Admissions Guide to St. Mary’s University of Minnesota

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Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is a Catholic university divided into two major academic units: the College, which offers the Bachelor of Arts degree and the Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs, which offer the Bachelor of Science degrees, certificates, master degrees, education specialist degrees, and two doctoral degrees. The Bachelor of Arts degrees are based on a liberal arts curriculum, while the Bachelor of Science degrees are based on a career-oriented curriculum. The university not only offers undergraduate and graduate programs in the US, but also abroad – in Nairobi, Kenya and in Mandeville, Jamaica, with its Master of Education in Teaching and Learning program. SMU currently has more or less 5,000 students enrolled in its different undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs. Its locations are in Wisconsin, Nairobi and Jamaica, with its main campus in Winona, Minnesota.

Degrees offered

The university offers different degrees in the following disciplines:

* BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES
Biological sciences, biochemistry, biophysics, environmental biology
* BUSINESS, MANAGEMENT, MARKETING, AND RELATED SUPPORT SERVICES
Accounting, business, entrepreneurial studies, human resources management, international business, management, marketing, and related support services, sales, distribution, and marketing operations
* CHEMISTRY
* COMMUNICATION AND RELATED PROGRAMS
Advertising, applied communication, journalism, public relations, publishing
* COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES AND SUPPORT SERVICES
Computer science, information science, information technology services administration and management
* EDUCATION
Biology teacher education, chemistry teacher education, elementary education and teaching, French language teacher education, language arts teacher education, mathematics teacher education, music teacher education, physics teacher education, social science teacher education, Spanish language teacher education
* ENGINEERING
Computer engineering, engineering physics, industrial technology
* ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE
* FOREIGN LANGUAGES, LITERATURE, AND LINGUISTICS
French language and literature, Spanish language and literature
* HEALTH PROFESSIONS AND RELATED CLINICAL SCIENCES
Cytogenetics/genetics/clinical genetics technology, cytotechnology, health sciences, medical technology, nuclear medical technology, nursing, physical therapy
* HISTORY
* INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES
International studies, mathematics and computer science
* MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS
* PHILOSOPHY
* PSYCHOLOGY
* PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND SOCIAL SERVICE PROFESSIONS
* SECURITY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES
Corrections, law enforcement administration, securities services administration
* SOCIAL SCIENCES
Political science and government, social sciences, sociology
* THEOLOGY AND RELIGIOUS VOCATIONS
Religious education religious music, theology, youth ministry
* VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS
Dramatic arts, fine/studio arts, graphic design, music, music management and merchandising

Application requirements

Fist-time applicants who want to enroll as incoming freshmen are required to submit the following to the University’s Office of Admission:

* Accomplished SMU online application (form can be printed from the university’s website)
* Accomplished Common App online application (form can be printed from the university’s website)
* Universal College online application
* $25.00 non-refundable application fee, if using the SMU printed application
* Official transcript of applicant’s high school grades, sent directly from applicant’s high school
* A score report from one of the following tests, sent directly from the testing agency:
* American College Test (ACT) – SMU code: 2148
* Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) – SMU code: 6632
* A 250-word application essay
* Letter(s) of recommendation

Admission tips

The university follows a rolling application deadline. Here are the application requirements deemed as “VERY IMPORTANT” by the university’s admission office:
* Academic GPA
* Standardized test scores

Requirements or factors deemed as “IMPORTANT” by the university’s admission office:
* Character/personal qualities
* Class rank
* Interview
* Talent/ability

Requirements or factors CONSIDERED by the university’s admission office:
* Alumni/ae relation
* Application essay
* Extracurricular activities
* Level of applicant’s interest
* Recommendation
* Volunteer work

Admission facts

According to the data from the US News and World Report for its annual college survey, as well as the 2010 Forbes Magazine survey of American universities, here are the scores and figures that SMU considers in the applications it receives:

* Average secondary school GPA for current freshman class: 3.0
* 88% of accepted applicants submitted ACT score, while only 12% of accepted applicants submitted SAT I scores.
* SAT Composite Range: 890-1220
* ACT Composite Range: 20-26
Median ACT scores for particular subjects:
* English: 21
* Math: 21
* Composite: 22
* 50th percentile for the ACT scores: 18-24

Contact info

Address: St. Mary’s University of Minnesota
700 Terrace Heights
Winona, MN 55987-1399
Phone number: (507) 457-1700
Admissions E-mail: admissions@smumn.edu
Web site: http://www.smumn.edu

More Scholarship Programs Available to Detroit Public School Students

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Students at Detroit public schools now have another reason to not lose hope when looking for college funds. Two additionalscholarships programs are currently looking for applicants from Detroit public schools – the Detroit College Promise program and the Detroit Compact.

Scholarship details

The Detroit College Promise program is available to all students of Detroit public schools, whether or not they have high grades and GPAs. This is similar to a program offered in Kalamazoo. The College Promise Program is an effective marketing strategy for Detroit City. However, one possible problem is that not all students and parents are aware of this scholarship program. According to a group who talked to several Detroit public school students, none of them have ever heard of the Detroit College Promise program.

The Detroit Compact has been active for about twenty years now, and it aims to provide assistance to large neighborhood high schools. Unfortunately, not all students and parents are actually aware of this program. Ever since its inception, this program has helped thousands of students and according to program organizers, the graduation rate for students who have joined this program is higher. Requirements for this program include an ACT score that’s at least 21, a GPA of 3.0, and a 95% attendance.

Although these two programs offer a lot of promise to public school students at Detroit, more efforts are still needed to ensure the complete and continuing success of the Detroit College Promise program and the Detroit Compact.

Photo Credits: Toshiyuki IMAI

source: The Detroit News

Looking for Scholarships for Special Needs Students

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In a world that is aiming to be increasingly politically correct, there are more avenues opened for different types of people. So whatever background, religious affiliation, ethnicity and nationality a person has, it will have an equivalent supporting scholarship. It is just fair to also have opportunities for people with special needs. After all, special needs students may need extra expenses during the course of their studies.

Types of special needs scholarships

There are several categories of special needs scholarships that they can almost compete with the number of general scholarships out there. The reason behind this is that special needs people are not one-dimensional students that can be labeled with what most perceive to be their disability. They can also be labeled by their chosen fields and their outstanding skills.

Disability scholarships

Disability scholarships refer to grants that are given based on a physical constraint, such as blindness or deafness. Blind or deaf students need special equipment.

Illness scholarships

Students with cancer, diabetes and other potentially debilitating or expensive to treat illnesses may also avail of scholarships.

Level of education

As with the rest of the other students, special needs students can apply for college, masters and professional degree scholarships.

Merit-based scholarships

Being special needs does not equate to not having any talent or degree of academic skill. Special needs students can apply for merit-based scholarships as well.

Photo Credits: Ed Yourdon

Source: Different Dream

MBA Placement Rates Increase

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Despite a difficult year due to the recession, b-schools in general were able to make a turnaround in terms of placement rates. The market for MBA graduates has made a rebound from probably one of the most difficult MBA hiring seasons ever. Many of the top-ranked MBA programs (full time) have experienced an increase in job landing rates for their graduates, according to Bloomberg BusinessWeek. Some of the schools that were able to make a slow recovery include Harvard Business School, the Kellogg School of Management of Northwestern University, the Wharton School of (University of Pennsylvania), and the Booth School of Business (University of Chicago).

Effects of recession still linger

However, the effects of recession can still be seen in the dramatically altered MBA career landscape. These effects include fewer or lower signing bonuses for MBA graduates, not-so-good compensation packages compared to previous years, and internships that have resulted to fewer or even zero job offers. Because of these lingering effects, some business school administrators are advising their students to adjust job expectations based on the current trends.

Still, some MBA graduates have expressed their optimism and persistence in landing a job with good perks and compensation packages. According to Olin Business School’s Weston Career Center director and associate dean Mark Brostoff, the marketplace for MBA graduates has improved, but it still needs a lot of boost.

Photo Credits: OpenSourceway

source: BusinessWeek

Listing Extracurricular Activities in College Application Forms

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College applicants, when filling up the Common Application form, may feel a bit queasy when they see the numerous white blanks set aside forExtracurricular Activities and Work Experience. What if an applicant hasn’t done so many extracurricular activities or doesn’t really have any work experience at all?

The truth behind extracurricular activities

According to Kenyon College Dean of Admissions Jennifer Delahunty, they do appreciate students with lots of extracurricular activities, but what makes them cringe is when they see items such as “personal reading” listed down. Delahunty is happy that a student loves to read, but items like these are just fillers.

The space provided for in the Common College Application form for Extracurricular Activities and Work Experience can reach a total of 12 blank spaces, but that doesn’t mean applicants are required to list down 12 activities. As a matter of fact, admissions officers are looking for more in-depth experiences. They prefer quality over quantity in terms of activities. After all, colleges and universities prefer well-rounded students who made distinct achievements in a specific field over students who have done plenty of little things.

For this year’s Common Application form, the sections for the extracurricular activities and work experience have been combined into a 12-line space. This was done so as to imply that there is no hierarchy between work experience and extracurricular activities.

Photo Credits: L.E. Macdonald

source: New York Times

Look Before You Leap: Mindset before Applying to Law Schools

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There is a certain challenge offered by a law school that can spark the fire in a conscientious and ambitious student. A student, who has always aspired to be in a legal profession, whether through the legacy of his/her parents or through other personal reasons, may go to law school no matter what the cost – physically, mentally, and financially. However, the current trends are suggesting that even this type of student should stop, look, and listen.

The legal profession as of late

As of the moment, the legal profession is not at its prime. In the job market, there are lawyers who have had fantastic grades in law school and in the Bar exam settling for other career alternatives. Some legal professions are not as lucrative or rewarding as they used to be. Some may even find out that this is not the glamorous profession that aspiring law students dream of and imagine about.

The future of law students

It takes extra years to earn a law degree, and those years might feel extra long because of the long nights of studying. Law school, without a doubt, demands a lot, since the years you spend in one also cost a lot. There are many law school students who are looking at a pile of debt from their student loans. Because of the poor job market for law graduates, those loans will not get paid fast. Current law students may later find themselves in a dilemma given the state of today’s job market.

Of course, the most brilliant of the lot can still do wonders in the legal profession. Determined law school students can earn their degree and rise above the competition.

Photo Credits: the Italian voice

Source: Shilling Me Softly

Job Market for MBA Graduates on a Positive Turn

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A few weeks back, there were reports of the decrease in MBA enrollment nationwide. Because of this negative trend, supposedly top business schools have relaxed their admissions standards. Now, there are reports of a significant rise in job opportunities for MBA graduates. This could actually turn things around for MBA enrollment and may also tighten business school standards again. Managing director of London-based Quacquarelli Symonds, Nunzio Quacquarelli, says that the downward turn for MBA graduate hiring is short-lived. Now, the MBA job market is pretty robust again.

A general positive turn?

The trend on MBA job market increase is worldwide. However, there are some areas that best experience the positive turn. For example, Russia is experiencing a 22 percent rise in the MBA job market. That is pretty good compared to the United States’ 9 percent rise this year after a hard fall in 2009. What is important though is that both countries are experiencing a good turn for MBA graduates. As for salaries, European companies offer the best ones, accompanying the positive rise in the MBA job market.

Effect on the MBA graduate enrollment and admissions

The rise in the MBA job market should help in encouraging more enrollees to the top business school list. They will want to take advantage of the current trend while it lasts.

Photo Credits: gadgetdude

Source: Businessweek

What to Know About the University of Michigan Ann Arbor Ross

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The University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) Ross School of Business is a top institution established in 1924. In 2001, Robert J. Dolan became the business school’s dean. As part of his school plans as the new dean, Dolan aims to make a mark among recruiters and MBA candidates.

The business school was renamed the Stephen M. Ross School of Business after Stephen M. Ross (alumnus) donated a total of $100 million. At that time, Ross’ donation was the biggest ever given to a business school.

Degrees offered

The degrees offered at this business school include BBA, full-time MBA, part-time MBA, executive MBA, global MBA, Master of Accounting, PhD programs, executive education, and Master of Supply Chain Management.

Alumni

Notable alumni from the Ross School of Business include blogger and documentary filmmaker Hao Wu, General Mills CEO Stephen Sanger, National Geographic Society CEO and President John M. Fahey, Jr., United States Olympic Committee President (emeritus) William C. Martin, Allstate CEO Thomas J. Wilson, and Freddie Mac Chief Financial Officer David Kellermann.

Rankings and reviews

The school’s MBA program was ranked by BusinessWeek as 5th in 2008, its BBA as 4th in 2009, and its EMBA as 4th in 2008. According to US News, the school’s MBA is 12th in 2010, and its BBA is ranked 4th in 2010. The Wall Street Journal ranks the school’s MBA program as 7th in 2008. Forbes ranks the school’s part-time MBA as 7th in 2009.

Admission tips

Hundreds or even thousands of applicants try their luck with the business school’s admissions process. The application to the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) Ross School of Business is quite competitive. One must have an excellent high school record in order to get better chances in the admissions. Aside from this, the applicant must also pass the exams and the interviews conducted by the school with flying colors. Another equally important requirement in this school is the admissions essay. One must submit a notable personal statement in order to successfully make through the admissions process.

Admission facts

Number of students who are admitted each year:

MBA Program: 419
BBA program: 337

Contact info

For Part-time MBA, Full-time MBA, and BBA and MAcc Programs
Office of Admissions
Stephen M. Ross School of Business
University of Michigan
701 Tappan Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1234
Phone: (734) 763-5796
Fax: (734) 763-7804
Email: MBA RossMBAAdmissions@umich.edu
PTMBA: rossptmba@umich.edu
MAcc: rossmacc@umich.edu
BBA: rossbba@umich.edu

For Executive MBA
Executive MBA Program
Stephen M. Ross School of Business
University of Michigan
701 Tappan Street
Suite 2540
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1234
Phone: (734) 647-3400
Fax: (734) 763-7804
Email: rossemba@umich.edu

Alumni Created MBA Bond to Offer Loans to Students

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Together with Prodigy Finance, INSEAD is set to launch a new international loan program for its MBA students. The program called The Prodigy MBA Bond for INSEAD is expected to be a sucessful project, which will help provide financial assistance to INSEAD’s MBA students while letting investors and some alumni gain profits from their investments. The partnership is expected to be a fruitful venture since INSEAD, an international business school with branches in Singapore, Dubai, and France, has already worked with the company, which offers international educational finance. INSEAD Dean J. Frank Brown has confirmed that the international business school has been working side by side with Prodigy Finance for the last four years.

The bond

Prodigy Finance founder, Ryan Steele, cited the value of a bond, which is greatly appreciated by family offices and alumni investors. The company, according to Steele, has more than 5.5 million euro in assets. It was able to give investors 5% returns per year since 2007, in spite of the economic meltdown. This project was actually started by three alumni of INSEAD to provide an alternative source of funding, other than banks, for students who want to pursue higher education. It started in 2007 and has now covered about 198 INSEAD MBAs from different countries. In December this year, the company is expected to provide loans to 160 students.

The program is made possible through the community education bond amounting to 50 million euro. The bond is actually linked to 200 students to ensure diversification. The investors can easily track online which students are given school funding, getting them more involved with the project.

Photo Credits: Allan Cleaver

Penn State College of Medicine to Hold a Primary Care Day

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If graduate schools and business schools hold an open house, information sessions, or other networking get-togethers, medical schools also have their own way of welcoming and preparing their prospective students. For this purpose, The Penn State College of Medicine is hosting its Primary Care Day on October 23, 2010.

What exactly is Primary Care Day?

Primary Care Day is like an open house with a slight difference. Prospective students from University Park can come in for a day and get to know more about the medical program, including the admissions process. During Primary Care Day, the prospective students may get some tips about the application process, especially since they can actively interact with current students and faculty. Primary Care Day is held every fall at the Penn State Hershey Medical Center.

What are the event and contact details for the Primary Care Day?

Primary Care Day is to be held on October 23, 2010. It begins at 8:30 am. The event is free to prospective students and other guests alike. A free lunch is also served. Access to registration forms is available online. For those who have queries about the event, they can contact Diane Ferron at dferron@hmc.psu.edu or phone 717-531-1534.