US Or UK Education System- Which Choice To Make?

In the previous blog I discussed the differences between the US and UK education system. In this post I shall enlighten you more on the differences between UK and US education system.

Homework and Grades

As we discussed in the last post the US education system places more emphasize on the breadth of the course, courses involve weekly or biweekly readings and other assignments like writing projects, research papers, and oral presentations throughout the program. In the UK, however, the schools are actually more lecture-focused, with only sporadic assignments throughout the course terms. Sometimes, there might be no real requisite assignments and instead your total grade may be depended on a single final exam. In US, your grade is based on your performance in the different assignments, with the final exam adding only a percentage of your entire grade.

Cost

Now, the cost of education in both nations is far from inexpensive, but the education cost in the United States is comparatively higher. As per the law, universities in England can charge the students up to £9000 (approx $14,300) per year. Obviously, this law applies to only citizens of the UK and the EU, not intercontinental students. Fees for them can be notably higher. The government sets the tuition fees limits, and every school sets its own fee structure accordingly.

By distinction, the US government has very little control over what universities can charge the students. The US distinguishes between in-state schooling fees and out-of-state schooling fees and between private and public schools too. These peculiarities establish the tuition fee. The average tuition fee for public two-year institutions can be almost $3000 per year, whereas the average fee for private four-year institutions will be $29,000 per year and some private four-year institutions can charge till $50,000 per year.

Accommodation

Both countries offer students with residence halls where they can reside. They are almost alike, although in UK it is more normal to have a dorm by yourself, whereas in US, you will share a dorm with at least one person. Still, after the first year, US students may have further housing options available like private housing or off-campus housing. It is more common for dormitories to be self-catered in the UK, while the US universities usually provide a series of full dining choices for its students. One potentially major distinction is that maid service is common in the UK residence halls albeit they pay a nominal fee for it.

Conclusion

While both US and UK can offer great avenues for high-class education, each system has a distinct approach to education, and there are several advantages and disadvantages to each. If you are thinking of pursuing your higher education in either the UK or the US, then you should take into regard the different distinctions mentioned in this and previous blog. Take in regard especially the period it will take to finish the program, the tuition fees and whether you favour more in-depth knowledge or more breadth in your degree program.

Canada Education System- What You Need To Know

Canada is counted amongst the world’s top education leaders. Students in Canada consistently perform well in international tests which reflects the perseverance each jurisdiction has on the Canadian education system’s quality.  In this blog I shall tell you a bit about the Canadian education system and which the best colleges/universities here are for you to take admission.
The education system in Canada has both public and private-funded schools which include: community colleges, technical institutions, secondary schools, career schools, languages schools and universities/ university colleges. Education is deemed to be provincial responsibility here which means that each province will have different education standard. Here is a list of the best universities:

McGill University
Currently ranked 24th globally, McGill University is the highest ranking university of Canada. Founded in 1821, the university has a huge student body of international students from almost 150 nations and has been selected first in Canada amongst medical-doctoral universities for ten successive years.

University of Toronto 
The university is currently ranked 34th globally and is situated in Toronto. The university is acclaimed for offering programs in areas of literary criticism, communication and theory, and a wide choice of research innovations. The university was the birthplace of path breaking insulin and stem cell research.

University of British Columbia
Next on the list is the University of British Columbia with a global rank of 50. Situated on the west coast it is home to roughly 60,000 students (about 12,000 of these are international students) at its campuses in Kelowna and Vancouver.

University of Alberta 
With a global rank of 96, the University of Alberta is the foremost economic booster in Alberta and is particularly well-known for the programs offered in arts and humanities stream.

Universite de Montreal 
Université de Montréal is another major research centre in Canada,  which has nearly $524 million allocated to conduct research in more than 150 research centres as of 2011. It is ranked 115th in the world (as per 2015) and boasts of a strong international community of almost 7,000 students.

McMaster University 
McMaster University occupies the 149th rank in the world. The university is located on a 300 acre campus in the Hamilton, Ontario.

University of Waterloo
With a rank of 152 in the world, the University of Waterloo has become quite popular amongst the international students. The university is a member of the U15, an assembly of research-concentrated universities of Canada, and is known to have the best psychology department in the country, as per the research citations.

Western university
Also known as the University of Western Ontario, it has a world rank of 192 and is particularly popular for its science, medicine, and business programs – with its major faculty being the social sciences.

University of Calgary
Ranked 204th in the world, the University of Calgary is the origin of momentous inventions like the neurochip and is one of the best reach-intensive institution in Canada.

Queen’s University
Located in Kingston, Ontario, Queen’s University, is currently ranked 206th in the world. It has campuses of more than 1,400 hectares of land throughout Ontario. Queen's was the first university west of the Maritime Provinces to grant admission to women, and also to establish a student government body.

A Brief Outline Of UK Education System

Students from any country can earn their certificate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate degree at the prestigious colleges/universities of the United Kingdom. So, if you have aspirations of UK higher education then read on to find knowledge about the UK education system.

UK Education in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland
Most of the universities in the UK present certificate, under-graduate, and graduate programs. Most of these programs’ durations are separated into 3 terms, but some may be in semesters. Irrespective of this most programs commence in September and conclude in June. The programs normally take one, four, or six to eight years to complete respectively.
There are many top-quality universities in the UK. Let us take a look at the popular schools in each country:

Education in England
Four of the top-ranked international colleges are located in England. They are the Imperial College London, University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford and the University College London.

Education in Scotland
Scotland is the location of the three of the top-ranked colleges in the world. These include the University of St. Andrews, University of Edinburgh, and the University of Glasgow. Each of these and other premium quality institutions in Scotland offer the international students to earn a quality education.

Education in Wales
There are 12 colleges and universities spread all over the tiny country of Wales. Most of these have fairly large international student-bodies, and, as per the Wales government, their towns and schools take great care of their students. Aberystwyth, a town and resort in Wales, is regarded to be the best university town in Britain; and, as per The Guardian, a popular UK news source, Swansea University in Wales is repeatedly amongst the paramount performers in the national student survey. Additionally, most of these universities offer monetary incentives (scholarships, grants, etc.) to global students.

Education in Northern Ireland
Ireland’s education system is regarded throughout the world as one of the finest. During the middle ages, Ireland was one of the chief providers of education to the West. There are two principal universities here- the Queen’s University of Belfast and the University of Ulster. Both are highly respected schools. Northern Ireland’s communities and government support and invest in higher education, and the country’s public schools provide quality education.

Why Study in UK?
There are abundant benefits to studying in UK, particularly for students who aren’t native speakers or for whom the nations offers a culture spectacularly diverse from their own. And, fortunately for such students, metropolitan cities, like London, have a great international populace, making it easier to enjoy the discovery of a new culture while also connecting to their own roots.
Furthermore, studying in the UK can give you a better opportunity to prepare for your careers. You develop the knowledge and acquire language-skills indispensable to parley emerging social, economic, and political exchanges emerging across the globe. Students from
China and India especially are in majority amongst the international student population here.  So, wait no more and start making plans to pursue your higher education in UK.

Where To Study Abroad - USA or UK?

According to the Times Higher Education world university rankings, over half of the world’s finest 200 universities are situated in either the UK or the US. Both these nations have a rich tradition of superior higher education, first-rate research facilities, and an environment which promotes intellectualism and academic freedom. Though, both definitely offer an exceptional environment for learning, there are several disparities between the two nations regarding the university structure and student life. Let us explore these differences between the American and UK education systems.

Duration
Possibly the most significant distinction between the US education system, and the UK education system, is the period it takes to finish the program (except Scotland, where a bachelor’s degree takes four years). Generally, degree programs in US are about one year longer than UK programs, even though this differs depending upon whether you obtain a Master’s degree preceding to a PhD. In both systems, you can directly join a PhD program after undergraduate program, but in UK it is more frequent to obtain a Master’s before applying for a PhD. Also, courses of study are shorter in the UK than in the US.

Academic Term
Many universities in the US commence their terms in mid to late August, while smaller liberal arts colleges may open later. A rather lengthy break begins in mid-December and the second semester starts in early to mid-January. Still, universities that are follow different calendars, like a trimester or quarter-based system, may start their winter break during the Thanksgiving (end of November). Comparatively, the UK academic term differs. While most UK universities use the semester system, the trimester and quarter systems are also followed. Most schools commence in September or October and finish in May or June, thereby making a little longer academic year.

University Organization
Many UK universities are composed of “colleges” which are committed to a definite subject matter. While the colleges are still under the university, each college has a lot of sovereignty from each other as well as the university itself. Students live with each other in college, and normally stay within college for the entire duration. Rather than registering with the central university admissions department, as the norm in US, you either apply straight to the college you want, or in the case of undergraduate programs, you register via a centralized system which allows you to apply to numerous colleges simultaneously. This system is named the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. By contrast, in US, you register with the larger university and for the first year, you take different courses and only declare a major at the end of the first year or even during the second year. American universities have diverse “schools,” or departments,   which house a number of related majors. However, student still has to take classes outside of his field, “electives.” Hence, we can conclude that the universal emphasis of US higher education is breadth, whereas in UK, the emphasis is more on depth.

I shall continue to outline other distinctions in the next post.

All You Need To Know About US Education System

If you have dreams of pursuing your higher education aspirations in America then you need to be armed with all knowledge pertaining to the US education system. In this post I am going to give a brief outline here. We shall discuss the levels of university/college course now-

First Level Undergraduate

It normally takes about four years to earn a bachelor’s degree. You can either commence your studies with a bachelor’s degree at a community college or a four-year university/college. In the first two years of study you will normally be needed to take numerous classes in diverse subjects (prerequisite courses): arts, literature, science, social sciences, history, etc. This increases your general knowledge, and gives you a foundation prior to focusing on a particular subject field.

Many students prefer to study at a community college and complete the first two years of prerequisite courses. Later they earn an Associate of Arts (AA) transfer degree and next transfer to a four-year university/college. You must choose your major (specific field of study) at the beginning of your third year of school. You will need to take a definite number of courses in this field so as to satisfy the degree requirements of your major. You can switch your major during your under-graduation if you desire so. 

Second Level: Pursuit of a Master’s Degree

Presently, a university graduate with a bachelor’s degree may want to seriously think about graduate study in order to advance their career. This degree is typically obligatory for higher-level positions in fields of library science, engineering, etc. To gain admittance, you have to take the GRE (graduate record examination). Certain master’s programs stipulate precise tests, like LSAT for law school, and MCAT for medical school, GRE/GMAT for business school. You should inquire about the credentials needed to get a job in your country before you apply to a postgraduate university in the USA.

The majority of a master’s course duration is spent in classrooms and a student must prepare a long research paper called a “master’s thesis” or complete a “master’s project.”

Third Level: Pursuit of a Doctorate Degree

The attainment of a master’s degree can be deemed as the first step towards receiving a PhD. However, at some schools, students can plan directly for a doctorate without earning a master’s degree. For international students, it may take as long as five or six years to earn a doctorate. 

For the first two years most doctoral candidates have to register for classes and seminars. Then another year is spent performing actual research and writing a thesis. A doctoral thesis is a dialogue and précis of the current scholarship on a specified topic. Most U.S. universities require their applicants to have a reading knowledge of at least two foreign languages, to spend a mandatory amount of time “in residence,” to qualify in exams that formally admits applicants to the PhD program, and to qualify in an oral exam on the similar topic as the thesis. 

The US education system is regarded to be one of the best in the world and it will be beneficial for your career to pursue higher education there. 

What You Need To Know Before Pursuing Medicine In USA

Do you dream of studying medicine in the United States? Well, you certainly have set your eyes on the best. However, you should know that it is exceptionally demanding for international students to pursue medicine in US. Only if you are willing to put your heart and soul and are passionate, then you can realise your dreams.

The application process is a bit time consuming, hence before applying, you must be sure that you have a four year bachelor degree. Each school lays down its own requirements of the subjects, but majority of them allow a science degree in biology, organic chemistry or chemistry. Therefore, it is imperative to decide the school while pursuing your under graduation to be prepared beforehand.

You will also have to appear for the MCAT test to determine your critical thinking abilities. Comprehensible writing, problem solving is assessed along with your knowledge of diverse scientific concepts pertaining to biology and chemistry.

With a suitable bachelor’s degree and a fine MCAT score, you are good to start the application process. However, as an international student you will be at disadvantage compared to native students as most of the public schools are obligated to utilize all or most of the funding received on students who are inhabitants of the institutions state. However, a student can successfully apply to a private university, but this is highly expensive compared to the state sponsored institutions. So, you should cautiously appraise the pros and cons of the each school that you will apply to and settle on which school is best suited for you.

A medical school normally takes 4 years completion with 3 - 7 year residency to undergo painstaking practical training in the chosen field. You can pursue a sub specialisation shifting from 1 to 3 years after which a fellowship can be studied for.

You will have to undergo intensive education and full-time participation is necessary. Usually first year will have broad memorisation, with the subjects- anatomy, pathology and biochemistry. The classes are divided between classroom and labs which gives theoretical and practical knowledge. You will also be going through clinical rotations while you study. This gives a firsthand experience on how to mingle with the patients and enables a student to diagnose a disease and its probable cause. Before you get the medical degree, you have to pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination test which is considered as board exam. The test will be in three parts which a student takes during his degree. You need to pass in all the three stages in order to gain entry in a residency programme.

Due to the amount of time, costs involved and the effort it requires this may not be for everyone. If you are really passionate about medicine and possess the mental ability to conquer the adversities then only should you decide to take this challenge. However, once you complete it then you will be counted amongst the best which makes it worth it.

The Best Australian Universities To Apply In

The education system of Australia is at par excellence with those of UK and US. We discussed some of the best Australian universities in the last post. Here is a continuation. The courses and programs offered in Australian universities are accredited by professional bodies, certifying development and upholding of standards, finest practice principles, and resources.


University of Western Australia

The University of Western Australia (UWA) (established 1911) is recognized globally as a top university. The UWA constantly ranks in the top 120 global universities and in the top 20 universities in the Asia Pacific region. It is divided into 10 faculties: Architecture, Arts, Business School; Computing, Education; Engineering, Landscape, and Visual Arts; Humanities, and Social Sciences; Mathematics; Natural and Agricultural Sciences; Law; Life and Physical Sciences; Medicine, Dentistry, and Health Sciences; and School of Indigenous Studies. There are more than 20,000 students with over 4,000 international students.

University of Adelaide
Located in Adelaide this was established in 1874 and is the third oldest university in Australia and has been divided into five faculties: Computer, Engineering, Mathematical Sciences; Health Sciences; Humanities and Social Sciences; Faculty of Professions; and Faculty of Sciences with each faculty having subsidiary schools. With four campuses present, this university is spread across the state: Roseworthy College, North Terrace, the Waite Institute, and Wine Centre. Existing student base is 22,000 with more than 6,000 international students.

Monash University

The Monash University was established in  1958 under an act of parliament and is situated in Melbourne. It has a student base of around 60,000 students, from almost 170 countries. It is regarded as the largest university in terms of student body and has 10 faculties: Arts; Art and Design; Business and Economic; Engineering; Education; Information Technology; Law; Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences; Medicine, Nursing, and Health Sciences; and Science.  8 campuses, including 2 international campuses make up the university. It has constantly been ranked among the top 50 global universities.

Macquarie University

The Macquarie University, situated in Sydney, was established in 1964 and is a public teaching and research university. There are four faculties: Arts; Business and Economics; Human Sciences; and Science with around 87 under-graduate and 124 post-graduate courses. The university also boasts of the largest student exchange program in the country. As of 2010, the university had a student body of more than 31,000 students counting more than 10,000 international students and a staff of above 2,100 academics and professionals. It has consistently ranked amongst the top ten Australian universities by different sources.

Queensland University of Technology

The Queensland University of Technology (QUT), established in 1989 is an extremely flourishing Australian university with a functional emphasis in courses and research. The university has been categorised into seven faculties: Creative Industries; Built Environment and Engineering; Business; Education; Health; Law; and Science and Technology. It has a massive student base of more than 40,000 students counting 6,000 international students and over 4,000 staff members. The programs offered at this university are quite high in demand and the graduate employment rate is quite well over the national average for the Australian universities.

So, make a choice of yours and pursue your dream of higher education.

The Top 5 Australian Universities You Can Apply In

It cannot be argued that the education system in Australia is regarded among the best in the world, and highly reasonable too when compared to UK or US. The universities in Australia have a tie up with organizations in more than 100 nations, which make Australia favourable to pursue higher studies. Read further and discover which the top universities here are:

Australian National University
The Australian National University (ANU), Canberra (established 1946) is a public teaching and research university with a student base of more than 17,000 students out of which more than 4,000 are overseas students. It has been separated into 7 colleges, for undergraduate and post graduation: College of Medicine, Biology, and Environment, College of Engineering and Computer Science, College of Business and Economics, College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, College of Arts and Social Sciences, College of Law, and ANU College of Asia and the Pacific. The university is constantly ranked as one of the best Australian universities and in the top 50 global universities.

University of Melbourne
Melbourne University (established 1853) is the second oldest university in Australia with student base of more than 35,000 students, out which more than 10,000 are international students. This public university is aimed at making unique contributions to society by research, teaching, and engagement. It has been divided into 12 faculties i.e.: Arts; Architecture, Building, and Planning; Business and Economics, Education; Engineering; Law; Melbourne School of Graduate Research; Medicine, Dentistry, and Health Sciences; Melbourne School of Land and Environment; Science; Veterinary Science; and the VCA and Music.

University of Queensland
The University of Queensland (UQ) is one of Australia’s leading learning and research institutions in Brisbane (established 1909) with a student base of more than 43,000 students from around 100 countries and a staff of around 6,300 academics and professionals. UQ has a total of 11 residential colleges: Cromwell College, Emmanuel College, Grace College, Gatton Halls of Residence, Duchesne College, International House, King’s College, St Leo’s College, Union College, St John’s College, and Women’s College.

University of New South Wales
UNSW (established 1949) is popular for its excellent and inventive ways of educating and conducting research. It is regarded as Australia’s leading teaching and research institution with over 50,000 students including more than 14,000 international students and offers around 300- 600 undergraduate and postgraduate programs. It is divided into 9 faculties: Arts and Social Sciences; Australian School of Business; Australian Defence Force Academy; Built Environment; College of Fine Arts; Law; Engineering; Medicine and Science.

University of Sydney
Founded in 1850 and located in Sydney, the University of Sydney is Australia’s oldest university. It has been constantly ranked amongst the top 3 universities in Australia. There are 16 faculties: Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources; Arts and Social Sciences; Architecture, Design, and Planning; Business; Education and Social Work; Dentistry; Health Sciences; Medicine; Nursing and Midwifery; Engineering and Information Technologies; Law; Pharmacy; Science; Veterinary Science; Sydney College of Arts and Sydney Conservatorium of Music with 118 schools under it. There are around 49,000 students enrolled here.

So, take your pick and study in Australia!

Things You Should Know Before Applying for University Admission in Australia

Australia has a realistic education imparting system with first-class infrastructure and relatively lesser expenses, ranking third after UK and USA as the top choice for students pursuing higher education abroad. Studying here you will not only be gaining quality education but also a multicultural holistic environment where you can mature into a better individual.
If you are applying to Australian universities then you will need to gain some knowledge to make the entire process hassle-free. I will be outlining the applying procedure for you here-

Eligibility
If you want to study in under graduate programs in Australia then you must possess the proper government recognised senior secondary certificate (Australian Senior Secondary Certificate of Education/ equivalent certificate from your country). If you are applying for post graduation degree then you must have the bachelor’s degree of minimum 3 years. Certain post graduation courses may require you to have a 4 year bachelor degree program or relevant work experience as well. Hence, make sure to know the specific eligibility requirements before you apply. 

Pre admission
The university term in Australia commences from early March so you have to start your university hunting a good 12-15 month before the submission of applications. The best way to gain information is to surf the net and draw up a list of your favourite universities and courses. Be thorough in your research, visit the website of each university and lastly prepare a shortlist of the best available choices. If you have any doubts you can clear it by personally interacting with the university.
Application forms
It is always advisable to submit your applications a good 8-12 months before the closing date. You can download and print out the application to keep a regular hard copy with you.

Application requirements
Submit your secondary and higher secondary report along with the transcripts (mark sheets) of finals. You will need your marks to be converted as per the Australian grading system. Ensure that the transcripts should be in English and bundled with original certified copies. Scorecards of IELTS or GMAT must be provided. In case of students going for MBA or doctoral degrees they will need to produce work experience certificates and CV. A personal essay detailing your career aims, interests, extra-curricular activities, the reason for your choice to study the specific course and how you will manage your finances during the stay should be submitted. Letter of recommendation also needs to provided. 

Admission tests
While you are applying to the universities it is advisable to register yourself for all the stipulated admission tests. First, the IELTS exam is the lone English proficiency exam accepted by Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship. Certain universities may waiver the IELTS exam for you if a letter from your former institution proclaims that you have studied in English medium and have satisfactory proficiency in the language. Students who desire to pursue MBA program need to take the Graduate Management Exam which isn’t mandatory but still needed in majority of the colleges.

Education System Of Australia-What You Need To Know

Australia has emerged as a top destination for international students desiring premium quality education. If you are also interested in pursuing your education dreams in Australia then there are certain basic things about the education system of Australia you should be aware of. Let us start with an introduction to the Australian education system.
Australia offers more than 12000 internationally recognised university courses which are more affordable than US or UK education. In fact, the affordability factor attracts more than 400,000 students from across the world. Students of diverse backgrounds come here to pursue their academic dreams.

If you are relocating to Down Under with your family then you should know about the school education system in Australia. The academic year for schools starts from late January/early February till December. In Australia a child begins his academic career with pre-schooling (voluntary) and then proceeds to compulsory twelve years of primary and secondary schooling. The standard assessment scale (grading scale) is available to measure the student’s performance in the school levels. There are more than 7000 government schools and 2000 independent schools here. You may be surprised to know that international schools are in dearth here as there is little demand for them. However, Australia has independent-fee charging schools with focus on international students and are highly likely to offer internationally-acknowledged transferable qualifications like International Baccalaureate. On completing of schooling a student can pursue under-graduation and subsequently post graduation studies.

Students who desire to study in colleges in Australia must have a government recognised senior secondary certificate. The academic year for colleges/universities in Australia starts from early March till late November. Certain universities in Australia may follow semester system and others follow trimester system.  I shall give you a brief outline on the university level education system in Australia:

•    Under graduate courses-The duration of these courses ranges from two to four years. You will require Australian senior secondary certificate or equivalent certificate from your country to become eligible. You have the option to register for associate degree program (2 years) or bachelor’s degree (3 years) or go for professional/honors degrees.

•    Post graduate course- On the completion of under graduation program you become eligible to apply for post graduation. These master’s courses will take one or two years to complete. The program includes coursework, research, etc.  Certain universities demand work experience to become eligible for these courses.

•    Doctoral courses- These are the highest level of educational qualification in Australian universities. In order to become eligible for these courses you require a master’s or bachelor honors degree in the specific subject. These are of three years duration and either professional or research doctorates.

•    Vocational training- These are offered at the vocational education & training institutions and include certificated, diploma, advance diploma. These prepare you for further studies and also open up better career opportunities.
If you are trying to study in Australia then you are making a wise choice as it is one of the most affordable and best countries to study in.

Why a College Education is Important

The world today is fast paced with technological advances and the job market has become very competitive. It is not surprising that employers want college educated candidates. A college education may be the finest investments of time and money for your career. While workers with a high school education may well secure jobs with good remuneration, it is the college grads that usually fare better by landing higher-level jobs with larger salaries. Also college grads are expected to obtain promotions, receive raises and develop interpretation and communication skillfulness that can be related to their jobs.

Better avenues and Higher Salaries
As technology advances, higher-paying jobs that were previously accessible to high school grads now entail some form of higher education. If you have college degree then several avenues are opened up to you than having a high school diploma does. Those who don’t have educational degrees are more liable to be restricted to basic jobs in service, construction and manufacturing sectors. While the manufacturing sector used to be at the center of our employment market, the trend today is changing to jobs in further sectors which want more definite proficiency. As a result employers are more likely to select candidates with better training and education from the vast number of available candidates.

The U.S. Census Bureau released a 2011 report of American Community Survey (ACS) which stated that people with a bachelor's degree were expected to earn a 40-year lifetime salary of around $2.4 million on an average, while high school grads could only expect a lifetime salary of about $1.4 million (www.census.gov). On average, those who had master's degrees received $2.8 million and those with professional degrees could anticipate life span earnings in surplus of $4 million.

Salaries by Major
The opening salaries of college grads normally surpass those of people who only possess a high school education, even though the subject a student majors in also controls his/her salary prospective. On an average basis a person with college education makes almost twice as much money as a graduate of high school. As per 2011 American Community Survey, people with an engineering bachelor's degree who found work in management could look forward to a lifetime salary of $4.1 million, which was approximately $3 million higher than the regular for those who majored in education and were in public services sector.

Better Life Skills
When attending their classes, college students regularly develop the reasoning dexterity required to make important life decisions, like purchasing a home to helping their kids choose their own college. In reality, college grads are highly likely to have kids who also go to college/university for higher education Other benefits of educational degrees may comprise of better self-discipline, study routine and supportive behaviors which make them successful in their career projects and responsibilities.
It has been evident in the past few years that job market has more opportunities for you if you have college education. You don’t need to look beyond the above facts to conclude that pursuing higher education in colleges in USA is the way to a better life.

The Rising Cost of College Education in USA

In this competitive world of ours college education has become more or less a prerequisite to landing n excellent job. However, many tend to overlook the fact that our nation’s education system is one of the costliest in the world. The costs of attending a four-year college can be a backbreaking experience for an average American family. By the time you have completed your college education there is a high chance that you will be swimming in a sea of debt literally.

According to data released by the College Board, tuition and fees of colleges in USA for one year at a private non-profit college increased almost 4% to $31,231 in 2014. If you chose to turn a blind eye to the inflation factor you would still be losing roughly $125,000 from your pocket over the period of four years. Now, if you're looking to complete your master's program or PhD, you can double the fore-mentioned total before you've completed your degree.

Moreover, looking at the data from Inflationdata.com, the college education inflation rate between 1985 and 2011 was 498.5%, compared to a mere 114.9% for the consumer price index. If college education had increased at a rate proportionate with the CPI, then a single dollar in 1985 would translate to about $2.15 in 2011 -- except based on the real college education inflation rate, each dollar in 1985 would be almost $6 now! Shocking and very depressing you will say but this is the hard truth which is staring at our faces.

Now after going through the data you will be forced to ask the same question which I have been asking - Why are college costs constantly outpacing the inflation rate? After much consideration I have come to the conclusion that it's in fact a convergence of several factors, counting rising faculty and operating costs and the want to refurbish older buildings, purchasing new equipments, and develop by constructing new libraries and research facilities essential to match the pace with a highly progressive digital age.

The conclusion is that college grads these days are being stressed with arduous amounts of arrears- an increasing $1.2 trillion student loan debt is presently outstanding and high school grads are in certain cases just avoiding college on the whole due to the ever more exclusionary costs. This is a highly disconcerting trend that we are experiencing today.

Is there any way of arresting this alarming trend? Is it possible that our college aspirers can achieve their dream of higher education without getting swaddled in debts? In order to find a solution a proper understanding of these impediments blocking the path of brilliant students gaining entry into universities in USA who don’t have the monetary means to attend college is necessary.

There is a ray of hope shining through as two states- Tennessee and Oregon have undertaken a major new program which other states might shortly follow: granting high school grads the chance to attend community college for free! This is a great step towards ensuring college education for all and I hope it is successful.

The transition from k 12 schooling to college education

Students today are arriving in colleges with higher combined ACT/SAT scores and, obviously, increasingly higher hopes for an appealing, world-class education in universities. As students shift from a high school to a college/university background, the teacher’s role in their learning experience alters too. In certain cases, students find themselves attending classes with a higher number of students than they were accustomed to their high school class. What many of us tend to overlook is that most of these students arrive in colleges with little preparation for this change.

Studies demonstrate that between 28% and 40% of first-time undergrads register for at least one corrective course. Amongst community colleges in USA students only quite a few studies have established that more than half require remediation to be complete their college-level work. The conclusion which can be drawn here is that students are finding it difficult to cope with their college education. The vast difference in the mode of instruction is responsible to some extent.

When you compare high school teachers and university/college lecturers you will find several differences. High school teachers are usually experts in pedagogy whereas college instructors are focused solely on their subject fields. Faculty members in universities in USA have countless hours of research to boast of along with strong mentoring of their advisors. However, I would like to point out here that they lack a rock-solid teaching background when compared to high school teachers. Throughout their K 12 schooling, the students are taught by certified teachers who have training in educational practices, education theories, execution of practical academic policies. So, it is a huge dramatic change when they enter colleges and resultantly some of them are overwhelmed.

With such immensely diverse and likewise significant expertise in the educational spectrum I find it very unfortunate that there is very little collaboration between high school teachers and college professors. Strong alliance would augment teaching for both parties, would boost the perception levels of what modes of schooling and learning are occurring in each situation, and would aid students in their shift from high school to college.

The escalating reputation of MOOCs, open-education resources, and liberally accessible course content on platforms like iTunes U fetches an implausible opening for high school teachers and college lecturers to work together and improve each other's teaching. K 12 teachers and college faculties can collaborate with each other, with college lecturers sharing their insights on the changes in their respective fields, their in-depth knowledge whereas the k 12 teachers can give insights on teaching modes, instructional design, and how to develop consequential evaluation aimed on student learning evidence. If we are able to bring about a large-scale collaboration across the country’s education institutions then it will enhance the learning experience for all students.

I believe that joint values and expectations, lucid and accessible information can aid in bridging the gap between the high school and university education. In order to do that we must take the initiative to ensure that this reaches to the maximum number of students in the country!

Is Three Year College A Feasible Idea?

Receiving a college degree has long been regarded as the sure-shot way to realize the American dream. However, that dream is diminishing as working class families fall deeper into shock while trying to pay the ever-increasing tuition. I have come across several education articles and blogs which talk about the need to introduce 3 year college in USA. I must say that the notion is quite attractive and a possible solution to the problem of ballooning student debt. We all know how much expensive it can be when paying tuition fees, boarding expenses, textbooks, etc for straight eight semesters. By the time you are have a college education you are in debts. Now certain schools are planning to introduce and some colleges have started three year bachelor degree courses.

Some may say that schools can compress their four year degree programs into three years. However, that is not a good idea as most of the college students these days require six years to complete a bachelor degree. So, we need a better approach- like revamping the curriculum; reducing the number of electives, shifting to shorter semesters, etc. This is exactly what a few colleges are doing.
The Grace College and Seminary, Baldwin-Wallace College, St. John’s University and Lesley University introduced three-year programs.
At Grace College both the calendar and the curriculum have been revamped to accommodate three-year graduation programs. The students are required to take more, small courses during the semesters of spring and fall. Any credits in the summer are free.

As per the school accounting a student will save up to 50% on college this way. On average, savings will amount to $8,893 for in-state four year public schools students and $30,094 reduction for the ones enrolled in private institutes. Also, students who require financial aid will be spared of a whole year of study loans. In this way the students can enter graduate school sooner instead of entering job market.

Slashing tuition by a quarter means the amount of money students borrow gets reduced. Almost 70% of the people with bachelor degree have student loans with average debt of $29,400.

Those who are skeptical about this should look closer. Several nations follow this system; three-year degree is deemed well enough for institutions like Cambridge and Oxford. Reducing the term to three year not only cuts down the costs but it also can dramatically raise the current low completion rate in colleges in USA. It will not affect the quality of education in any way as some may fear. Our economy has increasing demand of college grads and we need to ensure that we do everything to meet this demand.

This approach will put more pressure on the colleges in USA to control their ballooning tuition fees. It is high time we give our students some break and allow then to pursue their dreams of higher education.

Why a College Education is Important

The world today is fast paced with technological advances and the job market has become very competitive. It is not surprising that employers want college educated candidates. A college education may be the finest investments of time and money for your career. While workers with a high school education may well secure jobs with good remuneration, it is the college grads that usually fare better by landing higher-level jobs with larger salaries. Also college grads are expected to obtain promotions, receive raises and develop interpretation and communication skillfulness that can be related to their jobs.

Better avenues and Higher Salaries
As technology advances, higher-paying jobs that were previously accessible to high school grads now entail some form of higher education. If you have college degree then several avenues are opened up to you than having a high school diploma does. Those who don’t have educational degrees are more liable to be restricted to basic jobs in service, construction and manufacturing sectors.

While the manufacturing sector used to be at the center of our employment market, the trend today is changing to jobs in further sectors which want more definite proficiency. As a result employers are more likely to select candidates with better training and education from the vast number of available candidates. The U.S. Census Bureau released a 2011 report of American Community Survey (ACS) which stated that people with a bachelor's degree were expected to earn a 40-year lifetime salary of around $2.4 million on an average, while high school grads could only expect a lifetime salary of about $1.4 million (www.census.gov). On average, those who had master's degrees received $2.8 million and those with professional degrees could anticipate life span earnings in surplus of $4 million.

Salaries by Major
The opening salaries of college grads normally surpass those of people who only possess a high school education, even though the subject a student majors in also controls his/her salary prospective. On an average basis a person with college education makes almost twice as much money as a graduate of high school. As per 2011 American Community Survey, people with an engineering bachelor's degree who found work in management could look forward to a lifetime salary of $4.1 million, which was approximately $3 million higher than the regular for those who majored in education and were in public services sector.

Better Life Skills
When attending their classes, college students regularly develop the reasoning dexterity required to make important life decisions, like purchasing a home to helping their kids choose their own college. In reality, college grads are highly likely to have kids who also go to college/university for higher education Other benefits of educational degrees may comprise of better self-discipline, study routine and supportive behaviors which make them successful in their career projects and responsibilities.

It has been evident in the past few years that job market has more opportunities for you if you have college education. You don’t need to look beyond the above facts to conclude that pursuing higher education in colleges in USA is the way to a better life.