Nasadaccredited Interior Design Schools

The National Association of Schools of Art and Design, founded in 1944, maintains a list of close to 300 accredited interior design institutions. Schools, colleges and universities on the list have been subject to a rigorous peer review process that is updated annually. NASAD members can access the directory free on the organization's website, where it is available for sale in electronic or hard copy for non-members.

The New School--Parson's

The New School, also referred to as Parson's, was made famous when featured with instructor Tim Gunn on the show "Project Runway." The New York arts and design college has three interior design degree programs, all accredited by the NASAD; an associate of arts, bachelor of arts and a master of fine arts. The New School has a GI Bill tuition program for former members of the armed forces. The campus is in Manhattan's Greenwich Village neighborhood and educates more than 6,400 students each year in 82 degree programs and more than 650 continuing education classes.

The New School

66 West 12th Street

New York, NY 10011

212-229-8933

newschool.edu

Lawrence Tech

Lawrence Tech in Michigan offers two NASAD-accredited programs that result in a master of fine arts in interior design. Students with a bachelor of interior design can take a 37-credit-hour program, and those changing careers with a bachelor degree in any other subject may earn the same degree by taking a modified 79-credit-hour program. Applicants with an interior design degree must have a minimum 2.70 grade point average, and all applicants must submit three letters of recommendation, an interior design portfolio and official academic transcripts.

Lawrence Tech

21000 West Ten Mile Road

Architecture Building A116

Southfield, MI 48075

248-204-2800 Architecture and Design College

800-225-5588 toll-free (Campus Main)

ltu.edu

Academy of Art University

The Academy of Art University is the largest private art and design university in the U.S., located in downtown San Francisco, California. The school offers a bachelor of arts and a master of fine arts degree in interior architecture and design, which can be taken on-campus or online. An associate of arts degree program is also available through the online school. All three of the degree programs have been accredited by the NASAD. The school has a full-tuition scholarship available for high school applicants, and assists students by awarding more than 300 portfolio grants annually.

Academy of Art University

79 New Montgomery Street

San Francisco, CA 94105

415-274-2200

800-544-2787 toll-free

academyart.edu

Tags: Academy University, degree programs, fine arts, interior design, interior design

Ultrasonography Programs In Michigan

Ultrasonography programs teach students to operate sonogram equipment.

Michigan is home to a number of schools offering post-secondary educational programs in ultrasonography, a profession the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts will grow by 18 percent annually through 2018. These programs are in locales ranging from hospitals to public universities. The ultrasonography schools are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs, allowing graduates to fulfill the education requirements necessary for certification in the field.

Henry Ford Hospital

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography School at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit offers an 18-month training program in diagnostic medical sonography. The program includes courses in abdominal, obstetrical, gynecological, vascular, cardiac and musculoskeletal ultrasound. To enroll in the program, students must have a license or certification in an allied health field, such as radiologic technology or registered nursing, or a bachelor's or associate's degree in any field and patient care experience. Students complete clinical rotations on an on-going basis throughout the program. The school is approved by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, allowing veterans to receive rebates on the cost of tuition.

Diagnostic Medical Sonography School at Henry Ford Hospital

2799 West Grand Blvd.

Detroit, MI 48202

313-916- 3519

henryfordhealth.org

Grand Valley State University

The Radiologic & Imaging Sciences program at Grand Valley State University is located in Grand Rapids. The program offers four-year bachelor's degrees and allows students to specialize in general sonography, echocardiography or abdominal, obstetrical and gynecological ultrasound. Before enrolling in the program, students must complete classes in anatomy, medical terminology, algebra, trigonometry, physics, psychology and statistics. Applicants also must have previous work or volunteer experience in a healthcare setting. Students accepted into the program complete at least four clinical rotations. Grand Valley State participates in federal and state financial aid programs and grants a limited number of scholarships to students.

Grand Valley State University

301 Michigan St. NW

Grand Rapids, MI 49503

616-331-5940

gvsu.edu

Lansing Community College

A public, two-year institution, Lansing Community College offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in diagnostic medical sonography. The program is open to students with no previous medical training or post-secondary education. The curriculum includes abdominal, obstetrical and gynecological ultrasound as well as three clinical rotations. Lansing Community College accepts federal and state financial aid programs and offers academic support and tutoring services for all students. Personal and career counseling also is available.

Lansing Community College

P.O. Box 40010

Lansing, MI 48901

517-483-1957

lcc.edu

Tags: Community College, Grand Valley, Grand Valley State, Lansing Community, Lansing Community College

What Is A Core Concept Of Change Theory In Nursing

This nurse might be a change agent.

In nursing, change theory describes several interrelated theories about how change might be implemented in the field. Each change theory interprets differently how these changes might be made based on a few core concepts.

Change Agent

One core concept of change theory is the presence of a change agent, a person or procedure that is the catalyst for the change in nursing service procedure. This change agent can be an administrative professional, a staff nurse, a head nurse, a doctor or someone else who works with or around the nursing staff.

Driving and Resistant Forces

Kurt Lewin's change theory introduced the concepts of driving and resistant forces. Both of these forces can also be change agents, with the driving force being the person or circumstances that wish to bring about a change in procedure and the resistant force being those that are reluctant to accept the proposed change.

Interpretations

Other change theories in nursing take the core concepts of a change agent, a resistant and driving force and have alternative suggestions on implement the changes. Additional theories are known as Rogers', Lippitt's, Spradley's, Havelock's and Reddin's Change Theories.

Tags: change agent, change theory, about change, core concepts, driving force, force being

Apply For The Gre

The Graduate Record Exam, or GRE, is a requirement for most graduate school applicants. However, state law prohibits most programs from using the GRE as the sole basis for accepting or rejecting an application. The GRE primarily reflects a student's academic background and abilities, but it has never been shown to be a strong predictor of future success in graduate school. Still, the GRE is an important tool for assessing the verbal, quantitative and analytical skills of a potential graduate student.

Instructions

1. Decide whether you want to apply for the written test or the computer-based test. Computer tests are offered more frequently, but may not be available in certain areas.

2. Choose the specific test format to take, which may be the general test or a subject, such as psychology, test.

3. Contact the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to begin the registration process (see Resources below).

4. Select a testing site. If you live in a rural area or small town, you may need to travel a considerable distance to the testing location.

5. Enter your name on the registration form exactly as it appears on a government-issued identification card that bears your name in English. Alternatively, enter it the way it appears on your college ID.

6. Make an appointment for your test. Make this appointment carefully as you will only be able to cancel or reschedule 10 days prior to the exam date.

Tags: graduate school, your name

Apply For The Fafsa With No Family Contribution

The FAFSA form can be mailed or submitted electronically.

FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. It is a form that students who plan on enrolling in college fill out to determine if they are eligible for financial aid. Even if you are uncertain about your eligibility for financial aid, filling out a FAFSA can still be helpful to determine if you qualify for possible education grants. Filling out an application is not a difficult process, and with the right information, any student can be on his or her way to receiving financial aid for college. The form is available online or it can be sent through the mail.

Instructions

FAFSA Through the Mail

1. Photocopy your latest W-2 forms, income tax return and bank statement. If you have mortgage forms and any investment records, photocopy them as well.

2. Obtain a paper FAFSA form. You can get one from your library, your high school, the college you plan to attend, or by requesting one from the Federal Student Aid Information Center by calling 800-4-FED-AID.

3. Complete the FAFSA form. Indicate that you will be applying independently and not receiving help from any family member. Copy your completed form to keep for your own records.

4. Mail the form in the provided envelope. Your FAFSA application will take two to four weeks to process.

5. Look over your Student Aid Report. You will receive this after your application is processed. The SAR will summarize your information and tell you your eligibility for aid.

FAFSA Online

6. Gather your latest W-2 forms, income tax return and bank statement. If you have mortgage forms and any investment records, you will need them as well.

7. Visit FAFSA on the Web, located at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/.

8. Apply for a PIN, which is the personal identification number you will need to electronically sign your documents and view them online once they are processed.

9. Fill out the FAFSA form online. Indicate that you will be applying independently and not receiving help from any family member. Submit your application once the form has been completed. Your application will take two to five days to process.

10. Look over your Student Aid Report. You will receive this after your application is processed. The SAR will summarize your information and tell you your eligibility for aid.

Tags: FAFSA form, your eligibility, your Student Report, after your, after your application, application processed, application processed will

What Courses To Take To Become A Fashion Stylist

Fashion stylists work in all areas of the fashion industry, not just in the design of clothes.

Many fashion stylist jobs don't require college degrees, but taking fashion and business courses can give candidates a leg up on the competition, according to the All Art Schools website. Fashion-styling education is available through diplomas and certificates, associate degree programs and bachelor's degrees. Your course load may be determined by a specialty area you hope to pursue, but most fashion-style programs offer an established curriculum for students.

Fashion Stylists

Fashion stylists may work in a number of areas in the fashion industry, including photography, design, clothing, staging and lighting, set design, music videos, movie sets, television and print advertising. Some fashion stylists become journalists who write about the industry. According to the Fashion Schools website, fashion stylists perform all tasks related to style and the creation of fashion visuals.

Diplomas and Certificates

Diploma and certificate programs typically are one week to a couple of months in duration. San Francisco-based Gillian Armour program, for example, offers a 32-hour fashion certificate program spread over five days. Students are required to pass a 100-question final exam, write two essays and complete an image consultation with a client. Course work includes modules in "What is Fashion Styling?," "Fashion 101," fashion design, fashion business, fashion styling, color basics, business basics, figure analysis and measurement, clothing silhouettes, makeup and hairstyling, marketing, accessories, customer service and ethics. Online courses are available.

Associate and Bachelor's Degrees

Two- and four-year degrees are available in fashion styling and related fields, both on campus and online. For instance, the California-based Art Institutes has more than 45 schools in the United States and offers bachelor's and associate degrees, as well as diploma programs, in fashion, design, media arts and culinary arts. American InterContinental University has locations in Atlanta, Houston, Broward County, Florida and London, as well as online courses. It awards associate degrees and bachelors of fine arts degrees in fashion styling and related fields. Many other schools offer degree programs in fashion styling, both on campus and online.

Curriculum

Typical classes required for a degree in fashion styling include apparel construction, weaving, flat-pattern design, fashion draping, design portfolios, apparel manufacturing, sewing, fashion illustration, introduction to the fashion industry, fashion history, image consulting, color theory, merchandising, retail buying, modeling, the garment business, fashion forecasting, fashion writing and publicity, lingerie design, fabrics and materials, fibers and yarns, apparel art and fashion-show production. Other traditional liberal arts course work, like math and English, also are required.

Certification

Diplomas, certificates and degrees make graduates eligible for certification through the Association of Image Consultants. Initial certification results in first-level certification, or FLC. With experience, CIP, or certified image professional, status can be gained, and testing is required. The highest level of certification is CIM, or certified image master, which requires 2,000 hours of documented work experience and extensive continuing education credit hours.

Tags: fashion styling, fashion industry, areas fashion, areas fashion industry, associate degrees, both campus, both campus online

Spot Film School Scams

Film school programs offer a gateway into an exciting and glamorous profession, but not all film schools provide the training you will need. No degree can guarantee you a career as a filmmaker. To protect yourself from scams, learn as much as possible about a film school before you decide to enroll.

Instructions

1. Check that the film school is accredited. Make sure the credits you receive in a film program can be transferred to other colleges or universities.

2. Watch out for schools that pressure you to take out a student loan. Such schools focus more on collecting your cash and less on teaching film. Check with the U.S. Department of Education's toll-free hot line at (800) 433-3243. If the school has a high student loan default rate, it's usually a sign of problems.

3. Get information in writing guaranteeing the school's tuition refund policy.

4. Beware of film schools that offer to take your credit card information along with your application. Consider it a red flag alert when a film school charges you for the course at the same time you apply, or allows anyone with a credit card to enroll.

5. Suspect a scam when film school ads compare their low rates to those of well-known, legitimate schools. They fail to mention that the low-budget courses they want you to sign up for provide very little real training.

Tags: credit card, film school, film schools, schools that, student loan

Write A Commencement Address

A memorable speech has the right focus and the right tone and is exactly the right length.

Instructions

1. Decide on a focus. If you are well-known for something specific, your audience will, no doubt, expect your speech to be about that topic.

2. Put yourself in your audience's moccasins as you write. You want to connect.

3. Keep the speech to two or three major points.

4. Find your voice - perhaps warm and conversational, sober and profound, vigorously controversial, or wise and understanding.

5. Write an outline with your topic statement and the critical points as headings.

6. Fill in your transition spaces with anecdotes, quotes, even relevant jokes to ensure your speech will be unique, interesting and audience-aware.

7. Draft your closing remarks.

8. Write a completed speech as tight or loose as fits your style.

9. Practice reading the speech first for time.

10. Practice again for cadence and delivery.

11. Read aloud with any hand motions or movements you intend to incorporate.

12. Create the props you'll take to the podium - notecards or the full speech, double-spaced and typed.

13. Try your speech out on a person, especially one similar to the folks in your intended audience.

14. Relax. You'll be great.

Tags: your speech, your audience

Business Studies On Marketing Strategy

Once you gain a clear understanding of the concept of marketing strategy, take the next step of exploring business case studies. You learn from competitors' stories how their approach to market strategy has worked or failed. You may be able to avoid some serious mistakes or emulate the winning strategies of others. Either way, you win by learning from business studies.

Marketing Strategy 101

The Times 100 website defines a marketing strategy as "...a marketing plan designed to achieve marketing objectives." This Times 100 article explains the critial importance of developing clear business objectives. Your marketing strategies must reflect your business objectives. With your marketing strategy in place, develop a day-to-day action plan that utilizes whatever tools and tactics you believe will best help you meet your objectives. Examine the following case studies, and learn the secrets of each corporation's unique marketing strategy.

International Marketing Study

Cavusgil & Zou authored a business study entitled "Marketing Strategy-Performance Relationship: An Investigation of the Empirical Link in Export Market Ventures" for the University of Missouri. In it, their research suggests three key determinants of export performance. One of the three key determinants is market strategy. The other two elements have to do with the firm's international competence and managerial commitment. Originally published by the Journal of Marketing, it is now available online at the University of Missouri website.

The Marketing Strategy of Diesel

Diesel, a popular clothing company around since the 1970s, was the subject of a business case study. It asks why Diesel's marketing strategy works so well. The study, entitled "Live, breathe and wear passion, " is posted on The Times 100. It suggests that the reason Diesel's marketing strategy works so well is because they have the right people and passion in place which makes the other four Ps of marketing -- product, promotion, place and price -- work to its best advantage.

The Marketing Strategy of North Face

North Face strives to be the "Nike of outdoors" states a Guardian study. The December 2010 study shows the North Face's previous quarter's sales rose 17 percent with annual sales of $1.4 billion, the clear leader in its category. Timo Schmidt-Eisenhart, who heads the European division of North Face, suggests the company's investment in creating new fabrics and the cultivation of relationships with extreme athletes play into its success. In addition, the company carefully carves its distribution channels worldwide, fine-tuning its marketing strategy.

Tags: marketing strategy, North Face, Marketing Strategy, business case, business objectives, case studies

Apply For Grants

Apply for Grants

Grants are wonderful ways of obtaining funding for projects, business, schooling and even housing. A grant is a program that is offered by the government or by organizations or even private people who wish to fund these different types of things. Unlike a loan, a grant doesn't have to be paid back, so you can get started on your project or schooling without having to worry about being in debt. Although the application process for grants varies depending upon what organization or government chapter you're going through - there are some common things you will need to do. Below is some more information on apply for grants.

Instructions

1. Find the perfect grant. Before you can apply for grants, you have to find ones that you are eligible for and that meet your specific needs. There are many ways in which you can find the perfect grant, including searching online. www.Grants.gov is a great resource when you're searching for grants because they have a keyword search tool which allows you to find relevant grants almost instantly. Simply place the type of grant you want in the search bar - for instance, college, housing, schooling or starting a business. Make sure that the grant you've selected is offered for your area or all types of people. Some grants are specifically for certain areas or particular types of people. Once you've found your perfect grant, you're ready to get started.

2. Check the details. It's also important that you check the details of the grant. As stated above, some grants are for certain people or areas only. Also, some grant applications require different kinds of information. You may need to place information such as proof of income, number of persons living in your home, whether or not you've received grants in the past and why, what the grant is for, how much money you need and more. Make a note of the types of information you will need to include as well as any documented proof you will have to attach to the grant application. This will make the process go smoother and easier.

3. Include all information. Many grants come with a grant kit that will be provided by the organization or person giving the grant. Follow the instructions in the grant kit to the letter and include all necessary information. Double check to ensure that you have everything that is needed before sending the application off, so that the process will go more quickly. In some cases, you will need to send proof of documents, etc. Be sure to send only copies of these documents and not the original copies. You could end up losing them if you do!

4. Send the grant out. Once you've filled the grant out, send it to the specified address. Then you simply wait to determine whether you've been selected to receive the grant or not. Notification of this should come to you within a few months of filling out the application. However, don't panic if it takes longer. Remember that many other individuals have also filled out applications and chances are, there are a lot to sift through! Hopefully your patience will be rewarded with acceptance.

Tags: perfect grant, will need, apply grants, types people

Apply For Gi Bill Benefits

Upon separation from the military many young veterans face a host of challenges. One thing that is in place to help these people is the availability of GI Bill benefits. GI Bill benefits can prove remarkably helpful, but there are a few steps that must be taken into mind to make sure you get what you're entitled to.

Instructions

1. Contact your local employment agency and notify them of your veteran status. One of the biggest GI Bill benefits is your hiring preference for many government jobs.

2. Consider going to college on the GI Bill if you have any desire to further your education. The benefits of this package include a living stipend allowing you to work as a full-time student.

3. Apply for a VA sponsored home loan if you find yourself in a financial position to purchase a home. The low interest rates are a significant advantage for first-time home buyers; any loaning representative should be able to give you adequate information.

4. Remember to keep track of your DD214 discharge papers. This official documentation is crucial to secure your GI Bill benefits and can be time consuming to replace if lost.

5. Visit your GI Bill school counselor regularly if you choose to take advantage of the GI Bill school money benefits. It's important to keep an open channel of communication with this individual to keep apprised of any changes to your benefits package.

6. Talk to other veterans in the community in order to hear the word on the streets as it concerns benefits. Often, many things can be learned simply through networking.

Tags: Bill benefits, Bill school, your Bill

What Is The Best Way To Get Out Of Debt

What Is the Best way to get out of Debt?

Getting out of debt is a challenge you must meet if you want to enjoy financial security. In addition to adding stress to your daily life, mounting debt will keep you from owning a nicer home, furthering your education, starting a business or investing for your retirement. It's hard to overstate the enormity of the impact debt can have on your future. However, sometimes it's even more difficult to know eliminate debt.

Identification

To tackle your debt, you need to know exactly how much debt you have. Prepare a list of all your creditors, how much you owe and what the interest rate is on each loan. Prioritize your list with high interest payday or title loans first, credit card debt next. Your auto loan comes after that, followed by low interest student loans.Your home mortgage is last on the list.

Expert Insight

Paying off loans from payday or title lenders is top priority. These lenders are in the business of keeping you trapped in a cycle of high interest loans. A 2006 study by The Center for Responsible Lending reveals that nation wide, short term lenders charge an average 400 percent annual interest rate on their loans. Additionally, 90 percent of payday loan revenues comes from borrowers who are unable to repay on time.

Significance

Credit card interest is the average consumers largest financial drain. Lowering it is essential to getting out of debt. Find the most competitive interest rates currently available. Then ask your credit card company to match those rates. Persistence pays off when negotiating with credit lenders. Instead of dealing with the representative who answers your call, ask to speak with a supervisor who has more authority to change your interest rate.

Function

Your home loan is not part of the debt you should worry about paying off. But if you've got equity in your home, refinancing your mortgage can be a good way to eliminate other high interest debt. Shop for the lowest possible fixed rate. Don't be tempted to take an adjustable rate mortgage, even if the initial payments look very attractive.

Prevention/Solution

To meet your cash needs in a crunch, think creatively and exercise your entrepreneurial spirit. Sell a spare vehicle, hold yard sales, sell merchandise on eBay, sell old jewelry or get a part time job. If your debt is large and threatens your ability to keep your home, consider taking in a boarder or renting your home out for a couple of years.

Considerations

Some people use retirement savings to pay off debt, but advice from financial experts varies on this tactic. Because you usually pay penalties for early retirement fund withdrawal and your money will no longer earn you interest, you have to reinvest significantly more than you withdraw just to break even.

Bankruptcy can eliminate your of debt, but the effect on your credit history will be profound. Borrowing in the future will be difficult, and if you can get a loan, you won't be able to get the best interest rates. It also affects your ability to obtain business loans. Always consult an expert in financial law and taxes before when making decisions regarding bankruptcy.

Tags: high interest, interest rate, your debt, Best Debt, credit card, debt have, interest rates

College Fraternity Fundraising Ideas

Raise money for charity through your college fraternity with these fundraising ideas.

Being in a fraternity requires a certain amount of work, in more than just the physical or intellectual sense. The members' fee charged to join, as well as annual dues, ensures that these groups maintain some level of exclusivity. Once in a fraternity, the brothers raise funds for charity at least once a year, and doing the same fundraisers time after time gets old. Try these ideas to refresh your fraternity's commitment to charity and to raise some serious cash.

Kabob Cookout

Prepare and sell kabobs outside a popular campus hangout to make a large amount of cash in one night. Purchase a large bag of chicken breasts and a large slab of beef, as well as assorted peppers and onions. Have a "prep party" where fraternity members gather to cut up the meat and arrange the veggies, chicken and beef on kabob sticks soaked in water. The night of the event, set up a table with a cash box, napkins and disposable plates as you grill.

Textbook Fundraiser

Every college student needs textbooks, so why not make a profit off the purchases of your fraternity brothers and classmates? Sign up with popular campus fundraising sites that have partnerships with a number of textbook vendors to get the largest profits for your fraternity, and ensure that textbook buyers get the best prices. Each group member is assigned a username and password so they can log in and see how much they've made. All that's left is advertising!

Pancake Breakfast

Host a pancake breakfast at your fraternity house, or if it is a little too small or crowded, rent out a space on campus for the event. Charge a flat fee for all-you-can-eat pancakes, or set up a donation box at the entrance. Don't forget to serve orange juice or apple juice with the pancake breakfast. Buy large bags of pancake mix from a warehouse club and advertise for the breakfast well in advance.

Servant For a Day Auction

Stereotypes of pledge bullying and campuses where frat members are virtual gods run rampant in the college atmosphere. Use this image to hold a fundraiser where frat brothers are auctioned off to students to do their bidding (as long as it's legal) for a day. Hold the auction at a campus auditorium, and use your connections with musically inclined friends to have someone play DJ. Auction off brothers to the highest bidder and let the good times roll!

Tags: your fraternity, fraternity brothers, popular campus, where frat

Schools For Graphic Design In Atlanta Georgia

Atlanta has several graphic design schools.

Atlanta is the largest city in Georgia. With a metropolitan population of more than 5 million, it's one of the biggest cities in the United States. Atlanta is home to the world headquarters of many leading businesses, as well as several schools known for their graphic design programs.

Savannah College of Art and Design

At the Atlanta campus of the Savannah College of Art and Design, students are taught not only the artistic, creative side of graphic design, but also the design business. The school says it is on the cutting edge of the graphic design industry. Students often have internships with large corporations and non-profit organizations such as Barnes & Noble and the American Red Cross. The school's graphic design students often take design-related trips to studios in Chicago, New York and London, and many of the industry's top designers visit the campus to speak to students.

Art Institute of Atlanta

The Art Institute of Atlanta delivers post-secondary education focused on the wide-ranging arts industry. The school has a graphic design program as well as culinary arts, fashion and media arts programs. The Art Institute of Atlanta is part of the Art Institutes chain, which has campuses throughout the United States, including two in Georgia. The school's design program teaches students the basics of practical graphic design, communicating a design idea and creating projects that stand out from the competition.

Westwood College

The Atlanta Midtown Campus of Westwood College offers a graphic design program as well as other design programs, including drafting, animation and game art. Westwood College has 17 campuses across the United States, including two in Atlanta -- Midtown and Northlake. The Midtown Campus is in the heart of Atlanta's business community, giving students a front-row seat to the city's graphic design businesses. The Northlake Campus is in the northeast area of the city.

Bauder College

Bauder College has an associate's degree program in graphic design and teaches students all aspects of the industry, including design for books, magazines, advertising, packing and communication. Bauder's graphic design graduates work in a variety of industries, including advertising agencies, design firms and printing companies. During their program of study, Bauder College students take field trips and earn internships with Atlanta design firms.

Tags: graphic design, Bauder College, design program, graphic design, Institute Atlanta, United States

Write A Good Gre Issue Essay

The analytical writing section of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) requires each student to write two essays. The Argument essay requires students to critique an argument. The Issue essay requires students to form an opinion on an issue of interest. Students must offer relevant reasons and examples to support their views on an issue. Each student has 45 minutes to compose an Issue essay.

Instructions

1. Compose an introduction to your essay. Use the introduction to introduce ideas, create interest and set the tone for the rest of the Issue essay. A well-organized introduction should foreshadow the main issues presented throughout the essay.

2. Make a valid point. Each sentence of the essay should convey a clear message. Provide a reason or example to support your point of view on the issue.

3. Write in clear, active voice sentences in which you identify the subject performing an action. For example, "The boy threw the ball." The boy (subject) threw (verb) the ball (object). In a passive sentence, the subject is acted upon by the object. For example, "The ball was thrown by the boy." Avoid passive constructions, as they may lead to confusing sentences.

4. Keep sentences short and concise; communicate your ideas effectively and in an organized manner. One thought should lead to another. Do not pad the essay with superfluous or excessive information.

5. Concentrate on the flow of the essay; do not use big words as a smokescreen for poor writing and poorly thought-out ideas.

6. Wrap up the essay with a conclusion. Use the conclusion to summarize the main points of your essay. An effective conclusion reminds the reader that the supporting information (reasons and examples) used throughout the text successfully convey the writer's purpose and main point.

7. Read over the final draft of your essay. A well-written essay should enable the reader to move effortlessly from point to point. The essay should point out the causes, consequences and implications of the issue, and provide compelling reasons and examples to support the information and lead the argument to an effective conclusion.

Tags: essay should, Issue essay, reasons examples, your essay, effective conclusion

Interviewing Tips For First Job After Graduating From High School

Whether you are looking to work for the summer or to work full time in lieu of going to college, your first job after graduating from high school is your most important job. Obtaining a high school diploma is the first milestone to obtaining a job that will go on your resume and set the tone for your working career.

Prepare a Resume

Although you do not have extensive work experience, you should prepare a resume. Include your contact information with your name, mailing address, telephone number and email address. Be sure your email address is neutral and professional in the way it looks and sounds (i.e., jsmith@emailaddress.com instead of videogameguy@emailaddress.com). List the name of your high school, the dates you attended it and a brief list of courses that speak to your interests or desired occupation. Include any volunteer activities or involvement that provided you with practical skills that would be attractive to a potential employer.

Dress Appropriately

Dress based on the environment in which you will be interviewing. If you are interviewing for a job in an office, dress professionally. If you have a suit, wear it. If not, wear business casual attire, such as a skirt and blouse or khaki pants and a button-down shirt. If you are interviewing as a lifeguard, shorts and a pressed polo shirt may be appropriate.

Bring References

Because you do not have much work experience, references can be valuable in helping you to get a job. Include three different types of references, if possible. For example, try to include someone who knows you personally, such as a family member. For a professional reference, list someone who you may have worked for voluntarily or someone you worked with at an organization, such as your church, Girl Scouts or Boy Scouts. Include an academic reference such as a teacher, principal, guidance counselor or coach.

Paint a Clear Picture of Who You Are

Show your personality by being yourself. Do not be afraid to sell yourself. Be prepared to discuss your strengths and areas you which to improve upon. Describe your best qualities: dependability, flexibility, enthusiasm, willingness to learn new things, ability to work on a team, attention to details, etc. Be prepared to defend the reasons why you are the best candidate for the job. No matter what, be honest. Ask questions because this will show that you are interested in the position.

In Closing

Thank your interviewer for the opportunity to interview. Get his contact information and send a follow-up email or thank you note within 24 hours.

Tags: high school, contact information, email address, work experience

How A Paralegal Submits A Claim To Court

Paralegals assist attorneys by submitting a legal claim in court.

A paralegal, or legal assistant, is an individual who has been specially educated and trained to assist attorneys in performing substantive legal work. Under a lawyer's guidance, a litigation paralegal often drafts and files claims, in the form of legal complaints, in magistrate, state and superior courts across the country. There are several important factors to manage and consider when filing a case.

Statute of Limitations

The first step in submitting a proper legal claim is for the paralegal to determine when the statute of limitations, or SOL, expires. This date is crucial, because if a case is not filed before it tolls, the claimant will be barred forever from pursuing a legal action. Missing a statute of limitations deadline is considered legal malpractice. SOLs are different depending on the nature of the claim and the venue in which it is being filed.

Complaint for Damages and Summons

A Complaint for Damages is the document a paralegal uses to file a claim in court. This complaint is the start of a lawsuit. A legal assistant must gather the necessary facts and information in order to draft the complaint. In general, a complaint must include the proper identities of all involved parties, the date when the tort (or damage) occurred and details of the claim. Additionally, a paralegal must ensure that the complaint is drafted in the proper venue and that a legally valid summons is attached so that the paperwork can be properly served on the person or company who is being sued.

Other Legal Documents

When a claim is filed with the court in the form of a complaint and summons, a paralegal can make the decision to file discovery requests with the suit. These are legal documents to which the person who is being sued must respond within a certain period of time. Discovery that may be drafted and filed includes requests for admissions, interrogatories and requests for the production of documents.

Filing Fees and Specific Forms

Another important aspect of submitting a claim in court is to determine what specific fees and documents the individual jurisdiction requires to be submitted with the complaint. Most courts charge a filing fee and an additional fee for service by the sheriff's department. Courts may also have case and county specific forms that must be completed with certain information. A paralegal needs to make sure all these items are included in the filing.

At the Courthouse

To file the claim and begin the lawsuit with the court, the paralegal must take the original and one copy of all of the paperwork to the courthouse and pay the clerk of the court to open the case. The clerk will stamp the paperwork with the date of filing, keep the copies for its case file and return the originals stamped "filed" to the paralegal. The paralegal then takes the documents and places them into the internal file that will be updated with other correspondence, memos and pleadings as the case continues through the litigation system.

Tags: claim court, assist attorneys, being sued, Complaint Damages, court paralegal, file claim, legal assistant

Government College Grants

Attending college is expensive, but federal and state government grants can help take some of the bite out of tuition costs. Eligible undergraduate students demonstrating financial need may receive such grants, which do not require repayment. State grants generally require that residents attend college in the state for eligibility. Some state education grants only permit attendance at public colleges, while others also include private institutions of higher learning.

FAFSA

The first step for any needs-based government college grant is completing and submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly called the FAFSA. Dependent college students must report their parents' income and assets, while independent students report their own income. Independent students must be over age 24 and neither living with parents nor married. The FAFSA determines what the Expected Family Contribution for the cost of a college education should be and what financial aid the student may receive.

Federal Undergraduate Grants

Undergraduates may qualify for a federal Pell Grant, with the amount of the grant determined by the applicant's need and the school's tuition costs For the 2011-2012 academic year, the maximum award is $5,550. The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant provides funding for very low-income applicants, with awards ranging from $100 to $4,000 in 2011. Federal grants combining financial need and academic achievement include the Academic Competitiveness Grant, which awards $700 to freshmen and $1,300 to sophomores, based on several requirements including a minimum 3.0 grade point average.

Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program

The TEACH Grant for those seeking a career in education provides up to $4,000 in additional tuition funding for Pell Grant recipients for the 2011-2012 academic year. After graduating and becoming certified as a teacher, recipients must work in a low-income public school district for at least four years, teaching in a field that is considered "high need." Failure to fulfil this obligation turns the TEACH grant into a loan that requires repayment.

Math and Science Grants

The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship Grant, established by Congress, honors the late U.S. senator from Arizona by awarding scholarships to college sophomores and juniors majoring in science, engineering or technology, and planning to continue in these fields in graduate school. The grant does not require a Pell award. The maximum award amount for the 2011-2012 academic year is $7,500. However, the $4,000 National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent, -- or SMART -- grant for juniors and seniors does require Pell eligibility. The SMART grant is for those with a minimum 3.0 GPA majoring in the sciences, technology, mathematics, engineering or critical foreign languages.

State Government Grants

Check with your state's Department of Higher Education for information on state college education grants. California offers Cal Grants, which for the 2011-2012 academic year pays up to $11,124 annually for eligible students for any participating institution of higher learning. Students must apply within one year of graduating high school or receiving a GED. Florida offers a number of educational grant opportunities, including the First Generation Grant for the first member of a family to attend college; the Florida Student Assistance Grant Program, a needs-based program for public and private college recipients; and the Florida Public Postsecondary Career Education Student Assistance Grant Program for students attending community colleges.

Tags: 2011-2012 academic, 2011-2012 academic year, academic year, Grant Program, Assistance Grant, Assistance Grant Program

Start A Youth Group Home In Georgia

Start a Youth Group Home in Georgia

Children can benefit from living in a youth group home in Georgia. Owners can choose to work with foster children, juvenile delinquents or developmentally disabled children. The aim and objectives of the home need to be providing a firm establishment. The main profit gained from this type of home is not monetary. The greatest reward in starting a youth group home in Georgia is helping children build self-esteem and confidence. Children gain these attributes when they learn and grow in a stable environment.

Instructions

1. Talk with governmental agencies to find local areas of Georgia that have the greatest need for a youth group home. Obtain information about zoning laws and permits in the area and find an appropriate size home by obtaining a rental agreement, mortgage contract or deed. Decide on the demographics of the children you will enroll, by choosing a level of care from two through five, as outlined by the Minimum Standards for Level of Care Providers from the Georgia Association of Homes and Services for Children.

2. Talk with the nearest government agency to discuss guidelines for living arrangements for boys and girls. Discuss issues regarding appropriate age range guidelines. Ask for information regarding limitations of caring for a child. Obtain specific data concerning the limitations and guidelines for caring for children with developmental disabilities or other special needs, if you decide to work with them. Write down the smallest number of children you will enroll to get you acclimated to starting a youth group home in Georgia. Write down the age range of children you are willing to enroll.

3. Get prepared to obtain nonprofit status and licensing, by developing the articles of incorporation and bylaws for the youth group home in Georgia. Develop policies including those for personnel, admission and discharge, program records, financial records and policies for discipline. Purchase a copy of the level of care standards as outlined by the Georgia Association of Homes and Services for Children. Create a business plan for the youth group home in Georgia, based on the appropriate level of care group for which you have chosen to provide services.

4. Obtain a licensure application package from the Office of Regulatory Services of Georgia and pay any necessary fees. Submit the application with details on which level of care services you plan to provide. Include floor plans and site plans with the licensure application. Get proof of your approved plans. Submit the previously approved plans to the appropriate state and local agency, including the local building department, fire department, Georgia health department and/or zoning department for approval, as well.

5. Develop and submit a copy of your operations plan to the Office of Regulatory Services in Georgia, as outlined in the Residential Child Care Institution Operation and Site Plan Checklist. Prepare the youth group home for compliance and regulatory inspections, by conducting a self-study. Hire staff and volunteers. Ensure that all staff, volunteers and company executives have the appropriate required training to work with children with the level of care you have chosen. Ensure that all personnel and executives have taken CPR and first-aid training. Obtain any other governmental approval if necessary. Get background checks for all personnel and executives, as outlined by the Georgia Department of Human Resources Criminal Records Background Check Instructions for Child Care Institutions.

6. Obtain proof of training and criminal records checks from all staff, volunteers, executives and owners. Keep all proof of records and training in the office of your youth group home in Georgia. Complete everything on the list of the Residential Child Caring Institution Operation and Site Plan Checklist. Submit a Readiness Statement to the Georgia Office of Regulatory Services with any necessary attached documents as outlined by the Georgia Association of Homes and Services for Children and the Office of Regulatory Services.

7. Obtain an inspection and approval of the youth group home in Georgia. Receive an official copy of proof to begin operation. Contact the Provider Support Unit to receive any approved vendor status. Obtain 501(c)(3) status from the IRS for your Georgia youth group home. Obtain funding from local authorities, large businesses and grant resources based on your 501(c)(3) status. Obtain furniture, transportation and the appropriate level of insurance. Enroll children at the appropriate level of care for which you have been approved to provide services for in your youth group home in Georgia.

Tags: group home, group home Georgia, youth group home, home Georgia, youth group

Figure Out Lot Acreage

Grazing land can be measured in acres.

When you are selling or buying land, you want to know exactly how much land is involved so you can price the land appropriately. When looking for larger lots, acres is a common unit of measure to figure the lot area. Knowing the area helps buyers have a better idea of how they can use the land.

Instructions

1. Subdivide the lot into smaller sections of squares, rectangles, triangles and circles, if necessary. For example, subdivide a trapezoid-shaped lot into a rectangle and two triangles.

2. Measure the dimensions of the lot. For smaller lots, you may be able to use a long tape measure. For larger lots, you may need to use a click wheel to measure the dimensions.

3. Calculate the area, in square yards, of each subsection of the lot using the standard area formula for that shape. (If you did not need to subdivide, skip to Step 5.) For squares, multiply the length of a side by itself. For triangles, multiply the base times the height then divide by 2. For rectangles, multiply the length times the width. For circles, divide the diameter by two, square the result and multiply by 3.14. For example, if you had a triangular plot with a base of 400 yards and height of 200 yards, you would multiply 400 by 200, then divide by 2 to get 40,000 square yards.

4. Add the area of each subsection together to get the total area of your lot.

5. Convert from square yards to acres by dividing the square yards by 4,840. In this example, you would divide 40,000 by 4,840 to get 8.26 acres. If you measured the lot area in square feet, divide the total area by 43,560 to find the number of acres.

Tags: square yards, area square, each subsection, larger lots, multiply length

Graduate School Travel Grants

Graduate travel grants fund field research, conference travel and presentations nationally and abroad.

Graduate schools feature travel grants for currently enrolled students to further research dissertation projects, present research, or attend a professional conference nationally or internationally. Some government or national foundations--like the National Science Foundation or an arts endowment--also sponsor travel funding to currently enrolled graduate students for research and presentations. While graduate school travel grants are usually limited to $500 to $1000 USD per student, funds defray the cost of transportation and accommodation so a student can focus on their work.

University of North Texas: Toulouse Graduate School

Listed by U.S. News & World Report as one of the Top 10 public National Universities 2010, the University of North Texas offers 101 master's and 48 doctoral degree programs in the Toulouse Graduate School program. Graduate students in good standing with the university who are presently enrolled in master's or doctoral degree programs may apply for a travel grant. The financial grant, awarded by the school to one or more students, funds the costs of travel to professional meetings during the academic year. A graduate student applies for a travel grant to attend a meeting relevant to their major and degree.

UNT also funds travel grants to financially back students presenting field research or creative arts--like a presentation on contemporary poetry or modern art--which the student authored, co-authored, or created. UNT additionally sponsors travel grants for graduate students holding or participating in a professional development workshop to strengthen their skills for a career. Travel grants do not, however, fund students simply attending a conference or meeting. They must actively be a part of the event whether as a founder or presenter. Travel grant applications, as of 2010, are available on the University of North Texas website.

University of North Texas: Toulouse Graduate School

Toulouse School of Graduate Studies

1155 Union Circle #305459

Denton, TX 76203-5017

1-888-UNT-GRAD

tsgs.unt.edu

University of Michigan: The Graduate School

Part of the University of Michigan's graduate school program, travel grants encourage and support dissertation studies by graduate in the masters or Ph.D level as well as senior-year undergraduate students. Full-time, enrolled university students may apply for a travel grants to fund travel to international meetings and conferences.

When a student submits an application for funding, the submission undergoes consideration by both the graduate school and Office of

International Studies and Programs (ISP). UM caps the amount to $400 per travel grantee and do not provide student health insurance or tuition fees.

University of Michigan

The Graduate School

Office of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs

118 Linton Hall

East Lansing, MI 48824-1044

517-355-0301

grad.msu.edu

Cornell University Graduate School: Conference & Research Travel Grants

Cornell University's graduate school program offers full-time registered students the opportunity to present papers or other presentations at conferences nationally and internationally. The student must have been invited by the conference committee to receive Cornell funding. The grants cover conference participation fees, like transportation, accommodation and conference ticket prices.

Cornell University additionally features research award grants to current graduate students. Research travel grants--offered for travel within the U.S. and abroad--fund dissertation research during the academic year. According to the Cornell University Graduate School website, research grant priority is given to PhD. students who have or will have passed the A Exam prior to initiating their travel as well as those traveling for pre-dissertation research. However, graduate students have won in the past. Travel grants cover expenses like transportation and accommodation and may last a few weeks to a month or longer until the research is satisfactorily complete.

Cornell University

Cornell Graduate School

Travel grants

143 Caldwell Hall

607-255-5820

Ithaca, NY 14853-2602

607-255-5820

gradschool.cornell.edu

Geological Society of America: Grants and Awards

The GSA funds field research for geology graduate and undergraduate students.

The Geological Society of America--America's leading geological research organization--provides travel grant money to encourage and financially back desert studies. Masters, PhD, and senior-year undergraduates are all eligible applicants. GSA annual meeting attendees support this mission; all of the money donated to student travel grants, according to the GSA website, funnels directly into the travel grant fund. If an excess of funds remains at the end of the application season, leftover money goes back int the Student Travel Fund for the next year's annual meeting.

The Geological Society of America's International Section also offering travel grants. Grantees win money to support their participation in the international scientists and students GSA Annual Meeting in Denver, CO, USA or, as of 2010, the Tectonic Crossroads meeting in Ankara, Turkey. Funds do not cover all trip expenses but will cut the cost of travel and accommodation.

Geological Society of America

Program Officer - Grants, Awards & Recognition

Geological Society of America

P.O. Box 9140

Boulder, CO 80301-9140, USA

303-357-1028

geosociety.org/grants/travel

Tags: Graduate School, Cornell University, Geological Society, travel grants, Geological Society America, North Texas, Society America

Apply For A U S Work Visa

U.S. work visas have various levels.

A work visa is a non-immigrant U.S. visa that allows a foreign national to work and live in the United States for a specific length of time. Since there are different types of U.S. work visas, foreign nationals should apply for a work visa that suits their needs. This is especially important because some work visas are more restrictive than others are. The H1-B visa is one of the most common U.S. work visa.

Qualify for an H1-B Visa

H!-B visas are for specialty professions.

Since an H1-B visa is only issued to someone in a specialty occupation, one of the easiest ways you can meet the basic requirements for an H1-B visa is by having strong educational credentials in a specific field. Having an accredited bachelor's degree or higher is helpful in meeting the educational requirements for an H1-B visa.

Apply for a Qualifying H1-B Visa Job

Qualify for an H1-B Visa Job

Apply for an H1-B visa-qualifying job with a U.S.-based employer. This is important because not all jobs in the United States qualify for an H1-B visa. For a job to qualify for an H1-B visa, the job must meet one of the following: applicants at the entry-level of the job are required to have a bachelor's degree or higher, the employer requires a degree for the job, or the duties of the job are so complex and specialized that only individuals with a bachelor's degree or higher can perform the job successfully.

One of the easiest ways to find jobs is by using job search engines, such as Indeed.com, SimplyHired.com, and CareerBuilder.com.

Apply for an H-1B Visa

Receive an offer for employment from a U.S. employer, have the U.S. employer file a labor condition application (LCA) with the U.S. Department of Labor and then have your U.S. employer file an H1B petition on your behalf with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This is important because only a U.S. employer can file an H1-B visa petition and an LCA for you. Form I-129 is also known as the H1-B petition. To download this form, see the resources section.

Upon approval of your Form I-129, apply for a non-immigrant visa by completing and submitting Forms DS-156 with your local U.S. Embassy. If you are between the ages of 15 to 55 years of age, you must also complete Form DS-157. Completing these forms is important because USCIS requires that all non-immigrant visa applicants submit these forms with their local U.S. Embassy before a visa can be issued.

To download these forms, see the resources section. Upon approval of your work visa, arrive in the United States and work for your employer.

Tags: H1-B visa, important because, United States, bachelor degree, bachelor degree higher, degree higher

Research Topics For Criminal Justice

Justice, fair and balanced

The criminal justice field is one that can be researched in depth very easily. From corrections to legal statutes, there is no dearth of subjects to choose from. Research in this field is done by a multitude of government agencies, including the Department of Justice and the FBI. Those who work in academia are also interested in researching this fascinating field. Students of criminology or criminal justice in college are generally tasked with researching criminal justice topics. Topics that involve controversy generally guarantee that there is a large amount of information to sort through.

Capital Punishment

Capital punishment, also known as the death penalty, is the act of the government taking a human life as punishment for a crime committed. It is the epitome of a hot button issue. It's an excellent research topic as there is a plethora of statistical information available. However, as it is such an emotionally charged issue, it's imperative that the sources used are evaluated carefully. If a source is used that has a specific agenda, the data may be in question.

Drug Trafficking

Another interesting research topic in criminal justice is the topic of drug trafficking. It involves the production and the distribution of drugs. In addition, the money used and the organized crime groups and gangs that are a part of drug trafficking operations are also a potential research topic. Drug trafficking is the most lucrative organized crime operation in the United States. Much of this involves groups in South America, as well as groups here in the United States. Much research has gone into the maritime activities that the groups use to transport cocaine and other drugs.

Prison Reform

The subject of prison reform is another subject that contains many avenues for criminal justice research. It can be approached from a racial or gender standpoint. There are a multitude of nonprofit groups that advocate staunch prison reform; as this is a controversial issue, be alert for signs of bias in any statistics that you use for your criminal justice research. Other areas of research within the topic of prison reform include rehabilitation, mandatory sentences and the abuse of prisoners.

Recidivism

The criminal justice research that has been done on recidivism is complex. Recidivism is defined as offenders returning to criminal behavior after their release from prison. In developing ideal models of treatment, prison design, sentences and parole, recidivism rates are a huge factor. A topic of study that may be fruitful is the study of whether or not longer sentences are in fact a deterrent for crimes. If so, locating which ones may be an interesting topic to study.

Tags: criminal justice, criminal justice research, justice research, prison reform, research topic

What Is A Loan Guarantee

Loan guarantees are very common in the mortgage industry. Due to all of the available resources available from government-backed programs, loan guarantee services dominate much of the mortgage industry. However, many consumers do not understand exactly what a loan guarantee service is, or what it entails. Prior to applying for a mortgage loan, it's important to understand the ins and outs of loan guarantee services.

Significance

Loan guarantee services are offered when using FHA, VA, Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac loans. They allow for lower down payments and lenient restrictions on mortgages by providing a measure of insurance for the lender in the event of a buyer default.

FHA Guarantee

FHA loans are underwritten by the Federal Housing Administration, giving home buyers the opportunity to own a home for as little as 3.5 percent down. The guarantee service collects a mortgage insurance fee each month that goes into an escrow account with FHA in the event that the buyer defaults on the property loan.

VA Guarantee

The Department of Veterans Affairs offers lenders a loan guarantee service in the event that a buyer defaults on a mortgage. There is no monthly fee that the buyer is obligated to pay toward this insurance, but the VA does charge a funding fee for the loan equivalent to up to 3 percent of the sales price to hold in escrow.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Guarantee

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans are conventional loans that have private mortgage insurance attached to them. Private mortgage insurance is 0.5 percent of the purchase price, paid to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac monthly in order to pay out to lenders in the event of loan default.

Misconceptions

Many home buyers believe they will have to pay mortgage insurance premiums or private mortgage insurance for the life of the loan. In fact, homeowners will only have to pay this fee for the first five years of the loan.

Benefits

Mortgage insurance allows lenders to relax down payment guidelines and certain credit restrictions, allowing for higher percentages of home ownership and loans originated. This helps to stimulate home purchases and is helpful to the economy overall.

Tags: Fannie Freddie, mortgage insurance, guarantee service, guarantee services, loan guarantee, that buyer, buyer defaults

Apply For A Sallie Mae Student Loan

Sallie Mae is the leading provider of student loans in the United States. They provide many different types of loans and loan amounts for student attending any type of post secondary education institution. Through the help of Sallie Mae loans, many Americans have made their educational and career dreams come true. Both parents and students can get a loan through Sallie Mae. In order to be eligible for a loan, it is important that you know apply for it. Here are the steps to apply.

Instructions

1. Visit the Sallie Mae website. On the homepage, under "Start your application" choose whether you are a student or a parent.

2. Decide which type of loan you need. Once you select if you are a parent or a student, the next screen will give you a list of possible loans. If you click on the loan name, you can read a description of each. If you are still unsure of which loan to obtain, click on the last link labeled "Help me choose a plan" and the site will assist you in deciding which loan is best for you.

3. Get the following information together and have it ready to enter on the loan application: your social security number, an email address, your contact information, your driver's license number and state and the names and phone number of two references. The references can be friends, family or anyone who knows where to contact you.

4. Follow the instructions closely on the online application. It will ask you a series of questions. Be honest on all of the questions. Continue to enter answers for all questions until you have reached the end of the application.

5. Review the application after you have completed all of the questions. Make sure everything is correct. You can go back and edit or change information by clicking the edit button for a particular section.

6. Submit the loan application. You should receive a confirmation that you can print out online. You will receive a response from Sallie Mae within a few weeks.

7. Call 1-888-272-5543 if you have any questions or for an update on the status of the loan. You can also call this number if you would like to request a hard copy of the application forms.

Tags: loan application, which loan

Write A Master'S Dissertation

A master's dissertation requires a lot of research.

Graduate students write a master's dissertation based on their original research. These students select a supervising professor with expertise in their area of interest. With the help of their supervising professor, graduate students select a topic for their research, which their dissertation committee must approve. Students choose members of their dissertation committee based on their expertise. The supervising professor chairs the dissertation committee and supervises the students' research.

Instructions

Preparation

1. Set a time frame for each phase of writing the paper. For example, time for writing the first draft, time to think about conclusions, time to get feedback from your supervising professor and dissertation committee and time to revise your paper based on their feedback.

2. Ask dissertation committee members whether they want to review each section as you write it or would prefer to wait for a draft of the complete paper.

3. Read dissertations completed by other graduate students in your department and use good ones as models for your paper.

4. Review the graduate school thesis and dissertation requirements. It is a good idea to keep a copy nearby while you are writing.

5. Compose a title using the key words in your research because future researchers will use those key works to locate your work.

6. Format your computer for margins, fonts and any other requirements the graduate school has for the dissertation before you begin to write.

Introduction/Review of Literature

7. Develop a research question or set of questions that connects your research to prior research in your field. Describe this research question in the first paragraph of your introduction and how it relates to prior work and will advance the field.

8. Photocopy articles you will use in your review of the literature. Organize photocopied articles by topic or section in your paper and arrange in the order you will use them in your paper.

9. Insert citations for articles in your paper and list them in your references as you write your paper.

10. Use the same key words throughout your paper, using other terms for key words is confusing.

Method

11. If you are using human subjects, be sure to follow the regulations for the university and complete paperwork on time.

12. Describe participants or subjects. Include characteristics that define them, such as age, gender, race, education, etc. If you use animals, describe them and where they were obtained.

13. Describe when and where data was collected.

14. Describe method used to collect data and how the methodology will answer the main question(s) you proposed in your introduction.

15. Describe the statistical analyses you used and the results based on the analyses.

Tables and Graphs

16. Don't waste time formatting tables and graphs until you decide on the final data to be presented and your supervising professor approves.

17.Mention any table or graph in the text before you insert it and after insertion discuss graphs or tables in the text.

18. Format tables and graphs according to graduate school requirements when you complete your final draft for your committee.

Discussion and Conclusions

19. Give yourself time to think about conclusions after the paper is written to that point.

20. Tie the conclusions in your paper to previous research and explain how your research advanced knowledge of the area.

21. Make suggestions for future research based on your project.

Tags: your paper, dissertation committee, supervising professor, based their, graduate school

Study To Become A Lawyer

A career in law is an ambition for thousands of students each year. Getting into law school is very competitive and the classes are difficult. You must pass the bar exam before you can practice as a licensed attorney. A lot of studying is required for each step in the process and you may need to take the exams more than once. Effective preparation and good study habits will help you succeed in becoming a lawyer.

Instructions

1. Take classes as an undergraduate that will help you pass the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). Classes in logic are helpful.

2. Prepare for the LSAT (see resources). A high score on the LSAT is essential for getting into law school. Get study guides and complete practice tests. Work on logic puzzles as extra practice.

3. Take law courses that prepare you for the bar exam. Not all subjects on the exam are required during school, but you will still be responsible to pass those sections on the exam.

4. Study for the bar exam. Purchase study guides and join a study group or take a bar review class. Cut back on other work and distractions as much as possible.

5. Study the areas you struggled with if you must retake the exam. You are allowed to take the test multiple times, but work on passing it early as it is expensive and time-consuming.

Tags: into school, study guides, will help

Universities Offering Masters In Project Management

Project managers need to possess decision-making and planning skills.

A Masters in Project Management is designed for professionals who want to take their learning to the next step, while obtaining a competitive advantage over their peers and increasing the value they give to their company or organization. With a Masters in Project Management, comes a better understanding of make short- and long-term business decisions and also a increased knowledge of the concepts relating to supply chain management, quality analysis and contract management.

Boston University

The Master of Science in Project Management, also known as a Masters in Project management, is a degree program from Boston University that aims to provide students with broad knowledge in the area of business and principles of management. The Master of Science in Project Management focuses on the examination of a project's conception, the initial planning stage, budgeting for the project, resource allocation and project implementation. The program is designed by business leaders and the 12 courses can be completed in 24 months.

Walden University

The Walden University M.S. in Project Management has been designed to fully meet the standards established by the Project Management Institute (PMI). Practical expertise and knowledge is obtained with courses such as budgeting, integrated project process management and management of organizations. With this master's program, a student will develop a complete understanding of project management and how decisions can shape an organization. They will be equipped with skills necessary to manage both small and large projects and the ability to lead diverse teams in meeting organizational goals.

Keller Graduate School of Management

The Keller Graduate School of Management's Master in Project Management degree program is an accredited project management program from the Project Management Institute's Global Accreditation Center (GAC), and only 16 universities in the United States have such an accreditation. The curriculum of the program meets the standards established by the GAC. With more than 35 years in graduate management education, Keller works with business leaders to design a course that increases a student's analytical, communication and teamwork abilities.

New England College

A Masters in Project Management is designed for professionals who want to take their learning to the next step, while obtaining a competitive advantage over their peers and increasing the value they give to their company or organization. With a Masters in Project Management from New England College, comes a better understanding of make short- and long-term business decisions and also a increased knowledge for the concepts of professional and organizational ethics, financial leadership, strategic planning and quality analysis.

Tags: Masters Project, Project Management, Project Management, Masters Project Management, advantage over

Decorate A Middle School Classroom

Middle school marks the beginning of the transition from young elementary student to more mature high school student. Middle school students are beginning to outgrow some of their more childish personality traits. They take themselves much more seriously, so decorating your classroom can be a challenge. There are some guidelines to follow that will make your middle school students feel right at home.

Instructions

1. Put away anything with cartoon characters or anything with addition facts or handwriting tips. These skills were learned in elementary school. The presence of such materials will encourage students to retain some of their older habits that will not serve them well in middle school.

2. Cover bulletin boards with neon colors. Stay away from primary colors like royal blue or bright yellow, unless these are your school colors. Neon colors are more trendy and will draw the eyes of older students. Primary colors are used more often in an elementary setting.

3. Hang a large calendar with important dates clearly marked. Middle school students are still learning to be responsible for their own work. Having a calender will help reinforce assignment due dates. Don't forget to mark student birthdays on the calendar.

4. Hang posters featuring scenes related to the subjects that you are studying. These can be rotated throughout the year to maintain your classroom's visual appeal. Hanging a copy of the U.S. Constitution is always a good idea and can be used to spark classroom discussions. Posters featuring volcanoes and sports figures are also popular and can be used for science classes.

5. Show your personality. Don't be afraid to show some of your own style and taste when decorating your classroom. Your classroom can be a great reflection on you.

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How Many Credit Hours Is Fulltime On A Pell Grant

The costs associated with attending a college or university can present a financial barrier to low-income students, which may make it easier for students whose parents have greater financial means to receive education and acquire higher earning potential. The Pell Grant Program is administered by the U.S. Department of Education to provide education funding to low-income individuals and, therefore, help level the playing field.

Pell Grant Basics

The Pell Grant Program provides money to needy students that does not have to be paid back. The U.S. Department of Education states that the maximum Pell Grant for the 2010-11 award year (July 1, 2010, to June 30, 2011) is $5,550. The amounts students receive are based on financial need, the cost of the school the student is attending and whether the student is attending full-time or part-time. Pell Grants are typically only given to students who have not achieved a bachelor's degree or professional degree.

Full-Time Credit Hours

According to the Borough of Manhattan Community College, you must take a course load of 12 credit hours or more to be considered a full-time student for the Pell Grant Program. If you take at least 12 credit hours, you may be eligible for the maximum benefit of $5,550. Grant benefits awarded are split between semesters, so if you are awarded $5,550, you will receive $2,775 per semester.

Part-Time Credit Hours

There are several different part-time credit hour levels that impact the amount of money you receive from the Pell Grant Program. The Borough of Manhattan Community College says that students enrolled for at least nine but less than 12 credit hours are considered 3/4-time students and receive 75 percent of the full Pell Grant award. Students enrolled in at least six but less than nine credit hours are half-time and receive 50 percent of the full benefit while students enrolled in at least one but less than six credit hours are less than half-time students and only receive 25 percent of the full benefit amount.

Considerations

You have to attend a school and maintain enrollment to keep Pell Grant awards. Pell Grant awards are, however, transferable from one institution of higher education to another. Your school will decide distribute your Pell Grant award; it may give you your award in the form of a check or apply funds automatically to your school expenses.

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Verify If A School Is Accredited

Making sure your school is accredited is an important step toward choosing a school to attend, either online or in person. Accreditation is crucial and does affect you--some companies and organizations check your degree during the hiring process and may not offer you a position if your school isn't accredited. Even if a school seems to be affordable and legitimate, follow these guidelines to verify that a school is accredited.

Instructions

Verify if a School is Accredited

1. Check with recognized authorities like the Council for Higher Education (CHEA). Abika.com, also, is a website that validates public education records. The U.S. Department of Education also maintains a database of schools that have been accredited (see links in Resources).

2. Check with the school's admissions office. Accredited schools will have proof of their accreditation in their admissions or main office. Write down the accrediting institutions and follow up to make sure the accreditation is legitimate. Many schools may be accredited by one or more institutions or organizations, depending on if they are online or have many campuses. It may also be best to check how long the school has been accredited and if there have been any complaints about its academic programs to any of the accrediting institutions.

3. Check with individual accrediting institutions. Many individual accrediting institutions are divided by geographical area--and they accredit schools that are in that area. Some regions include the Midwest, New England, North Central and Southern. These regional accreditation institutions are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, as mentioned above.

4. Check for different types of accreditation. Besides regional accreditation, some schools that teach online classes are accredited by the Distance Education Training Council. Make sure any accrediting organizations are recognized by CHEA and the U.S. Department of Education. The regional accreditation organizations are the main accreditation agencies.

5. Schools become accredited to show they are willing to provide a quality education to their students. Schools that are accredited have proven their dedication to being a legitimate or upstanding academic institution. If a school (either online or not) is not accredited, do not enroll in any classes. Schools that do not pursue accreditation often turn out to be degree mills, groups largely motivated by profit. They award degrees without any academic merit or accreditation.

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