What Are Subsidized & Unsubsidized Student Loans

Few families can afford to pay for college tuition and related costs without borrowing money. When looking for student loans, choose the loans with the most favorable terms so you will be able to pay them back with the least possible out-of-pocket expense. In general, subsidized student loans are significantly more advantageous than unsubsidized student loans.

General Definition

The federal government pays all interest on subsidized student loans while the student is in school, in the grace period or when the loan is deferred. Depending on the type of loan, the grace period is six to nine months after the borrower leaves school. Deferment occurs when the borrower enters school again, and the government also sometimes grants it to borrowers experiencing unemployment or severe economic hardship. Unsubsidized loans, on the other hand, always accrue interest that the borrower is responsible for paying. If desired, borrowers can delay payment of interest until they enter the normal repayment period.

Types of Subsidized Loans

Students apply for subsidized loans by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The government only offers subsidized loans to some students and gives them on the basis of demonstrated financial need. The federal government offers two major types of subsidized loans. Subsidized Stafford loans for the 2011 to 2012 school year have an interest rate of 3.4 percent for undergraduates or 6.8 percent for graduate students. The amount students can borrow depends on their year in school. Subsidized Perkins loans allow students to borrow up to $5,500 per year as undergraduates or $8,000 per year as graduate students. The interest rate is fixed at 5 percent for all Perkins loans, as of 2011.

Types of Unsubsidized Loans

The federal government and private lenders offer unsubsidized loans that do not require students to have financial need. All students can borrow federal unsubsidized Stafford loans with a fixed interest rate of 6.8 percent. Graduate students can also take out federal PLUS loans at a fixed interest rate of 7.9 percent, as of 2011. As with subsidized loans, students apply for federal unsubsidized loans by filling out the FAFSA. Students can also apply for unsubsidized loans through private lenders. These lenders set their own interest rates, application processes and requirements for borrowers. Undergraduates often need to have an adult with good credit cosign on private student loans.

Considerations

If you get unsubsidized loans, the amount you owe will increase while you are in school because interest accrues on the money you borrowed. When your first loan payment becomes due, which is usually about six months after you drop below half-time enrollment due to withdrawal or graduation, the interest is capitalized. That means that it is added to the loan balance on which interest and payments are calculated in the future. Avoid increasing your loan balance by paying the interest before it is capitalized. You can do this by making payments during your grace period or by paying interest each month as it accrues.

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Starting Salary For A Cpa With An Mba In Accounting

Starting Salary for a CPA With an MBA in Accounting

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job prospects for accountants are favorable. This is especially true for those accountants with certifications and licenses. If you are considering a career in accounting, learning more about your potential starting salary can help you push your way through school. Accountants earn competitive starting salaries, and those salaries go up when you add a CPA license or MBA degree.

CPA Requirements

To become a certified public accountant (CPA) in most states, you must complete 150 credit hours of post-secondary education to be eligible to sit for the CPA exam. The exam consists of four parts, and you must pass all four parts within 18 months. After passing the exam, you must meet your state's work experience requirement to obtain your CPA license. To maintain your license, you must complete your state's yearly continuing education requirements.

Starting Salaries

The potential starting salary for an accountant varies widely. Robert Half International, a large job placement firm, compiles yearly salary data nationwide.This data illustrates potential earnings in different accounting areas and in a range of company sizes. The area of accounting can determine your starting salary. Also, salaries earned in public accounting differ from those earned in corporate accounting. Typically, public accounting pays more. The size of your company also affects your starting salary. Usually, larger companies pay more than smaller ones. For example, a first-year accountant going to work in the tax department at a large public accounting firm can expect to earn between $49,000 and $59,750 per year. For a similar position at a small accounting firm, the salary range is $41,250 to $49,000. If you work at a midsize corporation doing cost accounting, your first-year salary would range from $37,750 to $45,500.

CPA Effect

According to Discover CPA, the starting salary is 10 percent higher for a CPA vs. his non-CPA colleague. Becker, a leader in CPA exam preparation, states that a starting salary at a large public accounting firm is $67,375 for a CPA vs. $61,250 for a non-CPA.

Master's Degree

Accountants have a few different options when considering a master's degree program. The main options are a master's in business administration (MBA) or a master's in accounting. Accountants possessing a master's degree typically earn a starting salary 10 percent higher than those colleagues without one, similar to the effect of having a CPA license. Accountants with both a CPA and an MBA tend to earn more than accountants with just one of those. The average salary for an accountant with a CPA and an MBA is $87,525 (across all levels of experience). The average salary for a CPA or MBA only is $84,051 and $77,754 respectively.

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What You Can Do To Fix Renal Failure

Renal failure comes in two forms: chronic and acute. Chronic renal (kidney) failure involves a gradual decrease in your kidneys' functioning, and acute renal (kidney) failure is sudden. There is no cure for chronic renal failure, though you can receive treatment for symptoms. Acute renal failure, however, is reversible with proper treatment.

Chronic Renal Failure

Treatment for chronic renal failure can help reduce symptoms and slow the progression of the failure to help the kidneys function for a longer period of time. The first step is to treat the underlying condition that has caused the renal failure, such as diabetes or hypertension. Diet is also an important factor; you can slow the progress of the disease and help treat your symptoms if you reduce the amount of protein, salt and potassium in your diet.

When your kidney function drops so low that your kidneys can no longer perform their daily functions, you can undergo dialysis or a kidney transplant. Dialysis can prolong your life by having a machine remove waste from your body instead of having your kidneys do it. A kidney transplant can be the most effective way to cure your renal failure because your failed kidney would be removed and replaced with a healthy one from a living or nonliving donor.

Acute Renal Failure

Acute renal failure occurs when your kidneys suddenly lose functioning. It is usually the result of major surgery. When this occurs, doctors must first treat the condition that caused your renal failure. After this is done, they can repair your kidney functions by altering your diet and limiting your fluid intake. You will also probably have to undergo dialysis for a short time until your kidneys return to their former functioning levels. You may also have to take calcium or other supplements to prevent the buildup of excess potassium in your blood, which can cause irregular heartbeats.

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Mass Communication Degrees

A degree in mass communications signifies that a college student underwent a broad-based study of the communications field. The field of mass communications studies revolves around the distribution of information within the mass media, either through print or broadcast journalism, public relations or advertising.

Function

Mass communication is the study of how information is disseminated from those who have it to the largest population segment possible. Traditional programs have focused on the delivery medium and the gatekeepers of the information. The delivery methods have typically been print, such as magazines and newspapers, and broadcast, such as radio and television, outlets. The gatekeeper aspect has traditionally focused on public relations and advertising.

History

The University of Pennsylvania offered the first communications courses in 1893 as classes through the Wharton School of Business. It would not be until more than 60 years later before their school of communications was founded. Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio, is recognized as the oldest communications program in America, founded in 1906 and awarding its first degrees in 1909. The University of Iowa's School of Journalism and Mass Communication awarded the first doctoral degree in mass communication in 1948.

Potential

The future of mass communications points to the digital age, as evident with the evolution of the top programs in the country. With the opening of its Newhouse III building in 2007, Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communication took one large step. The centerpiece of its construction is a digital newsroom--a computer lab designed to write and edit text, construct video, record audio and create the platforms to host that content. Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism has invested in building a state-of-the-art multimedia program to meet the changing needs of the communications field.

Identification

One way to identify the best mass communications programs in the nation is through accreditation. The best programs in America have sought approval from the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications. Accreditation is voluntary for a communications program, but lends credibility and credence to communications program. The review process for accreditation is rigorous and requires site visits, literature reviews and internal audits and studies. While hundreds of colleges around the world offer mass communication degrees, only 112 colleges have received the ACEJMC stamp of approval.

Types

Majors covered by a mass communication degree can be categorized in a number of ways. A journalism major will education the future newspaper, magazine and online writers, as well as radio and television reporters. Advertising and public relations majors receive an education tailored to spreading the message of an organization or product to the largest segment of the population possible. Many communications programs include television and film programs, focusing on production and screenwriting. Publishing and creative writing majors are often included under the mass communications umbrella.

While the practical applications are stressed in every program, larger research institutions have degree-bearing programs for academia. Research, both quantitative and qualitative, programs within mass communication departments set the stage to produce the next generation of educators to mentor the next generation of journalists.

Tags: mass communications, mass communication, communications program, public relations, communications field

Make Small Talk In College

College is the best time to meet new people, but it can be hard to get through that first conversation. Small talk can be hard, but college small talk is a lot easier than you may think.

Instructions

1. Use the person's name. This will help you remember the person's name and let the person know that you're talking to them specifically.

2. Pay attention. It's a bad impression when you aren't paying attention when they're trying to make casual conversation. The other person will probably think that you aren't interested.

3. Maintain eye contact. This will let the other person know that you're paying attention to them and that your mind isn't wandering.

4. Ask questions to get the person talking. Most people love to talk about themselves and you can learn a lot about someone.

5. Inquire about their major and classes. School is, after all, what you're there for.

6. Remain casual and positive. Small talk is supposed to be light. Don't bog it down by mentioning something seriously depressing.

7. Stay on common ground. If you are stuck trying to come up with something to stay, talk about how you like the university so far.

8. Bring up family and where you're from. Everyone came from somewhere, but be careful. Sometimes this can be a touchy subject with people whose past was difficult.

Tags: know that, other person, paying attention, person know, person know that, person name

Learn French Medical Terminology

Learning French medical terminology can be beneficial, whether you're traveling abroad or you simply want to round out your vocabulary of French words and phrases. With the help of free software and online language databases, you can build or strengthen your vocabulary of French medical terms and you can do it on your own time.

Instructions

1. Take down a list of vocabulary words and phrase from Reverso's "Medical Fr-En / Medical En-Fr" dictionaries. You can search for the French translations of English medical phrases, using the utility's search box. Just click on the utility's "Medical Fr-En" button to translate words from French to English or click on the "Medical En-Fr" to translate English words to French.

2. Practice FrenchEntr e's list of French medical terms. The site's list includes French and English translations for the parts of the human anatomy, symptoms, conditions, and the systems that make up the human body, like the nervous and reproductive systems.

3. Convert your French medical vocabulary list into flashcards, using a free download of the "Flashcards" utility. With Flashcards, you can populate a dictionary of French medical terminology, create virtual flashcards and print out physical flashcards. You can set up alternative meanings for words and phrases. You can test your recollection of French medical terms, while the Flashcards utility times you can keeps score.

Tags: French medical, French medical terms, medical terms, your vocabulary French, Flashcards utility

Newsletter Editing Tips

Newsletters can be created in a variety of software programs.

Editing a newsletter is similar to other types of editing. However, because you are editing text in a newsletter template, you want to make certain that your formatting is as you want it to be. Review your newsletter by having a list of items that you need to check text, formatting and overall design.

Editing Text

Read through the text of the newsletter carefully. You may want to create a checklist of items you want to look for. These items may include proper grammar, typographical errors, sentence flow and proper attribution. It may be a good idea to have at least two people review the newsletter text to make certain that is has been corrected thoroughly.

Reviewing Format

Reviewing the formatting of each page is important as well. The newsletter should display the pictures and text in a way that enhances the text and pictures. Make certain, for instance, that the pictures that go with an article, such as the picture of the article writer, is not too big. Check that an article is placed near the pictures that go with it. Try to have an even balance of pictures and text. Note that pictures do not have to be photographs; it can be clip art.

Checking the Overall Appearance

The overall appearance of the newsletter should be checked before publishing. Whether it is web or print publishing, you want the newsletter to look like something a person wants to read. Make certain that it is easy to read; the article titles are clear and in a much larger font than the article text; the title of the newsletter is clear; and the newsletter overall does not look too "busy." There should be a balance between the text and pictures.

Software Programs

In addition to basic word processing programs, there is a variety of publishing software that helps you to create newsletters on your computer. Programs include Serif Page Plus, Adobe InDesign, Microsoft Publisher, QuarkXPress, Broderbund and others.

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Phd Interview Tips

Review your notes before your Ph.D. interview.

Students applying to Ph.D. programs have to submit transcripts, test scores, recommendations and essays. Many Ph.D. programs also require students to participate in an interview, whether it’s on campus or over the phone, with the admissions committee. Interviews give admissions committees insight into your personality in a way that other application materials cannot. Therefore, it is important that Ph.D. applicants follow a number of tips to succeed in their interview.

Prepare

Learn everything you can about the graduate school and program. Talk to your current professors about the program, and see if they have any contacts at the school where you’re interviewing. Understand the research goals of the Ph.D. program, and make sure that you’re prepared to explain how the program’s goals align with your interests. Providence College recommends that Ph.D. applicants be prepared to talk about any weak points in their application, such as low GRE scores or grades. The more you know about the Ph.D. program, the more comfortable you will be during the interview.

Know Your Research

Pomona College cautions Ph.D. applicants to be prepared to discuss their research. You need to display your knowledge of the research subject, which you might have accrued during your master’s degree program or in professional positions. Anticipate any research-related questions, and go over your answers with a trusted faculty member.

Engage the Committee

Although the primary goal of the interview is for the admissions committee to learn more about you, you also want to learn about the Ph.D. program. Be an active participant in the interview. Answer the committee’s questions thoroughly, but also have some questions prepared to ask them. Providence College suggests asking a faculty member on the committee about his research project-this shows you’ve done your homework. Plus, as the school explains, "Any chance to boost their egos will win points in your favor."

Stay Calm

While a Ph.D. interview can be a nerve-wracking experience, you need to display a calm demeanor during your interview. Staying well organized will calm your nerves. Arrive early, and bring copies of your C.V. (curriculum vitae) to give to the committee. Preparation will reduce any anxiety, so take time before the interview to read over your notes and C.V.

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Benefit From Trade School

Vocational, technical and trade schools focus on teaching specific job skills required in certain occupations so students have the ability to successfully perform essential job functions upon graduation. Studies conducted by the Educational Resource Information Center suggest that vocational education increases productivity, job access and employment stability for those who graduate from a trade school.

Instructions

1. Assess your skills to know where your skills lay. This helps you to make realistic career decisions for your future.

2. Decide what you want to study. After choosing what skills and talents you have, pick a career path that is challenging and rewarding. Choose a course of study that is interesting and marketable. This may be a challenging and difficult decision.

3. Locate a school that offers a program that fits your educational needs.

4. Make sure that the school you choose is accredited. Accreditation is a set of preconceived standards that a school must meet in order to be certified by the accrediting council. Attending a school that is accredited assures that you are getting the education you are paying for.

5. Take advantage of orientation once you have chosen a school. Orientation offers the opportunity to visit the campus, meet faculty, take a tour of the facilities and become familiar with your new campus.

6. Attend class and be on time. Do not skip class unless you are ill or there is an emergency. Most schools have an attendance policy. If you miss class extensively, you may fail your courses.

7. Join organizations, groups and clubs that compliment your area of study.

8. Take advantage of the school's resources. Know and use your library and your program advisors. They are there to help you. Know if the school offers free tutoring services. Take advantage of them if and when you need them.

Tags: Take advantage, school that, that school, your skills

Housing Grants For Students

Students who are thinking of attending college in an area that will require them to live away from home shouldn't forget to add the cost of housing to their college budget. Dormitory living is expensive, $13,000 per year being an average cost, but that usually includes meals. Off-campus housing can be even more expensive, especially around the more popular colleges located in small towns. Most students will pool their money to rent a multibedroom home or apartment in order to get the most housing for their money. For these reasons, housing grants can benefit students in large ways.

Features

A housing grant is not a loan, it is money given specifically to a student to pay for their housing while in college. Some housing grants are for room and board, which provides an extra sum of money to pay for food and other essentials, while others pay only for housing. Should you receive a grant, make sure you know what type it is, in order to fulfill any requirements.

Early Planning

You should start planning your financial aid needs as early as your junior year in high school. If you have your college picked out already, start by contacting their student aid department and finding out their eligibility requirements for housing grants. Don't forget to enlist the help of your school counselor.

First Step

Housing grants for students are offered by many colleges. Some offer only on-site housing while others offer financial aid for both off-campus housing and campus dormitories. The dollar amounts of grants are tied to your family's EFC score (Expected Family Contribution), so you should start by using one of the online EFC calculators to estimate your share as well as the amount of financial aid you might be eligible to receive.

Scholarships

Many scholarships, merit and need-based, include grants for housing as part of the entire package along with tuition, books transportation expenses, personal expenses and room and board. A formula called COA (Cost of Attendance) is used to budget all of the above costs to arrive at a final dollar amount. Most universities offer these scholarships in limited numbers each school year and they differ among the various universities, so check with all of the colleges you are considering.

HUD

The Housing and Urban Development can help certain individuals who meet their eligibility requirements with housing grants, but there is usually a backlog of people needing assistance so it is imperative that you apply early. If your parents claim you as a dependent for tax purposes, you will not meet the HUD's eligibility requirements.

Eligibility

To receive a federal housing grant, you must be either a US citizen or an eligible noncitizen, be enrolled in a degree or certificate program, not be in default on a federal loan nor owe a refund for a federal grant.

Tags: eligibility requirements, early your, housing grant, housing grants, housing their, housing while

South Carolina Culinary Colleges

If you love great food, you may be interested in a South Carolina culinary arts program.

South Carolina may not be the first state that comes to mind when thinking of the great culinary colleges of America, but a number of culinary arts programs worth your consideration lie within the borders of the Palmetto State. If you love living in South Carolina and are serious about furthering your culinary education, consider colleges close to home that offer culinary arts degrees.

Horry-Georgetown Technical College

The culinary arts program at Horry-Georgetown Technical College gives students practical experience (in the form of working in the school's dining hall), as well as classroom instruction by established professionals. The program is accredited by the American Culinary Federation's Educational Institute Accrediting Commission. Graduates have a firm grasp of the basic accounting and sanitation required for operating a professional kitchen, as well as coursework in baking, management, menu planning and nutrition.

Culinary Institute of Charlotte at Trident Technical College

Students studying at the Culinary Institute of Charlotte can take advantage of work experience programs, farm-to-table field trips and study-abroad programs that help to broaden their culinary horizons. Guest chefs teaching at the school have included Gale Gand, Michael Laiskonis and Marc Collins. Charlotte's degree programs have been certified by either the American Culinary Federation's Educational Institute Accrediting Commission or the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration.

Art Institute of Charlotte

The Art Institute of Charlotte is one of over 40 Art Institute campuses nationwide, making it easy for you to continue your degree studies should you need to move from Charlotte. Students may begin their program of study at the beginning of any academic quarter. Mid-quarter start dates are also possible.

Culinary Institute at Carolina at the University of South Carolina

The cooking classes offered at Culinary Institute at Carolina are designed to benefit current culinary professionals, novice cooks or anyone just wishing to become a better home cook. Each course includes both lecture and experiential components. Courses focus on management, pastry, international cuisines and New World cuisines.

Tags: South Carolina, culinary arts, Culinary Institute, Institute Charlotte, Technical College

Interior Decorating Classes

Define your goals before choosing interior decorating classes.

It's important to define your goals before you select interior decorating classes to make sure you receive appropriate training. Although people often don't distinguish between interior decorators and interior designers, the professions are different. Unlike interior designers, decorators aren't required to be knowledgeable about building and safety codes because they only handle a room's decor without making structural changes, such as knocking out walls. Furthermore, many United States states and some Canadian provinces have licensing requirements for interior designers.

Online and College Classes

The American Society for Interior Designers (ASID) website notes that online classes offered by the Sheffield School and other educational institutions may give a student a good introduction to interior decorating practices. However, the ASID adds that such courses likely won't allow you to be licensed in most states as an interior designer. The ASID also notes that working for most interior design or architecture firms would require more training than these interior decorating courses provide. Colleges in your state may offer continuing education courses on interior decorating as well. These courses are typically geared toward adults who have already completed a degree or are looking for personal enrichment.

ASID Membership

Rhodec International offers an interior decorating course that it touts as "more than sufficient to enable you to consider taking on small commissions or to advise friends and family." Prospective students also can take Rhodec's diploma course, which meets the requirements for an ASID student membership. An ASID membership can help aspiring decorators remain abreast of industry developments.

Business Training

Some businesses offer interior decorating training and certification programs that are designed to help aspiring decorators run their own businesses. Use What You Have Interiors is one example. It offers a home study course as well as training in New York to become a certified interior redecorator. Students learn to help clients use most of the furnishings they already own to create more appealing rooms. Training costs range from $2,000 to $3,500. Some decorating franchises, such as Decorating Den, also have training courses for franchisees. However, the investment required for a decorating franchise can be $80,000 or more.

Tags: interior decorating, aspiring decorators, decorating classes, goals before, help aspiring, help aspiring decorators, interior decorating classes

Translate Medical Terms From English To Spanish

An English-Spanish medical dictionary is a good investment for medical practitioners in Spanish-speaking communities.

Health care practitioners frequently find themselves struggling for words when dealing with patients who only speak Spanish. Trying to convey a diagnosis can be problematic through the translation. While the safest solution to this problem is turning to a qualified English-Spanish medical translator, the reality is that not all physicians or clinics have access to one. If your staff doesn't include bilinguals and you can't afford to hire an outside translator, you must be able to locate accurate Spanish translations of English medical terms.

Instructions

1. Invest in a hard copy English-Spanish medical dictionary. One dictionary that is frequently recommended by English/Spanish translators is Stedman's "Medical Dictionary English to Spanish and Spanish to English." According to Edward Potter, a Spanish to English translator, "it is fairly comprehensive, although it won't always have the term you are looking for." An alternative for medical practitioners who like to carry a dictionary with them is the "English-Spanish/Spanish-English Medical Dictionary" by Glenn T. Rogers. "It is designed for doctors to carry around in their coat pocket, but what it has in it is right on the money," said Reed D. James, another Spanish-to-English translator.

Another helpful resource is the "Diccionario Critico de Dudas de Medicina Ingles - Critical Dictionary of Ambivalent Medical Expressions English-Spanish" by Fernando Gonzales Navarro, which focuses on terms that are frequently mistranslated.

2. Visit an English-Spanish medical dictionary online if you can't find the term in a hard copy dictionary or don't have access to one. Typing the words "English Spanish medical dictionary" into your search engine of choice will produce helpful links. One resource for general inquiries is MedicalSpanish.com, which offers a free access Spanish medical dictionary featuring a selection of medically relevant Spanish dialogs.

For less common terminology, go to ProZ.com, a web forum used primarily by professional translators. Under the "Terminology" tab, select "Term search" and set the source and target language, then select "medical" under "Advanced options." The site also features a list of Spanish glossaries on various medical subjects such as general medicine, dentistry, cardiology and pharmaceuticals. One such glossary, SpanMed, compiled by translator Reed D. James, offers a 30,000-word Spanish-English medical dictionary that allows you to search by the English term or phrase.

Another site that offers a Spanish/English medical glossary is the "Multilingual Glossary of technical and popular medical terms in nine European Languages." After selecting Spanish as their target language, visitors can browse through the list of technical and popular medical terms, sorted alphabetically by both English and Spanish words.

3. Verify results from an online search with another dictionary or glossary, particularly if you are unfamiliar with the resource and its accuracy. As with any online content, you cannot assume that what you read in one place is correct. You may have to try various dictionaries or glossaries to find two different sources that list your search term. This step is important, as you certainly don't want to give a wrong diagnosis due to words being lost in translation.

Tags: English Spanish, English-Spanish medical, medical dictionary, English-Spanish medical dictionary, medical terms

What Are Colleges Looking For In Applicants

Students must prepare for admission to college while in high school.

Colleges evaluate applicants on their grades, particularly in college preparatory courses, but also on their overall grade point average and high school class rank. High school students wishing to go to college need to start preparing while in high school by taking college preparatory courses and advanced placement courses. Colleges also take into account students' scores on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and American College Test (ACT).

Scholastic Aptitude Test

High school students should take the PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Achievement Test) in their junior year in order to be eligible for the Merit Scholarship award. Taking the PSAT also provides experience which will help when taking the SAT. The SAT has three parts, mathematics, critical reading and writing; scores on each section range from 200 to 800. The average score in 2010 was 516 on mathematics, 501 on critical reading, and 492 on writing. The national average score for the three sections was 1509 in 2010. Admission requirements vary by the type of university or college, but a score below 1100 is considered too low at most colleges.

American College Test

The ACT covers four areas: English, mathematics, reading and science, with an optional essay test. Students obtain scores on each of the areas ranging from 1 (lowest) to 36 (highest). Most colleges use a composite score to evaluate students. The composite score is an average of the four components taken in a single test-taking session. In 2001 the average ACT composite score was 21. Some colleges will take the highest score a student obtains if he takes the test multiple times.

Grade Point Average

Most colleges require a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a four-point scale, which translates into a B average. Most high schools use the 4.0 scale, the percentile system or letter grade methods; the latter two can be translated into the 4.0 scale. Although colleges set 3.0 as the minimum, they sometimes accept students with lower averages if their test scores are outstanding, but most accept the applicants with the highest GPAs.

Other Considerations

The most influential factors in colleges' admission decisions are high school grades in college prep courses, test scores on the SAT and/or ACT, grade point average and the students' rank in their high school class. Colleges also take into account extracurricular activities, written work, interviews and letters of recommendation. Students should ask teachers who are familiar with their work and school counselors to write letters of recommendation.

Tags: composite score, grade point, high school, point average, also take

Prepare For College As A High School Student

Getting ready for college or post-secondary school is really getting ready for adulthood. You will be completely on your own and school will become your job. Rewards will be based entirely on what you produce. Make your voyages of self-discovery (and academic mistakes) now while your teachers care about your personal growth--and while you have the time to help you get over the disasters. Read on to learn more.

Instructions

1. Check your attention span. Attention span is the time limit of the mind's ability to focus and concentrate on one task. The average attention span of a 13-year-old 35 years ago was 15 minutes. Today, the attention span of an average adult is 20. These adults are the product of a society that aims all of its media programming at the old 13-year-old standard. You can develop your attention span by turning off the TV and computer and spending a little more time each day on a given task. Start with things you like to do--reading fiction, building models--anything that requires you to be an active participant. After you're able to read or work for an hour or more at a time, switch to something less enjoyable like reading non-fiction or assembling a bicycle for a neighbor's child. When you can spend an hour or more doing a task you don't particularly care for, you've expanded your attention span beyond that of the average adult!

2. Check your "Input" Skills. Listening, Reading and Note-Taking are all skills you'll need in college and in life. There's usually a lot of emphasis placed on reading in schools but not so much on listening. And it seems that every teacher you have expects that the teacher you had last year taught you take notes. College tests all three. You will have tons of reading, sit in large groups listening to a professor hold forth on a subject. None of it will be in your textbook--if the course has one. Your notebook will be your only friend the night before the final. Learn to listen to instructions and take notes!

3. Check your "Output" skills. Writing, speaking, presentation and participation determine the way the world sees you. Whether you are applying to a college or going straight to a job interview, anyone who is going to invest their time or money in you wants to know whether you're up to the task and what you bring to the table. If you can't write a coherent paragraph, express your ideas clearly in written and spoken language or ask worthwhile questions, you're behind the pack.

4. Check your technology skills. Computer skills have become as necessary as readin', writin' and 'rithmatic. You only know play video games and blog? Grow up. The 'net is used by the whole world, not just adolescent gamesters and groupies.

5. Make a List of Strengths and Weaknesses. What sorts of things are you able to do easily? What successes and failures have you had? What keeps you from being successful in classes (beside not getting enough sleep, too much sugar and too many activities)? Sort your list of weaknesses into things you can fix with courses and things you'll need help from parents or counselors to address.

6. Find courses that help you address the weaknesses you've identified. If you need help listening and taking notes, take courses where lectures are given and most of what happens in class is oral (like classes in history and the social sciences). An English teacher can (and should) give you help with note-taking. Consider courses that require research projects and in which students report to the class on their projects. These will aid in developing reading, writing and presentation skills. Speech courses are, unfortunately, almost a thing of the past but a lot of English teachers take a stab at getting you to organize what you need to say. And don't forget science and math. The logic and analytical thinking that you develop in these courses contributes to problem-solving abilities way beyond geometry and physics problems.

7. Do take college-prep courses even if you don't plan on going to college: expect your counselor or the teacher to be able to list the skills that they will help you develop. Most AP and college prep courses concentrate on literacy skills that will make you attractive to an employer--not just to a college.

8. Expand your horizons. Volunteer for some community service. You'll feel good about whatever you do to help, get to know some adults and develop your communication skills in the real world. Colleges (and employers) always ask what kind of extra-curricular and community service activities you've been involved in--it tells them a lot about who you are and how well you'll fit in.

Tags: attention span, Check your, your attention, your attention span, average adult, community service

List Of Online Accredited Law Schools

Online law schools allow students to earn degrees from home.

Though no online law school is accredited by the American Bar Association, many are accredited through accreditation bodies that allow graduates to practice law in California upon passing the state bar exam. Schools such as the Abraham Lincoln School of Law, the Taft Law School and the Concord Law School have pioneered online law degrees and allow students to earn a law degree from home.

Abraham Lincoln School of Law

The Abraham Lincoln School of Law has been offering online legal degrees since 1996. The school is unique in that it offers degrees online, but students in the Los Angeles area are also able to attend live studio lectures at no extra cost. The school focuses on preparing students for the California bar examination.

Taft Law School

The Taft Law School is accredited through the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council and offers Juris Doctor, Executive Juris Doctor, master's and bachelor's degrees. The Juris Doctor degree allows students to practice law in California and is a four-year online program. The Executive Juris Doctor program is aimed at students who wish to add a legal background to their careers and is a three-year program.

Concrod School of Law

Like the other schools, the Concord School of Law offers Juris Doctor and Executive Juris Doctor degrees through online study. It is accredited through the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council, which allows students to practice law in California.

Tags: Juris Doctor, Abraham Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln School, accredited through, Executive Juris, Executive Juris Doctor

Accredited Taxidermy Schools In Iowa

Taxidermy is the act of reproducing a lifelike, three-dimensional representation of an animal or fish for permanent display. This art is appreciated by many people, including hunters who want to display the game they've caught as trophies. Because the art of taxidermy takes great skill, a person interested in entering this career field may want to go to a taxidermy school for proper instruction.

Northwest Iowa School of Taxidermy

The Northwest Iowa School of Taxidermy is in a 7,600-square-foot facility and specializes in teaching students state-of-the-art techniques of taxidermy. Students who attend this school receive hands-on experience working in the Matuska Taxidermy Studio, which is located in the same complex as the school. Nine-week courses are offered during winter and spring and include lessons in the five areas of taxidermy: fish, birds, game heads, rugs and life-size arrangements. Students will learn work with all kinds of animal specimens, including mountain lions, bears, elk, and pheasants while attending the Northwest Iowa school of Taxidermy.

If you are interested in obtaining more information regarding the Northwest Iowa School of Taxidermy, you can contact the school at:

Northwest Iowa School of Taxidermy

3735 Highway 71

P.O. BOX 293

Spirit Lake, Iowa 51360

(712) 336-3256

(712) 336-2069 (fax)

Kindred Spirits School of Taxidermy

The Kindred Spirits School of Taxidermy teaches students the fundamentals of taxidermy. This school offers two-, eight- and 10-week courses in taxidermy, and the tuition is based on which courses are taken. For example, the eight-week course, as of December 2009, is $6,800 and the 10-week course, as of 2009, is $8,500. The two-week course is offered for students who want to specialize in one area of taxidermy, such as birds or game heads. Courses for students attending the Kindred Spirits School of Taxidermy include base making, fiberglass reproduction and trophy mounting. Tool kits are provided during instruction and are included in tuition.

For more information on the Kindred Spirits School of Taxidermy, contact the school at:

Kindred Spirits School of Taxidermy

110 North Gear Ave.

West Burlington, IA 52655

(319) 753-0929

Hutton Valley School of Taxidermy

The Hutton Valley School of Taxidermy is owned by Roger Hutton and specializes in teaching students the art of taxidermy in a small-class environment. This school offers a seven-week course for $7,500, as of 2009. Mini-classes for specific animals are also available and include a deer taxidermy course for $1,500, a bird taxidermy course for $700, and a turkey taxidermy course for $1600, as of 2009. All supplies and specimens are supplied and are included in the tuition costs.

For more information on the Hutton Valley School of Taxidermy, you can contact the school at:

Hutton Valley School of Taxidermy

2514 Victory Lane

St. Charles, IA 50240

(641) 396-2760

Tags: School Taxidermy, Kindred Spirits, Kindred Spirits School, Northwest Iowa, Spirits School

Get A High School Grade Point Average Of 2 5

Calculating your grade point average is easy and can motivate you to do well in school.

Your high school grade point average is key to succeeding in high school and entering college. To graduate from high school with a 2.5 grade point average, you must receive mostly Bs and Cs. On a typical four-point scale, a 2.5 grade point average is considered average. Check with your high school as to what a plus or minus letter grade equates to in numbers. Typically, an A is worth four points, a B is worth three and a C is worth two. To maintain a 2.5 grade point average, a D or F must be avoided.

Instructions

1. Make a list of all of your grades for each semester. Most students will recall their letter grades rather than the grade point equivalent.

2. Translate each letter grade to its grade point. Ask your school to provide you with a equivalent chart, or assume that A equals 4, B equals 3 and C equals 2.

3. Add the total grade points and divide it by the number of classes you have taken to get the average. If your grade point average is lower than 2.5, you need to work at raising your remaining grades.

4. Ask your teachers for progress reports throughout the semester to make sure you are on track to maintain good grades and your grade point average.

Tags: grade point, point average, grade point average, grade point average, high school, your grade, your grade point

Plan Meals With College Roommates

Living in an apartment in college can be a costly venture. One way to help alleviate some of this burden is by planning meals with your roommates. Sharing food costs will save you money on groceries, and cooking and eating together can help build stronger relationships. Successfully planning and cooking meals with your roomies can be a win-win situation for everyone involved.

Instructions

1. Talk to your roommates and decide how many meals you plan to eat together. This might only be dinner, or it could be all meals. Figuring this out is an important element since it can affect who cooks what, when and how you will divide food costs.

2. Decide how you will divide up the cost of food. Come to an agreement about who will pay for what. Whether you want to take turns buying groceries for individual meals, or have each person buy a week's worth of groceries at a time, make that decision before heading to the store.

3. Set a budget for joint food expenditures. Stay within your budget, even if that means omitting the bag of chips or box of cookies.

4. Take turns going to the grocery store to stock up on food supplies. A good rule might be that the person paying for groceries that day or week should do the shopping.

5. Look for recipes, together and separately. Keep each other's food preferences and needs in mind when finding recipes. Also look for recipes that are relatively simple and don't involve a lot of expensive ingredients.

6. Formulate a meal plan for what meals you will have when. Everyone should contribute meal ideas to keep things diverse and everybody happy.

7. Create a cooking schedule if you want to take turns cooking meals. Take everyone's class or work schedules into consideration when deciding when each person will cook. You might decide you're better off all pitching in to cook meals together, though.

8. Make a schedule for doing dishes. Assign dish duty to individuals rather than trying to do it as a group, and commit to doing your part. That way no one gets to wriggle out of doing dishes, and no one feels like they are stuck doing all the work.

9. Reevaluate the situation after a month or so to decide whether group meal planning is working out. You may need to modify some of your policies to allow the system to work optimally for everyone.

Tags: cooking meals, doing dishes, each person, food costs, meals with your, take turns

The Best Online Universities In Canada

An online degree can be a great option for a full-time worker.

High school graduates and working professionals alike seek out online universities to earn a college degree on their own time. In Canada, several online colleges offer a great education for students looking for a convenient way to earn a bachelor's or master's degree on their own time. Potential students can often transfer previous credits from other universities to decrease the time and money needed to complete their online degree.

Athabasca University

Athabasca University offers extensive undergraduate and graduate degree programs. This online university offers programs in health, business, art, information systems and management, among other areas. Certificates are also available in several subjects, including French language proficiency, marketing, advanced accounting and public administration. Though the majority of courses at AU are completed through independent study, several classes are offered as group study courses as well. Nearly 200 financial aid options are available for students.

Athabasca University

1 University Drive

Athabasca, AB T9S 3A3

800-788-9041

athabascau.ca

Thompson Rivers University

In addition to a physical campus in Kamloops, Thompson Rivers University (TRU) offers a wide range of online degree programs. Bachelor's degrees in education, tourism, technology, business and art are all online from TRU. Adults can also complete their secondary school diploma online or earn an associate's degree or certificate. Thompson Rivers collaborates with other Canadian universities to help students transfer their credits from other institutions. TRU also offers a program called PLAR (Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition), which counts certain professional and life experiences as academic credits. To receive PLAR credits, students can put together a portfolio or complete an equivalency exam.

Thompson Rivers University

900 McGill Rd.

Kamloops, BC V2C 5N3

250-828-5000

tru.ca

Meritus University

Meritus University offers an online degree program suited to a working professional's lifestyle. Graduate and undergraduate courses are all completed online and can begin at any time. Students typically take only one or two courses at a time to fit their busy schedule; undergraduate courses run for ten weeks, while graduate courses are six weeks long. A low student-faculty ratio offers the personal attention students might otherwise miss at an online university. Meritus University offers bachelor's and master's degree programs in two main areas: business and information technology.

Meritus University

30 Knowledge Park Dr.

Fredericton, NB E3C 2R2

800-856-3940

meritusu.ca

Tags: Meritus University, online degree, Thompson Rivers, Athabasca University, degree programs

Befriend A Horse

Spend time with your horse making friends, not demands.

There is a quiet revolution taking place in the equestrian world. According to horse expert Michael Bevilacqua, author of the book "Beyond the Dream Horse", people around the globe are learning about the damaging long-term effects that riding has on horses, both physically and psychologically, and giving up riding. What, then, do you do with a horse, if not ride it? Befriend your horse and discover the magical bond that occurs when you give up making demands of your horse, and make friends with your equine companion instead.

Instructions

Time Together Doing Nothing

1. Friends spend time together doing nothing, except being together.

Spend time with your horse doing absolutely nothing. Your horse should be free, with no tack, so she can come and go at will. If you are nervous about being around your horse without restraints, do what you can, even if you stay outside the fence while your horse grazes. Let your horse initiate the friendship and come over to you. Be patient, this could take a few minutes or a few hours over a period of days or weeks. Taking this time is important if you want to be a true friend to your horse. You may sit in a chair and read either to yourself or aloud. Your horse will be curious and eventually come over to investigate. If that happens, say hello to your horse and stroke her. When you're ready to leave, drop a treat on the ground and call your horse over. Feeding treats by hand can sometimes make the horse nippy and want to be with you for the treat. Let your horse discover what a smart friend you are by simply showing her where the treat may be found.

2. Your horse enjoys gentle rubs and scratches so be generous with both.

Wait for your horse to come to you. When she does, stroke your horse's neck gently, while talking to her. Tell your horse how happy you are to spend time with her. Spend 10 or 15 minutes or more stroking your horse and gently scratching her. Find your horse's favorite spot to be scratched -- she will let you know by curling up her lip or stretching her neck out -- and focus on that spot. When you are done and walk away, your horse may follow you, still wanting to be with you. This is a good sign that your friendship is well underway. Leave a treat on the ground and thank your horse for spending time with you.

3. A walk with your horse is a great way to build your relationship.

Discover what activities both of you will enjoy doing together. Taking a walk with your horse is a wonderful way to build your friendship. Use a flat halter, since rope halters can be painful for horses on the spots where the knots create pressure. Take turns deciding where to go. Sometimes your horse will want to graze on a particular patch of grass or maybe even smell a flower. Let her. Then you decide where to go. In a human friendship, each person takes turns deciding where to go or what to do. It's the same when you are building a friendship with your horse.

Tags: your horse, your horse, with your, your horse, with your horse, time with

Colleges In Maryland That Offer Law Degrees

These are a lawyer's tools of the trade.

Maryland has only two law schools accredited by the American Bar Association, but one of them is among the oldest in the nation. Because there are only two law schools Maryland, many students turn to surrounding states to earn their law degrees after completing their undergraduate education. Particularly popular are law schools in Virginia, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C.

University of Maryland School of Law

The University of Maryland School of Law was established in 1816, making it the third oldest law school in the United States. Located in Baltimore, it is one of the top-ranked law schools in the United States, according to Top-Law-Schools.com, which notes the school is especially strong in healthcare law and environmental policy. It also specializes in international law, intellectual property law, business law and advocacy. Almost 97 percent of law school graduates have found jobs 9 months after graduation. The average starting salary for the new lawyers is $82,600. Besides offering day classes for full-time students, the law school also offers evening classes for part-time students. Approximately 850 students attend law school.

University of Maryland School of Law

500 W. Baltimore St.

Baltimore, MD 21201-1786

410-706-7214

law.umaryland.edu/index.html

University of Baltimore School of Law

The University of Baltimore School of Law is the biggest law school in Maryland with approximately 1,000 students. It was founded in 1925, with 38 members of its first graduating class in 1928. For four decades, classes were only offered in the evenings to part-time students with the law school started day classes for full-time students in 1969. Areas of concentration include criminal practice, real estate law, family law, international law and business law.

University of Baltimore School of Law

1415 Maryland Avenue

Baltimore, MD 21201-5779

410-837-4468

law.ubalt.edu/index.cfm

Georgetown University School of Law

Georgetown University School of Law is located just a hop, skip and a jump away for Maryland residents who want to be lawyers. Located at the foot of Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., the school is a magnet for students interested in government. It is one of the nation's top law schools, coming in 14th for 10 years in U.S. News & World Report's annual list of top law schools. Georgetown began offering law classes in 1870, and was the first law school in the United States established by the Jesuits. Famous alums include Philip A. Hart, a U.S. senator referred to as the "Conscience of the Senate," and Edward Bennett Williams, a famous trial lawyer.

Georgetown University School of Law

600 New Jersey Ave N.W.

Washington, DC 20001

202-662-9000

law.georgetown.edu/

Tags: Baltimore School, Georgetown University, Georgetown University School, Maryland School, United States

Satisfy Nursing School Prerequisites

Nurses are in high demand across the United States.

Nursing school admission is often competitive. Thus, you should aim to earn As, or at least Bs, on all all nursing school prerequisites. Contact the nursing school you plan to attend to request detailed information about nursing prerequisites and other admission requirements. Upon completing a nursing program, you must apply for a nursing license from your state licensing board before beginning your career.

Instructions

1. Complete a high school diploma or GED. If you know while you are still in high school that you want to be a nurse, take extra health and biology classes to prepare you for college coursework.

2. Enroll in a junior college, community college or university to begin taking nursing prerequisite coursework. Prerequisites includes such courses as human anatomy, human physiology, biology, microbiology, chemistry, behavioral sciences, nutrition, statistics and English composition. Other core courses required of any student, regardless of major, will include history, algebra and literature courses.

3. Plan your coursework in advance. Typically, it will take you about two years or four college semesters to complete all nursing prerequisites. Decide which courses to take each semester and write down your plan.

4. Monitor your grades closely. Nursing schools have GPA guidelines and will not accept students who do not meet them. Minimum GPA guidelines vary by school, but usually fall somewhere between 2.5 and 3.0.

5. Meet with your college advisor each semester to ensure that you are making acceptable progress towards meeting nursing prerequisites. Adjust your coursework plan as needed.

Tags: nursing prerequisites, each semester, high school, nursing school, your coursework

Write A Personal Statement Of Admission For A Ph D

A personal statement is an opportunity to sell yourself.

For many universities, a personal statement is a compulsory part of the Ph.D. admission process. The statement is your opportunity to demonstrate your interest in the chosen subject, your reasons for applying, your background and relevant experience. Because the personal statement is one of the deciding factors in your admission, it's worth the time and effort you'll spend getting it right.

Instructions

1. Check the university's personal statement guidelines. For some courses, the personal statement will consist of answering a series of specific questions; other courses leave the content of the personal statement up to you. You should also check for a word count and to whom you should address your personal statement.

2. Brainstorm your reasons for applying. Decide why you want to earn a Ph.D. and link this to your wider career goals. Also decide why you want to study at this particular university. Make a list of reasons, such as specific facilities, published research and notable professors.

3. Include your educational achievements. This can include details of any scholarships or awards that you have won as well as high test scores or published work.

4. List your relevant experience in the field. This can be practical experience, such as a work placement or volunteering, and academic experience, such as undergraduate study or extracurricular classes. Explain how this experience has fostered your interest and knowledge in the field.

5. List personal qualities that make you a suitable Ph.D. candidate. Postgraduate study requires different skills from undergraduate study, such as the ability to work unsupervised and to conduct independent research. You will need to demonstrate that you have these skills. Include any other relevant personal characteristics, such as strong communication and analytical skills.

6. Draft your personal statement. Include supporting examples and adhere to the word limit. It may help to have someone read the draft and give you feedback on its strengths and weaknesses.

7. Write the final draft. Type it on a word processor and proofread the personal statement carefully. Check for any spelling and grammatical errors before sending it off.

Tags: personal statement, personal statement, experience such, reasons applying, relevant experience, that have

Types Of Paralegal Jobs

As corporations and law firms are getting rid of highly paid attorneys, the demand for paralegals is growing. Requirements for an entry-level job as a paralegal are usually an associate degree or certification in paralegal studies.

Corporate

Corporate paralegals will often assist attorneys with drafting contracts, agreements or other legal documents. They also help keep attorneys informed about recent regulations affecting the client's business.

Probate

Probate paralegals interview clients, assist in drafting of wills or perform other duties related to estate planning. They can sometimes also work with probate courts.

Litigation

The main duty of a litigation paralegal is to conduct research on client cases or laws affecting cases. Litigation paralegals can also analyze evidence to be used at trial, prepare reports or maintain files.

Real Estate

Real estate paralegals assist attorneys in drafting and preparation of leases, deeds or other real estate contracts, and deal directly with the legal aspects of real estate sales and financing.

Employment

An employment paralegal may be employed by a company, union or other labor organization. Typical job duties include assisting with creation and implementation of union or labor contracts or dealing with complaints from employees or union members.

Tags: assist attorneys, real estate

What Is Paralegal Studies

Paralegal studies prepare students to work for law firms as researchers and interviewers and to assist attorneys in different capacities. While there are no mandated designations required to work as a paralegal, training is required by most employers. Paralegals may study for a paralegal certificate or attend school to obtain a paralegal associate or bachelor's degree.

Certification

All studies prepare students to take the Certified Legal Assistant exam or the Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam, recognized nationally as the benchmarks for paralegal qualifications.

Courses

Courses of study in paralegal programs include a basic introduction to the law, as well as training in tort, criminal and employment law.

Skills

Skills that paralegals focus on are legal research skills and writing legal briefs. Paralegals learn present documents in the required formats and interview clients.

Interns

Most paralegal studies programs include an internship with a law firm or court. Online paralegal programs typically partner with local organizations to provide the on-the-job training.

Continuing Education

Paralegals continue with seminars and courses to advance their skills in areas such as elder law, foreclosure and debt law and dispute resolution.

Tags: paralegal programs, prepare students, programs include, studies prepare, studies prepare students, study paralegal

Post Pictures To Discussion Boards Using Html

When participating in Internet discussion boards, you may find that you want to post pictures from time to time. Either you will want to show your online friends what you look like, share pictures of your latest project or vacation, or some other experience. Some Internet discussion boards will allow you to host the picture with them. In other words, there will be a button on the Add Post page to upload a picture from your computer, and the discussion board will house the file on the Internet so you can display it in your post. However, many boards do not have the bandwidth for this and require you to host the picture on another site and point to the picture using HTML. Once you put the correct code in your post, your picture will display.

Instructions

1. Obtain a hosting service to store your picture file on the Internet. If you have a website, you can usually host pictures on it. If not, sign up with a picture hosting service, such as Photobucket. Photobucket is free, user-friendly and provdes a lot of storage for your pictures.

2. Save your picture file as a "jpg." This is the most commonly-accepted picture file format.

3. Upload the picture to your website or the hosting service. This process varies from site to site, but there is usually a clear link or button to upload images.

4. Obtain the URL for the picture. You can get this by right-clicking on the picture and clicking on Properties. The URL will be listed. On hosting sites like Photobucket, the URL will often be given with the picture. Photobucket gives the HTML code along with the URL that you can copy and paste directly into the post on the discussion board.

5. Open a new post on the discussion board. If your hosting service gave you the HTML code with the URL, simply paste that into the post and that is all you need to do. If not, type [ I m g ] into the new post text box with no spaces between them, then the complete picture URL, including the "http://," and then [ / I m g ] with no spaces.

6. Finish your post and submit it. Your picture should appear. If a red "x" or something similar shows up instead, make sure there are no spaces in the coding or picture URL and that you have the complete, correct URL.

Tags: hosting service, discussion board, into post, picture file, your post

The Average Salary Of Fashion Marketing

Only a handful of workers are employed as marketers in the fashion design industry.

Thousands of companies design and manufacture clothing. Establishing a strong brand in the fashion industry can mean the difference between selling a handful of pieces or selling thousands. Marketing managers in the fashion industry work to raise awareness of their companies' clothes and create demand for them while also making retailers knowledgeable about their lines to help spur sales.

Average Salary

Because of the importance of marketing strategies in any corporation, marketing managers typically receive large salaries, and the apparel industry is no exception. Marketing managers earn a median annual salary of $92,520 annually as of May 2009, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Half of all members of marketing staff employed in the apparel manufacturing industry earn salaries between $66,390 and $132,950. The top-earning 10 percent in the industry receive salaries higher than those tracked by the BLS, and are at least $166,400 or more.

Comparison to All Marketing Managers

While marketing personnel who work for the apparel industry earn high salaries, they're lower than those in similar roles in other industries. Nationwide, marketing managers earn a median annual salary of $110,310 as of May 2009, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That salary is 19 percent higher than wages typical for a marketer employed in the apparel manufacturing industry. Marketing agents who work for financial firms, the industry with the highest salary, earn median wages of $153,150, or 166 percent higher than the salaries in the apparel manufacturing industry.

Education

Many colleges offer fashion marketing programs to prepare students for entry into the apparel marketing world. These bachelor's degrees introduce students to marketing concepts such as brand management, market research, advertising buying and development cycles, coupling them with industry-specific skills such as industry-based marketing, recognizing fashion trends and visual marketing, according to Education Portal.

Job Outlook

Competition for marketing manager jobs in the apparel industry is fierce. Nationwide, only 280 people are employed in the industry as marketing managers as of May 2009, according to the Bureau of Labor Standards. Because of this, many graduates from fashion marketing programs find employment in different segments of the industry, becoming a merchandiser for a company, a store manager or a personal stylist. Additionally, many graduates may work with boutique marketing firms that specialize in apparel manufacturing and work on a contract basis for several clients.

Tags: apparel manufacturing, 2009 according, 2009 according Bureau, according Bureau, according Bureau Labor, apparel industry, apparel manufacturing industry

What Is Kindermusik

Boiled down to the essentials, kindermusik is a weekly program of music and movement for young children. The curriculum is created with the intention of stimulating the minds of the children through a very carefully constructed combination of song, story and activity. The genesis behind kindermusik in the understanding that learning is dependent upon the synapses of the brain firing when something new is learned, which in turn opens up the potential for further learning as the brain develops.

Fundamentals

The fundamental belief behind the kindermusik theory is that music is an essential part of the learning process. Music is used as a point of departure for development of the motor skills and deeper critical learning in the early stages of childhood development.

Types

There are several types of classes involved in kindermusik. These types include Sign and Sing, Adventure Camps, Family Time, ABC Music and Me and Imagine That. Each type is geared to a specific age group. For instance, Sign and Sing is geared for kids from six months to 3-year-olds, while Imagine That is geared to kids from 3 to 5 years old.

Classwork

Kindermusik is partially structured around classwork just like other pre-school, nursery school and kindergarten. Instructors are provided, but parents are expected to be involved. Classes include singing, dancing and playing instruments.

Home Learning

Parents also have the option of purchasing classroom supplies to be used at home. The home-learning option is integral to the entire concept of kindermusik and is one of the most striking things that separate it from traditional learning. The connection between learning at home and at school gives kindermusik students an advantage missing from much of the public education system.

Theories/Speculation

Kindermusik is constructed upon the more radical educational theories of some of the most famous names in the field. The concepts behind the more famous Montessori schools are utilized, as well as those of the leading education theorist of the past half century, Jean Piaget. Each of the theorists utilized by kindermusik focuses on the cognitive connection to musical stimulation.

Skills

Kindermusik focuses on the development of many specific skills including the physicality of coordination and improving motor skills. Kindermusik also focuses on the development of more intangible social skills, however, including building self-esteem, introducing problem-solving capabilities, gaining independence and increasing family involvement.

Tags: behind kindermusik, focuses development, geared kids, geared kids from, Imagine That

Research Topics For A Research Paper

Limit the page requirement to eight pages to avoid overwhelming high school students.

The research paper is a high school and college requirement. Since format constitutes a large portion of the grade, many students become intimidated by the process and the assignment. If you make the topics for a research paper interesting, you can help counteract this apprehension on the part of students by making them more enthusiastic about the assignment.

Antagonists in Literature

One creative research assignment intertwines English with psychology. Students select an antagonist that they have read about during the school year. Present students with a list of personality disorders, such as histrionic disorder, and their main symptoms. Students will use psychological research as well as the actions and quotations from the literature to support the presence of the disorder in the character. Students should also find a literary criticism to corroborate their findings.

Autobiographical Connections

In this research assignment, students select an author they enjoyed during the course of the year. They then research the life of the author and find influences on that person's writing. Students then develop a thesis that outlines the major contributing factors and use their research as well as the literature to prove this statement. Students should use literary criticism to support the autobiographical connection.

Women in Literature

Students select female characters found in the literature covered in the class. The assignment is to analyze the female character and to link her to the social commentary of the work. For example, Portia, in Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar," is a contradiction to the Roman culture that denigrated women in terms of their value in society. Another example would be the treatment of women as possessions in the 1920s using a character such as Curley's wife from Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men." Students will have to research both history and the literature to complete the assignment.

Literary Movement

In this research assignment, students will select a literary movement or period such as romanticism, naturalism, single effect or imagism. For example, students could research Edgar Allan Poe and "Fall of the House of Usher" to illustrate the use of single effect. Students will find a piece of literature that incorporates the period or the movement. They will use characteristics found in the literature to analyze the effect of the literary element. Students could also have the option of including multiple works to expand the range of their analysis.

Tags: research assignment, Students will, assignment students, found literature, high school

Adjust Sleep Habits For School

The beginning of the school year often marks the end of many freedoms that are taken advantage of during the summer time. Adjusting your sleep habits to once again fit your school schedule may seem like a burden but will actually help you be more successful. Whether you will have to wake up earlier or go to sleep later, it is often difficult to change your sleep pattern overnight.

Instructions

1. Review and revise your schedule. Even if you have not yet acquired a concrete schedule of classes or itinerary, you should at least find out the start time of your first class. The rest of the information should be obtained as soon as possible in order to formulate adjust your schedule and sleep habits. By finding out when your class starts you will know when to wake up or when you will have some spare time (if taking college night courses).

2. Begin the sleep adjustment for your school schedule as early as possible. This will enable you to iron out any wrinkles that may occur before you actually begin school. Starting a few days early will suffice, but start earlier if you feel you will need the extra time to adjust. Set your alarm clock for when you should wake up and when you should go to bed. When the alarm sounds for sleep, end whatever action you are doing appropriately yet abruptly, as this will help you conform to your new schedule sooner.

3. Prepare responsibly. Although you may not be looking forward to the structure school forces on your life whether a student, parent or teacher, preparing responsibly will eliminate unnecessary worries. Choosing your outfit the day before, packing lunch, or even recording your favorite shows you may miss by going to sleep at a different time, are all good ways to prepare responsibly for the change school will bring. For parents who have young children, involving them as much as possible in the preparation process will be a good way to spend time with your children, as well as instruct them of expectations.

4. Tire yourself out. If your body has gotten used to going to sleep at a different time, especially if it is a later time than you will be going to sleep for school, it will be helpful to tire yourself out in order to force natural conformity. Your body will be less likely to be restless at bedtime if you are actually tired. This may be a good time to incorporate some exercise in your routine that will enable you to be worn out at bedtime.

5. Remove distractions to ensure that you get to sleep and are able to do so comfortably. These may vary from person to person, but usually inhibit you from completing your goal of going to sleep and getting on schedule. If avoiding these distractions is unlikely and they are preventing you from getting to sleep on time, taking over-the-counter sleeping aids may help to get you to sleep on time.

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