EducationUSA Weekly Update 

No. 65 January 21, 2008

I. Scholarships and Fellowships
- Undergraduate and Graduate: Lynn University Conservatory of Music Scholarships
- Graduate: Summer Fellowship Program for Graduating College Seniors: American Institute for Economic Research
- Post Doctorate: Arthur H. Cole Grant-in-Aid for Research in Economic History
- Community College Program Highlight: Oakland Community College, Bloomfield Hills, MI
 
II. News you can use
- ETS News: TOEFL Pricing Increases
- What Works Where?: Marketing Techniques & Media Choices - Info request from Debbie Hefferon
- ESL Podcasts - Recommendations by David Fay, English Language Officer, US Embassy Moscow
- New Research and Recommendations on U.S. Study Abroad
- U.K. Sees Increase in International Student Enrollments

I. Scholarships and Fellowships

Undergraduate and Graduate: Lynn University Conservatory of Music Scholarships

The Lynn University Conservatory of Music provides inspired professional performance education to a global group of gifted young musicians. Acceptance is highly selective and only qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. 

Substantial scholarship support is awarded to all students who are admitted into the Conservatory’s specialized, performance intensive programs.   The distinguished and caring faculty brings a wealth of artistic experience and active engagement in classical music performance to the Conservatory’s talented student body.  They are there to pass on the tradition and creative process of performance excellence to the next generation of aspiring soloists, chamber musicians, and orchestral players. 

The Conservatory offers the following programs of study in performance:  Bachelor of Music, Master of Music, and Professional Performance Certificate.  Located in balmy Boca Raton, Florida, it is a great place for performance and musical growth. 

For more information and audition guidelines visit the Conservatory’s website: www.Lynn.edu/music.

Contact
Dr. Jon Robertson, Dean
Conservatory of Music
Lynn University
3601 North Military Trail
Boca Raton, FL 33431
Email: Music@Lynn.edu

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Summer Fellowship Program for Graduating College Seniors: American Institute for Economic Research
Great Barrington, MA

Program Description

The Institute awards a dozen or more Summer Fellowships each year to students who will be entering a doctoral program in economics or affiliated program (e.g., law and economics, economic history, etc.). We also consider applications from those students enrolled in such programs for no more than two years. The program is not designed for students wishing to pursue graduate work in a business school program (e.g. MBA).

Summer Fellows come to the Institute for a four-week period of study and are provided with room and board plus a $300 per week stipend. Those who demonstrate exceptional potential are awarded Fellowships in-absentia if they are enrolled in an accredited graduate-degree program in economics for the succeeding academic year. In-absentia Fellows receive full or partial payment of tuition or a monthly stipend for all or part of the academic year, or both. During the past 5 years, in-absentia awards have averaged about $5,000.

Students choose between two four-week sessions. Summer Fellows participate in intensive seminars in the Methodology of Economics, Monetary Economics, Business-Cycle analysis and forecasting, property rights, and other topics.

The seminar format varies according to the instructor. However, readings in all seminars are substantial, and written work is required. Seminar assignments generally occupy the full attention of first-year Fellows. Guest lecturers given by Visiting Senior Fellows complement the scheduled seminars.

Faculty views the summer program as an opportunity to share with students of economics some views they may not otherwise encounter and, in the process, to subject their ideas to the criticisms of the Fellows.

Fellows keep the same hours as the Institute staff. Summer Fellows, the Institute's professional staff, and the investment advisors of American Investment Services, Inc. enjoy regular opportunities to engage in informal discussion.

Areas of Study: Social Sciences, Sciences, Law/Criminal Justice, Economics  
Levels of Study: Graduate
Open to Students from: Unrestricted/Worldwide
Average Award Amount: $250 per week
Award Coverage: includes housing, weekly stipend and meals
Award Duration: four-week period of study
Award Deadline:  Friday, March 14th

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the summer program, applicants must be a graduating college senior who will be entering a doctoral program in economics or affiliated program. The program also considers applications from those students who have been enrolled in such programs for no more than two years. The program is not designed for students wishing to pursue graduate work in a business school program (e.g. MBA.).

Applicants must submit the following items:
1. Completed application form.
2. Vita.
3. Personal statement.
4. Writing sample.
5. Outline of proposed course of study.
6. Scholastic references.

Further Information
http://www.aier.org/education/student_fellow.php?cat=about

Contact
Pamela Allard
Assistant to the Director  
Phone #: 413-528-1216
Fax #: 413-528-0103
E-Mail:  fellowship@aier.org

Special Note for Foreign Students:
Although it is not a prerequisite for our Summer Fellowship program, we have found that few foreign students are able to participate unless they already have been accepted and enrolled in a graduate program at a university in the United States. Not only are we unable to assist in transportation costs, but also, because we are a small organization, we cannot assist with visas, insurance, or any other technicalities necessary for you to come here.

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Post Doctorate: Arthur H. Cole Grant-in-Aid for Research in Economic History

Program Description
The Committee on Research in Economic History awards Arthur H. Cole grants-in-aid to support research in economic history, regardless of time period or geographic area.

Open to Students from: Unrestricted/Worldwide
Award Types: Grant
Average Award Amount: typically up to $1,500, although higher amounts may be awarded in exceptional cases
Award Deadline:  April 1.

Eligibility Requirements
The application should include a front cover page, giving the name of the individual, home address, institutional affiliation, social security number, and all contact information. The main body of the proposal should be no longer than five single- spaced pages, inclusive of any footnotes, tables, and bibliography. It should describe the project, and explain specifically how the grant will facilitate completion of the research. A curriculum vita and a project budget should be appended. Applicants must be members of the Association and must hold the Ph.D. degree. Preference is given to recent Ph.D. recipients.

All applicants for or recipients of an EHA grant or prize must be members of the Association, and all application materials must be submitted electronically. Please use Microsoft Word for all email attachments.

Further Information
http://eh.net/EHA/Grants/info_06.html

Contact
Professor Ben Chabot
Chair, Committee on Research in Economic History 
Phone #: (785) 864-2847
Fax #: 913-864-5270
E-Mail:  remy@umich.edu

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Community College Program Highlight: Oakland Community College (OCC)
Bloomfield Hills, MI

Educational Opportunities and Services at OCC
Oakland Community College is a two-year institution offering Associate Degrees in a variety of programs.  OCC’s course credits are generally transferable to most colleges and universities.  It is a common practice for students to attend OCC for two years and continue for two additional years at a college, university or other upper level undergraduate institution.

Established in 1964, OCC is the largest of Michigan’s community colleges with a population of over 24,000 students attending five campus sites throughout Oakland County.  The College has earned a solid reputation for its quality instruction and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

International Students are supported in OCC’s academic programs with appropriate student services which include international advising, academic counselling, tutoring, and English as a Second Language Program.  At OCC, students may earn an Associate Degree, add supplemental and specialized training to their existing skills, or continue their studies by applying their course credits towards a Bachelor’s Degree.  Because of OCC’s affordable tuition and supportive services, the College provides international students with an excellent fundamental educational environment to pursue either of these options.

Application materials are available online at www.oaklandcc.edu/international.

Contact
International Student Advisors: international.advisor@oaklandcc.edu 

II. News you can use

ETS News: TOEFL Pricing Increases
ETS Princeton, NJ, USA

In 2008, there will be a TOEFL test fee increase for both paper-based and TOEFL internet-based testing. 

TOEFL paper-based testing will increase from $140 to $150 from July.  The test fee for the March and May 2008 test administrations is unchanged and will remain at $140.

TOEFL iBT fees currently vary by country, and they will continue to do so.  The fees will increase in most countries. TOEFL iBT test fees will increase beginning with registrations for April test dates. 

Although the new fees will not take effect until April, I wanted to let you know now because we open test registration four months in advance for TOEFL iBT.  We will open April registration in early January.  When students register online they will see the fees for dates prior to April and the fees for dates from April going forward.

While most scholarship testing will be over by this time, I will be writing to IIE and other organizations involved in government-sponsored scholarship programs to inform them.  We want to ensure that scholarship programs, which may not have been anticipating a price increase until July, will not be harmed by this change.  If organizations that sponsor candidates for testing for government scholarships still have students who have not tested by April we will allow them to test at the previous test fee.  They will need to contact us to discuss how we will make those arrangements.

 

ESL Podcasts - Recommendations by David Fay, English Language Officer, US Embassy Moscow

http://www.voanews.com/specialenglish/index.cfm - for students who have a minimum intermediate level

http://www.eslpod.com/ - a good collection of podcasts that work for about any level

http://www.businessenglishpod.com/ - for those interested in business English (higher level)

http://a4esl.org/podcasts/ - for ESL teachers

http://www.shambles.net/pages/learning/EnglishP/eslpodcast/ - a great list of websites that have ESL podcasts

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New Research and Recommendations on U.S. Study Abroad

NAFSA Study Abroad Task Force on Institutional Management of Study Abroad has released a new report, entitled Strengthening Study Abroad: Recommendations for Effective Institutional Management. This report is the work of a panel of university presidents and provosts to "recommend core principles, values, and behaviors for senior campus administrators to consider as they develop policies and practices to guide the management of the study abroad function. The report urges campus leaders to confront a set of "specific challenges that virtually all institutions face." The report can be downloaded at: www.nafsa.org/imsa

You can also download IIE's White Paper on Study Abroad, Meeting America's Global Education Challenge: Current Trends in U.S. Study Abroad & the Impact of Strategic Diversity Initiatives, at: www.iienetwork.org/?p=StudyAbroadCapacity

IIE will soon be releasing findings from its survey on "Expanding Capacity to Host More U.S. Students at Non-U.S. Institutions."

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U.K. Sees Increase in International Student Enrollments

According to figures from the Higher Education Statistics Agency in the UK, the number of foreign students enrolling at British universities rose by more than 6% last year. The number of all other European Union (EU) domiciled students increased by 6% (from 106,225 to 112,260) and the number of Non-EU domiciled students increased by 7% (from 223,855 to 239,210).

For more information, visit: www.hesa.ac.uk

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