University of Paisley The Role of Reflective Practice in Information Systems
Education in Bridging the Gap between Theory and Practice
Fixed term studentship: 3 years Studentship: Fees fully paid along with a Bursary (circa £12,300 per annum) A highly motivated research student is sought to work on a research project in Information Systems in the School of Computing at the University of Paisley.
This project aims are to investigate the current level of use of reflective practice within the IS community and to develop a framework for effective reflective practice within the IS community based on best practice.
The framework will be implemented using appropriate platforms and technologies to critically evaluate the extent to which the principles can be successfully applied within academic and industry settings (for example, ePortfolios, blogs, eLearning and OSS). You should have a First or Upper Second Class Degree or Masters Degree in the areas of information systems and/or computer science. Personal qualities should include good organisational skills, excellent verbal and communication skills and the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
Closing date: Friday 21st April 2006
For informal enquiries please email: Professor Thomas M Connolly (thomas.connolly@paisley.ac.uk)
To apply, please send your full CV or resume, with the title of the position, by post or e-mail* quoting ref. 06/048* to:
Professor Thomas M ConnollySchool of ComputingUniversity of Paisley
High StPaisleyPA1 2BESCOTLAND email: thomas.connolly@paisley.ac.uk
Friday, 31 March 2006
MKP Scholarships-Sweden (2006-2007)
Master Programme for Key Personnel in Developing Countries, 2006-2007
Beginning with the 2005-2006 academic year, the Swedish Institute and the Swedish International Development Co-operation Agency (Sida) are introducing a new range of scholarships for master’s level studies at Swedish universities.
You are eligible for these scholarships if you are a university graduate, citizen of a developing country and have several years of relevant work experience.
The purpose of these scholarships is to help grow special competencies in targeted countries. Eligibility is thus restricted to candidates from specific countries seeking admittance to approved programmes at Swedish universities. Because Sida has identified different developmental needs in different countries, your citizenship determines which programmes are available for scholarship support.
These scholarships are financed by Sida and administered by the Swedish Institute, a public agency promoting cultural and educational exchange between Sweden and the world.
GENERAL CRITERIA
Priority
In the scholarship selection process, your application is given priority if you can secure a leave of absence from your job which allows you to return upon completion of your studies. If not enough applicants meet this criterion, your application will be considered if you have at least five years of relevant work experience.
Citizenship, study level and study areas
Eligible countries are listed by programme. Below each approved master’s programme you’ll find a list of countries whose citizens are eligible for scholarship support under that programme.
Eligible programmes are also listed by country. Below each eligible country you’ll find a list of master's programmes approved for scholarship support for citizens of that country.
Study period
The master’s level programmes are between one and two academic years in duration. They usually start at the end of August or early September.
Language
You need to have a good knowledge of English. All approved master’s level programmes are taught in English.
Scholarship benefits
Currently, a scholarship pays SEK 8,000 per month, plus travel costs to and from Sweden. These scholarships are designed to cover living expenses for one person only. Tuition for the eligible programmes is free.
Scholarship holders are insured by the Swedish Institute against illness and accidents in Sweden during the scholarship period.
HOW TO APPLY
Application
You can apply for this scholarship when you apply for admission to one of the approved master's programmes at a Swedish university.
There is no application form for this scholarship. Do not send any master's scholarship requests or applications to the Swedish Institute. Instead, you apply directly to the university for the master’s programme and at the same time inform them that you would like to be considered for this scholarship.
Some universities let you indicate this on their admission application forms. In other cases, you will need to attach a letter to your admission application spelling out your request for this scholarship explicitly.
Important
You also need to attach a letter from your employer confirming that you are able to take a leave of absence for the duration of your studies, and that you will be able to return to your position when you have finished studying. If you cannot provide such a letter, please provide proof of employment of at least five years in a relevant field.
Send your completed application for admission to the programme – including a request for this scholarship and the letter regarding your employment situation – to the university you would like to study at. They will process your scholarship request.
The application deadline for this scholarship is thus the same as the application deadline for the master's programme you'd like to apply to.
How is my scholarship application processed?
The university you have applied to first chooses whom to admit to their master's programme. From this group of successful applicants, it then considers those who have requested a scholarship. It makes a shortlist of recommended candidates and sends this to the Swedish Institute.
The Swedish Institute collects these recommendations from all Swedish universities, and then makes the final selection of scholarship recipients.
If you have been selected for a scholarship for a programme that begins with the fall semester, you will be informed by the Swedish Institute in May or early June.
Study and Scholarships Info in Sweden
Complete information about study in SWEDEN can be found at:
The Swedish Institute grants hundreds of scholarships every year to help foreign students make their stay in Sweden more affordable. Currently, tuition fees for everyone are fully subsidised by the state. And because it costs to live in Sweden
Universities and university colleges
Links to all institutions of higher education in Sweden.
Blekinge Institute of Technology
Chalmers University of Technology, Göteborg
Jönköping International Business School
Jönköping University Foundation
Kristianstad University College
Luleå University of Technology
Royal Institute of Technology, (KTH)
SLU, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Stockholm Institute of Education
Stockholm University College of Physical Education and Sports
Södertörns Högskola, University College
Colleges of Arts in Stockholm
Konstfack, University College of Arts, Crafts and Design
Royal University College of Fine Arts
National Academy of Mime and Acting
Stockholm University College of Opera
University College of Film, Radio, Television and Theatre
Colleges of Health Sciences
Study and Scholarships Info in UK
UK educational institutions are world class. The excellence of their teaching, research and scholarships is acknowledged worldwide.
Such is the reputation of British education that, every year, UK institutions attract hundreds of thousands of international students. Many who come to study here pay for their courses privately and some receive financial help.
UK government departments and the devolved administrations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, plus a number of other UK organisations, offer a variety of scholarships and other awards to help international students study in the UK.
These awards are a sign of the UK's strong commitment to the rest of the world. They also show the UK's awareness of the many benefits that come from sharing the excellence of its schools, colleges and universities with visiting students and scholars from abroad.
A booklet entitled Sources of funding for international students has been produced jointly by the British Council, UKCOSA: The Council for International Education and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and is intended as a basic guide to possible sources of funding for international students who want to study in the UK. The booklet is available to download as an electronic document for viewing and printing:
Sources of funding for international students (PDF - 177KB)
To find out whether you might be eligible for a scholarship or for financial grant support, you should ask your own Ministry of Education. You can also consult your local British Council office, which will have information about specific UK award schemes.
Complete information about study in UK can be found in the "Education UK website" of the British Council.
http://www.educationuk.org/
Such is the reputation of British education that, every year, UK institutions attract hundreds of thousands of international students. Many who come to study here pay for their courses privately and some receive financial help.
UK government departments and the devolved administrations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, plus a number of other UK organisations, offer a variety of scholarships and other awards to help international students study in the UK.
These awards are a sign of the UK's strong commitment to the rest of the world. They also show the UK's awareness of the many benefits that come from sharing the excellence of its schools, colleges and universities with visiting students and scholars from abroad.
A booklet entitled Sources of funding for international students has been produced jointly by the British Council, UKCOSA: The Council for International Education and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and is intended as a basic guide to possible sources of funding for international students who want to study in the UK. The booklet is available to download as an electronic document for viewing and printing:
Sources of funding for international students (PDF - 177KB)
To find out whether you might be eligible for a scholarship or for financial grant support, you should ask your own Ministry of Education. You can also consult your local British Council office, which will have information about specific UK award schemes.
Complete information about study in UK can be found in the "Education UK website" of the British Council.
http://www.educationuk.org/
Study and Scholarships Info in Australia
The majority of international students in Australia are full-fee paying students. There is intense competition for the international student scholarships offered in Australia.International students can apply for scholarships offered by the Australian Government, education institutions and a number of other organisations. Most scholarships are for university study and particularly for postgraduate study. Australian Government scholarships are not available for international students undertaking English language training in Australia. However, there are several English language training scholarships offered by Australian institutions. For information on scholarships use the Scholarships Database. It contains the most accurate, reliable and searchable list of all scholarships supplied by Australian-based organisations, institutions and government bodies available to international students studying or planning to study in Australia on student visas.
Australian university scholarships
Australian universities offer a range of postgraduate scholarships to international students predominantly targeting Doctoral and Masters Degrees by research. The course of study and financial support is determined by the university. The Australian Government Department of Education, Science and Training website can link you to the relevant university for more information about particular scholarships.
Other funding sources
International and charitable organisations offer scholarships for international study. You must apply for these scholarships in your home country, not in Australia.The Association of Commonwealth Universities website provides a scholarships guide for Commonwealth postgraduate students offered by Governments, Rotary International, World Bank, World Health Organisation, Asian Development Bank, United Nations, Rockefeller Foundation and other organisations
Tips to write a good resume
A good resume is vital. It is your calling card to a prospective employer--one that lays out your qualifications and hopefully gets you a job interview. Remember, most employers will spend less than five minutes initially reviewing your resume. Follow these guidelines to make sure your resume gets you noticed
Be sure to include these basics:
Contact information: full name, phone number, school and permanent address, and e-mail address.
Education: school, degree, date of completion, honors, and special course work. If you are still in school, provide your expected date of completion.
Experience: In addition to work history, include relevant non-professional experience, such as internships, extracurricular activities, and significant volunteer work.
Skills: List any computer systems, office equipment, and software programs you are familiar with, as well as particular office skills (shorthand, typing speed, etc.).
Other Categories: If they are relevant, include publications, awards, leadership positions, or other notable achievements. There are many different ways to organize your resume. The most basic formats include:
Chronological: To emphasize your work history, list your jobs and activities, beginning with your most recent experiences.
Functional: To emphasize your skill sets, group your experiences under categorical headings, such as Leadership or Technology Support.
The key is to pick a format that presents your achievements most effectively--as well as being easy to read and comprehend.
Tips for a Winning Resume:
Keep it brief. Limit your resume to one page. Instead of paragraphs, use bullet-pointed lists.
Provide meaningful descriptions of your experiences. When detailing your job history, use short sentences or fragments to demonstrate your relevant experience.
Use strong action words ("developed and implemented a new filing system "; "created two new membership programs ").
Use formatting to help you out. Capitalize and use boldface, italics, or underlining to help organize the information.
Proofread. Use spell-check, double-check your contact information, and make sure your formatting is consistent. Ask a friend or family member to proofread it as well.
Custom fit your resume. Revise your resume for each job application to make sure it fits the opportunity at hand.
The final test:
Take a look at your resume from an arms distance. Is it confusing and text-heavy? Or is it easy to find the information you need? Please be sure your resume is reader-friendly
Note:
Source: Kay Peterson, Ph.D., Fastweb
Be sure to include these basics:
Contact information: full name, phone number, school and permanent address, and e-mail address.
Education: school, degree, date of completion, honors, and special course work. If you are still in school, provide your expected date of completion.
Experience: In addition to work history, include relevant non-professional experience, such as internships, extracurricular activities, and significant volunteer work.
Skills: List any computer systems, office equipment, and software programs you are familiar with, as well as particular office skills (shorthand, typing speed, etc.).
Other Categories: If they are relevant, include publications, awards, leadership positions, or other notable achievements. There are many different ways to organize your resume. The most basic formats include:
Chronological: To emphasize your work history, list your jobs and activities, beginning with your most recent experiences.
Functional: To emphasize your skill sets, group your experiences under categorical headings, such as Leadership or Technology Support.
The key is to pick a format that presents your achievements most effectively--as well as being easy to read and comprehend.
Tips for a Winning Resume:
Keep it brief. Limit your resume to one page. Instead of paragraphs, use bullet-pointed lists.
Provide meaningful descriptions of your experiences. When detailing your job history, use short sentences or fragments to demonstrate your relevant experience.
Use strong action words ("developed and implemented a new filing system "; "created two new membership programs ").
Use formatting to help you out. Capitalize and use boldface, italics, or underlining to help organize the information.
Proofread. Use spell-check, double-check your contact information, and make sure your formatting is consistent. Ask a friend or family member to proofread it as well.
Custom fit your resume. Revise your resume for each job application to make sure it fits the opportunity at hand.
The final test:
Take a look at your resume from an arms distance. Is it confusing and text-heavy? Or is it easy to find the information you need? Please be sure your resume is reader-friendly
Note:
Source: Kay Peterson, Ph.D., Fastweb
How to apply for a PhD in the US
Have you always wanted to see the letters Ph.D. after your name? Heres how to apply for graduate study in the US, with an emphasis on Biological Sciences and on foreign applicants.
Steps
1. Choose your major. This will be determined by your past research experience, your interest and your undergraduate coursework.
2. Get hold of a list of universities with those programs. There are several helpful websites listed b3. Assess your chances of getting into a particular school of your interest. You will need to take into account the following factors:
- funding
- your college GPA
- your research experience
- your citizenship status
- geographical location preferences
- whether you want to go into a research institute or a full university
4. Take the GRE General Test, TOEFL and the GRE Subject Test as needed by the programs that you are thinking of applying for. Visit the ETS homepage (also listed below) for more information on the pattern of the examination, scoring and score reporting.
5. Choose the people you want to write the recommendation letters for you. Ask them if they want to do it online or on paper. Some universities do not offer the choice between paper and web-based recommendation letters. Inform your references well in advance and keep reminding them till it is done.
6. Write a statement of purpose (SOP) for your interest in each program. While it might be a pain, its better to write out a different SOP for each school, indicating a fit between you and the program. In your SOP, you can also explain any shortcomings or issues that cannot be dealt with in rest of the application.
7. Arrange for transcripts from each post-school institution attended.
8. Have the scores reported to your university. You will need the institution codes, department codes, your credit card number and its date of expiration and of course, our test registration number and date of testing.
9. Use a Calendar program and an Excel spreadsheet to keep track of what documents are needed, which ones of them have been sent and which ones are pending. Also keep a list of the tracking numbers, date of posting and the contents of every packet that you send to universities.
Tips
- Some schools/programs are not so popular on rankings but have great grad programs. Why they are not popular is because they are post-doc places. Examples from biology are Scripps Institute, Salk Institute, Sloan-Kettering Institute.
- The UC (University of California) system has very little funding for international students.
- Get an international credit card - you will need it for the GRE/TOEFL registration and to pay application fees.
- Often people ask the order of importance of GPA, GRE scores, research experience, reference letters in the application. Well - there is none. Grad admission committees typically look at the candidate as a whole, and see if he/she can withstand the rigors of graduate research.
- Unless absolutely urgent, do not email/call your university regarding petty issues. All you will receive is an automated reply or an answering machine. Try to find the answers on the university website.
Warnings
- Use a reliable courier service to send documents to universities
- FedEx, DHL, UPS etc. Do not use a service for which you cannot track your package.
- The December season is a rush season due to Christmas, so postal delays occur quite frequently. Moreover, a lot of the graduate offices remain closed from Dec 23 to Jan 2.
- Wherever possible, put everything into one packet and send. If you are sending your documents in different packets, clearly mark your name, address and any reference number on each of them. Underline your last name.
- Keep your address consistent throughout
- do not abbreviate or introduce variations. This makes it all the more difficult for the graduate office to file your documents.
- Do not make errors in writing your institution/department code while reporting scores. This may seem very obvious, but this mistake happens more often than you might think!
Things You'll Need
- GRE General Test Score
- TOEFL Score (often)
- GRE Subject Test Score (sometimes)
- At least 3 Recommendation Letters from scientists and/or teachers who can assess your ability to perform research.
- Transcripts from all post-high school institutions attended.
- A credit card (preferably Visa or Mastercard; Discover doesnt work on some websites).
- A passport is needed for taking the GRE in some countries.
elow under External Links. Or, you can try searching the web for "NRC rankings
Steps
1. Choose your major. This will be determined by your past research experience, your interest and your undergraduate coursework.
2. Get hold of a list of universities with those programs. There are several helpful websites listed b3. Assess your chances of getting into a particular school of your interest. You will need to take into account the following factors:
- funding
- your college GPA
- your research experience
- your citizenship status
- geographical location preferences
- whether you want to go into a research institute or a full university
4. Take the GRE General Test, TOEFL and the GRE Subject Test as needed by the programs that you are thinking of applying for. Visit the ETS homepage (also listed below) for more information on the pattern of the examination, scoring and score reporting.
5. Choose the people you want to write the recommendation letters for you. Ask them if they want to do it online or on paper. Some universities do not offer the choice between paper and web-based recommendation letters. Inform your references well in advance and keep reminding them till it is done.
6. Write a statement of purpose (SOP) for your interest in each program. While it might be a pain, its better to write out a different SOP for each school, indicating a fit between you and the program. In your SOP, you can also explain any shortcomings or issues that cannot be dealt with in rest of the application.
7. Arrange for transcripts from each post-school institution attended.
8. Have the scores reported to your university. You will need the institution codes, department codes, your credit card number and its date of expiration and of course, our test registration number and date of testing.
9. Use a Calendar program and an Excel spreadsheet to keep track of what documents are needed, which ones of them have been sent and which ones are pending. Also keep a list of the tracking numbers, date of posting and the contents of every packet that you send to universities.
Tips
- Some schools/programs are not so popular on rankings but have great grad programs. Why they are not popular is because they are post-doc places. Examples from biology are Scripps Institute, Salk Institute, Sloan-Kettering Institute.
- The UC (University of California) system has very little funding for international students.
- Get an international credit card - you will need it for the GRE/TOEFL registration and to pay application fees.
- Often people ask the order of importance of GPA, GRE scores, research experience, reference letters in the application. Well - there is none. Grad admission committees typically look at the candidate as a whole, and see if he/she can withstand the rigors of graduate research.
- Unless absolutely urgent, do not email/call your university regarding petty issues. All you will receive is an automated reply or an answering machine. Try to find the answers on the university website.
Warnings
- Use a reliable courier service to send documents to universities
- FedEx, DHL, UPS etc. Do not use a service for which you cannot track your package.
- The December season is a rush season due to Christmas, so postal delays occur quite frequently. Moreover, a lot of the graduate offices remain closed from Dec 23 to Jan 2.
- Wherever possible, put everything into one packet and send. If you are sending your documents in different packets, clearly mark your name, address and any reference number on each of them. Underline your last name.
- Keep your address consistent throughout
- do not abbreviate or introduce variations. This makes it all the more difficult for the graduate office to file your documents.
- Do not make errors in writing your institution/department code while reporting scores. This may seem very obvious, but this mistake happens more often than you might think!
Things You'll Need
- GRE General Test Score
- TOEFL Score (often)
- GRE Subject Test Score (sometimes)
- At least 3 Recommendation Letters from scientists and/or teachers who can assess your ability to perform research.
- Transcripts from all post-high school institutions attended.
- A credit card (preferably Visa or Mastercard; Discover doesnt work on some websites).
- A passport is needed for taking the GRE in some countries.
elow under External Links. Or, you can try searching the web for "NRC rankings
Study and Scholarships Info in Japan
These links are for those of you who are interested in studying in Japan.
There is a wealth of information available about studying in Japan. All you need to do to make your study in Japan a success is to know your objective and make an honest effort based on firm resolve. Please visit the folowing links:
There is a wealth of information available about studying in Japan. All you need to do to make your study in Japan a success is to know your objective and make an honest effort based on firm resolve. Please visit the folowing links:
Business School Essay Secrets
Business School Essay Secrets
Content provided by EssayEdge.com. EssayEdge.com contains thousands of pages of free admissions essay advice by Harvard-educated editors.
Business school students face a uniquely difficult challenge, because most programs require a series of essays rather than a single, comprehensive personal statement. This fact alone should indicate the importance that business schools place on your written responses. Part of the reason for this extra required writing is that business schools also place a stronger emphasis on practical experience. Academic ability may still be the number-one factor, but it's not enough to get you into a school, just as it's not enough to guarantee your success in the business world. Business schools pay close attention to personal qualities, including your leadership, communication skills, initiative, vision, and many more. Grades and scores do not explain this side of you, and neither does a resume.
Thus your admission will depend largely on your ability to convey your experiences and goals in written form. Self-assessment is a significant part of this process, as is a careful review of both your life and what you have done professionally. Many successful professionals have simply never had to articulate their accomplishments before and now for the first time must communicate this information in a very clear, concise, powerful manner that is accessible to anyone, even without knowledge of their field. Being able to convey both the substance and significance of one's work life is crucial for all applicants.
As the founder of EssayEdge.com, the Net's largest admissions essay prep company, I have seen firsthand the difference a well-written application essay can make. Through its free online admissions essay help course and 300 Harvard-educated editors, EssayEdge.com helps tens of thousands of student each year improve their essays and gain admission to business schools ranging from Harvard to State U.
Having personally edited over 2,000 admissions essays myself for EssayEdge.com, I have written this article to help you avoid the most common essay flaws. If you remember nothing else about this article, remember this: Be Interesting. Be Concise.
Why MBA?
Nearly all applications will feature a question that asks about your reasons for wanting to obtain an MBA at this stage of your career. Some will explicitly ask you to tie these reasons into your background and your goals. Even for schools that don't offer this specific direction, you should plan on such a discussion of past and future, as it provides essential context for your application.
"Why MBA?" is often the first question asked and without a doubt the most important essay you will write. It includes essential information about whether you're qualified, whether you're prepared, and where you're headed. The other essays fill in details about these fundamental points, but a strong answer about, for example, how you overcame a failure will not revive a candidacy that failed based on a lack of career focus.Every answer should contain the following elements, unless the application has separate questions addressing them individually:
1. Your long- and short-term goals.
2. Your relevant past experience.
3. An assessment of your strengths and the gaps in your experience/education.
4. How an MBA program will bridge your past and future and fill in those gaps.
5. Why this particular MBA program is a good match for your needs.
There are no groundbreaking reasons for pursuing an MBA. This is not a place to aim for bold originality. Rather, you should focus on articulating detailed reasons that are specific to your situation. Moreover, there is plenty of room to distinguish yourself when discussing past experience and future goals; the reasons themselves, however, come from a more limited set. That said, you should not try to drop buzzwords for their own sake. Make sure you tie your specific objectives to other aspects of your application.
TOP 10 BUSINESS SCHOOL ESSAY WRITING TIPS
1. Don't Use Company Jargon.As a prospective business student, you have probably spent the past few years in a corporate environment with its own in-house terminology. Remember that you are writing for a reader who hasn't attended your company's meetings or contributed to its products. You should certainly describe various aspects of your professional life--your leadership skills, your career trajectory, your triumph in the face of obstacles, and so on--but do so in language that is as accessible to your reader as it is to you. Imagine that you are composing a document for a customer who must decide whether to buy a particular product: you. Write clearly and personably.
2. Don't Bore the Reader.
Do Be Interesting.Admissions officers have to read hundreds of essays, and they must often skim. Abstract rumination has no place in an application essay. Admissions officers aren't looking for a new way to view the world; they're looking for a new way to view you, the applicant. The best way to grip your reader is to begin the essay with a captivating snapshot. Notice how the blunt, jarring "after" sentence creates intrigue and keeps the reader's interest. Before: I am a compilation of many years of experiences gained from overcoming the relentless struggles of life.
After: I was six years old, the eldest of six children in the Bronx, when my father was murdered.
3. Do Use Personal Detail. Show, Don't Tell!Good essays are concrete and grounded in personal detail. They do not merely assert "I learned my lesson" or that "these lessons are useful both on and off the field." They show it through personal detail. "Show, don't tell" means that if you want to relate a personal quality, do so through your experiences without merely asserting it.
Before: If it were not for a strong support system which instilled into me strong family values and morals, I would not be where I am today.
After: Although my grandmother and I didn't have a car or running water, we still lived far more comfortably than did the other families I knew. I learned an important lesson: My grandmother made the most of what little she had, and she was known and respected for her generosity. Even at that age, I recognized the value she placed on maximizing her resources and helping those around her. The first example is vague and could have been written by anybody. But the second sentence evokes a vivid image of something that actually happened, placing the reader in the experience of the applicant.
4. Do Be Concise. Don't Be Wordy.
Wordiness not only takes up valuable space, but also confuses the important ideas you're trying to convey. Short sentences are more forceful because they are direct and to the point. Certain phrases, such as "the fact that," are usually unnecessary. Notice how the revised version focuses on active verbs rather than forms of "to be" and adverbs and adjectives.
Before: My recognition of the fact that the project was finally over was a deeply satisfying moment that will forever linger in my memory.
After: Completing the project at last gave me an enduring sense of fulfillment.
5. Do Address Your Weaknesses. Don't Dwell on Them.
At some point on your application, you will have an opportunity to explain deficiencies in your record, and you should take advantage of it. Be sure to explain them adequately: "I partied too much to do well on tests" will not help your application. The best tactic is to spin the negatives into positives by stressing your attempts to improve; for example, mention your poor first-quarter grades briefly, then describe what you did to bring them up.
Before: My grade point average provides an incomplete evaluation of my potential and of the person I am today, since it fails to reveal my passion and determined spirit which make me unique and an asset to the _______ School of Business.
After: Though my overall grade point average was disappointing, I am confident that the upward trend in my undergraduate transcript will continue in business school. Furthermore, my success on the GMAT and in the corporate world since graduation reinforces my conviction that I have a keen business sense--one that I hope to develop at the _______ School of Business.
6. Do Vary Your Sentences and Use Transitions.The best essays contain a variety of sentence lengths mixed within any given paragraph. Also, remember that transition is not limited to words like nevertheless, furthermore or consequently. Good transition flows from the natural thought progression of your argument.
Before: I started playing piano when I was eight years old. I worked hard to learn difficult pieces. I began to love music.
After: I started playing the piano at the age of eight. As I learned to play more difficult pieces, my appreciation for music deepened.
7. Do Use Active Voice Verbs.Passive-voice expressions are verb phrases in which the subject receives the action expressed in the verb. Passive voice employs a form of the word to be, such as was or were. Overuse of the passive voice makes prose seem flat and uninteresting.
Before: The lessons that have prepared me for my career as an executive were taught to me by my mother.
After: My mother taught me lessons that will prove invaluable in my career as an executive.
8. Do Seek Multiple Opinions.Ask your friends and family to keep these questions in mind:Does my essay have one central theme?Does my introduction engage the reader? Does my conclusion provide closure?Do my introduction and conclusion avoid summary?Do I use concrete experiences as supporting details?Have I used active-voice verbs wherever possible?Is my sentence structure varied, or do I use all long or short sentences?Are there any clichés, such as "cutting-edge" or "learned my lesson"?Do I use transitions appropriately?What about the essay is memorable?What's the worst part of the essay?What parts of the essay need elaboration or are unclear?What parts of the essay do not support my main argument?Is every single sentence crucial to the essay? This must be the case.What does the essay reveal about my personality?
9. Don't Wander. Do Stay Focused.
Many applicants try to turn the application essay into a complete autobiography. Not surprisingly, they find it difficult to pack so much information into such a short essay, and their essays end up sounding more like a list of experiences than a coherent, well-organized thought. Make sure that every sentence in your essay exists solely to support one central theme.
10. Do Revise, Revise, Revise.The first step in an improving any essay is to cut, cut, and cut some more. EssayEdge.com's free admissions essay help course and Harvard-educated editors will be invaluable as you polish your essay to perfection. The EssayEdge.com free help course guides you through the entire essay-writing process, from brainstorming worksheets and question-specific strategies for the twelve most common essay topics to a description of ten introduction types and editing checklists.
Content provided by EssayEdge.com. EssayEdge.com contains thousands of pages of free admissions essay advice by Harvard-educated editors.
Business school students face a uniquely difficult challenge, because most programs require a series of essays rather than a single, comprehensive personal statement. This fact alone should indicate the importance that business schools place on your written responses. Part of the reason for this extra required writing is that business schools also place a stronger emphasis on practical experience. Academic ability may still be the number-one factor, but it's not enough to get you into a school, just as it's not enough to guarantee your success in the business world. Business schools pay close attention to personal qualities, including your leadership, communication skills, initiative, vision, and many more. Grades and scores do not explain this side of you, and neither does a resume.
Thus your admission will depend largely on your ability to convey your experiences and goals in written form. Self-assessment is a significant part of this process, as is a careful review of both your life and what you have done professionally. Many successful professionals have simply never had to articulate their accomplishments before and now for the first time must communicate this information in a very clear, concise, powerful manner that is accessible to anyone, even without knowledge of their field. Being able to convey both the substance and significance of one's work life is crucial for all applicants.
As the founder of EssayEdge.com, the Net's largest admissions essay prep company, I have seen firsthand the difference a well-written application essay can make. Through its free online admissions essay help course and 300 Harvard-educated editors, EssayEdge.com helps tens of thousands of student each year improve their essays and gain admission to business schools ranging from Harvard to State U.
Having personally edited over 2,000 admissions essays myself for EssayEdge.com, I have written this article to help you avoid the most common essay flaws. If you remember nothing else about this article, remember this: Be Interesting. Be Concise.
Why MBA?
Nearly all applications will feature a question that asks about your reasons for wanting to obtain an MBA at this stage of your career. Some will explicitly ask you to tie these reasons into your background and your goals. Even for schools that don't offer this specific direction, you should plan on such a discussion of past and future, as it provides essential context for your application.
"Why MBA?" is often the first question asked and without a doubt the most important essay you will write. It includes essential information about whether you're qualified, whether you're prepared, and where you're headed. The other essays fill in details about these fundamental points, but a strong answer about, for example, how you overcame a failure will not revive a candidacy that failed based on a lack of career focus.Every answer should contain the following elements, unless the application has separate questions addressing them individually:
1. Your long- and short-term goals.
2. Your relevant past experience.
3. An assessment of your strengths and the gaps in your experience/education.
4. How an MBA program will bridge your past and future and fill in those gaps.
5. Why this particular MBA program is a good match for your needs.
There are no groundbreaking reasons for pursuing an MBA. This is not a place to aim for bold originality. Rather, you should focus on articulating detailed reasons that are specific to your situation. Moreover, there is plenty of room to distinguish yourself when discussing past experience and future goals; the reasons themselves, however, come from a more limited set. That said, you should not try to drop buzzwords for their own sake. Make sure you tie your specific objectives to other aspects of your application.
TOP 10 BUSINESS SCHOOL ESSAY WRITING TIPS
1. Don't Use Company Jargon.As a prospective business student, you have probably spent the past few years in a corporate environment with its own in-house terminology. Remember that you are writing for a reader who hasn't attended your company's meetings or contributed to its products. You should certainly describe various aspects of your professional life--your leadership skills, your career trajectory, your triumph in the face of obstacles, and so on--but do so in language that is as accessible to your reader as it is to you. Imagine that you are composing a document for a customer who must decide whether to buy a particular product: you. Write clearly and personably.
2. Don't Bore the Reader.
Do Be Interesting.Admissions officers have to read hundreds of essays, and they must often skim. Abstract rumination has no place in an application essay. Admissions officers aren't looking for a new way to view the world; they're looking for a new way to view you, the applicant. The best way to grip your reader is to begin the essay with a captivating snapshot. Notice how the blunt, jarring "after" sentence creates intrigue and keeps the reader's interest. Before: I am a compilation of many years of experiences gained from overcoming the relentless struggles of life.
After: I was six years old, the eldest of six children in the Bronx, when my father was murdered.
3. Do Use Personal Detail. Show, Don't Tell!Good essays are concrete and grounded in personal detail. They do not merely assert "I learned my lesson" or that "these lessons are useful both on and off the field." They show it through personal detail. "Show, don't tell" means that if you want to relate a personal quality, do so through your experiences without merely asserting it.
Before: If it were not for a strong support system which instilled into me strong family values and morals, I would not be where I am today.
After: Although my grandmother and I didn't have a car or running water, we still lived far more comfortably than did the other families I knew. I learned an important lesson: My grandmother made the most of what little she had, and she was known and respected for her generosity. Even at that age, I recognized the value she placed on maximizing her resources and helping those around her. The first example is vague and could have been written by anybody. But the second sentence evokes a vivid image of something that actually happened, placing the reader in the experience of the applicant.
4. Do Be Concise. Don't Be Wordy.
Wordiness not only takes up valuable space, but also confuses the important ideas you're trying to convey. Short sentences are more forceful because they are direct and to the point. Certain phrases, such as "the fact that," are usually unnecessary. Notice how the revised version focuses on active verbs rather than forms of "to be" and adverbs and adjectives.
Before: My recognition of the fact that the project was finally over was a deeply satisfying moment that will forever linger in my memory.
After: Completing the project at last gave me an enduring sense of fulfillment.
5. Do Address Your Weaknesses. Don't Dwell on Them.
At some point on your application, you will have an opportunity to explain deficiencies in your record, and you should take advantage of it. Be sure to explain them adequately: "I partied too much to do well on tests" will not help your application. The best tactic is to spin the negatives into positives by stressing your attempts to improve; for example, mention your poor first-quarter grades briefly, then describe what you did to bring them up.
Before: My grade point average provides an incomplete evaluation of my potential and of the person I am today, since it fails to reveal my passion and determined spirit which make me unique and an asset to the _______ School of Business.
After: Though my overall grade point average was disappointing, I am confident that the upward trend in my undergraduate transcript will continue in business school. Furthermore, my success on the GMAT and in the corporate world since graduation reinforces my conviction that I have a keen business sense--one that I hope to develop at the _______ School of Business.
6. Do Vary Your Sentences and Use Transitions.The best essays contain a variety of sentence lengths mixed within any given paragraph. Also, remember that transition is not limited to words like nevertheless, furthermore or consequently. Good transition flows from the natural thought progression of your argument.
Before: I started playing piano when I was eight years old. I worked hard to learn difficult pieces. I began to love music.
After: I started playing the piano at the age of eight. As I learned to play more difficult pieces, my appreciation for music deepened.
7. Do Use Active Voice Verbs.Passive-voice expressions are verb phrases in which the subject receives the action expressed in the verb. Passive voice employs a form of the word to be, such as was or were. Overuse of the passive voice makes prose seem flat and uninteresting.
Before: The lessons that have prepared me for my career as an executive were taught to me by my mother.
After: My mother taught me lessons that will prove invaluable in my career as an executive.
8. Do Seek Multiple Opinions.Ask your friends and family to keep these questions in mind:Does my essay have one central theme?Does my introduction engage the reader? Does my conclusion provide closure?Do my introduction and conclusion avoid summary?Do I use concrete experiences as supporting details?Have I used active-voice verbs wherever possible?Is my sentence structure varied, or do I use all long or short sentences?Are there any clichés, such as "cutting-edge" or "learned my lesson"?Do I use transitions appropriately?What about the essay is memorable?What's the worst part of the essay?What parts of the essay need elaboration or are unclear?What parts of the essay do not support my main argument?Is every single sentence crucial to the essay? This must be the case.What does the essay reveal about my personality?
9. Don't Wander. Do Stay Focused.
Many applicants try to turn the application essay into a complete autobiography. Not surprisingly, they find it difficult to pack so much information into such a short essay, and their essays end up sounding more like a list of experiences than a coherent, well-organized thought. Make sure that every sentence in your essay exists solely to support one central theme.
10. Do Revise, Revise, Revise.The first step in an improving any essay is to cut, cut, and cut some more. EssayEdge.com's free admissions essay help course and Harvard-educated editors will be invaluable as you polish your essay to perfection. The EssayEdge.com free help course guides you through the entire essay-writing process, from brainstorming worksheets and question-specific strategies for the twelve most common essay topics to a description of ten introduction types and editing checklists.
Top Ten Mistakes Made on Scholarship Applications
Top Ten Mistakes Made on Scholarship Applications
by Laura DiFiore at FreSch!.
How you can guarantee that your scholarship application will NOT win! Forget to include your name and/or address! You would be surprised how many students do not include their name or address on an application!Submit an incomplete application. Make sure you include all required references, photos, transcripts, and essays. Be rude or abusive to the judges. Telling the judges that they will burn in Hades if they don't pick you, or that they are idiots because they don't accept applications from students in your major, is a sure-fire way to guarantee you will NOT be considered for this application, and that the judges will tell all their judge friends how nasty you are. Submit a dirty application. Use a plate for your lunch, not your application. Don't spill beer on your application!Apply when you do not meet their minimum requirements. If they require a minimum 3.0 GPA and you have a 1.2 GPA, don't waste your time!Send it "postage due." Oops!Mail the envelope but forget to put the application in it. Surprisingly common! Submit inappropriate supporting documentation, such as including a picture of you at age 6 months when the application asks for you to include a photo, or including a copy of your arrest record as a reference! (this really happened!)No one can read your application. The use of fancy, hard-to-read script typefaces on your essay, or handwriting that even a doctor would be ashamed of. Spelling errors! Even ONE spelling error can doom your application! Remember, if you do not take the time to spell-check your application, the judges won't take the time to read it!YES, I know that these seem like common-sense mistakes, ones that very few students would make... but these ARE the most common mistakes, made by 75% or MORE of all applicants! Last summer, I sat on a judging committee, and fully 96% of the applications contained THREE or more of the above errors. Why so many students make these mistakes is beyond me - but I hope after reading this, you will not be one of them!
by Laura DiFiore at FreSch!.
How you can guarantee that your scholarship application will NOT win! Forget to include your name and/or address! You would be surprised how many students do not include their name or address on an application!Submit an incomplete application. Make sure you include all required references, photos, transcripts, and essays. Be rude or abusive to the judges. Telling the judges that they will burn in Hades if they don't pick you, or that they are idiots because they don't accept applications from students in your major, is a sure-fire way to guarantee you will NOT be considered for this application, and that the judges will tell all their judge friends how nasty you are. Submit a dirty application. Use a plate for your lunch, not your application. Don't spill beer on your application!Apply when you do not meet their minimum requirements. If they require a minimum 3.0 GPA and you have a 1.2 GPA, don't waste your time!Send it "postage due." Oops!Mail the envelope but forget to put the application in it. Surprisingly common! Submit inappropriate supporting documentation, such as including a picture of you at age 6 months when the application asks for you to include a photo, or including a copy of your arrest record as a reference! (this really happened!)No one can read your application. The use of fancy, hard-to-read script typefaces on your essay, or handwriting that even a doctor would be ashamed of. Spelling errors! Even ONE spelling error can doom your application! Remember, if you do not take the time to spell-check your application, the judges won't take the time to read it!YES, I know that these seem like common-sense mistakes, ones that very few students would make... but these ARE the most common mistakes, made by 75% or MORE of all applicants! Last summer, I sat on a judging committee, and fully 96% of the applications contained THREE or more of the above errors. Why so many students make these mistakes is beyond me - but I hope after reading this, you will not be one of them!
Ten Tips for Winning Scholarship Applications
Ten Tips for Winning Scholarship Applications
-- by Kay Peterson, Ph.D. at FastWeb
Before you submit your scholarship application, check out these tips, provided by scholarship sponsors nationwide.
-- by Kay Peterson, Ph.D. at FastWeb
Before you submit your scholarship application, check out these tips, provided by scholarship sponsors nationwide.
- Tip #1: Apply only if you are eligible.Read all the scholarship requirements and directions carefully to make sure you're eligible before you send in your application.
- Tip #2: Complete the application in full.If a question doesn't apply, note that on the application. Don't just leave a blank. Supply all additional supporting material, such as transcripts, letters of recommendation and essays.
- Tip #3: Follow directions.Provide everything that's required, but don't supply things that aren't requested—you could be disqualified.
- Tip #4: Neatness counts.Always type your application, or if you must print, do so neatly and legibly. Make a couple of photocopies of all the forms before you fill them out. Use the copies as working drafts as you develop your application packet.
- Tip #5: Write an essay that makes a strong impression.The key to writing a strong essay is to be personal and specific. Include concrete details to make your experience come alive: the who, what, where, and when of your topic. The simplest experience can be monumental if you present honestly how you were affected.
- Tip #6: Watch all deadlines.To help keep yourself on track, impose your own deadline that is at least two weeks prior to the official deadline. Use the buffer time to make sure everything is ready on time. Don't rely on extensions—very few scholarship providers allow them at all.
- Tip #7: Make sure your application gets where it needs to go.Put your name (and Social Security number, if applicable) on all pages of the application. Pieces of your application may get lost unless they are clearly identified.
- Tip #8: Keep a back-up file in case anything goes wrong.Before sending the application, make a copy of the entire packet. If your application goes astray, you'll be able to reproduce it quickly.
- Tip #9: Give it a final "once-over."Proofread the entire application carefully. Be on the lookout for misspelled words or grammatical errors. Ask a friend, teacher or parent to proofread it as well.
- Tip #10: Ask for help if you need it.If you have problems with the application, don't hesitate to call the funding organization.
Study and Scholarships Info in New Zealand
What opportunities are there for study in New Zealand?
So you’re interested in coming to study in New Zealand? If you do, you won’t be alone! Over the last few years we’ve had a steadily increasing number of international students seeking education in New Zealand.
International students can only obtain student visas for full-time study towards a New Zealand qualification with providers who are registered and approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority. You can search for an education provider on the New Zealand Qualifications Authority website.
You can find a list of all our universities. It’s easy to compare what they offer you. Remember to look at the international students section – they all have one.
Educationnz also lists institutions by type. And at International Student Services you’ll find lists of institutions and what courses they offer.
English language schools
You’ll find many lists of English language schools on the Internet. Our links provide four comprehensive lists:
- English language schools by type. There are two headings for English language schools - tertiary English language and private providers of English language.
- Language schools by region. You’ll find it very useful if you know where you’re planning to live.
- English language schools
- English language.
Regional tours
To find out more take a tour of our regional study opportunities and click on the different regions of New Zealand. Each one will tell you something about the area and the study opportunities there.
Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students
The Ministry of Education operates a Code of Practice that provides a framework for looking after international students. It covers pastoral care, accommodation and provision of information.
Study and Scholarships Info in Switzerland
The Swiss system of education is essentially the responsibility of the cantons. Therefore one cannot really talk about a Swiss educational system but only of several independent and different systems. The differences in the education systems for the first eight or nine years of school have arisen through the federal structure of the state and the variation even shows itself within the different language regions.
For example the German-speaking cantons have no uniform designation for similar types of schools, and it was only in 1985 that the cantonal electorates voted to introduce a uniform start to the school year in the autumn.
However, if they are looked at in very simplified terms, certain common characteristics can be made out among the cantonal school systems. After a voluntary period of kindergarten fully financed by the state, most cantons have nine years compulsory schooling (in eight cantons eight years). This compulsory schooling for all children capable of normal education consists of a primary school period of four, five or six years. There then follows a choice of schooling, putting varying demands on the pupils, and known collectively as the secondary level I. In many cantons both levels of compulsory schooling are called the "Volksschule" (elementary school). Individual cantons are largely responsible for their administration and curricula.
The elementary school normally passes their pupils on to either vocational training or into a secondary level II. These high schools (gymnasium) are a preparation for university. At this level the independence of the cantons is limited considerably by the matriculation requirements laid down by the Confederation. Vocational training is also supervised by the Confederation. Elementary education is free while at the higher levels of education, even if they are state supported, fees are charged in individual cases or students are at least expected to pay for their learning material.
Important links
Swiss universities, degree recognition issues, please visit the homepage of Rector’s Conference of Swiss Universities: www.crus.ch
International Baccalaureates: www.ibo.org
Swiss private schools, please visit the homepage of the Swiss Federation of Private Schools: www.swiss-schools.ch
Swiss Hotel Management schools, please visit the homepage of the Swiss Hotel Schools association: www.aseh.ch
For example the German-speaking cantons have no uniform designation for similar types of schools, and it was only in 1985 that the cantonal electorates voted to introduce a uniform start to the school year in the autumn.
However, if they are looked at in very simplified terms, certain common characteristics can be made out among the cantonal school systems. After a voluntary period of kindergarten fully financed by the state, most cantons have nine years compulsory schooling (in eight cantons eight years). This compulsory schooling for all children capable of normal education consists of a primary school period of four, five or six years. There then follows a choice of schooling, putting varying demands on the pupils, and known collectively as the secondary level I. In many cantons both levels of compulsory schooling are called the "Volksschule" (elementary school). Individual cantons are largely responsible for their administration and curricula.
The elementary school normally passes their pupils on to either vocational training or into a secondary level II. These high schools (gymnasium) are a preparation for university. At this level the independence of the cantons is limited considerably by the matriculation requirements laid down by the Confederation. Vocational training is also supervised by the Confederation. Elementary education is free while at the higher levels of education, even if they are state supported, fees are charged in individual cases or students are at least expected to pay for their learning material.
Important links
Swiss universities, degree recognition issues, please visit the homepage of Rector’s Conference of Swiss Universities: www.crus.ch
International Baccalaureates: www.ibo.org
Swiss private schools, please visit the homepage of the Swiss Federation of Private Schools: www.swiss-schools.ch
Swiss Hotel Management schools, please visit the homepage of the Swiss Hotel Schools association: www.aseh.ch
Study and Scholarships Info in Austria
In Austria there is a wide variety of institutions of tertiary education. Since 1993 Austria also offers Fachhochschul-Studiengänge (degree programmes) in addition to the universities and private universities. The postsecondary sector also includes the teacher training colleges and institutes, the colleges and institutes for the training of religious education teachers, the post-secondary colleges for the training of vocational teachers and the post-secondary colleges and institutes for the training of teachers for agricultural and forestry schools. An overview of all fields of study at the Austrian universities and universities of the arts can be found at the Austrian Study Guide; the current Fachhochschule degree programmes can be found in the FH Studyguide. This electronic study guide provides information and contact addresses of all Austrian study programmes (in German and English) on the web.
Study and Scholarships Info in the Netherland
Most international students in the Netherlands have a great time while experiencing a new culture and a challenging academic environment. However sometimes not everything goes as planned. Students can run into problems. The types of problems students could face are varied, but can generally be solved at the host institution. And this is the first place to turn to to resolve the issue. However sometimes, you, the international student, do not know where to turn to or who to contact. This may happen, for example, if the problem lies outside the institution.
To help international students get the help they need, the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science has asked Nuffic to set up a helpdesk. This new helpdesk will have a specific mandate to provide foreign students in the Netherlands with the information they need to deal with a problem they are facing. Nuffic will not deal directly with the problem itself, nor will it offer solutions, or mediate on anyone’s behalf.
In practice, this means that the ‘International Student Helpdesk’ will mainly be giving information about the criteria and the rules that apply in a given situation, about the way certain things work in the Netherlands, about who can be contacted for help, and about how to file a complaint if that is what the student wishes to do.
The helpdesk will not give any information about what courses or scholarships are available in the Netherlands. This sort of information can be found at www.studyin.nl.
If you want information about Nuffic scholarships, or if you have a problem with a scholarship, please contact the scholarship desk directly. If you want information about visas or credential evaluation, you should contact these desks directly too.
Study and Scholarships Info in Germany
Many German institutions of higher education can look back on a centuries-old tradition. The oldest university in Germany today was founded in Heidelberg in 1386. Until the Second World War German universities played a leading role internationally in many of the science and humanities disciplines. During the period of National Socialist rule, however, a large number of particularly distinguished academics were forced to leave the country and it took some time before the universities were able to regain their academic standing in the world. The unification of Germany brought together two diametrically opposed academic systems. Research and teaching in the new Länder have undergone a thorough structural change and now contribute significantly to the lively German economic scenario.
There are more than 330 institutions of higher education spread all over Germany, with no less than 117 universities, 159 "Fachhochschulen" (universities of applied science) and 56 colleges of music and fine arts. During the Winter semester 2003/04 almost 1.9 million students were registered, of whom 227,000 came from abroad and 359,000 were in their first-year.
The spectrum of study options is extremely broad. Apart from the classic disciplines it is also possible to study mining in Germany; Lüneburg offers "Applied Cultural Studies", Cologne has an institute for media studies, while at Rostock you can study agricultural ecology, to name but a few subjects from the varigated pallet totalling over 10.000 degree programmes in all. In the last few years inter-disciplinary science and research have become significantly more important.
Public (state-maintained) universities in Germany do not generally charge tuition fees. Some Master's programmes and the additional fees charged by some of the federal states are exceptions to this rule. Click here for further information
Thursday, 30 March 2006
Study and Scholarships Info in US
Usefull Links for Study info in US
Overviews of the U.S. Education System
http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/edlite-about.html
http://www.edupass.org
Academic Exchange and Educational Organizations
http://www.iie.org
IIE's homepage contains information on exchange programs, fellowships, and services.
http://www.nafsa.org
Site of NAFSA: the Association of International Educators. Contains resources/advice for foreign students on study abroad, financial aid, immigration policies, study programs and advising centers.
http://www.ciee.org/study/index.htm
Council on International Education Exchange. CIEE's study abroad programs throughout the world. Offers an International Student Identity card.
http://www.cies.org/
Council for International Exchange of Scholars. Information on the Fulbright Senior Scholar Program.
Advising Resources
http://exchanges.state.gov/education/educationusa
U.S. State Department. Overview of the Educational Information and Resources Branch and its programs.
http://www.amideast.org/aq
The Advising Quarterly Online. Password protected site with access to old and current editions of the Advising Quarterly, the AQ Research Service, and a library of links.
http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-study-us.html
The United States Network for Education Information (USNEI) has a wealth of information on U.S. education and education around the world. The site also contains information about specific programs and institutions, scholarships, accreditation, visiting the U.S. and related links.
http://www.bibl.u-szeged.hu/oseas/europe.html
Site of OSEAS (Overseas Educational Advisors) Europe. It has a virtual Educational Advising Office with information on education in the US, financial aid, English language programs and visas. Provides links to other related sites.
http://www.ed.gov/
U.S. Department of Education homepage. Provides links to other educational sites.
http://www.bls.gov/oco
The Occupational Outlook Handbook online. Contains descriptions of careers, education requirements and training, and sources of additional information.
Unaccredited Institutions and Diploma Mills
Postsecondary Educational Institutions and Programs Accredited by Accrediting Agencies and State Approval Agencies Recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education: U.S. Department of Education Accreditation Web site designed to help students avoid online diploma mills. Provides a searchable list of institutions accredited by federally approved organizations.
Avoid Fake-Degree Burns by Researching Academic Credentials: Report from the Office of Personnel Management and the Federal Trade Commission with guidelines on unaccredited degrees and tips for spotting diploma mills.
http://www.ossc.state.or.us/oda/unaccredited.html
The state of Oregon's Student Assistance Commission, Office of Degree Authorization. Information on accreditation, diploma mills and unaccredited institutions. Provides a list of unaccredited institutions, some of which are diploma mills, whose degrees cannot be used in the State of Oregon. Links to other State sites.
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/edcams/scholarship/index.html
Federal Trade Commission Web Site. How to spot fraudulent scholarship organizations. Provides six tell tale lines that should make students suspicious and cautious. Also provides a list of organizations that are currently defendants in scholarship fraud.
Regional Accreditation Organizations
http://www.chea.org
Council for Higher Education Accreditation Directories, links to regional accrediting agencies and a searchable database of accredited institutions of higher education by name, state, and accreditation association.
Journals
http://www.chronicle.com
Chronicle of Higher Education. Requires a paid subscription and a password.
Wednesday, 29 March 2006
PhD Scholarship Department of Civil Engineering
University of Strathclyde is coordinating an EC-funded Marie Curie Research Training Network on Advanced Modelling of Ground Improvement on Soft Soils (AMGISS), see ARGISS http://www.ce.strath.ac.uk/amgiss/ for details. As part of the AMGISS network, we hope to fill the following research vacancy that is not funded directly by the network. The applicant will, however, benefit the international networking and training opportunities of the AMGISS network, including research training and secondments with the network partners and their academic and industrial collaborators.
*Start date October 2006.
*The studentship will consist of a tax-free scholarship of £12,500 per annum and the tuition fees at home/EU student level for three years. The fellowship is funded by the Faculty of Engineering.
*Topic of research:*
The PhD project deals with finite element modelling of embankments on soft soils, considering various foundation methods, such as preloading, vertical drains and stone columns/lime-cement columns. The numerical simulations willbe done by 2D and 3D version of PLAXIS, using recently developed advanced soil models that account for plastic strain induced anisotropy, bonding and destructuration and this may involve constitutive model development and numerical implementation.
*Requirements:
*A good undergraduate degree in civil engineering, geotechnical engineering or a related topic. An MSc degree in Geotechnical Engineering and/or industrial experience would be an advantage.
More information from Dr Minna Karstunen (email:minna.karstunen@strath.ac.uk,Tel. +44 141 5483252)
*Start date October 2006.
*The studentship will consist of a tax-free scholarship of £12,500 per annum and the tuition fees at home/EU student level for three years. The fellowship is funded by the Faculty of Engineering.
*Topic of research:*
The PhD project deals with finite element modelling of embankments on soft soils, considering various foundation methods, such as preloading, vertical drains and stone columns/lime-cement columns. The numerical simulations willbe done by 2D and 3D version of PLAXIS, using recently developed advanced soil models that account for plastic strain induced anisotropy, bonding and destructuration and this may involve constitutive model development and numerical implementation.
*Requirements:
*A good undergraduate degree in civil engineering, geotechnical engineering or a related topic. An MSc degree in Geotechnical Engineering and/or industrial experience would be an advantage.
More information from Dr Minna Karstunen (email:minna.karstunen@strath.ac.uk
Tuesday, 28 March 2006
PhD & Postdoctoral Fellows, Sustainable Development
FELLOWSHIPS: PhD & Postdoctoral Fellows, Sustainable Development The United Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies (UNU-IAS) is now accepting applications for its three fellowship programmes: UNU-IASPhD Fellowships,
UNU-IAS Postdoctoral Fellowships, and
JSPS-UNUPostdoctoral Fellowships.
The closing date for applications is 12 May2006. UNU-IAS is a multi-thematic, interdisciplinary, research and trainingcentre located in Yokohama, Japan. The Institute's fellowship programmesprovide young scientists, policy makers, and developing country scholarswith the opportunity to expand their intellectual vision beyond a singlescientific field. UNU-IAS PhD and Postdoctoral Fellowships are offered for a period of 10months beginning in October 2006. JSPS-UNU Postdoctoral Fellowships areoffered for 12-24 months beginning in November 2006. Postdoctoral candidates must have completed a PhD degree, and PhDcandidates must be at the advanced stage of their doctoral dissertation.
Candidates' current research must be closely related to one of thecurrent thematic areas of the Institute (see www.ias.unu.edu/research for more details).
For more information: - UNU-IAS Fellowships, http://www.ias.unu.edu/fellowships - Application forms may be downloaded from www.ias.unu.edu/fellowshipsor by email: mailto:fellowships@ias.unu.edu - For additional research areas and separate fellowship conditions forJSPS-UNU Postdoctoral Fellowships, see
http://www.ias.unu.edu/fellowships/jspspostdoc.cfm
UNU-IAS Postdoctoral Fellowships, and
JSPS-UNUPostdoctoral Fellowships.
The closing date for applications is 12 May2006. UNU-IAS is a multi-thematic, interdisciplinary, research and trainingcentre located in Yokohama, Japan. The Institute's fellowship programmesprovide young scientists, policy makers, and developing country scholarswith the opportunity to expand their intellectual vision beyond a singlescientific field. UNU-IAS PhD and Postdoctoral Fellowships are offered for a period of 10months beginning in October 2006. JSPS-UNU Postdoctoral Fellowships areoffered for 12-24 months beginning in November 2006. Postdoctoral candidates must have completed a PhD degree, and PhDcandidates must be at the advanced stage of their doctoral dissertation.
Candidates' current research must be closely related to one of thecurrent thematic areas of the Institute (see www.ias.unu.edu/research for more details).
For more information: - UNU-IAS Fellowships, http://www.ias.unu.edu/fellowships - Application forms may be downloaded from www.ias.unu.edu/fellowshipsor by email: mailto:fellowships@ias.unu.edu - For additional research areas and separate fellowship conditions forJSPS-UNU Postdoctoral Fellowships, see
http://www.ias.unu.edu/fellowships/jspspostdoc.cfm
The UNU Fisheries Training Prgramme
The UNU Fisheries Training Prgramme is a postgraduate training programme that offers training in various areas of the fisheries sector for practicing professionals in the less developed countries. The programme is led by the Marine Research Institute in a formal cooperation with the Icelandic Fisheries Laboratories, University of Iceland and the University of Akureyri.Location: Iceland (Reykjavik and Akureyri)Length: 6 months - from September to FebruaryNumber of fellows: 18-22Admission's requirements:
At least one university degree
1-2 years of experience in the area of interest
Proficiency in both written and spoken English
For additional information please contact:Dr. Tumi Tomasson, programme directorMr. Thor Asgeirsson, deputy programme directorat unu@hafro.is
Website: http://www.unuftp.is/index.html
At least one university degree
1-2 years of experience in the area of interest
Proficiency in both written and spoken English
For additional information please contact:Dr. Tumi Tomasson, programme directorMr. Thor Asgeirsson, deputy programme directorat unu@hafro.is
Website: http://www.unuftp.is/index.html
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)