Where to Go for Your Film or Theater Acting Education
Provided by Associated Content

Just about anything can be found in New York City and that includes some of the highest caliber acting schools in the United States. Exactly what qualifies as tops varies with each actor's individual needs. A young actor wanting to kick-start their career in film acting isn't likely to choose the same program as a professional actor looking to improve their audition technique. Each acting school has it's own strengths and specialities.

One thing you have to keep in mind about New York City acting schools is that the tuition fees, just like the cost of living, tend to run a little higher than at acting schools at lesser known acting schools in smaller cities and towns. Many feel the education you get is worth the price, though. After all, just look at how many big-name Hollywood stars owe their advanced skills to some of New York's acting schools.

Financing your thespian education isn't the only thing you have to worry about, though. Because courses at these schools are in such high demand, admissions requirements are quite high. Most require photos, an essay, several letters of reference, and an interview and/or audition, not to mention academic records.

If you don't plan to let money or admissions requirements will stand in your way, here are some acting schools to get you started in your search.

The America Academy of Dramatic Arts
This academy can't be overlooked when you're searching for New York acting schools. Just about every stage or screen acting skill you can imagine is taught here, including theater history, makeup, and even stage combat. At the New York City campus, you can earn either an Associate of Occupational Studies or Certificate of Advanced Studies in Acting. There are full-time programs as well as a variety of part-time programs to fit almost any schedule and, as with traditional universities, this acting school offers help finding financial aid and local housing. Continue reading ...

Original article by, M. Langton and courtesy of Associated Content, Inc.

Posted by Candice Arnold on September 22, 2008 at 4:13 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

If you live in Northeast Ohio, you may remember the scandal that rocked the University of Akron about two years ago. For those not from around here, I'll recap. The Akron Beacon Journal reported back in November of 2006 that the school allowed convicted felons to live on campus. It was even reported that a 45-year-old ex-con was paired to room with a 19-year-old college freshman. The University of Akron did not conduct background checks on students applying to live in the dorms. My sister attends the University of Akron and was attending during the time this story hit the media. I can't tell you how glad I am that she was (and still is) a commuter.

According to this article, only about 10% of colleges conduct background checks on students applying for housing on campus. I see that percentage rising over the next few years. It has the same look and feel of employment screening. Like employers, schools want to make sure that the people inhabiting their facilities are not a threat to others around them.

When I read this news story, I definitely saw a similarity between employment screening and screening students who wish to live on a college campus. For instance, the University of Central Florida states that they only conduct background checks on applicants who admit to criminal activity on their admissions application. In other words, they rely on their prospective students to be truthful about their past. This sounds oddly familiar. Just like job applicants, students have a vested interest in not disclosing that information. If that college (employer) has a really great program (job) they want to get into (land), they will do what it takes. Who wants to set up road blocks for themselves? They probably think it's better to take the chance that their background won't be checked.

This is precisely the reason employers and schools need to stop these people at the gate. Why let them get the one-up on you? It's always better to know who you are dealing with and avoid a potential bad situation. When it comes to the question of whether to conduct a background check, the pros always outweigh the cons. If safety and security is of the utmost priority, what are you waiting for?

Click here to read "More Schools Using Checks"

Article by, Natalie Beck and courtesy of EmployeescreenIQ

Posted by Candice Arnold on September 22, 2008 at 3:30 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

The following is an interview with Jerry Slavonia, founder and CEO of Campus Explorer, a Web site that helps students locate the right post-secondary school based on location, school size, major course of study, etc.

CollegeRecruiter.com
1. How much of a role does each college or university play in your efforts to provide students with the best, most current information?

Jerry
CampusExplorer.com encourages each school in our database to keep their information current on our site. Each school has the opportunity to contribute, adjust and update their school profile page information. We also have an outreach team that frequently collects information and data directly from the schools to make sure our information is useful and up to date.

CollegeRecruiter.com
2. What advice would you give to students who choose colleges that have waiting lists?

Jerry
Go for it! You never know, but remember that in most cases, you have more options than you may think. There are a lot of good schools out there that do not have waiting lists. CampusExplorer.com helps you find them.

CollegeRecruiter.com
3. What sort of feedback have you received about Campus Explorer so far?

Jerry
We get a lot of positive feedback from students and admissions offices about how clean and easy to navigate our site is. We receive a lot of positive feedback from students about how comprehensive our site is, how complete the school listings are and how thorough our search results are. We don't receive much negative feedback but we do get a lot of suggestions from our customers regarding tools we should add or ways to make certain features work even better for students.

CollegeRecruiter.com
4. How would you compare Campus Explorer to a site like Princeton Review?

Jerry
CampusExplorer.com was designed to service every type of student, not just a traditional four year college student that Princeton Review thinks they can up sell test preparation services too. They are a test prep company. We are a consumer Internet company. There's a big difference. In addition to four year colleges, CampusExplorer.com has the information and tools available for students looking for very specialized programs, online schools, community colleges and certificate programs.

From our team's personal experiences alone, we know that there are many paths available to higher education. We believe in supporting the pursuit for higher education no matter the school. We definitely promote educating yourself on the school, be sure it's accredited if necessary, that you are a good fit with the culture and so on, but we're not promoting elitism whatsoever. There are many good schools out there. Find one that's right for you, not one with high rankings necessarily. The experience of learning, no matter where you decide to study, is what counts. We want it to be a positive one.

CollegeRecruiter.com
5. Do you think you'll expand your services to include financial aid information pertaining to each school in the future?

Jerry
Yes, definitely.

CollegeRecruiter.com
6. Where do you see Campus Explorer in five years? How will the site look and what else will be included that isn't there now - besides more schools?

Jerry
We have big plans for the site. We will add even more information about the schools and make that information accessible in additional ways via search and our individualized student profiles. We'll add details about specific classes, programs, on-campus life, and even off-campus life. We will also have a lot more testimonials, first hand reviews and tips from current and past students.

There will be a lot more ways to interact with other students who may have similar questions to you and may also have the answers you are looking for. We want to build a community platform with the most comprehensive, accurate data available and we want it to remain easy to use.

There are endless possibilities. We will listen to what our students need and keep building until we've satisfied them and ourselves.

Posted by Candice Arnold on September 17, 2008 at 11:01 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Nationwide Insurance conducted a survey of adult Americans not long ago, regarding the lowering of the legal drinking age from 21 to 18. According to a press release issued to Blacknews.com, 72 percent of the respondents thought it would "make alcohol more accessible to kids" and almost 50 percent "believe it would increase binge drinking among teens."

More than half of those surveyed said they probably wouldn't vote for a state representative who supports lowering the drinking age nor would they be likely to send their children to "colleges or universities with 'party school' reputations."

One of the biggest concerns parents say they have is of binge drinking - consuming five or more drinks in close succession. There have been numerous incidents of college students dying of alcohol poisoning after a night of binge drinking at a party or during a fraternity/sorority hazing ritual. Unfortunately, a student doesn't necessarily have to be attending a "party school" to end up in this type of situation.

The parents' concerns are valid; however, there's no guarantee that lowering the legal drinking age will lead to an increase of these incidents anymore than it will guarantee a decrease in them. It's so much more complicated than that. That's why Nationwide has joined with MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving), to confront the issue of binge drinking at a symposium in Washington, D.C. November 6-7, 2008.

"According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 7.2 million - or one in five - youths under the age of 21 have engaged in underage binge drinking" between July and August of this year. People who oppose lowering the legal drinking age fear that doing so will give even younger teens easy access to alcohol.

"These underage drinking statistics alarm the parents of college-bound students," according to the release, "and 58 percent of parents say they are less likely to send their children to a known party school. Additionally, 70 percent of parents want colleges to notify them when their children violate the schools' alcohol policies."

There's no easy solution to the problem of underage binge drinking. But I really don't think lowering the legal drinking age to 18 is a good place to start.

Posted by Candice Arnold on September 15, 2008 at 8:03 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

A Big School with Some Big Opportunities

Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

Boston University is a college that is located in a major college town. There are half dozen major institutions of higher education and just as many smaller ones all gathered in the city of Boston. Each college tries to develop its own distinct personality.Harvard, for example is the only Ivy League School. Boston College is the only Jesuit College. Boston University has the distinction of being the biggest college in the city. Its size gives Boston University a character and a feeling that you will simply not find in any of the other Boston area colleges.

What course work is waiting at Boston University? Because it is the biggest college in Boston, Boston University can boast of an incredible number of curriculum choices for its students. There are undergraduate schools within the University structure for specialties like Communications, Health and Rehabilitative Services, Education and Fine Arts. Many of Massachusetts journalists, health professionals, teachers and performing artists are formed by the wide ranging programs of study to be found at Boston University. Continue reading ...

Original article by, Lima and courtesy of Associated Content, Inc.

Posted by Candice Arnold on September 10, 2008 at 10:23 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Pros and Cons, Things to Consider when Choosing a Journalism School

Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

To the young writer with "fire in their belly" as an old professor of mine used to say, journalism school might seem like a good idea - train with other bright young writers in the way of the pen and go on to become future wordsmiths, the like of such never before seen. To these budding writers, all one must do to succeed is enroll in a good journalism school, graduate and then begin to work and write in the same league as their idols, figures such as the editor of the Chicago Tribune, a renowned staff writer for the Washington Post, or perhaps a writer for People Magazine. Continue reading ...

Original article by, H.G. and courtesy of Associated Content, Inc.

Posted by Candice Arnold on September 9, 2008 at 10:19 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

Many universities are advocating for their students to study abroad as a great chance to meet new people and gain new experiences. Most students look to study abroad outside of the country.

However, I pose the question: why study abroad if you haven't even seen the other half of the ? Many students on the east coast in Florida, New York, Boston or other major cities have never been to California or Texas before. In college, studying at a university in one of these states is a great opportunity to gain more culture and see the lifestyles of citizens on the west coast or east coast.

Studying in Washington, DC, no matter what state you live in, is a great opportunity for internships, especially if you want to pursue a career in law or government. The Washington Semester program features classes and housing from American University, located in the heart of the nation's capitol. Continue reading ...

Original article by, Daniel Rein and courtesy of Associated Content, Inc.

Posted by Candice Arnold on September 9, 2008 at 10:08 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Examine an application - Just see what is required to click that submit button. I understand universities need the information to make distinctions and decisions. However, the complexity of the application is often difficult if not impossible for students to complete.

Realize that well meaning school counselors are often spread too thin and universities recommending the students' independence want them to do it alone. Some colleges do suggest support and guidance but from whom and how? The fact is that many students do not know all the current application requirements, options, statistics or what universities want to know. Reading any university website on what the school wants clearly demonstrates the vague nature of how admission officials make their decisions. There are factors in admission that change from year to year. What are the different ways to apply? Early Decision, Early Action, Restrictive First Choice Early Action? Rolling Admissions? Who is explaining this in the high schools? Most recently Harvard, Princeton and the University of Virginia eliminated their Early Plans for the Class of 2012. How do students become aware of such news?

Other factors students must know when applying to college include standardized tests - what tests to take where and when? And how to prepare...About 720 universities in the United States don't even require tests. What are the differences in the requirements? Who takes the ACT? SATI requires the SAT Subject Exams and how many of these? Are they optional? Required? Students also need to know how to register for the exams. High schools generally do not provide these answers. The counselors can, at times. Help but with ratios at nearly 500 to 1, their time is extremely limited. Recently, I had one of my seniors request a senior college prep packet at his high school only to hear, "We don't have one." I compliment Rob Killion, executive director of the Common Application who continually works toward a commonality in this complicated maze. However, look at the number of supplements and additional essays required by schools on the common application. www.commonapp.org. Just how common are these applications anyway?

Then there are those recommendations - how many and for which school? Who should I give them to? What should I include? Should I send the universities supplemental recommendations? When should I submit them? What should I fill out? Do I waive my right to see them? These are just a few of the questions I get from students all the time. There are also Midyear Reports. Many students have never seen this before. What do I do with them?

There's the Brag Sheet or list of extracurricular activities and honors and awards received in high school. Students need to know how to present those. Students want to know how to best state their activities and who should get this list. One of my students recently gave me a near twenty page extracurricular list answering numerous excellent and specific questions. Unquestionably, this gives any reader a clear sense of this student. However, who would read this at the university level. Students are given approximately seven short lines to list years of experience and accomplishments. They are entitled to know how to maximize this space.

Article by, Empowering Students for Admissions Success

Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates seeking entry-level jobs and other career opportunities.

Posted by Candice Arnold on September 8, 2008 at 10:59 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

Midwestern State University is home of the Wildcats that is located in Wichita Falls, Texas nestled between Oklahoma and Dallas-Fort Worth. Midwestern State University offers one of the best distance learning online programs in the state of Texas and is a highly accredited university.A portion of the mission statement reads:

"Midwestern State University aspires to be the public liberal arts university of the state of Texas. Faculty, administrators, staff, and students actively participate in an academic community that focuses, refines, and continuously challenges points of understanding. Liberal arts form the basis of the education provided in both traditional liberal arts areas and professional disciplines at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

(www.mwsu.edu, 2007)." Continue reading ...

Original article by, Career Diva and courtesy of Associated Content, Inc.

Posted by Candice Arnold on September 8, 2008 at 10:39 AM | Leave a Comment (0)