Importance of Higher Education Counseling For Study in Australia

By Siddharth M Gupta

Studying in Australia offers international students more than academic achievement and a globally recognized qualification. It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience through which a student can develop independence, maturity, an understanding of other cultures, and the ability to see issues from different perspectives.

Study in Australia better prepares a student to work in today's global marketplace. This is why several foreign companies recruit directly from Australian universities and vocational institutes. Many international organizations and companies employ overseas students with Australian qualifications because their exposure to the outside world gives them greater independence and maturity. With international trade barriers disappearing, great opportunities exist for those with the skills, experience and knowledge to seize them.

In Australia, international students can gain this experience in a safe, friendly environment and at an affordable cost.

Education in Australia

Australia is the third most popular study destination in the English-speaking world, with more than 200,000 international students in Australian institutions across all education sectors: higher education, vocational education and training, English Language colleges, and schools.

Australia's universities have made important breakthroughs in modern technology and science while Australia's vocational training system, which is based on industry standards, is used as a model for other Asia-Pacific countries.

There are universities in all major Australian cities and throughout regional areas of the country ranging in size from around 3,000 students to 50,000 students. About 20 percent of students enrolled in Australian universities are from overseas.

Many international students also study in vocational education and training colleges and institutes across Australia. These institutes offer qualifications that recognised in the workplace.

The Australian Government ensures the quality of Australian institutions and courses in a number of ways. Institutions must be accredited and courses offered to international students must be approved and listed on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS). Qualifications offered to students must fit the Australian Qualifications Framework.

The staff at Australian institutions is also very experienced in helping students from other countries, and there are well-established support systems in place for international students.

In a nut shell Australia is a dynamic and vibrant country with a great deal to offer students looking for international education. Australia has:

1. Dynamic and progressive education programs with a reputation for excellence


2. Globally-recognized courses and qualifications


3. A relaxed, enjoyable and safe lifestyle


4. Cheaper study and living expenses compared to many other countries


5. Vibrant, appealing and multicultural cities


6. Great weather


7. Amazing and diverse landscapes and scenery


8. Unique and wonderful flora and fauna.


9. Great employment opportunities in International Companies after passing out from any Australian university.

Sidharth Gupta of Global Opportunities (consultant for higher study in Australia and other countries) has written several articles on study in UK, USA, Canada, Australia etc. His company also provides active assistance for graduate and postgraduate study in Australia.

Australian University Rankings - A Comparison

By Loke Yuen Wong

What are the top ten Australian Universities? There is no official government ranking of universities in Australia. However there is a number of university league tables produced every year by relevant bodies such as the Melbourne Institute, The Australian Newspaper, The Good Universities Guide, THES and Shanghai Jiao Tong University's academic ranking of world universities.

The Melbourne Institute (operated by the University of Melbourne) has produced its own ranking of the international standing of Australian universities. This ranking is based on a number of performance indicators such as international standing of staff, views of Deans and CEOs, resources, undergraduate programs, undergraduate intake and graduate programs.

According to Melbourne Institute 2007 the top ten Australian Universities (in order of ranking) are: Australian National University (ANU), University of Melbourne, University of Sydney, University of Queensland, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Monash University, University of Western Australia (UWA), University of Adelaide, Macquarie University and Queensland University of Technology. From this ranking ANU was the number one Australian university in terms of international standing and reputation, followed by Melbourne and Sydney. Is this result representative? Here we will analyze and compare it with the other two famous international league tables - THES and Academic ranking of world universities (ARWU).

Ranking Comparison:

- The list of top four universities produced by the Melbourne Institute are the same in ranking order as THES and ARWU 2007. We are confident to say that they are the Best Four - ANU, Melbourne, Sydney and Queensland.

- Group of Eight (Go8) Universities are among the top 8 universities as ranked by the three different league tables. These include the Best Four and the rest of the group - UNSW, Monash, UWA and Adelaide.

- Macquarie and QUT are among the top ten list (after Go8) in the Melbourne Institute and THES league tables.

Please visit the relevant guides for more information on the latest Australian university ranking and the world ranking of best universities. The author, Loke Yuen Wong, holds an MBA from Heriot-Watt University (UK) and a BCom degree from The University of Adelaide (Australia).

The December 2008 LSAT

By Jeffrey Weir

It is almost time for the December LSAT. The LSAT is the standard law school admissions test. This short article will cover a few quick ideas about how to prepare for the LSAT and what to do after you have finally taken the test in December.

If you're just starting to think about the December LSAT, you should realize that the December version of the exam is your last chance to take the test in time to get your applications completed for the top law schools in the country in time for fall admissions. Some Tier 3 and Tier 4 schools may accept scores from the February LSAT - but remember the general rule of thumb, is that if you want to start school during the fall you must take the June, October or December LSAT in the year previous to your enrollment.

At a minimum, you will need four weeks to prepare for the exam once you have chosen the proper LSAT prep materials. For over ten years I've been lucky enough to help future law students prepare for the LSAT and the best LSAT prep materials I've found, at a minimum, meet the following criteria: 1) they are widely available 2) they are affordable (less than $100) and 3) they have been reviewed by industry experts and professionals and 4) they have a long and proven track record of improving the scores of those that use the programs.

Also remember that even in you do not earn the score you would have liked to on the LSAT all is not lost. Law school applications, overall, are done in the United States and thus you will find a less competitive law school admissions cycle that usual. Plus, the LSAT is just another standardized test. If you don't score well on the LSAT this doesn't speak to your intelligence or your ability to be a lawyer at all, rather it just speaks to your ability to successfully take standardized tests. This means that if you score poorly on the LSAT you should still try to achieve admission at your target schools. Work hard to explain to them in your application, essays and interviews how dedicated you are in pursuit of becoming an attorney.

Jeffrey Weir is a consultant, author and law school expert. His site about the December LSAT has helped countless students prepare for the LSAT exam. Students who would to discuss the LSAT can do so at Weir's LSAT Discussion site.

Definitive Guide to the University of Michigan

By J. Vincent Burr

The University of Michigan is one of the premiere universities in the world. It is one of the original eight "Public Ivy's", placing it in exclusive company as a university on par with Harvard, Yale, Princeton, etc. It has 3 campuses - the main one being in Ann Arbor, with the others in Dearborn and Flint. U of M has one of the largest research expenditures of any university in America, and has the largest number of living alumni at almost half a million. This large base of support has contributed to U of M having the 9th largest endowment in the United States at over $5.5 Billion.

The university was originally founded in 1817 in Detroit, and was moved to Ann Arbor in 1837 when the city offered up free land to entice the school to move there. It was the first major university to enroll women, beginning in 1870. The University of Michigan also has a place in history as the location of the historic speech where President John F. Kennedy proposed what became to be known as the Peace Corps. More recently, it was the defendant in two court cases that were heard by the United States Supreme Court involving the use of affirmative action in their admissions policies. The State of Michigan also passed a law banning the use of affirmative action in university admissions.

The University of Michigan has around 40,000 students enrolled in over in 600 academic programs. Students come from all 50 states and over 100 countries. U of M ranks very highly in every college ranking system, with more than 70% of their 200 programs being ranked in the top 10 nationally. The Ross School of Business is considered to be one of the best in the world, and the Medical School is as well. These high rankings and national reputation has led to extremely high tuition rates for students not considered "in-district". Tuition for Michigan residents is very reasonable considering the prestige of the university and quality of education. However, if you are an out of state student, expect to pay roughly what you would pay to go to Harvard or Yale.

U of M recently joined with Michigan State University and Wayne State University to create what's been dubbed the University Research Corridor. The purpose is to highlight the capabilities of Michigan's three major research institutions in an effort to help spark the transformation of Michigan's economy away from the fading automotive industry.

Aside from being one of the world's most prestigious universities in terms of education, U of M has a long history of athletic dominance in most major sports. Known as the Wolverines and recognized by their trademark maize and blue colors, U of M has produced hundreds of professional athletes with several current and future hall-of-famers among them. It's also launched well over 100 Olympic medalists, including the most recent one - Michael Phelps.

The list of notable alumni is astounding, including President Gerald Ford, several Supreme Court Justices, 25 Rhodes scholars, 7 Nobel Prize winners, and a Field's Medal winner. On the other hand, it's also known as being the school that the Unabomber earned his PhD from. That aside, you can't beat U of M for an education - see the links below for even more info.

About the author: J. Vincent Burr is the creator and chief educational writer for the college review site MyNextCollege.com, which contains plenty more information about The University of Michigan including reviews by actual U of M students.

Definitive Guide to Andrews University

By J. Vincent Burr

Andrews University is a private university located in Berrien Springs, Michigan - about 25 miles form South Bend, Indiana and about 100 miles from Chicago. It was founded in 1874 by the Seventh-day Adventists, and is considered to be the Flagship University of the Seventh-day Adventists school system. It was much smaller, and went by several names until 1959 when the graduate program and theological seminary of Potomac University moved from Washington, D.C. and joined with the school, merging into what is now known as Andrews University.

Although not well known, it is generally considered to be one of the more research intensive schools in Michigan. It has an endowment of around $20 million, and very dedicated alumni due to its stated mission. The campus is about 1,600 acres, and is nestled into a very private setting, not far from the shores of Lake Michigan. The nearest bus station is almost 10 miles away, and there are very few distractions at the school. There are jobs available for those that want them, with about 70% of the students working on campus either full or part-time.

To say that Andrews University is not a party school would be a bit of an understatement. Alcohol is not permitted anywhere on campus, and there is a dress code, hair code, honor code, hazing is not allowed, class attendance is mandatory and dorm room visits from the opposite sex are strictly forbidden. Additionally, if you live on campus you are required to attend worship services. The entire campus is wired for high speed internet though, so you can live vicariously through others, online. You come to Andrews University for two reasons: you're a Seventh-day Adventist, and you want a world class education. The university has almost 300 faculty members giving it a student-faculty ratio of 10:1.

The university is made up of six colleges, which offer 85 undergrad majors and 50 graduate majors. Master's degrees and Doctorates are also offered in several areas as part of the School of Graduate Studies. The College of Arts and Sciences is the largest school by far. It is divided into twenty different departments that specialize in numerous areas of the fine arts, humanities, hard sciences and social sciences. The College of Arts and Sciences also offers numerous pre-law and pre-med programs, although most students deciding on a career in Medicine transfer to Loma Linda University in California, which is part of the Seventh-day Adventist school system as well. There is also the College of Technology, the School of Business, the School of Education, School of Architecture (which is highly regarded) and the SDA Theological Seminary for those with a "higher calling".

As a private university, you can expect to conform to the rules and traditions of the University, and chances are you wouldn't be considering Andrews University unless you were a Seventh-day Adventist, so none of these rules should come as a shock to you. You can expect to pay around $17,000/year for tuition and another $6,000/year for room and board if you choose to stay on campus. For more information, be sure to check the links below.

About the author: J. Vincent Burr is the creator and chief educational writer for the college guides and review site MyNextCollege, which contains a lot more information about Andrews University including more information on the educational system of the Seventh-day Adventists.

The Trajectory of Interior Design Courses

By Fabian Toulouse

Interior Design is concerned with the décor of specified area of space, including the walls, furniture, light fixtures, windows, doors and everything in-between. Whereas some clients seek out interior designers for workspaces, others employ them for help with their homes. There are many aspects to the art of interior design, after all it is an art form. A qualified designer must take the surrounding architecture, a client's personal tastes, and the client's budget into consideration when conceiving a space.

If Interior Design appeals to your sense of purpose and craftsmanship, you will need to prepare. A number of reputable colleges, universities, and academies sponsor design programs geared towards producing highly qualified graduates. As with any other field, you will need the necessary training and practice before a firm or independent client will hire you. Regardless of where you enroll, you will more than likely begin your course of study with basic design courses. These courses will lay the foundations to advanced, conceptual courses and eventually fieldwork.

Seeking out the right school or university may be time-consuming. Explore the options in your area, but remember where you study will affect where you work. Often graduates are disseminated to companies and clients in the general area of the school. If the notion of living in a new city is appealing, research the available universities and the surrounding neighborhoods. The people living therein are going to be you future clients.

Upon graduation, you will have to refine your career path. Do you want to work as a contractor or with a firm? Some graduates prefer to work with a firm in their first few years, learning the basic guidelines and the requirements of agency life. Other graduates exploit internships and make their ways into diverse companies. Either way, it is essential you get your feet wet. The competition will be fierce.

The annual income of an interior designer can vary. As with most career paths, experience translates into higher fees and greater income. As your contacts and client list grows, so too will your bank account. Trust in your talents and the training you receives in your interior design courses. Although you will not make much money in the first year or two, you will be networking and honing your skills.

F. Toulouse http://www.sheffield.edu/

Do Well in College Classes by Gaining a Competitive Advantage

By Devin Collier

Many people wonder how students in college classes consistently achieve high marks in nearly any subject they take. My experience in college has led me to believe that getting good grades in college classes is more related to competitive advantage over other students and not by sheer luck or intellect.

How do you gain a competitive advantage in college? To do so, think of how businesses compete in the marketplace. When one business thinks of an innovative process to reduce costs and gain market share, most competitors seek to compete by imitating the original business behavior. When everyone is using the innovative process, no one has a competitive advantage over the other. College is similar in the sense that if you want to do well, think of a way to innovate and gain a competitive advantage over other students.

Here are a few simple examples in which you can gain an advantage from other students:

1. The use of a computer effectively can really help you organize the class. Does the teacher appreciate typed vs written assignments? Can you use online calendars to help organize deadlines?

2. Use a different style of study material like flash cards. Change the way you study simple concepts involving vocabulary. Try including pictures, unique phrases, or any other innovative approach to learn the class's material.

3. Try using technology in new ways. For example, you can put study materials on your phone or other portable device. Utilize online resources and social networking sites for help and advice.

There are many ways to innovate in the classroom that can really make a difference with your grades. If the class has a curve with tests and assignments, then this concept really makes a difference. You don't have to achieve a perfect score on every item in the class; it just needs to be higher than most students. This means that a student does not need to be better than everyone in the college, just those students in the class.

Devin Collier is a graduate student attending Brigham Young University. He maintains a blog about BYU Campus secrets and has a technology blog with reviews, tips, and tricks about the latest technology.