College Rankings

Princeton Review has recently published its 2010 College Rankings.  They are a fun read if nothing else.  Here is just a sampling of the lists based upon the responses of 122,000 college students…

  • Most accessible and least accessible professors
  • School runs like butter versus long lines and red tape
  • Most religious students
  • LGBT friendly
  • Great College Towns
  • Party Schools
  • Future Rotarians and Daughters of the American Revolution
  • Most conservative students and most liberal students

You could probably spend hours just going through the lists.  You can check them out at The Princeton Review.

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Career Profile – Forensic Scientist

The career profile of Bruce Reeve, Laboratory Administrator, Iowa DCI Criminalistics Laboratory, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.

What is your job like?

A career in forensic science is very rewarding.  As someone who has a great interest in science, it allows me to  be involved in a fascinating career that also provides me the opportunity to make a very positive impact on society.  Every day, in one way or another, I get feedback on the importance of the work we do here at our laboratory.  To me that’s very gratifying.

What is a typical day?

A criminalist’s day typically involves opening evidence, processing the evidence utilizing forensic discipline specific methodologies, and reporting out results.  But there are many other funtions, including: testifying in court as an expert witness; training to maintain expert status; processing crime scenes; providing training to law enforcement agencies; and helping with other ancillary functions like safety, quality assurance, and procurement programs.

What is the typical entry level job for someone in your field like?

New analysts come in as criminalists.  Most of their time is spent in training, until they reach the point where they can be competency tested in thier specialized forensic discipline.  The duration of that testing is discipline specific.  Some areas require up to 3 years of in house training before analysis on casework can begin.

How did you get into this field?

I came in before all of the forensics shows started up, so for me it was just word of mouth from people I had worked with prior their coming to the DCI Lab.

Is college necessary to get into your field?

Yes.  The minimum requirement is a baccalaureate degree in a science related to the forensic science discipline of interest.  However, now our applicants often have multiple and/or advanced degrees.  The most common degrees we recruit are chemistry, biology, and physics.  For working on DNA, FBI standards require coursework in molecular biology, bio-chemistry, genetics, and statistics.

Is there a particular course of study you would recommend a student take in college for your field?

It really depends on the forensic discipline the student is interested in.

What are the forensic disciplines?

In our lab, the disciplines include: trace materials, arson & explosives, impressions (fingerprints, tire prints, footwear prints), writing and ink analysis, breath & alcohol, toxicology, drug identification, firearms & tool marks, DNA, crime scene support, evidence room management, and photography & video enhancement.

Is there a certain type of experience you recommend students get?

Some sort of real job experience in science, so we can access work habits and capabilities.  It’s good if that experience is in forensics, but that isn’t always possible.

What would make a newly graduated student stand out when applying for jobs in your field?

Applicants who have had the opportunity to teach or provide instruction to a group of people stand out in the interview process.   Being a teaching assistant or a coach are two examples.

How does real life forensics compare to what is portrayed on television?

Real life forensics can be very exciting at times, but more often it is fairly routine.  Criminalists are generally non-sworn personnel who do not take on the law enforcement functions that are often portrayed on the TV shows.

What do you like the most about working in your field?

The gratification of knowing my work has helped to provide resolution to victims and their families.  Or, that my work could result in exoneration of someone who is falsely accused of committing a crime.

What do you like the least about working in your field?

It can be repetitious, and I would prefer not to be confined to the lab as much.

Are there any particular college and universities which stand out in preparation for students in your field?

Most of our successful applicants have not come through undergraduate forensic science programs.  Most have baccalaureate degrees in one of the core sciences related to the forensic discipline of interest.  Then if they do go on to graduate school, they might might attend a forensic science program.

Is there anything else you would recommend to a student interested in your career area?

Perseverance is important.  Our laboratory is the only full function forensic lab in Iowa.  So there aren’t a lot of employment opportunities.  But in other states, where there are many labs, more opportunity exists to get into forensic science.  Call other lab systems to see what they prioritize when evaluating prospective applicants.

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Career Profile – Physical Therapist

The Career Profile of Dr. Micheal Puthoff, Physical Therapist

What is your job like? (from American Physical Therapy Association literature, http://www.moveforwardpt.com/why-a-pt/)

Physical therapists are focused on improving or restoring mobility and function.  Physical therapists provide care for people in a variety of settings, including hospitals, private practices, outpatient clinics, home health agencies, schools, sports and fitness facilities, work settings, and nursing homes.  Physical therapists diagnose and treat people of all ages, including newborns, children, and elderly individuals. They may consult and practice with other health professionals to help improve their patient’s mobility.

Physical therapists complete a patient examination to determine the cause of the patient’s problems.  Based on the findings, an individualized intervention program is created to address the patient’s problems.  This typically involves exercise, education, and modification of the environment.

What is a typical day?

Based on the setting where a physical therapist works, the day can vary.  I currently work at a hospital where the usually schedule is 8AM – 4:30 PM, Monday-Friday.  Then the staff rotates who works on the weekend.  Therapists in an outpatient clinic will typically only work Monday-Friday, but some may have early morning hours or evening hours to meet the needs of their patients who work.  Most therapists work 40 hours a week, but some therapists may work less for personal reasons.  There is a lot of flexibility in this job.

What is the typical entry level job for someone in your field like?

New graduates will typically enter one of the settings listed above.  In most situations new graduates will seek out a situation where they work closely with more experienced therapists.  Some facilities even have formal mentoring programs in place.

How did you get into this field?

I had an interest in healthcare as a high school student.  I performed observation hours at a local hospital to learn more about the profession.  I found that physical therapy would be a great fit for me.  It is a challenging and rewarding job.  Physical therapists work closely with so many other healthcare worker, such as doctors, nurses, occupational therapists, and speech language pathologists to name a few, but also have a lot of professional freedom when working with patients.

Is college necessary to get into your field?

Yes.  In order to become a physical therapist as graduate level degree is required.  Most programs offer the doctor of physical therapy as the entry level degree.  After a student finishes their bachelor’s degree, then they apply to a graduate program in physical therapy.

Is there a particular course of study you would recommend a student take in college for your field?

Students interested in physical therapy will have to take certain prerequisites to qualify for physical therapy school.  Each program has slightly different requirements, but in general students are expected to take a year of biology, chemistry, physics, and anatomy & physiology.  Additionally classes in psychology, statistics, and math are typically required.  As for an undergraduate major, that is really up to the student.  Most physical therapists have bachelor’s degrees in biology, psychology, kinesiology, or exercise physiology/science.  As long as the prerequisites are completed, most schools do not care what your bachelor’s degree is in.

Is there a certain type of experience you recommend students get?

The best thing to do is shadow a practicing physical therapist.  Ask him or her why they chose physical therapy as a profession.  What do they like about their job, what don’t they like about their job.  Ask questions about what they are doing.  It is also beneficial to explore other healthcare related jobs to make sure physical therapy is the right choice.

What would make a newly graduated student stand out when applying for jobs in your field?

Most employers are looking for self motivated individuals who have a commitment to lifelong learning with strong critical thinking skills.  Employers want to know that their therapists will value self improvement and that they understand that learning continues after graduation.

How does real life physical therapy compare to what is the public’s perception?

I think a lot of people think that all physical therapists do is work with people who have sports injuries or individuals who have musculoskeletal problems.  However physical therapists work with patients in a range of settings.  For example I had worked with patients on mechanical ventilators getting them up and moving while still on the ventilator.  I have also worked with patients before and after bariatric surgery to help them become more physically active.  Physical therapists work in a range of areas that so many people have not seen.

What do you like the most about working in your field?

I like two areas the most.  First seeing patients improve and make significant improvements in their quality of life.  Second I like the constant challenges of the job.  No two patients are exactly alike.  As a physical therapist you have to always be thinking about the individual and how you reach the person in front of you.

What do you like the least about working in your field?

Some people chose physical therapy because they think they won’t have to deal with patient dying.  However working in the geriatrics field of physical therapy, you have patients that don’t get better and some that never leave the hospital.  You also work with patients who have given up on life and no matter how hard you try, you can’t change their mind set.

Are there any particular college and universities which stand out in preparation for students in your field?

Disclosure: I am also a faculty member of the St. Ambrose University Physical Therapy Department.  So of course I think we have an excellent program at St. Ambrose University.  We have a program called Track I where qualified high schools can apply and if accepted they have a conditional spot in the graduate program.  Track I gives students the security that they are already in the graduate program.  See our website for all the details and requirements.  We have 3 other wonderful physical therapy programs in the state of Iowa; Des Moines University, Clarke University, and University of Iowa.  Visit the American Physical Therapy Association website, www.apta.org, to see a listing of all the programs across the country.

Is there anything else you would recommend to a student interested in your career area?

No matter what field you go into, you will likely be doing the job for another 40 years of your life.  Do you research to make sure you know as much about the profession as you can.

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College Students – Hunger & Homelessness

College Students Hide Hunger, Homelessness was the headline for the NPR (National Public Radio) news story from July 27, 2010.  The story described the dire straits that some college students find themselves in like Diego Sepulveda at UCLA.  Sepulveda became a causality of the down economy when he lost his job at Subway and was without a place to stay.  The article went on to describe how some students are battling against the tough economic situations they find themselves in.

These are tough stories to read about.  Frankly, they frustrate me to no end.

Earlier this week, I was looking at relative EFC (expected family contribution) in relation to the median income in this country.  It is shocking how many students are most likely not going to college and leaving thousands of dollars on the table.  Many students like Diego who are in college are leaving thousands on the table at no fault of their own.  They have believed those myths about state colleges being cheaper, or the sticker price determines what you pay, or who knows what others they’ve been trapped with.

There are so many opportunities for financial help for students in tough financial conditions.  Why are these students not getting the message?  Are high schools ignoring financial preparation for students?  Are the students oblivious to the sources available to them?  Are the generous schools that bad at getting the word out?

I suppose I could ask similar rhetorical questions for hours, but that won’t make a difference.  We will just keep working to educate students and families.  I am looking forward to EduLaunchpad going live soon.  It will be a powerful tool to combat this despicable problem.

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The Coming Meltdown in Higher Education

Seth Godin is a blogger I read every once in a while.  One of my business partners sent me a link to his latest blog with some thought provoking analysis of very common trends amongst colleges and universities.

I encourage you to take some time and read through what Seth has to say.  It strikes home with every student and family looking forward to college.

Here is a preview of his five primary points…

  1. Most colleges are organized to give an average education to average students.
  2. College has gotten expensive far faster than wages have gone up.
  3. The definition of ‘best’ is under siege.
  4. The correlation between a typical college degree and success is suspect.
  5. Accreditation isn’t the solution, it’s the problem.

Click here to read Seth’s blog.

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It’s Time To Play the College WAITING GAME!!

The waiting game is the hardest part of the college financial and selection process.  Everybody has to play this game.  But if you cut this game short, you could lose a lot of money and spend more on college than you need.

During the fall, students and parents are consumed with college admission applications.  For many families, they longed for the day when the admissions applications would be over.  Sometimes it took months to finish.  Then when December and January rolled around, the financial applications started.  Maybe yours only took a day.  For a few unlucky contestants, days turned into weeks.

But now for most of you, the admissions applications are done, and the financial applications are history.  So what’s the next step?  Do you jump at that admissions offer from your student’s top choice?  Do you take the school with the lower sticker price?  What if you haven’t heard anything out of the schools yet?  Have they forgot about you?  What do you do now?

This is where the hardest part of the college selection process starts.  It’s nerve-wracking.  It’s frustrating.  It’s going to play with your mind and make you feel like you don’t know what you are doing.  It’s… waiting.  Yes, waiting.  The one thing that Americans are the worst at of any people on earth… waiting.  Just think of it as a character building experience arranged for you by God Almighty.  He always said that patience was a virtue.  Now you get to prove it.

Colleges and universities need time in making these decisions.  They’ve got thousands of applications to sort through.  Some are faster than others.  Some are slower than others.  But don’t fret.  This is just the way the game works.  What’s the old proverb from the military… “hurry up and wait”

You need to wait for all of the financial offers to come in from the schools you or your student applied to.  Then you need to take your time to compare those offers.  Then you need to formulate your appeals back to those colleges (negotiate) if appropriate.  It is very likely you will not actually pick a college until April or sometimes as late as May.

Now in the meantime, you might want to consider putting down the housing deposits for any schools you or your student is exceptionally interested in.  Housing deposits are often non-refundable, so you have to be willing to give those up if you decide on a better offer at a different school.  But at least putting down a housing deposit will give many students comfort in the face of risking the dreaded “temp-housing”.

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College Finances 101 Video

College Finances 101: Introduction to college funding and financial aid is now available for review.  This recording was made on the evening of December 8th, 2009 and covers the following:

  • The college funding environment
  • The college financial aid system
  • Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
  • FAFSA
  • CSS Profile
  • Financial Aid Priority Deadlines
  • College Financial Track Records
  • College Application Strategies
  • College Financing
  • Strategies and Tactics to Minimize College Costs and Increase College Financial Offers
  • Negotiating the College Financial Award

This overview runs about 71 minutes. After you have finished watching, click the link below the video to request a PDF of the presentation be emailed to you.

Should you have any problems viewing the video, you may need to update your computer’s flash player.  You can do that at the Adobe website.

Webinar Response Form

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College Finances 101 Webinar

Next Webinar is…

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009 at 7pm Central Time

Register Below

College Finances 101 has now come to the web. Attendees have been praising this ground breaking presentation for years; now you can participate in the comfort of your own home or at work.

In 90 minutes, I will cover the most important aspects of minimizing your students’ costs for college. You will learn…

  • How parents can often send their children to expensive private colleges for less money than a state school.
  • How to fix lost money caused by popular college savings plans.
  • How to identify schools that give you more free money.
  • The great myths and misconceptions about college funding that can cost you thousands of dollars.
  • What assets are penalized 4 times higher than others when applying for help.
  • Why waiting one year can cost you as much as $5,000.

“The information Mr. Anderson shared was
incredibly eye opening.” — Tricia Christiansen, Guidance Counselor,
Hampton-Dumont HS, Hampton, Iowa

“What an eye opener! We wish we had
attended this seminar sooner. This seminar has given us ideas and
information but also hope…” — Dave & Maria Sullivan, Rock
Island, Illinois

“He has provided our families with
invaluable information. Scott does an excellent job…” — Linda
Cutler, Guidance Counselor, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge,
Illinois

“Listening to all the options available
to pay for college encouraged us that we don’t have to sacrifice a
quality education because of a lack of money.” Pastor Scott & Tonya
Culley, Silvis, Illinois

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Prestige Schools – The Debate Rages On

In July of this year, I published an article titled The Mythical Ivy Impact.  I discussed the evidence which suggests striving to get into prestigous colleges like Harvard, Stanford, or Yale may not be worth it if you have to take on substantial debt to do so.  Now it’s the fall, and discussions about college selection are flying all over forums on the Internet.  And I am still surprised how quickly the knives come out when you suggest it may be better to take the money and go to a so called “second tier” school, as opposed to mortgaging your future to pay for an Ivy or near-Ivy college.

I invite you to read my full article at the link above.  Also, here are the links to the supporting articles from USA Today and the Brookings Institute:

USA Today: Wanted: CEO, No Ivy Required PDF

Brookings Institute: Who Needs Harvard PDF

In a nutshell, don’t get hung up chasing prestigious named schools.  If you get in and it’s reasonably affordable, great!  But there is no reason to put yourself under a mountain of debt.

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Maximizing Money for College Replay

The Maximizing Money for College online webinar appears to have been a big hit last Thursday night.  I know many of you have been very interested in seeing the replay of the webinar, so I’ve set up the recording online for easy access.

For those who haven’t yet seen or participated in Maximizing Money for College, it is a comprehensive overview of the college funding and selection process.

In 80 minutes, I cover the most important aspects of minimizing your students’ costs for college.  You will learn…

  • How parents can often send their children to expensive private colleges for less money than a state school.
  • How to fix lost money caused by popular college savings plans.
  • How to identify schools that give you more free money.
  • The great myths and misconceptions about college funding that can cost you thousands of dollars.
  • What assets are penalized 4 times higher than others when applying for help.
  • Why waiting one year can cost you as much as $5,000.

To view the recoding, click the link below…

Maximizing Money for College Webinar

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