Compare Gre Prep Courses

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a test that most students who want to enroll in graduate school need to take. The test is comprised of questions that test the student's verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning and analytical writing skills. The GRE is used by colleges and universities as one of the factors of admission. One of the keys to doing well on the exam is preparation, which can involve taking prep courses.

Instructions

1. Compare the costs of the various prep courses. The cost of courses can range from $100 to several hundred dollars.

2. Examine what the prep course actually teaches. Find out whether the course emphasizes improving test-taking skills, math skills or writing skills.

3. Match what is offered in a course with your weaknesses. For example, if your graduate work will focus on math and you are weak at math, don't take a writing class, take a class that will help you improve your quantitative skills.

4. Determine how the prep course is taught. Whether there is individualized coaching or a classroom setting is a major comparison factor in prep courses. The cost of the courses typically varies depending on the amount of individual attention that students get when taking the course, with more attention costing more.

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Graduate Programs In Animal Behavior

A graduate degree in animal behavior prepares students for careers as scientific researchers and teachers.

A graduate degree in animal behavior is a science-based degree that prepares students for careers in research and teaching related to the evolution, psychology and communities of animals. Whether you spend your career researching turtles or as a zoological expert, you need a master's degree or PhD in animal behavior or animal science. The U.S. has some of the top graduate programs for animal behavior.

Bucknell University

The Master of Science in Animal Behavior from Bucknell University expands on the university's Bachelor of Animal Behavior program. The program explores the collaboration of psychology, biology and zoology, and prepares students for work with animals---whether in veterinary medicine, animal science or field research. The degree delves into behavioral neuroscience, neurobiology, behavioral evolution, learning and instinct, reproductive biology, community and sensory perception, and how they relate to animals in different environments.

Bucknell University

701 Moore Ave.

Lewisburg, PA 17837

570-577-2000

bucknell.edu

University of California-Davis

University of California in Davis offers PhD degrees through its Graduate Studies in Animal Science. The Animal Behavior Graduate Group at UC Davis is made up of faculty from different departments and colleges who research, assess and teach what they discover in the life sciences related to animal behavior. The university is close to several valuable animal science resources for students, including the California Regional Primate Research Center, the Center for Neuroscience, the John Muir Institute of the Environment and the Center for Aquatic Biology and Aquaculture. Additionally, students have access to several on-campus libraries that have the latest and most important literature in biology and animal behavior. The PhD in Animal Behavior trains students for careers in teaching and research in a number of fields related to animal science.

UC--Davis

Graduate Group Complex

310 Life Sciences

One Shields Ave

Davis, CA 95616

530-752-2981

biosci3.ucdavis.edu/GradGroups

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

The University of Nebraska in Lincoln offers graduate degrees through its Animal Science Graduate Program. One of which, the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy, can be earned in breeding and genetics, non-ruminant and ruminant nutrition, meat and poultry products and physiology. During these graduate programs, students can extend their educations and specialize in equine, beef and cattle, poultry, swine, dairy cattle, and facilitating youth programs.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

1400 R St.

Lincoln, NE 68588

402-472-7211

unl.edu

Tags: animal behavior, Bucknell University, degree animal, degree animal behavior, prepares students, students careers

Online Learning Problems

Online learning can be self-paced, meaning that courses can be stopped and picked up later, or it can be live, instructor-led classes on the Internet. Self-paced online learning allows you to learn at a time and pace that meets your needs, while instructor-led training gives you the option to ask questions. Also referred to as distance learning, online learning can help you develop job skills and knowledge from the comfort of your home. The convenience of learning at home is not without potential difficulties.

Solitude

Whereas some find online learning from home a blessing, others find the solitude of learning from home to be challenging. The lack of camaraderie of fellow classmates and interaction with an instructor can affect the desire to learn. If you are an online learner who enjoys having others in the same room, ask a friend or co-worker to join you. Switch to live, online learning in which the instructor and your fellow students can be heard through a telephone call and or you can see the instructor's screen through sharing software programs.

Motivation

Online learning requires a time commitment. You can say you will study online at a specific time each day, but you need motivation to make that happen. Reinforce your commitment to study by informing your family, roommate or your boss that you are involved in online learning. They may help cheer you on or reinforce the need to learn. Learning new skills or gaining knowledge can also help your personal life and career, giving you extra motivation to stick with it.

Interruptions

Interruptions caused by family and friends while you are involved with online learning at home need to be addressed. Speak with your family and friends to convey your need to study. If necessary, go to a room where you can close and lock the door. Close other software programs on your computer. Don't read or respond to emails, talk on the phone or watch TV while studying online.

Computer Issues

If you lose your Internet connection, you will need to reconnect to rejoin the online class and that can be frustrating.The software associated with online learning requires minimum computer capabilities, such as a certain amount of hard drive space for downloads or minimum Internet speed. You may need a DSL or cable connection. If you are participating in live, online training, you will need an Internet connection and a phone line, or VOIP (voice-over-Internet-protocol) if that is an option with your online vendor.

Instructor/Student Communication

When participating in instructor-led training online, the value of the learning experience can be affected by the instructor's ability to keep students involved and participating. It is important for students to participate. When questions are presented to the class, you need to respond. If you do not understand something that the instructor presented, ask for clarification.

Tags: online learning, family friends, from home, instructor-led training, Internet connection, learning from, learning from home

Take Advantage Of A Calculator On The Act

Use a calculator wisely during the ACT.

The ACT is a college entrance exam that was originally founded in 1959. The test consists of up to five components including reading, science, English, a writing test and mathematics. The mathematics portion of the test consists of 60 questions with an allotted 60 minutes to complete the section. The use of calculators is allowed during the mathematics portion of the ACT, although there are specific guidelines that must be followed.

Instructions

1. Locate a calculator that conforms to the ACT rules regarding use of electronic devices during the test. For instance, certain brands and models of graphing calculators, small laptops with calculators and calculators built into cellphones are prohibited.

2. Test your calculator before the test to ensure it is working. Replace the batteries and perform a few calculations.

3. Use a calculator that you are familiar with during the test. Avoid purchasing a new, complicated calculator before the test. This will keep you from having to learn the functions of the device during the exam, which will take up valuable time.

4. Scan the question to determine its difficulty before using the calculator. All of the questions on the ACT are designed to be solved without calculators. If the question is easily solved by hand, skip the calculator to save some time.

5. Pay attention while entering numbers into the calculator. Take your time to ensure that you are using the correct figures to avoid having to answer the same questions twice.

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Teach Handwriting To Adults

Teach Handwriting to Adults

Most adults can read and write fairly well, but there are some who cannot. Some learned proper handwriting in early-school days but become lax about continuing the correct form. Some people have illegible handwriting, while others use shortcuts and mix printed letters with cursive.

Whether teaching a class of adults who never learned to write, those who never learned properly, or if you are teaching handwriting to just one or two adults, the following procedure can produce positive results.

Instructions

Review

1. Ensure that all your adult students know the alphabet by sight, the sounds of the letters, and read and spell. This first basic step is crucial to learning write: If they don't know the basics, writing words will be meaningless.

2. Teaching handwriting to adults should begin with the basics of letter formation. Making vertical lines, top to bottom, and writing circular letters in a clockwise fashion are key components to making handwriting flow.

3. Repeat, repeat repeat. Repetition is key -- just as it is for children in kindergarten. Have your students practice writing capital letters and lower-case letters over and over, printing them on traditional lined paper. Have your adult students print block-type letters until it is they have it mastered.

4. Teach your adult students form cursive letters. This will take much more practice, because while cursive letters flow, they connect in different ways.

5. Have your students practice writing words using cursive. Have them practice staying in the lines and using proper technique. At this point, a longer writing assignment can be beneficial, such as copying a paragraph or half a page from a book.

Tags: adult students, Have your, your adult, your adult students, your students practice, cursive letters

Create A Word Search Puzzle For Elementary Students

Reinforce the week's spelling or vocabulary words with simple word search puzzles that make studying as fun as it is effective. Use these tips to create your word lists to suit the theme that your students are studying and customize the puzzles to match their ability levels.

Instructions

1. Determine a theme for your word search puzzle. Choose words from the story your class is reading, that come from your weekly spelling list or that pertain to a current class project or upcoming holiday.

2. Input the words into a website template that will generate a puzzle for you. Note that it won't include words that are two letters long and will probably cut off any contractions at the apostrophe. (See Resources)

3. Limit the size of the word search grid to make the puzzle easier for younger students. Choose the option that prevents words from overlapping to make them even easier to find. Give students the hint that words will appear horizontally, vertically, diagonally and even backwards.

4. Include the puzzle as part of the students' weekly homework packet or use it to practice words in class. Ask the kids to complete it during quiet time, work on it when they've finished a test early or first thing in the morning while you're taking roll.

5. Turn it into a group activity by printing the puzzle on a transparency and placing it on an overhead projector. Spell a word and award a point to the first table that spots it. Calculate the points once the class has completed the puzzle and let the winning table go to recess first or win small prizes.

Tags: word search, words from, your word

How Much Does It Cost To Go To School To Be An Anesthesiologist

Anesthesiology is among the most lucrative fields in medicine, with anesthesiologists typically earning an average salary well over six figures. The cost of earning the degrees necessary to become an anesthesiologist all but makes this salary mandatory. Many doctors emerge from the several degree programs needed to become an anesthesiologist with an amount of education debt that looks more like a home loan than a college experience.

Undergraduate Degree Costs

All anesthesiologists are required to complete a four-year degree from an accredited university or college in the United States. The degree program chosen by the student generally takes four years to complete and usually involves a science-focused major like chemistry or biology. The cost of attaining an undergraduate degree varies by institution. Yearly tuition for some state colleges can be as low as $5,000 while private institutions can have yearly tuition costs in the $50,000 range, as of 2010.

Admissions Tests

After successful completion of your undergraduate degree program your next step is to head off to medical school. Before that can happen you are required to take the Medical College Admission Test more commonly referred to as the MCAT. Your score on this exam can determine which tier of medical school you'll be able to get into --- if you'll be able to get in at all. As of December 2010, the cost to register for this exam is $210.

Medical School

Medical school is perhaps the most costly portion of your education journey to becoming an anesthesiologist. The process of earning your doctor of medicine degree takes about four years to complete. According to the website for the American Medical Association, the average cost of all four years of medical school for the graduating class of 2009 was $156,456. This cost can vary depending on the tier of medical school you attend. For example, the cost of attending Harvard Medical School is higher than the cost of attending the University of Pittsburgh's Medical School.

Residency Program and Specific Training

After graduating from medical school you are required to enter an accredited medical residency program taught through a medical school attached to a hospital or other medical facility. There, you learn the specifics of anesthesiology through direct contact with patients and through interning with established anesthesiologists. This experience is as much a job as it is an educational opportunity since residents are expected to work long hours at the hospital and do not earn the high salaries of attending physicians. The average tuition of a residency program varies by institution but is on par with the cost of medical school. An anesthesiologist can expect to emerge from this four-year program with at least $100,000 in education debt.

Tags: four years, become anesthesiologist, cost attending, degree program, education debt, emerge from, four years complete

What Is A Differential Tuition Fee

Differential tuition sometimes applies only to certain majors like technology or music.

When students look for a college, a primary concern is the current rate of tuition. Students sometimes are not aware that colleges legally can charge different fees to different students. To get an accurate picture of costs, students have to ask whether they'll have any differential tuition charges to their accounts.

Definition

A differential tuition fee is a fee a college charges that is above and beyond the regular or base tuition rate. For example, if the college usually charges $200 per credit hour but charges some students $250 per credit hour, the differential tuition fee would be $50. People sometimes refer to differential tuition as supplemental tuition or a tuition surcharge.

Use

Colleges use differential tuition fees to cover the cost of particular initiatives the college may have. Initiatives can be anything from campus beautification to graduate research. Differential tuition thus relates directly to what the university feels is most necessary to support at a given time, meaning that differential tuition fees are not always static and are subject to the value systems of the community in which the college operates.

Amount

Differential tuition fee amounts are not standard. They can be as low as just a few dollars or several hundred dollars per student, depending on the cost of the initiative. The number of students at a college also impacts what students pay in differential tuition. For example, suppose a small college had 5,000 students to which the initiative could apply and an initiative that cost $1 million per semester. Assuming 12 credits per student or 60,000 credits total, the college would have to charge a little under $17 per credit hour as a differential tuition charge in order to cover the initiative. If the school had 10,000 students to which the initiative applied, however, then the cost could be divided among 120,000 credits, and each student would pay a little over $8 per credit hour in differential tuition per semester.

Pros and Cons

The primary benefit of differential tuition is that colleges can support projects and activities that otherwise would not be possible given the college's budget. The college also can advertise each initiative as a positive change initiation to attract new students. However, if differential tuition fees rise too high, colleges may turn students off from applying, particularly in tough economic times or when students are paying most or all of their tuition out of pocket. Differential tuition also creates more complicated student accounts, and the college has to provide clear explanations of the purpose of the charges.

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Full Scholarships For Black Females

Black females obtain the majority of scholarships for African Americans.

Black females are having an increasingly large impact on the educated workforce. The U.S. Department of Education reported in 2008 that the number of black people receiving degrees increased 73 percent between 1998 and 2008, and over 66 percent of these degrees were awarded to females. Black females looking for scholarships to help pay for their college tuition can apply to several nonprofit organizations.

Ron Brown

The Ron Brown Scholarship program was founded in 1996 with the intent of making college possible for talented African Americans. It gives awards of up to $40,000 ($10,000 per year for up to four years) to high school seniors pursuing careers in the arts, sciences, public service and business. Each year about half of its scholars are women. In addition to scholarships for academic merit, it also has a L.E.A.D. (Leadership Education and Development) program, which is geared toward students with an interest in community organizing.

Ronald McDonald House

The Ronald McDonald House is a nonprofit organization that has provided over $40 million in scholarships since 1985, as of June 2011. It partners with the African-American Future Achievers program to award merit-based scholarships to high school seniors with at least one parent of African-American or Black Caribbean heritage. Students must have a minimum GPA of 2.7, be under 21 years old and attach an essay about their heritage with their applications. Grant amounts are a minimum of $1,000.

UNCF

The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) works with 38 colleges in the southeastern part of the country to administer over 400 scholarship programs that make awards to over 60,000 African-American students every year. Its Merck Science Initiative scholarship for undergraduates gives awards up to $25,000 to college juniors with an engineering major and a minimum GPA of 3.3. The Merck Initiative also has a fellowship for graduate students that gives award amounts of up to $53,500, as of June 2011, for students currently enrolled in a Ph.D. program in the fields of biology, chemistry or engineering.

AAUW

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) aims to make college affordable for females and focuses its scholarships on minorities and people with disabilities. It first began in 1882, and its network comprises over 100,000 members and 500 universities as of June 2011. Its Community Action Grant awarded $250,000 to 33 recipients in 2010. The grant does not have a predetermined GPA criterion, but instead uses a subjective evaluation process that focuses on individuals who start community outreach programs targeting at-risk women. For example, one award in 2010 was used to fund a financial literacy program for formerly incarcerated women who are now pursuing college degrees.

Tags: Black females, June 2011, African Americans, gives awards, high school, high school seniors, McDonald House

Cite Internet Sources Using Apa Format

When citing an Internet source, include the URL.

In response to the increasing use of online research for academic papers, the latest edition of the APA publication manual (supplemented by the American Psychological Association's website) presents updated instructions for citing any Internet sources, ranging from websites to e-books to Twitter. With these changes and clarifications, the entire Internet is now at your disposal for easy reference and accurate citation.

Instructions

For In-Text (Parenthetical) Citations

1. Cite the source's author, which can be either a person (e.g., A. Smith or P. Brown), a username (e.g., APA_style or seriouswanderer), or a publishing organization (e.g., American Psychological Association or U.S. Department of Health and Human Services).

2. Write the source's date of publication. Sometimes, this is readily apparent; if it is less obvious, then search the webpage to find when it was last updated or copyrighted. Use the most recent date. For most sources, only cite the year. If it is an article in an online magazine, however, then also cite the month; if it is an article in an online newspaper, then cite the year, month, and day.

3. Cite the page or paragraph number of the information you are referencing, if you're discussing something specific in the source (rather than mentioning the work in its entirety) or if you are quoting. If the resource has page numbers (such as in a PDF or in some longer articles), then use page number(s); if the source does not have page numbers, which is the case for many online resources, then you can use paragraph number(s).

4. Place this in-text citation--containing the author, year of publication, and page or paragraph number(s)--at the end of the relevant sentence, before the period. For example, (Smith, 2010, p. 7).

For the Reference List

5. Cite the author--which, as mentioned above, could be a person, organization, or screenname. If it is a person's full name, then cite the author's last name first, followed by a comma; then the initial of the author's first name, followed by a period. Even if the author is an organization or a screenname, place a period at the end of the name.

6. Write the date of publication, in parentheses. After the ending parenthesis, insert a period.

7. Cite the title of the source. Only capitalize the first word, any word immediately after a colon and any proper nouns. In most cases, you should italicize the title. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule: Do not italicize the title if the source is an article in an online magazine or journal, an article in a series, a post or status on a social networking site, a blog post or a post in a forum. Place a period at the end of the title.

8. Write the name of the magazine or journal, italicized, if the source is an article in that type of medium. Also cite the volume and issue numbers of the periodical, if available. If the source is an article in a series or an e-book, then write the name of the series or the e-book, italicized.

9. Include a retrieval statement. First, write "Retrieved," and then note the exact date (month, day, and year). Second--in the same sentence--write the word "from," and then state the title or publisher of the website, if it is relevant. (For example, "Retrieved from eHow website" or "Retrieved from Department of the Treasury website.") If the website publisher is not related to the direct source you are citing but rather is merely a content host, then simply say "from." Third, write a colon, add one space, and then paste the URL. Do not add a period at the end of the URL.

Special Types of Sources

10. Encyclopedias and dictionaries are now easily accessible online (for example, Wikipedia).

Write the title of the entry (not italicized) in place of the author, if your source is an article in an online dictionary or encyclopedia, such as Wikipedia. After writing the publication date (or "n.d." if there is no publication date, which is often the case for these sources), then write "In," and then (in italics) write the title of the dictionary or encyclopedia. Next, write the retrieval statement, without mentioning the publisher or website.

11. In APA style, tweets are simply called "Twitter updates."

Write the year, month, and day for the publication date when you are citing a tweet (a Twitter update). The author is the Twitter user's screenname. Copy the entire message (or tweet) as the title of the source. At the end of the title, before the period, write "Twitter update" in brackets. Don't mention either the date of access or the publisher in the retrieval statement.

12. Facebook statuses can be shortened in a citation.

Title a Facebook status or post by simply copying what the user wrote; if the message is long, then you can use a shortened version. At the end of the title, in brackets, write "[Facebook update]." As when citing a Twitter update, don't mention either the date of access or the publisher in the retrieval statement.

13. Private online messages are considered personal communication.

Cite a private message sent online (whether an email, a Facebook message, a Twitter direct message, or a message sent through a forum) as personal communication: E.g., (B. Jones, personal communication, May 7, 2010). This also applies to Facebook posts or profiles that are private rather than open to the public.

Tags: article online, retrieval statement, source article, paragraph number, personal communication

Train To Be A Beautician In West Virginia

While West Virginia may not be as fast paced as New York or California, don’t underestimate it. If you want to pursue a career as a beautician, you can do it even in this rural state. There is no need to rush off to the big city. From beauty schools to hair salons, everything you need to become a beautician in West Virginia.

Instructions

1. Go to beauty school. There are approximately nine schools in West Virginia that have cosmetology programs. Two of the bigger schools are Carver Career Center which is located in Charleston and Huntington School of Beauty Culture which is located in Huntington.

2. Find a mentor. Find a mentor who will help you learn more about how the beauty business works. In addition, it will give you an opportunity to learn some extra skills. In order to maximize your experience with a mentor, choose an individual who works near where you live or go to school. If you’re going to school in Charleston, try to choose a mentor that works in that area.

3. Practice your skills. Ask friends and family members if they will allow you to cut and color their hair or give them facials. You can either choose to charge them a minimal fee for your service or you can do the service free and make them purchase the products. It’s important to understand that this essential step will not make you rich quick. The whole point is to perfect your skills.

4. Get a part-time job at a salon. Since you may need some extra cash get a part time job at a local salon. There are salons all over West Virginia, even in the very rural areas. Whether it’s a job as a receptionist or a shampooer, take the opportunity. Not only will you make a few bucks but you’ll also get to watch other stylists and learn some of their strategies.

5. Learn everything you can. Whether it’s learning what products to mix to get a certain color highlight or wax eyebrows, take the time to learn everything you can. The more you learn, the more versatile you will be as a beautician and ultimately versatility translates into more money for you. Good luck.

Tags: West Virginia, Find mentor, learn more, learn some, some extra

Financial Aid Training Courses

Financial aid professionals can obtain training through the Federal Student Aid program. The Training for Financial Aid Professionals, or TFAP, website (ed.gov/offices/OSFAP/training/index.html), provides various training courses in different formats. Some courses are geared towards new professionals or those who want to take refresher courses, while other courses are geared toward specific subjects within the financial aid profession.

Web-Based Training Modules

Two of the courses available for new professionals are available as self-paced Web training modules. These courses cover administer Federal Student Aid programs in schools in the United States as well as in foreign schools. Both courses are completed individually. Four specialized courses for more advanced professionals are available as training modules on the Internet. These courses cover complete the Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate, the R2T4 calculations involved in the return of Title IV funds and use the EDExpress software many financial aid professionals use.

Training Workshops

Training workshops are held in various locations across the country and can last from one hour to several days, depending on the information the course covers. The Fundamentals of Title IV Administration is a course for new professionals and is held for four and one half days. This course is required for professionals who want to become certified in financial aid. Several courses are available in specialized areas. The regulatory update workshops last for two days and cover updates in financial aid regulations. Two one-hour workshops cover Pell Grant calculations and NSLDS loan calculations.

Webinar Recorded Sessions

Most of the specialized courses TFAP offers are recorded webinar training sessions. These sessions can last for up to 70 minutes and some have PowerPoint presentations or other materials that users can download. Topics covered include default prevention, the Direct Loan Program, the Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate and loan disclosure requirements.

Downloadable Training Software

One set of courses is available as downloadable software. These courses cover the Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) system. The course teaches financial aid professionals use each area of the COD system and includes simulation of key processes. System requirements include the Windows 98 operating system or higher and the driver for Microsoft Access 2000.

Tags: courses available, courses cover, These courses, These courses cover, Application Participate, courses geared

Get Hired At The Cia

In addition to agents, the CIA also hires nurses, IT specialists and translators.

Working for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has often been a dream of many young boys and girls, especially when they see agents portrayed in movies and television shows. The CIA is a very real agency, created in 1947 by Harry S. Truman. Today, the agency chiefly provides security intelligence to United States policymakers. It is a long and complicated process, but the CIA has open positions and is accepting applications, if you think you're the right person for the job.

Instructions

Instructions

1. Take communications courses in high school and college. Positions at the CIA at the very least require a college degree. Depending on the nature of the position you apply for, foreign language skills are extremely beneficial. It might be in your best interest to be proficient in more than one foreign language. To be hired in the CIA, you must also be a U.S. citizen.

2. Apply online at the CIA's website. All of the open jobs are listed, with a description of each one. This is the only acceptable way to currently apply for a job at the CIA. You might apply for more than one position in one application, but do not send in more than one application. The process might take anywhere from two months to one year.

3. Do not use any illegal drugs 12 months prior to applying to the CIA. Any type of drug use will not be tolerated. If any type of conditional employment is offered to you, you will have to pass an extensive medical exam as part of your clearance in the acceptance process. Be prepared to pass a polygraph test, which will be used to validate the information you provide about yourself. It is also part of the security clearance process. Your life and history will be thoroughly scrutinized. If you are hired in the CIA, you will continue to adhere to these high standards, or risk losing your security clearance.

Tags: more than, foreign language, security clearance

Find Medical Residency Programs

Medical residency programs offer practical experience to medical interns so they can use the knowledge to further learn the specialties of their choice. Residency programs help train and prepare new doctors to be competent in real life.

Instructions

1. Take United States Medical Licensing Examinations (USMLE) during medical school. Once you pass the exam, collect letters of recommendation from your teachers.

2. Write different personal statements for all the specialties that you wish to apply for in residency. Update your resume and add all the practical experience you have gained at work. Include all of your published works and any research experience to make your resume stand out.

3. Register with Electronic Residency Application service (ERAS). Browse through the American Medical Association website, also known as Freida, to see a list of US residency programs in all states of the country.

4. Visit the residency program websites to read about their requirements and admission criteria. Choose from psychiatry, neurology, radiology, internal medicine, surgery and OB-GYN among many.

5. Make a list of all the program specialties that are of interest. E-mail through the Freida website to double check all information before applying in the programs when the residency season opens.

6. Apply through ERAS and regularly check the progress of your application to see whether it has been downloaded by the residency programs for consideration.

Tags: practical experience, specialties that, your resume

Choose The Best Caribbean Medical School For You

If you are interested in attending a Caribbean medical school, the task may seem overwhelming because there are so many of them. To make the best choice, you need to examine details about individual schools online and be ready to ask key questions of school administrators and school alumni.

Instructions

1. Look up school locations at ValueMD.com. The website bills itself as a comprehensive information source on all aspects of international, foreign and Caribbean medical schools. The site has links and contact information that you will need for the schools. Make sure you keep the information you find in a notebook. This helps you compare notes on the schools, and having it all in one spot can prevent confusion down the road.

2. Use your information to narrow down which schools you are most interested in. Begin calling school officials to see what they have to offer. Ask if their students are eligible to take the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination, or USMLE. (If they don't, you may not be able to practice medicine in the United States.) See if the schools offer financial aid, what states you will be able to practice in, the cost of your education, housing options, amenities available and clinical affiliations.

3. Contact both current students and alumni. Get opinions and advice from those who graduated and those who currently attend. Some schools' websites list contact information of past students. Contacting three of each at the schools you would like to apply to. Ask both alumni and current students about their level of satisfaction with the school, whether the teachers' English was easy to understand, how well they feel they were prepared to take the USMLE, conditions at the school and whether housing and transportation were satisfactory.

4. Narrow down your search to one or two schools. Research the island where it is located. Some islands are very touristy, and can be more expensive to attend, while other islands lack modern amenities. If you can handle a school that has goats roaming free on campus, and do not mind losing a few of the daily luxuries common in the United States, feel free to choose the institution on the less developed island. If you can't live without fast food, 24-hour stores and electricity (power goes out often on some islands), choose a school in St. Maarten or the Grand Caymans. You will need to know as much about the culture as you can to help ease culture shock. Knowing ahead of time prevents headaches and unnecessary stress. You can ask former and current students about this.

5. Visit the school before you attend, if you can afford it.This can help you make a better decision and even give you an idea of what to expect.

Tags: current students, able practice, contact information, current students about, school whether, students about

Guided Imagery & Healing

Guided imagery is used to aid healing for any illness or condition imaginable. The human mind can be guided with the use of visualization to aid, if not fully affect, the healing process. Advocates contend that guided imagery has healing benefits for pain management and for reversal of illness. Holistic Online claims that, although guided imagery does not always cure illness, the experience can benefit as many as ninety percent of patients who seek traditional Western medical solutions.

History

According to Holistic Online, nearly every culture has recognized the value of guided imagery in the healing process. Navajo Indians visualize themselves as healthy to aid recovery from illness. Conversely, ancient Greeks and Egyptians believed that one could become ill by visualizing illness. No less an authority than the Mayo Clinic advocates the effectiveness of guided imagery. The Mayo Clinic affirms what Aristotle and Hippocrates knew---images introduced to the brain "enliven the heart and body." The Mayo Clinic newsletter refers to research, which shows guided imagery enables patients to access the "full range of the body's healing capacity."

Function

The idea of images is not limited to what the mind can "see." Images include sounds, tastes, touch, and smell. Most people recognize the power of scent to transport oneself to a time long ago. Similarly, music is an effective memory and learning aid. Holistic Online suggests thinking about a lemon. Visualize holding the lemon. Feel its texture. Look closely at its color. Imagine the juice droplets as you slice the lemon in half. Lift one half and squeeze the fruit. See the drops of lemon explode in the air. Smell the clean bitter aroma. Now, bite into the lemon. The thought literally is mouth-watering. Such is the power of guided imagery. The same type of guidance can be given to visualize healthy white and red blood cells overcoming cancerous cells in afflicted parts of the body. Holistic Online explains that images communicate information to the body. While spoken language is linear and is an ineffective means of communication with the body, images are a biological connection with the mind-body.

Applications

The Mayo Clinic confirms the benefits of guided imagery. Guided imagery reduces the effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Guided imagery is effective for reducing preoperative anxiety. The Mayo Clinic claims studies show patients who participate in guided imagery sessions require less pain medication and are released earlier from the hospital than patients who do not participate in guided imagery. Guided imagery reduces stress and may help to reduce the frequency of migraine headaches.

Principles

Health Journeys describes the guiding principles of guided imagery. The first principle is the mind-body connection. The body interprets as real what the mind imagines. The second principle is the altered state. Guided imagery creates an altered state. The mind and body enter into deep relaxation. In this state, the body is capable of intensified healing. The third principle of guided imagery is locus of control. According to this factor, recognized in medical literature, when a person believes he is in control, he often experiences relief based on the heightened sense of control.

Tips

Health Journeys advises that guided imagery is most effective in certain controlled environments. Create a sense of permission to feel and experience without judgment. The environment must be relaxed. At the same time, be willing to "go with the flow." There are as many ways to experience guided imagery as there are people to experience it. Allow images to come from within. Images not aligned with a person's value system will jangle and have no benefit. Such images may cause harm. If guided by images you do not accept, do not allow the session to continue. Guided imagery is most effective when all of the senses are activated. According to Health Journeys, only half the population adequately visualizes. Therefore, kinesthetic (sense of touch) is the most important sense for effective guided imagery. If possible, experience guided imagery as part of a group. Altered state is contagious. Accompany guided imagery with music that resonates with the experience.

Tags: guided imagery, Mayo Clinic, guided imagery, Holistic Online, guided imagery

Get Your Transcripts From Devry University

Get Your Transcripts From DeVry University

DeVry University allows its current and former students to request a transcript of their credits for a small fee per transcript. It can take up to five business days to process your request, and your transcript will be received in the mail at the address you provide.

Instructions

1. Contact the Registrar's office by telephone. You will need to contact the location you attend.

2. Log in to the Student Services page if you are an online student. Enter your student ID and password and proceed to the FAQs page.

3. Enter "Transcript" to access a link for a transcript request form and details on where to send the request if you are an online student.

4. Download the transcript request form from Keller Graduate School of Management and complete if you prefer not to log in or call.

5. Include a credit card number if you are faxing the request. Include a check or credit card number if you are mailing the request.

6. Fax the completed transcript request form to (630) 543-6269 or mail to REGISTRAR'S OFFICE, Keller Graduate School of Management, 1221 N. Swift Rd., Addison, IL 60101.

Tags: request form, transcript request, transcript request form, Your Transcripts From, card number

Make A College Application Checklist

College application deadlines can sneak up on you while you're busy whiling away your senior year and planning your dorm room decor. Designing and maintaining a college application checklist will help ensure you are systematic about writing admissions essays, sending deposits, finishing applications and meeting deadlines.

Instructions

1. Make a columnar chart, whether you choose do it by hand or in a computer spreadsheet format. You'll need a column for your checklist, along with a column for each college to which you're applying. Title your columns appropriately. For example, column one might say "Tasks," while columns two and three say "College 1" and "College 2."

2. Brainstorm what needs to be done to complete your college applications. You will need to get high school transcript copies, begin thinking about essay topics, look into scholarships offered and find out about financial aid deadlines. You may also need to schedule SAT or ACT tests or get copies of your scores, get letters of recommendation and send application fees.

3. Create rows within your chart for each application task and plug in final topics from your brainstorming session. Label a separate row for each task. Labeled tasks include items like "Contact College for Application Requirements," "Obtain Transcript Copies," "Schedule Admissions Interview" and "Select Essay Topic."

4. Visit a website such as FastWeb.com (see Resources below). This type of site is designed to help make sense of the college experience, and you can get ideas about what to put on your application checklist and format it to make it more user-friendly.

5. Check with the admissions office at prospective colleges, or look at their websites to see if they have an existing application checklist. Consolidate the lists from each school into a master list that you can use to keep track of everything in one place.

6. Use your checklist after you've labored over making it! Checking off and dating each application task for your schools of choice will simplify your life and ensure that you don't get denied admission or financial aid due to a missed deadline or a silly oversight.

Tags: application checklist, application task, each application, each application task, your checklist

Getting Pell Grant Refunds

A Pell Grant is a type of financial aid that is awarded to low-income, college students who demonstrate financial need. Unlike a loan, this money never needs to be repaid. There are several requirements that a student must meet in order to be eligible for the Pell Grant. Usually, the information submitted on the FAFSA form determines if the student qualifies. When a student is awarded money from the Pell Grant, the money is given directly to the school and then used to pay for tuition. A Pell Grant refund is issued when the amount of the Pell Grant exceeds the student's tuition costs. The school will automatically refund the money to the student.

Instructions

1. Call the school's Bursar and Financial Aid office. Most schools automatically mail the refund to the student or apply it to the student's account. Being aware of their policy will lessen the confusion about how the money is refunded.

2. Wait for the refund at the beginning of the quarter or semester. When a student's tuition costs are lower than the amount awarded by the Pell Grant, the school will automatically pay the tuition and refund the remaining balance.

3. Drop a class before the quarter or semester starts. If tuition has already been paid and a student decides to drop the class before it starts, most schools will automatically give a full refund. Please check with your specific school for their policy.

4. Drop a class after the quarter or semester starts. As long as a student drops the class before a certain deadline, they are eligible for a partial refund. The school will determine the amount to be reimbursed and then refund the student.

Tags: Pell Grant, class before, quarter semester, school will, will automatically, quarter semester starts, refund student

The Prerequisites To Becoming An Occupational Therapist

Prepare to apply for occupational therapy school.

Before applying to an occupational therapy program, you are required to complete certain prerequisites to ensure you are qualified. This overview of preparing to apply for occupational therapy school offers expert insight from an occupational therapist.

The Facts

If you are thinking about becoming an occupational therapist, you have made a great career choice. Not only are occupational therapists, or OTs, in high demand in today's health care job market, they can work in almost any setting because of their wide range of specializations. Despite the shortage of therapists, however, getting accepted into an OT school is not easy; you have to do some legwork first.

Misconceptions

Getting into OT school requires more than a semester or two of anatomy and physiology. Because most programs in the United States are at the master's level, the first requirement is a degree, preferably in health sciences. And don't think that occupational therapy prerequisites are any easier than physical therapy; OT programs require you to take advanced sciences, psychology and even physics courses before they will consider your application. OT prerequisites are not purely academic. In addition to a passing GRE score and an impressive grade-point average, you must complete a certain number of direct therapy observation hours and provide personal references.

Significance

The purpose of having prerequisites for an occupational therapy program are twofold. One is to ensure that you have a strong foundation upon which the OT program's more advanced classes can build. The second is that you gain an understanding of what you are getting into before you begin the degree program. It's one thing to think you want to become a therapist, but it is another to decide you don't enjoy it during your first internship.

Time Frame

Because a bachelor's degree is required as a prerequisite for occupational therapy programs, a minimum of four years is required for most individuals before OT school can begin. During these four years, schools often suggest following a "pre-OT path," which outlines courses required for the OT program. Taking these courses in addition to your bachelor's degree program will increase your chance of acceptance.

Expert Insight

Other insights from an OT on completing prerequisites for occupational therapy include:

It is never too early to start your observation hours. Do as many of these as you can, in as many different types of settings as possible. A great way to get some of these hours is to take a job as a rehabilitation technician so that you can get paid at the same time.

Don't take just the basic requirements. OT programs look for applicants who go beyond the bare minimum. Take some classes that sound interesting and relate them to therapy. If in doubt, throw in a few extra psychology classes. You can never know too much psychology in this field.

Relax. Of course, you want to finish your degree as soon as possible, but if you don't get in the OT program on your first try, find out what you were missing and try again. If you really want it, you have to work for it. It will be worth it in the end.

Tags: occupational therapy, apply occupational, apply occupational therapy, bachelor degree, complete certain

Scholarships And Grants For Cosmetology Schools

Are you interested in a career that is challenging, fun and rewarding? Did you grow up changing hair color or fixing up your best friends' hair? If so, you may want to consider a career in cosmetology. This field is in huge demand, creating a shortage of well-trained, talented hair stylists. There are many scholarships and grants available.

Cosmetologists are in great demand.

American Cosmetology Eduation Grant

This grant receives its funds through the American Association of Cosmetology Schools. The grant is offered based on the interest a student has in a competitive, fast-paced career; the school the student wants to attend; the student's financial situation; and the number of slots available at the school the student selects.

Toyota International Grant

This grant is offered through Southern Westchester's Cosmetology Program. Toyota offers this grant particularly to students who have an interest in the science that goes into becoming a successful hair stylist. The student should want to acquire information about the many skin types and proper skincare through an education in biology and chemistry.

Pell Grant

Pell grants are awarded based on financial need. A student can receive up to $5,350 toward a cosmetology school. The only cosmetology schools that are eligible to accept Pell Grants are those that are accredited by the National Accreditation Commission of Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS) . Ask the school you wish to attend if it has this certification. Pell grants are awarded to undergraduate students who don't already have a bachelor's or graduate degree.

Fred Luster Sr. Education Foundation

This scholarship is awarded in $250 increments. A total of $5,000 is awarded to deserving cosmetology students each year. This scholarship has certain criteria a student must meet in order to qualify: The student must have an 85 percent or higher grade point average and have completed 300 hours of schooling. Extracurricular activities, attendance records, and any awards or competitions in which you have participated are also taken into account.

Joe Francis Haircare Scholarship Award

A cosmetology student can apply for this scholarship from January through June 1st. The award is given in September of each year. Students who apply for this scholarship will be chosen based on their potential to complete school, their financial need and their determination to pursue a long-term cosmetology career. Students will be considered if the application is received by the deadline and must have been accepted into a cosmetology school by August of the award year.

NCA Sally Beauty Scholarship

The application for this scholarship is reviewed by a committee assembled by the president of the National Cosmetology Association (NCA). Ten scholarships are awarded and the winners are notified by mail. Five scholarships are awarded to high school graduates under the age of 26 wanting to become cosmetologists. Three scholarships are awarded to current NCA members. These three must use the scholarship toward continuing education in cosmetology. The final two awards go to children or grandchildren of current members of the NCA to obtain a degree on the college level.

Tags: scholarships awarded, this scholarship, apply this, apply this scholarship, cosmetology school, current members

What Are The Benefits Of A Bachelor'S Degree In Nursing

What Are the Benefits of a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing?

According to the National League for Nursing (NLN), 60.2 percent of nurses graduating in 2007 were from Associate Degree programs (ADN). What these nurses might be missing is the extremely high pressure exerted on hospitals to hire Bachelor's Degree nurses (BSN). More hospitals than ever are striving for Magnet distinction, which is essentially an award bestowed upon hospitals that have achieved nursing excellence. RN education level is one of the factors assessed in the Magnet application process. To get Magnet status, many hospitals are not accepting applications from ADN graduates.

History

The ADN degree has been in existence in the U.S. for 51 years. It was originally created as a way to alleviate the nursing shortage created by WWII by having technical nurses (ADN) assisting professional nurses (BSN). Even today, it remains a quicker way to become an RN as evidenced by the percentages of new RN grads. A common perception has been that "the only difference between an ADN and a BSN is two more years in school." To be fair, merit could be given to that sentiment because there certainly is not a noticeable salary difference between the two. Despite practice being essentially the same for the ADN and the BSN nurse, the profession of nursing has historically continued to sanction the BSN as the standard, not the ADN.

Why BSN?

Despite the fact that salaries between ADN's and BSN's are negligible, there is an inherent difference in the two degrees. If you have a BSN in the new millennium, you have greater job security. As education level becomes an increased focus for employers in all sectors, the person armed with a higher degree will have the advantage. Additionally, many ADN nurses may find it difficult to obtain positions in hospitals, especially those in urban areas, without their BSN. With a large pool of applicants, many employers will seek those with a more impressive (BSN) resume.

Significance

A number of former graduates of ADN programs are returning to further their education and complete their BSN. It can be a difficult step for those who must work while attending classes toward a future degree, but many health care settings recognize this, often providing the educational funds and scheduling compromises required. By returning to school, these people get a stronger foothold in their profession and acquire a stronger skill set to care for patients.

Benefits

Apart from personal satisfaction at having achieved the next educational milestone, a BSN is a perfect stepping stone to career development. Many nurses are apprehensive that a BSN will take them away from bedside nursing, pushing them behind a desk. This is not true; a BSN nurse can pursue new avenues of practice. Graduates of a BSN program can branch into teaching positions, administrative roles and state and federal jobs. In the military, for example, an ADN, although an RN in civilian life, would be classified as an LPN and, therefore, enlisted personnel. On the other hand, a BSN nurse can enter the military as an RN and an officer.

Expert Insight

Every accredited nursing program has its advantages. The ADN is a short road to a limited, but quite lucrative career, in some cases. For a number of nurses, usually older ones, this might be the plateau where they are content to stop. A younger nurse, however, may find that a BSN makes sense in our education-hungry workplace. Requirements in the workplace only tend to increase over time, rarely stagnant. With governing bodies actively legislating to improve standards of care, the BSN degree is a logical goal for any nurse who sees herself in the career for the long term.

Tags: Bachelor Degree, Bachelor Degree Nursing, Benefits Bachelor, Benefits Bachelor Degree, Degree Nursing, difference between, education level

Study For A Computer Exam

Studying for your computer exam is something you do throughout the course, not just the night before the exam. Commit the exercises and labs to muscle memory--and study your notes daily--in order to breeze through your computer exam. Read on to learn more.

Instructions

1. Read your books before the course begins. You want to get familiar with terminology and exercise arrangements before the teacher talks about it the first time. Get familiar with all the steps and exercises. Load similar programs on your home computer if you can. You want to do lab exercises when you're home, to gain familiarity.

2. Do the labs. Don't rush through them, take your time. Give yourself breaks every 35 to 40 minutes. Go back and do the labs again if you have time. Study your notes when you get home. Go back and do the lab and exercises you did in the last class--this time on your home computer. Start working on the next class labs and exercises. Study your notes everyday.

3. Repeat the cycle in your next class. Do your labs and exercises more than once to get them down. If you're comfortable with the labs and exercises, volunteer to remain behind to help other students out with theirs. You want to reinforce your skills as much as possible. Give your teacher an image that you're "A student" material.

4. Continue studying your notes and doing your lab and exercises while waiting to take the next class. Go over any exercise and job sheet you're not familiar with. Do this until you could do any exercise you randomly choose--without guidance.

5. Keep doing this until two days before your exam. Save the last day for studying your notes and polishing your practical skills, depending on what your computer exam covers.

Tags: your notes, familiar with, labs exercises, next class, your computer, your computer exam, computer exam

Create A Course Evaluation Form

Course evaluations are an important tool and can tell you a lot, if designed properly. To create a good course evaluation form, be sure the questions you are asking will get the information you need. Do you want feedback on course content (what is taught), methods used to teach it, structure (organization of the course) or your personal teaching style?

Instructions

What Do You Want to Know?

1. Questions about what is being taught include:

Was the content of the course what you expected?

Was the content clear?

What did you learn that was most valuable?

Was there something you expected to learn but did not?

Did you find the content relevant?

2. Questions about methods used to teach include:

Which class activities did you find the most helpful?

Which class activities did you find the least helpful?

3. Questions about structure include:

Was the information presented in a logical way?

Did you feel the pace of the course was appropriate? If not, what was wrong?

Were you able to participate fully in the course?

Were the sessions well scheduled?

4. Questions about teaching style include:

Did the instructor present the materials clearly?

Was the instructor well-prepared?

What did the instructor do to help you learn better?

Which sessions, or part of sessions, were the most interesting? The least interesting?

Pick a Format and Design the Evaluation

5. Short-answer questions: words tell more than numbers, so questions requiring course participants to write out an answer will tell you more than questions that rate on a scale of 1-6 or 1-10. Questions that cannot be answered with yes/no answers give the most information (e.g. What did the instructor do to help you learn better?).

6. Rating questions: if you ask participants to rate elements on a numerical scale, be very clear in your instructions about what the numbers mean. Even numbers actually give better results than odd numbers, as they prevent people from just picking the middle number, or "average" answer, to every question.

7. A combined evaluation uses both types of questions and is a good way to get a lot of general information, plus some in-depth feedback.

8. Leave plenty of space for participants to write their answers. One way to ensure more complete answers is to ask them to complete a list--for example:

Which class activities did you find the most helpful?

1.

2.

3.

9. Make it anonymous. If you want honest feedback, do not ask course participants to put their names on the evaluations. Find an anonymous way to collect the evaluations; a collections box near the door is one good option.

Tags: Questions about, activities find, class activities, class activities find, Which class, Which class activities, about what

The Difference Between A Direct Stafford Loan & An Unsubsidized Stafford Loan

Stafford loans are one of the main ways that students can borrow money for college through the federal government. These loans are issued to undergraduate and graduate students to pay for qualifying college expenses. Direct and unsubsidized are two characteristics that can be used to describe some, but not all, types of Stafford loans.

Direct vs. FFEL

Starting July 1, 2010, the federal government only offers direct Stafford loans. They are called direct loans because the federal government is the lender, so they come directly from the government. Before July 1, 2010, students could also take out Stafford loans through the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) program. This program allowed private lenders to disburse Stafford loans with a government guarantee against default. Therefore, some students are still paying back FFEL Stafford loans, but all new loans are direct Stafford loans.

Government Subsidization

Some Stafford loans are subsidized by the government, whereas others are unsubsidized. Loans issued both under the FFEL program and under the Direct Loan program can be subsidized or unsubsidized. With a subsidized loan, the federal government pays for all interest that accrues on the balance while the student is in school or while the loan payments are deferred for any other reason. This prevents the loan balance from increasing while the student is not making payments and saves the student money. Only some students qualify for subsidized Stafford loans, whereas almost all students can get unsubsidized Stafford loans.

Interest Rate

Most unsubsidized and subsidized Stafford loans disbursed since July 1, 2006 have a fixed interest rate of 6.8 percent, regardless of whether they are direct loans or FFEL loans. The exception is subsidized Stafford loans disbursed to undergraduate students after July 1, 2008. The interest rate was 6 percent for loans disbursed for the 2008 to 2009 school year, 5.6 percent for the 2009 to 2010 school year, 4.5 percent for the 2010 to 2011 school year and 3.4 percent for the 2011 to 2012 school year. As of April 2011, all Stafford loans disbursed before July 1, 2006 have a variable interest rate of 2.47 percent, or 1.87 percent for loans that are deferred or in a grace period. These rates reset every June.

Bottom Line

The categories of direct and unsubsidized overlap in the case of direct unsubsidized Stafford loans, which are the most widely available type of federal student loan. Therefore, people sometimes do not use the word "unsubsidized" to describe it. However, there are major differences in the way interest is handled with direct subsidized Stafford loans and direct unsubsidized Stafford loans, so students should be sure of which they are getting. Students who qualify for direct subsidized Stafford loans should take these before taking other types of student loans.

Tags: Stafford loans, subsidized Stafford, subsidized Stafford loans, federal government, loans disbursed, school year

Definition Of Online Courses

There are more online education courses today than ever before and because of the growing number, many people have questions about what exactly the online educational experience is.

Significance

It is estimated that over 3.6 million people are enrolled or have taken some type of online courses. This number is expected to grow.

History

Online education began to grow as a field in the middle to late 1990s. By the early part of the new millennium, teachers were being hired to teach solely online courses. Currently, students can take courses all the way up to the doctorate level in all branches of education.

Types

There are two main types of online educational experiences: webcasts and synchronous courses. In the former, students watch presentations by teachers on their browser, while the latter requires students to "attend" a presentation at the same time, like a traditional course.

Considerations

Not all online courses are accredited. Those that are accredited have met with educational standards and are much less likely to be a scam than the degree mills that are unaccredited.

Effects

Online courses are best for shy students, because the participation grades that traditional colleges rely so heavily on are based on different criteria. They are also great for busy moms and working adults who must squeeze in college classes to fit their working schedule.

Tags: online courses, online educational

Income Tax Preparation Courses

Income-tax preparation courses are usually offered in the fall, and help train applicants to provide tax services to the general public. The courses are often hosted by tax-preparation-services providers who hope to bolster their employee and independent-contractor numbers before tax season begins in earnest. Not all students taking the courses will be hired. Some students provide independent tax-preparation services on an entrepreneurial basis, and others simply take the courses to gain a better understanding of the process of handling their own tax liability.

Features

There is usually a three-level approach to the basic courses and a two-level approach for those candidates who already went through the basic coursework in a prior year. The basic courses begin by teaching novices about IRS filing requirements, credits and deductions, and determining the proper filing status of a client. The second level goes into detail about expenses and miscellaneous incomes, and also identify the right forms to use when preparing a tax return. The third level explains depreciation and its associated intricacies. The two-level program offered to graduates of the basic-level courses deals with changes in tax laws, business taxes and financial planning for the coming tax year.

Geography

Income-tax preparation courses are regulated on a state-by-state basis. If you hope to use this education in starting a new career, find out which courses in your state are in harmony with the state's licensing requirements. One example of a regulating agency is the California Tax Education Council, which sets the standards for tax preparers and courses operating in California.

Types

Students in an income-tax preparation course may choose one of three options for going through the classes.

The first option involves traveling to the tax school that offers the courses. This format provides a learning experience in a traditional classroom setting.

The second option allows for a largely self-paced study format at a tax-preparation center. An instructor and other students are present, but by and large, each student works on computerized simulations and goes through the modules at his own pace. This is a great option for people who like the independence of doing things their own way but still need some accountability.

The third option is an online course. It is convenient and includes all of the information the other courses present. If you do not need the accountability and encouragement that come from a classroom setting, this is an expedient way of taking in all the information.

Considerations

Some income tax preparation courses are offered free of charge. The only associated costs are books, materials and lab fees. Other courses charge a flat fee that includes the books, but also access to the instructor and email help after graduation. Depending on your comfort level and your ability to pay, it is a good idea to shop around and enroll in the course that not only offers the training you are looking for, but also the post-graduation assistance you think you might need.

Prevention/Solution

Remember that a tax preparer can be held liable for mistakes made on a client's tax returns. It is not enough to graduate from a state-approved income tax preparation course; you must also invest in an insurance bond to minimize any personal liability.

Tags: basic courses, classroom setting, income preparation, Income-tax preparation courses, preparation course

Pros Of Traditional Education

Attending a school with your peers has numerous benefits.

Different methods of education include traditional, school-based learning, home schooling and online education. While every method of education has its own unique set of strengths, traditional education has numerous benefits including the social lessons that students learn, the structure of the school day, the ability to work in groups and the opportunity to explore new extracurricular activities. While traditional education may occasionally have its detractors, there is little doubt of its benefits.

Socialization

An important benefit of traditional education is the learning that takes place outside the classroom. In the traditional school system, students are exposed to a variety of situations that they will encounter throughout their lives. This list includes bullying, peer pressure, cliques and self-esteem. Students are also exposed to others their age, including kids of different races, religions and sexual orientations. Learning deal with the different situations that present themselves in school will help youth prepare for these same situations later in life.

Structure

The traditional education system is built on structure. When students are given a rigid structure that they must follow, it teaches them crucial lessons about self-control, motivation and procrastination. Taking courses at home or online may be less rigid. If a student is tired, for example, he may be able to convince his parent to postpone the day's lesson in favor or resting, or if he does not complete his assignment on time, he may be able to convince his parent to give him an extension. Traditional schools are not as flexible, and neither is the world beyond the doors of the classroom. Learning these lessons early in life can lead to being able to manage a rigid work schedule upon graduation.

Group Learning

Many assignments in traditional education are expected to be completed in groups. While this style of learning may pose a challenge, it will also help teach students some intangible lessons that cannot be learned while working alone in a home school setting. These lessons include dividing work, working under a leader and being a leader. Each of these skills is transferable to the work world, as many work-related projects are undertaken as a group. Group learning also helps students learn from one another.

Extracurricular Activities

The traditional school setting exposes students to a variety of extracurricular activities that can shape who they are and who they wish to become. In home schooling, this is not possible. From elementary school through post-secondary education, students take part in school sports, drama, music, clubs and a variety of other programs that may help students discover their passion. A passion and skill for a sport, for example, may help the student earn a scholarship to play that sport at college.

Tags: traditional education, able convince, able convince parent, convince parent, extracurricular activities, home schooling, lessons that

Remove Sweet William

Sweet William flowers are small and bloom 60 days after planting seed.

Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus) is a flowering perennial that is common in landscaping and flower beds. They are small plants that only reach up to 20 inches high. The flowers come in a variety of colors, including pink and white, and are slightly fragrant. Sweet william self-sows readily. If you have a stand of volunteer sweet William in your garden that you want to remove, the easiest way to do so is to simply pull them up. You can also use a hand spade to assist, if the soil is hard.

Instructions

1. Water the soil around the sweet William thoroughly the day before you want to remove the plant. This softens the soil and makes removal easier.

2. Grasp the plant by the base, as close the soil as possible. Pull up firmly to remove the plant from the soil. Pull out as much of the root ball as possible.

3. Use a hand spade to dig around the roots if the plant will not come up easily. Insert the spade into the soil 4 inches from the base of the sweet William at a slight angle. Push down on the handle to uproot the plant, then pull it until it is clear of the soil.

4. Knock the loose soil off the roots. Dispose of the sweet William in the trash or compost pile.

Tags: hand spade, remove plant, sweet William, Sweet William, want remove

Select An Education Thesis Topic

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To earn a master's in education, you must write a thesis, a complex research paper that is argumentative in nature and contains synthesized information from an assortment of sources that you use to craft and support your argument. Completing a thesis is often an arduous task. It will be much less taxing, however, if you take time to carefully consider your topic before researching and writing.

Instructions

1. Obviously, you must pick a topic that is relevant to education. Also make your topic as specific to the area of education that you are specializing in, so you will start off with the most background knowledge possible.

2. Write your thesis on a topic about which you are passionate. You will enjoy writing it much more this way. Don't select a hot-button topic or one that you think you will be able to find loads of information about if you are not also genuinely enthused by the subject.

3. Avoid topics that are too broad. If you decide to take a position on "special education," for example, you will likely end up filling your paper with generic rambling instead of providing solid data and facts. You can't possibly address all aspects of this area adequately, leading either to an excessivley lengthy composition or a poor grade. Much better would be to narrow the thesis down, writing about the role of a certain theory of child development in special ed, for example.

4. Avoid topics that are too specific. Just as you want to avoid overly broad topics, you also need to steer clear of topics whose specificity makes it impossible to compose a paper of the required length. Topics such as "learning metaphors in fifth grade" are far too specific, and you'l have an impossible time finding enough information for a full-length thesis.

5. Search for research before selecting your topic. Before committing yourself to one topic, peruse the available data. Often, topics that you expect will be easy to research prove to be challenging and vice versa. Do not marry yourself to a topic before ensuring that you can find enough research from an array of reputable sources that supports your argument.

6. Try to keep your topic current. Consider the latest trends in education. This will give your thesis more relevance; few people are interested in reading about antiquated educational techniques. Pay attention to educational publications and education news. If something you see mentioned piques your interest, consider making it the focus of your thesis research.

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