Tuition Reimbursement Laws

Many companies offer tuition reimbursement for the continuing education of employees.

An advantage to working at a well-established company is the possibility of qualifying for tuition reimbursement. Employees who seek to gain further education may join in a contractual agreement between themselves and the employer outlining the terms in which the company will pay for the employee's education. Normally the student will pay the tuition and will be reimbursed at a later date by the employer.

Classes

Most employers grant employees tuition reimbursement only if the courses taken by the student are work related. For example, if a bank teller wants to receive tuition reimbursement from his employee, he may be required to choose a major related to the financial industry. The goal in this decision of employers is to receive a return on their investment. After an employee receives education in a field related to the employer's company, he is able to utilize his skills while continuing work at the company. For most companies, a required grade average must be keep in order to qualify for tuition reimbursement. For courses where an employee earns a grade lower than a B, most companies won't pay.

Pay

Companies have the decision to withhold payment from an employee who is receiving tuition reimbursement. This ensures the employee will not leave the company after the degree is earned and allows the student-employee to prove himself on the job. If an employee does leave the company sooner than the company considers appropriate, the company may deduct the tuition cost from the employee's final paycheck. If the whole amount is not covered from the last paycheck, the company will continue to send bills until it is paid for.

Taxing

As of 1996, Congress approved changes on the taxing of tuition reimbursement. It is no longer treated as taxable income to the employee. Up to $5,250 of annual employer-provided assistance earns the status of being tax-free. In 2002, this status started to be applied to both graduate and undergraduate levels. In the case of many companies, if the courses taken by an employee are not job related, but approved for tuition reimbursement, taxes on the reimbursement will be charged to the employee.

Tags: tuition reimbursement, from employee, company will, courses taken, leave company, most companies

Understand Student Loan Eligibility Requirements

Student loans are a common way of paying for college. It is estimated that more than two-thirds of all college students have taken out a student loan, many totaling more than $15,000. Before you apply for a student loan for college, make sure to understand student loan eligibility requirements from the lender.

Instructions

1. Submit an application for federal loans through FAFSA. Nearly all college students will qualify for a Stafford Loan with the federal government. The main qualification is that you are a full-time student. The Perkins Loan is available through the federal government to low-income students that demonstrate a severe financial need.

2. To qualify for federal Stafford Loan, you must be a full-time student and not fall below half-time status, be a U.S. Citizen, National or permanent resident alien, you can not be in default of any Title IV grant or loan and males must be registered with the Selective Service.

3. The federal Perkins Loan is distributed by your respective school. They receive a limited amount of resources, and then distribute the loan to those in the most financial need. To qualify, you must also meet all the qualifications of a federal Stafford Loan.

4. For private loans, visit the private lenders' Web sites for an overview of the company and their policies. The requirements and qualifications will vary from lender to lender.

5. Browse the lenders' Web sites until you find the eligibility requirements. Often this is found in categories such as "Preparing for a Loan" or "Choosing the Correct Loan." If you cannot find it there, the "Frequently Asked Questions" section often will have a link.

6. Read over the information provided. If the information is confusing in any way, contact the lender through the link offered on the Web site. Any reputable lender will be happy to answer any questions. Students can contact a high school admissions counselor or financial aid counselor at their school, or can ask a parent for help.

Tags: Stafford Loan, student loan, college students, eligibility requirements, federal government, federal Stafford, federal Stafford Loan

Grants And Scholarships For A Second Bachelor'S Degree

Technological change has increased the speed at which jobs become obsolete. As a result, many adults find themselves having to re-train themselves to maintain flexible career prospects. Finding money for college is more difficult for those going back to school than for those just entering. Many forms of undergraduate student aid are not available for adults who already have bachelor's degrees. However, resources do exist for someone looking to afford a second bachelor's degree.

Limitations

You have fewer scholarship choices available to you if you already have a bachelor's degree. Mark Kantrowitz of FastWeb warns prospective students that government aid, such as the National SMART Grant, FSEOG grant and the Academic Competitiveness Grant, is not available if you already have a bachelor's degree, and many universities only offer undergraduate scholarships to new students.

Returning Students

Some scholarships are reserved for older students or students returning to school. They can come either from universities or other organizations. For example, the University of Maryland has a Returning Students Program that helps older students go back to school and gives merit and need-based scholarships ranging from $500 to $1,000. The Datatel Scholars Institute also gives the Russ Griffith Memorial scholarship to students who have been out of school for five years or more.

Government

Even though it disqualifies returning students from many forms of aid, the federal government does give some tuition assistance to those going back to school. For example, the Lifetime Learning Tax Credit gives all students up to a $2,000 reimbursement on qualifying education expenses. Older students are also disproportionate recipients of the Pell Grant. In its guide to education financing for older students FinAid noted that nontraditional students between the ages of 24 and 29 constitute 14 percent of the college population but received 20 percent of available Pell Grants.

Best Practices

As a returning student, you'll have to be diligent about finding scholarships for your bachelor's degree. MaryAnn Gelato of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill advises older students to file their forms early so they don't lose eligibility for what aid they already qualify for. She also advises students to contact the university they are applying to directly to see what aid opportunities are available to them. Often, university-specific scholarships are not available on scholarship engines like FastWeb.

Tags: already have, already have bachelor, bachelor degree, back school, have bachelor, older students, available already

Plan A Goodbye Party For High School Friends

Finishing high school is the end of a chapter in many students' lives. Friends separate and head off to different colleges all over the country. To mark the end of high school and the beginning of college, you should throw a goodbye party for your friends.

Instructions

1. Plan to have something small. A goodbye party should not involve inviting your entire high school class. It should be more intimate, so that everyone has a chance to say goodbye to each other.

2. Pick a house to have the goodbye party at. Since you want to keep the mood informal and personal, steer away from restaurants and throw a house party instead.

3. Send out E-vites. E-vites are the ideal way to invite your high school friends to a goodbye party. Use the E-vites website to organize your guest list and keep track of responses (see Resources below).

4. Keep the menu simple. A few snacks and drinks are all that is really needed at a high school goodbye party.

5. Set up the house with a goodbye theme in place. Keep the theme in your guests' minds by putting up bon voyage decorations.

6. Encourage everyone to bring a notebook. This can be a cheap, college ruled book. Then at the party, encourage everyone to write, or draw something special in each other's notebooks. As lame as it may seem at the time, it will be a source of incredibly nostalgia in ten years. Also, steer clear of phrases like "I can't believe it's over already" and "Don't ever change." If you have a party of your good friends, then you should be able to write something more meaningful to each other than you would in the back of a yearbook.

7. Stock up on tissues. A high school goodbye party is likely to be very sad. Friends may start to cry at the end of it when the realization that they are going to be apart hits them.

Tags: goodbye party, high school, each other, high school, high school goodbye, party your, school goodbye

List Of State Colleges In Oregon

Oregon has several state colleges to choose from.

Choosing a college can be a daunting task, especially if you are unsure about your tuition and travel budget. However, if you have pinpointed a specific location, such as a college in the state of Oregon, it makes your decision much more simple. Oregon has several state colleges to choose from and each has distinctive programs for continued education and various activities and surroundings that enhance campus life.

Portland State University

Portland State University, nestled in the heart of the city of Portland, has more than 120 academic fields of study, including undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs. Sitting on more than 49 acres, PSU offers 11 housing properties for students who choose to live on campus. Students can participate in various social programs and extracurricular activities, such as competing on the debate team, becoming a member of the Aerospace Society or playing in the student band. The campus is surrounded by restaurants, shopping places and entertainment venues like the Fifth Avenue Cinema, the university's student-run theater.

Eastern Oregon University

Eastern Oregon University, founded in 1929, is located in La Grande, Oregon, which is 259 miles east of Portland. An accredited university, EOU offers 23 bachelor's degrees, more than 40 minors, several pre-professional programs and master's degrees in teaching, business and science. On-campus housing includes four residence halls with accommodations for 411 students. EOU offers smaller class sizes with an average of 15 students per class. When not studying or attending class, students can partake in a workout in the student fitness center, watch a movie at the student entertainment facility or revel in the mountain scenery and natural surroundings by participating in the college's outdoor exploration program.

Southern Oregon University

Southern Oregon University is a smaller college that offers 35 majors and more than 100 study areas with emphasis on liberal arts and science. It has 11 master's programs in areas, such as elementary education and business administration. Smaller class sizes and on-campus housing provide a more intimate college experience. Ashland, Oregon, the small town where the university is located, offers year-round entertainment and activities, such as the annual Shakespeare Festival and the Britt Music Festival. Mount Ashland Ski & Snowboard Resort is the winter attraction in Ashland.

Oregon State University

Situated in Corvallis, Oregon, 90 miles south of Portland, Oregon State University is the state's largest public research college. OSU offers students a variety of degree options including more than 200 undergraduate degree programs and about 80 graduate degree programs, as well as 20 or more online degrees. The college's social scene consists of 300-plus clubs and many activities for students to participate in, including a variety of entertainment events such as concerts, festivals, intercollegiate sports and community theater productions.

Tags: more than, Oregon University, State University, activities such, Ashland Oregon, choose from

Graphic Design Class Projects

Students can design birthday cards for their friends and family members.

Graphic design is both a creative and technical field that requires in-depth learning and information on design principles, fonts, photographs and computer software. Various programs used in modern graphic design include Adobe Photoshop for the design of posters and photo manipulation, and InDesign for layout purposes. During the learning process, class projects that incorporate all the design principles and fundamentals are essential to help teach the students methods required to become a successful graphic designer, and provide the students with a hands-on experience.

Before and After Photographs

Have the students use photo editing software such as Adobe Photoshop to manipulate photos. Use an image such as a black and white image, so students can practice making selections and colorizing the images. Allow the students to use the tools in the software to cover up blemishes and acne, as well as any other portion of the image that requires manipulation, such as high-resolution images of their favorite actors or actresses. Present before and after shots of the images that each student has produced to the class.

Annual Report

Although graphic design may seem like it involves no more than photo manipulation, a graphic designer can be asked to create a company's annual report. Acquire an annual report online of the desired company. Give a copy of the annual report to the students and allow the students to redesign the cover page, financial highlights, as well as a page that contains a letter from the president of the company. Pages that include graphs and financial elements should be included in the redesign, because knowing work with graphs, text and numbers is an essential part of graphic design. Working with an annual report allows the student to be technical and creative simultaneously.

Advertisements

Graphic designers work closely with the marketing and advertising departments in large companies. A graphic designer can be asked to create an advertisement for a given product or client. Choose a product such as pet food, or a business such as a spa to have the students create an advertisement. Provide several images to the students, and only allow them to use the provided images. This will allow the students to learn to work with restrictions, and come up with creative ideas on manipulate the images to function in their layouts.

Logos and Business Cards

Some graphic designers are hired for logo production and reproduction. Provide the students with examples of logos that they can recreate in Adobe Illustrator to help teach the tools in the software. Create a name for a mock-up business, and have the students create a logo for the business. When they have a logo, allow the students to create a business card for the company with information such as an address, phone number and other contact information.

Packaging

Most packaging for food and electronics, as well as many other items have been created by a graphic designer. Have the students create packaging for food items such as orange juice bottles and cookie boxes. Other projects can include candy wrappers and DVD cases, as well as packaging for electronic items. This will allow the students to understand the fundamentals of die lines and cuts, as well as comprehend imposition for printing purposes. When the project is completed, allow the students to print out a mock-up version of their packaging. Ask them to fold and glue their packaging to create a three-dimensional model.

Websites

Creating websites can be a valuable part of advertising as well as self-promotion. Have the students chose pieces that they have created such as posters, brochures and logos to add to their portfolio when they are nearing the end of their graphic design class. Ask the students to create a portfolio website that can be used for self-promotion, or to present to a future employer when going for an interview. Allow the students to have full creativity on their website with no restrictions, as the websites created will represent each student's individuality and personality.

Tags: students create, annual report, graphic designer, Adobe Photoshop, allow students

Stay Focused On Writing

The biggest challenge any writer can face is in staying focused. Despite their best efforts, many authors are easily distracted and can have a hard time getting back into the writing zone. But creating the right mindset and being mindful of the potential distractions that exist---and avoid them---will help you get your writing back on track.

Instructions

1. Set Goals. Give yourself specific assignments such as, "Finish Chapter 1 by Monday" or "Write five pages of Chapter 2 by Wednesday." Treat your writing as if it's a daily job. Whenever you get distracted, keep yourself motivated by re-reading your goals and reminding yourself of what you're trying to do and why you are doing it.

2. Designate writing time. Even an hour a day would suffice. Find a time that fits into your schedule, perhaps right before bed or after you've put the children to sleep. If you're a morning person, wake up early and write for an hour before going to work. Don't let your busy schedule stop you because a lot of quality writing can be done in a short amount of time.

3. Create a designated writing space, or a "room of one's own." A home office would be ideal, but if you don't have one, block off an area in your house with a curtain or partition so that your family or roommates will know that you're working and shouldn't be bothered. If you don't have the luxury of your own writing space at home, find a place outside of the house that you find conducive to writing, whether it's a coffee shop, diner or park. Being surrounded by people can often be motivating---and perhaps a snippet of conversation or a glimpse of body language can spark your next story idea.

4. Avoid distractions. The Internet can be particularly disruptive to a writer. Do not check email until your writing is done for the day, and avoid social networking sites such as Facebook and Myspace. Better yet, disconnect your Internet altogether during your writing time. It can also be helpful to turn off the ringer of your land line, and shut off your cell.

5. Play some background music. Music can be very relaxing and helps stimulate brainwaves, according to the Health and Fitness Association. Put on some classical or ambient music because the soft melody can help you relax and focus, while also drowning out distracting background noise.

Tags: your writing, writing done, writing space, writing time

Get College Loans Paid For You

Do some research and find out if you qualify for ways to get college paid for you.

Graduating seniors averaged $24,000 in student loan debt in 2009, according to a report released by the Project on Student Debt. That figure represented a 6 percent increase from 2008. During the same period, average tuition for private universities was $14,256, while the average tuition at public colleges was $7,567, the National Center for Education Statistics shows. As the high cost of education makes attending college prohibitive for many students, private and government loan forgiveness programs provide alternatives to funding education for those leery of accumulating excessive student loan debt.

Instructions

1. Work in the public-service sector for 10 years. The College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007 offers loan forgiveness to those working full-time in public service. Students are required to make at least 120 loan payments on or after October 1, 2007 to qualify for the program.

2. Teach school in a low-income area. The National Defense Education Act provides Perkins Loan repayment for elementary and secondary school teachers. Teaching in designated low-income schools provides 15 percent loan forgiveness for the first two years. The third and fourth years merit 20 percent loan forgiveness and the fifth year means 30 percent.

3. Volunteer for The Peace Corps or Americorps. Students who volunteer with the domestic volunteer organization AmeriCorps receive a stipend of $7,400 and also receive $4,725 to help defer the cost of student loans. Volunteering with the Peace Corps provides opportunities for loan forgiveness based on years of service. Students may qualify for up to 70 percent loan forgiveness.

4. Join the Army National Guard to receive up to $10,000 in loan forgiveness. As an added perk, many military organizations offer scholarships to veterans. The Montgomery GI Bill provides funds for over half of the cost of tuition expenses. The Higher Education Relief Opportunities For Students Act of 2003 offers special provisions for students who are called into active duty while attending school.

5. Participate in clinical medical research and receive up to $35,000 per year in loan forgiveness provided by the U.S. National Institutes of Health. The U.S. Department of Agriculture sponsors the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program for students committed to working in an area affected by a shortage of veterinarians. The program offers repayment of up to $25,000 per year for a total of three years.

Tags: loan forgiveness, percent loan, percent loan forgiveness, average tuition, loan debt, Peace Corps, service Students

Take Classes At A College During High School

Take Classes at a College During High School

More than half of all colleges and universities in the United States offer dual enrollment programs for high school students who wish to take college courses while enrolled in high school, according to the U.S. Department of Education. More than 70 percent of high schools allow students to earn "dual credit" for those courses, earning both high school credit and college credit for the same course. Participation guidelines vary from state to state and among individual schools.

Instructions

Take Classes at a College During High School

1. Contact your academic advisor to find out if your high school participates in a dual enrollment program with a local college or university. Schools in rural areas may provide access to college courses through distance learning opportunities, while those in urban areas may provide release time for high-school students to attend university classes.

2. Make sure that courses you want to take will count toward the graduation requirements of your high school. If you know what you would like to major in at college, it is best to choose courses that meet the requirements of your intended degree program. That can save you both time and money in the long run.

3. Inquire about the fees for taking the course. Nearly 20 percent of participating high schools provide access to university courses with no charge to the student or parents, while others charge varying rates, according to the U.S. Department of Education. The burden of full tuition and related costs falls on the students and parent in 20 percent of schools; responsibility for partial tuition falls on parents and students for another 20 percent of schools, and 23 percent of schools require only the cost of books and materials. The fee system could change from year to year, so always check to see what is available in your school district at this time.

4. Look for financial assistant. Talk to your academic advisor or guidance counselor about scholarships, grants, or other financial aid options. Some schools provide assistance to those who demonstrate financial need. Work with your advisor and parents to complete any applications for financial assistance.

5. Complete any forms or paperwork required for enrollment. Most schools require a specific grade point average (GPA). The actual GPA required varies from institution to institution. You may need references from some teachers to confirm your ability to participate in more advanced work than the normal high-school curriculum covers. You may be able to make a case that you are prepared to take on the responsibility of more rigorous work despite a low GPA. Be prepared to verify experiences and skills that demonstrate your commitment to education and your ability to handle the coursework.

6. Plan your time wisely and complete all requirements for the college course. Guidelines for attendance and work completion may be more stringent than the guidelines for your high-school classes. Read the syllabus carefully and adhere to all deadlines and requirements for the course. If you are unsure, contact the professor for more details on class requirements.

Tags: high school, Classes College, Classes College During, College During, College During High, During High, During High School

Agriculture Colleges In Georgia

Earn an agricultural degree in Georgia.

According to the United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for persons in the agricultural industry is expected to grow by 16 percent through the year 2018, faster than the national average. The agriculture industry spans everything from nurturing and growing food plants to taking care of animals and creating new machinery. To achieve a position in the agriculture industry usually requires advanced training in the form of an associate's or bachelor's degree. Throughout Georgia, students interested in agriculture will find a variety of educational programs.

The University of Georgia: College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

The University of Georgia's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences offers students the ability to study fields such as poultry science, crop and soil sciences, horticulture, plant pathology, animal and dairy science and entomology, earning bachelors and masters degrees. Students may participate in study abroad programs, learning the ecosystems of countries such as Brazil, Honduras, Tanzania and Costa Rica. On campus agriculture-related clubs include the cattlemen's association, food science, landscape club, livestock judging team, agronomy and honor societies.

The University of Georgia

College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

Conner Hall

Athens, GA 30602

706-542-3000

caes.uga.edu

Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College

At Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, students interested in agriculture may earn bachelors or associates degrees in a variety of fields such as rural studies, natural resource management, animal science, agribusiness and agricultural economics or agricultural education. The college's School of Agriculture and Natural Resources offers student services such as cattle and swine production units, a greenhouse, 200 acres of forest and wildlife areas, deer pens and a duck pond. Students who own horses may board them at the school's stable. Clubs at Abraham Baldwin include the raccoon club, future farmers of America, forestry-wildlife club, agri-business and the horticulture club. The school also offers honor societies, athletics, financial aid, scholarships and job placement.

Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College

2802 Moore Highway

Tifton, GA 31793

800-733-3653

abac.edu

Berry College

Berry College's School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences offers a major in animal science for students with a goal of livestock management and maintenance as a career. Students earn a bachelor's degree while taking courses such as Introduction to Animal Science, Genetics of Livestock Improvement, Animal Health and Diseases, Livestock Feeding and Ration Formulation, Anatomy and Physiology and Reproductive Physiology. Students get the benefit of the school's 26,400 acres of forests and lakes, plus facilities such as the Gunby Equine Center (including the school's 60 horses), the Dairy Research Center, Beef Research Center and Westcott Greenhouses and Gardens. Clubs include the intercollegiate equestrian team, block and bridle, pre-vet club and an animal-science honor society.

Berry College

2277 Martha Berry Hwy NW

Mount Berry, GA 30149

706-232-5374

berry.edu

Tags: Abraham Baldwin, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural, Agricultural College, Agricultural Environmental, Agricultural Environmental Sciences, Baldwin Agricultural, Baldwin Agricultural College

Take Advantage Of Health Insurance Before It Runs Out

Take Advantage of Health Insurance Before it Runs out

Lack of health insurance keeps many people from seeking medical treatment. The rising cost of health care affects those with illnesses as well as injuries. If your health insurance coverage is about to end, it’s important to take advantage of all the benefits your policy has to offer. Use your time wisely to ensure you receive maximum amount of care for your dollar.

Instructions

1. Start planning early. Use a calendar to track when your health insurance coverage ends. Schedule yearly events like mammograms and eye testing well before the cut off date. Arrange special appointments to discuss new health developments. Since it can take several weeks before some appointment times are available, it’s to your advantage to start early. This will allow you the best chance of arranging and attending all of your appointments before your health insurance runs out.

2. Read the fine print. Open your health insurance policy manual to see what events and procedures are covered. You may be surprised at the benefits you never knew you had. For example, some health insurance policies offer free physicals or immunizations. Use this information to assist in scheduling your appointments. Be sure to meet all filing deadlines to expedite the payment and reimbursement process.

3. Receive current prescriptions. Ask your doctor to write new prescriptions with the maximum number of refills allowed. Fill the prescriptions and refills before your health insurance runs out to take advantage of product discounts. This will ensure you have some medication to take after your insurance coverage has ended.

4. Consult the advice of specialists. Ask your doctor for referrals to specialists to discuss pressing health issues. Receive diagnostic tests such as x-rays and bone scans while your insurance policy is still valid. If no doctor’s referral is necessary, schedule these appointments on your own. Bring a list of questions and ensure you have complete answers before leaving these important appointments.

5. Take advantage of program incentives. Contact your health insurance carrier to ask about special programs available to members. For example, some carriers offer prizes for enrolling in weight loss programs or smoking cessation classes. Complete all special offers before your coverage ends.

Tags: your health, your health insurance, health insurance, before your, health insurance, insurance coverage

When To Claim A Child In College On A Tax Return

Most college students are still dependents for tax purposes.

A college student may be claimed on your annual tax return if she is still considered to be your dependent. Even if she does not live with you for most of the year because she is away at college, you can claim her on your tax return. Interest on your child's student loan is also a deductible expense on your tax return.

Provide More than Half of Child's Living Expenses

To claim your college-attending child on your federal tax return, you must have provided more than half your child's living expenses for the year. If your child is a full-time student and he received a scholarship for college, those funds do not qualify as living expenses and you are not disqualified from claiming your child as a dependent based on the scholarship money. However, a student loan in the child's name does count as income toward living expenses. As long as the parents provide more than half the chiId's financial support, a child is claimed as a dependent on a tax return.

Age of Child

A child in college may be claimed as a dependent on her parent's tax return as long as she is under the age of 19, even if she is only enrolled part time. If your child is a full-time student and is enrolled in a certified university, you can claim her on your tax return until she reaches age 24. Graduate students over the age of 24 are no longer considered dependents and can not be claimed on a parent's tax return.

Child's Residency

You can claim a child in college on your tax return if your child has lived with you for more than half the year. If your child lives on campus full time, his residency at the university is considered a temporary absence from home. According to Internal Revenue Service guidelines, living away from home for educational purposes is considered a temporary absence. As a result, even if your child lives at college for most of the year, he still qualifies as a dependent for tax purposes.

Not Claimed as a Dependent on Another Return

You can claim your collegiate child as a dependent on your tax return only if she is not claimed as a dependent on any other return. In the case of divorce, only the primary custodial parent is permitted to claim the child on an annual tax return. If the parents have shared custody, they must agree on who will be claiming the child as a dependent on their tax return. If the child is filing her own single-status tax return, she cannot be claimed as a dependent on your return.

Tags: your child, your return, claim your, claimed dependent, child dependent

Sorority New Member Education Ideas

Take the yawn factor out of new member education with some entertaining activities.

The New Member Educator plays a crucial role in teaching new members about the sorority's history, values, symbols and other important information. On top of other academic and extracurricular commitments, it can be difficult to get new members to be enthused about these lessons. However, planning entertaining activities to go along with your weekly lesson plans can help make this crucial process more enjoyable for everyone.

Name That Sister

To help new members get to know their sorority better, create a slide show with pictures of members including important past figures like the founders, members who went on to become famous, as well as each current member of the house. Do not list the names beneath the faces; instead, have the new members guess the identity of each photo. Another option is to read out several key facts about each of these past and present members and to have new members guess the person's identity without the help of visuals.

Trivia Night

Host a trivia night after a few lessons to allow new members to show what they know. Members can work individually, in two large groups or in smaller teams depending on what you feel will work best. Serve some snacks like popcorn or chips to tide everyone over. Ask a variety of trivia questions about the sorority's philanthropy, important figures, symbols and colors, as well as general facts that you feel new members ought to know. Mix it up by throwing in some trivia about the older members. To keep things organized, keep shouting and chaos to a minimum by giving each member or team an answer sheet to write their responses.

Karaoke Night

Get together with the sorority Song Chair to devise an entertaining karaoke night where members can practice important songs. If you don't already own a karaoke machine, ask around to the other members or to friends to find out if you can borrow one for the evening. Because many of the songs are original and can't be found in a karaoke selection book, you could potentially just use a microphone if you can't find a machine. However, it can be more enticing to take a break from the sorority ballads to sing a few karaoke pop tunes here and there.

Baking Bash

Host a baking night at the sorority house for new members to come down and make some treats. Challenge the new members to decorate the items they bake to represent the important elements of the sorority you've discussed. For instance, they could use icing to frost a batch of cookies with the appropriate sorority colors, or could use cookie cutters to bake treats in the shape of the sorority's mascot or symbol. If you have the will power not to gobble up all the treats you've baked, save them for a bake sale fundraiser to support your sorority's philanthropy.

Tags: about sorority, entertaining activities, have members, have members guess, members guess

Fraternities At Villanova University

Fraternities are part of Greek life at Villanova.

Al Villanova University, male students, faculty and in some cases, graduates can choose from 11 fraternities. Pledging a fraternity takes place over several weeks, including bidding, pledging and initiation. While many of the fraternities were founded by specific groups, like the military or African-American leaders, none limit membership based on race, creed or ethnicity.

Leadership Fraternities

Founded in 1858, Delta Tau Delta is a fraternity aiming to create leaders and members dedicated to community service. There are more than 125 chapters located throughout the world. Membership is open to any college student who wishes to pledge and live up to the fraternity's values.

Founded at Miami University in 1855, Sigma Chi is a fraternity with leadership and social goals. Prospective pledges must gain a bid in order to pledge. Bids are only given out if the student lives up to the Jordan Standard (see Resource 1).

Sigma Nu was established at Virginia Military Institute. Membership is open to all students who wish to live by the Sigma Nu code, "Excelling with Honor." A membership questionnaire inquires about high school education, family members who pledged Sigma Nu and other college activities.

Social Fraternities

In 1839, Beta Theta Pi was established at Miami University. The fraternity currently operates under a constitution that keeps internal secrets for members only. While there are no limitations to who can pledge Beta Theta Pi, only a select few are asked to join. Members must be dedicated to intellectual advancement and moral conduct.

Lambda Chi Alpha is one of the youngest and largest fraternities in the United States. Lambda Chi Alpha was established in 1909 and currently has more than 280,000 members. Official pledging was halted in 1972, but college students wishing to join the fraternity can do so through the Associate Member program.

"Fiji," as Phi Gamma Delta is affectionately called, started in 1848. There are about 113 chapters of the social fraternity operating at college campuses today. Members are expected to uphold three main priorities: Scholarship, Fraternity and Self.

An international social fraternity, Phi Sigma Kappa brothers uphold three cornerstones of life: Brotherhood, Scholarship and Character. Men who wish to pledge the fraternity may do so at any college with a chapter. Pledges must not be a member of any other social fraternities before pledging.

With more than 300,000 members, Sigma Alpha Epsilon is considered the largest fraternity in the United States. It is a social fraternity open to all men wishing to pledge.

A social fraternity ranked fourth in total membership size, Sigma Phi Epsilon was founded in 1901. First-year pledges attend the EDGE Camp. During time at the camp, members are taught to make good life choices and given resources to overcome alcohol abuse, drug abuse, achieve personal balance and reach goals.

Pan-Hellenic Council

Established in 1911, Kappa Alpha Psi is a fraternity made up mostly of African-Americans, though membership is not limited by race. The more than 150,000 members are located all over the world, including Japan, Korea and Nigeria. The mission of the fraternity is social awareness and welfare. Kappa Alpha Psi works with the United Negro College Fund to raise money for scholarships and grants. The fraternity also works with Habitat for Humanity.

Latino Fraternal Organizations

Phi Iota Alpha was officially established in 1931, though its roots trace back to the 19th century. Undergraduates, graduates and professional men are accepted into Phi Iota Alpha. Despite being a Latino fraternity, admission is open to people of all races and ethnicities. The mission of the fraternity is to represent and empower the Latino community.

Tags: more than, social fraternity, more than members, than members, Beta Theta

Make Homemade Rc Planes

Make Your Own RC plane.

One of the fastest-growing hobbies in the world today is building and flying a homemade RC airplane. Nothing beats the feeling of satisfaction you get from flying the beautiful plane that you poured hours of hard labor into building. This type of project is ideal for individuals or group and family activities. You can enjoy flying your RC plane with other RC plane enthusiasts by joining a club or organization that has scheduled flight days and contests.

Instructions

1. Choose an affordable RC plane kit that best fits into your budget and meets your skill level. The type of kit you choose will be largely determined by the amount of money you are willing to spend and the complexity of the model kit itself.

2. Clear out some space in the garage or basement. You will need lots of room to work and store your plane, and the area you choose must be safe from weather damage keep the plane out of the hands of small children. Be sure to pick a place that is warm and dry, as well as a place that is organized and well kept.

3. Get all the tools together that you will need for this project, organize them, and store them in your work area. You'll need a variety of different tools such as wire strippers, glue, sandpaper, safety glasses and pliers. Make sure they are all easily within your reach while working on your plane, keep them clean, and be sure to put them back in their proper places so that you do not lose them.

4. Organize all the pieces that came with your airplane model kit. For example, put all the wheels and wheel pieces together in one pile, the propeller and its pieces in a pile, and so on. Store them in plastic containers to keep them separated. This will reduce the risk of you losing important pieces and having to spend more money to replace them.

5. Read through all the instructions, following each step explicitly as you begin to assemble your homemade RC plane. These step-by-step instructions will guide you through the process of assembling the plane and connecting the motor and electronics in the plane correctly.

6. Watch for chips in the plane body as you assemble your plane. If you find any, be sure to use a piece of sandpaper to smooth out the rough spots.

7. Paint your new RC airplane. This is where your personal creativity comes into play. Design and paint your plane any color you desire and give it some flare.

8. Take your airplane out for a spin and make sure all of the parts are working correctly. If the plane is not working correctly, consult the instructions for troubleshooting solutions.

Tags: your airplane, your plane, assemble your, keep them, place that, plane that, will need

Reschedule The Gmat

You can reschedule your GMAT appointment online.

Unlike many tests, the "Graduate Management Admission Test" (commonly known as the "GMAT") is not administered to groups on predetermined dates. Instead, the test is self-scheduled, meaning that each individual test taker is permitted to sign up for a time and date that works well for his personal schedule. One advantage to this system is that appointments can be rescheduled online if something changes in their schedule.

Instructions

1. Turn on your personal computer and launch your Internet browser.

2. Go to MBA.com, the official website for the GMAT.

3. Click "The GMAT" option and select the "Schedule a GMAT Appointment" choice.

4. Select the "Reschedule Your GMAT Appointment" option on the left side of the screen and then pick the "Reschedule Your Appointment" button in the middle of the screen.

5. Log into your GMAT account by entering your password and user name when you are prompted to do so.

6. Select a new date and time for your GMAT appointment. Once you pick the new time, you will need to hit the "Confirm" button before your rescheduled appointment will be finalized.

Tags: GMAT Appointment, your GMAT, your GMAT appointment

Parsons Fashion Design School

Parsons The New School for Design is a university made up of eight schools offering degree programs in several fields, most notably design, media and liberal arts. With creativity at its core, one of the school's goals is to realize a "student's potential for achievement," and has helped launch the careers of many famous designers and artists.

History

The university was originally founded as the Chase School in 1896, and later named after Frank Alvah Parsons, who served as the school's president. Parsons merged with the New School of Social Research in 1970; the current name was adopted in 2005.

Location

Parsons is located in New York City's Greenwich Village. The metropolitan setting provides students with the opportunity to participate in internships, and even take jobs, with notable designers, artists and other creative establishments based in the city.

Degrees Offered

Parsons offers associate, undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as certificate and continuing education programs.

Areas of Study

Parsons boasts a wide range of majors, including animation, broadcast design, fashion marketing, industrial design, painting, robotics and sculpture.

Famous Ties

Many famous alumni have graduated from Parsons, covering most of their degree programs. Graduates and attendees include Donna Karan, Anna Sui, Joel Schumacher, Steven Meisel and Norman Rockwell.

The school has also been featured in the reality show Project Runway, with former faculty member Tim Gunn acting as a mentor to the contestants, who create most of their designs in one of the school's workrooms.

Tags: degree programs, designers artists, most their

Calculate The Limit Of An Exponential

Knowing math increases the self-confidence of students.

Calculating limits are standard with math functions. It's used to evaluate the maximum value a mathematical function can reach. For example, f(x) denotes a function that is dependent on the variable x. The limit will determine the maximum value of f(x) as x approaches infinity or negative infinity. The mathematical nature of the function will determine the limit. For this reason, to calculate the limit, you simply need to know mathematically evaluate the function given hypothetical values of x.

Instructions

1. Choose an exponential function. As an example, choose f(x) = y^x

2. Calculate the limit of the function as x approaches infinity. Using the example function:

For 0 < y < 1, limit (y^x) = 0. This is because as you increase x to infinity any fraction between 0 and 1 will trend to 0. For example:

If y is .40 and x is 3, f(x) = 0.064. If y is 0.40 and x is 12, f(x) = 0.000017. If y is 0.95 and x is 5, f(x) = 0.77. If y is 0.95 and x is 15, f(x) = 0.46. If y is 0.95 and x is 60, f(x) = 0.046. In each case, f(x) trends toward 0, which means the limit is 0.

For y = 1, limit (y^x) = 1. 1 to any power is 1

For y > 1, limit (y^x) = infinity. As x increases on any number greater than 1, the value of f(x) increases continuously to infinity.

3. Calculate the limit of the function as x approaches negative infinity. Using the example function:

First, we have to adjust the function to account for a negative x or "-x": f(x) = y^-x = (1/y^x)

For 0 < y < 1, limit [(1/y^x)] = infinity. Here's why:

If y = 0.40 and x = 5, f(x) = 1/[0.40^5] = 1/ 0.01024 = 97.65. This number will increase as x increases.

For y > 1, limit [(1/y^x)] = 0. Here's why.

If y = 4 and x = 5, f(x) = 1/(4^5) = 1/1024 = 0.000975. As x increases, the denominator will continue to increase and f(x) will continue to decrease and trend toward zero

Tags: approaches infinity, Calculate limit, Calculate limit function, example function, function approaches

Scholarships For Elementary School Teachers

Money is available for elementary school teachers.

Although elementary school teachers instruct and help develop America's children, when they attend colleges and universities, they must pay the high costs of tuition like other students. Fortunately, public and private foundations, companies and institutions of higher learning offer scholarships that elementary school teachers can use to pay for their tuition, books and lab fees.

Thurgood Marshall Scholarship

Elementary school teachers who major in mathematics or science at an accredited United States college or university can apply for a Thurgood Marshall scholarship. They must plan to teach the subjects to elementary of secondary students after they graduate with an undergraduate or graduate degree. Upon receipt of the scholarships, award recipients must attend college or university full-time. Scholarships were awarded in the amount of $2,200, as of March 2011. The number of scholarships awarded each year varies.

Rudolph Dillman Memorial Scholarship

College and university students who are legally blind can apply for a $2,500 Rudolph Dillman Memorial Scholarship. Four scholarships were awarded per year, as of March 2011. Money from the scholarships covers the cost of tuition, books and lab fees for elementary school teachers, so they can receive undergraduate or graduate degrees. After they graduate, recipients of the scholarship must teach elementary or secondary level students who are visually impaired or blind. An essay and school transcripts are required with submitted applications. Scholarship applicants must also submit letters of recommendation from two faculty members who work in the admissions department at the college or university they want to attend.

Ruth McLain Memorial Scholarship

Students who major in education at accredited colleges and universities, and who plan to teach early childhood or elementary school students post-graduation, can apply for a Ruth McClain Memorial Scholarship. The scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate a financial need. The number and value of the scholarships varies.

T.E.A.C.H. Scholarships

Education majors who are pursuing an undergraduate degree and who do not earn more than $15 per hour can apply to receive a Teacher Education and Compensation Helps (T.E.A.C.H.) scholarship. The scholarships are sponsored by the Child Care Services Administration. As of March 2011, nearly 21 scholarships were awarded each year. The average amount of the scholarships is $1,000.

Early Childhood Educators Scholarship Program

Massachusetts residents who major in early childhood education can apply for a Massachusetts Department of Education Early Childhood Educators scholarship. Before they apply for the scholarship, students must complete at least a year of work experience as a teacher. The amount of the scholarships was $500 per credit hour, as of March 2011. Students who attend private post-secondary schools cannot receive more than $4,500 per semester in scholarship monies. If students enroll at state colleges, the most they receive each semester from the scholarship is $3,600. Community college early childhood majors can only receive up to $2,250 per semester.

Tags: elementary school teachers, March 2011, Memorial Scholarship, elementary school, school teachers, were awarded, amount scholarships

Teach Library Science Skills To Children

The ability to successfully use library resources is vital to academic success. Throughout a child's schooling, he will encounter numerous projects that require him to gather information from the library. Using a library effectively is not something that we are born knowing do, but instead a skill that we acquire through practice. One of the most useful things you can do for a child is to teach him use a library, as having the ability to utilize the vast resources within those halls will open up a world of knowledge.

Instructions

1. Practice developing research questions. Before students can effectively utilize the information in a library, they need to be able to develop questions. Work with the child to develop questions that can be answered through research. Model this practice by helping her take a topic, for example, the Civil War, and pull from it a relevant question such as "How did the Civil War start?" Remind the child that research is most effective when she is seeking answers to specific questions.

2. Assist the child in collecting appropriate sources. Children often struggle when trying to critically discriminate between sources. Remind the child that he wants to find a source that is authoritative and believable. Also note that if he is seeking information about an actual event, he needs to consult a non-fiction source. Collect a variety of materials covering the topic and sort through them with the child, helping him determine if the source is good or bad. Abandon the less useful sources and keep the strong ones to continue the process of research.

3. Demonstrate organized note-taking. Work with the child to take notes of the material presented in each source. Tell her to use one sheet of paper for each source and to write the identifying information, including the title, author, publisher, city of publication and date, on the top of each sheet. Then help her search through the book for information that can help answer the questions she posed.

4. Show the child use the index and table of contents to locate answers to his question. As he continues taking notes, the child will likely become frustrated with flipping through the pages and searching for information. Help him speed up the process by explaining that text features, like indexes and tables of contents, are like maps that lead to the information being sought.

5. Help the child evaluate the gathered information. Once she has moved through all the quality resources and completed the note-taking process, explain that she needs to determine which information of that gathered is the best at answering her research questions. Read through the notes together and have her highlight those pieces of information deemed best.

6. Following any guidelines he has been given at school, help the child to combine the information he has gathered to create a report. Help him to organize his material into a cohesive report detailing and explaining his research findings and to create appropriate citations for his sources.

Tags: with child, child that, develop questions, each source, information that, Remind child

What Needs To Be In A College Recommendation Letter

Plan college recommendation letters early and carefully.

College recommendation letters can be as important to school acceptance as essays. A good recommendation letter describes who the student is and brings the applicant alive for the reviewer. It rounds out the transcripts and statistics found on the application. Although recommendation letters should show a variety of characteristics such as academics and extracurricular interests, avoid sending more recommendation letters than a college requests.

Letter Content

Components needed in a college recommendation letter include superior academic achievement; extracurricular activities; outstanding personal qualities; interest, participation and dedication to a particular field; and the writer's confidence in the student's abilities. Consider breaking these areas into letters written by more than one person. For instance, a math or English teacher might speak to academics, abilities and involvement in a particular field. A coach or club adviser might write a letter regarding extracurricular activities and outstanding personal qualities. It is not necessary to include grades in recommendation letters; they are reported in the student's transcript.

Additional Details

A college recommendation letter should not exceed one page or be generic. Each letter should include individual details about the student. A good letter should utilize descriptive adjectives and speak to specific traits the applicant has demonstrated to the writer. It should be personal.

Helpful Hints

Meet with teachers to present your request.

Give teachers and advisers at least one month to complete recommendation letters. Supply addressed, stamped envelopes to the college. Waive your right on the college application to view recommendation letters to increase your credibility. Include an information sheet, detailing specific projects or assignments completed, along with a deadline date for the letter's receipt. Follow up with teachers one week before the deadline to see if they need additional information, and always write thank-you notes to letter writers.

Help Individualize Letters

Make it as easy as possible to write a good letter. Meet with teachers and advisers to present a request for a recommendation letter. Review the information sheet to answer any questions and note individual achievements. School personnel may be asked to write numerous letters each year and may not recall the specifics about each student. A personal meeting helps assure individual content in a recommendation letter.

Other Recommendations

A college recommendation is key to an application's success.

A recommendation from a family friend, student's employer or alumnus of the college should be requested in the same manner as a teacher recommendation. A brief information sheet detailing accomplishments with stamped, addressed envelopes should be provided to the writer. These people may be less familiar with writing recommendation letters than school personnel, so it may be helpful to include a sample letter.

Tags: recommendation letters, information sheet, letter should, recommendation letter, with teachers, activities outstanding, activities outstanding personal

Write Thank You Letters After Rejection

Always be professional in any thank you letter.

After receiving a rejection letter, it is not necessary to respond. However, in some instances, the rejection letter may have been worded so as to invite a response. For instance, the rejection may have offered some advice or issued an invitation to submit to them again. If this has occurred and you wish to correspond, then you may write a thank you letter to acknowledge their rejection and advice or request. Always, when writing back, keep your tone polite and professional.

Instructions

1. Address the letter formally and professionally to whoever sent you the rejection. Follow all proper letter guidelines, including putting your full address as well as the receiver's full address and date on the top.

2. Be brief. Thank you letters should not be long and involved. Come straight to the point and thank whoever you are writing for their kind rejection. Thank them for their time in considering your work or project.

3. Thank the person for any additional information he may have given you, if applicable. Remember that the person who rejected your work did not have to give any reason or input so if you received any, he did so to be helpful. Thank him even if you disagree with his advice.

4. Finish the letter with a polite request to send more work to them in the future. This is mostly a formality, so do not expect a response. However, it is polite to simply add something like, "I hope to submit to you again in the future." If your rejection already had a request to see more from you, simply add something like, "I hope to work with you in the future" or "I hope to send you more of my work soon."

5. Sign your letter with your full name. Using "sincerely" is sufficient.

Tags: full address, letter with, like hope, more work, rejection letter, send more

Find An Accredited Online College

Today, online colleges abound, promising far more flexibility and convenience than traditional universities. Is it really possible to sit at home on the computer and get genuine school credits from an online college or university? The answers may surprise you.

Instructions

1. Go online and conduct a search for accredited, online colleges and universities. You may be surprised at all the sites that list online accredited schools.

2. Accreditation institutions are private, non-profit and approved by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and/or the United States Department of Education (USDE).

3. When an online program, college or university is accredited, one of 17 institutions that accredit online colleges, and who also accredit traditional colleges and universities, has approved it. At this time, there is not a separate accreditation process set up for online schools.

4. Use the accredited online college list sites to find the right program, college or university for you.

5. Search around on the sites for a good match. Consider your price range and the kind of certification or degree you want.

6. Choose one or two schools and do a little deeper digging just to be sure these schools are legitimate. Return to the sites for CHEA and USDE and study up a little more. Also, check to see if the schools receive federally funded financial aid, which they can only receive if they are accredited.

7. Make your final choice for a school and the program or degree plan that suits you. Register for classes. You are now on your way to earning legitimately accredited and approved higher education credits for a certification, program or degree.

Tags: college university, online colleges, colleges universities, online college, program college, program college university

Apply Knowles' Theory In The Classroom

Adult learners often have very specific educational goals.

Knowles' theory of andragogy provides guidelines for educators to develop common-sense strategies to better engage adult learners in the classroom. Andragogy is a teaching methodology that is based on the idea that adults have a unique learning style around which teachers should center instruction. This type of instruction can result in more effective teaching. Knowles' theory espouses simple principles that are easily applied in the adult education classroom.

Instructions

1. Encourage students to become involved in their own instruction. Classes can meet with the instructor and discuss the direction they'd like the course to take. Students may decide they would like to devote more time to a particular topic or cover additional material. Discuss different evaluative possibilities with the class as well. When learners become involved in their own instruction, they become more invested in the class.

2. Present learners with problems to solve and work backwards toward an explanation of what can provide the desired result. This enables adults to take charge of their learning, rather than being passive recipients of a lecture. Encourage students to work in groups to brainstorm possible solutions and explanations. Engage the class in discussions about the problem.

3. Use real-life problems whenever possible, rather than providing abstract information that requires memorization. For example, to teach students the mathematical concept of area, ask students to figure out how much paint they would need to paint a room when given a set of dimensions. Engaging students with a problem that they may face in the "real world" is more effective than providing the formula for finding area and asking students to memorize it. Keep in mind that you will still need to teach the information -- simply embed it in a relevant context.

4. Find out what is relevant to your students and relate your instruction to their goals. Use real-life problems and examples that students are likely to encounter in their everyday lives. At the beginning of your course, conduct an informal survey to find out what your students' backgrounds are. This information can help you to make your curriculum more meaningful to your adult students. For example, if you are teaching English to second language learners and discover that the majority of your class works in the hospitality field, you can teach students words they need to know to be successful in that field.

Tags: become involved, become involved their, Encourage students, involved their, involved their instruction, Knowles theory

Top Ten Medical Schools In The United States

A doctor examines a patient's x-ray results.

Respected as some of the most educated professionals in the country, doctors and physicians undergo some of the most rigorous schooling in the United States. While getting in to any medical school is an accomplishment in itself, there are a select few medical schools around the country that stand above the rest in reputation and prestige. Students looking to get the most out of their medical education should consider these top-10 institutions as rated by U.S. News & World Report in 2009.

Harvard University

Harvard, long known as one of the most prestigious institutions of higher learning in the country, produces some of the world's most learned doctors. Located in Boston, Harvard has produced 13 Nobel Laureates and affiliates with 17 different hospitals and research institutions. Admission is extremely competitive with just 165 students enrolling in the medical program out of 5,139 applicants for the Fall 2008 semester.

Harvard Medical School

25 Shattuck St.

Boston, MA 02115

(617) 432-1000

hms.harvard.edu

Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University is one of the country's most recognizable medical schools and operates side by side with The Johns Hopkins Hospital, one of the most highly rated hospitals in the country. Established in 1893 as part of Johns Hopkins Medicine, the school works along side the $5 billion enterprise to give students unparalleled access to some of the best facilities in the country.

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

733 N. Broadway, Suite G49

Baltimore, MD 21205

(410) 955-3182

hopkinsmedicine.org/som

University of Pennsylvania

Established in 1765, the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine is one of the oldest medical schools in the country. Located in Philadelphia, the school is affiliated with three hospitals in the state of Pennsylvania and has an enrollment of 725 medical students.

University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

295 John Morgan Building

3620 Hamilton Walk

Philadelphia, PA 19104

(215) 898-8001

med.upenn.edu

Washington University in St. Louis

The Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis is ranked as the top medical program in the Midwest and is the highest ranking program outside of the Northeast. The school has 604 enrolled medical students and has been associated with 17 Nobel Laureates.

Washitgton University School of Medicine in St. Louis

660 S. Euclid Ave.

St. Louis, MO 63110

(314) 262-6858

medschool.wustl.edu

University of California-San Francisco

Part of the University of California system, the University of California-San Francisco Medical School is the top program of its kind in the West. This prestige, of course, means very tough admission standards. UCSF enrolled 149 students out of 5,991 applicants in 2009 with an average grade point average of 3.74.

University of California-San Francisco Medical School

513 Parnassus Ave.

San Francisco, CA 94143

(415) 476-4044

medschool2.ucsf.edu

Duke University

Located in Durham, NC, the Duke University School of Medicine is ranked as the top medical program in the South and offers a highly-respected doctor of physical therapy program. The school admitted just 100 students to its medical program in 2009 out of 5,166 applicants.

Duke University School of Medicine

DUMC 3710

Room 0159 Duke South

Durham, NC 27710

(919) 684-2985

medschool.duke.edu

Stanford University

The Stanford University School of Medicine, located in Southern California, is a highly competitive program that enrolled 86 students out of 6,567 applicants in 2008-2009. The medical school has a total enrollment of 465 students.

Stanford University School of Medicine

300 Pasteur Dr.

Sanford, CA 94305

(650) 723-4000

med.stanford.edu

University of Washington

The University of Washington School of Medicine is one of the top schools in the country for teaching primary-care physicians and received one of the highest amounts of research funding from the National Institutes of Health in the country. Located in Seattle, UW bills itself as the primary medical school serving the states of Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho.

University of Washington School of Medicine

Warren G. Magnuson Health Sciences Center

1925 N.E. Pacific Street

Seattle, WA 98195-6340

(206) 543-2100

uwmedicine.washington.edu

Yale University

Like its Ivy League rival, the Yale University School of Medicine provides one of the best medical educations in the country with a focus on smaller classes and original research. Founded in 1810, Yale's school of medicine is located in New Haven, Connecticut.

Yale University School of Medicine

333 Cedar St.

New Haven, CT 06510

(203) 432.4771

info.med.yale.edu

Columbia University

The Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, based in New York City, rounds out the list of the nations top-10 research centered medical schools. In 2009, Columbia admitted 303 students out of 5,238 and enrolled 154. These students had an average grade point average of 3.79..

Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeon

620 W. 168th St. Box 41

New York, NY 10032

(212) 305-3595

cumc.columbia.edu

Tags: School Medicine, University School, University School Medicine, Johns Hopkins, medical program, California-San Francisco, Columbia University

Pass The New York State Teacher Examination

The New York State Teacher Examination is one of the toughest in the nation.

All teachers in the state of New York must pass the New York State Teacher Examination, which experts regard as one of the the toughest in the nation. The test consists of three parts. The first part, the Liberal Arts and Science section, covers basic subjects including science, math, history, music, social studies, art, humanities, and communication and writing skills. The second part is a written assessment of teaching skills. The final portion addresses skills in the student's major field of study, either elementary or secondary education. Students may take each section of the test at different times.

Instructions

1. Review academic materials related to a broad knowledge of subject material.

2. Practice essay writing in order to improve grammar, spelling and overall writing skills.

3. Study practice materials. You can buy these for $20 to $50 or find resources on line.

4. Seek help from college professors. They have taken the test and spend time working with prospective teachers. They can assist you in finding study materials and working on honing writing skills, as well as recommending areas of focus.

5. Hire a private tutor. While this may be expensive, it will be worth it in the long run if you pass the test.

Tags: York State Teacher, State Teacher, State Teacher Examination, Teacher Examination, writing skills, York State, toughest nation

Identify The Levator Scapulae

The levator scapulae is a muscle at the sides and back of the neck and frequently causes a "knot" in the neck when driving or sitting at a computer. It may be divided into distinct sections in some individuals and the number of vertebral attachments varies considerably. The following steps will help you identify the levator scapulae.

Instructions

1. Read up on Latin roots to know that "levator" means "raises" and "scapulae" means "scapula." This muscle "raises the scapula" when the head is fixed.

2. Examine the levator scapulae to see that it also extends the neck to the corresponding side and rotates the head in the same direction. The levator scapula also tilts the glenoid cavity by rotating the scapula.

3. Observe how the levator scapula originates from the posterior tubercles of the transverse processes of the first four cervical vertebrae by tendinous slips. A slip also may extend to other bones such as the mastoid and occipital as well as muscles, including the trapezius, scalene and serratus anterior.

4. Look at the insertion of the levator scapulae into the medial border of the scapula from the superior angle to the spine.

5. Research the nervous system to know that the nerve for the levator scapulae is the nerves off of the cervical plexus from the third and fourth cervical nerves and the dorsal scapular nerve from the fifth cervical nerve. Study the circulatory system to know that the blood supply for the levator scapulae is the transverse cervical artery.

Tags: levator scapulae, know that, levator scapula, system know, system know that

Purpose Of A Mission Statement

Mission statements give employees unity of purpose.

A mission statement is a short statement setting out the purpose of an organization, including the product or service it provides, its target market and its unique selling point. Companies use mission statements to inspire employees, guide corporate activities and promote the company. In the 2011 edition of its annual study of management tools and trends, Bain & Co. reported that mission statements are widely used as a management tool and consistently receive above-average satisfaction ratings.

Inspiring Employees

Well-written mission statements inspire employees. Mission statements contain information about the purpose of the company beyond the desire to make a profit. They create a set of common values and behaviors that employees can use to guide their day-to-day work activities. Many companies involve employees in the development of the mission statement to encourage a sense of ownership and engagement in achieving the business's goals. By including the mission statement in the company's recruitment pack, the organization will attract new employees who share its values and ideals.

Improving Performance

Mission statements can improve an organization's financial performance. In a study published in the journal "Management Decision" in 2001, researchers demonstrated that mission statements have a positive effect on organizational performance. However, this positive link was only evident where the content of the mission statement was realistic and aligned to organizational values. The key factor that affected performance improvement was the extent to which the mission statement influenced employee behavior.

Guiding Corporate Decision Making

An organization's mission statement acts as a beacon for decision makers. The actions and direction of the organization must align to the values set out in the mission statement. Where a proposed course of action conflicts with the ethos of the mission statement, it sends a strong signal that the proposed direction does not fit with the goals of the company. By adhering to the core purpose set out in the mission statement, a company can be sure that it is retaining its focus and not diluting its efforts.

Promoting the Company

External stakeholders also have an interest in a company's mission statement. A well-written mission statement is a useful marketing tool. It communicates the values and aspirations of the company, attracting like-minded customers. Nike has a simple but effective mission statement: "To bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete in the world. If you have a body, you are an athlete." It uses this to great effect in its marketing campaigns.

Tags: mission statement, employees guide, inspire employees, mission statement company, mission statements

The Advantages Of Accelerated Classes In A Traditional College Setting

Students taking accelerated courses must absorb new material much more quickly than with traditional classes.

In a traditional college setting, accelerated classes offer a number of advantages to college students and professors alike. Accelerated classes are classes that cover the same amount of material as a traditional semester-long class, but do so in a much shorter period of time. These classes can last anywhere from a few weeks to just one week, depending on the nature of the course and the time slots available.

Quick Course Completion

One of the primary advantages of accelerated classes in a traditional college setting is that students can complete courses much more quickly and move on to the next course of study. Depending upon the length of the course and the other courses that the student may be taking, students may be able to fit several of these additional accelerated programs into one semester. For instance, students at Tulsa Community College in Tulsa, Oklahoma, can take traditional classes in a Monday-Wednesday-Friday or Tuesday-Thursday format throughout the week and then take an accelerated Friday-Saturday course for eight weeks. Students can also take all-day, weeklong accelerated courses during scheduled college breaks such as in the intervening period between the fall and spring semesters.

Saving Money

Although students generally pay for college courses on a per credit hour basis, taking accelerated college courses can save money over the long haul. Tuition costs may be essentially the same because the credit hours remain the same for the degree program as a whole, but taking accelerated courses in a traditional college setting can help to eliminate cost of living expenses. Students having to pay for room and board, along with other fees associated with living on campus, may find it advantageous to take accelerated classes in order to complete their degree quickly, move off campus and begin working in their chosen career field. While they may still have to pay rent or a mortgage payment, car payments and other expenses, having a degree in hand more quickly increases earning potential in both the short- and long-term. This allows students to begin paying off college loans sooner and accumulate surplus funds much sooner as well.

Retention of Course Material

One of the primary problems with traditional college courses is that they are spread out over a 15- or 16-week schedule. Students generally attend class 1, 2 or 3 days a week and the material in the course is disseminated very slowly over this four-month span of time. In some instances, this can hinder student learning. Students are rarely able to devote the needed effort and concentration for those courses that they are taking because they are usually taking several other classes at the same time. With an accelerated course, students can concentrate almost exclusively on that course (depending on what other courses are also being taken) and absorb the material much more quickly. This can be a disadvantage to those students who do not learn quickly, but many students will adapt when faced with the dilemma of needing to learn fast. Accelerated courses give students the opportunity to quickly learn what is necessary for the course, study the material and take their examinations, before pushing the material to the back of their mind for later reference. Because many students "cram" when studying rather than plan for long-term retention, accelerated classes can prove to be the ultimate cramming solution.

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Get Answers To Legal Questions

The intricacies of law can be hard to grasp.

It takes three years of full-time study, in addition to a bachelor's degree, to earn a Juris Doctor degree. On top of that, attorneys must then pass the bar examination in whatever state they choose to practice. It takes a lot of time, effort and money to become a lawyer, and lawyers usually charge an hourly rate commensurate with that effort. If you've got a simple question regarding the law, there are less expensive ways of getting an answer. (Reference 1)

Instructions

1. Go online, but don't take everything you read at face value. A slew of websites offer legal advice with no real legitimacy or value. Do a search for the court system in your state instead. Many offer self-help websites that answer basic legal questions. If your state doesn't, then look for a website authored by an actual attorney or law firm that practices in your locality. Laws vary from state to state, so if you live in Ohio and the website you find is for an attorney in California, any advice offered might not hold true for you. (Reference 2)

2. Visit your local courthouse. Members of the staff there can't give you legal advice; a court employee can lose their job for doing so. But they can point you in the right direction so you can find the answers you need. Many courthouses have law libraries, and a court clerk can point you in the right direction to find the books or publications you need to research in order to get your questions answered. (Reference 4)

3. Call a law school, if you have one within a reasonable distance. Ask if its library is open to the public, as some are. The librarian might also be able to give you guidance as to what book or publication you should consult for your particular problem. (Reference 4)

4. Call legal services in your area. State and county governments usually offer free or minimally-priced legal aid to those whose incomes qualify. If you meet the income requirements, you can confer with a legal aid attorney who can explain your options to you. In some cases, legal aid might even agree to represent you for free or for a nominal fee. (Reference 2)

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