Ambulance Please!

April 17, 2008 by The Digital Student / 0 Comments

Something lots of students don’t really think about when they’re off at college is what to do in the event they wind up in a medical emergency. When it happens, and it’s happened to me, is to just do wind up in whichever emergency room the ambulance drives your broken body to. Chances are, as it was in my case, that you’ll find yourself at closest one. Well, not all hospitals are equal.

I wound up at a really horrible hospital that so happens to be footsteps from where an incident took place that left me with a few broken bones that still bother me now, years later. Had I wound up in a hospital that specializes in my injury, I likely would have received a much better treatment.

USNews and World Report, the same people that put together that top college list every year, also rank hospitals. It’s really worth studying this and putting together a list of the best facilities for various needs. It’s also worth having a primary care practitioner at your college, especially if “home” is far away. It can help with insurance companies that require referrals for even the most routine procedures.

Another issue you’ll likely be confronted with, especially as a first year student, is whether to pick up an insurance plan or, if available, retain coverage under your parents (likely a possibility if you’re under 25). The decision to spend a few more hundred dollars up front could save you thousands down the road. At my school and many others (since the company that handles health insurance for mine takes covers many universities), students are presented with a primary and comprehensive plan.

The primary is, simply put, the bare minimum. In the event of something happening, the coverage is there. It’s not the best and it requires more to spend out of pocket, but it’s something. Then there’s the comprehensive coverage that, for the most part, covers everything. Is it a game? Sure. But so is health insurance. And, knowing firsthand, having the best coverage can be a real lifesaver.

When Jobs Fail, there’s Always Business School

April 16, 2008 by The Digital Student / 0 Comments

You may not have found a job or you got lucky and graduated with a career, but business school is always a possibility in your future. BusinessWeek rates the top 50 business schools for undergrads, and to make things easier, we’ve done it here at GoCollege too.

50. Rutgers University (New Brunswick, NJ), $10,949/year, 780 students. Accounting and finance is best (marketing and management, not so much)
49. University of Miami (Coral Gables, FL), $34,720/year, 2,089 students. Small classes but not great recruitment.
48. University of Minnesota-Carlson (Minneapolis), $10,498/year, 1,863 students. Limited program offerings and easy classes, but good recruitment within the Twin Cities area.
47. University of San Diego (San Diego, CA), $32,564/year, 1,077 students. Great personable professors, but the jobs are not so great.
46. University of Florida-Warrington (Gainesville, FL), $3,372/year, 2,177 students. Big classes that are mostly taught by TAs are disappointing.
45. Loyola College-Sellinger (Baltimore, MD), $42,730/year, 926 students. Small classes and one-on-one attention gets high marks.
44. University of Georgia-Terry (Athens, GA), $5,622/year, 2,388 students. Academically rigorous courses, and it’s hard to get into top level classes.
43. University of Maryland-Smith (College Park, MD), $7,968/year, 2,877 students. Wall Street hasn’t seen many student representation.
42. Boston University (Boston, MA), $34,930/year, 1,979 students. Good curriculum but tough grading system and not-so-good recruiting disappoint.
41. Case Western Reserve University-Weatherhead (Cleveland, OH), $33,538/year, 405 students. Small classes are great, but there’s a lot of work.
40. Binghamton University (Binghamton, NY), $6,012/year, 870 students. Close-knit administration is a bonus.
39. Michigan State University-Broad (East Lansing, MI), $10,090/year, 2,065 students. Good classes, not as good teachers/administration.
38. Pennsylvania State University-Smeal (University Park, PA), $14,343/year, 5,492 students. Good supply of recruiters, but the cost is high for some.
37. University of Wisconsin-Madison (Madison, WI), $7,460/year, 1,312 students. Too many classes are taught by TAs and not professors, but recruitment is high.
36. Baylor University-Hankamer (Waco, TX), $25,340/year, 2,565 students. Strong focus on ethics, but not strong in recruitment.
35. Santa Clara University (Santa Clara, CA), $33,000/year, 1,860 students. Great recruiting within the Silicon Valley area but not much elsewhere.
34. Northeastern University (Boston, MA), $31,899/year, 2,921 students. Co-op opportunities are aplenty.
33. University of Washington (Seattle, WA), $6,385/year, 1,750 students. Small community and close-knit professors, but hard to find jobs on the east coast.
32. Texas Christian University-Neeley (Fort Worth, TX), $24,865/year, 1,727 students. Solid leadership program coupled with tough marks and difficult recruiting makes finding jobs hard.
31. Texas A & M-Mays (College Station, TX), $7,266/year, 3,856 students. Honors classes perform better than other classes, which aren’t as challenging.
30. Bentley College (Waltham, MA), $32,896/year, 3,810 students. Small classes shine, and finance and accounting majors get the best jobs.
29. The College of William & Mary-Mason (Williamsburg, VA), $9,164/year, 453 students. Broad curriculum and intimate environment with great professors.
28. Babson College (Babson Park, MA), $34,112/year, 1,799 students. Students need to run a business for the entrepreneurship program. Work and grading is difficult.
27. Fordham University (New York), $32,720/year, 1,866 students. Strong focus on ethics and integrity but jobs aren’t easy to find.
26. Rensselaer Polytech Institute-Lally (Troy, NY), $35,885/year, 374 students. Big focus on technology and personal professors win points.
25. Lehigh University (Bethlehem, PA), $35,610/year, 1,434 students. Faculty is well-liked, but recruiting is more difficult (accounting majors do better than marketing)
24. Miami University-Farmer (Oxford, OH), $11,875/year, 2,025 students. Accounting and finance programs get the jobs, but advising program isn’t recommended.
23. Southern Methodist University-Cox (Dallas, TX), $33,170/year, 917 students. Professors are accessible and recruiting occurs within the Dallas area.
22. Carnegie Mellon University-Tepper (Pittsburgh, PA), $37,544/year, 450 students. Intense work but school is small and quantitative skill focus is a plus.
21. Wake Forest University-Calloway (Winston-Salem, NC), $34,330/year, 415 students. A great workload that helps prepare students but also hurts them in the job hunt.
20. University of Richmond-Robins (Richmond, VA), $38,850/year, 670 students. Classes are small and students have a good relationship with professors.
19. Georgetown University-McDonough (Washington DC), $35,740/year, 1,297 students. Good DC location gives political focus.
18. University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign, IL), $12,232/year, 2,649 students. New building under construction with good staff and faculty.
17. University of Southern California-Marshall (Los Angeles, CA), $35,810/year, 3,497 students. Extensive alumni helps students find jobs.
16. Indiana University-Kelley (Bloomington, IN), $7,958/year, 4,069 students. Curriculum combines finance, marketing, strategy, and operations.
15. Washington University-Olin (St. Louis, MO), $35,524/year, 758 students. Good professors and administration, but recruiting falters.
14. Boston College-Carroll (Boston, MA), $35,674/year, 1,970 students. Lessons can be applied to real world and the career-services staff is accommodating.
13. Villanova University (Villanova, PA), $34,900/year, 1,804 students. Accounting program is top-notch, but marketing majors again feel out in the dark.
12. University of North Carolina-Kenan-Flagler (Chapel Hill, NC), $5,340/year, 658 students. Outstanding global focus and emphasis on technology makes the school shine.
11. University of California Berkeley-Haas (Berkeley, CA), $8,384/year, 700 students. Harsh grading with high-caliber faculty.
10. University of Texas-McCombs (Austin, TX), $8,908/year, 3,969 students. Good recruiting and accounting program.
9. Massachusetts Institute of Technology-Sloan (Cambridge, MA), $34,986/year, 246 students. Quantitative skills taught well and undergrads are challenged with MBA courses if desired.
8. New York University-Stern (New York, NY), $36,524/year, 2,335 students. Focuses on finance and is perfectly situated by Wall Street for great job opps.
7. Brigham Young University-Marriott (Provo, UT), $3,840/year, 1,616 students. Emphasis on ethical business leaders of the future.
6. University of Michigan-Ross (Ann Arbor, MI), $12,585/year, 1,069 students. Strict grading upsets students, but curriculum and teamwork win brownie points.
5. Emory University-Goizueta (Atlanta, GA), $34,336/year, 622 students. Hard-working professors and career service advisers.
4. Cornell University (Ithaca, NY), $19,291/year, 708 students. Challenging coursework prepares students well for business work.
3. University of Notre Dame-Mendoza (South Bend, IN), $35,187/year, 1,626 students. Powerful program with “die-hard alums.”
2. University of Virginia-McIntire (Carlottesville, VA), $8,690/year, 652 students. Excellent faculty and good starting salaries.
1. University of Pennsylvania-Wharton (Philadelphia, PA), $35,916/year, 2,519 students. Highly-esteemed students, faculty, and alumni.

Is business school in your future?

Three-Fourths of Students Cheat Their Way into College

April 10, 2008 by The Digital Student / 4 Comments

The SFGate reports about a study conducted by Duke University that showed that 75% of college applicants cheated in some form on their way to college. Whether that meant copying homework or utilizing Wikipedia for their academic efforts, the concerns about ethics and college admissions is growing.

The sad reality is that the students are winning while the teachers are losing. The article claims that when teachers find out that a student has cheated, the administration does not necessarily back them up. The word of the student is usually valued more heavily than the word of the teacher, and professional integrity becomes a problem within the community when the students’ lies are put first. In one case, a Stanford student continually asked her professors for a “regrade” after she changed the answers on a test. When her professor caught her red handed by photocopying the original exam, the university admonished the professor for violating an honor code — an honor code that the student herself did not even keep.

So what can be done? Some schools are working directly with the parents. Cheating becomes an issue that involves the parents from the first infraction. After that, the risk becomes greater: a F on the course.

Why do students cheat? The goal to become successful is by far one of the presiding reasons behind this apparent lack of ethics. As such, Stanford has a program called SOS (Stressed Out Students) that intervenes whenever stress is the culprit and reason behind cheating.

For now, the system is somewhat working. Stiff penalties make it more difficult for students to cheat. But that’s just scraping the surface. Many of my courses were laden with students who cheated on every single homework or test — and let’s be honest here, I haven’t been innocent, either.

In the end, remember that if you’re aiming for the highest score and eventually make it to the college of your choice while cheating your way through college, you may not succeed in the school of your dreams. Instead, you’ll find yourself to be miles behind your classmates. You’ll also find it important if not crucial to continue the trend of cheating. It’s just not worth it. You could spend that time learning for the course instead of stressing that your classmate has the answers. College is a knowledge-seeking venture, and bluffing your way through it isn’t the way to go.

More importantly, cheating is just a dishonest thing to do. And the only one you fool is yourself.

Things You Wish You Knew Before Applying to College…

April 9, 2008 by The Digital Student / 3 Comments

1. Applying to college is like taking another class at school. You can either take it as a “summer class” and get started early or you can worry about it as an additional “course” come your senior year of high school in the fall.
2. Leadership and commitment are extraordinarily valuable assets and are extremely important on your college application.
3. You need to believe in yourself. Little do you know where you’re really headed — nobody really has the right idea. Have a good attitude and work ethic towards other courses and you’ll be surprised. Never undercut yourself.
4. Statistics change. What happened two years ago may not hold true anymore. Just because your friend got into Yale in 2004 with “worse grades than you” doesn’t mean that your chances are better than his.
5. Read. A lot. Reading in college is going to have to become second nature. Getting a head start will only help you grow intellectually and will build up some motivation for later.
6. Volunteer early. Don’t just get into community service just because your college application demands it. It actually makes you feel very good.
7. Research scholarship opportunities. They vary from state to state and from school to school. You may be on your own on this one as some college counselors don’t have all the resources. Thankfully, you do.
8. Stand out. That’s what all colleges demand: someone who will be an asset to the school rather than an ordinary student. Write a college essay that matters. To get an idea of what works and what doesn’t, just don’t write on the same topics that your friends have written on.
9. Study your college and make a case. Read documentation on the school. Then, when the application asks you “why do you want to go to THIS school?” you need to have an answer that will blow them away.
10. Build up your vocabulary. Your SATs and ACTs need them. So do you. You’ll come across those words in college more than once and you’ll sound a lot smarter.
11. Challenge yourself. Trust me, you’ll be challenged in school, and if not in college, in the real world, so it’s better to get a head start now. Plus, it’s a great learning experience for you. Take AP or IB courses. Enroll in independent study courses or in classes at your local college. Always keep learning.
12. Be nice to your teachers. They write your recommendation letters.
13. Seek out the safety schools. Look hard and you shall find something that will make you happy. It will also make your life a lot less stressful.
14. Take your SAT IIs alongside the relevant AP class. It saves a lot of studying down the road. If that means you’re taking an SAT II in 9th grade, do it. Better to prepare earlier than to have to study all over again a few years down the road.
15. Assert yourself. Don’t be shy. Leadership is important. Colleges seek out the leaders of tomorrow, so be one today.
16. Explore internships. Find out what you’re passionate about and pursue it in the “working world.” Some people realize that they’re not cut out for that line of work, so getting a head start gives you more insight on whether you can live with it for years or whether it’s time to make a change.
17. The common college application can be recycled. You can send them to different schools (with the proper edits) without worrying about rewriting an entire new application.
18. Be yourself. Don’t be your parents’ child. Go to a school you love, not one that your parents love.
19. College interviews aren’t that bad. Present yourself as you normally would (be yourself — there’s no need to play dress up) and just talk about what interests you in the school. Interviewers want to get to know the real you. Just talk and you’ll be fine.
20. Ivies aren’t always worth it. They don’t necessarily offer better educations than your local schools or your “safeties.” The best school for you may not necessarily be the highest-ranked institution.
21. Apply early action if you can (when there are no penalties). You may grow impatient.
22. Organize yourself. You’ll need to continue it in college. Get a notebook and a daily planner that can keep you up to speed on your homework assignments. PDAs are fine too.
23. Your college counselor is a resource. Take advantage of him/her. Build that relationship today.
24. Consider competitions. Math and science buffs should look into the Intel Science Talent Search, the Siemens Westinghouse Competition, the Olympiads (in your field), or the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF).
25. Don’t slack off. You’ll pay for it one day.
26. Build a relationship with your teachers that is more than about grades. In the grand scheme of things, grades matter little.
27. Halloween is the day before the Early Decision/Early Action admissions deadline. Finish your college application a lot earlier.
28. Get your recommendation letters in order. Teachers are asked by hundreds of students for these letters yearly. Be first or at least early.
29. Don’t pass up the merit award. It may never come back to you again.
30. Check financial aid deadlines and don’t be late.
31. Focus. Do your assignments. Do your homework. Slacking off will not pay.
32. Rely on yourself. In college, you’re the boss. A college coach may help, but at the end of the day, it’s all you.
33. You’re no different than the others. Well, maybe you are. But if your friends get rejected, take heed! Don’t say “it won’t happen to me.”
34. Create your own opportunities. Sometimes, you won’t get into the prestigious geography team, but your interest in politics can get you started on your own Congress Club. That will also make you a leader.
35. Relax. Don’t stress out. You’re not alone in this.
36. Don’t dismiss smaller schools. Liberal arts colleges may be great for you and perfect for what you’re pursuing. Single-sex schools can also offer superior learning experiences in a much smaller and closer-knit community than you’ll find in larger schools.
37. Visit the campus. You might really love it on paper, but until you visit it, you can never be so sure. Why do you think job applicants are interviewed before they’re hired?
38. Got a question? Call the school. They’re not screening calls and won’t hold it against you if you have a question about the application process or about coursework. Don’t be afraid to initiate.
39. Plan for the best but prepare for the worst. You need to be realistic about the entire situation. There are lots of schools out there — not only Ivy Leagues — but schools that really will be your perfect match. Seek and you shall find.

What other tips do you have to offer?

Start a New Business in College

April 4, 2008 by The Digital Student / One Comment

College. To many, it sounds like newfound independence. And in reality, it is. Why are you going to college? If the answer is “to learn enough to become successful later in life,” the college years are a great time to start becoming successful.

TwinCommas explains why college is a perfect time to start a new business. A lot of what they say makes a lot of complete sense. Remember Mark Zuckerberg? He’s now worth $5 billion dollars and was a Harvard dropout. Bill Gates? Yes, him too — but his valuation is even higher.

Why not start with your own business? Do you have anything to lose?

As the TwinCommas blog explains, there are many good reasons why starting a business is a good idea during school. Here are the key points:

Minimal responsibilities: If you’re like me, you’re living in a dorm. You’re calling mom and dad every so often, hanging with your friends, and doing your schoolwork. You may have a significant other. But you don’t have kids. At least, not now. Between classes, instead of partying (or in addition — it’s your choice, really), focus on the moneymaking opportunities because you have nothing to lose and only experience to gain.

Age: Most of the successful entrepreneurs started their businesses well before they turned 30. Because you’re starting early, you have a lot of time to learn from your mistakes and grow your company, and hey, you might be able to retire early.

Inexpensive labor: Got a roommate? Give him some work to do. College students are often looking for work. If your business makes money, it’s really cheap labor (and it can also form some great relationships that will last well beyond college in the real world).

Knowledge: In school, you have professors to consult and a library of books and internet resources all within arm’s reach. This is the best time to take advantage of these abundant resources.

Software: Does “college discount” ring a bell? You’re a student, after all, so your academic discount will work for software you use for school/business.

Equipment: Just like you have access to professors, so too you have access to computer rooms and scientific labs filled to the brim with high-tech equipment that can help you get a kick start on your business. You won’t have that luxury after school.

Financial bonuses: I know a few programs that will invest in the most viable (purely subjective, as it’s judged) college business, and this can also get you on your way. Grants are not hard to come by if you have a business that will thrive.

In the end, if you have that killer idea, you have the resources to take advantage of it. Do it now.

What are the Best Jobs for College Students?

April 3, 2008 by The Digital Student / 34 Comments

Dear Digital Student,

I’m an incoming college freshman about to start school in the fall. I’m holding my own and am looking for ways to make money. What are some reasonable jobs for college students?

Sincerely,
Will work for food

Dear incoming freshman,

First of all, congratulations on your acceptances to school! There are several jobs you can look for once you get on campus. Some of the best jobs don’t require too much work, and they will make you some easy money. Here are a list of my favorites that don’t require you to venture far from campus.

Desk Attendant: Some schools allow student security guards to watch students enter and leave dorms and other campus buildings. Depending on the job description, you may have to sign guests in and out or disallow non-residents entirely. During the hours that aren’t that busy, you can even do your homework. It’s also a great way to meet new people.

Resident Assistant: This probably isn’t an option for an incoming freshman, but an RA usually gets offered free housing in return for leading a group of students residing in the same dorm (usually assigned per floor or per building). Resident assistants get pretty sweet digs and are required to hold monthly meetings with their residents. They also enforce the rules and offer a helping hand to students looking for guidance.

Babysitter: Face it, babysitting is a commodity to many working parents and it also pays a lot better per hour than on-campus jobs. Many college work programs have lists filled with parents who are looking for a mature college student to take care of their kids while they go out. And in reality, most of these kids go to bed early, giving you more time for homework.

Library Assistant: The college libraries are begging for students to help take care of book check out, audio/video systems, computer access, and the copy machines. There are a lot of positions and some good experience to be had.

Computer Lab Technician: Computer-savvy students will be happy to know that there are a variety of computer-related positions in on-campus labs and in college dormitories. Labs always need technicians during their open hours to troubleshoot problems with monitors, printers, and other peripherals. Many colleges also offer a “residential network” program, also known as ResNet, where students can get help from fellow students on computer network troubleshooting issues (wired or wireless) at any time of the day. All you need is to make an appointment.

Working alongside your professor: These individuals are also known as Teaching Assistants and get some incredible exposure on specific areas of study. You’ll often hold office hours, grade papers, and offer academic guidance on a specific course. You’ll also establish a relationship with a professor, which can open some huge doors for you. If anything, this is the job you want to put on your resume, especially if you’re headed up the graduate school route.

Internships: The other route is to take a paid internship in an area that you are interested in pursuing post-graduation. This is also a great way to build experience and pad your resume. Internships are a great option for financial aid and give you hands-on experience in a field — often well before your peers.

What jobs have you held during college?

Class of 2012: Welcome to Free Agency

April 1, 2008 by The Digital Student / 0 Comments

So the long winter wait is over and those envelopes are arriving, thick and thin, yes and no, accept and reject (or waitlisted!). You’re now about to make one of the most important decisions of the next few years of your increasingly independent life and it’s important that you take advantage of all information available.

More often than not, students know little about the school that they’re about to attend. This isn’t an entirely awful thing – you can probably figure out how to make the most of your time anywhere. Some will want to stay close to home while others will flee to an opposite coast. Some might have a dream city in mind or desire nothing less than cheering on the big time football team from the student section on fall Saturdays. Maybe it’s the big campus green or the bustling student center that caught your eye on the official tour. Maybe mom and dad went there or maybe you really like the name of the place. Sadly, somewhere along the way, you probably forgot about the classroom component.

Beyond the artificial reasons for wanting to attend college, there’s the inescapable reality of the time that will be spent studying. After all, for most people, college is still an academic experience with an eventual undergraduate degree and then job or more advanced studies. Therefore, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the academic expectations of a school before you wind up blowing time and money on endless courses that serve no interest to what you want out of college.

Schools have different curriculums. Some require a subset of courses that all students take (a “core” curriculum). Others have a certain number of general education requirements (e.g. two semesters of a physical science, four semesters of a foreign language, etc). Still, others advance entirely open curriculums where students can take almost anything offered in course catalogs alongside their major area of study. One school might allow more advanced placement than another (which could save you both time and money). Another school might allow you to pass/fail (that is, elect not to receive a letter grade against your grade point average, unless you fail the course) the majority of your classes if you choose. Nonetheless, these things vary and you’ll want to know how they work before you end up confronting them firsthand.

Thankfully, the bulk of this information can be found on nearly all college websites, but it’s unlikely that it’s included in official welcoming admissions material. This information is there to win you over (maybe with a water bottle or bumper sticker or t-shirt), as schools are aware that they’re competing for you, still free agents. They’re out there making pitches as best they can, but as an admissions office, they care little of what will become your own academic experience. That, as so much of what you’ll learn in college, is up to you to discover.