Gpa For Law Schools

Law is a hard field of study and has GPA requirements.

Getting into law school and doing well is partly determined by the GPA, or grade point average, of a student. The other admissions requirements include the LSAT, or Law School Admissions Test, personal statements and recommendation letters from previous teachers. The two main considerations on getting into law school are the GPA of the student and the LSAT score the student received.

Low Admissions Scores

Undergraduate GPA scores are one consideration on getting into law school. The low scores accepted by the college depend on the specific law school, but typically are around 3.0 GPA or higher. The exact GPA cut off depends on the school.

Preferred Courses

Law schools often look for specific courses of study in undergraduate students. In many cases, a harder course study looks better with a lower GPA score than an easy major with a 4.0 GPA score. For example, the school would be more likely to admit a student who had a 3.0 in a double major of political science and physics than a student who had a 3.20 in art. Another key to undergraduate classes is well-rounded classes which have a wide range of studies, states College Answer.

GPA Averages During Law School

GPA averages for students in law school varies based on the specific school. The Internet Legal Research Group shows low and high GPA scores of students in various schools around the country. According to the 2009 data available on the website, schools like Yale, Harvard and Stanford have low GPA scores of 3.77, 3.75 and 3.74 respectively. The high GPA scores of the college students in the same year at the same schools were 3.97, 3.95 and 3.95. Most law schools have a minimum GPA requirement, which varies by school.

Raising Law School GPA

A law school GPA is a determining factor in getting a job later. Most students in law school will fall somewhere in the middle, though there are always those who excel and rank in the top and those who struggle and rank at the bottom. To raise a law school GPA, there are some strategies students can work on. Laura Bergus, a writer on Lawyerist and 2011 graduating law student, suggests working on the middle ground rather than struggling with classes that are challenging. While it is important to work hard in all classes, figuring out which classes are easier and working on edging those grades up is a way to improve the overall GPA.

Tags: into school, getting into, high scores, specific school, students school

Get Into Fashion Design School

Many people dream of the fame and fortune that comes with a successful career in fashion design. Many schools have fashion design programs, but because so many people aspire to be in the industry, earning acceptance by the best schools can be extremely challenging. Preparation and experience can help an applicant prepare for the competition facing them when applying to a great fashion design school.

Instructions

1. Learn to sew. Sewing is an integral part of fashion design, and it's also a dying art and skill that many young people don't have. Beginning to sew at a young age can put a potential fashion designer a step ahead of the others competing to get into the school.

2. Perfect your drawing skills. While artistic skill sometimes comes naturally, those who don't have it can improve through practice. A fashion designer needs to be able to effectively translate ideas to paper so that others can see their designs.

3. Maintain good grades throughout grade and high school. As with any college, fashion design schools are looking for hardworking, dedicated and studious people. Good grades along with good test scores are usually an indication of this.

4. Work part-time at fashion boutiques or trendy clothing shops. This will prove to admission officials your base understanding of the fashion business, and show a willingness to work from the bottom up.

5. Get experience of any kind. This probably means you will have to offer your services for free, but it will give you much-needed experience. Sew clothing for friends and family, design and sew prom dresses, homecoming dresses or personal clothes. It is never too early to start building a portfolio.

6. Find exceptional references. Look for local fashion designers, whether they have recognizable names or not, and ask them if they mind being followed, shadowed or even just interviewed. Show them your potential talents and ambitions, and ask them to be references. Most will be flattered and agree to it.

Tags: fashion design, fashion designer

Get Into College With A Criminal Past

Having a criminal record does not mean that you cannot get a college education.

People with a criminal history often find it difficult to get a job, an apartment or a loan. Many people with a criminal history believe they are precluded from getting into college. However, this is generally not the case. People with a criminal past usually can get into college, though they must take the proper steps.

Instructions

1. Research different schools. Before you decide which college you want, you should look at several options and review each college's application. Some colleges ask for a criminal history, while others do not. Community colleges or state universities are less likely to ask if you have a criminal background, while many private universities require you to disclose that information.

2. Be aware of federal student aid restrictions. Having a criminal record may not prevent you from getting into college, but it can limit your ability to get student loans. If you were convicted of a drug charge, you may not be able to get federal student loans. This could limit you to schools that you can afford without a student loan. You still may be eligible for financial aid from the state or school.

3. Fill out the application. If you decide to apply to a college that asks for a criminal history, make sure you fill out the application completely and honestly. Lying on your application is grounds for a college to deny your application.

4. Prepare for the interview. Many colleges require an interview with a recruiter or school official. If the topic of your criminal history comes up, you should be prepared to talk about it. In fact, it may be better to bring it up yourself than to wait for it to come up in the interview. You need to be prepared to talk about your criminal history in a way that puts it in a good light. If you served jail time, be prepared to talk about how that had a positive impact on your life.

5. Write a personal statement. For applications that require criminal background checks, but do not provide for interviews or personal statements, you may want to write a personal statement anyway. Use this statement as a way to talk about your criminal past, and explain why you want to go to that school. This may give you a better chance in the eyes of admissions officials.

6. Apply to several different colleges. You stand a much better chance of being accepted into college if you apply to more than one. Do everything you can to ensure your applications are properly filled out and sent in on time.

Tags: criminal history, into college, talk about, prepared talk, prepared talk about, your criminal

Become An Exchange Student

Becoming a foreign exchange student can be a great learning experience for young adults. Students have the opportunity to live and study in another country, absorbing the culture of their temporary home. Studying abroad is a once in a lifetime opportunity that should be considered by every student.

Instructions

1. Research what programs your school already has established for studying abroad. There may be opportunities to go to a certain country with some of your classmates rather than going alone.

2. Find out more about what the trip would entail. Programs generally range from a summer to a year. Once you've chosen an organization to work with, they'll provide you with all of their specific requirements. A good grade point average is usually needed and many times it's necessary that you speak the language of the country you'll be staying in.

3. Consider if you are ready to live in another country. It requires a certain amount of adaptability and maturity to travel so far from home. Many exchange programs arrange for you to live with another family. This will be both a benefit to you, as well as a challenge. The family can help you adjust to their culture, but you will initially be staying with strangers and will have to conform to their rules and way of running their home.

4. Prepare for your trip. Once you have decided on a country and organization to work with, follow their instructions for preparation. You will have to get a passport if you don't have one already, learn about cultural differences and brush up on the language of your destination. The group you're working with may have you begin correspondence with the family you'll be staying with.

5. Enjoy every minute of your trip. You will likely never have this opportunity again, so make the most of it. Take tons of pictures, email your family and friends often and go out and explore your temporary home. You will learn so much and the experiences and memories you have there will last a lifetime.

Tags: another country, organization work, organization work with, staying with, temporary home, will have, work with

Vet School Grants

Veterinary students must have a passion for animals, along with the desire to attend four years of veterinary school with the possibility of additional years spent receiving further training in a specialty. As rewarding as a career in veterinary medicine may be, tuition bills are steep. Vet school grants and scholarships ease some of this financial burden.

Veterinary Scholarship Trust of New England

This New England-based 501(c)3 organization provides funding for regional veterinary students' education by awarding several annual scholarships. Only those graduating from a New England public high school or residing in the area for the previous five years may apply. Applications must be signed by licensed New England veterinarians who personally know the applicant personally. While grants are limited to local residents, the veterinary schools they attend may be located anywhere in the United States.

American Kennel Club Veterinary Student Scholarships

Every accredited veterinary school in the country receives annual applications for the American Kennel Club (AKC) Veterinary Student Scholarships, with a request to chose four potential candidates among their students for consideration. Students cannot apply individually. Those involved with purebred dogs or in the dog show world receive priority. Awards are also based on academic merit. Interested applicants should contact their veterinary school's office of financial aid for further information.

U.S. Army Veterinary Corps Health Professions Scholarship Program

In return for serving three years of active duty in the armed forces after graduating, veterinary students may receive full-tuition scholarship through the F. Edward Hebert Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program. Scholarship recipients also receive living stipends. Only U.S. citizens enrolled in an accredited U.S. veterinary school are eligible to apply, and must also be eligible for appointment as officers in the United States Army Reserve. Veterinary school graduates receive commissions as captains.

American College of Veterinary Surgeons Research Grants

The American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) Research Grants include surgeon-in-training funding. Applicants must be ACVS residency candidates, and will aid in writing and developing the grant proposal. Since proposed projects must be completed by the end of the residency, applicants should apply by the second year of residency. Grant amounts vary from year to year, and upon the nature of the research proposal..

Tags: accredited veterinary, accredited veterinary school, American College, American College Veterinary, American Kennel

Calculate With A Free Graphing Calculator

Free online graphing calculators are more efficient than traditional graphing methods

There are free graphing calculators online that you can use to calculate solutions to mathematical problems. The basic type of graphing calculators is a mathematical graphing calculator. These calculators let you input a mathematical function and will then calculate and plot the solution. There are two major types of graphing calculators for mathematics: two dimensional and three dimensional. Two-dimensional graphing calculators calculate the solution for equations with two variables and three dimensional calculate the solution for equations with three variables.

Instructions

1. Write down the equation you want to calculate. Use standard mathematical notation that is required for the calculator: the caret symbol (^) for entering exponents, the forward slash (/) to specify division, the asterisk (*) for multiplication and the minus sign (-) for subtraction. Use parentheses to correctly specify the order of operation.

2. Enter the equation into the graphing calculator's function (equation) text box. Press the "Plot" or "Graph" button.

3. Examine the resulting plot. Use "Zoom in" or "Zoom out" features to fit the calculated graph into the graph display. Use "Pan" features to scroll across different regions of the graph.

4. Determine the x-intercepts -- also know as roots or zeros -- of the equation by noting the points where the graph intersects the x-axis. Determine the y-intercepts of the equation by noting the points where the graphed equation intersects the y-axis. When you plot multiple equations, note the points where one graph intersects another graph. The intersecting points are the solution set of the equations.

Tags: graphing calculators, points where, solution equations, calculate solution, calculate solution equations

Jobs For Mba Finance Freshers

Jobs for MBA graduates are demanding but rewarding.

MBA finance freshers help institutions identify, price and track business and operational risks, assess operating performance and evaluate internal controls and processes. They also work with financial and budget analysts to advise on short and long-run investment strategies. These experts may trade firms' funds on securities exchanges as proprietary traders.

Risk Managers

Risk managers use complex statistical formulas and computer algorithms to appraise, control and monitor risks in transactions firms are engaged in. These experts use finance, accounting and compliance skills to analyze exposures in "high-risk" segments and recommend corrective actions. Exposures are losses that may occur in business activities, such as market, credit, regulatory and operational risks. "High," "medium" and "low" risk ratings are based on managers' assessments of potential loss amounts. Market risk arises from changes in securities prices. Credit risk is the risk of loss due to business partner defaults.

Traders

Traders engage in securities markets' activities by buying, holding or selling investment products. They are called proprietary traders when they use firms' funds to invest in markets. Gains and losses derived from proprietary activities are recorded in firms' financial statements. Traders work with research, corporate finance and wealth management departments to assess security prices, risk levels and risk-protection techniques. Risk protection is also risk hedging. Traders also work with assistants to price securities.

Traders' Assistants

Traders' assistants are math experts who use econometrics and statistics to gauge security movements and price financial instruments. Security movement is also referred to as volatility, and is a measure of market risk. Assistants advise portfolio managers, proprietary traders and clients on investment strategies, and recommend securities based on valuation models. For instance, an assistant might advise a portfolio manager to purchase Company XYZ's convertible bonds, because such bonds are undervalued based on pricing tools.

Private Bankers

Private bankers are also known as wealth managers or personal financial advisers. They have expertise in finance, economics, tax law, estate planning and international business. They help clients analyze financial information, evaluate investment objectives and risk profiles, select investments and manage portfolios in the long run. Such clients include retirement funds, philanthropic organizations, hedge funds, university or college endowments and high net worth individuals. Clients' risk profiles indicate whether they are risk-averse---that is, tolerate a minimum risk---or "risk-takers."

Research Analysts

Research departments hire individuals with finance, statistics and economics expertise. Analysts focus on specific geographic areas, product lines or economic sectors and issue periodic reports to investment managers and firms' clients. They may also partner with traders' assistants and risk managers to analyze portfolio risk-reward ratios, evaluate completeness and accuracy in firms' financial information and advise on short or long-run investment strategies. Risk-reward ratios indicate how much investors are willing to lose given certain risk levels.

Tags: investment strategies, proprietary traders, work with, advise portfolio, advise short, advise short long-run

List Of Transitional Words For Essay Writing

Transitional words can help to improve an essay.

Transitional words and phrases help an essay to flow more smoothly. These words can add organization and understandability, helping the reader to better see the connection in the essay writer's thoughts. Transitional words can be classified into different categories as some add something to a thought, some show consequence, others exemplify and so on.

Addition

Some transitional words are used to indicate similarity or addition. These include, but are not limited to:

Again

Also

And

Another

Besides

As well as

Likewise

Moreover

Similarly

Furthermore

In addition

Contradiction

Other transitional words can show dissimilarity or contradiction. These are:

Although

And yet

Even though

On the contrary

Otherwise

On the other hand

However

In comparison

Instead

Nevertheless

Yet

While

Consequence

Another type of transitional word shows consequence or a result. Examples of these are:

As a result

Because

Consequently

So

Hence

Thus

Fortunately

Sequence

These transitional words help to put thoughts or events in an essay into chronological order or into some sort of sequence. These include:

First

Second

After

Throughout

Presently

In the beginning

During

Earlier

Finally

To begin with

Next

Now

Once

Exemplifying

When the essay writer is trying to show an example of something, they will often use exemplifying transitions such as:

Chiefly

Especially

For instance

In particular

Specifically

Such as

Namely

Priority

These transitional words help to show the reader the priority of the writer's thoughts. Some examples are:

Above all

In the first place

Of less/greater importance

Moreover

For one reason

In addition to

First

Second

Summary

Often used in the conclusions of essays, summary-style transitional words include:

After all

All in all

All things considered

By and large

In any case

In conclusion

In short

Finally

To sum up

Tags: words help, essay writer, First Second, These include, These transitional, These transitional words, transitional words

Take The Tova Adhd Test For Free Online

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is an attention disorder characterized by certain criteria: inattention, hyperactivity, impulsiveness, and extreme disorganization. If you are concerned that you or your child might be suffering from ADHD, one of the most effective diagnostic tools is the Tova ADHD test. "Tova" stands for Test of Variables of Attention, and it is used by psychological professionals the world over for pinpointing the presence and degree of ADHD in a patient. Fortunately, however, you can also take the Tova test for free online.

Instructions

1. Visit the Tova website (see Resources below) to retrieve a copy of the Tova ADHD test. This is not the only place where the test is available for free online, but going straight to this site will ensure you're getting an accurate version of the test.

2. Click on the link to download the Tova ADHD test to your computer. It is at the top of the screen, and it requires that you are running the Windows operating system.

3. Run the download program from the installation icon on your desktop. This will take you through the steps to download the program in its entirety.

4. Read the Tova software license agreement and click "I Agree" if you accept the terms and conditions they set forth. If you aren't able to agree, you won't be able to download the program.

5. Choose the area of your computer in which you would like to store the Tova ADHD test software. The default folder is usually in the C drive. Make sure you check it before you click "next".

6. Complete the installation, making the appropriate selections. If you've previously downloaded a copy of the Tova ADHD test, you'll be asked if you want to copy those files to continue.

7. Access the Tova ADHD test from the file in which you installed it. In most cases, an icon will have been created on your desktop.

8. Check the hardware. TOVA requires specific hardware that must be installed on your computer, including a printer accessed through a port and a sound card that is compatible with their system (if you want to take the auditory test). Pressing F3 will automatically check the hardware and alert you to any problems.

9. Take the practice test. This will acclimate you to the program and help you learn the controls without pressure. Once you've completed the practice test, you can take the real thing.

Tags: Tova ADHD test, Tova ADHD, ADHD test, ADHD test, download program

What Is A Fashion Designer

What Is a Fashion Designer?

Fashion design is the art of crafting clothing for others. A career stemming from the late Victorian era, fashion designer is now a multibillion-dollar industry. There are many different types of designers, ranging from famous names to seasonal ready-to-wear producers. A glamorous job for the lucky few, fashion design is demanding yet rewarding work for those who pursue it.

History

Fashion was mostly a matter of function for a lot of history. Clothing was made at home, or in small local shops. With the advent of better production (albeit still on a small scale, compared to today), clothiers were able to set up shop in cheap locales and cater to a wider array of rich clients. The first big designer was late-Victorian designer Charles Frederick Worth, who ran his shop out of Paris. Magazines and style journals, then as now, allowed fashion mavens and people in the know to spread style advice to the common man.

Function

A fashion designer is someone that creates functional garments from textiles using an array of techniques. Even though most people think of big names like Donna Karan or Michael Kors when they think of design, they are just the tip of the iceberg. Many designers work for large companies to create ready-to-wear lines for consumer stores such as the Gap and Target. Still more work for bigger name designers like Karan to produce the many lines under that particular corporate name.

Considerations

Fashion design is a challenging, yet rewarding, job option. Designers are faced with many decisions every season, including fabric selection, color picking and trend consideration. A good designer has to mesh all of these things together in order to make a line that will sell to buyers and consumers alike. Too many misses or one bad collection can be the end of a career.

Designers also have to think of esoteric things like political statements or social movements. For instance, many designers will not design things with real fur, due to possible political fallout. Others will create more sober collections in times of economic downturn.

Misconceptions

Being a fashion designer is hard work that is often lacking in glamor and perks. For instance, ready-to-wear designers who show at the international Fashion Weeks are under huge amounts of pressure to deliver a cutting-edge line every six months, without fail. There is little time to sit around and be elegant while preparing for a show. Designers may not make that much money at first, and must work their way up the corporate ladder to profit.

Benefits

What fashion designers offer to others is the ability to express yourself through clothing. These artists love to make others feel good about themselves, and see their clothing as a way for consumers to enhance already existing beauty with something nice. Fashion is also wearable art, and many get a feeling of satisfaction from creating something of use to others.

Tags: fashion designer, What Fashion Designer

Get Into An Audiology Program With Low Gre Scores

Becoming a HIS or hearing aid dispenser is one way to get into audiology.

Audiology programs are divided into two different divisions. Becoming a licensed audiologist involves extensive education including an advanced degree, and upon completion you are a professional skilled in all facets of hearing. The other division of audiology is called a hearing aid dispenser license and it's easier to obtain, especially for someone wanting to start out in audiology. Hearing aid dispensers can choose to further their education in audiology after they have completed their license.

Instructions

1. Locate a hearing aid dispenser in your area who is willing to let you train with them as an apprentice. Some hearing aid dispensers may help with costs of fees and books while you are in a program, along with paying you a wage if you are willing to stay with them after you become licensed.

2. Find online hearing aid dispensing programs and choose the best one for your situation. Fees would cover enrollment and purchase of required workbooks and any other resources that are suggested.

3. Sign all the required applications and apprentice documentation and send back to the state hearing aid dispensing licensing division in your state. The hearing aid dispensing application requires a felony background check.

4. Start course work after your application has been accepted and send in the distance learning course work as required.

5. Maintain a passing grade and then take the final exam with a test proctor in your area.

6. Complete the full course and the one-year apprenticeship as required by the state before taking the final state level licensing test. After completion of the hearing aid dispensing license the person can then further their education in audiology if they desire.

Tags: hearing dispensing, hearing dispenser, course work, education audiology, further their

Check Your Mcat Score

Check Your MCAT Score

Studying for the MCAT takes months. Taking the MCAT takes hours. Finding out what you scored on the MCAT takes little more than a few seconds -- after you wait for over four weeks for your score to be released after taking the exam itself. The Association of American Medical Colleges has made the process completely electronic

Instructions

1. Go to the MCAT Testing History (THx) System website located at services.aamc.org/mcatthx to access your scores.

2. Type your user name and password and press "Login". This is the same user name and password that you used to register for the MCAT. If you have forgotten either, click on the appropriate buttons, and the AAMC will send instructions to your email inbox on proceed.

3. View you scores, which will be displayed prominently in the center of the page. You will see a breakdown by test date of your Verbal Reasoning (VR), Physical Sciences (PS), Writing Sample (WS), Biological Sciences (BS), and Total scores. You scaled scores are displayed.

4. Click the "Show Percentiles" hyperlink located directly above the MCAT score breakdown table to see a breakdown by test date of your VR, PS, WS, BS, and Total percentiles. Notice that percentiles are given in ranges. Also notice that a scaled score of 10 on one section does not necessarily have the same percentile ranges as a scaled score of 10 on another section.

5. Verify that the "AMCAS Release" value is "Y," meaning that your MCAT scores have been released to your AMCAS primary application. If they are supposed to be released and are not, contact the AAMC.

6. Use the hyperlinks below the MCAT Score table to send scores, print a score report, contact the AAMC with questions, and review the status of your requests.

Tags: MCAT takes, breakdown test, breakdown test date, Check Your, contact AAMC, date your

Teach A Senior The Internet

Seniors are exploring the Internet in huge numbers, and while the journey can be wonderful, it can also be confusing and even risky for someone new to this world. You can do a good turn by teaching a senior apply this new technology.

Instructions

1. Familiarize your senior with the tools of going online. While many seniors are familiar with keyboards from their experiences with typewriters, many don't know what a mouse or a modem is or use either. Teach your senior start a computer and get online.

2. Help your senior understand how the Internet works. While you may understand that the web is composed of millions of other people all sharing and compiling information so you can view it through a computer, your senior may not grasp the concept. Begin by finding websites that are of personal interest to the new user.

3. Emphasize the importance of exact spelling when entering a website address. The Internet does not guess what website you want, and many use unconventional spellings. Help your senior understand that misspelled website addresses can send him to the wrong page or no page at all.

4. Inform your senior about the possibility of scams. Tell them never to give out personal information or credit card numbers to organizations that should not be trusted. Teach them spot dishonest businesses and about how email is used to scam.

5. Remain available for questions. While you may think your tutorial is complete, the Internet offers countless detours and flat tires along the road. Make yourself available to answer questions that come up along your senior's journey. It's the best way for anyone to learn the Internet. Give the senior your email address and teach him Instant Message if you're members of the same network, so he can immediately reach you with questions.

Tags: your senior, Help your, Help your senior, senior understand, understand that

Top Colleges For Marketing

A degree in business marketing will prepare you for a career in the private sector.

Majoring in business is an effective way to prepare yourself for a variety of jobs in the private sector. If you are interested in learning strategies to attract customers to a company's products or services, a business marketing program will give you the education needed to succeed in the business world. While most colleges offer business marketing programs, it pays to attend a program ranked among the highest in the nation.

University of Pennsylvania

Located in Philadelphia, the University of Pennsylvania was named the top business marketing school in the country in the 2010 U.S. News and World Report rankings. Founded in the late 18th century, UPenn currently offers over 85 different undergraduate majors to roughly 20,000 students.

UPenn is home to the Wharton School of Business, which offers more than 20 different business concentrations. The marketing program offers bachelor's, master's and PhD degrees. The goal of the marketing program is to prepare students to understand "consumer and organizational buying patterns and for developing successful marketing strategies."

University of Pennsylvania

3451 Walnut Street

Philadelphia, PA 19104

215-898-7507

upenn.edu

University of Michigan

While its main campus is located in Ann Arbor, the University of Michigan also has two satellite campuses, located in Flint and Dearborn. Founded in 1871, the university has a total enrollment of roughly 56,000 students, according to the school's website.

UM is home to the Stephen M. Ross School of Business, which offers nine different department concentrations, ranging from accounting to business law. The marketing department, which ranks second in the nation according to U.S. News and World Report, offers bachelor's, master's, and PhD programs. The department is active in conducting research and marketing studies, according to the university's website.

University of Michigan

Ann Arbor, MI 48109

734-764-7433

umich.edu

University of Texas

The University of Texas, located in Austin, is one of the largest public universities in the country, with roughly 50,000 students. It's marketing program is ranked third in the nation, according to the 2010 U.S. News and World Report rankings. Founded in 1883, the school has a 350-acre campus, and a staff and faculty of over 21,000, according to the university's website.

The university is home to the McCombs School of Business, which offers concentrations ranging from accounting to marketing. The marketing program offers an undergraduate degree in marketing and international business as well as master's and PhD degrees.

University of Texas-Austin

Austin, TX 78712

512-475-7440

utexas.edu

Tags: business marketing, marketing program, Business which, Business which offers, News World, News World Report, roughly students

Find A Physician Assistant To Shadow

Physician assistants practice medicine under the supervision of licensed physicians.

To become a physician assistant (PA), you must meet certain academic and hands-on experience requirements. Many physician assistant programs, such as the ones at Des Moines and Hofstra universities, require that applying students have some experience shadowing a physician assistant. By shadowing a physician assistant, you can decide whether becoming a physician assistant is right for you by seeing firsthand what they do on a daily basis. Using one of several ways, you can find a physician assistant to shadow.

Instructions

1. Visit or call local hospitals or outpatient practices and ask if they allow students to shadow. If they do, tell them you're interested in shadowing a physician assistant. If they don't allow shadowing, ask if they can put you in touch with a hospital or outpatient clinic that allows students to shadow. Many heath care locations do not allow students to shadow because of patient privacy laws, so don't be offended if a facility denies you the chance to shadow.

2. Network with other pre-physician assistant students and current physician assistant students. They may be able to introduce you to a practicing physician assistant who is willing to let you shadow him. Physician assistant students are very busy, so they may not get back to you quickly. Thank them for their time even if they can't find a PA for you to shadow.

3. Volunteer at a hospital. By volunteering, you'll get to know some of the hospital staff, which in turn may lead to an opportunity to shadow a physician assistant. Volunteer experience often counts toward the health care experience hours required by many physician assistant programs, so even if you don't find a PA to shadow, you'll still acquire hospital experience.

4. Contact your state's physician assistant society. It may be able to give you a list of local physician assistants willing to have students shadow them. Some online forums (see Resources) have designated threads for shadowing opportunities listed by students and practicing physician assistants.

Tags: physician assistant, physician assistant, students shadow, assistant students, shadowing physician, shadowing physician assistant, allow students

Get Help For School Loans

Help is available if you're struggling to pay your school loans after graduation.

Taking out a student loan while in college is a necessity for many people who need it to pay for their education. Most people are able to repay these loans once they begin working since their degree allows them to earn more money. However, layoffs, reductions in employment hours or unexpected expenses may leave you without the funding to make your student loan payments. While this can be stressful, there are a number of ways you can get help for school loans.

Instructions

1. Consolidate your student loans. Check with your current lender to see if it’s possible to consolidate your student loans. Often this allows you to secure a lower interest rate and pay less over the lifetime of the loan. If your current lender doesn’t offer this, check with other vendors that specialize in student loans such as Sallie Mae and Chase Bank, or visit with a loan representative from your local bank or financial institution.

2. Apply for a deferment. Complete the paperwork from your lender to apply for a deferment for your school loans. This suspends the payments on your student loan for a specific period of time, allowing you to become more financially sound before payments resume. Depending upon the type of loan you have, interest may still accumulate during the deferment period.

3. Ask your lender about lowering your monthly payments. Lenders understand that financial hardships occur, and they would rather you make a smaller payment than no payment at all. You may be able to get lower payments by extending the length of the loan.

4. Check into loan-forgiveness programs. Visit the student aid website operated by the Department of Education to learn what federal programs are available for loan forgiveness or cancellation. Careers in public service often qualify if certain requirements are met. Contact a representative from your state Department of Education to learn if specific loan cancellation programs are available in your area. For example, Kentucky offers loan forgiveness for nurses who meet the criteria established by the Kentucky Higher Education Student Loan Corporation. Volunteer to serve with the Peace Corps or AmeriCorps for additional loan forgiveness and repayment assistance.

5. Check your employee benefits. Meet with representatives from the personnel department in your company to learn if they provide any assistance for people who need help with school loans. Some employers will pay a specific dollar amount or percentage as an employee benefit. This can provide you with the help you need to get your student loans paid off. If a benefit doesn’t exist, ask your supervisor for a salary increase or ask to work extra hours to bring in more money to pay your student loans.

Tags: your student, student loans, your student loans, from your, loan forgiveness

Get Good Credit In Canada

Get Good Credit in Canada

It isn't difficult to establish good credit in Canada, but the process can be time consuming. Similar to the system of credit reports and scores in the United States, Canada has three active reporting agencies. These agencies are Equifax, TransUnion and North Credit Bureaus (an Experian company). Unlike the United States, which only offers Americans one free copy of their credit report per year, Canada offers its consumers an unlimited amount of free credit reports each year. The request for a free credit report must be in writing, and the copy will be delivered by mail.Whether you're a student who wishes to establish good credit or someone seeking a better credit score, it's important to exercise self-discipline and responsibility when you have a credit card.

Instructions

1. Read "Understanding Your Credit Report and Credit Score," a free publication issued by the government of Canada. This pamplet provides sample credit reports, credit score documents and information on building and improving credit in Canada. The publication is made available at the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada website.

2. Read and learn about different credit cards. Capital One offers a variety of credit cards to Canadian residents who wish to establish good credit in Canada. However, you should always read the fine print. If you are starting or rebuilding your credit, look for a secured credit card with a low rate. Essentially, a secured credit card with a low interest rate will make payments easier to manage. Additionally, it will be less likely that you'll fall behind in your payments.

3. Apply for a secured credit card in Canada. In order to be eligible for a secured credit card in Canada, you must be a Canadian resident; have a social insurance number, and be employed. You also must be at least the age of majority in the province/territory where you reside (18 years old in Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island; 19 in British Columbia, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland/Labrador and the territories).

4. Pay the full balance. Once you receive your credit card statement in the mail, pay it immediately. If you cannot pay the full amount, pay as much as you can. The faster you pay off your debt, the better your chances of establishing good credit in Canada.

5. Watch your spending. In order to get good credit in Canada, it's important that you have the ability to pay your debts. Refrain from spending lavishly with your credit card.

6. Use a secured credit card for one year and pay your debts promptly. Once you have shown that you can pay your bills on time, you may qualify for an unsecured credit card.

7. Apply for an unsecured Canadian credit card. An unsecured credit card will have better terms than a secured credit card. Continue to pay your bills on time to establish excellent credit and a higher credit limit in Canada.

Tags: credit card, secured credit, secured credit card, good credit Canada, credit reports, establish good, establish good credit

Build A Hydrogen Gas Cell

You can isolate hydrogen fuel with a simple at-home experiment.

Typically used in aerospace engineering or some green vehicles, a hydrogen fuel cell can be constructed at home or in class to illustrate the universal process of electromagnetism and how two vastly abundant substances like hydrogen and oxygen can be combined to make environmentally sensitive fuel. Acquiring the simple materials you'll need for the experiment will take some time; performing the experiment will take about 10 minutes.

Instructions

1. Cut your wiring into two 6-inch segments.

2. Wind the end of each piece tightly around the end of a pencil or the test probe of your voltmeter to make electrodes. Wind the wires 15 or 20 times around, until the straight portions are just about 1 inch long.

3. Cut the red and black leads to your 9-volt battery connector in half and strip about 1/2 inch of insulation from each of the six wire ends. Twist the straight end of one of the fuel electrodes around the exposed end of the red wire connected to the 9-volt battery connector and one end of the other red wire. Twist the straight end of the other electrode to the black wire attached to the battery connector and one end of the free black wire.

4. Tape these two wire connections together firmly, then tape each electrode, side-by-side, to the edge of a Popsicle stick, along with the red wiring for one and the black wiring for the other.

5. Fill a glass of water and tape the Popsicle stick to its top, so the two electrodes are fully submerged in the water but the wire connections above the electrodes stay dry.

6. Push the red and black wires that are dangling free into the corresponding wire ports on your voltmeter. Turn on your voltmeter; it shouldn't detect any voltage.

7. Touch, don't clip, your 9-volt battery to the battery clip and bubbles will begin to form on the electrodes. Remove the battery from the clip and set it aside.

8. Observe the voltage reading on your voltmeter. Though the battery has been disconnected, the process of electrolysis on the electrodes is illustrating how the chemical reaction taking place between hydrogen and oxygen is not only conducting electricity but creating its own.

Tags: your voltmeter, 9-volt battery, battery connector, 9-volt battery connector, about inch

What Can Pell Grant Money Be Legally Spent On

Financial aid supports your educational goals.

When you're ready to go back to school, your first stop should be FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This application lets you and the government know how much money you can afford to spend on college, and how much of a Pell Grant you're eligible for. Once your tuition is paid by the grant, you can spend the remainder of it on anything that helps you attend college.

Pell Grant

The Federal Pell Grant is money given to students who show financial need to help them pay their college expenses. The Pell Grant doesn't have to be repaid. The money is sent directly to the college the student attends, and in turn the college releases the funds to the student after using the money to cover any tuition or material balances.

Determining Grant Amounts

As of 2011, a student can qualify for a maximum of $5,500 to help pay for tuition, transportation, books and other costs associated with going to school. The grant amount is based on how much money the student, or his parents, make and how much money the college costs per semester.

Spend

Pell Grants first pay for a student's tuition and books. Because the money goes directly to the school rather than the student, the school subtracts all costs from the money first. If any money remains, it's refunded to the student, usually several weeks into the start of the semester. The student should use the money to cover expenses related to going to school, which include day care costs, buying or repairing a car, gas, food, clothing, and housing expenses. However, a student could also blow the money on a huge party if he wanted to, though that would be inadvisable.

Rules Apply

While a student can ultimately spend the money the way he wants without having to answer to the government, rules do apply to his actually getting the money. For instance, the student has to attend classes to receive the money. If he applies and enrolls but doesn't attend a single class, the money returns to the government, and the student is required to withdraw from the classes. If he doesn't withdraw and still doesn't attend classes, the Pell Grant will not pay his balance. He'll be billed directly for the balance.

Tags: Pell Grant, much money, attend classes, doesn attend, going school, money cover

Change The Amount Requested For A Student Loan If You Need More Money

The amounts you receive in student loans are usually based on the paperwork you sign before the school year begins. If, after you sign the paperwork, you realize that you need more money, you might be able to increase the amount you receive in student loans. Your school's financial aid office is your main resource when you need to increase the amount of your student loans. The financial aid office can communicate directly with the federal government for additional government loan disbursements or advise you on obtain student loans from private lenders.

Instructions

1. Contact the financial aid office at your school as soon as you realize that you will need more money.

2. Ask if you can increase the amount of any of your subsidized loans, if you received them. The government limits how much you can borrow through subsidized loans, but if you did not borrow the full amount you were offered, you might be able to access it now.

3. Ask to take out an unsubsidized Stafford loan, or to increase the amount you are borrowing if you already have one. You can only borrow up to the government limit for your year in school, which varies from $5,500 for dependent first-year undergraduates to $20,500 for graduate students.

4. Fill out the required paperwork from your school's financial aid office to authorize the higher loan amounts.

5. Apply for a student loan with a private lender if your school's financial aid office advises you that you have exhausted all available federal student loans. Many banks and credit unions offer student loans, and your financial aid officer should be able to recommend lenders who offer the best terms. Consider the interest rate on the loan and the flexibility of the repayment plan.

Tags: student loans, financial office, increase amount, school financial, school financial office, your school

Obtain A Doctorate Degree

Earn your doctorate by staying focused.

Earn your doctoral degree so that you can teach or work in various professions requiring advanced education. Doctors, lawyers and college professors all go through graduate school before being allowed to practice in their professions. While obtaining your degree may not be simple, the time, money and effort is worth it if it leads you to a rewarding and profitable career. Stay focused on your career goals in order to stay on track and experience great success.

Instructions

1. Complete high school and a four-year college degree. If possible, major in a field related to your doctoral program as an undergraduate student. Many medical schools require doctors to major in pre-med, while seminaries prefer religion majors.

2. Take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) if your field requires it for entrance into graduate school. Preparatory classes are available to help ensure that you score as well as possible on the exam.

3. Complete a master's degree if your field requires it. Some fields, like psychology, offer doctoral tracks right out of college. Other fields, like religion, require a master's degree in divinity or theology prior to entering a doctoral program.

4. Search for doctoral programs that meet your educational and financial needs. Some programs offer the ultimate in convenience with online classes, while others are on-campus but offer excellent financial aid that helps to keep debt levels down for students.

5. Apply for the doctoral programs that are a good fit for you. For best results, apply to four or five schools, since you may not get accepted to every school you apply to.

6. Choose the best institution amongst the schools that accept you. Consider their financial offers, along with their course schedule and requirements for obtaining a doctorate at their institution.

7. Enroll in classes and set aside proper time for studying and completing your degree. Many doctoral degrees take five to seven years to complete, so ensure that you prepare financially and otherwise for such a long commitment.

8. Meet with your academic advisor, dean or counselor often to ensure that the classes you are taking will help you to earn your degree in the most efficient way possible.

9. Prepare for on-the-job learning with unpredictable schedules. Most graduate schools require students to participate in hands-on learning during their education. Medical students work odd hours in hospitals; law students assist on actual legal cases; psychologists work in shelters or hospitals; and religion students work in churches, as chaplains in hospitals or as teaching assistants.

10. Work with your advisor or advisory team on your doctoral thesis. Once your coursework is mostly completed, your program may require you to choose a topic of special study to write a paper on. You will need to work closely with your advisor and choose a team of examiners who will participate in your live defense prior to graduation.

11. Defend your thesis, being ready to provide solid reasoning for your theories and evidence for your research. If you have worked closely with your team prior to the defense, their questions probably will not surprise you too much.

12. Ensure that you have met all requirements for your degree, submit necessary paperwork and then enjoy your graduation. Earning a doctorate is hard work and an achievement to be proud of.

Tags: with your, your degree, your doctoral, closely with, closely with your, doctoral program

Get Free College Textbooks

Get Free College Textbooks

The cost of college textbooks can be surprising and frustrating to a student already burdened with high tuition costs and assorted college fees. The source for most college textbooks is the college bookstore, where students often find high-priced new textbooks and moderately-priced used books. There are still a few ways that college textbooks are available free of charge.

Instructions

1. Visit your college's library at the beginning of the term, preferably a few days before the term begins. Bring a list of the textbooks required for your classes with author names and publication dates included.

2. Look on your library's catalog for the specific textbook titles that you need. Make sure to type the titles correctly and match author names and edition numbers.

3. Ask a librarian to confirm if the library owns the textbook. Sometimes academic libraries will have copies of textbooks for certain college courses. The copies of these books may circulate, meaning they can be checked out. Other copies may be available for in-library use only, meaning your instructor may have put a copy of your classes' text on reserve for your class to use in the library when needed.

4. Check to see if your school's library is a member of a lending consortium with other area colleges and universities. Many schools in the United States participate in such consortia, where materials are leant amongst institutions to increase the amount of items available to students. For example, in Ohio this consortium is called OhioLINK.

5. Ask a librarian to show you look up books at other area colleges through the lending consortium in your state. This service is often paid for through tuition money, so the books will be available to students at no extra cost. Items are shipped directly to your school's library and many schools allow students to check them out for several weeks at a time.

6. Renew borrowed textbooks when the due date occurs. If no one else has requested the same book, you may be able to use it for the entire term.

Tags: area colleges, author names, available students, college textbooks, Free College, Free College Textbooks, lending consortium

Surgical Technician Schools In Georgia

About Surgical Technician Schools in Georgia

A career in the medical field is one that is always in high demand. Being a surgical technician means that you will be a crucial part of any given surgical team. With a certificate or an associate's degree in surgical technician training, you will be able to assist a surgeon in a matter of months. Georgia offers numerous allied health programs which will enable you to receive the education that is required to be a surgical technician.

Significance

There are 126 higher education facilities throughout the state of Georgia, with the majority of the schools offering degrees or certificates in vocational or technical training. Surgical technicians, who are also known as "scrubs," are trained to assist the surgeon in the operating room as well as prepare the patient for the procedure. There are surgical technician programs available in Georgia, like that of Brown Makie College, that enable you to start the program at the beginning of any month of the year. Brown Makie wants to make school convenient for everyone, so both night and daytime classes are available.

Features

Many Georgia schools, such as Lanier Technical College, generally offer a two-year Associate of Applied Science degree.

Vocational or technical colleges emphasize a relationship between the student and the academic advisers.

As a surgical technician student in Georgia, your education will feature such classes as medical terminology, surgery procedures and sterilization techniques. You will also receive hands on training through a series of clinical experience.

Time Frame

Receiving a surgical technician certificate from a Georgia school, takes at least nine months to achieve. An associate's degree plan for a surgical technician takes 2 years, or 4 semesters, to complete.

Considerations

When attending college to receive a surgical technician certificate or degree, consider the fact that many schools in Georgia only allow a certain number of students into the program each year. At Lanier Technical college, only 24 students are accepted into the surgical technician program per year.

Gwinett Technical College

Gwinett Technical College, located in Lawrence, Georgia, is one of the nation's top 20 schools for surgical technician programs. They pride themselves on having a 96% job placement rate. According to the school's website, the programs are "focused on workforce development with most offering internships or clinical opportunities that may result in a permanent position."

Gwinett Tech makes college affordable for everyone and offers many options of financial aid. The elite surgical technician program offered can be completed in 5 quarters.

Tags: surgical technician, surgical technician, assist surgeon, associate degree, Brown Makie, Gwinett Technical

Masters Programs In Clinical Psychology

A graduate program in clinical psychology will be very reading and research intensive.

Clinical psychology is the study of the effect of distress on well-being and personal development. An individual studying clinical psychology at the advanced level would gain an understanding of relieving and preventing stress and distress as well as dysfunction. The same individual would learn to promote personal development and well-being through understating psychology. There are master's programs available in clinical psychology to provide this sort of education.

University of California at Los Angeles

Within the graduate school of psychology at the University of California Los Angeles, there is a clinical psychology program. This program is research-heavy and intense, so students of high intellectual backgrounds are encouraged to apply to the program. Required courses include research methods classes, considered among the faculty to be one of the most important aspects of the core program. All requirements for the graduate program in Clinical Psychology at the University of California Los Angeles must be completed within six years.

Department of Psychology

1285 Franz Hall

Los Angeles, CA 90095-1563

310-825-2961

psych.ucla.edu/graduate

University of Washington

There is an average of 130 students enrolled in the graduate school in the department of psychology at the University of Washington. Within this school, many different disciplines are offered as courses of study, including clinical psychology. As in many graduate programs in the department of psychology, while a master's degree is offered, it is rare that students stop there: they usually go on to obtain a Ph.D. in clinical psychology. The program at the University of Washington is mentor-based, which means students are paired with either an upperclassman or faculty member who has the same background and aspirations as they do. The clinical program focuses on both humans and animals and understanding the behavior of each. The graduate program in clinical psychology at the University of Washington is accredited by the American Psychological Association. The Department of Psychology at the University of Washington is a founding member of the Academy of Psychological Clinical Sciences.

Department of Psychology

306 Guthrie

Seattle, WA 98195-1525

206-543-2563

web.psych.washington.edu/index.php

University of Wisconsin-Madison

The Department of Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison as been teaching students and researching for over 100 years. While the university offers many different areas of concentration including biology of brain and behavior, cognitive neuroscience, perception, social and personality and developmental, the clinical psychology program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is highly regarded as one of the top five graduate programs in the country, consistently. Like the University of Washington clinical psychology program, the graduate program at Wisconsin-Madison is also mentor-based. Applicants are admitted into the graduate program depending on how closely their interests and qualifications match the current faculty interests and qualifications, and areas of specialty. According to the department at the university, a student who is not deeply committed to research will not be a good match for this graduate program.

Department of Psychology

1202 W. Johnson Street

Madison, WI 53706-1969

608-262-2079

glial.psych.wisc.edu/index.php/psychsplashgraduate

Tags: graduate program, University Washington, clinical psychology, clinical psychology program, Department Psychology, psychology program, California Angeles

Retired Military Dependent Identification Card Requirements

Retired Military Dependent Identification Card Requirements

Military service members offer a commitment to the country that could cost them their lives. In return, the country offers active and retired service members a lifetime of benefits. As the dependent of retired military personnel, you may be eligible to apply for an ID card that entitles you to benefits from the federal government. The Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) issues and keeps track of these ID cards and determines if you are eligible for a variety of privileges, described on Military.com as including "medical care, commissary, exchange, and theater privileges."

Parentage

The retired military personnel in your family must either be your parent, a legal stepparent, or adoptive parent for you to apply for the ID card and receive benefits.

Age

To apply for the card, dependents must be under the age of 21 if not they are not in school, or 23 years old if they attend school full time.

Incapacitated

Military.com states that children of "any age if incapacitated before the age of 21 (23 if in school at the onset of the incapacity) and dependent upon the retired sponsor for more than one-half their support" may also apply for the ID card.

Application

Application Form DD 1172 must be completed with the notarized signature of the retired military personnel before an ID card is granted to a dependent or family member.

Tags: apply card, military personnel, retired military, retired military personnel, Card Requirements, Dependent Identification, Dependent Identification Card

Get Financial Aid For College

If you have a student in high school, likely the prospect of paying for college weighs heavily on your mind. However, the majority of students (from all income brackets) do receive financial aid for college. The key, however, is knowing apply for aid and look for financial aid programs that will work for you and your child. Here's how you can get financial aid for college.

Instructions

1. Fill out the FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, to apply for student aid from the United States government. There is no cost to fill out or submit the FAFSA. Obtain the FAFSA from the U.S. Department of Education website or by calling (800)433-3243. The FAFSA can be filled out electronically online or on paper. Be aware that the FAFSA is required by many aid programs and that it should be filled out as soon as possible after January 1st of the calendar year in which you plan to start college.

2. Check and see if the colleges or universities that you are interested in require any other forms to apply for financial aid. Some private schools use their own financial aid form or the College Board's College Scholarship Service (CSS) form. Check with the college or university's financial aid office or read your application materials to see what forms are required of you.

3. Consider loans as part of your financial aid package for college. Loans have to be paid back with interest, in most cases after you are out of school. You can obtain student loans (such as a Stafford loan or a Perkins loan), private student loans or even parent loans. For government loan programs, the FAFSA will be required. For private loans and some parent loans, talk to your bank or college financial aid office for information. You can also search for college loans using the Internet.

4. Apply for scholarships to help pay for college. Scholarships, unlike loans, don't ever have to be repaid. There are many ways in which you can find scholarships to help pay for college. You can search the Internet for college scholarships, using a free service such as FastWeb. You can also talk to a high school guidance counselor for available scholarship programs or to a financial aid officer at the college you are interested in about scholarships that are available. Scholarships usually are given based on merit or based on the applicant having some special characteristic or interest. Apply for as many scholarships that fit you.

5. Work as part of your financial aid package for college. Applying for federal work study programs on campus requires filling out the FAFSA. These work study programs are based on need. You may also consider working on campus in various positions that are not relegated for federal work study. The financial aid advisor at your college can help you figure out what positions are available on campus.

6. Talk to people in the know. Your high school guidance counselor can provide you with information on local scholarships and loan programs as well as help you fill out any necessary financial aid applications such as the FAFSA. The financial aid office at the college or university that you are interested in can also help you navigate the maze of financial aid. Stay in contact with these people through your application process. They will always help steer you in the right direction.

Tags: financial office, high school, work study, college university, federal work, federal work study, financial college

Do Better On The Sat

It's time for the SAT, the test that all high school seniors dread. Don't worry, you can score high marks on the test and advance in your academic career if you know when and prepare that brain of yours to be brilliant.

Instructions

1. Prepare for the big test day. Start six months ahead. Complete a practice SAT test to reveal your weaknesses and focus on them during the comin weeks. There's an SAT online website that offers practice exams, questions and suggestions for taking the test.

2. Work with a tutor. Ask him to coach you on get through each section of the test, read the questions and to make suggestions on answer the questions. Join a study group for the SAT so you can familiarize yourself with all facets of the test.

3. Purchase a calculator and learn use it. The SAT permits students to use the devices, and you should learn work with it quickly and accurately.

4. Fill out all the appropriate applications, pay the required fees and allow enough time for your processing to ensure a better opportunity of taking the SAT exam in a location that is preferable to you.

5. Take time for yourself the week before the SAT exam. Have all your other school homework and projects caught up and go to bed at a reasonable time. Eat healthy foods and snacks and eat a healthy breakfast on the morning of the exam.

6. Get directions to the location where you will take your SAT exam. Determine the best route to travel to your testing place and how long it will take you to get there in traffic. Always allow extra time so that you're not late. Bring your admission verification and a photo ID. Bring your pencils, calculator, paper and anything else the test requires. Bring a snack for the break. You're prepared, you're there and you are going to do "better than great" on your SAT.

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Get Doctoral Funding

Some graduate students work in labs as research assistants.

For those without a master's degree, getting a doctorate can take 5 to 6 years. At private schools, one year's tuition and costs can exceed $60,000. Because the average college student graduates with $25,000 worth of debt, most do not want to take out another $300,000 in student loans. For this reason, many college graduates do not even consider doctoral studies. However, by applying for financial aid and outside opportunities, planning, and working during graduate school, most college graduates can fund doctoral studies in part or in full.

Instructions

1. Apply for financial aid. Write a list of the graduate schools that interest you. For each school, note the financial aid deadline and what forms are required, such as a tax return or the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. As a graduate student, you probably will not get need-based aid, but you may get low-interest or interest free loans. You may also qualify for grants that are based on a combination of need and merit.

2. Work during graduate school. Expect to work as a teaching assistant, instructor for a lower-level class, research assistant or lab technician. When you enroll at the school, sign the contract that states that you will work during school in exchange for free tuition and, possibly, a living stipend. Although tuition is usually subsidized for your entire time, do not expect to work during your first year since most doctoral programs do not permit first-year students to work.

3. Look for outside opportunities, such as external scholarships and fellowships. Many organizations give scholarships to graduate students, such as the Philanthropic Educational Organization Scholarship for women or the Leopold Schepp Scholarship for needy students. If you are interested in receiving pay for advanced research, seek a graduate fellowship. Speak with professors or financial aid counselors who work with graduate students to find these opportunities. Use www.fastweb.com or www.scholarships.com to find more scholarship opportunities.

4. Maintain your GPA. Unlike undergraduate students, graduate students must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA. Grades below a B- do not count toward your degree. Having to retake a class will mean more money, and many schools are reluctant to pay for it. A solid GPA will make you more competitive for opportunities within the school, scholarships and outside opportunities.

5. Plan before starting your doctorate. Upon matriculating in graduate school, you may not have time to seek scholarships, fellowships and other opportunities. Hence, start planning before entering graduate school. Furthermore, for some scholarships, you must apply while still an undergraduate student.

Tags: graduate school, graduate students, outside opportunities, college graduates, doctoral studies, during graduate

What Is The Mortgage Foreclosure Forgiveness Act

What Is the Mortgage Foreclosure Forgiveness Act?

The Mortgage Foreclosure Forgiveness Act is a way to give homeowners a break from paying income tax on the amount of a discharged mortgage, but only for a limited time. Debt forgiveness most often results in taxable income, but homeowners can attach a completed Form 982 to their federal income tax return to claim this tax relief.

Definition

The Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007, sometimes called the Mortgage Foreclosure Forgiveness Act, allows taxpayers to exclude income from debt discharged in connection with a foreclosure or mortgage restructuring. The Act applies to a taxpayer's primary residence only.

Timeline

The Mortgage Foreclosure Forgiveness Act applies to debt discharged, or forgiven, in the calendar years 2007 through 2012. Lenders must send a year-end statement (Form 1099-C) to borrowers whose debt was eliminated or partially forgiven. Lenders have until January 31 of the year immediately following the year in which the debt forgiveness took place to send the form.

Amount

Taxpayers may exclude up to $2 million of forgiven debt relating to a foreclosure or mortgage restructuring in accordance with the Mortgage Foreclosure Forgiveness Act. Married taxpayers filing separately may exclude up to $1 million each. The exclusion amount is not applicable if the forgiven debt is related to services performed for the lender or any reason not directly related to the decline in the value of the home or to the taxpayer's financial situation.

Debt Cancellation

Debt cancellation, discharge and forgiveness are terms that mean you no longer have to pay an outstanding amount owing on a loan. In certain circumstanced you may need to file the amount of the forgiven debt as income on a tax return. Debts that are discharged through bankruptcy are not considered taxable income, but forgiven debts due to foreclosure or restricting can be considered taxable income.

Conditions

The forgiven debt must have been used to build, buy or substantially improve the taxpayer's primary residence. The forgiven debt must have been secured by the primary residence. Debt resulting from refinancing the qualifying debt is also eligible under the Mortgage Foreclosure Forgiveness Act, but only in an amount up to the old mortgage principle immediately prior to refinancing. The amount of forgiven debt reduces the taxpayer's cost basis in the home.

Tags: Foreclosure Forgiveness, Mortgage Foreclosure, Mortgage Foreclosure Forgiveness, forgiven debt, primary residence, taxable income, amount forgiven

Degrees In Executive Law

An executive law degree increases business acumen.

Executive law degrees are for full-time professionals who wish to obtain a law degree or advance a legal career within a specialty area. Executives and other professionals complete their Juris Doctorate, or J.D., in a three to five-year program. Lawyers spend one year in a specialty program to achieve a Master of Laws degree, or LL.M.

An executive law degree is different than going to law school with the intention to help CEOs and executives with their employment and benefits contracts --- labor and contract law.

Northwestern University and IE Law Schools

Northwestern University Law School and IE Law School in Madrid, Spain partner in this executive law degree in which working lawyers receive a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree from Northwestern University School of Law and a Business Administration certificate from IE. The program combines classroom with online learning creating more flexibility for the working lawyer.

This program combines law and business management looking at the practice of law in America and Europe in the international business realm. Participants spend alternating two-week periods, three times a year in either Chicago or Madrid in combination with online learning throughout the course. Students wishing to spend the Spring Semester in Chicago have that choice.

Mississippi College School of Law

Designed for doctors, real estate, and business professionals, Mississippi College School of Law Executive Law School program offers extended flexibility to complete a J.D. degree over five years instead of three.

Candidates for the program must have qualifying Law School Admission Test (LSAT) scores and a high grade-point-average as well as commit to at least nine hours of coursework per semester. Most coursework is offered during the day.

Boston University

The Boston University School of Law Executive LL.M. in International Business Law accepts only those who already have a law degree. It combines summer classroom sessions with on-line learning, real-time classroom feeds and pre-recorded video.

Although most coursework is offered via distance learning, participants are expected to convene in Boston three times a year for specific subject matter. Participants have the flexibility to participate in a summer-intensive residential series or opt to participate in one or more modules of the following year's residential training.

New York University

New York University (NYU) offers a tax specialty Executive LL.M. for working attorneys. The courses are taught on-line with leading-edge technologies --- interactive, on-line sessions and high-resolution video classes that students access within their time availabilities. Participants have the option to attend classes in Greenwich Village.

Participants may choose from a wide variety of tax-related subject matter --- e.g.,

"tax policy, tax mergers and acquisitions" --- each semester, depending on their professional interest.

Kaplan University - Concord Law School

Concord Law School of Kaplan University offers an Executive Juris Doctorate (EJD) degree on-line. The program is modified to give a law degree to those seeking professional development in law but with no interest in passing the bar exam. Candidates to the program must have at least a bachelor of arts or have studied in a U.S. accredited graduate program.

After one year of studying basic legal concepts, each participant has the flexibility to tailor the following years' subject matter to their specific interest in law.

Tags: executive degree, Northwestern University, subject matter, University School, Boston University

Comparing College Tuition Costs In Ohio

Colleges can be very expensive.

College tuition is the vast majority of the costs of going to college. Ohio is ranked as having a higher average tuition cost compared to the rest of the country. According to the Ohio Board of Regents, Ohio ranks F in affordability of tuition for higher education. Since the education cost is so high, many students in Ohio must consider how affordable a school is in addition to how good it is.

Instructions

1. Determine the maximum amount of tuition that you can pay a year. Set a maximum figure so that when you are looking at the schools, you won't be tempted to pick one where the tuition cost is higher than your limit.

2. Find out the yearly tuition cost in each school. Tuition can be found on school websites or on websites designed to compare school costs.

3. Look into Ohio tuition caps for state colleges and universities. Schools raise the tuition often, sometimes yearly. According to the Ohio Board of Regents website, tuition caps are typically established in the biennial operating budget bill and have historically ranged from 3 percent to 12.9 percent. An average of the last couple of years can give a good idea of likely future tuition caps.

4. Determine financial aid available. Financial aid can come in many forms, such as federal loans, state scholarships or grants for specific majors. Tuition costs can be more affordable when financial aid is considered.

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The Best Ranks Of Architecture Schools

The promising career of an architect is inviting to many prospective students. Before embarking upon a course of study, many will seek out how the various accredited architecture programs and schools are ranked nationally. For these students, there are a number of ranks of architecture schools to help them better prepare for a higher education and a career as an architect, civil engineer, landscape architect, or drafter.

DesignIntelligence

Since 1999, the bimonthly journal DesignIntelligence, published by the Washington, D.C.-based think thank Design Futures Council (DFC), provides its rankings of the best architecture schools in the United States. Its rankings have become one of the most used tools for prospective architecture students or those students looking to continue their education at the graduate level or beyond. In the study, the attitudes of working architects are factored in.

U.S. News & World Report

The U.S. News & World Report offers a comprehensive and trusted ranking of colleges nationwide, released annually. These rankings can be narrowed regarding academics and academic environment. The fields of architecture, environmental design, interior or landscape architecture, and naval architecture are all listed in the rankings.

The Princeton Review

The Princeton Review offers its own school rankings, which are searchable by schools and majors. Other factors considered in its rankings include town life, demographics, and politics. Its "Best Fit College Search" can help prospective architecture students narrow down their choices of schools.

Tags: architecture schools, architecture students, career architect, News World, News World Report, Princeton Review