In today's college admission landscape it is essential that families remain knowledgeable on up to date trends in higher education. Many families begin the college admissions process early in high school so that they obtain as much information as possible about colleges while providing maximum opportunity for their children. The college admissions process is complex and detailed and in order for students and families to navigate this process correctly, qualified private college consultants are becoming more popular.

It is sensible to hire a qualified independent educator to ensure that the choice for higher education is correct, as the cost to obtain an undergraduate degree at many private colleges is near $200,000. Independent college consultants can also make an otherwise stressful process into a successful and enjoyable experience. The recognition and growth of private consulting is logical based on the demands of the colleges on students and the competitive nature of college admissions.

There are thousands of colleges in the United States and learning about how they vary is a difficult process without appropriate guidance. Qualified private college consultants help students avoid costly mistakes by finding the college that is the best fit for them. Without the proper direction, many students and families ultimately choose colleges without necessary information on what would be the best matches for them. Numerous families have specific requests with regard to academics, athletics and special learning needs. College consultants do lengthy and specific research to assure students that they apply to the most appropriate colleges. Expert college consultants attend conferences, visit campuses regularly and have a wide array of professional resources available. The experience and knowledge of a qualified independent college consultant is invaluable while navigating through high school planning and the admissions process.

The ratio of counselor to student in many high schools is extremely high (500 to 1 in many cases) and the school counselors do not have time to individualize the process for their students. Even the most skilled high school college counselors may have too many students to provide the individualized attention students need and deserve. College counselors in high schools are bound by the rules, requirements and job description of their schools. Often times they are also required to do additional jobs at their high schools with regard to guidance counseling, scheduling and record keeping. Many high school counselors do not attend conferences, tour colleges or develop relationships with admission representatives. As a result, they are not always current on recent college admission news and evolving admissions requirements.

Reputable educational consultants visit hundreds of colleges, whereas a college counselor in a high school spends the majority of his/her time at their specific school. In addition, an independent consultant researches and prepares college lists, assists with college essays, works on activity resumes, advises on campus visits, letters of recommendations, interviews, summer programs, internships and has a better understanding of what the colleges admissions personnel at specific colleges want in their candidates.

Most high school college counselors are grateful for additional insight and assistance with their students from independent consultants. High school counselors know that many families seek outside resources for academic tutors, test preparation and college counseling. There are various options available, however professional educational consultants affiliated with the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) are held in high esteem and an integral part of assisting students in their college process. The additional insight private consultants offer can be a valued asset to hard working high school counselors who must write hundreds of recommendation letters. The relationship families maintain with a private consultant can remain confidential and release of any information is dependent on the family's decision.

Jeannie received her Masters Degree in Education and Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology/Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles and is Founder and President of the Los Angeles based independent college counseling firm College Connections. She has an extensive educational background having served as counselor, school administrator, admissions director, teacher and curriculum supervisor for over twenty years in both the public and private sectors. Jeannie also mentored teachers through the UCLA teacher-training program for seven years, is state certified, and holds a teaching credential issued for life. Jeannie is a Julliard School of Music alumni and has first hand experience in selective admission auditions in top tier performing arts programs. Jeannie has over fifteen years admissions counseling experience and continues her work of the past ten years as an independent educational and college consultant. She is an independent specialist who works with and oversees every student. Jeannie participates in the UCLA College Admissions Counseling Certification Program and regularly attends professional conferences, networks with colleagues and visits colleges throughout the United States building contacts within the admissions staff. Jeannie has been awarded professional membership with the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA). Her affiliation with the National and Western Association of College Admissions Counselors as well as the Higher Educational Consultants Association keeps her on the forefront of innovative and current trends in college admissions and education.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeannie_Borin

Jeannie Borin - EzineArticles Expert Author

Administrative employees provide business owners and companies with the correct skills, and professional training necessary in order to be solely responsible for the day-to-day duties required to ensure a company is run in the most successful manner.

An online business administration course provides interested candidates with an easy and effective way in which to learn these highly demanded and sought after skills in a low-pressure learning environment. One of the many benefits of completing an online course is the ability to study at your own pace and allocated time, while having direct access to key teachers who are highly experienced and knowledgeable in the subject of business administration to ensure the success of their students. The student centred teaching approach adapts to the specific needs and requirements of those studying. For those not in the main centres where education institutions are located, or whom have specific responsibilities that limit the time they can dedicate to full time study, online courses provide the perfect medium for further education.

The successful completion of a business administration online course will give interested individuals the opportunity to put their training into practise in a work place setting. Formal qualifications resulting from the completion of a business administration online course will allow graduate students to successfully apply for a range of employment openings within the industry. These skills are interchangeable throughout a number of job roles, which are highly sought after both nationally and internationally, enabling successful candidates who have completed such a course to apply for an ever increasing number of available positions. Much of these skills revolve around the process of organisation, time management, and also the general way in which to undertake daily business operations from an administrative perspective that also aligns with the overall goals and needs of the company of employment.

Business administration online courses provide individuals with a large range of career prospects that allow them to grow within the industry and continue the growth within their own personal career journey. Training of this nature provides an individual with a competitive advantage during the job application and interview process, strongly setting them apart from other applicants that do not have the same level of training afforded to them. Business administration online courses are a way in which these key skills can be learned in a positive, encouraging and supportive environment.

Nearly every year, the number of students applying to graduate MBA programs increases. The more applicants, the more competitive the business school admissions process becomes. And in turn, GMAT scores get more important.

Thus, students spend more time and money on GMAT preparation in hopes of gaining acceptance to the business school of their choice. There are hundreds of books and websites available to help students preparing on their own, but the traditional method of GMAT preparation is the in-person classroom course.

Several companies offer such courses. Most prominent among them are Kaplan, The Princeton Review, and Manhattan GMAT. Classes usually involve between 8 and 12 sessions, spread over 4 to 8 weeks. Class sizes are usually kept small, and most of these companies include course materials, such as books and online practice tests.

When shopping around for a GMAT prep class, the first thing that strikes most students is the price. Some courses are well over $2,000, and most classes are at least $1,000. Business school admissions are crucial to career development, but is a prep course really worth that much? It depends on the student.

Dozens of companies, including the three I've already mentioned, make some or all of their course materials available to students who do not sign up for the full classroom course. Thus, you can get a Kaplan GMAT book for $20 or so and learn much of what you would in the classroom. Whatever the benefits of a course, they must go beyond the content of the materials, since you don't need the course to get the materials.

All of these companies advertise the expertise of their teachers. Each firm has different standards for GMAT instructors, and even within each firm, the quality of teaching varies tremendously. While Manhattan GMAT has a reputation for fantastic instructors and The Princeton Review does not, you can find some excellent teachers at The Princeton Review and some mediocre ones working for Manhattan GMAT.

A great teacher can make a big difference in a student's quest for a high GMAT score, but as we've seen, it's tough to know what you're getting when you fork over your $2,000.

The most valuable, and predictable, benefit of a classroom course is the enforced schedule and homework. If you study on your own, it's easy to take a week or two off, promising yourself you'll make up the work later. If you have a class every Wednesday night, you're more likely to find time to do the work just to keep up. That may sound like a silly reason to spend thousands of dollars, but for some students with busy schedules, it is very valuable indeed.

But, of course, spending $2,000 on a prep course is easier for some students than it is for others. If it is a significant financial burden, I don't recommend signing up for a course. There are many great resources available for $50 or less; if you are particularly resourceful, you can prepare for the GMAT without spending a dime.

Ultimately, the value of a GMAT prep course depends on the individual student. Some people can afford and benefit tremendously from the experience. Others should stay away. When making the decision for yourself, consider whether you can afford a course, and whether the advantages of a skilled instructor and an enforced schedule are worth the money.

Jeff Sackmann is the author of Total GMAT Math, Total GMAT Verbal, GMAT 111, Total GRE Math, and a variety of other test-prep resources. He also created and posts free material at the GMAT Hacks website. He has been helping students prepare for the GMAT and apply to business school since 2000.

In his books, Jeff focuses two things: building solid content knowledge and providing extremely realistic practice material. Unlike many other resources on the market, his practice problems are virtually indistinguishable from the real thing, meaning that you are that much more prepared for the GMAT before you sit for the exam.

When he is not writing about standardized tests, you can often find Jeff on a tennis court or running through the streets of New York City, training for his next marathon

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeff_Sackmann

Are your numbers really so bad? It may be difficult to find average GPAs, but if you have a 2.6, you know it's low for almost any MBA program. Roughly, except for the most elite schools, a GPA below 3.0 warrants a deliberate effort to counterbalance.

Looking closely at your numbers.

Which numbers are low - GMAT, GPA, or both? If only one of these numbers is low, at least the other number demonstrates your academic ability. Some people are simply not great standardized test-takers. A low GPA often is attributable to the simple fact that college students are still growing up. In fact, a 3.0 GPA that starts out below 3.0 and trends upward consistently, with the final semester or two in the 3.5 range or higher, is not nearly as worrisome as a GPA that trends in the opposite direction.

If both numbers are low, how do they break down? If your GMAT quant score was high and you had solid grades in quant courses in college, that's a plus, because MBA adcoms always look for evidence that the applicant can handle the mathematics involved. If it's the quant side that drags the numbers down, it's more of a problem. The point is, read the nuances of your scores. Assess and interpret the picture that emerges. Then develop an application strategy to address that issue. Low numbers vary significantly in the impression they create, depending on the details.

Addressing low quant scores.

Register at your local community college ASAP for calculus and/or statistics if you haven't taken them -- and earn an A! If you earned a D or F in other quant-oriented courses, consider re-taking them as well. If you have time to take additional quant-oriented courses, such as finance or accounting, it will help even more. In your essays, highlight quantitative aspects of your work to demonstrate proficiency. If you have some say in what your recommenders write, ask them to confirm your quantitative ability.

Addressing low verbal scores.

Consistently low verbal scores will raise a red flag. Your essays are the ideal place to neutralize this concern. They should be expressive and flawlessly written. You also should select examples and anecdotes that highlight your communication skills. So excellent essays are a must. Looking beyond the essays, ask recommenders to comment positively on your verbal skills. Finally, you can take a course at a local college that involves substantial writing, either business related or other.

Evaluating the numbers in the context of your demographic profile.

You must first understand your demographic profile vis-a-vis the MBA applicant pool for your chosen school(s). Regardless of how rare a demographic profile may be, an adcom will not admit an applicant if it believes he cannot handle the coursework. Beyond that, it's really a matter of supply-and-demand. Demographics encompass your ethnicity, nationality, gender, and industry background. It is well known that Indian engineers and computer scientists with high numbers are over-represented in the applicant pool, as are white and Asian male investment bankers with high numbers.

Using your essays to counteract the low numbers.

With low numbers, your first hurdle is demonstrating you're qualified. Your low scores may now be "understandable," but they won't excite the adcom, so your work experience must. "Mine" your work experience for all evidence of accomplishment, leadership, and impact. Show through anecdotes and examples that you are a person who makes a difference on the job beyond what's expected. Exceptional contribution and leadership as a volunteer or in another non-work activity also serve this purpose, though with the low numbers, strong work experience is still essential.

Selecting the right schools.

All schools do not give the "pillars" of your application - GMAT, GPA, work experience - the same weight. Columbia and Stanford will put more weight on the GMAT and/or GPA than others. Some will be more interested in the specific qualities, experience, and demographic factors you bring than will others. Select programs that meet your learning needs. Then focus on those that take a more holistic view of applicants and/or those that favor your distinguishing characteristics.

The optional essay.

If your numbers are below the 80% range, they warrant an acknowledgement and an explanation. Similarly, if extenuating circumstances caused the low numbers, those circumstances are an important part of your profile. The optional essay is often the place to make these statements. If you write the optional essay, make it short and straightforward. Provide a brief explanation, take responsibility, and focus on evidence of your talents that counters the impression made by the low stats.

Creating a thoughtful strategy to counteract the effect of low numbers can transform you from a non-viable to a viable applicant at the schools of your choice. However, it's up to you to show the adcom that the numbers don't define you.

Adrien Brody http://mbalive.net runs an informational website that provides guides to business school and business education.

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The Master's Degree in Business Administration or MBA is a kind of postgraduate program for individuals pursuing a career in the business industry. Getting this degree is helpful in career advancements as it is designed to improve one's managerial skills in various scopes of business. Obtaining the degree program is a serious matter to pursue and schools offering the program run a series of qualifying tests before admission.

The first among these qualifying tests is the admission interview. Getting ready for it requires sample MBA interview questions answers to be prepared by the applicant so he can have baseline ideas on the possibly asked questions.

Preparing for the interview just requires imagination and effort. Imagination is useful in thinking of the possible questions that the interviewer may ask. Imagination as well as effort is also needed in practicing the interview in a simulation-like basis. You can start it all by listing several kinds of MBA interview question and expand it to several sub-questions. Through this, you can practice idea expansion which is very helpful in interviews. Idea expansion skill will enable you to elaborate a single idea into a specifically directed response. It will also allow you to interconnect related ideas in order to present a formed concrete idea about several topics asked.

Although sample questions are widely available for desires of practicing admission interviews, you should also take time in creating your own MBA interview questions and answers. This is helpful in practicing idea generation skill for yourself, rather than memorizing your answers in various commonly asked sample questions.

Memorizing will only make you more nervous than ever, so it is still advisable to play up with your mind and ponder on the several ideas usually communicated during an interview. This will help you in being more confident than ever so you can present yourself in an assertive manner.

The admission interview is just a simple preliminary test upon admission, but make sure to take it seriously. This is important since the school will base your qualification on the interview made. They will also use the interview in assessing whether you are prepared for a different level of career or not.

Once the preparations for the MBA admission interview have been made, it is helpful to practice the interview with an acting interviewer. Through this, you can practice not only your answers but also the stature, facial reactions and other nonverbal cues that the interviewer may observe, so take time in practicing yourself.

To download your free Guide To Acing Your MBA Interview go to my MBA Interview Tips

To read more articles and latest news on MBA Interview go to http://www.mbainterview.info

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tom_Fori

The Master's Degree in Business Administration or MBA is a kind of postgraduate program for individuals pursuing a career in the business industry. Getting this degree is helpful in career advancements as it is designed to improve one's managerial skills in various scopes of business. Obtaining the degree program is a serious matter to pursue and schools offering the program run a series of qualifying tests before admission.

The first among these qualifying tests is the admission interview. Getting ready for it requires sample MBA interview questions answers to be prepared by the applicant so he can have baseline ideas on the possibly asked questions.

Preparing for the interview just requires imagination and effort. Imagination is useful in thinking of the possible questions that the interviewer may ask. Imagination as well as effort is also needed in practicing the interview in a simulation-like basis. You can start it all by listing several kinds of MBA interview question and expand it to several sub-questions. Through this, you can practice idea expansion which is very helpful in interviews. Idea expansion skill will enable you to elaborate a single idea into a specifically directed response. It will also allow you to interconnect related ideas in order to present a formed concrete idea about several topics asked.

Although sample questions are widely available for desires of practicing admission interviews, you should also take time in creating your own MBA interview questions and answers. This is helpful in practicing idea generation skill for yourself, rather than memorizing your answers in various commonly asked sample questions.

Memorizing will only make you more nervous than ever, so it is still advisable to play up with your mind and ponder on the several ideas usually communicated during an interview. This will help you in being more confident than ever so you can present yourself in an assertive manner.

The admission interview is just a simple preliminary test upon admission, but make sure to take it seriously. This is important since the school will base your qualification on the interview made. They will also use the interview in assessing whether you are prepared for a different level of career or not.

Once the preparations for the MBA admission interview have been made, it is helpful to practice the interview with an acting interviewer. Through this, you can practice not only your answers but also the stature, facial reactions and other nonverbal cues that the interviewer may observe, so take time in practicing yourself.


Source-http://ezinearticles.com/?MBA-Admission-Interview---How-to-Get-Ready-and-Rise-Above-Your-Peers&id=4113019

GMAT is a critical requirement towards getting admitted to a prestigious business school as it demonstrates strong analytical skills which top most business schools look for. The exam might appear easy but succeeding on the GMAT is not an easy task as it requires lots of devotion, determination, and dedication to score high. The GMAT examination is quite challenging as it tests the student’s quantitative, reasoning, and analytical skills as well as the test taker’s nerves, their ability to cope with the pressure and tension. A test taker who can perform well in the crunch situation can score well on the exam. Various GMAT prep courses are available online and offline which guide the applicant with the right approach and direction. GMAT prep courses are meticulously planned and designed so that students can unlock their skills and potential and successfully achieve their GMAT score targets.



For securing a good GMAT score students need to have strong verbal and quantitative skills but many students find that difficult as they get bogged down by the complexity of concepts tested and essential to understand for a good GMAT score. With an undefined and unplanned study structure, students often land in a situation from where it is extremely difficult to perform well. To assist students during such stress situations there are many online GMAT prep courses available that guide the students in the right direction and familiarize them with the appropriate format of the GMAT test. These online GMAT prep courses provide comprehensive material and adequate course structure so that students can make great progress during the course. GMAT prep courses have also been designed keeping in mind the need and requirements of working individuals so they too can access their preferred online GMAT prep course at their preferred time.
Many online GMAT tutorials support their extensive study material with audio and video clips that help students gain a clear understanding of every topic of the course material. GMAT prep courses provide CDs and audios the help students master the concepts from the comfort of their home. A reputed and renowned online institute offering GMAT prep tutorial provides 24/7 support to students where they can resolve their queries without any delay. These renowned institutes also offer one to one interactive sessions with highly experienced tutors so that students can get personalized attention when needed. A good quality GMAT prep tutorial provides exposure to various practice tests that equip the students with the right approach and skills for succeeding in the exam. Students get the confidence to crack the test and get high scores with help from high quality GMAT prep courses.

Many dream about getting into prestigious business schools to give their career a boost. But we all know that getting into these schools is not an easy task. Taking the GMAT is a requirement for most top schools. To achieve high scores on the GMAT test an applicant can explore several GMAT prep courses, either online or offline.

Gurome.com provides quality GMAT Prep Course, free GMAT sample tests as well as career counseling services. It is the best source for getting the Best GMAT Course and online GMAT course with complete information.

GMAT or Graduate Management Admission Test is a critical component of the MBA admissions process at most top business schools. A high GMAT score can help tremendously towards ensuring admission to top business schools. Preparing for the GMAT test is not an easy task as it requires solid practice and detailed study. The GMAT requires sheer devotion, dedication, and determination in order to score high. There are no shortcuts that can be applied to succeed on the test, contrary to popular belief. With top business schools receiving numerous applications, entry into these schools is becoming harder and high GMAT scores can help tremendously in differentiating a candidate.
The concepts tested on the GMAT are not much different from what you learned in your high school, and with good practice you can score high. A candidate who is aware of the scoring methodology and who can think quickly to interpret the questions will do well on the test. To master the techniques a candidate needs to practice several GMAT mock tests, which are designed to help candidates master the skills of GMAT test. In order to provide students with the right approach and direction for the GMAT test there are several online courses and tutorials available that provide free GMAT practice tests. A student can get lots of help from the online courses including free GMAT practice tests that help candidates get used to the high pressure test environment.



With a plethora of training institutes in the marker that can guide the students in the right direction, it is difficult to pick the right one. A student should ideally look for institutes that provide a platform for online tutoring, interactive personalized sessions with students, and numerous free GMAT practice tests. Coaching classes that provide all three components mentioned above tend to be most effective. These GMAT training institutes offer meticulously designed free GMAT practice tests that provide in-depth diagnostics to analyze the test takers abilities. These free GMAT practice tests help the student prepare for all three sections of the test and also get the test taker accustomed to the timing and format of the test. A large number of these courses also provide access to free GMAT practice tests which help the test taker get acclimated to the GMAT test format.

In a world where the MBA is fast becoming a must-have degree, getting into the most coveted business schools is challenging. The GMAT is a requirement at most top school and candidates with high scores can stand out among the crowd. Many online institutes have emerged which provide GMAT preparatory courses to help the test taker succeed.

Gurome.com provides quality GMAT Practice Tests, free GMAT sample tests as well as career counseling services. It is the best source for getting the Free GMAT Practice tests and GMAT prep courses with complete information.