Writing can be one of the most difficult aspects of ESL teaching. Because of the complexities of writing, many teachers simply avoid the area, instead concentrating on reading and pronunciation. Writing is, however, essential to ESL students, especially those in higher levels, and while it may be hard to get started teaching it, the rewards are more than worth it.
Instructions
1. Give them lots of things to read. Depending on what their native language is, ESL students may have a hard time grasping the concept of sentences and idea flowing because of the way their native language structures stories. By giving them access to reading material, you’re showing them samples of what they can do in English and helping them target their writing.
2. Choose a type of writing appropriate to the students’ level. Lower levels could write a short Thank You note, while more advanced students can work on a cover letter to go along with a resume. By choosing topics that are relevant to their lives as well as their capacity, you’re also encouraging them to bring their own knowledge into the mix.
3. Make it a game. Rather than focusing on the grammar side of writing, find activities that require your students to write, such as a PenPal exchange program like IECC, where teachers can connect students and classrooms to people all over the world. While eventually you want your students to write with no mistakes, this could be a great way to encourage writing in shy or hesitant students (see Resources below).
4. Use activities and worksheets. Websites such as the ESL Teachers’ Board have a variety of games and exercises you can use to teach writing to ESL students. Examples include helping them compose answers to job advertisements, creating comic answers to letters and writing letters to friends and family (see Resources below).
5. Bring sentences for them to complete. Lower-level students may have a hard time formulating ideas on their own, so you can push them along by giving them a topic to work of, such as “This summer, I’m hoping…” or “After work, I will…”. Then let them write the rest of the sentence on their own.
6. Emphasize the importance of using simple constructions. English can get confusing once you start introducing lots of commas or other punctuation inside a single sentence. For beginner ESL students, it may be easier to stick to short sentences without complicated clauses.
Tags: your students write, giving them, hard time, have hard, have hard time, helping them
Learning English can be more fun with effective strategies.
English is one of the most difficult languages to learn. Problems include the non-phonetic, pattern-defying spelling, complex pronunciations and largest vocabulary of any language. The profusion of idioms, aphorisms and figures of speech that permeate the language also make learning difficult. On the other hand, English is an extremely important language that is essential for many professions. With a few sound strategies, learning English can actually be fun.
Exposure
Exposure is probably the most important element in learning a language. This means going to English movies and places where English is spoken. Watching English TV is especially important because the language is often simple and easy to figure out with the assistance of context. Television ads are helpful since the written language often appears along with the spoken language, making the underlying message easy to guess.
Materials
It is helpful to have learning materials like grammar books, dictionaries and easy reading books. Don't overlook children's and comic books---the pictures help with the comprehension. You probably can't learn a language with just this material, but it helps with vocabulary and makes it unnecessary to guess at the grammar rules and verb conjugations. It also introduces some very important words right away, like personal pronouns and greetings. Many people find it helpful to make vocabulary cards to carry in their pocket to study on trains or while standing in line.
Friends
Try to make friends who are native English speakers. A good place to look for these is people who want to learn your language. A local university can provide you with a list of these. Another place to look is toward people who share a common interest with you. If you have a dog, for example, go to the dog park. If you are a musician, look for people to jam with. Language is usually learned from other people. Having a person you can ask questions is invaluable. Movies and books are always going to raise questions, and having a ready answer is a valuable learning experience.
Top psychology programs are available in the United States.
Graduate programs in psychology prepare students for careers in academic research as well as for clinical, hands-on positions in behavioral neuroscience, developmental psychology and industrial psychology. Hundreds of colleges and universities in the United States offer advanced psychology programs; U.S. News & World Report conducts a comprehensive surveys of academic psychology programs,, and ranks those programs which stand above the rest.
Stanford University
Stanford University, a private research university located in Stanford, California, was ranked in 2009 by U.S. News & World Report as having the top graduate program in psychology in the United States. The Department of Psychology offers a coterminal master of arts in psychology, which allows those students who earn a bachelor's degree to continue on to a graduate degree without re-applying to the university. The graduate program requires that students take advanced psychology courses in several specialized areas, including: career and personal counseling, cognitive neuroscience, developmental psychology, social psychology, cognitive development and the science of memory. Graduate students are required to complete a master's thesis that uses quantitative and qualitative analyses to solve a challenge in psychological research.
Stanford University
Department of Psychology
Jordan Hall, Building 01-420
450 Serra Mall
Stanford, CA 94305
650-725-2400
stanford.edu/dept/psychology/
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California-Berkeley, a large, public research institution located in Berkeley, California, is a member of the University of California system. The Psychology Department was ranked by U.S. News & World Report in 2009 as having the top graduate psychology program in the United States. (The department tied for this position with Stanford University). UC Berkeley offers a graduate program in psychology with five unique concentration tracks in the following areas: behavioral neuroscience; change, plasticity and development; clinical science; cognition, brain and behavior; and social-personality. Each of these concentrations requires that students take a core selection of general psychology classes as well as two to four specialized courses in a chosen concentration. Students are also required to complete a graduate research project, presented at the conclusion of a student's second year, which analyzes a unique problem in the field of psychology.
University of California, Berkeley
Department of Psychology
3210 Tolman Hall
Berkeley, CA 94720
510-642-5292
psychology.berkeley.edu/graduate/index.html
Harvard University
Harvard University, a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, was ranked in 2009 by U.S. News & World Report as having the third-best psychology graduate program in the United States. The Harvard graduate psychology program is organized around five principal areas of study from which students can choose a focus: cognition, brain and behavior; developmental psychology; clinical science; social psychology; and organizational behavior theory. In addition, the Department of Psychology offers several sub-fields, including experimental psychopathology, cognition, behavioral neuroscience and vision science. After students choose their field of concentration, they choose either a clinical track, which prepares them for clinical careers, or a general, academic track, which prepares them for academic and research careers.
Increase your chances of admission to Wake Forest University School of Medicine.
Wake Forest University School of Medicine is a highly selective medical school located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. A private institution founded in 1902, it is part of the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, one of the largest employers in Forsyth County. Students looking to attend Wake Forest medical school need to make sure their previous academic work, recommendation letters, and interviewing skills are topnotch to have a good chance with an admissions offer.
Instructions
1. Make sure you score as high on the MCAT as you possibly can. Take a paid MCAT preparation course if possible, and set aside eight months to a year to dedicate to preparing for the notoriously difficult test. The average composite score for admitted Wake Forest medical students is 31, with an average scaled test score of 10.3, so aim to score in that range to increase your chances of admission.
2. Fulfill the pre-medical school course requirements before you graduate from your undergraduate institution. It is possible to complete pre-med requirements after graduating from college, but you will incur extra cost and time for post-baccalaureate classes. Wake Forest requires eight semester hours in each of the following subject areas: vertebrate zoology or general biology, general physics, general chemistry, and organic chemistry. Make sure you incorporate these requirements into your undergraduate pre-med course of study in addition to the writing requirement.
3. Get your undergraduate GPA as high as possible. Wake Forest School of Medicine admitted students had an average GPA of 3.64 in 2007. If you need to study for a test that will mean the difference between an A and a B, make sure you set aside adequate time to prepare. Developing good study habits in college will prove an invaluable skill in medical school, which is infamously challenging, consisting of hard work with a narrower area of focus.
4. Ask professors for letters of recommendation. Wake Forest requires one letter from a scientific discipline and one non-scientific. The Wake Forest admissions staff also prefer to receive a letter of recommendation from a pre-med committee if your undergraduate institution has one. Ask professors with whom you have developed a personal rapport to ensure that your letter will be as personalized and unique as possible. Asking prestigious professors also helps. Make sure you give your professors ample time to write your letter -- anywhere from three months to one academic year in advance is preferable -- and thank them for their help in adding to your application.
5. Practice your interview skills. Medical school is one of the few higher-education programs of study that requires a personal interview on a massive scale to determine whether an offer of admission will be extended. Take advantage of your school's career counseling office, which likely offers mock interviews for students applying to medical school. Ask your friends, family, and guidance counselors to stage mock interviews with you, and prepare answers in advance for possible questions. Make sure you also have a set of questions to ask your interviewer, because asking good questions can make or break any interview.
Tags: Wake Forest, Make sure, medical school, your undergraduate, School Medicine, chances admission, college will
Small children are avid learners, endlessly curious about the world around them. Ask any parent of a 4-year-old how often he has heard the question "Why?" A child at this age is especially interested in how the world relates to him. This is a good age to introduce simple maps. Parents can teach their children a great deal if they work with the child's natural learning style.
Make It Concrete with Puzzles
Pre-K and kindergarten-age children love puzzles, but they usually can't handle more than about 25 pieces. Wooden puzzles of the states are age-appropriate for your child, but she may have trouble focusing long enough to complete the entire puzzle.
Break the puzzle down into manageable tasks. Start with a completed puzzle, take some pieces out, scramble them and have him put them back. He wants to know how this is relevant to him, so start by teaching him states that match the letters in his name. Nathan would get Nebraska, then Alaska, etc.
Make It Personal
Your child will find it easiest to learn the name and capital of her own state, of course. Children this age learn the things they see as useful to them. Teach her the states where friends and family live. This should get you her attention long enough to get her to learn the capitals that go with them.
Find children's books set in various states. If he connects with the story, he will be more interested in where it happened. Find interesting places to go and fun things to do in each state. Make up stories together about visiting. Copy pictures out of travel books, and paste cutouts of him and you together there. This is a good way to connect him to the capital cities.
Make It Fun
Every state has at least one kid-friendly food you can associate with it. Make your supper menus have foods you can match up with a specific state. Let your child help you cook. Have her put the puzzle pieces for each state next to the matching food. Try to make the food associate with the state capital. You have her attention; use repetition and rhymes for the capitals. Have her put the pieces back in the puzzle after the meal.
Preschool and early elementary children love animals. Learn about the wildlife native to each state. Draw or print a picture of an animal that goes with the state, and paste it onto a large state outline. Let him color it and hang it on the wall of his room. Make sock puppets of the animal. When you make up stories about visiting a state and its capital, include the animal as a character.
Be careful---you may end up with new vacation plans.
Tags: each state, about visiting, associate with, children love, food associate, food associate with
Many well-known universities around the country have developed advanced degree programs that cater to business executives and senior leaders who are looking to further their education. These schools have designed curricula based on real-world management scenarios to train executives to excel in the world of business. Courses are offered in multiple business areas, yet are not disruptive to busy corporate schedules. Texas has an extensive list of schools with this type of curriculum.
Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University's Mays School of Business ranked No. 1 by the Wall Street Journal. Courses are offered on a Houston-area campus on alternate weekends. Tuition includes course materials, fees associated with the seminar held in Washington D.C., and lodging expenses during the required week-long residency. At least 10 years of management experience is required for admission into the program.
Texas A&M University
385 Wehner Bldg. 4356
College Station, TX 77843
888-551-9998
emba.tamu.edu
Rice University MBA for Executive
Rice University's Jones Graduate School of Business is located in Houston, Texas and is ranked 11th by the Wall Street Journal for its curriculum. Students range from senior level managers to those with degrees in law or medicine. To be admitted into Rice, students must have a minimum of 10 years management experience. Tuition includes textbooks, course material, and a laptop computer with software necessary for course instruction. Fifty-seven graduate credits are required for program completion, achieved in 22 months.
Rice University MBA for Executive
6100 Main St.
Houston, TX 77005
713-348-6060
business.rice.edu
Tulane University Executive MBA
Tulane University's Freeman School of Business is ranked among top graduate programs in the world by Business Week. The school offers a Houston-based executive MBA program with a focus on global business operations. Classes are offered on alternate weekends with occasional travel to the New Orleans campus for workshops, included in the tuition. The tuition also includes an eight-day international seminar at a different location each year, used to enrich the academic experience. Years of experience vary depending on the student's job responsibilities. This program can be completed in 18 months.
Tulane University Executive MBA
1700 West Loop South
Houston, TX 77027
866-TULANEMBA
freeman.tulane.edu
Texas Woman's University
Texas Woman's University School of Management was ranked as the largest program in Texas in 2008. The school offers a blended program with alternating weekends combined with an online curriculum. Five years of management experience is required for admission. The program can be completed in as little as 15 months. Courses are offered on TWU's Houston and Denton campuses.
Texas Woman's University
6700 Fannin
Houston, TX 77030
713-794-2000
twu.edu
University of Texas at Arlington
The executive MBA program offered at UT Arlington is the only EMBA program in Texas to offer a Graduate Certificate in Asian Business Studies. The program can be completed in 15 months, including a four-day orientation. Students must have four to seven years management experience for admission. Courses are held on alternate weekends and tuition includes all course material.
University of Texas at Arlington
701 S. West St.
Arlington, TX 76019
214-577-1111
emba.uta.edu
Tags: years management experience, management experience, University Executive, University Texas, years management, alternate weekends, Courses offered
A co-signer's disability does not alleviate him from his responsibility to repay student loans.
When you co-sign a loan for another person, whether that individual is a friend, child or other relative, you accept permanent responsibility for repayment of the debt. Co-signers vouch for the reliability and worthiness of the borrower, yet also ensure repayment of the debt by personally guaranteeing the terms. Regardless of what life events transpire, the obligation of the co-signer remains unchanged.
Why Have a Co-signer?
Borrowers with unacceptable credit histories or insufficient financial means to receive standard approvals for loans can be granted acceptance with the involvement of a co-signer. Lenders consider the assets, income and credit of both the primary borrower and co-signer. The result is a larger pool of resources that, when combined, meet or exceed the lender's established minimum criteria and guidelines for approval.
Repayment Terms
Loan contracts do not have separate repayment terms for the borrower and co-signer. Lenders make no special provisions for loans with co-signers, as both parties are treated equally and considered responsible under the same agreement. The credit history and profile of both borrower and co-signer reflects responsibility for the loan, and payment history is notated in both credit reports.
Co-signer Disability
A co-signer's disability, either temporary or permanent, has no bearing on the repayment terms of the loan. Since the primary borrower should be making scheduled installment payments, the physical well-being of the co-signer is irrelevant. Unfortunately, if the borrower is unable to make payments, and the co-signer has taken responsibility, his disability does not elicit sympathy or qualify him for any form of relief from the financial obligation.
Contingency Planning
The most logical method of preventing financial devastation for both borrower and co-signer as a result of disability is to purchase an appropriately structured insurance policy. Disability insurance provides a monthly benefit payable to the owner if he becomes disabled and can no longer earn an income. The regular monthly proceeds of a disability policy can be used to fulfill the owner's obligations and pay the student loan installments.
Tags: borrower co-signer, borrower co-signer result, both borrower, both borrower co-signer, co-signer disability
Applying for jobs can be exhausting and discouraging, especially if you've been searching for employment for a long time. To increase your chances of getting hired soon after graduating from college, start your search while you're still in school. Sending out resumes and applications early can give you a head start on the rest of your graduating class. Don't expect to get the job--or the salary--of your dreams right off the bat, though. You can plan on starting in an entry-level position to gain experience.
Instructions
1. Go to your college's career counseling office and ask for assistance. Show a counselor your resume and get her advice on improving it. You may think you know all you need to about landing a job, but a counselor can likely show you better ways to market yourself. This is a good opportunity to ask for any help you need, including writing a cover letter and interviewing skills.
2. Check local, regional and national newspapers--if you don't mind relocating--and online job banks, such as Monster and CareerBuilder.com. Some job banks allow you to post your resume so that possible employers can view it. If you find any jobs that sound right for you, mail a copy of your resume and a cover letter detailing the skills you can bring to the position and requesting an interview. "Sell" yourself to your potential employer in your cover letter. Discuss your relevant experience and explain why you're the right person for the job
3. Network. Ask your friends, classmates, parents and parents' friends and co-workers if they know of any entry-level job openings. If you completed an internship in college, send a note to that company thanking them for the internship opportunity and informing them that you're graduating and would like to interview for a position. Call your internship supervisor and ask about any possible openings, either now or down the road.
4. Visit online networking sites, such as Facebook, MySpace, MyLife and LinkedIn. Post a professional looking profile or redo your existing profile. Potential employers may check out your online profile before deciding whether to grant an interview, so make your profile look professional by removing any potentially embarrassing material, such as photographs from parties.
5. Volunteer during any spare time you have between job searches. Listing a volunteer position on your resume may boost your credibility with a potential employer and can also create more networking opportunities. It's possible for a volunteer position to turn into a paid position.
6. Attend career or job fairs and treat them like actual interviews. Dress professionally, act sharp and bring copies of your resume to distribute to potential employers. Research the companies that will be represented before you go. Your chances of impressing a recruiter are a lot better if you know something about the company and position beforehand.
Tags: your resume, cover letter, After College, Apply Jobs, Apply Jobs After, Jobs After
As of July 2009, Charleston, South Carolina had a population of more than 115,000 residents, according to City-Data.com, making it the second-largest city in the state. Due to its size, the greater Charleston area has become a center for education and is home to numerous post-secondary institutions. Among these schools are technical colleges, which grant certificates, diplomas and degrees that can lead to employment in some of the city's largest industries like accommodation and food services, construction, healthcare and technical services.
Trident Technical College
Trident Technical College is a public, two-year institution with campuses in North Charleston, Moncks Corner, downtown Charleston, Summerville, Hollywood, St. George and Mt. Pleasant. Between all of its campuses, the school has an enrollment of more than 19,000 full- and part-time students. The college offers degree and certificate programs in aeronautical studies, allied health, business technology, community and family studies, culinary arts, film and visual arts, humanities and social sciences, industrial technology, legal studies, nursing and science and mathematics. The college offers a number of courses online. Apprenticeships, internships and paid cooperative work placements are also featured in many programs. Eligible students can receive federal and state grants and loans, veterans' benefits, institutional scholarships and work-study placements. Job placement assistance is available.
Trident Technical College
P.O. Box 118067
Charleston, SC 29423
843-574-6111
tridenttech.edu
Miller-Motte Technical College
Miller-Motte Technical College is a private, for-profit technical training school with locations in North and South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee and Virginia. The school opened its Charleston branch campus in December 2000. The college offers associate degrees in criminal justice, international trade, medical assisting, health information technology, massage therapy, paralegal studies, phlebotomy and surgical technology. Certificates in medical billing, medical office administration and cosmetology-related fields are also granted. The school has accreditation through the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools and participates in federal financial aid programs. The Career Services department at Miller-Motte helps students research job openings and arrange interviews.
Miller-Motte Technical College
8085 Rivers Ave.
Charleston, SC 29406
800-923-4160
miller-motte.edu
ECPI College of Technology
Featuring campuses in Virginia and North and South Carolina, ECPI College of Technology is a private, for-profit technical school. Its North Charleston branch is approximately 14 miles from downtown Charleston (around 19 minutes by automobile). The school offers baccalaureate degrees in network security, business administration and electronics engineering. Associate degree and certificate programs in electronics engineering and network security are also available as well as in practical nursing, medical assisting and medical office administration. Most programs include hands-on training either through internships or laboratory experiences on campus. Online courses are available. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools has accredited the school. Eligible students can take advantage of federal grant and loan programs, veterans' benefits, institutional scholarships, work-study and private student loans. The school's Career Services department provides job placement assistance, and the college regularly hosts workshops to help students with job-search-related tasks like resume writing and interview preparation.
ECPI College of Technology
7410 Northside Drive
North Charleston, SC 29420
843-414-0350
ecpi.edu
Tags: Technical College, South Carolina, college offers, College Technology, ECPI College, ECPI College Technology, Miller-Motte Technical
Before candidates take the CPA exam, they must complete the accounting curriculum offered by an accredited college or university.
The Uniform Certified Public Accountants Examination (CPA Exam) is administered to test the accounting knowledge of qualified candidates. To qualify to take the exam, candidates must complete the educational requirement for their jurisdiction. According to the American Institute of CPAs, many states and jurisdictions require 150 semester hours of education to obtain CPA certification. There's no specific list of courses candidates must complete; accredited colleges or universities determine which ones are required.
Financial Accounting
Financial accounting courses provide students with accounting fundamentals. Typically, colleges and universities require all business majors to take financial accounting courses. Generally, the courses are provided in two parts and teach students about debits and credits, basic financial statements, and the concepts of generally accepted accounting principles. Financial accounting is the backbone of the accounting profession and is needed to perform bookkeeping duties, tax returns and financial statement audits.
Auditing
Auditing courses prepare students to evaluate whether financial statement accounts are presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Auditing courses review auditing standards, financial statement assertions, sampling techniques and the concept of materiality. They also cover the types and significance of an auditor's report. The CPA exam has a section, Auditing and Attestation, dedicated to the content of auditing curricula.
Taxation
Taxation courses commonly cover tax planning, research techniques and tax preparation. Students majoring in accounting are trained to interpret tax laws and apply them to common business transactions. For instance, a major university offers a course entitled, "Taxation of Business Entities and Transactions" that reviews tax laws that affect business entities and common business transactions.
Government and Not-For-Profit
Courses geared to the government and not-for-profit sectors focus on the types of entities, standards and reporting requirements necessary for those entities. They review the financial statements and auditor's reports typically issued for governmental and not-for-profit organizations as well as the expanded auditing requirements established by the federal government.
Economics and Business Law
Courses in economics and business law are sometimes offered on the graduate level and require students to master subjects that range from statistical methods to the Uniform Commercial Code. The CPA Exam tests candidates' knowledge of the subject matter in the Regulations and Business Environment and Concepts sections.
There are several grants to pay for one's college tuition.
The cost of college continues to jump exponentially, making it harder for aspiring collegians to afford an education. In fact, research from the College Board indicates that in 2010 alone, college tuition increased faster than the rate of inflation. Given that reality, all forms of financial aid have become more important than ever before. For many students, there are grants available from the federal government and certain state governments that can be the key to graduating with a college degree.
Pennsylvania State Grant Program
Graduating high school seniors in Pennsylvania can take advantage of the Pennsylvania State Grant Program (PSGP). Administered by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, the PSGP also gives grant money to GED holders. In addition to the PSGP application form, applicants must also complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to qualify. Recipients can get between $600 and $4,120 depending on their household income and the schools they will be enrolled in.
Federal Pell Grant
Offered by the U.S. government, the federal Pell Grant gives money to incoming freshmen from low-income families. To qualify, applicants must be U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents, and both part-time or full-time students are eligible. Applicants must also prove that they need financial assistance. To do this, they must complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Applicants who lost a parent during military service in Iraq or Afghanistan since 2001 will receive the maximum amount of $5,550.
Cal Grants
Cal Grants are offered by the California State Aid Commission to graduating high school seniors and GED holders. However, they are only available to U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents that can demonstrate financial need. Applicants must plan to attend a qualifying California college as either part-time or full-time students. The Cal Grant program provides different types of grants. The Cal Grant A award provides up to $11,124. The Cal Grant B awards provides $1,551 for books, and those selected for the Cal Grant C award will receive $576 for books and $2592 for tuition.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program
The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program (FSEOGP) is offered by the U.S. government to undergraduates in need of financial assistance. The grant typically goes to students with "exceptional need." These are individuals whose families cannot offer any money toward their education. Money is sent from the federal government to financial aid departments at approximately 4,000 schools. The schools can then determine how much to give to eligible candidates. Recipients can get anywhere between $100 to $4,000 each academic year.
The American Bar Association (ABA) consists of 400,000 members and is the largest voluntary professional association in the world. The ABA states its mission as equally serving its members, the profession and the public by defending liberty and delivering justice. One function of the ABA is to provide law schools with accreditation, 200 of which are currently accredited. Each year, a top 100 list of ABA-accredited schools is published in efforts to assist potential law students in their application decisions.
Yale Law School
Yale Law School, recently undergoing a $110 million renovation, has a 6 to 7 percent admission rate that requires students to undergo a 12-point application process, including recommendations and personal letters. Yale has a 6.8 to 1 student-to-teacher ratio, admits just 15 transfer students each year and has an honors/pass/low pass/fail grading system.
Yale Law School Admissions Office
P.O. Box 208215
New Haven, CT 06520-8215
Street address: 133 Wall St., Ruttenberg Hall
203-432-4995
www.law.yale.edu/
Harvard Law School
Harvard Law School has a quick admission process that admits 600 students per academic year. High Law School Admission Test (LSAT) scores improve students' chance of admission as median LSAT scores for 2010 are 173. The ratio of students to professors is 10 to 1, and the curriculum is on an honors/pass/low pass system. New for 2010 are bans on laptop use in the classroom.
Harvard Law School
1563 Massachusetts Ave.
Cainbridge, MA 02138
617-495-3100
law.harvard.edu/index.html
Stanford Law School
Stanford Law School has an acceptance rate of 9 percent, and includes the use of multiple LSAT scores in its decision. The ratio of students to teachers is 8.6 to 1, and an honors/pass/restricted credit/no credit scoring system, which means that around 30 percent of the class receives honors, the remaining a passing score and almost no students receive the lowest score. While grants for tuition are available through Stanford, almost no full-tuition grants are awarded.
Stanford Law School
Crown Quadrangle
559 Nathan Abbott Way
Stanford, CA 94305-8610
Office of Admissions:
650-723-4985
stanford.edu/
Columbia University School of Law
Columbia University School of Law receives 8,500 applications per academic year, with a 7 percent admission rate. Median grade point average (GPA) on applications is 3.72 and the average LSAT score is 172. International students represent 10 percent of admitted students, and the student-to-teacher ratio is 9.3 to 1. First-year students have a required course load; however, after the first year, students are allowed elective choices.
Columbia University School of Law
Office of JD Admissions
435 W. 116th St.
New York, NY 10027
212-854-2670
law.columbia.edu/
New York University School of Law
New York University School of Law receives 7,000 applications per academic year to fill just 450 seats. They offer incoming students an early action option for applications received by Oct. 15, and decisions are received by the end of the calendar year. The student-to-teacher ratio is 9.6 to 1, and the required curriculum is predetermined for the first year and a half. The employment rate after graduation from New York University School of Law is an impressive 98.2 percent.
New York University School of Law
40 Washington Square South
New York, NY 10012
Office of Admissions
161 Avenue of the Americas, 5th Floor
New York, NY 10013
212-998-6060
law.nyu.edu
University of California Berkeley School of Law
University of California Berkeley School of Law (BOALT) receives 7,100 applications each year, admits 750 students and enrolls 270. Admission isn't strictly based on academics, BOALT has more of a holistic approach by considering letters of recommendation and personal essays as well. The ratio of student to teachers is 12.3 to 1, and the curriculum also includes exotic courses such as Modern Chinese Law and credit for working as an editor for one of BOALT's many legal journals.
University of California
Berkeley School of Law Admissions Office
5 Boalt Hall
Berkeley, CA 94720-7200
510-642-2274
law.berkeley.edu
University of Chicago Law School
The University of Chicago Law School values the use of the personal statement with student applications. It has a 16 percent admission rate out of 4,798 applications for the year 2010. The University of Chicago has a unique grading system that employs the use of quarters rather than semesters. The student-to-teacher ratio is 9.7 to 1, and 60 percent of classes have 25 students or fewer.
University of Chicago: Law School
1111 E. 60th St.
Chicago, IL 60637-2776
773-702-9494
philosophy.uchicago.edu
University of Pennsylvania Law School
University of Pennsylvania Law School also has a 16 percent admission rate, with a curriculum emphasis on clinical programs and a requirement of law-related public service. Tuition is high at approximately $65,000 per year. However, 94.4 percent of students pass the bar exam the first time, and in 2008, the graduate median annual salary was $160,000.
University of Pennsylvania Law School
3400 Chestnut St.
Philadelphia, PA 19104
215- 898-7400
law.upenn.edu
The University of Michigan Law School
The University of Michigan Law School encourages students to apply early because by January, 75 percent of the seats are filled. GPA is not considered the biggest factor, and the admission rate is at 20.7 percent. First-year students stay with the same group throughout the first year before branching off to other courses or interests. The student-to-teacher ratios are 12.4 to 1, with 56.6 percent of the class in 2009 receiving scholarships.
The University of Michigan
Law School
Admissions Office
726 Oakland Ave.
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
734-764-0537
law.umich.edu/
Duke University School of Law
Duke University School of Law receives 6,300 applications per academic year, admits 1,500 students and only enrolls 228. The application deadline is March, but Duke recommends that applications be received no later than January. The student-to-teacher ratio is 10.2 to 1, and every classroom is wired with power at each student seat, allowing for video conferencing and web access. Students have the option to complete both their master's degree and their law degree with Duke's joint degree program.
Duke University School of Law
Box 90393
Science Drive and Towerview Road
Durham, NC 27708
919-613-7020
law.duke.edu/
Tags: University School, admission rate, student-to-teacher ratio, York University School, academic year, percent admission, percent admission rate
Duplicate CNA licenses can be requested by mail or obtained online.
A Certified Nurse Assistant in Florida is required to be licensed by the Florida Department of Health. Medical Quality Assurance Services of the Florida Department of Health manages CNA licenses and provides online access to apply, renew and request duplicate licenses. Chapter 464 Part II of the 2009 Florida Statutes governs the rules and regulations of Florida CNAs. Duplicate licenses can be obtained online at the Medical Quality Assurance website or by mail. Allow two to three weeks to obtain a duplicate license if requested by mail.
Instructions
Instructions Online
1. Obtain login information from your CNA license. Login information was mailed with your original license. If you do not have your login information, Select "Get Login Help?" at the bottom of the page.
2. Select "Certified Nursing Assistant" in profession box.
3. Fill in "User ID" and "Password."
4. Sign in using secure server to obtain a duplicate copy of your CNA license.
5. Pay $25 fee.
Instructions by Mail
6. Send a letter requesting a duplicate license. Include your full name, profession, CNA license number, date of birth and the last four digits of your social security number in your letter.
7. Include $25 money order or cashier's check made payable to the Department of Health.
8. Send letter and fee to: Department of Health, Post Office Box 6320, Tallahassee, Florida 32314-6320.
Tags: Department Health, duplicate license, Duplicate licenses, Florida Department, Florida Department Health
Semester hours are counted in a college or university education.
A semester hour is defined as a unit of academic credit that represents hours spent in a class or lecture or hours of laboratory work in a degree or certificate program. A semester is the period of time during which a student completes a class. Semester hours vary by school and academic program. The hours are counted when a passing grade or satisfactory evaluation is met.
History
Semester hours were created to add depth to the credits given in a degree or certificate program. A credit defines the points given for a class taken. Each school is different as to how it distributes the semester hours earned. At Penn State, 40 semester hours represent one credit. This can include time inside and outside the classroom. The time counted outside the classroom varies by the type of course.
Types
There are different categories counted within semester hours. Among the different variations in the way hours are counted is classroom work. This includes the lecture, the time the professor or instructor takes to give information on a topic. The typical lecture can range from one hour to four hours, depending on the length of the program and days per week that a student attends the class. Outside work can also be counted toward semester hours. This can include workplace training at a full-time job or an internship. It's also possible that volunteer hours in the field of study can also be counted toward the semester hours total. Laboratory (Lab) or clinical work also qualifies. Lab work can include experiments on substances, and working with patients.
Benefits
The benefits of gaining semester hours are that a student can earn a degree or certificate from a higher learning institution or trade school. The semester hours equal credits earned, and the opportunity for graduation. In a typical degree program the classes range from two to four credits with a total of 120 to 135 credits needed to graduate with a degree.
Effects
The effects of accumulating semester hours can have a great impact on the life of a student. This can include relocation to another geographic area for work purposes, earning income in a higher income bracket, or promotion in their current job or career. Semester hours are important for those desiring to work in fields where training hours are extremely important. These include the medical field or aviation. In these particular fields of study, the experience and qualifications for jobs and internships are directly related to the amount of hours spent practicing and studying material in the classroom and in the field.
Expert Insight
The College Board, a site for students interested in higher education, recommends using thought, effort and organization when choosing a school and course of study. This includes keeping track of applications, and learning the proper way to write admission essays. It's important to avoid attending the wrong school for the prospective field of study desired. A transfer to a different school can delay graduation.
Tags: semester hours, degree certificate, hours counted, semester hours, Semester hours, This include
The National Geographic Bee tests students on both natural and man-made features.
Every year, students across the United States in grades 4 through 8 compete in their school's geography bees. These competitions test the student's knowledge of natural features, national borders, cities and regions, ecosystems, cultures, wildlife and man-made landmarks. The winner's of these local bees then take a written exam; the top 100 scorers compete in the state-level geography bee, and the winners of that competition proceed to compete in the National Geographic Bee. Here, the finalists compete for college scholarships and other prizes. The National Geographic Society provides the questions for all levels of this competition.
Instructions
1. Master the symbols used on a map key to mark geographic features. Make sure to memorize the map notation used for both natural features, such as elevations and man-made features such as railroads, airports and highways. Do not neglect to study underwater features of the oceans, such as coral reefs and the major oceanic depth divisions.
2. Study the wildlife and plant life that lives and grows in each region and each country. Create and then study flashcards that contain a region, country or geographical feature, such as a specific lake or jungle on one side and a list of the major flora and fauna on the other side.
3. Learn the geographical and natural features of each region, state, country and major city worldwide by studying the maps in your world atlas. Quiz yourself by trying to recreate the features you have learned on the blank world maps. Include features such as mountain ranges, bodies of water, ports, capitals, major population centers, local flora and fauna, local crops and other geographical features.
4. Learn the culture of each geographic region, country and major city by studying a geography reference book, such as "World Almanac and Book of Facts" or the "CIA World Factbook." Focus upon learning the history, traditions, economy, currency, religions, political systems and language of each geographic area.
5. Take the daily quiz posted each day on the National Geographic Society's website. Each daily installment will deepen your understanding of the types of questions asked and the type of thinking about geography required to succeed in the National Geographic Bee.
6. Watch the evening world news or read an international newspaper each day, such as the International Herald Tribune. The National Geographic Bee often couches its questions in recent events. After you read each article or watch each news story, write down a list of local geographic and cultural features that relate to the news item.
Tags: National Geographic, features such, natural features, both natural, country major, country major city, each geographic
Many costume designers work in film or television.
Costume designers are responsible for designing and creating various kinds of clothing worn in theatrical productions, television shows and motion pictures. These workers use their understanding of textiles and fashion design to create the appropriate attire needed for the production. The Bureau of Labor Statistics categorizes costume designers as fashion designers in general, and specific salaries for these workers may be slightly higher or lower than those reported here.
National Averages
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there were about 15,780 fashion designers employed in 2009, earning an average wage of about $35.78 an hour or about $74,410 per year. Those in the top 10th percentile of earners made about $62.93 an hour or $130,900 per year, while those in the lowest 10th percentile made $15.54 an hour or $32,320 per year. The middle 50 percent of fashion designers made about $30.90 an hour or $64,260 per year.
Most Common Sectors
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the "apparel, piece goods and notions merchant wholesalers" sector of the industry employed the most fashion designers in 2009. The estimated 6,830 workers in this sector made an average of about $35.17 an hour or about $73,150 per year. The next most-common sector, "cut and sew apparel manufacturing," employed about 2,700 designers who earned an average of about $37.66 an hour or about $78,320 a year.
Highest Paying Sectors
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that designers in the "motion picture and video industries" had the highest average salaries out of all sectors in 2009, earning an average wage of about $44.64 per hour or about $92,850 a year. Designers working in the "wholesale electronic markers and agents and brokers" made an average of about $44.57 an hour or about $92,700 per year.
Geographic Differences
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the five states in which fashion designers had the highest average salaries in 2009 were: New Hampshire, Maine, California, Connecticut and New York. Workers in the highest-paying state, New Hampshire, earned an average of about $41.08 an hour or about $85,460 per year. Those in the fifth-highest paying state, New York, made an average of $38.37 per hour or about $79,800 per year.
Tags: about hour, about year, hour about, hour about year, about hour about, Bureau Labor
A Bachelor's degree in business administration provides many job opportunities.
People with a bachelor's degree in business administration have several career options to choose from. A degree in business administration can prepare you for working in business, nonprofit, and government fields. Employers are looking for someone who has a well-rounded education, has held a business related internship, and obtained strong grades in their degree.
Operations Management
An operations manager is responsible for directing and organizing a company or organization. The operations manager determines polices, organizes and controls inventory, and often creates the employee schedule. An operations manager is also responsible for overseeing the facilities of the companies. Those interested in operations management must display leadership abilities, have strong problem solving skills, and communicate well with others. Entry-level positions in operations management include operations manager, operations consultant, manager of business process improvement and project manager.
Retail Management
Retail management focuses on the running of a retail store. A retail manager is responsible for supervising and working with the sales team. The day-to-day responsibilities of the store is the main job of the retail manager. The retail manager handles inventory and personnel decisions and ensures the store is putting forth the best product and sales possible. Those with a bachelor's degree in business administration who pursue a career in retail management are responsible for financial reporting of the store, creating product promotions, forming relationships with vendors, managing inventory, handling customer complains, setting prices and dealing with the general running of the store.
Sales
Working in the sales field allows you to develop sales skills and techniques to eventually become a sales manager or executive. Entry-level positions in sales include providing assistance to the sales team, creating sales presentations, giving information to clients and preparing contracts. As you grow in the field you become a sales manager or account manager responsible for doing the actual selling. If your goal is to become a sales executive then you will become in charge of all sales within the company or organization. Those wanting to work in sales must have good communication and people skills along with organization and drive.
Human Resource Manager
Human resource managers are responsible for the hiring, job evaluations, salary, benefits, and other administrative functions of an organization. Skills in communication, computer systems, and knowledge of business is crucial for a human resource manager. Having a degree in business administration gives an edge to potential human resource managers as they are knowledgeable about the world of business.
Tags: business administration, degree business administration, operations manager, become sales, degree business, manager responsible, retail manager
Listening skills are important for success in any relationship. Listening attentively opens the door for understanding information and finding insight for specific situations, and it involves much more than just your sense of hearing.
Facts
Listening skills require you to:
Give eye contact
Pay full attention
Disregard distractions
Ask mental questions about what is being said
Not prejudge the message
Significance
Mindtools™ states we remember a 25 to 50 percent of what we hear. That means we miss out on half of our conversations. If you remove hindrances and learn listening skills, you make better decisions, improve relationships, understand others and retain more information.
Purposes
The four main purposes of listening are to gain information, for enjoyment, to learn and to understand. Poor listening typically increases conflicts because a poor listener acts based on what he thinks he heard vs. what was really said. For example, when a parent is having a discussion with her children, she will ask them to tell her what she just said. "I didn't hear you," they may reply, even though they were sitting right in front of her. Watch out, conflict!
Components
Listening requires more than two ears. Eye contact and nonverbal cues to the communicator is one listening skill that shows you are paying attention. Also, asking clarifying questions throughout a conversation indicates that you want to make sure you heard and understood what is being said. Summarizing or paraphrasing after several minutes of conversation shows that you are connecting the dots about what the communicator is saying. If you haven't understood, then after you paraphrase or summarize, the communicator will correct you or rephrase what he is trying to say. (Notice that none of the basic listening skills includes giving opinions or advice; the point is to understand first.)
Benefits
Active listening skills will help you:
Understand tasks on the job and increase promotion opportunities
Build rapport with co-workers and colleagues
Enhance understanding of concepts and applications in educational settings
Increase chances of answering questions appropriately
Ascertain the underlying meaning of what others are saying
Build trust within your relationships because the people you listen to will feel respected and understood.
Tags: about what, being said, Listening skills, listening skills, more than, what being, what being said
Python is a popular and highly sophisticated programming language with understandable syntax, sophisticated data types and the ability to integrate with many domains. Use the following steps as your starting point for studying the widely acclaimed Python programming language.
Instructions
1. Read about getting started with programming at the Swaroopch website. Review the "A Byte Of Python" tutorial on programming found on the website's blog page.
2. Go to Python's home page. Access the page for "Beginners Guide Non-Programmers." Review the list of how-to articles and tutorials for a background on general computer programming.
3. Complete the lessons in Python language at Live Wires' website. Do all the worksheets devoted to writing graphical games.
4. Peruse the sections entitled "Variables" and "Statements, Expressions And Functions" at the Pasteur Group's homepage. Pay special attention to the data and value types for all listed variables. Start sequencing statements and functions within Python expressions.
5. Continue studying Python by focusing on communicate with the outside. Read from and into a Python file. Then find out address errors within files.
6. Define functions in Python, including namespaces and Boolean functions. Focus on nesting data structures and changing nested structures. Learn handle file attributes and operations within programs.
7. Further your study by using moduleswithin Python. See build modules, where to locate them and how they work. Import statements using modules. Build modules by defining functions and setting parameters.
Although getting a college degree is more important than ever, the options a potential graduate has for getting that degree continue to increase. Because of the extra flexibility among other benefits, distance learning is becoming a popular choice for continuing education. That said, getting a degree from an online university requires just as much research as choosing to obtain a degree in a classroom setting.
University of Phoenix
Originally founded in 1976, the University of Phoenix is the biggest private university in the United States, and was a pioneer for Internet-based online degree programs. Boasting an impressive faculty, the university offers a range of associate's, bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs in a wide range of fields including education, business, nursing, information technology and the humanities. The programs are designed to fit into the schedules of busy, working adults. All programs are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
University of Phoenix
3157 E. Elwood St.
Phoenix, AZ 85034
866-766-0766
phoenix.edu
DeVry University
With online degree progams ranging from business to computing to health, DeVry University gives students a diverse selection of options. It also comes with the reputation of being the oldest online university, having graduated thousands of students in the process. DeVry University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.
DeVry University
3005 Highland Parkway
Downers Grove, IL 60515-5683
1-866-338-7934
devry.edu
Grand Canyon University
With online degree programs dating back to 2000, Grand Canyon University is very familiar with the process of distance learning. Specializing in business, Christian studies, arts and scene, the university offers great features like online discussion boards and virtual classrooms. This university offers both bachelor's degrees as well as master's degrees.
Grand Canyon University
3300 W. Camelback Road
Phoenix, Arizona 85017
602-639-7500
gcu.edu
Kaplan University
Kaplan University provides students with an exciting educational experience, offering interactive classrooms, seminars, online library resources and web field trips. With bachelor's and master's courses in psychology, communication, human services, and business administration, Kaplan has a variety of options for students of all kinds. They also offer accelerated learning, giving students the chance to obtain their degree faster than many other universities.
Kaplan University
6301 Kaplan University Ave
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
866-527-5268
portal.kaplanuniversity.edu
Tags: DeVry University, Kaplan University, Canyon University, Grand Canyon, Grand Canyon University, online degree
Medical professionals need to be able to speak to each other conveying exact medical terms. Learning medical terminology allows professionals to be specific, in writing as well as speaking. As a medical terminologist you will have the ability to work in hospitals, doctor's offices and insurance companies or create your own career in medical records, billing, coding or health insurance.
Learning medical terminology will also help your understanding in communicating with your personal health professionals.
The Learning Process
Most medical terms come from Latin or Greek, and part of learning medical terminology involves understanding how these terms are formed. When you are able to recognize word parts, you can move easily into studying the terminology itself. You will study anatomy, the names of diseases, and which organ or body part is affected by those diseases. You will learn medical abbreviations, work on exercises that teach you read and interpret patients' charts and reports, and study pharmacology terms.
Sites for Learning Medical Terminology
There are many options online to learn this profession free of charge. At SweetHaven.com, there is a course designed for you to access and complete at your own pace. The learning components are suitable for anyone in all health occupations. Some of the terms might need a prior knowledge of physiology, anatomy and pharmacology. The site offers flash cards as the source of learning. There are four parts to this course; each part ends in an exam.
SheppardsSoftware.com puts learning medical terminology into a game form. The site FunTrivia.com asks you to complete questions allowing you to enhance your medical terminology vocabulary (see Resources). Medical-Dictionary.com is a site that gives you the option of reading forty-five thousand medical terms and their definitions. If you want to have your own medical dictionary, you can download it free at Soft32.com.
Sample Medical Terminology Online
VirtualLearningCenter.com offers a course online to sample the medican terminology language to see if it is what you want to study (see Resources). This course is designed to give you an introduction to both long-distance learning and medical terminology. Should you choose to study a certificate course, there are many inexpensive options online where you can complete the certification in less than two months.
Tags: medical terminology, Medical Terminology, medical terms, course designed, Learning Medical, learning medical
Mauritania is a Western African country that was a former French colony until the 1960s. Before then, it had long adopted the religion of Islam and its attendant holy language, Arabic. Studying abroad in Mauritania is difficult, but affords the student an important opportunity to learn Arabic through immersion in another culture.
History
Arab armies from Morocco and Algeria reached present-day Mauritania in the middle of the 8th century and conquered the Berber and native people of the region. Arabic was established as the official language at that point and remained so until the mid 19th century when French armies colonized Mauritania. Mauritania was a French colony until the 1960 revolt which overthrew the reigning government. Currently, the government of Mauritania conducts official business in both Arabic and French. Though Mauritania considers itself an Arab country, it only has an observer status in the Arab League meetings and is generally not considered an Arab country by the majority of the Middle East or by the State Department. The ethnic composition of Mauritania is mostly western Africans of various tribes, some of which have converted to Islam and others which have not, and African-Berber tribesmen.
Geography
Geographically, Mauritania is bounded by the Western Sahara on the north, Algeria to the northeast, Mali to the east and south, Senegal to the southwest and the Atlantic ocean on the west. The majority of Mauritania's population live in the capital, Nouakchott. Located in the center of Mauritania's Atlantic coast, Nouakchott is also Mauritania's largest city and the center of its learning and culture. The Mauritanian official, state-sponsored university, Universite de Nouakchott is located here.
Features
There are many universities and madrassas (Islamic schools similar to religious schools in Western countries) that offer to teach Arabic to their students. Of these, only one university stands out as the best in Mauritania for foreigners; Universite de Nouakchott. Located in the nation's capital, Universite de Nouakchott is a French-speaking university which offers classes to natives as well as foreigners. A student wishing to study in Mauritania should be familiar with French and only apply to the Universite de Nouakchott if they wish to learn Arabic in Mauritania.
Identification
While studying in Mauritania, the student should reside in the dormitories of Universite de Nouakchott. First, the services such as security, Internet access and telephone lines are much more reliable than in a private residence in Mouakchott. It is also recommended that the prospective student utilize an American bank to hold their funds, scholarships, and grants while studying in Mauritania. The availability of ATMs makes this a convenient method of banking as money exchanges incur only moderate fees when exchanging from dollars to Mauritanian ouguiyas and the banks are much more stable and reliable than Mauritanian banks.
Warning
Don't apply or study at a different university or institution other than Universite de Nouakchott. First, some institutions of higher learning, such as the Institute for Arab and Islamic Sciences, have been investigated by the U.S. Department of State for alleged ties to Islamic radicals and international terrorism. Though the investigation was inconclusive, the institution (and all who attend it) tend to be monitored by the State Department. Also, while traveling in Mauritania, it is recommended that a student remain with a group of fellow students or with a security detail; ethnic rivalries have flared up from time to time with all non-Blacks or non-Muslims coming under some kind of threat. Finally, the government of Mauritania is historically unstable; travel to Mauritania is to be considered highly risky by the U.S. State Department. (see Resources below)
Tags: Universite Nouakchott, State Department, Arab country, Arabic Mauritania, colony until
A doctorate in xociology can open the door to the fascinating world of research. Sociologists study trends in human behavior, interpersonal interactions and the impact institutional issues such as race and gender have on people's opportunities. For students with a knack for understanding how people behave in groups, getting a Ph.D. in Sociology can lead to a stable and rewarding career.
Instructions
Preparing for a Sociology Graduate Program
1. Work hard as an undergraduate. Major in sociology or a closely-related discipline such as Anthropology. Take undergraduate courses that require you to conduct ethnographic fieldwork. Study and master statistical analysis. Take a variety of high-level sociology courses to develop specific interests.
2. Investigate graduate programs. Apply to programs that have faculty specializing in your interest. For example, if you wish to conduct research on gender, it is advisable to pursue study in a sociology department that has a concentration of faculty doing research in the same area so you can learn from their expertise.
3. Take the Graduate Records Examination and obtain letters of recommendation from current professors. If returning to school after an absence, ask employers to write letters of recommendation.
Pursuing a Ph.D. in Sociology
4. Choose an advisor that shares your research interests and with whom you have a good rapport. Pick a faculty member that you can envision working closely with for the next several years.
5. Complete coursework. The majority of your time in gradate school is spent conducting your own research for your dissertation and taking requires courses. The number of classes required varies depending on the school. Consult the Graduate Advisor in your department when you begin.
6. Pass an area examination which tests your knowledge in your specialization. Defend your dissertation proposal in front of your dissertation committee.
7. Conduct in-depth ethnographic research through participant observation or obtain a data set for quantitative research. Write a literature review, methodology section and a write-up of your research findings to complete your dissertation.
8. Present your dissertation orally to your committee and other faculty members in the department. Defend it during a question and answer session.
Tags: your dissertation, your research, letters recommendation
U.S. savings bonds have many advantages for the investor. You can purchase both EE bonds and inflation-protected I bonds conveniently online at Treasury Direct. You may also possess E, HH or H bonds, which the government no longer issues. Although you have to pay some taxes on their interest, they do provide several tax advantages.
Federal IncomeTax
The owner or principal co-owner must pay federal income tax on interest on U.S. savings bonds. You can choose one of two main methods of reporting interest. The first, accrual basis reporting, means reporting the interest each year as you receive it. Choose this method for a child who has no other income, and she may owe nothing. The second method, cash basis reporting, means reporting the interest when the bond reaches final maturity, when you redeem it or when another taxable event occurs, such as death of the owner. You may also have to pay tax when you have a bond reissued.
Responsibility for Reporting
You pay tax on a bond listing you as sole owner. If you use your own money to buy savings bonds for yourself and another co-owner, you must file the interest on your own return. However, if you purchase a bond as a gift with the recipient as owner, he must report and pay tax on the interest. If two people pool funds to buy a bond as co-owners, each co-owner reports and pays taxes on her percentage of the price, for example, 50 percent each. In a community property state, a married couple buying a bond should pay one-half of the tax each if they file separate federal tax returns.
Bonds Cashed for Education
You can exclude the interest on Series EE or Series I Bonds bought after 1989 from federal income tax if you use them for educational expenses and meet a number of requirements. For example, you must be 24 or older when buying the bonds. If you use the money for your child, the bonds must list you, your spouse or both as owner or co-owners. You must meet income and tax filing requirements and use the entire redemption amount for qualifying expenses during the tax year you cash the bonds. Tuition qualifies, but housing and books do not.
State and Local Income Taxes
You do not have to pay state or local income taxes on interest from U.S. savings bonds. The state income tax exemption makes the bonds a good tax-advantaged investment If you live in a state with a high income tax.
Other Taxes
You have to pay other taxes on savings bond interest, including inheritance or estate taxes, gift taxes and any other excise taxes. You owe these taxes to any level of government, whether federal, state or local.
Moving from elementary to middle school is one of the most difficult transitions that a student goes through during his educational experience. Some students struggle to adapt to the new environment and people, while many students thrive in the new setting. Parents and students should be aware that the transition to middle school prepares them for success during the current school year and future school years to come.
Instructions
1. Learn teacher pleasing behaviors. Positive behaviors, such as being responsible, showing respect and giving effort, make it easier for a teacher or administrator to help and assist when trouble or problems arise. Gaining the teachers and administrators as allies through consistently demonstrating respect and responsibility is the most important step a student takes.
2. Create a positive social network of friends. Many students struggle to make and retain friends during the middle school years. Work to keep friends and maintain strong relationships by being positive and helpful, especially when difficult times arise.
3. Join an athletic team or other extracurricular activity or organization to make the school year fun. During the middle school years, students have many different activity choices. Schools design these activities specifically for the students to discover new interests or build upon previous interests. Also, these activities are a great way to spend time with or meet new friends.
4. Maintain a strong sense of self. Middle school is a formative age for students. Middle school students need to feel comfortable in their own skin and stand up for what they believe in. Conversely, this is a time for students to challenge what they already know and ask questions to those around them to help shape their maturation process.
5. Study and prepare hard for a future career path. Middle school students need to explore various career choices through observation, study and experience. Find a role model and a career or occupation to job shadow for better learning opportunities. By understanding the multitude of options that lie ahead of them, students set themselves up for success in middle school and beyond.
Tags: middle school, school years, Middle school students, middle school years, school students, school students need
A nursing skills lab allows students to practice nursing techniques.
Skills labs are an important component of training programs for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and registered nurses (RNs). They allow students to practice nursing techniques on mannequins before they must complete them with real patients in nursing homes, hospitals and other medical facilities. Each nursing program is responsible for setting the rules for the nursing skills lab, although some are common from institution to institution.
Dress
A nursing skills lab simulates the experience of providing actual care and nursing procedures to real patients. For this reason, many institutions require students to wear nursing scrub uniforms or lab coats when in the skills lab. Closed toed shoes are also a must since students practice with needles and other sharp objects that have the potential to injure someone if dropped.
Prohibited Items
Some nursing programs ban students from bringing cell phones into the nursing skills lab since they may be a distraction. Food and drink are also prohibited since a spill could damage the equipment or mannequins used in the skills lab. Most training programs for nurses provide reference materials in the nursing skills lab to assist students when practicing. These materials must remain in the nursing skills lab at all times since they are a resource shared with all students.
Mannequins
The mannequins used in nursing skills labs are expensive for training programs to purchase, often costing between $20,000 and $30,000. To protect this costly piece of equipment, rules govern what students can do with the mannequins in the nursing skills labs. Moving mannequins is often prohibited unless a student has permission or assistance from an instructor or lab assistant. Betadine shouldn't be used on the mannequins as this will stain them.
Cancellations
Dates and times of nursing skills labs are assigned in advance to each student depending upon which nursing classes he is taking. It's important that students attend during these scheduled times to practice their skills since they must successfully demonstrate them before advancing to the clinical experience. Each school has cancellation rules for the nursing skills labs which may lead to students being fined or being dismissed from the program if they fail to follow the cancellation rules.
Tags: nursing skills, nursing skills labs, skills labs, since they, students practice, training programs
Some LPNs become registered nurses, increasing their earning potentials.
While both LPNs and RNs care for patients in a variety of settings, many employers prefer to hire RNs because they have more education and can handle more responsibilities. RNs not only have more job opportunities, but they earn higher salaries as well. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in May 2008, LPNs earned a median annual salary of only $39,030 while RNs earned $62,450. LPNs in the Cleveland area can choose among several schools if they wish to train to become RNs.
ATS Institute of Technology
The ATS Institute of Technology, located in Highland Heights, Ohio, just outside of Cleveland, offers a bridge program for licensed practical nurses who wish to become registered nurses. LPNs entering the program must have at least one year of professional experience working in the nursing field. A student can earn an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing (ADN) in just three semesters.
Cuyahoga Community College
Cuyahoga Community College offers an educational program for licensed practical nurses who want to earn Associate of Applied Science Degrees in Nursing (ADN) and become registered nurses. LPNs must have at least one year of experience working in the field of nursing and must have current licenses to practice in order to enter the program. Students earn their degrees in just three semesters, provided they have already completed a few prerequisite courses.
Cleveland State University
Cleveland State University offers a Bachelor's Degree in the Science of Nursing (BSN) program. Licensed practical nurses who wish to earn their bachelor's degrees and become registered nurses may be able to complete the program in just three years instead of the standard four years, provided they took certain courses like anatomy and physiology, chemistry, English and psychology when earning their LPN diplomas. LPNs will have to make up any missing prerequisite courses, however.
Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing
Case Western University's Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing also offers a Bachelor's Degree in the Science of Nursing (BSN) program. While this school does not offer a special program for LPNs who wish to become registered nurses, those that completed specific courses while earning their LPN diplomas may not have to repeat those classes, thereby graduating in less time than it takes other students.
Tags: become registered, become registered nurses, registered nurses, just three, must have, practical nurses