Selecting a College; A Few Simple Steps
College admission is, in its simplest form, a numbers game. In fact, while some would call it a kind of lottery, lotteries offer almost no chance of success to those who participate in them, while quite the opposite is true of college admission. There are nearly 3,500 colleges and universities in the United States (counting two and four year institutions) so students have no shortage of options. So, students who do a little research and a bit of thinking about what kind of educational environment best suits them should not have a problem landing at a college or university in which he or she is likely to be happy and academically successful. Believe it or not, students who start their college search early, make good use of the college and financial aid information available in college guides and websites, and ultimately apply to at least four or five carefully chosen colleges can sail through the process with little or no anxiety or hassle. Despite the media’s preoccupation with how tough it is to get admitted to the Harvard’s, Yale’s, and Princeton’s of the world, a very small number of colleges deny admission to nearly as many students as they admit. Thus, if you do not have the grades, SAT scores and desire to attend a very highly selective college and you have applied to a realistic set of colleges your chances at each are high. On the other hand, if your grades and test scores put you in the top five percent and you are applying to the highly selective few, just be sure to also apply to a few of the hundreds of great schools that are not quite as selective.
A few colleges and universities, places like Harvard, Stanford, and MIT, receive so many applications from top students that they can be incredibly selective, admitting just fifteen percent of their applicants (sometimes fewer). But, many good colleges, some with pretty high profiles, admit forty to sixty percents. And, nationally, the acceptance rate is close to seventy-five percent (75%).
Remembering these statistics, you are ready to begin the process of selecting and gaining admission to a college. Look for and find six to eight colleges which offer the major(s) of greatest interest to you, are likely to admit students with your grades and scores, and provide the campus lifestyle and environment you seek. Start by meeting with your college counselor to:
1. ask for his/her college recommendations.
2. be sure you are scheduled to take the right high school courses.
3. sign up for the SAT and ACT.
4. find out which colleges will be visiting your school, and when.
5. sign up for the college fairs being held in your area.
Remember, the internet is a great source of information. Select keywords like “colleges”, “universities”, “scholarships”, etc.
Once you’ve completed the above steps, you are well on your way. It doesn’t have to difficult.
Considering an Online Degree Program? Start Here
It pays to do your research before you sign up for an online college degree program. The first thing you need to find out is whether or not the online college or university in question is accredited.
Accreditation indicates that the programs offered by the online university have undergone rigorous reviews by a legitimate organization. But, just because an institution says that it has been accredited does not necessarily mean that is true.
You have to watch out for diploma mills. There are many of them. If an online college says that you can earn a degree strictly based on your life experience, it is a diploma mill. Accredited universities sometimes offer credits for work experience, but they do not offer degree without requiring you to take some courses. Be aware that diploma mills may say that they are accredited. They may have an official-sounding name and claim to be accredited by an official-sounding organization. Don’t take their word for it. You can check with the US Department of Education to see if the institution you are considering is actually accredited. The website that publishes the accreditation database is www.ope.ed.gov.
You can also check out the credentials of an online university by calling a local college and asking it they accept transfer credits from the institution you are considering. If they say, “no”, then it would be a waste of your time and money to complete the program.
Earning an online college degree can be expensive. It’s a good idea to compare fees and ask about financial aid. Legitimate universities charge by the credit, rather than charging a flat fee for a complete program. That’s another way to spot a diploma mill. If they say that you can earn a specific online degree and pay a flat fee, the degree probably will not be worth the paper it is printed on.
Once accreditation has been verified and you are comfortable with the costs, be sure that you choose an academic program to help you achieve your professional goals. Be sure that the entire program is available on-line or that the credits you earn on line are transferable should you wish to continue your studies elsewhere.
Your final step is to consider your suitability for online education. Some students thrive in the distance learning environment, while others don’t do so well. You might want to coplete a single three credit class or a certificate program online to see if distance education is for you.
Leading Online Psychology Degrees
You can enjoy the convenience of obtaining an online degree, whether you are building on current work experience or planning to devote your time to full time studies.
Apa accredited psychology degrees online are the best psychology degrees. Through distance learning, you can acquire your education and get one of these fantastic degrees.
There are many degree courses and programs offered online involving psychology. Psychology is made of many different facets, including the scientific study of people’s actions and the reasons for those actions, as well as application of the results in practical, real life.
Acquiring a Phd, a master’s degree, or a bachelor’s degree. online is a very effective strategy for meeting your career goals. Online psychology degrees are affordable and offer you the ability to learn on your own time.
As an example the master of science in psychology is popular among human resources professionals, educators, marketers and managers of all kinds. Having this degree helps them understand human behavior and develop strategies to deal with the people they work with. After landing one of the top accredited online psychology degrees, you can work with patients in a hospital, you can do research in the field, you have endless possibilities.
Whatever you do, you will be studying the human mind and human behavior, which is something that affects everyone.
Master’s doctoral student, a psychology degree program can specialize in one particular area. Through advancements in guidelines technology applications, you’ll take part in online programs to simulate real-time classroom discussions, laboratory setups, instructions, and examinations. The quality of teaching is equivalent to that offered by regular college.
Psychology degree programs are from various schools, plus individuals prominent and highly respectable organizations offer them as well. It depends on the university, but the programs available are different.
Walden University Online Psychology Phd – Online Psychology Phd
Having a busy and pressured work may sometimes lead to frustration and depression that may encounter on today’s time. That is the reason why there is a much increased demand for psychologists and counselors in the field irrespective of which stage in life they are In US alone, the demand for psychologists is expected to increase considerably in the next five years. A person can met and join in the university to avail the course wanted and can help solve some certain problems.
To be a full-time psychologist, you need a graduate degree, either master’s or doctorate. PhD field may require you to have first a master’s degree before working on the organization you wanted. If you have a PhD, you can work as an independent consultant anywhere you like. They have much to contribute to research as well. If you plan to pursue an online course in psychology, make sure the college or the university you have been enrolled to, enjoys a certification from the American Psychological Association (APA). There are dozens of jobs in the mental health field. If you are seeking opportunities where you’re
compensated for assisting humanity, first advanced training is necessary. One institution to consider is Walden University online. Walden University is a fully accredited online college. The institutions mission is to provide high quality education to students interested in focused careers that are truly relevant to the world we live in now. Walden University has stayed true to its mission: serving the higher education needs of professionals who work for positive social change. The university’s programs can assist students achieve their goals of personal enrichment and career advancement.
Investigate walden university online phd information to see what it offers. A doctoral degree in the subject of psychology allows you to be either self-employed or seek employment in a health care facility. Almost 40% of the present number of psychologists in America happens to be self-employed. Professional salaries are usually $42,000 – $58,000. Once enrolled, one may opt to specialize in any of the various disciplines, like clinical counseling, educational, rehabilitation, or sport
psychology etc. Go on the net and choose the college of your choice befitting your affordability and timing. Get info on online doctoral degrees in psychology easily on the web. With online psychology phd programs, you will reap high benefits tomorrow.
A College Degree; Your Ticket to $1,000,000
United States Department of Labor 2004 statistics reveal that full time workers 25 years of age and older earn a median weekly salary of $676. Those without a high school diploma average nearly $300 a week less ($396). High school graduates with no college average $562, and college graduates holding at least a bachelors degree earn nearly $1000 weekly.
Workers with graduate degrees earned $1,149 per week, about $220 more than those with bachelors degrees only.
Several other surveys indicate that the Department of Labor reports understate the differences in income by educational level. In fact, it is often reported by reliable researchers that the lifetime earnings differential between high school and college graduates exceeds $1,000,000. And, most economic and labor experts believe that the earnings gap between high school and college graduates will grow significantly in future years.
The Washington Research Council predicts that, “higher education will become increasingly important for landing high paying jobs”, and that good jobs will require higher and higher levels of education in the future.
In addition, well educated workers will continue to be better protected against unemployment, overseas outsourcing, and increasing worldwide competition than their less educated colleagues. But, higher incomes and better job security are only two of the benefits of higher education.
College graduates, overall, are happier with their jobs and careers than are other workers. That’s because the better educated a worker is, the more likely he or she will qualify for promotions and/or new career opportunities. It stands to reason that people who are not trapped in dead end jobs will experience higher job satisfaction.
All available evidence points to the conclusion that bachelors and graduate degrees open the doors to substantially higher earnings, increased employment options, job advancement and job satisfaction. As more employers seek educated workers, as more workers realize the benefits of education, and as financial aid has become available to traditional college students and adults seeking online degrees, the number of college students, including working adults, continues to soar.
Whether earned online or on campus, in a part time program or a full time program, a college degree has never been worth more than it is today.
Why are Record Numbers of Adults Enrolling in College?
There are now far more adults pursuing college and graduate school degrees than ever in history.
The factors responsible for this growing trend are readily identifiable. The most obvious is that the tremendous growth of online education has made it possible…even easy…for adults to schedule their academic responsibilities around the other demands on their time.
Next, it is now easier than ever for adults to qualify for financial aid, especially for online education. Twenty years ago, almost no aid was available to students enrolled in online degree programs or distance education.
Another factor responsible for the growing number of adults returning to higher education is the greatly increased acceptance of online degrees. Several recent surveys have found that employers are more likely than in past years to view an online degree as being valuable.
Just as online college programs are now frequently accepted as being equivalent to traditional, campus-based degrees, the awarding of college credit for life experience has enjoyed increasing acceptance in recent years. As a result, time-to-degree has been reduced for many adults. So has the cost.
And, it’s not just online colleges that are enrolling more adults. Traditional colleges are growing by making it possible for working adults to earn a degree by attending evening and/or weekend classes.
Convenience, the availability of scholarships and financial aid, the growth of online education, and other factors have been major contributors to the huge growth of adult higher education. But, most adults currently enrolled in degree programs will tell you the primary reason for their return to school is to acquire the skills and credentials necessary for career advancement.
Whatever your reason(s) for considering a return to school, be aware that you are living in a world where there are far more good educational options available to adults than ever before.
Online Education: An Affordable Alternative for Working Adults
If you are searching for a way to better yourself through education, you may be looking into taking some online classes or a degree program. What are the things that you are looking for that will convince you to sign up for one? Here are some great ways to find an affordable online degree program that will get you started on the right track and help you achieve your educations goals.
If you think finding an online program is going to be a task – think again, it’s getting easier all the time thanks to resources found online. Many bigger schools are adding distance learning and virtual classroom technology to make it easier for students to complete their programs. It’s currently possible to find entire degree programs from associates to doctorates that are completely conducted online. Why? Because indicators have shown that virtual learning is better, more effective and helps busy students of all ages find time to complete their educational goals. Even busy parents or full-time career people can complete their degrees online.
Online degree programs are more affordable than traditional brick and mortar institutions. That’s mainly due to the lower costs associated with online programs, where instructors may teach from the convenience of their home offices, teach more courses and not require much in the way of salaries. This is as opposed to traditional learning environments where there is a building to maintain, lights to keep on and many staff members such as campus security, library personnel or other adjust faculty that must be paid for their time.
Getting financial aid to cover the costs of an online program is actually a simple process. Not only are accredited online programs eligible for grants, financial aid loans and other sources of assistance, but there are many more opportunities for students to qualify for scholarships. An excellent resource when searching for these scholarships is by heading to your computer and searching online, where you can locate possible sources of financial help in just minutes.
If you are working for an employer who offers tuition reimbursement, then you may want to take advantage of that as well. Many employers value higher education and training for their staff, so they are more than willing to help you pay for your education. Better educated employees are much more effective problem solvers and productive assets of the company. Look for many employers to finance at least $5K annually or more. Some will help with books and other college fees to make sure you reach your goals. After you do, be sure to work for your employer for at least a year or more to let them know you appreciated their help.
Getting an online degree does not have to be as difficult as one may think. There are many ways to find a program and learn about financing that program by doing research online.
Distance Education- The World is in Your Hands
Distance education has come a long way since it was first developed in the 1700′s when weekly course assignments were passed out by horsemen messengers in a very small area of Boston. In the 19th century correspondence courses got a serious boost when the Postal Service was established and college courses could be completed in a matter of six to ten years. That was a major boon to Victorians looking to advance their education. It got even better when airplanes came and started express mailing assignments.
Today we do it in real time! Distance education like many other disciplines has come into its own with the advancement of the internet and computers. With the lightning speed of the internet and the well heeled platform of Web 2.0 attending an online university has come a long way since the 1700′s or even the 19th century. Forget 6-10 years or even 4-5 years, you can pretty much get your degree anytime you want.
The flexibility of online courses has put you in the driver’s seat. You can work as hard as you want or take your time depending on your situation but one thing remains true, you can get a quality education and achieve a higher degree that is just as marketable from an online college as a traditional one.
Your career options will become much more accessible and varied because of your education. No matter which type of degree you seek, or what level of education you’re after, your degree will show that you’re committed to your career choice. There are online programs for all levels of education, which will be a great tool to add to your arsenal. After all, you need everything you can to get the career that you want in today’s society, and online education is sure to help.
You don’t have to worry about the hassle of moving or commuting to a traditional campus, and the possibilities of what you can do with an online degree are basically endless. You can work anywhere you like, as long as you’ve got a computer. Also, the online education programs are much more affordable than traditional college or university educations.
Distance education is not a new concept. However, the advances in technology have made it much more accessible and convenient than ever before, which has increased its popularity. Many people turn to online education on a daily basis as a way to advance or jump start their careers. Since it’s affordable and convenient, online education is great for anyone who wants to pursue it. You can even enroll in an online program and start your education right now.
Traditional and Online Degree Programs: Is there a difference?
Whether you choose a traditional or an online college, higher education is worthwhile. An online degree can allow you to get a better job or earn more at the job you currently have. That being said, it is important to take the time to do a little research and a little thinking before you pay your tuition. Here are a few questions you might want to ask yourself.
What do you want to learn about? Sometimes, you might have to choose a traditional, rather than an online college, in order to take the classes that you are interested in. Some fields require lab-work or other classes that cannot be completed long distance. Today, many colleges allow you to complete some of your courses over the Internet, while attending a few classes in the traditional setting. This may give you more options.
Will you need financial aid? At one time, financial aid was only available at traditional campuses. Today, you can qualify for financial aid, scholarships and student loans, even if you are hoping to earn an online degree.
But, be sure to read the fine print if you are applying for a loan. The Federal Trade Commission has warnings about deceptive loan offers that are targeted towards students. The lenders that offer these loans charge high interest rates and unreasonable terms. You may qualify for a federal loan. That’s a better choice.
How much time do I have? Earning an online degree requires an investment of time and money. While it is a worthwhile investment, it is important to consider how much free time you have and how quickly you would like to receive your diploma.
The FTC also warns students about “Diploma Mills”. These kinds of scammers have been in business for a long time. The Internet is their latest venue of operation. If it looks like an online college, but you are promised a degree in a very short time, then you have run across a Diploma Mill. The paper is worthless.
Are you motivated to achieve? Working towards an online degree or a traditional diploma requires some motivation. The Internet allows many people to work at their own pace, but there are still some deadlines. A person that usually puts things off to the last minute will need to get in the habit of scheduling regular study time.
If you decide that an online college is the right choice for you, it is wise to plan on doing your class work at a specific time of day and promising yourself to stick to that schedule. Students attending traditional universities have to do the same thing.