Sunday, September 09, 2007
Best 366 Colleges from Princeton Review
From The Princeton Review August 2007 Newsletter
The Rankings Have Arrived!
Find out which colleges have the happiest students, provide the most palatial dorms, and serve up the tastiest food. Current students tell all about the best (and worst) of college at the Best 366 Colleges across the nation. See the complete list of rankings. Categories within include Academics, Demographics, Parties, Schools by Type, Politics, Quality of Life, Extracurricular, and Social. You can also search by school and find out what lists, if any, they are on.
The Rankings Have Arrived!
Find out which colleges have the happiest students, provide the most palatial dorms, and serve up the tastiest food. Current students tell all about the best (and worst) of college at the Best 366 Colleges across the nation. See the complete list of rankings. Categories within include Academics, Demographics, Parties, Schools by Type, Politics, Quality of Life, Extracurricular, and Social. You can also search by school and find out what lists, if any, they are on.
Labels: college, college rankings, Princeton Review
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Princeton at Top Again
By JUSTIN POPE, AP Education Writer Fri Aug 17, 6:18 AM ET
"Princeton holds the top spot in the latest U.S. News & World Report college rankings, the eighth straight year the private, New Jersey school has either tied or held the top slot outright.
"Just like last year, Princeton was followed by Harvard at No. 2 and Yale at No. 3 in the controversial rankings. As usual, a few schools moved up or down a slot, but there were no major changes. Stanford was No. 4, followed by Cal Tech and the University of Pennsylvania tied for fifth.
"Williams and Amherst were the highest-ranked liberal arts colleges. . . .
"Also new this year: The magazine has included the service academies. The U.S. Naval Academy is ranked No. 20 in the liberal arts college category, and the U.S. Military Academy is No. 22. The U.S. Air Force Academy leads the list of "Best Baccalaureate Colleges" in the western region.
"The formula for the rankings includes variables such as graduation and retention rates, faculty and financial resources, and the percentage of alumni donating money to their alma mater. The biggest single variable — and the most controversial — is a reputation assessment by peer institutions."
"Princeton holds the top spot in the latest U.S. News & World Report college rankings, the eighth straight year the private, New Jersey school has either tied or held the top slot outright.
"Just like last year, Princeton was followed by Harvard at No. 2 and Yale at No. 3 in the controversial rankings. As usual, a few schools moved up or down a slot, but there were no major changes. Stanford was No. 4, followed by Cal Tech and the University of Pennsylvania tied for fifth.
"Williams and Amherst were the highest-ranked liberal arts colleges. . . .
"Also new this year: The magazine has included the service academies. The U.S. Naval Academy is ranked No. 20 in the liberal arts college category, and the U.S. Military Academy is No. 22. The U.S. Air Force Academy leads the list of "Best Baccalaureate Colleges" in the western region.
"The formula for the rankings includes variables such as graduation and retention rates, faculty and financial resources, and the percentage of alumni donating money to their alma mater. The biggest single variable — and the most controversial — is a reputation assessment by peer institutions."
Labels: college, college rankings, princeton, U.S. News
Monday, May 14, 2007
Last Workshop of the Year Well-Attended!
On May 8, the last AVID Family Workshop of this school year was held above Applebee's. Despite the nice spring weather and the change of location, between 70-80 people attended this event.
Ninth-grade AVID student Chynnah T. was the mistress of ceremonies for the evening. She welcomed the group and introduced each speaker. AVID students who attained third quarter honor roll status were recognized and introduced by middle school honor student Sedric F. and high school honor student Patrick F.
A number of students will be leaving Sigonella this year, and several of them shared their experiences in AVID, telling how the program helped them become better students in many different ways. The speakers were Alex T. (9th grade), Asher B. (11th grade), Elisa V. (9th grade), Madiea C. ( 7th grade), Danelly A. (7th grade), Tiera L. (7th grade).
Next on the program, parents and students were able to add more information to their college portfolios as Ms. Pienta gave a presentation on financial aid, including the types of aid, the cost of college, how aid is awarded, and how to apply for it.
Ms. Sibayan closed the program and drew the winning number for the door prize, which went to the Burke family. Congratulations!
Thanks to AVID site team members and tutors for their help and support: Ms. Ascierto, Ms. Balboni, Ms. O'Connor, Ms. Vary, Ms. Rettie, and Ms. Camuso. Thanks also to Ms. Folmer for arranging the location and Mr. Brown for AVID support.
The next AVID Family Workshop will be held in September 2007. Stay tuned!
Ninth-grade AVID student Chynnah T. was the mistress of ceremonies for the evening. She welcomed the group and introduced each speaker. AVID students who attained third quarter honor roll status were recognized and introduced by middle school honor student Sedric F. and high school honor student Patrick F.
A number of students will be leaving Sigonella this year, and several of them shared their experiences in AVID, telling how the program helped them become better students in many different ways. The speakers were Alex T. (9th grade), Asher B. (11th grade), Elisa V. (9th grade), Madiea C. ( 7th grade), Danelly A. (7th grade), Tiera L. (7th grade).
Next on the program, parents and students were able to add more information to their college portfolios as Ms. Pienta gave a presentation on financial aid, including the types of aid, the cost of college, how aid is awarded, and how to apply for it.
Ms. Sibayan closed the program and drew the winning number for the door prize, which went to the Burke family. Congratulations!
Thanks to AVID site team members and tutors for their help and support: Ms. Ascierto, Ms. Balboni, Ms. O'Connor, Ms. Vary, Ms. Rettie, and Ms. Camuso. Thanks also to Ms. Folmer for arranging the location and Mr. Brown for AVID support.
The next AVID Family Workshop will be held in September 2007. Stay tuned!
Labels: AVID, college, family workshop
Understanding College Loans
The Associated Press's primer on borrowing for college appears this week in Business Week magazine, on Yahoo, and in quite a few other publications. This is probably one of the easiest articles to understand about loans for college. It's written in plain English in a question and answer format.
SAMPLE:
Q: Where should I look for a loan first?
A: That one's easy: Uncle Sam.
The federal government helps students borrow in several ways: through direct loans, by subsidizing interest payments, and by encouraging private lenders to lend to students. Which of these programs you qualify for depends on your school and level of need.
In virtually all cases, government loans are a better deal than private loans, so max them out before borrowing elsewhere.
There are several useful LINKS at the end the article.
Thanks to site team member Ms. Smith for this article.
SAMPLE:
Q: Where should I look for a loan first?
A: That one's easy: Uncle Sam.
The federal government helps students borrow in several ways: through direct loans, by subsidizing interest payments, and by encouraging private lenders to lend to students. Which of these programs you qualify for depends on your school and level of need.
In virtually all cases, government loans are a better deal than private loans, so max them out before borrowing elsewhere.
There are several useful LINKS at the end the article.
Thanks to site team member Ms. Smith for this article.
Labels: borrowing, college, loans
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Lt. Alex Allen, MIT Grad, Talks to AVID Classes
Submitted by Caitlin G, 9th grade AVID student 
Recently, Lt. Alex Allen spoke to our class about his path to college. He started off speaking to us by asking questions such as "Why do you want to go to college?" and "How do you think it will help you?". Our class learned that he had lots of tips and advice for us future college graduates.
Lt. Allen grew up in Vermont on a family farm. He was a good student and participated in many sports. He became interested in engineering while watching robot competitions on PBS. Lt. Allen attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). On his way there, he applied early, became wait-listed, and improved his application a lot. He also interviewed with a professor at Dartmouth (who was an official interview for MIT) and contacted the MIT football coach about playing there. He told us it is important to make yourself stand out in your application and that colleges want diversity. He received a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering.
Lt. Allen informed our class that college is more than just the education--it's about growing up, too. He said you learn a lot about relationships, internships, and becoming connected (networking). During his years at MIT, Lt. Allen married his high school sweetheart, Kathy, worked on the school's nuclear reactor, and participated in the robot competition.
When asked about financial aid, Lt. Allen said that he received scholarships and loans and then entered the Bachelor's Degree Completion Program with the Navy. The Navy paid him to go to school, and he had a job on the side.
Tenth-grade AVID student Nico L. asked if Lt. Allen thought college was more relaxed than high school. He replied saying he believed it was, and that he enjoyed his college experience.
Currently, Lt. Allen works at the top of a chain of many people. His future plans, after finishing the four years owed to the Navy, are to continue in a position where he helps other people. He said that with his degree, he could have unlimited options. There is definitely smooth sailing ahead for this MIT graduate.
Recently, Lt. Alex Allen spoke to our class about his path to college. He started off speaking to us by asking questions such as "Why do you want to go to college?" and "How do you think it will help you?". Our class learned that he had lots of tips and advice for us future college graduates.
Lt. Allen grew up in Vermont on a family farm. He was a good student and participated in many sports. He became interested in engineering while watching robot competitions on PBS. Lt. Allen attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). On his way there, he applied early, became wait-listed, and improved his application a lot. He also interviewed with a professor at Dartmouth (who was an official interview for MIT) and contacted the MIT football coach about playing there. He told us it is important to make yourself stand out in your application and that colleges want diversity. He received a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering.
Lt. Allen informed our class that college is more than just the education--it's about growing up, too. He said you learn a lot about relationships, internships, and becoming connected (networking). During his years at MIT, Lt. Allen married his high school sweetheart, Kathy, worked on the school's nuclear reactor, and participated in the robot competition.
When asked about financial aid, Lt. Allen said that he received scholarships and loans and then entered the Bachelor's Degree Completion Program with the Navy. The Navy paid him to go to school, and he had a job on the side.
Tenth-grade AVID student Nico L. asked if Lt. Allen thought college was more relaxed than high school. He replied saying he believed it was, and that he enjoyed his college experience.
Currently, Lt. Allen works at the top of a chain of many people. His future plans, after finishing the four years owed to the Navy, are to continue in a position where he helps other people. He said that with his degree, he could have unlimited options. There is definitely smooth sailing ahead for this MIT graduate.
