Find the Best Online University for You

Search our online university rankings and ratings below in order to select the best online university for your needs, then use the links to request a free information packet from that school:

1.
Kaplan University -
Kaplan University online is the leading national online university, offering a large number of associates, bachelors, and masters degrees.
2.
University of Phoenix -
The most recognized online university, UofP offers a respected accredited degree for almost every career goal.
3.
Liberty University -
The best online university for Christian students. Liberty brings Christian values and a respected name to become one of the best online universities for Christian students.
4.
Devry University -
The US’s oldest online university, Devry is the best online university for taking dual online and campus classes, as has campuses throughout the country.
5.
AIU Online -
Regarded as the most prestigious online university due to its job placement statistics, AIU is a top choice for working adults.
6.
Capella University -
Capella’s reputation in the job market for producing talented students makes it a leader for job-oriented students.
7.
Westwood College Online -
Wide array of associates and bachelors degree programs. Top online university for criminal justice, computers, and technology students.
8.
Boston University -
With an excellent national academic reputation, BU has become the best online university for students who want to dramatically improve their resume.
9.
South University -
South is the best online university for business majors. Top rated business professors and personalized instruction make it rank consistently in the top 10 nationally among online universities.
10.
Everest University -
Best online university for working adults. Most flexible class schedules and numerous credits offered for previous work-experience.
11.
ITT Tech -
ITT is the best online university for technician degrees. Offers online only or blended online / campus opportunities throughout country.
12.
Grand Canyon University -
Fastest growing online Christian university. Superior online classroom technology makes this the best online university for students in education and masters degree students.
13.
Baker College Online -
The best online university for working adults looking for career advancement and affordability. Baker offers many scholarships for working adults.

Find the campus or online universities in your area which offer the programs you’re looking for by searching our school and degree database below:

Online University Degree Finder





Online University Ranking - 2009

Below you will find the top 10 online universities for 2009. Students interested in a particular school can request free information directly from the university by clicking on the ‘More Info’ buttons:

1.
Kaplan University -
Kaplan is one of the nation’s top online universities based on its top rated associates and bachelors programs.
2.
University of Phoenix -
Phoenix offers a wide variety of career oriented associates, bachelors, and masters degree programs, almost all of which are top 10 ranked among online universities.
3.
Capella University -
Capella’s job placement statistics and scholarship packages make it one of the top online universities for working students looking for affordable career advancement.
4.
American Intercontinental University -
AIU’s consistent top ranking among employers in national surveys makes it one of the top online universities for career advancement.
5.
Liberty University -
The nation’s top online university for Christian students, Liberty is known for its Christian values and a respected national name.
6.
Baker College Online -
Baker’s combination of scholarships, low tuition, and flexible class schedules make it one of the top ranked online universities for working adults.
7.
Devry University -
The nation oldest online university, Devry is the best ranked online university for getting a dual online and campus classes, as Devry has campuses throughout the USA.
8.
Grand Canyon University -
Grand Canyon is the nation’s fastest growing online Christian university. Its popularity is due to its top rated classroom technology, and its highly ranked education and masters degree programs.
9.
Westwood College Online -
Westwood offers a broad choice of highly ranked associates and bachelors programs. Particularly, it is one of the top online universities for studying criminal justice, IT, and computers.
10.
Boston University -
With the top overall name recognition and reputation among online universities, BU remains the top ranked online university for students who want to dramatically improve their job prospects.
11.
Everest University -
One of the best online universities for working adults, Everest offers extremely flexible class schedules as well as a number of credit hours for previous work experience.
12.
South University -
With one of the strongest online business programs due to its top ranked professors and smaller class sizes, South is consistently a top overall online university.
13.
ITT Tech -
ITT is the best online university for most technician degrees. Offers online only or blended online / campus opportunities throughout country for a wide variety of online technician programs.

Find the campus or online universities in your area which offer the programs you’re looking for by searching our school and degree database below:

Online University Degree Finder





15 Alternatives to USNews’ Law School Rankings

Law school rankings generate a lot of interest and usually serve as excellent reference points for determining which law school is right for you. For the most part the ranking systems use surveys and published records regarding the schools amenities and standards for generating the lists.

The most popular law school ranking system can be found in US News & World Reports magazine’s annual "Top Graduate School" list. However if you’re basing your opinions on law schools solely on that list, you’re selling your opportunities short. Before deciding which law school is right for you, you should check out the following 15 alternatives to US News & World Reports list.

1. Cooley/ Brennan Rankings
The first edition of the Thomas M. Cooley Law School’s rankings, called "Judging the Law Schools" was published in 1996. This online publication, now in its seventh edition, goes as far as measuring obscure items such as library square footage and number of minority students. These rankings are designed to analyze the educational effectiveness of American law schools. In contrast to the U.S. News & World Report’s ranking methodology, each factor is given equal weight.

2. The Princeton Review’s Best 170 Law Schools
This website maintains 11 ranking lists based on various parameters. However, the website fails to maintain an overall generalized ranking system. This means you may have to go through 11 different lists ranging from ‘toughest to get into’ to ‘most welcoming of older students’ before you are able to generate a list of the schools that can best help you achieve your goals. You must register (for free) with the website in order to access the rankings.

3. The Consus Group Composite Rankings
This system ranks 100 law school programs based upon published rankings, selectivity, salary, success of the schools graduates, and the percentage of admitted candidates that matriculate to the admitting university. The site also features additional ranking systems based exclusively on published and selectivity data.

4. Internet Legal Resource Guide’s (ILRG) Law School Rankings
You really don’t need to check any other rankings once you’ve gone through ILRG’s humungous ranking lists. The rankings are based on a single factor and the methodology is implicit in the ranking (not to mention the data source is explained in detail on the main page). And to top it off, the data used is always from the schools’ most current records. The site offers various single factor rankings of law schools including employment rate at graduation, median salary and student/faculty ratio to name a few.

5. Cost-Benefit Analysis of American Law Schools
This is another type of ranking from Internet Legal Resource Guide’s (ILRG). This system re-ranks the top 50 law schools as designated by U.S. News & World Report in terms of cost-of-living adjusted median salary. We recommend you use this as purely a reference point and not a conclusive guide because the data is fairly out-dated.

6. Leiter’s Law School Rankings
Also known as Educational Quality Rankings (EQR), this ranking system is published by Brian Leiter, a professor at the University of Texas law school. The ranking system focuses exclusively on the three factors central to a good legal education: the quality of the faculty, the quality of the student body, and the quality of teaching. This site is extremely informative thanks to the rigorous discussion of the criteria used, detailed listing of schools in various categories, and the inclusion of comparative data from other ranking services.

7. LLM Guide: Master of Laws Programs Worldwide
This site uses popularity rankings based on the number of hits/views to a law school program’s website from the LLM Guide website. The site also contains a directory of other websites containing national and international law school program rankings.

8. The Study of Philosophy in Law Schools and Top Law Schools for Philosophy
This is a ranking system with a twist – it is intended for students interested in the philosophical study of law. This site is a part of Brian Leiter’s Philosophical Gourmet Report which ranks graduate programs in philosophy. The content includes descriptions of the top rated schools and links to lists of specialty rankings for law schools including legal philosophy, tax law, health law, and many others.

9. Top Law Schools: Rankings
The first thing you notice is that this ranking system doesn’t have a methodology of its own. Instead it consolidates rankings from U.S. News & World Report, Gourman Report, Educational Quality Rankings, Insider’s Guide to Law Schools and Justice Brennan rankings. Despite this, the site is very useful for comparing the variety of ranking outcomes for a particular academic program.

10. Gourman Report
While the US News’ survey is the most popular ranking system today, it was not the first. For that, you’ll have to check the Gourman Report. Dr. Jack Gourman, a professor at California State University – Northridge, is credited with being the person to rank US law schools. His system, The Gourman Report (a print book published by Princeton Review) ranks both undergraduate and graduates schools. The last edition to include law school rankings was published in 1997.

11. Hylton Rankings
The Hylton Rankings are the brainchild of Dr. J. Gordon Hylton of Marquette University’s Law School. The rankings are derived from US News data, but lack "clutter." The rankings consider only LSAT (converted median) and peer assessment (as measured by US News’ survey of law professors).

12. Law School 100
The Law School 100 lists America’s top law schools and provides a secondary list of the additional ABA-Approved schools not mentioned in the top 100. This list is supposed to be based on qualitative, rather than quantitative, criteria; however, the website isn’t regularly updated and fails to mention the methodology used for compiling the list.

13. The Insider’s Guide to Law School
This annual publication ranks the top 25 law schools. It also provides valuable information on admission tips and campus life.

14. The ABA Guide
The bar association and the admissions council does not subscribe to the ranking system and vehemently denounce all rankings. The website of the American Bar Association offers an interactive website that helps students sort and evaluate different law schools using criteria like employment rates after graduation, bar passage rate, size of faculty, student body breakdown and tuition. The site includes descriptions, photographs and admissions profiles for all A.B.A. approved law schools.

15. The Ranking Game
Created by a professor at the Indiana University School of Law, this site serves as both a ranking service and an educational tool. The actual "Ranking Game" component of the page is a Java applet which allows you to create your own law school rankings based on various criteria. The site emphasizes the use and abuse of rankings using links to a variety of pages that detail the dangers of ranking systems.

Top Online Degree Rankings : Search Top Online Degrees

Below you will find the 10 top online degree programs for the year 2009. To request information directly from the schools you are interested in, use the “More Info” buttons below:

1.
Kaplan University -
With dozens of top online degree programs, Kaplan University offers a nationally accredited online degree for almost every career goal.
2.
University of Phoenix -
The most recognized online university, the University of Phoenix offers a wide variety of highly ranked top online degrees.
3.
Baker College Online -
With some of the best ranked associates and bachelors programs, Baker College offers the top online degree program for working adults looking for an affordable and flexible school.
4.
Liberty University -
The top online degree program for Christian students, Liberty combines Christian values and strong academics to consistently offer top online degrees for students.
5.
AIU Online -
The most prestigious online college due to its graduation employment rates, AIU offers top online degrees for students looking for fast career advancement.
6.
Capella University -
With some of the best professors in the nation, Capella offers the top online degree for education students who already have masters degrees.

Find the campus or online universities in your area which offer the programs you’re looking for by searching our school and degree database below:

Online University Degree Finder





Top 50 Educational Policy Blogs

Education policy has been the single most consistent issue in the US political discourse for the last 30 years. Historically education policy reform proposals and information have been dictated by think tanks, political parties, and more traditional avenues. Increasingly, however, some of the most interesting and innovative education policy discussions are taking place on the blogosphere. These blogs
range from topics on K-12 education up to international policies and higher learning.
To keep you abreast of the most interesting of these discussions, we have compiled, in no specific order, what we consider to be the 50 best and most important education policy blogs. 

1.      
Education Policy Blog 
T
his is a multiblog about the way educational
authorities can advise on educational
practices and policies. They focus on the five disciplines of education:  history, curriculum theory, sociology,
economics, and philosophy.

 

2.      
Ed.gov  From the U.S.
Department of Education, offering breaking education policy news and updates
for No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). This blog provides insight from several
federal agencies.ogy.

 

3.      
The Quick and the Ed Written by a team of policy staff
from the education sector, they strive to create longer posts with independent
sources of information and analysis on education policies.

 

4.      
 Edspresso.com  You can frequent this blog for the latest
updates and news on education reform.  Be
prepared for no-nonsense commentary on a number of issues.

 

5.      
Intercepts   Provides listening posts that follow teachers’
unions and public education.  Summarizes
different observations and actions of these policies and systems.

 

6.      
American Association of State Colleges and
Universities
Your connection to any federal legislation concerning
higher education and state policy issues. 
A great means for state policy concerns and it also has a Congressional
directory.

 

7.      
The Forum for Education and Democracy  Encourages the articles,
investigations, and industry concerns which advocate the democratic
expectations of public education.  They
are dedicated to a solid public school system.

 

8.      
Education Policy Analysis Archives  A
decisive online peer review journal on education policy.  This blog points at major issues that are
surfacing in this occupation.

 

9.      
The Higher Ed Watch Blog This blog focuses on promoting ways to
increase college accessibility, affordability, and quality. There are many
frank discussions on how to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the
federal student aid program.

 

10.  
The
Education Wonks
  An prize winning educational
policy blog. There are many good links and frequent posts.                

 

11.   ShermanDorn   Written by Professor Sherman Dorn who offers
a rare perspective on the politics and history of education. He documents
deviations in education and how they can lead             to
non-productive education policies.

 

12.   This
Week in Education
 Gives you an inner look at the latest
education policies and news. Commentary is posted daily, sometimes several
times a day.

 

13.   Jay P.
Greene
 A factual blog about thoughts and data on
education policies. Professor Greene is skilled in education reform at the
University of Arkansas and a senior fellow at Manhattan Institute.  

 

14.   Education
for the Aughts
Provides open analysis and discussion on
many issues in public education. This blog will keep you informed of the hidden
glitches in education policies that might be missed.

 

15.   NCLBlog  A blog from the American Federation of
Teachers that focuses on their views on the No Child Left Behind Act
(NCLB).  Posts include changes that have
already been made, areas that need improvement, and possible solutions.

 

16.   BoardBuzz  Written by a team of editors from the
National School Board Association (NSBA). Delivers versed reading on important issues to
board members and to all public education advocates.

 

17.   Education Week  
These articles raise the level of awareness of the public and
professionals of important policies in American Education. Covers local, state,
and national news from preschool through the 12th grade.

 

18.   Schools
Matter
  Explores
topics in public education policy. This blog promotes commitment and
re-exploration of the democratic purposes of schools.

 

19.  
Educational
Equity, Politics & Policy in Texas
  Primary
posting on Texas Education with additional focus on the nation level. Read on
various policy topics such as testing, accountability, bilingual education, and
school finance.

 

20.  
Education
at the Brink
  Commentary on education, policy, and
politics. Offers interesting aspects on the cross between the three.

 

21.  
The
Core Knowledge Blog
   Covers ed policy and education with attention
on Kindergarten through 8th grade. They share a belief that students
need a shared and specific curriculum in order to establish strong foundations
of knowledge.

 

22.  
Eduwonkette  
Prides itself on covering serious education issues with an occasional
twist. This blogs background is social science so expect plenty of analysis on
culture and gender gap applied to education.

 

23.  
Education
Watch International
  This blog targets international education
policy and news.  They primarily cover
events taking place in the U.K., Australia, and here in the United States.

 

24.   Cato@Liberty  Documents many different aspects of education
and child policies. Articles vary from elementary public education to higher
learning.

 

25.  
The Tempered
Radical
  Designated solely for stimulating topics of
conversation about education.  Written by
a classroom teacher with broad professional policy experiences.

 

26.  
Flypaper
  Brought to you be the Thomas
Fordham Institute, one of the most influential bodies in
education reform.  The blog is an
extension of their weekly bulletin the Education
Gadfly
.               

 

27.  
Learning the
Language
  From government policy to innovations, Mary
Ann Zher looks at the broad perspective of immigration and education.  Her posts tackle difficult policy questions
and shares stories of different cultural groups she has met along her way.

 

28.  
Campaign K-12  Written
by experts on state and federal education policies. This blog regularly covers
political updates that can affect education at the state and federal levels.

 

29.  
Special
Education Law Blog
  Reported by an attorney from Chicago,
Illinois who has a child with special needs. 
It focuses on case studies and rights for advocates.

 

30.  
Principal’s
Policy Blog
 From the National Association of Secondary
School Principals, you can be updated on the newest federal policies in
education.  There is also a link that
lets you discuss your topics with elected official and local media in your
area.

 

31.  
Thoughts
on Education Policy
   This blog is aimed towards anyone that has
any interest in education policy.  The
main topic is issues facing high-poverty urban schools such as teacher
retention and discipline.

 

32.  
Practical
Theory
  Articles are posted on views on education
reform and policy by a high school principle. 
Opens your mind to education from a classroom point of view.

 

33.  
The
Chronicle of Higher Education
 
Offers higher-education news
and policy from around the world. You will see postings daily on many
international issues.

 

34.  
D-ed
Reckoning
   A straight forward blog focusing on reform,
policies, and news in K-12 education. 
Primary concerns are operating and functional educational institutions
in the future.

 

35.  
The
Thinking Stick
 Educational updates and interpretations on reform.
Posts are by an international school teacher located in Bangkok, Thailand.

 

36.   NY Times Education  Daily
education news stories and policy updates from The New York Times.

 

37.  
Media Infusion  A PBS
blog for teachers.  Each month they have
a guest expert to discuss multi media research policies on education.

 

38.  
Change Agency
Written by a Content Area Specialist
in High School Literacy who grew tired of “Battling the Hamster Wheel”.  Offers a broad variation of ideas for a
better education system in the 21st Century.

 

39.  
eSchool
News
  Centers on technology updates for the K-20
educator. Discussions are help often on new policies being implemented to bring
technology to the classroom.

 

40.  
Eduwonk  
Penetrating analysis of education policies. This blog is full of very
lively short items and is always on top of the news.

 

41.  
The

Chalkboard  A thoughtful approach to keeping an eye on
education policy. They are constantly discussing hidden issues that affect
education.

 

42.  
Susan
Ohanian. Org
  This blog is no holds barred in confronting
controversial issues in education.  Posts
are tough but fair regarding the education system and its policies.

 

43.  
Eduflack  Ideas
are expressed by an expert on educational policy with a focus in
communications.  These posts have the
ability to take complex education issues and cut them down to easily understood
thoughts.

 

44.  
Education
Weak
  Observations on government policy in schools.
Gives many compelling arguments on school choice alternatives.

 

45.  
Roy’s
Blog on Schools
Education
blog from the chair of Strong American Schools and the former Superintendent of
the Los Angeles Unified School District. 
They focus on education being the key for future prosperity in our
society.

  

46.  
The Early Ed Watch Blog  Provides
up to the minute reporting on policies that affect children’s access to high
quality Pre-K-3 educational programs. 
Brought to you by New America, a non- profit public policy institute.

 

47.  
EduBlog
Insights
  A place to explore more possibilities for
technology in education. Regular discussions are held on new policies that are
being implemented.

 

48.  
Get Schooled  A
source for information on education policies in the state of
Georgia.  There are also posts about how
this is related to national education reform.

 

49.  
Educated Nation
 An intuitive look at universities, colleges,
and higher education. They offer news and opinions on many of the issues and
policies that matter the most.

 

50.  
The School Law Blog  Tracks
releases on legal events that affect schools, educators and parents.  Articles are about academic cases in the U.S.
Supreme Court and lower courts.      

The above list was compiled after having sorted through hundreds of diverse education related blogs. While any such list is bound to make important oversights and omissions, it is our hope that this list of the top 50 education policy blogs will provide you with a good starting point from which you can enter the important education policy debates of our time.

Top Online Universities for Scholarships, Financial Aid, & Grants

Some online universities are particularly good about offering students scholarships, grants and financial aid packages which dramatically lower the costs of attendance. To help you pick the right school for you, we have ranked the top 5 online universities for overall financial aid packages. To request free financial aid and enrollment information from the schools below, simply click the buttons and fill out the request information forms for each school:

1.
Kaplan University -
Kaplan is one of the most generous online universities, offering a large number of scholarships, grants and financial aid to many of its students.
2.
University of Phoenix -
The most well-known online university is also one of the best for grants and financial aid. Phoenix works with its students to help them obtain the funding they need.
3.
Liberty University -
The Christian school with the top online university ranking, Liberty provides a high number of scholarships and grants to their students and are committed to offering excellent financial aid packages.
4.
AIU Online -
The most prestigious online university among employers also offers a wide array of scholarships and grants to help working adults get the degree they need to advance their career.
5.
Capella University -
Capella has an excellent reputation for academics, to help attract the best students it offers some of the best complete financial aid packages among online universities.

Find the campus or online universities in your area which offer the programs you’re looking for by searching our school and degree database below:

Online University Degree Finder





20 Foods that will Increase your Studying Effectiveness

By Sarah Scrafford

Here’s some food for thought: what you eat can affect how well you study. It’s true; a diet rich in essential fatty acids, fruits and vegetables does wonders for your brain power. Don’t worry, pizza counts, as long as you make it whole grain and top it with lots of colorful vegetables and cheese. Check out our list of 20 foods that can help you boost memory and study more effectively.

Fish for good health…

1. Fish: Herring, salmon, tuna, mackerel, halibut, anchovies, sardines and other cold-water fish are your best source of Omega-3 fatty acids, the primary components of the brain, retina and other nerve tissue. Studies have shown that Omega-3 fatty acids boost energy, enhance learning ability, improve problem-solving skills, and boost memory power and enhance communication between brain cells.

Show some soy power…

2. Soy: Foods made from whole, organic soybeans like soy milk and tofu are rich in choline, lecithin and isoflavones. Choline has been proven to positively impact brain development in addition to slowing memory loss, lecithin helps in preventing deposits of plaque in the brain, and isoflavones help improve cognitive function, category fluency, logical memory, spatial cognition and memory recall.

Reap the fruits…

3. Colorful and citrus fruits: Fill your platter with all the colors of the rainbow and a few more, and you’re guaranteed to improve your brain power. Avocados are especially potent in increasing blood flow to the brain because of their mono-unsaturated fat content. Other beneficial fruits that have a positive impact on your brain and help you recall information quickly include cantaloupes, watermelon, tomatoes, plums, pineapples, oranges, apples, grapes, kiwifruits, peaches and cherries.

Berry, berry good…

4. Berries: Blueberries are known for improving motor skills and learning capacity while strawberries are rich in fisetin, a flavenoid that improves memory recall. Elderberries, blackberries and raspberries have other brain power boosting benefits through their antioxidant content. 

Go green…

5. Cruciferous and leafy green vegetables: Your mother had a good reason for forcing you to eat your broccoli. Cabbages, kale, turnips, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, collard greens, cauliflowers, radishes, spinach, mustard green and water cress all help retain memory. Other vegetables that are good in boosting brain power are onions, red peppers, lettuce, carrots, asparagus, okra, mushrooms, broccoli and sprouts.

Chalk it up to chocolate…

6. Chocolate: Chocolate is not only delicious, it’s also beneficial to your brain and can help enhance your mood. Natural stimulants boost the production of endorphins that improve focus and concentration. Milk chocolate has been shown to improve verbal and visual memory and boost impulse control and reaction time. Dark chocolate is rich in flavanols that boost blood supply to the brain and help improve cognitive skills.

Go nuts…

7. Nuts: Rich in Vitamins E and B6, folate, Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, and antioxidants, these small food items boost your brain power and improve your mood.  Nuts The whole nutty family of cashews, almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, peanuts, Brazil nuts and pecans brings some benefit to your brain.

Sow the seeds of wisdom…

8. Seeds: Flaxseeds are a rich source of memory-boosting Omega-3 fatty acids. Roasted pumpkin seeds contain relaxing tryptophan and dry sunflower seeds offer thiamine, a form of Vitamin B that improves memory and cognitive functions.

Gain from grains…

9. Whole grains: The best brain stimulating foods are like financial news and information, they help the mind grow.  Grains like whole wheat, wheat germ and bran that contain a high percentage of folate. Oatmeal, brown rice, whole-grain breads and cereals, barley and popcorn boost your blood flow to the brain. Wholegrain breads and cereals contain Vitamin B6 while wheat germ is rich in memory-improving thiamine.

No pea brains here…

10. Pulses and beans: The brain is fueled by glucose, and as it does not produce its own, the supply has to be kept steady from other sources. Rich in antioxidants, iron and other nutrients, beans help stabilize blood sugar levels. Peas, lentils, green beans, lima beans, black beans, kidney beans, and a variety of legumes help energize the brain.

A sage choice…

11. Sage: Whether used as a herb in your food or taken as a supplement in the form of oils and tablets, this member of the mint family has been known to boost levels of the chemical that helps transmit messages to and from the brain. Sage helps in the break down of the enzyme acetylcholine that is needed for the brain to function properly.

Currying brain favor…

12. Curry: This spicy Eastern delicacy is good for your brain because of a key ingredient, turmeric. The chemical curcumin which is abundant in turmeric helps remove plaque from the brain.

Brewing brain cells…

13. Tea: This wonder beverage, when freshly brewed, has been proven to Tea improve memory and focus as well as combat mental fatigue. Green tea is your best bet to good relax mentally and keep your wits sharpened because of the catechines it contains. Black tea, while not as potent as green tea, also works well as a brain enhancer.

Egg those memory functions on…

14. Eggs: A rich source of Vitamin B and lecithin, eggs are good providers of EFAs (essential fatty acids) to the brain. The yolk is especially rich in choline, a basic building block of brain cells that helps improve memory.

Milk the goodness…

15. Calcium-rich foods: Yogurt, cheese, milk and other foods rich in calcium help in improving the function of nerves. Studies have proved that tyrosine, the amino acid in yogurt, is responsible for the production of the neurotransmitters dopamine and noradrenalin. In short, yogurt helps improve alertness and memory. 

Beef up your brain cells…

16. Iron-rich foods: A deficiency in iron has been proven to be the most common cause for poor concentration, decreasing intelligence and slow thinking processes. Iron is essential to supplying the brain with the oxygen it needs to continue normal activity. Red meats and liver are the best sources of dietary iron.

Sweeten the process…

17. Carbohydrate-rich foods: When eaten without protein or fat, carbohydrates provide a soothing effect to the brain. The glucose from the carbs provides the fuel the brain needs to energize you. Avoid refined carbohydrates like white bread, pastries and pasta though, as they cause lethargy. Instead, stick to starches and sugars in the form of grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables.

Super supplements…

18. Supplemental herbs: Gingko biloba is one well-known supplement that improves mental clarity, alertness and memory. It stimulates blood flow to the brain by dilating blood vessels and increasing the supply of oxygen. It also destroys free radicals that are detrimental to brain cells. Others, though not as popular, are equally effective. Rhodiola rosea is a root that is used in the treatment of poor attention span, tiredness and decreased memory capacity. Herbalgram helps renovate oxygen-deprived cells while Panax ginseng has memory enhancing effects. 

Oil those brain cells…

19. Organic and plant oils: Get things moving in your brain with memory-boosting essential fatty acids. These EFAs can be found in oils such as olive, walnut and flaxseed. Water

Irrigate your brain…

20. Water: Nearly three fourths of the brain is water, which makes this life-giving liquid an essential component for the smooth functioning of the brain. When dehydration occurs, the brain releases the hormone cortisol which shrinks dendrites, the branches in the brain that store information. This leads to a decrease in memory power. Cortisol also produces adrenaline which affects mental and cognitive functions. Make sure you drink at least 8 glasses of water a day to keep your brain active and quick.

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20 Creative Tips to Raise College Tuition Money Without Scholarships

By Sarah Scrafford

The cost of a college education is at an all-time high and is sure to get even more expensive in the future. Student loans can set you up for future debt, while scholarships and grants are often hard to come by. So how exactly is a student supposed to find money to go to school? We’ve detailed 20 creative ways to do just that.

1. Start young: Parents, this is for you. Don’t wait until your child is in high school to start thinking about funding their education. Ask grandparents and other family members to give savings bonds for birthdays and special occasions. P1

2. Tutoring: If you’re a good student, find out if your school is looking for tutors. You can also freelance and offer your services to classmates who have trouble with lessons.

3. On campus opportunities: Most colleges offer students a chance to pick up some money through administrative positions at their financial aid and registrar offices. There are also often job openings at the library, cafeteria and laboratories.

4. Use the web: Set up your own website or blog. Promote it and make money using Google’s AdSense program. You can also earn more cash by performing affiliate marketing services for other websites, where you’re paid for redirecting traffic from your site to theirs.

5. Get a job: You can wait tables, work retail, and talk to customers in a call center. These types of jobs often have flexible schedules that work around your classes.

6. Federal work study programs: Find out if your college takes part in the federal work study program that allows graduate, post graduate and professional students the chance to earn tuition money as they go to school.

7. Creative options: If you have a flair for the arts and are good with your computer, you can pay your way through school using the internet. Design websites, create logos, brochures and flyers, and put together presentations for companies that need these services.

8. Drug study programs: Laboratories need healthy test subjects to study their drugs, and college students often fit the bill. Some of these pay really well, but make sure you take part in drug studies that do not affect your health.

9. Conventions: Find out if your town is hosting conventions and secure yourself a temporary help position. Reach agreements with local businesses so that they’ll ask you to fill in when they’re short-staffed or over-worked.

10. Get people to support you: Send out requests to people you know, asking each of them to contribute to your college fund. Every small amount helps when you’re trying to stay out of debt.

11. Find a sponsor: There are people who are willing to pay the cost of your education if you agree to give them a percentage of your income for a fixed amount of time in the future. This is not the same as anP2 education loan since there’s no interest to pay.

12. Loan forgiveness programs: The government offers various loan forgiveness programs if you agree to work in public service. You can work off all or a percentage of your student loans by fulfilling certain conditions for a few years after you graduate. For more information, visit The National Health Service Corps and the National Association of Public Interest Law.

13. Volunteer organizations: Volunteer organizations like the Peace Corps, Americorps and VISTA offer educational awards up to $4,725 for each year of service.

14. Seek help from community service clubs: Write to your local Lions, Rotary or Elks clubs and ask them for contributions to your college fund. You can also try soliciting businesses where you know senior personnel.

15. Programming skills: If you’ve got good programming skills, create your own software for small business needs and sell them to local businesses. Restaurants and bookstores need accounting, inventory and payroll packages, but may not be able to afford those on the open market.

16. Electronic repairs: Tinker around with broken and faulty electronic goods and computers for money. Being known as the resident handyman could bring in lots of business.

17. Get rid of extras: Ebay and other online auction sites offer you the chance to pick up some extra money by selling things you don’t need anymore.

18. Product promotion: A few companies offer students money to promote their products on location, over the phone or on the Internet.  These jobs are usually part-time with flexible working hours.

19. More work: It’s not easy to work when your friends are partying, but if you workP3 extra shifts during summer, spring and winter breaks, the money you earn will go a long way to ensuring that you have a debt-free future.

20. Get your employer to sponsor you: If you’re studying on a part-time basis as you work, ask your employer to pay for all or part of your college education expenses.

Online University Reviews - 2009

Below you will find reviews of the top online universities. Students interested in a particular school can request free information directly from the online university by clicking on the ‘request free information’ links or read the review by following the links below:

1.
Kaplan University -
Kaplan is one of the best overall online universities, offering a large number of well-reviewed associates, bachelors, and masters degree programs.
2.
University of Phoenix -
The most widely known online university, Phoenix offers top rated online programs for almost every career objective.
3.
Liberty University -
One of the best Christian colleges according to student reviews of online universites. Liberty brings together Christian ideals and a strong academic reputation to become a top tier online university for Christian adults.
4.
AIU Online -
The most prestigious online university due to its top post-graduate employment statistics, AIU is a top choice for working adults.
5.
Capella University -
Capella’s national reputation in the job market for producing well-trained students makes it a leader for career advancement among the USA’s top online universities.
6.
Devry University -
The nation’s oldest online university, Devry is online university reviews consistently put DeVry among the top online schools for overall ranking.
7.
Westwood College Online -
Online university reviews of Westwood consistently rank its online associates and bachelors degrees among the best online universities.
8.
ITT Tech -
ITT is consistently recieves top rankings from online university reviews for its online technician programs. ITT offers both online and campus degrees throughout the US.
9.
Boston University -
Though offering just a few online degrees, Boston U consistently recieves positive online university reviews because of its top academic reputation.
10.
South University -
Consistently one of the best online universities in online university reviews of teaching quality and individualized courses, South is quickly becoming a top online university for bachelor’s programs.
11.
Everest University -
Everest is among the best online universities for working adults. With some of the most flexible online course schedules as well as life experience and work experience college credits, Everest appeals to full-time working adults.
12.
Grand Canyon University -
The quickest growing online Christian university, student reviews of Grand Canyon indicate it has the most flexible online class interface and top online masters programs.
13.
Baker College Online -
Considered a best online university for working adults looking for scholarships and grants. Baker offers financial aid packages geared towards working adults.

Find the campus or online universities in your area which offer the programs you’re looking for by searching our school and degree database below:

Online University Degree Finder





If you want to read more extensive online university reviews, please check out the following three reviews:

1. Capella University Review - A review of Capella University Online
2. Devry University Review - A review of DeVry University
3. University of Phoenix Review - A review of the University of Phoenix Online

Top 20 Facebook Apps for Entrepreneurs

If you thought Facebook was just another social networking site, if you thought it did not offer anything for the online businessman, here are 20 applications (or apps as they are popularly called) that will make you think again.   

1. Simple Stock Quotes: Keeping an eye on the movements of the stock markets? Then this is the perfect app for you – it allows you not only to watch the stocks you are interested in, but to play voyeur as well. Snoop around and see what stocks your friends are interested in, and the stock that’s watched the most by the entire Facebook community.

2. Zoho: With Zoho, you don’t have to leave Facebook to work on your documents, presentations or worksheets. You can either use your Zoho account to transfer your documents to Facebook or create a new user.

3. Box Files: If you have a Box.net account, Files allows access to 1 GB of online storage that you can use to stash any text, audio or video files.

4. Email: A nifty tool that allows you to contact non-Facebook users from within the community portal. Your regular email id shows on the sender’s address space, and replies are threaded just like messages are within the default Facebook messaging application.

5. 30Boxes Calendar: Use this app not just to write to-do lists and inform friends of events that concern them, but also to remind yourself of events – Calendar sends you text messages when events are due. You can also link the calendars between your Facebook profile and the 30Boxes site, making an entry in one reflect in the other.

6. Search: Scour the pages of Google, Amazon and Wikipedia from inside Facebook with the Search app – information at your fingertips.

7. To-Do: Organize your tasks, rank them in order of priority and set reminders for due dates. Delete them once they are complete.

8. Walkie Talkie: Group chats are so much easier with this application – send out invitations to others in your club and start discussions at the click of a button.

9. Think Free Docs: A nice app to upload your documents and share them with others in the community. You also have access to docs that other members upload. It’s easy to set up, though you do have to sign up with Think Free to be able to use it.

10. eBay Auctions: Use your profile to advertise what you’ve put up for sale on eBay, generate publicity for your auctions.

11. BillMonk: Money comes with its share of problems, especially when you’ve lent some of it. With human memory being what it is, BillMonk is the perfect solution to help you keep track of how much you’ve lent to whom. It also plays the role of your conscience, reminding you of how much you’ve borrowed too.

12. SlideShare: A cool app that lets you upload and share your PowerPoint and OpenOffice presentations, and KeyNote or PDF files with your friends. You can also leave comments on others’ presentations.

13. Jobster: Great for looking for work or for people to hire.

14. Ether: If you’ve got a skill to market, this app is a cool way to make some cash on the side. Advertise your talents on your profile using Ether – the app provides a number that people can call to avail your services (calls are forwarded to your personal number), once they pay the rate displayed on your profile.

15. Price Tracker: Shopping on Amazon is cheaper with this neat app – it tracks items you are interested in, and notifies you when prices change – so you can grab it when it’s sufficiently low. 

16. Fantasy Stock Exchange: Test your investing skills with this app – test the fantasy stock exchange waters before you take the plunge into the real world.

17. TechCrunch: Your one-stop source for all that’s moving and shaking on the Internet. The most happening companies, products and events that shape the Web are featured on the TechCrunch website – and this app feeds your appetite for news with direct news feeds and headlines from the site.

18. Upcoming: Keep your finger on the pulse of all that’s happening with this application; it provides information on all events that are around the corner.

19. Lending Club: If your credit’s good on Facebook, Lending Club’s all you need to borrow some money from others in the community. Trustworthy third parties take care of the risks and details involved. 

20. Developer Directory: A sort of bulletin board where you can market your software skills or look for programmers to join your project.