Archive for September, 2010
The exciting new shows in this fall’s television lineup seems to promise a lot more than belly laughs and thrilling cliffhangers. They also promise some interesting insight to your future college education.
No, we haven’t gone off our rockers. While we at The CollegeBound Network usually tell you to pick up a book, we are actually telling you to pick up the remote this time and check out some hot new TV shows that focus on some pretty cool career tracks that many of you out there might be trying to follow yourselves.
Check out some of these new shows, then click on over to learn more about the main characters’ careers and how you can launch your own in the real world:
“Mike & Molly”
Molly is a fourth-grade teacher who’s dating Mike, a Chicago police officer. Mirth and mayhem ensue! (Actually, we just made that up. But we’re not making up her career in education or his criminal justice career.)
“Undercovers”
Husband-and-wife team Steven and Samantha Bloom are caterers by day, but by night, they are CIA spies. Intrigue in the kitchen! Spice up your own life by surfing over to our sister site, CollegeSurfing.com and learn about culinary arts degrees.
“Running Wilde”
We’d watch this show anyway, because it’s got two of our faves in it: Keri Russell and Will Arnett. Arnett portrays a playboy and Russell, much the opposite, plays a humanitarian who is trying to save the world as she works with an indigenous tribe in the Amazon rainforest. If you are passionate about Mother Earth, too, check out environmental science colleges.
“Outsourced”
We can’t seem to get enough of workplace comedies. But this one has a bit of a twist. The main character leaves the U.S. to take a job as manager of a call center–in India. The focus is on funny, but viewers can also learn a lot about careers in global management. Also, if you’re thinking about studying abroad one day, you can check out articles about culture shock and language learning at MyGlobalEducation.com.
Let us know what you think of these new shows by leaving a comment below, tweeting us @CollegeBoundNet, or leaving us a post on our Facebook wall.
–The CollegeBound Network
September 30th, 2010
Yesterday was a tense day at the University of Texas at Austin. The school went into lockdown when a person with a gun was discovered on campus near the library; he fired a few shots, then turned the gun on himself. It was later determined that the gunman was actually a UT student—and no one who knew him saw this coming.
Fortunately—if one can even use that term in this instance—no one else was hurt. However, yesterday’s event serves as a reminder that college campuses are not the perfect bubbles that we sometimes make them out to be; scary stuff can happen there, just like it can happen anywhere else.
Here’s a few things to remember about keeping safe at college:
Keep your cell phone handy. Some people consider their cell phones to be the equivalent of oxygen. Others don’t see the point of being wired 24/7. But in our crazy world, it’s important to have a cell phone, if only for emergencies. And now that most colleges and universities have an emergency text alert system in place, having a cell phone on campus is highly recommended, particularly if you are planning to commute to school rather than live on campus.
Know your campus. It’s all well and good for an emergency alert system to indicate where the danger is on campus, but what if you’re not familiar with that part of campus? While it might be virtually impossible to know every single building on a campus as big as UT Austin, it is helpful to know key areas—such as where the security and medical staffs are located. Also, for those buildings that are familiar to you, like your own dorm or the student union, learn how to get around in them—especially how to get to the basement–without the use of the elevator, in case you need to seek safety after the power is cut, which it often is during a lockdown.
Go with your gut. The Associated Press reports that even after text messages came through alerting students of the nearby gunman, one professor, who presumably took the news as rumor rather than fact, told her students to continue taking the quiz she had just given them. Some students, fearful of more than just a failing quiz grade, threw down their pens and ran out of the room. Perhaps that wasn’t the safest move in the long run, but they did take the news seriously. If you find yourself in a situation like that, go with your gut and seek safety—even if there are people around you who try to convince you otherwise.
It’s unfortunate that we need to think about these things, but as the old saying goes, it is truly better to be safe than sorry.
–Barbara Bellesi
September 29th, 2010
Yesterday on our weekly #collegebound Twitter chat, we discussed academic preparedness for college. We spent some time talking about the AP exams and classes, as well as fitting in time to study for the SAT or ACT and how to tweak your study skills, so that even if you are an adult learner returning to finish (or start) your degree, you can still turn over a new leaf when it comes to adopting the best techniques for learning.
Join us on Twitter and use the #collegebound hashtag at any time to keep up the conversation all week. Check out the transcript from yesterday and tweet us what you think. Better yet, join us next Monday at 4PM ET.
–The CollegeBound Network
September 28th, 2010
When you’re bringing up names of potential colleges, one of the first questions your parents ask may be, “How much does it cost?” Or if you know you’re responsible for paying for your own college education, you already may be used to looking at the tuition, room and board, and other fees first.
Even if you did a lot of research last year, with the cost of tuition rising every year, it’s worth taking another look to make sure the schools on your list are ones you still can afford, or if scholarships and loans will cover you. It can be heartbreaking if you have had your heart set on a school (Princeton was my dream school as a kid) and realize that the cost of attending an Ivy League or private college is too expensive.
Although public universities have had to raise tuition, it’s still cheaper to attend a state school. Public four-year colleges charge, on average, $7,000 per year in tuition and fees for in-state students ($11,500 for out-of-state), compared to $26,000 per year in tuition and fees at private four-year colleges charge, according to College Board data.
Some public universities combine superb academic programs with low cost, says Edward Fiske, author of the Fiske Guide to Getting into the Right College (August 2010-Sourcebooks). So he’s come up with his “Budget Ivy League” list.
Which schools made Fiske’s list this year? Here’s a look, by region, with reasons they caught his eye:
SOUTHWEST
University of Arizona: Best value for out-of-state students with strong engineering and honors programs, plus appeal for outdoor enthusiasts.
University of Texas-Austin: Remains one of the cheapest major universities in the country with a focus on business, engineering, and Latin American studies.
NORTHWEST
University of Oregon: May be the best deal in public higher education on the West Coast with noted liberal arts, business, and communications programs, plus a manageable size in a great location.
University of Washington: The Pacific Northwest’s leading research university is strong in pre-professional studies; remains tough for out-of-state admission.
MIDWEST
University of Iowa: A bargain compared with other Big Ten schools and is world-famous for its creative writing program.
Miami University (Ohio): Gives the impression of an elite private university with a strong business program.
NORTHEAST
The College of New Jersey (formerly Trenton State University): Former teacher’s college that has remade itself into a selective university stressing the liberal arts, business, and accounting, and is a perennial pick in the “best buys” category.
College of William and Mary: The original public Ivy with strong history, government, and international studies departments.
SOUTHEAST
Florida State University: One of the best film schools in the country.
University of Georgia: The HOPE Scholarship gives in-state students with a 3.0 GPA free tuition, and the school boasts strong business and journalism programs (along with the quintessential college town of Athens).
If you are gravitating to a school because of its scholarship offerings, definitely do your research about the program and the continued availability of free money for college. For example, changes are likely to be made to the popular HOPE Scholarship in Georgia, which benefits more than 200,000 annually, because of dwindling funds.
September 27th, 2010
Mark Zuckerberg, co-founder of Facebook, likes the Newark Public Schools system. And I’m not using “like” in Facebook language, either. Zuckerberg really likes the schools of Newark, NJ, and he’s got $100 million bucks to prove it.
It was supposed to be a surprise, but the word got out that today on “Oprah,” Zuckerberg will be presenting the grant to New Jersey governor Chris Christie. Why Newark? Newark public schools happen to be among the worst in the country, so this infusion of funds is certain to get the schools back on track eventually.
I heard on the radio today that Zuckerberg’s gift is not in cash, but rather in the form of stocks that can be liquidated when money is needed. Regardless, when you’re rolling that deep in stock, the fact that it’s not hard cash is sort of besides the point.
Some critics (and my hand is raised here) say that Zuckerberg’s announcement is a last-ditch effort to restore the tarnished image of his early Facebook days that will be on display for all to see in the upcoming film The Social Network. (And yes, CBN is planning a field trip to see it.)
Good move, Zuckerberg. Regardless of the real story behind the creation of Facebook, you’re pretty awesome right now for supporting public school education. That’s something that everyone can like, for real.
–Barbara Bellesi
September 24th, 2010
She might have been the Material Girl once upon a time, but Madonna’s priorities have certainly changed these days, and college-bound students will be happy to learn that she’s using her super powers for good.
The superstar has teamed up with Earth Institute, Ericsson, and Millennium Promise to launch a non-profit global education initiative called Connect to Learn. The initiative will award three-year scholarships that will cover secondary school tuition, books, uniforms, and broadband technology.
The first 100 scholarships will be offered to girls in Ghana and Tanzania over the next 100 days. Africa has long been on Madonna’s radar–she adopted a child from Malawi–and now she is offering some amazing educational opportunities for students for whom a high school diploma, let alone a college degree, would simply be a dream.
We could get snarky and say that Madonna is simply jumping on Oprah‘s bandwagon in helping students get to college, but it’s really the more the merrier when it comes to providing education to underprivileged students. Also, Madonna has been in the limelight for so long as a pop star that many forget that she actually attended the University of Michigan as a dance major for a short time.
–The CollegeBound Network
September 22nd, 2010
Yesterday’s #CollegeBound Twitter chat could have gone on forever–and we mean that in the most awesome way possible. The topic was college majors, and we had a great gathering of tweeps who shared some heartfelt advice about choosing majors based on their own college experiences.
It’s sad that we have to call it a college “major,” because it adds so much unnecessary pressure to students, who often think that the choice of what to study in college will make or break their futures. Not so! If you are still laboring under this delusion, feel free to read our chat transcript and see what choosing a college major really means.
Also, please note the humorous yet relevant tweets of our new friend @enotes, who kept us LOLing the entire hour. See you next Monday at 4PM ET!
–The CollegeBound Network
September 21st, 2010
Reason No. 3,457 that I love Oprah Winfrey: She’s taking a group of students from her Leadership Academy in South Africa on college visits in the U.S. this fall.
Oprah is known for generosity and her interest in helping young woman achieve their potential. Building a school was enough proof of her dedication, but the fact that Oprah is actually going to take her students on campus tours at some top universities in New York, Boston, and Chicago is taking that commitment a giant step further. (Lucky tour guides!)
If you happen to see Oprah and Co. on your campus, please snap a picture and put it up on our Facebook page. Better yet, grab a Flip cam and try to get her to say the name of your college the way she introduces guests on her show, as in JOHNNNN TRAVOLTAAAAAH.
–Barbara Bellesi
September 20th, 2010
You know we’re big fans of Twitter, but we’ve also had our eye on the social media phenomenon known as Foursquare. And it seems that the good folks over at Foursquare have made our Friday even better now that they’ve announced their Foursquare for Universities program.
The gist of Foursquare is that you use your smartphone to “check in” to wherever you happen to be at the moment–be it the mall, a concert, or your after-school job–and you let all of the other people in your social network know where you are so that you can meet up. Show up at one place often enough, and you’ll unlock cool “badges” and perhaps even earn the title of “mayor” for that particular venue.
Now take this concept and put it on a college campus. Major coolness will ensue, especially for those of you looking to go to one of those huge schools with campuses that resemble small cities. Not only will you be able to connect with friends wherever they are on campus, but you’ll also be able to make new friends that you might not have otherwise connected with, except for Foursquare.
Ah, social media. Bringing the world closer one tweet, status update, or check in at a time. What do you think? Love it or hate it?
–The CollegeBound Network
September 17th, 2010
Last night, singer Michael Grimm was crowned the newest champion on “America’s Got Talent.” Not only is he now a million bucks richer, but he’s also headed off to the bright lights of Las Vegas for his own headlining show.
Las Vegas is right up there with Hollywood and Broadway in what I like to call the Ivy League of entertainment. You knew there had to be SOME way that I’d make the connection to the college experience, right? Here it is:
There’s no doubt that Las Vegas is the place to find great acts, just like the Ivy Leagues are the place to find smart people. But that doesn’t mean that Vegas is the only place to find talent, just as the Ivies aren’t the be-all and end-all to college.
In fact, there are some people who are very smart or talented, but Vegas (or the Ivies) just aren’t the right fit for them. Let’s take a look at the final four contestants of “America’s Got Talent”:
Prince Poppycock
By looks alone, the audacious Prince Poppycock has the glitz and glam it takes to make it on the Vegas strip. But he’s also got a tenor voice that sounds more at home in a concert hall. The talent is unmistakably there, but perhaps Vegas isn’t quite the Prince’s venue. America agreed, and he placed fourth. But don’t give up on him just yet; it’s really a question of where—not when—he’ll be performing next.
Tip for college students: Be yourself and you’ll find the college that matches your personality and talent. Even if you are a top student, perhaps the Ivy League isn’t the right match for you. And if the admissions staff can’t accept you for the talented and creative person that you are, move on. There’s a college out there waiting for someone like you, and it’s there you’ll thrive.
Fighting Gravity
This 13-man dance/stunt/glow-in-the-dark team is pretty darn awesome, and considering that they are reminiscent of another Vegas act, Blue Man Group, some may have thought Fighting Gravity would be a shoe-in for the championship. Alas, the team finished in third.
Tip for college students: Don’t make any assumptions about what colleges want. Many top students get rejected by schools, even though it seemed like they’d be a perfect fit. Colleges and universities enjoy having a campus full of students with a wide variety of interests–just as Vegas likes having a variety of acts. This is not to say that you’ll get into Yale on a C average, but it could mean that the school that is well known for the sciences might be looking to take on more creative and artistic students—and one of those might be you.
Jackie Evancho
Some called her a prodigy, others an angel. Any way you look at it, this little would-be opera superstar gave flawless performances that, to my eyes, seemed effortless. Only problem? Jackie is 10 and nowhere near ready for a life in Vegas. This little diva, like Prince Poppycock, belongs in a concert hall somewhere, but for Pete’s sake, let her be a kid for a while first.
Tip for college students: Take into account if you are really ready for college. Most traditional students go to college right after high school, while others wait. Whether it’s a gap year program, a few years of working, or many years of working and raising a family, college should be a natural progression of your life, not something you do just to say you did it. If you need to grow up a bit, explore the world, or just live your life before you go to college, do it—it will still be there for you when you are ready.
Michael Grimm
Talented, check. Inspiring back story, check. (His grandparents, who raised him, lost everything in Hurricane Katrina.) And now he’s off to Vegas. Many bloggers and commentators today are griping about whether he deserved to win the entire competition, but America has voted, and it’s Michael Grimm.
Tip for college students: Don’t be afraid to let the admissions staff know who you are and where you’re coming from. Did you struggle through school? Life is a struggle, and the more human you appear to be in your college application, the more colleges will pay attention to you, particularly when you show them how you’ve come through those struggles with flying colors, like Michael Grimm.
And now, on to the next reality show. How will I compare “Dancing with the Stars” to college? It’ll be an interesting “situation,” so stay tuned…
–Barbara Bellesi
September 16th, 2010
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