When deciding on the perfect college or university, one big decision is whether to go to a private college or attend a public university. While most private colleges have more prestige and are more recognized, you may be better off going to a public college if you have a budget for your tuition. There are, of course, many pros and cons to weigh when making this life changing decision, so it is best to sit down and evaluate your options before committing to a school.
PROS
Prestige: Most private colleges are nationally recognized for academic excellence, simply by the mention of their name. For example, when you think of Duke University or the University of Notre Dame, you think of an excellent school with renowned degree programs. The academic standards at private colleges are higher, therefore making admission more competitive.
Smaller class sizes: Anyone who attends a public university can attest to sitting in a class with 200 or more students at a time, where the professor identifies you by your student id number, and not your name. However at a private college, the student to professor ratio is (usually) a lot smaller, giving you a chance for more individualized time with your professors.
Experienced Professors: Since private colleges and universities are known for their highly competitive learning environment, you can be sure that the professors teaching the classes are knowledgeable and experienced. There are very few adjunct professors and teaching assistants. Rest assured, if you are attending a private college, you are receiving a top-notch education, as these institutions pay top dollar for the top professors.
CONS
Cost: The biggest disadvantage of attending a private university is the cost. The cost of tuition at a private university can run you two to three times the cost of a public university. Just check out this list of most expensive colleges; just about all are private. Tuition at many private colleges are approaching $40,000 per year. Keep in mind that federal student loans and grants only cover so much, so unless you have scholarships to fill in the gap, you will still be left with a pretty big tuition bill each semester. If you have a really good GPA and excellent SAT/ACT scores, you may be able to score scholarship money as well as grants and loans to help cover the cost of tuition.
Credits may not transfer: If you attended a community college first or other public college, you should be aware that your credits for classes already completed may not transfer into a private university. Most private universities prefer that you complete their English 101 class opposed to the one at the local community college. Public universities usually have transfer agreements in place with other colleges, where all of your credits will transfer with ease to a public university. If you have your heart set on transferring to a private university, you may be able to get your completed credits transferred in as free electives.
Private colleges can be appealing to many students, however it is extremely important that you weigh the advantages and disadvantages before applying to the college of your choice. Since the tuition is usually extremely high at private schools, it is better if you apply already armed with a very high GPA, so that you will be eligible for scholarships, grants and other funding to assist with the tuition bill. Although the tuition can scare some students away, you have to remember that you get what you pay for at a private school, which is a top rated education at a highly respected school.
In today’s society, it is a given that you need a college degree to move ahead in the working world. A Bachelor's degree is preferred; however, a Master's degree will put you in ahead of your peers. A Master's degree in your field can also garner you more money when negotiating a salary. Many students wonder if a Master’s degree is worth the time and money that it entails. Well yes, a master’s degree is an asset, as long as you actually use it to your advantage.
Why Should You Get a Masters Degree
There are many reasons why you should pursue a Master’s degree in your field of study.
It shows that you have mastered the knowledge and material required for your major.
It can be a useful negotiating tool when applying for a job. It can help you obtain a larger salary and throughout your career you can use your expertise to your advantage, like when asking for raises.
Job Security: Even if the company or organization you are working for closes down, your Master’s degree can help you obtain a job quicker than those without one. The Master's degree makes yourself more marketable when it comes to the job search.
Sense of accomplishment: Some people obtain their Master’s degree strictly for a sense of educational accomplishment. It shows that they have completed something that others did not do. Maybe they were the first in their family to pursue a master’s degree. Or maybe they want to be a role model for their children. Either way, it can be a fulfilling self-accomplishment for many people knowing they are learning additional material, and advancing their career at the same time.
Obtaining Your Masters
There are a few ways in which you can obtain your Master’s degree in your field of study. Some schools offer a fast track or accelerated masters program where you enroll for a five-year program of study for your major. The first four years are where you would earn your bachelors degree, and your final year is when you would take classes at an accelerated pace to earn your Master’s degree. By doing this, you earn two degrees in less time than the norm.
If you have already graduated with your Bachelor’s degree, then the traditional process is taking the GRE (graduate record examination) first. Once you receive your score, you can then apply to schools of your choice for their Master’s process. Obtaining your masters can take anywhere from a year and a half to two years if you pursue it full time, or longer if you are pursuing part time.
Average Income by Degree
Some may ask if it is worth getting a master’s degree and explain that a Bachelor’s degree may be enough in today’s job market. Twenty years ago, you could negotiate a reasonable salary with an Associates Degree and an even higher salary with a Bachelor’s degree. Now that times have changed, an Associates Degree will not get you too far and a Master’s degree is the true asset in the job market. No matter what field of study you pursue, a Master’s degree will put you near the top of the job market and you will never regret your decision to pursue your graduate education.
With the emergence of the Internet and its vast technology, taking college courses has never been easier. You can now take classes from the comfort of your own home, whenever you want and still receive your college degree. Distance learning has enabled many students to return to the classroom without ever setting foot on a college campus. Working professionals, disabled students and even stay at home parents are able to pursue a quality education without disrupting their personal life.
What is Distance Learning?
Distance learning is when you take college level courses without actually going to a college campus. There are many types of distance learning courses:
Hybrid: some colleges recently introduced something called hybrid courses where you take the majority of your class online, however you meet the professor about once a week for class updates and to turn in assignments.
Self-paced: Some schools offer self-paced classes where you will receive your textbook and all of your assignments at the beginning of the semester. You will have until a certain date to complete each assignment and the final, if required. You would communicate with your professor via email so that they know how you are progressing with your work.
Online: The most common type of distance learning is the online course. Everything is conducted online. Some professors keep these courses simple by just posting the syllabus and hosting forum topics weekly, while others will upload video lectures and have assigned chat room dates for you to meet with the rest of the class.
Top Notch Instruction
Actual professors that teach on campus usually teach distance-learning classes. In some cases, these classes are even taught by the most experienced professors, which gives you quality instruction. You can be assured that although you are not taking your classes on campus, you are still receiving instruction by experienced and knowledgeable professors.
Be Disciplined
It is very easy to be lazy when it comes to distance learning. After all, you are not in a structured classroom setting. You may be tempted to relax on your couch and watch that new reality show that is coming on rather than read your text and study your notes. You must discipline yourself by setting aside a set amount of time a few nights per week for you to read your text, review your notes, and meet online with the discussions. It is very easy to become overwhelmed in a distance learning class if you do not structure yourself accordingly.
Do not be swayed into thinking that degrees earned through distance learning classes are not as valuable as the ones earned on campus. Since you receive the same quality instruction and you pursue the same course outline as on campus students, your degree is equal to one that was earned the old fashioned way. It is extremely important that you do make time for your classes as if you were attending an on campus class. Even if you make time at midnight or during your lunch hour at work, because although your class is held online, you still have to put in the same amount of work, if not more, than you would if you walked in and sat down in the classroom. If you are motivated and determined to complete your college degree, then pursuing a distance learning class may be perfect for your busy lifestyle.
Studying abroad is an experience that many students take advantage of at some point during their college career. When you study abroad, you usually take anywhere from a semester to a full school year and spend it studying at another educational institution in another country. You will still technically be a student at your home university.
Many students, and maybe even their parents, may be reluctant to study abroad, however, there are many benefits to studying abroad. You should explore these advantages when making your decision to study abroad in a foreign country.
Learn New Culture
One of the best perks there is when visiting a foreign country is that you can learn a little about the people and their culture. However if you study abroad, you have more time to immerse yourself into the culture, language and the people. It is an interesting and rich experience that you will appreciate for the rest of your life.
Resume Builder
Nothing looks better on your resume than a section that says you lived and studied abroad in a foreign country. You learned the language and you experienced education in another country. By putting this on your resume, you are showing that you are up for change and you can adapt to any experience thrown your way.
Learn a New Language
You do not have to be fluent in another language in order to live in the country. Studies show that more people learn a foreign language by listening to daily conversation. Once you arrive in the country where you will study, you will be surprised at how quick you pick up the language of that country. You will come back to America as a bi-lingual student, which is a huge plus in the professional business world.
Gain Independence
Most students are in a comfort zone and have trouble breaking out of it, even if it is just moving a state or two away for college. Well, if you move to another country, you are forced out of your comfort zone. You will learn the way around the major cities and probably even take public transportation to get around. You will experience independence on a whole new level, which does not even compare to dorm living in the states. You will come back to America with a more confident attitude toward your future.
Make New Friends
Chances are, if you study abroad, you will be living in a dorm or apartment with other students or maybe a host family for a few months. No matter what the living arrangements, you will make new friends from another country. You will build lifetime of friendships and multi-cultural connections.
Our world today is more than just working with other Americans; it is about communicating and doing business with people all over the world. With experience from living and studying abroad, you are putting yourself in front of the rest of your peers and competitors when you apply for a job. You are gaining experience, learning the culture and building friendships. It is all an experience that you would never regret and it is an opportunity that definitely should be taken advantage of.
Thanks to the passing of the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007, a new grant program has been established to help future teachers cover the cost of their education. Starting July 1, 2008, the new TEACH Grant program will provide future teachers up to $4,000 a year in grant aid to undergraduate and graduate students. This new grant program is also available to students enrolled in post-baccalaureate teacher credential programs.
The TEACH Grant program is in place to cover any excess costs that current financial aid does not cover for prospective teachers. The award amount of a TEACH Grant, when combined with other financial aid, may not exceed the student's cost of attendance.
For recipients of the TEACH Grant, students must agree to serve as a full-time teacher at specified schools and teach in a specified field for four academic years. This requirement must be completed within 8 years of completing the degree.
Some say that TEACH is misleading in calling itself a grant program rather than a loan program, in that if a recipient doesn’t meet the full requirements, the grant must be paid back. TEACH Grant recipients that do not fulfill their teaching obligations must repay the grant as if it was an unsubsidized Direct Loan. This is unfortunately one downside of the new TEACH Grant program; the fact that the grant turns into a loan, should a student change his or her mind about teaching.
The grant does however give prospective teachers more financial options when covering the cost of college tuition, and other various college expenses. It may, in fact, encourage those still unsure about whether they want to teach or not, to do so, by giving them this financial incentive to move forward with a teaching program.
There are limits to the TEACH Grant program. Eligible undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students may not receive more than $16,000 and graduate students may receive no more than $8,000 in total TEACH Grants.
TEACH Grant Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for a TEACH Grant, requirements include:
Undergraduate students must have a 3.25 GPA. First year undergraduates go by their high school GPA. If the student fails to meet the GPA requirement, they must have scored in the 75th percentile on at least one admissions test.
GPA requirements do not apply graduate students who are currently teachers or who are retiring and have expertise in a subject where there is shortage of teachers. These include high demand subjects, such as: math, science, Special Ed, and English as a second language.
Graduate students completing an alternative teacher certification program are also eligible for the program.
Student must be completing, or planning to complete the coursework required to become a teacher.
Must serve as a full-time teacher for at least four years within eight years of completing their course of study
Comply with the requirements for being a highly qualified teacher as defined in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
Teach in the subjects of math, science, foreign language, bilingual education, special ed, a reading specialist, or a subject designated as "high need" by the federal or state government.
Overall, the TEACH grant is definitely something to look into if you are considering becoming a teacher. For more information, be sure to check with financial aid counselors at your school, as well as the elementary education department.
Teachers are among the most important and respected individuals in our society. They are the ones that are teaching the newer generation everything they need to know to be successful in their future. Teachers have a huge impact on children and statistics show that teachers do their job because they love the profession and they love children.
Becoming a teacher is competitive and most states have strict guidelines to becoming certified. If done right and if you are prepared, you can be on your way to teaching shortly after your graduation. Although the process varies among states, there are general procedures that you can follow to help get you started.
Choose Your Major
Some schools have majors geared for education, such as early childhood education or elementary education. If this major is offered at your school, it is best to take advantage of it so that you take the classes necessary to help you learn how to handle young children. You may also want to consider a dual major by adding math, science or English as teachers in these areas are in high demand.
Get a Job
Get a head start on your peers and consider getting a part time job by working at a daycare or even as a teacher’s assistant. In some states you can even become a substitute teacher even if you only have a limited amount of credits. This will give you tons of experience that you can add to your resume.
Keep Your Grades Up
Sometimes it does not matter if your grades in college are high, just as long as you pass, right? Well if you want to be a teacher, the schools you interview with will look at your transcript and your grades and if they are low, then you may not get hired. Think about it; who would want a teacher to teach students when they barely passed college themselves? Teaching jobs are highly competitive, especially in affluent areas. Chances are, your resume is only one of hundreds; therefore the better your GPA, the better your chances are of getting hired.
Teacher Certification
Before becoming a teacher, you will need to become certified to teach certain subjects and grade levels. Every state has certain tests that you will need to take to prove your knowledge of material so that you can be certified to teach. Your advisor at your current college or university can point you in the right direction so that you know which tests to take and when you should take them.
Alternative Route
What if you already have finished school and you majored in Business and now you decide you want to teach? Most states have an alternative route program where you only have to take a handful of credits and then certification to become a teacher. Or you can even start teaching, with a mentor in the classroom with you and gain your certification that way.
Other Tips
Once you become certified, you may want to consider jobs in urban areas as they are usually in high demand.
Math and science teachers are scarce, so if you have certification in either of those areas and you are right for the job, you can expect a quick hire.
Since most teachers are female, men have an edge over women, as schools want to be diverse. Therefore they will hire more men and even minorities to make their school as diverse as possible.
Start preparing your teaching portfolio as early in your college career as possible. You should collect all your awards, transcripts, resumes, and even teaching ideas and compile them in a large binder. This will not only give you a head start in your profession, but it will impress the principals you interview with in the future.
In most states, if you decide to teach in a low-income urban area, then you may be eligible for student loan forgiveness.
Before you run out and decide to teach because you’ll get summers off, and holidays as well, just make sure that teaching is the job for you. Make sure you are ready to handle a classroom full of children and their parents as well. Teaching is a tough job and it takes patient and dedicated people to be successful with it.
When it comes to Student Loan Consolidation, wait until July 1 to consolidate your loans, as interest rates will fall to 3.625 percent for those in school during a grace period. Those recently out of college will pay just 4.25 percent interest. For six months beginning July 1st, members of the Class of 2008 who have taken out variable interest rate federal student loans will have the chance to refinance those loans and lock in a low, fixed 3.61 percent interest rate. That's about 3 percentage points lower, or half what the set rate was last year. This is the biggest one year drop in student loan interest rates ever, and the 4th lowest rate in the programs 15 year history.
Use the calculator below to figure out your student loan consolidation payments. For those looking to consolidate, go here.
Selling back textbooks can be a great way to recoup some of the costs of the outrageous prices of textbooks. Unfortunately school bookstores usually...
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