Archive for December, 2009
What Colleges Look for in Admitting Students
Colleges look at many different factors in deciding which students to admit. To complicate matters these factors, and the weight given to each, differs from school to school. However, in general terms, colleges are looking for students who have the academic ability to succeed at their school. They begin that process by looking at the courses taken in high school, the grades received, the student’s standing relative to their classmates, and their test scores. Once they have determined that a particular student could succeed academically, many schools will look at a variety of other factors. Some of the other factors are discussed below.
In general terms, larger state schools tend to rely more on grades and test scores. The smaller the school and the more selective the school, the more factors are generally considered in deciding whether to admit a particular student. To determine what factors for admission are looked at by any particular school you should ask an admission counselor from that school.
Academic Achievement Reviewed
Your transcript
The colleges will look at the level of difficulty of the courses you took and the grades received in those courses. They will also be looking to see if you challenged yourself by taking advantage of the AP and accelerated courses that are available.
Class rank
The colleges will review your GPA and where you rank in your class
Standardized Test Scores
SAT I, SAT II and ACT. How well did you do on the standardized tests compared to the average candidate to that school.
Teacher and counselor recommendations
Most schools have forms that they ask your teachers and counselor to complete. These forms provide specific information about strengths, accomplishments, areas of improvement and recommendations
Achievements/Awards/Scholarships
What academic awards have you received.
Academic interest (major)
Some schools have a reputation in a particular area of study. At such schools, it may be easier to gain admission if you are planning on studying a major for which they are not known.
Personal Achievement Reviewed
The list of factors a particular college is looking for in a student in a particular year varies widely. Listed below are some other factors that may be considered:
Extracurricular activities
The college will be looking at the amount of time you spent in your activities and whether you held a leadership role. The more time involved and the greater the involvement (i.e. captain of a team), the more impressive your activities will look. Remember that Colleges are not looking for the well-rounded student; they are looking for a well-rounded first year class.
Character traits
What traits do you possess that reflects on your leadership, fellowship, inspiration, discipline or determination?
Interview
The interview can give put a face to your application and might highlight a special talent or problem in your record.
Recommendations
What sort of person and student do your teachers and counselor think you are?
Summer experiences
What have you done in the summer and how has that influenced your life/perspective? Don’t worry if you haven’t had any great experience during the summer. Most schools are impressed by someone working during the summer to save money for school. It reflects a certain level of maturity to be able to hold a job.
Other Considerations
The list of factors a particular college is looking for in a student in a particular year varies widely. Listed below are some other factors that may be considered:
Gender
Many schools try to achieve as close to a 50-50 balance between men and women as possible. Depending on the school, this may give one sex or the other an advantage if the school needs more men or more women.
Family background, race or ethnicity
Students who are the first in their family to go to college are often given additional consideration. This is also true if you are of an ethnic background that school seeks for diversity.
Residence
Schools are often looking for geographical diversity in their students.
Special talents
If you are particularly talented in some area (art, music, writing, athletics, etc.) you may be given more consideration.
Area of interest
If you have a particular interest that is very unusual and to which you have devoted a great deal of time, you may get additional consideration.
Legacy status
Many schools give preference if one of your parents or siblings has previously attended the college to which you are applying.
Financial need
Some schools make admission decisions based on whether you are seeking financial aid or not.
Disciplinary issues
If you have been disciplined by your school, the colleges will look closely at what occurred.
Todd Johnson
http://www.articlesbase.com/college-and-university-articles/what-colleges-look-for-in-admitting-students-116516.html
Laptop Computers
In my opinion, laptops are the best technological conveniences of our time. Although I thoroughly appreciate my cell phone and microwave and all the other gadgets that make my life easier, there is no substitute for lap top computers. I have owned several lap top computers in my life and have enjoyed watching them get smaller and lighter every year. When it comes to staying connected, playing and working on the go, lap top computers can’t be beat.
Although notebook computers, like any other form of technology, become obsolete the moment they hit store shelves, I doubt that you will notice any inequity. Lap top computers have longer battery lives these days and some only weigh a few pounds. They are incredibly convenient for any person who uses a computer regularly. Whenever I had an important term paper due I knew that even if the power went out I would be fine.
I still use a PC at my house for surfing the web and other things. I use my notebook for the bulk of my word processing projects because I feel that they are safer there than on my PC. I, like many other people, have experienced complete computer meltdowns on a PC. It is usually due to a virus caught while surfing the web. I have learned to keep my notebook computers away from the Internet so that my files are better protected. I keep everything of importance on my lap top and use my PC for more dangerous endeavors.
I think that owning a notebook computer is a must. I have found that having two computers, one for Internet use and one for more important things, has been a great idea. Laptops are very valuable and should be protected. I transfer information from my lap top to my PC if I want to send it over the Internet. This way, my precious lap top never touches the web and is never threatened by hackers or viruses.
If you have been looking at laptops you already know that there is a wide array of them and they all come with different features. You will have to shop around to find the right computer for you but I have been able to get by successfully on lap top computers that are in the $500-$600 range. If you wait around until the Christmas holiday shopping season, I am confident you will find yourself a great deal.
John Pawlett
http://www.articlesbase.com/technology-articles/laptop-computers-89766.html
Outdoor Cooking Fireplace – Design It To Suit Your Requirements!
Outdoor parties have always been a hit, especially if the gathering in itself involved those in attendance in the planning, preparation and party itself. Outdoor parties could be in a beachfront, at the garden, in an open-air covered hall, clubhouse, at the roof deck or at any place outside the house particularly at the backyard.
In preparing the buffet, which normally is the highlight of the gathering, it is great to do the food preparation at the party place — using an outdoor cooking fireplace
The outdoor cooking fireplaces has a distinct manner in which food variations could be prepared, and to think that cooking at the comfort of the backyard also maximizes resources even as the ambience comes in as a plus, an open-air party at that. Likewise cooking in an outdoor fireplace minimizes the risk of an open flame, which could result to fire incidents and spare the place from being gutted down. Moreover, the use of the outdoor cooking fireplace also keeps away the smoke from ruining the fruit spray scent of the house’s interiors and suffocation from trapped smoke inside the house.
Equipped with mortar and fasteners, this innovation known as outdoor cooking fireplace has become part of the outdoor living, which is an adaptation of the modern day trend of an American family whose love the grilled meats, pizza and other dishes cooked on the burning grill, remains.
With a built-in access doors and lids that can be closed after the food has been prepared, the outdoor cooking fireplace traps the smoke, which could trigger eye irritation and unwanted odor. It also has safety parameters in its grill grates that prevent flare-ups.
More often than not, logs (which have been a choice of more American fireplace users because it evenly distributes heat) are burned and used in generating heat for the outdoor cooking fireplaces. Using the logs on the fireplace is also considered economical too. Logs also burn slow and fire lasts longer with bowl and lids.
But how do you put up an outdoor cooking fireplace? As to what style to adopt in assembling the cooking fireplace and disassembling the same after its use is easy. With less maintenance cost, the cooking apparatus is guaranteed to last for years and storing it isn’t much of a problem.
Made from durable cast iron, the outdoor cooking fireplace has uniquely designed dome screen that keeps ashes from coming out. Heavy steel coated with black powder, the equipment is guaranteed to be of optimal protection and use. Grills are removable so cleaning won’t be as hard as one would think it is.
Just like any other innovations, there are risks involved if the directions and cautions for the use are not strictly followed. Use of proper gears such as gloves is strongly advised. These gloves offer excellent protection for normal fireplace use and log handling. Many fireplaces utilize new technology creating strong and more durable systems.
Aside from using the outdoor fireplace for cooking, most Americans would want to gather around it during winter, when many would want to feel some heat.
Abhishek Agarwal
http://www.articlesbase.com/cooking-tips-articles/outdoor-cooking-fireplace-design-it-to-suit-your-requirements-708633.html
Teaching Ideas Character Education
What really works in character education? What techniques teacher should adopt to teach character education? These are couple of questions that most teachers and parents ask when they start to teach the Character Education. Most children are very non serious in the attitude, their behaviour and the treatment to others.Over the past few decades, educators have become increasingly interested in implementing character education in their districts, schools, and classrooms, and the pace of this expansion seems to be accelerating. There is a rapidly growing, but still quite inadequate, level of funding available for both practice and research in character education. There are also a bewildering variety of programs, vendors, consultants, and concepts for educators to choose from in their search to improve their schools and positively impact the development and learning of their students.
Following are some ideas which can be given to the students for building their character. First, Appreciation is the most powerful weapon. Many times middle school students do not realize how great efforts from their parents, teachers, friends and family have affected them. As an activity, students needed to first decide on one person who they see as a positive role model. Second, Special thank you notes. Let some very special people know how much you appreciate them! This is a writing activity that can fit in at any time of year. Character education is all about teaching young people how to make responsible choices and helping them to develop the internal controls necessary to make those choices. As such, character education must do more than impart information, it must also inspire and strengthen students to act nobly—even when every inducement conspires to encourage them to act otherwise. This is the point at which character is manifest, for in these circumstances, if the will to act nobly does not exist within, it does not exist at all.
The Persians who taught virtue as a liberal art or science in their public schools, declared that the ability to govern one’s passions in spite of temptation, to be just in one’s dealings, and to be temperate in one’s pleasures were qualities of far more real advantage to a person than being “master of all the arts and sciences in the world besides.” Character education is far easier to implement when the lessons are easy to slide into your daily routine and are mutually supportive of the academic concepts you are teaching. The stories and activities in The Seven C’s of Thinking Clearly are truly teacher friendly. Schools often have character education programs that focus on the qualities of character that are honored by most cultures and traditions. Character education is the development of knowledge, skills, and abilities that encourage children and young adults to make informed and responsible choices. Ethics are a philosophical reflection of moral beliefs and practices. The Greek and Roman philosophers were particularly interested in discussions related to ethics. Religions and faiths each have their own ethical systems to guide their people. Ethical decision making involves the process of making informed decisions when faced with difficult dilemmas with many alternative solutions.
The School which are interested in implementing character education programs. Must follow the safety programs that are implement by some schools. These effective school safety programs include a balance of strategies focused on school climate, firm and fair discipline, prevention and intervention programs, strong academic and extracurricular programs, community involvement, proactive security measures, and crisis preparedness guidelines. Character education issues can clearly play a role in enhancing the school climate component of overall comprehensive safe schools plans.
In the modern education, The character counts programs hold SIX pillars of Character:
1. Trustworthiness
2. Respect
3. Responsibility
4. Fairness
5. Caring
6. Citizenship
charactereducation
http://www.articlesbase.com/college-and-university-articles/teaching-ideas-character-education-721380.html
Ultra Uranium Addresses Environmental Concerns
Posted by admin in Environmental on December 30, 2009
As government and corporate leaders look to uranium as a cleaner alternative to fossil fuel energy sources, some environmental groups are demanding that resource companies act responsibly. Recently, I spoke with the president of Ultra Uranium Corp. [TSX: V.ULU], Ray Roland, about Ultra’s stance on this issue.
In 2005, the corporation secured 100% ownership of the Kalnica-Selec Uranium Project in Slovakia’s western Povazsky Inovec Mountains. The property was originally explored by Uranovy Prieskum State Enterprise (UP) operated by the former Czechoslovakian government. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, UP conducted extensive exploration and development of the 28.91 square kilometre region. This work was halted in the early 1990s due to the global drop in uranium prices.
In February of this year, Ultra Uranium received a technical report on the Kalnica-Selec Project by geologist Dr. Boris Molak, PhD., P.Geo (BC). The report details the promising results of Uranovy Prieskum’s historical findings from radiometric surveys, geological mapping, extensive pitting and trenching vertical and horizontal drilling and tunneling. Dr. Molak, a Slovakian native, believes this region has promising potential for discovering additional mineralization deposits.
In recent months another resource company exploring for uranium in Slovakia, Tournigan Gold Corp., has received a strong backlash from Greenpeace and SOSNA (a local environmental group). The groups drafted a petition supported by at least 32,000 protesting Tournigan’s Jahodna project, located about 5 miles from the 250,000 residents of Kosice. Protestors are mainly concerned with the mining operation’s effects on a nearby protected bird sanctuary, water reservoir and the city’s recreational park.
Although Ultra Uranium has yet to experience such remonstrations and couldn’t comment on the Tournigan situation, Mr. Roland did say, “We realize that there are going to be environmental issues that we have to address before we do anything in the way of extraction. We are going to take the initiative to preclude problems of an environmental nature that might come up. We are not anticipating huge problems, but before we go in and do a drill program, for example, we would go in and talk to the local people. And we have an agent in Slovakia who is well-versed in doing that kind of thing.”
There are two villages, each with populations around 2,000 in Kalnica and Selec; however, they are not located in the areas where exploration work will resume. I also spoke with Dr. Molak, who said that during his next trip to Slovakia he plans to organize a presentation and talk to the local communities. This presentation will explain the company’s plans and intentions in the area and help to alleviate local inhabitants’ misconceptions or environmental concerns.
Because many people associate uranium with nuclear waste and cancer-causing radiation many misconceptions of the white hot metal exist. However, the operational processes and environmental aspects associated with uranium mining are common to all metalliferous mining.
In Situ Leach (ISL), extracting techniques are safe, environmentally friendly and cost advantageous. The method involves pumping liquids through the ore while still in the ground in order to recover the desired minerals. This process causes negligible disturbance and does not generate tailings. Most of the radioactivity remains well underground. There is minimal increase in radon release and no ore dust produced from this process. Whether ISL methods are feasible or not depends on site geology and ground water location. Uranium ore suitable for ISL occurs in permeable sand or sandstone located below the water table.
Ultra Uranium’s property in Slovakia is comprised of permeable sandstone and some areas might possess the right conditions for ISL mining. The detected mineralization sites in the Krajna region, by far the largest resources on the property, are located below the water table about 300-500 metres from the surface. But, the deposits in the Selec region are set above the water table in a 240 metre hill making ISL unfeasible and they will most likely be extracted by conventional means.
Conventional mining consists of removing rock from the earth, breaking it up and treating it to remove the desired minerals. The tailings or waste products contain most of the radioactive material from the original ore. After the project is complete these tailing dams are covered with two metres of clay and topsoil to reduce radiation to naturally occurring regional levels and vegetation cover is established. Despite the fears of some, uranium ore actually possesses a very low level of radioactivity. In fact, a lump of pure uranium emits fewer gamma rays than a lump of granite.
Today, modern uranium exploration and mining techniques are performed under well-established environmental constraints set in place to control off-site pollution including strict standards for limiting gamma radiation. Dr. Molak informed me that as a member of the European Union, Slovakia has very strict environmental regulations. “We must comply with European Union regulations which are pretty similar to Canadian [laws].” This also extends to the Non-Proliferation Treaty meaning that any uranium mined in Slovakia cannot be used for weapons.
The environmental policies of Slovakia are organized around principles of prevention, pre-caution and polluter responsibility. The central authority responsible for administering and regulating these policies is The Ministry of the Environment which requires licenses and environmental impact assessments for exploration and mining operations. These regulations are quite comprehensive.
During exploration work Ultra Uranium is required to comply with several Slovakian environmental laws that protect water reservoirs and agricultural and forest soil. Exploration activities are also prohibited from encroaching upon the vegetation of the Selecky Potok Natural Memorabilia and the game protection area at the south western margin of the licensed property. Ultra Uranium is required to adhere to established codes for integrating environmental pollution controls during the course of exploration.
When asked about the Slovakian government’s attitude towards nuclear energy and uranium mining, Mr. Roland offered: “They are very open. If not the best country in the world, they’re right at the top in terms of being amiable to mining opportunities. I think if you pay attention to the environmental side. . .you’re going to be welcomed with open arms.”
Melissa Pistilli
http://www.articlesbase.com/investing-articles/ultra-uranium-addresses-environmental-concerns-137031.html
Fashion Design Schools: Choosing the BEST Among the Rest
Do you know how to sew?
Do you enjoy creating designs?
Do you love following or changing patterns to come up with a piece of clothing?
If fashion is simply just your passion, then you might just be right for a fashion design school.
Here are some reasons why you should attend a fashion design school:
1. You will learn about the most up-to-date styles that many people would consider buying.
2. If you are unsure whether you will be able to make a living out of your interest in fashion,
your level of confidence will greatly increase once you obtained a degree.
3.Studying about and later working on, a field that you love is very rewarding.
4. You will learn about the various principles behind the patterns you have worked on in the
past, as well as the ones you will be working on in the future.
5.You will also be knowledgeable on mixing and matching colors to magnify the shape and cut
of your creations.
6. You will know more about keeping your clothes together – other than just stitching! Talk
about endless possibilities.
7. Fashion design school will expose you to different kinds of people, working with them,
incorporating their ideas with your own, and developing relationships with those who share
the same feeling toward fashion.
8. These relationships will set the foundation for meeting potential employees, employers, or
business partners; all whom you will need when you start your foray into the fashion world.
There are numerous fashion design schools globally. Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, found in London, is considered by some as the most famous of them all. Other world-renowned schools are The Royal College of Arts in London, the London College of Fashion, Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, AIU in Los Angeles, and Parsons The New School for Design in New York City.
Most courses in the schools mentioned above last for about three years.
The next question, however, will be, how do you choose the best school for you?
Here are 10 helpful tips to help you in your decision making:
Tip#1- – Determine what you would like to major in. From there, search for a school that offers
the program that you like.
Tip#2- – Have a list of criteria that you would like to take a look into in your search for the perfect
fashion design school. These criteria may include program offering, major and minor
subjects, costs, location, placement record, and many more.
Tip#3- – You may now construct a list of candidate fashion design schools.
Tip#4- – Gather all necessary resources and information about each of your candidate
school. Find their websites and research.
Tip#5 – - Narrow down your list further by using the criteria you have set in Tip#2.
Tip#6 – -Inspect the schools left on your list. It would be good if you can visit these schools
personally. But if not, try to obtain a video or look for a virtual tour in their websites.
Tip#7 – - File your application to the schools that met your criteria.
Tip#8 – -While waiting to hear from the schools you sent your application to, search for
scholarship grants in the Internet.
Tip#9 – -Make your final decision based on the responses you got from the schools that you
applied to, as well as the scholarship grantors’ response. Carefully review your notes,
consider funding, and finally, decide.
Tip#10 – -Get ready to embark on a journey that you have never quite experienced before!
Off you go to the one of the best fashion design schools in the world!
Ronald Piper
http://www.articlesbase.com/Careers-articles/fashion-design-schools-choosing-the-best-among-the-rest-132843.html
Bridging Finance Guide – What is a Bridging Loan?
What is a Bridging Loan?
A Bridging Loan is short term funding to provide temporary financing until more permanent finance can be found. Bridging Loans are available for a whole range of financial requirements and can be on the basis of a 1st, 2nd or even 3rd charge equity release, usually provided for any legal purpose.
Examples:
- Commercial & Residential Purchase
- Commercial & Residential Refinance
- Auction Purchases
- Capital Raising *
- Chain Breaking
- Refurbishment
- Speculative Deals
- Business Cash Injection
- Defective Property
* Capital raising funds can be used for many reasons including holidays, overseas property investment and tax bills etc.
Security
- Residential Property
- Commercial Property
- Land (with or without planning permission in place)
- Real Property (such as Plant machinery)
Bridging Loans carry a higher interest rate than standard mortgage lending and at the offer of loan stage there will be an agreed term of repayment, normally between one day and two years.
Bridging Loans are most commonly used when the financing requirement is urgent and beyond the timescales that a standard mortgage lender or bank could provide. In some cases Bridging Lenders can provide funds within 24 hours. Another common use of bridging finance would be to fund the purchase a new home prior to the existing property being sold.
Characteristics
Bridge loans will almost certainly carry higher fees which can include:
- Administration Fees
- Arrangement Fees
- Legal Fees
- Completion Fees
- Valuation Fees
- Exit Fees **
- Broker Fees (normally non-disclosed)
** A fee charged to redeem the loan, typically equivalent to one month’s interest payment.
As most bridging Loans are not regulated by the Financial Services Authority the above fees can vary substantially as they fall within no boundaries or guidelines, only competitive pricing.
Application
Bridging Lenders will consider loans to discharged bankrupts and clients with adverse credit such as CCJs and IVAs. They will lend to individuals as well as Businesses, Ltd Companies and tax efficient vehicles such as SPVs.
Variations
Bridging Loans are split into two main categories:
Closed Bridging Finance
At the time the funds are drawn down there is a firm exit in place to repay the loan normally within a short period of time. The most common use of Closed Bridging Finance would be the pending sale of an existing property on which contracts have been signed and exchanged/missives concluded
Open Bridging Finance
At the time the funds are drawn down there is no fixed exit or repayment method for the lenders comfort, only an agreed maximum term that the loan can run for. Seen as higher risk than closed Bridging Finance it is therefore more expensive.
Other forms of short term finance:
Mezzanine Finance
Often a combination of debt and equity stake which is typically used to finance the expansion of existing companies. To secure mezzanine finance the business would normally have to demonstrate a track record in the industry with an established reputation and product, a history of profitability and a viable expansion plan for the business (e.g. expansions, acquisitions, IPO).
Lenders
There are over 20 Primary Bridging Lenders in the UK that are able to lend their own funds and therefore set their own criteria of risk.
Private Financers
Should Bridging Lenders decline to lend, Private debt and equity financers can be sort to provide funding for the examples above. This type of finance is normally very expensive.
Specific Uses
Bridging Loans can be used as a Below Market Value (BMV) purchase instrument where the initial purchase takes place at the lower purchase price allowing a subsequent refinance application to be placed with a mainstream lender for borrowing based on the Open Market Value of the property with the purpose of releasing the difference in equity between the purchase price of the property and the higher resulting remortgage loan.
Costs
Bridging Loans typically cost between 1-2% per month. Variable rates with margins over Libor can sometimes be applied as an alternative or an addition.
Find an Independent Bridging Finance Broker to give you all the available options.
Ben Randall
http://www.articlesbase.com/mortgage-articles/bridging-finance-guide-what-is-a-bridging-loan-903271.html
What content would you want to see on a tourism information site?
When travelling abroad if you check out tourist sites beforehand what aspects would make the site itself more attractive, the interactivity with guestbooks, the quality of the content, leads onto relevant webpages, photos, creative writing? Its a little side project im working on for Spanish tourism. Thanks in Advance!
Visa information!
Is there an invention database site listing all inventions?
Posted by admin in Technologies on December 28, 2009
I wanted to invent something,but I am not sure if it has been invented yet. I was wondering if there was such a site that exist that list already made inventions?
The very popular Google has a section just for searching patented inventions! Of course, there are a lot and it may take a while to find what you’re looking for. Good luck in inventing something new! It’s an exciting and difficult process.
How to approach my parents on quitting soccer?
I’ve played many sports in my childhood, one of which is soccer. Freshman year is a quarter of the way done and soccer tryouts r next week. I love golf and tennis, but not so much soccer. I really don’t want to take soccer to the high school level but im pretty sure my parents ont approve. Any tips on how I should approach my parents on quitting soccer?
tell your parents you arent playing soccer
its your choice
they dont like it? what are they gonna do, chain you to the soccer field?