Specialty Scholarships Offer Cash for Popular Majors

Whether you choose a path in the humanities or accounting, there are scholarships to pay for it.

There are many ways English majors can put their degree to work – and many scholarships to help pay for it, too.

History, English and accounting are three classic college majors .  Accounting is often seen as a parent-friendly, safe choice.  While parents and pundits may consider history and English less practical given the high cost of college and the market for them being smaller than that of say, computer science, there is always a huge interest in these two pursuits.  

Some who study these two subjects may go on to teach, and some will end up doing something professionally that does not, on its surface, appear to have much to do with either subject. Ultimately, you should pursue an education and a career in something you enjoy learning about and doing – and keep in mind that there are scholarships to support students in each of these three majors.

• History: Many history majors I've known didn't seem to care about what was going to happen when they graduated from college. They were mostly concerned with getting a bachelor's and, for some, a graduate degree, studying something they loved and confident they would find work upon graduating. Some would even pursue a doctorate in the field. 

 While much has changed since I graduated, there are still students who have a passion for history and, like most students, they will need all the help they can get paying for their education, regardless of what they end up doing afterward. Below is a scholarship for such students.

The Daughters of the Pioneers of Washington offers a scholarship to Washington state residents who are descendants of a person who resided in several states in the Pacific Northwest in the mid-19th century, with preference given to those majoring in history, education or English. The award is $1,500 and the deadline to apply is April 1. Applicants must be at least a college junior or above at a Washington state institution  to qualify.

• English: It may be difficult to land that tenure-track professorship in English down the road or to even foresee what you will do with an English degree. Like a history degree, it is a classic and somewhat maligned major, due to how difficult it has become to directly align it with a career – other than a few fairly obvious ones, including teaching.

But if English is your passion and you want to pursue a degree in that field, there are many different ways you can use what you learn and apply it in daily life and your career.Scholarships for English majors certainly can help make it more affordable, too.

Missouri Valley College offers two four-year scholarships for incoming English majors: the Virginia Zank Scholarship and the Loren Gruber Scholarship. Applicants must have a composite ACT score of 21 or higher, or SAT critical reading and math score of 976 or higher, and a high school GPA of 3.0 or higher. An essay must be submitted for each scholarship.

The deadline for both scholarships, each worth $10,000, is March 31. If you are not planning on attending Missouri Valley College, don’t worry; there are plenty of other English scholarships at schools all over the country.

• Accounting: There have been accountants for centuries, and if you are predisposed to graph paper and 10-page balance sheets, more power to you. A good accountant can earn a prosperous living, and the pursuit may lead to business administration or finance. But it still wouldn't hurt to get a little financial help on the front end with an accounting scholarship.

Accounting majors who plan to pursue a CPA license and who have completed at least 30 semester hours of college course work – six of those in accounting – by the end of the spring semester will qualify for the AICPA/Accountemps Student Scholarship Award. Applicants must have an overall GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and must be enrolled full time. The deadline to apply is April 1 for this $10,000 scholarship.

Source:/usnews.com/education/

2017 Best Graduate Schools Preview: Top 10 Education Schools

Want more than a sneak peek at the rankings of these schools and others? Visit usnews.com on March 16.

Vanderbilt University has one of the top graduate education programs in the country.

Thinking about applying to graduate school? Whether you're interested in pursuing a graduate degree in education, or attending law school or business school, there are some big decisions to make. To help students find the right school for them, U.S. News & World Report surveys more than 1,900 graduate schools and programs and ranks them according to our methodology.

Here, we offer a sneak peek at the 2017 Best Graduate Schools rankings.

U.S. News surveyed 376​ ​schools granting doctoral degrees in education. In alphabetical order, here are the top 10 education schools.

School (name) (state)
Harvard University (MA)
Johns Hopkins University (MD)
Northwestern University (IL)
Stanford University (CA)
Teachers College, Columbia University (NY)
University of Pennsylvania
University of Texas—Austin
University of Washington
University of Wisconsin—Madison
Vanderbilt University (Peabody) (TN)

 

The actual ranking and score of these and other graduate schools will be available March 16, 2016, onusnews.com. Use #BestGradSchools to continue the conversation on Twitter and Facebook.

Source:/usnews.com/education/

Treatments for Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative condition that affects the central nervous system of the brain, particularly the motor system. This condition is caused by the death of dopamine-generating brain cells in the midbrain.

Unfortunately, Parkinson’s disease is an incurable disorder. The treatments for this condition are geared towards controlling the symptoms. In today’s post, we are listing down the existing treatments and surgical procedures available for Parkinson’s disease:

Medications

Certain types of drugs reduce the jarring symptoms of Parkinson’s disease such as tremors and difficulty walking. Most of these medications contain synthetic substitute for dopamine, a signaling chemical produced by cells in the brain. Dopamine cannot be given directly because it cannot enter the brain. Medications for Parkinson’s disease include:

• Levodopa
• Duopa
• Dopamine Agonists
• MAO-B Inhibitors
• Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) Inhibitors
• Tolcapone
• Anti-cholinergics
• Amantadine

Although these dopamine substitutes reduce the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, the efficacy wanes over time. However, as long as the patient takes the drug, the symptoms can be controlled more easily. That said, some drugs could cause a range of side effects including nausea, hallucinations, sleepiness, compulsive behavior, hypersexuality, and insomnia.

Surgical Procedures

Deep brain stimulation is an invasive treatment applied to reduce the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. The procedure involves surgically implanting electrodes in specific areas of the brain. The electrodes are connected to a small generator that is surgically inserted into the chest area, near the collarbone.

The generator sends out electrical pulses to the brain to reduce tremors and improve walking. The doctor may adjust the level of electrical impulses accordingly. 

Just like any type of surgical procedures, deep brain stimulation has its risks and complications too. Although the treatment yielded positive results, it could trigger a stroke or cause a brain hemorrhage. Deep brain stimulation increases the risk of infections too. Some patients encounter problems due to electrical simulations or a broken generator. Certain parts of the generator have to be replaced by the surgeon and this requires yet another surgery.

Deep brain stimulation is considered as a last resort treatment for Parkinson’s Disease. It is reserved for patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease who are no longer responding to medications. The procedure can stabilize the reaction to levodopa, reduce the rigidity of the muscles and improves the slowing of movement. Deep brain stimulation can control dyskinesias that no longer respond to medication adjustments.

Although deep brain stimulation eases the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, it does not stop the condition from progressing.

Preventing Parkinson’s Disease

There are ways to reduce your risk of developing this disease later in life. Studies show that caffeine appears to reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease. Drinking caffeinated drinks may stave off this condition.

Consuming antioxidant-rich foods also minimizes the risk of Parkinson’s disease. You want to eat foods that are high in vitamin C. Some studies also show that foods high in essential fatty acids may reduce the likelihood of contracting Parkinson’s disease. However, more studies are needed to verify this claim. Finally, anti-inflammatory drugs and estrogen are linked to the reduction of developing Parkinson’s disease. Source:/healthydietbase.com/

Use Spring Break to Find, Win College Scholarships

Enjoy your time off while upping your shot at winning cash for college.

During the break, create a spreadsheet to keep track of scholarship deadlines.

Spring break allows students to enjoy some much-needed rest and relaxation – but it's also a great opportunity to find and win scholarships to fund a college education.
Take advantage of these tips that will not only get your scholarship search and application process started, but will also leave time for enjoying spring break plans.
• Ask for letters of recommendation before the break: Your counselors and teachers like to enjoy their spring breaks, too. If you plan to ask for a letter of recommendation from them, make sure to do it before the break so they can plan accordingly. Some teachers and counselors may even use the break to get the letters done, so asking for one beforehand can ensure your recommender is able to write a thoughtful letter that strengthens your scholarship application.

10 Tools for Chipping Away at the Cost of College

 Make sure to give recommenders about three weeks. Provide them with any necessary information and follow specific procedures they may have for writing you a letter. 

• Apply to scholarships with spring deadlines: One key to tackling the scholarship search and application process is staying on top of deadlines. Spring break is a great time to knock out a few applications to scholarships with deadlines in March and April.
Focus on applying to scholarships with quickly approaching deadlines to limit your spring break list to a manageable amount of scholarships.
The Intertech Foundation STEM Scholarship, which offers $2,500 to current college students or high school students pursuing or planning to pursue studies in computer science, has a deadline of March 15, for example.
The Ayn Rand "The Fountainhead" essay contest awards prizes ranging from $50 to $10,000 and has a deadline of April 29. These are just a few scholarships that will close this spring; apply to as many as you are eligible for.
• Take note of scholarships with deadlines in the future: Because different scholarships have deadlines every month of the year, make a list of scholarships you'll apply for later on. You can also take note of what materials are necessary, such as letters of recommendation, essaysand transcripts.
Make a spreadsheet or create a document that keeps all of these in order. Consider organizing the list by deadline, or develop your own way to prioritize your scholarships list. For example, you may want to organize by award amount, level of effort required or amount of competition.
When you have the time and the deadlines are approaching, revisit this list having already done your research to make the application process as smooth as possible.
• Participate in resume-building spring break activities: One way to consider spending your spring break includes looking for "alternative" spring break programs from your school or organizations in your community. Alternative spring breaks can give you the chance to travel throughout the country – or even, sometimes, internationally – to make a difference in a community of need.
Trips range from cleaning up national parks to helping out relief efforts in areas affected by natural disasters to tutoring students in under-resourced schools. These programs can be fun while also doing a good deed and giving you knowledge and new skills that can be the subject of scholarship or admissions essays.
Other options can include searching for volunteer opportunities in your community or taking a trip with friends or family. Using your time to explore different experiences or give back within your own community can be valuable as well as a good base for scholarship applications that want you to display leadership and civic engagement.
Spring break is a great opportunity to enjoy time away from classes, but dedicating a portion of it to your scholarship search and application process can have big rewards. Source:/usnews.com/education/

4 Questions Employers Ask About Job Applicants With Online Degrees

Employers may inquire about program's legitimacy and a student’s experience working in a team.

Though employers are becoming more accepting of online degrees, their perceptions still vary, recruiters say.

Employers used to be more hesitant to consider hiring job applicants who earned their degrees online. But that perception has changed in the past few years, recruiters say.

"I think employers, generally speaking, are getting more inclined, more receptive to looking at people with online degrees – ​especially in experienced roles that they're looking to fill. However, it's still a mixed bag; it's a broad range," says Kip Harrell, vice president of client talent acquisition for Govig & Associates, an executive search firm.

"Schools got better at the delivery models, and hiring managers, particularly in the technology industries, became much more comfortable with it," says Nicole Cox, chief recruitment officer at Decision Toolbox, a national recruitment firm.

This increasing acceptance is good news for online students, especially as career preparation remains their primary motivation for turning to distance learning in the first place, according to the results of a2015 survey conducted by Aslanian Market Research and the Learning House. Roughly three-quarters of survey respondents said they chose online learning to change or boost their careers, find a job or keep their skills up to date.

As with any hiring process, an employer will consider several other qualities beyond the type of degree an applicant earned. Still, employers who are aware that job candidates completed their degrees online will likely want to verify that the quality of their education is the same as they would have received in person.

Recruiters and experts say the following questions are regularly asked of online students during the job interview process. Prospective online students should keep these questions in mind when selecting a program to ensure that they are an appealing candidate to employers once they graduate.

1. Is the online program accredited? An employer will likely be most concerned with whether an online degree comes from a reputable institution with an established brand, says Susan Aldridge, president of Drexel University Online. A major part of a program's legitimacy comes down to whether it's either regionally or nationally accredited.

​Accreditation entails an outside, legitimate authority verifying that an institution meets certain educational standards. The accrediting agency should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

"It provides a credibility to it," Cox says. "And if you go on to continue your education after that, you don't want to have to start over."

Students should be aware that credits earned at schools without recognized accreditation may not transfer.

2. Why did you choose to pursue a degree online? Some employers may wonder why a job candidate chose to pursue a degree online, says Charles Mitchell, co-founder and CEO of All About People, a recruiting and staffing firm based in Arizona. Answering that question can help reveal the candidate's decision-making skills, he says.

"I think from an employer perspective, those are the kinds of things you're looking for someone to share, to explain when it comes to going one route in a traditional setting versus an online setting versus another," he says.

This question came up in job interviews for Billy Parsons, who recently completed the FlexPath MBA program with a specialization in human resources offered through Capella University, an online, for-profit school.

"I flat-out told them, 'I don't have the time to spend driving to these locations when I'm working full time, with a family, and I'm at the level in my organization that does not allow me to have that much free time,'" the 46-year-old Texas resident says.

3. Did you develop skills in teamwork and group collaboration through the program? One of the perks of taking a class in person is the ability to easily work with peers on group assignments. Many online programs also involve collaborative learning, experts say, but it may take a bit more effort to convince an employer that this was indeed the case.

"That is a huge part of what we see employers look for today – is that ability to work within a team, to be a good team player, to collaborate," Mitchell says.

4. To what extent were you able to interact with the program's other students? Just as important to employers is an online learner's ability to understand and interpret a range of perspectives on different issues, says Cox, of Decision Toolbox.

"Employers, if they really understand online education, they can see that it's a smart use of time and can bring a lot of exposure of global ideas, and help their employees develop solutions to problems that they might not have had any exposure to in the past," she says.

These qualities in an online program can help reassure potential employers about its legitimacy, says Harrell, of Govig & Associates.

 "Those experiences that you get in a full-time, campus-based program, you hope will have been built into an online distance learning degree," he says. Source:/usnews.com/education/

Explore Project-Based Learning in Online Education

Some online programs use projects to give students constant feedback and help them master specific skills.​

Project-based learning is more often used in K-12 education but has just started being incorporated into universities, including online classes.

For online students looking to develop a specific set of skills, or competencies, project-based learning might be the way to go.
Some online programs and classes offered through colleges and universities, as well as companies like Udacity, allow students to demonstrate their knowledge of a subject through the creation of ​large products​ instead of taking exams in some cases.
Programs and courses vary on how and to what extent they incorporate project-based learning and assessment into curriculums​, experts say. But often​, this form of education involves constant feedback from an instructor and may allow for multiple attempts if a student initially falls short of meeting certain criteria.
John Orlando, associate director of faculty support at Northcentral University, a for-profit, regionally accredited​ online university​, says project-based learning "begins on the student end," meaning ​students ​discover the information they need to complete the project as their work progresses.

 Experts say prospective online learners should understand the basics about project-based learning before determining if it's a good fit for them and the topic they wish to study. This form of learning, some experts say, has seen growth in K-12 education and has started spreading to higher education, including online – though it's not yet ​widely used.

"It's slowly growing, but hopefully slowly but surely," says Orlando. "I think it requires a fundamentally different mindset from professors."
At the online College for America at Southern New Hampshire University,​ project-based learning is​ the core of students' educations. The institution offers online associate​ and bachelor's degree programs.
Students can start College for America on the first of any month, and they complete scenario-based projects, receiving feedback as needed to improve, says Cathrael Kazin,​ chief academic officer of College for America. Reviewers ultimately determine whether students'​ work meets rubric requirements and illustrates mastery of predefined​ competencies.
"We think that projects are a more authentic and more useful way to see whether people have the competencies they need, and also to help them develop competencies they may not have yet," Kazin says.
Another example is Udacity, which offers affordable online programming and technology courses. The company enables learners to earn what are called "nanodegrees," where students develop several projects over about six to 12 months with the guidance of instructors on video, and can receive regular feedback from live coaches, says Stuart Frye, Udacity's vice president of content. They ultimately turn in a stand-alone final product for evaluation.
These projects range ​from building a portfolio of their work from scratch to creating an Android app, depending on the nanodegree program.​
"Project-based learning provides an excellent opportunity to have that hands-on, learn-by-doing approach within the context of the subject areas we focus on," Frye says, adding that these projects can later be used in portfolios when applying to jobs.
With project-based learning, experts say, students' knowledge grows simultaneously to their products. Kerry Rice, a professor of educational technology at Boise State University, teaches a master's-level​ online class on advanced online teaching methods that uses a project-based philosophy.
"I am constantly providing feedback as they're progressing through development," she says of the student projects. "It's very instructor-intensive in that respect, and very personal to each student."
Experts say this consistent feedback is also advantageous to students. This was true for Brenda Anderson, who earned an associate's degree from College for America and is now pursuing a bachelor's degree.

Among several other projects she has competed, Anderson recently turned in an 11-page marketing plan for a laundromat cafe​, which she completed in a week. She says she had to cover all her bases, from deciding what her demographic was to developing an overall strategy.

"By the time you master a project, you have a perfect document," Anderson says of receiving feedback.

Anderson also enjoyed being able to work at her own pace, though whether this is the case varies among programs. In addition, she at times had to collaborate with other students to work on projects ingroups online – something that Orlando, of Northcentral University, views as a valuable workplace skill in the 21st century.

But project-based learning won't work well for every field or competency. Orlando says in some instances, it may require a baseline knowledge of a particular area, for instance.

"Once you take all those basic skills that you have learned but then you're ready to apply them, then project-based learning certainly presents a really nice venue for that," says Marilyn Rice, a professor in instructional technology​ at Sam Houston State University.

Project-based learning in an online class works best for those students looking to develop competencies, says Kazin, of College for America.

"I would be honest with the student about how much they really want to learn and whether they care about developing, really developing competencies, or whether they just want to pass a course," she says.

Source:/usnews.com/education/

Jogging: Benefits and Achieving the Proper Form

Jogging is a popular workout that involves trotting or running at a leisurely pace. This exercise boosts lung capacity, tones the body, and improves physical health. In today’s post, we are listing down reasons why you should add jogging to your fitness routine. We will also share jogging tips for safe, injury-free work out!

Health Benefits of Jogging

Boosts Cardiovascular Health

As a type of cardio workout, jogging improves the health by keeping the heart strong. Jogging keeps the heart rate up, stimulating the organ to pump more blood to the system. Studies show that regular jogging reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. It can also keep blood pressure down, reduce bad cholesterol in the system, and protects from hemorrhaging, atherosclerosis and aneurysms.

Reduces the Risk of Cancer

Multiple studies show that a fit, healthy lifestyle could decrease the risk of cancer development. Jogging increases blood flow and this promotes proper oxygenation of the cells. When the cells get the optional amount of oxygen they need, the risk of cell mutation decreases. Cell mutation occurs when healthy cells transform into malignant cells. Malignant cells replicate themselves at a much faster speed than healthy cells. Eventually, mutated cells will overtake healthy cells, causing tumors.

Jogging regularly ensures that the cells are getting enough oxygen, preventing or slowing down the development of certain cancer.

Promotes Immunity

A fit body is resistant to common infections. Jogging regularly strengthens the immune system by stimulating a special group of cells called macrophages. Macrophages protect from bacteria-fighting microbes and lymphocytes that weaken the immune system. Studies show that constant stimulation of macrophages keeps infectious diseases at bay. Jogging literally protects the body from viral and bacterial infections.

Improves Mental Health

One way to boost mental health and uplift the mood is working out. After a good workout, the brain releases endorphins that improve mood and provide a deeper sense of well-being. Jogging is definitely one of the most effective ways to boost endorphins in the brain, causing an upbeat mood. This is called as a runner’s high.

Alleviates Stress

Feeling burned out at work? Go for a short jog and you are bound to feel better after! The boost of endorphins in the brain does more than just put you in a good mood. Happy hormones – norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine – alleviate stress too! Working out regularly also improves health on a cellular level. It helps delay aging, promotes a peaceful state of mind, and reduces anxiety.

How to Jog Properly

Before jogging, wear comfortable shoes and clothing. Start by looking straight ahead of you, keeping the neck, shoulders, and jaw relaxed. Do not hunch your shoulders and lightly cup the hand as if you are holding an egg.

Allow the arms to swing from the shoulders in a pumping motion as then take your first step. Keep the arms pumping in tune with the legs for faster turnover. Breathe from the mouth to take in as much oxygen as possible during your jog. Keep the pace relaxed otherwise, you are not jogging, you are running. Source:/healthydietbase.com

Consider Mental Health Before Earning a Degree Overseas

Prospective international students should be aware of challenges and resources for maintaining mental health before they board a plane.

Adjusting to a new culture can be emotionally taxing, especially for students with pre-existing psychiatric disorders.

Each year, the number of internationally mobile students rises. In 2013-2014, more than 850,000 students headed to the U.S. from abroad, while more than 46,500 U.S. students enrolled inoverseas degree programs for the 2011-2012 school year, according to the most recent data available from the Institute of International Education.

Though each international student will have vastly different experiences based on his or her homeland, host culture and individual personality, many experience increased stress and new challenges to mental wellness.

Universities often discuss culture shock with international students and those preparing to study abroad even for short amounts of time, but the stress of prolonged time abroad – whether a one-year master's degree or four-year bachelor's degree – carries risks above and beyond culture shock. In its handbook for travelers, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that "pre-existing psychiatric disorders can recur, and latent, undiagnosed problems can become apparent for the first time."

Amy Hakanson, a U.S. student pursuing a yearlong program at the Eric Sahlström Institute, a folk music foundation in Tobo, Sweden, dealt with issues of depression and seasonal affective disorder during the dark Scandinavian winter. "I knew it would be hard," she says, "but I couldn’t really prepare for six hours of daylight per day."

A desire to learn the Swedish instrument nyckelharpa spurred Hakanson’s move to the country eight months ago despite existing psychiatric issues. "I become depressed in the winter anyways, back home, but it was a lot more intense and obvious here," says the Portland, Oregon, native.

Patti Collins, a health and wellness counselor at Northwestern University in Qatar, urges communication between students and their physicians while plans to study internationally are being made.

This will allow physicians to "make appropriate medical recommendations with the knowledge that this student may soon be experiencing new stressors," said Collins, via email. This is particularly important where medication is involved, and students should research if ongoing prescriptions can be filled at their destination.

Experts say prospective international students can turn to universities’ international student services offices to gauge the level of support and health services available. If information on counseling or mental health support is unavailable, prospective students can reach out to current students.

Students should also be aware that the young adult years, late teens into the mid-20s, are the ones where issues often arise. Zoe Ragouzeos, assistant vice president for student mental health and director of counseling and wellness services at New York University, says, "International students, just as domestic students, can experience the onset of a biological mental health disorder including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder."

Even without psychiatric disorders, adjusting to a new culture can be an emotionally taxing process that manifests in mood or personality shifts. Able Hsu, a native Californian and third-year Master of Fine Arts student at NYU Tisch School of the Arts Asia, in Singapore, said that as a result of frequent miscommunication she’s become "a more aggressive and easily frustrated person," despite typically being "quite adaptable."

Hsu’s mood improved and she began to appreciate the country more as she explored the city with purpose,​ she said via email. Her program in film directing forced her to leave her comfort zone ​to scout locations and look for props, leading her to interesting antique and vintage shops. This explorationemboldened her to seek more of what her new home had to offer.

Positive adaptation, like making friends and participating in enjoyable activities, is important for mental wellness, according to Ragouzeos. "Students who experience a rough road in assimilating to their new environment," she says, may eventually go on "to experience depression, anxiety and even suicidal thinking." These, in turn, can be exacerbated by what she calls "negative attempts at coping," which include substance abuse and risky behavior.

In Sweden, when she felt like she needed professional support, Hakanson approached her program’s vice director for assistance finding options for therapy. Two hours outside of Stockholm, where fluent English is harder to come by, she has discovered that developing language skills has been an important part of engaging with a local support group. "My Swedish is good enough to understand pretty much everything that is said in meetings but it’s still difficult to fully express myself," she says.

Collins said​ prospective international students facing psychological difficulty should not push themselves at the expense of their health.

"Give yourself permission to delay this adventure to a time when you are feeling emotionally stable," she said via email. "There will always be another opportunity; your health and safety are most important."

Source:/usnews.com/education/

Choose a Recruiting Agency Wisely as an International Student

International students working with an agency should be aware of fees before they commit.

Students working with a recruiting agency should make sure the company has the school connections it purports to have.

For the United Kingdom, Australia and other parts of the world, colleges and universities have long depended on recruiting agencies to find international students.

But U.S. schools have only dipped their toes into the controversial practice.

Today, only about 20 to 30 percent of U.S. schools actually work with recruitment agencies, according to Eddie West, director of international initiatives at the National Association for College Admission Counseling, which has been closely studying the companies. But experts say that is quickly changing as public and private U.S. colleges with little global brand recognition look for more international students, both to add diversity on campus and to make up lost tuition dollars from dwindling enrollments and slashed state funds.

There are tens of thousands of international recruiting agencies across the globe, and they have a variety of ethics policies and business models, West says. To avoid being taken advantage of, international students and their parents should take several steps before they sign an agreement, experts say.

1. Know who you are working with: Agents that help international students get into U.S. schools tend to have three different models, West says. Some, sometimes called independent education consultants, work for and charge students who are looking for the right school, others work for and charge colleges looking for the right students, and still others work for and charge both parties.

Agencies that work on behalf of certain schools have an interest in placing students at those schools. While that's not always a problem, particularly if the agencies work with many universities that could be a good fit, students should be aware of the arrangement, experts say.

"One of the risks is that the student will end up going with an agent that will not advise them based on what is the best for the student but that is in the best financial interest of the agent," West says.

If an agency makes a promise that sounds unrealistic, it probably is, experts say.
"Promises of admission or promises of scholarships or promises of work, those are all huge red flags," says Jennifer Wright, associate director and manager of certification at the American International Recruitment Council, a group working to certify international recruitment agencies.

2. Make sure fee and refund policies are clear: Since different agents have different business models, it's important for parents to understand fee structures before they agree to work with agencies, experts say.

"Oftentimes, those financial arrangements are anything but clear," West says. Some agencies will have hidden fees they collect from students after they are admitted, he says. Other companies don't make it clear who they are charging – the student, the school or both. Some companies will refund students if they don't get into schools, while others don't.

Families who decide to work with agents should make sure they have an agreement which spells out fees, refund policies and the process for lodging complaints, Wright says.

3. Verify claims about school relationships: Many agencies will tell students they have relationships with U.S. schools. If so, students and parents should make sure those relationships are current, says John Deupree, executive director of AIRC.

One way to do that is to look on a school's website, West says. Most schools will plainly advertise the agencies which with they are working. Students shouldn't be shy about calling up schools and asking to speak with someone in admissions, says John Eriksen, director of international admission at Rhode Island's Bryant University.

4. Be on the lookout for fraud: Under no circumstances should students work with agencies that offer to write essays, fabricate letters of recommendation or alter test scores, West with NACAC says. 

5. Look for expertise in the U.S. market: Students should work with agencies with a track record of placing students in the U.S. and familiarity with the U.S. higher education system, experts say.

Ideally, students will be working with someone who not only knows about the U.S., but who has been educated there, says Mark S. Kopenski, interim vice president for enrollment at New Jersey's Drew University, who is the founder of a business that advises colleges on international recruitment.

6. Look for an established reputation: While the U.S. doesn't have a government sanctioned list of recruitment agencies, some countries do, experts say.

"If you are going to use agencies, stick to places that are vetted by the government or some organization that is trustworthy," Kopenski says. "In China, they have government-regulated agencies there."

Longevity is also an indicator of quality, Deupree says. Students looking at agencies should make sure they've been around for at least two years, he says.

 7. Check out other resources: Students looking to go to the school in the U.S. should consult other resources, such as EducationUSA, which provides unbiased information about college options in the U.S., West says.

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, EducationUSA has advisory centers in almost all countries and keeps an updated list of financial aid opportunities for students who want to come to the U.S.

Yohan Sachdev, a 27-year-old Mumbai, India native who credits his education consultant for helping him get to Bryant University, agrees.

"You can do a lot of stuff yourself in today's day, hence keeping the use of your education consultant to a minimum," he said via email.  Source:/usnews.com/education/

3 Things to Know About Earning an Undergraduate Degree in Australia

Students are able to work while studying and can earn a bachelor’s degree in three years.

More than 269,700 international students were enrolled at Australia’s universities in 2014, according to the Institute of International Education.

Australia sits at a cultural crossroads, with historical links to the West and economic ties to the East. This may, in part, explain the country's appeal to international students.

"You're getting the best of both worlds," says Vik Naidoo, head of international student recruitment at the University of Sydney.

There were more than 269,700 international higher education students​ in Australia in 2014, according to the Institute of International Education's Project Atlas. That means roughly one out of every five students at the country's universities was international.

While Australian universities have similarities to those in other English-speaking nations, such as theU.K., there are differences too. Here are three facts prospective students should know about the international undergraduate experience in Australia.

1. There are laws on the books to protect international students.

Australian legislation requires universities to provide international students with orientation programs, access to support services and contact information for university officials who can assist them, among other things.​

"We don't just recruit them and say, 'Now off you go, you're by yourself,'" says Naidoo. "We, by legislative arrangement, we have a duty of care to those students."

Nina Khairina, a third-year international student at Monash University in Victoria who hails from Indonesia, said by email that she has faced challenges such as loneliness and having to adjust to a new style of teaching​.

Khairina, who is national president of the Council of International Students Australia, an advocacy organization for foreign students,​ said the most helpful source of support has been the Monash University International Students Service,​ run by student volunteers "who work passionately to improve the experience of other international students." She added that a student rights officer and counselors are available on campus as well.

Universities are also legally required to post on their websites lists of education agents appointed to represent the institutions abroad.​ Applicants who do not use agents can submit their materials directly to Australian universities online; there isn't a common application system for international students.

2. Students can earn a degree in three years, but might want to study longer. Most bachelor's programs in Australia are three years long. However, high-achieving students at Aussie universities can go on to earn a bachelor honors degree – a more advanced credential –​ by studying for an additional year.​

Honors programs are selective. At the University of Sydney, for example, less than 5 percent of all undergraduates are enrolled in the honors program, according to Naidoo.​​ The higher-level program "is teaching you a lot of research skills," says Naidoo, "which you don't necessarily get in the traditional undergraduate degree."

Earning an honors degree is the typical pathway to a doctoral degree program, according to the Australian government's Department of Education and Training.​

Keit Loi, a native of Malaysia who recently earned an honors Bachelor of Biomedicine​ at the University of Melbourne, says the "intense" honors year is a good trial run for students who think they might want to conduct research at a higher academic level.

"If you still survive it and you still enjoy research after that," he says, "you know you're capable of doing a Ph.D." Loi has applied to a Ph.D. program at the University of Melbourne.

Some universities also offer four-year – or longer – programs with a built-in research component as another path to a bachelor honors degree.

3. International students may work while studying. Undergraduate tuition at Australian institutions can vary from $10,800 to $23,800 or more per year, according to the Australian government.​ Students can work part time to help pay for school.

Most student visa holders can work up to 40 hours every two weeks while taking classes, according to the government's Department of Immigration and Border Protection.​ International students can apply for jobs on and off campus, and during academic breaks there isn't a limit on the number of hours they can work.

But finding employment can be challenging. U.S. national​ Carolyn Reimann, a third-year undergraduate medical student at James Cook University in Queensland, said it has been "next to impossible" for her.

A lot of job advertisements are for Australian and New Zealand citizens or permanent residents, Reimann said by email. She added that it might be easier for students to find jobs in cities like Sydney and Melbourne that are popular tourist destinations.

 If international students want to work in Australia after graduation, they can apply for a temporary graduate​ visa. This credential allows non-citizens to work in the country for a period of 18 months to up to four years, depending on their set of skills and degree level.

But studying in Australia isn't just about hard work and classes, some students say.

"There is a strong emphasis on having a study-work-life balance here," Khairina said by email. "I was not used to that at the beginning and focused too much on getting perfect grades; it's not like that anymore and I enjoy it."

Source:/usnews.com/education/

Cities Are the Next Growth Brands

A new study released by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and WPP’s BAV Consulting suggests that perceptions of a city can greatly impact its success, prosperity and livability. In other words, brand image matters—even for municipalities.

“Just as companies compete for customers’ dollars, countries and cities are competing for investment, tourists, political and economic influence more than ever,” says Deborah Bothun, PwC’s Global Leader for Entertainment & Media.

The study surveyed more than 5,000 people across 16 countries about their perceptions of cities and revealed key drivers behind powerful city brands.

“Nations have leadership and policy issues that can make their images polarizing or unpopular, yet cities don’t suffer the same fate. They are less political, more vibrant and in many instances, more popular than the country they’re in," says John Gerzema, CEO of WPP Group’s BAV Consulting, the firm who conducted the study with PwC. From Stockholm to Kuala Lampur, the study found strong ‘brand equity’ in cities and in many instances high correlations with the nation’s overall image.

The study also found that a strong ‘quality of life’ is critical to positive perceptions of a city, including measures such as income equality, job market strength and economic stability, as well as global citizenship, which include records on human rights and religious freedom. Likewise, being perceived as modern and inclusive is paramount to a city’s prosperity. Respondents touted innovation and entrepreneurship, skilled labor and education, and transparent business practices and infrastructure development as key to attracting both talent and investment. “These traits we studied can create greater engagement in the form of visiting, living in and studying in a city,” Bothun says.

And while positive perceptions of a city are linked tightly to its prosperity, negative perceptions can also point to economic declines, impacting the city’s attractiveness to prospective residents, businesses and tourists.

So what can cities do to move the needle?

Invest in infrastructure.

It’s about more than just roads. Reputable, well-developed infrastructure contributes to modernity, which is a top driver of visiting, living in, doing business with and going to school in a particular city. “Investing in roads, bridges, public transportation and a myriad of other things that define infrastructure is money well spent, because it attracts investment and an influx of people in the short and long term,” Gerzema says.

Educate people about the positives.

Some cities have material problems such as poverty, unemployment and safety issues to overcome. Climbing those hard hurdles requires major commitments by state and local governments. But there are things those cities can do in the meantime to increase their visibility and draw in visitors. The city in question needs to have a strong empirical understanding of what its perception problem is.

Understanding and closing the gaps may not be enough to turn around a negative perception, Bothun explains.

Align with corporate brands.

“By tapping into BAV’s renowned study of corporate brands, we found that there are strong correlations between some major global city brands and some major corporate brands,” Bothun says. “Cities can look to these ‘corporate twin’ brands for strategic inspiration both in how to brand, market and communicate but also in how to run a business with an eye towards greater ROI.”

Gerzema points to BAV’s Brand Asset Valulator for examples. “We know from our BAV database that Paris is correlated with Chanel, Moet & Chandon and Vogue, while Amsterdam is correlated with Lego, Apple and Starbucks,” he says.

Corporate partnerships can be an important part of a city’s strategy. Working with a corporate twin allows the city to borrow positive characteristics.

There are many examples of aligning with corporate brands. A city can partner with a corporate brand to take on an issue like homelessness. Or cities can partner with technology brands to create city-wide Wi-Fi. Bike sharing systems like New York’s Citi Bike program are also seeing brands and cities joining forces for both social good and mutual brand benefit.

Understanding corporate branding has other benefits: A corporate brand may have traits a city hopes to emulate or develop, but doesn’t currently have. In other words, dress for the job you want, not the job you have.

Leverage the relationship between city and country brands.

For example, images of New York City and the United States are highly correlated. But San Francisco’s image is more scenic, fun and happier than that of the U.S. as a whole. Similarly, Los Angeles is more innovative and trendy than the U.S., and Chicago is seen as more trustworthy.

“These secondary cities can be used as tools to help evolve the image of a country as needed and can help fill in necessary gaps,” Bothun says. For instance, Brand USA can lean on San Francisco to grow tourism. “For global, multinational corporations, it can also help business leaders understand cultural nuances of entering, operating in and attracting talent in disparate cities and countries.”

Here's a closer look at two of the cities in the study stacked up on the perceptual scale – and what they can do to make the most of it.

Sao Paulo: Big Business, but Bureaucratic?

Sao Paolo has a burgeoning reputation for business, thanks in part to the International Business School, which develops business leaders who can then proactively shape the Brazilian economy.

Yet while Sao Paulo is seen as an economic powerhouse within Brazil, it also suffers from negative perceptions, such as being seen as corrupt and unsafe. Case in point: While Sao Paulo’s brand is tightly linked to Brazil’s brand – the study found a 70 percent correlation between the two – the city is seen as more corrupt and bureaucratic than its home country

One solution for San Paulo would be to drive partnerships with companies that are known for being trustworthy, reliable and caring, says Bothun. Establishing such relationships could promote a more positive view of the city.

“In Sao Paulo, the business community needs to raise awareness of its business climate,” Bothun says. “Aligning with brands that evoke perceptions of safety, economic viability and trustworthiness would be a good place to start.”

Stockholm: Families, Facilities and Forward-Thinking

Survey respondents consider Stockholm to be modern, eco-friendly, well-developed, safe and family friendly. Both men and women enjoy perks like 480 days of paid parental leave, a government issued “child allowance” of roughly $122 USD per month, and free education from preschool through college. Likewise, health care is nearly free.

Yet there is room for improvement. The study shows that Stockholm isn’t strongly associated with culture or seen as politically influential.

“The city is falling behind on five out of six drivers of ‘intent to do business,’” Bothun says, “including being connected to the rest of the world, providing easy access to capital and being perceived as a leader.”

By identifying these vulnerabilities in Stockholm’s international image, city officials and strategists can develop a plan to raise the city’s profile as a global hub for business.

This might require real infrastructure investment and changes in economic policy.

Perceptions of a well-developed infrastructure – that is, making investments in both transportation infrastructure and human capital – can inspire tourists, potential residents and business partners.

Breaking out of a negative stereotype can be difficult. “Crafting an image is much more than marketing and communication,” Bothun says. “It requires real change and accountability to create sustained brand equity.”

Source:/usnews.com/

Best Car Insurance Companies of 2016

The best auto insurers offer more than just a low price.

The best car insurance companies offer comprehensive coverage, superior customer service, financial strength, and painless shopping experiences to get you the best car insurance quotes. The barrage of TV ads underscores that there’s no shortage of competition in the industry, either. Whether you’re staring at Progressive’s Flo or Allstate’s “Mayhem,” it’s hard to escape any commercial break without hearing from an auto insurer.
Fortunately, that’s good news for you. Competition usually translates into lower rates and better perks as companies battle for your business. In fact, my husband and I recently switched insurers and cut our car insurance costs by about 35%, all without reducing our coverage levels. All it took was a little time, and now we have a few hundred dollars back in our pockets each year.
The best way to start searching for the best auto insurance companies is to find the best deals in your area. You can do that by entering your ZIP code in the quote tool below.
Whether you’re new to car insurance or are simply shopping around for a better deal, here are the best car insurance companies, according to my research:

• Best for Customer Service: State Farm
• Best for Military Members and Their Families: USAA
• Best for Claims Handling: Amica
• Best for Policy Options: The Hartford

Read on to discover why these companies stand out from the competition. Further down, I’ll explain how I made my picks and discuss the pros and cons of using insurance agents or skipping them entirely.
You can also learn about how to save on car insurance by reading our guide How to Get Cheap Car Insurance.

The Four Best Car Insurance Companies

Best Car Insurance Company for Customer Service: State Farm

State Farm is the largest car insurance company in the nation, according to Insurance Journal. Fortunately, they’re also one of the best. Customers give State Farm consistently high marks for their handling of claims — in other words, they don’t feel like they get the runaround when they need help.
That could be because State Farm makes it very easy to get in touch: You can call one of the company’s 18,000 agents, go online, or even send a picture of your damaged car with your smartphone using the Pocket Agent mobile app. State Farm also gets top marks for a pain-free shopping experience that lets prospective customers call their local agent or chat with a representative online if they have any questions.
Pros

• Highly rated for superior claims handling
• Highest financial stability rating
• Wide range of coverage options
• 18,000 agents nationwide
• Easy-to-use website and mobile app
• Excellent customer support

Cons

• Mixed reviews for pricing/value
• Missing a few discounts, including pay-in-full and automatic pay

Best Car Insurance Company for Military: USAA

USAA is the only company that consistently either matches or bests State Farm in customer satisfaction surveys. Indeed, USAA customers are very happy with their claims experiences and customer service. They also give the company top-notch marks for value, which seems to be State Farm’s weak spot.
USAA’s website has plenty of educational materials for drivers, but the quote process is a bit more involved than it is with many competitors.
The major downside to USAA is their limited availability: You or a close family member must be a member or former member of the armed forces to get coverage from USAA.
Pros

• Highly rated for superior claims handling
• Highly rated for pricing/value
• Highest financial stability rating
• Solid online educational resources

Cons

• Only available to U.S. military members and their families, and certain affiliates
• Quote process is more time-consuming

Best Car Insurance Company for Claims Handling: Amica

Amica may keep a lower profile than the car-insurance giants, but their claim to fame is customer claims satisfaction. Amica is J.D. Power’s top-ranked company for customer claims satisfaction in 2014, and they take the runner-up spot in Consumer Reports’ rankings.
Amica does not have agents, which means they deal with all their customers without a middleman. This could be a pro or a con, depending on your perspective. Another of Amica’s high points is that they allow you to work with your own repair shop after you’re in a crash. This often isn’t the case with car insurance companies.
On the downside, customers are less satisfied with pricing — certainly a major consideration for customers looking for a deal.
Pros

• Highly rated for superior claims handling
• Highest financial stability rating
• Customers can choose their own car repair shops
• Easy-to-use website and mobile app

Cons

• Lower ratings for pricing/value
• Fewer online educational resources

Best Car Insurance Company for Policy Options: The Hartford

Though not as much of a household name as State Farm or Progressive, The Hartford is the nation’s 11th largest insurer. They are highly ranked for value — customers are satisfied with the price of their policies relative to the competition. They also offer a wide range of policy options and benefits, including rates based on how much you actually drive your car and a new-car replacement program for cars totaled shortly after purchase.
The online quote process is quick and easy, but the website lacks some of the educational material that larger companies often feature. The Hartford is also in the middle of the pack for claims satisfaction.
Pros

• Highly rated for pricing/value
• Wide range of coverage options
• Very strong financial stability rating
• Easy-to-use website and mobile app

Cons

• Average ratings for claims handling
• Fewer online educational resources

Other contenders

Progressive is worth noting because of their wider-than-standard range of discounts that could save you a lot of money. Their Snapshot tool will even monitor your driving habits to see if you can get a bigger break. But, like many of the big insurers, they’re in the middle of the pack for customer satisfaction with pricing and claims.
Allstate shines with comprehensive online tools and resources that help you manage your policy and learn more about car insurance in general. They also have a comprehensive agent network that’s second only to State Farm, so they could be a good pick if you want personal service. Allstate fares a bit better than Progressive in claims reviews, but still nabs average customer-satisfaction scores overall.
Two companies with more limited service areas that fare very well in customer satisfaction areAuto-Owners Insurance and Erie Insurance. Auto-Owners is available in 26 states, mostly in the South and Midwest, while Erie serves parts of the South, Midwest, and Mid-Atlantic.
Both companies are highly rated for claims. Erie has particularly comprehensive coverage options that include extras such as money toward rental cars after a crash (this is usually an add-on policy with most insurers). Auto-Owners uses an agent-only model that promotes customer relationships, so they might be a good pick if you value personal service.

Buying Car Insurance: Should You Use an Agent or Go Online?

Depending on who you choose in your search for the top auto insurance companies, you may face yet another decision: Should you do business with an insurance agent or should you deal with the company directly online?
If you value face-to-face relationships and personal service, it’s hard to beat going with an agent. But all agents aren’t created equal. Some are “captive,” meaning they sell car insurance for only one company. Others are “independent,” meaning they can sell car insurance for multiple companies.

Captive agents

Going with a captive agent makes sense if you already know you’re committed to a particular company. A captive agent will know that company’s car insurance options top to bottom and will be able to help you build the exact coverage package you need.
A captive agent probably doesn’t work on as much of a commission model as an independent agent, so they may take more time to answer your questions and really get to know you and your needs.

Independent agents

Independent agents can help you shop around with several companies, potentially nabbing you a better rate for car insurance. Because they aren’t directly employed by any one company, they won’t have as much of an incentive to push one particular product.
If your rates go up after committing to a policy, they can help you find a lower price when it’s time to shop again. However, because commission figures into their pay more heavily, they may be under more pressure to make a deal as quickly as possible.

Online

Of course, there’s a third option. You may be able to skip agents entirely and do your business directly with the company online, depending on which one you select. Most companies that have agents don’t require you to work with them, and some companies don’t have agents at all. This is undoubtedly the most convenient option, and probably the best if you’re in a time crunch. It may also be the cheapest option.
However, if you’re not sure what your needs are, buying your policy without an agent could leave you buying too much insurance, too little, or even the wrong kind.

How I Picked the Best Car Insurance Companies

Most people consider the top auto insurance companies the ones that will give them the lowest rate. Of course, that will vary according to each driver’s unique circumstances, including age, location, driving habits, and even credit score.
For that reason, I took a broader look at the factors that separate the best auto insurance companies from the rest, including whether customers are satisfied once they plunk down their money. Here are the factors I considered:

• Ease of shopping: I evaluated insurers’ websites to determine how easy it was to get a quote, determine my coverage needs, and receive customer service help if I needed it. I also considered J.D. Power’s 2014 Auto Insurance Purchase Experience Ratings, which asked customers about their experiences with insurers’ local agents, call-center representatives, and websites.
• Range of coverage options: Does the insurer provide a wide range of coverage options for its customers? Do customers feel the policies meet their needs? I looked at insurers’ websites,Insure.com’s Best Car Insurance Companies for 2014, J.D. Power’s 2014 U.S. Auto Insurance Study, J.D. Power’s 2014 Auto Insurance Purchase Experience Ratings, andReviews.com’s auto insurance company reviews to find the best auto insurance companies for coverage.
• Satisfaction with claims: How happy are customers who have dealt with their insurers after a crash or other incident? I looked at J.D. Power’s 2014 Auto Claims Satisfaction Study, J.D. Power’s 2014 U.S. Auto Insurance Study, Insure.com’s Best Car Insurance Companies for 2014, and Consumer Reports’ 2014 Car Insurance Ratings to find the top auto insurance companies for claims.
• Satisfaction with price: Do customers feel like they’re getting a good deal? I looked at J.D. Power’s 2014 Auto Insurance Purchase Experience Ratings, J.D. Power’s 2014 U.S. Auto Insurance Study, and Consumer Reports’ 2014 Car Insurance Ratings to find the best car insurance companies for value.
• Financial strength ratings: I looked at each company’s A.M. Best rating to gauge stability. Ratings range from A++ (superior/most stable) to D (poor/least stable). A few special ratings below “D” denote companies that are under regulatory supervision, are being liquidated, or have had their ratings suspended. A.M. Best considers any company with a “B” grade or below vulnerable.

Finding the Best Car Insurance Companies

Sure, you want the best possible rate on car insurance, and there are several ways to keep yourself from overpaying. One of them is to figure out what type of coverage you really need and brush up on other rate-lowering strategies using our guide on How to Get Cheap Car Insurance. But you also want to do business with a company that offers financial stability, a wide range of coverage, and the fair, attentive service you want after a crash. We think State Farm, USAA, Amica, and The Hartford are all good bets.
You can also begin your search by finding the top car insurance companies in your area by using our online comparison tool. Looking for car insurance online will make comparison shopping easy and save you the time and hassle of calling around to get quotes. Source:/thesimpledollar.com/