By Sam Coren
StudentAdvisor.com Staff
When people think "social media" and "college" chances are Facebook is the first thing that comes to mind. Despite never graduating, Mark Zuckerberg can go to sleep knowing his ex-school secured a safe spot at the top of StudentAdvisor's
Top 100 Social Media Colleges. With its brick column gates, prestigious reputation, and claim to fame as one of the oldest universities in America,
Harvard University took the coveted first place out of the thousands of schools that were ranked.
A quick visit to Harvard's Official Facebook Page reveals that aside from Facebook you can keep up with the latest news on their official Twitter account, watch over 200 videos in their YouTube Channel, and score yourself a Foursquare badge if you check into various hotspots on campus. Flip through the photo galleries to get a feel for what a day in the life of a Harvard student is like. Almost no photo is left without comments from Harvard fans sharing their memories and feelings with the rest of the world. Scan the wall and you'll notice that there's rarely an hour that goes by each day without students from all corners of the Earth posting their dreams about some day strolling the walkways of Harvard Yard.
Aside from the school's main Facebook page, which has over 300,000 Likes, almost every facet of Harvard life has its own presence on the world's most popular social network. From each individual school, to the sailing team, to groundbreaking publications - keeping up with everything Harvard students, faculty and alumni are passionate about is as easy as a few "Like" clicks away.
Out of the 200+ videos that populate Harvard's YouTube channel you can find everything from lectures by the world's foremost experts, student interviews, documentaries on the evolution of football at Harvard stadium, and so much more. Care for MTV Cribs Crimson edition? Watch this tour of FDR's old digs at Harvard and marvel at modern day students learning the eccentricities of old plumbing:
So while it's not a stretch of the imagination to most that Harvard finds itself at the top of another list the proof is in the pudding (or is that Hasty Pudding?). The school with one of the most historically prominent offline networks is now dominating the social media world. And if you want to get social media tips from the best they make it incredibly easy - just follow @HarvardSocial.
View the full Top 100 Social Media Colleges list.
By Dean Tsouvalas
StudentAdvisor.com Editor-in-Chief
Did you say social media? Top 100 Colleges? Can you say, “Who ARE the Top 100 Social Media Colleges?” Today we're thrilled to announced the inaugural list of the Top 100 Social Media Colleges – some of the results may surprise you!
So you may be wondering how on earth we came up with this list. The answer? Science, of course! StudentAdvisor's Principle Scientist, Katherine Godfrey, Ph.D., started with a comprehensive list of more than six thousand post-secondary degree-granting U.S.-based institutions. After that we researched Facebook fan pages, Twitter accounts and other social media sites associated with each of those schools.
The team then restricted the rankings to include only those schools that met the following criteria:
- Facebook pages that had at least 500 fans
- Each college had to have at least one Facebook fan page and at least one Twitter account in order to be included in the rankings
- Colleges who could not confirm total enrollment information were removed
To help us evaluate the Twitter account data we partnered up with our friends at HubSpot who are the creators of TwitterGrader.com, a free tool that allows you to check the power of your Twitter profile compared to millions of other users that have been graded. We gave them the list of colleges’ Twitter accounts and they provided the Twitter grades.
The most surprising findings were in the incredibly diverse ways the colleges engage in social media. To arrive at the inaugural list, the data included total Facebook fan counts, total number and effectiveness of Twitter followers among other factors. During the course of the list compilation, the team is regularly re-measuring and updating the data by revisiting the various Facebook, Twitter, and other social media pages.
So what are you waiting for? Go check out the complete Top 100 Social Media Colleges list.
By Nick Repak
For StudentAdvisor.com
It is essential to develop effective coping skills while in graduate school to succeed in a healthy manner, both while in graduate school and later in life. An individual's reaction to, and ability to cope with stress may be more important than lessening the load.
The problem of burnout demands that the graduate student possess a strong ego identity. This inner sense gives confidence to the individual and coherence to life experience, which frees the student to cope with the pressures of academia.
Developing adequate methods of dealing with stress throughout a lifetime involves recognizing weaknesses, utilizing strengths and employing outside sources. To aid in developing a strategy for coping, we have included the following practical recommendations for dealing with the burnout syndrome.
1. Journal your progress.
Journaling your progress in dealing with stress and burnout will enable you to identify how this syndrome operates personally in your experience and to seek solutions. Some possible suggestions are:
- Begin to analyze your destructive "self-talk" - identify the statements that you say to yourself that minimize your worth and are false statements of your progress and accomplishments. Don't compare yourself to superperformers. Be aware of what you require to remain refreshed and do not attempt to maintain the same pace as them.
- Identify your strengths and give yourself the opportunity to rebuild confidence through utilizing them.
- "Mark your trail" when exhaustion sets in. Begin describing the conditions that bring it on, the symptoms by which you identify it and the most efficient means to deal with the problem. Take note of your progress and remember that healthy change takes longer than expected.
2. Manage time and set personal priorities.
Without good time management, burnout becomes a high probability. When attempting time management consider: First, conserving time - be wise with the hours in the day. Set a schedule, but don't be forced to follow it absolutely. Second, controlling time - learn to say "no" where possible and follow through. Third, making time - realize priorities, reorganize them, and stick to what is important. The following are some suggestions for making use of your time:
- Find privacy where the telephone can't ring and people can't interrupt.
- Get an appropriate amount of sleep. Add one-half hour of sleep each day until you wake up on your own to assess your biological need. You can go for a brief period of shortened nights for extended study hours but do not sustain this schedule for long periods of time.
- Allow yourself leisure time and take vacations - even if for a day. Include types of leisure that refresh (alone and in a quiet atmosphere) and that give perspective, i.e. reading an article in another field, novels, listening to music, cooking (or even escaping to the graduate coffee house).
- Exercise regularly - even regular walks will help.
- Eat properly balanced meals. Plan menus for two weeks and freeze large dishes. Plan meals around socializing to give more time for interpersonal relationships.
3. Cultivate relationships.
To cope with burnout, acknowledge your need for interaction with other people. Although finding time for relationships is a challenge for graduate students, social networks add a balance that is vital to alleviating stress. Here are some areas to appraise:
- Assess your current friendships. Which of these are at the acquaintance level the companionship level or the established-friendship level? How could these relationships be cultivated with the goal of seeing them progress to a higher level than they are at the present?
- Develop interaction networks. Consider exercising with a group of people to be accountable to one another and maximize the aerobic benefits.
- Find ways to get out of yourself and get your focus off your condition. Look for opportunities to serve your peers, the campus community, and the less fortunate in your city.
4. Develop your worldview.
Your philosophy of life is vital to achieving purpose and fulfillment. Acquiring a perspective on your place in society and contribution to life will help guard against feelings of discouragement and meaninglessness that deepens emotional fatigue. In assessing your worldview, here are some essential questions to consider:
- What is the highest priority of your life?
- What would you like the biggest priority of your life to be in 40 years?
- Is there a cause (or causes) for which you would sacrifice your personal standard of living?
- If someone asked you to describe the principles by which you live your life, what would you say?
- Are there any absolute rights or wrongs? What are they?
- How do you make decisions? For example: How will you decide upon your future job placement? The person you decide to marry?
- What is one question that you would most like answered about life?
- If you could change one thing about our world what would it be?
What do you perceive to be your calling, the ideals for which you work? Is it consistent with the highest priorities of your life and with the principles by which you live? Are you living out these views in your academic life? The answers you formulate for these questions reveal your perception of life. In addition, by forming a realistic and accurate worldview, you increase your ability to deal with burnout and fatigue in an effective way and forge an inner purpose upon which you can build for the rest of your life.
Nick Repak is the founder of the National Graduate Student Crisis Line, and currently serves as Director, of Grad Resources. A non-profit organization based in Dallas, Texas, Grad Resources serves the practical and emotional needs of graduate students on several university campuses across the United States.
Graduation Photo: Brian Moore
By Sam Coren
StudentAdvisor.com Staff
With most of March Madness behind us the NCAA D1 Men's Basketball tournament has arrived at the Final Four. In an astonishing turn of events, everyone who expected Duke University or University of Kansas to make it into the big dance has walked away utterly disappointed. But at StudentAdvisor we're always down for a great underdog story.
So while the rest of you are throwing out your brackets, we're going to help out some students in the midst of college decision season. Let's take the 2011 Final Four teams and compare colleges off the court:
#3 UConn vs #4 Kentucky
University of Connecticut
Location: Storrs, CT
In State Tuition: $9,338
Out of State Tuition: $24,050
SAT Scores: Math - 660 , Verbal - 630
Acceptance Rate: 54%
Undergraduate Population: 16,765
Student-To-Faculty Ratio: 19 to 1
Student Body Make-up: M: 46% F: 54%
The Good: Top notch academics and tons of Husky pride for sports teams.
The Bad: Steep out-of-state tuition. Location makes finding internships difficult.
Read more University of Connecticut student reviews.
University of Kentucky
Location: Lexington, KY
In State Tuition: $7,736
Out of State Tuition: $15,884
SAT Scores: Math - 630 , Verbal - 610
Acceptance Rate: 76%
Undergraduate Population: 18,990
Student-To-Faculty Ratio: 18 to 1
Student Body Make-up: M: 40% F: 60%
The Good: Gorgeous campus, great college town, and tons of options for majors.
The Bad: Sticky financial aid process and lack of parking.
Read more University of Kentucky student reviews.
#8 Butler University vs #12 VCU
Butler University
Location: Indianapolis, IN
In State Tuition: $28,266
Out of State Tuition: $28,266
SAT Scores: Math - 650 , Verbal - 640
Acceptance Rate: 71%
Undergraduate Population: 3,639
Student-To-Faculty Ratio: 11 to 1
Student Body Make-up: M: 38% F: 62%
Go to Butler University? Write a review!
Virginia Commonwealth University
Location: Richmond, VA
In State Tuition: $6,779
Out of State Tuition: $19,724
SAT Scores: Math - 590 , Verbal - 600
Acceptance Rate: 58%
Undergraduate Population: 22,746
Student-To-Faculty Ratio: 17 to 1
Student Body Make-up: M: 35% F: 65%
The Good: Beautiful campus for an urban environment. Renowned sculpture program.
The Bad: Surrounding area perceived as unsafe.
Read more Virginia Commonwealth University student reviews.
By Sam Coren
StudentAdvisor.com Staff
MassMutual, a leading mutual life insurance company, is partnering up with the Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF), UNCF and the Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund (APIASF) for the MassMutual Multicultural Scholars Program. The MassMutual Scholars Program aims to increase the number of minority students completing college nationally and raise awareness for agencies and careers in the insurance and financial services industry. MassMutual plans to award $135,000 total in scholarships with up to $5,000 per student.
Minority students planning to attend college or attending college with leadership experience an an interest in finance or insurance are encouraged to apply. This scholarhsip oppertunity is open to students of all majors.
Who's Eligible
Eligible applicants must:
- Be of African American/Black, Asian/Pacific Islander or Hispanic decent
- Be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident with a permanent resident card or passport stamped I-551 (not expired)
- Have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Have plans to attend FULL-TIME in a degree-seeking program at a U.S. accredited institution in the U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands or Guam during the 2011-2012 academic year
- Be entering their sophomore, junior, senior or 5th-year senior year at a college or university or entering their 2nd or 3rd year in a community college
- Reside or plan to attend an institution in one of the following metropolitan areas: Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; New Jersey; Denver, CO; Houston, TX; Miami, FL; Los Angeles, CA; San Antonio, TX; or San Francisco, CA
- Students of all majors will be considered
- Demonstrate leadership and extra curricular activities and interest in insurance and financial services careers
How to Apply
Applicants must apply for federal financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) first.
To apply for the MassMutual Multicultural Scholars Program online visit http://www.hsf.net/massmutual.aspx.
By Sam Coren
StudentAdvisor.com Staff
Technology continues to change the everyday lives of students. For those of you who are out of school already you don't have to worry about things like campus hookup sites or relying on a Facebook app to tell you what school you'll get into. But is too much information a bad thing? Read the latest edition of This Week in College News and decide:
College doesn't afford everyone the luxury of having enough time to peruse a romantic relationship. A few clever University of Chicago students decided to capitalize on this section of the student body that isn't into the arduous process of dating and rather cut right to the chase. The launch of their campus exclusive UChicago hookup site has caused a whirlwind debate on how far a private social network associated with a school can go. Since gaining more media exposure the founders decided to rebrand the site as EduHookups and are looking to expand the service beyond Chicago.
The Obama administration has decided to roll up their sleeves and tackle America's lackluster college graduation rate head on. At the Building a Grad Nation Summit in Washington Vice President Biden issued a college completion toolkit at the to state governors with several low and no cost strategies to make the US a leader in college completion by 2020.
Bad news for you young Bay State sufferers of Mathematical Anxiety. Students who wish to enroll in a public university in Massachusetts must now take algebra I and II and geometry or trigonometry or comparable course work in order to meet admissions requirements according to the state's board of education. The new mandate begins with the college freshman class of 2016.
You can now put down that magic 8 ball and find out the likelihood of getting into your dream college from a slick new Facebook app. AdmissionsSplash lets anxious high schoolers find out if they have a fair, good, or great chance of getting into a school based on an algorithm that utilizes publicly released admissions data. Just list the schools your interested in, plug in your GPA, test scores, and demographic info and you'll be treated to what you're dying to know.
By Jayne Seward
StudentAdvisor.com Staff
There are a lucky few who live and go to school in a place where there is year-round sunshine, soft white sand, and clear Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean waters. Yes, I am referring to the “Sunshine State” where sun, sand, and flip flops are a year-round must-have, making Florida one of the best states to go to college.
With so many big college towns, from Miami, to Tallahassee, to Gainesville, the state’s educational landscape is just as hot the state's weather. Among the colleges and universities, there are a number of college rivalries that have been established over the years. In the great debate of which Florida school is truly the “hottest”, Florida State University, the University of Miami, and the University of Florida are the main players.
For those of you who are considering applying to one of these Florida colleges, here is a breakdown of what you need to know about each of these schools, and what current students have to say about them:
Florida State University
Location: Tallahassee, FL
In State Tuition: $3,987
Out of State Tuition: $18,432
SAT Scores: Math - 650 , Verbal - 640
Acceptance Rate: 46%
Undergraduate Population: 29,908
Student-To-Faculty Ratio: 25 to 1
Student Body Make-up: M: 40% F: 60%
The Good: Top notch professors, absolutely beautiful campus, lots of people from many different cultural backgrounds, plenty of opportunity to join organizations, offers many different programs for international travel & study abroad.
The Bad: Tallahassee is a congested area, no parking due to small campus size, Northeast end of campus borders a neighborhood that has had crime issues.
Read more Florida State University student reviews.
University of Miami
Location: Coral Gables, FL
In State Tuition: $34,834
Out of State Tuition: $34,834
SAT Scores: Math - 700 , Verbal - 680
Acceptance Rate: 38%
Undergraduate Population: 10,422
Student-To-Faculty Ratio: 11 to 1
Student Body Make-up: M: 46% F: 54%
The Good: Very diverse school that seeks to meet the needs of every individual, strong school spirit and athletic teams, fun weekend and night life, great research opportunities that will prepare students for work in their field.
The Bad: Due to large classes some of the professors are not too helpful, limited parking spaces, does not have a reputation for being the most challenging school academically.
Read more University of Miami student reviews.
University of Florida
Location: Gainesville, FL
In State Tuition: $3,778
Out of State Tuition: $20,623
SAT Scores: Math - 700 , Verbal - 680
Acceptance Rate: 41%
Undergraduate Population: 34,656
Student-To-Faculty Ratio: 20 to 1
Student Body Make-up: M: 49% F: 51%
The Good: Great atmosphere on campus and school spirit, it is very easy to get involved in almost any kind of organization or club depending on your interests, strong sports program, wide array of courses available.
The Bad: Lack of advisors for students, campus lay out is hard to maneuver, insanely hot in the summer.
Read more University of Florida student reviews.
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Florida vs Georgia?
Find out how these rivals stack up on our compare colleges page.
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By Amie Hoff
For StudentAdvisor.com
Summer will be here before you know it and yup, you guessed it – that means shorts and bathing suits too! Are you ready? Is your body ready?
If you were one of the many who shelved your workouts over the winter because it was just too darn cold or already fell off the resolution wagon, no more excuses. I’m here to help you get your body moving and shed the winter body fat just in time to shed the layers. Tone up those legs, arms and abs and get ready to turn some heads on campus! Just by making a few small adjustments and following these exercise and nutrition tips, you’ll blast the winter weight gain and be cruising the campus feeling awesome and looking great.
Here are 12 easy college workout survival tips to help inspire you to get up and moving:
1. Get your roommate or a friend to join you. Enlisting the help of others not only makes it more fun, but gives you quality catch up time as well.
2. Schedule your workouts just like you would your classes and stick to it. No blowing it off for another day.
3. Walk or bike to class, take the stairs whenever possible and visit your friends rather than email. Hint – move, move, move.
4. Keep a workout journal to help chart your progress, understand how you’re feeling, what workouts you like (and don’t) and keep an eye on your weight.
5. Dress for success! If you do choose to exercise outside, it’s important to dress for the elements. Layer with wicking and breathable fabrics. Cotton is not a good choice as it traps sweat and dries slowly, not fun. Think of light layers that can be peeled off as your body temperature rises. And if it’s still chilly, wearing a hat is smart. Most of your body heat escapes through the head.
6. Check for leagues or teams on campus that play ultimate
frisbee, volleyball, baseball, etc. Getting a workout while having fun and meeting new people is a bonus. If your school doesn’t have one, start your own!
7. Use the stadium bleachers for an awesome cardio workout. Run up and down them for 10 min working up to 20. Or, find the building on campus with the most floors and run up and down the stairwell. Trust me, that will get your heart pumping! For even more of a challenge, try taking two steps at a time on your way up.
8. Change things up! When you get bored with your workout, switch up one of the following: Intensity, duration frequency or activity.
9. Replace those chips with carrots. Stock your dorm room and fill your fridge with plenty of healthy snacks so when the urge to order late night pizza hits, you can fill up on good-for-you foods and have healthy options.
10. Try the new “it” workout: HIIT - High Intensity Interval Training. Alternating short bursts of intense activity with short slower periods for recovery. A serious calorie burner!
11. Keep a food diary to track your calorie intake. When writing everything down, you’ll certainly think twice about what goes in your mouth.
12. Get some fresh tunes. Download some new up-beat, fun music to get your feet jumping and body moving.
Just remember something is better than nothing. Even of you tell yourself you’ll exercise for ten minutes, that’s fine. 85% of the time you’ll go longer. It’s just that initial push to get out the door. So grab a friend, lace up your shoes, crank up the music and work up a sweat! Get that body in shape before Spring has fully sprung.
Amie Hoff is a certified personal trainer and fitness consultant in NYC, co-founder of FitKitDORM – Total Fitness in a Kit. Enter code DORM at checkout and get a 20% discount!
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What would you tell future students about your school?
Write your college review on StudentAdvisor.
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By Sam Coren
For StudentAdvisor.com
Those Jersey Shore guys might be onto something with getting into the whole GTL routine. One of the toughest parts of acclimating to college dorm life is mustering up the will power to find those precious quarters for wash. Gone are the days of your mom making sure you had enough clean socks and underwear to get you through the week. Some students are bold enough to bring home their dirty clothes on breaks in hopes of a free load of wash or two. Others will keep going until every last piece of clothing fails the smell test. A few are lucky enough to go to schools that offer a laundry service.
So out of simple curiousity, the StudentAdvisor team went on location to learn how often the typical college student does their laundry. Watch the video below to find out!
By Purvi S. Mody
For StudentAdvisor.com
For high school seniors around the country, the finish line to the long college admissions journey is just around the bend. Most if not all college decisions will be released by April 1st and then families can begin the task of choosing. For some families, that choice will be very easy. For others who aren't sure how to decide on a college the decision will drag out until May 1st. Several months ago, when you created your college list you took many different factors into consideration and it is now time to revisit those factors.
Academics
Which schools will offer you the best academic opportunities for your interests? Evaluate the courses and majors available. Will you have trouble switching from one major to another? Beyond class assignments, are there research or internship opportunities accessible? And will you be able to talk to your professor easily or will you just be another student in the mass?
Activities
College is about more than just studying. So consider which college will offer you the most interesting extracurricular opportunities or ones where you can further perfect a skill. Are you an athlete that hopes to walk on to an intercollegiate team or play on an intramural one? Are you passionate about teaching English to non-native speakers? Do you want to further your scientific research? Do you want to study Art History in Italy or dance on a stage?
Location
A few months ago, you might have relished the idea of being on the opposite side of the country from your family. But as you get closer to actually going away, you may be more inclined to stay closer to home. Are you excited about big-city life or do you think you prefer the comforts of a college town? Are there specific opportunities that are available only in certain areas? For example, do you love theater and desire interning on Broadway – if so New York is the place to be.
Student Body
Your classmates in college will likely make up your group of closest friends. They might be the people you invite to your wedding, reach out to when you are looking for a job, lean on when times are tough, and celebrate with when life cannot seem any better. So learn as much about the student body as possible. Do students tend to focus mostly on academics? Are students incredibly laid-back or intensely driven? Do students love to party several nights of the week? Do students come from a broad range of backgrounds? Most importantly – do you think you will fit in?
Brand
Brand is a very subjective thing. I have had families bring in the list of top 25 schools and tell them they only want to apply to those – regardless of fit or their child’s academic talents and interests. And brand varies by location and program. In the Silicon Valley, programs with strong engineering and computer science programs are heralded as the best. On the East Coast, schools with the best undergraduate business programs are the most elite. Concert pianists will gravitate towards conservatories and top music programs. And those few kids that know they want to be doctors will be inclined toward the handful of very selective combined medical programs. Brand is hard to quantify, in most cases. But if the name of the school is important to you, would you be proud to say that you are attending College “X”?
Cost
Parents – this one is especially important for you. Think about the overall cost of attendance and the amount colleges have assumed you can pay after all financial aid is taken into consideration. Remember to also account for incidentals including flights home, your child’s propensity to eat out, or an expanded phone bill. If you are considering public schools where kids graduate in an average of five years, plan for the fifth year of costs and one year of your child’s lost income. And definitely take into consideration any scholarships, and perks that may come with those, for all colleges. Don’t wait to talk to the Financial Aid Office if you need your financial need reassessed.
There is no magic formula on how to choose the best college for you. While you can draw up lists of pros and cons and flip a quarter, choosing a college is more an art than a science. Choosing is going to require the right balance of instinct and rationale. Visit the colleges you are considering if you can. Talk to alumni and current students. Talk to people that know you best. And rest assured – when you make that final decision, you will be relieved that you made it through this arduous process and excited about all that lays ahead! Good Luck!
Purvi S. Mody is co-owner of Insight Education, an educational consulting firm that helps students throughout the country and internationally to achieve their educational goals. Get in touch with her via email at purvi@insight-education.net or follow her on Twitter @InsightEduc.
Photos: GavinLi Nazareth College
By Sam Coren
StudentAdvisor.com Staff
Since 1994 Nordstorm, one of the US's premiere department stores, has been giving back to the community by offering scholarship rewards to outstanding college bound high students. This year's program, dubbed "TEN4U" has expanded to offering 80 high school juniors the chance to earn a $10,000. The scholarships will be paid to the four-year college of the recipient's choice in equal installments over four years.
"The expansion of the Nordstrom Scholarship is exciting because it means we are able to support even more deserving and hardworking young adults who are on the path to accomplishing great things," said Erik Nordstrom, president of stores at Nordstrom. "Now, with educational funding an even greater challenge than ever, we feel extremely fortunate to give back in this very important way."
Who's Eligible
High school juniors located in areas where Nordstrom operates a full-line store who demonstrate outstanding community involvement, scholastic achievement and are planning on applying for financial aid are welcome to apply for the scholarship.
How to Apply
Scholarship applications, which include an essay, must be submitted online between March 15 and May 16, 2011. Finalists will participate in an interview with a selection committee that includes educators, business leaders, community partners and Nordstrom representatives. Winning students will be notified by October 31, 2011.
Visit at www.nordstrom.com/scholarship to apply.
By Sam Coren
StudentAdvisor.com Staff
Welcome to the second installment of This Week in College News. Every week we'll round up the big stories making waves at colleges and universities across the country. Between spring break and acceptance letter season the college world has been getting a bit crazy. Want to see what we mean? Read on:
Earlier this week 61 students were issued false accpetance emails from the University of Delaware. Turns out a "human error" caused a piece of computer code to send emails that lead to the school's online acceptance portal to 38 waitlisted students and 23 who were rejected.
Two congressmen from New Jersey, U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Representative Rush Holt (D-NJ-12), reintroduced legislation this week to help combat harassment and cyberbullying on college campuses. The proposed bill would require colleges and universities to have official anti-harassment policies. The bill is named for Tyler Clementi, an 18-year-old Rutgers University freshman who committed suicide last September after a cyberbulling incident involving other students.
"Cheating on your SAT sort of undermines the entire process of high school and college admission," stated a school board memeber at John L. Miller-Great Neck North HS in Long Island, NY. A group of high school seniors at the well ranked high school allegedly hired other students to take their exams for them. School adminstrators indicate that an investigation is currently underway.
A spring break hijink went awry when a student from The University of Alabama and another from The University of West Georgia were caught trying to steal live alligators in Panama City, FL. The two 20 year olds attempted to lure the animals out of a restaraunt pond. The students were charged with felony buglary and have recently been released from jail.
Georgia students who were protesting the possible loss of the HOPE scholarship program can rest easy. Georgia's popular merit-based scholarship for residents was rescued by the state government after Gov. Nathan Deal signed new legislation. The scholarship program, which was at the brink of bankruptcy, was kept alive by raising the minimum GPA requirement to 3.7, SAT score to 1200 (Math and Verbal), and ACT score to 26.
What are your thoughts about what happened this week? Share them with us in the comments.
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Ohio State vs. Penn State?
Find out how these rivals stack up on our compare colleges page.
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By Madeline O'Leary
For StudentAdvisor.com
Whether it's downed with a cup of coffee or crushed up and snorted before a party, illegal use of the cognition-enhancing ADHD prescription Adderall has pervaded college campuses across the United States. Previously assuming caffeine was the regular college kid’s study drug of choice, I set out to examine the commonality of Adderall on my own campus.
Adderall sales in the U.S. increased more than 3,100 percent between 2002 and 2005, according to an article in The Washington Post. Although exact figures are unknown, the Addiction Journal reported an expected 1 in 4 college students misuse ADHD medications. College students between the ages of 18 and 22 were also reported to be twice as likely to abuse Adderall than non-students.
University of Missouri – Columbia sophomore Nathan Grove told me increased Adderall use on college campuses could be attributed to more prescriptions being filled. "There's a lot of students that haven't been prescribed or been diagnosed with ADD when they were kids and now they're in college, and they need it to pass classes," Grove said. "There's a lot more of it out there, and that makes it easier to get a hold of."
For MU students, there’s a rigorous process to obtaining an Adderall prescription, said Stephanie Bagby-Stone, doctor of medicine and assistant professor of clinical psychiatry at MU. "If a student has been diagnosed with ADHD before, they can't just call up and ask for a refill," Bagby-Stone said. "They have to provide records of past prescriptions and evaluations before a prescription can be written."
For students who haven't been diagnosed with ADHD, Bagby-Stone said full testing is required. “We've recognized potential problems with the misuse of ADHD medication and have put in place structured policies to make sure prescriptions are diagnosed adequately," Bagby-Stone said.
Prescribed Adderall to treat her ADD and certain side effects of depression, MU freshman Kelsey Kupferer revealed she’s constantly approached about distribution of her medication.
"People have this perception of Adderall as being this miracle drug that will make you smarter and increase your test scores and all these wonderful things," Kupferer said. "As soon as anybody finds out for some reason or another I’m on Adderall, they're like, 'Oh! Oh! Can I buy some from you?' or, 'I know someone who needs it! My friend's taking the MCAT's next month, and he needs it really badly.'"
Opponents of illicit Adderall usage argue the drug provides an unfair advantage for non-prescribed users in academic environments. A drug meant to alleviate concentration issues, Adderall heightens the ability for a non-prescribed user to focus.
Kupferer said the claim that Adderall gives some students a leg-up over others is not necessarily valid. "I think you can be involved in lots of things and have a social life and be at the top of your game academically without needing Adderall," Kupferer said.
Adderall misuse poses questions about the educational atmosphere of today's universities. Critics of the prescription drug speculate the competitive nature of the U.S.’ learning institutions along with the increased emphasis on standardized test scores has led to the drug's abuse.
MU junior Anthony Postiglione agreed that shifting educational values are a contributing factor to increased Adderall usage. "I feel like a lot of teachers focus on who gets better grades rather than the actual process of learning it," Postiglione said.
Ethics of non-prescribed Adderall usage aside, Kupferer said the biggest concern should be the health risks of abusing a prescription drug: “It scares me to do anything that alters the chemical structure of your brain. Once you change that, you can't get it back."
Bagby-Stone said misusing Adderall could result in a slew of complications including cardiovascular problems, high blood pressure, sleep deprivation, appetite issues, psychosis and mania.
"(Taking Adderall without a prescription) is never a good idea due to medical dangers," Bagby-Stone stated. "It's also illegal and a felony offense. A lot of dangerous things can happen."
Yet within the debate concerning the ethical implications and health complications of misusing Adderall, writer for The Chronicle Matt Lamkin said whether Adderall provides an unfair advantage shouldn't be an issue: "Simply calling the use of study drugs 'unfair' tells us nothing about why colleges should ban them," Lamkin said in the article. "If such drugs really do improve academic performance among healthy students (and the evidence is scant), shouldn't colleges put them in the drinking water instead?"
Restricting Adderall usage is only necessary when health concerns come into play, Lamkin continued: "While safety is a valid concern, it is one that might be overcome by better drug design,” Lamkin said. “If we are still troubled by the idea of a study drug that is safe and universally available, we have to look for other sources of our discomfort."
Madeline O'Leary is a freshman at the University of Missouri – Columbia studying journalism and economics. When not in class, she writes about politics and student organizations for The Maneater and indulges in just about every college-kid-hobby, excluding sleep.
Photo: hipsxxhearts
By Sam Coren
StudentAdvisor.com Staff
Procrastination can be a way of life for some college students. After all, there are tons of distractions around campus and in your dorm: late night water gun fights, impromptu parties, video game marathons, pick up games of Ultimate Frisbee, getting to know your new best friends… Every now and then students will leave that one "worth half your grade" term paper on the back burner because too much fun gets in the way.
So what do you do when you wake up realizing you haven't even typed a single word of your 15 page minimum report that's due first thing tomorrow? You commit to one of the most coveted rights of passage of any tried and true college student: you pull an all-nighter.
1. Turn off your cell phone and keep it out of sight.
That's right crackberry and iPhone addicts. Now is not the time to franticly return all those texts from last night. Do you
really need to be checking into Foursquare every half hour to claim back your dining hall mayorship? Your GPA is on the line and your phone is your number one enemy against productivity! Turn it off, put it in a drawer, and don't even think about touching it until after you've printed your final page.
2. Avoid doing work in your room if possible.
This is crucial if you have in-room roommates. Chances are if they're trying to sleep they're not going to want to deal with you hunched over your desk hammering away at your keyboard. Or if they're late night socialites they're not going to be doing you any favors by bringing their noisy entourage back to the room at 2 AM. Not only that but your room is probably full of the same distractions that put you in this situation in the first place. If your school has 24 hour access libraries or study rooms now is the time to take advantage.
3. Don't use social network sites and instant messaging programs.
We get that you're attached to Facebook and Twitter at the hip. But now is not a good time to update your status or sign onto Skype for a vid chat with Mom. Tweeting every half hour about how much you have left to do is not going to magically make the pain (or the homework) go away. Some students even go as far as temporarily blocking certain websites from their browsers because they know how hopeless they are. If your work doesn't require the Internet for research it might be a good idea to disable your wireless and unplug that ethernet cord.
4. Stay awake by cranking some tunes.
Listening to some heart thumping music through headphones is a nice way to stay awake without going bonkers on caffeine and energy drinks. However, it's important to make sure that you don't waste time by playing DJ with iTunes or looking up song lyrics. You're better off sticking to to full albums you don't usually skip songs on or utilizing a streaming music service like Pandora or Mixcloud so you're not tempted to mess around with song selections. You might even want to avoid listening to anything with vocals so it's easier to concentrate on researching and writing.
5. Cramming for an exam? Take a nap.
There are countless studies which indicate that lack of REM sleep hinders your memory. If you're not 100% clueless on the subject matter of your test you're better off trying to get some sleep than doing the full all-nighter. However, if you haven't cracked a book all semester you're probably better off powering through the night.
Have you pulled off a successful all nighter before? How'd you do it? Share your study tips in the comments.
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By Sam Coren
For StudentAdvisor.com
Last week the first part of the 27th Survey of the American Teacher: Preparing Students for College and Careers was released in an annual series of studies commissioned by MetLife and conducted by Harris Interactive. The survey represents the views of middle and high school teachers, students, and parents, as well as Fortune 1000 executives.
The first section of the report, Part 1: Clearing the Path, examines the importance of being college- and career-ready, what this level of preparation includes, and what it may take to get there. Here are some of the survey's most interesting findings:
Top Employers Believe Post-Secondary Education is Essential
According to the study 77% of the Fortune 1000 executives who were surveyed agreed that there will be few or no career opportunities for today’s middle and high school students who do not complete some education beyond high school.
More students worry about paying for college than getting into college.
Of the high school and middle school students surveyed 57% were worried being able to pay for college. 31% of the students worry about being able to get into college while 33% who worry about being able to succeed in college. Of the teachers surveyed, they believed that 67% of their students would graduate ready for college without the need for remedial coursework.
Students are not learning about college early enough to plan effectively.
Many people might think that talking to a middle schooler about what they can do to get ready for college is a bit pre-mature. Of the middle schoolers surveyed only 21% of them started getting ready for college.
But the survey found that it is not until grades 11 or 12 that a majority of students have had any of these experiences:
- Spoke to teachers or school counselors about what classes they should take or other things they should do to be ready for college.
- Seen examples of real college-level assignments and student work
- Visited a college or had a college student visit their school to speak with them and other students about college.
If colleges are looking at an entire high school career to decide whether or not they'll admit a student, then it doesn't do students much good to not start thinking about college until half their high school education is over.
Download and view the complete survey here.
What are your thoughts on the survey results? Share them with us in the comments.
By Prof. Kirk Hazlett
For StudentAdvisor.com
In my multiple roles as former public relations professional turned public relations professor, advisor to both undergraduate and graduate public relations-focused students, and member of the Public Relations Society of America’s board of directors, I often am asked by students (and their parents), “What should I (my child) study to get a good public relations education?”
A valid, and crucial, question to be asking early on; not so good if you’re in your senior year and still flailing about trying to figure out life after graduation!
To quote from Edward L. Bernays’ “Your Future in Public Relations [1961]”: “If an individual is to give advice to others, he should have knowledge and understanding. Emphasis should be on economics, political science and the social sciences, psychology, social psychology, public opinion, anthropology, and history. The practitioner who is well grounded in these subjects will be better able to judge the future in terms of the past and the present.”
In a nutshell, what Mr. Bernays, known to many of us as the “Father of Public Relations,” is suggesting is a solid liberal arts education.
I encourage my PR students and advisees to get an exposure to as broad a spectrum of subjects as possible. As I discussed in one of my own blog posts some time back, you need to learn a little about a lot. When you learn how all the pieces (history, psychology, art, math…the whole nine yards) fit together, you are much better prepared for the “big picture” thinking that is the hallmark of the public relations professional.
The core skills still apply, so get as many writing and public speaking courses under your belt as possible, as well as an introduction to business management and to accounting.
I mention the latter thanks to an experience I had as an organization’s communications director. Our CFO called me into his office a few days after I started and handed me a piece of paper with a hefty six-figure number written on it. “This is your budget for the coming year…I need to know by the end of the week how you are going to spend it in the next 12 months.”
A couple of days later, I came back to him with an Excel spreadsheet showing the next 52 weeks with expenditures detailed both as individual and as cumulative figures so that he could see how much each activity was going to cost as well as a running total of how much had been spent to date.
He looked at me in amazement and asked, “How did you know how to do this?” To which I replied, “I took an accounting course.”
He responded, “You’re the first person we’ve had in this position who knew how to do budgets!”
Simple example, but proof of the value of a liberal arts education. I knew how to do not only my “official” job as a public relations professional but also my ancillary job as a business area manager.
I love it when my students tell me they’re taking a second psychology course, or a business management course, or a fine arts course. They’re learning something about all the many variables that make up “life,” and they will be better prepared when they walk off the stage with their diploma in hand to enter the “real world.”
“Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.” – John Dewey
Kirk Hazlett (@kirkhazlett), APR, Fellow PRSA, is Associate Professor of Communication at Curry College where he oversees the undergraduate public relations concentration. He also is Lecturer in Communications at Regis College where he teaches graduate communications courses. Read more from Kirk on his weekly blog, KirkHazlett-APRofessor’s Thoughts.
By Sam Coren
For StudentAdvisor.com
Aspiring engineers can earn $5,000 toward tuition by winning The 2011 Adecco Engineering & Technical Future Engineers Scholarship. Adecco Engineering & Technical is part of the world's largest recruitment and workforce solutions provider.
According to Diana Fitting, senior vice president of Adecco Engineering & Technical, "The National Science Foundation notes that fewer students are opting for a career in engineering despite the overwhelming demand for individuals with these skills. Therefore, we look forward to helping an engineering leader of tomorrow accomplish his or her educational and professional goals."
Who's Eligible?
This US based scholarship will be awarded to one deserving high school senior graduating in the spring of 2011, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale who plans to pursue an engineering major or minor at an accredited, public or private, two-year or four-year college or university in the fall of 2011.
How to Apply
This
$5,000 scholarship will be awarded to the individual who best answers the following question, "25 years from now, you will be reaching the halfway point of your career. How to do you envision the workplace of the future? Furthermore, in what ways do you see yourself impacting the engineering industry at large?" Submit your essay by
April 15, 2011.
To apply for the scholarship and view a complete list of rules, regulations and submission guidelines, please visit www.scholarshipprograms.org/adeng/.
By Sam Coren
StudentAdvisor.com Staff
Welcome to the first installment of "This Week in College News" on StudentAdvisor. Every week we'll highlight the biggest stories happening at colleges and universities across the US. Find out which current events are influencing the changing landscape of American college life below:
A group of 270 students at Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA organized a sit-in to demand change in the school's sexual assault policy. The protest came about after an incident on campus in which the administration did not expel the male student accused of the assault. Additionally students found that the process for a filing sexual assault complaint took too long. After three and half days of non-violent protest the students met with Dickinson College President William Durden to reform the policy.
A Northwestern University professor made national headlines last month after inviting students to an optional after-class seminar for a Human Sexuality course. During the seminar 100 students bared witness to two non-students performing a live sex act. After the school launched an investigation, Northwestern University President Morton Schapiro stated this week that, "Controversy attends all universities, including ours. That, alas, is another fact. And when it does occur, there will be disagreement on how the University should respond, even among the most thoughtful of our more than 250,000 students, parents, faculty, staff and alumni. I'm confident, however, in our ability to work through this situation, guided, as we must be, by the light of reason."
No matter what side of the fence you are on gun laws, the recent wave of bills proposed by several states regarding the legality of guns on colleges comes as a surprise to many. Amitai Etzioni, a sociologist and professor of international relations at George Washington University, weighs in on how the presence of guns on campus poses a threat to the safety of college students.
The adoption of the 26th amendment in 1971 lowered the minimum age to vote in federal, state and local elections to 18. Forty years later New Hampshire's state speaker of the House is on the hunt to restrict the voting rights of college students claiming that students lacked "life experience," and "they just vote their feelings." Republican law makers in 32 states have followed suit urging for stricter voting requirements such as citizens having to show a state identification or proof of citizenship to vote.
Any thoughts on the week's events? Share them in the comments.
Photo: jramspott
By Jayne Seward
StudentAdvisor.com Staff
As colleges and universities face budget shortfalls, foreign languages – sometimes with low enrollments – find themselves on the budgetary chopping block. But language experts say there are many benefits to students in becoming fluent in a foreign language. Critics of foreign language majors focus on the practical skill set and dismiss the theoretical skills that are gained through language courses.
1. Unlimited Job Potential
There is no doubt that we live in a global society, and while much of the rest of the world attempts to speak English, Americans, for the most part, have not undertaken foreign language study en masse. Kathy Mahnke, director of the Center for World Languages and Cultures at the University of Denver says those who are able to communicate with someone in their native tongue shows mutual respect.
"Fluency in a foreign language involves a skill set that is now very important to many employers, especially those who require their employees to travel overseas," said Mahnke. "Being able to communicate in a colleague's native tongue helps business negotiations as well as social interactions with that colleague go much more smoothly than does working through a translator. There are just some cultural aspects of communication that do not translate well."
2. Learn More About Your Own Language
Christopher McDonough is the chairperson of the department of classical languages at Sewanee: The University of the South in Sewanee, TN. McDonough teaches Latin and ancient Greek courses at Sewanee. He says that teaching repetition of Latin and Greek grammar and syntax actually helps students with English.
“The study of Latin and Greek formalities helps students fill in the gaps in their knowledge of English grammar and syntax,” said McDonough. “I often say on the first day of class, Welcome to the most useful class you will take in college. In here, you are going to learn why "between you and I" is wrong in English, when to use "who" and when to use "whom," and you will be able to explain what issue is involved in splitting an infinitive. And, you will also be in a position to read Homer and Virgil in their native tongues.”
3. Jump Start Learning Another Foreign Language
McDonough says once one knows the derivation of a word the easier it is for one to use it. “An aspect of language-learning, of course, is etymological,” said McDonogh. “My students and I have a lot of fun considering the ways in which Latin or Greek words come into English (or French or Spanish, etc.). The better you know an English word's derivation, I tell them, the better able you can deploy it.”
Did you learn a new language in college? How has it paid off for you? Share your story with us in the comments.
By Sam Coren
StudentAdvisor.com Staff
Around this time of year many high schoolers across the country are starting to think about what classes to take next year. Even though the idea of college may seem far off to rising sophomores and juniors, your high school course selection plays a major role in how admissions officers view your application. Your guidance counselor may have suggested college prep and honors courses, but have you considered taking up some Advanced Placement classes?
The Pros of Taking AP Courses
Advanced Placement (AP) courses are as popular as ever amongst high schoolers. According College Board, the organization that adminsters the AP Examinations, 1.8 million students participated in AP classes during the 2009-2010 school year. There's good reason for that - with college admissions getting more competitive each year, students realize that high performance in more challenging courses can make them standout. Additionally, in class rank calculations many high schools will give more "weight" to AP courses. For example, a student with straight A's in all AP Courses will be a higher class rank than a student with straight A's in college prep scores.
Even better? A high score on an AP Exam can earn you college credit, ultimately saving you some time and tuition money later on. Amy Rosenbaum, a Tufts University grad, indicated "I was happy I placed out of my freshman English requirement and got right to the good stuff - I was an English major nerd. I also got a credit for History/French."
The Cons of Taking AP Courses
While you may be thinking right now that signing up for every available AP Course at your high school is a good idea you may want to slow down. Overloading yourself with AP courses can lead to some serious burnout and let's face it - an F is still an F no matter if it's an AP, honors, college prep or remedial level course. AP courses represent college level work, meaning you'll have to do a fair amount of learning on your own outside of class in the form of longer readings and more in-depth assignments. It's also common to receive some homework over the summer before your AP classes start. AP English students are typically given a summer reading list and students in AP Math courses are often given some refresher assignments.
You'll also have to prepare for the AP examinations that take place in May - many of which have test dates that are close together. Generally scores of 3 and above are considered good enough to receive college credit. Also keep in mind that not all colleges will accept your AP credit and that those who do will usually only accept AP Exam scores above a certain score. When you go to compare colleges during your college applications be sure to note the school's AP credit policy.
How to Figure Out Which AP Courses to Take
Before you sign up for courses next year do some self-reflection. Think about what subjects you're particularly interested in and which ones you've done well in the past. Consider what you may want to potentially major in during college. If you're on the fence about signing up for a certain AP class, track down the teacher in your school who teaches the course. You may even want to have a discussion with some students who are currently taking their class. They'll be able to answer more specific questions and give you a better sense if it's the right choice for you.
By Ardith L. Feroglia
For StudentAdvisor.com
We, in the college world, are quickly coming to that anticipated respite from the academic grind. Although in the meantime that probably means lots of studying, researching or writing, it also means looking forward to the glory of having more than two days off in a row. I'm talking about spring break.
Many people already have plans. These plans range from a week or so of gaming and "catching up" on sleep, to the standard cross-country road trip or tropical getaway, usually accompanied by a temporary lapse in fiscal judgment (new bathing suits and multiple trips to In-N-Out Burger are not cheap, people). However, I know there are other people—just like myself when I was an undergraduate—still wondering, "How am I going to spend an entire week of free time?"
It turns out there is an option that is rewarding, unique and meaningful. No, it's not a contest down in Cabo. What I'm talking about is known in most circles as "Alternative Spring Break." "Alternative" to what exactly? Alternative Spring Break, to put it succinctly, is an alternative to the decision of throwing lots of money at plane tickets, drinks or swimsuits you'll come to regret. It's also an alternative to general boredom and perceived free-loading.
ASB trips function to give college students a chance to participate in short-term volunteer trips while also providing a change of scenery and pace. These trips are not only a chance to give back to communities, but also to make new friendships—or if one goes with already-established friends, to make memories together while chipping in toward the greater good (and all at the fraction of the cost of a typical spring break trip).
However, you may still find yourself wondering why you should forgo a perfectly good week to "zone out" in order to help others. As Stanley McChrystal shared in a recent Newsweek article, it is "because Americans performing critical, selfless service to our country are less common than they must be. We have let the concept of service become dangerously narrow, often associated only with the military. This allows most Americans to avoid the sense of responsibility essential for us to care for our nation - and for each other. We expect and demand less of ourselves than we should. And now it is time to fix it."
Despite the circumstances surrounding McChrystal's resignation from his post in Afghanistan, the words he shared have great weight—and they rightfully should. As students at American institutions, we are accustomed to the norms of an individualistic culture. We do things to get ahead, to make ourselves stand out from the crowd.
But I challenge you to consider that by working on a team in an environment where help is valuable and cherished, you are sticking up for not only yourself, but for an entire community.
My university, Oregon State University, has two ASB trips planned for the upcoming break. One trip will focus on community outreach in the city of Yakima, WA, while the other is a partnership with the University of Oregon, focusing on sustainability. Both trips will give participants the chance to work on various projects, such as volunteering in a local soup kitchen or restoring trails in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, as well as opportunities to explore the city of Seattle, WA and embark on tours. Both trips stand to be fun yet—dare I say it?—educational. Two trips in the ASB world, though, is minimal. Check with your school’s volunteer or community outreach center; you may find that some of them have over twenty different trips! To be cliché, there’s something for everyone.
In a time where we stand to lose public funding for organizations that serve a public good, it is crucial that the college students of America stand up and say, “We care.” I leave you with a quote from Lao Tzu to consider: "Go to the people. Live with them. Learn from them. Love them. Start with what they know. Build with what they have. But with the best leaders, when the work is done, the task accomplished, the people will say, "We have done this ourselves."
Ardith L. Feroglia is a current Graduate Assistant at Oregon State University's Honors College.
Did you take an Alternative Spring Break in College? Share your story in our comments section!
Photos: vastateparksstaff factoryseashell
By Sam Coren
StudentAdvisor.com Staff
Good news for those of you girls who dream of making games some day. Sony Online Entertainment, the makers of online games including EverQuest and DC Universe Online, offers a scholarship which aims to bring more females into video game development. The Gamers In Real Life (G.I.R.L.) scholarship, now in its 4th year, awards the winning student $10,000 toward tuition and other education expenses.
To make this scholarship opportunity even more lucrative, the winner will also receive a paid internship of up to 10 weeks with one of SOE's development studios. Room, board, transportation and living expenses are not included.
"The most recent industry studies show that although a large percentage of the game playing population is female, they make up only about one in every 10 game developers," said Laura Naviaux, VP of global sales and marketing at SOE. The G.I.R.L. scholarship comes from a partnership between SOE and non-profit educational program.
How to Apply
Eligible applicants must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate program related to video games, including video game art, design, animation, production, programming or visual effects, must not graduate before the end of the 2012 spring term.
Entrants are required to complete an online application along with two pieces of original concept art and one essay that will be reviewed by a panel of judges. Visit www.scholarshipamerica.org/gamersinreallife/ to apply.
Deadline
Online applications must be completed and submitted on or before April 6, 2011. SOE will announce the winner on or about May 16, 2011.
Photo: Valentin Ottone
By Sam Coren
StudentAdvisor.com Staff
For many new college students, going off to school means saying goodbye to furry companions. But for students attending Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Fla. they don’t have to leave their pets at home. In 1972, the university developed a Pet Policy so that pet owners can enjoy the advantages of bringing their pet to live in the campus environment, while still maintaining the safety of students and beauty of the campus.
Throughout 2010, 35 cats, rabbits, ferrets and dogs were registered and living on campus. There were also approximately 50 other types of domestic animals on campus at the time, including fish, hamsters, amphibians and reptiles.
“I think it's a positive because our students travel an average of 950 miles to come to Eckerd. For these students, bringing their pets makes the transition a bit easier,” says John Sullivan, Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid.
For some students, the Pet Policy can be a deciding factor when they go to compare colleges. “From time to time a student will approach us at a college fair and let us know they were interested in us because they read or heard that we had a pet dorm and they want to learn more about Eckerd because of it,” says Sullivan.
Several other colleges have followed Eckerd’s lead and adopted a pet policy of their own. Many of these schools look to Eckerd for what are considered the best practices when dealing with a pet life program.
Students, both pet owners and non-pet owners, have the task of administering the Pet Policy through Eckerd’s Pet Council. “It forces animal owners to take more responsibility of themselves and the animals they have. Non-animal owners are involved as well because they know there are other living beings that are sharing the space that they call home,” says Tonya Womack, Staff Advisor to the Pet Council.
There are strict guidelines that pet-owners must adhere to when taking advantage of this privilege. For example, a pet snake can be no bigger than six feet long. A dog can be no heavier than forty pounds. If at any point a student does not adhere to these rules or a pet becomes a nuisance to the community, the pet owner will either be put on probation or have to remove the pet from campus.
Some pets even experience levels of fame and notoriety on Eckerd’s campus. Womack fondly remembers one student who brought two ducks to live with her on campus. The ducks followed her around everywhere she went, from practices with the softball team to the dorm where she was a resident advisor. “The ducks were well known and brought a sense of pride to the community,” says Womack. “You could not go to any other college or university and say that there was a student that had a duck there.”
Other Pet Friendly Colleges
Lehigh University - Fraternities and Sororities at this Pennsylvania school are allowed to have cats and dogs with prior approval from the Residence Life office.
Stetson University - At this school in Florida you can keep a dog of up to 30 pounds in one of their 35 pet friendly rooms in Nemec Hall. There's even a dog park right outside the building.
Washington & Jefferson College - W&J has an entire dorm called "pet house" (aka Monroe Hall). However there are some hoops to jump through before you can set up shop with fluffy. Like most of the schools, you have to have your pet's veterinary record on hand for registration. Last year the dorm housed to 17 students, seven cats, five dogs and two guinea pigs.
Stephens College - Students at this college in Columbia, Missouri have keeping dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, rats, mice, gerbils, guinea pigs, lizards and birds. Make note that not all dog breeds are permitted so make sure you clear Fido with the school before bringing him.
Did you bring your pet to college? Share your experience with our readers in the comments!
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By Sam Coren
StudentAdvisor.com Staff
The economists who broke the news that graduating from an elite college doesn't guarantee you to earn more money are at it again. Stacy Dale and Alan Krueger have updated their study with a decade's worth of new data that suggests ambitiousness in the college applications process can be a stronger indicator of future earnings potential than an actual Ivy League diploma. Since running their first study, Dale and Krueger have expanded their resource pool to include social security records to measure the earnings of 19,000 college graduates who were freshman in 1989.
Dale and Krueger's updated study included a new variable beyond SAT scores and grades. The new study collected information on the colleges that students applied to. The economists found that with SAT scores and grades as a constant, students who applied to more selective schools were likelier to have a higher income regardless of whether they were accepted or not.
However, for high school seniors this doesn't mean that when you go to compare colleges and mail off your applications you should have your future paychecks as your primary concern. Even Krueger admits that choosing colleges based on what you think your future earning potential might be is a bit shortsighted: "Recognize that your own motivation, ambition and talents will determine your success more than the college name on your diploma."
By Dean Tsouvalas
StudentAdvisor.com Editor
Anyone born after 1960 most likely learned how to read thanks to the gift of imaginative storytelling from Theodor Geisel, otherwise known as Dr. Seuss. One of the most popular gifts for a graduating student is a copy of Dr. Seuss's Oh, The Places You'll Go. Since its original publication in 1990, Seuss's final book continues to sell at least 300,000 copies every spring and remains a source of inspiration for every new generation of young graduates.
Interest for Dr. Seuss grows like the gigantic globs of Oobleck that young Bartholomew Cubbins faced in the classic story, Bartholomew and the Oobleck, in celebration of what would be Dr. Seuss's 107th birthday on March 2nd. To mark the occasion not only of his birthday, but also the 50th birthday of The Cat in the Hat, the National Education Association - Read Across America celebrates reading aloud.
The beloved children's author was born in 1904 in Springfield, MA. While attending Dartmouth College, he became editor-in-chief of its humor magazine, "Jack O'Lantern." His college career as editor however was short-lived, because unlike the Grinch who Stole Christmas, his celebrating didn't reflect the wholesomeness of Whoville -- he and his friends were caught throwing a drinking party during prohibition and against school policy. Geisel continued to write for the Dartmouth magazine under the pseudonym Seuss. Seuss was both his mother's maiden name and his middle name. (Later in his career he also wrote under the name Theo LeSieg which is Geisel spelled backwards.)
"Seuss brings a dose of anarchy into the reading primer."
Even though Geisel was a respected advertising cartoonist (his ads for "Flit" insect repellent -- "Quick, Henry, the Flit!" -- became a household slogan across America similar to 'Where's the beef?'), his big break into book publishing was more difficult than when Horton Hatches the Egg. Inspiring the author in all of us, And To Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street was rejected 27 times before being published in 1937. Twenty years later, The Cat in the Hat catapulted Dr. Seuss to the definitive children's book author-illustrator, a position he has held unofficially ever since.
We spoke with Philip Nel, author of "Dr. Seuss: American Icon" (Continuum Publishing, 2004) who is Associate Professor of English and Graduate Program in Children's Literature at Kansas State University and teaches a wildly popular class on the magical world of Dr. Seuss.
In early 1954, Life magazine published a report on illiteracy which basically said kids weren't reading because the books were boring. His publisher asked him to write and illustrate a children's book only using 236 "new reader" vocabulary words. The result was a book combining an engaging story with outrageous illustrations and playful sounds that redefined children's literature, The Cat in the Hat. "Seuss brings a dose of anarchy into the reading primer and forever changed the way children learn to read," according to Nel.
Following the success of The Cat in the Hat, a college bet Dr. Seuss $50 that he couldn't write an entire book using only 50 words. Once again Geisel delivered a tour de force, Green Eggs and Ham. His final book was You're Only Old Once! A Book for Obsolete Children, a satire of hospitals and the geriatric lifestyle, which will bring rueful laughter to all. At the time of his death in September 1991, he had written and illustrated 44 children's books. His books had been translated into more than 15 languages with more than 200 million copies of these beloved books in print. He remains the best-selling author of children's books in the world.
Brilliant, playful and always respectful of children, Dr. Seuss has charmed his way into the lives of four generations of youngsters and parents.I grew up on Dr. Seuss and now have the awesome experience of reading his whimsical tales to my kids. I am moved by his writing all over again as I watch the kids greedily drinking in the stories by Theodor Seuss Geisel.
So join us, celebrate this author and this marvelous book by reading The Cat and the Hat aloud to yourself, your kids, grandkids or to any Who down in Whoville.