Majority of American Parents Prefer Stanford Ahead of Harvard

Majority of American Parents Prefer Stanford Ahead of Harvard

Stanford University is the first dream college majority of American parents prefer their children to attend according to the Princeton Review's 2013 "College Hopes & Worries Survey".

The colleges parents most named as their "dream college" for their children were:

1. Stanford University
2. Harvard College
3. Princeton University
4. University of Notre Dame
5. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
6. Yale University
7. New York University
8. Brown University
9. Columbia University
10. University of Michigan – Ann Arbor

The following is the complete report.


21 Mar 2013 11:00 Africa/Lagos

The Princeton Review's 2013 "College Hopes & Worries Survey" Reports On 14,125
Students' & Parents' Top 10 "Dream Colleges" And Application Views
- 69% Report High Stress
- 89% Say Financial Aid "Very Necessary"
- Stanford is #1 "Dream College" Among Students & Parents / #2 is Harvard
NEW YORK, March 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Some call it "the other March madness." It's nail-biting season now through April as college acceptance / rejection and financial aid letters land in family mailboxes.

According to The Princeton Review's 2013 "College Hopes & Worries Survey" – an annual poll of college applicants and parents of applicants – stress levels are high and worries about college costs are higher than ever. Eighty-nine percent of survey respondents this year say financial aid will be "very" necessary to pay for college and within that cohort 66% say "extremely" necessary (a 5% increase over 2012). Nonetheless, 100% of the respondents believe college will be "worth it" and 51% see a "potentially better job / higher income" as the main benefit of the diploma.
The college applicants and parents most named as their "dream college" – the school they wish they (or their child) could attend were cost and acceptance not issues – was Stanford. Harvard was the 2nd most named.

The Princeton Review, one of the nation's best known education services companies, has conducted its "College Hopes & Worries Survey" since 2003. Findings for the 2013 survey are based on responses from 14,125 people. Seventy percent (9,955) were teens applying to colleges: 30% (4,170) were parents of applicants. Respondents hailed from all 50 states and DC, plus several countries abroad. The 15-question survey ran in The Princeton Review book, The Best 377 Colleges: 2013 Edition (Random House, August 2012), and it was accessible on www.PrincetonReview.com from September 2012 through March 5.

Top 10 "Dream Colleges"
Answering the survey's only fill-in-the-blank question, "What 'dream college' do you wish you or your child could attend if acceptance or cost weren't issues?" respondents wrote in more than 500 institution names.

The colleges students most named as their "dream college" were:
1. Stanford University
2. Harvard College
3. Columbia University
4. New York University
5. Princeton University
6. University of California – Los Angeles
7. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
8. Yale University
9. University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
10. University of California – Berkeley

The colleges parents most named as their "dream college" for their children were:
11. Stanford University
12. Harvard College
13. Princeton University
14. University of Notre Dame
15. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
16. Yale University
17. New York University
18. Brown University
19. Columbia University
20. University of Michigan – Ann Arbor

In students' and parents' responses to questions with multiple answer choices, findings show these perspectives among respondents overall:

• Applications are stressful.
97% reported having college application stress: 69% gauged their stress levels as "High" or "Very High."

• Biggest worry? Debt.
39%, the plurality, said their biggest worry is "Level of debt incurred to pay for the degree." Previously (2010 to 2012), the answer most selected was "Will get into first-choice college, but won't have sufficient funds/aid to attend." In 2009, it was "Won't get into first-choice college."

• College cost estimate? $50,000+
87% estimated their degree to cost "More than $50,000." Within that cohort 45% said "More than $100,000."

• Main benefit of college? Better job.
51% said "Potentially better job / income." 24% said "Education." 25% said "Exposure to new ideas."

• Distance from home "ideal" college would be? Parents and students differ.
52% of parents chose "Less than 250 miles": 61% of students chose answers in ranges from 250 to 1,000 miles.

Other survey findings report on: number of colleges respondents were applying to, the toughest part of their application experiences, if the economy was affecting their school choices (and how). The Princeton Review also asked respondents their advice for 2014 applicants and parents. The most repeated exhortation among parents and students alike: "Start early." One parent wrote, "College is not a prize to be won but a match to be made." A teen wrote, "Enjoy applying to colleges. You (hopefully) only get to do it once."

A survey report (all questions, answer choices, and findings) plus a sampler of respondents' advice is at www.princetonreview.com/college-hopes-worries.aspx
The Princeton Review is also known for its annual college rankings in 62 categories (www.princetonreview.com/college-rankings.aspx) it reports in August in its book, The Best 377 Colleges, and its many other categories of school rankings and lists accessible at www.princetonreview.com

The Princeton Review is not affiliated with Princeton University and it is not a magazine.

About The Princeton Review
Founded in 1981, The Princeton Review (www.PrincetonReview.com) is a privately held education services company headquartered in Framingham, MA. The Company has long been a leader in helping students achieve their education and career goals through its test preparation services, tutoring and admissions resources, online courses, and more than 150 print and digital books published by Random House, Inc. The Princeton Review delivers its programs via a network of more than 5,000 teachers and tutors in the U.S.A., Canada, and international franchises. The Company also partners with schools and guidance counselors worldwide to provide students with college readiness, test preparation and career planning services.
WEBSITE: www.princetonreview.com/college-hopes-worries.aspx
SOURCE Random House / Princeton Review Books

CONTACT: Jeanne Krier, Publicist, Princeton Review Books, jeanne@jeannekrier.com, 212-539-1350 or Kristen O'Toole, Editor, The Princeton Review, 888-865-7737 ext. 1405, kotoole@review.com
Web Site: http://www.princetonreview.com

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New Digital Platform from AARP Helps Experienced Workers Find Jobs

1 Aug 2012 16:44 Africa/Lagos

New Digital Platform from AARP Helps Experienced Workers Find Jobs

Experienced Workers Offered Tailored Online Job Listings, Guidance, and Community With AARP's New "Work Reimagined"

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Memo to Experienced Workers:

AARP is offering a unique new way to advance yourself in today's tight job market with Work Reimagined, a social network based experienced worker jobs program that connects employers seeking experienced workers with qualified professionals searching for new or more satisfying careers. The site (www.workreimagined.org) will leverage the platform of professional networking site, LinkedIn.

AARP President Rob Romasco announced the multi-pronged Work Reimagined online initiative today, outlining some of the key elements, which include:

original and curated content with advice and insights relevant to experienced workers in today's job market, and
access to current job openings with the nearly 120 employers who have taken the Work Reimagined pledge, publicly committing to treat all employees equally regardless of age.

"Work Reimagined enables experienced workers to come together in a vibrant online community to share your views and help move through 'what's next' career moments," said Romasco. "It opens the way for access to workforce resources, as well as the opportunity to connect with other experienced workers in a peer-to-peer environment."

The dynamic nature of Work Reimagined is demonstrated by the decision by dozens of forward-looking employers with at least some immediate hiring needs to sign a pledge to recruit across a level playing field when considering experienced workers. These firms are looking for the strong work ethic, maturity, and customer orientation that experienced workers bring to their jobs.

Employers who sign the pledge agree that they have:

Openness to the value of experienced workers;
Nondiscriminatory HR policies;
At least some immediate hiring needs at the time of pledge signing.

With the integration of LinkedIn information, qualified workers are put together in the same space with employers who value those workers.

"Over the past decade, the digital world has transformed how most people look for a job," said Romasco. "Today, Work Reimagined harnesses the power of social media to offer great opportunities for experienced professionals to connect, to access information and resources, and to leverage their professional network in their pursuit of more fulfilling work and career."

Work Reimagined also offers job listings independent of LinkedIn, as well as articles, columns, tips and tools to help people navigate today's workplace.

"This service is especially valuable in the face of a difficult economy that has found many professionals unemployed for, in many cases, a year or more," Romasco added.

Among the employers who have taken the Work Reimagined pledge are Scripps Health, the top finisher last year in AARP's Best Employers for Workers Over 50 program; Toys R Us, Inc.; Dollar General; United Health Group; Lowe's and AT&T.

Work Reimagined is featured in the August-September issue of AARP The Magazine.

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of more than 37 million, that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for Americans 50+ and the world's largest-circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for the 50+ audience; AARP VIVA, a bilingual lifestyle multimedia platform addressing the interests and needs of Hispanic Americans; and national television and radio programming including My Generation and Inside E Street. The AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more at www.aarp.org .

SOURCE AARP Illinois

CONTACT: AARP Media Relations, +1-202-434-2560

Web Site: http://www.aarp.org

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2013 Best Graduate Schools

13 Mar 2012 14:00 Africa/Lagos

U.S.News & World Report Announces the 2013 Best Graduate Schools
- 23rd annual edition is most extensive consumer guide to date with premium research and comparison tools -

WASHINGTON, March 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S.News & World Report today released the 2013 Best Graduate Schools rankings online at www.usnews.com/grad. Highlights of the rankings will be published in the 2013 Best Graduate Schools book, on sale April 3, 2012. The most comprehensive version of the upcoming Best Graduate Schools, including all the extended rankings and complete data, will be available online only through the U.S. News Graduate School Compass.

The 2013 Best Graduate Schools includes essential, detailed statistical information on more than 1,200 programs nationwide. In addition to featuring new rankings in five of the largest professional graduate school disciplines (business, law, education, engineering, and medicine), the 2013 rankings also include updated peer-assessment-only rankings for audiology, clinical psychology, occupational therapy, pharmacy, physical therapy, social work, speech-language pathology, fine arts, and public affairs.

"Many students are unsure as to what they should be looking for in a potential graduate program," said Brian Kelly, editor of U.S.News & World Report. "The new, 2013 graduate school rankings will help any prospective student better navigate the graduate school selection process."

U.S. News made almost no changes to the 2013 Best Graduate Schools ranking methodology and presentation. U.S. News made one change to the 2013 Best Business Schools ranking and methodology. The change was made in how the part-time M.B.A. rankings were computed. For the first time, U.S. News included the percentage of a graduate business school's part-time enrollment, the mean undergraduate GPA of entering part-time students, the mean GMAT of entering part-time students, and the average months of experience of entering part-time students, in addition to the peer assessment score as ranking factors. For more details on these changes, go to www.usnews.com/gradmeth.

To learn more about the U.S. News Graduate School Compass or to order a copy of the 2013 Best Graduate Schools book, visit the online U.S. News Store. For more information about Best Graduate Schools, visit www.usnews.com/grad or find us on Facebook or Twitter.

2013 Best Graduate School Rankings

*For full list of rankings, visit www.usnews.com/grad

Best Business Schools	Best Law Schools
1. Harvard University (MA)	1. Yale University (CT)
1. Stanford University (CA)	2. Stanford University (CA)
3. University of Pennsylvania (Wharton)	3. Harvard University (MA)
4. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Sloan)	4. Columbia University (NY)
4. Northwestern University (Kellogg) (IL)	5. University of Chicago
4. University of Chicago (Booth)

Best Medical Schools: Research	Best Medical Schools: Primary Care
1. Harvard University (MA)	1. University of Washington
2. Johns Hopkins University (MD)	2. University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill
2. University of Pennsylvania	3. Oregon Health and Science University
4. Stanford University (CA)	3. University of California–San Francisco
5. University of California–San Francisco	5. University of Colorado–Denver

About U.S.News & World Report
U.S.News & World Report is a multi-platform, digital publisher of news and analysis, which includes the digital-only U.S. News Weekly magazine, www.usnews.com, and www.rankingsandreviews.com. Focusing on Health, Money, Education, Travel, Cars, and Public Service/Opinion, U.S. News has earned a reputation as the leading provider of service news and information that improves the quality of life of its readers. U.S.News & World Report's signature franchise includes its News You Can Use® brand of journalism and its "Best" series of consumer guides that include rankings of colleges, graduate schools, hospitals, mutual funds, health plans, and more.

SOURCE U.S. News & World Report

CONTACT: Alexi Turbow, +1-202-955-2155, aturbow@usnews.com

Web Site: http://www.usnews.com/grad


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Over Half of Americans Still Not Likely to Vote for President Obama This Fall

Over Half of Americans Still Not Likely to Vote for President Obama This Fall


People thinking the country is moving in the right direction continues to inch up

HARRIS POLL LOGO Harris Poll Logo. (PRNewsFoto/Harris Interactive) NEW YORK, NY UNITED STATES

NEW YORK, Jan. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As the calendar moved into a new year, it also moved into an election year and President Obama is starting this year exactly as he ended the last one in terms of his approval ratings. This month, just like in December, just over one-third of Americans (36%) give the President positive ratings for the overall job he is doing and slightly less than two-thirds (64%) give him negative marks. Looking at the possible swing states for the general election (Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio and Virginia) two-thirds of Americans in these nine states (65%) give the President negative ratings while one-third (35%) give him positive marks. One thing to note is that this survey was conducted prior to the President giving his State of the Union address.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100517/NY06256LOGO )

These are some of the results of The Harris Poll of 2,016 adults surveyed online between January 16 and 23, 2012 by Harris Interactive.

Not surprisingly, just 6% of Republicans and 12% of Conservatives give President Obama positive ratings. Among Independents almost seven in ten (69%) give him negative ratings as do 58% of Moderates. Among the President's party, while two-thirds of Democrats (66%) give President Obama positive ratings, one-third (34%) give him negative ratings. Among liberals there is a wider gap as 60% give the President positive marks and 40% give him negative ratings.

Vice President Joe Biden fares a little worse. Just one in five Americans (22%) give the Vice President positive ratings for the job he is doing while almost half (45%) give him negative ratings. But, one-third (33%) say they are not familiar enough with him to rate his job performance.


Direction of the Country and Most Important Issue
One thing that continued to rise over the past few months is the direction Americans think the country is going. This month over one-quarter of U.S. adults (27%) say things are going in the right direction while just under three-quarters (73%) say things are going off on the wrong track. In December, one-quarter of Americans (24%) said things in the country were going in the right direction while three-quarters (76%) said things were going off on the wrong track.

One thing that probably won't change for a while is what Americans think is the most important issue for the government to address. More than two in five U.S. adults (42%) say the government should address employment/jobs while three in ten (31%) say one of the two most important issues for the government to address is the economy. One in five (21%) say the government should address healthcare, not Medicare while 12% say they should address the budget and government spending and 10% say taxes.


President Obama's re-election chances
The focus for the past few months has been on the Republicans as they decide which of the four remaining candidates will challenge President Obama this fall. But, looking at the President's re-election chances, if the election for president were to be held today, over half of Americans (52%) would be unlikely to vote to re-elect President Obama, two in five (41%) would be likely to vote for him and 7% are not at all sure. This is very similar to last month when 51% said they would be unlikely to vote to re-elect the President and 42% said they would be likely to do so. Looking at this by party, nine in ten Republicans (91%) and over half of Independents (52%) would be unlikely to vote for him as would 20% of Democrats. Also, in the likely 2012 swing states, 53% say they would be unlikely to vote for the President while 40% say they would be likely to vote for him.

When it comes to what Americans think will happen on Election Day, over one-third (36%) think President Obama will be re-elected while 41% think he will not be re-elected; one in five (22%) are not at all sure. Last month, 44% did not think he would be re-elected while just over one-third (35%) thought he would be re-elected.

So What?
Jobs and the economy are still the main issues that Americans want to see addressed. In his State of the Union address, the President definitely offered up his plans for help to grow the economy and to get more people back to work. But, two questions that remain are if they will actually work and will people believe in them. If so, this should give President Obama's re-election the shot it desperately needs right now. If it doesn't, this will be a long election year.

TABLE 1
PRESIDENT OBAMA'S JOB RATING - TREND
How would you rate the overall job President Barack Obama is doing?

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You Can't Leave It At The Office: Consequences Of Co-Worker Rudeness

19 Aug 2011 16:07 Africa/Lagos


You Can't Leave It At The Office: Consequences Of Co-Worker Rudeness Are Far-Reaching

PR Newswire

WACO, Texas, Aug. 19, 2011

WACO, Texas, Aug. 19, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A co-worker's rudeness can have a great impact on relationships far beyond the workplace, according to a Baylor University study published online in the Journal of Organizational Behavior. Findings suggest that stress created by incivility can be so intense that, at the end of the day, it is taken home by the worker and impacts the well-being of the worker's family and partner, who in turn takes the stress to his/her workplace.

"Employees who experience such incivility at work bring home the stress, negative emotion and perceived ostracism that results from those experiences, which then affects more than their family life - it also creates problems for the partner's life at work," said Merideth J. Ferguson, Ph.D., assistant professor of management and entrepreneurship at the Baylor University Hankamer School of Business and study author.

"This research underlines the importance of stopping incivility before it starts so that the ripple effect of incivility does not impact the employee's family and potentially inflict further damage beyond the workplace where the incivility took place and cross over into the workplace of the partner," she said.

In addition, since the employee comes home more stressed and distracted, the partner is likely to pick up more of the family responsibilities, and those demands may interfere with the partner's work life. The study also found that such stress also significantly affected the worker's and the partner's marital satisfaction.

The study included 190 workers and their partners. Workers were employed full time, had co-workers and had an employed partner who agreed to complete an online survey. After completing the survey, workers were asked to have their partners complete a separate survey. The combined responses from the initial contact and the partner constituted one complete response in the database. Approximately 57 percent of the employee sample was male with an average age of 36, while 43 percent of the partner sample was male with an average age of 35. Of these couples, 75 percent had children living with them.

"Unlike the study of incivility's effects at work, the study of its impact on the family is in its infancy. However, these findings emphasize the notion that organizations must realize the far-reaching effects of co-worker incivility and its impact on employees and their families," Ferguson said.

"One approach to prevent this stress might be to encourage workers to seek support through their organization's employee assistance program or other resources such as counseling or stress management so that tactics or mechanisms for buffering the effect of incivility's stress on the family can be identified," she said.

About Baylor University

Baylor University is a private Christian university and a nationally ranked research institution, classified as such with "high research activity" by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The university provides a vibrant campus community for approximately 15,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship.

Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating university in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 11 nationally recognized academic divisions.

About Hankamer School of Business

Baylor University's Hankamer School of Business provides a rigorous academic experience, consisting of classroom and hands-on learning, guided by Christian commitment and a global perspective. Recognized nationally for several programs, including Entrepreneurship and Accounting, the school offers 24 undergraduate and 13 graduate areas of study. Follow Hankamer School of Business on Twitter at twitter.com/Baylor_Business.

This news release was issued on behalf of Newswise(TM). For more information, visit http://www.newswise.com.

Media Contacts:
Frank Raczkiewicz
Frank_Raczkiewicz@baylor.edu
254-710-1964

SOURCE Baylor University

Web Site: http://www.baylor.edu


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Don't Let This Happen to You at Job Interviews

Don't Let This Happen to You: Robert Half Reveals Real-Life Examples of Interviews Gone Awry; Launches New Video Series


Brett Good,Sr. District President at Robert Half International, Inc.

MENLO PARK, CA (July 14, 2011) /PRNewswire/ — There are many ways to stand out in a job interview, but bringing an exotic bird instead of a briefcase to the meeting probably isn’t the best option. Robert Half, the world’s first and largest specialized staffing firm, frequently conducts surveys of hiring managers and workers, asking them to recount the biggest interview blunders they’ve witnessed or heard of. The following examples represent the most memorable mistakes collected from these polls over the years:

* “A job applicant came in for an interview with a cockatoo on his shoulder.”
* “The candidate sent his sister to interview in his place.”
* “One candidate sang all of her responses to interview questions.”
* “When asked by the hiring manager if he had any questions for him, the candidate replied by telling a knock-knock joke.”
* “One candidate handcuffed himself to the desk during the interview.”

The surveys were developed by Robert Half and conducted by an independent research firm. They include responses from senior executives, human resources managers, and employed professionals in the United States and Canada who were interviewed over the years, starting in 2002.



Although these blunders are extreme, even small mistakes during the job interview can cause professionals to miss out on opportunities. To help applicants put their best foot forward, Robert Half recently launched a series of light-hearted videos depicting interviews that have gone awry. The videos, along with tips for avoiding common blunders, can be found at www.roberthalf.com/dont-let-this-happen-to-you.



“For most job candidates, an interview mistake is subtle -- for example, they may appear unenthusiastic or too nervous to let their personalities shine through,” explained Brett Good, a senior district president for Robert Half. “Job seekers should remember hiring managers aren’t just assessing their qualifications but also looking for signs of outstanding people skills and good judgment.”

People skills -- or lack thereof -- got the following job seekers into trouble:

* “When asked by the hiring manager why she was leaving her current job, the applicant said, ‘My manager is a jerk. All managers are jerks.’”
* “I interviewed someone who had a jawbreaker in her mouth during the entire interview.”

Putting the cart before the horse by issuing demands about salary, benefits or perks is an unwise move. These applicants should have focused on the employer’s needs:

* “One individual said we had nice benefits, which was good because he was going to need to take a lot of leave in the next year.”
* “The applicant told me he really was not interested in the position, but he liked that we allowed for a lot of time off.”

Hiring managers appreciate authenticity, but common sense should prevail. These job hopefuls were a bit too candid:

* “An individual applied for a customer service job, and when asked what he might not like about the job, he said, ‘dealing with people.’”
* “One prospect told me all of the reasons he shouldn’t be hired.”
* “The candidate said she would really prefer a job offer from our competitor.”

If nothing else, employers expect interviewees to dress professionally. While the right attire alone won’t seal the deal, the wrong outfit can sink your chances. Here are a few examples of what not to wear:

* “An applicant wore the uniform from his former employer.”
* “The candidate arrived in a cat suit.”
* “A person came to the interview in pajamas with slippers.”

Finally, exhibiting dishonesty is the ultimate interview error:

* “After being complimented on his choice of college and the GPA he achieved, the candidate replied, ‘I’m glad that got your attention. I didn’t really go there.’”

Robert Half offers advice on avoiding four common interview mistakes:

1. Going on and on and on -- While you certainly don’t want to give a series of one-word responses, be careful not to ramble. Be thorough, yet succinct. Don’t over-answer or attempt to fill dead air between questions.
2. Poor ‘posturing’ -- It’s not just what you say but how you say it. Slouching, constantly shifting in your chair, crossing your arms or wearing a tense expression can signal nervousness or disinterest.
3. Ranting and raving -- It’s important to be tactful and diplomatic. Criticizing former employers only makes you look bad. Even a mildly sarcastic quip can raise red flags. When in doubt, take the high road.
4. Throwing in the towel -- Don’t act dejected if you feel the interview is going poorly. If you fumble a response, maintain your composure and move on. Showing that you can swiftly recover after a setback might actually work in your favor.

About Robert Half International

Founded in 1948, Robert Half is the world’s first and largest specialized staffing firm, with more than 350 offices worldwide. The company’s professional staffing divisions include Accountemps®, Robert Half® Finance & Accounting and Robert Half® Management Resources, for temporary, full-time and senior-level project professionals, respectively, in the fields of accounting and finance; OfficeTeam®, for highly skilled office and administrative support professionals; Robert Half® Technology, for project and full-time technology professionals; Robert Half® Legal, for project and full-time staffing of lawyers, paralegals and legal support personnel; and The Creative Group®, for interactive, design and marketing professionals. For more information about the specialized staffing and recruitment divisions of Robert Half, visit roberthalf.com and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/roberthalf.

National media contact:
Julie Sims
650-234-6104
julie.sims@rhi.com