Article Dashboard: Reference & Education | College

Monday, January 29, 2007

Boston Colleges

College students from the Boston area are invited to join the Dodge High Caliber Challenge . Of course, this type of competition is open for college students who are attending a university of college located in Boston. Also, it is important to note that people who are interested in joining should be interested in taking long drives and in taking road trips.

Tom Loveless who is a member of the Dodge s marketing and global communications department states, The Dodge High Caliber Challenge gives college students a chance to experience and win the boldest new compact car on the market today, while raising awareness and money for the Global Music Project. Equipped with a Chill Zone beverage storage bin, Music Gate Power liftgate speakers, available MP3 jack, and a self-charging removable flashlight, the all-new Dodge Caliber has all the essentials for a road trip.

To join, interested college students should first submit an essay. They would be dwelling on the reasons they have why they want to take this road trip. They would also have to discuss how they will be using the all-new Dodge Caliber to raise awareness for the Global Music Project during the road trip which will be done in a duration of five days. Of course, these students must be full-time college students. They should be 18 years old to 25 years old only and should be completely enrolled in an accredited college or university during the 2006 spring semester. More information about this could be accessed through the Internet at www.DodgeHighCaliberChallenge.com.

Best Colleges

Community Colleges can be a Stepping Stone to Big Universities

When it comes time to apply to universities, students find that what they have done during the high school years (or what they haven't done) really affects whether or not they are accepted to college. Everyone knows that grades and extra curricular activities play a part in your college applications, but you can't truly know the scope of this before you begin applying.

If you find yourself getting rejection letters from colleges and universities, don't let this discourage you. You can still get into the college of your dreams and further your education if you are willing to work hard for the next year or two to prove that you are serious about school. Community colleges are an excellent way for you to get a start on your education and improve your grade point average.

Now that you have graduated from high school, your future is staring you in the face and it an be a scary thing, especially if your plans for the future are put on hold until you get into a university. Don't let time pass you by, apply to a local community college and begin taking classes as soon as you can.

If you have a goal to get into a particular college, check with them to see what classes you could take at a community college that could be transferred to the other college upon acceptance. For instance, certain things like sciences, math classes and English classes can often have their credits transferred from community colleges to other colleges.

Don't let college and university rejection letters keep you from following your dreams. Take the time to apply to a local community college and get a jump on your education and a boost for the next college applications you send in.

Internship in the United States 

Internships are practical experiences that bridge the gap between the educational world and the real world allowing students to understand what is really like to work in the industry of their choice. International internships offer much more than the usual internship you would conduct in your country. These types of internships will open your eyes to new ways and new personal and professional relationships, will provide you with new settings and a new culture and expand your opportunities. Here is a small summary on how to get internships in the United States.


Washington, DC: Internship Central

Washington, DC is probably the most popular place for internships in this country. Hundreds of students from every corner of the world congregate in this city during the summer months to pursue internships in almost every field. Of course, the most popular field is political science, but tons of students also pursue internships in science, technology, economics, business, art, etc. In fact, Washington, DC is much more than politics. It's a beautiful city surrounded by monuments and museums that are free to the general public. The Smithsonian museums offer all kinds of internships and fellowships year-round in subjects such as art, public relations, science, public policy, and other fields. International students are eligible to apply to certain internships provided by the Smithsonian free-of-charge. Other entities that attract tons of international students are the international organizations located in this city such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the Interamerican Development Bank. International and national students are encouraged to research and apply with plenty of time before the deadline to any of these internships that usually carry a nice stipend or a monthly wage. It's important to understand that many internships are unpaid, however the professional expertise and personal connections you will acquire more than make up for the lack of payment. Some internships offer stipends that usually cover food and/or transportation. Other internships provide nice monthly wages that allow students to pay for housing, food, transportation and other personal expenses. There are also internship programs such as the Washington Internship Program, the Washington Internship Institute, or the Washington Center that provide internships to international and domestic students. These programs usually charge fees that average $3500 for internship placement services, academic courses, housing placement, and group activities. For those students already studying in US universities and colleges, the university career center is a great source for internship opportunities. Finally, newspaper and online job ads may also provide you with a good list of potential internships.

The Work Permit Process for F-1 Students

F-1 visa students (students currently enrolled in US universities and colleges) are eligible to work as interns 9 months after being admitted in the country as F-1 students. The process varies from college to college, but the following steps are recommended:

1. Talk to your international students counselor to see if you are eligible for curricular practical training (CPT). Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is an employment option available to F-1 students where the practical training employment is considered to be an integral part of the curriculum or academic program and where you are awarded college credit.

2. Talk to your college counselor, internship director or career counselor to see if you qualify for internships at this point in your college life.

3. Look for internships everywhere: newspapers, online job banks, internship centers, companies, organizations, etc. Submit your resume to your internships director or college professor in charge of co-op and internship programs.

4. Once you have been hired as an intern, go to the international students office and fill out the CPT form. Once this is approved, your I-20 will specify permission to engage in CPT. Your employer and dates will also be recorded on your I-20.

The Visa Process for Other Students

Students or recent graduates from other countries who wish to pursue an internship in the United States will usually need to be sponsored for a J-1 visa. J-1 visas are provided to exchange students and trainees. Your internship program will usually sponsor you for this type of visa. It's important that you understand that students who come on a J-1 visa will be required to leave the country within 30 days after the internship ends. Also, J-1 visa holders will not be able to return to the US for 2 years following their internship experience. The reasoning for this is that students must take back and apply in their native countries the skills and expertise they acquired while working in the USA. For more information about J-1 visas, please visit this site: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1267.html#6

Students who wish to work as temporary workers - usually in the hospitality industry as front desk agents, waiters, housekeepers, ski instructors and more are eligible for H-2 visas. The H-2 visa is a visa for unskilled workers and is the visa most often used for workers in hospitality and entertainment during the summer months. Work abroad programs usually sponsor you for this type of visa. Note that international organizations such as the World Bank, IMF and IDB may sponsor their interns for a G-4 visa instead of other types of visas. The USCIS.gov website has comprehensive information about H-2 and G-4 visas.

The following steps are recommended:

1. Find an internship or work abroad program that meets your criteria. Make sure it is a reputable and certified organization.

2. Apply for the internship or work abroad program.

3. Once you have been admitted, request a detailed explanation of the steps and documents necessary for your visa.

4. Gather all the required documents for your visa interview and visit the US consulate or embassy in your area.

Final Words

Although this article has focused on internship opportunities available in the Washington, DC area, internships are available in all cities throughout the United States. It is important to select internships that provide you with valuable skills and unique experiences. Avoid at all costs internships where making copies and serving coffee will be your major responsibilities. Also, if you have decided to enroll in an internship program, make sure that it is a reputable and certified organization capable of sponsoring foreign students. An internship in the United States and in other parts of the world is a beautiful experience that combines new experiences, new cultures, new perspectives and your personal and professional growth.

Online Nursing Courses

Considering the pros and cons of all your educational choices, the advantages of an online nursing college course are overwhelming. These online nursing courses allow you to continue your education and your life with fewer interruptions than may occur through a more traditional educational setting. An online nursing program can provide a number of different degree options - LPN, RN, bachelor of nursing, master of nursing, and also a PhD program in nursing.


Earning a college degree in the nursing field using online educational resources can make the difference between a successful, new career in nursing and just coping with a boring, unrewarding job.

Advantages of College Nursing Courses Online

There are many reasons for taking your college nursing courses online:

You can work at your own pace to earn your desired degree,
Study only during the hours that fit your needs,
Take classes and earn college credits in the comfort of your own home,
Maintain your present employment,
Save money by avoiding travel time and automobile expenses.

And remember, an online nursing degree can be a wonderful asset to anyone s career. Whether you are seeking a new career in nursing or fulfilling continuing education requirements, the convenience of utilizing online college courses cannot be beat!

Online Nursing College Course Requirements

Online nursing courses focus on subjects like physical sciences, social sciences and biological sciences. These courses are designed for those individuals who have neither the time nor the luxury of taking a break to learn. Nursing students with jobs can merely login to their college courses in the evenings, or during their spare time, and complete their lessons online.

From an equipment and software standpoint, most online nursing courses don t require anything more than a computer with Adobe Acrobat Reader, Shockwave and Flash. Also, some basic textbooks will be required, just like the traditional schools. Depending on the college nursing program selected, their may also be some additional study materials or lab requirements that will be needed.

There is one other requirement that any person who wants to pursue a career in nursing must bear in mind. A successful nursing career not only depends on having the knowledge of logical applications of various skills and methods (for the utmost comfort and well-being of the patient), but is based on having human compassion and the basic feeling for human care. This requirement is every bit as critical as the nursing classes themselves.

Why an Online College Nursing Course is Right for You

Colleges and universities offering online nursing programs provide an extremely viable educational option for those individuals who find themselves without the time or money to devote to full time education. These same people can benefit from the increased range of nursing career options that further education can provide them.


Online nursing schools specifically have changed the lives of over 30, 000 nursing students by providing them with a new career in various locations and medical fields coast to coast. Why not consider one of these accredited universities and colleges offering online nursing college courses to start your new career in the medical field?

Thursday, January 18, 2007

Top universities in usa

Accenting Higher Education for Young    by dinesh gupta

There are so many universities in the UK, USA, Scotland and Australia. Approximately 4.8 million students currently are pursuing higher education; about one third of the young generation opt for higher education and an increasing number of students are studying either full-time or part-time for achieving university degrees. Higher education is a priority in the current policy of the Government, with a target set to attract 50 percent of 18 to 30 year old to go for higher education.

There are different degree levels like undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral and they have different time period for successful completion. Undergraduate degree takes three years to complete; master's degree is earned in a single year and doctoral degree takes three years for completion.

According to The Times Higher Education Supplement (THES), a famous newspaper based in London, the Harvard University is the best university for higher studies. American institutions occupied seven of the top ten places, with Oxford the highest-ranked outside the United States. Students are highly benefited from a learning environment in these renowned institutes where academic studies and vocational experience come together and are constantly reviewed to keep pace with the competitive industry.

To study in Australia is slightly easy than the UK AND USA. Australia also
has a well developed higher education system. Australian model attract
tremendous International attention and are in course of progressive development
in education and training system generating a considerable International interest.

For more information visit at http://www.global-opportunities.net

Application Process

The application process for studying abroad should begin at least 12 months prior to the commencement of the course for which one intends to apply depending on time taken to select the university that best suits one profile and preparing for the standardized tests that have been prescribed, like TOEFL in case one wishes to study in the US and IELTS in the case of the UK; the tests are different for undergraduates (SAT) and graduates (GRE, GMAT among others). One can follow it up by contacting the university to request the application form and prospectus as well as other related forms like for obtaining scholarships or special funding. The application form would have to be submitted with complete details regarding one’s educational qualifications, the course selected as well as work experience especially in case of professional courses. Care has to be taken to submit the application form well before the deadline stated especially in the case of courses which have potentially a large number of applicants; the deadline is generally different in different universities. Today one can even apply online making the procedure less time consuming and more student friendly. Courses in the UK and the US begin in the month of September and if the application process goes smoothly the student can expect to hear from the University regarding admission confirmation in the month of April or May.

Resources :

http://www.educationuk.org/
http://educationusa.state.gov/undergrad/admissions.htm
http://educationusa.state.gov/graduate/admissions.htm

Universities in usa

The decision to study abroad involves extensive planning and strategizing right from the basics like the reason behind studying abroad to making the idea practically feasible. Selecting universities whether one is studying in the UK or in the US that best fit your particular requirements is one of the major aspects and one would do well to first address issues related to one’s career path, the line of study as well as the specific course that one intends to pursue before hunting for the best match.

Once the decision is made then one can go in to the details regarding choosing among the top universities in one’s field, the requisite academic qualifications and scores, the prescribed tests like GMAT, GRE and TOEFL or IELTS that are to be taken, the application part and of course the financial element encompassing fees, scholarships and regular and incidental expenses.

Also one has to ensure that the course selected is compatible with one’s plans as often similar sounding courses in different Universities have different syllabi and course duration and some courses may be more research oriented while others may be more vocation based.

One should be as flexible as possible regarding choosing the best place for one’s higher education and often Universities that are not that highly placed on any rankings list unlike the Harvards and Stanfords or Oxford and Cambridge may be tailor made for you taking in to consideration the curriculum, the funding available, department and faculty as also special facilities.

Resources :
http://www.educationuk.org/
http://educationusa.state.gov/

Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Finance

Today the dream of students to study abroad is not a distant one unlike in the past, what with the number of banks, both home and abroad, as well as educational institutions ready to finance a student’s aspirations with several easy to avail loans, funding and scholarships. A sound approach taking in to consideration the financial aspects like the overall fees, necessary facilities and books, regular expenses related to travel, accommodation, food and the like as well as incidentals would make planning for things a lot easier with an eye on the future.

As in most cases student loans are sanctioned only when the admission of the student has been confirmed in an institute abroad often the first year expenses have to be borne by the student at least partly. Banks take in to consideration the academic record of the student, the nature of the course, the annual income of the parents and assets, to be kept as security; the repayment plans usually commence after a certain time period following completion of the course (usually 6 months) or after getting a job whatever occurs first.

If one applies for a loan abroad then generally a person who is a citizen of the country is required to sign the required documents along with the recipient (student) to act as security regarding repayment for the loan; apart from banks various trusts and foundations plus corporate bodies also finance studying abroad though in specific cases.

With regards to scholarships and special funding by the institutions themselves the former are awarded usually to students on the basis of merit, depending on the type of course like for example MBA, biotechnology and engineering courses have a higher chance of being funded as compared to undergraduate courses.

In the case one wants to study in the UK paying for higher studies is generally affordable as the duration of most courses is one year; in the US most universities funded by the state have significantly less amount of fees as compared to private ones. The expenses that one may incur if one intends to study in the US for a post graduate course would be around $12-15,000 for a two year course in a public community college while a four year course would cost around 18-25,000 in a public institution. Also one option for most students is to work part time in the university itself and thereby be self sufficient regarding one’s daily expenses.

Ideally one should have finalized one’s financial strategy by the time one applies for a visa as the granting of the same often depends a great deal on one’s ability to bear the expenses, whether partly or fully self sufficient.

Resources :
http://www.britishcouncil.org/india-scholarships-chevening.htm
http://educationusa.state.gov/finaid.htm

US Visa, British Visa

Obtaining visa is an often complex procedure, with the US Visa & BritishVisa regulations being different for different countries and for which one should be prepared well in advance. The actual process begins after one’s admission has been confirmed by the institute for which one has applied by way of a letter of acceptance if one intends to study in the UK or upon receiving form I-20 in case one wishes to study in the US after which one may contact the consular section of the embassy of the respective country.

The type of visa that one applies for will depend on the nature of the course like for example in the US the F-1 visa is issued to students who intend to pursue a full time course while the M-1 visa is issued to students among others who require practical training in relation to their course.

The application forms that are to be filled while applying for a British Visa are IM2A while in the case of the US it is Form no 156, both of which are available at their respective embassies. The forms are to be filled only after one has carefully read the rules regarding duration of one’s stay based on the course length, one’s eligibility to work (part-time) in the country and other related details for instance accommodation and the like.

Some of the required documents to be submitted along with the forms and visa application fees are valid passport, passport size photograph, admission confirmation letter, academic certificates and proof of ability to bear the expenses that one would incur in the form of bank balance statements, proof of funding and scholarships obtained if any as well as declaring one’s and/or one’s parents annual income.

An essential part of the procedure is the interview during which the Consular Officer questions you to clarify the details mentioned like the reason behind studying abroad, the financial details stated and one’s future plans. In case one’s application is denied one can ask for written clarification for the same and accordingly apply at a later date.

Resources :
http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/students
http://www.unitedstatesvisas.gov/studying.html

Planning and strategizing right from the basics

The decision to study abroad involves extensive planning and strategizing right from the basics like the reason behind studying abroad to making the idea practically feasible. Selecting the university that best fits your particular requirements is one of the major aspects and one would do well to first address issues related to one’s career path, the line of study as well as the specific course that one intends to pursue before hunting for the best match.

Once the decision is made then one can go in to the details regarding choosing among the top universities in one’s field, the requisite academic qualifications and scores, the prescribed tests like GMAT, GRE and IELTS that are to be taken, the application part and of course the financial element encompassing fees, scholarships and regular and incidental expenses.

Also one has to ensure that the course selected is compatible with one’s plans as often similar sounding courses in different Universities have different syllabi and course duration and some courses may be more research oriented while others may be more vocation based.

One should be as flexible as possible regarding choosing the best place for one’s higher education and often Universities that are not that highly placed on any rankings list unlike the Harvards and Stanfords or Oxford and Cambridge may be tailor made for you taking in to consideration the curriculum, the funding available, department and faculty as also special facilities.

For more details check these websites
http://www.educationuk.org/
http://educationusa.state.gov/

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