Are you interested in attending a Christian college, but would like to know more first?  To help prospective students learn more, we’ll answer 5 frequently asked questions about Christian schools:

1. “What are academics like?”

Christian colleges offer a menu of degree programs just as any other school.  In fact, they often compare favorably to public and other private universities.  Already know your major?  Chances are good that a Christian institution offers an excellent program in that field.  They also tend to offer smaller classes and one-on-one contact with professors — real advantages in any learning environment.

2. “Isn’t it really expensive?”

While they can be more pricey than cheap State schools — the availability of loans, grants, work-study programs, and scholarships more than make up for it.  Admissions representatives work alongside you to create a sensible financial aid package.  From our experience, these reps are always willing to help find a solution for you and your family.

3. “Do I have to participate in mandatory religious activities?”

Unless it’s for class, specific Christian activities are almost never required.  But they are an excellent way to become more involved on campus and develop a network of friends supportive of your spiritual development.

4. “So how are Christian schools different?”

In many ways, they aren’t.  Academics are just as emphasized, and the juggle of studies and social life exists as it does for any other college student.  The biggest difference we see, is the greater opportunity to flourish spiritually amidst like-minded peers.  This support system can ease some of the inevitable challenges you’ll confront in college life.  For example, it’s nice to know academic obligations won’t conflict with your day of worship.

5. “How do I find the right school for me?”

With your personal convictions in mind, determine the college experience you’re looking for.   Do your research, visit campuses, and speak to professors and current students while there.  Consider the school’s academic reputation, your financial aid package, location, and student life — as part of the standard vetting process.  Don’t forget to take some time to pray about it, discuss with your family, religious leaders, and others who’ve helped guide your life.

John Brown University has been awarded a $563,789 grant from the National Science Foundation to provide approximately 16-24 four-year scholarships for students from low-income families majoring in chemistry, biology or biochemistry.

In addition to funding scholarships, the grant also supports the Strengthening Undergraduate Curriculum and Community to Engage Science Students (SUCCESS) program, specifically targeted to increase retention, graduation, and the readiness of chemistry, biochemistry, and biology graduates to enter the workforce or graduate school.

“To have this stamp of approval of the National Science Foundation on our science program at JBU is gratifying,” said Dr. Carla Swearingen, assistant professor of chemistry and SUCCESS program director.

“More importantly, talented future scientists are going to have access to the wonderful education we have at John Brown University.”

“We’re pleased that the NSF grant committee recognized the academic excellence of the JBU natural science program with these scholarship awards,” said Dr. April Moreton, director of foundations and corporate relations for JBU. “These funds will help students who show great promise in the field of science attend JBU when they might not have been able to for financial reasons.”

U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor announced the grants in a statement on Friday. “These funds will help ensure that students at John Brown University can pursue their passion for science regardless of their financial situation,” Pryor said.

The goals of the program are to encourage more low-income students and those from underrepresented groups to study science programs at John Brown University. In addition, the program aims to increase graduation rates for science majors. The program will start awarding scholarships in the 2011-2012 academic year.

John Brown University is a private Christian university, ranked second by “U.S.News & World Report” in the Southern Region for baccalaureate colleges for 2010. JBU enrolls more than 2,000 students from 42 states and 45 countries. JBU is a member of Arkansas’ Independent Colleges and Universities and the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. Learn more at: www.jbu.edu.

Still trying to find the place that provides everything you’re looking for in a college?

Sterling College may be exactly that place… That place where you make life-long friendships. That place where you not only get a degree, but a Christ-centered education…That place that not only helps you discover your passion but shows you how that translates into your life’s calling. Sterling College is that place you grow to call home.

“Sterling College has become my home over the last three years. It was at Sterling that I was introduced to professors who not only taught my classes but also became invested in my life, my goals and my potential. At Sterling I realized the importance of community. Professors, fellow students and staff have all helped me in more ways than one. I can’t express how grateful I am or begin to describe the impact that Sterling and its Christ-centered focus has done for me. Sterling is full of people ready to give and I don’t know another place like it.”

- Alyson Dardzinski, Milan, Ohio, Communications major

During your time at Sterling College you will not only find a place where you belong, but you will find that place that allows you to grow into the person God wants you to become. From the classroom to the athletic field, our Christ-centered approach can be found in all areas.

At Sterling you will discover family of people who love one another; a community of hard working people who genuinely care about others more than themselves. Even more valuable is the sense of spiritual peace I have experienced in this college community. God has given me such a confidence that Sterling is “home” to me for this season of my life. There is more than enough room to grow, dream and develop into the man God has destined me to become. That’s why I love Sterling.

- Sam Downe, Tennessee Colony, Texas, Business major

If you are looking for that place where you will be challenged to learn and to grow, Sterling College is the answer. For more information, contact our Admissions office at 800.364.1017 or visit us at sterling.edu. You can even find us on facebook at facebook.com/sterlingcollegefuturestudents.

Parents:

Are you computer shopping for your college-bound kid?  If so, read this article to avert disaster.  Here are four precautionary measures to consider:

Backup Services & Devices – Viruses can damage or destroy crucial files like term papers and other important documents.  Online backup sites like Carbonite and Norton Online Backup automatically back up files and protect them online for about $5 a month.  A flash drive or pocket media drive can also be used to back up files and start at under $20.

System Recovery DVD – Windows encourages you to create a “recovery” disc that will allow you to reboot from that DVD in the event your operating system has a problem. Unfortunately, many people don’t take that extra step. When you order your new PC, you can often order the recovery DVD included with your purchase for under $20. It’s a one-time, inexpensive add-on that will more than pay for itself when you have a problem.

Extended Warranty – No matter how careful you are — accidents happen.  You can fully protect your HP PC from damage and drops with an extended warranty.  HP can arrange shipping for home or campus for necessary repairs.

CompuTrace LoJack for Laptops – Crime is an issue on every campus, and CompuTrace is the Lo-Jack for your computer.  Once a student reports their computer stolen, CompuTrace will track that computer once it connects to the internet and contact local police to alert them to the stolen device.

HP Academy has a ‘peace of mind’ bundle on sale now through September 28, just in time for back-to-school.  It includes a  2yr HP Care Pack Accidental Damage Protection Services with LoJack for Laptops (product code on website HC688B).  You can save up to 54% when purchasing an HP Compaq, G-series, Pavilion, TouchSmart, or Envy laptop.

HP Academy provides exclusive education discounts on PC’s, printers, and a wide variety of supplies and accessories including many of the products mentioned here.  HP Academy also has experts standing by to help you choose your PC.   Call 800-632-8251 today for a great deal on a computer, and the peace of mind that your investment is protected.

Trying to convince your parents to let you study abroad? Maybe you should have them read this article by Inside Higher Ed. If this doesn’t persuade them, then I don’t know what will.

A recent study by GLOSSARI (the Georgia Learning Outcomes of Students Studying Abroad Research Institute) found that students who study abroad tend to improve their academic performance once returning from their travels. Comparing graduation rates and GPA of over 19,000 study abroad students and over 17,000 home institution students, the results showed that the four-year graduation rate was 49.6 percent for study abroad students and 42.1 percent for home institution students. Not only that, but students who studied abroad began with a mean cumulative GPA at 3.24 and, upon returning, had a mean cumulative GPA of 3.30.

Combine higher graduation rates and a better GPA with traveling the world and learning more than you could in a classroom, it’s hard to say no to studying abroad. If you haven’t considered it, maybe you should. And if you’ve already studied abroad, share with us some stories in the comments section. We’d love to hear more!

In college, it’s very important to maintain a balance between schoolwork and leisure if you want to keep your sanity.

Look for hobbies that you enjoy and help you relieve stress. A little fun can go a long way in preventing a nervous breakdown when you have three papers to write and two exams to study for.

We want to know what your hobbies are! Update your Zinch profile (including hobbies, of course) today, and we will randomly select five recently-updated profiles to win free skate gear, including tall tees and skate decks! Winners will be announced on Friday, May 7th. Be sure to have your hobbies and interests updated by then!

Before you even think about calling up the restaurant you waitressed at in high school or thecommunity pool where you used to spend your summers lifeguarding, consider getting a summer internship instead. Though most don’t offer great pay—and a lot don’t even pay at all—getting real world experience outside of college is critical in today’s economy.

Although having a postsecondary degree will certainly increase your chances of finding employment, recent college graduates are having a harder time getting jobs straight out of college. With more people unemployed and looking for work, employers will be more likely to select those who are college educated and have some experience under their belt. An internship can provide you with that.

In addition to gaining hands on experience, an internship is also a great opportunity for networking, one of those buzzwords you’ll hear a lot upon graduation. Meeting new people, whether they are other employees or clients, could open up a lot of doors for you after you graduate. If you work hard at whatever tasks you are assigned to, take full advantage of all opportunities you are given, and take on challenges, your internship may just evolve into a full-time job.

Finally, an internship can show you what you like—or what you don’t like—about the career you are pursuing. It can help you narrow down what you want to do within your field, or it may show you that you need to think about changing your focus. At the very least, it’s a chance to beef up your resume and offers something extra to future prospective employers.

You can use a variety of resources to find a summer internship. Check with your career counselor or guidance office. Employers often contact colleges informing them they are in need of interns; your college will likely have a page on its Web site that will allow you to search for these opportunities. If you’d like to work for a specific company, don’t be afraid to contact them directly and ask if there are any opportunities available. If you’re willing to take an unpaid internship, chances are they’ll be glad to accommodate you.

Making the Most of Your College Experience

A few months ago, Zinch polled a bunch of college sophomores about their first year college experience. We found out a lot of good stuff. Below are some highlights and some feedback on how to have a successful first year.

Top 5 Recommendations for a Successful Freshman Year:

1. Go to class

While entering freshmen were somewhat worried about their academic preparation from high school, the reality was far less of a problem. More than 25% of entering freshman were concerned or very concerned about their academic preparation. But more than 44% found their high school preparation stronger than expected.

The difficulty of college courses was, in fact, the second greatest concern entering freshmen had about academics. (After workload.) Fortunately, course difficulty was less of a problem in reality than anticipated.

Another student said, “Go to class! Having all this freedom, there is a desire to sleep in once in a while. Don’t!”

2.  Get out of your dorm room and participate in campus activities

Most freshmen — 70% — participated in campus activities, with more than 40% getting very involved in organized clubs. Only about 3% of our sample played varsity athletics, only slightly more than half said they would continue playing their varsity sport in their sophomore year.

Students who said they didn’t have a successful freshman year were significantly less likely to have participated in campus activities. They also didn’t have enough spending money and were far more stressed about money.

About 40% of freshmen held part-time jobs, mostly on campus. Half of those students worked between 5 and 10 hours a week, and almost as many worked between 10 and 20 hours a week.

What advice do happy upperclassmen have for entering freshmen?

“Make time beyond studying for some healthy activities. Sure you’ll party. But don’t make college just about partying.”

3.  Do your reading on a regular basis

Many students had fears about the academic workload.  We found this was the biggest concern among entering freshmen. And indeed, the reality was closer to the expectation than any other factor. Some 60% of students said they were concerned, and 30% said it was tougher than expected.

The reality is college will be different from high school; you already know that. The workload is different; the pace is different; and there is very little handholding. What does it take to succeed?

One student responded, “Everything moves at a much faster pace. The trick is to keep up with the reading.”

4.  Be considerate of your roommate

So what advice did our respondents say about living with strangers?

“Always try to be kind and courteous to your roommates, and be considerate of them. Keep your area(s) clean. It also helps to have a working agreement about who takes care of what bigger tasks like cleaning the bathroom and floor.”

5.  If you don’t get along with your roommate, change roommates sooner rather than later

71% of freshmen reported that before getting assigned a roommate, their college sent them a questionnaire asking about preferences and habits. So how useful – or successful – was that “matching” service? Mixed!

Only 28% said their match was bad or awful. But 20% said pretty good and 30% said great! What was interesting – or a warning to college administrators who administer these questionnaires – is that the “success rate” of matching was just marginally better for those who completed questionnaires.

“Communication is key because without communication neither will resolve a problem if one exists.”

Even in the down economy, the gaming industry still made around $20 billion in revenue in 2009. It continues to be one of largest growing industries and game makers are confident that they will be even more successful in 2010. So, we want to know - are you interested in working in the video game industry? Do you need a special edge to get yourself in the door or perhaps you haven’t worked on a game before or your exposure to graphics programming is basic?

Take a look at the following undergraudate and master’s programs that can definitely help you achieve your goals. If you’re interested Shout Out to these schools on Zinch to receive more information.

Masters

DigiPen’s Master of Science in Computer Science – Designed for those wishing to gain skills pursued by the game industry or to enhance knowledge as a working professional, the DigiPen’s Master of Science in Computer Science program gives students the unique opportunity to study advanced computer science theories with a direct application toward games. High standards of academic rigor, unique project-based curricula, and world-renowned faculty make DigiPen the ideal setting for future game industry leaders.

Full Sail’s Education Media Design & Technology Master’s Program – In Full Sail University’s Education Media Design & Technology program, you’ll learn to utilize media creation tools and technology to create podcasts, video presentations, and more, and you’ll also study how alternate learning methods like video games, music, and educational multimedia can help you to develop a truly inspirational learning environment and be a content creator in your classroom. In addition, you’ll study a variety of learning theories and curriculum models, as you develop an understanding of which methods work best in a given learning environment.

Undergraduate

If you are looking for undergraduate programs in gaming then you need to check out Full Sail and UAT’s programs.

Full Sail has programs in both Game Art and Game Design. At UAT you can major in Game Art & Animation, Game Design, Game Production & Management and Game Programming.

Check them out and then Shout Out for more information.

Happy gaming!

Susie Levitt and Katie Shea were tired of walking around Manhattan sidewalks between classes in their high heels.

Tal Raviv found it really difficult to connect with friends on Facebook whose names were common.

Jaun Calle and Adam Berlin felt that watching college football on television just wasn’t as exciting as being at the game in person.

Each of these individuals had a problem, something they weren’t satisfied with. A lot of people would just deal with it but these guys didn’t, they found a solution. Like the successful businesses of the past that started in garages, these students started their businesses in their dorm rooms.

“Levitt and Shea created “CitiSoles,” a shoe company that makes a foldable shoe for when the pain of high heels gets unbearable. Raviv created “DropCard” an e-business card that lets users send more contact information than is commonly found on a business card. Calle and Berlin formed “SEC Excursions” a travel company that provides busing, tailgate parties and hotel accommodations to college football games.”

Read more about how these students started these businesses by checking out this article at CNN.com/living.