Posts Tagged ‘cornell university’

Useful Degrees Series: Degree in Viticulture & Enology at Cornell University

Tuesday, May 1st, 2012

Photo Courtesy of Cornell.EDU

Who Doesn’t Love a Little Wine?

Are you looking for a truly interesting and unusual college degree program?  Do you want a program that will make you the envy of your friends? There are plenty of programs that can help you stand out in the crowd and one of them is certainly undergraduate degree program in viticulture and enology at Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.  If you are wondering what viticulture and enology are, don’t worry, as you are certainly not alone!  Viticulture and enology involve the millennia-old process of growing great grapes and making great wine!  Now we have your attention, right?

A Rapidly Growing Field with Job Openings

The program in viticulture and enology teaches students what they need to know to work in the wine business in a variety of different capacities.  Few people realize that the wine business is a growing one.  In fact, it is growing quite rapidly and there are not enough people for the jobs!  While most would think that there would be ample people studying grape growing and wine making, the bottom line is that this just isn’t what is currently happening.

Is this program right for you?  If you don’t drink wine, then the answer is of course, probably not.  However, if you like wine and are open to a truly unusual, but growing profession, then a degree in viticulture and enology could be perfect for you.

A Diverse Program

The program isn’t one dimensional either, as students are expected and encouraged to combine their study of viticulture and enology with other courses to help make them more employable and well rounded.  Students in the program are thus encouraged to take business classes as part of their electives.

Picking a Specialization

Once in the program you will need to specialize either in viticulture or in enology.  The topics covered are surprisingly diverse and include everything from pest control to organic grape and wine production to wine microbiology and even beer!

Lots of Interesting Internship Positions Available

Another excellent aspect to this program is that there is a good deal of hands on work, just as one would hope in wine making.  Students in the program will have access to a comprehensive internship program that provides real, hands on experience.  There are roughly 1,400 vineyards and wineries in New York, and Cornell has relationships with many of these vineyards and wineries.  All of this means that those who complete the program will know what it takes to work at a vineyard and/or winery on Day One after graduation.

Get Your Hands Dirty, All Over the World

If the idea of spending all of your time behind of desk scares you a bit and you love wine, then you might just have a perfect match.  A degree in viticulture and enology means that you can get out of the office and “get your hands dirty.”  The fact is that students with a degree in viticulture and enology can find employment opportunities anywhere that wine is produced, and that means opportunities across the entire globe!

Tags: , ,
Posted in Choosing a College, Choosing a Major, Useful Degrees | No Comments »

Another Summer of Boredom? Think Pre-College Summer Programs!

Thursday, June 17th, 2010

Considering another summer spent playing video games, bumming at the mall, or vegging out in front of the TV?  Not that there’s anything wrong with taking a little break but – that’s not going to set you apart from the college bound crowd!  To make yourself really stand out to college admissions (and earn a college credit) you might want to look into a pre-college summer program offered by a college or university!

Option #1: Spend another summer mowing the lawn?

Nate Kay / Nate Kay

From math summer programs to summer business programs – if you want to study it, it’s out there!  What a great way to check out the actual workings of a college!

Staying in the dorms or residence hall, eating the cafeteria food, and exploring the college campus give you a sense of the college atmosphere before you ever make that official campus visit!  Take a look at a small sampling of the big variety of pre-college summer programs to fit any student!  Get in touch with the colleges and see what is still available (or the application due dates for next year).  Explore your options – you’ve got years left to plan!

Love science and math?  You might have met your match!  The School of Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) presents a Summer Academy in Applied Science and Technology (or SAAST).  High achievers can choose from five fabulous UPenn summer programs in exciting fields: biotechnology, computer graphics, computer science, nanotechnology, and robotics in an intense three week course full of hands-on learning — and fun!  Successful completion of this UPenn summer program could net you a college credit!

Looking for something even longer? Syracuse University (Syracuse, New York) has a six week long summer college for high school students program with a shot at earning seven college credits (with non-credit two and three weeks programs, too).  There are a lot of choice from – more than thirty courses from the Liberal Arts section alone!  There’s also Fashion Design, Law, and Architecture (to name a few more).   Connect with the Summer of Syracuse 2010 group on Facebook and start planning!

College + Workshops + Seminars. Students in the University of Maryland Young Scholars Program choose one intro-level three week college course (mock trials, kinesiology, or landscape architecture to name a few) for college credit.  Scheduled workshops at the University of Maryland (College Park, Maryland) mix things up a bit, including Stock Market Planning and Tai Chi as well as informative seminars with topics like social media privacy or tips about traveling abroad – talk about a nice (and super fun) little bonus!

Or Option #2: Hit the books, meet new people, get college credit, and have a ton of fun?

Horia Varlan / Horia Varlan

More fun than a barrel of monkeys! The Emory College of Arts and Sciences at Emory College (Atlanta, Georgia) offers up a six week residential or commuter program with courses like Public Health, Sustainability, Film Studies, or Anthropology..  When not listening to speakers or participating in student-panel discussions, students live it up on awesome scheduled tours and field trips, like to the Planetarium, the High Museum, or an Atlanta Braves baseball game.

Say goodbye to summer boredom! The five week High School Summer Scholars Program at Washington University in St. Louis (St Louis, Missouri) is for high school Sophomores and Juniors – and you could net yourself up to seven college credits!  Dig in to courses like geology, mathematics, Italian, dance, history, or economics.  With scheduled trips, social events, and free time (of course), it could be the makings for a summer to remember!  WUSTLhsscholars is on Twitter – so you can get connected!

Cornell University Summer College Programs for High School Students (Ithaca, New York) attracts students interested in veterinary medicine, business, or even college success (a program to help ease your transition to college and then some!). You can browse through Cornell University summer program highlights through photos, videos, a Facebook page, even blogs!  What’s even better?  They are all eligible for college credit!

We weren’t kidding when we said there were plenty of choices!  So go ahead, start planning and creating the summer of your dreams – and jump into college life!

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Preparing for College, Summer Programs | 6 Comments »

Public University Versus Private University: What’s the Difference?

Thursday, April 22nd, 2010

The debate about public universities versus private universities is an old one.  There are some differences that set them apart and even though some private colleges may share similarities of a public college (and vice versa), for the majority of the time, the following characteristics hold true.

Virginia Commonwealth University: a public university

taberandrew/Taber Andrew Bain

Price – The biggest difference between public and private colleges usually lies in the price!  A private university tends to run a little (or a lot) higher than a state-funded public university.  While there are financial aid options, perhaps even institution-specific scholarships and/or grants, it’s usually a heftier price tag to start with — and funding can be slightly harder to come by.

Size – From class size to campus acreage, public universities generally run much larger than the typical private college.  Private schools often possess smaller classrooms and usually a more compact campus — letting you get to know your professors and other students.  Some students, however, like the vibe of a large college campus — there are that many more students with unique ideas to bring to the table! A large campus can provide plenty of on-campus options like campus movie theaters and restaurants, even transportation.

Selection — A public university usually offers a larger selection of classes, majors, even extracurriculars than a private university, which can be good news for the undecided college Freshman!  More class offerings give you the chance to sample possible career choices without having to transfer colleges if you change your mind down the line.   On the other hand, a private university with a smaller selection of majors might be well known for its more specialized programs and majors – and can help you find your focus in the subject you care about.

image

Tostie14/Kevin Tostado

Affiliation — It’s not uncommon for a private university to have a religious affiliation as well, like the University of Notre Dame (Catholic), Yeshiva College (Orthodox Jewish), or American University (Methodist) so if you aren’t religiously inclined, perhaps you would feel more comfortable at a non-affiliated public university or even a non-affiliated private university, like Marietta College or Cornell University.  If a religiously affiliated college sounds good to you, you should have plenty of like-minded students to connect with.

Prestige – There are some people that consider a private university a career boost from the start, regardless of how its programs rank nationally, based on that selective status.  However, there are college admissions that are just as selective at public universities, too.

No matter what type of college you are thinking of choosing – public or private, there is no better way to decide than the college visit!  Keep your options open and don’t discount a college until you find out the facts for yourself: talk to students, sit in on a class, and think about what you want out of your college experience!

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Choosing a College, College Campus, Preparing for College | No Comments »

Seven Schools with Great Financial Aid Packages

Saturday, December 12th, 2009

collegemoneyThese days, money is tight for just about everyone—and college is one of the biggest expenses your family will ever face. A four-year program at many private universities will cost over $200,000, not counting the cost of textbooks and other extra fees. While some students may be eligible for scholarships (we’ve got one for you here) and financial aid, there’s always a concern that a school might reject you because you’re not able to pay their tuition.

Not these schools. With “need-blind” admissions policies, they pay no attention to how much money you have when deciding whether or not to admit you. Better yet, some schools even claim to meet full need, which means that they’ll provide grants to make up the difference between the family’s expected contribution, based on income, and the cost of tuition. While most students are able to obtain loans to help pay for college, these need-granting schools will generally contribute money that the students will never have to pay back, which can take a lot of the stress out of the college experience.

Want to see which schools have the best financial aid policies? Here’s a selection of colleges that aren’t likely to leave you with mountains of debt.

Harvard University. Last year, Harvard admitted Khadijah Williams, a homeless straight-A teen from Los Angeles, providing her with a full scholarship that covered all of her classes, textbooks, room, and board. This isn’t a first for them—the school has been long known for a remarkably generous financial aid policy, covering all costs for families who make below $60,000 and reducing the cost of college for middle-income families by as much as 50 percent. This year alone, they are awarding $145 million in need-based aid. So if you’re Harvard material, don’t worry about the price tag: you’ll find a place there

Bowdoin College. Bowdoin College, a small liberal arts school in Maine, may have a high price tag—$53,250 a year—but very few students are expected to pay that entire amount. The school offers need-blind admission, and more than 40 percent of students receive grants to help pay tuition, which do not need to be paid back. For a chance at a debt-free education in beautiful Maine, take a look at Bowdoin and its financial aid policies.

Bryn Mawr College. Bryn Mawr, a women’s college in Pennsylvania, has a generous grant assistance program, offering more than $20.4 million in financial aid to 62% of the student body. For more information, visit the school’s financial aid page.

Cornell University. This Ivy League university in upstate New York has always been generous with financial aid, but it recently announced an even more impressive initiative: starting this year, families with incomes below $75,000 will not have to pay any loan money, and families who earn between $75,000 and $120,000 will not have to pay back more than $3,000 for each year of school. The remainder of the money beyond the family’s expected contribution will be covered in full by the school. Check out their policies here.

Macalester College. This small, but highly competitive liberal arts school in Minnesota provides need-based financial assistance to all eligible students, which is about two-thirds of the entire student body. The average yearly financial aid award is $32,258, though some students are eligible for full scholarships. Find out more.

New College of Florida. Though it’s a public school, this university has only 785 students—and 90% of them are receiving financial aid assistance. With annual tuition, room, and board of just $12,567 for in-state students and $34,169 for students from out-of-state, it’s already one of the best educational deals around. Find out about their financial aid here.

Swarthmore College. This highly selective liberal arts college pledges to meet all student financial need after the expected family payments have been made, and awards more than $34 million in scholarships, loans, and other assistance to 70 percent of its student body every year. Swarthmore also offers a deferred payment plan, which allows families to pay tuition and other student fees in smaller monthly increments, interest-free, for a one-time participation fee of $60. Check out the options.

There are plenty of other fantastic schools with great financial aid packages available to the cost-conscious student. To find more, take a look at this list from US News and World Report —and make sure to register for our $2,000 scholarship!

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Financial Aid, Paying for College, Scholarships | 1 Comment »

5 Unique College Majors (and the Cool Jobs They Can Land You)

Monday, December 7th, 2009

800px-Golf_player_Hawaii_2002If you’re planning to attend college in the next couple of years, you’re probably still wondering about what to major in. There’s nothing wrong with that—you have two years at college before you need to make a final decision. A major in biology could set you up for further studies at medical school, and a pre-law degree will help you master the basics of tort and criminal law if you’d like to become an attorney one day, but if you’re not sure where your path will take you, why not consider some of the more unique majors available? Here are some fascinating college majors from American universities that you’ve probably never heard of—and the cool jobs they can lead to.

Viticulture. You may be too young to drink wine, but that doesn’t mean you’re too young to make it! Cal Poly, in San Luis Obispo, California, offers a hands-on Wine and Viticulture major, where students will learn all the basics about growing grapes and turning them into high-quality wine, using the school’s own 100-acre vineyard as a testing ground. Once you’ve finished the program, you’ll finally be old enough to try out your own wine—and will be prepared to launch your very own winery. Check out the program details here. http://cafes.calpoly.edu/departmentsAndMajors/majors/wineAndViticulture.asp

Professional Golf Management. If you’re a golf nut, but aren’t quite qualified to go pro, maybe you should consider running your own golf course. A degree in Professional Golf Management from Penn State University will teach you how to do just that, with courses in subjects like Turf Grass Management, Analysis of the Swing, and Golf Car Fleet Management. And perfecting your swing is part of the program: students must pass a golfing proficiency test out on the green before being awarded with a diploma and a membership to the PGA. Sounds like a good excuse to spend plenty of time out on the course (as scholarly research).

Food Science. Have you always loved both chemistry and cooking? A degree in Food Science from Cornell University provides a chance to combine these two passions, teaching you about engineering, microbiology, chemistry and other scientific fields as applied to everything that ends up on your plate. This is definitely not a lightweight major—you’ll need to take a series of courses in calculus, organic chemistry, and microbiology to even begin the program—but it’s a fascinating and rewarding field. If you think coming up with Ben and Jerry’s next flavor would be a dream job, this is your way in.

Bagpipes. In tribute to founder Andrew Carnegie’s Scottish roots, Carnegie Mellon University offers America’s only bagpipes major, complete with its very own scholarship. The program focuses on both the history of bagpiping and the performance itself—though bagpipes students are given a separate building to practice their craft in, as the instrument is incredibly loud. The university has only graduated a handful of bagpipes scholars so far, but if you’re a fan of the infamous instrument, this might be just the trick for you to score a scholarship to a great school—and receive plenty of high-paid invitations to perform at weddings after graduation. http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09127/968364-298.stm

Criminology. If you’re addicted to TV shows like America’s Most Wanted and Criminal Minds, a degree in criminology (available at many colleges, including the University of Southern Maine) might be the best way to get into the fascinating and high-paying field of criminal profiling. Criminology courses in an undergraduate program typically include a mix of psychology and sociology classes focusing on the American criminal justice system, as well as an internship with a police department or government agency. Though you’ll need to complete a master’s degree in criminology to become eligible for most jobs in the field, a B.A. in this fascinating field is your first step on the way to a high-level profiling career with a police department, the FBI, or even the CIA.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Choosing a College, Choosing a Major, College Admissions, College Classes, College Life | 2 Comments »