus on personal characteristics and the other to focus on academic characteristics. If you donҀt map it out, thereҀs always the possibility that both teachers will focus on the same characteristics.
After completing a written evaluation, the teacher will look at a grid (which you can see by going to www.commonapp.org) and compare you to the other students in your class and how you rate in the following 16 categories (not too long ago there were 11): Academic achievement, Intellectual promise, Quality of writing, Creative thought, Productive classroom discussion, Respect accorded by faculty, Disciplined work habits, Maturity, Motivation, Leadership, Integrity, Reaction to setbacks, Concern for others, Self-confidence, Initiative, Independence, and Overall.
Now hereҀs where it gets excruciatingly real. For each of those categories, teachers are asked to check one of the following boxes: Below Average, Average, Good, Very good, Excellent (top 10 percent), Outstanding (top 5 percent), and One of the Top Few Encountered in My Career.
The way ratings are set up on the application, admission officers donҀt need to read the teacher essay, they simply have to look at the check marks. Depending upon where they fall, youҀre either in the pile for consideration or in the circular file.
Since a lukewarm recommendation is not going to help your candidacy, whatҀs a student to do?
Find a good time this spring (not moments before the start of class next fall) to ask your teacher if he or she would write you a recommendation. If the answer is yes, then advise how much you want to go to a particular school, and ask your teacher if he or she is comfortable supporting your candidacy. You will find that for the most part teachers will let you know when they canҀt write a glowing recommendation.
Finally, send your teacher a thank-you note as soon as she agrees to write your recommendation and enclose your resume; it can make a difference in how she views you.
Sam Rosensohn is the founder of College Planning Partnerships, which offers prep classes for the SAT, the ACT, and the SSAT. He helps students to prepare for college and to write college essays. He can be reached in Clinton at 860-664-9857 or at sam@satprepct.com. Visit www.satprepct.com to find SAT prep class times and previously published Ó€College 101Ô€ columns.
College 101 - What Every Student Needs to Know About College Recommendations
Posted by Interactive Desk on Mar 04 2009, 01:59 PM
By Sam Rosensohn,Special to the Times /
Keep in mind that the teacher recommendations that accompany a studentŇ€s college applications can make or break a candidacy׀thatŇ€s because 80 percent of the students who apply to any given school have the grades and SAT scores to get in.
So letҀs take a look at how teachers evaluate students and how important their college recommendations are, particularly if youҀre applying to a selective school.
The Common Application, which is currently the application of choice for 346 colleges and universities, including Amherst, Columbia, Harvard, Northeastern, Princeton, and Washington & Lee, calls for two teacher recommendations.
After noting how long the teacher has known you and in what context, the teacher is asked, Ó€What are the first words that come to your mind to describe this student?Ô€ The teacher has one line for the answer.
The teacher is then asked to list the courses in which he or she instructed the student, noting the year it was taught, and the level of course difficulty.
That done the teacher is asked, Ó€Please write whatever you think is important about this student, including a description of academic and personal characteristics, as demonstrated in your classroom. We welcome information that will help us to differentiate this student from others.Ô€
Freshmen, sophomores, and juniors, share more in class. Let your teachers see you at your best. Get to know your teachers better, take more initiative in your education, and things will improve in class and in turn so will your recommendations.
Juniors, since youҀre going to need two teacher recommendations, I suggest you line this up before the close of school in June. You could ask one to focus on personal characteristics and the other to focus on academic characteristics. If you donҀt map it out, thereҀs always the possibility that both teachers will focus on the same characteristics.
After completing a written evaluation, the teacher will look at a grid (which you can see by going to www.commonapp.org) and compare you to the other students in your class and how you rate in the following 16 categories (not too long ago there were 11): Academic achievement, Intellectual promise, Quality of writing, Creative thought, Productive classroom discussion, Respect accorded by faculty, Disciplined work habits, Maturity, Motivation, Leadership, Integrity, Reaction to setbacks, Concern for others, Self-confidence, Initiative, Independence, and Overall.
Now hereҀs where it gets excruciatingly real. For each of those categories, teachers are asked to check one of the following boxes: Below Average, Average, Good, Very good, Excellent (top 10 percent), Outstanding (top 5 percent), and One of the Top Few Encountered in My Career.
The way ratings are set up on the application, admission officers donҀt need to read the teacher essay, they simply have to look at the check marks. Depending upon where they fall, youҀre either in the pile for consideration or in the circular file.
Since a lukewarm recommendation is not going to help your candidacy, whatҀs a student to do?
Find a good time this spring (not moments before the start of class next fall) to ask your teacher if he or she would write you a recommendation. If the answer is yes, then advise how much you want to go to a particular school, and ask your teacher if he or she is comfortable supporting your candidacy. You will find that for the most part teachers will let you know when they canҀt write a glowing recommendation.
Finally, send your teacher a thank-you note as soon as she agrees to write your recommendation and enclose your resume; it can make a difference in how she views you.
Sam Rosensohn is the founder of College Planning Partnerships, which offers prep classes for the SAT, the ACT, and the SSAT. He helps students to prepare for college and to write college essays. He can be reached in Clinton at 860-664-9857 or at sam@satprepct.com. Visit www.satprepct.com to find SAT prep class times and previously published Ó€College 101Ô€ columns.
And the Final Answer Is?
When you receive more than one fat envelope, what do you do. There are a number of factors to consider when making your final selection. Eenie, Meenie, My and Mo does not cut it!
http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/education/2009/march/Choosing-a-College-What-s-Your-Final-Answer.html
http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/education/2009/march/Choosing-a-College-What-s-Your-Final-Answer.html
Yeah! Yeah! No More Tests!
The ever-growing controversy over the validity of standardized tests as a means of determining whether one will succeed or fail in college continues on.
Read this article to see how the number of colleges no longer requiring the SAT/ACT is growing.
http://www.opposingviews.com/articles/news-nearly-1000-colleges-no-longer-require-sat-act-scores
Read this article to see how the number of colleges no longer requiring the SAT/ACT is growing.
http://www.opposingviews.com/articles/news-nearly-1000-colleges-no-longer-require-sat-act-scores
Scholarship Search Tips
See if these tips might simplify your hunt for college money.
As the school year nears end, high-school seniors may be scrambling to get scholarship applications in before deadline.
There are literally thousands of scholarships students can apply for, but finding the ones you qualify for can be challenging.
"This becomes like a part-time job," said Paul Halpine, lead counselor at Estrella Foothills High School in Goodyear. "You need to do it extremely well. Every scholarship you fill out is the potential to make money for college."
Many scholarships and colleges require students to first fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form, which is available online at fafsa.ed.gov.
The deadline is today at 11 p.m. for Arizona and some other states. Some states have later deadlines. Some private scholarships do not require the FAFSA form.
Halpine had a few tips for seniors applying for college scholarships:
1. Start early. Applying for scholarships can be time consuming and tedious. Set aside a few of nights or weekends to investigate what scholarships are out there.
"We have a college and career-prep course for all freshman and junior students," Halpine said. "Just making that transition getting them to think about four years down the road helps our students."
2. Make sure that the scholarship pertains to you. Identify scholarship standards that you meet.
3. Read the fine print. Look carefully at scholarship directions and make sure to complete the application fully.
4. Practice essay writing. Many guidance offices have sample essays.
"If you can't write a well-written coherent essay, you won't be as successful," Halpine said.
5. Be original. Creatively approach every topic and make it personal.
6. Proof and edit essays. Ask counselors and English teachers for writing tips.
7. Don't plagiarize. "There are programs out there to check if a student plagiarizes something. It has happened in the past," Halpine said. "It's a shortcut. If you're doing that sort of thing you're probably not ready."
8. Apply for many. Scholarships are competitive. The more you fill out the better chance you'll have.
9. Be professional and thorough. You have to impress and sell yourself to organizations, giving them reasons to award you money. They want go-getters and overachievers, Halpine said. "As a result, the implication is those students are going to do better in college."
10. There is no substitute to preparation and hard work.
As the school year nears end, high-school seniors may be scrambling to get scholarship applications in before deadline.
There are literally thousands of scholarships students can apply for, but finding the ones you qualify for can be challenging.
"This becomes like a part-time job," said Paul Halpine, lead counselor at Estrella Foothills High School in Goodyear. "You need to do it extremely well. Every scholarship you fill out is the potential to make money for college."
Many scholarships and colleges require students to first fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form, which is available online at fafsa.ed.gov.
The deadline is today at 11 p.m. for Arizona and some other states. Some states have later deadlines. Some private scholarships do not require the FAFSA form.
Halpine had a few tips for seniors applying for college scholarships:
1. Start early. Applying for scholarships can be time consuming and tedious. Set aside a few of nights or weekends to investigate what scholarships are out there.
"We have a college and career-prep course for all freshman and junior students," Halpine said. "Just making that transition getting them to think about four years down the road helps our students."
2. Make sure that the scholarship pertains to you. Identify scholarship standards that you meet.
3. Read the fine print. Look carefully at scholarship directions and make sure to complete the application fully.
4. Practice essay writing. Many guidance offices have sample essays.
"If you can't write a well-written coherent essay, you won't be as successful," Halpine said.
5. Be original. Creatively approach every topic and make it personal.
6. Proof and edit essays. Ask counselors and English teachers for writing tips.
7. Don't plagiarize. "There are programs out there to check if a student plagiarizes something. It has happened in the past," Halpine said. "It's a shortcut. If you're doing that sort of thing you're probably not ready."
8. Apply for many. Scholarships are competitive. The more you fill out the better chance you'll have.
9. Be professional and thorough. You have to impress and sell yourself to organizations, giving them reasons to award you money. They want go-getters and overachievers, Halpine said. "As a result, the implication is those students are going to do better in college."
10. There is no substitute to preparation and hard work.
Athletic Scholarships
I've posted many times regarding the topic of athletic scholarships. You need to be aware of the reality of a full-ride for college in exchange for your athletic talent.
http://www.kansascity.com/201/story/1022328.html
http://www.kansascity.com/201/story/1022328.html
Scholarship Scams
Beware of companies that offer to lead you to the golden road of scholarships in exchange for money.
http://media.www.dennews.com/media/storage/paper309/news/2009/03/02/News/Dont-Fall.Into.A.Scholarship.Scam-3656526.shtml
http://media.www.dennews.com/media/storage/paper309/news/2009/03/02/News/Dont-Fall.Into.A.Scholarship.Scam-3656526.shtml
Summer Time
This article will offer advice on what to do with your free time during the summer. Doing things that improve yourself as a desirable candidate is a good use of this time.
http://www.mercurynews.com/peninsula/ci_11754897?nclick_check=1
http://www.mercurynews.com/peninsula/ci_11754897?nclick_check=1
The Skinny Envelope
What do you do when the one envelope that you really wanted to be fat is skinny?
Read some hints from this article to see what some options may be for you.
http://www.examiner.com/x-766-College-Admissions-Examiner~y2009m2d24-What-if-its-not-fat-envelope-Tuesday-Dealing-with-rejection
Read some hints from this article to see what some options may be for you.
http://www.examiner.com/x-766-College-Admissions-Examiner~y2009m2d24-What-if-its-not-fat-envelope-Tuesday-Dealing-with-rejection
Campus Visits
Road trip--follow the tips in this article and you should have a positive experience.
It's an ideal time for juniors to start thinking about visiting some colleges; final exams are just over, and the days׀believe it or not׀are growing longer.
A smart college visit is a must, particularly since 25 percent of the students who enter a four-year college do not return for their sophomore year.
Taking a campus tour, attending a class, eating a meal in the cafeteria, and reading the school newspaper is a good start.
You might also consider asking your guidance counselor to put you in touch with students who currently or recently attended the colleges youҀre serious about.
If it turns out that you canҀt identify anyone whoҀs attending or has attended a particular school, call the admissions office of that particular school and ask them to connect you with a student or an alumnus from your neck of the woods.
College admissions counselors will also tell you about open houses, weekly visits, campus tours, information sessions, as well as classes you might want to observe.
If you call ahead, admissions can suggest classes to observe, and maybe even arrange an appointment with a faculty member, a coach, or an overnight stay in one of the dorms. TheyҀll send you everything from parking permits for when you get on campus to information about area lodging.
Many schools offer an interview with an admissions counselor. You donҀt want to miss that opportunity, and while youҀre doing that your parents can meet with a financial aid officer. Schools put a big emphasis on the amount of contact you have with them.
This happens to be one of the best times for visiting schools. The semester is just underway and itҀs not close to finals. As finals approach everything starts to amp up and you wonҀt witness a routine day. Before visiting, learn everything you can about the school through the Internet, catalogs, and reference books. And when you get on campus, make a point of doing the official tour as well as the unofficial tour.
The unofficial tour would be you nosing around on your own or with a friend to discover what interests you most. Introduce yourself to students on campus and ask them what they like and donҀt like about school. YouҀre trying to get a sense of what the place is like and whether you could imagine living and going to school there for four years. Sometimes it takes a couple of visits.
Take notes. By the time youҀre done visiting the fifth school: cafeterias, dorms, dropout rate, and initial impressions start to blend. Some students find that taking photos helps them to remember more about their visits.
These are some questions drawn from The National Survey of Student Engagement at the Indiana University Center for Postsecondary Research and Planning that you might want answered:
It's an ideal time for juniors to start thinking about visiting some colleges; final exams are just over, and the days׀believe it or not׀are growing longer.
A smart college visit is a must, particularly since 25 percent of the students who enter a four-year college do not return for their sophomore year.
Taking a campus tour, attending a class, eating a meal in the cafeteria, and reading the school newspaper is a good start.
You might also consider asking your guidance counselor to put you in touch with students who currently or recently attended the colleges youҀre serious about.
If it turns out that you canҀt identify anyone whoҀs attending or has attended a particular school, call the admissions office of that particular school and ask them to connect you with a student or an alumnus from your neck of the woods.
College admissions counselors will also tell you about open houses, weekly visits, campus tours, information sessions, as well as classes you might want to observe.
If you call ahead, admissions can suggest classes to observe, and maybe even arrange an appointment with a faculty member, a coach, or an overnight stay in one of the dorms. TheyҀll send you everything from parking permits for when you get on campus to information about area lodging.
Many schools offer an interview with an admissions counselor. You donҀt want to miss that opportunity, and while youҀre doing that your parents can meet with a financial aid officer. Schools put a big emphasis on the amount of contact you have with them.
This happens to be one of the best times for visiting schools. The semester is just underway and itҀs not close to finals. As finals approach everything starts to amp up and you wonҀt witness a routine day. Before visiting, learn everything you can about the school through the Internet, catalogs, and reference books. And when you get on campus, make a point of doing the official tour as well as the unofficial tour.
The unofficial tour would be you nosing around on your own or with a friend to discover what interests you most. Introduce yourself to students on campus and ask them what they like and donҀt like about school. YouҀre trying to get a sense of what the place is like and whether you could imagine living and going to school there for four years. Sometimes it takes a couple of visits.
Take notes. By the time youҀre done visiting the fifth school: cafeterias, dorms, dropout rate, and initial impressions start to blend. Some students find that taking photos helps them to remember more about their visits.
These are some questions drawn from The National Survey of Student Engagement at the Indiana University Center for Postsecondary Research and Planning that you might want answered:
What does the faculty expect of students?
How does the faculty challenge students to leave their comfort zone and excel?
How much homework do students have a week on average?
How much writing and reading is assigned per class?
What are exams like?
What ways are students given to express themselves creatively?
How and when do students declare their majors, and can they be self-designed?
How much help do students receive preparing for the workforce after college?
Do your alumni actively help students to find work?
What types of internships are available and are they required to graduate?
How many courses require community service?
How often do students meet with faculty outside of class?
What percentage of the student body does research with faculty?
What percentage of the freshman class doesnҀt return sophomore year?
What does the school do to promote student-faculty interaction?
How often do students get feedback from their professors?
What evidence is there to demonstrate that teaching is important to professors?
What percentage of the student body studies in foreign countries?
What are the student organizations on campus?
What leadership opportunities are available?
What do students like and dislike about the campus?
What type of support services (academic and non-academic) are available?
What do students tend to do on the weekends and what percentage commute?
Where do students come from in the U.S., and from how many foreign countries?
How is technology used in the classroom, and what technological resources are available to students?
What types of athletic and intramural activities are available?
What kinds of musical, performing, and fine art events come to campus?
What types of summer internships or summer classes are available?
What types of honors courses, learning communities, weekend or night programs, or other unique academic offerings are available?
What types of financial aid and scholarships are available? What percentages of students work on and off campus?
How extensive is the library service?
What has the school done to ensure student safety?
What types of health and counseling services are in place for students?
What sororities and fraternities are on campus and what percentage of the student body belongs to one?
Where do students live and what are the different kinds of residences and campus housing available?
Where do students eat and how flexible are the meal plans?
After you get a handle of whatҀs on campus, go explore whatҀs off campus. If you make the right decision, youҀll be there for four years.
Sam Rosensohn is the founder of College Planning Partnerships, which offers prep classes for the SAT, the ACT, and the SSAT. He helps students to prepare for college and to write college essays. He can be reached in Clinton at 860-664-9857. Visit www.satprepct.com for previously published Ó€College 101Ô€ columns and SAT prep class times.
Admission Tests
So how important is the SAT or ACT in your chance to gain admission to your college of choice? Read this link to get a perspective on the importance of the test.
http://www.dailynewstribune.com/lifestyle/columnists/x1958679313/COLLEGE-MATTERS-Put-tests-in-perspective
http://www.dailynewstribune.com/lifestyle/columnists/x1958679313/COLLEGE-MATTERS-Put-tests-in-perspective
The FAFSA Form
You think doing your taxes is bad? Well, welcome to the world of financial aid and the wonderful FAFSA form.
This link will discuss what is being planned to simplify the financial aid process.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/22/education/22fafsa.html?_r=2&ref=education
This link will discuss what is being planned to simplify the financial aid process.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/22/education/22fafsa.html?_r=2&ref=education
Parent Tips
This will give parents a good guideline with their involvement in their child's college admission process.
http://www.examiner.com/x-766-College-Admissions-Examiner~y2009m2d19-College-Admissions-101-the-getin-guide-for-parents-of-high-school-students
http://www.examiner.com/x-766-College-Admissions-Examiner~y2009m2d19-College-Admissions-101-the-getin-guide-for-parents-of-high-school-students
Save Money for College
A new idea is beginning to appear on the college landscape. Complete four years of college in three. If you can handle it, it might be worth considering.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/25/education/25hartwick.html?ref=us
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/25/education/25hartwick.html?ref=us
Financial Aid Myths
This article will give you information regarding the 5 myths of financial aid.
http://www.bellinghamherald.com/thriftyliving/story/805953.html
http://www.bellinghamherald.com/thriftyliving/story/805953.html
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Spring Break in Mexico
With spring break rapidly approaching, I found an article on the U.S. Department of State site containing some useful information to keep in mind if you're traveling to Mexico. This is extremely important to read with everything going on there. It's also a great resource for any other travel destinations, whether it's for spring break, study abroad, or even just a family vacation.
Here are some highlights:
Here are some highlights:
- Entry Requirements: everyone is required to have a passport to re-enter the U.S. from Mexico, the Caribbean, Central & South America, Canada, and Bermuda.
- Mexican Law: any arrest or incidents will be under Mexican Law-this can make the legal procedures much more difficult.
- Alcohol & Drugs: many accidents are alcohol & drug related-this has led to serious problems with Mexican authorities.
- Safety & Security: Use common sense. Some things to pay extra close attention to are warning flags on beaches and illegitimate taxi drivers.
Click here to view the full article.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Back to the Future
Those of us who applied to college thirty or so years ago seem mostly to have tossed out a few applications, taken the SAT or ACT once, and then gotten on with the rest of our high school lives. We waited and hoped for the best. Some of us were lucky enough to have a counselor who casually mentioned a college or two we'd never heard of and encouraged us to apply, which we did. That was certainly my experience. Mr. Boulhouwer, counselor at West Morris Regional H.S. in Chester NJ is responsible for my applying to and eventually attending Amherst College in Amherst MA. He suggested I try a "liberal arts" college. After explaining to me what that was, he tossed out Amherst and I said I'd give it a shot. The rest, as they say, is history. (To this day I'm convinced that I didn't even know Amherst was all-male until I got there; I probably would have been a Williams alum if he'd said "Williams" instead.)
I've joked with any number of adults of about my age who have similar stories about how they got to their alma maters: the chance remark, the off-hand suggestion by a math teacher, or the casual observation by a respected neighbor or relative. There was no strategizing, no long-term planning, no multiple testing, no weighing the pros and cons of every school. At some level, we knew we'd be fine anywhere we went and we trusted that the schools would make good decisions (although not necessarily the ones we wanted). Once the applications were done we went about our business. And in fact we did turn out pretty well, most of us.
Having made the transition from working with the uber-strategic to the underserved, I've discovered many similarities between the latter and my generation of college-goers. Low-income and first generation students interested in going to college tend to be hard workers fully involved in their schools and communities, out of choice and necessity. They're not strategizers, they're young people who hope their talents and experiences will be enough to get them admitted to college; that is to say, they haven't been good students and participants in order to get into college, they're going to get into college because they're good students and participants. They're not multi-testers trying to break 2200, they're test takers because they have to be, and let it go at that. Most of them can't afford, literally or figuratively, to spend hours and hours parsing essay questions; they've got real things to do.
In these ways and others, I'm finding that the low-income and first-generation students I work with are very much like we were many years ago when it comes to college admission. Without romanticizing too much, I'd say that they have an authenticity that colleges and universities say they want, an openness to and desire for new experiences that can make them exceptional students in any classroom. Yes, many of them are rough around the edges and many have gone through things we wouldn't wish on anyone, but they have a resilience and even an optimism that make them wonderful to work with. They believe that college is going to help them live better lives and learn important things; they are honored to be chosen and pleased to have the opportunities to advance; they are grateful to be able to fulfill their hopes and dreams and those of their families. They don't see college acceptance as a right or a mark of innate privilege; they see it as the result of hard work and determination. And they're willing to bring these qualities to campus.
For these students, applying to college is an adjunct to their lives, not their purpose in life, as it seems to be for so many of their overprivileged peers. And in that way, they avoid the largely self-created stress we hear way too much about. Their lives are their own and if a college accepts them, that's great; if not, they'll try again. It makes me hopeful for the future.
I've joked with any number of adults of about my age who have similar stories about how they got to their alma maters: the chance remark, the off-hand suggestion by a math teacher, or the casual observation by a respected neighbor or relative. There was no strategizing, no long-term planning, no multiple testing, no weighing the pros and cons of every school. At some level, we knew we'd be fine anywhere we went and we trusted that the schools would make good decisions (although not necessarily the ones we wanted). Once the applications were done we went about our business. And in fact we did turn out pretty well, most of us.
Having made the transition from working with the uber-strategic to the underserved, I've discovered many similarities between the latter and my generation of college-goers. Low-income and first generation students interested in going to college tend to be hard workers fully involved in their schools and communities, out of choice and necessity. They're not strategizers, they're young people who hope their talents and experiences will be enough to get them admitted to college; that is to say, they haven't been good students and participants in order to get into college, they're going to get into college because they're good students and participants. They're not multi-testers trying to break 2200, they're test takers because they have to be, and let it go at that. Most of them can't afford, literally or figuratively, to spend hours and hours parsing essay questions; they've got real things to do.
In these ways and others, I'm finding that the low-income and first-generation students I work with are very much like we were many years ago when it comes to college admission. Without romanticizing too much, I'd say that they have an authenticity that colleges and universities say they want, an openness to and desire for new experiences that can make them exceptional students in any classroom. Yes, many of them are rough around the edges and many have gone through things we wouldn't wish on anyone, but they have a resilience and even an optimism that make them wonderful to work with. They believe that college is going to help them live better lives and learn important things; they are honored to be chosen and pleased to have the opportunities to advance; they are grateful to be able to fulfill their hopes and dreams and those of their families. They don't see college acceptance as a right or a mark of innate privilege; they see it as the result of hard work and determination. And they're willing to bring these qualities to campus.
For these students, applying to college is an adjunct to their lives, not their purpose in life, as it seems to be for so many of their overprivileged peers. And in that way, they avoid the largely self-created stress we hear way too much about. Their lives are their own and if a college accepts them, that's great; if not, they'll try again. It makes me hopeful for the future.
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