1. Vanderbilt University

Vanderbilt University features a beautiful 330-acre campus minutes away from downtown Nashville, Tennessee that contains a national arboretum. The Peabody section of the campus is considered a National Landmark. Vanderbilt has beautiful venues and sights all throughout campus as well, including the Blair School of Music’s Ingram Hall, the campus statue of Commodore Vanderbilt, located at the front entrance, and the enormous, well stocked and very attractive Central Library.

2. University of Virginia

The highlight of the University of Virgina campus is “The Corner” on University Avenue. A large portion of students can be found at the corner at any given time, enjoying the cafes and restaurants, or browing the various shops and bookstores.

3. Bryn Mawr College

Famed landscapers Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux designed this beautiful 135 acre campus on the outskirts of Philadelphia. The buildings and dormitories are similarly designed by historic architects to create one of the most beautiful campuses in the country.

4. University of Notre Dame

The enormous University of Notre Dame campus has two lakes and over 100 buildings. Many of the University’s structures are thought of as national landmarks, including the Basilica of the Sacred Heart and the Golden Dome.

5. Colgate University

Colgate University is located in the picturesque village of Hamilton, a location whose history rests with old Native American tribes and is considered sacred by the Oneida to this day.

6 Stanford University

The beautiful, 8,100-acre Stanford campus is found between San Francisco and San Jose, stretching from the Santa Cruz mountains to urban Palo Alto.

7. Mount Holyoke College

Mount Holyoke College is well known for its beautiful campus with a variety of cultural and recreational options to delight both guests and students.

8. Clemson University

Clemson University was originallly a Fort Hill plantation home. It is a breathtaking campus, with an abundance of beautiful forest and farmlands surrouding the school.

9 Pensacola Christian College

Pensacola, located on a Florida Harbor and subject to the beautiful Floridian climate and water provides an ideal spot for this small and attractive Christian college.

10 Miami University

Miami University is located in the city of Coral Gables, which enjoys all the beauty of south Florida. From the water to the weather to the architecture, Miami is an extremely pleasant location to take in your studies.

In college, there is less of a dividing line between student and teacher than in high school. Students are invited to come by a teacher’s office. In addition, students might spend time with a teacher socially—though this may be frowned on in certain educational settings. Working for a professor is the best way to get to know a professor both personally and professionally.

This is especially important if you are thinking about getting a PhD in order to teach in the future. If you are entering the business sector, working with certain high-profile professors can look very good on your resume. Having a reference from a professor you have worked with—as opposed to just being a student in a class—is enormously helpful when applying for a job right out of college.

The type of work you will be doing depends on the professor’s department. Working for a professor of history will be much different than working for a chemistry professor. In the former, you may be doing clerical work, such as answering phones, organizing files, and the like. If the professor is working on a book, some research may also be necessary.

If you are working for a master’s degree, you may be required to work as an assistant professor. In some cases, you may run a class yourself. This is separate from on campus employment, as an assistant professorship is required as part of the degree itself.

There are also grants available in which graduate students are able to work directly with a certain high-profile professor on research projects. Many science professors, for example, are not just teachers but working scientists. Such a grant will allow students to work in a laboratory setting as well as help the professor with clerical and non-laboratory research work.

Undergraduates can find listings for working in a professor’s office on college job boards. These jobs will list the credentials necessary—either undergrad or graduate—and the hours required. Generally, working for a professor pays the same amount as other jobs on campus and undergraduates are only allowed to work twenty hours a week maximum.

It is usually easiest to get a job with a professor if you have taken his or her class in the past. These jobs are often given to a star pupil—especially if the job requires a lot of hands on research work. If the job is mainly clerical, the job will available to other students as well, though normally only those who are studying within the same department.

Whatever the case, working for a professor can be one of the most educational experiences on campus—; it’’s like combining a course curriculum with real world experience. A student can use the knowledge gained from the experience as he or she applies for a job after graduation.

Employers who require employees to have a college degree care that you have one from somewhere. Traditionally, there are about 20 colleges in the United States (the Ivies and a handful of other prominent schools) that make employers sit up and take notice about where your degree came from. If you did not attend one of these places, you are like most people, who find that the name of their school is less important to their employers than how they performed academically, and what they studied.

In fact, your online degree may set you apart in a positive way from the rest of the pack of applicants. Successfully obtaining your degree online tells prospective employers that you are a person who will get the job done even when no one is looking. Online degrees testify that their recipients are self-motivated individuals who are capable of managing multiple priorities. And whatever job you’re applying for, rest assured that those are two qualities all organizations prize.

Furthermore, online universities are becoming more and more popular. While your online degree can set you apart in the aforementioned ways, you should have no fear that it will stigmatize you. Each day, it becomes more and more likely that the person you sit down to interview with may have attended the same online school that you did!

Another benefit of the online university experience in the eyes of employers is that it is designed in large part for working professionals. The fact that you’ve made it through an online degree program tells your prospective employer that you have had intense exposure to the types of collegial interactions you will face in the working world. Online universities emphasize and develop the ability to work with others, to manage and meet deadlines, and to be responsible for learning on your own. When you consider all of the things a degree from an online university says about you, you should realize that you’re more of a proven commodity, a “safer” hire than recent graduates from brick and mortar universities.

What Can You Do With It?

Anything. I mean it, you can do almost anything with your MBA. You may not be able to be a brain surgeon, but you can certainly tackle most upper level jobs and ask for promotions more easily than you can now. With advanced management skills and documentation to prove that you’ve been trained with advanced management skills, you can qualify for most upper level management and specialty jobs in the business world.

An MBA, or any kind of Master’s degree actually, can also open a different door – education. When you have a Master’s, you are qualified to teach most remedial and many general education classes. At some schools, you may even be able to be an adjunct professor in the business department. Even if you’ve never thought about teaching before, the pay is usually decent, and it’s a lot of fun to have a positive impact on a student’s life.

How Can You Get It For Free?

Another common question is “How can I get my MBA for free?” You’ve probably heard the great stories about other professionals getting their Master’s degree for free, and you want to know how to do the same. It all starts with your employer.

Many employers are willing to pay for your education if you promise to work with them for a certain amount of time. They want to reap the benefits of the education they are paying for, but they are usually willing to give you the raise you’ve earned once you get your degree.

Most employers will have an education policy in their handbook, and you can read over it to see if (1) it’s worthwhile and (2) you’re eligible. If your employer doesn’t have an education policy in writing, talk to your immediate supervisor about your interest, why it would be good for the company, and what you are planning. With the right sales pitch, you just might get your education for free.

Living Large

An MBA allows you to expand your options, and with all the competition in business, expanded options is certainly a good thing. If possible, get your education for free so that you will no longer have to worry about student loans. Once you get your degree, you will have thousands of options and you’ll be living large.

Here are five tips that’ll help you get into the college of your choice.

1. Have good grades and test scores
To make the first cut, you got to have the numbers. Most universities start sifting through applicants based on minimum GPA and test score requirements. These requirements can be found in publications that rank different programs, and you can also find these minimum figures on the admissions page of your prospective college’s website. If your GPA is less than stellar, then you need to compensate with high tests scores. If your standardized test scores are below the minimum requirements, then you’ll have to pick up the slack with excellent grades.

2. Write an award winning personal essay
The personal essay is the most customizable part of your application. It tells the admissions office who you are as a person, how well you can communicate and what you will bring to the table as a potential student. Tout your successes in your essay, and use the essay as a forum to explain any anomalies in your application. Whatever you choose to write on, make sure you have a tightly organized, well-argued composition that avoids clichés and sounds original.

3. Send in quality letters of recommendation
Don’t underestimate the impact of quality letters of recommendation. If you know a teacher who would gladly take a bullet for you, then have them voice their enthusiasm in a written letter. Follow carefully when including your letters of recommendation. Some colleges require letter writers to fall under specific categories (i.e. your letter must be written by someone who has taught you in the past year). Try to collect praise from multiple enthusiastic sources, so that you appear like a well rounded student. Letters of recommendation can also be written by employers, coaches or religious leaders.

4. Don’t slack off in high school
Your high school performance, both in and out of the classroom, are vital to your application’s success. You need to have plenty of extracurricular activities, but you also need to illustrate dedication, leadership, responsibility and achievement. It’s better to excel at a few things than try and overload your schedule with fleeting tasks. Be sure to explain why you chose a specific activity, and what benefits you derived from it.

5. Apply early, and if you don’t get in at first, appeal the decision or plan to transfer
Applying early can increase your chances of getting in. Don’t wait until a day before your deadline; send your application materials in as soon as possible. There are more spots and fewer applicants at the beginning of the admission process. As the deadline draws closer, there are more applicants and few spots to fill. If you don’t get in to the school of your choice, then consider appealing the decision. If that doesn’t work, you can always go to a junior college, complete your general education requirements and the transfer in two years.

If you plan ahead and dedicate yourself to achieving your goals, then there’s nothing to prevent you from getting into the college of your choice. Whether you succeed or fail is entirely up to you.

Review the application entirely. This is the first step in avoiding the disqualification of your application. Read over it before filling or signing anything. Review the requirements to complete, submit the application along with whatever supplemental documentation might be required. This can include, but is not limited to, transcripts, and essays. Make sure that you have plenty of copies of these documents handy to send off with all of your scholarship applications.

Do not confine your eligibility to one scholarship application. Find many academic scholarships for which you might be eligible. Apply for all of them. You might not make the finalist list for one, but you will for others. Give yourself as many opportunities as possible to get that free money!

When you have an application, fill it out completely. Make sure you have read it through and provided complete and accurate information. There are countless applications that are disqualified because the applicant cannot be contacted with the given information. Make sure to be very observant of what you are typing or writing and maybe even ask a friend or family member to proofread the items for you.

Another common mistake when completing applications is to apply for scholarships for which you are not eligible. This wastes your time, the evaluating committee’s time and that certainly won’t get you a scholarship, especially if you do not have the proper required credentials.

Remember, you are trying to apply for an academic scholarship. The application is your chance to shine! Check for completeness, grammar, spelling, accuracy and that you have all the right supporting documentation. Do not include things that have not been required, such as a photo of yourself or a non-essential essay. Many academic scholarships are reviewed by committees of people who review applications. They won’t read anything that isn’t part of the application. The application phase shows that you are organized, punctual and capable of following directions. Show them what you’ve got and they will show you the money!

Degrees in Linguistics:

You can receive a linguistics degree at the certificate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate level. Whatever degree you receive, you can be sure that you will receive a well-rounded education and develop skills that are appealing to any employer. Certificate programs in linguistics are available for those who want to teach English as a second language. Pre-requisites for study vary from program to program. Some of these programs may also provide opportunities to teach English abroad.

A bachelor’s degree curriculum in linguistics is grounded in arts and humanities and most programs require students to first take classes in literature, fine arts, mathematics and science. Core linguistic courses include teaching English as a second language, general linguistics, computational linguistics and phonics among others.

A master’s degree in linguistics focuses heavily on research. Students may choose to specialize in areas such as advanced linguistics, historical linguistics, social and cognitive linguistics and English as a second language advanced study. A thesis is generally required to earn a master’s degree in linguistics.

Doctorate programs in linguistics are generally geared towards students who want to pursue a tenured track teaching position at a university. These programs are highly specialized and focus a great deal on theory and applications of linguistics. Most people pursuing a doctorate in linguistics are fluent in several languages. A dissertation is required to earn a doctorate degree in linguistics.

Online Degrees in Linguistics:

Online and distance learning in linguistics can be the perfect solution for working professionals looking to complete an advanced degree or earn a certificate in a specialized area of linguistics. Bachelor’s degrees in linguistics are generally not available online, but institutions like Utah State University offer certificates in specialized fields such as phonetics, languages of Native America, syntax and the history of English. As well, many programs offer online certificates in teaching English as a second language. Monash University in Australia offers a degree completion program to earn a master’s or doctorate in linguistics. Through the utilization of virtual lectures and discussion, as well as supplementary reading, online degrees allow you the freedom to work at your own pace to better balance studying with your career and personal obligations.

This is not to say that smaller schools have no prevalent Greek life. It may be the only choice to have any social life at all. Larger schools with bigger student populations offer other possibilities for friendship and outside school activities. Variations in Greek life are so wide it is best to consider the most basic pros and cons and then apply them to your own situation.

Housing is most often a big pro in the Greek life. Rushing (or joining) a fraternity or sorority can provide you with a large dorm house full of all the comforts of home. While not all schools have housing for the frats it can be a great alternative to dorm rooms. You share housework and responsibilities with your house brothers or sisters and get a general feeling of family that is hard to find away from home.

The Greek system has established itself to build better people through athletics, leadership building activities, community service, scholarship and most widely publicized – social life. They spend as much or more time on charity and community events as on socializing and partying. Membership in Greek organizations offers students opportunities to develop strong leadership potential by heading up various charitable projects for school and community. Membership can also provide students with lifetime friendships and future professional connections because Greeks have a reputation of staying loyal for years after graduation.

The Greek system offers fantastic ways to help students in their academic careers. A major goal of Greek life is to help and encourage pledges and members in achieving their absolute highest academic potential. Greek organizations give academic support programs such as national and local scholarships and grants, personal incentives and awards, workshops, tutoring and study sessions.
The social life of Greeks has been widely publicized in movies like Animal House, and although it’s not all fun and games there is a fair amount of fun. Greeks are active in their schools and communities and never have a drought of events to attend.

Consider your alternatives and the presence and character of the Greek life in your school before rushing a fraternity or sorority. But chances are, you’ll find something you like.

Weigh Your Options
What are your goals? If you are somewhat lost and in need of direction, get busy on any one of several education sites to see what is offered and what might interest you. Believe it or not, getting started in the online education process does not have to be painful!

Accreditation
Possibly one of the most obvious yet overlooked necessities in a potential online education. If you want your degree, diploma or job certificate to amount to what you paid for it, your institution of choice MUST be accredited. You might learn a lot from Leroy’s Online Business School, but if it isn’t an accredited institution there’s a good chance it will come back to bite you in a future business interview!

Choosing a school
There are several schools, colleges, etc. that would love to help you achieve your educational goals for a reasonable fee; however, you need to be specific in searching for what you desire! Do you want a degree in art, business, philosophy or some other field? The more specific you get with your goals, the faster you’ll find the most appropriate fit!

Financial Aid
Do NOT fall into the mind trap that many students do in regards to financial aid! If you don’t have the cash on hand to pay for all of your credits, classes or degree program, it doesn’t mean you have to take out a loan! Look deeply into the world of scholarships! There are many available through government and private organizations, as well as grants and low interest loans that can be paid off at very reasonable rates!

Research
If your education is worthwhile, then it’s worthwhile to be patient in getting started. You may be chomping at the bit, but you need to find as close to a perfect fit as possible! Take time to read about your options and possibilities and subscribe to a quality over quantity philosophy! Contact universities and be sure you are as important to them as you want to be!

Focus
Don’t become easily distracted as your education process begins. Properly dealing with distractions and prioritizing will help create an excellent sense of self discipline that you can use in your research and studies. It is imperative to establish these good habits at the beginning, so your future online educational endeavors are smooth sailing!

Strengths
Examining your hobbies is a good way to determine your strengths. If you lead a busy life but still find time to cultivate a hobby, then there is something about that hobby that interests you. When you’re interested in a hobby, you tend to be motivated in developing your skills. Take a look at your hobbies. What kind of skills do you use for that hobby? Does your hobby require you to use your hands? Does your hobby require you to calculate math problems? Finding the skills that are needed in your hobby helps you understand your strengths.

Also examine subjects that interest you. Ask yourself why you are interested in particular subjects. Do you love to read about modern art? Do you enjoy watching historical movies? Do you like to play sports? Determine what aspects of these subjects keep you interested. When you identify your interests, you will begin to gather information about your likes and dislikes.

Weaknesses
Identifying your weaknesses is another way for you to identify your strengths and skills. First find out what you’re not good at. Be honest with yourself here. Are you horrible at math? Do you hate to read? Ask yourself these types of questions.

There are two types of weaknesses: weaknesses that should be improved and weaknesses that are dislikes.

After you identify your weaknesses, figure out if they are skills that you need to improve. Just because you are not good at something doesn’t mean you’ll never have to learn those skills. If those skills are needed for the path you want to follow, then by all means spend some time improving those skills.

You will find that some weaknesses are just dislikes. Maybe you’re not good at working in an office environment. This is not necessarily a weakness that needs to be improved. This shows a lack of interest in being cooped up working in an office all day. Don’t force yourself into situations that you don’t like. You may be the type of person that needs to work in the outdoors or in non-office environments such as hospitals or warehouses.

Finding your strengths will help you make decisions about your direction in life. Finding your weaknesses will help you improve your skills but will also help you find your dislikes. You will be much more equipped to make decisions when you have identified these aspects about yourself.