In 1900, industrialist and philanthropist, Andrew Carnegie, founded the Carnegie Technical Schools. It was renamed the Carnegie Institute of Technology when it became a degree offering institution in 1912. Then in 1967, the co-ed "Carnegie Tech" merged with the Mellon Institute to become Carnegie Mellon University.

Since its inception as a trade school, Carnegie Mellon has maintained "three primary objectives:

• to deliver distinctive, first-quality education;
• to foster research, creativity, and discovery; and
• to use the new knowledge created on campus to serve society."

Out-of-state tuition for this private university is $35,580. According to Prinecton Review, "the workload at Carnegie Mellon is pretty daunting, so it's no surprise that students say the typical undergraduate is 'extremely studious and serious about academics.'"

Out of the 22,356 undergraduate applicants for 2007, 6, 259 were accepted and 1, 486 actually enrolled. Princeton Review lists CMU as one of the Best Northeastern Colleges; however, it also appears on their "Is it Food?" list. Oh, well, you can't have everything. Fortunately, the campus is only blocks away from a variety of restaurants and only a short bus ride away from the nearest grocery store, so those lucky individuals with the wherewithal to do so can avoid the cafeteria.

What you can have at Carnegie Mellon is a high caliber education on a beautiful, spacious campus. And when you graduate, you can add your name to a list that includes such distinguished alumni as Andy Warhol (Carnegie Tech), Blair Underwood, Jack Klugman, John Nash, Ming-Na Wen, and Challenger astronaut, Judith Resnik.

As you can see, you don't have to be an engineering, science, or math major to consider attending CMU. But you should probably have a lot of math courses on your high school transcript. It could greatly improve your chances of acceptance to this internationally renowned university.

Posted by Candice Arnold on June 9, 2008 at 2:17 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Florida Institute of Technology was founded in 1958 by Dr. Jerome P. Keuper as Brevard Engineering College to "offer continuing education opportunities to scientists, engineers and technicians who were working for NASA at Cape Canaveral at what is now known as the Kennedy Space Center."

In 1961, the school moved to its present location in Melbourne, Florida, and in 1966, the university's name was officially changed to Florida Institute of Technology.

Florida Institute of Technology's students say its tough to describe what would be considered a "typical" student "given the diversity of people from the many states and countries we represent." The diversity of its student population might be one of the reasons FIT secured a spot on Princeton Review's list of the 146 Best Southeastern Colleges.

Out-of-state tuition for this small, diverse university is $27,540. The number of undergraduates for 2007 was 2, 594 and the total number of students, including graduate students was 5, 118.

Although FIT isn't listed as one of the toughest schools to get into, you have to figure it can't be easy. Princeton Review lists the most common majors as Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, Aviation/Airway Management and Operations, Mechanical Engineering. You had better bring your A-game if you want to make it to graduation at this school.

Posted by Candice Arnold on June 9, 2008 at 1:25 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Founded in 1764, Brown University was the seventh college in the United States and it was the only one that welcomed students of all religious faiths. It has the oldest undergraduate engineering program in the Ivy League. The college moved from Warren, Rhode Island in 1770 to its current location in Providence, on College Hill. It was renamed Brown in 1804 in honor of Nicholas Brown for a gift he gave the university. The Women's College, which was later named Pembroke, opened in 1891, and merged with Brown in 1971.

Although it began as a Baptist university, Brown currently has no particular religious affiliation and it maintains its reputation of openness.

The most popular majors, according to the Princeton Review, are Biology/Biological Sciences, History(general), General Studies, and International Relations and Affairs. It ranks sixth on Princeton Review's list of toughest schools to get into and second on its list of schools with the happiest students.

Out-of-state tuition for this small, private institution is $37,860. The annual undergrate enrollment is 5, 821 and the total enrollment, including the graduate and medical schools is 8, 025. Out of 15,157 applicants in 2007, 2, 442 were accepted and 1, 423 actually enrolled.

According to their Web site, Brown's mission is to "serve the community, the nation, and the world by discovering, communicating, and preserving knowledge and understanding in a spirit of inquiry and by educating and preparing students to discharge the offices of life with usefulness and reputation.

If you're interested in Brown University, keep in mind that colleges and universities are looking at high school transcripts more than anything else. Take advanced placement and honors courses if your school offers them. Doing that in addition to getting good SAT and/or ACT scores will help tremendously to increase your odds of being one of the chosen few invited to attend Brown University in the fall.

Posted by Candice Arnold on June 9, 2008 at 1:06 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

It's no secret that the competition to get into the best colleges is just as stiff as the competition to find the best internships and entry-level jobs. Choosing the right college or university has never been easy, but now it's gotten even more difficult because there are so many more highly qualified applicants vying for a place in the top schools. Princeton Review published an article, "Competition in the College Application Process - Myth vs. Fact," that might help you increase your odds of being accepted by the college or university of your choice.

"Facts

1. More high school-age students are applying to college today than in years past.
2. As a result, college admissions have become more numbers-based.
3. Eolleges want to see that students have tried to challenge themselves by taking the toughest courses their high school has to offer.
4. Your SATs are obviously important, but not as important as the high school transcript.
5. math and science are important in this process.
6. There's an ever-growing number of senior class presidents applying to college, along with editors in chief and club founders.

"Myths

1. Using the Common Application will hurt my chances of admission.
2. A fabulous interview can increase my chances of admission.
3. Going to a prep school will increase my chances of admission.
4. If my SAT scores are super strong, I'll be admitted to highly selective colleges."

What impressed me most about this article was that they stressed overall class performance as the most important factor in selection. Senior class presidents and editors of the school newspaper are judged the same as students who don't participate in a lot of school activities. Repeatedly, they say if you have a weak transcript, your extra-curriculur activities will be all for naught. So, as my father was wont to say, "hit the books," if you want to be admitted into one of the countries top colleges and universities.
Now that's not to say that you should give up your activities. They're stil important because they make you a more well-rounded student, but if your activities are causing your grades to drop, cut back a little.

Posted by Candice Arnold on June 9, 2008 at 11:47 AM | Leave a Comment (0)