Caribbean Students: Your Journey To University

Student Spotlight: Juella Gumbs; Bronx Community College [ The Bronx, New York ]

2009-12-06T18:16:00.000-08:00

This week I spoke with Juella Gumbs of Bronx Community College, which is a 2 year college under the umbrella of the City University of New York (CUNY) school system. The college is located in The Bronx, New York. The CUNY system is one of the largest university systems in the United States and consist of many reputable 2 and 4 year colleges. It is also important to note that it is a very affordable school system, making it a haven for Caribbean Students. The only downfall of the CUNY schools is their lack of on campus housing. Most, if not all of the universities and colleges are commuter schools. Otherwise, it is an excellent school system with renowned colleges such as Baruch College, Queens College, Brooklyn College, York College, LaGuardia Community College, Bronx Community College- just to name a few. Juella will be graduating from Bronx Community College in a few weeks- CONGRATULATIONS!! She will be transfering to one of the top business schools in the nation, Baruch College- which is located in Downtown Manhattan.Below is my interview with Juella:

Ozelle M: Why did you choose to attend Bronx Community College?
Juella G: Initially I had not applied to Bronx Community College. Baruch was my first choice and I had been accepted. However, due to issues with the Math Placement Test I chose to attend Bronx Community College.

Ozelle M: What is your major at BBC?
Juella G: I'm a Business major with a concentration in Marketing

Ozelle M: Okay so we know that BCC is a 2 year college, what are the benefits of attending community college as oppose to going directly to university?
Juella G: There are several advantages you can get by attending a community college despite the stigma attached to them. Not only is the tuition a fraction of the cost compared to 4 year colleges, but class sizes tend to be small enabling students to develop relationships with their professors. Also it provides a smooth transition from high school to a 4 year college. This can be attributed to the small class sizes and the individual attention. Students are able to find out exactly w hat professors expect of them, and are able to correct any mistakes that may prove costly had t hey been at a 4 year college with minimal direction.

Ozelle M: How’s campus life at BBC?
Juella G: I would say the only thing I'm disappointed in with BCC is the campus life; it's practically non-existent. As a commute school, you find many of the students enrolled are part-time versus full-time students who work. You find most people just come for classes and leave once they are done to attend to their other obligations like work or their families. There are activities on campus but in comparison to 4 year colleges, school spirit is considerably lower.

Ozelle M: Is the student population accepting of Caribbean Students?
Juella G: I would say the student population is accepting of Caribbean students. Over the course of my studies at BCC I have come across many students I didn't know were from the Caribbean. From as far north as Jamaica to way down south by Trinidad, we are represented.

Ozelle M: Is there a Caribbean Student Association on campus and are you apart of it?
Juella G: There isn't a CSA present on campus but there have been Caribbean Clubs as well as International Students Clubs active on campus. During my second semester at BCC I was actually the Inter Organizational Council representative for the club from Sping 08 to Fall 08. These clubs have and continue to serve as a sort of retreat to make Caribbean students feel 'at home'.

Ozelle M: Would you encourage Caribbean Students to come to BBC?
Juella G: Of course I would. By no means is it cheap for Caribbean students to pursue an education in the US but with a school such as BCC that provides relatively low tuition and fees, it is worth the investment. It is even more beneficial to us caribbean students if we have family within the city that can provide us with low cost or free accomodation. As far as NY being a distracting city, it is only as distracting as one allows it to be. Most Caribbean students I come across are honor roll students and know how to balance school and the lure of the city life. We also know the value and importance of an education so it all comes down to staying focused and working diligently towards the goals we set forth for ourselves. Also if they have a support system behind them, they will be always be
reminded of their purpose.

Ozelle M: What plans do you have after you complete your degree at Bronx Community College?
Juella G: Well I'm currently in my last semester and I've already been accepted to Baruch for Spring 10 (yaaay!). My plans there are to enter the Zicklin School of Business and pursue my Bachelor's in Advertising and Marketing Communications with a minor in International Business. My long term education goals are to continue on to a Masters in Business as well as attain certification in Fashion Merchandising through a Continuing Professional Studies program at the Fashion Institute of technology.

Juella's interview was very informative and it was my pleasure to speak with her. She provided lots of information about life at a community college and how one can benefit from attending such an institution. For more information about Bronx Community College, please go to www.bcc.cuny.edu and to get more information about other City University of New York schools, please visit www.cuny.edu

Next week:: More information your blogger. Yup, I will invite you into my life (education wise):-)

Student Spotlight: Vincia Woods; Senior at Howard University [ Washington D.C. ]

2009-11-21T15:48:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, I conducted an interview with Vincia Woods who is a Senior (4th year) student at Howard University in Washington D.C. Attending school in the nation's capital offers so many perks, particularly for students pursuing careers in fields such as law, politics, public administration and medicine. There are countless internships available in the various fields and to my knowledge, many of the professors at universities in the DC/MD/VA area are well-connected. Vincia is from the island of St. Kitts and is an aspiring medical doctor. She began her studies at Howard University in the Fall of 2006 and now she is preparing for her graduation in May 2010. Below is the brief conversation I held with Vincia:

Ozelle M: Why did you choose to attend Howard University?
Vincia W: Well firstly, I love the DMV area which includes District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia and also Howard has a great accelerated Biology/M.D. program. It was also the school that my mother dreamed I attended since I spoke my first words (haha)

Ozelle M: So this program allows you to complete your undergraduate degree and medical degree in a shortened time as oppose to if you did them independantly of each other?
Vincia W: Yes! That's correct!

Ozelle M: Is the student population at Howard accepting of Caribbean students?
Vincia W: Yes they are. They seem to enjoy different cultures and they support the Caribbean-related activities that are held on campus.

Ozelle M: Are you apart of the Caribbean Students Association?
Vincia W: Yes and I joined it to feel connected with my West Indian roots while I'm studying in Washington D.C.

Ozelle M: What plans do you have after you complete your degree at Howard?
Vincia W: I'm hoping to go on to graduate school.

Ozelle M: Would you encourage Caribbean Students to come to Howard University?
Vincia W: Definitely! Academically, it is a good school and it is very diverse. Also, there is a large West Indian population.

Ozelle M: Thank you for your time Vincia. I do hope that even more Caribbean people will be encouraged to attend Howard University in the future.
Vincia W: No problem. Thank you for having me on your blog and I invite more West Indians as well.

I really hope that you guys were able to benefit from this interview and will be encouraged to apply to Howard University to further your studies. Believe me, Washington D.C. is a great place to study. This summer, I made my inaugural visit to the nation's capital and it was nothing short of awesome. Even though, I was not able to visit the campus at Howard University, I did stop by Georgetown University for a bit. The area surrounding Georgetown is nice, chic and trendy. It seems as if it caters mainly to the Georgetown University community as most of the people were about in their 20s. Another thing I noted, Downtown Washington D.C. is VERY clean and many of the building look very stately. Hey! They should, since the President of the United States is now a D.C. resident.

Caribbean Students: Travelling

2009-11-20T12:56:00.000-08:00

One expense that we constantly incur while in college involves travelling back and forth from our home country. During my first year, I went back to St. Kitts during winter break and for summer break. For my remaining years, I only travelled home for the Christmas holidays. My summers would be occupied either working or taking summer courses or both. This helped me to graduate a whole semester earliar than my expected graduation date and also put a few dollars into my pockets, so that I can have myself a mini-vacay during the summer as well.

I am an AmericanAirlines junkie! I am never disappointed with their service! AmericanAirlines has the best deals to the Caribbean. Somehow I almost always manage to get GREAT deals to go to my home country from New York or Miami, FL for Christmas break. Timing is very important! The best time to reserve your winter flights home is during the summer. Yes, a whole 6 months early! Check your academic calenders on your school's website and note the last day of finals as that should help you with your bookings.

Another way to get great travel deals include my fav, good ol' coupon codes. In the summer of 2008, I went from New York to Florida to visit my bestie for $129 ROUND TRIP with taxes included. I flew on DeltaAirlines. Though, I am an AmericanAirlines die-hard, I couldn't give up this trip. Those of you who travel throughout the United States would know that a flight from Florida to New York would cost around $250- $300 but with a good ol' coupon code, I flew for a startling $129.

Here are my recommendations: To travel within the United States, you'll probably get the best deals on DeltaAirlines or Southwest Airlines. I know many of you are wondering about JetBlue., but while I love flying JetBlue because of their personal televisions and leather seating, their rates have soared and the taxes are relatively high.

To travel from the United States to The Caribbean, I recommend AmericanAirlines and a far second would be US Airways. American Airlines has lots of direct flights and that's just a plus but I hate connecting flights. I always seem to miss my connector and I just can't be bothered with the hassle.

Take my travel tips into consideration for the next time you're flying and don't forget to always research promotional codes, you'll save tons. I love saving! You should love it too!

Scholarships for Caribbean Students Vol. 2

2009-11-19T18:52:00.000-08:00

I've received countless emails inquirng about scholarship opportunities available for Caribbean students. The reality of the situation is that there is very little scholarship money available to Caribbean students from United States funding sources. The best way to work around this is to seek out universities that target Caribbean students. I've listed these universities in a previous posting.

I will provide you guys with a list of organizations and websites that are good places to seek out scholarships for Caribbean students who wish to study in the United States.

ScholarshipExperts.com This is a free site and you can specifically search for scholarships for International Students.

International Education Financial Aid This is yet another free site for you to seek out scholarships for International Students. Please bear in mind that as Caribbean Students intending to study in the United States you will be considered as "International Students".

Rotary International Most of the islands of the Caribbean have a Rotary International chapter. This organization provides limited international student scholarships.

FastWeb I know that many FastWeb scholarships are geared toward United States citizens but if you do a thorough search, you will stumble across a few scholarships that are open to International Students.

I will provide more advice in college posts about getting funding from your local organizations to study in the United States or Canada.

Caribbean Students: How to Save Money in College

2009-11-19T18:08:00.000-08:00

Considering the current state of the global economy, many of us are wondering how to save money while we are college students. I have gathered a few tips that many of you will find essential. Sometimes we have to swallow our pride and use those good ol' coupons. Personally, I actually LOVE coupons and I always walk away from the store with a good feeling inside whenever I use my coupons to save tons of dollars.

Last night, I did some shopping on Victoria's Secret website to purchase a few clothing pieces to take home (St. Kitts) for the Christmas break. I bought over $150 dollars worth of clothing and only paid $53.50 with shipping included. This incredible website (www.retailmenot.com)is literally the best thing since slice bread. I die for it! Anytime I do some online shopping, I always check in with this website for some awesome coupon codes and I always save tons.

Okay, so clothing is minor [not really] haha but what about groceries?!? I'm sure that's what many of you are asking right now. I can bet $1000 [ okay maybe not] that you thought Amazon.com was just for buying books but hey, you better think again!! Amazon is another site that I die for. It is one of my favorite sites EVER! Did you know that you can buy food in bulk on Amazon??? It's an incredible marketplace! You can literally find anything there. Stop going to the grocery every weekend and simply buy in bulk on Amazon.com once a month and have your food delivered right to your door while saving tons of dollars. If that's not amazing stuff, I don't know what is.

Moving along! The major purchases that we make as college students usually involve academic- related material. As much as I hate buying books, they are mandatory to ensure our success in university. Again, the great Amazon.com is the perfect place for this. You can usually find amazing prices on used books and I promise you that you will save tons.

Now generally, we all just love discounted items whether it's clothing, electronics, household items- we just LOVE discount. They give us a great feeling inside that can have us smiling for days. There is an incredible site called CouponChief where you can find discount and promo codes for over 8000 stores in the United States. It's a great deal! A college student couldn't ask for a better site. It's a college student's dream! They cater to merchants such as BestBuy, Abercrombie & Fitch, Forever21, Amazon.com and over 8000 more. Imagine getting anything and everything you need discounted. The money you can save with CouponChief is just unbelievable. Visit CouponChief before you purchase anything on the web because I guarantee that you will save money.

Best American Schools for Caribbean Students

2008-09-03T17:37:00.000-07:00

Midwestern State University- Witchita Falls, Texas
http://www.mwsu.edu/

Monroe College- New Rochelle, New York
www.monroecollege.edu

Cameron University- Lawton, Oklahoma
www.cameron.edu

Florida Memorial University- Miami Gardens, Florida
www.fmuniv.edu

Plattsburgh State University- Plattsburgh, New York
www.plattsburgh.edu

Baruch College New York City, New York
www.baruch.edu

Florida International University Miami, Florida
www.fiu.edu

Howard University Washington, DC
www.howard.edu

The Essay

2008-06-27T22:27:00.001-07:00

Most universities require you to write an essay that counts towards your eligibilty for entrance in their schools. Generally, there are three types of questions.

a)the "YOU" Question

b)the "WHY US" Question

c)the "CREATIVE" Question

The "YOU" Question

Many colleges require you to tell them about yourself. This is referred to as your personal statement. You will introduce the school to who you are. It is best that you mention a little about why you would like to pursue a university education; your accomplishments thus far, your extra curricular activities; how they have helped developed you into the person you are today and your goals for the future.

Example:

"Please complete a one-page personal statement and submit it with your application." (James Madison University)

"How would you describe yourself as a human being? What quality do you like best in yourself and what do you like least? What quality would you most like to see flourish and which would you like to see wither?" (Bates College)

The "WHY US" Question

This speaks for itself. Simply, why would you like to attend that university. Now, I know many of you will apply to multiple universities so please ensure that each "WHY US" essay applies to that individual university. Take time out to alter each essay for that school. It is important to research any values or missions upheld by each school. You should probably incorporate the school's mission and values in your essay and what it means to you.

Example:

"Why is University of Vermont a good college choice for you?" (University of Vermont)

"Please tell us about your career goals and any plans you may have for graduate study." (Westfield State College)

The "CREATIVE" Question

Some colleges evaluate you through your choice of some tangential item: an international or national issue, a famous person, what you would put in a time capsule; what would you do if you have $1.7 million dollar to spend on your island. Here the school is looking at your creativity and the breadth of your knowledge and education.

Example:

"Do you believe there's a generation gap? Describe the differences between your generation and others." (Denison University)

"Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence." (Common Application)

The Application: The Initial Stages

2008-06-24T08:53:00.000-07:00

You should begin looking at universities about 18 months before your intended start date. It gives you time to properly research schools and find those that interest you the most.

You should start with a list of ten universities that answer the WHAT and WHERE questions. The universities should offer WHAT you want to study and should be located in a place WHERE you would like to study. Carefully research the information available to you on the schools’ website especially relating to student life, your program choice, on and off campus housing, tuition costs, scholarships, extracurricular activities and the availability of a Caribbean Students’ Organization.

Also, be sure to request application forms and brochures from the school to be sent you via mail.

Sit down with your parents and review each school.

List your likes and dislikes of each.

Further cut down your list to FIVE and apply to all five of these schools and they should include: your top two dream schools; two "good match" schools (schools that match your interests) and your safety school (a school you are confident you can get into with ease).

Remember to click the banner above that says FREE CASH FOR COLLEGE. U will be able to research colleges and compare them side by side and all the information is readily available to you.

Scholarships for Caribbean Students

2008-06-20T19:51:00.000-07:00

I've found a few scholarship opportunities that many of you should consider looking into. All of these scholarships are for specific universities.

George M. Alexis Memorial Scholarship

Annual award for recent imigrants from, or of Eastern Caribbean ancestry, who are entering freshman students at Brooklyn College-CUNY in New York planning to major in Public Services, Law, Psychology, or Social Sciences. Applicants must have demonstrated financial need and high academic standing in high school. Due date, number of awards and award amount varies.

Marcus Garvey Award

Annual awards for Caribbean or Bahamian undergraduate students enrolled full-time at Schiller International University. Selection is based on academic achievement, financial need, and nationality. Due date and award amount may vary. An essay must be included with application packet.

Ahora Scholarship

Annual awards for Latin American or Caribbean undergraduate or graduate students enrolled full-time at the University of Rochester. Students must demonstrate academic achievement. An interview is required. Number of awards may vary.

Kwame Nkrumah Class of '72 Scholarship

Annual award for African American, Caribbean, or African undergraduate students enrolled full-time at Lincoln University of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Students must exemplify leadership, school and class spirit, and participation in University activities.

Jack Devine Scholarship

Annual award for a Dominican Republic incoming freshman or sophomore student at Brooklyn College-CUNY in New York. Applicant must have demonstrated interest in the language and culture of the Caribbean. Due date and award amount varies.

Retired Professor Gary North: Alternative Tracks

2008-06-20T17:32:00.000-07:00

Here is a very informative video where Professor North provides ways in which students can significantly reduce the costs of university/college by up to 90%. Even though this video is targeted at United States citizens, Caribbean students can benefit from most if not all of these alternative tracks. Feel free to utilize Professor North's advice at your own discretion.

A Look At Canada

2008-06-20T17:05:00.000-07:00

I've presented a list of universities in the United States and the Caribbean and now I invite you to take a look at Canada. According to Macleans, here are the Top 10 Universities in Canada.

1. McGill University (Montreal, Quebec)

2. University of Toronto (Toronto, Ontario)

3. The University of Western Ontario (London, Ontario)

4. University of British Columbia (Vancouver, British Columbia)

5. Queen's University (Kingston, Ontario)

6. University of Alberta (Edmonton, Alberta)

7. University of Montréal (Montreal, Quebec)

8. Université Laval (Quebec City, Quebec)

9. Université de Sherbrooke (Quebec)

10. University of Saskatchewan (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan)

The FastWeb Phenomenan

2008-06-17T15:17:00.000-07:00

Hey Caribbean Students!! Have you heard of FastWeb? It is the world's largest, most accurate and most frequently updated scholarship database online. I'm sure many of you think that FastWeb is only for United States Citizens but nothing is further from the truth. There are lots of scholarships on FastWeb that are available to students from all parts of the World. However, I must let you know that FastWeb is only available to those who intend on studying in the United States.

There are so many great things about FastWeb and you have to sign up today!!! Click the above banner and be sure to sign up before you leave the website. It is fast and easy!

I used FastWeb.com to find the university that I currently attend. I guess you're now wondering how I did that. At Fastweb.com, you can do a personalized search for universities based on your particular preference. You select the option of what states you would like to search for universities and colleges, the majors you want to search for within that state, whether you prefer a big city or small town; a public or private school and even the extra curricular activities at that school. As I stated, Fastweb is great because you get to personalize the search.

Not only can you search for colleges and universities, but you can also do a side by side comparison. This certainly helps and eliminate many obstacles that you face in your journey towards university.

Fastweb also provides information on numerous scholarships that may be available to you and it finds the best ones to suite your interests. If you're going to university, you will be trying to find ways to fund your education so this is where FastWeb is very useful

Financing Your Education: Loans for Caribbean Students Studying in the U.S.A

2008-06-17T12:16:00.000-07:00

Every year many Caribbean students go abroad to study. However, leaving the Caribbean to pursue a university education is not always the cheapest venture one can undertake. Studying abroad often requires financial assistance for travel, housing, books and tuition. Some students are fortunate to get scholarships from their governments, sponsoring companies, contests or their university, but some have to find alternative ways to finance their education. InternationalStudent.com is a private loan program that is available for Caribbean students who are planning to study in the United States of America.

A co-signer is required for all Non- US Applicants and the co-signer MUST be a US citizen or permanent resident with good credit and income history, who has lived in the United States for the past two years.

Students can borrow annually up to $70,000 US Dollars for medical, dental and law school and up to $50,000 US Dollars annually to fund graduate and undergraduate study. It is also important that you check with the school of your choice to ensure that they are eligible to accept student loans from the International Student Loan Center.

Caribbean Universities And Colleges

2008-06-11T12:15:00.000-07:00

Many Caribbean student think that there are not much universities and colleges in the Caribbean and that is a huge misconception. Also, the universities and colleges located in the Caribbean are just as good as those overseas. I know many people who prefer not to travel abroad to pursue a university education and rather be closer to home and so here is a list of some of the universities and colleges located in the Caribbean region.

University of the Netherland Antilles (Curacao)

St. Martinus Universitty (Curacao)

University of the West Indies

University of Saint Eustatius- School of Medicine (St. Eustatius)

University of Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico)

Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico)

Caribbean University (Puerto Rico)

University of the Virgin Islands

St. George's University (Grenada)

College of the Bahamas (The Bahamas)

St. John's College (Belize)

University of Guyana (Guyana)

University of Technology (Jamaica)

Caribbean Martitime Institute (Jamaica)

Medical University of The Americas (Nevis)

Ross University School of Medicine ( Dominica)

Ross University School of Veterinary Science (St. Kitts)

University College of the Caribbean ( Jamaica)

University of Havana (Cuba)

University of Belize (Belize)

International College of the Cayman Islands ( Grand Cayman)

University of Granma (Cuba)

American University of Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico)

Central University of the Caribbean (Puerto Rico)

Atlantic College of Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico)

University of Trindad & Tobago ( Trindad & Tobago)

University of the Sacred Heart (Puerto Rico)

I tried to find links for most of the universities websites but there are a few without links but you can use the above Caribbean Student Search to find them. Enjoy!

Top 10 Most Unusual College Majors

2008-06-07T21:37:00.000-07:00

Hey Caribbean Students!!! Be the first to pursue a particular major on your island. Do you have a genuine interest in whether aliens exist?? Why not pursue a degree in Astrobiology! According to Scholar Point Connect, these are the Top 10 Most Unusual College Majors:

1. Master Ranching – Showing up to college wearing spurs and riding a horse probably isn’t the best idea, unless you go to Texas A&M-Kingsville’s Institute for Ranch Management. The university is offering the first ever master degree program for ranchers. What was once a profession passed on from generation to generation is now getting sophisticated enough that it may actually require an MBA. Go figure. Graduates can expect salaries in the $50,000-$75,000 range.

2. Astrobiology – ET phone home. The University of Glamorgan in the United Kingdom offers a degree in Astrobiology, which is the search for life beyond earth. So if hunting for alien life is your thing consider a career in Astrobiology.

3. Retail Floristry – I bet you never thought working at your local flower shop required a college degree. Well, it probably doesn’t, but that doesn’t mean you can’t major in Retail Floristry anyway. Career opportunities are a step above working the cash register and include wholesaling, special event designing, and display gardening. This program is offered through Mississippi State University and graduates can expect a 90% job placement rate.

4. Professional Nanny – Sullivan University in Louisville Kentucky offers a professional nanny program, which prepares graduates to work in private residences, day care centers, children’s hospitals, and country clubs. This is a perfect career for those girls who grew up babysitting all the neighborhood kids that now want to make more than $2 per hour.

5. Sports Ministry – Graduates from this program are prepared for positions in non-profit organizations seeking to use sports as an avenue for teaching religion. This program is offered through Campbellsville University in Campbellsville Kentucky.

6. Adventure Recreation – Do you like scuba diving, jet skiing , or whitewater rafting? If you answered yes, perhaps you should consider doing what you love for a job and start by making it your college major. Green Mountain College in Vermont is offering major and minor programs in Adventure Recreation, which aims to place graduates in a variety of outdoor recreation careers such as those listed above.

7. Golf & Sports Turf Management – Just because you were never good at football doesn’t mean you can’t make it your job. Only you’ll be repairing the grass they tear apart every week. The course curriculum offered by Mississippi Sate University will prepare you for a career as a golf superintendent or a sports turf manager at city, school, and professional sports arenas. Graduates in this field also enjoy a 90% job placement rate.

8. Comedy: Writing and Performance – Here’s a degree program that actually requires “ a great sense of humor” as an admission requirement. Humber College in Canada offers this program to help naturally talented students hone their craft and learn the commercial side of the business. Students learn stand-up, improv, scriptwriting, and sketch comedy.

9. Organic Agriculture – Organic foods make up more than 2.5% of all food and drink sales nationwide and have been increasing by 20% per year since 1990. This makes organic farming an attractive career opportunity. This is the first organic agriculture major in the nation and is offered through Washington State University.

10. Fishing Sciences and Management – This masters program is offered by Colorado State University and focuses on fish populations for recreational and commercial fishing purposes to ensure adequate conservation and utilization. If nothing else the courses on fish psychology should at the very least help you catch more fish.

Attending University Online

2008-06-07T21:15:00.001-07:00

So maybe you would like to stay but still earn a degree. This is perfectly fine. 75% of universities now offer Associate's Bachelor's, Master's and even Ph.D degrees online. Just as there are benefits to physically going to university there are also numerous benefits to online learning.

1) You can "attend" class anytime, from anywhere.

Go to your virtual class while lying in bed, while eating breaking, sitting on the toilet (ewww),while at worl etc. I'm pretty sure you get the point.

2) The course material is accessible anytime, 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. Your class schedule is centered around your time.

3) Using the internet to attend class, research information and communication with other students teaches skills in using technologies that will be critical to workers in the 21st century business community that works with colleagues globally and across time zones.

4) Online instructors come with practical knowledge and may be from any location across the globe. This allows students to be exposed to knowledge that can't be learned in books and see how class concepts are applied in real business situations.

5) Learning is self-paced and gives students a chance to speed up or slow down as necessary

6) You won't have to worry about housing costs and so you can save some money.

Lame Excuses Not To Go To College

2008-06-07T20:50:00.000-07:00

1) College is just too hard for me

Don't tell me you are thinking this too! Well if you are, please immediately erase that thought from your mind. Listen, if you have graduated high school then you should be fit to go to college. In high school, you just don't study but you also learn to study. These techniques will be enhanced once you enter university and you should be just fine. Oh yeah! Please remember Professors are there to help you and many universities and colleges have tutoring services available for students- free of costs.

2) I don't want to go to college. I just want a good paying job.

Remember college is not like high school. You will pick a major and this will most likely be in a field that you are passionate about. As for that good paying job, here's a gentle reminder- the best jobs and salaries go to university graduates and university graduates generally make 50% more than persons with just a high school diploma.

3) I can't go to college, it is way too expensive and I cannot afford it.

Remember I told you about this thing called "financial aid". It is available for you too. You see that banner at the top of the page. Click it and sign up TODAY. Also, if you intend to go to school in the Caribbean, contact the university's admissions office and negotiate scholarship opportunities. If you intend to go abroad to study, speak to the university's International Student Admissions Advisors, they will be able to show you numerous scholarship that may be available to you. Here's a little tip- if you are currently working for a firm that you know you will want to work for after college, talk to your boss- get the company to sponsorship your college education. Hey! It's worth a try.

4) I can't go to college, I don't know what to study.

Hello? You are not alone. Many freshmen students enter university undecided but the good thing is that college exposes you to all sorts of subjects that you've probably never heard before. Have you ever heard of a degree in Animation? Cartooning? Video Game Design? College is a great place to learn about careers that you will grow to love.

I'm not ready to leave the Caribbean.

Who said you had to leave the Caribbean. We have some very good universities right here in the Caribbean region. I will compile a list and present them to you. Also, in this technological world, it is possible to obtain your college degree in the comfort of your own home. I have explored online learning in another post so check it out! There are sooo many online education advertisements on the page so click away and find out more about pursuing your degree without even leaving your house or island.

Top Five Falsehoods About University

2008-05-31T16:55:00.000-07:00

1) You have to be rich to go to university.

Nothing is further from the truth. Had that been so then there would be no such thing as 'financial aid'. Low-income students have the opportunity to gain a sound university education. There are numerous scholarships available to international students including those from the Caribbean. For those of you interested in pursuing your undergraduate degree in the United States, a good SAT score might open many doors to scholarships. In fact, even if you are in extreme financial need, colleges might still want you to enroll because of your good SAT score so find a financial aid counselor who is willing to assist you. Also, many banks throughout the Caribbean offer student loan programs where you can borrow up to the full cost of your university education. The availability of funds is definitely an important factor when considering university education but I advise you not to make it a HUGE issue. Remember, you are worth your education. Remember there are countless scholarship opportunities available. Click the link above and sign up today! You will be able to find quite a number of scholarships. No matter where in the world you are located.

2)You have to go to the university of your parents' choice..

Wait a minute! Who is going to university? Is it you or your parents? You have to choose the university that is best for YOU. You are the one who will be living there for 3 or 4 years. You are the one who will going to classes. Your parents' advice is most certainly valuable and should be considered but please ALWAYS remember ultimately it is your decision for it should be where you will feel most comfortable. I do not think parents should make the decision for you. You have a voice, feel free to use it.

3) Going to university in a Big City is distracting!

Certainly not the truth. Don't buy into this. First of all, as a university student, you are probably not very easily distracted. The mere fact that you decided to go to university shows that you are focused on your academic progress. Big Cities offer so much more than a distraction. You are open to worthwile jobs and internship and networking opportunities. Many great universities are located in big cities and bigger cities usually mean greater opportunities. Don't worry about distractions for you are mature enough to make the right decision. Choose a location based on who YOU are, what YOU like or enjoy. If you absolutely hate cold weather, don't go to a college / university in Alaska.

4) You have to be smart to go to college!

You don't have to be a rocket- scientist to go to university. College is an insitution for learning. You must however show that you are a go-getter as it is no place for slackers. Once you have made a decision to pursue a university education, you are committing to yourself to academic progress. Remember, if you do not think you can committ yourself to maintaining good grades then you must re-think making this step. Not only will you waste money but your time. You must be ready and willing to apply yourself and endure all that comes along with being a university student.

5)You have to go abroad to attend university

This is certainly false. There are universities in the Caribbean, some of which Caribbean students can attend at a discounted price. If you feel as if you would like to experience university life in the Caribbean, there are many options available to you such as: University of the West Indies, University of Virgin Islands, University of Puerto Rico and so much more. I will compile a list of some of the Caribbean universities.

Also, you have the option of pursuing your university education online through online schools such as the University of Phoneix and Kaplan University. I know many non- traditional prospective students (prospective students over 25)who would like to be able to maintain a steady income or raise a child while pursuing a university education . Online degree programs are always an option.

Getting Credit for C.A.P.E & A- Levels

2008-05-31T13:13:00.000-07:00

Did you know that your Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination grades and those from the Cambridge Advanced Level Examination can decrease the amount of time you spend at a college / university in the United States? All passing grades can be transfered to your university of choice. I received 18 credits and so I will be graduating one semester before my expected graduation date. Super cool! Some of my friends received enough credits to get an entire year off.

You must carefully select the courses that you would like to pursue at C.A.P.E or A- Levels. It is recommended that these courses be associated with your projected major at your future college / university or should be general so that they can count as core classes or general electives. Try not to choose courses that are completely different to your projected major as you may not be granted credit for them.

Now, when you have been accepted and you are certain that you will be going to a particular university, you should then send your C.A.P.E or A- Level results to the World Education Services (WES) to be evaluated. Your credentials (whether it is a transcript, certificate, diploma or degree)will be reviewed and compared to those of the United States. I recommend applying online to WES after which you should promptly mail certified copies of your academic credentials. I assure you that WES does a quick and accurate evaluation.

Click the logo below to check out the World Education Services website.

AUAP's Best US Universities for International Students

2008-05-31T12:47:00.000-07:00

For those of you who wish to go to the United States to pursue an undergraduate education, I did some research and according to the American Universities Admissions Program, the following are the best universities in the United States for International Students:

1)Columbia University (New York)

2)Stanford University (California)

3)New York University (New York)

4)Cornell University (New York)

5)University of Pennsylvania (Pennsylvania)

6) Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Massachusetts)

7)Princeton University (New Jersey)

8)Harvard University (Massachusetts)

9)California Institute of Technology (California)

10)Penn State University (Pennsylvania

11)Yale University (Connecticut)

12)Dartmouth College (New Hampshire)

13)Duke University (North Carolina)

14)University of Miami (Florida)

15)Georgetown University (District of Columbia)

16)University of Chicago (Illinois)

17)Wake Forest University (North Carolina)

18)Pepperdine University (California)

19)Boston University (Massachusetts

20)Vanderbilt University (Tennessee)

The Road To University

2008-05-30T19:49:00.000-07:00

The road to university is not always a straight, obstacle-free avenue. Yet, it is not a completely bumpy road. When preparing to pursue a higher education, you must thoroughly plan your journey - Where are you going and how are you going to get there? What? Where? Why?

The What: What am I going to going to pursue as a major?

The Where: Where am I going to pursue this major?

The Why: Why am I pursuing this major?

As Caribbean students, location is a crucial factor when deciding where to go to university. Also, prospective students must bear in mind that there are reputable universities available to them right in the Caribbean such as: University of the West Indies, University of the Virgin Islands, University of Puerto Rico and North Caribbean University. The universities in the Caribbean are very similiar to those in the United States, Canada and Europe so never underestimate the Caribbean universities.

Some students want to get away from home and experience new surroundings and therefore go to the United States, Canada or Europe. At the same time, students must be ready and willing to embrace all that comes along with going to school in these countries. Students must be willing to embrace diversity on a much larger scale, different climatic conditions, food, clothing and overall a different way of life.

Now I leave you to think about your WHAT, WHERE and WHY.....