Archive for June, 2008
Facebook has been known for its social networking capabilities, but what if someone told you that you could prep for the SAT right on their site? Kaplan, one of the leaders in entrance exams test prep, now has a Facebook application where you can practice for the SAT or ACT, while at the same time continue to socialize.
Kaplan’s FB application includes links for SAT and ACT practice and a link to create your very own SAT or ACT quiz. There are informational links included. These links hold key dates for SAT and ACT registration, as well as a Kaplan Admissions Interactive Timeline. But along with all the standard study prep items, Kaplan’s FB application also has two fun items – a game known as a “spit-cab-u-lary” and a “SmashWall.”
The “spit-cab-u-lary” tests vocabulary skills for the SAT and even allows you the chance to challenge your friends. The “SmashWall” is a bit different. This application was not made for test prep but instead as a form of stress and anxiety relief . Items used for this wall are referred to as “smashables.”
I recently checked through this application myself and have found it to be very helpful for anyone currently preparing for the SAT or ACT. Kaplan’s application is great for studying and fun. To see exactly what this application is all about, visit www.facebook.com/kaplan.
- Priscilla Rodriguez
June 30th, 2008
If you’re like most soon-to-be college students, chances are there’s a philosophy course waiting in your future. While you may recoil in horror at the notion of studying things like utilitarianism and deontology, the truth is that looking at the world through a philosophical lens can be fun and — dare I say it? –- enlightening.
Still skeptical? Then maybe you should try easing yourself into the realm of philosophical discussion with the help of the Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture Series. Each book from this ongoing collection is dedicated to analyzing a different cultural icon or show within the entertainment world. 
Chapters are written by college professors from across the nation and are as educational as they are representative of fandom at its finest, with everything from character motivations to plotlines discussed.
Case in point: After reading just two chapters of Batman and Philosophy: The Dark Knight of the Soul, I’ve been introduced to classical and contemporary thinkers like Thomas Hobbes and Judith Jarvis Thomson — all in the course of pondering popular Batty topics like why Batman is better than the Man of Steel, and Bruce Wayne’s motivations for ever donning the cape.
In short, the Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture Series is a perfect easy-to-understand crash course in philosophy cushioned by a topic you already love. Where else will you be able to read about the philosophical implications of hot shows like 24, Lost, Family Guy, The Office, and even The Daily Show?
– Genevieve M. Blaber
June 25th, 2008
Having limited financial access should never be a reason to stop living your dream of attending a college or university. Growing up in an environment where you feel helpless shouldn’t either. BET Networks and the Sallie Mae Fund recently joined together to offer assistance to these students through what is known as the “Next Level” Scholarship Program.
The scholarship was open to African-American high school juniors and seniors who had overcame obstacles to realize their dream of a college education. The Sallie Mae Fund issued a press release on June 16, 2008 announcing the four winners, who combined received $25,000 in scholarship money. These four have dealt with so much in such a short lifetime. From issues with domestic violence to medical disabilities, these are some students anyone can look up to and admire.
For more information on the BET Networks and Sallie Mae fund scholarship program, as well as other programs, visit www.salliemaefund.org .
- Priscilla Rodriguez
June 25th, 2008
It’s not unusual to hear about kids taking more pains to cheat than to study – there are even entire movies written around the concept as in the case of “The Perfect Score” – but a high school student in Orange County, California may have recently taken things to the extreme.
Known for his Cs and Ds at the prestigious Tesoro High School, 18-year-old Omar Khan now has to deal with some heavy math. There are 69 criminal charges pending against him — and they’re all related to an alleged scheme to turn lackluster grades into sterling As! Using everything from identity theft and spyware, to the old standby of and breaking and entering, Khan is alleged to have broken into his school’s computer databanks to up grades for himself and a dozen others.
While these charges may seem petty when taken on their own, together they result in nearly four decades of jail time. Though it’s doubtful Khan will get even half that amount if convicted — a few years of jail and community service is far more likely — it’s still a high price to pay for what could have easily been gained through a few hours of studying.
So maybe next time Khan will try cracking some books before he has to crack open a jail cell. With his leet hacking skills and computer prowess he could have easily embarked upon a lucrative career in technology. And trust me, “career criminal” doesn’t sound half as good as “computer systems analyst” to a prospective employer.
– Genevieve M. Blaber
Update: Looks like Khan had a “study buddy” in all this. Fellow student, Tanvir Singh, is suspected in connection with the cheating scandal and will turn himself in next week.
June 20th, 2008
In between your studying for the SAT or your prepping to pack for your brand new dorm, take a break this summer and check out some cool products that will keep you stylish, comfy, and ready to roll.
Juicy Technology
Green is one of the hottest colors in fashion this summer. So why not get a green laptop?! Dell Inspiron notebooks have come out with citrus lime and lemon colors so you not only can talk to your friends online and do research on schools or dorm room accessories, but also can make a light and airy summer fashion statement. The Dell laptops start around $499, and like all computers you can have them custom-built to cater to your needs. There are more than just lemon and lime colors too, for all those guys out there! So definitely check these out today for a fun and useful tool that you can bring along to school.
Summer Tunes
Listen to the newest Coldplay or Madonna CD on your 3G iPod Nano this summer. And as you tan by the pool or beach or play some hoops with the boys, forget those bulky iPod dock radios. Use Audiowrapz by iFrogz. This 100 percent silicone protective cover has a speaker built directly into it and is available at Wal-Mart for the retail price of $20. And you won’t have to stick those earbuds in either (although you can always do so for privacy). This product is even great beyond the summer because it’s something you can use no matter where you are. Put it on while you’re doing homework or to have a mini-dance party after class.
The Maine Attraction
Take along your summer accessories in a light summer bag by Ann Veronica. These canvas bags are all one-of-a-kind, handmade, and from Maine. It’s great for the beach or as you’re just running out to keep all your essentials together. There are a variety of patterns for this 100 percent heavyweight cotton canvas. Some of these include circles, flowers, crabs, vintage lace, toy boats, and more! The company was founded in 2003 and makes different kinds of bags, including totes, beach bags, tennis racquet covers, and even some headbands. For a convenient summery bag check out Ann Veronica Handprints.
-Amanda Fornecker
June 12th, 2008
I’ve only been out of NYU for a year and already there are new trends jumping from campus to campus. While some of these are completely new (sustainability, what?), others are ripped straight from fads of yesteryear — yeah I’m looking at you, Harry Potter.
In no particular order, here are three college trends that are picking up speed today:
1. Quidditch Conquers Campuses
I didn’t start reading Harry Potter until I was in high school, but once I did I couldn’t help but be intrigued by the game of Quidditch. Taking place hundreds of feet in the air while players swoop around on flying brooms, it was hardly the kind of sport you’d catch on ESPN, but these days college students are spreading a down-to-earth version of the magical pastime. Occupying a real grass field — although players refuse to give up their obviously non-flying brooms — college Quidditch is a reasonable departure from the “real thing” and comes complete with a Golden Snitch who, enacted by a student, walks around campus to avoid capture by players.
2. Coed Cohabitation
I admit it, I never lived on campus, but the few times I stayed over at friends’ dorm rooms I could sense that there was either a real camaraderie that developed between roomies or genuine enmity. While living with a stranger can help you learn to coexist with others, it can also be stressful if you’re not compatible, so why not let students choose their own roomies? Many colleges today do, and several more are beginning to accept friends of different genders deciding to room together. Though usually offered on a limited basis, and to students who already know each other, coed dorming seems to be catching on and can be a comfy alternative for friends who know and trust their would-be roomie.
3. Student Sustainability
While some students waste resources, others take the time to recycle — but there’s another group of students on campus who are making the move to shake up they way they live. Termed “sustainability” this practice is an entirely new shade of going green with students changing everything from how much electricity they use to what temp they leave the thermostat on. The focus of a recent New York Times article, Oberlin College (Oberlin, Ohio) has a dorm full of students who compete against each other’s shower times and utilize worm composting to cut down on waste. Although not every campus has an entire dorm dedicated to sustainability, many colleges are making the move to integrate some of these initiatives into the way they run things at large.
If you’re interested in reading more on college trends — past and present — then take a trip to CollegeBound.net’s trend section and then get started on your college search.
– Genevieve M. Blaber
June 10th, 2008
Snoop tells the new issue of Esquire: “A lot of people like to fool you and say that you’re not smart if you never went to college, but common sense rules over everything. That’s what I learned from selling crack.”
This from the man who speaks in “izzle-isms.”
Sure, college doesn’t teach you everything, Mr. Dogg, that’s why it’s important for people to live life, act on their entrepreneurial passions, soak up lessons both in and out of the classroom, and then go, go, go. But still, college equips you with the foundational knowledge to make sound decisions, excel in the business world, and deal with everyday situations both on the job and off.
And for those who have a life goal greater than dealing crack in a back alley, it sure does help.
–G.L.
June 9th, 2008
For those of you who are currently on the search for internship help, there’s a new site that just may be perfect for you. Dr. Jerry Cahn, president of Presentation Excellence, recently launched a networking site called InternPower along with the help and input of his intern Oriana So, a student at CUNY Baruch College. The site is so in tune with students that its initial launch was done through Facebook. InternPower is committed to helping students and hiring companies optimize the internship experience.
InternPower is intended not only for those seeking internships, but also for companies who work with interns and those who have already participated in an internship. InternPower offers a variety of help for both students and companies alike. Students can go on the site and locate potential internships. They are also provided with guidance on the internship application and selection process. Companies can use the site to locate options on how to reach out to their target students. There is even a section on the site for intern supervisors to share advice and questions.
Internships have become very important for gaining experience within your field of study and also for helping students figure out if they’re following the right career path. It also provides the intern with an opportunity to gain insight on potential companies. Finding an internship has become easier as the popularity and need of internships began to increase. Prior to the creation of internship websites that list potential opportunities, students only had the option of talking to a career center counselor at their college, or getting contact with people they knew to help get their foot in the door.
InternPower is just one of the many websites that provide students with internship help. Internshipprograms.com, monstertrak.com, and careerbuilder.com list internships for students studying in all majors. But sometimes you have to go beyond just these sites. Performing an internship search through search engines such as Google is very helpful. If you’re a graphic design student, putting words such as “graphic design internships’, can lead you to several different companies who are seeking interns to work on web design projects. Another good idea for locating internships is to visit a company’s web site and checking to see if they have job listings available.
Journalism majors, such as myself, find themselves seeking internships not only through search engines and websites, but also by writing directly to publications in which they are interested in interning for. When I began my internship search I looked through the regular sites (i.e., careerbuilder, monstertrak) but saw that this wasn’t enough. As time passed on I found websites which were dedicated to journalism majors, and looked at mastheads of all the publications which have always caught my eye. I read through forums, such as the one seen on internpower.com, and read through blogs similar to some that can be found here on collegebound.net.
I began sending emails to inquire about current openings with companies and also applied to listings seen through Google searches I had performed. I didn’t receive responses right away (the waiting period can be nerve-wracking), but when they did start arriving I began to feel the excitement. I knew soon enough I would begin doing something I loved and would begin the journey down my dream career path.
Sites that include forums (internpower.com) and message boards become ideal in the individual’s internship search because it brings you together with others in your situation, as well with those who have already had the opportunity to intern at a company.
-Priscilla Rodriguez
June 2nd, 2008
