EducationUSA Weekly Update     

No. 89, July 21, 2008

I. Scholarships and Fellowships
- Undergraduate: Berea College, Berea, Kentucky
- Undergraduate: Union College, Schenectady, New York
- Graduate: University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California
- Post Doctorate: University of Rochester, Department of Brain and Cognitive Science, Rochester, New York
- Urgent - Professional: Journalists sought for fellowships at American newspapers, deadline approaching
- Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Commitment to Action Awards, deadline approaching
- English Language Program:  Texas A&M University English Language Institute, College Station, Texas
- English Language Program: Georgetown University Center for English Language and Development, Washington, D.C.

II. News you can use
- Mobility International USA Provides Valuable Tips for Disabled Students Taking Part in US Exchange
- “I Don’t Understand!” Communication Gaps among Graduate Student and Advisors

I. Scholarships and Fellowships

Undergraduate: Berea College, Berea, Kentucky

Berea College is distinctive among liberal arts institutions.  The first interracial and coeducational higher education institution in the South, Berea charges its 1,514 students no tuition and only admits academically promising students, primarily from Appalachia, who have limited financial resources. 

Berea offers rigorous academic programs in 28 fields leading to a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree including art, biology, education, pre-engineering, psychology, and women’s studies.  Committed to work and service, Berea students are required to work 10-15 hours per week in approved jobs on campus and in the community while studying full-time.   

All admitted international students receive financial aid and scholarships that cover 100% of tuition, room, board, and fees for the first year of enrollment.  In subsequent years, international students are expected to contribute $1,000 toward their expenses, however the college provides international students summer jobs so they may meet this obligation.  International students are also required to participate in the labor program which can provide students with up to $1,200 per year to cover personal expenses.  

Application Deadline

General Admission:  February 5th for Fall admission. 

Eligibility Requirements

General Admission
In order to be considered, applicants must submit the following:
-A completed International Application for Admission and Scholarship form including a biographical statement
-A completed Financial Questionnaire
-Official scores from at least one of the following:  TOEFL (500/173/61 minimum scores), IELTS (5 overall minimum band score, 5 in each exam area), ACT (17 minimum composite score), or SAT I (1210 combined score)
-Three letters of recommendation, at least one from a current or former teacher

Further Information
http://www.berea.edu
http://www.berea.edu/prospectivestudents/international/default.asp

Contact
 
Berea College
Office of Admissions
CPO 2220
Berea, Kentucky, USA
Tel:  (859) 985-3500
Email:  askadmissions@berea.edu

Center for International Education
Berea College
205-207 Woods-Penniman
CPO 2713
Tel:  (859) 985-3453
Email:  soren_peterson@berea.edu

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Undergraduate: Union College, Schenectady, New York

Since 1795, Union College has been cultivating a vibrant community of students and scholars in a small and personal environment.  The liberal arts tradition of the college allows for an innovative, integrative approach, engendering a well-rounded education necessary for success in the twenty-first century. 

Union offers its 2,150 undergraduates nearly 1,000 courses in the areas of humanities, social science, science, and engineering centered in twenty academic departments.  The Scholars program provides highly motivated students the opportunity to take extra classes, conduct research, and regularly network with students and scholars.  The beautiful New York state environment and North America’s only 16-sided building are just a few of Union College’s many features.  In addition, the college’s trimester schedule means that students take only three classes per ten week term. 

Although the process is highly competitive, international students are eligible for Union financial aid.  Aid is awarded based on need in the form of scholarships, grants, and work study.  Students should expect to contribute at least $5,000 per year toward their cost of study. 

Application Deadline

Scholarships:  February 1st filing deadline for Fall admission.
General Admission:  January 1st for Fall admission.

Eligibility Requirements

Scholarships
Awarded with admission.

General Admission
Incoming freshman should submit the following materials:
-A completed application for admission (application fees waved for online applications)
-A graded writing sample in English from the last two years of secondary school
-The Union College supplement to the general application
-SAT I, SAT II Subject Tests, and/or ACT (optional, but recommended)
-TOEFL (600/250/90 minimum scores)
-Secondary school transcripts with certified translation
-Personal essay and recommendations

Further Information
http://www.union.edu
http://www.union.edu/Admissions/Applying/TypesOfAdmission/international.php#union

Contact
Mrs. Sarah Henderson Maneely
International Admissions Coordinator
Union College
807 Union Street
Schenectady, New York 12308
USA
Tel:  (518) 388-6116
Fax: (518) 388-6986
Email:  henderss@union.edu

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Graduate: University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California

Program Description
Ranked as the best overall graduate institution in the nation, UC Berkeley presents graduate students with a broad range of faculty expertise and course offerings and modernized, superior research facilities.  Berkeley’s 10,000 graduate students conduct research in more than fifty organized research units and the university library system is the top-ranked research collection among U.S. public universities.  In addition to outstanding academic facilities, Berkeley’s location provides easy access to cosmopolitan San Francisco and to the varied cultural and recreational opportunities of northern California.    
UC Berkeley attracts highly-talented student scholars.  Since 1988, Berkeley has attracted more recipients of the National Science Foundation Fellowships than any other public higher education institution.  The prestige of the faculty, students, and research ensures that recent graduates and doctoral students will have access to a wide range of career and academic opportunities post-graduation.   
Graduate fellowships are available to international applicants and provide financial support for the living and educational expenses of graduate study.  Fellowship applicants will be nominated by their department.  Potential recipients will be judged competitively on the basis of the quality of previous academic work, research ability, and on the promise of becoming a productive scholar. 
Application Deadline
General Admission:  Varies by department.
Scholarships: Applicants must submit an application for admission and fellowships by the departmental deadline.  For detailed scholarship and admissions deadline dates, please see www.grad.berkeley.edu/programs/list.shtml.

Eligibility Requirements

Scholarships
Vary by department, see www.grad.berkeley.edu/financial/deadlines.shtml for more information.

General Admission
Graduates of recognized academic institutions outside the United States should have completed degree programs representing a minimum of 16 years of schooling with at least 12 years at the primary and secondary level.
Required application materials include:
-Official transcripts for all university-level studies in original language accompanied by English translations
-TOEFL/IELTS scores
-GRE scores (requirement varies by department)
-At least three letters of recommendation

Further Information
www.grad.berkeley.edu
www.grad.berkeley.edu/admissions/admis_require.shtml#4_2  (admissions)

Contact
Graduate Admissions
309 Sproul Hall
Berkeley, California 94720-5900 USA
Tel:  (510) 642-7405
Email:  gradadm@berkeley.edu

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Post Doctorate: University of Rochester, Department of Brain and Cognitive Science, Rochester, New York

Program Description

The University of Rochester’s Department of Brain and Cognitive Science offers researchers interdisciplinary study within the context of cognition, complex behavior, and brain function.  Departmental research spans a large domain within several disciplines including behavioral, neural, and computational science. 

Postdoctoral fellows often work with more than one faculty member and are supported from a variety of sources including research grants, stipends from training grants, and individual fellowships. 

Currently, multiple positions are open within the department specializing in visual perception, molecular and cellular neurobiology, learning and plasticity, and visual psychophysics among others.

Application:  In general, applicants should submit a letter describing their training and research interests, a curriculum vita, and three letters of recommendation for the contact listed.    

Application Deadline/Qualifications:   Varies with position.  Interested researchers should visit www.bcs.rochester.edu/jobs/postdoc.html for more information.

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Urgent - Professional: Journalists sought for fellowships at American newspapers, deadline approaching

Print and online journalists in developing countries are invited to apply for the Alfred Friendly Press Fellowships (AFPF) and Daniel Pearl Fellowships 2009.
Deadline for the submission of applications: August 1.
Successful candidates will report for American newspapers from March to August 2009. In the United States, fellows will learn practices, standards and values of U.S. journalism which they can adapt, share and apply in their own countries. Applicants for the fellowships must be between 25- and 35-years-old and currently employed full time for the news or editorial department of an independent newspaper, wire service, online publication, or magazine.
Applicants must be fluent in both written and spoken English. For more information and applications forms, go to www.pressfellowships.org/application.html   
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Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Commitment to Action Awards, deadline approaching

Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U), a new project of Clinton Global Initiative (CGI), challenges college students and university administrators to tackle global problems with practical, innovative solutions. At the inaugural meeting of CGI U in March 2008, more than 600 students joined former President Bill Clinton in New Orleans to discuss challenges facing today's world. Each of these participating students made a Commitment to Action, pledging to tackle a specific local or global issue with practical, innovative solutions. Later this year, CGI U will distribute a total of $150,000 in funding to support selected commitments made both at the inaugural meeting and through CGIU.org.

To apply for these cash awards for your student service or activism project, make a Commitment to Action of your own
www.clintonglobalinitiative.org/NETCOMMUNITY/Page.aspx?pid=1856&srcid=1853 in one of the four CGI U focus areas: Energy & Climate Change, Global Health, Human Rights & Peace and Poverty Alleviation. Then complete the brief award application (to be posted on cgiu.org) by July 28th, 2008.

To learn more about CGI U and the Outstanding Commitments Awards, please visit www.cgiu.org

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English Language Program: Texas A&M University English Language Institute
College Station, Texas

The family atmosphere of the English Language Institute at Texas A&M University enables students to learn and develop lifelong ties in a welcoming and supportive environment.  At Texas A&M faculty members are facilitators of learning that provide students the opportunity to learn and practice English, diagnose students’ strengths and weaknesses, and serve as mentors.          

The English Language Institute meets the needs of both beginning and advanced English learners by offering courses from a 100-300 difficulty level.  Courses include American Culture and Customs, Composition, Grammar, Listening, Oral Skills, Reading, and Vocabulary.  Supplemental services, such as ongoing TOEFL preparation, add to the academic experience.  

Application Deadline:  Prospective students should apply at least 90 days prior to the date in which they plan to enter the country.  For program start and end dates, please see http://eli.tamu.edu/admissions/dates.php.

Eligibility Requirements
The English Language Institute accepts a variety of students over 17 years old, including prospective undergraduate and graduate students.  Materials required for admission include:
-Application form
-Official bank statement in US dollars
-TOEFL or essay
-Two passport photos
-$50 application fee
-Transcripts translated into English

Further Information
http://eli.tamu.edu/

Contact
Monica Wilkes
English Language Institute
Texas A&M University
Dulie Bell Building, 205
College Station, Texas 77843-2130, USA
Tel:  (979) 845-7936
Email:  eli@tamu.edu
 

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English Language Program: Georgetown University Center for English Language and Development
Washington, D.C.

Program Description
Georgetown University’s Center for English Language and Development (CLED) teaches student’s that English language learning occurs both inside and outside of the classroom.  CLED students have access to English language labs that provide opportunities to practice listening and pronunciation skills and become more involved with the greater community through the Interact DC guest speaker series, the Access DC fieldtrip program, and the language exchange program.  CLED students can also utilize Georgetown campus resources such as the student health center, Yates field house, and campus ministry.

CLED consists of two divisions:  English as a Foreign Language (EFL) and Special Programs.  Designed for those wishing to pursue academic study in the United States and improve English for professional purposes, Georgetown’s EFL division’s courses reflect the latest in teaching practices in English language learning.  The Special Programs division designs and implements customized teacher training programs and language workshops for both international and domestic clients.

Language programs are offered throughout the academic year and include summer intensive programs, American Language and Culture, American Conversational English, Business and Professional English, English for Heritage Language, and Teaching English as a Foreign Language. 

Application Deadline:  Varies by program.  Consult http://cled.georgetown.edu/programs/ for further details.

Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must be at least 17 years old and completed a secondary school education.  Applicants must submit the following information/documents by the program admissions deadline:
-Application form
-Nonrefundable application fee of $50
-A $200 advance deposit
-Certified secondary school transcripts with English translations
-Copy of passport
-Passport size photo of self

Further Information
www.cled.georgetown.edu

Contact
English as a Foreign Language
ICC 481
Georgetown University
Washington, DC 20057
Tel:  (202) 687-5978
Email:  eflgu@georgetown.edu

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II. News you can use

Mobility International USA Provides Valuable Tips for Disabled Students Taking Part in US Exchange

International students with disabilities wishing to study in the US require extra assistance to help plan and prepare for international exchange.  Mobility International USA’s (MIUSA) website provides a step-by-step guide for disabled students to participate in an international exchange and spells out the rights of disabled persons studying in the US under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.  Under the ADA schools must provide students with “reasonable accommodations” to remove the barriers imposed by a disability.  This may include providing extra time for exams and having ramps, sign language interpreters, or Braille documents available.   

To see more tips for disabled students on finding a program, funding exchange, obtaining accommodation, planning for departure, living abroad, and returning home, please see the MIUSA website at:

www.miusa.org/ncde/intlopportunities/survivalsteps/index_html.

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“I Don’t Understand!” Communication Gaps among Graduate Student and Advisors

An absence of professional communication is usually at the center of most graduate student-advisor problems.  Graduate-communication coordinator at the Georgia Institute of Technology Karen Head’s experience with graduate students has shown that mutually respectful communication is paramount to developing a healthy and successful student-advisor relationship. 
Although graduate students frequently struggle with their advisor-advisee relationships, it appears that few have ever discussed their problems directly with their advisors due to fear of reproach. The general graduate student’s perceived fear of advisor disapproval inhibits their overall professional development by discouraging individual initiative. Head notes that promoting communication among graduate students and advisors, such as setting goals, designing a work plan and project timeline, as well as scheduling appointments for evaluation and re-evaluation, engenders mutually-beneficial relationships and successful outcomes for both parties.

Why Aren't You Talking?
Graduate students often have no idea how to communicate with their advisers
By KAREN HEAD
http://chronicle.com/jobs/news/2008/06/2008062401c.htm

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