Coursera: Top Universities Free Online

Last week, online education startup Coursera added twelve new university partners and raised an additional $6 million, bringing their venture funding to over $22 million.Coursera is a free online education platform offering interactive college courses. The intention of the one-year-old company is to bring classes from top-tier universities to the public for free. Last Tuesday their dream came true, or started to.On this day a dozen major universities-CalTech, Duke, University of Virginia, Georgia Tech, University of Washington, Rice, Johns Hopkins, University of California San Francisco, University of Illinois Urbana-Champagne, University of Toronto, University of Edinburgh, and Switzerland's Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne-announced their partnership with Coursera. Coursera was already working with Stanford, Princeton, the University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Michigan.Coursera is one of several initiatives emerging. The joint Harvard-MIT project edX and Udacity are among the other high-profile free online university startups."I like to compare it to film," explained Sebastian Thrun to Education News. Thurn is a Stanford professor and the founder of Udacity. "Before film there was theater-small casting companies reaching 300 people at a time. Then celluloid was invented, and you could record something and replicate it. A good movie wouldn't reach 300 but 3,000, and soon 300,000 and soon three million. That changed the economics."While Udacity is offering only 11 classes thus far, Coursera's partner universities will be offering over 100 courses this fall. Four of the classes began on Monday: Listening to World Music, Fantasy and Science Fiction, Internet History and Intro to Finance. The courses, called MOOCs, or massive open online courses, can reach many more people than a traditional class; they are capable of delivering lessons to more than 100,000 students at a time, according to The Atlantic.That number will only expand as they begin to translate their courses and offer classes in different languages, which they have started to do. EPF Lausanne has begun offering courses in French. Their "Introduction a  la Programmation Objet", or Introduction to Object Programming, will be offered this fall.Revenue possibilities for Coursera could involve career placement services or charging students for certificates from partner universities. The certificates, which might be pdf documents or badges shareable on social networks like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Google+, would be branded with the university's name and sold to the students. For now, only one university has said it will offer credit for the classes-the University of Washington. For the others, the certificate would only signify completion of the course.Other sources of income Coursera is considering include having students pay to take identity-verified tests at specified testing locations, an option that would enhance the value of the certificate for the class by confirming that the student learned the information themselves and did not cheat.Coursera is also discussing offering services such as paid tutors, recruiting ad-sponsorship, and potentially charging tuition fees for offering online courses on university campuses. This last option is already occurring as apart of their partnership with the University of Washington, according to the Chronicle.Coursera is agreeing to pay the universities 6 to 15 percent of their revenues, while they will retain 20 percent of the gross profits. The site will be an opportunity for the universities to market themselves to the community, and to learn about and improve in their own experiment of providing online education without having to develop the technology infrastructure themselves. Also important: the universities that design courses for Coursera will retain the rights to their work.For now, though, university financial contribution to the venture is still a risk. However, it is also potentially an important investment, for them and for the future of education itself. The Atlantic deems the Coursera initiative "the single most important experiment in higher education.""Lectures came about several hundred years ago when there was only one copy of the book, and the only person who had it was the professor," Coursera co-founder Daphne Koller said to The Atlantic. "The only way to convey the content was for the professor to stand at the front of the room and read the book. One would hope that we had better capabilities these days."However, as to whether Coursera will ever become competition for the traditional universities that provide its courses, other co-founder Andrew Ng believes it won't. The real value of attending elite schools such as Caltech, he told The Atlantic, is the time spent working directly with the professors and other students. Ng believes that Coursera gives schools the potential to improve that interaction by putting their lectures online.Dr. Edward Tenner, a historian of technology and culture, proposes that easy access to quality, college-level online education will increase competition for spaces at the traditional top-tier colleges. Others, meanwhile, question what might happen to traditional non-Ivy league schools. According to Harvard Business School professor and disruptive innovation expert Clayton Christensen, half of North American higher education will move online in the next ten years, with K-12 following by 2019.While the world of online education is still developing, initiatives like Coursera are major steps towards a quality and free public college education, provided for all. 360 Education Solutions is excited for this innovative step in online education, and hopes to bring you more information soon.

Top Colleges With Women's Golf Programs

The highest-rated golf colleges for women were UCLA, Southern California, North Caroline, Pepperdine, Duke, Wake Forest, Georgia, Rollins, Stanford and Vanderbilt. Duke had a 85.845 rating compared to UCLA with a 85.612 rating, barely edging them out for number one. Rollins College was the only Division II college named in the top 50 for women. There are a few women's University golf programs that dominate the women's golf scene.Top Academic Golf Colleges for Women
The top 10 academic golf colleges for women are, Duke, Stanford, Princeton, Yale, Vanderbilt, UCLA, Southern California, Wake Forest, Notre Dame and Pepperdine were all in the running. Again, Duke had a slight advantage with a total score of 91.195 over Stanford's 90.020 rating. Amherst was the only Division lll ranking at number 24Golf has become a popular female sport with women stars like Michelle Wie, Paula Creamer and Annika Sorenstam lending to women's golf having a mainstream appeal.Top university golf programs prepare women players for the pro tour and life-style and have become the training ground for future professional LPGA stars.Division I Golf School Programs
Division l status teams are different from club or intramural sports. They are rated/ranked by the NCAA.There are 217 Division l women's golf programs and each is allowed 6 scholarships by the NCAAHere are a few:University of California LA:
UCLA offers competitive women's golf teams and boasts a 3,000 square foot putting green, 3,000 square foot tee box, practice facility, exercise equipment and a club repair area.Bachelor's, Master's and Doctoral degrees can be earned in many areas such as, Marine biology, ethnomusicology, molecular toxicology, linguistics, French, English (as a second language), space physics, African studies, oral biology, East Asian studies and moving image archive studies.University of California Los Angels
LeConte Ave & Westwood Blvd
Westwood CA 90024
310-206-5570Kent State University:
The Kent State women's golf team trains on a 10,000 square foot putting green, 350-yard practice range; four target greens, swales and bunkers. There is also a short game practice area, practice fairways and Astroturf tee areas as well as heated hitting bays, a 3,000 square foot chipping areas, a video room with swing analysis and separate study areas.The university has nine campuses with 50 graduate programs and two-year associate degrees, over 250 bachelor degrees and majors in American Sign Language, business, fine arts, anthropology, fashion design, botany, chemistry, aeronautics, biotechnology and exercise science.Kent State University
Kent, OH 44242
330-672-3000
or: kentstatesports.comVanderbilt University:
Vanderbilt University offers women's Division I golf teams. The Conner Short Game Practice Facility and Vanderbilt Legends Club. Vanderbilt offers three greens, five bunkers and a 130-yard practice hole. The Legends Club offers 36 holes of golf with two courses, one par 72 and one par 71.When students aren't taking swings, chipping or putting, they're at work in bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs in fields such as ancient Mediterranean studies, creative writing, computer science, divinity, economics, public health, secondary education, Portuguese, general psychology and special education.Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN 37240
615-322-7311

Online College Associate Degrees For People on the Go

An associate degree is an undergraduate degree awarded by schools, colleges, and universities after completion of a 2-year program or course. Due to the changes in the economy and lifestyle, universities and colleges now offer online college associate degrees to accommodate people who do not have the time to go to universities and sit in on hours worth of lectures. These courses cater to working individuals who want a shift in their career or who wish to seek an advanced education.The credits earned for online associate degrees can be used if you wish to transfer to a 4-year institution and get formal education or an equivalent thereof.  They can also be used if you want to enter a bachelors program as the units you earn can be credited to the future program.Benefits of Online College Associate DegreesPeople who have prior commitments can greatly benefit in enrolling to receive associate degrees online. This is especially helpful for working individuals and mothers who attend to their children and do not have time to go to classes. They can do their chores and responsibilities and take their classes and modules when they are available. There is no need to travel for school so you have more time to do other things or take your classes and give you savings at the same time. You will be able to save up on your transportation expenses. You can take your classes in the comfort of your home so you do not have to dress up for school.The curriculum is designed to accommodate people with special needs and other priorities so it is flexible and very convenient. Assignments, lessons, and projects are given by way of interactive tools that are both beneficial for the students and the faculty. Tools used are emails, voice chats, and video presentations. Other than books, media tools are also used such as e-books, spreadsheets, guides, forums, and discussions to help in facilitating the lessons.To create a more personalized feel, colleges and universities offer online college associate degrees that allow students to chat with online faculties and view streaming videos for the classes.In a traditional school setting, an associate degree can be earned in a minimum of two years. However, online associate college degrees can be earned in as little as six months or at least 60 hours of semester credits. This is a perfect option for people who have limited time to earn their online college associate degrees.Important Points to ConsiderIf you are looking into getting an college associate online degree, you have to make sure that the school you are going to attend is accredited and acknowledged so that your efforts and time will not go to waste. Even though these programs are recognized by various companies, there are still employers who prefer the traditional ways of earning degrees.Also, online courses for an associate degree generally do not require the student to go to the university and attend classes. However, there are schools that require minimum hours spent inside the classroom. Be sure to check on this detail so you can make arrangements and fix your schedule accordingly.

Shooting Down College Violence

As a recent college graduate looking back on my four years of indentured servitude, I can recall many stressors that contributed to numerous sleepless nights and frequent migraines. I suppose its par for the course. After all, those hours of hard work cramming for exams and scrambling to complete a 15 page research paper you just started yesterday only make the reward of graduating that much sweeter. To say you survived college unscathed is quite the accomplishment.Yet in today's stormy climate of higher education, it isn't so much surviving anatomy and physiology that plagues the minds of American students. More and more, college students are facing the harsh reality that they are putting their personal safety at risk by simply stepping foot inside the student union. The April 2007 shootings at Virginia Tech and The Northern Illinois University shootings that occurred earlier this year are slowly but surely bringing college violence closer to home.What's the Real Issue?Gun control has always been a hotbed of controversial discussion. With the majority of school massacres involving firearms, many blame the constitutional right of gun ownership for the increase in violent crime. Just this month, a librarian at Northeast Lakeview College in San Antonio was gunned down by a co-worker in the university's library. Authorities say the gunman shot and killed Devin Zimmerman, 37, and then sat and waited to be arrested. Students were in the library at the time of the shooting, but none were injured. Police eventually evacuated the building.The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence reports that every day, more than 80 Americans die as a result of gun shootings. Furthermore, the US Department of Justice reported that only 2% of all gun related crimes occurring between 2000-2002 were actually prosecuted. Law enforcement agencies are frequently ignoring laws including selling to minors and possessing a firearm in a school zone. Long story short, among the many concerns associated with gun ownership, guns are quickly and easily getting into the wrong hands and little is being done to prevent it.The Solution?Arguably, it could take years of painstaking effort to even make a dent in reversing the constitutional right to possess a firearm. Instead, the focus is being directed at the universities. In August, Illinois Gov. Rod D. Blagojevich signed The Campus Security Enhancement Act into law. This new act will require all universities in the state to develop and practice an emergency response plan alongside local emergency response agencies and mental health providers.During the investigation of the Virginia Tech shootings, the university authorities were criticized for slow and sloppy response to the shootings after failing to shut down the university after the first two shots. Authorities at the time believed it to be an isolated incident or that the shooter had fled the campus. Two and a half hours later, the massacre continued, ultimately leaving 33 dead.Effective Jan 1, 2009, all Illinois higher education institutions will be required to develop an emergency response plan as well as an inter-disciplinary and multi-jurisdictional campus violence prevention plan in order to avoid a situation similar to Virginia Tech. State and local management officials will assist with the development of the operations as well as training. Another requirement involves the creation of a university threat assessment team and violence prevention committee. Blagojevich is also pushing for approval of the Campus Security Enhancement Grant Program. The $25 million dollar plan would provide funding for campus security response and violence prevention training programs, projects to enhance emergency communications, and implementation of campus-wide training programs."This new law sets Illinois apart in our efforts to make sure students and faculty members on college campuses are as safe as possible," said Blagojevich.With any hope, Governor Blagojevich's efforts will gain national attention and similar legislation will follow throughout the country. As tragically shown in the case of Virginia Tech, many lives may have been saved if a proper emergency procedure was in place. Universities need an efficient system to be prepared to handle a wide variety of emergency situations in order to ensure the security of its students. No one should have to fear for their life, especially when then they are taking every opportunity to make a better one for themselves by attending school.

Many College Students' Plans Are Ruined Because Of A Lack Of Health Insurance

For a lot of college students the last thing they think about is health insurance and this is revealed by some recent statistics that show that approximately 1 in 3 college students do not have any form of health insurance coverage. Getting a college education is an expensive business and merely finding the money you need and getting your college loans is hard enough, but you should also think about including suitable health insurance along with everything else that you will need.You should of course begin by investigating your parents' health plan if this is applicable because it is quite possible that this will cover you during your time at university. You do however have to read the small print carefully because some plans will cover you while you are attending college and others will not. Two items to look for in particular are conditions concerning location and age.Many health insurance plans will provide cover for children up to the age of either 18 or 21 as long as you are at home and some plans will also extend this age limit providing you remain in full-time education. However, many plans are limited to providing cover within a specified geographic area and so, although you might meet the plan's age requirements, you might find that you will not be covered when you are studying away from home.Should you parent's plan will not give you the cover you need then you will need to arrange your own student health insurance and will have to find some appropriate providers. Luckily, this is not too hard and there are many insurers who provide plans specifically designed for students. So, where do you begin your search?The first place that you should look is your own university because colleges will often arrange for their students to receive cover at a discounted rate. This does not automatically mean that this is the best plan for your own needs and you will have to look at the details to see it meets your needs. Even so your own college is an excellent place to begin your search and will usually offer you the best deal. Another thing to think about when looking at your own university is exactly what type of medical facilities are provided on campus. Many of the larger colleges will provide first class medical facilities that are staffed 24 hours a day, while many of the smaller colleges will have much more limited facilities.Apart from the university itself you can also look to the insurance companies and a number of publicly funded organizations for cover. Additionally, do not overlook the fact that there are several different forms of plan that are targeted at different student groups. For instance, short-term health cover might suit many graduate students and can usually be extended following graduation to cover the period until you find a job and are covered by an employer's plan. Additionally, there are supplemental plans that will cover you for such things as pre-existing medical conditions that are generally excluded from standard student cover.Today health insurance is a complex subject and you will have to shop around in order to to get a plan that meets your requirements and also fits your budget. Nevertheless, this is something that you should certainly not forget about because attending college is an expensive enough business in the first place and you do not want to risk your money or your future because you are unable to meet the cost of illness or injury.

Colleges in the Chicago Area

Chicago, Illinois sits as one of the major metropolitan areas in the United States, so it is natural that Chicago colleges not only provide a plethora of subjects to learn, but are also among the finest schools in the nation. Whether it is accounting or art, business or computers, fashion or construction, or any other career path you are interested in, Chicago has what you need.Express YourselfSome people crave a means of self-expression and thus want to study art. Well, there are universities in the heartland of Illinois that have you covered in that respect. You can apply to the Academy of Art University, the Illinois Institute of Art and the Brooks Institute of Photography, to name only three colleges around the city. On the other hand, maybe you like to work with your hands. In that case, consider Chicago Culinary Institute and the Chicago School of Massage Therapy.What's in a Name?And, these days, going to college does not mean having to actually drive to a campus. There are a whole host of options offering online programs. So, while these centers of higher learning might not require trips to Chicago itself, they are nonetheless part of the overall program. You can earn a degree from any of them.Is there a Doctor in the House?If the medical field is your chosen vocation, Chicago colleges offer a full range of courses in the medical sciences. You can earn a degree from the Chamberlain College of Nursing, or maybe the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. And then there is the Illinois School of Health Careers. Of course, many other Chicago colleges have pre-med, medical and other health related programs. Check out their web sites, and you will find all the classes you could ever want.Change of GearSwitching gears, it is a fact of life that technology continues to change and develop. So a degree in computer science, computer networking, electronic engineering, etc. can be earned from Chicago colleges like the Computer Systems Institute, the High-Tech Institute, and the ITT Technical Institute. In the case of the latter, ITT offers both online classes and has a campus in the city.So, no matter your interest, colleges throughout the Chicago metropolitan area will meet your educational need. You can earn a degree in any field of endeavor, without irresolvable financial constraint. All institutions of higher learning offer scholarships, grants, and student loans. So pursue your dream of a college education in Chicago.

Select the Best University Offering the Program You Need

These days, you need a college degree to open the doors for most professional careers. The days when you could move to upper level positions without a degree are coming to an end. Not all degrees, and certainly not all colleges, are created equal. To guarantee your future you have to select carefully.Knowing the college major you want takes some thoughtful consideration. Once you make that decision, you can take advantage of the list of options below for the best schools offering each program.Best Business Program for UndergraduatesThe University of Pennsylvania's Wharton Business School might be the most highly regarded program of its kind in the United States. Among other programs, it stands out at the top and is the only one meriting Ivy League status. Many of the people who graduate from this program go on to be become CEOs, top bankers, or influential consultants who shape the economy.Best General Studies ProgramBoston University tops the charts on most assessments for general studies programs. Their unique approach to education simply can't be beat. They have five faculty members from different backgrounds who team up to teach each student, creating a totally interdisciplinary education with open dialogue and creative learning forums.Best Theater and Film ProgramsThe University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA) is located at the heart of contemporary film and theater production. With its finger on the pulse of the most important forms of media, this program can prepare you for a great career in film, television, or on stage. It lets students explore their creativity, yet lays the foundations for all aspects of production.Best Interior Design ProgramsThe New York School of Interior Design offers you the developed and dedicated teaching of some of the best known and most respected interior designers in the field. Not only is it the largest program of its kind in New York City, but it has an intimate student-to-faculty ratio that gets you the hands on, one-on-one relationships you need for optimal learning.Best Philosophy ProgramIf you want to become one of the world's great thinkers, solving questions about human existence and the meaning of life, then you are on your way to becoming a philosopher, and Brown is the place to go for training. Brown's program offers all the intricacies of philosophy, from logic to ethics to metaphysics. You will acquire a comprehensive background in the various aspects of philosophy while being able to explore the one area that most captures your attention. Their philosophy program is top notch.As you seek the ideal school and program for you, consider the many factors that go into this decision, and then carefully select the very best school available which carries the programs of your interest. Compare each program's benefits and match them alongside the same at other collegiate institutions. These are tough decisions, but always exciting as you plan your future.

4 Indisputable Truths to Help You Choose a College

I always remember thinking, what's the big deal, it is only college? These days, it is a big deal, and higher education is a competitive market for your attention. Just remember it is easier to pick a college than the high school advisors, college guides and your parents make it out to be. Relax, take a deep breath and keep in mind these four indisputable truths about choosing a college.1. A Little Information Goes a Little WayI was not well prepared for selecting a college. My parents did not properly instill in me the need for selectivity and criteria, though they might be surprised to hear that now. All of my peers had dreams of a particular school, or a particular academic reputation, or they aimed for a certain city. I had distances.The minimum distance was 500 miles from my mother and 500 miles from my father. In order to meet these criteria, the school needed to be somewhere in Nevada, or somewhere in the Pacific Ocean. For the record, the vector did eventually land me at University of Nevada, Las Vegas.But looking back now, I realize that I did very little in the way of research then. I did not know the right questions to ask, much less whom to ask them to. You already have the resources, but you have to do the legwork. Parents are a good start. Assess their expectations, particularly how much they expect to pay. Then set that information aside and start researching specific schools. You should use your guidance counselor as a resource, but do not forget the internet. And pay the campus a visit during the school year.The only time it does not pay to do the research is when you already know exactly where you want to go, whether it is your only choice, or your parent's alma mater, or you are going locally. If you do not know, it is always a good idea to arm yourself with as much information as you can. Otherwise you might end up at a university in the Pacific Ocean.2. Rankings Are RelativeAny college guide would have you believe that their publication, and only theirs, really has the definitive information on a wide swath of criteria to pick a college. Do not believe it. There are two things at stake here to keep in mind. Every college guide has a bias. And college rankings are dependent on that bias.Take the Harvard University of college guides, U.S. News and World Report as an example. What's the bias? U.S. News wants to be an elite college guide, the cream of the crop. That means their ranking formula has to be the most complicated, has to utilize the most criteria and they have to devote a whole lot of space to the country's elite universities. Which is great if you plan on choosing a school based on reputation. But there are other factors to consider.It is appropriate, a great idea even, to pick up a college guide and review the entry on some of your school choices. Better yet, do it online. Most guides have an online component, and so what if you have to register to view it. You are going to spread your name around liberally during the application process anyway.3. It is not the size of the school but the number of kids that live there that countsLet me tell you a little trick when you examine your school's size. Look strictly at its percentage of students that live on campus. Particularly when you are starting out as a first-year student, you spend a whole lot of time on campus, and most schools require you to live there at least through your first year. The number of students that live on campus has a lot to do with the kind of experience you will have.I went to UNLV which only had an on-campus population of a little over 1,000 students. That is a relatively small population of students to live among. I looked at the overall campus population, over 20,000 students, and assumed I would be interacting with a diverse group. But the truth was, my social and educational circles were usually limited to the 1,000. Whichever population size you prefer, just remember that commuters are usually significantly less engaged in campus activities; clubs, intramural sports, and social nights.4. Cost is a hill, not a mountainIf you want to go to college, prepare to take out loans to pay for it. If your parents can afford it and are willing to pay, you are lucky. For everyone else, once you know the school you want to go to, just go. The cost of education is exorbitant and steadily rising. There is no way around it.Parents look at debt warily, and their opinion is to be respected. But when it comes to picking a college, cost should not be the determining factor. Think of your education loans as an investment in your future. Whatever you invest now compounds in your skill set, your experience and the assets that you develop for furthering your future earning potential.Picking a college is a process, but it should not be an overwhelming one. Make a list of criteria that are important to you and take that with you on your search. It is indisputably a big deal to choose a college for yourself, but the process has never been easier. Do not let anyone tell you otherwise.

Online College Degree Is Same As the Traditional University Degree

Enhancing a career is everybody's dream. Some live it while others do not due to various reasons, mainly because of lack of funds. There are many students who want to study further but are unable to do because they cannot afford it. There is a solution to it now, online degree programs. This type of online college degree programs are getting very popular these days. The biggest reason is that they save money as well as time. You do not have to rush to your university and attend lectures. You can earn a degree while sitting at home.Online degree programs are very convenient and flexible due to which they are popular. They are the same as the degrees you earn at traditional universities. There are many online college Degree Universities. You need to find an authentic website and then get yourself registered. People who are employed can take full advantage of this type of degree programs. They can work as well as earn a degree. This makes studying online more affordable. All you need to have is a computer with good speed and likewise an internet with good speed.An online college degree is no different than a traditional university degree. You receive  assignments which you have to submit on time, schedule your day activities so that you get time for studying, take tests and exams. In short you need to do everything that you would do at a traditional university for earning a degree. Studying online has benefits that no one can deny. You can spend time with your family and friends while carrying on your studies. Research is what you will have to do prior enrolling yourself in a degree program. You should research about the degree program and also about the university you will be attending online classes from.Some people think that online courses are more expensive than traditional courses which is not the case. Studying online saves time as well as money. Money spent in traveling, purchasing books and eating in the cafeteria can be saved. Above all your time is saved. Deserving students also get financial aid so if you have any financial constraints do not hesitate to apply. An online degree has an edge over the traditional degree that employers prefer online degrees. This is also one of the reasons why online college degree universities are getting popular. If you want your future to be bright then you should try and earn an online degree.

The Benefits of a University Over Community College

While the majority of us think that a university degree will advance us in our chosen careers, there are some who still think you should get there through hard work and not because of a piece of paper. Here we have a few comparisons between university and community college educations.One of the main, and very obvious advantages, is that you have the possibility of higher earnings in the future. While there is nothing in this world that guarantees you will be employed in your chosen field, the fact remains that if you are lucky enough to be, your potential earnings are greatly increased.University isn't just about gaining your degree. This is obviously the reason for being there, but attending college is a life changing experience that has much to do with living on campus. You don't get this experience from attending a community college.Sharing dorms with strangers who become friends and embracing the whole lifestyle is one of the major reasons that students choose to attend a university rather than a community college.There is a lack of diversity and ethnicity in community colleges, as the students are all from your area and you will probably know most of them anywhere. Universities have students from every religion, culture and nations that you can imagine.Realistically, the only way that you will experience this is if you attend one of the larger community colleges in a city that has very diverse cultures, like New York.By mixing with students from different backgrounds to your own, you get the opportunity to experience different cultures. This is often lacking from community colleges as the students will most likely be locals as opposed to a range of cultures.Another thing you'll be missing out on by attending your local community college is the opportunity to experience the arts programs that the universities take great pride in. Going to a concert or to the theater with your fellow students is a big part of student life, so don't miss out on it.

Students Now Use Online College Reviews to Find Out How Schools Really Stack Up

Higher education opens up many opportunities for advancement, but before jumping into just any old college, students are finding that it's often best to do a little research first.How to Use University ReviewsStudents should set aside a significant amount of time doing research on what various colleges offer in terms of degree programs and extracurricular activities. A thorough comparative study of online schools will enable you to determine the best choice for your future.To get the real story, start with online college reviews. College directory websites typically offer a comprehensive description and rating system that will help students learn more about different schools: the good and the bad.A good online college review portal knows that these factors are important to you: improvement of skills, gaining of relevant knowledge, opportunities for practical application, increased salary potential, and career advancement. It also gathers a comprehensive review of real-life students who have experienced being part of these schools. Another factor may be your search for online verses traditional teaching formats.For individuals in the work force, a good online college review can help you compare colleges and universities that can accommodate the demands of your day job. You can start looking at reviews online about schools that offer classes via the web or have available lessons in the evening. These kinds of classes might actually turn out cheaper than classroom ones because you don't have to pay for campus maintenance fees.Online college reviews will help you determine the right school for you by giving detailed descriptions, photos, pricing information, course outlines and a credible rating system.One of the biggest factors for potential university students is their capability to pay for their tuition fees. The affordability of the school matters a whole lot to every person who wants to pursue a degree. A reliable online college review system will answer this question for you by listing down the costs and putting them all in one easy-to-read page. It eliminates the need to search through different websites and pages because all of the information has been screened for you.With a little time and effort, students can effectively use online college reviews to find the college or university that best matches their goals and interests.

The Reputation of Your College and its Importance

Not all colleges are created equal and, just as with people, every college earns a reputation, whether good, bad, or somewhere in between. Now consider that once you earn a degree from a college, its reputation will be associated with you for the rest of your life. Every employer will see the name of the college or university you attended on your resume. Consequently, below are a few reputation-related considerations you should weigh prior to making a commitment to attend.Famous or InfamousIs the name of your school instantly recognizable? If so, it is either famous or infamous. Of the two, being famous is the only one better than being unknown. If a college has a bad reputation, it may in fact reflect on you. Schools that are famous can be a huge benefit to graduates; one that no one has heard of won't hurt, but a school with a bad scholastic reputation should be avoided.SpecializationSome colleges are only well known for one course of study. This means it may have a bland, or even negative, reputation for other majors, while brandishing a great name in the area of your interest. If you are confident that the one specialty is for you, these schools are a great choice. Just make sure you do not end up at one of them studying outside their specialty.AccreditationThis may be more crucial than any other factor. Is your college actually qualified to provide you a genuine education? There are many levels of accreditation, and each determines whether the institution is a university or simply a college. It also factors into the availability of a major in the subject you want, because a school must be accredited for each major. Even though its administration may claim to offer a "course of study" in your chosen field, it may not have the accreditation needed to offer that field of study as a recognized major.How to Evaluate a College's ReputationEvaluating a school's reputation is more an art than science. Ask older people you know what they think of the college and what it is best known for - then research what they tell you to ensure the accuracy of those comments. Speak with the school's own representatives about your questions or concerns, but don't necessarily embrace all you are told because they have incentive to position the school as positively as possible. Additionally, simply try researching the college via an Internet search engine to see what intriguing information pops up.A school's reputation is perhaps the most important factor to consider when weighing the impact of your college on your future. If an employer believes you attended one that likely did not adequately prepare you for the job under consideration, it doesn't much matter in that situation whether you loved it and received a great education - it could still reflect poorly on you. Instead, you want the name of your school to help garner instant respect and admiration.

Colleges in Maryland - Colleges of All Sizes in the Small State of Maryland

If you are from elsewhere in the US, colleges in the state of Maryland may not be an obvious choice, but they are certainly worth a serious look. Maryland is not known for its size; it is, after all, one of the smaller states in the U.S. Yet, size counts for nothing when you are considering colleges in Maryland. In that respect, the state is vast. After all, Baltimore is home to Loyola College and John Hopkins University, two national recognized institutions of higher learning.United States Naval AcademyColleges in Maryland come in all shapes and sizes, and service a variety of educational needs. If you are considering a career in the U.S. Navy, for example, the United States Naval Academy is in Annapolis, MD. In terms of outstanding minority education, the Sojourner-Douglass College has campuses in Baltimore, Annapolis, Hurlock, Lanham, and Salisbury. It offers degrees in a wide variety of subjects and has all manner of scholarship, grant, and student loan programs to assist its students. Money should never be a hindrance to higher education, and in Maryland, it needn't be.A Wide Range of SubjectsWith the aging of Baby Boomers, medical sciences are in demand. To help meet the need, the Maryland colleges have got you covered. Places like the Sanford Brown Institute in Landover offer programs in medical assisting, medical billing and coding, sonography, ultrasound, surgical technology, nursing, and other health-related professions.Perhaps you are unsure what you want to major in. Here again, there are schools which offer a plethora of career path courses, so you can sample a wide variety before settling on what you like best. A college like Hagerstown Business College in Hagerstown offers degrees in subjects as varied as accounting and finance, arts and design, business and office professionals, computers, information technology, criminal justice, legal and paralegal, and medical and health care.Of course, in our modern, high-tech world, a degree in some sort of high-tech field at any Maryland college be a real boost to your financial future. Many of these schools offer degrees in CAD drafting and design, electronic engineering, PC systems and networking, and plenty more subjects.Check out college options such as DeVry University and Lincoln Technical Institute, to name only two. Or, perhaps you wish to work in a field that is a bit more creative. In that case, maybe you should apply to The Sheffield Institute for the Recording Arts in Phoenix. The institute offers classes in broadcasting, and audio and video production.An Education to Fit Your PocketAnd, do not let your economic status keep you from pursuing an education in Maryland. Cities such Baltimore have community colleges, where the tuition is quite reasonable. Additionally, all of them offer scholarship programs of some sort. Go to their web sites; they will have full information on what is available.

Things to Know About a College and University Search

Choosing a college or university is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. Your choice will impact the quality of the education you receive and the types of jobs you can get upon graduation. Before you dive headlong into the process, here are three things you need to know about a college and university search:You Don't Have to Go It AloneResearching colleges and universities is an arduous process, but the good news is that you don't have to go it alone. There are numerous resources available online that can help. To start, you can visit the school's website or websites that offer detailed school profiles and campus tours. You may also try checking various websites for school ranking information, and if you are still in high school, you can ask your guidance counselor for a list of recommended resources.Price Isn't EverythingWhile the cost of a college or university's tuition should factor into your decision, you shouldn't consider price alone. Just because a school has high tuition costs, it doesn't mean that the education offered is any better than a school with lower tuition costs. Always make an effort to compare everything from classes and professors to campus facilities and placement rates.Opinions VaryIf you ask ten different people about the college or university that you have in mind, you are likely to receive ten very different responses. The reason is because everyone is going to have a different opinion on which school you should attend. And while it is a good idea to listen to what other people have to say, in the end, you are the one who will have to live with your decision. Keep this in mind when searching for the college or university that's right for you.

Top 10 Colleges in America: Ranked According to Graduation Success Percentages

Top Ten Colleges for Successful Graduate PercentagesThe top ten colleges for successful graduate percentages is a unique list of colleges and universities. The list consists of many small and virtually unknown schools; you will not find any largely athletic schools in this list.These schools offer a diverse selection of Bachelor's degrees and are both public and private. Many of these colleges offer Bachelor's of Science degrees and Liberal Arts degrees.Here is the top ten list of colleges for successful graduate percentages:1. Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Arto New Yorko Graduation rate of 82.5%o Architecture, Art, Engineering, Humanities & Social Sciences2. United States Air Force Academyo Coloradoo Graduation rate of 81.3%o Sciences, Humanities, Engineering, Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Majors3. St. Joseph's Collegeo New Yorko Graduation rate of 77%o Arts, Sciences and Finance4. Messiah Collegeo Pennsylvaniao Graduation rate of 76.7%o Christian College of Liberal Arts and Applied Sciences5. Taylor University-Uplando Indianao Graduation rate of 76.4%o Arts, Biblical Studies, Sciences, Business, Computer Systems and Humanities6. Susquehanna Universityo Pennsylvaniao Graduation rate of 76.1%o Music, Graphic Design, Writing and Education7. United States Merchant Marine Academyo New Yorko Graduation rate of 71.8%o Marine Engineering, Marine Transportation, Marine Operations, Marine Shipyard Operations8. United States Coast Guard Academyo Connecticuto Graduation rate of 69.7%o Civil, Mechanical, Electrical and Marine Engineering, Government, Management, Naval Operations, Applied Mathematics9. Maine Maritime Academyo Maineo Graduation rate of 68.9%o Engineering, Transportation, Business and Science10. Cedarville Universityo Ohioo Graduation rate of 68.3%o Athletic Training, Biblical Education, Business Administration, Communication Arts, Education, Engineering, International Studies and Business, Language and Literature, Music and Art, Nursing, Psychology, Science and Mathematics, Social Sciences and HistoryAn interesting fact amongst these colleges is that many of them are related to the United States Armed Forces. These colleges rank high amongst the graduation rates. This may be due to the discipline and responsibility that is learned through these institutions. Many students in these institutions will also be sent their commissions after graduation and will go off to other countries or states to serve their active duty.The majority of these colleges also offer degrees in specific career areas. Many of these colleges are also liberal arts colleges that focus on arts, music, architecture, biblical studies and the humanities. Students seeking degrees in these areas should be pleased to see such high graduation rates from these colleges and universities.

Online College Classes for High School Students

Online college classes are slowly becoming popular among high school students who want to start to earn college credits before they graduate from high school. Taking basic classes or electives can help reduce the student's course load in later years when things can become more difficult.Subjects of Online College ClassesThe subjects you can take through a college's distance education program are numerous. You may be able to take calculus, for example, and then move on to other courses.In general, the only classes that are not available through distance education programs are science classes with a lab requirement. Chemistry is an example of a class that cannot be taken online, although some colleges and universities now have a hybrid program, which requires less time in an actual classroom.The lecture portion is made available through video and other internet technologies.Humanities electives are among the popular courses that people like to complete early. Art history and music appreciation electives are other popular choices.Taking Classes at Online CollegesTaking classes at online colleges is relatively simple. You apply to the university of your choice. Once you are accepted, you can register for classes.The acceptance process varies from one institution to another. There are sometimes deadlines that must be met to start learning during a specific semester.You may qualify for financial aid, depending on your age and your parent's income. If not, then paying tuition is one of the things that you will need to take care of before classes start. Usually, this needs to be done right after registration.Preparing for Classes at the University of PhoenixThe University of Phoenix was one of the first to offer online programs and degrees in fields ranging from business to information technology. Some degrees can only be completed through on-campus formats. Not all of their programs are available in all areas. So, the first step is to get information about the courses in which you are interested.You can complete the personalized consultation app in a matter of minutes, right from your PC or laptop. You start by selecting an area of interest and then follow the simple instructions to get the University's recommendations for you, personally.Many courses are available for high school juniors or seniors. Taking online college classes has become popular for students of all ages. You should be able to find your personal subject of interest at the University of Phoenix or at other online educators.

The Mead Fellowship in Economics, Emmanuel College

Cambridge University is one of the world's oldest universities and leading academic centers, comprising of 31 colleges. Its mission is "to contribute to society through the pursuit of education, learning, and research at the highest international levels of excellence". Cambridge's Emmanuel College is one of the larger colleges, with a community comprising of a master at its head, some 80 fellows, 450 undergraduates, 150 graduate students and a large permanent staff. Established in 1584 the college has a long and distinguished history and boasts its fair share of famous graduates. Among the best known Emmanuel College graduates is John Harvard, who studied for his Bachelors' degree at the College in 1632 and later went on to study for an MA in 1635. Like a number of other Emmanuel graduates in the 1630s, Harvard went to seek his destiny in the new colony of New England. Upon his early death in 1638 John Harvard left his impressive library and half of his estate to the newly founded college in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and as a sign of their gratitude the community named the college after him - today the Ivy league Harvard University.The prestigious Harvard Scholar award to Emmanuel College is given to one student in each Harvard graduating class. In 1977 Scott Mead was the recipient of this award and studied at Emmanuel College, where he received his MPhil degree. Mead has maintained lasting ties to this alma mater, as well as to the United Kingdom, where he has been resident for over 20 years. As well as serving as a Member of the Advisory Board of the Judge Business School of Cambridge University and a member of the University's 800th Anniversary Campaign Board, Scott Mead has endowed the Mead Fellowship in Economics.This prestigious fellowship has been held in the past by people from various branches of the Economics sector. Dr. Rufus Pollock, currently a Shuttleworth Foundation fellow, was a Mead Fellow at Emmanuel College from 2007 to 2010. Dr. Pollock's work as an economist focuses on innovation -- both its theory and its empirics -- and the implications of these for intellectual property policy. Dr. Pollock is still an Associate of the Centre for Intellectual Property and Information Law at the University of Cambridge.The current holder of the Mead Fellowship is Oliver de Groot who took up his three year fellowship at the beginning of the 2010 academic year, and will hold this position until 2013. Oliver comes to Emmanuel College with a BA in Economics from Gonville and Caius College and an M. Phil, also in Economics, from the same college. During 2007 and 2008 De Groot was at Girton College as a bye-fellow and Director of Studies. Thereafter he spent a year working in the private sector as an economist prior to returning to Cambridge to complete his PhD and take up his fellowship. Oliver plans to submit his PhD dissertation on macroeconomics early in 2011. His research focuses on monetary policy and business cycles. In addition to supervising the undergraduate macroeconomics papers, de Groot teaches the macroeconomics component of the MPhil course.Since his days as a Harvard scholar at Emmanuel College, Scott Mead has had a long and active career as a banker, photographer and philanthropist. From his early days at Goldman Sachs in New York to his current activities with Richmond Park Partners, a London based firm specializing in financial advisory and asset management, Scott Mead has been involved in many major financial transactions, including leading the team responsible for Vodafone's $200 billion acquisition of the German Mannesmann.Scott Mead has recently taken up photography again, which he set aside in order to develop his banking career. In September 2010 he held a one-man exhibition of his early works at Hamiltons Gallery in London, all proceeds of which went to the Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital. Scott is already working on another exhibition of more early works and some recent ones, scheduled for 2011/2012.Scott Mead's philanthropic activities are many and varied, spanning education, health care, the arts, and more. Many of these are channelled through the Mead Family Foundation, of which he is founder and Chairman. The foundation supports causes worldwide focusing on health care, education and the arts. In addition to his philanthropic activities via the Foundation, Scott Mead is also personally committed to various organizations.Sports are also an important part of Scott Mead's activities. He is a committed marathon runner who has set himself a personal goal of running a marathon for charity on every continent.

You Have 5 Colleges That Have Accepted You - What Do You Do?

It's been a few months and you have been waiting for your acceptance or denial letters from colleges you have applied to. You're nervous and anxious all the same time. You're wondering if your top choice college as accepted you. You're wondering what is taking so long if they like what they see. Then, all of a sudden, in a two-day period, you receive five acceptance letters from all of your top choice colleges. Now, you're nervous and anxious all over again for a different reason. What do you do?If you have been accepted to Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia University, and New York University, then you have a problem on your hands. This is one of the best problems that you could ever have though. You will only have a couple of weeks to decide which college you are going to attend. Many top universities will require a decision by the beginning of May. This means you have to decide and decide quickly.Make an appointment to visit each college that you have been accepted, especially if they are top Ivy League universities. You are going to have some busy weekend ahead of you, but you and your parents should relax and enjoy the process. Whatever you do, do not commit to any college while you are visiting. You will need time to look over each college's good and bad points after you get home. It may take you two weekends to visit all five colleges and that is okay.What should you do if you have been accepted to a college, but not invited to go? Believe it or not, this does happen fairly often. No matter if you are invited or not, you will still need to go and visit the campus. There are many things you need to look at before you commit four years of your life to any certain college or university.Now that you have visited all the colleges and universities that have accepted you, you have to decide which one you are going to attend. Take one sheet of paper for each college and draw a line down the middle. At the very top on one side, write the word likes, and on the other side, write the word dislikes. You, and only you, should sit down and fill out each paper based off of how you feel about each college. Ask your parents to do this as well. After both of you have completed the assignment, then you should sit and talk together about what your conclusions are. Make sure you do this assignment separately, so you will be able to write all of your points down without being influenced. Then, and only then, you should make a final decision for what is best for you and your life. Make sure you listen to your parent's words of advice, as they only have your best interest at heart.

Different Stuff That Colleges Look For

There are many different things that colleges look for in applicants. Most colleges are generally looking for the same thing from all students. The first thing colleges are looking for are good natured students that were not give professors a hard time. Professors that complain about bad students are not something the college wants to deal with.Good natured students have the ability to warm the hearts of people naturally. Presidents of universities and colleges love this ability because they can brag about the students while on fund-raising trips. A good student also gives the college the ability to enable learning through an interchange of ideas, which is a college's primary role. Good natured students are at the top of the list for what every college and university wants.The next thing colleges want is a student who will do more than just study for the next four years. Socializing is a big part of college life and the admissions office and the presidents of universities enjoy when students get out and mingle. Many colleges want to be known as a community that will produce productive citizens. Socializing is a big part of having this ability.There are other things that colleges look for in students. Some of these things include helping out when help is needed, getting involved in other activities besides the classroom, when they take photographs to help the public relations office, worked for the student newspaper, joining organizations, volunteering in the community, and showing leadership qualities. This is why special talents are looked highly upon in students. If you are a people person or you have a special talent when it comes to playing an instrument, colleges and universities love this.Every college is generally looking for these basic qualities in addition to a good transcript. Good grades are essential in high school. While you are younger, make sure you incorporate these qualities that colleges are looking for. Not only will it help you get admitted into a great university, it will also teach you skills that you need for the rest of your life. These skills will stick with you forever as long as you are on this earth.Each college has individual needs of their own. If you are looking to attend a local community college, you will probably not need as high of a GPA as you would if you were looking to attend Harvard or Yale. This is just one example of many different individual needs that colleges have. You should focus on building on the basic two principles that colleges look for. The rest will generally take care of itself and fall into place.

Home-School High School - CLEP, Community College, and Scholarships

CLEP exams, Community College, and Scholarships can be confusing topics when homeschooling in high school. Wouldn't it be nice if there was just one single source for information, so you could figure it all out easily? It seems like there is conflicting information out there!You might have heard that if your child attends a community college, that eliminates your opportunity for a scholarship. This isn't always true but here is the big problem. Universities are each unique companies, with their own policies. There isn't a single answer out there. Each college will do it differently. They may each decide whether or not to accept AP or CLEP tests - and decide if they will be given credit, placement, or used for outside documentation only. They each get to decide their policy on who gets scholarships as well - just those who demonstrate "need" or those who have superior test scores. Those decisions are usually based on only one thing: what will increase their ranking nationally. They will determine what is the best business decision for their company.Meanwhile, their crazy and widely-varied policies can drive applicants CRAZY!! I would love to tell you that you can ALWAYS get scholarships with CLEP or Community College - but that's not true. I would love to tell you that you will NEVER get scholarships, if that were true, just to help you with your planning - but that's not true either!If you know a college has one policy, it's tempting to think ALL colleges have that policy. If only that were the case! To be honest, some colleges accept AP (some don't.) Some accept CLEP (some don't.) Some accept Community College (some don't.) And you really can't give an answer for all colleges. I'm sure that the speaker honestly believed that their experience would apply to all colleges - but it doesn't.The university that my children go to had a unique policy. They would allow 1 year by credit (CLEP or AP) and 1-2 years of community college. They would not allow more than two years of a combined experience, and you had to attend that university for a full 2 years in order to receive a degree from them. In our situation, then, our CLEP and Community College credits all acted as outside documentation that our homeschool had been effective. They provided "data points" showing that my homeschool 4.0 was in fact accurate. It strengthened our overall college admission package, making us a better business investment for their scholarship money.Your best plan is to check with your Number One college, and find out their policy. If you don't have a first choice policy yet (unlikely for younger kids, I know!) then you may want to carefully read the policy on the four colleges where your child is most likely to apply.I wish I could really clarify the issue for you. The truth is that you'll just have to check with each individual university to see what policy they have.

Measuring Up Universities Against Community Colleges

There have always been arguments regarding degrees from universities and diplomas from community colleges. Is the university one as beneficial as its supporters seem to think it is? Let's have a look and see if the university degree really is so worth having.If you attend university, it is generally because you want to make a career in one of those jobs that traditionally pays higher wages than those which anyone can enter. A degree opens this door to higher earnings as these careers demand a degree as a form of entry.One of the big attractions of going to a university is that you will be leaving home, living on campus and embracing the whole college lifestyle. This is the experience of a lifetime, which, sadly, community college students miss out on.For those who have never lived alone or have never traveled much, the thought of living on campus and meeting so many new people is what tips the balance and makes them decide to opt for university. It is an exciting time and an opportunity that you shouldn't miss out on.Universities attract students from across the globe, so different nationalities, cultures and religions etc make for one very big and exciting melting pot of diversity.If you want to experience this diversity at a community college, you will have to attend one in a city like New York, which has such a large population that diversity is guaranteed.If you want to experience how life is for different cultures, then university supplies this. As a community colleges is basically a commuter campus the same as a school, the main student body is more likely to be those who can travel easily to it; so the cultural diversity doesn't exist.There are new friends and experiences to be had at a community college, but one the studying has finished for the day, there s nothing there to provide evening entertainment. The universities are rightly proud of the entertainment and trips that they provide for their students once the days lectures are over.

What Are the Most Common Problems Students Face at College Or University?

Having worked with many thousands of students at - and beyond - many colleges and universities both in the United Kingdom and more internationally, I have seen at first hand many of the most common problems that students experience and also been involved in their resolution so I feel that I am able to provide some comment here.Therefore, in this article I am going to now look to provide you with guidance on some of the areas where the most common problems have arisen for students studying at college and/or university and as to how these problems may be resolved. This is because it is an inescapeable fact that studying at college or university in modern time can be both a daunting and fun period in your life that has only been exacerbated by the current world's economic problems that are being experienced internationally in almost every country.As a result it is perhaps little wonder that money and issues of finance are a central concernt to students. This is because almost all students are constantly lacking funds and have to find ways to finance their housing, nutrition and - of course - their entertainment. Therefore, it cannot be overstated that there is a need for students now more than ever to look to work to a budget and plan what you are going to do with your money throughout the whole academic year - you may also find that getting a part-time job will help so go to your college or university's employment bureau and see what they can offer you.Another common problem - those of us who experience the dreaded 'Clearing System' will know just how bad that this can be! - is with getting on the course you want in the first place at your chose college or university. There is a need to appreciated that the more popular your course is with students like you, the more difficult and competitive you will find it to get a place studying that subject. Therefore, you need to look to make your decisions and sign up for the course that you want to have a place on as quickly as you possibly can to stand a better chances AND also look to have a back-up second choice subject or institution in mind where you may experience trouble.There is also a need to make sure that you have the time to work AND study both on your course and as part of your homework - these problems are then only further exacerbated where there is a need to work to make ends meet. As a result, this often means cramming in a lot of studying in a short period of time. You can help yourself by planning your time carefully so that you have time to go to classes, study AND work so that you can meet all of your deadlines in both your personal and academic lives so that you are then able to get the results that you are seekingClasses can also be difficult in practice where your teachers/professors arrogance or own self-importance affects a student's professional relationship with their professor or their actual grades. As a result, unfortunately, worst case scenario there is often a need to bite your tongue and do some 'sucking up' big style in order to retain a good working relationship that allows you to achieve the results that you need. Of course there are many, many great teachers who will bend over backwards to help you in any way that they can, but there are also others who have become tainted by the profession and do not get the same enjoyment that they once did.Now we shall get to another significant problem - drugs and alcohol.The unfortunate reality is that, in college and/or university, however much effort is put in by the institution's administration to limit their availability, drugs and alcohol are also a common problem as they are everywhere. Matters are then also not helped by the fact that since students at college and university are adults they often take full advantage to the detriment of their studies, social life, and health. Therefore, you must look to avoid temptation because students have died of drug overdoses or alcohol poisoning so you need to get help as soon as possible where you think that you need it since the consequences can be dire.Similarly, there is also a need to be aware of the dreaded hormones . . .This is because whilst colleges and universities (as well as high schools) do their best to raise awareness of the potential for the spread of sexually transmitted diseases/sexually transmitted infections (STDs/STIs) and unwanted pregnancy, responsibility rests on the individual. Therefore, the easiest piece of advice I can give you is to take precautions (e.g. condoms, the pill, etc . . .) and, if there are none available, just DO NOT do it!!

Saint Martin's University - A Catholic Treasure Hidden in the Pacific NW

Hidden among the evergreens in the great Pacific Northwest is Saint Martin's College, a Benedictine university in the Catholic tradition. As a resident of Lacey, Washington (the state, not DC) I drive by this hidden treasure daily.Saint Martin's University is an independent four-year, Catholic, coeducational university located on a beautiful 320-acre wooded campus, and has proven to be a magnet for students of wealthy families from Asian countries and associated families and countries around the world.Established in 1895 by the Catholic Order of Saint Benedict, the University is one of 18 Benedictine colleges and universities in the United States and Canada, and the only one west of the Rocky Mountains.It is amazing how many great universities there are in this country that remain relatively unknown because of their size and population. Perhaps even less known are the staff members who teach the students.I was reminded of this the other day upon learning that Tapas Das, an adjunct faculty member of Saint Martin's University School of Engineering, has been named the recipient of the Development Organization for Sustainable Transformation (DOST) Professor S. K. Sharma Medal and CHEMCON Distinguished Speaker Award for 2007.The Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers recently conferred the award upon Das to recognize his contributions to the profession of chemical engineering worldwide.Das received the award last month at the Chemical Engineering Congress (CHEMCON 2007) in Calcutta (now known as Kolkata), India, where he delivered the lecture, "Environmental Sustainability: Key Roles of Chemical Engineers" to an international audience of the world's leading chemical engineers.Tapas Das is a doctor of philosophy and professional engineer. He earned his Ph.D. in chemical engineering from Bradford University in England and a B.S. in chemical engineering from Jadavpur University in Kolkata.He has conducted postdoctoral research at the Chemical Engineering Department of Imperial College in London, and the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department of Princeton University.With an expertise in environmental sustainability, Das has managed engineering projects examining air quality, water quality, water reuse, solid waste management, life-cycle assessment and sustainable development.Saint Martin's University prepares students for successful lives through its 21 majors and 6 graduate programs spanning the liberal arts, business, education and engineering.Saint Martin's welcomes 1,250 students from many ethnic and religious backgrounds to its main campus, and 650 more to its 5 extension campuses located at Fort Lewis Army Post, McChord Air Force Base, Olympic College, Centralia College and Tacoma Community College, all located in the State of Washington.Additional information on Saint Martin's College is available through Jennifer Fellinger at (360) 438-4332 if you are calling within the United States.Copyright © 2008 Ed Bagley

PCDI - The College and University Alternative for Working Professionals Pursuing Their Degrees

PCDI | Professional Career Development Institute -
The College and University Alternative for Working Professionals Pursuing Their DegreesAre you a college dropout? Are you tired of being passed over for promotions because you don't have your college "degree"? How many times have you wanted to apply for a job, but the ad said "no need to apply unless you have a degree"?Unfortunately, this is happens more frequently than not. The federal government and other employers are notorious for hiring people with degrees in ANYTHING, even if it does not relate to their current job, just so they can market people with degrees.What does all this mean to you? In general, you can expect to earn about 4 to 5 percent more with a two-year college degree (i.e., associate's degree) than you would with only a high-school/GED or vocational school degree. A bachelor's degree will typically bring you a salary increase of about an additional 13 to 15 percent.So, even though you may have the practical experience to do a job, you have a much better chance of getting the job -- and the money that goes with it -- if you have a degree of some sort.Where are you supposed to find time to go back to school while you are working and trying to earn a living? Well there are several options to the traditional brick and mortar colleges and universities of the past. While many community colleges and universities offer night and weekend classes now, you can also go online, enroll in a distance learning course, and earn your college degree from the comfort of your own home.One institution that allows you to do just that is the Professional Career Development Institute ( PCDI ). PCDI offers distance learning associate degree courses such as:
Accounting

Business Management

Computer Information Mgmt.

Criminal Justice

Early Childhood Education

Health Care Management

Human Resource Management

Marketing

Paralegal Studies

Psychology

Security Management
They also offer Distance Learning Master Degree Programs in:
Business Administration

Criminal Justice

Health Care Administration

Human Resource Mgmt.
Unlike courses that you take at a community college or university, PCDI allows you to complete your degree at your own pace, when you have time so you don't have to feel rushed, hassled or like your have an impending deadline looming over you.Getting a degree can change your life -- financially, emotionally and professionally. Go ahead and start the rest of your life today!

About the University of West Georgia

The University of West Georgia had its humble beginnings as an agricultural and mechanical school in 1906. Located in Carrollton, the Fourth District Agricultural and Mechanical School was opened in response to calls for realistic education aimed at rural youth aged 13 to 21 years old. The school was set-up on the site of the former Bonner Plantation and, in 1908, 110 students enrolled.In 1933, there were seven of the A&M schools that had abandoned their missions which led to the abolishment of the remaining schools. In spite of the change, the Fourth District Agricultural and Mechanical School became West Georgia College later that same year. It was a two-year institution of higher learning.It then evolved into a four-year institution in 1957 when there were 589 students that were enrolled. By the 1970s, there were more than 6,000 students. And, in just seven years after it received the status of University, enrollment went up to 10,000.Today, there are more than 100 programs that are offered at the University. These programs are through the College of Social Sciences, the College of Arts and Humanities, the College of Science and Mathematics, the College of Education, the School of Nursing and the Richards College of Business. The University of West Georgia Graduate School offers Master's and several degrees with the education and psychology department offering doctorates.There are also courses available for those students who are in remote areas. These are through the Distance Learning Program. This program conducts online and videoconferencing classes.Also, it is the only university in the State of Georgia to offer an Honors College. The exceptional high school juniors and seniors are allowed, by the Advanced Academy of Georgia, to live and study on campus while they are completing their high school graduation requirements.With the help of the West Georgia Foundation, as well as, programs such as the Annual Fund, that benefits advanced technology, scholarships, faculty development, and more, the University of WG continues to grow and make educational progress.The University of West Georgia follows the semester-based curriculum calendar system. The school also allows students to choose from about 59 majors. Among the most popular concentrations are Management, Education, Psychology, Nursing and Business.At the University of WG, students have options for part-time on-campus employment. This allows students to be able to cover some of their expenses. The school also helps students in evaluating their options for careers and finding full-time employment after they graduate.The University also offers housing on-campus. The University of West Georgia's dormitory capacity can accommodate up to 3,100 students. With affordable room prices, the dormitory provides a reasonable option for on-campus housing.There are also army ROTC programs available. The commissioning programs of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps imply elective classes along with the required college curriculum. It also provides possible funding for tuition with an obligation to serve after graduation. However, ROTC program does not commit students to serve unless they have received funding, scholarships of other financial grants.Learn more about the University of West Georgia.

Working for University

Through out the years many College and Universities have been employing faculty and staff to offer students with a professional quality education. Each of these colleges or universities employs hundreds and sometimes thousands of workers to keep the school running smoothly. These workers consist of people like professors, teachers, human resources, housekeeping, food service, grounds crews, computer services, public safety and many more. Colleges are a great resource for employment because of the fact that with age comes retirement. Some employees that have put in many years with the school reach retirement age and soon retire with a good pension. Also many employees advance to higher paying jobs within the College or University providing open slots for new candidates. Applying for a position with most of the Universities and Colleges can be done online filling out an application with current name and address. Any other information vital to employment will be added also at this time. Most online applications provide the service of uploading a copy of a well written resume and cover letter.The benefit package that comes with working with one of these organizations can be quite good and very appealing. Although each school has its own benefit package, speaking directly with human resources all of this information can be obtained. Education and the college and universities that provide the education will be around for centuries. So the available employment opportunities throughout the world is constantly changing. Education is an important part of anyone's life and being a part of that by working for a college of or university can have substantial benefits.

Best Business Colleges

Business education in the US is highly popular amongst students from all across the world because it is more practical, applied and current. The graduate and undergraduate courses offered by the best business colleges in the US offer applied learning through consulting engagements and other real time applications of learned business concepts. The United States boasts several good business colleges, known for their excellent curriculum, established corporate and alumni network, high level of interaction between the students and the faculty. MBA or Masters in Business Administration courses offered by the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton school and universities in Columbia, Harvard and Stanford are considered the best in the nation.Courses Offered by the Best Business Colleges
Almost all the best business colleges in the US offer graduate and postgraduate business courses. The graduate courses require students to have 16 years of undergraduate education and are available on both full time and part time basis. Admission in these business colleges is possible through a common entrance examination, called the GMAT. Some business colleges also offer executive programs.Some of the best business schools in the US are:* Stanford University: The Stanford Graduate School of Business offers a two-year full time residential MBA program focusing on general business management. The college also offers a PhD program and the Stanford Sloan Program, a ten-month general management program for mid-career executives, leading to a master of science in management* Harvard Business School: The college also offers doctoral programs in various streams of management.* Kellogg School of Management, North Western University: This college offers both executive and international executive MBA programs.* The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania: Offers students the option to earn dual or joint degrees in several business areas.* MIT Sloan: Offers undergraduate, MBA and even doctoral programs.* Columbia Business School* Haas School of Business, University of California Berkeley* The Fuqua School of Business, Duke University* Chicago Graduate School of Business* University of Michigan Business School, Ann Arbor* Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth: The school offers only a full time MBA program* New York University Stern School of Business* The Anderson School at UCLA* Yale School of Management: Offers MBA and PHD programsThere are several more good business colleges and universities offering courses in different streams of management that include marketing, insurance and finance.

My Journey to College - From Smarts to Genius

While I was in my second semester as a freshman at Northwest University, a Christian college in Kirkland, Washington, I was still getting accustomed to my first taste of a number of new experiences: selecting and registering for courses, juggling a heavy workload, communicating with my professors outside of classes, putting the new names to the new faces of my peers, and the like. Up to that point, I had heard a handful of individual stories about what brought several of my peers to the university, but I had to take a closer look at my own story, to reflect on the intellectual, emotional, and spiritual journey that led me to college, in order to better determine how I could make the most of my collegiate experience. The core of what I learned then, and what I am continuing to learn, carries the very essence of what the Spirit of God is saying to His scholars of various kinds in the earth realm today.Considering my past struggles in school, it is actually a miracle that I have even made it to college. During my years in elementary school, my parents were always willing to help me and my siblings with our homework, making sure that we completed our assignments, keeping close tabs on the grades we were earning. Therefore, it was a matter of course that I listened in class and turned in all of my work, but I did not start paying careful attention to my grades for myself until I entered the sixth grade. Seeing the trend of high marks that regularly showed up on my assignments and report cards, I found that I rather liked earning excellent grades. My classmates deemed me to be a smart girl, which I liked as well, but I also felt stigmatized by the edge and the tone that accompanied many of their assessments of me.
I was not thought to be particularly "cool" or pretty. I was shy, I wore glasses, and I did not dress in the trendiest styles of clothing, all of which added to the developing stigma that I felt, along with the fact that I was very slim, physically. I had perfect class attendance and never got in any trouble at school, but it was not considered exactly cool to be well-behaved, which contributed to the stigma even further. So, in a nutshell, my peers dubbed me as a smart, shy, four-eyed, skinny, goodie-two-shoes. In a word, they said I was a "nerd."I carried the "nerd" label with me into my middle school years. I continued to earn very good grades, managing to finish much of my homework before I left school for the day, so I usually had a lot of free time when I got home. As I was still shy and did not have friends outside of school, I spent a vast majority of my free time reading books and watching television. On any given afternoon and into the evening, I could either read for about six straight hours, or watch television for about six straight hours, as both activities gave me a sort of escape: if I was lost in a book or lost in television, absorbed in my imagination, I did not have to think about the fact that other kids said I was a nerd.By the time I reached high school, the pressure of the stigma subtly changed. I was no longer called a nerd; I was just "smart." To many of my peers, I was basically "that one smart girl with the glasses." Academically, I always ranked within the top ten students in my class, sometimes even within the top three or four, because I was "smart." I started taking Advanced Placement courses and tests, since I was "smart." I would never be the most popular or well-liked person on campus, but I sure was "smart." I was too shy to join any groups or clubs in school, or to try out for any sports or talent shows, but I was still "smart." I did not go to school dances or anything of the kind; surely those events were not for "smart" people. Even though I was growing stronger in my Christian walk and had become quite involved in the large youth group at my church, that was where my involvement stopped--at church. At school, being "smart" was all I had, and so I became like a robot, handling my studies rather religiously, even while I slowly, and almost unconsciously, began to resent what had become my religion of scholastics.Harboring the fear that I would never make it in the adult world if I did not go straight to college after high school, I took my SATs and starting filling out college applications my senior year: robotically, religiously, and resentfully going with the academic flow. After all, I inwardly, automatically felt that if I was not "smart," I was not anything; and if I was not anything, the unknown world after high school would swallow me up, leaving me unsuccessful, penniless, and alone. So, it did not at all make sense to me when, during my senior year, I felt the Holy Spirit urging me to put down the college brochures and to stop sending for applications. The Spirit essentially blocked me from doing what the all of the other seniors with good grades seemed to be doing, and so while my peers began to receive acceptance letters from different colleges and universities, I became more fearful of a future that I could not see or control, and therefore sunk deeper into my resentment.I wanted to drop out of school. At home, I sometimes raged or sobbed over my homework assignments before I went back to school to turn them in and to bitterly collect my customary high scores. I would receive academic recognition and certificates at school award assemblies, and would then come home and throw those awards in the garbage. Towards the end of the school year, I was invited to a special luncheon for being one of the top ten academic seniors; instead of going to the luncheon, I went home. Instead of going to my high school graduation, I stayed home. A few days after the graduation, I went up to the school's main office, had the secretary give me my diploma, and I went back home.Not long after this, I confided my resentful feelings to my mother, and I then felt freer to do whatever the Holy Spirit led me to do. Over the next few years, I spent a great deal of time praying, fasting, and studying the Word of God. It was during one of my fasting times that the Spirit pointed something important out to me: I had never thanked God for bringing me through thirteen years of school (including kindergarten.) It was actually God's mercy that had kept me from becoming a high school dropout, His grace that had allowed me to stick it out until I received my diploma, with good grades to back it up. So, I repented, thanking God for the years of school He had helped me to get through.I became even more involved at the church I was attending, and as I had grown close to a group of young people who were also seeking after the Lord, the many enjoyable hours that I spent with them usually led to discussions about the Word or impromptu praise or prayer sessions. It was during these years of growing closer to God and to Godly people that the Spirit began to give me a more accurate view of myself. I was intelligent. I was likable. I was passionate. I was a gifted intercessor. I was a talented writer. I was a number of things that I had never thought or acknowledged that I could ever truly be. The truth be told, I was even attractive--slimness and glasses and all.I gratefully began to see why God had not allowed me to go straight from high school to college. Had I done so, I would have gone as a robot, resentfully carrying out my scholastic religion with little more than a fear of future poverty to keep me going. I would not have taken the time to learn more about who I am in Christ if God had not disrupted my plans to rush off to a university, if He had not drawn me into a closer relationship with Him so that I could better recognize His voice, discover His character, and gain a deeper understanding of His Kingdom.So, six years after I graduated high school, I again applied for college, getting accepted into the only school I applied for, which just happened to be the only school I had any desire to apply for: Northwest University. All through the application, acceptance, and preparation process for school, I could see God's hand at work. However, I must admit that my arrival in college hit me like a slap in the face. After being out of school for six years and having never experienced a college workload, I felt overwhelmed by the amount of reading and research that was required, and began to fall behind in my studies. I was unaccustomed to driving so much, constantly feeling exhausted on my commutes to and from school, sitting in traffic, often spending nearly an hour in the car early in the morning, and another hour in the car late in the afternoon. Sometimes I would get so busy studying that I would forget to eat, the resulting ache in my head serving as my reminder to put something into my stomach. The fact that my body was not getting as much sleep as it had been accustomed to getting over the past few years did nothing to alleviate my headaches. I became so worn out that I felt like abandoning ship that first semester.Yet, I could not, and will not, give up. I know that God has sent me to college to infiltrate the educational arena of the marketplace with the counterculture of His Kingdom, and so I have determined to make the most of this time in my life. I now know that I am likable, so I am careful to make eye contact with and to smile at my peers, pressing past my shyness to begin forming relationships. Although I never had the courage to audition for talent shows in elementary, middle, or high school, I now know how passionate I am, so I participated in the talent show at my university both my freshman and sophomore years, standing alone on stage in front of a jam-packed chapel full of students and faculty, expressing my passion through my original spoken word pieces, and actually winning the talent show my second year. Although I had never joined any school groups or clubs before, I now know that I am a gifted intercessor, so I became a part of the university prayer team. I now know that I am attractive, so I dress nicely for school, wearing heels and makeup every day, walking with my head up and my shoulders back--as much as my heavy backpack will allow. I now know that I am a talented writer, so I work hard on my school papers, finding ways to insert Kingdom principles into my writing. I know that I am intelligent, so I keep at my studies for my classes, so that my grades might properly reflect the intellect that God has graced me with. Even though I had cynically shunned academic recognition my senior year in high school, when I was invited to a reception for making it onto the Dean's list in my first semester in college, I went and took my place at the reception, accepting applause and helping myself to a delicious slice of cheesecake.However, in the midst of my studies, especially during the initial frenzy that hit me like a slap in the face, the temptation has been for me to climb back into the role of just being "smart": to grow resentful over the difficult work and to go through the robotic, religious motions of completing my assignments, with the sole goals of getting good grades and getting everything over with.Yet, on one particular afternoon during my sophomore year, I told the Lord, "I don't want to be a smart girl anymore. You never called me to be smart. You called me to be a genius. I don't want to be the woman who gets good grades. I want to be the woman who works her genius. I want my completed assignments and papers to be masterpieces of genius. I want my ministry on campus to come from the place of my genius. I believe that if I seek first Your Kingdom and Your righteousness by working my genius in order to infiltrate the educational arena of the marketplace with Your culture, then all these other things, like good grades, will simply be added unto me."It was not really me praying this prayer, but the Holy Spirit praying through me, back to God; the Lord was essentially speaking His Word, for His Kingdom scholars on earth, back to Himself. He wants all of His academic Kingdom citizens--from preschool to graduate school, home school to medical school, Sunday school to seminary--to make the most of their studies and their educational experiences by learning to work their genius. Just as the Holy Spirit gave me a more accurate view of who I am in Christ, God wants His people to allow His Spirit, Who leads us into all truth, to show us the truth about ourselves. (John 16:13) He wants to show us the truth about the treasure, the genius, that He has placed in earthen vessels, on the inside of us. (II Corinthians 4:6, 7)Indeed, my journey to college has been quite an intellectual, emotional, and spiritual struggle. Yet, knowing that each day in college is, for me, a miracle telling of the faithfulness, mercy, and grace of God, I can confidently say that I am not a nerd. I am not "smart." I am not a religious, resentful robot. Rather, I am likable. I am passionate. I am an intercessor. I am a writer. I am attractive. I am intelligent.I am a genius.

Thinking of Quitting College Life Or University Life?

If you are presently in college or university, don't even think about quitting! Finish your degree. Even though college life or university life can be tough at times, history has shown that those finishing higher education will get further ahead in life. Granted that there are some people who have become multi-millionaires and big stars without a degree or even graduating from high school, but they are extremely rare. Sure there's a chance that you may become successful without a degree but why gamble? Don't you want to increase your overall chances of becoming successful? If so, it helps to have higher education. Being successful and educated just gives you more options out there in life. It opens more doors for you. Also, if it is important for others to respect you as someone who could speak with intelligence, an education will definitely help.Don't quit college life or university life to rush into the workforce. If you are going to work for the next 40-50 years, then taking a few years to get through university or college life is not a huge investment of your time. Even in fields that involve many years of studying like medicine, have the faith that it will pay off for you in the future. It is actually investing in yourself. Do your time now for greater potential rewards later. Approach your time in higher education as your full time job for now. If you already quit a number of years ago, it's never too late to go back and get finish your degree as a mature student, especially through night courses.It is also important to point out that some employers see those graduating from higher education as individuals who are able to be more committed to a job than those who quit school. Commitment is a quality companies look for in job candidates. Completing higher education is one way to prove that you are capable of commitment professionally. Keep this in mind.If you are finding college life or university life difficult, get some help as there are usually resources on campus that you can take advantage of to help you. Don't be shy to ask for help. There are many tips and strategies that can help you get through college life successfully. College and university are not just bigger versions of high schools. There is a transition that is required in order to adjust to college life or university life. There are many people on campus to help you make that adjustment successfully.It is much easier to finish your degree now than say ten years down the road when you have other demands complicating your life. This is especially the case for those older students who have full time careers and have to allocate all spare time for talking part time courses over several years to finish up a degree. That type of lifestyle is a real grind and if possible, should be avoided by finishing up a degree on a full time basis. Don't make the mistake of quitting just because things are a bit rough. You will be rewarded if you finish your degree.Good external guest speakers on campus will often talk about important skills to help you become successful in college life or university life. If you check up on any interesting upcoming talks by visiting speakers, try to attend their sessions.

Community Colleges - A Stepping Stone To University Education

If you are fortunate enough to live in a place where a community college provides classes, then you should make it a point to take advantage of the facility. This can be a great help to further your educational qualifications to advance your career. Community colleges provide some intensive courses in various educational areas. The courses are quite affordable and provide an impressive level of training.Community colleges play an important role in providing affordable education; yet they are considered inferior in comparison to University education. This consideration is quite further from the truth. In fact, a good number of nurses are students of community colleges and are very well trained in their jobs. The associate degree nursing program provided by community colleges are rigorous courses that provide very good clinical experience and comparable to that of the bachelor of nursing degree courses provided by Universities. However, if you possess nursing training from a community college, most hospitals will not consider you a candidate for any administrative nursing position, as this requires a Bachelor's degree.There are many advantages of learning at the community college levels. One biggest advantage is the fact that the teachers at the community college are dedicated to teaching. They are more approachable and helpful to the students. They are not simultaneously working on their own projects and usually devote all their time to teaching at the community college. Students are never considered as an interruption in the pursuit of their own agenda.Community Colleges are a supportive system for those individuals who are going back to academics after a long gap or for those who may not have been getting top grades at high school. The teacher to student ratio is lower in community colleges hence, the teaching faculty can provide personalized attention to the students. This is a great advantage to the students who require extra coaching.Students who complete the two-year degree program at community college are likely to complete their four-year degree. Research indicates that students who start at universities for four-year degrees usually drop out of the course mid way. A two-year community college degree will also help to increase the earning capability of the individual even if he does not complete the four-year degree course.There are some disadvantages associated with community colleges that one should be aware of. Some universities do not accept transfer credits of courses completed at the community colleges. Ensure that you check out the courses required at the university that you plan to transfer to for further education. Another problem could be the availability of certain courses that you may want to do, or the limited number of courses on offer at the community college.In conclusion, the community college education can be a useful, instructive and an affordable option for formal education. It can be considered as a stepping-stone to the higher level of University education.