There are a lot of students who are taking a double degree or a double major. Getting this will enable you to graduate with two degrees within your regular number of years in college, though there are instances in which you have to extend one year of your stay in college.(1) Pursuing a double degree has lots of advantages and disadvantages. Below are some of the pros and cons that could help you in deciding whether or not to get a double degree or major.
What it entails to get a double major
Having a double major is not as easy as many think it is. Getting one entails that you have to double your effort, time, and money spent in studying. So if you are planning to get one, you have to make sure that you are willing to sacrifice some of the things that you enjoyed doing such as hanging out with friends very often.
Pros of having a double major
Although having a double major entails that you have to double your effort in studying, it would prove to be worth it once you have finished your schooling. For one, this could enhance your career in the future. Many employers would probably prioritize you, knowing that you are equipped with the right skills and knowledge.(2)
When writing your personal statement for college, it’s very important that you state why you wish to pursue a double major. Your personal statement for college allows the admissions panel to see your personality and determine if you’re ready for a double degree. A free sample personal statement can help you write your own. Just make sure that you use the personal statement sample as a guide and not as something you can copy ideas from.
Cons of having a double major
One of the drawbacks of a double major is that it requires a lot of time and effort. College is about concentrating on a specific field. And getting another degree could prove to be more difficult. It would be very hard for you to balance your academic and personal life. Aside from this, a double degree also means you have to be spending a lot of money for tuition and other school-related expenses.(3)
(1) http://people.clarkson.edu/~avadikic/dual.html
(2) http://oberwiki.net/Double_Degree_Program
(3) http://davidhildebrand.org/teaching/doublemajor.html
If you are interested in music, why not pursue this field? There are a lot of advantages if you choose to tread the path in which you really show passion and talent. It is also easy for you to surpass the obstacles along your way if you love your course. So, if it is music that you care about, then start writing a personal statement for college that would open the door of this field for you. Below is a guideline that you can consider when you write your personal statement.
Stating your musical interests
When you read some sample personal statements, you will observe that one of the most common features of these is the introduction of the writers’ interest on their chosen field. This is why in writing your own, you should emphasize your ardent desire to major in music. Aside from your interest, you also have to mention the skills and the things that you have learned to make you suitable to pursue a career in music.(1)
Writing how your musical interests have influenced your career decisions
You also have to talk about how your interest in music affected your decisions in choosing a field to pursue. You have to talk about your intentions on why you are entering a specific field and what are your experiences that prompted you to choose this particular course.(2)
Writing about having a career in music
Showing your interest in the field that you choose is one of the factors that could contribute to your chances of admissions. To do this, you have to ensure that you leave to the readers the impression that you have future career goals that you want to achieve and that choosing this specific course is a step toward your goals.
The personal statement for college is your chance to let the admissions committee know you passionately love music.(3) So, you should not have qualms in showing your interest through your essay. You can read personal statement samples to help you improve your own writing.
(1) http://www.unm.edu/~pre/law/archuleta.htm
(2) http://www.dickinson.edu/career/student/persstmt.html
(3) http://www.admissions.ucla.edu/Prospect/PerStmt.htm
If you decide to pursue a bachelor’s degree, there are various decisions you have to make, decisions that would really have a great impact on your future. One of these is your choice of major.
Why choosing a major is important
Choosing a major is very important because this will determine the discipline you will spend a lot of time and energy studying or mastering.(1) Aside from this, your major will have a significant effect in the job opportunities that would be coming your way in the future. If you still want to pursue a graduate degree, your major in college can also determine if you can easily enroll in the graduate school that you want.
The do’s of choosing a major
It is important that you find sufficient information to help you decide for the major that you would take. You should also determine what field you are really interested in. You should consider your passions and your skills in choosing the major that you would be concentrating in. It is also helpful if you visualize yourself several years from now as a professional in your chosen field.
The don’ts of choosing a major
In choosing a major, it is really important that you look for sufficient information to help you decide for the field that you have to pursue. However, you have to ensure that you are not overwhelmed by the information you find.(2) Although it is an advantage if you ask your friends or parents to help you decide what major to choose, it is still your own preference what you should prioritize in the end.
One of the important requirements that you have to submit is the personal statement for college. You have to include your reasons why you chose a specific major in your personal statement for college. To help you in writing one, you can read sample personal statements. You can look for these personal statement samples at online sources.(3)
(1) http://www.stanford.edu/~susanz/Majors.html
(2) http://www.temple.edu/studentaffairs/careercenter/students/workshops/documents/ChoosingaMajorpacket.pdf
(3) http://www.blinn.edu/advising/success_strategies.htm
Having a degree from a graduate school will open various career opportunities for you in the future. This is because companies and firms know that anyone who is a graduate degree holder is equipped with knowledge and skills that are very useful in specific fields. However, a degree from a grad school does not come cheap. Like all the best things in life, this may also cost you a great deal, especially today that the country is experiencing an economic crisis. This is why if it is really your ardent dream to attend a grad school, you have to weigh the pros and cons of pursuing further education.(1)
Pros of going into graduate school
There are lots of reasons why many dream of getting a graduate degree. For one, a grad school can give you prestige. This can also open various doors of opportunities for you in the future.
Cons of going into graduate school
As mentioned earlier, attending a grad school is not as easy as others may think it is. You must really have a strong passion to do so. This is because grad school requires a lot of hard work. This also means you should be willing to sacrifice a lot of things if you enter graduate school. Another thing is that this endeavour can be quite expensive.
Some graduate school essay writing tips
After you have made your choice and have decided to pursue further studies, you have to decide which school you want to apply to.(2) You should then prepare the requirements that you will need. These include your resume and personal statement. You can get ideas on how to write an attention-grabbing essay by reading a sample personal statement essay online. You can also get a copy of a sample personal statement from your friends who have attended or are attending the same school.(3) You should analyze the structure of the sample personal statement essay in order to write an excellent one for yourself. Make sure that you choose a quality personal statement sample as a guide.
(1) http://www.spsu.edu/cccenter/counseling/career/Gradschool.htm
(2) http://www.providence.edu/Philosophy/Graduate+School+Advising/
(3) http://www.inta.gatech.edu/student-resources/gradschool/
One of the most important steps in getting admitted to graduate school is writing a scholarship essay that will stand out. Unlike your resume, your scholarship essay will provide a more in-depth description of who you are, perhaps through anecdotes and tales that will highlight your values and experiences. To write a winning personal statementm you may want to find a good personal statement sample that will serve as a guide.
Where can you find a free sample personal statement essay?
When stuck on what to write for your admission essay, you can use a personal statement sample to help you in writing your own. You don’t have to go anywhere else just to find a sample personal statement. The Internet is a good source, and you don’t even have to spend a penny for a sample article. You can get tips from these samples, and see how your own essay compares to their creativity, flow, and content.
What should you look out for when choosing free samples?
When you go over the samples, you should observe how these essays were structured. You should try to analyze the questions that the essays are trying to answer.(1) You should note the technique the writers used in order to make their personal statements for graduate school seem more engaging. It is also neccessary to observe how the essays develop a theme and unify several main ideas and sub-topics. It pays to know how authors do transitions from one idea to another to make the sentences run smoothly.(2)
How can you use these free samples as references?
You should use the free samples only as a guide. Remember that you have your own experiences and qualities to tell. Note what makes articles stand out, and see if you can use this technique to your own writing.(3) After you have written your own, try to read it aloud to see how well it sounds and if the admissions officers would be delighted to hear about your application.
(1) http://www.californiacolleges.edu/admissions/university-of-california-uc/personal-statement.asp
(2) http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/personal_statement.shtml
(3) http://www.ilc.cuhk.edu.hk/english/resource/Personal%20Statements/index.html
There are various factors that affect the parents’ and students’ choice of school. There are some who take into primary account the tuition rates and other expenses when choosing a school. For some, the accessibility of the school is the most important factor to consider. However, there are others who believe that prestige is the most important thing to take into consideration when choosing a school. Below are some of the reasons many parents and students opt for a prestigious university or college.
* Prestigious schools offer a higher quality of education
This belief may not hold true to every prestigious school. You can expect, however, quality education from many prestigious schools because a school’s reputation is usually earned by providing high-caliber education. In many prestigious universities and colleges, you will find various top-tier programs to choose from. A reputable school is also teeming with excellent professors who are masters in their own fields.
* Prestigious schools will open various career opportunities
Although some prestigious schools are expensive, some parents still send their children to reputable colleges and universities because they believe that this is a good investment; a degree from a prestigious school will secure a bright career for their kids. This doesn’t mean, however, that the school is the only factor considered in order to have a good employment. Personal merit is still the deciding factor for a bright career. A degree from a prestigious school, however, gives a student an edge over the other applicants because there are still various companies that prefer applicants from a reputable school.
Applying to a prestigious school can be quite challenging yet rewarding. Aside from having to pass the entrance exams of the school. It is also necessary to submit a personal statement. To have an idea on how to write this, you can use a sample personal statement essay online as a guide in writing your own.
Preparing for either medical or law school is not easy. Intense preparation is necessary for you to be able to go through the rigorous demands of your college major. Some schools offer pre-medical and pre-law courses to help students who are thinking of going to medical school and law school, respectively. Do students who took up a pre-med course in college have an advantage in getting into a medical school? Well, not necessarily. There are instances when a college student who has a non-science major decides that he or she wants to go to medical school. Still, it is best that you take up a related major to be equipped with the prerequisite skills and knowledge needed in these graduate programs. Listed below are some ideas to help you choose which majors to take if you decide to go to medical or law school.
Majors for medical school
Investing knowledge in science classes is vital to earn a degree in medicine. Having a major in Chemistry, Physics, or Biology is best for people looking to get into a medical school. The logic into taking up these majors is that the theories and experience including the training gained is directly relevant and used in medical school.
Majors for law school
There are a wide variety of majors that high school students wanting to enter law school can look into. You can choose to take more popular majors that directly correlate to preparing you as an effective student in law school. These majors include Criminology, Political Science, Philosophy and Psychology. Having a major in these fields is an advantage because some areas of study in law school relate to human behavior and political structures as well as require thorough research and critical analysis.
If you do decide to enter medical school or law school, what’s more important is your openness to new things. Even though you have a BA, not a BS, but you want to go to medical school, you should be prepared to diversify your skills and to catch up on your readings. Remember that when you get accepted to a medical school or law school of your choice, you have to spend some time and effort in learning new things.
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Now that you have graduated from high school, you have two choices on where to go: either you go to college or you look for a job. Assuming that you decide to go ahead to pursue higher education, here’s the question: would you rather go to a college or to a vocational school?
Colleges and vocational schools
First, what are the differences between a college and a vocational school? Check out the following definitions:
* College – In this institution, the courses are basically founded on the sciences and humanities, such as literature, arts, history, philosophy, maths, and logic. Education in a college can either be in the form of liberal arts education or an approach to the sciences. If it is liberal arts education, it aims to educate and develop students by means of a wide array of study topics. The science-based colleges, on the other hand, ensure that the students are knowledgeable about trends, approaches, and research techniques in the study of the pure and applied sciences.
* Vocational school – Vocational schools, on the other hand, have the objective of gearing the curriculum and the training toward developing the required skills for their preferred profession or occupation of the student. Most vocational schools feature courses in culinary arts, cosmetics, travel, business, and tourism.
Here’s a fact about colleges and vocational schools: sometimes, there are courses in a college that are synonymous to courses in a vocational school. For example, both kinds of schools may have entrepreneurial management. What, then, is the difference between entrepreneurial management in the college and entrepreneurial management in the vocational school? It is in the specialization. Entrepreneurial managers from a college are more likely to approach the course with facts, theories, and figures. On the other hand, entrepreneurial managers from a vocational school are more likely to approach the course with action and skills.
Which should you choose then?
Now, the question is whether to go to a college or a vocational school. It actually depends on your style of learning. There are some students who learn best when exposed in a highly competitive environment driven by a scholarly approach first, followed by the actual practice on their profession of choice. For students like them, the best way to pursue higher education would be in a college. On the other hand, if you are a student who learns better when practicing the profession, you would be better off in a vocational school.
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To make the proverbial ends meet, some college students embark on a part-time job. Sans the fact that it is a part-time job, there still may be instances when the student can experience stress and burnout especially while they are trying to fulfill all their academic requirements while still being able to go to work to earn money for paying school fees and the bills. Need help in balancing your life between school and work? Here are some tips to guide you through:
* Carefully consider if you are really in need of a job. You have to understand that both school and work will require a considerable amount of time and energy from you. Now, if your reason is just so that you can have extra money for your shopping sprees and club hopping with peers on weekends, then you’d better rethink your decision.
* Plan ahead. Prior to enrollment, check what your work schedule will be and what your class schedules will be, too. By all means, it is your work schedule that must be adjusted to give way to school schedules. Give time for other activities such as personal study time as well as a bit of leisure time with family and friends, too.
* Take care of yourself. Since your schedule is now more hectic than most of the kids at school, you might want to consider giving extra attention to your health. Make sure you take your vitamin supplements daily. Make sure also that you regularly eat your meals, that you drink at least eight glasses of water a day, and that you always exercise. And, try to make sure that you still get enough sleep everyday. When you do get sick, school clinics would usually grant you free check up as well as medicines.
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People know for a fact that they have experienced periods in their school life when they feel desperate or simply indifferent to the demands of school. Many psychologists believe that many people go through this stage. Nevertheless, there are ways to make yourself be motivated during these times. Here are a few tips that you can follow.
Know when you need to take time off.
Many students complain of being burned out with all the demands of school – whether they are in college, law school, medical school, or graduate school. When you experience burnout or feel stressed, it’s important to find time for yourself – to do simple things that can relax your body and mind. Try getting a haircut. Go to the gym to release that extra tension you feel in your body. You can even treat yourself to a day at the spa if you have the finances.
Keep your eye on the goal.
Spending time in an institution of higher learning is considered an investment. To get that diploma, you need to invest on time, effort, and money. Just imagine getting that diploma after a few years, and think of what that diploma can give you in terms of employment. If you feel you can do it, why not imagine yourself graduating with honors. This mental picture will certainly be enough motivation for you when you hit the library to pull an all-nighter.
Find happiness in simple things.
Remember when a bar of chocolate made you smile when you were a kid? Perhaps it will help if you indulge yourself to the little things that make you smile – having a bar of chocolate or a slice of cake, getting flowers in your room, or reading a good paperback. If you’re a music lover, listen to your favorite music artists when you study. Having a positive mood and outlook as you do your schoolwork will definitely keep you motivated.
Stay healthy.
One of the reasons people feel depressed or unmotivated is that they’re probably not eating right or not getting enough sleep. Although a little junk food can be used a personal reward every now and then, eating junk food will make your body feel restless and tired. Have a diet that is rich in complex carbohydrates and proteins, for these will keep your body alert for a longer period of time.
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