Origin of Names of Great Companies
Mercedes:
This was actually financier's daughter's name.
Adobe:
This came from the name of the river Adobe Creek that ran behind the
house of founder John Warnock.
Apple Computers:
It was the favourite fruit of founder Steve Jobbs.He was three months
late for filing a name for the business, and he threatened to call his
company Apple Computers if the other colleagues didn't suggest a better
name by 5 0'clock.
CISCO:
It is not an acronym as popuraily believed.Its short for San Francisco.
Compaq:
This name was formed by using COMp, for computer and PAQ to denote a
small integral object.
Corel:
The name was derived from the founder's name Dr. Michael Cowpland. It
stands for COwpland Research Laboratory.
Google:
The name started as a joke boasting about the amount of information the
search-engine would be able to search. It was originally named
'Googol', a word for the number represented by 1 followed by 100 zeros. After
founders - Stanford graduate students Sergey Brin and Larry Page
presented their project to an angel investor; they received a cheque made out
to 'Google'.
Hotmail:
Founder Jack Smith got the idea of accessing e-mail via the web from a
computer anywhere in the world. When Sabeer Bhatia came up with the
business plan for the mail service, he tried all kinds of names ending in
'mail' and finally settled for hotmail as it included the letters
"html" - the programming language used to write web pages. It was initially
referred to as HoTMaiL with selective uppercasing.
Hewlett Packard :
Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard tossed a coin to decide whether the
company they founded would be called Hewlett-Packard or Packard-Hewlett.
Intel:
Bob Noyce and Gordon Moore wanted to name their new company 'Moore
Noyce' but that was already trademarked by a hotel chain so they had to
settle for an acronym of INTegrated ELectronics.
Lotus (Notes) :
Mitch Kapor got the name for his company from 'The Lotus Position' or
'Padmasana'. Kapor used to be a teacher of ranscendental Meditation of
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.
Microsoft:
Coined by Bill Gates to represent the company that was devoted to
MICROcomputer SOFTware. Originally christened Micro-Soft, the '-' was
removed later on.
Motorola:
Founder Paul Galvin came up with this name when his company started
manufacturing radios for cars. The popular radio company at the time was
called Victrola.
ORACLE:
Larry Ellison and Bob Oats were working on a consulting project for the
CIA (Central Intelligence Agency). The code name for the project was
called Oracle (the CIA saw this as the system to give answers to all
questions or something such). The project was designed to help use the
newly written SQL code by IBM. The project eventually was terminated but
Larry and Bob decided to finish what they started and bring it to the
world. They kept the name Oracle and created the RDBMS engine. Later they
kept the same name for the company.
Sony:
It originated from the Latin word 'sonus' meaning sound, and 'sonny' a
slang used by Americans to refer to a bright youngster.
SUN:
Founded by 4 Stanford University buddies, SUN is the acronym for
Stanford University Network. Andreas Bechtolsheim built a microcomputer;
Vinod Khosla recruited him and Scott McNealy to manufacture computers based
on it, and Bill Joy to develop a UNIX-based OS for the computer.
Apache:
It got its name because its founders got started by applying patches to
code written for NCSA's httpd daemon. The result was 'A PAtCHy'server
-- thus, the name Apache Jakarta (project from Apache): A project
constituted by SUN and Apache to create a web server handling servlets and
JSPs. Jakarta was name of the conference room at SUN where most of the
meetings between SUN and Apache took place.
Tomcat:
The servlet part of the Jakarta project. Tomcat was the code name for
the JSDK 2.1 project inside SUN.
C:
Dennis Ritchie improved on the B programming language and called it
'New B'.He later called it C. Earlier B was created by Ken Thompson as a
revision of the Bon programming language (named after his wife Bonnie).
C++:
Bjarne Stroustrup called his new language 'C with Classes' and then
'new C'. Because of which the original C began to be called 'old C' which
was considered insulting to the C community. At this time Rick Mascitti
suggested the name C++ as a successor to C.
GNU:
A species of African antelope. Founder of the GNU project Richard
Stallman liked the name because of the humor associated with its
pronunciation and was also influenced by the children's song 'The Gnu Song' which
is a song sung by a gnu. Also it fitted into the recursive acronym
culture with 'GNU's Not Unix'.
Java:
Originally called Oak by creator James Gosling, from the tree that
stood outside his window, the programming team had to look for a substitute
as there was no other language with the same name. Java was selected
from a list of suggestions. It came from the name of the coffee that the
programmers drank.
LG:
Combination of two popular Korean brands Lucky and Goldstar.
Linux:
Linus Torvalds originally used the Minix OS on his system which he
replaced by his OS. Hence the working name was Linux (Linus' Minix). He
thought the name to be too egotistical and planned to name it Freax(free +
freak + x).His friend Ari Lemmke encouraged Linus to upload it to a
network so it could be easily downloaded. Ari gave Linus a directory
called linux on his FTP server, as he did not like the name Freax.(Linus'
parents named himafter two-time Nobel Prize winner Linus Pauling) .
Mozilla:
When Marc Andreesen, founder of Netscape, created a browser to replace
Mosaic (also developed by him), it was named Mozilla (Mosaic-Killer,
Godzilla).The marketing guys didn't like the name however and it was
re-christened Netscape Navigator.
Red Hat:
Company founder Marc Ewing was given the Cornell lacrosse team cap
(with red and white stripes) while at college by his grandfather. He lost
it and had to search for it desperately. The manual of the beta version
of Red Hat Linux had an appeal to readers to return his Red Hat if
found by anyone!
SAP:
"Systems, Applications, Products in Data Processing", formed by 4
ex-IBM employees who used to work in the 'Systems/Applications/Projects'
group of IBM.
SCO (UNIX):
From Santa Cruz Operation. The company's office was in Santa Cruz.
UNIX:
When Bell Labs pulled out of MULTICS (MULTiplexed Information and
Computing System), which was originally a joint Bell/GE/MIT project, Ken
Thompson and Dennis Ritchie of Bell Labs wrote a simpler version of the
OS.They needed the OS to run the game Space War which was compiled under
MULTICS.It was called UNICS - UNIplexed operating and Computing System
by Brian Kernighan. It was later shortened to UNIX.
Xerox:
The inventor, Chestor Carlson, named his product trying to say `dry'
(as it was dry copying, markedly different from the then prevailing wet
copying).The Greek root `xer' means dry.
Yahoo!:
The word was invented by Jonathan Swift and used in his book
'Gulliver's Travels'. It represents a person who is repulsive in appearance and
action and is barely human. Yahoo! founders Jerry Yang and David Filo
selected the name because they considered themselves yahoos.
3M:
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company started off by mining the
material corundum used to make sandpaper.
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Friday, August 11, 2006
10 myths about career planning
10 myths about career planning
Myth: Career testing is good for me
Fact: No test can provide infallible predictions. Test results can be confounded by many things: cultural differences, unrepresentative samples, and unintentionally biased items etc.
Myth: There is one perfect occupation waiting for me somewhere out there.
Fact: Many occupations have the potential to satisfy your career goals. Once you have more clearly defined what you are looking for in a career, you will find that there are a number of occupations that match these criteria.
Myth: Most people know their major and career goals when they enter college
Fact: Majority of college students change their minds about majors and careers several times before graduation.
Myth: My major leads directly to my career. If I pick the wrong major, I’ll end up in the wrong career
Fact: Most employers care more about your work related experience like part-time jobs, internships etc. and the “real world” skills that you have obtained than they do about your major. One major can lead to many different careers, and one career can be reached through many different majors.
Myth: Arts and Sciences majors are usually unemployable
Fact: Arts and Sciences majors usually have valuable training in areas such as writing, research, and critical thinking. These are called transferable skills; that is, skills that are learned in one area can be transferred to other areas. Arts and Sciences majors are employed in a wide range of careers. However, their job title may not be obviously related to the titles of their academic majors.
Myth: I will only have one career in my lifetime
Fact: Career planning is an ongoing process. You will probably re-address your career plans several times during your life. At this time in history, the typical person entering the work force will have as many as five or six different occupations by the time he or she retires. Many occupations that will be available within your lifetime may not even exist yet
Myth: Most people’s knowledge of occupations is complete
Fact: People’s knowledge of occupations is often incomplete. The media often provides a glamorised and unrealistic picture of occupations. Most of what passes as knowledge is really based upon stereotypes. As you narrow down your occupational options, be sure you are getting a balanced and accurate picture of the occupations you are considering
Myth: I should choose an occupation based on my strongest skills
Fact: It is risky to consider only your skills for a career decision because skills are only one of the components of a full self-evaluation; interests and values are equally as important in the decision making process. Just because you are good at something does not mean that you will enjoy doing that activity for a living.
Myth: The best place for me to start looking for an occupation is where employers are doing lots of hiring right now
Fact: The job market fluctuates constantly. Employment opportunities can change dramatically as a function of economic conditions, advances in technology, and the labour supply.
Myth: I can trust in fate to bring me to the right occupation
Fact: Most people can benefit from a systematic investigation and consideration of different occupations. You won’t just “run into” the occupation that will match your skills, be compatible with your interests, or reward you in terms of your values.
The more information you gather about the occupations you are considering, the more likely it is you will make a wise career decision. It is true that some things are beyond your control, but you have an active role to play in determining your own fate
Myth: Career testing is good for me
Fact: No test can provide infallible predictions. Test results can be confounded by many things: cultural differences, unrepresentative samples, and unintentionally biased items etc.
Myth: There is one perfect occupation waiting for me somewhere out there.
Fact: Many occupations have the potential to satisfy your career goals. Once you have more clearly defined what you are looking for in a career, you will find that there are a number of occupations that match these criteria.
Myth: Most people know their major and career goals when they enter college
Fact: Majority of college students change their minds about majors and careers several times before graduation.
Myth: My major leads directly to my career. If I pick the wrong major, I’ll end up in the wrong career
Fact: Most employers care more about your work related experience like part-time jobs, internships etc. and the “real world” skills that you have obtained than they do about your major. One major can lead to many different careers, and one career can be reached through many different majors.
Myth: Arts and Sciences majors are usually unemployable
Fact: Arts and Sciences majors usually have valuable training in areas such as writing, research, and critical thinking. These are called transferable skills; that is, skills that are learned in one area can be transferred to other areas. Arts and Sciences majors are employed in a wide range of careers. However, their job title may not be obviously related to the titles of their academic majors.
Myth: I will only have one career in my lifetime
Fact: Career planning is an ongoing process. You will probably re-address your career plans several times during your life. At this time in history, the typical person entering the work force will have as many as five or six different occupations by the time he or she retires. Many occupations that will be available within your lifetime may not even exist yet
Myth: Most people’s knowledge of occupations is complete
Fact: People’s knowledge of occupations is often incomplete. The media often provides a glamorised and unrealistic picture of occupations. Most of what passes as knowledge is really based upon stereotypes. As you narrow down your occupational options, be sure you are getting a balanced and accurate picture of the occupations you are considering
Myth: I should choose an occupation based on my strongest skills
Fact: It is risky to consider only your skills for a career decision because skills are only one of the components of a full self-evaluation; interests and values are equally as important in the decision making process. Just because you are good at something does not mean that you will enjoy doing that activity for a living.
Myth: The best place for me to start looking for an occupation is where employers are doing lots of hiring right now
Fact: The job market fluctuates constantly. Employment opportunities can change dramatically as a function of economic conditions, advances in technology, and the labour supply.
Myth: I can trust in fate to bring me to the right occupation
Fact: Most people can benefit from a systematic investigation and consideration of different occupations. You won’t just “run into” the occupation that will match your skills, be compatible with your interests, or reward you in terms of your values.
The more information you gather about the occupations you are considering, the more likely it is you will make a wise career decision. It is true that some things are beyond your control, but you have an active role to play in determining your own fate
Friday, May 19, 2006
A checklist for US student visa interviews
A checklist for US student visa interviews
Dr Arun C Vakil | June 15, 2005
Here is a checklist by United States Visa & Immigrant Consultant Dr Arun C Vakil to increase your probability of getting a student visa at the first attempt and avoid rejection.
Visit a US Visa Application Centre with the following:
1. A passport valid for minimum six months beyond the visit.
2. Two photocopies of the first page and one photocopy of the last page of your passport. A copy of the passport pages containing observations or remarks.
3. A fully completed and signed visa application form. Each applicant aged 14 or above must sign his/ her own application form.
4. A 2 x 2-inch photograph which is not more than six months old. If you do not send your photo according to the required specification, your application will be considered incomplete.
The Application Centre will retain your original visa application form and return your passport.
Here are some steps you can take:
i. Please schedule your visa appointment after paying the fees.
ii. Fill the visa application forms DS-156, 157 (if applicable) and 158 very carefully. Each question box should be answered in complete details. No vague replies please.
iii. Arrange your papers in a file with each paper in separate plastic folder with a sticker or post-it indicating what paper it is for easy retrieval.
iv. Practise managing the file with one hand. Your hand will be occupied holding the telephone receiver from which you may have to speak with the Visa Officer.
The order of papers recommended:
* Appointment notice along with receipt of fees paid
* I-901 form indicating SEVIS fee paid
* Passport in original
* I-20 SEVIS approved form
* Letter of admission from US university
* Entrance test scores (whatever applicable)
* Latest marksheets/ degree certificate obtained in India
* Statement of future plan in India
* Financial statement of self and family showing all assets
* Evidence of income-tax paid over the last three years
* Bank transactions of your family over the last three years (passbook, not statement)
* Form I-134, if your US sponsor is involved with his/ her financial papers
* Letter from the Indian company if willing to give you job on your return
* Evidence of certificate of marriage, if applicable
* Evidence of certificates of birth of children, if applicable
The above documents are recommended (not suggested by US Immigration Laws) based on individual cases.
They must be shown only if asked during your visa interview. The objective of this important exercise is to overcome the presumption that you are an intending immigrant to America under Section 214 (B), and prove that you will come back after your studies, based on your financial and social ties and family circumstance.
While speaking with the visa officer
Speak with confidence.
Be honest.
Be to the point.
Smile.
Be well-groomed.
Dr Arun C Vakil | June 15, 2005
Here is a checklist by United States Visa & Immigrant Consultant Dr Arun C Vakil to increase your probability of getting a student visa at the first attempt and avoid rejection.
Visit a US Visa Application Centre with the following:
1. A passport valid for minimum six months beyond the visit.
2. Two photocopies of the first page and one photocopy of the last page of your passport. A copy of the passport pages containing observations or remarks.
3. A fully completed and signed visa application form. Each applicant aged 14 or above must sign his/ her own application form.
4. A 2 x 2-inch photograph which is not more than six months old. If you do not send your photo according to the required specification, your application will be considered incomplete.
The Application Centre will retain your original visa application form and return your passport.
Here are some steps you can take:
i. Please schedule your visa appointment after paying the fees.
ii. Fill the visa application forms DS-156, 157 (if applicable) and 158 very carefully. Each question box should be answered in complete details. No vague replies please.
iii. Arrange your papers in a file with each paper in separate plastic folder with a sticker or post-it indicating what paper it is for easy retrieval.
iv. Practise managing the file with one hand. Your hand will be occupied holding the telephone receiver from which you may have to speak with the Visa Officer.
The order of papers recommended:
* Appointment notice along with receipt of fees paid
* I-901 form indicating SEVIS fee paid
* Passport in original
* I-20 SEVIS approved form
* Letter of admission from US university
* Entrance test scores (whatever applicable)
* Latest marksheets/ degree certificate obtained in India
* Statement of future plan in India
* Financial statement of self and family showing all assets
* Evidence of income-tax paid over the last three years
* Bank transactions of your family over the last three years (passbook, not statement)
* Form I-134, if your US sponsor is involved with his/ her financial papers
* Letter from the Indian company if willing to give you job on your return
* Evidence of certificate of marriage, if applicable
* Evidence of certificates of birth of children, if applicable
The above documents are recommended (not suggested by US Immigration Laws) based on individual cases.
They must be shown only if asked during your visa interview. The objective of this important exercise is to overcome the presumption that you are an intending immigrant to America under Section 214 (B), and prove that you will come back after your studies, based on your financial and social ties and family circumstance.
While speaking with the visa officer
Speak with confidence.
Be honest.
Be to the point.
Smile.
Be well-groomed.
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Engineering Experience: Learning outside the Classroom
Engineering Experience: Learning outside the Classroom
http://www.toeflaccess.com/articles/ETS/archive/us/study/engineering_outside.html
by Sarah Spears
As an engineering major at a U.S. college or university, you may have the chance to gain real-world work experience (and get paid for it) while completing your degree.
Most engineering programs in the United States offer a program called co-op, which allows you to spend several months working for a business in your field of study. For some schools co-op is a requirement to graduate with an engineering degree, which can extend the amount of time it takes to earn the degree.
While the U.S. government places restrictions on when and where international students can work, co-op programs fall under the approved category of Curricular Practical Training. “Students who are on F-1 visas may still participate in co-op programs and semester internships,” says Jeff Beavers, assistant dean and director of Engineering Career Services at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, “as long as they maintain their full-time student status at the institution at which they are enrolled and as long as the experience relates to their degree program.” The staff at UIUC has plenty of experience in dealing with issues like this; the university enrolled 5,560 international students in the 2004–2005 academic year, according to the Institute of International Education's Open Doors report.
Co-op jobs usually last the length of an academic term (either semester or quarter), and engineering students may complete several co-op terms, either with the same company or with several different organizations. At some schools, such as the University of Cincinnati (which is recognized as the creator of co-op, starting its program in 1906), engineering students spend 40 percent of their time as an undergraduate working in a co-op position. This time on the job allows students to apply what they have learned in class to practical daily problems and projects.
At UIUC, participation in the co-op program is optional, but encouraged. “Within just the past year, our engineering and computer science co-op students have been involved in many large-scale projects, including such assignments as designing a new shock-absorbing tennis racquet for a major sporting goods company…and testing the design and function of a new high-performance automobile for a large U.S. auto manufacturer,” says Beavers.
If co-op is available at your chosen school, take advantage of the opportunity. You'll be able to hone your technical skills while learning basic on-the-job skills such as teamwork, organization, and working under deadlines. You will also meet real working engineers, people who can teach you now and who may be able to help you find a job after you graduate.
http://www.toeflaccess.com/articles/ETS/archive/us/study/engineering_outside.html
by Sarah Spears
As an engineering major at a U.S. college or university, you may have the chance to gain real-world work experience (and get paid for it) while completing your degree.
Most engineering programs in the United States offer a program called co-op, which allows you to spend several months working for a business in your field of study. For some schools co-op is a requirement to graduate with an engineering degree, which can extend the amount of time it takes to earn the degree.
While the U.S. government places restrictions on when and where international students can work, co-op programs fall under the approved category of Curricular Practical Training. “Students who are on F-1 visas may still participate in co-op programs and semester internships,” says Jeff Beavers, assistant dean and director of Engineering Career Services at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, “as long as they maintain their full-time student status at the institution at which they are enrolled and as long as the experience relates to their degree program.” The staff at UIUC has plenty of experience in dealing with issues like this; the university enrolled 5,560 international students in the 2004–2005 academic year, according to the Institute of International Education's Open Doors report.
Co-op jobs usually last the length of an academic term (either semester or quarter), and engineering students may complete several co-op terms, either with the same company or with several different organizations. At some schools, such as the University of Cincinnati (which is recognized as the creator of co-op, starting its program in 1906), engineering students spend 40 percent of their time as an undergraduate working in a co-op position. This time on the job allows students to apply what they have learned in class to practical daily problems and projects.
At UIUC, participation in the co-op program is optional, but encouraged. “Within just the past year, our engineering and computer science co-op students have been involved in many large-scale projects, including such assignments as designing a new shock-absorbing tennis racquet for a major sporting goods company…and testing the design and function of a new high-performance automobile for a large U.S. auto manufacturer,” says Beavers.
If co-op is available at your chosen school, take advantage of the opportunity. You'll be able to hone your technical skills while learning basic on-the-job skills such as teamwork, organization, and working under deadlines. You will also meet real working engineers, people who can teach you now and who may be able to help you find a job after you graduate.
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Admission Application Checklist
Admission Application Checklist
When applying to a University, you need to include certain items as part of your application package. Each college has its own set of requirements, but the checklist given below should satisfy the needs of most colleges.
1. Application FEE
A banker’s draft (US dollars) should be prepared for the required application fee in favor of the University. The fee may also be paid by a credit card for online applications.
2. Application Form:
Use the right application. International students are required to use a different application or they are asked to provide additional information then asked in the normal forms. If you are using a hard copy of the application the address where you are to send the documents shall be mentioned there.
If you are applying online then you need not send a hard copy of the application. However, when you submit the online application you will get an acknowledgement with your student ID. When sending the documents include a copy of this receipt. Mark all your documents with the student ID. The acknowledgement shall also tell you the address where your documents are to be sent.
Do keep in mind that some universities accept only online applications. Others offer some incentive in the form of lower application fee for applying online. The third category says it makes no difference whether you apply online or send a paper application.In all these cases you have to send the documents by mail only. So whether you apply online or use paper application you will have to incur the postage/courier charges.
3. Program Application:
Ascertain whether the program of your choice requires any special application and if it is asked send this separately to the department. This envelope should also carry any additional material asked by the program. You should check the department’s address from the web site of the university.
3. Official Transcripts of Undergraduate Coursework :
Prepare transcripts of all undergraduate coursework completed at the time of applying to the US, and have all copies sealed and stamped by your undergraduate university to make them 'official'.
4. Three Letters of Recommendation:
Get recommendation letters from Professors who are familiar with your undergraduate academic work. Many Univ’s also ask you to include a 'Student Evaluation Form' along with your recommendation letters. Learn how to write a good recommendation letter by following the tips given in the messages of the group.
5. Personal Statement of Purpose (SOP):
Your mark-sheets & score reports speak for themselves, therefore a 'Personal Statement of Purpose' is the only means you have to communicate to the admissions officer why you deserve to be admitted to their University. Go through the Personal Statement section for detailed information.
6. Financial Certificate:
At the time of applying, you need to indicate sufficient funds to support your education. Request your bank to issue a certificate as proof of the same.
7. Letter of Support:
If a relative or friend is sponsoring your education, then you have to include a signed letter of support from them, indicating their willingness to fund your study in the US.
8. Copy of GRE & TOEFL score reports:
You can include a copy of your GRE & TOEFL score reports, but you should also make sure that you ask ETS to send your scores directly to the Universities you are applying to.
9. Additional Certificates:
Most colleges don't value certificates for extra curricular activities unless they are directly related to your chosen field of study. But, if you have work experience or have completed projects in your intended field of study, you should definitely include a letter/certificate from your employer or supervisor.
10.Copy of relevant pages of your Passport
Sometimes the name given in your passport is different from the name mentioned in your certificates. Send a copy of your passport as it is desirable that the I-20 and your passport should carry the same name.
11. Additional helpful papers.
If you have done any research or published some papers give details on a separate paper.
When applying to a University, you need to include certain items as part of your application package. Each college has its own set of requirements, but the checklist given below should satisfy the needs of most colleges.
1. Application FEE
A banker’s draft (US dollars) should be prepared for the required application fee in favor of the University. The fee may also be paid by a credit card for online applications.
2. Application Form:
Use the right application. International students are required to use a different application or they are asked to provide additional information then asked in the normal forms. If you are using a hard copy of the application the address where you are to send the documents shall be mentioned there.
If you are applying online then you need not send a hard copy of the application. However, when you submit the online application you will get an acknowledgement with your student ID. When sending the documents include a copy of this receipt. Mark all your documents with the student ID. The acknowledgement shall also tell you the address where your documents are to be sent.
Do keep in mind that some universities accept only online applications. Others offer some incentive in the form of lower application fee for applying online. The third category says it makes no difference whether you apply online or send a paper application.In all these cases you have to send the documents by mail only. So whether you apply online or use paper application you will have to incur the postage/courier charges.
3. Program Application:
Ascertain whether the program of your choice requires any special application and if it is asked send this separately to the department. This envelope should also carry any additional material asked by the program. You should check the department’s address from the web site of the university.
3. Official Transcripts of Undergraduate Coursework :
Prepare transcripts of all undergraduate coursework completed at the time of applying to the US, and have all copies sealed and stamped by your undergraduate university to make them 'official'.
4. Three Letters of Recommendation:
Get recommendation letters from Professors who are familiar with your undergraduate academic work. Many Univ’s also ask you to include a 'Student Evaluation Form' along with your recommendation letters. Learn how to write a good recommendation letter by following the tips given in the messages of the group.
5. Personal Statement of Purpose (SOP):
Your mark-sheets & score reports speak for themselves, therefore a 'Personal Statement of Purpose' is the only means you have to communicate to the admissions officer why you deserve to be admitted to their University. Go through the Personal Statement section for detailed information.
6. Financial Certificate:
At the time of applying, you need to indicate sufficient funds to support your education. Request your bank to issue a certificate as proof of the same.
7. Letter of Support:
If a relative or friend is sponsoring your education, then you have to include a signed letter of support from them, indicating their willingness to fund your study in the US.
8. Copy of GRE & TOEFL score reports:
You can include a copy of your GRE & TOEFL score reports, but you should also make sure that you ask ETS to send your scores directly to the Universities you are applying to.
9. Additional Certificates:
Most colleges don't value certificates for extra curricular activities unless they are directly related to your chosen field of study. But, if you have work experience or have completed projects in your intended field of study, you should definitely include a letter/certificate from your employer or supervisor.
10.Copy of relevant pages of your Passport
Sometimes the name given in your passport is different from the name mentioned in your certificates. Send a copy of your passport as it is desirable that the I-20 and your passport should carry the same name.
11. Additional helpful papers.
If you have done any research or published some papers give details on a separate paper.
Monday, January 30, 2006
Scholarship Search Secrets
Some scholarship search tips and hints.
Tip #1: This is a numbers game!
Numbers matter in the grand scholarship game. The more awards you apply for, the more awards you are likely to receive. As in sales, it’s a question of ratios. Ultimately, the goal is scholarships awarded, so for every scholarship you are awarded, you have to apply for 10. For every scholarship you apply for, you’ll need to find 10 you qualify for, or 100 eligible scholarships. For every eligible scholarships, there needs to be at least 10 prospects, or 1,000 awards. Happily, at last count there are approximately 2.4 million scholarships available, worth approximately $14 billion in aid.
The bottom line: to get more, apply for more.
Tip #2: Small = Big
Small = big. A seemingly contradictory statement, but a true one. If you are awarded 10 scholarships for $1,000 or one scholarship for $10,000, the net effect is the same - you don’t pay that money out of pocket or in loans. Every scholarship for which you are eligible is worth applying for, because a bunch of small scholarships will add up to a big one.
Tip #3: A portfolio is a time-saver.
We’ll get to the construction of your scholarship portfolio in the next issue, but it’s important to know what one is and why to build one. Each scholarship application asks for information about you. Questionnaires, essays, quizzes, and forms all want information about you, the prospective award winner. Rather than re-invent the wheel all the time, develop a portfolio of materials that you can draw on, time and time again. As you write essays for scholarships, fine tune them so that the essay which was rejected out of hand for award #1 is a first place winner by the time you get to award #6. Have friends and family review your portfolio and offer insight and advice. If you don’t know anyone who is a strong writer, check with your school or English teacher. Which brings us to the next point...
\nTip #4: The Devil is in the Details\nWhat’s the number one killer of scholarship applications? If you guessed \nsimple, preventable mistakes, you’d be right. Attention to detail is vital for \nscholarship applications, from when to meet deadlines to the format in which you \nsubmit your application. This is a great time to invest in a notebook or day \nplanner, whether it’s on a computer or it’s a paper one. If you want to win, you \nhave to get organized from the very beginning and stay organized!\nTip #5: Scholarship Search is a year round sport.\nScholarship deadlines are scattered throughout the year, and as such \nscholarship searches should be performed throughout the year. As you’ll see \nlater on in this guide, there are ways to automate part of the process of \nscholarship search so that you can have agents working on your behalf - for free \n- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Be sure to set aside time each day - even if \nit’s only 5 minutes - to review new scholarship opportunities. As fishermen say, \ndon’t let the big one get away because you weren’t ready!\nTip #6: There are scholarships for everyone.\nWhile it may seem that a great many scholarships are intended for the very \ntop academic performers or the poorest students, the reality is that there are \nscholarships for everyone. For example, the Duck Tape Brand duct tape prom dress \naward for students who attend their prom wearing nothing but duct tape doesn’t \nrequire to be the valedictorian, merely someone who shows up at the prom in a \nnice duct tape outfit. While that sounds absurd, the $5,000 scholarship that \ncomes with it is deadly serious.\nTip #7: It’s never too early or too late to search!\nWhen is the best time to start searching for scholarships? Right now - and \nnever stop until you’re out of school and debt free. There are even scholarships \nwhich will help you pay off school debts, so keep searching. The best time to \nstart is always right now, even if you’re halfway through your last year. \nObviously, the earlier you start, the better, but better late in the game than \nnot playing.",1]
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Tip #4: The Devil is in the Details
What’s the number one killer of scholarship applications? If you guessed simple, preventable mistakes, you’d be right. Attention to detail is vital for scholarship applications, from when to meet deadlines to the format in which you submit your application. This is a great time to invest in a notebook or day planner, whether it’s on a computer or it’s a paper one. If you want to win, you have to get organized from the very beginning and stay organized!
Tip #5: Scholarship Search is a year round sport.
Scholarship deadlines are scattered throughout the year, and as such scholarship searches should be performed throughout the year. As you’ll see later on in this guide, there are ways to automate part of the process of scholarship search so that you can have agents working on your behalf - for free - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Be sure to set aside time each day - even if it’s only 5 minutes - to review new scholarship opportunities. As fishermen say, don’t let the big one get away because you weren’t ready!
Tip #6: There are scholarships for everyone.
While it may seem that a great many scholarships are intended for the very top academic performers or the poorest students, the reality is that there are scholarships for everyone. For example, the Duck Tape Brand duct tape prom dress award for students who attend their prom wearing nothing but duct tape doesn’t require to be the valedictorian, merely someone who shows up at the prom in a nice duct tape outfit. While that sounds absurd, the $5,000 scholarship that comes with it is deadly serious.
Tip #7: It’s never too early or too late to search!
When is the best time to start searching for scholarships? Right now - and never stop until you’re out of school and debt free. There are even scholarships which will help you pay off school debts, so keep searching. The best time to start is always right now, even if you’re halfway through your last year. Obviously, the earlier you start, the better, but better late in the game than not playing.
\nScholarship \nSearch Secret - Who are you? # \n1\n"Who are you?" is a fundamental question not only of life, but of scholarship \nsearches. You see, scholarships are essentially gifts to students from \nindividuals or groups who want to help a certain group of people achieve their \nhigher education goals. The sponsors of scholarships very often choose criteria \nwhich mirror either their own characteristics or the characteristics of the \nperson they wished to be. As such, it\'s vitally important that you determine who \nyou are in great detail - that detail will be essential to finding scholarships \nspecifically tailored to your background.\nWhat\'s special about scholarships tailored to your background? In addition to \nmaking connections with individuals or groups that are like you, the more \nspecific your scholarship search is, the better your chances are of being \nawarded a scholarship, because you will face less competition. Everyone and \ntheir cousin can apply for a Pell Grant, for example, but a significantly \nsmaller part of the population can apply for a Pennsylvania Resident Left Handed \nMennonite Scholar\'s Award.\nSo what should you know about yourself? Here are some key questions, \nquestions that will help you to find scholarships. Make note of them on a \nseparate sheet of paper or in a separate document on your computer. A word of \ncaution: you may be tempted to skip this step or gloss over it. Don\'t. The work \nyou do now will pay off later, and if you skip this step or the details in this \nstep, it will definitely hurt you in your search later!\nQuestion 1: What have you done so far in life?\nMake lists of different things you\'ve done, different hobbies, sports, \nactivities, events you\'ve attended, places you\'ve been or lived, grades and \nawards achieved in school so far. All of these seemingly trivial details will \ncome in handy during your search, so be thorough. Even things that seem \ninconsequential, like a club you belonged to when you were very young such as \nthe Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts is important.",1]
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Scholarship Search Secret - Who are you? # 1
"Who are you?" is a fundamental question not only of life, but of scholarship searches. You see, scholarships are essentially gifts to students from individuals or groups who want to help a certain group of people achieve their higher education goals. The sponsors of scholarships very often choose criteria which mirror either their own characteristics or the characteristics of the person they wished to be. As such, it's vitally important that you determine who you are in great detail - that detail will be essential to finding scholarships specifically tailored to your background.
What's special about scholarships tailored to your background? In addition to making connections with individuals or groups that are like you, the more specific your scholarship search is, the better your chances are of being awarded a scholarship, because you will face less competition. Everyone and their cousin can apply for a Pell Grant, for example, but a significantly smaller part of the population can apply for a Pennsylvania Resident Left Handed Mennonite Scholar's Award.
So what should you know about yourself? Here are some key questions, questions that will help you to find scholarships. Make note of them on a separate sheet of paper or in a separate document on your computer. A word of caution: you may be tempted to skip this step or gloss over it. Don't. The work you do now will pay off later, and if you skip this step or the details in this step, it will definitely hurt you in your search later!
Question 1: What have you done so far in life?
Make lists of different things you've done, different hobbies, sports, activities, events you've attended, places you've been or lived, grades and awards achieved in school so far. All of these seemingly trivial details will come in handy during your search, so be thorough. Even things that seem inconsequential, like a club you belonged to when you were very young such as the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts is important.
\nQuestion 2: Who do you know in life?\nAgain, make lists of people you know, famous or not, as well as companies you \nor your family do business with, groups or organizations of which you are a \nmember, friends, family members, service providers, even silly things like who \nyour doctor or dentist is. Don\'t leave out organizations that you may not be a \npart of, but your immediate family is, especially your parents. Everything is in \nthe details.\nQuestion 3: Where are you going?\nIn life, in school, in all things. If you have strong feelings about the \ndirection of your life, your education, and your future, make note of them. Is \nthere a career or a selection of careers that you are interested in? Is there a \nhobby you love so much that you would love to make a career out of? Is there a \nschool you\'ve visited in your travels that really resonated with you, that felt \nalmost like a long lost home? Make notes on these items. \nMake a list of things that drive you, that motivate you, things that keep you \nawake at night. What\'s always on your mind? What do you have dreams about? \nEnding poverty? Fighting injustice? As always, make a list.\nQuestion 4: What\'s so interesting?\nThis will probably be the hardest question to answer, and also the most \nrewarding, at least scholarship-wise. Name five things about you that, as far as \nyou know, are unique to you and only you. If you have trouble with this, get \ntogether with some close friends and ask them.\nQuestion 5: May I see your papers?\nThis is where things get organized - take all of these lists and combine them \nwith all the papers and tidbits you\'ve gathered so far - report cards, \ncertificates, business cards, etc. Do you have a comprehensive picture of your \nlife so far? Organize what you\'ve gathered into a few major categories - the \nfive A\'s: academics, activities, athletics, achievements, and associations.",1]
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Question 2: Who do you know in life?
Again, make lists of people you know, famous or not, as well as companies you or your family do business with, groups or organizations of which you are a member, friends, family members, service providers, even silly things like who your doctor or dentist is. Don't leave out organizations that you may not be a part of, but your immediate family is, especially your parents. Everything is in the details.
Question 3: Where are you going?
In life, in school, in all things. If you have strong feelings about the direction of your life, your education, and your future, make note of them. Is there a career or a selection of careers that you are interested in? Is there a hobby you love so much that you would love to make a career out of? Is there a school you've visited in your travels that really resonated with you, that felt almost like a long lost home? Make notes on these items.
Make a list of things that drive you, that motivate you, things that keep you awake at night. What's always on your mind? What do you have dreams about? Ending poverty? Fighting injustice? As always, make a list.
Question 4: What's so interesting?
This will probably be the hardest question to answer, and also the most rewarding, at least scholarship-wise. Name five things about you that, as far as you know, are unique to you and only you. If you have trouble with this, get together with some close friends and ask them.
Question 5: May I see your papers?
This is where things get organized - take all of these lists and combine them with all the papers and tidbits you've gathered so far - report cards, certificates, business cards, etc. Do you have a comprehensive picture of your life so far? Organize what you've gathered into a few major categories - the five A's: academics, activities, athletics, achievements, and associations.
By now you should have a personality and history profile of yourself that is \nastonishingly, and perhaps even alarmingly, complete. You know who you are to a \ngreat degree, and you know in general what you are thinking about doing with \nyour life, and why. If you haven\'t completed these lists, stop. Put down the \nrest of this guide. Put away all other distractions and go do these lists!\nScholarship Search Secret - Meet Your New Best \nFriend # 2\nYes, Google is your friend. Obviously, you can use other search engines for \nscholarship search, and you should, but for the purposes of this guide, we\'re \ngoing Google all the way. Start at... well, where else but www.Google.com.\nNow, as a lesson, let\'s just type in scholarships, click Search, and see what \nwe get.\nThat\'s somewhat less than helpful. What\'s wrong here is the inverse pyramid \napproach, which is not the right kind of search we want to be doing. Inverse \npyramid is simply this: starting broad and narrowing down. The problem is that \nthe number of results from a super broad search make it nearly useless, plus \nit\'s "contaminated" with a bunch of commercial services that obscure what you\'re \nafter - actual scholarships.\nSo, let\'s try something to at least filter out the commercial searches for \nnow. Type scholarships foundation and click search.\nSomewhat better, but that\'s still a lot of results to sift through.\nSo, what\'s next? Simple. Get out your lists of things about you. Let\'s say, \nfor sake of example, that you\'re a prospective student at Boston University, \nyou\'ve been involved with Shotokan karate since you were 8 years old, and you \nwant to look into a career in criminal justice. Let\'s take one of these terms \nand plug it in, like Boston University scholarships.\nGet out another sheet of paper or start another document on your computer. \nWe\'re now going to construct a list of questions (queries) to try in Google. \nWhat\'s going to be important here is to start searching for scholarships based \non relevance to you. For example, based on the information we provided above, a \nreasonable search is (as shown) Boston University scholarships. We could also \nuse shotokan karate scholarships and criminal justice scholarships.",1]
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By now you should have a personality and history profile of yourself that is astonishingly, and perhaps even alarmingly, complete. You know who you are to a great degree, and you know in general what you are thinking about doing with your life, and why. If you haven't completed these lists, stop. Put down the rest of this guide. Put away all other distractions and go do these lists!
Scholarship Search Secret - Meet Your New Best Friend # 2
Yes, Google is your friend. Obviously, you can use other search engines for scholarship search, and you should, but for the purposes of this guide, we're going Google all the way. Start at... well, where else but www.Google.com.
Now, as a lesson, let's just type in scholarships, click Search, and see what we get.
That's somewhat less than helpful. What's wrong here is the inverse pyramid approach, which is not the right kind of search we want to be doing. Inverse pyramid is simply this: starting broad and narrowing down. The problem is that the number of results from a super broad search make it nearly useless, plus it's "contaminated" with a bunch of commercial services that obscure what you're after - actual scholarships.
So, let's try something to at least filter out the commercial searches for now. Type scholarships foundation and click search.
Somewhat better, but that's still a lot of results to sift through.
So, what's next? Simple. Get out your lists of things about you. Let's say, for sake of example, that you're a prospective student at Boston University, you've been involved with Shotokan karate since you were 8 years old, and you want to look into a career in criminal justice. Let's take one of these terms and plug it in, like Boston University scholarships.
Get out another sheet of paper or start another document on your computer. We're now going to construct a list of questions (queries) to try in Google. What's going to be important here is to start searching for scholarships based on relevance to you. For example, based on the information we provided above, a reasonable search is (as shown) Boston University scholarships. We could also use shotokan karate scholarships and criminal justice scholarships.
\nIn the words of a famous TV chef, now we\'re cooking. You can see that just by \nstarting a little more specifically, we already get better results.\nScholarship Search Secret #3: Start narrow!\nGet out another sheet of paper or start another document on your computer. \nWe\'re now going to construct a list of questions (queries) to try in Google. \nWhat\'s going to be important here is to start searching for scholarships based \non relevance to you. For example, based on the information we provided above, a \nreasonable search is (as shown) Boston University scholarships. We could also \nuse shotokan karate scholarships and criminal justice scholarships.\nNow, that would give you a heck of a beginning for a scholarship search. \nLet\'s, as the TV chef says, kick it up a notch, shall we?\nScholarship Search Secret #4: Magic Words\nThere are good words, bad words, and then there are magic words. What are \nmagic words? Simply put, magic words are the words you swap in and out of \nqueries to get different results. In our case, they\'re synonyms for \nscholarships, and once you\'ve got a list of search queries based on who you are \nand what you want to do, you can substitute these words in for potentially \ndifferent results. What are the magic words? Here we go.\nScholarship, scholarships (yes, they are different, singular and plural - you \nshould assume from here on that any term which appears in singular should also \nbe tried plural, and vice versa), gifts, grants, award, financial aid, \nendowment, prize, foundation, fellowship, honorarium, bequest, aid, tuition, \ntrust, and stipend. Not all of these will yield results, but they\'re worth a \ntry.\nFor example:\nBoston University criminal justice scholarship Boston University criminal \njustice fellowship Boston University criminal justice grant\nScholarship Search Secret #5: Red Alert\nWe will assume from the previous step that you\'ve now got a list, a solid \nlist, of about 25 - 30 scholarship queries which return results that are \nrelevant to your personal details. Maybe by this point you\'ve even started to \napply for some of the awards you\'ve found. Something important to remember, \nthough: scholarship search is a year-round sport. You can\'t afford to take time \noff from your search if you want to maximize your chances of financial aid.",1]
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In the words of a famous TV chef, now we're cooking. You can see that just by starting a little more specifically, we already get better results.
Scholarship Search Secret #3: Start narrow!
Get out another sheet of paper or start another document on your computer. We're now going to construct a list of questions (queries) to try in Google. What's going to be important here is to start searching for scholarships based on relevance to you. For example, based on the information we provided above, a reasonable search is (as shown) Boston University scholarships. We could also use shotokan karate scholarships and criminal justice scholarships.
Now, that would give you a heck of a beginning for a scholarship search. Let's, as the TV chef says, kick it up a notch, shall we?
Scholarship Search Secret #4: Magic Words
There are good words, bad words, and then there are magic words. What are magic words? Simply put, magic words are the words you swap in and out of queries to get different results. In our case, they're synonyms for scholarships, and once you've got a list of search queries based on who you are and what you want to do, you can substitute these words in for potentially different results. What are the magic words? Here we go.
Scholarship, scholarships (yes, they are different, singular and plural - you should assume from here on that any term which appears in singular should also be tried plural, and vice versa), gifts, grants, award, financial aid, endowment, prize, foundation, fellowship, honorarium, bequest, aid, tuition, trust, and stipend. Not all of these will yield results, but they're worth a try.
For example:
Boston University criminal justice scholarship Boston University criminal justice fellowship Boston University criminal justice grant
Scholarship Search Secret #5: Red Alert
We will assume from the previous step that you've now got a list, a solid list, of about 25 - 30 scholarship queries which return results that are relevant to your personal details. Maybe by this point you've even started to apply for some of the awards you've found. Something important to remember, though: scholarship search is a year-round sport. You can't afford to take time off from your search if you want to maximize your chances of financial aid.
\nWhat if there were a tool that could search for you every day, every minute, \nkeeping an eye on everything, and alerting you when new scholarships based on \nyour needs became available? Wouldn\'t that be an incredibly powerful tool?\nThere is such a tool. And believe it or not, it\'s free, too. It\'s called \nGoogle Alerts, and they\'re about to become your next best friend.\nGet started by surfing over to http://www.Google.com/alertsand \nif you don\'t already have a Google account, now is the time to set one up. \nYou\'ll need a working email account that can receive mail, and if you have spam \nfilters set up, you\'ll want to allow all mail from alerts@google.com to get \nthrough.\nOnce you\'ve logged into your new Google account, you\'ll want to get your list \nof searches from the previous steps handy. Start entering them into the \ninterface, adding an alert for each search. One thing that\'s important here with \nalerts is that Google alerts scan through both news and the Web, so you\'ll want \nto make sure you select both. You\'ll probably also want alert messages once a \nday, rather than as they happen, or you will have a very full mailbox.\nGoogle Alerts will surf the Web and news for you, and bring to your attention \nany new scholarships or awards that fit your criteria. This is an incredibly \npowerful tool in your quest for financial aid, so take the time to enter all \nyour queries - even the ones that didn\'t generate good results in the previous \nsteps.\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\nThank you for contacting Admission Source.If you want to have one on one interaction with Mr. N.B.Singh with his undivided attention and to keep your correspondence confidential than please hire our consultancy ",1]
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What if there were a tool that could search for you every day, every minute, keeping an eye on everything, and alerting you when new scholarships based on your needs became available? Wouldn't that be an incredibly powerful tool?
There is such a tool. And believe it or not, it's free, too. It's called Google Alerts, and they're about to become your next best friend.
Get started by surfing over to http://www.Google.com/alertsand if you don't already have a Google account, now is the time to set one up. You'll need a working email account that can receive mail, and if you have spam filters set up, you'll want to allow all mail from alerts@google.com to get through.
Once you've logged into your new Google account, you'll want to get your list of searches from the previous steps handy. Start entering them into the interface, adding an alert for each search. One thing that's important here with alerts is that Google alerts scan through both news and the Web, so you'll want to make sure you select both. You'll probably also want alert messages once a day, rather than as they happen, or you will have a very full mailbox.
Google Alerts will surf the Web and news for you, and bring to your attention any new scholarships or awards that fit your criteria. This is an incredibly powerful tool in your quest for financial aid, so take the time to enter all your queries - even the ones that didn't generate good results in the previous steps.
Tip #1: This is a numbers game!
Numbers matter in the grand scholarship game. The more awards you apply for, the more awards you are likely to receive. As in sales, it’s a question of ratios. Ultimately, the goal is scholarships awarded, so for every scholarship you are awarded, you have to apply for 10. For every scholarship you apply for, you’ll need to find 10 you qualify for, or 100 eligible scholarships. For every eligible scholarships, there needs to be at least 10 prospects, or 1,000 awards. Happily, at last count there are approximately 2.4 million scholarships available, worth approximately $14 billion in aid.
The bottom line: to get more, apply for more.
Tip #2: Small = Big
Small = big. A seemingly contradictory statement, but a true one. If you are awarded 10 scholarships for $1,000 or one scholarship for $10,000, the net effect is the same - you don’t pay that money out of pocket or in loans. Every scholarship for which you are eligible is worth applying for, because a bunch of small scholarships will add up to a big one.
Tip #3: A portfolio is a time-saver.
We’ll get to the construction of your scholarship portfolio in the next issue, but it’s important to know what one is and why to build one. Each scholarship application asks for information about you. Questionnaires, essays, quizzes, and forms all want information about you, the prospective award winner. Rather than re-invent the wheel all the time, develop a portfolio of materials that you can draw on, time and time again. As you write essays for scholarships, fine tune them so that the essay which was rejected out of hand for award #1 is a first place winner by the time you get to award #6. Have friends and family review your portfolio and offer insight and advice. If you don’t know anyone who is a strong writer, check with your school or English teacher. Which brings us to the next point...
\nTip #4: The Devil is in the Details\nWhat’s the number one killer of scholarship applications? If you guessed \nsimple, preventable mistakes, you’d be right. Attention to detail is vital for \nscholarship applications, from when to meet deadlines to the format in which you \nsubmit your application. This is a great time to invest in a notebook or day \nplanner, whether it’s on a computer or it’s a paper one. If you want to win, you \nhave to get organized from the very beginning and stay organized!\nTip #5: Scholarship Search is a year round sport.\nScholarship deadlines are scattered throughout the year, and as such \nscholarship searches should be performed throughout the year. As you’ll see \nlater on in this guide, there are ways to automate part of the process of \nscholarship search so that you can have agents working on your behalf - for free \n- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Be sure to set aside time each day - even if \nit’s only 5 minutes - to review new scholarship opportunities. As fishermen say, \ndon’t let the big one get away because you weren’t ready!\nTip #6: There are scholarships for everyone.\nWhile it may seem that a great many scholarships are intended for the very \ntop academic performers or the poorest students, the reality is that there are \nscholarships for everyone. For example, the Duck Tape Brand duct tape prom dress \naward for students who attend their prom wearing nothing but duct tape doesn’t \nrequire to be the valedictorian, merely someone who shows up at the prom in a \nnice duct tape outfit. While that sounds absurd, the $5,000 scholarship that \ncomes with it is deadly serious.\nTip #7: It’s never too early or too late to search!\nWhen is the best time to start searching for scholarships? Right now - and \nnever stop until you’re out of school and debt free. There are even scholarships \nwhich will help you pay off school debts, so keep searching. The best time to \nstart is always right now, even if you’re halfway through your last year. \nObviously, the earlier you start, the better, but better late in the game than \nnot playing.",1]
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Tip #4: The Devil is in the Details
What’s the number one killer of scholarship applications? If you guessed simple, preventable mistakes, you’d be right. Attention to detail is vital for scholarship applications, from when to meet deadlines to the format in which you submit your application. This is a great time to invest in a notebook or day planner, whether it’s on a computer or it’s a paper one. If you want to win, you have to get organized from the very beginning and stay organized!
Tip #5: Scholarship Search is a year round sport.
Scholarship deadlines are scattered throughout the year, and as such scholarship searches should be performed throughout the year. As you’ll see later on in this guide, there are ways to automate part of the process of scholarship search so that you can have agents working on your behalf - for free - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Be sure to set aside time each day - even if it’s only 5 minutes - to review new scholarship opportunities. As fishermen say, don’t let the big one get away because you weren’t ready!
Tip #6: There are scholarships for everyone.
While it may seem that a great many scholarships are intended for the very top academic performers or the poorest students, the reality is that there are scholarships for everyone. For example, the Duck Tape Brand duct tape prom dress award for students who attend their prom wearing nothing but duct tape doesn’t require to be the valedictorian, merely someone who shows up at the prom in a nice duct tape outfit. While that sounds absurd, the $5,000 scholarship that comes with it is deadly serious.
Tip #7: It’s never too early or too late to search!
When is the best time to start searching for scholarships? Right now - and never stop until you’re out of school and debt free. There are even scholarships which will help you pay off school debts, so keep searching. The best time to start is always right now, even if you’re halfway through your last year. Obviously, the earlier you start, the better, but better late in the game than not playing.
\nScholarship \nSearch Secret - Who are you? # \n1\n"Who are you?" is a fundamental question not only of life, but of scholarship \nsearches. You see, scholarships are essentially gifts to students from \nindividuals or groups who want to help a certain group of people achieve their \nhigher education goals. The sponsors of scholarships very often choose criteria \nwhich mirror either their own characteristics or the characteristics of the \nperson they wished to be. As such, it\'s vitally important that you determine who \nyou are in great detail - that detail will be essential to finding scholarships \nspecifically tailored to your background.\nWhat\'s special about scholarships tailored to your background? In addition to \nmaking connections with individuals or groups that are like you, the more \nspecific your scholarship search is, the better your chances are of being \nawarded a scholarship, because you will face less competition. Everyone and \ntheir cousin can apply for a Pell Grant, for example, but a significantly \nsmaller part of the population can apply for a Pennsylvania Resident Left Handed \nMennonite Scholar\'s Award.\nSo what should you know about yourself? Here are some key questions, \nquestions that will help you to find scholarships. Make note of them on a \nseparate sheet of paper or in a separate document on your computer. A word of \ncaution: you may be tempted to skip this step or gloss over it. Don\'t. The work \nyou do now will pay off later, and if you skip this step or the details in this \nstep, it will definitely hurt you in your search later!\nQuestion 1: What have you done so far in life?\nMake lists of different things you\'ve done, different hobbies, sports, \nactivities, events you\'ve attended, places you\'ve been or lived, grades and \nawards achieved in school so far. All of these seemingly trivial details will \ncome in handy during your search, so be thorough. Even things that seem \ninconsequential, like a club you belonged to when you were very young such as \nthe Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts is important.",1]
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Scholarship Search Secret - Who are you? # 1
"Who are you?" is a fundamental question not only of life, but of scholarship searches. You see, scholarships are essentially gifts to students from individuals or groups who want to help a certain group of people achieve their higher education goals. The sponsors of scholarships very often choose criteria which mirror either their own characteristics or the characteristics of the person they wished to be. As such, it's vitally important that you determine who you are in great detail - that detail will be essential to finding scholarships specifically tailored to your background.
What's special about scholarships tailored to your background? In addition to making connections with individuals or groups that are like you, the more specific your scholarship search is, the better your chances are of being awarded a scholarship, because you will face less competition. Everyone and their cousin can apply for a Pell Grant, for example, but a significantly smaller part of the population can apply for a Pennsylvania Resident Left Handed Mennonite Scholar's Award.
So what should you know about yourself? Here are some key questions, questions that will help you to find scholarships. Make note of them on a separate sheet of paper or in a separate document on your computer. A word of caution: you may be tempted to skip this step or gloss over it. Don't. The work you do now will pay off later, and if you skip this step or the details in this step, it will definitely hurt you in your search later!
Question 1: What have you done so far in life?
Make lists of different things you've done, different hobbies, sports, activities, events you've attended, places you've been or lived, grades and awards achieved in school so far. All of these seemingly trivial details will come in handy during your search, so be thorough. Even things that seem inconsequential, like a club you belonged to when you were very young such as the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts is important.
\nQuestion 2: Who do you know in life?\nAgain, make lists of people you know, famous or not, as well as companies you \nor your family do business with, groups or organizations of which you are a \nmember, friends, family members, service providers, even silly things like who \nyour doctor or dentist is. Don\'t leave out organizations that you may not be a \npart of, but your immediate family is, especially your parents. Everything is in \nthe details.\nQuestion 3: Where are you going?\nIn life, in school, in all things. If you have strong feelings about the \ndirection of your life, your education, and your future, make note of them. Is \nthere a career or a selection of careers that you are interested in? Is there a \nhobby you love so much that you would love to make a career out of? Is there a \nschool you\'ve visited in your travels that really resonated with you, that felt \nalmost like a long lost home? Make notes on these items. \nMake a list of things that drive you, that motivate you, things that keep you \nawake at night. What\'s always on your mind? What do you have dreams about? \nEnding poverty? Fighting injustice? As always, make a list.\nQuestion 4: What\'s so interesting?\nThis will probably be the hardest question to answer, and also the most \nrewarding, at least scholarship-wise. Name five things about you that, as far as \nyou know, are unique to you and only you. If you have trouble with this, get \ntogether with some close friends and ask them.\nQuestion 5: May I see your papers?\nThis is where things get organized - take all of these lists and combine them \nwith all the papers and tidbits you\'ve gathered so far - report cards, \ncertificates, business cards, etc. Do you have a comprehensive picture of your \nlife so far? Organize what you\'ve gathered into a few major categories - the \nfive A\'s: academics, activities, athletics, achievements, and associations.",1]
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Question 2: Who do you know in life?
Again, make lists of people you know, famous or not, as well as companies you or your family do business with, groups or organizations of which you are a member, friends, family members, service providers, even silly things like who your doctor or dentist is. Don't leave out organizations that you may not be a part of, but your immediate family is, especially your parents. Everything is in the details.
Question 3: Where are you going?
In life, in school, in all things. If you have strong feelings about the direction of your life, your education, and your future, make note of them. Is there a career or a selection of careers that you are interested in? Is there a hobby you love so much that you would love to make a career out of? Is there a school you've visited in your travels that really resonated with you, that felt almost like a long lost home? Make notes on these items.
Make a list of things that drive you, that motivate you, things that keep you awake at night. What's always on your mind? What do you have dreams about? Ending poverty? Fighting injustice? As always, make a list.
Question 4: What's so interesting?
This will probably be the hardest question to answer, and also the most rewarding, at least scholarship-wise. Name five things about you that, as far as you know, are unique to you and only you. If you have trouble with this, get together with some close friends and ask them.
Question 5: May I see your papers?
This is where things get organized - take all of these lists and combine them with all the papers and tidbits you've gathered so far - report cards, certificates, business cards, etc. Do you have a comprehensive picture of your life so far? Organize what you've gathered into a few major categories - the five A's: academics, activities, athletics, achievements, and associations.
By now you should have a personality and history profile of yourself that is \nastonishingly, and perhaps even alarmingly, complete. You know who you are to a \ngreat degree, and you know in general what you are thinking about doing with \nyour life, and why. If you haven\'t completed these lists, stop. Put down the \nrest of this guide. Put away all other distractions and go do these lists!\nScholarship Search Secret - Meet Your New Best \nFriend # 2\nYes, Google is your friend. Obviously, you can use other search engines for \nscholarship search, and you should, but for the purposes of this guide, we\'re \ngoing Google all the way. Start at... well, where else but www.Google.com.\nNow, as a lesson, let\'s just type in scholarships, click Search, and see what \nwe get.\nThat\'s somewhat less than helpful. What\'s wrong here is the inverse pyramid \napproach, which is not the right kind of search we want to be doing. Inverse \npyramid is simply this: starting broad and narrowing down. The problem is that \nthe number of results from a super broad search make it nearly useless, plus \nit\'s "contaminated" with a bunch of commercial services that obscure what you\'re \nafter - actual scholarships.\nSo, let\'s try something to at least filter out the commercial searches for \nnow. Type scholarships foundation and click search.\nSomewhat better, but that\'s still a lot of results to sift through.\nSo, what\'s next? Simple. Get out your lists of things about you. Let\'s say, \nfor sake of example, that you\'re a prospective student at Boston University, \nyou\'ve been involved with Shotokan karate since you were 8 years old, and you \nwant to look into a career in criminal justice. Let\'s take one of these terms \nand plug it in, like Boston University scholarships.\nGet out another sheet of paper or start another document on your computer. \nWe\'re now going to construct a list of questions (queries) to try in Google. \nWhat\'s going to be important here is to start searching for scholarships based \non relevance to you. For example, based on the information we provided above, a \nreasonable search is (as shown) Boston University scholarships. We could also \nuse shotokan karate scholarships and criminal justice scholarships.",1]
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By now you should have a personality and history profile of yourself that is astonishingly, and perhaps even alarmingly, complete. You know who you are to a great degree, and you know in general what you are thinking about doing with your life, and why. If you haven't completed these lists, stop. Put down the rest of this guide. Put away all other distractions and go do these lists!
Scholarship Search Secret - Meet Your New Best Friend # 2
Yes, Google is your friend. Obviously, you can use other search engines for scholarship search, and you should, but for the purposes of this guide, we're going Google all the way. Start at... well, where else but www.Google.com.
Now, as a lesson, let's just type in scholarships, click Search, and see what we get.
That's somewhat less than helpful. What's wrong here is the inverse pyramid approach, which is not the right kind of search we want to be doing. Inverse pyramid is simply this: starting broad and narrowing down. The problem is that the number of results from a super broad search make it nearly useless, plus it's "contaminated" with a bunch of commercial services that obscure what you're after - actual scholarships.
So, let's try something to at least filter out the commercial searches for now. Type scholarships foundation and click search.
Somewhat better, but that's still a lot of results to sift through.
So, what's next? Simple. Get out your lists of things about you. Let's say, for sake of example, that you're a prospective student at Boston University, you've been involved with Shotokan karate since you were 8 years old, and you want to look into a career in criminal justice. Let's take one of these terms and plug it in, like Boston University scholarships.
Get out another sheet of paper or start another document on your computer. We're now going to construct a list of questions (queries) to try in Google. What's going to be important here is to start searching for scholarships based on relevance to you. For example, based on the information we provided above, a reasonable search is (as shown) Boston University scholarships. We could also use shotokan karate scholarships and criminal justice scholarships.
\nIn the words of a famous TV chef, now we\'re cooking. You can see that just by \nstarting a little more specifically, we already get better results.\nScholarship Search Secret #3: Start narrow!\nGet out another sheet of paper or start another document on your computer. \nWe\'re now going to construct a list of questions (queries) to try in Google. \nWhat\'s going to be important here is to start searching for scholarships based \non relevance to you. For example, based on the information we provided above, a \nreasonable search is (as shown) Boston University scholarships. We could also \nuse shotokan karate scholarships and criminal justice scholarships.\nNow, that would give you a heck of a beginning for a scholarship search. \nLet\'s, as the TV chef says, kick it up a notch, shall we?\nScholarship Search Secret #4: Magic Words\nThere are good words, bad words, and then there are magic words. What are \nmagic words? Simply put, magic words are the words you swap in and out of \nqueries to get different results. In our case, they\'re synonyms for \nscholarships, and once you\'ve got a list of search queries based on who you are \nand what you want to do, you can substitute these words in for potentially \ndifferent results. What are the magic words? Here we go.\nScholarship, scholarships (yes, they are different, singular and plural - you \nshould assume from here on that any term which appears in singular should also \nbe tried plural, and vice versa), gifts, grants, award, financial aid, \nendowment, prize, foundation, fellowship, honorarium, bequest, aid, tuition, \ntrust, and stipend. Not all of these will yield results, but they\'re worth a \ntry.\nFor example:\nBoston University criminal justice scholarship Boston University criminal \njustice fellowship Boston University criminal justice grant\nScholarship Search Secret #5: Red Alert\nWe will assume from the previous step that you\'ve now got a list, a solid \nlist, of about 25 - 30 scholarship queries which return results that are \nrelevant to your personal details. Maybe by this point you\'ve even started to \napply for some of the awards you\'ve found. Something important to remember, \nthough: scholarship search is a year-round sport. You can\'t afford to take time \noff from your search if you want to maximize your chances of financial aid.",1]
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In the words of a famous TV chef, now we're cooking. You can see that just by starting a little more specifically, we already get better results.
Scholarship Search Secret #3: Start narrow!
Get out another sheet of paper or start another document on your computer. We're now going to construct a list of questions (queries) to try in Google. What's going to be important here is to start searching for scholarships based on relevance to you. For example, based on the information we provided above, a reasonable search is (as shown) Boston University scholarships. We could also use shotokan karate scholarships and criminal justice scholarships.
Now, that would give you a heck of a beginning for a scholarship search. Let's, as the TV chef says, kick it up a notch, shall we?
Scholarship Search Secret #4: Magic Words
There are good words, bad words, and then there are magic words. What are magic words? Simply put, magic words are the words you swap in and out of queries to get different results. In our case, they're synonyms for scholarships, and once you've got a list of search queries based on who you are and what you want to do, you can substitute these words in for potentially different results. What are the magic words? Here we go.
Scholarship, scholarships (yes, they are different, singular and plural - you should assume from here on that any term which appears in singular should also be tried plural, and vice versa), gifts, grants, award, financial aid, endowment, prize, foundation, fellowship, honorarium, bequest, aid, tuition, trust, and stipend. Not all of these will yield results, but they're worth a try.
For example:
Boston University criminal justice scholarship Boston University criminal justice fellowship Boston University criminal justice grant
Scholarship Search Secret #5: Red Alert
We will assume from the previous step that you've now got a list, a solid list, of about 25 - 30 scholarship queries which return results that are relevant to your personal details. Maybe by this point you've even started to apply for some of the awards you've found. Something important to remember, though: scholarship search is a year-round sport. You can't afford to take time off from your search if you want to maximize your chances of financial aid.
\nWhat if there were a tool that could search for you every day, every minute, \nkeeping an eye on everything, and alerting you when new scholarships based on \nyour needs became available? Wouldn\'t that be an incredibly powerful tool?\nThere is such a tool. And believe it or not, it\'s free, too. It\'s called \nGoogle Alerts, and they\'re about to become your next best friend.\nGet started by surfing over to http://www.Google.com/alertsand \nif you don\'t already have a Google account, now is the time to set one up. \nYou\'ll need a working email account that can receive mail, and if you have spam \nfilters set up, you\'ll want to allow all mail from alerts@google.com to get \nthrough.\nOnce you\'ve logged into your new Google account, you\'ll want to get your list \nof searches from the previous steps handy. Start entering them into the \ninterface, adding an alert for each search. One thing that\'s important here with \nalerts is that Google alerts scan through both news and the Web, so you\'ll want \nto make sure you select both. You\'ll probably also want alert messages once a \nday, rather than as they happen, or you will have a very full mailbox.\nGoogle Alerts will surf the Web and news for you, and bring to your attention \nany new scholarships or awards that fit your criteria. This is an incredibly \npowerful tool in your quest for financial aid, so take the time to enter all \nyour queries - even the ones that didn\'t generate good results in the previous \nsteps.\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\nThank you for contacting Admission Source.If you want to have one on one interaction with Mr. N.B.Singh with his undivided attention and to keep your correspondence confidential than please hire our consultancy ",1]
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What if there were a tool that could search for you every day, every minute, keeping an eye on everything, and alerting you when new scholarships based on your needs became available? Wouldn't that be an incredibly powerful tool?
There is such a tool. And believe it or not, it's free, too. It's called Google Alerts, and they're about to become your next best friend.
Get started by surfing over to http://www.Google.com/alertsand if you don't already have a Google account, now is the time to set one up. You'll need a working email account that can receive mail, and if you have spam filters set up, you'll want to allow all mail from alerts@google.com to get through.
Once you've logged into your new Google account, you'll want to get your list of searches from the previous steps handy. Start entering them into the interface, adding an alert for each search. One thing that's important here with alerts is that Google alerts scan through both news and the Web, so you'll want to make sure you select both. You'll probably also want alert messages once a day, rather than as they happen, or you will have a very full mailbox.
Google Alerts will surf the Web and news for you, and bring to your attention any new scholarships or awards that fit your criteria. This is an incredibly powerful tool in your quest for financial aid, so take the time to enter all your queries - even the ones that didn't generate good results in the previous steps.
Colleges see fewer foreign students
Experts blame visa hassles, competition; some fear effects on science, engineering
By Matt Krupnick
January 29, 2006
WALNUT CREEK, Calif. -- It used to be that the choice between a U.S. or foreign university was a no-brainer for top international students. If they gained admission to Harvard or Berkeley, their choice was made.
But the combined effects of the 9/11 attacks and other countries' higher-education improvements have concerned U.S. educators, who fear a drop in foreign student enrollment would threaten college engineering and science departments.
"Universities could not, in some cases, conduct research or teach classes without their very talented foreign students," said Peggy Blumenthal, executive vice president of the Institute of International Education, which tracks statistics on international students.
In the mid-1950s, according to the institute, U.S. universities were attracting more than 30,000 international students per year. Last year, more than 500,000 attended U.S. institutions, generating about $13 billion in tuition.
But last year, colleges and universities also reported the lowest international undergraduate enrollment since 1999, while graduate enrollment dropped to its lowest level since 2000.
Education experts say increased visa hassles and other U.S. policies have sent the wrong message to the world's students.
"There's just a whole bunch of things that make people say, 'Wait a minute, I don't have to go through any of this to study anywhere else,' " said Victor Johnson, who directs public policy for the Association of International Educators in Washington, D.C.
"It's simply an undeniable fact that the United States isn't a popular place in the world, and that does affect people's propensity to study here."
\nUniversities also are facing another challenge: \ncompetition.\nChina is expected to award more doctorate degrees than the \nUnited States in five or 10 years, and India is also producing more doctorates \nthan ever before. Australia and Europe have also beefed up their \nhigher-education systems.\nBut some say they don\'t see why educators are so concerned. \nIt\'s logical for universities to have to compete for students, they say, and \nU.S. institutions already have an edge over the rest of the world.\nIn India, for example, the top universities simply don\'t \nhave room for all the Indian students, said B.S. Prakash, India\'s consul general \nin San Francisco.\nExporting students to the United States is good for both \ncountries, since many graduates return home to improve India\'s economy, he \nsaid.\n"In the big picture, India believes in globalization," \nPrakash said. "We don\'t look at these things as win-loss."\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\nThank you for contacting Admission Source.If you want to have one on one interaction with Mr. N.B.Singh with his undivided attention and to keep your correspondence confidential than please hire our consultancy services.Details can be mailed to you. \nWE GUARANTEE YOU ADMISSION. VISA HELP WILL BE RENDERED.\nWe have a record of 100% success rate in the past.\nContact admit2003 at rediffmail.com\nGood Luck\nAdmission Source Group,Suite 112,SCO 139-141,Sector 17C,Chandigarh. India. \nTel. 172-2711821,2702640\n\nThe use of this group is subject to the terms mentioned in the groups disclaimer sent to you on joining.It can also be read in the files section.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n ",1]
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Universities also are facing another challenge: competition.
China is expected to award more doctorate degrees than the United States in five or 10 years, and India is also producing more doctorates than ever before. Australia and Europe have also beefed up their higher-education systems.
But some say they don't see why educators are so concerned. It's logical for universities to have to compete for students, they say, and U.S. institutions already have an edge over the rest of the world.
In India, for example, the top universities simply don't have room for all the Indian students, said B.S. Prakash, India's consul general in San Francisco.
Exporting students to the United States is good for both countries, since many graduates return home to improve India's economy, he said.
"In the big picture, India believes in globalization," Prakash said. "We don't look at these things as win-loss."
By Matt Krupnick
January 29, 2006
WALNUT CREEK, Calif. -- It used to be that the choice between a U.S. or foreign university was a no-brainer for top international students. If they gained admission to Harvard or Berkeley, their choice was made.
But the combined effects of the 9/11 attacks and other countries' higher-education improvements have concerned U.S. educators, who fear a drop in foreign student enrollment would threaten college engineering and science departments.
"Universities could not, in some cases, conduct research or teach classes without their very talented foreign students," said Peggy Blumenthal, executive vice president of the Institute of International Education, which tracks statistics on international students.
In the mid-1950s, according to the institute, U.S. universities were attracting more than 30,000 international students per year. Last year, more than 500,000 attended U.S. institutions, generating about $13 billion in tuition.
But last year, colleges and universities also reported the lowest international undergraduate enrollment since 1999, while graduate enrollment dropped to its lowest level since 2000.
Education experts say increased visa hassles and other U.S. policies have sent the wrong message to the world's students.
"There's just a whole bunch of things that make people say, 'Wait a minute, I don't have to go through any of this to study anywhere else,' " said Victor Johnson, who directs public policy for the Association of International Educators in Washington, D.C.
"It's simply an undeniable fact that the United States isn't a popular place in the world, and that does affect people's propensity to study here."
\nUniversities also are facing another challenge: \ncompetition.\nChina is expected to award more doctorate degrees than the \nUnited States in five or 10 years, and India is also producing more doctorates \nthan ever before. Australia and Europe have also beefed up their \nhigher-education systems.\nBut some say they don\'t see why educators are so concerned. \nIt\'s logical for universities to have to compete for students, they say, and \nU.S. institutions already have an edge over the rest of the world.\nIn India, for example, the top universities simply don\'t \nhave room for all the Indian students, said B.S. Prakash, India\'s consul general \nin San Francisco.\nExporting students to the United States is good for both \ncountries, since many graduates return home to improve India\'s economy, he \nsaid.\n"In the big picture, India believes in globalization," \nPrakash said. "We don\'t look at these things as win-loss."\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\nThank you for contacting Admission Source.If you want to have one on one interaction with Mr. N.B.Singh with his undivided attention and to keep your correspondence confidential than please hire our consultancy services.Details can be mailed to you. \nWE GUARANTEE YOU ADMISSION. VISA HELP WILL BE RENDERED.\nWe have a record of 100% success rate in the past.\nContact admit2003 at rediffmail.com\nGood Luck\nAdmission Source Group,Suite 112,SCO 139-141,Sector 17C,Chandigarh. India. \nTel. 172-2711821,2702640\n\nThe use of this group is subject to the terms mentioned in the groups disclaimer sent to you on joining.It can also be read in the files section.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n ",1]
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Universities also are facing another challenge: competition.
China is expected to award more doctorate degrees than the United States in five or 10 years, and India is also producing more doctorates than ever before. Australia and Europe have also beefed up their higher-education systems.
But some say they don't see why educators are so concerned. It's logical for universities to have to compete for students, they say, and U.S. institutions already have an edge over the rest of the world.
In India, for example, the top universities simply don't have room for all the Indian students, said B.S. Prakash, India's consul general in San Francisco.
Exporting students to the United States is good for both countries, since many graduates return home to improve India's economy, he said.
"In the big picture, India believes in globalization," Prakash said. "We don't look at these things as win-loss."
MBAs to revolutionize medicare field
MBAs to revolutionize medicare field
"The medical profession is changing rapidly and very soon an MBA would be
needed to understand marketing strategies, financial impacts, succession
plans in group practice and so on. An MBA will be needed to make your work
more efficient and cost effective. Many corporate companies are now coming
to India with plans to start hospitals and they want professional hospital
managers and administrators with quality assurance. With this viewpoint, an
MBA is a great asset.
However, in regular practice it does not add any value whatsoever. I
personally may consider an MBA because we encounter many insurance companies
and insurance-related matters and an MBA will help in effectively dealing
with such matters," says Dr Vijay Z Belani, a senior doctor in Mumbai. An
MBA is no longer viewed as just a passport to a lucrative job, it is now a
necessity to move into any senior-level management position. And the MBA bug
has bitten professionals as diverse as doctors, lawyers and teachers.
Universities such as the University of Tennessee offer a Physician's
Executive MBA program. This program requires only four one-week sessions at
the university campus. The rest of the program can be done online. The
program costs $48,000. Traditional MBA programs at universities such as
Harvard cost about $100,000. "In the changing health care environment,
participants increasingly fall into two roles: leaders and spectators.
Physicians who want to be leaders clearly understand that business knowledge
is power," states the university website. "This is an expensive MBA program
and one would have to consider whether this degree adds value to one's
profile," warns Dr Belani. "I received my MBA from the University of
Tennessee Physician Executive MBA Program in 1998, after spending over five
years as a technology senior executive.
Because I knew what I wanted to achieve from the program, it turned out to
be a great experience. Beyond the MBA, I have continued to develop my
business and management skills through the executive coach training that I'
ve completed. If you're serious about success, the learning never stops,"
states Francine Gaillour, MD, MBA, FACPE in Physician's Practice Journal.
People are becoming more and more aware of insurance and medical costs. Many
doctors are losing out on patients because of unpaid insurance claims and
insurance exclusions. An MBA would benefit a doctor by addressing cost
effective medical solutions.
On the downside many recruiters do not look favorably at the MBBS-MBA
combination. The reasons are obvious: doctors usually do not have any prior
business experience. The doctor will most likely have seniority and hence
will not accept a low-paying job or low position in an organization.
Therefore, if you are looking for a career switch and do not want to work in
the healthcare industry, you may have a tough time finding a job in the
ruthless business world.
Additionally, if you plan to continue clinical practice, you do not need to
opt for an MBA. "We do not advocate that all physicians pursue MBAs. Those
physicians who are primarily interested in strictly a clinical role, who are
interested only in seeing patients - we don't see that it's necessary for
them to get MBAs," states the University of Tennessee.
When choosing an MBA program, make sure that the program has electives that
cater specifically to the medicine world. Classes such as decision-making
for physicians, economics of healthcare, disease management, business law
and ethics for physicians, marketing for physicians are some of the classes
that your MBA program should address. You can choose a traditional two-year
MBA program or a quick one-year MBA.
For the computer-savvy doctor, an online program would ensure that you study
at your own convenience and do not lose your earnings while pursuing an
MBA.If you are a doctor with many years of work experience and are looking
to set up your own practice or better manage your existing practice consider
an MBA degree. An MBA is an expensive qualification and only look at the MBA
if you are sure that this degree fits into your career plans. Remember, you
may be very good in the operating theatre but how good are your business and
cost management plans?
"The medical profession is changing rapidly and very soon an MBA would be
needed to understand marketing strategies, financial impacts, succession
plans in group practice and so on. An MBA will be needed to make your work
more efficient and cost effective. Many corporate companies are now coming
to India with plans to start hospitals and they want professional hospital
managers and administrators with quality assurance. With this viewpoint, an
MBA is a great asset.
However, in regular practice it does not add any value whatsoever. I
personally may consider an MBA because we encounter many insurance companies
and insurance-related matters and an MBA will help in effectively dealing
with such matters," says Dr Vijay Z Belani, a senior doctor in Mumbai. An
MBA is no longer viewed as just a passport to a lucrative job, it is now a
necessity to move into any senior-level management position. And the MBA bug
has bitten professionals as diverse as doctors, lawyers and teachers.
Universities such as the University of Tennessee offer a Physician's
Executive MBA program. This program requires only four one-week sessions at
the university campus. The rest of the program can be done online. The
program costs $48,000. Traditional MBA programs at universities such as
Harvard cost about $100,000. "In the changing health care environment,
participants increasingly fall into two roles: leaders and spectators.
Physicians who want to be leaders clearly understand that business knowledge
is power," states the university website. "This is an expensive MBA program
and one would have to consider whether this degree adds value to one's
profile," warns Dr Belani. "I received my MBA from the University of
Tennessee Physician Executive MBA Program in 1998, after spending over five
years as a technology senior executive.
Because I knew what I wanted to achieve from the program, it turned out to
be a great experience. Beyond the MBA, I have continued to develop my
business and management skills through the executive coach training that I'
ve completed. If you're serious about success, the learning never stops,"
states Francine Gaillour, MD, MBA, FACPE in Physician's Practice Journal.
People are becoming more and more aware of insurance and medical costs. Many
doctors are losing out on patients because of unpaid insurance claims and
insurance exclusions. An MBA would benefit a doctor by addressing cost
effective medical solutions.
On the downside many recruiters do not look favorably at the MBBS-MBA
combination. The reasons are obvious: doctors usually do not have any prior
business experience. The doctor will most likely have seniority and hence
will not accept a low-paying job or low position in an organization.
Therefore, if you are looking for a career switch and do not want to work in
the healthcare industry, you may have a tough time finding a job in the
ruthless business world.
Additionally, if you plan to continue clinical practice, you do not need to
opt for an MBA. "We do not advocate that all physicians pursue MBAs. Those
physicians who are primarily interested in strictly a clinical role, who are
interested only in seeing patients - we don't see that it's necessary for
them to get MBAs," states the University of Tennessee.
When choosing an MBA program, make sure that the program has electives that
cater specifically to the medicine world. Classes such as decision-making
for physicians, economics of healthcare, disease management, business law
and ethics for physicians, marketing for physicians are some of the classes
that your MBA program should address. You can choose a traditional two-year
MBA program or a quick one-year MBA.
For the computer-savvy doctor, an online program would ensure that you study
at your own convenience and do not lose your earnings while pursuing an
MBA.If you are a doctor with many years of work experience and are looking
to set up your own practice or better manage your existing practice consider
an MBA degree. An MBA is an expensive qualification and only look at the MBA
if you are sure that this degree fits into your career plans. Remember, you
may be very good in the operating theatre but how good are your business and
cost management plans?
Sunday, January 29, 2006
Financing an MBA Abroad: A How-To Guide
Researching financial-aid info for foreign B-schools poses unique challenges. Here are some tips to speed your path to the moneySo you're thinking of going abroad to get your MBA. You'd like to broaden your horizons and experience a truly multicultural graduate program. These are all noble pursuits. But remember, financing a graduate degree from an institution outside your native country can pose certain challenges. Realistically, these challenges are nothing next to the rigors of business school, so you should just think of this particular endeavor as a prelude. You'll have to do a whole lot of research, calculate going conversion rates, and be as proactive as possible. In short, it's nothing a business-savvy applicant can't handle with a good calculator and Internet access. PORT OF CALL. Indeed, many international institutions use their Web sites as the first "port of call" for prospective students. This is undoubtedly true for the admissions process, but it's important to keep in mind for financial aid opportunities as well. Procedures, availability, and types of funding for foreign students at most B-schools vary tremendously. Foreign students usually are not eligible to receive most government loans and can have a hard time with private lenders unless they have a resident guarantor or co-signer. Canadian B-schools, though cheap by comparison to those in the U.S. and Europe, have limited loan programs and funds to disperse to non-Canadians. Thus it's necessary to look beyond the norm when securing funding at a school away from home. In most cases, the financial-aid process begins after you've been accepted. But you should start your research (and when possible, fill out forms) as soon as you decide to apply. Some of the larger, well-established programs have more funding available, or at least more programs in place, to help students finance their MBAs. GLOBAL LOAN PROGRAM. One truly international institution, INSEAD, was founded in 1959 in Fountainebleau, France, and just last year opened a campus in Singapore. Its roughly 700 students represent more than 60 countries and are free to study in either France or Singapore under the institute's "one school, two campuses" philosophy. Once accepted, students are invited to apply for financing through the INSEAD/ABN Amro Global Loan Program, designed to give candidates from all over the globe access to an INSEAD business degree. The loan scheme -- available to every applicant, regardless of nationality -- is offered in association with ABN Amro Bank and covers all tuition fees (27,900 Euros for the 2000 program, or about $29,850). It does not require a security or guarantee from the student, and it offers a low, fixed interest rate. There are, however, a few things to consider. INSEAD's loan doesn't cover living or personal expenses, yet applicants are required to provide a certified copy of an INSEAD acceptance letter, a separate loan application, two letters of recommendation, a copy of a resume, as well as a passport. Loan applicants then have to interview personally at one of ABN Amro's branches. Students still have to have a solid financial history (start paying down that consumer debt now!), as the final disbursement of loans rests solely with ABN Amro. Keep in mind that funding is not always a done deal at any B-school with inviting, all-inclusive loan programs. The buck stops at the bank. SMALL PRICE TO PAY. London Business School has inked a similar loan agreement with HSBC Bank, one of the largest banking and financial organizations in the world. This loan, is open to all students of all nationalities, provides funding to cover the cost of tuition (18,000 British pounds for the 2001 academic year, or about $27,000) as well as the cost of living, a considerable benefit in fashionable, pricey London. There are very few restrictions to this program. However, it does require that students maintain their principal bank account with HSBC Bank for the duration of the loan. (A small price to pay, considering that some lenders stipulate that borrowers must repay a loan in full if they don't take a job back home immediately following graduation.) It's likely that HSBC hopes to retain the business of MBAs who will potentially be "high net worth" individuals and quality customers when they return to their native countries -- where, chances are, there will be a local HSBC branch. FOREIGN-FRIENDLY FINANCING. Lest you assume that all business schools have such foreign-friendly financing arrangements, consider Oxford's Said School of Business. The school lacks a financial aid office. To be fair, the program is smaller (96, compared to INSEAD'S nearly 700 and LBS's 536 full-time students) and only in its fifth year of operation, but the school openly adopts a laissez-faire attitude toward financial assistance. As Louise Hutchinson, Said's marketing manager, explains, "A lot is up to [the student], to be honest, to try to identify appropriate scholarships in their home country." If you're not one of those candidates researching grants on the home front, there's a good chance you're a part of the 67% majority who is able to foot the £18,500 ($27,750) bill for the 2001 program without assistance. That said, Said's Web site offers a wealth of information about funding and is a great jumping-off point for researching scholarships. During any search, beware of specific requirements like "commitment to working in Poland" or "essay-fluent in Arabic" that might disqualify you as an applicant. It could save a lot of aggravation later. WORLDLY CONSTITUENCY. A school with a decidedly unique approach to funding is the International Institute for Management Development, or IMD, in Lausanne, Switzerland. With tuition for the one-year program coming to 45,000 Swiss francs (about $30,000) in 2001, and the total budget estimated at twice that, IMD is no bargain. The price tag could explain why the average age of an IMD student is 31 and the school, in Switzerland's beautiful Lake Geneva region, attracts an affluent, worldly constituency (75% have worked outside of their own countries prior to matriculation). Still, of the 85 students enrolled, 25% to 30% require some kind of financial assistance. The school -- a tightly knit community where even the director of the MBA program knows everyone's name -- has a kitty of about $1.5 million that is allocated for scholarships and loans. These funds are administered by an alumni board made up of one delegate from every graduating class. This classmate/financier system has worked exceptionally well for IMD: they've yet to have a single student default on a loan. REWARDING SCHOLARSHIP. At the end of the year, there are prizes for excellence and class contribution. Sometimes they even "turn loans into scholarships." A lot of schools will bestow scholarships based on achievement during the previous year. It's worth inquiring about such awards during your search. A good place to begin your research is the International Education Financial Aid Web site. IEFA has a searchable database of scholarships for study in the U.S. and abroad and is an invaluable resource for international grant-seekers. As far as loans go, the International Education Finance Corp. has developed a number of loans for students through their International Student Loan Program. The program provides financing for the total cost of education, flexible repayment options, and up to a 25-year repayment period. All MBA candidates are eligible, but students from outside the U.S. must have a U.S. citizen or permanent resident as a cosigner. The site also offers a variety of information -- books, informational organizations, links to relevant Web sites -- on their resources page. Lucia Quartararo
Actuaries: The Best Kept Secret in Business
Actuaries: The Best Kept Secret in Business
by Charles L. Gilbert, FSA, FCIA, CFA
One of the more common reactions heard after an actuary introduces themselves is “What’s an actuary?” Actuaries have been practicing their profession and existing largely undetected by the general public for more than a century. So when someone meets a live actuary for the first time, the question is not entirely unexpected. Historically, the actuarial profession has not done a good job of marketing itself, even in areas where actuaries have substantial expertise. That’s a shame because actuaries have much to contribute to any field that deals with risk. This is particularly true of the world of finance.
Actuaries are professionals who have been rigorously tested and trained in the pricing, valuation, analysis and management of risk. Actuarial exams have been described as the most difficult professional exams in the world. No other profession demands as rigorous a qualification process. Pass percentages are kept low to ensure that the highest standards for entry into the profession are maintained. In North America, actuaries will spend up to 10 years or more after university studying risk-related topics founded on probability and statistics, financial economics and life contingencies to gain the coveted “Fellowship” designation. But as if the exams were not enough, prospective entrants into the profession must pass a Fellowship Admission Course and fulfill Professional Development qualifications. Once successfully completed, fully qualified actuaries or “Fellows” must fulfill ongoing Continuing Professional Development and Education requirements. The majority of actuaries have traditionally specialized in insurance or pensions and many people who think of actuaries tend to associate actuaries with the insurance or pension industries. While that is certainly true, many actuaries focus their skills on finance, investments and risk practice. In fact, fully qualified actuaries who have successfully completed all of the exams in the Investment, Finance or Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) tracks have covered most of the material required to become a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Financial Risk Manager (FRM) and Professional Risk Manager (PRM) and have been tested at a far more rigorous and higher cognitive skill level. In fact, many actuaries decide to write these exams to obtain these other designations since they have already mastered most of the syllabi.
The majority of actuaries find themselves working for financial institutions, mainly insurance companies and pension funds but a growing number are working for commercial and investment banks. That is no coincidence. Financial institutions (along with many corporations) are in the business of assuming risk provided they are fairly compensated for taking those risks. Actuaries typically understand the risks and the rewards better than any other professional. They are uniquely qualified to help companies make more effective risk decisions. Bred with strong quantitative backgrounds – most actuaries are mathematicians turned risk professionals – actuaries find themselves in their element when faced with complex financial risk problems. These are some of the reasons actuaries are being sought by rating agencies and regulators looking to beef up their risk assessment capabilities. Actuaries are also being tapped for Chief Risk Officer (CRO) positions. In Canada, the CRO of every major life insurance company is an actuary.
Actuaries have made valuable contributions to financial economic theory and risk practice. Sophisticated techniques and approaches have been developed that greatly improve how risks are quantified and enhance financial decision making. Actuaries such as Frederick Macaulay, Frank Redington and Robert Reitano introduced the financial world to duration, immunization theory and partial duration; Harry Panjer published definitive references on financial economics and loss models; James Tilley, David Wilkie and Mary Hardy – among many others – have made great advances in the stochastic modeling of risk. Several actuaries along with the Society of Actuaries and the Casualty Actuarial Society have been pioneers in the emerging field of Enterprise Risk Management (ERM). Actuaries have been at the forefront of risk practice, solving sophisticated valuation problems involving dynamic hedging of complex embedded options where no close form or analytic solution exists.
Risk practice encompasses more than risk mitigation or risk management. Risk practice also involves selecting and taking risk. The key is making sure the organization is fairly compensated for taking those risks and is comfortable with the amount of risk exposure assumed.
By determining which risks provide an attractive risk/return profile and identifying which risks should be avoided or hedged, actuaries can help companies exploit risk opportunities. One area in particular where actuaries have been at the forefront is in helping companies implement Asset Liability Management (ALM) to gain competitive advantage. While many financial institutions have been effective at implementing ALM at a tactical level, the focus has tended to be on risk mitigation. The Society of Actuaries Task Force on ALM Principles provides the following definition of modern ALM:
“ALM is the on-going process of formulating, implementing, monitoring and revising strategies related to assets and liabilities to achieve the financial objectives for a given set of risk tolerances and constraints.”
When using ALM as a strategic decision-making tool, the goal of ALM is not necessarily to eliminate or even minimize risk. ALM is viewed as a framework to achieve the financial objectives of the organization subject to its risk tolerances and constraints. Within this framework innovative strategies are formulated for optimizing financial results. One such strategy is to exploit the term structure of interest rates by rebalancing the asset portfolio backing liabilities in such a way that reduces the interest rate risk exposure of the company and increases portfolio yield, future investment income, and achieves the company’s financial objectives. The key to formulating and executing effective strategies is to have an in-depth understanding of both the assets and liabilities and how they interrelate. Trying to specify objectives for each side of the balance sheet separately will not necessarily ensure that the overall financial objectives are achieved.
To see this more clearly, let’s say you wanted to maximize risk adjusted return on capital. Under the traditional approach the assets and liabilities might be managed separately. The liability manager would be asked to state what the investment objectives for the liabilities were and come up with a suitable benchmark for the liabilities. The asset manager would then try to beat the liability benchmark while staying within some specified risk limit. Typically, in order to give the asset manager the maximum flexibility, the risk limits are kept relatively simple and might be stated in terms of a Macaulay or Modified Duration target. However, beating the benchmark within the specified duration target and/or maximizing portfolio yield may not necessarily ensure that risk adjusted return on capital will be maximized. That will depend on the actual interest rate risk exposure, the impact on reserves, capital and accounting treatment. This is where a risk professional who understands both sides of the balance sheet can help. By formulating Asset Liability Management strategies to achieve the financial objectives subject to risk tolerances and constraints, this can be set up as an optimization problem. A strategy can then be executed that will select the best risk/reward profile for the company. Actuaries are uniquely positioned to formulate such strategies and determine the impact on reserves, accounting results and capital requirements, then decide whether the organization is being fairly compensated for the risks assumed and whether the strategy achieves the organization’s overall financial objectives. Under the traditional approach, the asset manager would typically execute the trades and find out the impact on the overall financial objectives after the fact.
There are many practicing actuaries with investment experience who understand both the assets and liabilities. By working closely with an asset manager, an actuary can provide valuable insights into whether the strategies being contemplated achieve the financial objectives or whether they are optimal from a risk/reward perspective.
Regulators, rating agencies and analysts have discovered the value that actuaries can add to finance and risk management and engage these risk professionals on staff. Actuaries have trained regulators, rating agency and investment analysts on asset liability management and have worked together with them to establish approaches for determining appropriate levels of capital for various risk exposures, and developing more a meaningful valuation metric for investment analysts to measure insurance companies.
While actuaries are uniquely trained risk professionals with a lot to contribute to the world of finance, they may just be the best kept secret in business!
Charles L. Gilbert, FSA, FCIA, CFA, is president and founder of Nexus Generations, which provides advanced risk management solutions to the financial services industry. He is also a director of the Society of Actuaries Board of Governors and serves on numerous task forces and working groups related to risk management.
Sunday, January 15, 2006
The College Application Deadlines You Need to Know
Don't miss important deadlines. Here's an ideal timeline to keep you on the right track.published by financialaid.com
There are two kinds of students. Those who begin planning for their college applications as juniors, reviewing last year's applications and contemplating essay topics to let them percolate over time. And those who start their applications at 3 a.m. the night before they are due. This is one time where even if you are a natural-born procrastinator, you need to pay attention to the important college deadlines.
The worst thing that you can do is wait until the last minute. You'll make careless errors, and you won't present your best strengths to the colleges. The best college applications are done over time, allowing you to think about your responses and formulate your answers. To develop the strongest applications, here is an ideal timeline for keeping track of when you should tackle each step:
Birth - Fall of senior year : Research and select colleges to apply to. You should begin learning about the colleges as soon as possible in high school. Visit colleges close to you even if you don't think you will apply to them, and visit colleges while you are on vacation with your family. By seeing different campuses, you will get a better idea of what you like and don't like about a school.
Spring of junior year : Take the standardized tests. Get your #2 pencil ready because you'll want to take the required standardized tests, the SAT I or ACT, at least once during the spring of your junior year. Some colleges also require the SAT II Subject Tests.
Early fall of senior year : Narrow your college choices and request applications. Continue researching schools by reading about them, contacting their admission offices to ask questions and visiting. Select five to eight colleges to apply to. Request applications either through the colleges' websites, by telephone or by letter.
Back to Top
October - November : Take the standardized tests again. If you haven't already taken the SAT I or ACT, you'll need to do this in the fall. If you have taken the exams, you should try it again now that you know exactly what to expect. You also have the choice of which scores to submit to the schools so taking it twice will give you some flexibility.
Early November : Early admission deadlines. You'll need to decide if you want to apply early. You have two options: Early Action, which does not require that you attend the school if you are accepted, or Early Decision, which does require that you attend the school if accepted. If you want to apply early, the deadlines are typically in early November
Late December - early January : Regular admission deadlines. If you apply during the regular admission deadlines, you will have a couple of extra months to complete your applications. Use this time to actually work on and perfect your applications. Don't procrastinate.
Back to Top
Three to six weeks before your deadlines : Recommendations. For the strongest recommendations, give your teachers and counselors as much time as possible. Just as you need to develop your applications over time, your recommenders need time to gather their thoughts about you.
December - April : Wait by the mailbox for acceptance letters. If you apply regular decision, you will start hearing back from the colleges in the spring, typically at the beginning of April. The decision may be acceptance, denial or wait list. If you are placed on the wait list, you still have a chance of being accepted if other students do not choose to attend the college.
January - March : As soon after January 1 of your senior year as possible, you'll need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The only way to get financial aid is to complete the form. You'll need to supply information about your parents' and your income and assets. By spending a few hours, you may receive thousands of dollars in aid.
Back to Top
April : Hold your breath for financial aid offers. Financial aid offers may include grants, work-study and loans. Don't look at the total amount of financial aid you receive. Instead, look at how much your family will need to contribute and how much you will need to borrow to figure out how much the college will actually cost to attend. Also, if you receive financial aid packages from several colleges, you may be able to negotiate with the schools. For example, you can ask one college if it can match or increase to be closer to a more generous package that you've received from another college.
May : Make your decision. You've done all the research and asked all the questions, now it's time to decide where you will spend the next four years of your life. Make last visits to your top choice colleges, and discuss with your parents which schools won't bust your family's bank.
Congratulations! You've made it through the college admission process and can look forward to four years of football games, new friends and parties, and of course, a little dose of studying as well.
There are two kinds of students. Those who begin planning for their college applications as juniors, reviewing last year's applications and contemplating essay topics to let them percolate over time. And those who start their applications at 3 a.m. the night before they are due. This is one time where even if you are a natural-born procrastinator, you need to pay attention to the important college deadlines.
The worst thing that you can do is wait until the last minute. You'll make careless errors, and you won't present your best strengths to the colleges. The best college applications are done over time, allowing you to think about your responses and formulate your answers. To develop the strongest applications, here is an ideal timeline for keeping track of when you should tackle each step:
Birth - Fall of senior year : Research and select colleges to apply to. You should begin learning about the colleges as soon as possible in high school. Visit colleges close to you even if you don't think you will apply to them, and visit colleges while you are on vacation with your family. By seeing different campuses, you will get a better idea of what you like and don't like about a school.
Spring of junior year : Take the standardized tests. Get your #2 pencil ready because you'll want to take the required standardized tests, the SAT I or ACT, at least once during the spring of your junior year. Some colleges also require the SAT II Subject Tests.
Early fall of senior year : Narrow your college choices and request applications. Continue researching schools by reading about them, contacting their admission offices to ask questions and visiting. Select five to eight colleges to apply to. Request applications either through the colleges' websites, by telephone or by letter.
Back to Top
October - November : Take the standardized tests again. If you haven't already taken the SAT I or ACT, you'll need to do this in the fall. If you have taken the exams, you should try it again now that you know exactly what to expect. You also have the choice of which scores to submit to the schools so taking it twice will give you some flexibility.
Early November : Early admission deadlines. You'll need to decide if you want to apply early. You have two options: Early Action, which does not require that you attend the school if you are accepted, or Early Decision, which does require that you attend the school if accepted. If you want to apply early, the deadlines are typically in early November
Late December - early January : Regular admission deadlines. If you apply during the regular admission deadlines, you will have a couple of extra months to complete your applications. Use this time to actually work on and perfect your applications. Don't procrastinate.
Back to Top
Three to six weeks before your deadlines : Recommendations. For the strongest recommendations, give your teachers and counselors as much time as possible. Just as you need to develop your applications over time, your recommenders need time to gather their thoughts about you.
December - April : Wait by the mailbox for acceptance letters. If you apply regular decision, you will start hearing back from the colleges in the spring, typically at the beginning of April. The decision may be acceptance, denial or wait list. If you are placed on the wait list, you still have a chance of being accepted if other students do not choose to attend the college.
January - March : As soon after January 1 of your senior year as possible, you'll need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The only way to get financial aid is to complete the form. You'll need to supply information about your parents' and your income and assets. By spending a few hours, you may receive thousands of dollars in aid.
Back to Top
April : Hold your breath for financial aid offers. Financial aid offers may include grants, work-study and loans. Don't look at the total amount of financial aid you receive. Instead, look at how much your family will need to contribute and how much you will need to borrow to figure out how much the college will actually cost to attend. Also, if you receive financial aid packages from several colleges, you may be able to negotiate with the schools. For example, you can ask one college if it can match or increase to be closer to a more generous package that you've received from another college.
May : Make your decision. You've done all the research and asked all the questions, now it's time to decide where you will spend the next four years of your life. Make last visits to your top choice colleges, and discuss with your parents which schools won't bust your family's bank.
Congratulations! You've made it through the college admission process and can look forward to four years of football games, new friends and parties, and of course, a little dose of studying as well.
How to Bullet-proof Your Essay
Produce quality essays that admissions officers will remember.published by financialaid.com
The essay is your best opportunity to impress the admission officers and let them know who you really are. Through the essay, you can show the colleges your passions, values or accomplishments that just aren't given justice in the fill-in-the-blanks of the application. While an uninspired essay won't necessarily doom your chances to getting accepted, an inspired one can propel you into the acceptance pile.
Here's how to produce a quality essay that the admission officers will remember:
Follow your passions . Choose the topic that is the most compelling to you. Don't write about what you think the colleges want you to write about. Be honest in your answers about what you really think. If you do this, the words will come more easily and your excitement will show through in your writing.
Begin your essay with fireworks . Don't begin with the obvious—your name, when you were born or what high school you go to. Instead, try dialogue, a description of a scene or a bold statement. Test some creative approaches to capturing the admission officers' attention right from the start.
Be specific . One mistake that many students make is that they are too general. Making a broad statement without supporting it with examples is not very effective. Instead, describe a specific moment, achievement or idea to make a more interesting essay.
Have a point . Before you start writing, think about what you are trying to convey in your essay. You should be able to summarize the point of your essay in a single sentence. If you can't, you may not have a point. It's important to have an underlying message that you're trying to relate through your essay.
Let the admission officers into your mind . Instead of just describing an event, let the admission officers experience the event with you. Share the thoughts that are running through your mind during the event. Explain what you are thinking and why you made the decisions that you did. This will give them real insight into who you are.
End with a bang . You want to sandwich your essay between a strong beginning and conclusion. The conclusion is the last taste that you will leave in the mouths of admission officers. Summarize your point and wrap your thoughts together with a conclusion that they'll remember.
Get help . While your essay of course must be your own work, you can improve your writing with input from other people. Ask for help and don't be afraid of a little constructive criticism. Use it to your advantage. Get feedback from at least one person about your writing.
The essay is your best opportunity to impress the admission officers and let them know who you really are. Through the essay, you can show the colleges your passions, values or accomplishments that just aren't given justice in the fill-in-the-blanks of the application. While an uninspired essay won't necessarily doom your chances to getting accepted, an inspired one can propel you into the acceptance pile.
Here's how to produce a quality essay that the admission officers will remember:
Follow your passions . Choose the topic that is the most compelling to you. Don't write about what you think the colleges want you to write about. Be honest in your answers about what you really think. If you do this, the words will come more easily and your excitement will show through in your writing.
Begin your essay with fireworks . Don't begin with the obvious—your name, when you were born or what high school you go to. Instead, try dialogue, a description of a scene or a bold statement. Test some creative approaches to capturing the admission officers' attention right from the start.
Be specific . One mistake that many students make is that they are too general. Making a broad statement without supporting it with examples is not very effective. Instead, describe a specific moment, achievement or idea to make a more interesting essay.
Have a point . Before you start writing, think about what you are trying to convey in your essay. You should be able to summarize the point of your essay in a single sentence. If you can't, you may not have a point. It's important to have an underlying message that you're trying to relate through your essay.
Let the admission officers into your mind . Instead of just describing an event, let the admission officers experience the event with you. Share the thoughts that are running through your mind during the event. Explain what you are thinking and why you made the decisions that you did. This will give them real insight into who you are.
End with a bang . You want to sandwich your essay between a strong beginning and conclusion. The conclusion is the last taste that you will leave in the mouths of admission officers. Summarize your point and wrap your thoughts together with a conclusion that they'll remember.
Get help . While your essay of course must be your own work, you can improve your writing with input from other people. Ask for help and don't be afraid of a little constructive criticism. Use it to your advantage. Get feedback from at least one person about your writing.
How to Get Over Your Application Angst
Get those applications in on time.published by financialaid.com
With their seemingly endless series of blanks and spaces to "tell us about yourself" and boxes to "provide us with your social security number, date of birth and innermost thoughts" - not to mention the essays, there's a reason why many student procrastinate when it comes to filling out college applications. Ugh! Multiply this by the number of colleges that you will be applying to, and you have the ingredients necessary for a nervous breakdown!
Completing your college admissions applications doesn't have to be such a painful experience. In fact, if you break them down into their individual parts, you'll see that completing them is a lot easier than you thought. Here are some strategies to help you tackle your applications and prevent a few headaches along the way:
Take a deep breath - and get a sneak peek . Take some time to request (via mail or by downloading them via the Internet) and carefully review the college applications before setting pen to paper or fingers to keyboard.
Here's what you're likely to find inside the typical college application:
Application forms. These are the forms that ask for all of your vital statistics--your coursework, grades, test scores, activities, honors, awards, summer activities and employment.
Essays. Many applications also require one to three, 500-word essays. The essays provide you the opportunity to expand on an accomplishment or something about you that is not easily reflected in the short answers on the application forms
Recommendations. Start shining some apples to give to your teachers. There also may be recommendation forms that your teachers and counselors will need to complete, describing your academic ability and character.
Each of these pieces fit together to serve a specific purpose. The application forms give the colleges basic information about how you've performed academically and socially. The essays allow you to highlight one of your strengths and demonstrate your writing ability and the recommendations give others' opinions of you.
Focus on leadership and initiative . Colleges want students who are going to be leaders in the future and make a difference in the world. In your applications try to highlight any leadership experience you've had. Wherever possible, give the colleges examples of leadership and initiative in your applications.
Remember preschool? Well, this time show, DON'T tell . Instead of giving an overview of your accomplishments, give concrete examples of what you have actually done. It's important to not just state the facts but to also give some examples of your accomplishments to show the college what you've done.
Make your essay your personal highlights reel . Your essay is the opportunity for you to let colleges know about your most important achievement, goal or personal strength. Your essay should give the admission officers insight into who you are as a person, what's most important to you and what you will bring to their freshman class.
Help them help you . Your teachers and counselors may have to write dozens of recommendations. This means that you should do everything you can to help them. Give them at least three weeks advance notice and be sure to provide them with all of the forms, pre-addressed envelopes and background information about you that they'll need.
Fill the gaps . Maybe your transition from junior high to high school was a rough one. And, as a result, your grades suffered. You don't want to provide a lengthy accounting of every reason why your grades slipped, but explaining that you made a difficult transition into high school and that since then you've matured and gotten better grades will help.
Proofread, Proofread, Proofread! Some applicants have misspelled their own major or even put the wrong college's name in their essays, which has not left strong impressions on the admission officers. The best way to prevent these kinds of careless errors is to complete your applications early enough so that you have adequate time to review and revise and review again.
With their seemingly endless series of blanks and spaces to "tell us about yourself" and boxes to "provide us with your social security number, date of birth and innermost thoughts" - not to mention the essays, there's a reason why many student procrastinate when it comes to filling out college applications. Ugh! Multiply this by the number of colleges that you will be applying to, and you have the ingredients necessary for a nervous breakdown!
Completing your college admissions applications doesn't have to be such a painful experience. In fact, if you break them down into their individual parts, you'll see that completing them is a lot easier than you thought. Here are some strategies to help you tackle your applications and prevent a few headaches along the way:
Take a deep breath - and get a sneak peek . Take some time to request (via mail or by downloading them via the Internet) and carefully review the college applications before setting pen to paper or fingers to keyboard.
Here's what you're likely to find inside the typical college application:
Application forms. These are the forms that ask for all of your vital statistics--your coursework, grades, test scores, activities, honors, awards, summer activities and employment.
Essays. Many applications also require one to three, 500-word essays. The essays provide you the opportunity to expand on an accomplishment or something about you that is not easily reflected in the short answers on the application forms
Recommendations. Start shining some apples to give to your teachers. There also may be recommendation forms that your teachers and counselors will need to complete, describing your academic ability and character.
Each of these pieces fit together to serve a specific purpose. The application forms give the colleges basic information about how you've performed academically and socially. The essays allow you to highlight one of your strengths and demonstrate your writing ability and the recommendations give others' opinions of you.
Focus on leadership and initiative . Colleges want students who are going to be leaders in the future and make a difference in the world. In your applications try to highlight any leadership experience you've had. Wherever possible, give the colleges examples of leadership and initiative in your applications.
Remember preschool? Well, this time show, DON'T tell . Instead of giving an overview of your accomplishments, give concrete examples of what you have actually done. It's important to not just state the facts but to also give some examples of your accomplishments to show the college what you've done.
Make your essay your personal highlights reel . Your essay is the opportunity for you to let colleges know about your most important achievement, goal or personal strength. Your essay should give the admission officers insight into who you are as a person, what's most important to you and what you will bring to their freshman class.
Help them help you . Your teachers and counselors may have to write dozens of recommendations. This means that you should do everything you can to help them. Give them at least three weeks advance notice and be sure to provide them with all of the forms, pre-addressed envelopes and background information about you that they'll need.
Fill the gaps . Maybe your transition from junior high to high school was a rough one. And, as a result, your grades suffered. You don't want to provide a lengthy accounting of every reason why your grades slipped, but explaining that you made a difficult transition into high school and that since then you've matured and gotten better grades will help.
Proofread, Proofread, Proofread! Some applicants have misspelled their own major or even put the wrong college's name in their essays, which has not left strong impressions on the admission officers. The best way to prevent these kinds of careless errors is to complete your applications early enough so that you have adequate time to review and revise and review again.
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