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NURSING HAS BEEN THE BEST PROVIDER OF HIGH PAYING JOBS

When choosing an online nursing degree, there are a few items one should consider. There are many colleges that offer online degrees. This means that a person can choose a program that is right for them without having to sacrifice classes or aspects of a program they really like. The first step to choosing an online program is to decide what it is that a person wants to get out of the program. Online programs are convenient, but if a person is not learning everything they can, then the program is not worth it. Look at the course catalog to find classes that are of interest. Then compare classes with other classes offered in another program. Many times, the classes are similar, but there may be one or two that a person would prefer over other classes offered.

The second step when choosing an online nursing degree program is to talk to admissions and find out the steps needed to enroll and find out other things like cost, time to complete courses, and other incidentals that are not on the web site or in the brochure. Many times it’s the little items that can be the deciding factor in choosing the right program. Setting up a phone interview may be necessary, but will be worth the time.

Room for advancement into other nursing programs is also an option that a person may be interested in when choosing an online nursing degree program. Many nursing programs offer advanced degrees in nursing. This is great for those who will want to go on after graduation. It will also be easier to begin a new program at the same college. Paperwork and other information are already on file and will not need to be filled out again. Convenience is important when choosing an online program.

Online nursing programs can permit you to rapidly turn into a medical attendant. A profession in nursing is a praiseworthy one, permitting anybody to give help to the groups of your group in the best means accessible – by method for outfitting them with merciful consideration when they are in weakness and in the healing center. To begin a nursing vocation, you will require a degree in online nursing programs. In any case, what happens on the off chance that you happen to be at present working some place and don’t have hours or decisions to seek after a fulltime recognition at an online nursing programs school? This is when online nursing programs go into play.

At present, regardless of the serious decrease in work choices furthermore income in various businesses as an aftereffect of global downturn, there’s a national deficiency of medical caretaker experts. Graduates having online nursing programs degrees from legitimate online nursing programs are in extraordinary interest by restorative practices. Right now, enrolled attendants, in the United States, have a normal yearly compensation in overabundance of $70,000, and that is without notwithstanding considering any wellbeing and retirement advantages. You may be qualified for marking reward offer and in addition moving expenses.

The advantages of getting authorize online nursing programs degree are different. Online nursing programs grant understudies to learn at their own particular pace without expecting to overlook their friends and family or their professions. The understudies of online nursing programs degree programs get entrance to their classes at any given time, when it is helpful for them, and in addition from wherever – the length of there is an association with the web. It empowers existing employment timetables to be looked after totally, allowing concurrent advancement with respect to both vocation and instruction.

Online nursing programs will be programs that will empower a person to secure a certificate in online nursing programs and go into the social insurance industry all the more immediately contrasted with the time needed in routine online nursing programs schools. The point of the online programs are to deliver instructive potential outcomes with obliging timetables so individuals without the enough time to select in physical classes will have the capacity to achieve a online nursing programs degree and help fulfill the rising interest for social insurance experts.

Online nursing programs have turned out to be very much acknowledged, and the quantities of universities that offer such courses are becoming quickly. Degrees through these courses are from perceived universities offering requesting educational modules. In spite of the fact that these courses are online does not mean they are basic or worthless. Most of the colleges that give the online nursing programs degrees additionally give work situation administrations. It is to the event of these colleges for you to perform your livelihood goals.

Online nursing programs are solid for preparing people for the therapeutic part inside of a brief while compass. These courses are made for the individuals who as of now have a Bachelor’s degree in any range of study. This implies that one is not needed to have a Bachelor’s degree in medicinal field to fit the bill for the quickened programs. Understudies who as of now have an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) can likewise pick these courses to procure the Bachelor or Master’s degree in online nursing programs. This can fundamentally improve their expert alternatives and compensation levels.

Quickened online nursing programs ought not to be confused for online medical attendant professional programs. Medical caretaker specialists are fundamentally enlisted attendants (RN), who have increased propelled degrees, furthermore have preparing in the determination and treatment of normal and complex wellbeing conditions. Online specialist programs offer the accompanying degrees online: Master of Science Degree in nursing (MSN), Doctor of Nursing Practice, BSN to MSN Bridge Programs, ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing) to MSN Bridge Programs and MSN – Family Nursing.

You can get more advantages with the nursing programs, for example, choice to go to the classes from wherever on the planet, whenever, no compelling reason to visit the customary online nursing programs or school and numerous more different advantages. Truly you can get the nursing degree in a simple way with the online nursing programs contrast with customary nursing. Here you can likewise go to the handy classes however you need to visit the conventional online nursing programs school at that specific time. In any case, you can diminish the danger with the assistance of that specific system.

The filed of nursing has professionals performing varying tasks that involve working with other nurses, doctors, and of course patients. Students have many career training possibilities that teach them to work as a general nurse or a specialized nurse. Colleges offer a variety of program choices depending on the students needs.

Nurses are an important part of the healthcare landscape. The health market always needs more nurses to join the force.

Nursing field has been projected to be one of the top booming sectors in next 5 years; there has never a more exciting time to join the nursing profession. To qualify as a nurse, you need to be properly trained and educated in this field and pass the NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure EXamination-Registered Nurse) examination before you can become a registered nurse.

With the nursing employment boom, many find that nursing schools are very demanding, which is why today, an online nursing degree is a great alternative to attending regular classes. More and more prestige colleges and universities are enabling their nursing degree programs online to student who are unable to attend regular classes; there are even special online schools dedicated just to teach nursing courses online. With this new revolution in learning, you now can have opportunity to realize your dream of becoming a nurse. If you are already a registered nurse, you can upgrade earn a bachelor of science (B.S.N) in nursing and move your nursing career into a high level.

There are many colleges and universities offering online nursing degree ranging from associate to bachelor degree and from master degree to PhD. Among the universities that famous in online nursing degree programs are:

1. Kaplan University
Kaplan University’s degree program offers an accredited, online R.N.-to-B.S.N. degree completion program that centers on health promotion, risk reduction, disease prevention, information and health care technologies, ethics, human diversity, management theory, and health care system.

2. Keiser University eCampus Online
The online RN to BSN program prepares nurses for a broader scope of practice and for entry into master’s or doctoral nursing programs. Special emphasis will be given to the allocation and management of physical, fiscal, and human resources.

3. American Sentinel University
The online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program is designed for working professionals who seek to develop their skills and to prepare leaders, managers, and practitioners who facilitate achievement of optimal health in the dynamic healthcare system.

4. National American University Online
National American University offers an online RN-to-BSN degree completion program for currently licensed nurses.

5. Chamberlain College of Nursing
Chamberlain College of Nursing is one of online schools that specially offer a progressive online bachelor nursing degree completion program for registered nurses to earn their bachelor degree within a year.

6. Norwich University Online
If you are looking for a position as a leader in nursing field, then Norwich University Online’s Master degree in nursing program can be your option. The master nursing degree of Norwich University Online provides you with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in leadership positions in the contemporary health care environment.

You would like to teach nursing. You’d love to share your skills and to teach others about the things that you’ve learned in your career. The only problem is that quite often those who want to work nursing or teaching in this sector need a Masters degree in order to even be considered.

While your BSN has taught you a great deal, you’re not getting the kind of teaching jobs that you’d like. There may be an answer for you by choosing from suitable masters degree nursing online courses.

The masters degree nursing online courses that are available today are outstanding. They will see you graduating from your certified and accredited nursing course in as little as two years time given that you have some level of nursing education to begin your classes. In most cases, the masters degree nursing online courses require that you have at least your LPN or ADN to begin so that your clinical skills are already in place.

Earning Credits

Technical level nurses who would like to become graduate degree nurses may need to study for about three years in a home study course, and will perhaps need to attend some local clinical classes. Your studies though will take place primarily at home or in the venue of your choice and you may use some CLEP entry testing in order to be given the credits that you need for your general education credits and other aspects of your nursing online courses.

Masters Degree nursing online courses will usually take about three years to accomplish, dependent on your nursing skill level to begin with.

You will be required to take classes which include such things as:

sociology
gerontology
nutritional aspects of nursing
medical surgical nursing
communication skills
care planning
pharmacology

Additional Subjects Required

And general education credits such as English, history, mathematics and so on will also be part of your studies. Masters degree nursing online courses have some very broad range benefits for you for the price that you pay for the classes.

Consider the following benefits:

Your costs will be lower than regular classroom attendance
You will not need to attend regular classes
You may continue to work while you study
Your study is done in the privacy of your own preferred environment
You are still graduating from an accredited university
Your tuition costs will be about one-third less than traditional classroom studies

Your masters degree nursing online course will prepare you for the exciting and challenging field of nursing in the same way that a traditional classroom experience would do. It will be as well received and as fully accepted as any other diploma and degree course available to you. If you’re considering a new level of nursing, masters degree nursing online courses studies may be the answer for your career development.

Conclusion…

With so many new online nursing degree programs available at prestigious, accredited online colleges, it has never been more straightforward to nail down new targets for your nursing career and earning potential.

The University of Washington, commonly referred to as simply Washington, UW, or informally U-Dub, is a public flagship research university based in Seattle, Washington, United States. Founded in 1861, Washington is one of the oldest universities on the West Coast.

The university has three campuses: the oldest and largest in the University District of Seattle and two others in Tacoma and Bothell. Its operating expenses and research budget for fiscal year 2014–15 is expected to be $6.4 billion, continuing its historical record of being amongst the highest in the United States. UW occupies over 500 buildings, with over 20 million gross square footage of space, including the University of Washington Plaza, the 325-foot (99 m) UW Tower, over 26 university libraries, as well as numerous conference centers.

Washington is a member of the Association of American Universities. In athletics, the university competes in the NCAADivision I Pac-12 Conference (Pac-12). Its athletic teams are called the Huskies.

The city of Seattle was one of several settlements in the mid to late 19th century vying for primacy in the newly formed Washington Territory. In 1854, territorial governor Isaac Stevens recommended the establishment of a university in Washington. Several prominent Seattle-area residents, chief among them Methodist preacher Daniel Bagley, saw the siting of this University as a chance to add to the city’s prestige. They were able to convince early founder of Seattle and member of the territorial legislature Arthur A. Denny of the importance of Seattle winning the school. The legislature initially chartered two universities, one in Seattle and one in Lewis County, but later repealed its decision in favor of a single university in Lewis County, provided locally donated land could be found. When no site emerged, the legislature, encouraged by Denny, relocated the university to Seattle in 1858.

In 1861, scouting began for an appropriate 10 acres (4 ha) site in Seattle to serve as the campus for a new university. Arthur and Mary Denny donated eight acres, and fellow pioneers Edward Lander and Charlie and Mary Terry donated two acres to the university at a site on Denny’s Knoll in downtown Seattle. This tract was bounded by 4th and 6th Avenues on the west and east and Union and Seneca Streets on the north and south.

UW opened officially on November 4, 1861, as the Territorial University of Washington. The following year, the legislature passed articles formally incorporating the University and establishing a Board of Regents. The school struggled initially, closing three times: in 1863 for lack of students, and again in 1867 and 1876 due to shortage of funds. However, Clara Antoinette McCarty Wilt became the first graduate of UW in 1876 when she graduated from UW with a bachelor’s degree in science. By the time Washington entered the Union in 1889, both Seattle and the University had grown substantially. Enrollment had increased from an initial 30 students to nearly 300, and the relative isolation of the campus had given way to encroaching development. A special legislative committee headed by UW graduate Edmond Meany was created for the purpose of finding a new campus better able to serve the growing student population. The committee selected a site on Union Bay northeast of downtown, and the legislature appropriated funds for its purchase and subsequent construction.

The university relocated from downtown to the new campus in 1895, moving into the newly built Denny Hall. The regents tried and failed to sell the old campus, and eventually settled on leasing the area. The University still owns what is now called the Metropolitan Tract. In the heart of the city, it is among the most valuable pieces of real estate in Seattle and generates millions of US$ in revenue annually.

The original Territorial University building was torn down in 1908 and its former site currently houses the Fairmont Olympic Hotel. The sole surviving remnants of UW’s first building are four 24-foot (7.3 m), white, hand-fluted cedar, Ionic columns. They were salvaged by Edmond S. Meany—one of the University’s first graduates and the former head of the history department. Meany and his colleague, Dean Herbert T. Condon, dubbed each of the columns “Loyalty,” “Industry,” “Faith” and “Efficiency,” or “LIFE.” The columns now stand in the Sylvan Grove Theater.

Organizers of the 1909 Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition eyed the still largely undeveloped campus as a prime setting for their world’s fair. They came to an agreement with the Board of Regents that allowed them to use the campus grounds for the exposition. In exchange, the University would be able to take advantage of the development of the campus for the fair after its conclusion. This included a detailed site plan and several buildings. The plan for the A-Y-P Exposition prepared by John Charles Olmsted was later incorporated into the overall campus master plan and permanently affected the layout of the campus.

Both World Wars brought the military to the campus, with certain facilities temporarily loaned to the federal government. The subsequent post-war periods were times of dramatic growth for the University. The period between the wars saw significant expansion on the upper campus. Construction of the liberal arts quadrangle, known to students as “The Quad,” began in 1916 and continued in stages until 1939. The first two wings of Suzzallo Library, considered the architectural centerpiece of the University, were built in 1926 and 1935, respectively. Further growth came with the end of World War II and passage of the G.I. Bill. Among the most important developments of this period was the opening of the medical school in 1946. It would eventually grow into the University of Washington Medical Center, now ranked by U.S. News and World Report among the top ten hospitals in the United States. It was during this era in University of Washington history in which many Japanese Americans were sent away from the university to internment camps along the west coast of the United States as part of Executive Order 9066 following the attacks on Pearl Harbor. As a result, many Japanese American “soon-to-be” graduates were unable to receive their diplomas and be recognized for their accomplishment at the university until the University of Washington’s commemoration ceremony for the Japanese Americans entitled The Long Journey Home held on May 18, 2008 at the main campus.

In the late 1960s, the University of Washington Police Department evolved from the University Safety and Security Division in response to anti-Vietnam War protests.[11] It currently has jurisdiction over the University of Washington campus and University-owned housing, except for the Radford Court apartments in Sand Point. The 1960s and 1970s are known as the “golden age” of the university due to the tremendous growth in students, facilities, operating budget and prestige under the leadership of Charles Odegaard from 1958 to 1973. Enrollment at UW more than doubled—from around 16,000 to 34,000—as the baby boom generation came of age. As was the case at many American universities, this era was marked by high levels of student activism, with much of the unrest focused around civil rights and opposition to the Vietnam War. Odegaard instituted a vision of building a “community of scholars” and convinced the state of Washington legislatures to increase their investments towards the university. Additionally, Washington senators, Henry M. Jackson and Warren G. Magnuson used their political clout to funnel federal research monies to the University of Washington and to this day, UW is among the top recipients of federal research funds in the United States. The results included an operating budget increase of $37 million in 1958, to over $400 million in 1973, and 35 new buildings that doubled the floor space of the university.

The University opened campuses in Bothell and Tacoma in 1990. Initially, these campuses offered curricula for students seeking bachelor’s degrees who have already completed two years of higher education, but both schools have transitioned to four-year universities, accepting the first freshman class in the fall of 2006. Both campuses offer master’s degree programs as well. In 2009 the University opened an office in the Spanish city of León in collaboration with the local university.

THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN

The University of Michigan (U-M, UM, UMich, or U of M), frequently referred to simply as Michigan, is a publicresearch university in Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1817 in Detroit as the Catholepistemiad, or University of Michigania, 20 years before the Michigan Territory became a state, the University of Michigan is the state’s oldest university. The university moved to Ann Arbor in 1837 onto 40 acres (16 ha) of what is now known as Central Campus. Since its establishment in Ann Arbor, the university campus has expanded to include more than 584 major buildings with a combined area of more than 34 million gross square feet (780 acres; 3.2 km2) spread out over a Central Campus and North Campus, two satellite campuses in Flint and Dearborn, and a Center in Detroit. The University was a founding member of the Association of American Universities.

Considered one of the foremost research universities in the United States, the university has very high research activity and its comprehensive graduate program offers doctoral degrees in the humanities, social sciences, and STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) as well as professional degrees in architecture, business, medicine, law, pharmacy, nursing, social work, public health, and dentistry. Michigan’s body of living alumni (as of 2012) comprises more than 500,000. Besides academic life, Michigan’s athletic teams compete in Division I of the NCAA and are collectively known as the Wolverines. They are members of the Big Ten Conference.

The University of Michigan was established in Detroit on August 26, 1817 as the Catholepistemiad, or University of Michigania, by the governor and judges of Michigan Territory. Judge Augustus B. Woodward specifically invited The Rev. John Monteith and Father Gabriel Richard, a Catholic priest, to establish the institution. Monteith became its first President and held seven of the professorships, and Richard was Vice President and held the other six professorships. Concurrently, Ann Arbor had set aside 40 acres (16 ha) in the hopes of being selected as the state capital. But when Lansing was chosen as the state capital, the city offered the land for a university. What would become the university moved to Ann Arbor in 1837 thanks to Governor Stevens T. Mason. The original 40 acres (160,000 m2) was the basis of the present Central Campus. The first classes in Ann Arbor were held in 1841, with six freshmen and a sophomore, taught by two professors. Eleven students graduated in the first commencement in 1845.

By 1866, enrollment increased to 1,205 students, many of whom were Civil War veterans. Women were first admitted in 1870. James Burrill Angell, who served as the university’s president from 1871 to 1909, aggressively expanded U-M’s curriculum to include professional studies in dentistry, architecture, engineering, government, and medicine. U-M also became the first American university to use the seminar method of study.[12] Among the early students in the School of Medicine was Jose Celso Barbosa, who in 1880 graduated as valedictorian and the first Puerto Rican to get a university degree in the United States. He returned to Puerto Rico to practice medicine and also served in high-ranking posts in the government.

From 1900 to 1920, the university constructed many new facilities, including buildings for the dental and pharmacy programs, chemistry, natural sciences, Hill Auditorium, large hospital and library complexes, and two residence halls. In 1920 the university reorganized the College of Engineering and formed an advisory committee of 100 industrialists to guide academic research initiatives. The university became a favored choice for bright Jewish students from New York in the 1920s and 1930s, when the Ivy League schools had quotas restricting the number of Jews to be admitted. Because of its high standards, U-M gained the nickname “Harvard of the West.” During World War II, U-M’s research supported military efforts, such as U.S. Navy projects in proximity fuzes, PT boats, and radar jamming.

After the war, enrollment expanded rapidly and by 1950, it reached 21,000, of which more than one third (or 7,700) were veterans supported by the G.I. Bill. As the Cold War and the Space Race took hold, U-M received numerous government grants for strategic research and helped to develop peacetime uses for nuclear energy. Much of that work, as well as research into alternative energy sources, is pursued via the Memorial Phoenix Project.

In the 1960 Presidential campaign, U.S. Senator John F. Kennedy jokingly referred to himself as “a graduate of the Michigan of the East, Harvard University” in his speech proposing the formation of the Peace Corps speaking to a crowd from the front steps of the Michigan Union.

Lyndon B. Johnson gave his speech outlining his Great Society program as the lead speaker during U-M’s 1964 spring commencement ceremony. During the 1960s, the university campus was the site of numerous protests against the Vietnam War and university administration. On March 24, 1965, a group of U-M faculty members and 3,000 students held the nation’s first ever faculty-led “teach-in” to protest against American policy in Southeast Asia. In response to a series of sit-ins in 1966 by Voice, the campus political party of Students for a Democratic Society, U-M’s administration banned sit-ins. In response, 1,500 students participated in a one-hour sit-in inside the Administration Building, now known as the LSA Building. In April 1968 following on the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. a group of several dozen black students occupied the Administration Building to demand that the University make public its 3-year-old commitment as a federal contractor to Affirmative Action and to increase its efforts with respect to recruiting more African American students, faculty and staff. At that time there were no African American coaches, for instance, in the Intercollegiate Athletics Department. The occupation was ended by agreement after 7 hours.

Former U-M student and noted architect Alden B. Dow designed the current Fleming Administration Building, which was completed in 1968. The building’s plans were drawn in the early 1960s, before student activism prompted a concern for safety. But the Fleming Building’s fortress-like narrow windows, all located above the first floor, and lack of exterior detail at ground level, led to a campus rumor that it was designed to be riot-proof. Dow denied those rumors, claiming the small windows were designed to be energy efficient.

During the 1970s, severe budget constraints slowed the university’s physical development; but in the 1980s, the university received increased grants for research in the social and physical sciences. The university’s involvement in the anti-missile Strategic Defense Initiative and investments in South Africa caused controversy on campus. During the 1980s and 1990s, the university devoted substantial resources to renovating its massive hospital complex and improving the academic facilities on the North Campus. In its 2011 annual financial report, the university announced that it had dedicated $497 million per year in each of the prior 10 years to renovate buildings and infrastructure around the campus. The university also emphasized the development of computer and information technology throughout the campus.

In the early 2000s, U-M faced declining state funding due to state budget shortfalls. At the same time, the university attempted to maintain its high academic standing while keeping tuition costs affordable. There were disputes between U-M’s administration and labor unions, notably with the Lecturers’ Employees Organization (LEO) and the Graduate Employees Organization (GEO), the union representing graduate student employees. These conflicts led to a series of one-day walkouts by the unions and their supporters. The university is engaged in a $2.5 billion construction campaign.

In 2003, two lawsuits involving U-M’s affirmative action admissions policy reached the U.S. Supreme Court (Grutter v. Bollinger and Gratz v. Bollinger). President George W. Bush publicly opposed the policy before the court issued a ruling. The court found that race may be considered as a factor in university admissions in all public universities and private universities that accept federal funding. But, it ruled that a point system was unconstitutional. In the first case, the court upheld the Law School admissions policy, while in the second it ruled against the university’s undergraduate admissions policy.

The debate continued because in November 2006, Michigan voters passed Proposal 2, banning most affirmative action in university admissions. Under that law, race, gender, and national origin can no longer be considered in admissions. U-M and other organizations were granted a stay from implementation of the law soon after that referendum. This allowed time for proponents of affirmative action to decide legal and constitutional options in response to the initiative results. In April 2014, the Supreme Court ruled in Schuette v. Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action that Proposal 2 did not violate the U.S. Constitution. The admissions office states that it will attempt to achieve a diverse student body by looking at other factors, such as whether the student attended a disadvantaged school, and the level of education of the student’s parents.

On May 1, 2014, University of Michigan was named one of 55 higher education institutions under investigation by the Office of Civil Rights “for possible violations of federal law over the handling of sexual violence and harassment complaints.” President Barack Obama’s White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault was organized for such investigations.

The University of Michigan became more selective in the early 2010s. The acceptance rate declined from 50.6% in 2010 to 26.2% in 2015.[26] The rate of new freshman enrollment has been fairly stable since 2010.

Stanford University, officially Leland Stanford Junior University, is a private research university in Stanford, California, adjacent to Palo Alto and between San Jose and San Francisco. Its 8,180-acre (12.8 sq mi; 33.1 km2) campus is one of the largest in the United States. Stanford also has land and facilities elsewhere.

The university was founded in 1885 by Leland and Jane Stanford in memory of their only child, Leland Stanford Jr., who had died of typhoid fever at age 15 the previous year. Stanford was a former Governor of California and U.S. Senator; he made his fortune as a railroad tycoon. The school admitted its first students 124 years ago on October 1, 1891, as a coeducational and non-denominational institution.

Stanford University struggled financially after Leland Stanford’s death in 1893 and again after much of the campus was damaged by the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. Following World War II, Provost Frederick Terman supported faculty and graduates’ entrepreneurialism to build self-sufficient local industry in what would later be known as Silicon Valley.The rise of Silicon Valley helped Stanford become one of the world’s most prestigious universities. The university is also one of the top fundraising institutions in the country, becoming the first school to raise more than a billion dollars in a year.

There are three academic schools that have both undergraduate and graduate students and another four professional schools. Students compete in 36 varsity sports, and the university is one of two private institutions in the Division I FBSPac-12 Conference. It has gained 109 NCAA team championships, the second-most for a university, 476 individual championships, the most in Division I, and has won the NACDA Directors’ Cup, recognizing the university with the best overall athletic team achievement, for 22 consecutive years, beginning in 1994–1995.

Stanford faculty and alumni have founded a large number of companies that produce more than $2.7 trillion in annual revenue, equivalent to the 10th-largest economy in the world. It is the alma mater of 30 living billionaires, 17 astronauts, and 20 Turing Award laureates. It is also one of the leading producers of members of the United States Congress. Sixty Nobel laureates and seven Fields Medalists have been affiliated with Stanford as students, alumni, faculty or staff.

Stanford University was founded in 1885 by Leland and Jane Stanford, dedicated to Leland Stanford Jr, their only child. The institution opened in 1891 on Stanford’s previous Palo Alto farm. Despite being impacted by earthquakes in both 1906 and 1989, the campus was rebuilt each time. In 1919, The Hoover Institution on War, Revolution and Peace was started by Herbert Hoover to preserve artifacts related to World War I. The Stanford Medical Center, completed in 1959, is a teaching hospital with over 800 beds. The SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory (originally named the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center), which was established in 1962, performs research in particle physics.

Most of Stanford University is on an 8,180-acre (12.8 sq mi; 33.1 km2) campus on the San Francisco Peninsula, in the northwest part of the Santa Clara Valley (Silicon Valley) approximately 37 miles (60 km) southeast of San Francisco and approximately 20 miles (30 km) northwest of San Jose; this is the founding grant. In 2008, 60% of this land remained undeveloped. Besides the central campus described below, the university also operates at several more remote locations, some elsewhere on the main campus, some further afield (see below).

Stanford’s main campus includes a census-designated place within unincorporated Santa Clara County, although some of the university land (such as the Stanford Shopping Center and the Stanford Research Park) is within the city limits of Palo Alto. The campus also includes much land in unincorporated San Mateo County (including the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and the Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve), as well as in the city limits of Menlo Park (Stanford Hills neighborhood), Woodside, and Portola Valley.

3 Extra Touches to Impress with Your College Essay

With the volume of college applications submitted each year, it is vital for students to make their essays stand out from the rest. Your college essay should be thoughtfully planned, constructed, and revised several times.

Rather than obsessing over each sentence, though, focusing on a few details can make quite a difference. Here are three overlooked, yet effective ways to impress with your college essay:

1. Reel the reader in

Every application season, the members of college admissions committees are overwhelmed with thousands of applications, each of which is accompanied by a personal essay. Imagine how many pages of personal statements admissions counselors must review and how little time they have to do so. In light of this time constraint, your goal should be to reel in your reader as soon as possible; given the brevity of personal statements, this means you should aim to grab your reader’s attention from the very first line.

One effective way to lure in a reader is by starting off with a unique quote or saying. You can choose a cultural proverb—“The craft fears the craftsman”—or a mysterious line from a poem so that your reader is led to think, “Hmm, where is this going?” Whatever you decide to start with, the goal is to keep your reader interested and for your essay to stand out from the thousands of others with which admissions counselors are flooded.

2. Mind your punctuation

While it is certain that admissions counselors do not have time to read each college essay carefully, they are likely to pick up on glaring punctuation errors. Each punctuation mark has a very specific function in language, and they should not be used interchangeably.

If you are unsure about the difference between a comma and a semicolon, for example, refer to The Chicago Manual of Style or another reliable grammar resource such as the Purdue OWL. At this point in your education, it is expected that you have a sound understanding of basic writing conventions.

On the other hand, clever use of the more unusual punctuation marks could earn you some extra points. A well-employed semicolon, which is meant to separate two closely related sentences, can look smart and professional (e.g., “Poor diet is a leading cause of type 2 diabetes; meals high in fat can contribute to the disease’s development”). Then there is the em-dash, a versatile and underrated punctuation mark that can serve a dramatic effect (e.g., “He believed he had finally solved the notorious murder case—however, his work had just begun”). Get creative with punctuation, but remember that improper usage can work against you.

3. Show off your vocabulary

All those English vocabulary quizzes and hours of SAT prep were not in vain. Your college essay is a pristine opportunity to showcase your repertoire of interesting words. A few tactfully placed three-syllable words can give your essay a mature, intelligent tone. Do you have a fondness for the words “acerbic” or “clandestine”? Great — if you can find a good spot for them in your college essay, include them. Even one or two of these types of words can leave an effect on your reader.

However, similarly to the recommendation on punctuation, proper usage is key. An inappropriately used word is likely to get your reader’s attention for all the wrong reasons. You should verify an uncommon word’s definition before you decide to put it in your essay.

Also, bear in mind that including an excess of sophisticated words is equally counterproductive, as it may come across as pretentious and cloud your statement’s purpose.

Conquer Your College Interview

The college interview is an experience that’s exciting and a little bit scary, but it doesn’t have to be that scary! As long as you enter the situation prepared to discuss yourself, your accomplishments and achievements, and think about stories that reflect aspects you’d like to share about yourself as a student. Enter armed with thoughtful questions about the college, too.

Before entering this scenario, the most important thing to do is prepare. If you prepare thoroughly beforehand, there’s absolutely no reason you won’t succeed in showing them who you are as a student – after all, you’re the expert on YOU!

Here are some aspects to keep in mind while preparing for a college interview, which can help you examine aspects of your student life (and the school) in order to prepare ahead of time:

1. Relax beforehand

As with any stressful scenario, get into a positive mindset and comfortable headspace before entering the situation. Ensure you get enough sleep the night beforehand so you’re alert and awake for your interview.

Directly beforehand, do whatever it is you do to help you relax. Believe it or not, admissions officers are used to nervous students so, assuming you’re not vulgar or rude (and why would you be?), it’s pretty difficult to mess it up.

2. Look at the experience positively

Don’t view the college interview as a negative situation! Remember, admissions officers are there simply to learn more about you as a student and are interested in finding more about who you are.

Before going into the interview, think about unique aspects and qualities you have to offer, along with any stories that convey who you are as a student. That way, if you happen to get an interviewer that basks in awkward silence, you will already have a good idea of what it is you’d like to say.

3. What do you want them to know about you?

Think about what you’d like to say and what you’d like to accomplish within your college interview. It can even be helpful to list out points for your own reference, detailing aspects of your student resume you’d like to mention.

Here’s the good news: nobody knows your student story better than you do! It’s easier to discuss the achievements you’ve experienced, unlike a test scenario where you may be concerned about forgetting aspects you’ve studied.

Even though you’re the expert on you, it’s still smart to write down a summary of your student story beforehand. Your “story” includes your academic achievements, extracurriculars, accomplishments, any personal stories you’d like to share.

4. Practice makes “perfect”

It’s helpful for most students to play out the college interview scenario before ever setting foot in a college interview. Go through a list of common college interview questions and think about your answers.

Sometimes, it can even be helpful to ask a parent, friend or teacher to go through the list with you in a “mock” interview setting.

5. Research the college beforehand

This is an important life tip to remember: never go into an interview without doing your research first! Research the college, noting any questions you may have about the school, which will lend to the interview conversation.

Think about the school and what you’re looking to get out of college life, both academically and otherwise. These aspects are a great place to begin your research – learn more about the parts of a college that initially interested you and expand from there.

3 Ways to Pay Off Big Student Loans Faster

The average student now graduates from college with around $30,000 in loan debt. However, the most recent data from the Council of Graduate Students states that 1.74 million students are continuing their education with Master’s and Ph.D. programs, piling on even more student loan debt. Currently, graduate student degree holders account for 40% of the over $1 trillion in total student loan debt for the country, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Depending on your job and other financial responsibilities, paying back that amount of debt could take a lifetime. That’s why it’s paramount to tackle your student loan with an aggressive strategy. Start your journey with these tips:

1. The debt avalanche method.

There are several different debt repayment strategies developed by experts. One of the most popular is the debt snowball plan. It recommends that borrowers pay back the loan with the least amount owed with the idea that paying off small student loans will help borrowers build momentum toward paying off the larger loan amounts.

The debt avalanche method, however, encourages borrowers to pay off the student loan with the highest interest rate first. This strategy helps graduates save more money in the long run. At the same time, borrowers should pay the minimum on any other student loans.

2. Take advantage of extra income opportunities.

In addition to your real job, it may be beneficial to look for other income opportunities. You could pet sit for friends and family, become a brand ambassador for a product or clean houses. Fortunately, there are a plethora of industries that offer part-time work. Using all income from your side job could enable you to make extra payments on student loans.

It’s also worth exploring student repayment help at your job. While the practice is still relatively new, there are companies that are beginning to help their employees pay down their student loans. Ask your boss or talk to the human resources department about student loan assistance.

3. Make extra payments.

Student loans require a minimum monthly payment in order to prevent the loan from going to default. However, if you’re making the minimum payment, it will take decades to pay off your student loans. Aim to pay the minimum monthly payment as well as the interest that you will accrue for the loan for that month. To determine your daily interest costs, multiply your interest rate by the current balance on your student loan; then divide that by the number of months in the year. That figure will serve as the amount of interest your student loan is accruing each month.

When you can, make extra payments. If you have a surplus of $50 or $100, use it to pay down your student loans rather than something superfluous.

If you want to get serious about eliminating your student loan debt, it will require your fair share of sacrifice. You may have to pass on vacations, shopping sprees and home décor for your new apartment. But all of that is just “for now.” Paying off student loans will enable you to save money faster for those things you really care about – like your first home, trips abroad and building your nest egg for retirement. A little sacrificing now, means less sacrificing later.

Top 10 Mistakes to Avoid in Choosing a College

Choosing a college is stressful and making sure you make the right decision can often feel like a daunting task. To help out with the process, here are some common mistakes to avoid along the way:

1. Rushing the process. Finding the right college takes time and effort, not to mention research and an often lengthy application process. Waiting until the last minute or just “falling into a college” is never a good idea. It takes the most important factor out of the equation—you.

2. Being a follower. Following a boyfriend, girlfriend, best friend to the college of their choice may seem like a good idea at the time because you want to be near them, but this is one of the most pivotal points in your life, too. You need to remember to make the best decisions for yourself and, if your relationships are strong, they will outlast time and distance anyway.

3. The legacy lure. We’re aware the commandment states “Honor thy father and mother.” However, only considering colleges your parents, siblings or other family members went to in order to follow in their footsteps may not be in your best interest. It’s always better to explore your options and find the right fit for your personality.

4. Rebellion. In contrast, only considering colleges your parents DON’T want you to go isn’t beneficial either. Sometimes, they have some good insight that may help you decide on what may be best for you. Don’t choose—or not choose—a college out of spite. This is sure to lead you down a path of regret. Choose a college based on what you want, not based on what someone else doesn’t.

5. You’re a die-hard fan. We’ve all got our favorite teams, but let’s remember that just because they have a great sports team does not mean it’s the right educational fit for you. After all, you’re there to learn, not cheer them on. You can be a fan anywhere, but you can’t learn everywhere.

6. The temptation to party. So, it’s a great party school but is it a great learning environment? While you may be itching to get out on your own and party like a rock star, that’s really not what college is about. Remember, when choosing a college that you want to choose somewhere what you can have a healthy social atmosphere but a setting that’s conducive to the real goal at hand—learning.

7. How a student body looks. You’ve heard the student body is attractive. So what? Maybe you like this, maybe you’re worried you won’t fit in, either way, you should ignore these stereotypes because they probably are just that. Also, the attractiveness of a student body shouldn’t really make a different in your decision on where to get an education.

8. Assuming the worst. Not applying to certain schools because you assume you won’t be accepted underrates your potential and potentially limits your future. Come on, you guys, we have reach schools for a reason. You never know what you can achieve if you don’t try, so at least make an attempt.

9. Location, location, location. Whether you’re a homebody who wants to stay close or an escape artist who wants to get as far from home as possible, the location should be a factor in choosing a college, not the sole decision maker.

10. Cost obsessions or carelessness. Forgetting to consider the cost or only considering the cost as a factor are two major issues to avoid. While cost is a huge hurdle, there are many other factors to consider as well and students should not be blinded by this one aspect. Reversely, students who are applying for financial aid or whose parents are paying for college should not neglect to think about cost completely, as costs can add up quite quickly.

THE BEST COLLEGES PROVIDING FREE TUITION

Looking for a free college or at least free tuition? A free college education isn’t the norm in the United States; however, many colleges, including some prestigious ones, provide free tuition and other financial assistance.

College Student Debt

In 2011, due to the high cost of attending college, the total amount of American student loan debt was more than $1 trillion.

About 25% of borrowers are behind on their loans. University of Wisconsin demographer Jason Houle finds students from middle-class families pile up more student loan debt on average than other students.

According to a Harvard University study, due to the high cost of a college education and other factors, American college students are leaving college without a degree at higher rates than in other developed countries.

In addition, the National Center for Education Statistics finds that the average total cost of attending college in 2010–11 for first-time, full-time students living on-campus and paying in-state tuition at public, four-year schools, was $20,100. The average cost at private, nonprofit, four-year schools was $39,800. The total cost includes tuition, required fees, books and supplies, and the average for room and board and other expenses. At the campus level, the average student debt numbers collected for the report vary widely, ranging from $3,000 to $55,250.

Moreover, according to the Project on Student Debt, provided by the Institute for College Access & Success, students who borrowed money to obtain a bachelor’s degree in 2011 graduated with an average student loan debt of $26,600. The report also shows that about two-thirds of students in the class of 2011 had loans. Approximately one-fifth of all student loans are private, with the rest supplied by the U.S. government, in one form or another.

Thus, many college students begin their careers with significant debt. Many of them can’t afford to take an unpaid internship, which could help put their career on an upward trajectory.

The College Board reports the following average 2012–13 tuition and fees:

Public, four-year, in-state students: $8,654
Public, four-year, out-of-state students: $21,706
Private, nonprofit, four-year: $29,056
For-profit schools: $15,172

Public schools are often recognized as less expensive than private colleges; however, many students at private schools don’t pay the full cost of their education. For example, at Yale, in 2011, the average financial aid for the 57% of students who qualified was $38,900.

Check out the Ivy League Schools

The Ivy League schools are some of the most expensive schools in the nation. On the other hand, most Ivy League schools provide free tuition and other financial assistance for students from families with an income below a specific threshold, such as $60,000. All of the Ivy League schools have a “no-loans” policy; they provides grants instead of loans.

Top colleges have become more generous with grants. A major reason for this is that they don’t want to pass up on exceptional students who may go on to have notable careers.

College Selection Guidelines

We selected the best colleges providing free tuition, based on financial aid packages, quality of degree programs, types of courses offered, faculty prestige, rankings, awards, and overall school reputation.

We provide two lists: Colleges offering free tuition to most students, and colleges offering free college tuition to students from families with an income below a specific income ceiling.

Best Colleges Providing Free Tuition

1Deep Springs College

Deep Springs College, located on a cattle-ranch and alfalfa farm in Inyo County, California, educates students of exceptional ability. Many of the students have turned down offers from some of the most highly esteemed colleges in the United States.

The college provides a unique alternative to the first two years of a traditional four-year education program. Most of the students complete their degree at the most prestigious four-year institutions in the world. Over two-thirds of graduates of Deep Springs College have a graduate degree.

Deep Springs College, established on the pillars of academics, labor, and self-governance, prepares students for lives of service to humanity. Students have the dominate decision-making authority regarding admissions, curriculum, and hiring of faculty members.

During the admissions process, the college emphasizes academic ability, leadership potential, and a desire to assume active and practical responsibility for the ongoing life of the Deep Springs community.

Admissions rate selectivity varies from 6% to 15%, year-to-year. Accepted students’ SAT scores generally average 700 for math and in the upper 700 range for verbal.

However, Deep Springs College regards essays and the interview as more important factors in the admission process. Females can apply to enroll in the class of 2013.

Each of its 26 students receives a full-scholarship valued at over $50,000 per year. Students work, at a minimum, 20 hours per week on the ranch or farm, or in positions related to the college or community.

2Cooper Union

The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, commonly referred to as Cooper Union, is located in New York City. It consists of the School of Art, the Irwin S. Chanin School of Architecture, and the Albert Nerken School of Engineering.

The schools are connected by the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. Each school provides undergraduate degrees and specialized programs. Cooper Union has highly regarded engineering, art, and architecture programs.

Cooper Union hosts a number of research institutes, such as the C.V. Starr Research Foundation and the Institute for Sustainable Design. The college provides degree programs in the fields of fine arts, architecture, and several engineering areas, and also offers a wide range of continuing education and professional certification programs.

Cooper Union was ranked #1 in the 2013 edition of the Best Colleges in Regional Colleges (North) by U.S. News & World Report. It has also been named #1 Desirable Small School and the 7th most desirable school by Newsweek magazine. Based on a 2012 peer assessment survey, the school was ranked #6 best undergraduate engineering program whose highest engineering degree is a bachelor’s or a master’s degree.

Copper Union has a 9-to-1 student/faculty ratio and a 94.2% freshman retention rate. The institution has 988 students, of which 927 are undergraduates. It accepts about 7% of applicants.

SAT test scores (25th/75th percentile) are as follows: Critical reading: 610/720; math: 650/780; writing: 620/730.

Every registered undergraduate and graduate student receives a free tuition scholarship. Undergraduate and graduate tuition is a little over $19,000 per semester. Every student enrolled in a degree program pays a $775 fee every semester. Students living in student residence pay the regular housing fee of $9,700 for a double, and $10,800 for a single, per academic year.

3Curtis Institute of Music

Curtis Institute of Music, one of the leading conservatories in the world, provides training and education to exceptionally gifted young musicians for careers as performing artists at the highest professional level. The institute provides complete musical training, as well as liberal arts courses.

Curtis Institute provides a performance Diploma, a Bachelor of Music degree, a Master of Music in Opera degree, and a Professional Studies Certificate in Opera.

The institute has 165 students. Students of elementary-school and high-school age receive training from the same instructors at the same intensive levels as do older students. Curtis does not have teaching assistants.

The school’s trained instrumentalists hold 16% of the principal chairs of the top 25 U.S. orchestras. More than 60 graduates have performed at the Metropolitan Opera. Two music directors of the New York Philharmonic have come from Curtis Institute.

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