Performing Arts Colleges In The South

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the demand for professionals in the arts will increase by more than 11 percent from 2008 through 2018, but competition will be high for careers in dance, acting and music. A number of colleges in the southern United States offer programs geared toward entry into art-related fields.

University of Alabama

The University of Alabama, a public institution home to more than 27,000 undergraduate and graduate students, is in Tuscaloosa, a suburban community 50 miles from Birmingham. In 2010, "U.S. News and World Report" ranked the school 96th among all universities in the U.S. The college grants baccalaureate and graduate degrees in music, theater and dance. In the School of Music, undergraduates can major in music administration, music education, music therapy, jazz studies, composition and theory or performance in voice or one of 19 different instruments. The bachelor of arts in dance program, featuring an intensive summer program sponsored by the American Ballet Theatre, allows students to concentrate in jazz, modern or ballet. Students in the bachelor of arts in theatre program concentrate in acting, musical theatre, theatre management, scene design and technical production or costume design and technical production. Auditions are mandatory for the music and dance programs; theatre is open to all interested students. Approximately 72 percent of students at the University of Alabama receive financial aid, according to the "2009 Barron's Profiles of American Colleges." Tuition rates are discounted for Alabama residents.

University of Alabama

Box 870100

Tuscaloosa, AL 35487

205-348-5666

ua.edu

College of Charleston

Established in 1770, the College of Charleston is a public institution in Charleston, South Carolina. The college enrolls more than 11,300 students and features undergraduate degrees in music and theatre and a minor in dance. The music program features specializations in music theory and composition, music history and literature and music performance with concentrations in voice, piano, classic guitar, strings, orchestral and jazz. Performance specialists must audition for admission and have the opportunity to participate in a one dozen vocal and instrumental ensemble groups. The college's theater program features specializations in acting and directing, costume design, stage design and children's theater. The dance minor includes study of choreography, ballet, modern and jazz. No auditions are necessary for the theatre or dance programs. Performing arts students at the College of Charleston have the opportunity to participate in study abroad programs or internships. South Carolina residents receive discounted tuition rates and special scholarships are available for performing arts students.

College of Charleston

66 George St.

Charleston, SC 29424

843-953-5670

cofc.edu

Duke University

The United Methodist Church established Duke University in 1838 in Durham, North Carolina. The school received the 10th-place ranking among all universities in the United States from "U.S. News and World Report" in 2010. Admission to Duke is highly competitive; less than 25 percent of those who apply receive an invitation to attend, explains the "2009 Barron's Profiles of American Colleges." Auditions are mandatory for the school's undergraduate and graduate degree programs in dance, music and theater. Dance baccalaureate students can study ballet, modern, jazz, African, swing, tap and kathak and flamenco dancing and have the opportunity to spend a semester studying in New York. The music major for undergraduates allows students to study music history, theory or instrumental or vocal performance. Performance majors must participate in one of the many ensembles sponsored by the university. Theater majors must complete courses in acting, directing and playwriting and can complete a semester studying the art in London, England. Around 45 percent of freshmen and 40 percent of continuing students at Duke receive financial aid, reports the "2009 Barron's Profiles of American Colleges."

Duke University

2138 Campus Drive

Box 90586

Durham, NC 27708

919-684-3214

duke.edu

Tags: College Charleston, University Alabama, 2009 Barron, 2009 Barron Profiles, American Colleges

Sing The Alphabet Song

The alphabet song is one of the first songs we learn to sing as children. It is an easy song to learn. Children hear it on Sesame Street. They hear it in pre-school. Parents sing it to them and yet some children still have issues getting the letters correct. But with time, patience and perseverance they will get it. Do not give up. Read on to learn sing the alphabet song.

Instructions

1. Sing the words to the alphabet song over and over.

2. Teach the child to sing the song to the tune of "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star."

3. Repeat the song over and over. "A,B,C,D,E,F,G,

H,I,J,K,L,M,N,O,P,Q,R,S,T,U,V,W,X,Y and Z. Now I know my ABC's, next time won't you sing with me."

4. Expose the child to other people singing the song. Sometimes they need to hear it in a different voice.

5. Start off singing the song in a tempo slower than you normally would. This will help the child get the lyrics into his head. Once he starts singing with you begin speeding up the song until it is at normal tempo.

6. Practice over and over again until your child is comfortable singing the song on his own.

Tags: over over, singing song, alphabet song, learn sing, song over, song over over

Decorate Your Dorm

Decorate Your Dorm

You want to give your plain boring looking dorm room some style. Here are cheap ways that you can customize your dorm room.

Instructions

1. First pick the colors that you want. I suggest picking two or three colors. Search the web and check out stores like Ikea, Target, Jcpenney, and Walmart to find things that match the color pattern that you want your dorm room to have.

2. Next decorate your walls. Buy wall pops these are like wallpaper but it won't mess up walls. You can buy these on Amazon for around $10.00 for a set. You can get circles or squares or both to make your dorm room look really retro.

3. Next you will need a rug find a rug that fits one color in your color pattern. You should should try walmart to find your rug they are usually the cheapest.

4. Go buy colorful tape. You can spell out anything you want to say with colorful tape and it will take up space on your wall. You can also cut out pictures of you and your friends or use fashion magazine pics and spell them into words.

5. Buy colorful lamps, buy a chair that matches your color pattern. If you eat in your room buy a small microwave and a toaster that fits your color scheme you can find these items on Amazon. Have fun, a plain room is a boring room. You can be creative with a cool room and not spend a lot of money if you follow these tips.

Tags: dorm room, color pattern, your color, your dorm room, colorful tape

National Society Of Black Engineers Scholarships

NSBE scholarships encourage African Americans to enter engineering.

The National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) encourages young black men and women to enter the engineering field. The organization works to achieve this and other goals not just in the United States but around the world. For students in the United States, the organization offers financial assistance in the form of scholarships. For those selected, these scholarship opportunities can offset the cost of engineering-related studies.

Pre-College Initiatives

The Pre-College Initiatives program steers black children toward engineering, mathematics, science and technology studies. Students in kindergarten through the 12th grade can qualify for a variety of scholarships, such as the Leroy Callendar Award, the Fulfilling the Legacy Scholarship Program and the Battelle High School Scholarship Program. To access the application forms for these programs, the candidate must be a junior member of the NSBE; the forms can be found at the organization's website. This scholarship is offered annually.

Collegiate Scholarships

The NSBE hosts multiple Collegiate Scholarships, including the Battelle Collegiate Scholarship Program and the Cummins Inc. Scholarship. These programs are open to NSBE member students, although the number and nature of awards varies depending on the program. For example, the Oregon Department of Transportation's scholarship is open to U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a 2.5 grade point average. Students must also be pursuing a major in civil engineering, construction engineering or transportation.

Alumni Extension Technical Scholarship

Graduate students who are NSBE members can take advantage of the annual Alumni Extension Technical Scholarship. Through this program, the organization gives $2,000 to three candidates. Applicants must have at least one year of graduate study remaining. The application requires two letters of recommendation, an academic transcript, proof of acceptance or enrollment in a graduate program and a short essay.

Academic Improvement Scholarships

The NSBE's Achiever's Plus (A+) Program helps black students improve their grades via tutoring. Connected to this program are the Academic Improvement Scholarships, which reward the best-performing members of the Achiever's Plus Program. Applicants must be pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree to qualify. They must submit an essay and a transcript and must have a minimum grade point average of 3.2.

Tags: Scholarship Program, Academic Improvement, Academic Improvement Scholarships, Achiever Plus, Achiever Plus Program, Alumni Extension, Alumni Extension Technical

Drive Teacher Crazy

Teachers are easy targets. It's not easy teaching dozens of kids at a time. If you like your teacher, help her out by behaving and keeping other students in line. But if you don't like her, follow these steps to drive your teacher crazy.

Instructions

1. Compliment the teacher when you see her in the morning. Tell her how nice her hair or clothing look. This statement will help keep you from getting in trouble.

2. Shout out questions to the teacher and remarks to other students without raising your hand. Start arguments with other students.

3. Ask to go to the bathroom right after recess. Keep dancing around if she doesn't let you go.

4. Tattletale on other students as much as possible. Blame other students for things they didn't do.

5. Erase names the teacher puts on the board for discipline. Do it slyly by brushing up against it with your sleeve.

6. Make a monotone continuous humming sound. Do it in a low pitch so you won't get caught.

7. Sharpen your pencil when the teacher is talking. Place tacks on her chair so she gets poked when she sits down.

8. Say, "How do you spell that?" while the teacher is giving a spelling test. When she says the next word, then tell her she's going too fast.

Tags: other students, your teacher

Degree Requirements For A Special Education Lawyer

A special education lawyer is an advocate for the rights of those with special needs

Special education lawyers have many responsibilities in the course of representing their clients with special needs. To become a special education lawyer there is no specialized degree one needs to acquire beyond a general Juris Doctor degree. There are some dual-degree programs that may be helpful, though they are not required. After one takes and passes a state's bar exam to become a member of the state bar, personalized training and work experience is needed to create specialized expertise in the area of special education law.

Earn a law degree. To become an attorney in the United States it is a requirement that one receive a law degree, called a Juris Doctor. You do not have to take the bar exam in the same state that you attend law school. The Juris Doctor is received after the undergraduate degree and is typically a three-year course of study. Law schools in the United States are accredited by the American Bar Association.

There are several joint-degree programs that allow for greater specialization, such as the J.D./Masters of Science in Cultural Foundations of Education with an optional Certificate in Disability Studies offered by Syracuse University in New York and a J.D./Ph.D. in Education Law with an optional emphasis in Special Education at the William S. Boyd School of Law at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. These are not prerequisites to the practice of special education law, however.

Take and pass the bar exam of the state that you want to practice in. A bar exam is a two or three-day test that ascertains the taker's mastery of state law, and larger legal principles. Being admitted to practice law in most states is contingent on both passing the bar exam, passing a background check, and passing the Multi-State Professional Responsibility Exam.

Apply for a clerkship with a firm that focuses on special education law. This is a highly recommended step, as it puts an attorney in constant contact with the duties that a special education attorney has to perform an a daily basis.

Maintain your continuing education credits and continue to educate yourself on recent developments in special education law. A judge needs to continue his state Bar membership, so taking the required courses to maintain one's license is a must. These are called continuing education credits and completion of classes must be reported to the state bar of the state in which you practice.

Tags: Juris Doctor, special education, special education, continuing education, continuing education credits, education credits, education lawyer

Methods To Speed Up An Ezgo Electric Golf Cart

Golf carts are seen on courses around the world.

Electric golf carts, compared to the slower and less reliable gas-powered carts of the past, have become the popular transportation choice on the golf course. These carts are generally restricted to about 10 miles per hour on most courses when you rent them, but it is possible to soup up a cart off of the course for a bit more speed. A few internal and external tweaks can be made in short time to get your cart moving to as fast as 20 to 25 miles per hour.

Cleaning Your Cart

One way of speeding up your golf cart is by power cleaning the outside of the cart. This will serve to remove any dust, dirt or grime to lighten the cart and allow it to move at its most efficient. Clumps of mud can slow that cart, especially between the tires, and other natural pieces can restrict some of the parts within the wheel wells and engines from operating at their maximum. Cleaning can be done with just a hose and some soap, or with a power washer.

Another method to increase cart efficiency is by removing any unnecessary racks, clubs, windshields or other accessories that be hanging from or attached to the carts. These will also serve to make the cart heavier and allow for a slower ride.

Adding Engine Power

On the technical side, replacing any worn-down parts will give your cart a newer feel and a greater speed. These parts could include wheels, engine pieces and electronic motors. Also, if you have mechical experience or can take the cart to a mechanic, you can replace the electric motor to allow for a higher speed, a better gear ratio and a more effective engine. Other additions to the engine might include a freedom chip or an air filter.

Changing your Wheels

If the task of replacing or fixing a slower engine is too much of a headache, you can simply replace the wheels on the cart. While your engine size is restricted to a certain amount of revolutions per minute for your wheels, larger wheels will allow the cart to cover more ground with the same amount of revolutions. One of the largest common wheel sizes for golf carts is 22 inches, and changing that can add as much as 3 to 5 miles per hour to your ride.

Tags: miles hour, amount revolutions, golf carts

Improve Student Ontask Behavior

On-task teaching methods are ideal for young students who tend to lose focus easily--especially those kids that have been diagnosed with ADHD. Ask any teacher, on-task teaching is sometimes the only way to keep their kids from taking over their classrooms. Follow these tips on apply on-task methods to your child.

Instructions

Rules and Procedures

1. Set high expectations for student behavior and work habits. From the beginning of school, make clear rules about what students should be doing during any activity.

2. Create lessons to teach students behave. Common lessons to teach include when they can talk, how they can get help if they need it, what is the expected outcome of their work, when are they allowed to move about, and how you can tell they are participating fully in the activity.

3. Practice the procedures until all students are successful. If students have difficulty with any one procedure, the practice will enable them to internalize the correct behavior. Additionally, they will get tired of practicing and off-task behavior will be squelched through peer pressure to move on to something else.

Monitoring Student Performance

4. Monitor student behavior during class. Keep your body turned so that you always know what is occurring. Circulate through the room to check each student's progress and provide assistance. Do not get stuck behind your desk since students will take advantage if they think you are not really paying attention to their behavior.

5. Move closer to students who are off-task. Placing your body near their body let's students know you are aware of their misbehavior. Show no facial expression, since students should know that you mean business and are not angry, which might be the reaction they are hoping for.

6. Prompt students verbally to return to work if they are still off-task. Sometimes just saying their name is enough to ensure compliance, but if necessary, get close to the off-task child and remind them specifically what you want them to be doing.

7. Remain near disruptive students until you are sure they are back on-task. Do not be afraid to return over and over until the students know you are serious about their behavior.

Tags: lessons teach, since students, student behavior, students know, students should

Scholarships For High School Juniors

Scholarships for High School Juniors

You don't have to be a high school senior or college student to pursue a higher education scholarship. While it is true that many college awards are reserved for those graduating from high school or already pursuing a degree, several scholarship programs welcome applications from 11th graders. Some awards are for creativity when it comes to prom attendance, while others require reading a book and writing a thoughtful essay.

Stuck at Prom

Juniors that attend a high school prom, either as part of their own class or as a companion to another person, are eligible to compete for the Stuck at Prom scholarship. Any high school student planning to attend college who is at least 14 years old is eligible. The couple must enter the competition together and wear accessories or an entire outfit made from duct tape.

If the couple wins, each person gets a $3,000 scholarship. The school that hosted the prom also receives $3,000. Second place scholarships of $2,000 per person are offered and third place grants are $1,000 each. Photos of the scholarship winners-duct tape and all-will be posted on the Duck company's website. Duck is a brand of duct tape.

The Ayn Rand Institute

The Ayn Rand Institute offers several scholarships, including one for which high school juniors are eligible. Juniors and seniors can enter "The Fountainhead" essay contest, which is based on Rand's book. A total of 236 prizes and scholarships are offered to those who do well in the contest. The essay must be written in response to one of three provided questions. Each submission is judged on both style and content and is run through anti-plagiarism software. Judges do not know the entrants' identities during the decision-making process.

The first place scholarship is $10,000, and five second prizes of $2,000 each are offered. Ten third place winners will earn $1,000 scholarships, while 45 finalists will receive $100 each. A $50 prize is offered to 175 semi-finalists of "The Fountainhead" essay competition.

National Beef Ambassador Program

National Beef Ambassador Program is a panel of selected public speakers, some of which are high school juniors. Those aged 16 to 19 are eligible to enter and can receive general cash prizes as well as scholarships. The selected young people are trained to become spokespeople for the cattle industry.

Cash prizes offered range from $800 to $2,500. Available scholarships, which are sponsored by the American National Cattlewomen Foundation, are $500, $750 and $1,000.

U.S. Bowling Congress

U.S. Bowling Congress offers a number of scholarships to amateur bowlers who prove dedication and competence in the sport. High school juniors and seniors can apply for the USBC annual Zeb scholarship, which is a $1,000 award. Any bowler in grades 9 through 12 can also pursue the USBC Gift for Life scholarship. Twelve awards of $1,000 are offered to those who demonstrate bowling achievement and financial need. However, two of these scholarships are earmarked for children of fire, police or rescue squad workers.

Tags: high school, Ambassador Program, Beef Ambassador, Beef Ambassador Program, Bowling Congress, duct tape

Refinance With Less Than Perfect Credit

You can refinance an auto or home loan through a new or existing lender, which essentially means you agree to pay off an existing loan with money from a new loan. The process is moderately easy, but requires a lot of research and legwork. A less than perfect credit score can decrease your chances of receiving a low interest rate -- which is typically reserved for consumers with a higher credit rating; however, it's possible to negotiate a competitive and attractive interest rate for your financial situation.

Instructions

1. Purchase a copy of your credit score from all three of the consumer reporting bureaus. It's common for TransUnion, Experian and Equifax to each report a different credit score for one consumer, so purchase a copy from each bureau to determine your credit score range. For example, your credit scores may range from 680 to 705 depending on the bureau.

2. Raise your credit score as quickly as possible. Pay down the balance on your credit card accounts to within 30 percent or less of each line of credit before each billing cycle closes for an immediate boost. Paying down debt lowers your card utilization rate as well as your debt-to-income ratio, both of which creditors view favorably.

3. Sign with a co-applicant or co-signer -- who is a person who agrees to take equal responsibility for the loan amount. Select a co-applicant with a high score, especially if your credit score has dipped since signing the original loan agreement.

4. Borrow less money when refinancing to lower your monthly payments and thereby reduce your monthly interest fees, which permits more allowable income to pay down your mortgage or auto loan as well as your other credit accounts.

Tags: credit score, your credit, your credit score, interest rate, well your

Improve Credit Score Repair Credit Score Or Fix Credit Score

Improve or Repair your less then good credit score.

Instructions

1. If you have lot's of credit cards that you use on a regular basis and your credit score is really low maybe it is because you are making late payment. Always make your minimum payments on time.

2. If you have no credit cards and your credit score is low do not apply for big credit cards like Visa or Master Charge. Start out small with gasoline credit cards or department credit cards. Charge a few things and run a small balance by paying off the minimum plus a few. But you must use the cards or nothing is reported to the credit agencies.

3. Never run up your balance to over 50% of you allowed credit limit. This does not look good to the credit agencies and will actually reduce your credit score. Do not apply for too many different items of credit in a short amount of time. This will send Red Flags to the credit agencies.

Tags: credit cards, credit agencies, credit score, your credit, your credit score, Credit Score, credit score apply

An Introduction To Debates

An argument is the simplest form of debate.

Debate is a form of communication in which people take opposing positions on an idea or proposal and try to convince their opponents that her argument outdoes the other's. A debate may be designed to develop solutions to problems. Two people arguing at a school board meeting, where each feels that his solution will prevail, can lead to a compromise. Politicians arguing each another, trying to persuade people to vote for them, could be considered another form of debate. Academic debate takes on a more structured format with special goals and rules.

History

The history of debates stems back to ancient Athens where the open-air marketplaces were centers for political, philosophical, military and civil debates. The debate between Lincoln and Douglas over the controversial issue of slavery in 1858 is one of the most famous in history. Although Douglas regained his senatorial seat as a result of the debate, Lincoln emerged as a national figure. In modern times, presidential debates have captured our attention.The Kennedy-Nixon Debate in 1960, dealing mainly with the issue of relations with Cuba, is the first televised presidential debate.

Features

High schools and colleges today frequently use a four-person team with two sides forming a team; where the debate consists of an affirmative, or pro, and another that consists of a negative, or con. In the debate, there is a proposal and an opposing idea, which form the basis of the confrontation. The affirmative position states a need for change or another movement and proposes a plan to achieve it. The negative refutes the argument and shows there is no need for this action. There usually is a moderator or judge.

Skills Needed

The debater must display logical reasoning and critical thinking as well as the ability to analyze a problem. He must know research and use the material to further the arguments and pick flaws in his opponent's contentions.

Topic

For formal debate, the topic must be controversial and is usually decided in advance. The National Forensic League in Ripon, Wisconsin, provides yearly topics for high school or collegiate debate. Other debate organizations do the same. Informal debate topics can be based on issues of concern between two people. A topic for a political campaign could be, "Why you should vote for me." The topic must be of interest, timely and appropriate for the audience if there is one. It should be something that has sufficient information readily available for making a case.

Structure

The debaters gather evidence by doing research in books or magazines, on Internet sources or from conducting interviews to prove their arguments. Testimony, statistics or examples must accompany each argument and the sources used must be reliable. The debaters organize this material into a logical sequence. By showing that that her case is stronger than those of her opponent, the debater not only tries to prove her own argument, but tries to refute those of her opponent as well.

Actual Debate Process

With the evidence at hand, the debater is ready to participate in the debate. Speaking ability is crucial. The debater must be able to communicate his ideas clearly, emphatically and convincingly. The audience has to be able to understand his speech. He should use gestures, look around at the audience and sound interested in the material.

Other Forms of Debate

Some schools and organizations now use the Lincoln-Douglas debate, which consists of one person arguing against another. This usually involves topics about values rather than policies. Politicians or presidential candidates can argue on a one-to-one basis or can opt to be part of a panel debate. The panel debate is often seen on television and consists of several people, or a roundtable, arguing about a given topic.

Tags: debater must, form debate, panel debate, those opponent, topic must

Use Your History Degree For A Profession

If you have a passion and enthusiasm for history, it is possible to overcome the perception that history is a non-vocational field. There are steps you can take to develop a history degree into a profession.

Instructions

Put Your History Degree to Work!

1. Apply for a history internship or work study while you are still working on your degree. Practical experience in the history field is invaluable. Even if your internship is unpaid, it will give you confidence and credibility and enhance your resume.

2. Transfer and talk up the skills you already have developed. History majors spend years honing their communication and writing skills, and they constantly sharpen their research, evaluation and analytical skills as well. They become proficient in information and research technology and time management skills. These skills are transferable to many fields. Many people with history degrees find rewarding careers in museums, historical societies and as public historians, historical consultants or contract archivists.

3. Partner your history degree with a minor in another field, like business, giving you a double-edged professional sword. Historians track trends. Accurately forecasting and tracking trends is an important skill in the world of marketing or corporate or financial planning. Many history majors are successful in banking, insurance, and stock analysis, while others forge careers as researchers and policy advisors who serve as planners and policy analysts for state, local, and federal governments.

4. Capitalize on your writing and communication skills. Historians learn write coherently and persuasively. This training qualifies them for careers in advertising, communications media, and as writers and editors. Some history majors work at publishing houses, while others become documentary editors who help publish documents in government agencies and historical societies. Many historians become print and broadcast journalists.

5. Expand your horizons and your options. History majors who enjoy working with documents can complete a two-year graduate program in library studies or archival management. They enjoy careers in archives management, information management, or librarianship. Many history majors discover their historical training is a perfect prerequisite for Law School. Historians and lawyers both argue persuasively, using historical data to support their arguments. Other history majors become policymakers, serve as legislative staff at all government levels, and become heads of foundations or funding organizations.

6. If you chose to become an educator, you can teach at the elementary or secondary level. With a masters or a Ph.D. in history, you can teach at community and junior colleges, undergraduate colleges, and universities. As a history professor, you can use your ideas and training to make an impact on your profession and your students. Teaching gives history majors the opportunity to inspire students to love the subject as much as they do .

Tags: historical societies, history degree, History Degree, history majors, history majors, Many history

Create An Online Magazine

An online magazine can be a great business all by itself, or it can be a solid way to promote your related business ideas, services and products. Most online magazines are free; you make your money through advertising and affiliate programs, or through the business generated by your magazine.

Instructions

1. Decide on the basics: title, topics and approximate length. Brainstorm ideas for as many articles, tips, features and columns as you can, and pick out the ones that sound fresh and interesting--the ones you would want to read in someone else's online magazine. Get set on your title and tagline, and decide how many pieces you want to have in each "issue" of your magazine.

2. Decide on the type of online presentation you want to have. Many online magazines are in simple website format. They have a large site with different pages for each section of the magazine, and each section's articles are posted on the appropriate page. Slate magazine is a good example of this (see resource below). Alternately, the new "flip technology" allows online readers to get more of the magazine-feel when reading your publication. See the resource box below for examples of magazines using the flip viewing option.

3. Set up your website to fit your desired presentation choice. The simple format is, of course, the easiest. You can use a free blog site such as Wordpress.com while you're getting started and avoid any cost. You would just use the Page option to create static pages for each section or column of your magazine, and post your articles in corresponding categories. If you want something more complex, you'll need to have your own website server space, and you'll need to purchase the software to create the "flip" type magazine layout.

4. Get your first issue's contents going by deciding on the particular topics and pieces. Will you have one feature-length story, several shorter articles, a few columns and some tips? Or will you have several longer pieces? Will each issue have a theme, or will you let it be a conglomeration of ideas that fit within your magazine's designated sections?

5. Decide on a time line for your magazine. Will you produce monthly, weekly, quarterly? Will you produce all the material for each issue all at once, or will you spread out each issue's content over the space of a week or month? You have more options with online magazines than you do with print. There are benefits (and drawbacks) to both methods.

6. Once you have an idea of the content, start writing or find someone to write for you. There are many places online to find freelance writers. Give clear instructions about the type of article you want, how long it should be, what kind of research it should include, when you need it and how much you will pay. Then follow up. If you're pleased with the work of a particular freelance writer, try to establish an ongoing work relationship so you don't have to shop for new writers every time you produce an issue.

7. Get the content into your online presentation format. If you're using something simple, it's merely a matter of putting the text and any corresponding graphics into your site editor and publishing. Be sure that any graphics you use are your own (original), or that you have specific permission to use them, or that they are designated under Creative Commons Commercial copyright.

8. Finally, check and recheck before you publish! Edit the text, make sure the links are correct and active, and check that the graphics are an appropriate size. Add some quick tips or other fillers. Give author and image credits where appropriate. Then get out there and start promoting!

Tags: your magazine, each issue, each section, online magazines, into your, issue content, online magazine

Earn An Mba Online

An MBA, or master's in business administration, propels your career by increasing your skills, opening new possibilities and amplifying your income potential. However, it's not always possible to take time off to pursue a degree full time or even get to classes on a regular basis. Thankfully, there are online MBA programs that take a lot of the hassle out of earning the degree while retaining most of the benefits.

Instructions

1. Research programs. Consider their convenience, cost, reputation, curriculum, style of instruction and specializations offered.

2. Apply to the programs that interest you. Depending on the program you will submit a transcript, letter of recommendation, test scores (particularly if you are not a native English speaker) and a personal statement or essay.

3. Choose a program by comparing its cost, in time and money, and its benefits.

4. Start taking courses to fulfill degree requirements. Work with an advisor at the school who can help you achieve your goals.

5. Apply what you learn in your current job. The more you can apply as you go along, the better you will retain what you learn. This is especially important since you are learning online, which lacks some of the interactive components that are so important in business.

6. Look to the future. What are the next steps that you will take once you earn your MBA? With an answer to this question you can thoughtfully plan your program of study.

Tags: programs that, what learn

Get A Pell Grant For Graduate School

Graduation day can mean the end of your eligibility for Pell grants.

The Federal Pell Grant program, which began in 1965, makes money available for college students depending on their financial need. The single most popular federal student aid program, Pell grants help more than 5 million students attend the college or university of their choice each year. Unlike some other federal student loans, Pell grants do not have to be repaid. There are strict program requirements and guidelines, however, and most graduate students will not qualify for a Pell grant.

Application

To qualify for a Pell grant, students must submit a Free Application for Student Aid, or FAFSA, form. This is a statement of their income and resources that is required for all federal educational loans and grants. The government requires students to enroll at least half-time and to attend a college or university that takes part in the program.

Restrictions

The Pell grant program is restricted to undergraduate students who have yet to complete their first bachelor's degree program. Students may not apply for Pell grants for more than one school at a time. In most cases, graduate students do not qualify for Pell grants, but there are exceptions.

Qualifying Graduate Students

Graduate students may apply for a Pell grant if their course of study will conclude with the award of a teaching license or certificate. Thus, following a graduate-level teaching program in a state university system will qualify a student for a Pell grant.

TEACH Grants

As an alternative for graduate students, the government offers the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education grant, also known as TEACH. The student must sign an Agreement to Serve, which declares their intention to teach for at least four years in a school, either private or public, that serves low-income students. If the student does not meet this obligation, the grant converts to a loan and must be repaid. The maximum TEACH grant is $4,000 per academic year.

Alternatives

The government offers several alternative student loan programs to graduate students. These include Stafford loans, which must be repaid but on which interest may be deferred until you complete your studies. PLUS loans are available to graduate and professional students and are not means-tested, meaning candidates do not have to meet income restrictions. Perkins loans are also available, have a maximum amount of $4,000 a year and carry a set interest rate of 5 percent, as of 2010.

Tags: Pell grants, graduate students, qualify Pell, apply Pell, attend college

Which Credit Score Do Lenders Use

A credit score can determine whether you get a loan and affect other aspects of your life, such as getting a job, but not all credit scores are the same. Most lenders use the same formula to calculate your credit score, but they rely on information gathered by a third party. However, there are several alternative scores lenders can consult.

Identification

As of 2010, most lenders use a credit scoring formula developed by the Fair Isaac Corp., according to Kiplinger. The FICO score is so common among lenders that credit scores are often synonymous with the FICO model. Each of the three credit reporting agencies, however, have different information and scores can vary by several dozen points.

Variations

The Fair Isaac Corp. updates the FICO formula every few years. In 2009, for example, the latest FICO version was 08 and it would give a much different score than a lender using the FICO 98 formula, according to Consumer Reports. FICO also has scores based on niche needs, such as a formula designed for lenders who specialize in car loans.

Misconception

Credit rating bureaus may try to sell you their own credit scores, such as the Experian ScoreX or TransUnion TransRisk, according to credit expert Michael Bluejay. The real FICO score sold by credit rating agencies also go by different names. Equifax calls the FICO score a "BEACON," Experian the "Experian Score" and TransUnion the "EMPIRICA," according to the Fair Isaac Corp.

Creditors typically use credit reports from all three ratings agencies and consider your median score your true FICO score.

The Future of Credit Scores

All three credit bureaus -- which control almost the entire consumer credit rating industry -- started backing the VantageScore developed by these same credit bureaus in 2006, according to MSN Money Central. The VantageScore claims it gives consistent scores, while weeding out more bad borrowers than the FICO model. The FICO model, for instance, can give high scores to borrowers with a limited credit history.

As of 2010, there is not enough information to determine whether the VantageScore will supersede the FICO. Only 5.4 percent of lenders chose the VantageScore model between 2006 and 2009, according to Bankrate.

Other Alternatives

Many companies, such as Ford, use credit scoring formulas they create themselves, according to Consumer Reports. Banks sometimes purchase a credit history and calculate a score themselves. Some lenders look at scores from companies that report payments not traditionally included in credit reports, such as rent and utilities.

Tags: FICO score, credit scores, Fair Isaac, Fair Isaac Corp, FICO model, Isaac Corp

Sat Prep Tips

Preparation is the key to obtaining good SAT scores.

The SAT is a standardized exam that tests high school students on their logic and reasoning skills. College admission boards assess these SAT scores before accepting a student. Because most colleges require students to take the SATs, it is important for students to prepare for it by taking practice tests before their scheduled SAT test day. By practicing with such preparation books as "The Official SAT Study Guide," students gain more familiarity with the exam and have a higher probability of getting a good score on the test.

Practice Time Management

The only way to master time management is by taking SAT practice tests. The test consists of critical reading, math, and writing sections, all of which are broken down into 10 subsections. Students have three hours and 45 minutes to complete all three sections. Each subsection has a time constraint varying from 10 to 25 minutes, so it is very important that a student practices his speed and accuracy skills. One way to do this is by pretending that he is taking the actual test. Students should time themselves with a watch and only spend the allotted time doing each section. The first few times students may be too slow or be so fast that they compromise their accuracy, but by repeating this strategy, they will learn answer questions at a moderate pace and become more comfortable under time constraints. When a student becomes more comfortable, he relaxes and tends to produce more accurate answers.

After some time, students should not even have to spend time reading instructions. By the time they take the real SAT test, they should have already memorized instructions for each section. The more time a student has, the higher the chances of completing the section before the allotted time is up. If a student has extra time, it is recommended that he use that time to double check his answers.

Know the Format of the Test

Knowing the format of the test allows students to know what to expect in each section. Most sections have multiple choice formats, with the exception of a "grid in" math subsection and an essay portion. In the math and writing sections of the test, the easiest questions are in the beginning of the section and the most difficult are at the end of the test. Because the most difficult questions are at the end of the test, students should take more time on the difficult questions and less time on the easier questions.

Have Test Taking Strategies Handy

All questions, regardless of difficulty level, have the same number of points awarded for correct answers. However, points are deducted for each incorrect answer. Therefore, it is recommended that a student not randomly guess answers to questions where they have no knowledge of what the answer is. Omitting the question is a better option, since omitted questions do not result in point deductions. One strategy of getting the correct answer is through the process of elimination. If a student can eliminate at least one wrong answer, he or she is encouraged to answer the question. The more answers a student can eliminate, the higher the chance of obtaining the correct answer.

Tags: each section, allotted time, Because most, correct answer, difficult questions, math writing, math writing sections

Become A High School Gym Teacher

Teaching at the high school level is a both challenging and rewarding career choice. Teaching gym, more commonly known as physical education or P.E., allows a person to work with many different students and use many different skills each day. P.E. teachers teach sports and exercise skills and often coach as well. They may also teach health, nutrition or other classes.

Instructions

1. Be active. Try as many sports as you can to learn the skills required to teach them. Keep in shape with different activities so that you'll be able to keep up with the students.

2. Go to college. A four-year Bachelor of Science in a related field is required for teaching high school in every state. To teach gym, you will need to major in physical education. Some states or programs offer concentrations within the physical education realm, such as exercise science.

3. Complete your courses successfully. Courses needed to become a high school P.E. teacher include physical education theory, general teaching methods, team sports, individual sports and a teaching internship, also known as a practicum.

4. Get your teaching certificate. After receiving your Bachelor's, you will need to get your teaching certificate. In most states, this will mean that you will need to submit college transcripts and scores from standardized teaching tests.

5. Work with high school students. While working on your degree, it is a good idea to volunteer or work with high school students so that you gain valuable experience. Experience coaching or working with students will help your resume stand out when applying for gym-teacher jobs.

Tags: physical education, high school, will need, your teaching certificate, high school

College Grants For Working Women

There are a great many opportunities for women who are already working that will allow them to advance their education so that they may be viable for upward mobility in their careers. This list includes a few ideas for women who are working already and think that they may not have the extra money to pay to further their education. It is important to note that a scholarship for college works much like a grant, in that neither is a loan and will not need to be paid back after graduation.

Government Grants

There are standard grant and scholarship opportunities that the U.S. government offers on a regular basis. A Pell grant is the most common form of non-loan money that the govenment gives out. The submission cycle for these opportunities generally correlates with the semester for which you are applying.

Opportunities for Women with Families

Having a family is as challenging as any full-time job. There are some good resources for scholarships and grants for women with families.The website Soroptimist.org offers

financial assistance to women who have families and who are "the primary income earner of the household." There are also opportunities for single mothers such as the ones posted at SingleMom.com.

Women in a New Phase

There may come a point in a woman's career when she has decided she would like a change or would like to explore something new. A couple of institutions offer finacial assistance to women over the age of 40, such as the Jeanette Rankin Women's Scholarship Fund and AARP Foundation. These are opportunities provided by people who know that it is never too late to start again.

Tags: assistance women, that they, their education, would like

Law Schools In Colorado

While Colorado provides plenty of options for students seeking a bachelor's degree, those seeking to pursue a law degree in the state have fewer choices. There are just two law schools in all of Colorado. However, what the state lacks for in quantity it makes up for in quality. Both of Colorado's law schools rank among the nation's best and provide in-state students the opportunity for both a quality and prestigious education.

University of Colorado

The University of Colorado Law School in Boulder ranks as one of the top public law institutions in the country. Established in 1892, the school was ranked the 45th best law school, public or private, in the nation by US News & World Report in 2009 and, according to its website, is considered a top 25 public law school. With an enrollment of 546 law students, UC boasts a 12.4 to 1 student to faculty ratio and has an average class size of anywhere from 12 to 84 students. It also offers Juris Doctorate degrees in 12 areas ranging from environmental studies to business administration. Students accepted into the program in 2009-2010 had a median LSAT score of 163 and had a median grade point average of 3.68. The University of Colorado Law School had a 94 percent Bar passage rate in 2009.

University of Colorado Law School

Wolf Law Building

401 UCB

Boulder, CO 80309

(303) 492-8047

http://colorado.edu/law/

University of Denver

Ranked as one of the top 100 law schools in America by U.S. News & World Report, the University of Denver's Strum College of Law is also considered one of the county's top tier institutions. Ranked 77th overall by the magazine in 2009, UD also maintains nationally ranked programs in environmental and natural resources law, legal writing, clinical training, international law and tax law. Admission to the school is strongly competitive, with just 302 applicants earning acceptance out of 2962 applicants in 2009. Those selected into UD's program had a median LSAT of 159 and a median grade point average of 3.51.

University of Denver Sturm College of Law

2255 East Evans Avenue

Denver, Colorado 80208

(303) 871-6000

law.du.edu

Nearby opportunities

While Colorado only has two law schools, there are a few out-of-state institutions close to its borders. The University of Wyoming School of Law, located in Laramie, WY, is just 90 miles to the northwest of Fort Collins. The University of New Mexico School of Law, meanwhile is located 250 miles from Colorado's southern border in Albuquerque.

Tags: University Colorado, Colorado School, University Colorado School, University Denver, average University, grade point, grade point average

Consolidate Private School Loans

You may have found a great job after graduation and are busy building a career. However, your job may not be making you rich, and private loan payments are taking a significant portion of your budget. Buying a home and starting a family may be your next goals, but that will put more pressure on your finances. Consolidating your private school loans into a single new loan can lower your interest rates and payments. The process can take several months to complete, but it's easy to do.

Instructions

1. Do the math regarding the costs of obtaining a new loan and the amount you can save with the lower interest rate offered by the consolidation loan. Know what you want to achieve. Consolidating private school loans makes sense if you can lower your monthly payments or want to receive a single bill. However, Carol Stack, co-author of "The Financial Aid Handbook: Getting the Education You Want for the Price You Can Afford," states, "If your goal is to get out from under the debt as quickly and cheaply as possible -- consolidation might actually cost you more over the life of the loan."

2. Talk to your current lenders regarding alternatives that may save you money. "They would rather keep you as a customer than lose you to another bank or to using a home equity loan or other instrument to pay off your student loans," says Stack. "Explaining your goals and asking for their best option could be really worthwhile."

3. Compare options from reputable sources such as Wells Fargo, Chase, your personal credit union and the Student Loan Network. In a 2009 article for "Forbes," David K. Randall states, "Ask a consolidator whether it charges origination fees, if there are prepayment penalties, what the maximum interest rate is and what the life of the loan will be. Steer clear of any lender that charges a prepayment fee. You'll want the option to pay off the loan early without being penalized for it."

4. Decide on a lender and apply to consolidate your private school loans. It will take four to six weeks to complete the process, and you will need to keep your loan payments current throughout.

Tags: school loans, interest rate, life loan, loan payments, lower your, private school

Create A Phylogenetic Tree

A phylogenetic tree shows the evolution of a species. As we learn new things in the field of biology, existing trees change. New branches may arise. Old ones may be truncated. So before creating a phylogenetic tree, search for the most current information.

Instructions

Creating a Phylogenetic Tree

1. Research the species you wish to chart in a phylogenetic tree. Organize all the related species. A chart may help. Try listing the species in the order in which they appeared in one column. In another column, list the approximate date of their appearance. In a third column write the name of the species' direct ancestor. This way, on a single row of your chart you have a species name, its date of appearance and its direct ancestor. This will help you link together your tree.

2. Identify the starting point for your tree, the ancestor common to all else on the tree. Select a starting point for your tree. If you are drawing your tree vertically, you might select a point somewhere along the bottom center of your paper. If you are drawing your tree horizontally, you might select a point along the left middle side of your paper. Left, because charts are typically drawn from left to right.

3. Draw a line outward from the common ancestor. The length of the line can be used to represent the time which this species alone survived--i.e., there were no known descendants. This means you would need to devise a rough scale to keep your line length consistent with time throughout your tree. But not all trees use line length to illustrate time lines.

4. Create forks--however many are appropriate to the particular species. Try to space out your forks evenly (assuming more than one) so they spread like tree branches. Each fork represents one of the evolutionary descendants that came off a common ancestor. Each of these descendants will have only the particular ancestor in common--i.e.,each descendant is considered unique from the other.

Label each fork with the appropriate species If you choose to use line length to indicate time, remember to keep to your scale.

Note: You might use different colored markers for each of the first branches coming off the original common ancestor. Then maintain the color pattern within each of these nodes. As the tree progresses, you may find additional places where new color patterns should arise.

5. At each labeled species the process is the same. So repeat the above step until you have placed all the species on your tree.

For example,sometimes a species simply evolves into a single, yet new species. In this instance you would have a single line continuing outward from the ancestor species to its next evolved descendant.

In another example, you may find a species produces multiple descendants, requiring more branching. Use the organized chart to help you keep track by locating the ancestors in column three. If you find the same ancestor three times, that means you need three branches--that you have three descendants, their names found in column one, to place on the tree. Note that each of the three branches may have a different length. Use column two, the time the descendant appeared, to dictate the length of your line (branch). Those who appeared sooner would have shorter lines than those who appeared later. Even if you do not use a scale, you can still show order of appearance by using different branch lengths.

Tags: your tree, common ancestor, line length, phylogenetic tree, ancestor This, chart help

Required Classes In College

Required Classes in College

All colleges tend to have specific courses that they require their students to take. These classes are typically referred to as the core requirements. The core requirements consist of basic-level classes in a variety of subjects intended to give students a well-rounded education. These classes are introductory level and may vary according to a student's specific major.

Significance

The precise number of required courses may differ depending on the college and degree that the student intends on obtaining.

Function

For example, a student usually has to fulfill a number of liberal arts requirements, which are necessary to graduate.

Features

Most colleges give a suggested time line of when students should enroll in the required courses; it's often presented in a format that goes by semesters or years.

Benefits

It's a good idea to register for the required classes as soon as possible, as many of them are considered to be prerequisites and are needed in order to take advanced classes for a major or degree.

Types

Such required courses can include a freshman seminar, two English classes, science, math, history, business and language.

Expert Insight

Depending on the college, students can have the opportunity to get these required courses "waved" if they score above a certain amount on a placement test or were enrolled in an AP (Advanced Placement) curriculum during high school.

Considerations

The college's course catalog is a good resource to help students identify the exact required courses that they will have to take.

Tags: required courses, Classes College, core requirements, courses that, courses that they

Can A Roth Ira Be Used For College

You can use a Roth IRA for any purpose you want, but unless you meet the criteria for a qualified withdrawal - having the account open for five tax years and being at least 59 1/2 years old - you may have to pay income taxes and an early withdrawal penalty on the distribution. However, the Internal Revenue Service permits a limited exception for college costs.

Early IRA Withdrawal Effects

When you take money from your Roth IRA before attaining the criteria for a qualified withdrawal, you first remove your contributions made to the account. This money comes out tax-free and penalty-free because you used after-tax dollars to contribute to the Roth IRA, no matter how you intend to use the money once you take it out. However, when you run out of contributions to withdraw and start taking out earnings, you must usually count those withdrawals as taxable income and pay a 10 percent early withdrawal penalty.

College Costs Exception

If you use your Roth IRA early withdrawal proceeds to pay for qualified educational expenses for yourself, your spouse, your children or your grandchildren, you can avoid the 10 percent early withdrawal penalty, but you must still report your earnings withdrawn as taxable income. College costs can include tuition, required fees and, if the student enrolls at least half-time, room and board. The IRS defines "half-time" as taking half the number of credit hours as the college considers to be a full-time student.

Limitations

You cannot use the early withdrawal exemption for college expenses paid for by tax-free scholarships or grants, employer-assistance, Pell grants, or other tax-free sources except gifts. However, you can claim the exception for expenses paid for through loans, included subsidized loans. For example, if your son's qualifying costs for the year equal $34,000 but he has a $20,000 scholarship and a $15,000 subsidized loan, you could take out up to $14,000 from your Roth IRA without paying the early withdrawal penalty.

Reporting Roth IRA Withdrawals for College on Taxes

You must file your taxes with Form 1040 if you take an early Roth IRA withdrawal. On line 15a, report the amount of contributions taken out, and on line 15b, report the earnings taken out. If you have any earnings, complete Form 5329 to show your college costs exception from the 10 percent early withdrawal penalty. Write "08" next to line 2 on the form because "08" refers to withdrawals taken for higher education costs. However, these earnings still count as part of your taxable income.

Tags: early withdrawal, early withdrawal penalty, withdrawal penalty, percent early, percent early withdrawal

Reading Tutoring Strategies

Reading is usually taught using whole-group instruction. However, some students will need additional one-on-one help in intensive tutoring sessions. Using a variety of activities and materials, teachers can make these sessions effective for long-term benefit.

Skill-Specific

Once a teacher has identified students with learning difficulties, tutoring should begin immediately. Because sessions are usually 10-30 minutes, teachers should concentrate on one or two skills at a time. This helps keep the student focused and not feel overwhelmed, especially if they are deficient in many areas. For example, if a student is having trouble with phonological awareness, activities with sound production, initial sounds, and rhyming are most appropriate. If comprehension is the problem, the teacher can practice specific reading skills like predicting or summarizing with a short passage from a story.

Materials

Tutoring sessions will also be more effective if the teacher uses materials that are interesting and fun. Younger children can increase vocabulary and decoding skills with letter tiles and plastic, magnetic letters. Children of all ages will enjoy interactive games like Leap Pads or those on hundreds of websites (see Resources).

Peer Tutors

Although teachers and trained assistants should implement interventions, the benefits of peer tutoring cannot be overlooked. Students who have already mastered skills and are reading above grade level can be a great help to their classmates. They may be able to communicate procedure in an easier way. They can also give encouragement and motivation to those who are struggling. Peer tutoring needs to be carefully monitored and should take place within sight of an adult. These tutors need to be trained periodically by the teacher to be sure they are administering interventions correctly.

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Convert A Bar Exam To A Raw Score

The bar exam differs slightly in each state, but the Multistate Bar Examination is the same no matter what state administers it.

The bar exam is an objective 200 question test that law school students generally take upon completion of a formal law school program. The exam includes 190 test questions on Real Property, Constitutional Law, Criminal Law and Procedure, Contracts, Evidence, and Torts. There are also 10 pretest questions on the same topics that are not factored into the overall score. All questions on the exam are multiple choice. Compute a bar exam raw score by calculating the total number of questions answered correctly and dividing that number by the total number of questions on the exam.

Instructions

1. Register for and take the bar exam, answering every question on the exam. The questions are multiple choice, and it is important to answer every question. You will be penalized for the questions you do not answer. Your raw score is computed by figuring the number of questions answered correctly from the total number of questions, not just the number of questions answered. Therefore, students are advised to move through the test in an efficient manner answering every question, skipping difficult questions and coming back to them. Do not leave any question unanswered as this may hurt your raw score in the end.

2. Request your scored answer sheet from the examiner that administered your test. You should receive your answers immediately upon completing the exam. You will be given a raw score and a scaled score. The raw score determines how many questions you answered correctly of the questions on the exam. The scaled score represents your performance relative to a particular group of other students called a "reference group". In short, the scaled score will give you your performance in comparison to other students in your performance group. It may state that you are in the upper 25th percentile, which means you did better than 75 percent of candidates that got the same questions correct or incorrect.

3. Divide the number of questions correct by the total number of questions answered. This will give you a percentage. Your number of questions answered correctly is actually your raw score as well, in its numeric form. The average passing raw score has historically been about 64 percent or roughly 124 correct out of 190 questions. Currently, each state sets its acceptance levels differently and has different expectations for a passing raw score.

Tags: number questions, questions answered, number questions answered, answered correctly, questions answered correctly, total number

Write A Great Graduation Speech

Giving a graduation speech is an honor, but it can be challenging to say just the right thing. Using these guidelines will make the graduation speech personal and successful.

Instructions

1. Thank the audience, the parents, the teachers and the administration. Without these people, the class would not be graduating.

2. Talk about school life. The teachers and students who have made an impact on the graduating class have undoubtedly lived through many stories. Use them. Stories can be silly, serious, sad or even contemplative.

3. Evoke emotion from the class and audience. If a beloved teacher or one of the classmates passed away during the year, mention it. Sadness isn’t the only emotion that can be evoked. Pride in the school and class are also good topics to address in the speech. If something phenomenal happened during your time with this class, tell about it. Celebrate it!

4. Remember the things the class did together. Talk about the senior play or the donation to a charity. The class is unique, and the memories should be shared.

5. Refer to popular culture. This is the age of popular culture and will set this speech apart from a generic or cliche speech. When referring to popular culture, the speech is more meaningful to the graduating class.

6. Speaking badly of anybody is a really bad idea. Everybody knows that the cafeteria serves less than stellar food. There is no need to embarrass the cafeteria workers at this time. The same goes for the really mean gym teacher. This is the time to be nice.

7. Avoid using cliches. This is a special graduating class. The class doesn’t want to hear about how they are the future, or they should spread their wings, or this is the time of their life. This is just not the time to use generic, tired, old cliches.

Tags: graduating class, popular culture, graduation speech, Talk about

Pass Cpm Exam In Two Months

Becoming a CPM (certified purchasing manager) can be a great way to advance your career or move further up the company ladder. Of course some people are leery to get their certification due to the difficult exams they are required to pass. However this fear can be overcome by learning pass the CPM exam in two months.

Instructions

1. Schedule a time to take the CPM exam. The best way to motivate yourself to pass the CPM exam in two months is to schedule a time to take it. This forces you to focus on studying and preparing for the test rather than putting it off until later.

2. Enroll in class. A variety of different companies and organizations offer classes that help individuals prepare for the CPM exam. Classes are offered in a number of cities throughout the United States, and with the advancement of technology, many more are moving online. This is a great option for individuals in rural or remote areas.

3. Take a practice test. A number of different websites offer practice CPM exams that you can download to see how well you would score. Some of these are offered for free while others are offered for a fee.

4. Purchase study guides or books. Another great way to pass the CPM exam in two months is to buy a study guide made specifically for passing the exam. There are a number of different study guides available, but many prefer “The Purchasing and Supply Manager's Guide to the CPM Exam” by Fred Sollish and John Semonile.

5. Talk to individuals who already have the CPM certification. Although they aren’t going to be able to tell you exactly what’s on the test, they can provide insight about what to expect. They’ve been through it successfully, thus they might have valuable information about topics or areas to really focus on as well as any tips or tricks that can help you score higher.

6. Devote time. It is important that you devote time to preparing for the CPM exam in order to pass the exam in two months. Additional time to study or attend a class will be necessary, which means you may need to limit your social or family time for a few months. While this isn’t ideal, it will be well worth it when you pass the CPM exam and earn your CPM certification.

Tags: pass exam, exam months, exam months, number different, pass exam, pass exam months

Accounting Undergraduate Grants & Scholarships

Students pursuing bachelor's degrees in accounting can receive grants and scholarships from a wide range of sources, including minority organizations, professional accounting associations and corporate scholarship funds. Depending on the program, guidelines can limit applicants based on ethnicity, academic achievement or school attended. Accounting scholarship programs often require students to attend school on a full-time basis and hold specified citizenship. Accounting students can find scholarships with awards ranging from approximately $500 to well over $5,000.

Minority Accounting Scholarships

Minority organizations and professional associations provide educational funding specifically designed for minority accounting students. Catch the Dream offers scholarships for business, finance, banking, management and economics majors through its Tribal Business Management program. Candidates must have a minimum of one-quarter American Indian blood and attend school full-time at a U.S. post-secondary institution. The National Association of Black Accountants offers scholarships up to $10,000, as of February 2011, to undergraduate ethnic minority students enrolled in business, finance and accounting programs.

Professional Accounting Organizations

Professional accounting organizations often sponsor scholarship programs for college students. For example, the National Society of Accountants sponsors scholarships for full-time and part-time accounting majors attending college in the U.S. Candidates must hold U.S. or Canadian citizenship and have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants administers multiple scholarships, including the Scholarship for Graduating High School Seniors, which awards funding based on merit and pays up to $1,000, as of February 2011.

Regional Accounting Scholarships

Accounting students may find scholarship programs offering awards only for regional residents or students enrolled at schools in specified regions. For instance, the Missouri Bankers Foundation Scholarship program awards educational funding to Missouri students planning careers in banking. The Missouri Bankers Association sponsors the program and awards seven scholarships throughout the state each year. As of February 2011, Missouri Bankers Foundation Scholarship recipients can receive up to $500. The Microsoft Licensing Community Scholarship awards funding to students attending the University of Nevada Reno and Truckee Meadows Community College. The Microsoft scholarship offers support for business, accounting, information technology, finance and human resources majors with a minimum GPA of 3.0.

Corporate Sponsored Accounting Scholarships

Corporations sponsor scholarships for undergraduate accounting students, with awards up to approximately $5,000. The Accountemps Student Scholarship program awards money to students in information systems, accounting and finance programs based on career goals, academic achievement and leadership history. As of February 2011, the Accountemps scholarship pays up to $2,500. The Verizon Foundation Scholarship, administered by the United Negro College Fund, pays up to nearly $6,000, as of February 2011. The Verizon program extends eligibility to business, economics, computer science, accounting and marketing majors with at least a 3.0 GPA.

Tags: February 2011, Accounting Scholarships, Foundation Scholarship, Missouri Bankers, program awards

Tutor Ged Essay For K12

The GED, or General Educational Development test, is a standardized exam that kids can take when they don't want to or can't get a high school diploma. It helps them get better jobs or go on to higher education. One of the most important and difficult parts of the GED is the essay. Here are steps you can take to successfully tutor your students in this area.

Instructions

1. Assign GED students lots of reading. Give them articles from university journals and essays in books from great writers. Have them outline the essay so they can see how the author develops his argument.

2. Explain what a thesis statement is to your students. They need to understand that every essay they write has to have a central idea and their argument, story or discussion centers around it.

3. Tutor students on organizing their thoughts. Because they'll be under pressure, creating an organized outline before they begin will make the writing go faster. Teach them the five-paragraph structure, which will help them focus the ideas they discuss in their essay.

4. Talk to them about writing introductions and conclusions. It's often difficult for students to begin and end their essays, so giving them strategies on easing into their discussions and ending with a sense of closure will allow them to concentrate more on the body of the essay.

5. Find examples of essays written in different tones. Make sure they understand that slang, jargon and sentence fragments aren't appropriate for the GED essay.

6. Review grammar rules only after your students learn create a thesis statement, organize their ideas, open and close their essays and use the appropriate tone. Students tend to get hung up on grammar issues, but teach them that expressing their ideas clearly comes first.

7. Give your students lots of controversial topics to write about. Guide them on researching these topics. They won't have the chance to do this during the exam, but it expands their knowledge and will help them if they get one of these topics.

8. Give your students practice tests from the GED Essay Topics site (see Resources). Spend tutoring sessions simulating the exam by limiting the student's time.

Tags: your students, essay they, Give your, Give your students, help them, students lots, their essays

What Are The Requirements To Become An Er Doctor

Emergency room doctors are required to complete medical school and residency.

Emergency room doctors are specially trained to deal with a wide range of patient emergencies, including cardiac arrest, gunshot or stab wounds, childbirth, broken limbs and drug overdoses. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 4 percent of active, licensed physicians specialize in emergency room care; the hours are long and the work can pose an emotional and physical strain. ER doctors are well compensated, however; specialized physicians earn an average salary of $339, 738 per year.

Bachelor's Degree

Emergency room doctors are required to complete several years of post-secondary education, beginning with a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. Although a specific major is not required for medical school admission, students planning a career in emergency medicine typically major in biology, physics or chemistry. Other pre-med requirements include a high GPA ("B" or better), competitive scores from the MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test), a thought-provoking personal essay and glowing letters of recommendation. Some medical schools prefer applicants with experience working in health care or science; undergraduate candidates should consider working as a laboratory assistant, emergency medical technician or certified nursing assistant. Medical school admissions review boards also will want to see that applicants assumed leadership roles in organized extracurricular activities; this displays their ability to delegate responsibility and perform under pressure, both of which are skills integral to working as an ER doctor. Some medical schools allow students to choose whether they want their admissions to be based solely on academic accomplishments, such as grades or standardized test scores, or whether they want their admissions to be based on life experience and personal accomplishments.

Medical School

Emergency room doctors, like all other physicians, are required to complete four years of medical school at a school accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education or the American Osteopathic Association. Although students enter medical school with an intended specialty, attendees receive uniform education and training in all areas of medicine. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, typical medical school curriculum includes the following courses: biochemistry, pharmacology, microbiology, psychology, physiology, anatomy, pathology, and medical laws and ethics. Students also train under the close supervision of licensed physicians while rotating through various clinical specialties, including obstetrics and gynecology, family practice, psychiatry, surgery, pediatrics, family practice and internal medicine. At the close of their medical school program, future ER doctors will either be conferred an MD (Medical Doctor) degree or a DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) degree, depending on the type of program students attended.

Residency and Licensing

All aspiring physicians are required to complete a hospital residency to gain additional education and specialized training in their field. Residencies in emergency room medicine typically last between three to four years; during the first year, residents are required to pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination to obtain the medical license allowing them to provide patient care. Emergency room residents are paid a small salary to observe and treat patients under the close supervision of attending ER physicians.

Board Certification

Following the completion of a residency program, ER physicians are required to become board certified by passing an examination administered by the American Board of Medical Specialists or the American Osteopathic Association.

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