Monthly Archives: October 2010

Off Campus Study Scholarships for ACM Students

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The Associated Colleges of the Midwest (ACM) does not offer off-study scholarships. However, ACM students do not have to lose hope. Eligible students can take advantage of many scholarship programs offered beyond the walls of ACM. ACM encourages students to try the school’s suggested scholarships and other financial aid programs. Here are some possible off-campus study scholarships to consider:

Bridging Project for Study Abroad in Japan

This scholarship is offered by the Association of Teachers of Japanese Bridging Project. Students who are interested in studying in Japan may take advantage of this offer. Per semester, scholarship grants can amount up to $2,500. One school year’s worth of scholarship is worth $4,000.

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship

This scholarship is offered to American undergraduate students with minimal financial means. These students must also be Pell Grant recipients. Through the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, the undergraduate can study abroad. Any place in the world may be allowed by the scholarship but preference is given to a few countries, such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Western Europe. Amount granted may reach $5,000 a year.

DiversityAbroad.com Study Abroad Scholarship

This scholarship is offered to twenty students per year. For each of the spring and fall seasons, six students are given the grant. Eight students are granted the scholarship during the summer. The DiversityAbroad.com study abroad scholarship is offered to economically disadvantaged students who want to experience studying outside of the country. $1,000 is given to each of the students.

There are many other study abroad scholarships being offered to financially disadvantaged but deserving students. The National Security Education Program (NSEP) – Boren Undergraduate Scholarship actually grants up to a maximum of $20,000 for each student in an academic year program. This program gives American students a chance to study in places that are critical to the US’ future security.

Photo Credits: Josh Berglund

Myths and Truths behind Dual Degree Programs MBA Admission Advantage

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There is something very impressive about a dual degree program. After all, the student who is taking such a program is tackling two separate fields at the same time. Students who are hoping to get into a good graduate school or a topnotch business school believe that taking up a dual degree program can up their chances. Here are some myths about dual degree programs and their effects on getting admitted to a top business program.

A dual degree is easier to get into.

A lot of students, for some reason, think that it is easier to get accepted into a dual degree program. This is not the case, however. The applicant has to be admitted to both of the programs. It can already be hard enough to get accepted to just one program. Applying to two programs at the same time is a lot tougher.

A dual degree is better than a mere MBA.

This really depends on what skills the student needs. If most of the skills that the other program will be teaching are already redundant with the skills being taught in an MBA, then the dual degree is a deterrent to success instead of a boost. A dual degree can only weigh a student down. If the MBA program teaches all that he or she needs, it is better to choose that lone MBA program and focus on certain skills.

There are yet other myths about the dual degree. This may be due to the fact that very few people choose dual degree programs over lone ones. Some student applicants get scared of the dual degree programs because they think that they have to have a specific career goal ready to be compatible with such a program. Actually, with a dual degree program, the student is made to explore more career possibilities.

Photo Credits: Madaroni

 

MBA Guide to the University of Virginia Darden School of Business

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The University of Virginia is also referred to as Mr. Jefferson’s University since it was founded by Thomas Jefferson. Located in Charlottesville, Virginia, this public research university was established in 1819.

Its graduate business school, the Darden School of Business, was founded in 1954. The business school took its name from Colgate Whitehead Darden, Jr, a former Virginia governor and University of Virginia president.

Degrees offered

Darden is known for its 2-year MBA program that uses case study analysis as one of its teaching methods. This teaching style is also used in law schools and also at Harvard Business School. The case method does require serious preparation for discussions among groups.

The business school is also highly reputed for its Executive Education program, which features both open and custom programs. Among the focus of the program are service excellence, bargaining and negotiating, among others. It was in 2006 that Darden opened its MBA for Executives program, which can be completed in 22 months.

Alumni

Darden has produced b-school graduates who have successfully made a mark in different business industries. From industry leaders to prominent entrepreneurs and CEOs, its list of famous alumni includes:

* John Bryan – former Sara Lee CEO and Chairman
* George David – United Technologies Corporation CEO and Chairman
* John Shafer Jr. – Dunkin’ Donuts CEO
* Henri Termeer – Genzyme Corporation President, Chairman, and CEO
* John Strangfeld – Prudential Financial Chairman and CEO
* Charles de Mestral – Winstar Resources Inc. CEO
* Steven Reinemund – former PepsiCo. CEO and Chairman
* Frank Batten Jr. – Landmark Communications CEO
* Thomas Baltimore – RLJ Development Co-founder and President
* James Geisler – United Technologies Corporation Vice President Finance

Rankings and reviews

Darden often makes it to the list of top 15 business schools in the country. It is also highly reputed as a top business school in the world. The University of Virginia’s graduate business school was ranked 14th by the 2010 rankings of the US News and World Report. In 2009, it was ranked 14th, 12th in 2008, 13th in 2007, and 14th in 2006. Darden also made it to the top 9 by the Forbes ranking. For 4 straight years, Darden made it to the list of Forbes’ top 10. Wall Street Journal ranked the school 10th in 2007. It took the 4th place for the most improved b-school category and 5th for general management. In 2008, it was ranked 16th, 15th in 2006, and 12th in 2004 by Businessweek. In the US, it took the 14th spot for the best business schools and was ranked 31st in the world by Financial Times.

Admission tips

Darden, as one the top MBA schools in the country, is highly selective. To make the cut, applicants need to prepare well for the admissions process. They should present a competitive GMAT score and impressive resume with detailed work experiences. The MBA application essay is also very important, along with the letters of recommendation and official transcript. To get an edge over applicants, make sure that the admission essay is outstanding, one that digs deeper into the real meaning of MBA education to one’s career and personal goals.

Admission facts

Admissions data based on the full-time MBA profile by Businessweek (in an article published in 2009):

GMAT scores:

Mean: 701
Median: 700

Middle 80% range GMAT scores:
From: 660
To: 740

Relative Importance of Application Elements:

GMAT Score: Very Important
Resume/Work Experience: Very Important
Application Essays: Very Important
Interviews: Very Important
Recommendations: Very Important
Undergraduate Transcripts: Very Important

Contact info

University of Virginia
Darden School of Business
100 Darden Boulevard
Charlottesville, VA 22903 USA
(434) 924-3900

website: http://www.darden.virginia.edu/web/Home/

Helping Others Achieve their Vision

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There exists in some people an innate desire to look after the welfare of their fellow human beings. This motivation can be traced back to either the challenges they’ve experienced during their formative years, or the simple fact that medicine and the human body is a subject and an entity that they wish to further study. I believe in the virtues of being a doctor. The delicate balancing act required to provide both effective healthcare and personalized service is a challenge that I look forward to dealing with. Whether this is something I will be good at remains to be seen, but I am certain that I will be interested enough to always give my best, regardless of my intellectual limitations.

Outline

I. Introduction

A. History of my motivation to study medicine

B. My family background and my experiences

C. My chosen specialization and how it will motivate me to challenge the norms and excel in my field

II. My past achievements as a student

A. I have immersed myself in various co- and extra-curricular activities and groups to prepare myself for the challenges ahead, namely staying focused and determined to finish what I started.

B. I have been recognized many times for my achievements in the past. This has been part of the driving force why I’m pursuing this.

C. I’ve had wonderful opportunities to gain hands-on experience in my chosen field. I volunteered for several missions and programs which gave me an extremely realistic image of what my chosen profession will be like when I finish my studies.

III. My choice of medical institution

A. History and academic focus – Your institution, I believe, will offer me the experience and credibility that I’ll need to stay determined to eventually finish my studies.

B. Location – The location of your facilities is perfect for my needs.

C. Quality of education – This school is known for its high quality optometry education.

A Career As An Executive Chef

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I have always known that running a business is my calling. To be able to start my own business and run it effectively is an ambition that I’m determined to pursue. I’ve always been fascinated by new and exciting dishes and the careers of famous chefs. I believe it is now time to act on my wishes and fulfill my goals. I know that the best way for me to do this is to study the craft and enroll in an institution that will introduce me to this exciting field. What better way to do this than through your institution.

Outline

I. Introduction

A. An executive chef as a serious career
B. Looking at the barriers to establishing a career in this field
C. My fascination with this art form is the main driving force why I now have an all-or-nothing attitude about succeeding in this career field.
D. I am particularly interested in world cuisine and why there is so much variety around the world in terms of food choices and preferences.

II. My background as a student and a person

A. I’ve always been involved in preparing and presenting food for my family.
B. I have a keen sense of the elements that give different dishes their unique flavors.
C. Working for myself by starting my own business is a goal I would like to achieve once I feel that I have learned enough to do so.

III. Reasons why I want to study in your institution.

A. Credibility – Your reputation precedes you. This is telling me that I have made the right choice.
B. Logistics – The location of your school and its environment is very forgiving of students with my disposition. Simply put: I feel very comfortable with the ambiance of your institution.
C. Goals of the institution – The goals of your institution is closely aligned with my own ambitions.

Yale University School of Management Profile

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Yale University is one of the Ivy League universities in the US. With a campus located in New Haven, Connecticut, Yale University has around US$16.3 billion endowment, making it one of the largest among the world’s academic institutions. This university is also home to one of the world’s largest academic libraries, with contains approximately 12.5 million volumes.

Yale is the alma mater of many outstanding individuals such as Jacques Derrida, the father of deconstruction, and the proponents of New Critics including Cleanth Brooks and Robert Penn Warren. They were former faculty members of Yale University as well.

The University was established in 1701, making it the third oldest institution of higher education in the US. It was founded by clergymen who wanted to establish a college to train clergy and political leaders in the colony. In 1976, the Yale School of Management, or Yale SOM, was founded in 1976 by William H. Donaldson as a private business school.

Degrees offered

The undergraduate school, Yale College, is the center of the university. The College offers more than 2,000 undergrad courses in the sciences and liberal arts. Among the notable programs offered in Yale University are African-American Studies, Biology, and Medieval Studies, to name a few.

Aside from the regular MBA programs, the graduate business school of Yale University (Yale SOM) also offers joint MBA degree programs such as the MBA/JD (with Yale Law School), MBA/PhD (with Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences), MBA/MD (with Yale School of Medicine), MBA/MFA (with Yale School of Drama), MBA/MArch (with Yale School of Architecture), MBA/MDiv and MBA/MAR (with Yale Divinity School), MBA/MEM (with Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies), MBA/MA in International Relations (with Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences), MBA/MPH (with Yale School of Public Health), and MBA/MA in Russian and East European Studies (with Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences).

Alumni

Yale SOM has produced many accomplished entrepreneurs, businesspeople, and industry leaders. Among the prominent alumni of the graduate business school are:

* Tom Ascheim – Newsweek, Inc. CEO
* Laszlo Bock – People Operations (Google) Vice President
* Joaquin Avila – Carlyle Group Managing Director
* Tim Collins – Ripplewood Holdings LLC CEO and founder
* Michael R. Eisenson – CEO, Managing Director, and co-founder, Charlesbank Capital Partners
* James Firestone – Corporate Operations (Xerox) President
* Anne Glover – Amadeus Capital Partners CEO and co-founder
* Andrew K. Golden – Princeton University Investment Company President
* Jack Griffin – Time, Inc. CEO
* James P. Kelley – Vestar Capital Partners President
* Randy Kim – Conrad N. Hilton Foundation Chief Investment Officerenger to Joe Lieberman
* Linda Mason – Bright Horizons Family Solutions Chairman and founder

Rankings and reviews

Yale SOM is part of the top 15 MBA programs in the country, as confirmed by many rankings and reviews. As of April 2010, the graduate business school was ranked as follows:

* Yale SOM was ranked number 11 U.S. News & World Report
* Businessweek placed it at number 24 in its rankings.
* Financial Times ranked the business at number 15 in the world, number 4 for Best in Economics, and number 3 for Best in Corporate Social Responsibility.
* Yale SOM was also ranked 10th by Forbes.

Admission tips

The admissions process is very competitive for Yale SOM. This is why you need to have an excellent scholastic record, GMAT results, and exceptional MBA personal statement. Interested applicants are advised to prepare well in advance and to explore all available options for the MBA program that suits them best.

Admission facts

Admissions data based on the full-time MBA profile by Businessweek (in an article published in 2009):

GMAT scores:
Mean : 715
Median: 710

Middle 80% range GMAT scores:
From: 660
To: 760

Relative Importance of Application Elements:

GMAT Score: Important
Resume/Work Experience: Important
Application Essays: Important
Interviews: Important
Recommendations: Important
Undergraduate Transcripts: Important

Contact info

Main phone number: 203.432.5932

Mailing address:
Yale School of Management
Box 208200
New Haven, CT 06520-8200

website: http://mba.yale.edu/index_noflash.shtml

Avionics as the Catalyst for an International Market

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As more and more information is poured in avionics, the quality of air transportation increases as time goes by. With speed and safety being the primary considerations for every travel option, the challenges of developing and creating aircrafts that would meet the needs of the changing economy has become an all important goal to achieve. As these goals are met, the globe becomes smaller still. While the demand for air travel increases and ease of which is improved, the pathway to access from one land to another has become possible for those who want a global reach. As a result, avionics has the power to bring people together, introducing cultures and promoting worldwide unity that transcends several aspects.

Outline

I. Introduction

A. The impact of air travel in creating a more united, culture conscious globe
B. Pursuing the development and creation of higher quality air travel as a catalyst for a more accessible environment
C. The importance of both safety and speed in developing air transportation that would satisfy the demands of the fast growing industry
D. Avionics being the latest and most promising trend that would catapult air travel into higher quality proportions
E. I have decided to earn a Bachelor’s degree in the aviation field in the hope of expanding my current knowledge as well as working with the current shift in aviation trend with the focus more on avionics rather than on the mechanic aspects.

II. My achievements as a student and as a professional

A. As a student, I achieved my diploma in aviation from ____________.
B. I have worked as a Boeing 747 Airframe Technician with experience spanning up to five years.
C. During my working years, I have accomplished various tasks including major operations that include replacement of landing gears as well as necessary airframe system repairs.

III. Why I chose this school

A. Curriculum – _________________ provides the best curriculum that would meet my educational goals.
B. Environment ? the current settings supplied by institution, both academically and physically are conducive in inspiring me to pursue my goals.
C. Quality Education ? the quality of education made available to the students is high quality and globally competitive.