The following steps are designed to help you sift through the myriad of options by asking questions that will eliminate some schools while drawing your attention to those that will best meet your needs.

STEP 1 - FINDING THE TYPE OF SCHOOL THAT IS BEST FOR YOU.

The first important step in choosing a college or university is to decide what type of school you most want to attend. You can quickly eliminate many schools by establishing an initial set of requirements. Ask yourself the following questions:

Am I most interested in a:

1. Two year or four year school?
2. Christian or a non-religiously affiliated school?
3. Location - how far am I willing to go from home?
4. Urban, suburban, or rural campus?
5. Larger or smaller enrollment?
6. Nationally revered or regionally known?

You should try to have the answers to most of these questions midway through your junior year. Begin by talking with your parent(s) or guidance counselor. Speak with college students at different types of schools. Whether you are in a traditional high school setting, graduated high school years ago, or are homeschooled, seek the opinion of those people you most respect. Ask yourself what aspects of high school you most, and least, enjoy(ed). However, in the end, remember that you are the one who will be attending the school.

You may notice that cost was not mentioned above. The cost of the school should not be a factor at this early stage. I believe that one of the mistakes made by students and their families is that they eliminate colleges based on cost too early in the decision making process. They often do not understand the financial aid process and how affordable even a private college education can be!

Before moving on, let's address the issue of academic reputation. Schools that have an exceptional academic reputation can offer unique opportunities. However, there are also many schools that are not as well known that can offer excellent programs and opportunities.

A smaller or lesser-known school may provide you with the opportunity to become more involved. Holding student leadership and/or student work positions will allow you to gain valuable experience. This can be especially important when considering the competitive job market after graduation. The opportunity to stand out and be recognized will translate into a more impressive resume. These types of schools may also provide more direct interaction with college faculty and staff - individuals in a position to help you with information and recommendations as you consider employment or graduate school.

The higher profile school certainly has advantages as well. In addition to name recognition, these schools may provide a greater challenge, forcing you to "stretch" yourself further than you have before. The final result may produce a more confident person, better prepared for the rigors of a competitive job market. If the school is larger in size, it may also provide a greater selection of majors, on campus employment and resources.

Each type of school has its strengths. Your challenge is to discover which is best for you!

STEP 2 - FOCUSING ON YOUR BEST OPTIONS.

Once you have established the type of school that will best meet your needs and interests, you can consider numerous factors to further narrow down the field. Some of the factors discussed below may not be important to you, while others may play a critical role in your decision. Remember... it's your call!

1. Academic Standards

   By looking through a school's admissions material, or placing a call to the admissions office, you can easily learn the academic profile of the "average" student. If your scores and grades place you at the lower end of the academic profile you still may be accepted, but realize that it will likely be a greater challenge. If you are on the higher end, your position as an applicant is obviously enhanced.

2. Career Planning and Placement

   I believe this may be one of the most overlooked issues when students consider colleges and universities. Make sure that you ask what career planning and placement services are available. Ask about the percentage of students who go on to graduate school and/or find employment in their chosen field after graduating. Also, try to learn the specific placement rates for your particular major/program. One of the primary goals of any college or university should be to help you gain employment in your field or assist you in attending graduate school.

3. Internships/"Real life experience"

   Ask what internship and co-op type experiences are available in your area(s) of interest. These opportunities may be paid or unpaid. The important thing is that you can gain valuable work experience while still in school. This will help you become more marketable upon graduation. You should view any such opportunity as a chance to build your resume.

4. Accreditation

   Most schools are accredited by a regional accrediting agency while some individual programs may have a professional or national accrediting agency. For example, The National League for Nursing and the National Association of Schools of Music, professionally accredit some nursing and music programs respectively. If you are looking at a particular program at a school, this may provide a good indication of its strength. However, remember that some majors/programs may not have a professional accrediting agency, but for those that do, this can be an objective way to measure the strength of that program.

5. Majors/Programs

   You need to be confident that your needs and interests will be met as you consider your major or program of interest. We have already considered two ways to help you determine the strength of an academic program - the job placement rate and professional accreditation (if applicable). However, you can also ask about the percentage of faculty with a doctorate or terminal degree. If you are considering a pre-professional program such as Pre-Medicine, Pre-Pharmacy, Pre-Dentistry, Pre-Veterinarian Medicine, or Pre-Law, be sure to ask about the placement rate for graduate school. This will provide yet another indicator of the program's strength. Learn what percentage of students who begin the program, actually complete it. Some colleges or universities may allow many students to begin a program and then "weed out" a large number along the way. This may help the school gain a higher placement rate.

6. Attrition

   " Attrition" is a term that refers to the number of students who drop out or leave the school. You should be aware if a college or university has a lower number of it's students returning after their first year, or if the school graduates only a small percentage of it's students in four years. It's important to know whether or not a school has many students who leave before completing their program. Students may leave for a variety of reasons - they may change majors, can no longer afford the school, were not challenged enough, could not handle the academic program, or perhaps they just didn't like the atmosphere. If you discover that many students are leaving the school because of finances, this may be an indicator that financial aid awards decrease substantially for continuing students, or the cost is increasing at an especially high rate. Ask an admission representative and current students these types of questions to gain an understanding of the attrition rate.

7. Enrollment History

   You should ask about the school's enrollment history over the past few years. Is enrollment increasing, decreasing or unchanged? There may be good reasons for any increase or decrease in enrollment. Some schools remain at a constant enrollment by choice. They may not have the facilities for additional students or they may have made a decision to increase the academic standards and maintain their current enrollment.

8. Faculty-to-Student Ratio And Class Size

   Colleges and universities recognize that many students are not content to sit in lecture halls with 300-400 classmates. Learn what you can expect in terms of class size and faculty-to-student ratio. If you are considering a larger school it may be wise to ask for the specific faculty-to-student ratio in your chosen major. If the faculty-to-student ratio is high, be aware that you may be competing with many other students for your professor's ear.

9. Find Out Who "Teaches" The Classes

   The "instructor" may not always be the professor you thought would be teaching the class. At some colleges and universities, graduate assistants may teach courses, especially the lower level ones. You may be comfortable with this, but learn ahead of time what to expect.

10. Academic Assistance

    Find out what type of academic assistance is available. Schools may have academic assistance for students with special learning needs, seminars on improving study skills, tutoring, assistance on research papers, supplemental instruction, and/or study groups. Whether you are an "A student" or "struggling", everyone encounters the need for academic help at some point.

11. Organizations, Clubs And Athletics

    Although probably not as important as other areas, clubs, organizations and athletics can all add to your college experience. Ask about your specific areas of interest. This can be particularly important if, for example, you would like to major in journalism and the school has little opportunity to work on such projects as the yearbook or student newspaper.

12. Computer Labs And Equipment

    Computer labs and other computer opportunities for many students are essential. Are computers widely available - in dorms, libraries and/or labs? Your dorm room may already be wired to the school's network. Some schools even provide a computer for every freshman.

STEP 3 - CAMPUS VISITS

Many schools can meet your needs academically. I believe the greater challenge is in finding a school where you also feel comfortable. Once you have selected a handful (I would suggest three to five), it is critical to visit the campus. Every college in the country seems to have a viewbook with beautiful pictures of trees, buildings and smiling faces. Be assured that schools similar on paper may be very different when you spend time on campus.

Be honest with yourself - are you really going to attend "The College for "Intellectual Giants" 1,000 miles away without ever visiting? If you are unable, or unwilling, to visit a campus, that school should be immediately removed from your list. Why even consider a school that you will not have the time, energy, and/or money to visit? This would be like buying a house without ever seeing it!

I would suggest campus visits during your junior year, completing them early in the fall of your senior year. During your visit you should keep in mind the following objectives.

1. Visit At The Appropriate Time

   Be sure to visit while school is in session. If you visit during a break or summer, you will not get a clear picture of what the college or university is really like. You also may miss out on many of the opportunities listed below.

2. Admissions Interview

   Whether or not the school requires an interview, you should always set up a meeting with an admissions representative. This is an excellent opportunity to confirm that the school has the important characteristics you have outlined. If the admissions representative does his/her job effectively, you should leave the meeting with a clear picture of the school's strengths, weaknesses, goals and expectations.

3. Financial Aid Interview

   Specifically request a financial aid appointment when you set up your visit. Some colleges or universities may have their admissions representatives handle this type of initial meeting. However, if possible, try to get at least a short meeting with a financial aid representative. You will be able to address specific questions about scholarships and financial aid forms at this time.

4. Attend Class

   Ask in advance to attend a class in your major. Although classes vary, this will at least give you a sample of the class atmosphere. Keep in mind if the class is a general education requirement or a lower level course, chances are it will be larger than a 300 or 400 level class which is more focused for students within that major. If you're uncertain about your major, attend one of the general education requirement classes.

5. Faculty Appointment

   Schedule an appointment with a professor in your area of interest. This is where you can get more specific questions answered about your major including course requirements, placement rates, internships, co-ops, etc. Ask the questions that are most important to you.

6. Tour Campus What Does God Look Like?
   To begin with, I am neither a minister nor a priest. I bring a totally non-religious and unbiased approach to the subject. I am a writer, designer, musician, and observer of the world. As an artist and student of art history, I have traveled the world to some of the finest museums available on this planet. From the Vatican to the Louvre, to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. and the New York Museum of Art, I’ve had the opportunity to view the best art history has to offer. The images of Christ and various versions of God often dominate the displays. Going back to Gothic times at the very birth of Christianity, we get a glimpse of how the new movement conceived that their God must have appeared. In addition, the Islamic community has their own take on Mohamed and the Eastern perspective. Add to that, the Oriental depiction of Buddha and you have far-ranging opinions of God’s image. So who is right?Let’s state the obvious. We have not seen God. Jesus, who proclaimed to be his son, never gave us or his disciples a literal description of his father. As far as we know, he (or she) has never been here and shown himself to us. Sure, we’ve had the likes of George Burns and more recently Morgan Freeman presenting a more satirical portrayal of God, but that’s Hollywood for you. No, we are left to our own imagination. The most famous painting of God exists in the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel where Michelangelo chose to show his mighty visage with flowing mane and white beard, reaching out to touch Adam and thus send a spark of life into the first human. It’s a stirring, emotional vision without any reference. It’s merely one man’s interpretation. As I watched the earliest attempts at drawing God, it became obvious that God was a man. He was Jesus to the Christians. Although, whenever someone tried to go beyond that criteria, they still positioned another man or figure in the sky above the people. Often there was a shaft of light emanating from the God-like figure amongst a stormy scene.So God is mostly human ihis can be especially important when considering the competitive job market after graduation. The opportunity to stand out and be recognized will translate into a more impressive resume. These types of schools may also provide more direct interaction with college faculty and staff - individuals in a position to help you with information and recommendations as you consider employment or graduate school.

   The higher profile school certainly has advantages as well. In addition to name recognition, these schools may provide a greater challenge, forcing you to "stretch" yourself further than you have before. The final result may produce a more confident person, better prepared for the rigors of a competitive job market. If the school is larger in size, it may also provide a greater selection of majors, on campus employment and resources.

   Each type of school has its strengths. Your challenge is to discover which is best for you!

   STEP 2 - FOCUSING ON YOUR BEST OPTIONS.

   Once you have established the type of school that will best meet your needs and interests, you can consider numerous factors to further narrow down the field. Some of the factors discussed below may not be important to you, while others may play a critical role in your decision. Remember... it's your call!

   1. Academic Standards

      By looking through a school's admissions material, or placing a call to the admissions office, you can easily learn the academic profile of the "average" student. If your scores and grades place you at the lower end of the academic profile you still may be accepted, but realize that it will likely be a greater challenge. If you are on the higher end, your position as an applicant is obviously enhanced.

   2. Career Planning and Placement

      I believe this may be one of the most overlooked issues when students consider colleges and universities. Make sure that you ask what career planning and placement services are available. Ask about the percentage of students who go on to graduate school and/or find employment in their chosen field after graduating. Also, try to learn the specific placement rates for your particular major/program. One of the primary goals of any college or university should be to help you gain employment in your field or assist you in attending graduate school.

   3. Internships/"Real life experience"

      Ask what internship and co-op type experiences are available in your area(s) of interest. These opportunities may be paid or unpaid. The important thing is that you can gain valuable work experience while still in school. This will help you become more marketable upon graduation. You should view any such opportunity as a chance to build your resume.

   4. Accreditation

      Most schools are accredited by a regional accrediting agency while some individual programs may have a professional or national accrediting agency. For example, The National League for Nursing and the National Association of Schools of Music, professionally accredit some nursing and music programs respectively. If you are looking at a particular program at a school, this may provide a good indication of its strength. However, remember that some majors/programs may not have a professional accrediting agency, but for those that do, this can be an objective way to measure the strength of that program.

   5. Majors/Programs

      You need to be confident that your needs and interests will be met as you consider your major or program of interest. We have already considered two ways to help you determine the strength of an academic program - the job placement rate and professional accreditation (if applicable). However, you can also ask about the percentage of faculty with a doctorate or terminal degree. If you are considering a pre-professional program such as Pre-Medicine, Pre-Pharmacy, Pre-Dentistry, Pre-Veterinarian Medicine, or Pre-Law, be sure to ask about the placement rate for graduate school. This will provide yet another indicator of the program's strength. Learn what percentage of students who begin the program, actually complete it. Some colleges or universities may allow many students to begin a program and then "weed out" a large number along the way. This may help the school gain a higher placement rate.

   6. Attrition

      " Attrition" is a term that refers to the number of students who drop out or leave the school. You should be aware if a college or university has a lower number of it's students returning after their first year, or if the school graduates only a small percentage of it's students in four years. It's important to know whether or not a school has many students who leave before completing their program. Students may leave for a variety of reasons - they may change majors, can no longer afford the school, were not challenged enough, could not handle the academic program, or perhaps they just didn't like the atmosphere. If you discover that many students are leaving the school because of finances, this may be an indicator that financial aid awards decrease substantially for continuing students, or the cost is increasing at an especially high rate. Ask an admission representative and current students these types of questions to gain an understanding of the attrition rate.

   7. Enrollment History

      You should ask about the school's enrollment history over the past few years. Is enrollment increasing, decreasing or unchanged? There may be good reasons for any increase or decrease in enrollment. Some schools remain at a constant enrollment by choice. They may not have the facilities for additional students or they may have made a decision to increase the academic standards and maintain their current enrollment.

   8. Faculty-to-Student Ratio And Class Size

      Colleges and universities recognize that many students are not content to sit in lecture halls with 300-400 classmates. Learn what you can expect in terms of class size and faculty-to-student ratio. If you are considering a larger school it may be wise to ask for the specific faculty-to-student ratio in your chosen major. If the faculty-to-student ratio is high, be aware that you may be competing with many other students for your professor's ear.

   9. Find Out Who "Teaches" The Classes

      The "instructor" may not always be the professor you thought would be teaching the class. At some colleges and universities, graduate assistants may teach courses, especially the lower level ones. You may be comfortable with this, but learn ahead of time what to expect.

   10. Academic Assistance

       Find out what type of academic assistance is available. Schools may have academic assistance for students with special learning needs, seminars on improving study skills, tutoring, assistance on research papers, supplemental instruction, and/or study groups. Whether you are an "A student" or "struggling", everyone encounters the need for academic help at some point.

   11. Organizations, Clubs And Athletics

       Although probably not as important as other areas, clubs, organizations and athletics can all add to your college experience. Ask about your specific areas of interest. This can be particularly important if, for example, you would like to major in journalism and the school has little opportunity to work on such projects as the yearbook or student newspaper.

   12. Computer Labs And Equipment

       Computer labs and other computer opportunities for many students are essential. Are computers widely available - in dorms, libraries and/or labs? Your dorm room may already be wired to the school's network. Some schools even provide a computer for every freshman.

   STEP 3 - CAMPUS VISITS

   Many schools can meet your needs academically. I believe the greater challenge is in finding a school where you also feel comfortable. Once you have selected a handful (I would suggest three to five), it is critical to visit the campus. Every college in the country seems to have a viewbook with beautiful pictures of trees, buildings and smiling faces. Be assured that schools similar on paper may be very different when you spend time on campus.

   Be honest with yourself - are you really going to attend "The College for "Intellectual Giants" 1,000 miles away without ever visiting? If you are unable, or unwilling, to visit a campus, that school should be immediately removed from your list. Why even consider a school that you will not have the time, energy, and/or money to visit? This would be like buying a house without ever seeing it!

   I would suggest campus visits during your junior year, completing them early in the fall of your senior year. During your visit you should keep in mind the following objectives.

   1. Visit At The Appropriate Time

      Be sure to visit while school is in session. If you visit during a break or summer, you will not get a clear picture of what the college or university is really like. You also may miss out on many of the opportunities listed below.

   2. Admissions Interview

      Whether or not the school requires an interview, you should always set up a meeting with an admissions representative. This is an excellent opportunity to confirm that the school has the important characteristics you have outlined. If the admissions representative does his/her job effectively, you should leave the meeting with a clear picture of the school's strengths, weaknesses, goals and expectations.

   3. Financial Aid Interview

      Specifically request a financial aid appointment when you set up your visit. Some colleges or universities may have their admissions representatives handle this type of initial meeting. However, if possible, try to get at least a short meeting with a financial aid representative. You will be able to address specific questions about scholarships and financial aid forms at this time.

   4. Attend Class

      Ask in advance to attend a class in your major. Although classes vary, this will at least give you a sample of the class atmosphere. Keep in mind if the class is a general education requirement or a lower level course, chances are it will be larger than a 300 or 400 level class which is more focused for students within that major. If you're uncertain about your major, attend one of the general education requirement classes.

   5. Faculty Appointment

      Schedule an appointment with a professor in your area of interest. This is where you can get more specific questions answered about your major including course requirements, placement rates, internships, co-ops, etc. Ask the questions that are most important to you.

   6. Tour Campus 7 Ways to Get Started With Podcasting
      Plan- Plan before you start podcasting. You have to plan ahead what you will podcast, where you will do it, what equipment and software you will use, would you need any expert etc. Plan makes a productive podcasting possible.Creating the File - Create the file you want to podcast. You can create your file with the help of recording equipment and different softwares that help in the creating the file for podcasting.Archiving- Next, you have to archive your file. For archiving you can need space and bandwidth. You can archive your files for podcasting in a website server. You can place it in your website and provide links from there. You can place it in other website that provides archiving services.Offer Subscriptions – Now as you are ready with the files, you can offer subscription to the people. For getting subscribers you have to promote your website and your podcast ready files. Productive podcasting is arrived when you have enough subscribers.Provide Listening Software –Along with the podcast file also provide the subscribers with software to listen to the podcasts. They may not have it at their disposal. If you provide them the software, it will be easier for them to listen to your podcasts.User Accommodating – Accommodate your users to get your podcasts easily. Whenever you have a new podcast, help the users to listen to it and assess it.Continue podcasting –Continue your podcasting. DO not stop in between. Make updates regularly. People will come to a website where they find new and updated podcasts. Productive podcasting asks for continuous updation.as a chance to build your resume.

   7. Accreditation

      Most schools are accredited by a regional accrediting agency while some individual programs may have a professional or national accrediting agency. For example, The National League for Nursing and the National Association of Schools of Music, professionally accredit some nursing and music programs respectively. If you are looking at a particular program at a school, this may provide a good indication of its strength. However, remember that some majors/programs may not have a professional accrediting agency, but for those that do, this can be an objective way to measure the strength of that program.

   8. Majors/Programs

      You need to be confident that your needs and interests will be met as you consider your major or program of interest. We have already considered two ways to help you determine the strength of an academic program - the job placement rate and professional accreditation (if applicable). However, you can also ask about the percentage of faculty with a doctorate or terminal degree. If you are considering a pre-professional program such as Pre-Medicine, Pre-Pharmacy, Pre-Dentistry, Pre-Veterinarian Medicine, or Pre-Law, be sure to ask about the placement rate for graduate school. This will provide yet another indicator of the program's strength. Learn what percentage of students who begin the program, actually complete it. Some colleges or universities may allow many students to begin a program and then "weed out" a large number along the way. This may help the school gain a higher placement rate.

   9. Attrition

      " Attrition" is a term that refers to the number of students who drop out or leave the school. You should be aware if a college or university has a lower number of it's students returning after their first year, or if the school graduates only a small percentage of it's students in four years. It's important to know whether or not a school has many students who leave before completing their program. Students may leave for a variety of reasons - they may change majors, can no longer afford the school, were not challenged enough, could not handle the academic program, or perhaps they just didn't like the atmosphere. If you discover that many students are leaving the school because of finances, this may be an indicator that financial aid awards decrease substantially for continuing students, or the cost is increasing at an especially high rate. Ask an admission representative and current students these types of questions to gain an understanding of the attrition rate.

   10. Enrollment History

       You should ask about the school's enrollment history over the past few years. Is enrollment increasing, decreasing or unchanged? There may be good reasons for any increase or decrease in enrollment. Some schools remain at a constant enrollment by choice. They may not have the facilities for additional students or they may have made a decision to increase the academic standards and maintain their current enrollment.

   11. Faculty-to-Student Ratio And Class Size

       Colleges and universities recognize that many students are not content to sit in lecture halls with 300-400 classmates. Learn what you can expect in terms of class size and faculty-to-student ratio. If you are considering a larger school it may be wise to ask for the specific faculty-to-student ratio in your chosen major. If the faculty-to-student ratio is high, be aware that you may be competing with many other students for your professor's ear.

   12. Find Out Who "Teaches" The Classes

       The "instructor" may not always be the professor you thought would be teaching the class. At some colleges and universities, graduate assistants may teach courses, especially the lower level ones. You may be comfortable with this, but learn ahead of time what to expect.

   13. Academic Assistance

       Find out what type of academic assistance is available. Schools may have academic assistance for students with special learning needs, seminars on improving study skills, tutoring, assistance on research papers, supplemental instruction, and/or study groups. Whether you are an "A student" or "struggling", everyone encounters the need for academic help at some point.

   14. Organizations, Clubs And Athletics

       Although probably not as important as other areas, clubs, organizations and athletics can all add to your college experience. Ask about your specific areas of interest. This can be particularly important if, for example, you would like to major in journalism and the school has little opportunity to work on such projects as the yearbook or student newspaper.

   15. Computer Labs And Equipment

       Computer labs and other computer opportunities for many students are essential. Are computers widely available - in dorms, libraries and/or labs? Your dorm room may already be wired to the school's network. Some schools even provide a computer for every freshman.

   STEP 3 - CAMPUS VISITS

   Many schools can meet your needs academically. I believe the greater challenge is in finding a school where you also feel comfortable. Once you have selected a handful (I would suggest three to five), it is critical to visit the campus. Every college in the country seems to have a viewbook with beautiful pictures of trees, buildings and smiling faces. Be assured that schools similar on paper may be very different when you spend time on campus.

   Be honest with yourself - are you really going to attend "The College for "Intellectual Giants" 1,000 miles away without ever visiting? If you are unable, or unwilling, to visit a campus, that school should be immediately removed from your list. Why even consider a school that you will not have the time, energy, and/or money to visit? This would be like buying a house without ever seeing it!

   I would suggest campus visits during your junior year, completing them early in the fall of your senior year. During your visit you should keep in mind the following objectives.

   1. Visit At The Appropriate Time

      Be sure to visit while school is in session. If you visit during a break or summer, you will not get a clear picture of what the college or university is really like. You also may miss out on many of the opportunities listed below.

   2. Admissions Interview

      Whether or not the school requires an interview, you should always set up a meeting with an admissions representative. This is an excellent opportunity to confirm that the school has the important characteristics you have outlined. If the admissions representative does his/her job effectively, you should leave the meeting with a clear picture of the school's strengths, weaknesses, goals and expectations.

   3. Financial Aid Interview

      Specifically request a financial aid appointment when you set up your visit. Some colleges or universities may have their admissions representatives handle this type of initial meeting. However, if possible, try to get at least a short meeting with a financial aid representative. You will be able to address specific questions about scholarships and financial aid forms at this time.

   4. Attend Class

      Ask in advance to attend a class in your major. Although classes vary, this will at least give you a sample of the class atmosphere. Keep in mind if the class is a general education requirement or a lower level course, chances are it will be larger than a 300 or 400 level class which is more focused for students within that major. If you're uncertain about your major, attend one of the general education requirement classes.

   5. Faculty Appointment

      Schedule an appointment with a professor in your area of interest. This is where you can get more specific questions answered about your major including course requirements, placement rates, internships, co-ops, etc. Ask the questions that are most important to you.

   6. Tour Campus Cell Phones and Kids
      Have you ever seen a young child toting around a cell phone? If you have ever been to the mall, or any other place where younger children might be, chances are that you have. While there is nothing wrong with younger kids using cell phones, the fact of the matter is that parents may be better off waiting until they are older before buying them one of their own. Sure, there are some benefits that go along with giving your child a cell phone, but at the same time there are risks as well as some safety concerns that you must consider as well. Remember, the world can be a dangerous place, and children are often times the target of bad things. As a parent, it is your job to make sure that they are as safe as possible at all times.So what age is the right age for a child to get a cell phone? The difficult thing about this question is that there is no set answer. This is something that you will have to figure out on your own. If you feel that your child is mature enough when he hits junior high to have a cell phone, than by all means give them a chance to prove this. But on the other hand, if he has never shown responsibility in the past you may want to rethink your decision.The great thing about cell phones is you can get in touch with anyone you want, whenever you want. With children this same advantage becomes a disadvantage, and potentially, even, a danger. Not to mention the fact that other people can also call them without you knowing about it. While this may not have been a problem when you were a kid, in today’s day and age of cell phone technology children can hide more things than ever before.For instance, do you know who your child is talking to online? If you answered no, there is a good chance that the same people can also be calling them on the cell phone when you are not aware of it. And to take this a bit further, some of the people who they are talking to may want to get in touch with your child for all the wrong reasons. First of all, always maintain a strong line of communication between you and e past few years. Is enrollment increasing, decreasing or unchanged? There may be good reasons for any increase or decrease in enrollment. Some schools remain at a constant enrollment by choice. They may not have the facilities for additional students or they may have made a decision to increase the academic standards and maintain their current enrollment.

   7. Faculty-to-Student Ratio And Class Size

      Colleges and universities recognize that many students are not content to sit in lecture halls with 300-400 classmates. Learn what you can expect in terms of class size and faculty-to-student ratio. If you are considering a larger school it may be wise to ask for the specific faculty-to-student ratio in your chosen major. If the faculty-to-student ratio is high, be aware that you may be competing with many other students for your professor's ear.

   8. Find Out Who "Teaches" The Classes

      The "instructor" may not always be the professor you thought would be teaching the class. At some colleges and universities, graduate assistants may teach courses, especially the lower level ones. You may be comfortable with this, but learn ahead of time what to expect.

   9. Academic Assistance

      Find out what type of academic assistance is available. Schools may have academic assistance for students with special learning needs, seminars on improving study skills, tutoring, assistance on research papers, supplemental instruction, and/or study groups. Whether you are an "A student" or "struggling", everyone encounters the need for academic help at some point.

   10. Organizations, Clubs And Athletics

       Although probably not as important as other areas, clubs, organizations and athletics can all add to your college experience. Ask about your specific areas of interest. This can be particularly important if, for example, you would like to major in journalism and the school has little opportunity to work on such projects as the yearbook or student newspaper.

   11. Computer Labs And Equipment

       Computer labs and other computer opportunities for many students are essential. Are computers widely available - in dorms, libraries and/or labs? Your dorm room may already be wired to the school's network. Some schools even provide a computer for every freshman.

   STEP 3 - CAMPUS VISITS

   Many schools can meet your needs academically. I believe the greater challenge is in finding a school where you also feel comfortable. Once you have selected a handful (I would suggest three to five), it is critical to visit the campus. Every college in the country seems to have a viewbook with beautiful pictures of trees, buildings and smiling faces. Be assured that schools similar on paper may be very different when you spend time on campus.

   Be honest with yourself - are you really going to attend "The College for "Intellectual Giants" 1,000 miles away without ever visiting? If you are unable, or unwilling, to visit a campus, that school should be immediately removed from your list. Why even consider a school that you will not have the time, energy, and/or money to visit? This would be like buying a house without ever seeing it!

   I would suggest campus visits during your junior year, completing them early in the fall of your senior year. During your visit you should keep in mind the following objectives.

   1. Visit At The Appropriate Time

      Be sure to visit while school is in session. If you visit during a break or summer, you will not get a clear picture of what the college or university is really like. You also may miss out on many of the opportunities listed below.

   2. Admissions Interview

      Whether or not the school requires an interview, you should always set up a meeting with an admissions representative. This is an excellent opportunity to confirm that the school has the important characteristics you have outlined. If the admissions representative does his/her job effectively, you should leave the meeting with a clear picture of the school's strengths, weaknesses, goals and expectations.

   3. Financial Aid Interview

      Specifically request a financial aid appointment when you set up your visit. Some colleges or universities may have their admissions representatives handle this type of initial meeting. However, if possible, try to get at least a short meeting with a financial aid representative. You will be able to address specific questions about scholarships and financial aid forms at this time.

   4. Attend Class

      Ask in advance to attend a class in your major. Although classes vary, this will at least give you a sample of the class atmosphere. Keep in mind if the class is a general education requirement or a lower level course, chances are it will be larger than a 300 or 400 level class which is more focused for students within that major. If you're uncertain about your major, attend one of the general education requirement classes.

   5. Faculty Appointment

      Schedule an appointment with a professor in your area of interest. This is where you can get more specific questions answered about your major including course requirements, placement rates, internships, co-ops, etc. Ask the questions that are most important to you.

   6. Tour Campus Are You Calmed and Relaxed When You Trade?
      Sometimes I get some really strange questions in the mail. The one that follows is one of them. Although I try to be like "Rambo" when I trade, I haven't in actuality fully achieved "Rambo's" degree of "coolness.""Joe, is it really true that you are able to stay calm and relaxed when you trade? Are you saying you have never cracked under pressure?"There have been times when I made mistakes under pressure, but I don’t recall ever cracking under pressure. By that I mean I didn't panic, but I have come close. Being short soybeans when Chernobyl blew up was probably the closest. I've made huge errors in conduct - once I sat and lost $45,000 in a matter of minutes because I tried trading while teaching a student at the same time. Lesson learned: Never trade and teach at the same time. Stay focused on one or the other. I once woke up to a margin call of $21,000+, but it turned out in my favor. I had erroneously left a 5-lot in the market overnight - thinking I was flat - the result of sloppy housekeeping.Nevertheless, I have learned how to make trades in a relaxed, but focused way. I don't put unnecessary pressure on myself. I don’t let myself get stressed out - it’s simply too costly to do that.I don't believe that I have to be successful on any one trade; I keep my focus on the big picture. I don't believe I need to be right. I don't try to impose my will on the market. And I definitely don't try to predict the future of price movement. The market is the market - it does what it wants to do.What I do is to closely observe market conditions and movement, and make up a detailed plan of attack. I trade what I see, allowing the market to take me where it wants to go. I make a serious effort to stay calm and relaxed, and ready to act on whatever happens next.Once I have a trading plan, I follow it. I do not doubt or second-guess my plan. I meditate on my plan and picture myself carrying it out successfully, before I ever enter a trade. I really believe in mental imaging as being anh beautiful pictures of trees, buildings and smiling faces. Be assured that schools similar on paper may be very different when you spend time on campus.

      Be honest with yourself - are you really going to attend "The College for "Intellectual Giants" 1,000 miles away without ever visiting? If you are unable, or unwilling, to visit a campus, that school should be immediately removed from your list. Why even consider a school that you will not have the time, energy, and/or money to visit? This would be like buying a house without ever seeing it!

      I would suggest campus visits during your junior year, completing them early in the fall of your senior year. During your visit you should keep in mind the following objectives.

      1. Visit At The Appropriate Time

         Be sure to visit while school is in session. If you visit during a break or summer, you will not get a clear picture of what the college or university is really like. You also may miss out on many of the opportunities listed below.

      2. Admissions Interview

         Whether or not the school requires an interview, you should always set up a meeting with an admissions representative. This is an excellent opportunity to confirm that the school has the important characteristics you have outlined. If the admissions representative does his/her job effectively, you should leave the meeting with a clear picture of the school's strengths, weaknesses, goals and expectations.

      3. Financial Aid Interview

         Specifically request a financial aid appointment when you set up your visit. Some colleges or universities may have their admissions representatives handle this type of initial meeting. However, if possible, try to get at least a short meeting with a financial aid representative. You will be able to address specific questions about scholarships and financial aid forms at this time.

      4. Attend Class

         Ask in advance to attend a class in your major. Although classes vary, this will at least give you a sample of the class atmosphere. Keep in mind if the class is a general education requirement or a lower level course, chances are it will be larger than a 300 or 400 level class which is more focused for students within that major. If you're uncertain about your major, attend one of the general education requirement classes.

      5. Faculty Appointment

         Schedule an appointment with a professor in your area of interest. This is where you can get more specific questions answered about your major including course requirements, placement rates, internships, co-ops, etc. Ask the questions that are most important to you.

      6. Tour Campus

         View the academic buildings, dining hall(s), residence halls, library, athletic facilities, bookstore, administrative offices, student union and any other part of campus that is of interest. At smaller schools you will probably be able to see about every building on campus during your tour. Larger schools may have separate tours for different areas. This is a great opportunity for you to hear from a student and get some "inside" information. Get student opinions regarding professors, classes, social activities, residence halls, etc. Be sure to ask what they like least about the school as well.

      7. Eat In The Dining Hall

         Have at least one meal in the dining hall. This will give you an idea of the quality of food. While I would never recommend choosing one school over another just because of food, it is one more factor you may wish to consider.

      8. Stay Overnight

         I believe that an overnight stay can be extremely helpful. This will give you a more informal look at the college atmosphere. You will probably be staying with a student. This will provide an opportunity to ask questions in a less structured setting. You may be surprised how much a night on campus can sway your opinion - negatively or positively.

      9. Open-House Versus Individual Visit

         Both structured programs and individual visits have their advantages, and both are worth doing if time permits. Visiting a campus twice may be more feasible if you have narrowed down your options to just two or three schools. The advantage of an open house is that the school will have a schedule already established. The open house will probably be more "polished" and you may feel more comfortable with other prospective students present. The disadvantage of the open house format is that it is less focused on your specific concerns and interests. If your only visit to campus is for an open house, be sure that the appointments with admissions, financial aid, and faculty are still covered. If not, try to schedule time for these appointments before or after the open house, or plan a second visit to the campus if you're serious about the school.

      10. Be Consistent

          As much as possible, follow the same process with each school you visit. Don't stay overnight at one school and not the other, or attend class at one and only speak with a professor at another. Having similar visits at each school provides a fair comparison.

      HTTP = HTML link (for blogs, profiles,phorums):
      <a href="http://www.casualarticles.com/article/218388/casualarticles-Choosing-the-Christian-College-Thats-Best-For-You.html">Choosing the Christian College That's Best For You</a>
      
      BB link (for phorums):
      [url=http://www.casualarticles.com/article/218388/casualarticles-Choosing-the-Christian-College-Thats-Best-For-You.html]Choosing the Christian College That's Best For You[/url]

      Related Articles:

      Increase Your Web Traffic without Breaking the Bank

      Tactics and Strategies for Boosting Your Traffic on a Shoestring Budget

      Become A Financially Free-Bird

      Wealth creation is a real hard work. It is all about skill, patience, shrewdness, knowledge and management. Now, wealth construction can be an easy task for some while some find themselves searching for answers very frequently. Remember that wealth is all about generating a passive income and setting yourselves free from the burden of debt.

      Hollywood Teen Out of Control

      What is it about fame that causes young people to self destruct? Too many famous Hollywood families have suffered the deaths of their children as a result of excess.

      Bookmark it: