Writing an Effective Admissions Essay

Writing

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Competitive technical colleges and institutes often require that applicants write an admissions essay. Improving your chances of getting into such schools is dependent upon writing a high-quality essay that outlines your reasons for pursuing your particular education path.

Describing Your Background

When given an opportunity, many people have an easy time explaining their backgrounds to other people verbally. Writing down your personal history may be more challenging. To write a well-organized admissions essay, first create an outline. Include important points such as your cultural upbringing, your early educational experiences and the interests and values that have led you to pursue your current educational goals.

Detailing Your Professional Goals

An effective admissions essay also clearly explains what you envision yourself doing in the future. When applying to a technical college, you must have some vision of the skills and knowledge you will gain that will lead you to your ultimate professional goal. Create an outline of the various skills you hope to gain and the exact types of professions and settings in which your skills will be most marketable.

Crafting the Essay

Review your outline of your background and professional goals to choose the most salient aspects. Which are the most crucial points that you wish to convey in your essay? Which facts will be appealing to someone on an admissions committee?

Once you have selected the main points, write in a natural and clear tone. Be sure to ask someone you trust to read the essay and correct all typos and errors before submitting it.

 

 

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Leading the Fashion Scene

If you have a passion for fashion, then one of the career considerations that you should absolutely put some stock into is going to fashion school and learning all about what it takes to create your very own unique fashion line. Distinct fashion lines are popping up all over the place, proving that if you have something creative to share, then the odds are good that someone will be interested in buying what you’re selling.

Leading the Fashion Scene

If you are passionate about the idea of creating your own fashion line or clothing line, then you should put consideration into putting yourself through fashion school. Although not every fashion designer has been to fashion school, Rocawear clothing designer included, there are many benefits to attending this type of school because it is going to teach you a lot about not only forming your own clothing designs, but also how to survive in the business. The fashion industry can certainly be cutthroat, and so you want to be prepared for everything that it is going to throw at you before you enter into the market hoping for the best.

Every fashion school course that you take is going to benefit you, so take the courses that you are most interested in and see where that takes you. You are not required to get an official degree or certification, but you can walk out of this type of school with a lot of extremely useful information as well as a hands on experience that will help you go far in the industry.

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The Benefits of Attending Technical College

Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Oregon, USA

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Many people dream of going to college. For some, that dream doesn’t include a prestigious and expensive ivy-league school, but a more economic and practical college, such as a technical or community college. Despite what many may say or think, there is absolutely nothing wrong with attending such a school. In fact, technical and community colleges actually have a few benefits over the more prominent colleges and universities.

Cost

Technical and community colleges don’t come with the same price tags of many colleges and universities. You may find that a local technical college has just the right course for you and it won’t see you thrown into the dark realms of never-ending student loans and debt.

Location

A big benefit of attending a technical or community college is that you can choose one that is close to where you currently live. That means you won’t have to move clear across the country to continue your education. It also means that you will have the support of your family and friends at hand, which is what many students miss when they move away for college.

Choice

Technical and community colleges offer a wide range of study areas from which you can choose from. Many are also very flexible with their courses. If you are unsure of what area you are wanting to study you will be able to pick up courses in a few different subject areas so that you can more easily figure out exactly what it is you want to do for the rest of your life.

Before making any drastic decisions, check out your local colleges for more information.

 

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All the Financial Gibberish

Don’t be afraid to admit the fact that every time you look at a tax form, the first thing you think of is that you’re reading a document straight out of another solar system, some ancient alien language discovered by no one else but you, making you probably the most important person on the world to have discovered an ancient alien race (not really, but you get the picture). The same could go for such documents as credit card applications, insurance policies, and credit reports. Somehow they all look just like gibberish to us!

The scary thing is this: the ambiguous language used in these forms and documents were intentional! Seriously? Yes. Fine print and confusing language has often been used while presenting an attractive intentioned offer to draw the attention of the reader directly to where the company wants the reader to go. Sneaky.

Thankfully, you can nail all that gibberish to the wall. It’s called the WonderMark Awards. It’s a ceremony celebrating the most unclear language used in all kinds of documents held annually at the Center for Plain Language (yes, there is such a place). Imagine how funny it would be if there was a cash advance store giving out payday loans with unclear documentation to boot!

It’s an interesting award ceremony to help hail the activity of personal finance in our country. We definitely want to understand our finances better. Why do people insist on using gibberish? It may just come down to the lawyers who get paid to write the stuff. If we could understand it, we might realize we don’t need them and they’d be out of a job!

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Online Certificate Programs: A Path to a New Career

The recent recession has taken a heavy toll on jobs in this country.  Many unemployed workers find that their current job skills are no longer adequate in a highly technical business marketplace.  Still others take the opportunity that unemployment affords them to re-evaluate their career path and their passions. For both types of unemployed workers, online certificate programs often offer the needed boost to full employment.

The good news is that no matter where your interest lies, there is an on-line certificate program to meet your needs.

Arts and Design

Many traditional universities like NYU and University of California at San Diego offer certificate programs in digital and graphic design.  For students looking to update or learn new skills, programs from established institutions are well received by prospective employers.  When in doubt; do some research.  Go to job fairs and ask prospective employers which schools they are familiar with.

Business

Business certificate programs can provide the needed boost and specialization to your resume.  Business certificates in conflict management, human resources, project management, risk management, contract administration, and e-commerce will equip you for today’s business niche.

Health Care

The health care field is one of the fast growing industries in the United States and the demand for skilled workers is huge.  Online certificates from accredited schools can easily transition you into the medical field.  Here are just a few areas to consider:  health administration, nutrition, pharmacy tech, medical transcription, medical billing, and nursing.

Change is difficult—particularly when the change was unplanned. On-line certificate programs provide unemployed workers a path to new opportunities

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Trade School Scholarships and Grants

Trade and vocational schools offer students the shortest path to employment. Many potential students are unaware of the financial resources available to them.  Most students are aware of the Perkins and Stanford student loan programs, but technical and vocational school students often fail to take advantage of available scholarships and grants.

Grants

Normally grants are given by nonprofit organizations to individuals who meet specific criteria.  Grants can cover educational expenses, living expenses, or expenses for a specific project. Some examples of federal grants are: the Pell Grant,  LEAP (Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership) Grants, TEACH (Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education) Grant, and the FSEOG (Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant).  In addition many states also provide educational grants.

Scholarships

Scholarships are only awarded for educational purposes. Students must meet the basic criteria for the scholarship and compete against other applicants.  Scholarships often have on-going requirements.  For instance, certain scholarships require the student to maintain a specific grade point average and a minimum amount of credit hours per quarter.

Some scholarships are funded by the college or technical school. Others are funded by private individuals, businesses, major corporations, trade unions, and professional organizations.  Companies like Microsoft annual offer $500,000 worth of scholarships to technical and vocational students.

Technical and vocational students should look first to local organizations in their area for scholarship assistance, then widen their search to regional and finally national organizations.

Searching for grants and scholarships can be time consuming, but will save you thousands of dollars in educational expenses.  Be cautious in hiring a grant and scholarship search company to do your searching for you.  While these companies can produce results, they are often expensive and are seldom comprehensive.

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Scholarship Essays Simplified

The essay portion of scholarship applications is often the most daunting.  Students feel confined by compactness of the essay and overwhelmed by their perceived inability to stand out. But here is the truth, scholarship essays have a purpose.  The purpose is to get to know you.  No matter what the assigned topic, essay evaluators are trying to get a feel for who you are as a student.

Follow these simple steps and breeze through your next scholarship essay.

Read and Analyze

Read and analyze the essay topic. What are the parts to the question or topic? What are the evaluators looking for? Brainstorm ideas around the topic.  Prepare a short outline for your best ideas.

Introductions and Conclusions

Introductions and conclusions should hook together.  Grab your reader with an introductory sentence that demands their attention and requires them to continue reading.  Tell the reader in the introduction what will follow.

Use your conclusion to summarize your main points and to lock into your introduction.

The Rule of Three

Illustrate your main idea with three examples.  Three is the number for completeness.  Readers feel satisfied with three pieces of evidence or examples.  You can definitely use more, but three is the minimum.

Use Active Voice

Whenever possible use active verbs. Say, “ I ran my first and last marathon at 15.” Don’t say, “ I was a marathon runner in my teens.”

Proofread and Proofread Again

Read your essay backwards.  Read the last sentence first.  It is easier to find mistakes when you read the essay backwards.  Read the essay aloud to see how it flows.  Finally, ask a friend to proofread your essay.

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Three Popular Online Psychology Degrees

Psychology is an academic discipline that spawns hundreds of career paths.  Some like clinical psychology, marriage and family counseling, and child psychology are familiar to everyone.  Other careers which examine how we think and how we create memories are less familiar.  Whether your interest in psychology takes you into research or private practice or both, online degrees can help you reach your goals.

Here are three popular online psychology degrees to explore.

Clinical Psychologists

Clinical psychologists treat patients with emotional, behavioral and mental disorders.  Typically clinical psychologists work in community mental health centers, clinics, prisons, hospitals and private practice. Many specialize their practice to address narrow populations, such as the elderly, or abused children.  Clinical psychologists require roughly nine years of post-secondary education.

Some of the better known online institutions are: Union Institute and University, Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology, and Santa Barbara Graduate Institute.

Forensic Psychologists

Forensic psychologists typically work with the courts and law enforcement.  They may be called upon to provide psychotherapy for crime victims and to assess competency. Their work may be involved with insurance claims, custody disputes and lawsuits.  Educational requirements for Forensic Psychologist degree is typically five to seven years of graduate work.

Some of the better known online institutions are: Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology, Nova Southeastern University, and Carlos Albizu University in Miami.

Environmental Psychologists

Environmental psychologists evaluate office designs and assess the psychological impact of various environments on human behavior.

Some of the better known online institutions include: Cornell University, Miami University of Ohio, and University of Wisconsin.

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Taking Skiing Lessons – Integrating Fun and a Perfect Vacation

One way to have a great time is to take skiing lessons. If you’ve never been skiing, you are missing out on a great time! It is a great way to enjoy the snow and to get some exercise.

When you take skiing lessons you will certainly start with the basics, unless you have some experience and are comfortable in the snow. Don’t worry about falling down and getting hurt; you will learn the basics of how to stay on your feet. While you won’t become a professional overnight, you will be able to have a lot of fun no matter how many left feet you have.

As you learn some basic techniques you should find it to be a fun experience. You can rent ski equipment as well; you don’t have to own your own ski equipment.

Part of the fun with regard to skiing lessons is how it can turn into a vacation. Even if you live near the slopes, you can still plan a once-in-a-lifetime vacation. If you live in a warmer climate then you have the perfect reason to head to the slopes.

Making a vacation with regard to skiing lessons is a great way to have any type of trip – whether you need something for the family or a romantic getaway. One of the best ways to do this is to look for ski deals – they can turn your dream vacation into something that is financially reasonable. Saving money can allow you to go back after you have a great time, as well.

Consider how a ski-related vacation could be a great way to get away. Ski deals can definitely make a huge difference, putting your vacation within reach. Look at some of the options that you have to start planning your vacation. You can be on the slopes in no time.

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Apprenticeships: Go to the Source

Since the dawn of learning apprenticeships have been the primary way master craftsmen pass their skills to the next generation. Stone masons, master builders, blacksmiths, and artisans all have long histories of apprenticeships.  Yet today, in the twenty-first century many people are unaware of the opportunities that apprenticeships afford.

Types of Apprenticeships Available

Today there are over 37,000 apprenticeship programs in the United States. These programs are offered in cooperation with 250,000 employers and unions.  The opportunities and types of apprenticeship programs are vast.  Some examples of occupations are: electrician, plumber, pipe-fitter, florist, millwright, firefighter, cook and tool and die maker.

How to Find Apprenticeships

The place to start is the U.S. Department of Labor website.  The Department of Labor will give you specific information about apprenticeships and apprenticeship applications and laws.  Your second stop is at your state’s department of labor website.  On the state sites are specific apprenticeships available in your area and the requirements you must meet to apply.  Finally, if you still haven’t found the apprenticeship you are looking for, visit the labor unions or industry organizations and ask about their apprenticeships.

Learn While You Earn

Apprenticeships are a combination of on-the-job training and classroom work.  Most apprenticeships allow you to earn money while you are learning the skills necessary to be a journeyman.  The average wage for apprenticeships today range from $16,000 to $24,000 per year.

Apprenticeships are valued form of education.  A completed apprenticeship is the equivalent of $42,000 college education.

For more information on apprenticeships write to the OA State Offices, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, D.C.

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