NEWS..............UNLIMITED

hi

2011-04-20T17:08:00.001-07:00

2010-06-26T06:52:00.000-07:00

despite the declaration by the prophets of doom that tape is a dead technology

road

2010-01-16T08:40:00.000-08:00

A 22-year-old man was bitten by a dog.
A man was outside the Bracken Fox restaurant when a rottweiler, attacked him, police said.
The Bracken Fox restaurant is near Leeds.
A man has been taken to St James’s Hospital in Leeds to be treated for three bites to his left thigh.
The man has been named locally as Jonathan Miller.
The man was getting rid of some empty bottles in the car park of the restaurant when the dog attacked him.
Jonathan Miller works at the Bracken Fox restaurant as assistant manager.
One of the paramedics who attended to Mr Miller at the scene said: “I’ve never seen such deep wounds in ten years of this job. That dog must have had a real problem with the guy.”
The incident happened at 12.30 on Saturday, when the man was getting rid of the empty bottles from the busy Friday night.
A waitress from the restaurant, Lucy Milne, found Mr Miller in the car park in a pool of blood.
She said: “I can’t believe Jonny’s been bitten. He was only outside for five minutes and when I went to take some more bottles out I found him on the ground. I hate dogs.”
West Yorkshire Police have launched an inquiry. They are appealing for witnesses to the incident.
Rottweilers are listed under the Dangerous Dogs Act.
There have been 12 attacks by rottweilers in Yorkshire in the past 3 years.

PICTURE SAYS IT ALL

2008-03-12T21:26:00.000-07:00

SAP IT.........................

2008-03-12T21:15:00.000-07:00

SAP, started in 1972 by five former IBM employees in Mannheim, Germany, states that it is the world's largest inter-enterprise software company and the world's fourth-largest independent software supplier, overall.
The original name for SAP was German: Systeme, Anwendungen, Produkte, German for "Systems Applications and Products." The original SAP idea was to provide customers with the ability to interact with a common corporate database for a comprehensive range of applications. Gradually, the applications have been assembled and today many corporations, including IBM and Microsoft, are using SAP products to run their own businesses.

SAP applications, built around their latest R/3 system, provide the capability to manage financial, asset, and cost accounting, production operations and materials, personnel, plants, and archived documents. The R/3 system runs on a number of platforms including Windows 2000 and uses the client/server model. The latest version of R/3 includes a comprehensive Internet-enabled package.

SAP has recently recast its product offerings under a comprehensive Web interface, called mySAP.com, and added new e-business applications, including customer relationship management (CRM) and supply chain management (SCM).

As of January 2007, SAP, a publicly traded company, had over 38,4000 employees in over 50 countries, and more than 36,200 customers around the world. SAP is turning its attention to small- and-medium sized businesses (SMB). A recent R/3 version was provided for IBM's AS/400 platform.

BEFORE MICROSOFT.....BILL GATES

2008-03-11T23:05:00.000-07:00

Family and Early Childhood
On October 28, 1955, shortly after 9:00 p.m., William Henry Gates III was born. He was born into a family with a rich history in business, politics, and community service. His great-grandfather had been a state legislator and mayor, his grandfather was the vice president of a national bank, and his father was a prominent lawyer. [Wallace, 1992, p. 8-9] Early on in life, it was apparent that Bill Gates inherited the ambition, intelligence, and competitive spirit that had helped his progenitors rise to the top in their chosen professions. In elementary school he quickly surpassed all of his peer's abilities in nearly all subjects, especially math and science. His parents recognized his intelligence and decided to enroll him in Lakeside, a private school known for its intense academic environment. This decision had far reaching effects on Bill Gates's life. For at Lakeside, Bill Gates was first introduced to computers.

First computing Experience
In the Spring of 1968, the Lakeside prep school decided that it should acquaint the student body with the world of computers [Teamgates.com, 9/29/96]. Computers were still too large and costly for the school to purchase its own. Instead, the school had a fund raiser and bought computer time on a DEC PDP-10 owned by General Electric. A few thousand dollars were raised which the school figured would buy more than enough time to last into the next school year. However, Lakeside had drastically underestimated the allure this machine would have for a hand full of young students.

Bill Gates, Paul Allen, and a few other Lakeside students (many of whom were the first programmers hired at Microsoft) immediately became inseparable from the computer. They would stay in the computer room all day and night, writing programs, reading computer literature and anything else they could to learn about computing. Soon Gates and the others started running into problems with the faculty. Their homework was being turned in late (if at all), they were skipping classes to be in the computer room and worst of all, they had used up all of the schools computer time in just a few weeks. [Wallace, 1992, p. 24]

In the fall of 1968, Computer Center Corporation opened for business in Seattle. It was offering computing time at good rates, and one of the chief programmers working for the corporation had a child attending Lakeside. A deal was struck between Lakeside Prep School and the Computer Center Corporation that allowed the school to continue providing it's students with computer time. [Wallace, 1992, p. 27] Gates and his comrades immediately began exploring the contents of this new machine. It was not long before the young hackers started causing problems. They caused the system to crash several times and broke the computers security system. They even altered the files that recorded the amount of computer time they were using. They were caught and the Computer Center Corporation banned them from the system for several weeks.

Bill Gates, Paul Allen and, two other hackers from Lakeside formed the Lakeside Programmers Group in late 1968. They were determined to find a way to apply their computer skills in the real world. The first opportunity to do this was a direct result of their mischievous activity with the school's computer time. The Computer Center Corporation's business was beginning to suffer due to the systems weak security and the frequency that it crashed. Impressed with Gates and the other Lakeside computer addicts' previous assaults on their computer, the Computer Center Corporation decided to hire the students to find bugs and expose weaknesses in the computer system. In return for the Lakeside Programming Group's help, the Computer Center Corporation would give them unlimited computer time [Wallace, 1992, p. 27]. The boys could not refuse. Gates is quoted as saying "It was when we got free time at C-cubed (Computer Center Corporation) that we really got into computers. I mean, then I became hardcore. It was day and night" [Wallace, 1992, p. 30]. Although the group was hired just to find bugs, they also read any computer related material that the day shift had left behind. The young hackers would even pick employees for new information. It was here that Gates and Allen really began to develop the talents that would lead to the formation of Microsoft seven years later.

Roots of Business Career
Computer Center Corporation began to experience financial problems late in 1969. The company finally went out of business in March of 1970. The Lakeside Programmers Group had to find a new way to get computer time. Eventually they found a few computers on the University of Washington's campus where Allen's dad worked. The Lakeside Programmers Group began searching for new chances to apply their computer skills. Their first opportunity came early the next year when Information Sciences Inc. hired them to program a payroll program. Once again the group was given free computer time and for the first time, a source of income. ISI had agreed to give them royalties whenever it made money from any of the groups programs. As a result of the business deal signed with Information Sciences Inc., the group also had to become a legal business [Wallace, 1992, p. 42-43]. Gates and Allen's next project involved starting another company entirely on their own, Traf-O-Data. They produced a small computer which was used to help measure traffic flow. From the project they grossed around $20,000. The Traf-O-Data company lasted until Gates left for college. During Bill Gates' junior year at Lakeside, the administration offered him a job computerizing the school's scheduling system. Gates asked Allen to help with the project. He agreed and the following summer, they wrote the program. In his senior year, Gates and Allen continued looking for opportunities to use their skills and make some money. It was not long until they found this opportunity. The defense contractor TRW was having trouble with a bug infested computer similar to the one at Computer Center Corporation. TRW had learned of the experience the two had working on the Computer Center Corporation's system and offered Gates and Allen jobs. However thing would be different at TRW they would not be finding the bugs they would be in charge of fixing them. "It was at TRW that Gates began to develop as a serious programer," and it was there that Allen and Gates first started talking seriously about forming their own software company [Wallace, 1992, p. 49-51].

In the fall of 1973, Bill Gates left home for Harvard University [Teamgates.com, 9/29/96]. He had no idea what he wanted to study, so he enrolled as prelaw. Gates took the standard freshman courses with the exception of signing up for one of Harvard's toughest math courses. He did well but just as in high school, his heart was not in his studies. After locating the school's computer center, he lost himself in the world of computers once again. Gates would spend many long nights in front of the school's computer and the next days asleep in class. Paul Allen and Gates remained in close contact even with Bill away at school. They would often discuss ideas for future projects and the possibility of one day starting a business. At the end of Gates's first year at Harvard, the two decided that Allen should move closer to him so that they may be able to follow up on some of their ideas. That summer they both got jobs working for Honeywell [Wallace, 1992, p. 59]. As the summer dragged on, Allen began to push Bill harder with the idea that they should open a software company. Gates was still not sure enough to drop out of school. The following year, however, that would all change.

The Birth of Microsoft
In December of 1974, Allen was on his way to visit Gates when along the way he stopped to browse the current magazines. What he saw changed his and Bill Gates's lives forever. On the cover of Popular Electronics was a picture of the Altair 8080 and the headline "World's First Microcomputer Kit to Rival Commercial Models." He bought the issue and rushed over to Gates's dorm room. They both recognized this as their big opportunity. The two knew that the home computer market was about to explode and that someone would need to make software for the new machines. Within a few days, Gates had called MITS (Micro Instrumentation and Telemetry Systems), the makers of the Altair. He told the company that he and Allen had developed a BASIC that could be used on the Altair [Teamgates.com, 9/29/96]. This was a lie. They had not even written a line of code. They had neither an Altair nor the chip that ran the computer. The MITS company did not know this and was very interested in seeing their BASIC. So, Gates and Allen began working feverishly on the BASIC they had promised. The code for the program was left mostly up to Bill Gates while Paul Allen began working on a way to simulate the Altair with the schools PDP-10. Eight weeks later, the two felt their program was ready. Allen was to fly to MITS and show off their creation. The day after Allen arrived at MITS, it was time to test their BASIC. Entering the program into the company's Altair was the first time Allen had ever touched one. If the Altair simulation he designed or any of Gates's code was faulty, the demonstration would most likely have ended in failure. This was not the case, and the program worked perfectly the first time [Wallace, 1992, p. 80]. MITS arranged a deal with Gates and Allen to buy the rights to their BASIC.[Teamgates.com, 9/29/96] Gates was convinced that the software market had been born. Within a year, Bill Gates had dropped out of Harvard and Microsoft was formed.

GO GOOGLE.....................

2008-03-11T22:29:00.000-07:00

Google Inc.'s long-anticipated acquisition of online ad service DoubleClick Inc. is expected to turn the Internet search leader into an even more powerful marketing vehicle that's fueled by better insights about consumers.

The $3.1 billion deal, completed Tuesday after nearly a year of regulatory wrangling, also may intensify the pressure on Microsoft Corp. and Yahoo Inc. to resolve their stormy courtship so they don't risk further distractions while Google tries to sprint further ahead in the race for Internet advertising.

Google took control of DoubleClick a few hours after Europe's antitrust regulators removed the final stumbling block by approving a deal that was first announced 11 months ago.

U.S. regulators cleared the transaction in December, casting aside objections from Microsoft and other companies that argued DoubleClick would give Google too much control over online advertising and potentially sensitive information about consumer behavior on the Internet.

Besides opening up new opportunities, Google's takeover of DoubleClick will create more challenges for a management team already grappling with concerns about how the slowing U.S. economy will affect the company's earnings growth this year.

Google Chairman Eric Schmidt acknowledged in a statement that the biggest acquisition in the company's 9 1/2-year history probably will trigger an unspecified number of layoffs after years of relentless hiring. The looming job cuts will be concentrated in the United States, although Schmidt said offices in other countries could be affected.

New York-based DoubleClick has 1,500 employees with offices in France, England, Germany, Ireland, Spain, Australia and Spain. Mountain View-based Google employs nearly 17,000 workers, up from 1,600 just four years ago.

Google's recently slumping shares soared with the rest of the stock market Tuesday, gaining $26.22, or 6.3 percent, to $439.84. The company's stock price remains down by 36 percent so far this year.

DoubleClick is expected to broaden Google's already extensive reach in the $40 billion Internet advertising market.

Google has been the market's most dominant player so far, generating more than $16 billion in revenue last year. Most of the money flowed in from short, written ads that Google places alongside search results and other Web content.

DoubleClick specializes in placing more dynamic, multimedia ads, a form of marketing that is expected to become more important in the next few years as big companies spend more money promoting their brands online.

With somewhere between $300 million and $400 million in annual revenue, DoubleClick isn't expected to have a significant impact on Google's profit this year.

But the addition is bound to give Google an important advantage over its rivals, said Russ Mann, chief executive of Covario, which helps manage and analyze online advertising campaigns.

"Google is going to be like a runaway locomotive coming full steam ahead now," Mann said.

Standard & Poor's equity analyst Scott Kessler isn't convinced the deal will pay off for Google as quickly as some might think, largely because the company doesn't have a track record of mining big profits from its past acquisitions. For instance, Google paid $1.76 billion for online video leader YouTube in November 2006, but the site still isn't producing significant profits.

"It's definitely a big deal, but whether they can execute on the potential remains to be seen," Kessler said.

But just the prospect of Google growing even stronger now that DoubleClick is in its fold could be enough to prompt Microsoft to step up its pursuit of Yahoo or withdraw its offer to spend the money on other expansion opportunities.

"Everyone knew the (DoubleClick) deal was coming, but (the consummation) probably contributes a degree of urgency because now it is real," Kessler said.

Microsoft has offered to buy Yahoo for more than $40 billion, but the unsolicited bid has been at a standstill for the past month because the two sides can't agree on a price.

Both Microsoft and Yahoo had opposed Google's acquisition of DoubleClick, arguing that it could stifle competition in the online advertising market and potentially compromise consumer privacy.

Representatives of both Microsoft and Yahoo declined to comment Tuesday.

Google's pursuit of DoubleClick had a domino effect almost as soon as the two companies announced their marriage plans last April. Within a few months, Microsoft, Yahoo and Time Warner Inc.'s AOL had spent more than $7 billion snapping up other online ad networks and tools to mount a counterattack.

Besides helping Google build a one-step shop for advertisers and Web publishers, DoubleClick also brings a wealth of information about consumer behavior accumulated through years of tracking online surfing.

Coupled with the knowledge Google has gleaned from analyzing its users' search requests, DoubleClick's data will provide an even better understanding about what appeals to each individual consumer.

Google, which has embraced "don't be evil" as its motto, has pledged to vigilantly guard the information. Management believes the data will lead to more relevant and less annoying ads, making the Internet more enjoyable.

"We will be able to help publishers and advertisers generate more revenue," Schmidt wrote. "That in turn will fuel the creation of even more rich and diverse content for Internet users everywhere."

But consumer watchdogs are worried about too much power — and information — being concentrated at a single company.

The Center for Digital Democracy, a privacy advocate, said regulators' failure to impose safeguards had "helped strengthen a growing digital colossus that will now be in a dominant position to shape much of the global future of the Internet."

BENGAL TIGER.....KOLKATAS PRIDE....SAURAV GANGULY

2008-03-11T12:37:00.000-07:00

Sourav Chandidas Ganguly made his entry into this world on July 08, 1973 in Calcutta, the ‘City of Joy’, now Kolkata. He was born into a sports loving family and was the second of two sons born to Chandidas and Nirupa Ganguly. He was born into immense wealth, unlike many Indian cricketers, with the exception of royalty. His parents gave him the nickname of ‘Maharaj’ meaning ‘Prince’. Perhaps, they knew that their son was born to lead.

Sourav’s father, Chandidas Ganguly runs a flourishing printing business, the 3rd largest in Asia, that has helped make the Gangulys among the 5 richest in Kolkata. Even today, Dada's

father is one of the major barons in the printing business in Kolkata. His palatial, joint-family home which has nearly 30 members in the Kolkata suburb of Behala has more than 45 rooms. There is suggestion of affluence everything in the Ganaguly household, from the palatial 4-storey building itself to the beautifully decorated rooms. The annual turnover of Sourav's family is nearly 80 crores, with just a profit of 40 crores!

As a child, Sourav was extremely mischievous, a typical Cancerian one could say. His brother Snehashish (nicknamed Raj) was born five years before him and became an accomplished left handed batsman. Though Sourav is a natural right hander, he learned to bat with his left hand from his brother, Snehashish. Sourav does everything else, including writing and bowling with his right hand. Convenience was one of the reasons for Sourav to become a left-handed batsman as he could then use his brother's cricket gear.

For someone who is one of the best cricketers of contemporary times, it would come as a surprise to many of Sourav’s fans that cricket was not his first love. Like all people who dwell in the city of Kolkata, Sourav’s first sporting passion was football. But like most Indian kids, he had to make the difficult choice between academics and sport and his mother wasn’t very supportive of Sourav taking up cricket or any sport as a career. But Snehashish, who was an established cricketer for Bengal only strengthened his brother’s resolve to be a cricketer and he asked his father to get Sourav enrolled in a cricket coaching camp during Sourav's class ten holidays.

For a young man who used his brother's cricket gear during practice, it was indeed ironical that he replaced his brother in the Bengal cricket team and consequently, Snehashish was dropped. And thus, Sourav began a glorious cricketing career.

Sourav made his debut in international cricket way back in 1992 during a tour Down Under. But unfortunately, the 19-year old played in just one match against West Indies at Brisbane in which he failed to make an impression, and hence, was dropped from the side. A young Sourav had to face more than just the frustration of being dropped after one opportunity. Rumors of his attitude problems and lack of respect for the senior players hurt Sourav the most. There were also reports in certain newspapers that Sourav refused to carry drinks on the field for a senior cricketer, which he denies till date. He was given a raw deal on his first tour when some prominent cricketers tagged him to be ‘arrogant’ and a ‘

boy with no cricketing talent’. He was ignored for well over four years and many thought that his days as an international cricketer were numbered.

A few years later, however, Sourav came back strong and more determined than ever to make his mark in the world of cricket. He made his debut along with his good friend and now vice captain, Rahul Dravid in the 2nd test vs. England at Lord’s. Sourav amazed cricketers and critics alike when he smashed a century in his debut Test.

He went on to score a century in the very next innings as well. More success came his way when Sourav was named ‘man of the series’ in his Debut. Weeks after his successful tour of England, Sourav eloped with childhood sweetheart Dona Roy. All hell broke lose when the the families of Sourav and Dona heard learnt about the secret wedding. However, both families reconciled and a formal wedding was held in February 1997. Happily married, Sourav and Dona are proud parents of a girl named Sana, born in November 2001.

Sourav hasn’t looked back since his debut and today, he has many records to his name including that of the highest score in a World Cup and is the 2nd highest century getter in ODI after teammate Sachin Tendulkar. He is also referred to as 'the golden arm' in the Indian team as his gentle medium pace bowling has given India many a vital breakthrough in one-day cricket. In Test matches today, he, Rahul Dravid and the great Tendulkar form the core of the Indian batting line up.

This man is revered in his home town where he enjoys a God like status. But that is the price one has to pay for being a celebrity in India. If people in Kolkata come to know that Sourav is home, there is a huge crowd that gathers at the gate of his palatial home. As likeable as he is, Sourav also has been firm enough to let overbearing fans and prying media persons know that he deserves and needs his share of privacy. Sourav prefers a quiet evening alone with his wife rather than have photographers and lensmen chasing him all over Kolkata. Sourav is also a deeply religious person and observes a fast every Tuesday.

No one had thought that a lad ridiculed as a non talent, brushed off as being high headed, accused of showing disrespect towards seniors and having attitude problems would one day lead the Indian cricket team. Yet, Sourav Ganguly is now in the hot seat as the captain of the Indian Cricket team. Sourav was appointed as captain when Sachin Tendulkar, shocked everyone by stepping down from his captaincy after India’s disastrous tour Down Under in 1999. As vice captain to Tendulkar, Sourav was the most obvious choice.

Sourav began well as captain, leading India to a series win over South Africa in the 5 match one day series. He really

started coming into his own as the leader of the Indian Team in the ICC Knockout trophy, where he led India to the finals.

Sourav felt that every young player should play two years of domestic cricket before being selected for international assignments. He also said that every newcomer should be given at least five games to prove himself. Perhaps, he being at a receiving end of a raw deal that threatened to ruin his international cricket career enabled Sourav to understand the insecurities of other newcomers in the team better than his predecessors. Sourav backed the youngsters in the team tremendously and thus, gained the love of his teammates.

Sourav also was not shy of taking on responsibility. He showed that he can be a leader of a team, which has greats like Sachin and Dravid in the side, without any problems. Under Sourav's leadership, India got back the winning habit which the team had forgotten.

Today, Sourav Ganguly is the most successful Indian captain leaving Mohammed Azharuddin’s previous record of 14 test wins behind. Sourav has won 21 Tests as captain, of which more than 7 wins have come overseas! His success rate is an amazing 42%, the highest ever by an Indian captain.

Under his captaincy, the Indian team achieved remarkable heights, including the Test series win against Australia at home in 2001, reaching the World Cup Final in 2003, and winning both the one-day and Test series in Pakistan in 2004.

In just a few years, Sourav rewrote the rules of captaincy. Unlike some of his predecessors, he was impartial, non-parochial, and forever pushed his players to perform better. Off the field, Sourav’s interactions with the media, his fans, and detractors were uncompromisingly honest and earned him the respect of cricket followers everywhere. His 5-year reign

as India's most successful skipper came to an end in October 2005 when vice-captain Rahul Dravid was given the hot seat.

Sourav Ganguly is not just the ‘Prince of Calcutta’ but he is also the ‘Monarch of Indian Cricket’.

USA TOP B SCHOOLS

2008-03-11T12:32:00.000-07:00

1Harvard University (MA)
2Stanford University (CA)
3University of Pennsylvania (Wharton)

4Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Sloan)

5Northwestern University (Kellogg) (IL)

5University of Chicago

7Dartmouth College (Tuck) (NH)

8University of California–Berkeley (Haas)

9Columbia University (NY)

10New York University (Stern)

11University of Michigan–Ann Arbor (Ross)

12Duke University (Fuqua) (NC)

12University of Virginia (Darden)

14Cornell University (Johnson) (NY)

14Yale University (CT)

16University of California–Los Angeles (Anderson)

17Carnegie Mellon University (Tepper) (PA)

18University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill (Kenan-Flagler)

18University of Texas–Austin (McCombs)

20Emory University (Goizueta) (GA)

21University of Southern California (Marshall)

22Ohio State University (Fisher)

22Purdue University–West Lafayette (Krannert) (IN)

24Indiana University–Bloomington (Kelley)

25Georgetown University (McDonough) (DC)

25Georgia Institute of Technology

25University of Maryland–College Park (Smith)

25University of Minnesota–Twin Cities (Carlson)

29Michigan State University (Broad)

29Texas A&M University–College Station (Mays)

29University of Washington

29University of Wisconsin–Madison

29Washington University in St. Louis (Olin)

34Pennsylvania State University–University Park (Smeal)

34Vanderbilt University (Owen) (TN)

36University of Rochester (Simon) (NY)

37University of Florida (Warrington)

37University of Illinois–Urbana-Champaign

39Boston College (Carroll)

39University of Notre Dame (Mendoza) (IN) ***

41Arizona State University–Main Campus (Carey)

41Babson College (Olin) (MA)

41Boston University

41Brigham Young University (Marriott) (UT)

45Tulane University (Freeman) (LA)

46University of California–Davis

46University of Georgia (Terry)

48Rice University (Jones) (TX)

49Wake Forest University (Babcock) (NC)

50University of Iowa (Tippie)

BRAND IIM......................A NEW POSITIONING

2008-03-11T12:27:00.000-07:00

A new positioning

Is the 'IIM' brand name invincible?

Yes, if you play by the rules they have set for the game. The new institution builders have to find new positioning, like the Indian School of Business, Hyderabad, did. It attacked the one 'Achilles heel' of the IIM model -- its major intake of fresh graduates.

ISB's one-year, work-experience only MBA was a clearly differentiated product. By aligning itself with GMAT, ISB at once established admissions credibility that was delinked from CAT.

But comparing ISB and IIM-A is comparing Aishwarya Rai and Sushmita Sen. Each has its own charm.

The future belongs to institutions which ride on a vision and serve a clear, definable customer need. The Mudra Institute of Communications, Ahmedabad, for example, fulfills the demand for high quality advertising professionals.

The problem is finding an enduring customer need -- an 'e-business MBA' has no takers today. Besides, most companies still prefer to recruit a good marketing brain from a credible institution over a super-specialised MBA in insurance or telecommunications.

Institution building is extremely hard work. It is a lot easier to view education as a business and maximise return on investment. All you really need to set up an MBA institute is a few classrooms and a bunch of 'visiting faculty.' If the IIMs are the Brahmins of the MBA hierarchy, the vast majority of B-schools are essentially merchants or 'baniyas.'

To the few attempting the brave and difficult path of institution building, my salutations.

You are the Kshatriyas, or warrior MBAs. Keep up the good fight!

WORLDS BEST B-SCHOOLS.............

2008-03-11T12:22:00.000-07:00

Best Business Schools in the UK and Europe
This is the list of the best B Schools in Europe and UK. The rankings mentioned on the site are indicative ones. However, these rankings could vary from that of other ranking services. A striking feature of the B Schools in Europe is that many of the top schools in Europe offer a one year MBA as compared to a 2 year MBA offered by the top ranking schools in the US and elsewhere.
1. INSEAD
INSEAD, recognized as the best B School in Europe offers a One Year Full Time MBA. Insead has an Europe Campus in France and an Asian campus in Singapore. Admissions to the program is through a single pool of application for both the campuses. There are two opportunities to start your MBA each year - in both Fontainebleau and Singapore: January to December and August to July. Insead also offers a Doctoral in Management. MBA | PhD
2. London School of Business
London Business School, the most renowned B School in the UK offers a Full Time MBA program and a Doctoral program in Management. The School also offers a variety of other programs including the Executive MBA and Masters in Finance program. MBA | Masters | PhD
3. IMD, Switzerland
IMD Switzerland, one of the best business schools in europe, offers a One year full time MBA program and an Executive MBA program that can be taken in 16 months or over several years. MBA | EMBA
4. IESE Business School, University of Navarra, Spain
IESE, Spain offers a 19 month full time MBA program that is bilingual and a Doctoral program in Management. MBA | Ph.D
5. Rotterdam School of Management, The Netherlands
Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University, The Netherlands, a premier business school in Europe, offers a Full Time International MBA that commences in October each year. In addition, the School offers various Masters programs such as Masters in Finance, Masters in HR. The School also offers a Doctoral program in Management. MBA | Ph.D
6. The Judge Institute of Management, University of Cambridge
The Judge Institute of Management, University of Cambridge, a top b school in the UK offers a One year Full Time MBA, many M.Phil and Masters courses and a Doctoral program in Management. MBA | Ph.D
7. Said Business School, University of Oxford
The Said Business School, University of Oxford, offers an Undergraduate Program and a One Year Full Time MBA program. The Business School admits between 150 and 200 students each year. UG | MBA
8. SDA Bocconi, Bocconi University School of Management, Italy
SDA Bocconi, located at the heart of Milan offers a One Year Full Time MBA and about a half a dozen Masters programs in Management. The School also offers a part time MBA without necessarily going to Milan and an Evening MBA. MBA | Masters
9. Warwick Business School, Coventry, UK
Warwick Business School, The University of Warwick, offers many Undergraduate programs and Masters programs in management. The school offers four flexible MBA programs and a Doctoral program that is rated amongst the top five in the world. UG | Masters | MBA | Ph.D

Best Business Schools for MBA in Asia
This is the list of the best Asian B Schools in Hong Kong, Singapore, China, Philippines and Japan. The rankings mentioned on the site for these Asia Pacific B Schools and management institutes are indicative ones. The list does not include schools in India. Indian B Schools are listed under a separate category. The rankings are only indicative and could vary from that of other ranking services.
1. Hongkong University of Science and Technology Full Time MBA Program
2. NUS Business School - National University of Singapore
3. Asian Institute of Management - Manila - Philippines
4. School of Business - University of Hong Kong MBA
5. IUJ Business School - International University of Japan
6. Nanyang Business School - Singapore
7. INSEAD - Singapore

Top Business Schools in Canada
This is the list of the top 10 best Business Schools in Canada. Amongst these top b schools are the Canadian equivalent of the Ivy League b schools. The order in which the b schools are listed on the site are quite representative of their rankings. However, the order should not be strictly construed to be rankings assigned to these b schools. The order may vary from that listed by other ranking services.
1. Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario
The School offers the Honours Business Administration, the undergraduate program in Business Administration, a graduate MBA and a Doctoral program in Management. In addition, the School also offers an Executive MBA in Hong Kong. UG | MBA | PhD

2. Schulich School of Business, York University, Toronto, Canada
3. McGill Faculty of Management, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
4. Sauder School of Business, Univ of British Colombia, Vancouver, Canada
5. Queen's School of Business, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
6. Simon Fraser Univ, Faculty of Bus Admin, Burnaby, B.C., Canada
7. University of New Brunswick MBA, Saint John
8. University of Calgary, Haskayne School of Business, Alberta
9. Faculty of Business, University of Victoria, British Colombia
10. Michael G. DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University, Ontorio

Best Business Schools for MBA in Australia
This is the list of the best B Schools in Australia. Some of these schools are renowned the world over. The rankings mentioned on the site for these Asia Pacific B Schools and management institutes are indicative ones. These rankings could vary from that of other ranking services.
1. Melbourne Business School, University of Melbourne
Melbourne Business School, Australia ranked as the best B School in the Asia Pacific region by most surveys offers a Full Time 16 months MBA, and a Part Time MBA program. The School also offers a comprehensive Doctoral Program that offers a very wide area of specialization. Full Time MBA | PhD
2. Australian Graduate School of Management
3. Macquarie Graduate School of Management
4. Faculty of Business - Bond University
5. Faculty of Business - Queensland University of Technology
6. Curtin Business School
7. University of Tech Sydney - Business Faculty
8. Griffith University MBA
9. Mt Eliza Center for Executive Education - Melbourne Business School
10. Graduate School of Business - RMIT University
11. Graduate School of Management - Univ of Western Australia
12. The MBA program @ Univ of Queensland
13. Deakin Business School
14. National Graduate School of Management - Australian National University
15. Sydney Graduate School of Management - Univ of Western Sydney
16. Faculty of Business and Law at The Victoria University

BELL THE CAT....TOP B SCHOOLS INDIA

2008-03-11T12:19:00.000-07:00

Top B-Schools in India for MBA, PGDM
List of the best business schools in India offering PGP and Doctoral programs
Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai (JBIMS)

S. P. Jain Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai (SPJIMR)

Schools of Management, IIT (Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai)

Management Development Institute, Gurgaon (MDI)

Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai (NMIMS)

Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar (XIM B)

Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Pune (SIBM)

Symbiosis Center for Management & Human Resources Development, Pune (SCMHRD)

Institute of Management & Technology, Ghaziabad (IMT)

International Management Institute, Delhi (IMI)

Bharathidasan Institute of Management, Trichy (BIM)

Mudra Institute of Communications, Ahmedabad (MICA)

Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, Delhi (IIFT)

T. A. Pai Management Institute, Manipal (TAPMI)

Loyola Institute of Business Administration, Chennai (LIBA)

Institute of Rural Management, Anand (IRMA)

Institute of Management Development Research, Pune (IMDR)

Admission Procedure to the IIMs & Top B Schools in India
Most top India Business Schools have an admission process similar to that of the IIMs
1. CAT - The Written Test / Entrance Exam
All B-Schools in India have a written aptitude test as the first stage of screening applicants. The six IIMs conduct a Common Admission Test (CAT), usually on the third Sunday of every November. S.P. Jain Mumbai, Management Development Institute (MDI) Gurgaon, NITIE Bombay and many other business schools and MBA colleges base their selection on CAT scores. Other popular written tests in India include the XAT (Xavier Admission Test) conducted by XLRI Jamshedpur conducts and this score is a criterion for admission to XIM Bhubaneswar, BIM Trichy, LIBA Chennai, XIME Bangalore, Goa Institute of Management Goa and score of other business schools. FMS Delhi, IIFT Delhi and the Schools of Management, IIT (Joint Management Entrance Test or JMET) have their own respective tests.

The written test, the first stage of elimination, tests a student's ability to perform under pressure. The areas of testing include basic mathematics taught till Class X, English taught during the first year of graduation and analytical & logical reasoning. The written test is the most difficult step in getting into a top B-School in India. Most of the elimination takes place at this stage.

About 210,000 students took CAT in 2006. Around 1600 students get admission into one of the IIMs each year.

You can download a sample diagnostic CAT test, which is representative of the written tests conducted by the best Business Schools.

2. B School Application Essays and Reference Letters
Application Essays are an integral part of most top B Schools selection process. While only those shortlisted based on their written scores in CAT are expected to write these essays in the case of the IIMs, some other top management institutes in India such as the SP Jain ask you to write many essays at the first stage itself. In the case of SP Jain, your application essays play a crucial role in getting shortlisted for the next round - viz., group interviews. However, in the case of the IIMs, they could form the basis for the interview process. IIM Bangalore, in the recent past, requires those aspirants who have cleared CAT and been shortlisted for the GD-PI to produce three letters of reference. So, if you are planning to apply to these places, meet one of your friends who has applied to these schools in the past and get his applications to get an idea of what is generally asked.

3. Group Discussions / Personal Interviews - GD / PI
Based on the performance in the written test, students are short listed for a Group Discussion and Personal Interview. At the IIMs, anyone who is shortlisted for the GD PI process attends both the group discussion and the personal interview. GD is not an elimination stage at the IIMs. However, other b schools could have the GD as an elimination process.

4. Admission
Admission is usually offered based on the cumulative scores of written test, GD / PIs, and work experience (in some cases). Admission notification from top B Schools start from the second week of March and continue till the end of April. Many of the management institutes also have a waitlist of candidates which gets updated based on the number of students in the first list who accept offers made to them.

RUPEES ONE LAKH CAR.............INDIAS CELEBRATION

2008-03-11T12:10:00.000-07:00

TECH SPECS

Length: 3.1 m
Width: 1.5 m
Height: 1.6 m
To seat: 4
Engine: 643cc, 2-cylinder, all-aluminum
Power: 33 BHP
Position: Engine, battery at rear end
Boot: In front
Fuel: Petrol
Fuel injection: MPFI
Fuel consumption: 20 kmpl
AC: Only in deluxe version
Music system: No
Passenger side mirror: No
Power steering: No
ABS/airbags: No
Price: $2500 at dealer + VAT + transport cost. Base version approximate on-road price: $3000
Tyres: Tubeless tyres
Body: All-steel
Safety features: Crumple zones, intrusion-resistant doors, seat belts, 2 A-Pillars
Suspension: Independent front and rear

Measurements of the Nano
3.1 metre length
1.5 metre width
1.6 metre height

It will help India's huge two wheeler popular upgrade to a four-wheeler
Very affordable - priced a bit higher 2 125cc motorcycles in India
If popular, will clog roads in the cities
Establish a huge volume market that cannot be ignored by any large car manufacturer
40 patents by Tata Motors during development

A MONUMENT OF LOVE...CAN ANYTHING BE CHALLENGED?PRESENTING BRAND TAJ....WAH TAJ....

2008-03-11T11:56:00.000-07:00

Agra, once the capital of the Mughal Empire during the 16th and early 18th centuries, is one and a half hours by express train from New Delhi. Tourists from all over the world visit Agra not to see the ruins of the red sandstone fortress built by the Mughal emperors but to make a pilgrimage to Taj Mahal, India’s most famous architectural wonder, in a land where magnificent temples and edificies abound to remind visitors about the rich civilization of a country that is slowly but surely lifting itself into an industrialized society.
The postcard picture of Taj Mahal does not adequately convey the legend, the poetry and the romance that shroud what Rabindranath Tagore calls "a teardrop on the cheek of time". Taj Mahal means "Crown Palace" and is in fact the most well preserved and architecturally beautiful tomb in the world. It is best described by the English poet, Sir Edwin Arnold, as "Not a piece of architecture, as other buildings are, but the proud passions of an emperor’s love wrought in living stones." It is a celebration of woman built in marble and that’s the way to appreciate it.

Taj Mahal stands on the bank of River Yamuna, which otherwise serves as a wide moat defending the Great Red Fort of Agra, the center of the Mughal emperors until they moved their capital to Delhi in 1637. It was built by the fifth Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan in 1631 in memory of his second wife, Mumtaz Mahal, a Muslim Persian princess. She died while accompanying her husband in Burhanpur in a campaign to crush a rebellion after giving birth to their 14th child. The death so crushed the emperor that all his hair and beard were said to have grown snow white in a few months.

When Mumtaz Mahal was still alive, she extracted four promises from the emperor: first, that he build the Taj; second, that he should marry again; third, that he be kind to their children; and fourth, that he visit the tomb on her death anniversary. He kept the first and second promises. Construction began in 1631 and was completed in 22 years. Twenty thousand people were deployed to work on it. The material was brought in from all over India and central Asia and it took a fleet of 1000 elephants to transport it to the site. It was designed by the Iranian architect Ustad Isa and it is best appreciated when the architecture and its adornments are linked to the passion that inspired it. It is a "symbol of eternal love".

The Taj rises on a high red sandstone base topped by a huge white marble terrace on which rests the famous dome flanked by four tapering minarets. Within the dome lies the jewel-inlaid cenotaph of the queen. So exquisite is the workmanship that the Taj has been described as "having been designed by giants and finished by jewellers". The only asymmetrical object in the Taj is the casket of the emperor which was built beside the queen’s as an afterthought. The emperor was deposed by his son and imprisoned in the Great Red Fort for eight years but was buried in the Taj. During his imprisonment, he had a view of the Taj.

As a tribute to a beautiful woman and as a monument for enduring love, the Taj reveals its subtleties when one visits it without being in a hurry. The rectangular base of Taj is in itself symbolic of the different sides from which to view a beautiful woman. The main gate is like a veil to a woman’s face which should be lifted delicately, gently and without haste on the wedding night. In indian tradition the veil is lifted gently to reveal the beauty of the bride. As one stands inside the main gate of Taj, his eyes are directed to an arch which frames the Taj.

The dome is made of white marble, but the tomb is set against the plain across the river and it is this background that works its magic of colours that, through their reflection, change the view of the Taj. The colours change at different hours of the day and during different seasons. Like a jewel, the Taj sparkles in moonlight when the semi-precious stones inlaid into the white marble on the main mausoleum catch the glow of the moon. The Taj is pinkish in the morning, milky white in the evening and golden when the moon shines. These changes, they say, depict the different moods of woman.

Different people have different views of the Taj but it would be enough to say that the Taj has a life of its own that leaps out of marble, provided you understand that it is a monument of love. As an architectural masterpiece, nothing could be added or substracted from it.

WONDERS OF KUMBH MELA..............

2008-03-11T11:49:00.000-07:00

Kumbh(Pot) Mela(Fair) is that pilgrimage occurs four times every twelve years, once at each of the four locations in India. Attended by millions of people, making it the largest pilgrimage gathering around the world.

When Jupiter (Guru) and Sun are in zodiac sign Leo(Simha Rashi) it is celebrated in Trimbakeshwar, Nashik.

A ritual bath at a predetermined time and place is the major event of this festival. Thousands of holy men/women (monks, saints, sadhus) grace the occasion by their presence. A holy dip in the river is considered to wash away all your past sins. Other activities include religious discussions, devotional singing, mass feeding of holy men/women and the poor, and religious assemblies where doctrines are debated and standardized.

The observance of Kumbha Mela is based upon the following story : thousands of years ago, perhaps in the Vedic period, gods and demons made a temporary agreement to work together in obtaining amrita (the nectar of immortality) from the Milky Ocean, and to share this equally. However, when the Kumbha (pot) containing the amrita appeared, the demons ran away with the pot and were chased by the gods. For twelve days and twelve nights (equivalent to twelve human years) the gods and demons fought in the sky for the possession of this pot of amrita. It is said that during the battle, drops of amrita fell on to four places : Prayag, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nasik. Thus, Kumbha mela is observed at these four locations where the nectar fell.

The Four locations are
* Prayag (near the city of Allahabad, in the state of Uttar Pradesh) at the confluence of three rivers Ganga (Ganges), Yamuna and Saraswati
* Haridwar (in the state of Uttar Pradesh) where the river Ganga enters the plains from Himalayas
*Ujjain (in Madhya Pradesh), on the banks of Ksipra river
* Nasik (in Maharashtra) on the banks of Godavari river.

HOLY ELEPHANT

2008-03-11T11:45:00.000-07:00

HAMPI............RUINS OF A LOST EMPIRE

2008-03-11T11:43:00.001-07:00

Hampi is an excursion back into time. The monuments here are an exploration of an artist's love for his land and the unabashed expression of such love.

Rocks must be loved
They are gods, dancers, elephants, horses
Waiting for deliverance.
Rock
Space
Rock and inner space
Hampi.

KING'S BALANCE

Few steps from the Jain Temple leads to the curious monument, which is called King's Balance or Tula Purushadana. Here the kings of Vijayanagara on certain occasions like solar or lunar eclipse, New years day and Coronation day used to perform religious ceremony, having themselves weighed against their own weight in gold and precious stones and distribute them to the Brahmans. It is on two lofty 15 feet granite pillars a stone beam (nearly 12 feet) has been kept, carved with three stone rings, which resemble a large pair of scales. On this ornamentally carved pillar, sculptures of king and his two wives can be seen.

WONDERS OF HAMPI

2008-03-11T11:40:00.000-07:00

FAMOUS TEMPLES OF KOLKATA---KALIGHAT TEMPLE

2008-03-11T11:28:00.000-07:00

Hear me child, and know Me for who I am.

I have been with you since you were born, and I will stay with you until you return to Me at the final dusk.

I am the passionate and seductive lover who inspires the poet to dream.

I am the One who calls to you at the end of your journey. After the day is done, My children find their blessed rest in my embrace.

I am the womb from which all things are born.

I am the shadowy, still tomb; all things must come to Me and bare their breasts to die and be reborn to the Whole.

I am the Sorceress that will not be ruled, the Weaver of Time, the Teacher of Mysteries. I snip the threads that bring my children home to me. I slit the throats of the cruel and drink the blood of the heartless.

Swallow your fear and come to me, and you will discover true beauty, strength, and courage.

I am the fury which rips the flesh from injustice.

I am the glowing forge that transforms your inner demons into tools of power. Open yourself to my embrace and overcome.

I am the glinting sword that protects you from harm.

I am the crucible in which all the aspects of yourself merge together in a rainbow of union.

I am the velvet depths of the night sky, the swirling mists of midnight, shrouded in mystery.

I am the chrysalis in which you will face that which terrifies you and from which you will blossom forth, vibrant and renewed. Seek me at the crossroads, and you shall be transformed, for once you look upon my face, there is no return.

I am the fire that kisses the shackles away. I am the cauldron in which all opposites grow to know each other in Truth. I am the web which connects all things.

I am the Healer of all wounds, the Warrior who rights all wrongs in their Time.

I make the weak strong. I make the arrogant humble. I raise up the oppressed and empower the disenfranchised. I am Justice tempered with Mercy.

Most importantly, child, I am you. I am part of you, and I am within you. Seek me within and without, and you will be strong. Know me. Venture into the dark so that you may awaken to Balance, Illumination, and Wholeness. Take my Love with you everywhere and find the Power within to be who you wish.

IS AMITABH GOD?

2008-03-11T11:19:00.000-07:00

Amidst the chanting of hymns, smitten fans of Bachchan on Thursday began a daylong "puja" or worship of photos and models of the matinee idol's bust marking the beginning of a four-month-long "festival" on the matinee idol who also has a wax image at Madame Tussaud's.

To the religious this might be sacrilege. But the 59-year-old Bachchan is set to make the transition from demigod to god for his fans across the world as smoothly as his metamorphosis from the idolized "angry young man" of the 1970s to current goateed, dignified and fatherly image.

And his worshippers certainly left nothing to chance.

"The traditional Hindu way of worship began around 8:30 a.m. First Lord Ganesh (the elephant god) was worshipped, then Lord Narayan and finally god Amitabh Bachchan," S.P. Kamat, state secretary of the Amitabh Bachchan Fans Association (ABFA) told IANS.

Six Hindu priests conducted the ceremony, chanting hymns from scriptures in front of a huge garlanded framed photograph of a young Bachchan at the ABFA club in the Dumdum neighborhood.

Photographs of Hindu gods Ganesh and Narayan also form part of the pantheon.A sculptor from Asansol, 150 km from Kolkata, built a plaster of Paris bust of Bachchan for the ceremony.

"We are a trifle tense because the 'puja' has to end by 7 p.m. and immediately after that begins the inauspicious partial lunar eclipse from 7:07 p.m.," said Kamat.

"A person who has touched so many lives, can he be any less than a god?" asked Rahul Garg, a diehard Bachchan fan, whose advent on the silver screen in the 1960s initiated a new chapter in Indian cinema.

"Today's puja marks the beginning of a four-month-long Amitabh Utsav (festival) to be organized by ABFA chapters across the country," said Kamat.

At the end of it, poor people of the area would be fed in a community feast sponsored by the club. The ABFA will also organize philanthropic activities in honor of Bachchan whose films like Deewar, Zanjeer , Sholay and others form a repertoire of about 100 movies that have redefined celluloid stardom.

About 1,000 patients will be treated at four microsurgery eye camps. Fans will also undertake a campaign to popularize the idea of eye donation. Bachchan and his wife Jaya have already pledged to donate their eyes. On July 8, the ABFA will arrange a blood donation camp for thalassaemia patients, another cause close to Bachchan's heart. The first 500 blood donors would be given free tickets to the first day first show of Bachchan's forthcoming release Aks on July 13.

An exhibition on the life and times of Bachchan will be held in Kolkata from September 28 to 30. Drawing, essay and photography competitions would also be organized as also the screening of his popular films from September 20 to October 4.

The festival would conclude on October 11 with the launch of a book, "Amitabh and I," containing write-ups by people both famous and ordinary, whose lives Bachchan has "touched." The film star has reportedly agreed to launch the book in Mumbai.

ABFA's Kolkata chapter is looking for a suitable plot in the Dumdum area to build the Amitabh Temple, where an idol of the cine star would be installed.

"We have short-listed a few plots and would soon finalize one after which the construction work could begin," said club functionary Aditya Anuragi.

The "rules" for entering the temple would also be unique. A devotee wishing to pray before Bachchan's idol would first have to recite dialogues from some of his famous films. Also instead of religious hymns, Bachchan's dialogues from his films would be chanted during prayer sessions.

A museum on Bachchan is also being planned, which will contain a complete collection of his films, artifacts and other memorabilia.

Tell us what you think about this article..

THE DON OF INDIAN CINEMA..............

2008-03-11T11:07:00.000-07:00

MEET Mr BACHCHAN...............

2008-03-11T10:21:00.000-07:00

MANY MOODS OF THE DON OF INDIAN CINEMA..........AMITABH BACHCHAN

2008-03-11T10:19:00.000-07:00

Is the campaign against retailers justified?

2008-03-11T10:07:00.000-07:00

A sector that was to have created millions of new jobs in the country is reporting job losses before it even gets under way. Organised retail is still in its infancy - less than 4 per cent of the total shop space is accounted for by organised sector retailers.
But what began as a protest against international chains coming into the country (the initial targets were Metro and Wal-Mart, though even Kentucky Fried Chicken outlets were subjected to attack), and which targeted the government's policy on foreign investment, has metamorphosed now into opposition to organised retailing itself.

The result is a variant of the old argument that small-scale industry needs protection, and therefore that large industry should be kept out of dozens of industries.

The "reservation" argument with respect to industry stands discredited and the government is eliminating such reservation in stages. It would be a pity if policy were now to create such artificial and indeed counter-productive distinctions when it comes to retailing.

The political wind certainly seems to be blowing that way. Reliance [Get Quote] Retail has been forced to sack 400 employees (half its workforce) in West Bengal, because it failed to start operations following stiff opposition from political parties and local traders.

Over 300 more employees are expected to get the pink slip, and it appears that Reliance Retail's Rs 2,000-crore (Rs 20 billion) investment plan in West Bengal is in jeopardy. In Uttar Pradesh, Reliance Retail has sacked 870 employees and scrapped its expansion plans there, after its stores were ransacked by an agitating group of grocers and the state government ordered closure.

The company's plans in Orissa are also in doubt as there have been reports of protests against its first retail store in Bhubaneswar. Madhya Pradesh too has seen small grocers and traders joining hands with political parties to oppose big retail. The Kerala government has already made known its dislike for organised retail chains.

Large business houses and new entrepreneurs have entered the sector because they see opportunity to extract surpluses by achieving better supply chain efficiency, which will benefit both producers and consumers.

The people who feel threatened by this are today's traders, who themselves could benefit by sourcing supplies from cash and carry operators. Some might choose to portray this as many small Davids pitted against a giant Goliath, but there are other ways of looking at it.

It is odd, for instance, that political parties and state governments should make common cause with traders and ignore the interests of the far more numerous producers and consumers - indeed, farmers in UP had come out in favour of the store chains being opened, and consumers have definitely benefited from lower prices.

Small traders have already begun adjusting their prices, reducing them to match the new competition. All these developments are good for the economy.

The agitating grocers have singled out Reliance Retail among the domestic chains, even as other big retail chains have had a smooth ride so far in UP.

Subhiksha, a Chennai-headquartered chain of supermarkets and pharmacy stores, has opened 60 outlets in UP and plans to double that number in the next few months.

Big Bazaar, another retail chain, has opened six stories and plans to open four more. Civil society activists argue that they are targeting the big boys as a matter of tactics, but this does give rise to the suspicion of corporate rivalry also being at work.

What defies understanding is why the state administration has abdicated its own responsibility to give protection to those who want to do business.

THE RETAIL BOOM........ANY JUSTIFICATIONS?

2008-03-11T09:59:00.000-07:00

India tops the AT Kearney's annual Global Retail Development Index (GRDI) for the third consecutive year, maintaining its position as the most attractive market for retail investment.

The Indian retail market, which is the fifth largest retail destination globally, according to industry estimates is estimated to grow from the US$ 330 billion in 2007 to US$ 427 billion by 2010 and $637 billion by 2015. Simultaneously, modern retail which presently accounts for 4 per cent of the total market is likely to increase its share to 22 per cent by 2010.

India has one of the largest number of retail outlets in the world. Of the 12 million retail outlets present in the country, nearly 5 million sell food and related products. Even with this large number of outlets, organised retail accounts for only 4 per cent of the total market, opening huge growth potential in this segment.

Retail space

Driven by changing lifestyles, strong income growth and favourable demographic patterns, Indian retail is expanding at a rapid pace. Mall space, from a meagre one million square feet in 2002, is expected to touch 40 million square feet by end-2007 and an estimated 60 million square feet by end-2008, says Jones Lang LaSalle's third annual Retailer Sentiment Survey-Asia.

Alongside, Indian cities are witnessing a paradigm shift from traditional forms of retailing into a modern organized sector. A report by Images Retail estimates the number of operational malls to more than double to over 412 with 205 million square feet by 2010 and further 715 malls by 2015, on the back of major retail developments even in tier II and tier III cities in India.

Luxury retail

With consumers for luxury goods more in numbers than adult population of several countries, the Indian luxury retail market is estimated to leap-frog from around US$ 3.5 billion to US$ 30 billion by 2015, according to a survey done by AT Kearney. India's luxury market, estimated to be the 12th largest in the world, has been growing at the rate of 25 per cent per annum.

Already Indians splurge US$ 2.9 billion on luxury assets, spend another US$ 953 million on luxury services and top it by buying luxury goods worth US$ 377 million. And with a rapidly expanding population of high net worth individuals, India could emerge as the next hub for luxury goods consumption.

Consequently, a number of foreign brands including French Connection, Sanrio of Hello Kitty fame, Jimmy Choo, La Pearla and Calvin Klein among others have already lined up for permission to infuse foreign direct investment through the single-brand retail window.

Kids' retail

When it comes to Indian children, retailers are busy bonding -- and branding:

Monalisa, the Versace of kids, is coming to India.
International brand Zapp tied up with Raymond to foray into kids' apparel.
Disney launched exclusive chains which stock character-based stationery.
Pantaloon's joint venture with Gini & Jony will set up a retail chain to market kids' apparel.
Swiss kidswear brand Milou is collaborating with Tirupur-based Sreeja Hosieries.
French furniture brand Gautier is all set to hit the Indian retail market by the end of the year with a comprehensive range of furniture for children and infants.
The UK based retail chain, Marks & Spencer, is launching its kids' wear categories in India.
Leading the kids' retail revolution is the apparel business, which accounts for almost 80 per cent of the revenue, with kids' clothing in India following international fashion trends. According to research firm KSA Technopak, the branded segment comprises US$ 701.7 million of the total kids' apparel market-size of over US$ 3 billion. Industry experts say kids' retailing will touch annual growth of 30-35 per cent.

Discount Malls

Even as the organized retail market is starting to take off, there has been a concomitant surge in branded discount outlets in India. Top realtors and local retail chains are developing malls in regional boroughs, specifically to sell premium branded goods. At least 50 such malls are to come up in the next two years across the country positioned in the middle-to-the-premium end of the market.

For example, Royal Palms is developing Orchard Road Mall in the western suburbs of Mumbai. Similarly, Akruti Nirman, which is planning to brand its discount malls in Kanjurmag, Ghatkopar, Mumbai and Thane as 'Cityworld', has decided to develop similar malls in Tier II and Tier III cities. Some of the other prominent discount retailers include Pantaloon Retail (India) Ltd's Brand Factory, Arvind Mills Ltd's Megamart andand Provogue (India) Ltd's Promart among others.

E-tailing

The increase in the PC and internet penetration along with the growing preference of Indian consumers to shop online has given a tremendous boost to e-tailing-the online version of retail shopping. An estimated 10 per cent of the total e-commerce market is accounted by e-tailing.

With today's, net-savvy Indians making online purchases like never before, both the number and variety of products sold online has grown exponentially. According to the Indian Marketing Research Bureau (IMRB) and Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), the e-tail market is estimated to grow by 30 per cent to US$ 273.02 million in 2007-08, from US$ 210.01 million in 2006-07.

Retail Franchising

Along with e-tailing another perceptible trend in the growth of organized retail market has been the concept of retail franchising. According to industry estimates, retail franchising has been growing at the rate of 60 per cent in the last three years and is set to grow two-fold in the next five years.

A number of companies have been taking this route driven mainly by the need to meet the increasing consumer expectations of quality, ambience and brand experience. In addition, this route also helps the big retailer players to rapidly foray into the tier II and III towns and rural areas.

Rural retail

Led by the rising purchasing power, changing consumption patterns, increased access to information and communication technology and improving infrastructure, rural retail market is estimated to cross US$ 45.32 billion mark by 2010 and US$ 60.43 billion by 2015, says a study by CII and YES BANK.

Consequently, Corporate India is already firming up concrete plans to tap the rural retail market, which is growing at double the rate of urban markets, with innovative schemes and human resource policies. And with 87 per cent of rural markets not having access to any sort of organised marketing and distribution, this segment has tremendous potential for growth.

International Retailers

With international brands like Tommy Hilfiger, Esprit and Puma (that have entered the country) growing well over 100 per cent, many others are also planning to foray into the Indian retail market. India's vast middle class with its expanding purchasing power and its almost untapped retail industry are key attractions for global retail giants wanting to enter newer markets.

The world's largest retailer, Wal-Mart, has tied-up with Sunil Mittal's Bharti Enterprises to enter Indian retail market.
Microsoft's first shop-in-shop pilot has been launched with the Tata Group subsidiary Infiniti Retail's multi-brand consumer durables retail format, Croma.
The Walt Disney Company, consumer product retailing arm of global animation giant, will soon add 135 new stores to its existing 15 stores.
World's leading coffee chain, Starbucks' enters India through a tie-up with the country's leading multiplex operator PVR Limited.
Apple Inc has entered into an exclusive marketing and distribution deal with Reliance Retail through "iStore by Reliance Digital".
The UK-based international coffee chain, Costa Coffee, plans to double the number of retail outlets by the end of 2008.
Some of the international players that have already entered India include McDonald's, Pizza Hut, Dominos, Levis, Lee, Nike, Adidas, TGIF, Benetton, Swarovski, Sony, Sharp, Kodak, Medicine Shoppe among others.

Retail Reform

The Government allows 100 per cent foreign direct investment (FDI) in cash and carry through the automatic route and 51 per cent in single brand. Besides, the franchise route is available for big operators. To further attract global retailers, the economic survey 2007-08 has suggested a share for foreign equity in all retail trade and 100 per cent in respect of luxury brands and other specialised retail chains.

DIRECTORS CUT............RITUPARNO GHOSH

2008-03-11T09:52:00.000-07:00

Director:
In Production
2000s
1990s
Sunglass (2008) (in production)

The Last Lear (2007)
Dosar (2006)
... aka The Companion (International: English title)
Antarmahal: Views of the Inner Chamber (2005)
Raincoat (2004)
Chokher Bali (2003)
... aka Choker Bali: A Passion Play (International: English title)
... aka Sand in the Eye (India: English title)
Shubho Mahurat (2003)
Titli (2002)
... aka The First Monsoon Day (International: English title)
Utsab (2000)
... aka The Festival (International: English title)

Asukh (1999)
... aka Malaise (International: English title)
Bariwali (1999)
... aka The Lady of the House (International: English title)
Dahan (1997)
... aka Crossfire
Unishe April (1994) (as Rituparna Ghoshe)
... aka 19th April (India: English title)
Hirer Angti (1992)
... aka The Diamond Ring (International: English title)

Writer:
In Production
2000s
1990s
Sunglass (2008) (in production) (writer)

The Last Lear (2007) (writer)
Raincoat (2004) (original dialogue)
Chokher Bali (2003) (screenplay) (as Rituporno Ghosh)
... aka Choker Bali: A Passion Play (International: English title)
... aka Sand in the Eye (India: English title)
Shubho Mahurat (2003) (screenplay)
Utsab (2000) (writer)
... aka The Festival (International: English title)

Bariwali (1999) (writer)
... aka The Lady of the House (International: English title)
Dahan (1997) (writer)
... aka Crossfire
Unishe April (1994) (screenplay) (as Rituparna Ghoshe)
... aka 19th April (India: English title)
Hirer Angti (1992) (script)
... aka The Diamond Ring (International: English title)

Miscellaneous Crew:
The Namesake (2006) (translator: Bengali)

A GLIMPSE INTO THE DIRECTOR.................SATYAJIT RAY

2008-03-11T09:20:00.000-07:00

Satyajit Ray (1921-1992), an Indian filmmaker and among the dozen or so great masters of world cinema, is known for his humanistic approach to cinema. He made his films in Bengali, a language spoken in West Bengal, the eastern state of India, and Bangladesh. In 1992, Satyajit Ray received the honorary Academy Award

Filmography
Films directed by Ray
Pather Panchali
Aparajito
Parash Pathar
Jalsaghar
Apur Sansar
Devi
Teen Kanya
Rabindranath Tagore
Kanchenjungha
Abhijan
Mahanagar
Charulata
Two
Kapurush - O - Mahapurush
Nayak
Chiriyakhana
Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne
Aranyer Din Ratri
Pratidwandi
Seemabaddha
Sikkim
The Inner Eye
Asani Sanket
Sonar Kella
Jana Aranya
Bala
Shantranj Ke Khilari
Joi Baba Felunath
Hirak Rajar Deshe
Pikoo
Sadgati
Ghare-Baire
Sukumar Ray
Ganashatru
Shakha Prashakha
Agantuk

REVIEW OF MOVIE JODHAA AKBAR

2008-03-11T07:09:00.001-07:00

Let's get one thing straight: You haven't watched anything so opulent, so magnificent like this in a long, long time on the Hindi screen. It's not just body beautiful, but there's soul as well.

It requires courage, prowess, patience, aptitude, knowledge, passion and of course, loads of currency to attempt a movie like JODHAA AKBAR. But more than anything else, it requires your firm belief in the subject, the belief to attempt a historical when historicals are considered an absolute no-no in the industry, the belief to spend almost Rs. 40 crores in a film that could go either ways.

Write your own movie review of Jodhaa Akbar
Only when you're convinced yourself can you convince millions of moviegoers. And convinced you are after watching JODHAA AKBAR, a film of epic proportions.

One of the prime reasons why JODHAA AKBAR works is because the present-day viewer is unaware of the romance between Akbar and Jodhaa. Sure, we all know of Akbar as a great emperor, but the love story makes for a refreshing subject. And the execution of a number of sequences makes JODHAA AKBAR extremely special.

Some instances:
* The war sequence at the very outset. You realize the scale and magnitude of the film at the very beginning.
* Hrithik taming an out-of-control elephant. It's hair-raising.
* The two pre-conditions set by Jodhaa, before her marriage to Akbar. Very interesting.
* The confrontation between Ila Arun and Ash at the kitchen, when Ash decides to make the meal herself.
* The immediate sequence, when Ash is asked to taste the food herself by Ila before she's about to serve the food to the Emperor and his associates. Once done, Hrithik demanding that he be served the meal from the same platter that Jodhaa had used.
* The intermission point, which sows the seeds of a misunderstanding between Hrithik and Ash.
* Post-interval, Hrithik returning to Amer to get Ash back to Agra and the welcome ceremony by his mother-in-law [Suhasini Mulay].
* The sword fight the very next morning, between Hrithik and Ash.
* The 'Azeem-o-Shaan Shahenshah' track, when the entire kingdom hails Hrithik.
* The fight in the climax [reminds you of the fight between Brad Pitt and Eric Bana in TROY].
Amazing moments indeed…

Ashutosh Gowariker knows that historicals have to be simplified while narrating on celluloid so that the moviegoer is able to grasp and comprehend the plotline and the sequence of events. Thankfully, JODHAA AKBAR is not in the least difficult to decipher. Gowariker's handling of the subject deserves the highest praise, for it's not everyday that you come across a film like JODHAA AKBAR.

A.R. Rahman's music is not the type that you take to instantly, but yes, it gels beautifully with the mood of the film. 'Azeem-o-Shaan Shahenshah' and 'Jashn-e-Bahara' are the best tracks in terms of tune. In terms of choreography, 'Azeem-o-Shaan Shahenshah' is awe-inspiring, while the execution of 'Khwaja Mere Khwaja' is outstanding. Rahman's background score is simply extra-ordinary.

There's no room for dullness in Haider Ali and Gowariker's screenplay. The writing is tight, the drama keeps you hooked and the romantic track is wonderful. The film also talks of secularism, an issue so vital in today's times. K.P. Saxena's dialogues are amazing. At places, soaked in acid. The writer comes up with several gems, yet again. Kiran Deohans' cinematography matches international standards. The movement of camera at various places, especially in the battlefield, is breath-taking. Also, the D.O.P. captures the grandeur to the fullest. The production design [Nitin Chandrakant Desai] is, again, awesome. Recreating the bygone era requires not just money, but also the vision and Desai proves his supremacy yet again.

Be it the war sequences or the sword fights or general action, Ravi Dewan's contribution to the film is incredible. Especially noteworthy is the fight between Hrithik and Nikitin Dheer in the climax. It's simply outstanding! Editing [Ballu Saluja] is perfect, although the romantic song between Hrithik and Ash can be shortened in the second hour. The costumes [Neeta Lulla] as also the jewelry also deserve special mention.

JODHAA AKBAR also works because of the right casting. It's difficult to imagine anyone else in the role of Emperor Akbar. Hrithik seems born to play this role and he enacts it with such precision, such flourish, such confidence that it leaves you asking for more. A mind-boggling performance without doubt!

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is superb. Oh yes, she looks ethereal -- a compliment she has heard a trillion times before. What's new in that? But watch her emote in this film. You realize the amazing talent that has hitherto not been tapped by any movie maker. A flawless performance indeed!

JODHAA AKBAR has a host of characters, but the ones whom you carry home, besides Hrithik and Ash, are Sonu Sood [excellent], Nikitin Dheer [fantastic], Ila Arun [electrifying; her finest work so far], Punam S. Sinha [graceful], Kulbhushan Kharbanda [perfect], Raza Murad [effective] and Rajesh Vivek [good]. Amitabh Bachchan's rich barritone voice adds lustre to the magnum opus.

On the whole, JODHAA AKBAR is, without a shred of doubt, a brilliant film in all respects. This historical has all it takes to prove the first blockbuster of 2008. Very strongly recommended!

JODHA AKBAR..........IS IT JUSTIFIED?

2008-03-11T06:57:00.000-07:00

PICTURES FROM GERMANY

2008-03-11T06:55:00.000-07:00

THE PROMISING WORLD OF ANIMATION...........

2008-03-11T06:49:00.000-07:00

THE PROMISING WORLD OF HIGH-END ANIMATION…………………

Whether you are a 10+2passout,or a grad,or someone simply crazy about the enchanting world of animation;this article should give you an idea of the job scene and “behind the scenes” look of works in the animation industry.
The career prospects………
Says Mr. R.Krishnan, Global Head-Education,APTECH LTD –“The world of animation is full of opportunities for the initiated and focused.Yes,there is a lot of hard work involved,but the rewards are equally remunerative.”
Let us take a look at some of the estimates that are being suggested.
Current domestic market for animation is $285 m and is expected to reach $950 m by 2009.This translates into impressive two digit growth.Compare this to the projected global growth from $25b to $35 b in the same time frame.To support this demand an estimated 30000 professionals will be needed in india in the next 2-3 years.
Advantage India :
Globally the major consumers of animation products like films, games is the Us, Japan, China, South korea and Philipines have emerged as destination of choice for outsourcing work. India has till recently lagged behind-but the trend is changing and fast.
India has the compelling advantage of familiarity with English, making Indian animators a natural choice the world-over. Indian students are excited about these prospects and animation training studios have experienced unprecedented growth over the last few years.What is required for these projections to become a reality is quality work and capacity. Until recently India was being considered for providing finishing touches to productions. This is generally the least challenging task in a production cycle. India simply did not have the requisite number of manpower to deliver.
So considering a career in Animation –you cannot get it any better in today’s market. Go for it!!!

ACADEMIC PREPARATION TO SUCCESSFUL CAREER:
You need to prepare well for a successful career in animation.This is a logical sequence of skill acquisition:
Graphics : Learn to visualize,create digital graphics,edit and optimize the graphics for the web.
Popoular tools(software)that you must master: adobe illustrator,Photoshop,Adobe indesign, Corel draw.
Interactive media: Create streaming audio and video, edit and enrich video by applying specific effects.
Popular tools: Sound forge,Adobe Premier Pro,Flash Studio,Dream Weaver.
Animation: The real thing-broadcast quality animation!
Popular tools: Toon Boom Studio, 3Dstudio max, Character Studio,Deep paint,Combustion,Maya.
And hey –its fun!!!!!

Animation is all about creative thinking and creation.It is perhaps the strongest medium of communication- much more powerful than the proverbial picture.For the initiated- it can blur the difference between “job” and “inspired living”.

Yes a career in animation can be an experience of a lifetime.There is no routine,no set rules-just imagine and recreate.
Some Institues in Kolkata:

1) Stg Group.
2) Arena Multimedia……www.BestMultimedia.com
3) www.arenaparkstreet.com..................... 3D Animation School
4) Toonz Webel Academy, Kolkata
Block BP, Plot 5, Sector V
Bidhan Nagar, Salt Lake,
Kolkata 700091, India
Phone : 91-33 23577768 / 23674872
Fax : 91-33 23571708
email: webel[at]vsnl.com / academic[at]toonzwebelacademy.com
5) Academy of Animation Arts and Technology, Kolkata
Shrachi Tower,
686 Anandapur, 4th Floor,
Kolkata 7000 107
Telephone : 091 33 3240-2920
e-mail: info[at]animationacademyindia.com.

GRE TEST SITES

2008-03-09T23:23:00.000-07:00

Prometric Testing Pvt Ltd
301-302, Abhijeet II

Ahmedabad India 380006
Phone: 917926561088
Site Code: 8902
I P E M
119/25A, Mahatma Gandhi Marg Civil Lines

Allahabad India 211001
Phone: 915322427048
Site Code: 8903
Prometric Testing Pvt Ltd
Maini Sadan, 38 Lavelle Rd, 7th Cross

Bangalore, India 560001
Phone: 918022291770
Site Code: 8904
Prometric Testing Pvt Ltd
Flat 1/C Sukh Sagar Bldg,
2/5 SARAT Bose Road

Calcutta
Kolkatta, India 700020
Phone: 913324852792
Site Code: 8906 Prometric Testing Pvt Ltd
Above SBI, Road 12 Banjara HILL,
AVENUE 1,St 20

Hyderabad India 500034
Phone: 914023303903
Site Code: 8908 Prometric Testing Pvt Ltd
15,Jagannathan Road,
Nungambakkam

Chennai, India 600 034
Phone: 914428241840
Site Code: 8909
Prometric Testing Pvt Ltd
160A,Senior Plaza,
Gautam Nagar,Yusuf Sarai

Delhi, New Delhi, India 110 049
Phone: 911126602284
Site Code: 8911 Prometric Testing Pvt Ltd
160A,Senior Plaza,
Gautam Nagar,Yusuf Sarai

Delhi, New Delhi, India 110049
Phone: 911126602284
Site Code: 8913 Prometric Testing Private Limited
Senior Plaza, 160A

RSC8900 Test Lab: Delhi, India
New Delhi, India 110049
Site Code: 8948
Prometric Testing Pvt Ltd
Marwah House, Saki Vihar Road,Saki Naka

Mumbai,
Andheri (E) Mumbai, India 400 072
Phone: 912228573160
Site Code: 8921 Prometric Testing Pvt Ltd,
PTC Towers,SS Coil Road

Trivandrum, -Thampanoor, India 695001
Phone: 914712338662
Site Code: 8912 Prometric Testing Pvt Ltd
Above SBI, Road 12 Banjara Hill,
Avenue 1, St 20

Hyderabad, India 500 034
Phone: 914023303903
Site Code: 8928

TIPS 4 ESSAY

2008-03-09T23:10:00.001-07:00

Statement of Purpose/Essay
TIPS For Essay/Statement of Purpose

Statement of Purpose/Essays plays a major role in admissions. This is the only thing you can express your goals, achievements impressively to admission committee and faculty members of your area.

If more than one students have marginal score for a particular University then these are the only things that will decide admissions.
The most important part of your essay is the subject matter. You should give enough time to check and re-check your subject matter.
How to do it?
Get Complete information of the major your are applying and details of that major in the University (you are applying).
See the facilities number of courses provided in that major. Does it matches your Interests?
If your interests research) doesn't matches you will most probably be rejected.
Some students got rejection letter stating "Your Research Interest doesn't matches with any of our Faculty member so you have been rejected".
Direct experience with your field of study is the best kind to have in your essay.
A word of caution: Do not focus solely on your research topic unless this is the standard practice of your field of study and you must outline your thesis. By over relying on your research, you risk your essay sounding impersonal.
Even if you have no formal experience, you might still have field experience that counts

Note: Don't Simply Copy Sample Essays available on Internet.

How to write Essay-Check the Following

Do the first sentences express all of my main points?
Does my conclusion draw naturally from the previous paragraphs?
Does any attribute, quality, or skill distinguish you from everyone else? How did you develop this attribute?
Have I been specific? (Go on a generalities hunt. Turn the generalities into specifics.)
Could anyone else have written this essay?
What is your strongest, most unwavering personality trait? Do you maintain strong beliefs or adhere to a philosophy? How would your friends characterize you? What would they write about if they were writing your admissions essay for you?
Regarding the introduction, is it personal? Is it too general? Can the essay get along without it?
What about the essay makes it memorable?
Remember successful professionals are extremely good at convincing others to invest resources in them.

Some Tips

Make your application easy to read.
Keep your essays to a reasonable length.
Convey a sense of focus and excitement.
Emphasize your ability and potential for
Creativity
Integration
Research
Synthesis
Get your application in early.

PROGRAMMES IN ECONOMICS

2008-03-09T23:08:00.000-07:00

Economics Programs
Stanford University Department of Economics
University of California-Berkeley Department of Economics
Harvard University Department of Economics
University of Pennsylvania Department of Economics
University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Economics
Massachusetts Inst of Technology Department of Economics
Northwestern University Department of Economics
University of Minnesota Department of Economics
Cornell University Department of Economics
University of California-San Diego Department of Economics
University of Michigan Department of Economics
University of Chicago Department of Economics
Yale University Department of Economics
University of Rochester Department of Economics
University of Iowa Department of Economics
University of California-Los Angeles Department of Economics
Princeton University Department of Economics
California Institute Technology Department of Economics
Boston University Department of Economics
U of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Department of Economics
North Carolina State University Department of Economics
Arizona State University Department of Economics
University of Maryland College Park Department of Economics
Iowa State University Department of Economics
Washington University Department of Economics
Duke University Department of Economics
Ohio State University Department of Economics
University of Tennessee-Knoxville Department of Economics
New York University Department of Economics
University of Pittsburgh Department of Economics
Indiana University Department of Economics
University of California-Davis Department of Economics
University of Florida Department of Economics
University of Georgia Department of Economics
Texas A&M University Department of Economics
Michigan State University Department of Economics
University of California-Santa Barbara Department of Economics
Louisiana State U & A&M College Department of Economics
State U of New York-Stony Brook Department of Economics
University of Washington Department of Economics
University of Virginia Department of Economics
Southern Illinois University Department of Economics
Auburn University Department of Economics
Brown University Department of Economics
University of Wyoming
U of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
University of Oregon Department of Economics
Columbia University Department of Economics
University of Kentucky Department of Economics
University of Southern California Department of Economics
Vanderbilt University Department of Economics
U of Massachusetts at Amherst Department of Economics4
Florida State University Department of Economics
State University of New York-Buffalo Department of Economics
University of Illinois at Chicago Department of Economics
George Mason University Department of Economics
University of South Carolina Department of Economics
University of Arizona Department of Economics
Pennsylvania State University Department of Economics
University of Colorado Department of Economics
University of Texas at Austin Department of Economics
Purdue University Department of Economics
Johns Hopkins University Department of Economics
Rutgers State University-New Brunswick Department of Economics
Southern Methodist University Department of Economics
Boston College Department of Economics
Syracuse University Department of Economics
Utah State University Department of Economics
Rensselaer Polytechnic Inst Department of Economics
University of Hawaii at Manoa Department of Economics
University of Connecticut Department of Economics
Georgetown University Department of Economics
Colorado State University Department of Economics
CUNY - Grad Sch & University Center Department of Economics
Clemson University Department of Economics
University of Alabama Department of Economics
University of Texas at Dallas
University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of Economics
Georgia State University Department of Economics
University of California-Riverside Department of Economics
American University Department of Economics
Northern Illinois University Department of Economics
University of Kansas Department of Economics
Oklahoma State University
Tulane University Department of Economics Department of Economics
University of Missouri-Columbia Department of Economics
George Washington University Department of Economics
State University of New York-Albany Department of Economics
University of Houston Department of Economics
University of Notre Dame Department of Economics
Rice University Department of Economics
Washington State University Department of Economics
Claremont Graduate School Department of Economics
State University of New York-Binghamton Department of Economics
Clark University Department of Economics
West Virginia University Department of Economics
University of Cincinnati ttp://Department of Economics
Howard University Department of Economics
Lehigh University Department of Economics
Temple University Department of Economics
University of Missouri-Columbia Department of Economics
Northeastern University Department of Economics
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Department of Economics
University of Utah Department of Economics
Fordham University Department of Economics
Colorado School of Mines
University of New Hampshire Department of Economics
More Info..

Stanford University

Admission and financial aid decisions are made by the Admissions Committee of the Department in February of each year for the class which will enter the following September. The Department receives more than 700 applications per year, and about 50 are admitted. The entering class size usually consists of 25 students. The Department does not defer admission; applicants must begin their studies in September of the year in which they are accepted.

Princeton University
Each year the department receives over 800 hundred applications for admission. The program is very competitive, enrolling only twenty-five new students each year. Students are required to take the Graduate Record Exam. The average score on each section of the GRE is 780- 800. The department is particularly interested in the Quantitative score. Students who are non-English speakers, and who have not attended a U.S. College or University, are required to take the TOEFL Exam. Working knowledge of multivariate calculus and matrix algebra required.

The University of Wisconsin, Madison

The Admissions and Aid Committee generally plans on an entering class of 30 students. To achieve this class size 120-140 students are admitted. The average GRE scores for applicants admitted to the program for fall 2002 are Verbal 600 (76%), Quantitative 790 (95%), and Analytical 760 (92%). The average GPA was 3.74.

Funding
In order to qualify for a visa, all international students must submit a Financial Statement to the Graduate School, showing that they have sufficient funds available to support themselves for the duration of the program (four years). The amount required for the academic year 2003-04, exclusive of travel to Madison but inclusive of tuition and living expenses, is $34,900 (Age 25 and under) $35,188 (Age 26 and over).

University of California - Riverside

Master's Program Students should have first-year calculus, a course in statistics, and some background in economics before beginning course work. Students who do not meet these requirements may still be admitted but normally must take these courses as prerequisites to the required courses. Applicants to the M.A. program are expected to have the same academic potential as Ph.D. applicants, as reflected by GPA and GRE scores. Admission to the M.A. program does not guarantee later admission to the Ph.D. program.

AUSTRALIA

2008-03-09T22:58:00.000-07:00

New South Wales

Avondale College
Charles Sturt University
Macquarie University --> more info
The University of New England
The University of New South Wales
The University of Newcastle
Southern Cross University
The University of Sydney
University of Technology, Sydney
University of Western Sydney
University of Wollongong

Northern Territory

Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education
Northern Territory University

South Australia

Adelaide University
Flinders University
University of South Australia

Tasmania

Australian Maritime College
University of Tasmania

Victoria

University of Ballarat
Deakin University
La Trobe University
Marcus Oldham College
The University of Melbourne
Monash University
RMIT University --> more info
Swinburne University of Technology
Victoria University
Western Australia
Curtin University of Technology --> more info
Edith Cowan University
Murdoch University
Notre Dame
The University of Western Australia

Multi-state

Australian Catholic University

Average Cost

University
Foundation Studies $A9000?$A14,000 a year
such as university entrance, preparatory and bridging courses
Undergraduate
Bachelor Degree $A10,000? $A13,500 a year
such as courses in arts, business, economics and law
Laboratory-based Bachelor Degree $A11,000? $A16,500 a year
such as science and engineering courses

Postgraduate
Graduate Certificates
Graduate Diplomas $A9000? $A16,000 a year
Masters
Doctoral Degree $A11,000?$A18,500 a year

Vocational education and training

Certificates I - IV
Diploma
Advanced Diploma $A5500?$A18,000 a year
School

Secondary school
Primary and junior secondary schools $A6000?$A13,000 a year
$A5000?$A11,000 a year

English language training

varies significantly depending on the course duration or institution $A3500?$A13,500

Australia has a special system of health cover for international students in Australia. This is called Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) and, with the exception of students from Sweden and Norway, you are required to have this for the duration of your student visa in Australia. OSHC provides a safety net for international students similar to that provided to Australians through Medicare. OSHC costs depend on how long you will be in Australia. Premiums vary depending on the health fund but generally they start from A$78 for three months insurance (A$312 a year). If your spouse and/or dependant children are accompanying you to Australia you will need to pay a family premium. You pay your OSHC premium before coming to Australia.

You can be granted a student visa only if you wish to undertake a registered course or part of a registered course on a full-time basis.

A registered course is an education or training course offered by an Australian education provider who is registered with the Australian Government to offer courses to overseas students.

Depending on your country of nationality and your principal course of study you may have to undergo a Pre-Visa Assessment (PVA) before an Electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE) is issued by your Australian education provider.

Requirements

Financial Ability

For Masters and Doctorate Courses
Sponsors must provide evidence of cash assets for the first year tuition fee (as on the letter of offer) and living expenses (assumed at A$ 12000 p.a.) and access to additional funds (from acceptable sources) to meet the cost of the remainder of study and stay in Australia.

Health
Individuals applying to study in Australia must satisfy the health requirements specified in the Migration Regulations. Any family unit members who are included in the visa application are also required to satisfy health requirements. details

Students from low health risk countries Iceland, Monaco, Norway, San Marino and Sweden are generally not required to undertake health examinations unless a health condition of special significance is declared.

The relevant forms for health checks are:

form 26, Medical examination for an Australian visa;
form 160, Radiological report on chest x-ray of an applicant for an Australian visa.
When you present yourself for your health check, you should bring the following:

form 26, Medical examination for an Australian visa, with a passport photograph attached;
form 160, Radiological report on chest x-ray of an applicant for an Australian visa, with a passport photograph attached;
your passport for identification;
any prescription spectacles or contact lenses that you may wear; and
where you have a known medical condition, any existing specialist reports.
To be covered for health insurance, you will have to pay the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for yourself and any family members traveling with you.

Student Health Cover for AusAID Students
If you are a student sponsored by AusAID, you will not need to pay the OSHC yourself. You will, however, need to provide proof that AusAID supports your application.
Student Health Cover for Students from Norway and Sweden
Students from Norway and Sweden do not need to obtain OSHC if they are covered by acceptable health insurance schemes from their home countries.

Character
To enter Australia, you must be of good character. The information you provide at the 'Character Declaration' section of the application form 157A, Application for a student (temporary) visa (PDF file, 158KB) enables an assessment to be made in respect of your character.

Debts
To enter Australia, you must have no outstanding debts to the Commonwealth of Australia, or have made acceptable arrangements to repay such debt.

If you are under 18
Approval for accommodation, support and general welfare arrangements.

If you are under 18 years of age and declare in your application that you will be residing in Australia with a parent or a person who has custody of you, you must provide evidence of the relationship and that they hold a visitor visa of 11 months stay, or of a shorter stay if you seek to study for less than 11 months or turn 18 years before 11 months.

If assessed at level 1 or 2, or you are in Australia under any assessment level, an electronic confirmation of enrolment (eCoE) certificate is required before you lodge your application and a copy is to be provided with your application
if you are outside Australia and assessed at level 3, 4 or 5 you will need an 'offer of a place in a course' letter from your Australian education provider at the time you lodge your application. If you are at Assessment level 3 or 4 you must apply for Pre-Visa Assessment.
an electronic confirmation of enrolment (eCoE) certificate issued by your education provider after you lodge your application if you are requested by the Australian embassy to do so

Forms

Form 157A - Application for a student (temporary) visa
Form 157C - Application for a student (temporary) visa with permission to change education provider
Form 157P - Application for a student visa with permission to work
Form 157E - Electronic application for a student visa (not available in hard copy)
Form 919 - Student dependant nomination
Form 990i - Charges

Common visa conditions
you must satisfy attendance and course requirements and maintain a valid enrolment for your course
you must not work unless you have been granted permission to do so
you must maintain your Overseas Student Health (OSHC) cover while in Australia
you must leave Australia before your visa expires
you must remain with the education provider you originally enrolled with for the first 12 months of your course or, if the course is less than 12 months, for the duration of your course
you must advise your education provider of your residential address within seven days of your arrival in Australia and must advise any changes of address within seven days
if you change education provider you must inform your current education provider within seven days of issue of an eCoE

GRE UNIVERSITIES

2008-03-09T22:13:00.000-07:00

Acad Chinese Culture
Acad Oriental Med
Academy of Art
Acupressure Acupuncture
Adams State
Adelphi University
Adler SPP
Advanced Legal Studies
Agnes Scott
Air Force Technology
Akamai University
Alabama AM Univ
Alabama State
Alaska Pacific
Albany Law
Albany Medical
Albany-Pharmacy
Albany-State
Albert-Einstein
Albright-College
Alcorn-State
Alderson-Broaddus
AlfredAdler
Allen-College
Alliant-International
Alred-Univ
Alvernia-College
Alverno-College
Alvertus-Magnus
Amberton-Univ
Americal-Bible-College
American-Acupuncture
American-Baptist-West
American-ChineseMed
American-Christian
American-College
American-Conservatory
American-File-Inst
American-Grad-Univ
American-InterCont
American-Intl-College
American-MBA
American-University
Anderson-University
Andover-Newton
Andrews-University
Angelo-State
Anna-Maria
Anthenaeum-Ohio
Antioch-McGregor
Antioch-New-England
Antioch-University
Apache-University
Appalachian-State
Aquinas-College
Aquinas-Theology
Arcadia-University
Argosy-University
Arizona-Osteopathic
Arizona-Paralegal
Arizona-State
Arkansas-State
Arkansas-Tech
Armstrong-Atlantic
Armstrong-University
Art-Academy-Cincinnati
Art-College-Design
Asbury-Theological
Ashland-Theological
Ashland-University
Assemblies-God-Sem
Assn-Pro-Business
Assoc-Mennonite-Sem
Assumption-College
Atlantic-Institute-OM
Atlantic-Union
Atlantic-University
ATStill-Arizona-Health
ATStill-Kirksville
Auburn-Univ-Montgomery
Auburn-University
Audubon-Expedition
Augsburg-College
Augusta-State
Augustana-College

Azusa-Pacific
Babson-College
Bainbridge-Graduate
Baker-College
Baker-University
Baldwin-Wallace
Ball-State-University
Ballarmine-University
Baltimore-Hebrew
Bangor-Theological
Bank-Street-College
Baptist-Bible-College
Baptist-Bible-Seminary
Baptist-Missionary
Baptist-Theological
Barat-College
Bard-College
Barry-University
Baruch-College-CUNY
Bastyr-University
Bay-Path-College
Baylor-Dentistry
Baylor-Medicine
Baylor-University
Belhaven-College
Bellevue-University
Belmont-University
Bemidji-State
Benedictine-College
Benedictine-University
Bennington-College
Bentley-College
Berean-Assemblies-God
Berklee-Music
Berry-College
Bethany-College
Bethany-Seminary
Bethel-College
Bethel-Seminary-West
Bethel-Seminary
Bethesda-Christian
Biblical-Seminary
Binhamton-SUNY
Bioloa-University
Birmingham-Southern
Black-Hills-State
Bloomsburg-PA
Bluffton-University
Bob-Jones-Univ
Boise-State
Boricua-College
Boston-Arch-Center
Boston-College
Boston-Conservatory
Boston-Grad-Psych
Boston-Theological
Boston-University
Bowie-State
Bowling-Green-State
Bradley-University
Brandeis-University
Brenau-University
Brescia-University
Briar-Cliff-University
Bridgewater-State
Brigham-Young
Brooklyn-College-CUNY
Brooklyn-Law-School
Brooks-Photography
Brown-University
Bryant-College
Bryn-Mawr-College
Bucknell-University
Buena-Vista-University
Buffalo-State-SUNY
Butler-University
CA-Advanced-Studies
CA-Integral-Studies
CA-Polytech-Pomona
CA-Polytech-SanLuis
Cabrini-College
Cal-Institute-Arts
Cal-Intl-University
Cal-Tech
Cal-Western-Law
Caldwell-College
California-Baptist
California-College-Arts
California-Graduate
California-Human-Sci
California-Lutheran
California-Union
California-Yuin
CaliforniaU-Pennsylvania
CalState-Bakersfield
CalState-Chico
CalState-Dominguez
CalState-Fresno
CalState-Fullerton
CalState-Hayward
CalState-LongBeach
CalState-LosAngeles
CalState-MontereyBay
CalState-Northridge
CalState-Sacramento
CalState-SanBernadino
CalState-SanMarcos
CalState-Stanislaus
CalStateFresno-UCD
Calumet-Coll-StJoseph
Calvary-Bible-College
Calvin-College
Calvin-Theo-Seminary
Cambridge-College
Cameron-University
Campbell-University
Campbellsville
Canisius-College
Capital-University
Cardean-University
Cardinal-Stritch
Caribbean-Center
Carlos-Albizu
Carlow-College
Carnegie-Mellon
Carroll-College
Carson-Newman
Carthage-College
Case-Western-Reserve
Castleton-State-College
Catawba-College
Catholic-Theological
Catholic-Univ-America
Cedarville-University
Centenary-College-LA
Centenary-College
Central-Baptist-Sem
Central-Conn-State
Central-Methodist
Central-Michigan
Central-Missouri
Central-State
Central-Washington
Chadron-State
Chadwick-University
Chaminade-University
Chapman-University
Charles-Drew-Medicine
Charleston-Southern
Chatham-College
Chestnut-Hill-College
Cheyney-University
Chicago-SPP
Chicago-State
Chicago-Theological
China-Intl-Medical
Christ-the-King
Christendom-College
Christian-Bible-College
Christian-Brothers
Christian-Theological
Christopher-Newport
Church-Divinity-School
Church-of-God-Sem
Cincinnati-Bible-Coll
Citadel
City-College-CUNY
City-of-Hope
City-Sem-Sacramento
City-University
Claflin-University
Claremont-Grad
Claremont-Theology
Clarion-Pennsylvania
Clark-Atlanta
Clark-University
Clarke-College
Clarkson-College
Clarkson-University
Cleary-University
Clemson-University
Cleveland-Chiro-LA
Cleveland-Chiropractic
Cleveland-Jewish
Cleveland-Music
Cleveland-State
Coastal-Carolina
Coe-College
Cold-Spring-Harbor
Coleman-College
Colgate-Crozer-Divinity
Colgate-University
Coll-Mount-St-Joseph
Coll-Mount-St-Vincent
Coll-New-Rochelle
Coll-Notre-Dame-MD
Coll-Saint-Catherine
Coll-Saint-Elizabeth
Coll-Saint-Joseph
Coll-Saint-Rose
Coll-Saint-Scholastica
Coll-Staten-CUNY
Coll-William-Mary
College-Misericordia
College-of-Atlantic
College-of-Charleston
College-of-New-Jersey
College-of-Southwest
College-Santa-Fe
Colorado-Chinese-Med
Colorado-Christian-Univ
Colorado-College
Colorado-School-Mines
Colorado-SPP
Colorado-State-Pueblo
Colorado-State
Colorado-Technical
Columbia-College-Chicago
Columbia-College-MO
Columbia-College-SC
Columbia-Evangelical
Columbia-International
Columbia-Theological
Columbia-Union
Columbia-University
Columbus-State
Comm-Coll-Balt-Cnty
Commonwealth-Intl
Concordia-Austin
Concordia-Irvine
Concordia-Nebraska
Concordia-Oregon
Concordia-Seminary
Concordia-StPaul
Concordia-Theological
Concordia-University
Concordia-Wisconsin
Connecticut-College
Converse-College
Conway-Landscape
Cooperstown-Graduate
Coppin-State
Corcoran-College-Art
Cornell-University
Cornerstone-University
Covenant-College
Covenant-Theological
Cranbrook-Academy
Creighton-University
Criswell-College
Crown-College
Cumberland-College
Cumberland-University
CUNY-Grad-Center
Curry-College
Curtis-Institute-Music
Daemen-College
Dakota-State
Dakota-Wesleyan
Dallas-Baptist
Dallas-Oriental-Med
Dallas-Theological-Sem
Darrell-Friedman
Dartmouth-College
Davenport-University

Denver-Seminary
Denver-Technical
DePaul-University
Des-Moines-Osteopathic
DeSales-University
Digital-Media-Arts
Doane-College
Dominican-College
Dominican-House
Dominican-School
Dominican-University-CA
Dominican-University
Dongguk-Royal
Dordt-College
Dowling-College
Drake-University
Drew-University
Drexel-University
Drury-University
Duke-University-Med
Duke-University
Duquesne-University
DYouville-College
Earlham-College
Earlham-Religion
East-Carolina-University
East-Central-University
East-Stroudsburg
East-Tennessee
Eastern-Acupuncture
Eastern-Baptist-Sem
Eastern-Connecticut
Eastern-Illinois
Eastern-Kentucky
Eastern-Mennonite
Eastern-Michigan
Eastern-Nazarene
Eastern-New-Mexico
Eastern-Oregon
Eastern-University
Eastern-Virginia-Med
Eastern-Washington
Eastman-Music
Economics-Institute
Eden-Theological
Edgewood-College
Edinboro-PA
Elizabeth-City
Elmhurst-College
Elmira-College
Elms-College
Elon-University
Embry-Riddle
Emerson-College
Emmanuel-College
Emmanuel-Religion
Emory-University
Emperors-College
Emporia-State
Endicott-College
Episcopal-Divinity
Episcopal-Theological
Erikson-Institute
Erskine-College
European-Grad-School
Evangel-University
Evangelical-Seminary-PR
Evangelical-Theology
Evergreen-State
Fairfield-University
Fairleigh-Dickinson
Faith-Baptist-Seminary
Faith-Seminary
Fashion-Institute-SUNY
Faulkner-University
Fayetteville-State
Felician-College
Ferris-State
First-Natl-Naturopathy
Fisk-University
Fitchburg-State
Five-Branches
Five-Towns-College
Florida-AM-University
Florida-Atlantic
Florida-Coastal-Law
Florida-Gulf-Coast
Florida-Insti-Chinese
Florida-Institute-Tech
Florida-Intl-Univ
Florida-Metropolitan
Florida-Southern
Florida-State
Fontbonne-University
Fordham-University
Forest-Institute-Psych
Fort-Hays-State
Fort-Valley-State
Framingham-State
Francis-Marion
Franciscan-Steubenville
Franciscan-Theology
Frank-Lloyd-Wright
Franklin-Pierce-Law
Franklin-Pierce
Franklin-University
Freed-Hardeman
Fresno-Pacific
Friends-University
Frostburg-State
Fuller-Theological
Furman-University
Gainesville-Family-Inst
Gallaudet-University
Gannon-University
Gardner-Webb
Garrett-Evangelical
General-Theological-Sem
Geneva-College
George-Fox-University
George-Mason-University
George-Washington
Georgetown-College
Georgetown-University
Georgia-Coll-State-Univ
Georgia-CollState-Dublin
Georgia-CollState-Macon
Georgia-CollState-Milled
Georgia-Inst-Tech
Georgia-Southern
Georgia-Southwestern
Georgia-State
Georgian-Court
Goddard-College
Golde-Gate-Baptist-Sem
Golden-Gate-Seminary
Golden-Gate-University
Golden-State-Theology
Goldey-Beacom
Gonzaga-University
Gooding-Nursing
Gordon-College
Gordon-Conwell-Seminary
Goucher-College
Governors-State
Grace-College-Sem
Grace-University
Graceland-University
Grad-Coll-Union-Univ
Graduate-Institute
Graduate-Theological
Grambling-State
Grand-Canyon-Univ
Grand-Valley-State
Gratz-College
Greenville-College
Gwynedd-Mercy-College
Hamline-University
Hampton-University
Hardin-Simmons
Harding-University
Hartford-Seminary
Harvard-University
Hastings-College
Hawaii-Pacific
Hazelden-Foundation
Hebrew-College
Hebrew-Union-College
Heidelberg-College
Hellenic-College
Henderson-State
Heritage-College
High-Point-University
Hofstra-University
Hollins-University
Holy-Apostles-College
Holy-Family-University
Holy-Names-College
Hood-College
Hood-Theological-Sem
Hope-Intl-University
Houston-Baptist
Houston-Grad-Theology
Howard-University
Hult-Intl-Business
Humanistic-Studies
Humboldt-State
Humphreys-College
Hunter-College-CUNY
Huntington-College
Huron-Intl-University
Huron-University
Husson-College
Idaho-State
Iliff-School-Theology
Illinois-Coll-Optometry
Illinois-Inst-Technology
Illinois-State-Univ
Immaculata-University
IMPAC-University
Indiana-Pennyslvania
Indiana-State
Indiana-Wesleyan
IndianaU-Bloomington
IndianaU-Kokomo
IndianaU-Northwest
IndianaU-Purdue
IndianaU-PurdueWayne
IndianaU-SouthBend
IndianaU-Southeast
Inst-Clinical-SocialWork
Inst-Paper-Technology
Inst-Social-Ecology
Inst-Textile-Tech
Inst-Transpersonal-Psych
Inst-World-Politics
Inter-American-PR
Inter-Theological-Ctr
Interboro-Institute
International-College
Intl-College-Grad
Intl-Ctr-Photography
Intl-East-West-Univ
Intl-Inst-Chinese-Med
Intl-Management
Intl-Technological
Intl-Theological-Univ
Intl-Theology
Intl-Univ-Health-Sci
Intl-Univ-Pro-Studies
Iona-College
Iowa-State-University
IslandWood
Ithaca-College
Jackson-State-University
Jacksonville-State
Jacksonville-University
James-Madison-Univ
Jesuit-School-Theology
Jewish-Hospital-Nursing
Jewish-Theological-Sem
Jewish-Univ-America
John-Brown-University
John-Carroll-University
John-F-Kennedy-Univ
John-Jay-College-CUNY
John-Marshall-Law
Johns-Hopkins-Med
Johns-Hopkins
Johnson-State-College
Johnson-Wales-Univ
Joint-Military-College
Juilliard
Jung-Tao-Chinese-Med
Kansas-State
Kansas-Wesleyan
Kean-University
Keck-Graduate-Inst
Keene-State
Keller-Graduate-School
Kennesaw-State
Kenrick-Glennon-Sem
Kent-State
Kentucky-State
Kettering-University
Keuka-College
Kings-College
Knowledge-Systems-Inst
Knox-Theological-Sem
Kutztown-University-PA
Kyung-San-University
LA-State-Health-Shreve
LA-State-Shreveport
LaGrange-College
Lake-Erie-College
Lake-Erie-Osteopathic
Lake-Forest-College
Lake-Forest-Mgmt
Lakeland-College
Lamar-University
Lancaster-Bible
Lancaster-Theological
Lander-University
Langston-University
LaRoche-College
LaSalle-University
Lasell-College
LaSierra-University
Lawrence-Tech-Univ
Lebanon-Valley-College
Lee-University
Lehigh-University
Lehman-College-CUNY
LeMoyne-College
Lenoir-Rhyne-College
Lesley-University
LeTourneau-University
Lewis-Clark-College
Lewis-University
Lexington-Theological
Liberty-University
Life-Chiro-College-West
Life-University
Lincoln-Christian-Coll
Lincoln-Memorial
Lincoln-University-CA
Lincoln-University-MO
Lincoln-University-PA
Lindenwood-University
Lindsey-Wilson
Lipscomb-University
Lock-Haven-University
Logan-Chiropractic
Logos-Bible-College
LOGOS-Christian-College
Loma-Linda-University
Long-Island-Brentwood
Long-Island-Brooklyn
Long-Island-CWPost
Long-Island-Rockland
Long-Island-Southampton
Long-Island-Westchester
Longwood-University
Longy-School-Music
Loras-College
Louisiana-State-Health
Louisiana-State
Louisiana-Tech
Louisville-Pres-Sem
Loyola-Chicago
Loyola-College-MD
Loyola-Law-LosAngeles
Loyola-Marymount
Loyola-NewOrleans
Loyola-University-Med
Lubbock-Christian
Luther-Rice-Bible-College
Luther-Seminary
Lutheran-Theological-Sem
Lutheran-Theological-South
Lutheran-Thlgy-Chicago
Lynchburg-College
Lyndon-State-College
Lynn-University
Madonna-University
Maharishi-Management
Maine-College-Art
Maine-Maritime-cademy
Malone-College
Manchester-College
Manhattan-College
Manhattan-Institute
Manhattan-Music
Manhattanville-College
Mannes-Music
Mansfield-University
Maple-Springs-Baptist
Maranatha-Baptist-Bible
Marian-College
Marietta-College
Marist-College
Marlboro-College
Marquette-University
Mars-Hill-Graduate
Marshall-University-Grad
Marshall-University
Martin-University
Mary-Baldwin
Mary-Washington
Marycrest-Intl
Marygrove-College
Maryland-Inst-Chinese
Maryland-Institute-Art
Marylhurst-University
Marymount-PalosVerdes
Marymount
Maryville-University
Marywood-University
Mass-Law-Andover
Mass-Liberal-Arts
Mass-Pharmacy
Mass-SPP
Massachusetts-Art
Masters-College
Mayo-Graduate
McCormick-Theological
McDaniel-College
McNeese-State
Meadville-Lombard
Medaille-College
Medical-College-Americas
Medical-College-Georgia
Medical-College-Ohio
Medical-College-SC
Medical-College-Wisc
Meharry-Medical-College
Meiji-Coll-Oriental-Med
Memorial-Sloan-Kettering
Memphis-College-Art
Memphis-Theological
Mennonite-Brethren
Mercer-University
Mercy-College
Mercyhurst-College
Meredith-College
Meridian-Institute
Mesa-State-College
Methodist-College
Methodist-Theol-Ohio
Metropolitan-College-NY
Metropolitan-State
MGH-Institute-Hlth
Miami-University
Michigan-State-Law
Michigan-State
Michigan-Tech
Mid-America-Baptist
Mid-Tenn-Anesthesia
MidAmerica-Nazarene
Middle-Tennessee-State
Middlebury-College
Midwest-Oriental-Med
Midwestern-Baptist
Midwestern-State
Midwestern-University-AZ
Midwestern-University-IL
Millersville-University
Milligan-College
Millikin-University
Mills-College
Millsaps-College
Milwaukee-Engineering
Minneapolis-Art
Minnesota-Paralegal
Minnesota-State-Mankato
Minnesota-State-Moorhead
Minot-State
Mississippi-College
Mississippi-State
Mississippi-Valley
Mississippi-Women
MIT
Molloy-College
Monmouth-University
Montana-State-Billings
Montana-State-Bozeman
Montana-State-Northern
Montana-Tech
Montclair-State
Monterey-Intl-Studies
Monterey-Law
Montreat-College
Moody-Bible
Moravian-College
Moravian-Theological
Morehead-State
Morehouse-Medicine
Morgan-State
Morningside-College
Morrison-University
Mount-Angel-Seminary
Mount-Holyoke-College
Mount-Marty-College
Mount-Mary-College
Mount-Sinai-Medicine
Mount-Vernon-Nazarene
Mount-Vernon
Mountain-State-Orlando
Mountain-State
Mt-Saint-Mary-College
Mt-Saint-Marys-College
Multnomah-Biblical
Murray-State
Muskingum-College
Myers-University
Naropa-University-CO
Nashotah-House
National-American-MO
National-American-NM
National-American-SD
National-Louis-University
National-Naturopathic
National-Oriental-Med
National-Paralegal
National-Quality
National-Theatre
National-University-Health
National-University
Nazarene-Theological
Nazareth-Coll-Rochester
Nebraska-Methodist
Nebraska-Wesleyan
Neumann-College
New-Brunswick-Sem
New-College-Calif
New-England-Acupuncture
New-England-College
New-England-Law
New-England-Music
New-England-Optometry
New-Geneva-Seminary
New-Jersey-City-Univ
New-Jersey-Tech
New-Mexico-Highlands
New-Mexico-State
New-Mexico-Tech
New-Orleans-Baptist
New-School-University
New-York-Academy-Art
New-York-Botanical
New-York-Chiropractic
New-York-Health
New-York-Interior-Design
New-York-Law
New-York-Medical
New-York-Osteopathic
New-York-Podiatric
New-York-Tech
New-York-Theological
New-York-University
Newman-University
NewSchool-Architecture
Niagara-University
Nicholls-State-Univ
Nichols-College
NIH-Grad-Partnerships
NJ-Communiversity
Norfolk-State-Univ
North-Amer-Baptist
North-America-Oriental
North-Carolina-Arts
North-Carolina-AT
North-Carolina-Central
North-Carolina-State
North-Cascades
North-Central-College
North-Dakota
North-Georgia-CS
North-Park-Seminary
North-Park-University
Northeastern-Illinois
Northeastern-Ohio
Northeastern-State
Northeastern-University
Northern-Arizona
Northern-Baptist
Northern-Illinois
Northern-Kentucky
Northern-Michigan
Northern-State
Northface-University
Northwest-Baptist
Northwest-Christian
Northwest-Graduate
Northwest-Missouri-State
Northwest-Nazarene
Northwestern-Health-Sci
Northwestern-OK-State
Northwestern-Polytech
Northwestern-State-LA
Northwestern-University
Northwood-University
Notre-Dame-deNamur
Notre-Dame-Ohio
Notre-Dame-Seminary
Nova-Southeastern
Oakland-City
Oakland-University
Oberlin-College
Oblate-Theology
Occidental-College
OGI-Engineering
Oglala-Lakota
Oglethorpe-Univ
Ohio-Dominican
Ohio-Northern
Ohio-Podiatric
Ohio-State-Lima
Ohio-State-Mansfield
Ohio-State-University
Ohio-University
Oklahoma-Baptist
Oklahoma-Christian
Oklahoma-City
Oklahoma-State
Oklahoma-Wesleyan
Old-Dominion
Olivet-Nazarene
Oral-Roberts
Oregon-Coll-Oriental
Oregon-EMBA
Oregon-HealthSci
Oregon-Schools-Business
Oregon-State-Univ
Otis-Art-Design
Ottawa-Arizona
Ottawa-Kansas
Otterbein-College
Our-Lady-Holy-Cross
Our-Lady-ofthe-Lake
Pace-University
Pacific-Graduate-Inst
Pacific-Lutheran-Sem
Pacific-Lutheran-Unit
Pacific-Oaks
Pacific-Oriental-Med
Pacific-Psychology
Pacific-School-Religion
Pacific-States-Univ
Pacific-Union-College
Pacific-University
Palm-Beach-Atlantic
Palmer-Chiro-FL
Palmer-Chiro-IA
Palmer-Chiro-West
Park-University
Parker-Chiropractic
Patten-University
Pearson-Education
Penn-Council-Relation
Penn-Fine-Arts
Penn-Optometry
Penn-State-Dickinson
Penn-State-University
Pensacola-Christian
Pepperdine-University
Peru-State-College
Pfeifferf-Charlotts
Philadelphia-Biblical
Philadelphia-Osteopathic
Philadelphia-University
Phillips-Graduate
Phillips-Theological
Phoenix-Herbal-Med
Phoenix-Seminary
Picower-Institute
Piedmont-Bible-College
Piedmont-College
Pikeville-College
Pikeville-Osteopathic
Pittsburg-State
Pittsburgh-Seminary
Plymouth-State
Point-Loma-Nazarene
Point-Park-College
Polytechnic-Brooklyn
Polytechnic-LongIsland
Polytechnic-NewYork
Polytechnic-PuertoRico
Polytechnic-Westchester
Ponce-Medicine
Pontifical-Josephinum
Pontifical-PR
Pope-John-Seminary
Portland-State
Prarie-AandM
Pratt-Institute
Presidents-College-Law
Presidio-World-College
Princeton-Seminary
Princeton-University
Professional-Psych
Providence-College
Psycho-Studies-Inst
Purchase-College-SUNY
Purdue-Calumet
Purdue-NorthCentral
Purdue-University
Queens-Charlotte
Queens-College-CUNY
Quincy-University
Quinnipiac-University
Radford-University
RainStar-University
Ramapo-College-NJ
RAND-Policy-Studies
Reconstruct-Rabbinical
Red-Rocks-Community
Reed-College
Reformed-Theological
Regent-University
Regis-College
Regis-University
Rensselaer-Hartford
Rensselaer-Polytech
Research-Nursing
Rhode-Island-Design
Rhode-Island
Rhodes-College
Rice-University
Richard-Stockton-NJ
Rider-University
RIT
Rivier-College
Robert-Morris
Roberts-Wesleyan
Rockefeller-Univ
Rockford-College
Rockhurst-University
Rockport-College
Roger-Williams
Rogers-State-Univ
Rollins-College
Roosevelt-University
Rosalind-Frankline
Rose-Hulman
Rosemont-College
Ross-University
Roswell-Park-Cancer
Rowan-University
Rush-Medical-Center
Rutgers-Camden
Rutgers-Newark
Rutgers-NJIT
Rutgers-SUNJ
Ryokan-College
Sacred-Heart-Major
Sacred-Heart-Theology
Sacred-Heart-University
Sage-Graduate-School
Saginaw-Valley-State
Saint-Ambrose
Saint-Bernards-Theology
Saint-Bonaventure
Saint-Charles-Borromeo
Saint-Cloud-State
Saint-Edwards-Univ
Saint-Francis-Seminary
Saint-Francis-University
Saint-Georges-University
Saint-John-Fisher-College
Saint-Johns-College-MD
Saint-Johns-College-NM
Saint-Johns-Seminary-CA
Saint-Johns-Seminary-MA
Saint-Johns-University-MN
Saint-Joseph-College
Saint-Josephs-College-IN
Saint-Josephs-College-ME
Saint-Josephs-College-NY
Saint-Josephs-Seminary
Saint-Josephs-University
Saint-Lawrence-University
Saint-Leo-College
Saint-Louis-Pharmacy
Saint-Louis-University
Saint-Martins-College
Saint-Mary-College-CA
Saint-Mary-Seminary
Saint-Marys-MN-TwinCities
Saint-Marys-MN-Winona
Saint-Marys-University
Saint-Meinrad-Theology
Saint-Michaels-College
Saint-Norbert-College
Saint-Patricks-Seminary
Saint-Paul-Theology
Saint-Peters-College
Saint-Thomas-Aquinas
Saint-Thomas-University
Saint-Vincent-College
Saint-Vincent-DePaul
Saint-Vincent-Seminary
Saint-Vladimir-Seminary
Saint-Xavier-University
Salem-College
Salem-State-College
Salem-Teikyo-University
Salisbury-University
Salt-Lake-Seminary
Salve-Regina-University
Sam-Houston-State
Samford-University
Samra-Oriental-Medicine
Samuel-Merritt-College
San-Diego-State
San-Fernando-Law
San-Francisco-Art
San-Francisco-Law
San-Francisco-Music
San-Francisco-Seminary
San-Francisco-State
San-Joaquin-Law
San-Jose-State
SanDiego-Integrative
Santa-Barbara-Graduate
Santa-Barbara-Law
Santa-Barbara-Orient-Med
Santa-Clara-University
Sarah-Lawrence-College
Savannah-Art-Design
Savannah-State-Univ
Saybrook-Grad-School
Schiller-International
School-Art-Inst-Chicago
School-Biblical-Studies
School-Intl-Training
School-MFA-Boston
School-Visual-Arts
Schreiner-University
Scripps-Research-Inst
Seabury-Western-Sem
Seattle-Oriental-Medicine
Seattle-Pacific-University
Seattle-University
Sem-Immaculate-Conception
Seton-Hall-University
Seton-Hill-University
Shaw-University
Shenandoah-University
Sherman-Chiropractic
Shippensburg-University
Shorter-College
Siena-Heights-University
Silver-Lake-College
Simmons-College
Simpson-College
Skidmore-College
Slippery-Rock-University
Sloan-Science-Masters
Smith-College
Soka-University-America
Sonoma-State-University
Sothebys-Inst-Art
South-Baylo-University
South-Carolina-State
South-Dakota-Mines-Tech
South-Dakota-State
South-Texas-Law
South-University
Southeast-Baptist-Sem
Southeast-Missouri-State
Southeastern-Louisiana
Southeastern-Oklahoma
Southeastern-Paralegal
Southeastern-University
Southern-Adventist
Southern-Arkansas
Southern-Baptist-Sem
Southern-CA-Architecture
Southern-CA-HealthSci
Southern-CA-Optometry
Southern-Christian
Southern-Coll-Optometry
Southern-CT-State
Southern-IL-Carbondale
Southern-IL-Edwardsville
Southern-IL-Medicine
Southern-Methodist
Southern-Nazarene
Southern-New-Hampshire
Southern-NewEngland-Law
Southern-Oregon
Southern-Polytechnic
Southern-Univ-NewOrleans
Southern-University-AM
Southern-Utah
Southern-Wesleyan
Southwest-Acupuncture
Southwest-Assem-God
Southwest-Baptist
Southwest-Missouri-State
Southwest-Naturopathic
Southwest-State
Southwestern-Adventist
Southwestern-Baptist-Sem
Southwestern-Christian
Southwestern-College-KS
Southwestern-Law
Southwestern-Oklahoma
Spalding-University
Spertus-College
Spring-Arbor-University
Spring-Hill-College
Springfield-College
St-Johns-University
Stanford-University
Starr-King-Ministry
State-Univ-West-Georgia
Stephen-F-Austin-State
Stephens-College
Stetson-Univ-Celebration
Stetson-University
Stevens-Institute-Tech
Stonehill-College
Stony-Brook-SUNY
Stratford-University
Strayer-University
Suffolk-University
Sul-Ross-State
Sullivan-University
Sunbridge-College
SUNY-Brockport
SUNY-Cortland
SUNY-Downstate-Medical
SUNY-Environmental
SUNY-Fredonia
SUNY-Geneseo
SUNY-HealthSci-Brooklyn
SUNY-Institute-Technology
SUNY-New-Paltz
SUNY-Old-Westbury
SUNY-Oneonta
SUNY-Optometry
SUNY-Oswego
SUNY-Plattsburgh
SUNY-Potsdam
SUNY-Update-Medical
Syracuse-University
Tai-Hsuan-Acupuncture
Tai-Sophia
Talmudic-University
Tarleton-State
Taylor-University
Teachers-College-Columbia
Technion-Israel-Tech
Temple-Baptist-Sem
Temple-University
Tennessee-State
Tennessee-Technological
Tennessee-Temple
Texas-AM-Commerce
Texas-AM-CorpusChristi
Texas-AM-HealthSci
Texas-AM-International
Texas-AM-Kingsville
Texas-AM-University
Texas-Chinese-Medicine
Texas-Chiropractic
Texas-Christian
Texas-Southern
Texas-State-San-Marcos
Texas-Tech-HealthSci
Texas-Tech-University
Texas-Wesleyan
Texas-Womans
Thomas-College
Thomas-Cooley-Law
Thomas-Jefferson-Law
Thomas-Jefferson-Univ
Thomas-More-College
Thomas-University
Thuderbird-Management
Tiffin-University
Toccoa-Falls
Touro-College-LongIsland
Touro-College
Touro-Law-School
Touro-Osteopathic
Towson-University
Tradition-Chinese-Hawaii
Trevecca-Nazarene
Tri-State-Acupuncture
Tri-State-University
Trinity-College-CT
Trinity-College-DC
Trinity-College-Vermont
Trinity-Episcopal-Ministry
Trinity-International-CA
Trinity-International-FL
Trinity-International-IL
Trinity-Lutheran
Trinity-University
TRIUM
Troy-State-Dothan
Troy-State-Montgomery
Troy-State-Phenix
Troy-State-University
Truman-State
Tufts-University
Tulane-University-Health
Tulane-University
Tusculum-College
Tuskegee-University
UCSF-Berkeley
UND-NDState
Unification-Seminary
Uniformed-Services-Health
Union-College
Union-Institute-IL
Union-Institute-OH
Union-Theological-NY
Union-Theological-VA
Union-University
United-Theological-Sem
Univ-Advancing-Tech
Univ-Akron
Univ-Alabama-Birmingham
Univ-Alabama-Huntsville
Univ-Alabama
Univ-Alaska-Anchorage
Univ-Alaska-Fairbanks
Univ-Alaska-Southeast
Univ-Albany-SUNY
Univ-Arizona-HealthSci
Univ-Arizona
Univ-Arkansas-LittleRock
Univ-Arkansas-Medical
Univ-Arkansas-Monticello
Univ-Arkansas-PineBluff
Univ-Arkansas
Univ-Baltimore
Univ-Bridgeport
Univ-Buffalo-SUNY
Univ-Cal-Berkeley
Univ-Cal-Davis
Univ-Cal-Hastings
Univ-Cal-Irvine
Univ-Cal-Los-Angeles
Univ-Cal-Riverside
Univ-Cal-San-Diego
Univ-Cal-San-Francisco
Univ-Cal-Santa-Barbara
Univ-Cal-Santa-Cruz
Univ-Central-Arkansas
Univ-Central-Caribe
Univ-Central-Florida
Univ-Central-Oklahoma
Univ-Central-Texas
Univ-Charleston
Univ-Chicago
Univ-Cincinnati
Univ-Colorado-Boulder
Univ-Colorado-COSprings
Univ-Colorado-Denver
Univ-Colorado-HealthSci
Univ-Connecticut-Health
Univ-Connecticut
Univ-Dallas
Univ-Dayton
Univ-del-Salvador
Univ-Delware
Univ-Denver
Univ-Detroit-Mercy
Univ-District-of-Columbia
Univ-Dubuque
Univ-Evansville
Univ-Findlay
Univ-Florida
Univ-Georgia
Univ-Great-Falls
Univ-Guam
Univ-Hartford
Univ-Hawaii-Manoa
Univ-Health-Sciences
Univ-Houston-Clear-Lake
Univ-Houston-Victoria
Univ-Houston
Univ-Idaho
Univ-Illinois-Chicago
Univ-Illinois-Springfield
Univ-Illinois-Urbana
Univ-Incarnate-Word
Univ-Indianapolis
Univ-Iowa
Univ-Judaism
Univ-Kansas-Medical-Ctr
Univ-Kansas
Univ-Kentucky
Univ-La-Verne
Univ-Louisiana-Lafayette
Univ-Louisiana-Monroe
Univ-Louisville
Univ-Maine
Univ-Management-Tech
Univ-Mary-Hardin-Baylor
Univ-Mary
Univ-Maryland-BaltCounty
Univ-Maryland-Baltimore
Univ-Maryland-CollegePark
Univ-Maryland-Eastern
Univ-Maryland-UnivCollege
Univ-Mass-Amherst
Univ-Mass-Boston
Univ-Mass-Dartmouth
Univ-Mass-Lowell
Univ-Mass-Worcester
Univ-Medicine-Dent-NJ
Univ-Memphis
Univ-Miami
Univ-Michigan-Dearborn
Univ-Michigan-Flint
Univ-Michigan
Univ-Minnesota-Duluth
Univ-Minnesota
Univ-Mississippi-Medical
Univ-Mississippi
Univ-Missouri-Columbia
Univ-Missouri-KansasCity
Univ-Missouri-Rolla
Univ-Missouri-StLouis
Univ-Mobile
Univ-Montant
Univ-Montevallo
Univ-NC-Asheville
Univ-NC-Chapel-Hill
Univ-NC-Charlotte
Univ-NC-Greensboro
Univ-NC-Interinstitutional
Univ-NC-Pembroke
Univ-NC-Wilmington
Univ-Nebraska-Kearney
Univ-Nebraska-Lincoln
Univ-Nebraska-MedCtr
Univ-Nebraska-Omaha
Univ-Nevada-Las-Vegas
Univ-Nevada-Reno
Univ-New-England
Univ-New-Hampshire
Univ-New-Haven
Univ-New-Mexico
Univ-New-Orleans
Univ-North-Alabama
Univ-North-Dakota
Univ-North-Florida
Univ-North-Texas-Health
Univ-North-Texas
Univ-Northern-Colorado
Univ-Northern-Iowa
Univ-Notre-Dame
Univ-Oklahoma-Health
Univ-Oklahoma-Tulsa
Univ-Oklahoma
Univ-Oregon
Univ-Orlando
Univ-Pacific
Univ-Pennsylvania
Univ-Phoenix
Univ-Pitt-Carnegie-Mellon
Univ-Pittsburgh
Univ-Portland
Univ-PR-Rio-Piedras
Univ-Puerto-Rico-Mayaguez
Univ-Puerto-Rico
Univ-Puget-Sound
Univ-Redlands
Univ-Rhode-Islands
Univ-Richmond
Univ-Rio-Grande
Univ-Rochester-Medical
Univ-Rochester
Univ-Sacred-Heart
Univ-Saint-Francis
Univ-Saint-Mary-Lake
Univ-Saint-Thomas-MN
Univ-Saint-Thomas-TX
Univ-San-Diego
Univ-San-Francisco
Univ-Sarasota
Univ-SC-Aiken
Univ-SC-Spartanburg
Univ-Science-Philadelphia
Univ-Scranton
Univ-Sioux-Falls
Univ-South-Alabama
Univ-South-Carolina
Univ-South-Dakota
Univ-South-Florida
Univ-South-Sewanee
Univ-Southern-Cal-Sac
Univ-Southern-California
Univ-Southern-Colorado
Univ-Southern-Indiana
Univ-Southern-Maine
Univ-Southern-Mississippi
Univ-St-Augustine-Hlth
Univ-St-Francis-IL
Univ-Tampa
Univ-Tenn-Chattanooga
Univ-Tenn-Knoxville
Univ-Tenn-Martin
Univ-Tenn-Memphis
Univ-Tenn-Space
Univ-Texas-Arlington
Univ-Texas-Austin
Univ-Texas-Brownsville
Univ-Texas-Dallas
Univ-Texas-El-Paso
Univ-Texas-Health
Univ-Texas-Houston
Univ-Texas-HSC-Antonio
Univ-Texas-Medical
Univ-Texas-PamAmerican
Univ-Texas-PermianBasin
Univ-Texas-San-Antonio
Univ-Texas-SW-Medical
Univ-Texas-Tyler
Univ-Toledo
Univ-Tulsa
Univ-Utah
Univ-Vermont
Univ-Virgin-Islands
Univ-Virginia
Univ-Washington-Bothell
Univ-Washington-Tacoma
Univ-Washington
Univ-West-Alabama
Univ-West-Florida
Univ-West-Los-Angeles
Univ-WestFlorida-FtWalton
Univ-Wisconsin-Eau-Claire
Univ-Wisconsin-GreenBay
Univ-Wisconsin-LaCrosse
Univ-Wisconsin-Madison
Univ-Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Univ-Wisconsin-Oshkosh
Univ-Wisconsin-Parkside
Univ-Wisconsin-Platteville
Univ-Wisconsin-RiverFalls
Univ-Wisconsin-StevensPt
Univ-Wisconsin-Stout
Univ-Wisconsin-Superior
Univ-Wisconsin-Whitewater
Univ-Wyoming
Univerity-Arts
Upper-Iowa-University
Urbana-University
Ursuline-College
US-Naval-Postgraduate
US-Sport-Academy
Utah-State-University
Utica-College
UWGB-UWO
VA-Tech-FallsChurch
Valdosta-State-University
Valparaiso-University
Vander-Cook-Music
Vanderbilt-University
Vanguard-Univ-California
Ventura-College-Law
Vermont-Law-School
Villa-Julie-College
Villanova-University
Vincennes-University
Virginia-Commonwealth
Virginia-International
Virginia-State
Virginia-Tech
Virginia-Theological-Sem
Virginia-Union
Viterbo-University
Wagner-College
Wake-Forest-University
Walla-Walla-College
Walsh-College-Business
Walsh-University
Warner-Pacific-College
Warner-Southern
Warren-Wilson
Wartburg-Seminary
Wash-State-Spokane
Wash-State-TriCities
Wash-State-Vancouver
Wash-Theological-Union
Wash-Univ-StLouis
Washburn-Univ-Topeka
Washington-Bible-College
Washington-College
Washington-Lee
Washington-State
Wayland-Baptist
Wayne-State-College
Wayne-State-University
Waynesburg-College
Webber-International
Weber-State
Webster-University
Weill-Medical-Cornell
Wesley-Biblical-Seminary
Wesley-College
Wesley-Seminary
Wesleyan-College
Wesleyan-University
West-Chester-University
West-Texas-AM
West-VA-Tech
West-VA-Wesleyan
West-Virginia-Osteopathic
West-Virginia-University
Western-Carolina
Western-CT-State
Western-Evangelical
Western-Illinois
Western-International
Western-Kentucky
Western-Michigan
Western-New-England
Western-New-Mexico
Western-Oregon
Western-Reformed-Sem
Western-Seminary-Portland
Western-Seminary-SanJose
Western-State-Law
Western-States-Chiro
Western-Theological-Sem
Western-Univ-HealthSci
Western-Washington
Westfield-State
Westminster-Coll-SaltLake
Westminster-College
Westminster-Seminary-CA
Westminster-Theol-Sem
Weston-Jesuit-Theology
Wheaton-College
Wheeling-Jesuit
Wheelock-College
Whittier-College
Whitworth-College
Wichita-State
Widener-University
Wilkes-University
Willamette-University
William-Carey-College
William-Mitchell-Law
William-Paterson-NJ
William-Scholl-Podiatric
William-Woods
Williams-College
Wilmington-College
Winebrenner-Seminary
Wingate-University
Winona-State-University
Winston-Salem-State
Winthrop-University
Wisc-SPP
Wolf-Ridge-Environmental
Woodbury-College
Woodbury-University
Woods-Hole-Ocean
Worcester-Polytechnic
Worcester-State-College
Wright-Institute
Wright-State
Xavier-University-LA
Xavier-University
Yale-University
Yeshiva-Toras-Chaim
Yeshiva-University
Yo-San-University
York-College-PA
Youngstown-State

SCHOLARSHIPS FROM INDIA

2008-03-09T21:51:00.000-07:00

K C Mahindra Scholarship Trust
c/o Resident General Manager,
Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., Jeewan Deep Building8 Parliament Street
New Delhi - 110001
Scholarships for school students as well as for higher studies overseas
Singapore International Airlines - Youth Scholarships
Robinson Road
P O Box 746
Singapore - 901446
Scholarships for completing plus 2 education in Singapore
Ministry of Human Resource Development (Deptt. of Education)
External Scholarships Division
ES-3 Section A.1/W.3 Curzon Road BarracksKasturba Gandhi Marg
New Delhi - 110001
This department co-ordinates a large number of international scholarships in specialised and in general areas that are offered to Indians by governments of other countries and by the Commonwealth
I T C Scholarships
Public Relations Dept.
I T C Ltd.I T C Centre, 37 Chowringhee
Calcutta - 700071
Scholarships for higher studies abroad
The Registrar
Nanyang Technological University
Nanyang Avenue
Singapore - 2663
Partial scholarships for higher studies in engineering / computers
Secretary
Sahu Jain Trust
4th Floor, Times House7, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg
New Delhi - 110002
Loan scholarships for higher studies in India and Overseas
Director
J N Tata Endowment
Bombay House24, Homi Mody Street
Mumbai - 400001
Loan scholarships for higher studies abroad
Nehru Trust for Cambridge University
Teen Murti House
New Delhi - 110001
Scholarships for higher studies at Cambridge University
Mariwala Trust
411, 4th Floor,
Shah & Nahar Industrial Estate,
Dr.E Moses Road,
Worlinaka,
Mumbai - 400018
Phone - 4938307/ Fax - 4974074
Loan scholarships for higher studies overseas
Inlaks Foundation
PO Box 2108
Delhi - 110007
Full scholarships for higher studies overseas
Rhodes Scholarship Selection Committee for India
St. Stephen's College
Delhi - 110007
Higher studies at Oxford
Chief Executive
R D Sethna Scholarship Fund
29, H Somani Marg, Fort
Mumbai - 400001
Loan Scholarships for higher studies

UNIVERSITIES IN EUROPE

2008-03-09T21:16:00.000-07:00

Higher Education in Europe
Some University like Aalborg University, Denmark require IELTS test (International English Language Testing System) with a score of at least 6.5
EPFL - Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne require TOEFL + GRE (not reqd.)
Delft University of Technology:Computer Engineering:A Grade Point Average (GPA) for the BSc programme of at least 75% of the scale maximum. A Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score of at least 450 verbal/550 analytical/650 quantitative. Proof of proficiency in the English language: a TOEFL score of at least 550 (paper-based test) or 213 (computer-based test), or an IELTS (academic version) overall Band score of et least 6.0.
Moscow State University offers excellent programs in Physics and Material Sciences.
Swedish University says - To participate in any of the Master?s programme, a high level of proficiency in English is required, such as TOEFL at level 550 (213 computer based) or above, IELTS 6.0 or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency. In addition to these general requirements, the applicant must meet the special requirements that apply to each of the programmes.

Recommended Programs in Engineering
Aalborg University, Denmark
Delft University of Technology, Netherlands
EPFL - Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne
KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden Good for Microelectronics, VLSI.
Technical University of Budapest, Hungary
Program in English
Technical University of Denmark
Lund University, Sweden
University Of Karlsruhe, Germany
Universitat Des Saarlandes, Germany
Universitat Dortmund, Germany
Technische Universitat Berlin, Germany
Inria, Valbonne, France
Centre National De La Rech Sc., France
Universite Paris, France
Ecole Normale Superieure, France
Lgi IMAG, France
Politecnico Di Milano, Milano, Italy
Universita Di Roma, Rome, Italy
Politecnico Di Torino, Italy
University of Bologna, Italy
Universita Di Firenze, Italy
Universita Di Pisa, Italy
Universita Di Torino, Italy
Universita Di Milano, Italy
Universita Degli Studi Di Padova, Italy
Universita Di Salerno, Italy
Universita Di Genova, Italy
University of Cambridge, UK
University of Oxford, UK
Bristol, UK
Warwick, UK
London, Imperial, UK
Sheffield, UK
Southampton , UK
London, UCL, UK
Edinburgh, UK
York, UK
Recommended Programs (MBA)
Vienna University, Austria
K. U. Leuven, Belgium
Solvay Business School, Belgium
United Business Institutes, Belgium
CMC Graduate School of Business, Czech Republic
Copenhagen Business School, Denmark
Helsinki School of Business Administration, Finland
EAP, France
EDHEC, France
ESC Lyon, France
ESC Nantes Atlantique, France
ESC Paris, France
ESC Paris, France
ESC Toulouse, France
ESSEC, France
INSEAD, France
ISA, France
Koblenz School of Corporate Management, Germany
University of Stuttgart, Germany
USW Scloss Gracht, Germany
University College of Dublin, Ireland
University of Dublin - Trinity, Ireland
University of Limerick, Ireland
SDA Bocconi, Italy
University of Palermo, Italy
Erasmus University, Netherlands
Nijenrode, Netherlands
NIMBAS, Netherlands
Lublin Business School, Poland
Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Portugal
ESADE, Spain
ESTE, Spain
IADE, Spain
IESE, Spain
Instituto de Empresa, Spain
Stockholm School of Administration, Sweden
GSBA Z?rich, Switzerland
IMD Lausanne, Switzerland
Lancaster University, UK
London Business School, UK
University of Edinburgh, UK
University of Glasgow, UK
University of Manchester , UK
University of Oxford - Templeton, UK
Warwick University, UK

UNIVERSITIES IN BRAZIL

2008-03-09T21:14:00.000-07:00

Universities in Brazil
Escola T?cnica Federal de Goi?
Escola de Administra??o de Empresas de S?o Paulo Funda??o Get?lio Vargas
Federal University of Paraiba
Instituto Militar de Engenharia
PUC-Rio
Pontif?cia Universidade Cat?lica do Paran?
Pontif?cia Universidade Cat?lica de Campinas
Pontificia Universidade Catolica do Rio Grande do Sul
Universidad Federal de S?o Paulo
Universidade Cat?lica de Bras?lia
Universidade Cat?lica de Pernambuco
Universidade Estadual Paulista
Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense
Universidade Federal Fluminense
Universidade Federal da Bahia
Universidade Federal de Alagoas
Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora
Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais
Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto
Universidade Federal de Pernambuco
Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina
Universidade Federal de Santa Maria
Universidade Federal de Uberl?ndia
Universidade Federal de Vi?osa
Universidade Federal do Cear?
Universidade Federal do Paran?
Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte
Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul
Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro
Universidade Federal fo Esp?rito Santo
Universidade de Bras?lia
Universidade de Fortaleza
Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro
University of Campinas
University of S?o Paulo

VISA

2008-03-09T21:11:00.000-07:00

Visa Types

Visa is a permission granted by any country to enter that country.

Visa UK Visa Australia Visa Germany Visa Australia

For securing the Visa of any country, you have to apply to the consulate office of that country in India. Visa granted by a foreign country may be of various types, with different conditions attached to each of them. A Transit Visa allows you to stay in that country just for a day or two, while a Tourist Visa may allow you to stay for periods up to several months. For a Business Visa, the periodicity of the Visa depends on your need to stay in that country. A student Visa or F1 Visa is granted to students and is valid generally for the period of study ( including grace period) and permission of work outside university is not allowed. Almost all these Visas will stipulate that you cannot take up a job in that country during the period of your stay. A H-1 Visa is granted to all applicants who have obtained the work permit from INS allows him to work in the US. The F visa is for academic studies, and the M visa is for nonacademic or vocational studies. A student with an F-1 visa may not accept off-campus employment at any time during the first year of study; however, the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) may grant permission to accept off-campus employment after one year. No permission is required for on-campus employment. Except for temporary employment for practical training, an M-1 student may not accept employment at any time during the course of study.

more on visa types

Requirements for Student Visa
Applicants must have successfully completed a course of study normally required for enrollment, should be sufficiently proficient in English to pursue the intended course of study, should have been accepted for a full course of study by an approved educational institution, and be able to prove that sufficient funds are or will be available to defray all living and school expenses during the entire period of anticipated study in the United States. They should also be able to establish to the satisfaction of the consular officer that they have binding ties to a residence in their country which they have no intention of abandoning and that they will return to their home country when they have completed their studies.

Required Documents

Completed Application Form DS-156, DS- 157, DS -158, DSP- 2019 (IAP 166)
Passport valid for travel to the United States and with a validity date at least six months beyond the applicant's intended period of stay in the United States
one colored photograph 1 and 1/2 inches square (37 x 37mm) for each applicant, showing a full face, without head covering, against a light background.
for F visa applicants, a completed Form I-20A-B (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status for Academic and Language Students) from the institution where the applicant will be attending. M visa applicants, a completed Form I-20M-N, (Certificate of Eligibility for
Nonimmigrant Student Status for Vocational Students), from the institution the applicant will be attending.
Original TOEFL scores and SAT, GRE, GMAT scores. (As applicable) Students going to the United States to earn a Bachelor's degree should bring their most recent mark sheets or graduation certificates.
Students going the United States to earn a Ph.D. degree should bring their original undergraduate degree and mark sheets/Transcripts.
Spouses and minor children accompanying the student to the United States should bring marriage certificates, wedding photos, and birth certificates with them to the interview, to prove the relationship between themselves and the principal applicant.
Demand drafts for the applicable fees.

TOP CITIES 2 STUDY

2008-03-09T21:09:00.000-07:00

Atlanta
Austin
Boston
Chicago
Cleveland
Dallas
Denver
Detroit
Houston
Indianapolis
Los Angeles
Miami
Minneapolis
Huntsville(Alabama)
Orlando Philadelphia
Phoenix
Pittsburgh
Portland
Raleigh-Durham
Saint Louis
Salt Lake City
San Diego
San Francisco
Seattle
Washington, DC
Nashville
New Orleans
New York

Major Cities outside USA
London
Paris
Frankfurt
Hong Kong
Toronto
Vancouver
Rome
Singapore
Moscow
Sydney
Canberra
Auckland
Wellington

Top Cities by Population
1. New York
2. Los Angeles city
3. Chicago city
4. Houston city,
5. Philadelphia city

Top Cities by Area
1. Anchorage city,AK
2. Jacksonville city, FL
3. Oklahoma City city,
4. Houston city,
5. Nashville-Davidson, TN

VISA 4 GERMANY

2008-03-09T21:08:00.000-07:00

Visa Germany
All persons who wish to study at a high school, college or university in Germany are required to obtain a residence permit.
A visa is absolutely necessary under the immigration laws there; Citizens of the United States of America, Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, as well as EU citizens may apply for their residence permit after entering Germany without a visa. All visas are not the same. A ?tourist visa? cannot be converted into a ?student visa? and as a tourist, you are not eligible to study in Germany.

The visa must be issued before you can enter the country; you should therefore apply for it in good time. The responsible body is the German Embassy or Consulate General in your country, which can also provide you with further information.

Three Types of Visa for International Students

--- A language course visa, which cannot be subsequently converted into a student visa. It is valid only for the duration of the course.
--- A three-month study applicant?s visa, which is valid if you have not yet obtained university admission. After admission, it must be converted as quickly as possible into a resident permit for student purposes at the office for foreigners? affairs.
--- The visa for study purposes, valid for one year. In order to obtain this visa, you must provide proof of admission and financial support for the duration of study.

Documents Required

-- A valid passport
-- Passport Size photos
-- Entitlement to university admission, as recognized in Germany (usually a high school diploma or graduation examination certificate)
-- Evidence of previous academic performance
-- Proof that complete financial support for one year is guaranteed

The visa application is submitted at the German Embassy or the German Consulate in your country of residence ? preferably as early as possible. German Embassy or Consulate personnel can provide further information.

TRY CANADA

2008-03-09T21:07:00.000-07:00

Top Schools (Engineering)

University Of WATERLOO, Ontario
University Of TORONTO, Ontario
MCGILL University, MONTREAL, QUEBEC
SIMON FRASER University, BURNABY, BRITISH COLUMBIA
CARLETON University, OTTAWA, Ontario
Universite DE MONTREAL, QUEBEC
QUEENS University, KINGSTON, Ontario
University Of BRITISH COLUMBIA, VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA
CONCORDIA University, MONTREAL, QUEBEC
University Of ALBERTA, EDMONTON, ALBERTA
University Of VICTORIA, B.C.
University Of CALGARY, ALBERTA
University Of SASKATCHEWAN, SASKATOON
YORK University
University Of WESTERN Ontario
MCMASTER University
UNIVERSITE DU QUEBEC
ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE MONTREAL
University Of WINDSOR

McMaster University: Mechanical Engineering If English is not your native language, an official copy of your TOEFL score, or other evidence of competency in English. A minimum TOEFL (iBT) score of 80 (550 on the paper-based TOEFL test or 213 on the computer-based TOEFL test). Tests older than 2 years are asked to be repeated. There are NO exceptions and NO waivers.

COST OF LIVING INDEX USA

2008-03-09T21:05:00.001-07:00

Akron, OH 96.0
Albany, GA 91.5
Albany, NY 107.3
Albuquerque, NM 101.3
Alexandria, LA 92.0
Arlington, TX 91.2
Asheville, NC 100.5
Atlanta, GA 109.2
Augusta, GA 93.7
Austin, TX 105
Baltimore, MA 99.4
Baton Rouge, LA 97.3
Berkeley, CO., WV 90.6
Binghampton/Broome Co., NY 106.4
Birmingham, AL 96.2
Bismarck, ND 99.6
Bloomington, IL 102.5
Boise, ID 101.6
Boston, MA 240.4
Boulder, CO 111.7
Bristol, TN 91.2
Bristol, VA 91.1
Bryan/College Station, TX 97.2
Buffalo, NY 99.3
Burlington, NC 92.9
Carbondale, IL* 96.3
Chapel Hill, NC 97.9
Charleston, SC 96.5
Charleston, WV 98.4
Charlotte, NC 100.6
Chattanooga, TN 93.3
Chicago, IL 164.9
Cincinnati, OH 100.7
Cleveland, OH 110.6
Cleveland, TN* 91.8
Columbia, MO 92.4
Columbia, SC 92.7
Dallas, TX 97.7
Dayton, OH 100.9
Denver, CO 102.1
Detroit, MI 98
Durham, NC 97.9
El Paso, TX 96.2
Evansville, IN 93.2
Fayetteville, AR 94.2
Fayetteville, NC 96.0
Findlay, OH* 97.7
Fort Collins, CO 106
Fresno, CA 104.4
Georgetown, TX 96.1
Greensboro/High Pt., NC 97.9
Greenville, NC 94.9
Greenville, SC 98.7
Houston, TX 93
Huntsville, AL 93.8
Idaho Falls, ID* 98.3
Indianapolis, IN 95.1
Jacksonville FL 95.8
Jefferson, MO 92.7
Kansas City, MO 94.7
Knoxville, TN 91.8
Lafayette, LA 95.1
Las Vegas, NV 100.5
Lexington, KY 80
Long Beach, CA 111.9
Los Angeles, CA 132.7
Louisville, KY 92.0
Lubbock, TX 92.5
Madison, WI 104.7
Manhattan, KS* 97.5
Memphis, TN 92.6
Milwaukee, WI 104.5
Minneapolis , MN 106
Nashville, TN 95.0
Nevada, MO* 91.4
Newark, DE 102.8
Newark, NJ 124.3
New Orleans, LA 93.5
Newport News, VA 95.4
New York, NY 240.0
Oklahoma City, OK 92.6
Orlando, FL 97.7
Philadelphia, PA 124.5
Phoenix, AZ 100.8
Pittsburgh, PA 110.7
Portland, OR 107
Pullman, WA* 105.8
Raleigh, NC 98.2
Reno, NV 107.4
Richmond, VA 101.2
Rochester, NY 109.0
Sacramento, CA 110.7
Salem, OR 103.6
Salt Lake City, UT 106.3
San Antonio, TX 94.7
San Francisco/Oakland, CA 151.4
San Jose, CA 139.7
Seattle, WA 112.6
Syracuse, NY 106.8
Toledo, OH 98.7
Tucson, AZ 97.9
Tampa, FL 95.8
Temple, TX 92.6
Washington, DC, MD, VA 120.3
Worcester County, MD* 105.
Youngstown, OH 96.0 The avg. housing cost in New York is almost double than Chicago.
NY has over 150 museums, 18,000 restaurants, and countless world-famous attractions.
Metro New York

Taken from http://www.tax.state.ny.us/

For Computer Programmers Dallas, NY, Newark, San Francisco are best places.
For Finance NY, Boston, LA, Chicago are good.
Chicago

The avg. housing cost in New York is almost double than Chicago.
NY has over 150 museums, 18,000 restaurants, and countless world-famous attractions.

For Computer Programmers Dallas, NY, Newark, San Francisco are best places.
For Finance NY, Boston, LA, Chicago are good

BEST UNIVERSITIES BY FIELD

2008-03-09T20:49:00.000-07:00

Below are listed some middle order Universities
VLSI
University of Arizona, Iowa State University, Michigan State University, University of Utah, Oregon State University, University of Massa. Amherst, Clarkson University, Portland State University (Low rank but good in VLSI)

Telecom/DSP
SMU, University of Texas Dallas, NJIT, Clemson

CS
State University of New York Stony Brook ,Indiana University, University of Utah, Dartmouth College, Temple University

Mechanical
Arizona State University, University of Missouri-Rolla, Clemson, Washington State

Industrial
University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, Wayne State University, University of Houston, State University of New York-Buffalo

Aerospace
University of Colorado, University of Cincinnati, University of Dayton, University of Kansas, University of Alabama-Huntsville

Chemical
Iowa State, University of Delaware, University of Houston, WPI

Material Science
U of Massachusetts at Amherst, University of Arizona, Cincinnati, U Utah, ASU

Petroleum Engg.
Louisiana State, Texas Tech University

BEST UNIVERSITY GUIDE

2008-03-09T20:46:00.000-07:00

Best Universities
Top Engineering Colleges
Ranking by graduateshotline.com 2006
S.No University/College
1 Massachusetts Inst of Technology
2 Stanford University
3 University of California-Berkeley
4 California Institute Technology
5 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
6 Georgia Institute of Technology
7 University of Michigan
8 Cornell University
9 Carnegie Mellon University
10 University of Texas at Austin
11 Purdue University
12 University of California- San Diego
13 University of California- Los Angeles
14 Texas A&M University
15 Princeton University
16 Pennsylvania State University
17 University of Wisconsin-Madison
18 University of Maryland College Park
19 Harvard University
20 University of California-Santa Barbara
21 University of Southern California
22 University of Minnesota
23 Northwestern University
24 Johns Hopkins University
25 Virginia Polytech Inst & State University
26 Ohio State University
27 University of Virginia
28 Columbia University (FU)
29 University of Pennsylvania
30 Duke University
31 Rensselaer Polytechnic Inst
32 North Carolina State University
33 Rice University
34 University of Washington
35 University of Florida
36 University of California-Davis
37 Washington University -St. Louis
38 Yale University
39 University of Massachusetts at Amherst
40 Michigan State University
41 Iowa State University
42 University of Arizona
43 University of California-Irvine
44 University of Colorado-Boulder
45 Case Western Reserve University
46 Rutgers State University-New Brunswick
47 University of Notre Dame
48 Lehigh university
49 Northeastern University
50 University of Rochester
51 University of Delaware
52 University of Iowa
53 Brown University
54 Arizona State University
55 Drexel University

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATIONS

2008-03-09T14:53:00.001-07:00

Remember that GRE score is only one part of the graduate school application. Most graduate schools will also require that you submit at least three letters of recommendation. These are letters that you will request from other people to tell your prospective graduate program that you are worthy of admission.

Why Letters of Recommendation are Important
Graduate schools have limited resources they can use to guage your potential--GRE score, GPA, personal statement, and letters of recommendation. Because there are so few items for you to impress with, you want every part of your graduate application to be stellar.

Graduate school admissions is different from undergraduate admissions in that graduate schools don't follow a formula. Undergraduate admissions tends to place importance on SAT scores or GPA since there are so many applicants. Undergradute admissions committee have to quickly review applications.

Graduate admissions, on the other hand, has fewer applications to review and acceptance is more subjective.

Who to Ask to Write a Letter of Recommendation
The best people to ask for letters from are professors or work supervisors from a job related to the field you are applying to. Graduate admissions will consider such letters of recommendation with higher regard since the letters will be written by those who know what it takes to succeed in graduate school and/or the field.

Get to know your professors or supervisors and make sure they get to know you too. The better your letter writers know you, the better your letters of recommendation will be. Your letter will sound generic if your letter writers don't really know who they're writing for.

Also, don't be afraid to ask your professors for letters of recommendation. Most professors are used to such requests, and if you did well in their class most likely, they will write a letter for you. Try to ask professors whose classes you've earned higher than a 'B'.

When to Make a Request
If possible, give people at least a couple of months to write your letters. Everyone is busy. This will assure they don't miss the deadline.

What to Give to Letter Writers
Make the process as easy as possible for your letter writers since they are doing you a favor. Provide a resume, your statement of purpose, and a stamped and addressed envelope so that they can mail your letter to your prospective graduate school. Such materials will speed up the letter-writing process.

Send Friendly Reminders
Remember that professors are very busy, so it's possible that they could forget to write your letter, so make sure you send them a friendly reminder that your graduate application deadline is approching.

GRE Time Breakdown

2008-03-09T14:51:00.002-07:00

GRE Time Breakdown
For each section you will be given a fixed amount of time. Here is the GRE time breakdown:

Section Number of Questions Time
Analytical Writing 1 Issue Task 45 min
1 Argument Task 30 min
Verbal 30 30 min
Quantitative 28 45 min
Pretest Varies Varies
Research Varies Varies

In addition to Analytical Writing, Verbal, and Quantitative there are the possible pretest and research sections. A pretest is either a Quantitative or a Verbal section that might be included and could appear in any order after Analytical Writing. Research sections are for experimental purposes and always appear at the end of the exam.

Neither the pretest nor the research sections are included in your score; however, you won't know if a section is a pretest so it's always best to do your best on all sections.

Take a look at the above table. You should note that time and the number of questions are fixed for all other sections. Use this information to your advantage. Practice with your GRE preparation materials, and learn to pace yourself. Allot a specific amount of time to each question, and if you do not know the answer, do not waste time pondering over it. Just guess and move on. You can redeem yourself on the next question.

YOUR GRE SCORE XPLAINED

2008-03-09T14:51:00.001-07:00

Your GRE Score Explained
The most important part of the GRE? Your score. You'll receive a score from 200 to 800 on Verbal, a score from 200 to 800 on Quantitative, and a score from 1 to 6 on Analytical Writing.

GRE Verbal And Quantitative Scores
For the GRE Verbal and Quantitative sections, you will receive a score from 200 to 800. Your score depends on how many questions you answer correctly and the level of difficulty the questions are.

GRE Analytical Writing Score
The GRE Writing section is scored holistically, which means you will receive a score from 1-6 for each essay, Perspective and Analysis.

Each essay is scored by two trained readers. If there is more than a one-point difference between the two readers' scores, then a third reader will grade your essay, and your score for that essay will be the average of the two highest scores. The same grading process is followed for your second essay.

GRE Percentile Scores
In addition to scaled scores, you will also receive GRE percentile scores (0-99th) for each. Percentiles show how you compare to other GRE test-takers over the past three years. Percentiles are equally important to admission committees, because they provide another way to gauge your academic performance.

Summing Up
In short, you will receive one score (200-800) for Verbal, one score (200-800) for Quantitative, and one score for Analytical Writing

VOCABULARY TIPS GRE

2008-03-09T14:49:00.000-07:00

How to Improve Your GRE Vocabulary Skills
The single-most effective way to improve your GRE verbal score is to improve your GRE vocabulary skills. Good vocabulary skills will be useful in sentence completion, antonyms, analogies, and reading comprehension. If you know the meaning of all the words in the answer choices, it makes the question a whole lot easier.

GRE Vocabulary in Context
The best way to learn GRE vocabulary is to learn words in context. For some reason your brain remembers words much better when it can associate a word with something other than its definition.

Read from publications like The New York Times or The Wall Street Journal on a regular basis. The Journal has many GRE-type articles and uses GRE vernacular. When you come across an unfamiliar word, look it up and write down its definition. You'll be amazed at how much better your vocabulary is after reading The Journal on a regular basis for just a month!

GRE Vocabulary from a List
If you don't have much time until test day, you should study from a GRE vocabulary list or invest in some flash cards. Barron's How to Prepare for the GRE has the most comprehensive GRE vocabulary list topping off at about 3500 words. Learn the general meaning of 3500 words or so, and the GRE verbal section will look a lot less daunting.

You're probably thinking 3500 words is a ton of words to learn. You're right. That's why GRE vocabulary can be scary at first, but remember, you don't have to memorize the exact meanings. The GRE does not test if you know exact definitions; just get to know general meanings. Be a thesaurus not a dictionary.

Study a little bit at a time. Try twenty words a day. If that's too easy, try thirty words a day. Don't worry if memorizing words is difficult at first--it'll get much easier. Whatever number of words you choose to study per day, don't study too many at one time! Your brain can only absorb so many words in one sitting. It's up to you to figure out how many words you should study per sitting.

Whatever you choose, always review the words you've already studied at the end of each week. Without review, you'll lose a lot. You don't want to end up getting stuck on a question with a word's definition at the tip of your tongue.

Summing Up
Heighten your GRE vocabulary skills either with reading or a list.

Review the words you've learned every week.

Watch your GRE verbal score go up!

GRE STUDY TIPS

2008-03-09T14:47:00.000-07:00

10 Steps to Earn a High GRE Score
The following is a guide to scoring high on the GRE test. If you follow these steps, your GRE score will improve.

1. Relax:
Preparing for the GRE can be stressful. Try to focus on the task at hand and not so much on everything else you have to do. If you take GRE test prep step-by-step, day-by-day, and give yourself breaks when your body needs them, you'll be able to concentrate on GRE studies a lot better.

2. GRE Diagnostic Test:
Begin GRE test prep with a GRE practice test to find out what you're good at, and more importantly, what you're not good at. Correct your completed practice test and evaluate the questions you missed. What kind of questions did you miss? Are they mostly Quantitative or mostly Verbal? What score would you give yourself on Analytical Writing? Did you miss a lot of analogies but do well on reading comprehension? With this information you'll be able to focus your GRE test prep studies on your weaknesses.

3. GRE Study Plan:
With your GRE weaknesses in mind, make a very specific study plan for yourself. You should know what, how, and when you are going to study for the GRE test. Put your study plan somewhere in plain view, and make sure you stick to your plan.

Try to keep GRE test prep interesting by planning to study different things in different ways. For example, study GRE vocabulary from flash cards one day, from a list the second day, and by reading and learning words in context the third day.

4. GRE Vocabulary:
The single-most effective way to improve GRE Verbal score is with GRE vocabulary. Start studying GRE vocabulary now. Study a word list, use flash cards, learn with software, or learn words in context with The Wall Street Journal. Do whatever it takes to learn new words. Improve your vocabulary skills and watch your GRE score improve.

5. Active Reading:
Practice reading every day, but don't read like you would your favorite book. Read actively. Ask yourself, "What is the main theme?", "Report or opinion?", and "What is the author's purpose?" You'll see these questions on the GRE, so you should be on the lookout for the answers. You should also use GRE-level material, such as The Wall Street Journal, to practice your GRE reading comprehension. You might not like the articles, but most likely you won't like the passages on the GRE either, so you should get used to it.

6. Math Language:
Learning GRE math is like learning a new language. To improve your GRE Quantitative score you have to practice, and the more you practice the more fluent you will become. If you don't practice, you'll never improve.

Hence, do as many practice Quantitative problems as you can and learn from your mistakes. When examining your wrong answers, don't move on to the next question until you understand the current one. The whole point of math practice is so that you can learn from mistakes during practice and not on the real GRE.

7. Essay:
Get used to writing an outline before you actualy start an essay. You'll save time and know exactly what to write about if you have an outlined plan. Your paper will flow better and surely, you will score higher on the GRE Analytical Writing section.

8. GRE Practice Tests:
A GRE practice test is one of your most useful tools during GRE test prep. It's an excellent indicator of what you need to work on. Take GRE practice tests every couple of weeks to find out your weak areas, and focus your GRE study plan on those things. Also, remember to learn from your mistakes on each practice test.

9. Do Not Procrastinate:
Start preparing for the GRE now. If you start GRE prep early enough, you'll have the luxury of being able to study just an hour or so per day. When your time is limited, you have to study more hours per day, which will get tiring fast. Cramming for the GRE doesn't work, so don't procrastinate. I repeat, if you want to improve your GRE score, do not procrastinate.

10. Mentally Prepare:
Time yourself during GRE practice tests to get a feel for the length of the test and the pace you need to be answering questions at. Act like the practice test is the real GRE. The last thing you want on test day is to feel tired when you're only half-way through.

If you follow these 10 steps, your GRE score will improve. If you don't follow these 10 steps, you still might score high on the GRE, but I wouldn't risk it. Happy preparing.

GURUS WORDLIST GRE

2008-03-09T14:46:00.000-07:00

New GRE 0.3 beta available - 08/25/2003

You can download the first beta from
http://grewordlist.groupfetch.com/gre21b.zip

This new release contains the following features and it will be worth to test them.
Custom Wordlist Creator(New!!!)
New Print utility to print your own list(New!!!)
Additonal Options to generate custom worlist.(New!!!)
More Options to sort the wordlist, based on hardness, known words, unkown words etc...(New!!!)
Improved bookmark option.(New!!!)

RAILWAY BUDGET REVIEW 2008-9 INDIA

2008-03-09T14:35:00.000-07:00

Review of Performance : 2007-08

·Double digit growth in traffic earnings maintained in first nine months.
·Growth in passenger earnings 14%.
·Expected growth in goods earnings 14%.
·Gross Traffic Revenues 16% higher than the previous year and 2% higher than the Budget Estimates.
·Operating Ratio likely to improve from the budgeted 79.6 to 76.3 per cent – best in last four decades.
·Return on Capital – an all time high of 21 per cent.
·Cash Surplus before dividend expected to be a record Rs.25,000 cr.
·Net Revenue expected at Rs. 18,416 cr and surplus after payment of dividend expected at Rs.13,534 cr.

Budget Estimates 2008-09

·Freight loading target: 850 million tones.
·Revenues in Freight earnings to be Rs.52,700 cr; Passenger earnings to be Rs.21,681 cr.
·Gross Traffic Receipts to be Rs.81,901 cr – an increase of 12.6 per cent over RE.
·Cash surplus before Dividend to be Rs.24,783 cr after making an ad-hoc provision of nearly Rs.5000 cr for anticipated recommendations of the VI Central Pay Commission.

Annual Plan 2008-09

·The Annual Plan of Rs.37,500 cr is the largest ever Annual Plan so far.
·Thrust areas include enhancement of high density network routes, improvement and expansion of traffic facility and network, construction of flyovers, bypasses and upgradation of goods-sheds.
·New Lines - Rs.1,730 cr, Gauge conversion - Rs.2,489 cr, Electrification - Rs.626 cr, Metropolitan Transport Projects - Rs.650 cr.
·Track renewal - Rs.3,600 cr, Bridges - Rs. 600 cr, Signal & Telecommunication works -Rs.1,520 cr, Road over/under bridges - Rs. 700 cr and manning of unmanned level crossings - Rs.600 cr.
·Passenger amenities - Rs. 852 cr, the highest so far.
·Targets : New Lines - 350 kms, Gauge conversion - 2,150 kms, Doubling - 1000 kms.

Passenger Services

Trains
·10 new Garib Raths to be introduced.
·53 pairs of new trains.
·Extension of trains : 16 pairs.
·Increase in frequency : 11 pairs.
·300 additional services in Mumbai suburban.
·Special train from Anandpur Sahib and Patna Sahib to Gurudwara Sachkhand Sahib during tercentenary function of Shri Guru Granth Sahib of Gurta Gaddi.
·Special train between Pune and Delhi for Commonwealth Youth Games being held in Pune from 12th-18th October this year.

Amenities
·Provision of on-line coach indication display board; on-line train arrival departure information board; on-line reservation availability information board.
·Provision of discharge-free green toilets in all 36,000 coaches in XI Plan period at a cost of about Rs.4,000 cr.
·LHB design coaches for all Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains over next few years.
·Provision of LHB coaches with stainless steel bogies in Mail/Express trains.

Concessions
·Senior citizen concession for women enhanced to 50% from existing 30%.
·Free Monthly Seasonal Ticket to girl students up to graduation level in place of 12th standard and for boys up to 12th standard in place of 10th standard.

Improvements in ticketing
·Termination of queues at ticket counters targeted in two years.
·Ticket booking on mobile phones; E-ticket for waitlisted passengers.
·Increase in Unreserved Ticketing Systems counters to 15,000 and ATVMs to 6000.

Reduction in passenger fares
·One rupee discount per passenger for fares up to Rs.50 in non suburban Second Class (ordinary and mail/express)
·5% discount across the board for passenger fares beyond Rs.50 for all non suburban Second Class (ordinary and mail/express).
·Increase in discount for travel in new design high capacity reserved coaches.
·Reduction in fare - AC-I : 7%; and AC-II : 4% (the reduction will be half for popular trains and during peak period).

Freight Business

Reductions & Concessions
·5% reduction in freight rates for Petrol and Diesel.
·14% reduction in freight rate of Fly-ash.
·Liberalisation of Traditional Empty Flow direction incentive scheme
-30% discount on entire traffic in place of incremental traffic booked from goods shed.
-Increase in discount on incremental traffic booked from private sidings from 30% to 40%.
·6% freight concession for traffic booked from other States for stations in North Eastern States.

New Initiatives
·Target for loading fixed at 850 MT in 2008-09.
·Blue - Print prepared for High Density Network.
·Top priority being given to port rail connectivity projects.
·New and dedicated iron ore routes to be upgraded/constructed.
·Work on Eastern freight corridor from Ludhiana to Dankuni (Kolkata) and Western freight corridor from Delhi to JNPT to start in 2008-09.
·Procurement of Rolling Stock: All time high of 20,000 wagons, 250 diesel and 220 electric locomotives to be manufactured.
·New Wagon Leasing Policy and Wagon Investment Scheme formulated to increase availability of wagons in the system.
·Discounts for development of bulk and non-bulk goods terminals.

Safety & Security
·Multi-pronged scheme to strengthen railway safety through various automatic devices like anti-collision device etc.
·Rail accidents have reduced remarkably despite substantial increase in gross traffic volumes.
·Fire resistant material to be used in coaches.
·Unmanned level crossings at busy sections to be manned on a fast track basis.
·Integrated security plan drawn up through installation of CCTVs, metal detectors etc.

Welfare Measures

Social Welfare
·99%backlog vacancies for SCs/STs filled up in special campaign launched since 2004.
·Appointment of candidates from SCs/STs/OBCs exceeded their respective quotas in Group D appointments.
·Minorities welfare cells to be opened at Railway Board and Zonal Railways.
·One time exercise of appointing Railway Porters as gangmen and to other Group D posts.
·Mother-Child Health Express to be run on a pilot basis at concessional fares in collaboration with Rajiv Gandhi Foundation for providing medical facilities to mother and child.

Staff Welfare
·Per-capita contribution to Staff Benefit Fund to be increased by ten times from Rs.35 to Rs.350 for 2008-09.
·Northern Railway Central Hospital at Delhi to be made centrally air-conditioned.
·Two divisional hospitals at Jaipur and Hubli to be upgraded to central hospitals.
·A new divisional hospital at Ranchi and an OPD block at Integral Coach Factory to be constructed.
·Employees who joined Railways from other agencies/PSUs etc and are eligible for pensionary benefits, would now be eligible for post retirement complimentary passes as per the norms being set.

Future Vision
·Vision 2025 document aims at setting the roadmap for coming 17 years - customer-centric and market responsive strategic initiatives.
·Information Technology Vision 2012 aims at radical changes in IT applications on a common platform with focus on improvement in operational efficiency, transparency in working ad better services to the customers.
·Multi-Departmental Innovation Promotion Group at Apex Level.
·Public-Private Partnership schemes to be launched for attracting an investment of Rs.1,00,000 cr over the next five years for developing world class stations, rolling stock ad other logistics.
·Commercial use of Railway land by Rail Land Development Authority to give a boost to Railway Revenues.

Other Important Announcements
·A new rail coach factory to be set up in Kerala.
·A new wagon re-construction unit to be set up at Garkha in Chapra District.
·Modernisation and development of Workshops at Jamalpur, Lilluah, Perambur and Ajmer.
·Taking over of Mokama and Muzaffarpur wagon factories.
·Setting up of a 1000 MW thermal power plant, a joint venture of Indian Rail Bijli Company Ltd. with NTPC, at Nabinagar District of Auragabad, Bihar.

HIGHLIGHTS OF INDIAN BUDGET

2008-03-09T13:47:00.000-07:00

Union Budget for 2007 - 2008 presented by Finance Minister P. Chidambaram lays strong emphasis on social sector, agriculture, and infrastructure. Finance Minister has tried to spread the fruits of economic reforms to the neglected sections of India.

Indian Budget 2007 - 2008 Highlights

General
GDP growth rate estimated at 9.2% in 2006-07.
Manufacturing growth rate estimated at 11.3%.
Saving rate of 32.4%, investment rate of 33.8% will continue.
Tax as % of GDP at 11.4%
Gross domestic capital formation up 23%.
Fiscal deficit to be 3.7% in the current year and revenue deficit 2%.
Fiscal deficit for 2007-08 pegged at 3.3% of GDP and Revenue deficit at 1.5%.
Bank credit rate grew by 29% during first ten months of 2006-07.
E-Governance expenditure hiked to Rs.719 crore
Inflation during 2006-07 estimated at between 5.2 and 5.4% against 4.4% during the previous year.
Total expenditure during 2006-07 estimated at Rs.6,80,521 crore
Defence Budget hiked to Rs.96000 crore.
Overseas investment to be allowed by individuals via Mutual Funds.
Government to allow short selling by institutions.
Mutual Funds to be allowed to launch infrastructure funds.
PAN to be made sole identity for participants in the security markets to strengthen capital market.
Foreign exchange reserves stand at 180 billion dollars.
Tourism infrastructure to get an allocation of Rs 520 crore as against Rs 423 crore last year.
Northeastern region to get Rs 405 crore for highway development. Road-cum-rail project over Brahmaputra in Bogibil, Assam.
New industrial policy for the Northeast.
Technology Upgration Fund to be continued during the 11th Plan. Rs 911 crore to be provided for this
Direct Taxes
Personal income tax exemption limit raised to Rs 1,10000
Income Tax exemption limit to women hiked to Rs 1,45,000
Personal Tax exemption for senior citizens hiked to Rs 1,95,000
Deduction in respect of medical insurance under Section 80 (D) increased to Rs 15,000 for common person and Rs 20,000 for senior citizens.
No change in slab rates for income tax.
No change in corporate income tax.
Surcharge on Corporate income tax on companies below Rs 1 crore removed.
Scope of MAT widened to I-T companies.
1% cess hiked to fund higher education.
ESOPs to be brought under FBT.
No change in Service Tax rate.
Service tax extended to commercial renters.
Service tax on Residents Welfare Associations whose members contribute more than Rs 3,000.
Technology biz incubators exempt from service tax.
Dividend distribution tax raised from 12.5 to 15 per cent.
Benefits of investment in venture capital funds confined to IT, bio-technology, nano-technology, seed research, dairy among some others.
Withdrawals by central and state governments exempted from Banking Cash Transaction Tax. The limit for individuals and HUF raised from Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000.
Five year tax holiday for 2, 3, 4 star hotels and convention centres with a seating capacity of 3,000 in NCT of Delhi, Gurgaon, Ghaziabad, Faridabad and Noida for Commonwealth Games.
R&D tax concessions extended to private research bodies.
Indirect Taxes
Small scale industries excise duty exemption raised from Rs 1 crore to Rs 1.5 crore.
No change in general CENVAT rate.
National level Goods & services tax to be introduced from next fiscal year.
Central Sales Tax rate to be reduced from 4% to 3%.
Peak customs duty rate on non-agricultural items reduced from 12.5% to 10%.
All coking coal fully exempted from duty
Duties on seconds and defective reduced from 20% to 10%.
Customs duty on polyster to be reduced from 10% to 7.5 %.
Duty on lift irrigation, agricultural sprinklers and food processing equipment reduced from 7.5% to 5%.
Duty on sunflower oil to be reduced by 15%.
Duty on pet food reduced from 30% to 20%.
Duty reduced on watch dials and movements and umbrella parts from 12.5% to 5%.
Import duty of 15 specified machinery to be reduced from 7.5% to 5%.
3% import duty to be levied on private importers of aircraft including helicopters.
Ad valorem duty on petrol and diesel to be brought down from 8% to 6%.
Export duty on iron ore and concentrate at the rate of Rs.300 per tonne.
Export duty on Chromium proposed at Rs.2000 tonne.
Excise duty for plywood reduced from 16% to 8%.
Food mixes to be fully exempted from excise duty.
Bio-diesel to be fully exempted from excise duty.
Water purification devices, small and big, fully exempted from excise.
Specific rates of excise duty on cigarettes increased.
Excise duty on pan masala without tobacco as mouth freshners reduced from 66% to 45%.
Excise duty on cement reduced from Rs.400 per tonne to Rs.350 per tonne for cement bags sold at Rs.190 per bag at retail market. Those sold above Rs.190 to attract excise duty of Rs.600 per tonne.
Social Sector
Allocation on Healthcare to increase by 21.9 per cent.
Allocation for education to be enhanced by 34.2 per cent.
Allocation under Rajiv Gandhi Drinking Mission stepped up from Rs 4680 crore to Rs 5850 crore.
Annual target of 15 lakh houses under Bharat Nirman Programme to be exceeded.
Allocation for National Rural Health Mission stepped up from Rs 8207 crore to Rs 9947 crore.
Allocation for Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) to be increased from Rs 4087 crore to Rs 4761 crore.
130 more districts under National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA). Additional allocation of Rs.12,000 crore for it.
Rs 800 crore for Sampoorna Gram Rozgar Yojana in districts not covered by NREGA.
Swarna Jayanti Swarozgar Yojana allocation increased from Rs 250 crore to Rs 344 crore.
Allocation for schemes only for SCs and STs to be increased to Rs 3271 crore.
Allocation for SC/ST scholarships enhanced from Rs.440 crore to Rs.611 crore.
Rs 63 crore for share capital for National Minorities Development Finance Corporation following Sachar Committee recommendations.
To prevent high rate of school dropout, a National Means-cum-Merit scholarship to be implemented, with an allocation of Rs 6,000 per child.
Rs 1290 crore to be provided for elimination of polio.
Allocation for AIDS control programme to be raised to Rs 969 crore.
Computerisation of PDS and integrated computerisation programme for FCI.
Rs.22,282 crore allocated for women development.
Death and disability cover for rural landless families to be introduced, known as 'Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana'.
Health insurance cover for weavers to be enlarged to ancillary industries. Allocation increased from Rs 241 crore to Rs 321 crore.
The ceiling of loans for weaker sections under differential rate of interest scheme will be raised from Rs 6500 to Rs 15,000 and in housing loan from Rs 5000 to Rs 20,000.
Reverse mortgage scheme for senior citizens announced.
Rs. 73.24 billion allocated for mid-day meal scheme.
Two lakh more teachers to be employed and five lakh more classrooms to be constructed.
Government to provide 1 lakh jobs for physically disabled with a salary limit of Rs 25,000 a month
Backward Regions Grant Fund to be raised to Rs 5800 crore.
Agriculture
Growth of 4% to be achieved in agriculture sector.
No new forward contract to be launched on wheat and rice from 28 February 2007
Additional irrigation potential of 24 lakh hectares to be implemented, including nine lakh hectares under Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme.
Rs 2,25,000 crore farm credit proposed in the new budget. A target of additional 50 lakh farmers to be brought under farm credit.
Special Purpose Tea Fund to rejuvenate tea production.
Rs. 100 crore allocated for National Rainfed Area Authority.
One hundred per cent subsidy for small farmers and 50 per cent for other farmers for water recharging scheme.
National Agricultural Insurance Scheme to be continued for Kharif and Rabi this year.
Bonds worth Rs 5,000 crore to augment NABARD to be issued.

PLACES OF INTERESTS

2008-03-09T13:13:00.000-07:00

A masterpiece of Gothic architecture, Cologne Cathedral is one of the finest church buildings in the Christian world. Gargantuan proportions and craftsmanship of unparalled quality have made the cathedral a defining example of the Gothic style.

King Ludwig II's world-famous castles stand proudly against the spectacular backdrop of the Alps. Neuschwanstein, his fairytale castle, is the most-visited building in Germany, and was designed to resemble a medieval German knight's castle.

No other landmark better symbolises German history than Berlin's signature attraction. When the Berlin Wall fell in 1989, thousands of East and West Germans celebrated the opening of the borders and reunification of Germany in its shadow. The Brandenburg Gate has a magical appeal for all visitors to Berlin, from heads of state to tourists.

These two islands are surrounded by the emerald-green waters of Lake Constance. Reichenau Island is well-known for its abbey of the same name, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Mainau's reputation as an "island of flowers" is due to its stunning range of parks and gardens.

Its distinctive tower has become an icon of the Ruhr area. The former colliery is widely regarded as a masterpiece of technical design and stands as a unique witness to the era of coal and steel. One of the most impressive features is the way in which Bauhaus design principles have been implemented in an industrial context.

An impressive labyrinth of canals, basins, quays and bridges, Hamburg's port is one of the foremost sea freight centres in the world, and – with its harbour tours, promenade and fish market – it is also the city's number one attraction.

The dazzling white chalk cliffs on the coast of the Jasmund peninsula are Rügen's most famous landmark – towering cliffs with a sheer drop down to the sea. Their white chalky layers are a dramatic contrast with the green of the beech forests and the turquoise of the sea.

Dresden's most famous attraction is a masterpiece of baroque architecture. The destruction and rebuilding of the Church of Our Lady symbolises the history of the city like no other building.

One thousand years of history have shaped the Franconian imperial and episcopal town of Bamberg, leaving behind many valuable architectural monuments such as medieval churches and baroque town houses. The magic of the past hangs like a veil over the town.

LEISURE IN GERMANY

2008-03-09T13:02:00.000-07:00

The city of Wiesbaden with its medicinal thermal springs is one of the oldest mineral spa resorts in Europe. Known as the "City of Health", it has now evolved into a centre providing top-quality medical care, with a patient catchment area that extends far beyond the local region and even outside Germany.

The mineral spa resort of Baden-Baden is the ideal destination if you're looking for a break to give your health a boost. Just spending time in this spa town with its cosmopolitan ambience starts a regeneration process for your whole being.

The town of Kissingen was first documented 1200 years ago and was officially recognised as a spa resort in 1883 by Bavaria's "fairytale king", Ludwig II. Over the centuries, Bad Kissingen has been a popular health resort for famous kings, emperors, politicians, musicians and writers.

A spa and health resort as well as one of the oldest mud spas in Germany with a mild, stimulating climate in the "healthy heart of Europe". Grand houses dominate the neat, well-kept town. The "water of life" wells up from ten medicinal springs in this valley that is set in fragrant woodland. Wealthy people have long known the benefits of drinking the spring water.

The state-approved spa resort of Bad Dürkheim provides everything you need for successful health treatments. The focus is on up-to-date healthcare using tried and tested treatments and the judicious introduction of state-of-the-art therapies. It's just so easy to improve your health here.

A stay in Bad Saarow on Scharmützel Lake will do you good. The state-approved thermal salt-water and mud spa has always been a highly popular health resort because being healthy should be fun!

FACTS ABOUT GERMANY

2008-03-09T12:46:00.000-07:00

Official Name:
Bundesrepublik Deutschland
local short form: Deutschland
int'l long form: Federal Republic of Germany
int'l short form: Germany
former: German Empire, German Republic, German Reich.

ISO Country Code: de

Time zone: Central European Time (CET)
Actual Time : Sun-Mar-9 21:01
Local Time : CET = UTC +1h
Daylight Saving Time (DST) March - October (UTC +2)

Capital City: Berlin
Former (transitional) Capital City: Bonn

Major Cities:
(city population)
Bremen (543 000), Dortmund (592 000), Düsseldorf (568,000), Essen (603 000), Frankfurt (644 000), Hamburg (1.7 million), Hannover (516 000), Köln (964 000), München (1.2 million), Stuttgart (582 000)

Government:
Type: Democratic-parliamentary federal state
Founded: 1949 (Basic Law, i.e., Constitution, promulgated on 23 May 1949).
On the 3rd October 1990, the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic unified in accordance with Article 23 of the FRG Basic Law.

Geography:
Location: Central Europe bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea in north.
Area: 357 031 sq. km. (137 850 sq. mi.)
Terrain: Low plain in the north; high plains, hills, and basins in the center and east; mountainous alpine region in the south.
Highest mountain: Zugspitze 2 962 m.

Climate: Generally moderate continental climate without sustained periods of cold or heat, maritime climate in the North, in the South mountain climate in the Alpine regions.

People:
Nationality: German(s)
Population: 83 million
Ethnic groups: Primarily German; Danish minority in the north, Sorbian (Slavic) minority in the east; 7.3 million foreign residents.
Religions: Protestants (27.9 million), Catholics (27.3 million); approximately 3.2 million Muslims.
Language: German, second languages: English, French, Turkish.

Natural resources: Coal, lignite, natural gas, iron ore, copper, nickel, uranium, potash, salt, construction materials, timber, arable land.
Agriculture products: Potatoes, wheat, barley, sugar beets, fruit, cabbages; cattle, pigs, poultry.

Industries: Among the world's largest and most technologically advanced producers of iron, steel, coal, cement, chemicals, machinery, vehicles, machine tools, electronics, food and beverages; shipbuilding; textiles.

Exports partners: France 10.6%, USA 9.3%, UK 8.4%, Italy 7.4%, Netherlands 6.2%, Austria 5.3%, Belgium 5.1%, Spain 4.9%, Switzerland 4% (2003)

Imports partners: France 9.2%, Netherlands 8.4%, USA 7.3%, Italy 6.3%, UK 6%, Belgium 4.9%, China 4.7%, Austria 4% (2003)

Currency: Euro (EUR)

MODERN LIFE IN GERMANY

2008-03-09T12:38:00.000-07:00

Modern life
What makes everyday life worth living? Great cuisine and fine wines, relaxing in Mother Nature, festivals and celebrations, vacation, design and fashion, inspiring architecture. Germany has plenty of all to offer – and is far removed from all the clichés that might still abound about lederhosen and sauerkraut. But then the numerous visitors from abroad who are increasingly discovering that Germany is an interesting vacation destination already know this. Not just because of the wealth of German cultural and historical sights, but also because of the wide- ranging regional cuisine and the changing landscapes. In fact, although the Germans are the undisputed world champions when it comes to foreign travel, they still prefer to holiday between the North Sea and the Alps.

Since the beginning of the new millennium German Riesling wine has been enjoying a Renaissance – on the international stage as well. The world over, it is now a standard item in many top restaurants. In just four years the USA has doubled the amount it imports. Riesling has earned the enthusiasm of wine experts for the “German wine miracle” thanks to its lightness and sparkling character, characteristics that are the result of the particular climatic conditions and soil: because the German wine-growing regions are among the most northerly in the world.

The long period of vegetation and moderate temperatures in summer make Wines from Germany filigree and keep their alcohol content low. Different soil types and vines such as Müller-Thurgau and Silvaner also play their part in giving German wines a reputation for being remarkably varied.

However, the new generation of vintners in the 13 German wine-growing regions has also played its part in the success story, concentrating as it has done on quality rather than quantity. Germany, traditionally a white wine country – of the wine produced in Germany 65 percent is white and 35 percent red –, is increasingly discovering red wine. The acreage used for cultivation, primarily for Spätburgunder, has already more than tripled. Could this be the next wine miracle?

Germany is becoming increasingly popular as a country to visit: In 2004, for the first time ever foreign guests registered more than 45 million overnight stays, and according to The German National Tourist Board (GNTB) the trend is still on the increase. Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt/Main and Cologne are the most popular cities with international visitors. Most come from other European countries, the USA and Asia. With regard to individual states, Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia and Baden-Württemberg are the preferred destinations.

In addition to historical sights, top-quality concert series, art exhibitions, theater performances as well as major international sports events, not to mention street festivals and atmospheric Christmas markets are just a few of the attractions that bring the visitors flocking. The Germans love to celebrate, and never miss an opportunity to do so. Many festivals such as Munich’s renowned Oktoberfest, Christopher Street Day in Cologne, the Carnival of the Cultures in Berlin, Fastnacht in Mainz and Carnival in Cologne have long become an international synonym for high spirits and a cosmopolitan atmosphere.

Whereas most foreign visitors are drawn to the big cities, Germans themselves tend to visit smaller places and rural regions in their home country: The coasts of the North and Baltic Seas, the Black Forest and Lake Constance are the most popular vacation destinations. Germany boasts no less than 15 national parks, 93 nature parks and 14 biosphere reserves between the mudflats in the North and the Alps in the South, where nature enjoys special protection. However, coastlines, lakes, as well as low and high mountain ranges are all becoming increasingly important as a sort of open-air health club. There are all sorts of opportunities available: There are as many as nine long distance trails stretching for 9,700 kilometers throughout the country and a total of 190,000 kilometers of signposted walks. And for cyclists there are 40,000 kilometers of track on which to discover the country.

The architectural scene in Germany has several regional centers, but since reunification it has also certainly focused on Berlin. In the capital, world-class architecture can be experienced at close quarters: Whether Lord Norman Foster, who converted the former Reichstag building into the new German parliament, Renzo Piano, Daniel Libeskind, I. M. Pei or Rem Koolhaas – the list of international architects who have made their mark on the new face of Berlin is long. However, the elite among German master builders such as Helmut Jahn, von Gerkan Marg und Partner, Hans Kollhoff and Josef Paul Kleihues have likewise made a firm contribution to the new capital. In the old harbors of Hamburg and Düsseldorf experiments are being conducted with new formal ideas. And in many cities striking museum buildings have been created by German architects – such as Stephan Braunfels’ Pinakothek der Moderne in Munich, Frank Gehry’s Museum MARTa in Herford, Tadao Ando’s Langen Foundation near Neuss and the Leipzig Museum of Fine Arts by Berlin architects Hufnagel Pütz Rafaelian.

SPORTS

2008-03-09T12:36:00.000-07:00

Sports

Sports are a favorite leisure-time activity in Germany. There are more than 87,000 sports clubs affiliated with the "Deutscher Sportbund" (DSB; German Sports Federation). Approximtely 27 million people - about one third of the entire population - are members of a sports club, and another 12 million partake in sports independently. In all the various branches, there are approximately 2.6 million people working in an honorary capacity as coaches, trainers, physiotherapists or officials. At the 2000 summer Olympics in Sydney, Germany was ranked No. 5.

Soccer
The most popular sport in Germany is soccer, called "Fussball." Germany has hosted the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

Soccer is played at thousands of amateur clubs, and with more than 6.3 million members, the "Deutsche Fussballbund" (DFB; German Football Federation) is by far the largest sports organization in Germany. Every week during the regular season, hundreds of thousands of people attend the professional games while thousands more watch or actively take part in matches between local amateur clubs.

Other Sports
Two other sports federations have over a million members each: the German Marksmen’s Federation and the German Tennis Federation. The last one has been growing because of the great success of German tennis players during the last years (see below). Other sports, such as handball, volleyball, basketball or ice-hockey are also popular in Germany. American Football and baseball are not typical German sports, but are enjoying increasing popularity.

Popular Athletes
The most popular athletes are tennis players like Boris Becker, Steffi Graf or Tommy Haas. Golf fans in the U.S. and Germany can often see 1985 Masters champion Bernhard Langer; popular ice-skater Katharina Witt has become well-known in the U.S. as well. During the last years Formula 1 Race-car Driving has become one of the most popular spectator sports in Germany, thanks in part to Michael Schumacher, the Formula 1 World Champion.

Support
Sports are to a large extent regionally based and run by private organizations. Nevertheless they are supported by the federal and state governments in a number of ways. The focus of federal assistance is on promoting top athletes who represent Germany in international competitions. However, the constitution also makes provision for federal promotion of mass sports activities.

WINES FROM GERMANY

2008-03-09T12:34:00.000-07:00

Wines

A Short Guide to German Wines
Origins of German Wines

Nobody knows when and where wine first appeared, but certainly wild vines existed long before man — as long as 130 million years ago — and modern scientific tests have shown that wine was produced by man 8,000 years ago, although these early wines could have borne little resemblance to our modern vintages.

The history of German wines began with the ancient Romans who conquered the region about 100 B.C. and started cultivating grapes soon thereafter. In the Middle Ages the monastic orders established many of Germany's finest vineyards and, with their meticulous care of the vines and wines, set the standard for the high quality of German viticulture. The Church's vineyards were divided up and sold to private owners and the states when Napoleon conquered the Rhine region in 1803 — yet the vineyards thrived and the fame of their wines continued. Since then there has been constant progress and development.

The most northerly of the wine-growing countries, Germany produces the loveliest, lightest, most delicate white wines in the world. Low in alcohol and exquisitely balanced, they are wines of charm and subtle nuances. Other wine countries have planted the same grapes — most notably, the Riesling — and tried to make the same wines, but they have been, at best, imitations. Other factors which contribute to the unique character of German wines, such as soil structure and climate, simply cannot be relocated. The wines grown in Germany are extremely diverse, although they bear a family resemblance. Tasting is the best way to appreciate the special character of German wines, as well as to understand the subtle differences which distinguish a Rhine wine from a Mosel wine, or a Riesling from a Silvaner, or a simple table wine from a late-harvested wine. This booklet will provide some useful information about the factors which influence the character/taste of German wines: grape variety, climate, soil, practice of harvesting grapes at various degrees of ripeness.

Germany has nearly 100,000 hectares (240,000 acres) of vineyards. About 81 % of this area is planted in white grape varieties; only 19 % in red grape varieties. By contrast, the worldwide ratio of white to red wine cultivation is almost exactly the opposite.

Grape Variety and the Label

If at least 85 % of a wine is made from one kind of grape, the name of the variety may be indicated on the label. This tells you what to expect with regard to the colour, taste, aroma and acidity of the wine.

White Grape Varieties

- Riesling
- Müller-Thurgau
- Silvaner
- Kerner
- Scheurebe
- Ruländer/Grauburgunder

Red Grape Varieties

German red wines are refreshing, often light, and show more of a fruity than tannic acidity. They are a specialty, usually consumed where they are grown — little is exported.

- Spätburgunder
- Portugieser
- Trollinger

FASHION....................GERMANY

2008-03-09T12:26:00.000-07:00

German fashion design is often discreet – at least when it comes to its presence on the international market. World-famous labels often conceal German designers. Strenesse bears the imprint of Allgäu native Gabriele Stehle, Escada was founded in 1976 by Wolfgang and Margaretha Ley. Arguably the most famous German couturier, Karl Lagerfeld, works for fashion houses like Chanel and Fendi from Italy and previously also designed for Chloé. Through her brand Jil Sander, Heidemarie Jiline Sander, a Hamburg native, has become better known than Chanel and Armani in the U.S. – at least according to Vogue.

It is difficult to point to a specific German design in fashion matters. Generally, it can be said that German fashion is distinguished by a classic, clear style. German fashion is mostly conceived for everyday wear, with a less sporty emphasis than American [fashion]. Purist elements frequently find their ways into the creations of individual German designers. Jil Sander is certainly best known in this regard. It would be more realistic to speak of a melding and internationalization of various fashion aspects. Thus, French, Italian and German collections can scarcely be told apart. The reason for this is surely the career development of young couturiers. Often Germans study abroad or – like Karl Lagerfeld – have found the focus of their lives there. Conversely, international designers – such as Vivienne Westwood – are drawn to Germany. Westwood, who is British, teaches at the Hochschule der Künste (College of the Arts) in Berlin. The German capital is increasingly moving into the industry’s field of vision. Even in the early 19th century, fashion was one of the city’s flourishing businesses. After the Second World War, the Institut für Kleiderindustrie (Institute for Clothing Industry) was founded in the East in 1952; in West Berlin independent designers established themselves. After unification, the fashion sector’s influence grew. Since then, many internationally renowned companies, such as Gucci, Prada, Chanel, Hermes and Versace have taken up residence In Berlin. Since March 1999, the “Berlin Creators’ Week” has been held once a year. However, the big money in fashion continues to be made in the west, in Düsseldorf, through large fashion trade fairs.

Although Germany, unlike countries such as France or Italy, is not a classical fashion country, fashion play a large role and its significance is growing. In addition to fashion designers like Wolfgang Joop, brands such as Boss and Bogner are world famous. Today the country is a leading fashion exporter. The most important export market for German women’s fashion manufacturers is France, which spent about 210 million US-Dollars on textiles in the first ten months of 2001. But for years the Federal Republic has also been a leader in fashion imports. Germany has become a modern fashion nation. The trade fair Collections Premieren Düsseldorf (Collections Premiers Düsseldorf, CPD) is the world’s biggest fashion trade fair. It is held twice a year in the North Rhine-Westphalian capital and presents collections for spring and summer as well as for fall and winter. Parallel to the CPD, the trade fairs CPD Body & Beach for lingerie and beachwear, and the CPD Fabrics [showcasing] new textile developments, are held. In addition to the CPD, the Herrenmode-Woche (Men’s Fashion Week, HMW) in Cologne and the Internationale Modetage (International Fashion Days, IMOTA) in Berlin have been able to establish themselves on the global market.

Internationally Known Brands

Hugo Boss
Willy Bogner
Strenesse

Designers

Fashion

German fashion design is often discreet – at least when it comes to its presence on the international market. World-famous labels often conceal German designers. Strenesse bears the imprint of Allgäu native Gabriele Stehle, Escada was founded in 1976 by Wolfgang and Margaretha Ley. Arguably the most famous German couturier, Karl Lagerfeld, works for fashion houses like Chanel and Fendi from Italy and previously also designed for Chloé. Through her brand Jil Sander, Heidemarie Jiline Sander, a Hamburg native, has become better known than Chanel and Armani in the U.S. – at least according to Vogue.

It is difficult to point to a specific German design in fashion matters. Generally, it can be said that German fashion is distinguished by a classic, clear style. German fashion is mostly conceived for everyday wear, with a less sporty emphasis than American [fashion]. Purist elements frequently find their ways into the creations of individual German designers. Jil Sander is certainly best known in this regard. It would be more realistic to speak of a melding and internationalization of various fashion aspects. Thus, French, Italian and German collections can scarcely be told apart. The reason for this is surely the career development of young couturiers. Often Germans study abroad or – like Karl Lagerfeld – have found the focus of their lives there. Conversely, international designers – such as Vivienne Westwood – are drawn to Germany. Westwood, who is British, teaches at the Hochschule der Künste (College of the Arts) in Berlin. The German capital is increasingly moving into the industry’s field of vision. Even in the early 19th century, fashion was one of the city’s flourishing businesses. After the Second World War, the Institut für Kleiderindustrie (Institute for Clothing Industry) was founded in the East in 1952; in West Berlin independent designers established themselves. After unification, the fashion sector’s influence grew. Since then, many internationally renowned companies, such as Gucci, Prada, Chanel, Hermes and Versace have taken up residence In Berlin. Since March 1999, the “Berlin Creators’ Week” has been held once a year. However, the big money in fashion continues to be made in the west, in Düsseldorf, through large fashion trade fairs.

Although Germany, unlike countries such as France or Italy, is not a classical fashion country, fashion play a large role and its significance is growing. In addition to fashion designers like Wolfgang Joop, brands such as Boss and Bogner are world famous. Today the country is a leading fashion exporter. The most important export market for German women’s fashion manufacturers is France, which spent about 210 million US-Dollars on textiles in the first ten months of 2001. But for years the Federal Republic has also been a leader in fashion imports. Germany has become a modern fashion nation. The trade fair Collections Premieren Düsseldorf (Collections Premiers Düsseldorf, CPD) is the world’s biggest fashion trade fair. It is held twice a year in the North Rhine-Westphalian capital and presents collections for spring and summer as well as for fall and winter. Parallel to the CPD, the trade fairs CPD Body & Beach for lingerie and beachwear, and the CPD Fabrics [showcasing] new textile developments, are held. In addition to the CPD, the Herrenmode-Woche (Men’s Fashion Week, HMW) in Cologne and the Internationale Modetage (International Fashion Days, IMOTA) in Berlin have been able to establish themselves on the global market.

Internationally Known Brands

Hugo Boss
Willy Bogner
Strenesse

Designers

Jil Sander
Wolfgang Joop
Karl Lagerfeld

Young Designers

Markus Lupfer
Anja Gockel
Sabine Schumacher

Germany — Geography

2008-03-09T12:19:00.000-07:00

Unified Germany comprises 16 states (Länder in the plural; singular: Land), of which three (Berlin, Bremen and Hamburg) are city-states. Berlin, with a population approaching four million, is surrounded by the State of Brandenburg, with the Brandenburg Land capital at Potsdam, a city that adjoins Berlin on the southwest. Bavaria is Germany’s largest land. Germany’s population exceeds 82 million and, with a total land area of only 137,800 square miles (slightly smaller than the State of Montana), the nation is one of the most densely populated and urbanized in Europe.
Germany has five distinct geographical areas and widely varying landscapes. From north to south these are the flat north German lowlands, the hills and the low mountains of the Mittelgebirge,the west and south German plateaus and mountains (including the Black Forest, the Schwarzwald),the south German Alpine foothills and lake country, and the Bavarian Alps with the Zugspitze (Germany's highest mountain, 9,717 ft.) near Garmisch.

The most important rivers are the Rhine, the Weser, the Elbe, the Main, the Oder, and the Danube. The first three flow northward, emptying into the North Sea. The Main is a tributary of the Rhine. The Danube, starting as a spring in the beautiful, historic town of Donaueschingen in southwest Germany, flows east 1,725 miles to meet the Black Sea in Romania. Lake Constance (Bodensee), Germany’s largest lake, lies at the border separating Germany, Switzerland, and Austria.

U.S. State Size Comparision: slightly smaller than Montana
Total Area: 357,021 ( sq. km. ) or 221,710 ( sq. miles )
Land Area: 349,223 ( sq. km. ) or 216,867( sq.miles )
Water Area: 7,798 ( sq. km. ) or 4,843 ( sq. miles )
Land Boundaries:3,621 (km.) or 2,249 ( miles )
Border Countries: Austria 784 km, Belgium 167 km, Czech Republic 646 km, Denmark 68 km, France 451 km, Luxembourg 138 km, Netherlands 577 km, Poland 456 km, Switzerland 334 km
Coastline: 2,389 (km.) or 1,484 ( miles )
Geographic Coordinates: 51 00 N, 9 00 E
Terrain: lowlands in north, uplands in center, Bavarian Alps in south
Elevation Extremes:
highest Point: Zugspitze 2,963 m
lowest point: Neuendorf bei Wilster -3.54 m
Natural resources: coal, lignite, natural gas, iron ore, copper, nickel, uranium, potash, salt, construction materials, timber, arable land
Natural Hazards: flooding
Environment Current Issues: emissions from coal-burning utilities and industries contribute to air pollution; acid rain, resulting from sulfur dioxide emissions, is damaging forests; pollution in the Baltic Sea from raw sewage and industrial effluents from rivers in eastern Germany; hazardous waste disposal; government established a mechanism for ending the use of nuclear power over the next 15 years; government working to meet EU commitment to identify nature preservation areas in line with the EU's Flora, Fauna, and Habitat directive
Environment International Agreements: emissions from coal-burning utilities and industries contribute to air pollution; acid rain, resulting from sulfur dioxide emissions, is damaging forests; pollution in the Baltic Sea from raw sewage and industrial effluents from rivers in eastern Germany; hazardous waste disposal; government established a mechanism for ending the use of nuclear power over the next 15 years; government working to meet EU commitment to identify nature preservation areas in line with the EU's Flora, Fauna, and Habitat directive

GERMANY

2008-03-09T12:16:00.000-07:00

Waterways: 7,500 km
Pipelines: condensate 325 km; gas 25,289 km; oil 3,743 km; refined products 3,827 km
Ports: Berlin, Bonn, Brake, Bremen, Bremerhaven, Cologne, Dresden, Duisburg, Emden, Hamburg, Karlsruhe, Kiel, Luebeck, Magdeburg, Mannheim, Rostock, Stuttgart
Airports: 550

Internet Hosts: 2,594,323
Telephones: 53,720,000
Cell Phones: 60,043,000
Internet Users: 34,000,000
Internet Country Code: .de

DID YOU KNOW?

2008-03-09T12:15:00.000-07:00

• — Nearly half of all Germans are fluent in English, but only 3% of Germans speak French fluently.

• — Most Germans take environmental issues seriously. Public recycling bins can be found in all towns and cities. This attitude is also reflected in the policies of the Green Party, a political party that stresses environmental issues.

• — The Hanseatic League was established in northern Germany in the 14th century by trading companies (hansas) to combat piracy in the North and Baltic Seas. Bremen, Hamburg and Lübeck are still known as Hanseatic cities.

• — Chimney sweeps can still be seen in Germany, dressed in the traditional black suit and black top hat.

• — Germans have played an important role in the world of fashion and design, not only because of designers such as Hugo Boss, Karl Lagerfeld, Wolfgang Joop and Jil Sander, but also in the work of photographer Helmut Newton and model Claudia Schiffer.

• — Michael Schumacher, the German racer for the Ferrari team, recently revived interest in Formula One racing when he won the World Championship two years in a row.

• — The Romans were the first to enjoy Germany's hot springs. They built baths which people used to cure arthritis and rheumatism. These baths are still used today in towns such as Trier and Baden-Baden.

• — Göttingen is the headquarters of the Max Planck Institute, named in honor of the discoverer of quantum theory, who lived in the town

• — German beer gardens date back to the Middle Ages, when brewers planted chestnut trees around their storage areas to shade the beer from the sun.

• — The modern printed book was invented in Mainz, Germany, in the 15th century by Johannes Gutenberg, who created a printing press that used movable metal type.

• — In 1632, the villagers of Oberammergau in Bavaria promised to perform a Passion Play if the village was spared from the plague that was killing many Europeans. No one in the village died from the plague and the villagers have performed the play every ten years since then. Almost everyone in the village takes part.

• — The Christmas tree tradition is believed to have originated in Germany in the 17th century. German Christmas trees are often decorated with real candles.

• — Till Eulenspiegel was a 14th century peasant who was famous for his wit and irreverence. He loved to play practical jokes on pompous people in authority. His story was written down in the 16th century and became the inspiration for an orchestral work by Richard Strauss and a poem by Gerhardt Hauptmann.

• — King Ludwig ruled over the German region of Bavaria from 1864 to 1886. He had many beautiful fairy-tale castles built throughout Bavaria during his reign. He spent huge amounts of money to build them and it was because of this that his subjects called him “Mad” King Ludwig. Today, these castles are visited by millions of tourists.

NATIONAL ANTHEM..............GERMANY

2008-03-09T12:14:00.001-07:00

Anthem History
The "Deutschlandlied", the German national anthem, dates back to the liberal national movement of the 19th century. The words stem from the pen of August Heinrich Hoffmann
The "Deutschlandlied" was initially unable to compete successfully against other songs. After 1871 the Prussian royal anthem "Heil dir im Siegerkranz" ("Hail to Thee in Victor's Laurels"), which had been designated the imperial anthem, was sung wherever Emperor William I appeared. Not until around the turn of the century did Hoffman's song become popular.

In 1922, in a speech marking the third anniversary of the Weimar constitution, Reich President Friedrich Ebert publicly proclaimed the "Deutschlandlied", although the term "national anthem" was not yet used on that day. In his speech, Friedrich Ebert stated: "Unity and right and freedom - in times of internal fragmentation and oppression, this triad from the poet's song voiced the longing of all Germans; may it now accompany us on our arduous path to a better future."

After the end of World War II, the newly founded Federal Republic of Germany had difficulty reaching a decision on a national anthem. In contrast to the federal flag, no provision was made for an anthem in the Basic Law. Not until 1952 was an arrangement reached. In a letter dated 29 April 1952, Federal Chancellor Dr. Konrad Adenauer asked the Federal President, Prof. Dr. Theodor Heuss, to "designate the song by Hoffmann and Haydn the national anthem. At state functions the third verse should be sung." President Heuss gave his consent in a response dated 2 May 1952, after his prior attempt to initiate a new anthem had proved unsuccessful.

After the reunification of Germany, in an exchange of letters in August 1991, Federal President Dr. Richard von Weizsäcker and Federal Chancellor Dr. Helmut Kohl designated the third verse of the "Deutschlandlied" the national anthem.

Anthem Lyrics

The "Deutschlandlied"
Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit
Für das Deutsche Vaterland.
Danach laßt uns alle streben,
Brüderlich mit Herz und Hand.
Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit
Sind des Glückes Unterpfand.
Blüh' im Glanze dieses Glückes,
Blühe deutsches Vaterland.

English Translation

Unity and Rights and Freedom
For the German Fatherland
Let us all strive for that
Brotherly with heart and hand

Unity and Rights and Freedom
Are the foundation for happiness
Bloom in the glow of happiness
Bloom German Fatherland

GERMANY

2008-03-09T12:12:00.000-07:00

Country Name (conventional long form): Federal Republic of Germany
Country Name (conventional short form): Germany
Country Name (local long form): Bundesrepublik Deutschland
Country Name (local short form): Deutschland
Country Name (former): German Empire, German Republic, German Reich
Government Type: federal republic
Capital City: Berlin
Independence: 18 January 1871 (German Empire unification); divided into four zones of occupation (UK, US, USSR, and later, France) in 1945 following World War II; Federal Republic of Germany (FRG or West Germany) proclaimed 23 May 1949 and included the former UK, US, a
National Holiday: Unity Day, 3 October (1990)
Constitution: 23 May 1949, known as Basic Law; became constitution of the united German people 3 October 1990
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Legal System: civil law system with indigenous concepts; judicial review of legislative acts in the Federal Constitutional Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

GOVERNMENT OF GERMANY

2008-03-09T12:10:00.000-07:00

Administrative Divisions: 16 states (Laender, singular - Land); Baden-Wuerttemberg, Bayern, Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Hessen, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Niedersachsen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Rheinland-Pfalz, Saarland, Sachsen, Sachsen-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein, Thueringen

Executive Branch: chief of state: President Horst KOEHLER (since 1 July 2004) head of government: Chancellor Angela MERKEL (since 22 November 2005) cabinet: Cabinet or Bundesminister (Federal Ministers) appointed by the president on the recommendation of the chancellor elections: president elected for a five-year term by a Federal Convention, including all members of the Federal Assembly and an equal number of delegates elected by the state parliaments; election last held 23 May 2004 (next to be held 23 May 2009); chancellor elected by an absolute majority of the Federal Assembly for a four-year term; election last held 22 November 2005 (next to be held November 2009) election results: Horst KOEHLER elected president; received 604 votes of the Federal Convention against 589 for Gesine SCHWAN; Angela MERKEL elected chancellor; vote by Federal Assembly 397 to 202 with 12 abstentions

Legislative Branch: bicameral Parliament or Parlament consists of the Federal Assembly or Bundestag (613 seats; elected by popular vote under a system combining direct and proportional representation; a party must win 5% of the national vote or three direct mandates to gain representation; members serve four-year terms) and the Federal Council or Bundesrat (69 votes; state governments are directly represented by votes; each has three to six votes depending on population and are required to vote as a block) elections: Federal Assembly - last held 18 September 2005 (next to be held September 2009); note - there are no elections for the Bundesrat; composition is determined by the composition of the state-level governments; the composition of the Bundesrat has the potential to change any time one of the 16 states holds an election election results: Federal Assembly - percent of vote by party - CDU/CSU 35.2%, SPD 34.3%, FDP 9.8%, Left 8.7%, Greens 8.1%; seats by party - CDU/CSU 225, SPD 222, FDP 61, Left 54, Greens 51

Judicial Branch: Federal Constitutional Court or Bundesverfassungsgericht (half the judges are elected by the Bundestag and half by the Bundesrat)

Political Parties and Leaders: Alliance '90/Greens [Angelika BEER and Reinhard BUETIKOFER]; Christian Democratic Union or CDU [Angela MERKEL]; Christian Social Union or CSU [Edmund STOIBER, chairman]; Free Democratic Party or FDP [Guido WESTERWELLE, chairman]; Left Party or PDS/WASG [Oskar LAFONTAINE and Gregor GYSI]; Party of Democratic Socialism or PDS [Lothar BISKY]; Social Democratic Party or SPD [Franz MUENTEFERING]

Political Pressure Groups and Leaders: business associations, employers' organizations; expellee, refugee, trade unions, and veterans groups

International Organization Participation: AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BDEAC, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS, CDB, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 5, G- 7, G- 8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNMOVIC, UNOMIG, UPU, WADB (nonregional), WCO, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC

Diplomatic Representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Klaus SCHARIOTH chancery: 4645 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 298-4000 FAX: [1] (202) 298-4249 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco

Diplomatic Representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador William R. TIMKEN, Jr. embassy: Neustaedtische Kirchstrasse 4-5, 10117 Berlin; note - a new embassy will be built near the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin; ground was broken in October 2004 and completion is scheduled for 2008 mailing address: PSC 120, Box 1000, APO AE 09265 telephone: [49] (030) 2385 174 FAX: [49] (030) 8305-1215 consulate(s) general: Duesseldorf, Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg, Leipzig, Munich

Germany — Socializing

2008-03-09T12:06:00.000-07:00

Cultural Attributes: Germans have a reputation for being industrious, thrifty, and orderly. They have a strong sense of regional pride, a fact that the federal system of government recognizes and accommodates. Most Germans have a strong classical education because of the nation’s rich heritage in music, history and art and they expect others to appreciate that heritage.
Salutations: A handshake is the most common form of greeting. A man waits for a woman to extend her hand before shaking it; in mixed company he shakes a woman’s hand before a man’s. In groups, several people do not shake hands at once; crossing someone else’s handshake is inappropriate. By tradition, only family members and close friends address each other by their first names. Others use titles and surnames, although this is changing among young people.

Gestures: Pointing the index finger to one’s own head is an insult to another person. Instead of crossing one’s fingers for luck, German’s ‘squeeze the thumb’ between the index and the middle fingers. Only the thumb tip is between the fingers; allowing it to protrude is an offensive gesture. In some areas, public displays of affection are not appropriate. Germans wear their wedding rings on their right hands, not on the left.
In some areas when men reach the age of 30 and they still do not have a girlfriend that they have to sweep the stairs of the city hall. All their friends will throw rubble on the stairs and when the man is finished they will throw some more rubble there. This way every girl can see that this man reached the age of 30 and still doesn't have a girlfriend (and that he can clean a house very well!).

Visiting: Punctuality is appreciated, if guests are invited for dinner at 8 p.m., they will arrive at 8 p.m, but it is not an insult for guests to arrive a few minutes late. Dinner guests often bring an odd number of flowers to the hosts. Flowers are unwrapped before they are given. Guests usually stand when the host enters the room and remain standing until offered a seat again. It is also courteous to stand when a woman enters the room. Spontaneous visits, even between neighbors, are not very common. Arrangements are usually made in advance.

A member of the birthday person’s family wakes up at sunrise and lights the candles on the birthday cake. There are as many candles as the years of age of the birthday person plus one for good luck. The candles are left burning all day long. After dinner that night then everyone sings the birthday song and the birthday person blows out the candles. If all of the candles are blown out in one try then the wish of the birthday person will come true. Presents are then opened and the party starts.

GERMANY

2008-03-09T11:58:00.000-07:00

Statistics
Capital Cities... Berlin
Population: 82,400,996
GDP: $2,833,000,000,000 (USD)
Total Area: 357,021 (sq km) 137,846 (sq mi)
Currency: euro (EUR)

GERMANY WAS UNITED on October 3, 1990. Unification brought together a people separated for more than four decades by the division of Europe into two hostile blocs in the aftermath of World War II. The line that divided the continent ran through a defeated and occupied Germany. By late 1949, two states had emerged in divided Germany: the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG, or West Germany), a member of the Western bloc under the leadership of the United States, France and Great Britian; and the German Democratic Republic (GDR, or East Germany), part of the Eastern bloc led by the Soviet Union. Although the two German states were composed of a people speaking one language and sharing the same traditions, they came to have the political systems of their respective blocs. West Germany developed into a democratic capitalist state like its Western neighbors; East Germany had imposed on it the Soviet Union’s communist dictatorship and command economy.

Although the leaders of each state were committed to the eventual unification of Germany and often invoked its necessity, with the passage of time the likely realization of unification receded into the distant future. Relations between the two states worsened during the 1950s as several million East Germans, unwilling to live in an increasingly Stalinized society, fled to the West. August 1961 saw the sealing of the common German border with the construction of the Berlin Wall. In the early 1970s, however, diplomatic relations between the two states were regularized by the Basic Treaty, signed in 1972. During the remainder of the decade and during the 1980s, relations improved, and contacts between the citizens of the two states increased greatly. In 1987 Erich Honecker became the first East German leader to make a state visit to West Germany.

As of the late 1980s, however, no well-informed observer foresaw German unification as being likely in the near future. In fact, its prospect seemed so remote that some politicians advocated abandoning unification as a long-term goal. Those who remained committed to Germany’s ultimate unification frankly admitted that decades would probably pass before it happened.

The events leading to unification in October 1990 were unexpected, and they occurred at a frantic pace. In the eleven months between the opening of the Berlin Wall in November 1989 and unification, the forty-year-old East German dictatorship collapsed, Western political and economic systems were introduced in the East, new treaties altered long-standing diplomatic relationships between Germany and neighboring states, and two radically different societies began to grow together.

The rapid collapse of the East German regime surprised everyone. East Germany appeared to be the most economically successful of all Eastern-bloc countries. Its citizens enjoyed a modest yet decent standard of living and cradle-to-grave security provided by a government-run welfare system. They traveled to other East European countries for their summer vacations, watched West German television, and hoped for better living conditions and more freedom in the future. Most East Germans acquiesced in the communist regime’s restrictions, having fashioned areas of personal freedom in their private lives. A small opposition movement operated within the shelter of the Protestant church, the country’s sole relatively independent social institution. When opposition figures became too troublesome, the regime dealt with them by depriving them of their livelihood, sending them to prison, or expelling them to West Germany.

The regime’s elderly, hard-line leadership opposed the reforms of Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, who sought to make socialism more efficient by introducing capitalist incentives and reducing central control. Encouraged by this liberalization and the application of Gorbachev’s reforms in neighboring Poland and Hungary, the regime’s opponents became bolder during the summer and fall of 1989 and mounted mass demonstrations that doubled and doubled again in size from week to week.

Soviet officials advised the Honecker regime not to expect outside support. Without foreign military assistance for the first time, the GDR leadership decided against the use of force to quell the burgeoning demonstrations. Honecker was ousted in mid-October, and more realistic leaders sought to save the regime by making concessions. In November travel abroad became possible, and East Germans swarmed into West Germany, many intending to remain there. Reforms could no longer satisfy East Germans, however, who wanted the freedoms and living standard of West Germany.

West German chancellor Helmut Kohl (1982- ) seized the political initiative in late November with his Ten-Point Plan for unification. Yet, even he thought several years and an intervening stage, such as a confederational structure, would be necessary before unification of the two Germanys could occur. By early 1990, however, the need to stop the massive flow of East Germans westward made speedy unification imperative. In addition, revolutionary change in other Eastern-bloc counties made solutions that a short time earlier had appeared out of the question suddenly seem feasible. The Treaty on Monetary, Economic, and Social Union between the two German states was signed in May and went into effect in July. The two Germanys signed the Unification Treaty in August. The Treaty on the Final Settlement with Respect to Germany, the so-called Two-Plus-Four Treaty, was signed in September by the two Germanys and the four victors of World War II--Britain, France, the Soviet Union, and the United States. The treaty restored full sovereignty to Germany and ended the Cold War era.

When unification occurred on October 3, 1990, it was a happy, yet subdued occasion. The many problems of joining such diverse societies were already apparent. The vaunted East German economy was coming to be seen as a Potemkin’s village, with many of its most prestigious firms uncompetitive in a market economy. East German environmental problems were also proving much more serious than anyone had foreseen; remedies would cost astronomical sums. West Germans had discovered also that their long-lost eastern cousins differed from them in many ways and that relations between them were often rife with misunderstandings. A complete melding of the two societies would take years, perhaps even a generation or two. The legal unification arranged by the treaties of 1990 was only the beginning of a long process toward a truly united Germany.

In its long history, Germany has rarely been united. For most of the two millennia that central Europe has been inhabited by German-speaking peoples, the area called Germany was divided into hundreds of states, many quite small, including duchies, principalities, free cities, and ecclesiastical states. Not even the Romans united Germany under one government; they managed to occupy only its southern and western portions. At the beginning of the ninth century, Charlemagne established an empire, but within a generation its existence was more symbolic than real.

Medieval Germany was marked by division. As France and England began their centuries-long evolution into united nation-states, Germany was racked by a ceaseless series of wars among local rulers. The Habsburg Dynasty’s long monopoly of the crown of the Holy Roman Empire provided only the semblance of German unity. Within the empire, German princes warred against one another as before. The Protestant Reformation deprived Germany of even its religious unity, leaving its population Roman Catholic, Lutheran, and Calvinist. These religious divisions gave military strife an added ferocity in the Thirty Years’ War (1618-48), during which Germany was ravaged to a degree not seen again until World War II.

The Peace of Westphalia of 1648 left Germany divided into hundreds of states. During the next two centuries, the two largest of these states--Prussia and Austria--jockeyed for dominance. The smaller states sought to retain their independence by allying themselves with one, then the other, depending on local conditions. From the mid-1790s until Prussia, Austria, and Russia defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Leipzig in 1813 and drove him out of Germany, much of the country was occupied by French troops. Napoleon’s officials abolished numerous small states, and, as a result, in 1815, after the Congress of Vienna, Germany consisted of about forty states.

During the next half-century, pressures for German unification grew. Scholars, bureaucrats, students, journalists, and businessmen agitated for a united Germany that would bring with it uniform laws and a single currency and that would replace the benighted absolutism of petty German states with democracy. The revolutions of 1848 seemed at first likely to realize this dream of unity and freedom, but the monarch who was offered the crown of a united Germany, King Friedrich Wilhelm IV of Prussia, rejected it. The king, like the other rulers of Germany’s kingdoms, opposed German unity because he saw it as a threat to his power.

Despite the opposition of conservative forces, German unification came just over two decades later, in 1871, when Germany was unified and transformed into an empire under Emperor Wilhelm I, king of Prussia. Unification was not brought about by revolutionary or liberal forces, but by a conservative Prussian aristocrat, Otto von Bismarck. Sensing the power of nationalism, Bismarck sought to use it for his own aims, the preservation of a feudal social order and the triumph of his country, Prussia, in the long contest with Austria for preeminence in Germany. By a series of masterful diplomatic maneuvers and three brief and dazzlingly successful military campaigns, Bismarck achieved a united Germany without Austria. He brought together the so-called "small Germany," consisting of Prussia and the remaining German states, some of which had been subdued by Prussian armies before they became part of a Germany ruled by a Prussian emperor.

Although united Germany had a parliament, the Reichstag, elected through universal male suffrage, supreme power rested with the emperor and his ministers, who were not responsible to the Reichstag. Although the Reichstag could contest the government’s decisions, in the end the emperor could largely govern as he saw fit. Supporting the emperor were the nobility, large rural landowners, business and financial elites, the civil service, the Protestant clergy, and the military. The military, which had made unification possible, enjoyed tremendous prestige. Led by an aristocratic officer corps sworn to feudal values and opposed to parliamentary democracy and the rights of a free citizenry, the military embodied the spirit of the German Empire.

Opposition to this authoritarian regime with its feudal structures was found mainly in the Roman Catholic Center Party, the Socialist Party, and in a variety of liberal and regional political groups opposed to Prussia’s hegemony over Germany. In the long term, Bismarck and his successors were not able to subjugate this opposition. By 1912 the Socialists had come to have the largest number of representatives in the Reichstag. They and the Center Party made governing increasingly difficult for the empire’s conservative leadership.

Despite the presence of these opposition groups, however, a truly representative parliamentary democracy did not exist. As a result, Germans had little opportunity to learn the art of practical politics. With few exceptions, this had also been the case throughout German history. Although Germany’s states were usually well managed by an efficient and honest civil service, they were authoritarian. Government was seen as the business of the rulers; the ruled were to be obedient and silent.

Because they were inexperienced in democratic government, Germans in the nineteenth century were often viewed as political children, incapable of governing themselves. In addition, seeing the excesses of the French Revolution, many thoughtful Germans came to the conclusion that democracy was not suitable for Germany. The success of democratic political institutions in Britain and the United States did not convince these skeptics; they feared that the passions of the ignorant masses could too easily be inflamed. Even many German liberals found the idea that ordinary citizens ought to determine how public business should be conducted too radical a notion. Instead, they recommended that parliaments consisting of the educated and the prosperous should serve as advisory bodies to noble rulers.

Germany’s defeat in World War I in 1918 meant the end of the German Empire. The emperor was forced to abdicate, and a republic--the Weimar Republic--was established with a constitution that provided for a parliamentary democracy in which the government was ultimately responsible to the people. The new republic’s first president and prime minister were convinced democrats, and Germany seemed ready at last to join the community of democratic nations.

The Weimar Republic ultimately disappointed those who had hoped it would introduce democracy to Germany. By mid-1933 it had been destroyed by Adolf Hitler, its declared enemy since his first days in the public arena. Hitler was a political genius who sensed and exploited the worries and resentments of many Germans, knew when to act, and possessed a sure instinct for power. His greatest weapon in his quest for political power, however, was the disdain many Germans felt for the new republic.

Many Germans held the Weimar Republic responsible for Germany’s defeat. At the war’s end, no foreign troops stood on German soil, and military victory still seemed likely. Instead of victory, however, in the view of many, the republic’s Socialist politicians arranged a humiliating peace. Many Germans were also affronted by the spectacle of parliamentary politics. The republic’s numerous small parties made forming stable and coherent coalition governments very difficult. Frequent elections failed to yield effective governments. Government policies also often failed to solve pressing social and economic problems.

These shortcomings undermined the legitimacy of the Weimar Republic. The upper classes, the judiciary, the police, the civil service, educators, the military, and much of the middle class gave the republic only halfhearted support at best. Many members of these groups despised the republic and wanted it replaced with an authoritarian system of government. The early years of the Weimar Republic saw frequent attempts to destroy it by force, mostly from the right, but also from the left.

A modest economic recovery from 1924 to 1929 gave the Weimar Republic a brief respite. The severe social stress engendered by the Great Depression, however, swelled the vote received by extreme antidemocratic parties in the election of 1930 and the two elections of 1932. The government ruled by emergency decree. In January 1933, leading conservative politicians formed a new government with Hitler as chancellor. They intended to harness him and his party, now the country’s largest, to realize their own aim of replacing the republic with an authoritarian government. Within a few months, however, Hitler had outmaneuvered them and established a totalitarian regime. Only in 1945 did a military alliance of dozens of nations succeed in deposing him, and only after his regime and the nation it ruled had committed crimes of unparalleled enormity.

In the aftermath of World War II, Germany came to consist of two states. One, East Germany, never attained real legitimacy in the eyes of its citizens and had to use force to prevent them from fleeing to the West. The other, West Germany, was resoundingly successful. Within two decades of defeat, it had become one of the world’s richest nations, with a prosperity that extended to all segments of the population. The economy performed so successfully that eventually several million foreigners came to West Germany to work as well. West German and foreign workers alike were protected from need arising from sickness, accidents, and old age by an extensive, mostly nongovernment welfare system.

Along with this material success, a vigorous democracy developed. To avoid the Weimar Republic’s weak coalition governments, the West German constitution, the Basic Law, permitted only those parties with at least 5 percent of the vote to sit in the Bundestag, the lower house of its parliament. This provision meant that stable parliamentary governments could be formed fairly easily, and efficient government became possible. In contrast to the Weimar Republic, the Basic Law banned political parties opposed to democracy.

From the first national election in 1949, West German politics has been dominated by two large catchall parties (Volksparteien ; sing., Volkspartei ), whose support came from voters formerly allied to many smaller parties. The moderate Christian Democratic Union (Christlich Demokratische Union--CDU), allied with its small sister party active in Bavaria, the Christian Social Union (Christlich-Soziale Union--CSU), won the votes of a broad range of Roman Catholic and Protestant voters. For the first time in German history, members of the two religions worked together to attain their political goals. The CDU/CSU also had left and right wings, which had to cooperate if the alliance were to win elections and exercise power. After much debate, the CDU/CSU’s various wings formulated the concept of a social market economy--free-market capitalism combined with an extensive social net. The CDU/CSU alliance has successfully held together its diverse membership and, with the exception of the 1969-82 period, has headed all the Federal Republic’s governments since 1949, when CDU leader Konrad Adenauer became the country’s first chancellor.

The Federal Republic’s other large popular party is the Social Democratic Party of Germany (Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands--SPD), which receives much of the working-class vote. In the early years of the Federal Republic, the SPD was feared by many voters because of its socialist aims. With time, however, the party moderated its positions; for example, it accepted West German rearmament in the mid-1950s and came to support the social market economy. It also won the trust of suspicious voters by participating in many local and state (Land ; pl., Länder ) governments. After joining with the CDU/CSU to form a coalition government at the national level from 1966 to 1969, the SPD and the small, liberal Free Democratic Party (Freie Demokratische Partei--FDP) formed a coalition government with SDP leader Willy Brandt as chancellor. The SPD-FDP coalition lasted until 1982. In that year, the FDP and the CDU/CSU formed a new coalition government with Helmut Kohl as chancellor, a coalition still in power in mid-1996.

Many observers maintain that German democracy is in a transition stage. The SPD has lost its most steady source of support as an increasingly advanced economy has reduced the size of the blue-collar working class. An increasingly secular and sophisticated society has also cut into the CDU/CSU stable pool of confessional voters. Thus, since the 1980s, the large catchall parties have been confronted with an increasingly volatile electorate. Both parties have experienced declining memberships. As these parties have worked to woo a more diverse electorate, they have moderated their stances to such a degree that many voters have difficulty telling them apart.

Despite CDU losses in the October 1994 national elections, the CDU/CSU-FDP coalition survived, but with a majority of only ten seats. The SPD’s share of the vote rose in these elections, but not enough to take power at the national level. The SPD has been more successful in elections at the Land level in recent years and has often controlled the Bundesrat, parliament’s upper house. However, it lost its sole control of North Rhine-Westphalia in the elections of May 1995 and did even worse in October 1995 Land elections in Berlin. SPD leader Rudolf Sharping was deposed a month later and replaced by Oskar Lafontaine, who had led the party to defeat in the 1990 national elections. Lafontaine’s resurrection did not appear to solve the party’s long-standing leadership problem because it lost badly in the Land elections of March 1996 in Schleswig-Holstein, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Baden-Württemberg.

As the two large parties face diminishing pools of secure votes, growing numbers of young and educated voters have come to support the ecological party, Alliance 90/The Greens (Bündnis 90/Die Grünen), which, after having elected its first representatives to the Bundestag in 1983, in 1994 became the body’s third-largest party, displacing the FDP. As of mid-1996, the Greens had a skilled leader, Joschka Fischer, who has transformed the party from a group of apolitical idealists into a highly pragmatic, but still principled, political force that examines nearly every facet of German life from a fresh standpoint. Some observers hold that the party represents the future of German politics.

The party displaced by the Greens, the FDP, has been a partner in all coalition governments at the national level since 1969. Pledged to classic European liberal political values, the FDP has distinguished itself by its advocacy of the legal rights of the individual. In recent years, however, the party has struggled for its survival because of leadership problems and because its close embrace of the CDU/CSU has caused it to lose its political identity in the eyes of many voters. By late 1995, the party seemed on the verge of political extinction; it suffered a steep drop in its vote in the national election of October 1994 and a long string of losses in elections at the Land level. In March 1996, however, the FDP increased its vote and won seats in all three Land elections held during the month. Although the FDP was represented in only four Land parliaments as of mid-1996, these election results allow the party to retain its role as a coalition-maker in governments at the national level.

In addition to the Greens, another new party that has altered German politics is the Party of Democratic Socialism (Partei des Demokratischen Sozialismus--PDS). Able to win votes only in eastern Germany, the PDS has the support of voters who regret the extent to which or the way in which East Germany was swallowed up by the Federal Republic. Although the PDS is the successor to East Germany’s communist Socialist Unity Party of Germany (Sozialistische Einheitspartei Deutschlands--SED), it does not recommend that the East German regime be restored. Rather, it demands that eastern German interests be given greater respect by western Germans, who are often seen as arrogant and overbearing by eastern Germans. The PDS has thirty seats in the Bundestag and is represented in the parliaments of the eastern Länder , but is not a partner in any coalition. Because the PDS owes its success to the sometimes legitimate anger of easterners at how they have fared in a united Germany, observers believe that the influence of the PDS will wane as these Länder become more integrated into united Germany.

In addition to the above parties, several small right-wing parties are politically active. None have representatives in the Bundestag. The Republikaner, which at about 25,000 members is the largest of these parties, has representatives in the Baden-Württemberg parliament after winning 11 percent of the vote in 1992 and 9 percent of the vote in elections there in March 1996. The campaigns of these right-wing parties are based mainly on a fervid nationalism and a dislike of Germany’s foreign residents. They stop short of clearly espousing Hitlerian doctrines, however, because doing so would mean their being banned and their leaders possibly being imprisoned.

In addition to parties of the extreme right, authorities estimate that a few thousand violent right-wing extremists are active within Germany. Most are disaffected young males with few job prospects. Although comparatively few in number in a country of 80 million, they have received international attention when they have attacked or killed foreign workers living in Germany or vandalized Jewish cemeteries or synagogues. The world’s alarm at such occurrences is easily understandable, given Germany’s history in the first half of the twentieth century. Yet few observers believe that these extreme right-wing elements pose a threat to German democracy or have any chance of gaining political influence, let alone coming to power.

Germans of the late twentieth century differ greatly from those of its first half. The extreme nationalism of the interwar period finds little support in the Germany of the 1990s, for example. Unlike Germany’s failure to achieve victory in World War I, which to many Germans of the interwar period appeared to have been caused by the treachery of Socialist politicians rather than by military defeat, Germany’s unconditional surrender in 1945 was obviously unavoidable given the military situation at the war’s end. Moreover, because Hitler clearly started the war, Germany is judged, to some extent at least, to have deserved its terrible consequences. Thus, in contrast to Germans of the interwar period, few postwar Germans have demanded revenge for Germany’s sufferings or advocated the seizure of lost territory. This absence of an aggressive nationalism can be seen in the foreign policy of the Federal Republic. Unlike the diplomacy of the empire and the Hitler regime, this foreign policy has always had as its first principle multilateralism, a principle realized through Germany’s active membership in a great variety of international organizations.

Germans have also become convinced democrats. They understand and appreciate the workings of parliamentary democracy with its loyal opposition, concessions, and the peaceful passing of power from one government to another; they know the importance of an independent judiciary in protecting individual rights; and they value a free and powerful press. Under a democratic system of government, West Germans have experienced the most successful period of German history, and, whatever the system’s failings, they are unwilling to reject it for panaceas of earlier eras. Eastern Germans are now learning Western democratic values after decades of political repression. Having experienced a multitude of political and economic disasters under totalitarian regimes of the right and the left, Germans have matured and become political adults no longer susceptible to the utopian promises of demagogues.

Germany does face some serious challenges in the second half of the 1990s and in the new century. The most immediate challenge is to fully integrate eastern Germany and its inhabitants into the advanced social market economy and society of western Germany.

As of mid-1996, much had already been done to foster the formation of a strong eastern economy and to bring its components up to global standards. In the 1990-95 period, more than US$650 billion had been transferred from western Germany to eastern Germany. This enormous financial infusion has markedly improved eastern living standards, and specialists believe that by the late 1990s, the east’s infrastructure will be the most advanced in Europe. Unemployment in eastern Germany has consistently remained at about 15 percent, however, about one-third above the national level, despite eastern growth rates about three times higher than those in western Germany. Many of the older jobless are not likely to find employment comparable to what they had under the communist system. Yet, many eastern Germans have fared well in the new economy and have adapted well to its demands.

Achieving complete social unification is expected to take a generation or two. Decades of life in diverse societies have created two peoples with different attitudes. Easterners are generally less ambitious and concerned with their careers than their western counterparts. Their more relaxed work ethic sometimes raises the ire of western Germans. Many easterners also take offense at what has seemed to them arrogant or patronizing attitudes of westerners. The "implosion" of East Germany in 1990 prevented a slower, more nuanced introduction of Western institutions and habits of thought to the east that would have resulted in fewer bruised feelings. Polls of recent years have found a growing convergence of beliefs and opinions between the two peoples, however, a trend almost certain to continue.

The most serious problem confronting Germany in the long term is one faced by all advanced, high-wage industrial countries--how to meet the challenges posed by an increasingly globalized economy in which highly skilled workers of lesser developed countries are available at one-tenth the wages of wealthy countries. For Germany these countries are not located only in Asia, but next door in the former Eastern bloc. By the 1990s, German wages were among the world’s highest, some 50 percent higher than those of the United States, for example. Germany’s extensive social safety net is a principal reason for its high wage cost, yet no political party can expect to significantly cut into social programs and retain the favor of voters.

In addition to high wages, the German economy faces structural problems because the areas in which it has long been strongest--the chemical industry and machine production, for example--are not areas in which most future economic growth will occur. Having been so successful in their traditional fields of expertise, German businessmen are somewhat conservative, not given to risky entrepreneurship, and have not invested in new areas such as computers and biotechnology. Economists see little reason to believe that Germany can overtake the leaders in these fields, most notably the United States and Japan.

Germany also faces serious demographic problems. Population growth in recent decades has been slow; in many years, the number of Germans has actually declined because the birth rate has been so low. Given this long-standing trend, specialists wonder how Germans will continue to maintain their generous pension system, an unfunded system that operates on the pay-as-you-go principle, according to which retirees are supported by today’s workers. If present trends continue, by 2030 the ratio of retirees to workers will be one to one.

An obvious solution to this problem is to import workers. However, because Germans do not regard their country as a nation of immigrants, importing workers is not currently seen as a politically acceptable solution. As of the mid-1990s, Germany had about 7 million foreign residents, including 2 million Muslims, and more foreign workers are not wanted. Germany has not yet successfully integrated the foreigners already on its soil: archaic immigration laws make it difficult to became a German citizen, and xenophobic attitudes of many Germans often make foreign residents, even those born and raised in the country and speaking perfect German, feel unwanted. In time, demographic realities may cause Germans to view more favorably the permanent presence of a substantial non-German population and lead them to adopt more liberal notions of citizenship.

Unification and the ending of the Cold War have meant that Germany must adjust itself to a new international environment. The disastrous failures of German foreign policy in the first half of the twentieth century have caused Germans to approach this challenge warily. Until the demise of the Soviet Union, Germans could enjoy the certainties of the Cold War, both they and their neighbors secure in the knowledge that the superpowers would contain any possible German aggression.

Throughout the postwar era, West Germany was a model citizen of the community of nations, content to be the most devoted participant in the movement toward Europe’s economic and social unification. West German politicians shared the fears of their foreign neighbors of a resurgent, aggressive Germany and sought to ensure their country’s containment by embedding it in international organizations. In the mid-1950s, for example, West Germany rearmed, but as a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO--see Glossary).

Since the end of the Cold War, however, united Germany has occupied an exposed position in Central Europe, with settled, secure neighbors in the west and unpredictable and insecure neighbors to the east. Because of this exposure, German policy makers wish to extend the European Union (EU--see Glossary) and NATO eastward, at a minimum bringing Poland, the Czech Republic, and Hungary into both organizations. In the German view, these countries could serve as a buffer between Germany and uncertain developments in Russia and other members of the former Soviet Union. At the same time as this so-called widening of West European institutions is being undertaken, Germany is working for their deepening by pressing for increased European unity. As of mid-1996, Helmut Kohl remained the continent’s most important advocate of realizing a common European currency through the European Monetary Union (EMU--see Glossary) by the turn of the century. However unrealistic this timetable may prove to be, in the postwar era Germany has steadfastly worked to realize German writer Thomas Mann’s ideal of a Europeanized Germany and rejected his nightmare of a Germanized Europe.

FINDING COLOGNE........................

2008-03-09T11:51:00.000-07:00

DISCOVERING COLOGNE

2008-03-09T11:44:00.001-07:00

The Cologne train station is right in the heart of town, so you'll have no problems with long walks to find a hotel or a bite to eat.
One of the main attractions of Cologne is the Cologne Cathedral, the spires of which you see right above the train station. Even if you don't have much time, you can hop off the train and see the Cathedral on a short stop-over.

The Cathedral is to the south of Cologne's main train station, to the north you'll find quite a few hotels within short walking distance.

Along the Altstadt (old town) Rhine promenade you'll find some of Cologne's oldest houses, many now serving as bars and restaurants. Behind them is Gross St. Martin, an 11th century church that, along with the Cathedral, dominates Cologne's skyline. I enjoyed the inside of this church, as it has many elements added during the ages, so you can trace the history of the building.
Next we'll pull back a bit and head toward the nearby river.

Gnomes. They work hardy, although not particularly smartly. You gotta love 'em.
There are two Gnome panels behind the Cathedral, towards the Rathaus.

Now we'll head down towards the river, passing by Cologne's thriving downtown, a shopping area bigger than even Heidelberg's.

Here I am, your hapless guide, pondering the huge hunk of smoked pig on a gargantuan mound of Sauerkraut and mashed potatoes. Please, no comments on where the church "Gross St. Martin" got its name. I'm sensitive that way.
Facts:

This is not 00s food.
I finished it.
They keep bringing those small glasses of beer, even before you're quite finished and haven't yet asked for more.
The beer is called "Kölsch" and is best served very fresh. The glasses are all standardized at 0.2 liters. Each glass cost me a Euro. Kölsch, as you might have guessed, is beer specifically brewed in Cologne (Koln). It is assumed you want one; they are dispensed to your table like water.

The beer is served by "Köbes." No, that's not a cow raised in Japan and given messages and beer to tenderize the flesh, but it's close--Köbes are a sort of waiter with an attitude. Ours could tell stories until the tears flowed from folk's eyes. As a reward, they'd buy him a fresh Kölsch, which he'd down in a single gulp. I couldn't help laughing right along, and I don't understand a word of German.

The guy was good. I suspect his liver had special training.

EXPLORING COLOGNE...................

2008-03-09T11:41:00.001-07:00

Carnival, Churches and Culture

"Kölle Alaaf!" That's the battle cry you hear in Cologne every spring. It signifies that carnival has arrived - a time of year that is known here as the "fifth season". Carnival enthusiasts wearing brightly colored costumes take control of the city. They crowd the streets, bars and even the supermarkets. Musicians beat their drums or play popular carnival songs on their trumpets and flutes. And everybody feels free to sing and dance along. Cologne seems to be out of its mind for five days and nights on end. The only thing left to do for any visitor is to hop right in and join the party. But don't be late, the festivities end abruptly on Ash Wednesday.

We don't want to create the impression, however, that Cologne has nothing to offer but its party atmosphere during carnival. There's hardly another German city with quite as much zest and friendliness. No one stays alone at one of the many bars or restaurants that serve Cologne's standard brew Kölsch.

The Cathedral is Always in View

But there's more than just Kölsch culture as well. With approximately one million inhabitants Cologne is Germany's fourth largest and oldest city. The Roman Empire stretched to the Rhine River 2000 years ago, and it was here that the Romans established a trading post they named Colonia. Their influence can still be seen today. Over time, the Rhine river became ever more important as a trade route, shipping goods from the Alps to the North Sea or upstream. During the middle ages, Cologne prospered as a center for trade. Twelve major Roman Churches and three fortress-like city gates testify to the importance of Cologne during this period.

Cologne's most famous landmark is its cathedral, the Kölner Dom. It is one of Germany's best-known cathedrals and tourist sights and attracts countless tourists from all over the world every day of the year. This masterpiece of gothic architecture took hundreds of years to build and wasn't completed until the nineteenth century. The cathedral's twin spires rise some 157 meters into the sky and dominate the city's skyline.

Quick Reconstruction

One can get a sense of how Cologne looked before World War II through the individual architectural monuments scattered about the city as well as the picturesque Old Town south of the Cathedral, with its gabled houses and narrow alleyways. The war exacted a heavy price, and 90 percent of Cologne’s downtown district was destroyed by allied bombs. Today Cologne’s cityscape is primarily characterized by the functional buildings that went up during the city’s speedy reconstruction.

Modern Art

Cologne has much more to offer culture-vultures than just its long and fascinating history. The city is regarded as a metropolis of contemporary art and boasts numerous art galleries. It has a lively art scene - the Ludwig Museum as well as the renowned art fair "Art Cologne" draw crowds.

Modern Media

In addition, Cologne is one of Germany’s premiere media centers with ten radio and television stations. West German Broadcasting (WDR), the RTL TV station and around 400 production companies have their headquarters in Cologne. It’s become Germany’s most important television center and is experiencing ever greater investment and expansion. The "Media Park" media center that has gone up over the last decade is one good example.

BASIC STEPS TO STUDY GERMANY.............

2008-03-09T11:37:00.000-07:00

Students from all over the world study and research at one of the more than 300 universities in Germany. They're enrolled at universities that have a wide range of scientific fields on offer or at universities of applied science with very specific, application-oriented programs.

German universities are open to all interested students from abroad who fulfill the academic entrance requirements. The best place for information concerning prerequisites and needed language skills is the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). You have to prove that your language skills suffice before you begin studying. There are several examinations you can take.There is one exception, however: if you'd like to enroll in an international program taught in English at a German university, you usually don't have to prove your proficiency in the German language. Instead, you need to prove that your command of the English language is excellent - you might have to present your TOEFL score (Test of English as a Foreign Language), for instance.

All German universities have Academic offices for foreign students (Akademisches Auslandsamt). These are also good places to start.

German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
www.daad.de/...

The 'virtual studnet city', a student community on the internet
www.4students.de

Advice from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation on staying in Germany
www.humboldt-foundation.de/...

'Just Landed': practical information about finding a flat, a job, about legal issues, and about everyday problems.
www.justlanded.com/...

Advice from the Otto Benecke Foundation
www.obs-ev.de

FACTS ABOUT GERMANY

2008-03-09T11:34:00.000-07:00

What do I need to do first?

Get yourself informed - about admission requirements, language proficiency and naturally everything that has to do with visa and residence permit. You have to prove your German language skills. Or you could go in for an international course of study.

Do I need to know German?

Yes. A working knowledge of the German language is necessary. Unless you select an international course of study. You can prove your language proficiency both in Germany as well as in your country of origin. The German-run Goethe Institute offers German language courses all over the world. You can take the language diploma examinations there, which suffice for admission to an institution of higher education in Germany.

Which documents do I need?

Firstly the visa. For students there are three types of visa: A language course visa, a study applicant's visa and the visa for study purposes or the student visa. Only the the last one entitles you to a longer stay in Germany as a student. What's also important is your passport and other original certificates.

Which documents do I need?

Firstly the visa. For students there are three types of visa: A language course visa, a study applicant's visa and the visa for study purposes or the student visa. Only the the last one entitles you to a longer stay in Germany as a student. What's also important is your passport and other original certificates.

Which authorities do I need to register myself with?

The most important are the Resident Registeration Bureau (Einwohnermeldeamt) and the Office for foreigners' Affairs (Ausländeramt). At the Office for foreigners' Affairs you must prove that you can bear the financial cost of your studies. The residence permit is valid for one year and has to be renewed every year

How do I find an apartment?

Through newspapers, classifieds and notice boards. You'll get relatively reasonable accommodation in so-called shared living quarters (Wohngemeinshaften) and in student dormitories. Student Services and Academic Offices for foreign students can help you in your search.

Do I need a work permit in Germany?

No, though there are certain regulations you should know about. If you come from a country which is not a part of the European Union, you are allowed to work for only 90 days in a year. And then in certain Federal states, foreign students are allowed to work in the semester vacation. Basically, it isn't tough finding a job as a student

LIVING IN GERMANY

2008-03-09T11:25:00.000-07:00

Modest life, though not Frugal

The following applies as a rule of thumb: around 700 euro per month is required for a course of study in Germany, and this is on top of university tuition fees. The cost of living is relatively high in Germany – 700 euro allows a modest lifestyle and no more. The important aspect in any case is to maintain fixed costs, e.g. rent, as low as possible. Living in Germany is not cheap and an economically priced room, possibly in a student dormitory, can ease some of the financial strain. But modest does not necessarily mean austere.

Looking for a Place to stay

“Seek and ye shall find”. A true saying. The only problem is, you unfortunately can't tell “when” one will be successful. Looking for accommodation costs much in terms of time and temper. And so it's a good idea to do this well in time. You should preferably obtain information before travel, in order to obtain cheap accommodation. Living in Germany is expensive. A German ends up paying half of his wages towards rent. If you don't want to trust your luck, you can consider several possibilities in looking for accommodation.

Newspapers and Notice-boards

Offers of accommodation are available in local newspapers, usually in the Wednesday and weekend editions. You can also advertise that you're looking for a room. Classified newspapers specialise in advertisements. You could also find accommodation at your university. The “notice-boards” are usually crammed with offers of accommodation scrawled on bits of paper. For those who arrive in Germany alone, flat sharing in so-called “WGs” (Wohngemeinschaften), is a good way to get to meet people.

Shared-living Centers, University residences, Estate agents

Many university cities have shared-living centers (Mitwohnzentrale) which help you find accommodation for limited periods on a commission basis. University residences also provide accommodation. Anyone looking for a flat through an estate agent must bear one thing in mind: two months’ rent as advance is usually required. That is a lot of money and is not worthwhile, particularly for a short stay. But if you'd rather deal with an an estate agent, it's important to remember that the agent should be a member of the Ring of German Estate Agents (RDM).

Student Dormitories

The rooms here are indeed often very small, but on the other hand the cheapest available. Many dormitories now have bigger rooms and even offers for couples. The student services furnish addresses and information on the admission procedure for the student dormitories.

Summary of the social survey carried out by the German NUS
www.studentenwerk.de/...

JOBBING WHILE STUDYING

2008-03-09T11:24:00.000-07:00

Jobbing between Lectures

Foreign students may work in Germany, even without a work permit. But students who are not citizens of the European Union, or are from the ten new EU member states, can only work for a limited period per year. They are allowed to work for 90 days or 180 half-days every year without a work permit. In many Federal States, you can only work in the summer vacation. The office for foreigners may authorize an additional working period of 10 hours per week with the approval of the local employment office. Students from EU countries (with the exception of Estonia, Lativa, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic and Hungary) may as a matter of principle work unrestrictedly.
The following basically applies: many employers are glad to hire students. The reason for this is that, if the student does not work more than 19.5 hours a week, the employer is required to pay only a portion of the social welfare contributions. Students are therefore cheaper than “normal” employees.
However: a complete study course is difficult to finance with a conventional student job in a bar, as a pizza delivery boy or a cleaner. The average hourly rate in this case is around 8 euro per hour. The prospects are better of course for those with specific knowledge in demand on the employment market, e.g. programmers in the IT field. Complete lecture schedules leave no time for a full-time job however.
The local student services associations can be of help in looking for a job. It is also worthwhile however to visit the student job location department of the local employment exchanges, which are indeed frequently to be found on the premises of the student services.

WHY GERMANY?

2008-03-09T11:21:00.001-07:00

Germany has Loads to Offer

1.8 million students around the world go abroad to attend a university. Nearly one tenth of those students choose to come to Germany. Germany has a lot to offer to foreign students, be they first-year students or postgraduates.

Germany's universities combine age-old traditions with modern technologies. More than 300 universities are featured on Campus Germany: from time-honored institutions offering students the classical repertoire of subjects such as Medicine, Law, English and German to innovative new institutions of higher education with inter-disciplinary study programs. German universities are open to anyone who fulfills the prerequisites and academic freedom is one of the basic principles of the German university system.

Universities here combine research and study. They've been the scene of many groundbreaking discoveries and they're internationally renowned. German universities attract faculty and students from around the world. Modern German universities also combine theoretical work with its practical application. They both educate and train - basic research is augmented by applied research. Interdisciplinary cooperation is common and many of them cooperate closely with multinational firms and with other research institutes in Germany and abroad. In the end, this increases the graduates' chances on the job market.

Many of today's students no longer want a purely theoretical education. A variety of universities of applied science in Germany offer balanced academic training necessary for a professional career. Practical experience in regional companies is often part of the curriculum. German companies are interested in attracting well-trained graduates from abroad. And in many cases, these former students can continue to work for the company as a foreign spokesperson once they return home.

2008-03-09T11:17:00.000-07:00

Higher Education Ranking System hits Germany

Germany is catching up with the ranking mania seen in all walks of life in Britain and America. Soon Germans will be able to consult charts to choose the best universities in the same way they can choose the best restaurants or bars – by looking at a ranking list. But this has been a controversial move because many people have argued that university education across Germany cannot be standardised like other consummer goods.

In 2002 the most serious attempt to put a German university ranking system in place came to fruition. The Centre for University Development (CHE) compiled the study with the German weekly magazine "Stern". They looked at 242 nationally recognized universities and professional schools. More than 100,000 students and 10,000 professors took part in the process. Around 30 indicators were measured. Some variable data such as student numbers, the average study duration and the number of graduations were also considered. But judgements on the quality of teaching and specialist areas played a more decisive role than factors such as the atmosphere at the university or the library equipment.

The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation has introduced an additional research ranking, which measures how attractive German universities are to international scientists. Following the introduction of the Humboldt scholarship, successful international candidates can select which host universities are best suited to their needs. Therefore the number of Humboldt scientists at an institution also allows people to draw conclusions on the research achievements and international prospects of the university.

STUDY GERMANY

2008-03-09T11:14:00.000-07:00

Higher Education Compass of the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK): Search for Degree Programmes
www.hochschulkompass.de/...

Higher Education Compass of the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK): Search for Special Graduate Studies
www.hochschulkompass.de/...

SCHOLARSHIPS FROM GERMANY..........

2008-03-09T11:12:00.000-07:00

Money to Study and Live -a Scholarship is the Solution

Imagine you've finally been admitted to a German university, but then discover that you don't have enough money to study and live in this country: A scholarship could be the solution. There are several organizations which offer financial support for a course of study in Germany. The magic term is “Promotion of talent”. Whereby “talent” does not strictly mean just intelligence or the ability to achieve good grades. Personality and social commitment are also important criteria when considering a person's eligibility for a scholarship. Some organizations award scholarships specifically to first-year students, while others only go to doctoral candidates. Several foundations and organizations are directly supported by the German government or industry, whereas others are run by the church or other private organizations.

Many scholarship programs are intended specifically for foreign undergraduate and graduate students. It’s important to remember that all requests for information about scholarships and all applications for a scholarship should be sent in as early as possible, since there are a large number of people interested in receiving them.

Scholarship Amount

The amount of money paid out through a scholarship is usually calculated to cover normal living expenses. Even if the sum may at first appear high to someone living outside of Germany, you shouldn't forget that the cost of living is high in Germany, and it's very likely that there won't be a lot of money left at the end of the month. Also, if the person receiving the scholarship takes on a part time job they have to report this to the organization providing the scholarship. And that organization will then usually subtract the amount earned from the grant.

More than just Financial Support: The Political Foundations

The democratic political parties in Germany have realized that the young scholars of today will be the decision-makers of tomorrow. One of the main goals of their political foundations is therefore the financial support of outstanding students. Providing foreign students with financial aid is very much in the interest of German politics, since whoever has studied in Germany is familiar with the market and culture - and will thus after graduation seek to establish and maintain contacts with German companies. The foundations especially promote exceptionally talented students. All these foundations expect a high degree of social activity and commitment on the part of applicants - as well as the willingness to put the knowledge gained in Germany to good use in their home country. In addition to financial support the foundations also try to offer general guidance and assistance in all academic and personal matters, such as a mentor at the university. They also offer visiting scholars the chance to take part in special events and seminars.

Helpful information about scholarship programs is also available in a book compiled by the German Students Services (Deutsches Studentenwerk). The book is called “Förderungsmöglichkeiten für Studierende or Promotion possibilities for students” and was published in Bad Honnef in 2000.

Index of German Foundations
www.stiftungsindex.de

the Foundation for German Science's search engine for scholarhsips
www.stifterverband.org/...

Information on the scholarship programmes of the federal states and universities with international exchange programmes: duration, number and length of scholarships, application requirements (pdf)
www.daad.de/...

DW-WORLD article on political foundations in Germany.
www.dw-world.de/...

READING COMPREHENSION

2008-03-09T06:18:00.002-07:00

“Old woman,” grumbled the burly white man who had just heard Sojourner Truth speak, “do you think your talk about slavery does any good? I don’t care any more for your talk than I do for the bite of a flea.”

The tall, imposing black woman turned her piercing eyes on him. “Perhaps not,” she answered, “but I’ll keep you scratching.”

The little incident of the 1840s sums up all that Sojourner Truth was: utterly dedicated to spreading her message, afraid of no one, forceful and witty in speech.

Yet forty years earlier, who could have suspected that a spindly slave girl growing up in a damp cellar in upstate New York would become one of the most remarkable women in American history? Her name then was Isabella (many slaves had no last names), and by the time she was fourteen she had seen both parents die of cold and hunger. She herself had been sold several times. By 1827, when New York freed its slaves, she had married and borne five children.

The first hint of Isabella’s fighting spirit came soon afterwards, when her youngest son was illegally seized and sold. She marched to the courthouse and badgered officials until her son was returned to her.

In 1843, inspired by religion, she changed her name to Sojourner(meaning “one who stays briefly”) Truth, and, with only pennies in her purse, set out to preach against slavery. From New England to Minnesota she trekked, gaining a reputation for her plain but powerful and moving words. Incredibly, despite being black and female (only white males were expected to be public speakers), she drew thousands to town halls, tents, and churches to hear her powerful, deep-voiced pleas on equality for blacks-and for women. Often she had to face threatening hoodlums. Once she stood before armed bullies and sang a hymn to them. Awed by her courage and her commanding presence, they sheepishly retreated.

During the Civil War she cared for homeless ex-slaves in Washington. President Lincoln invited her to the White House to bestow praise on her. Later, she petitioned Congress to help former slaves get land in the West. Even in her old age, she forced the city of Washington to integrate its trolley cars so that black and white could ride together.

Shortly before her death at eighty-six, she was asked what kept her going. “I think of the great things,” replied Sojourner.

Her change in name was inspired by-

a fighting spirit
religion
her freedom
officials
friends

RC...3

2008-03-09T06:18:00.001-07:00

RC........................

2008-03-09T06:17:00.000-07:00

UNDERSTANDING ADVANCED RC

2008-03-09T06:16:00.000-07:00

In 1892 the Sierra Club was formed. In 1908 an area of coastal redwood trees north of San Francisco was established as Muir Woods National Monument. In the Sierra Nevada mountains, a walking trail from Yosemite Valley to Mount Whitney was dedicated in 1938. It is called John Muir Trail.

John Muir was born in 1838 in Scotland. His family name means “moor,” which is a meadow full of flowers and animals. John loved nature from the time he was small. He also liked to climb rocky cliffs and walls.

When John was eleven, his family moved to the United States and settled in Wisconsin. John was good with tools and soon became an inventor. He first invented a model of a sawmill. Later he invented an alarm clock that would cause the sleeping person to be tipped out of bed when the timer sounded.

Muir left home at an early age. He took a thousand-mile walk south to the Gulf of Mexico in 1867and 1868. Then he sailed for San Francisco. The city was too noisy and crowded for Muir, so he headed inland for the Sierra Nevadas.

When Muir discovered the Yosemite Valley in the Sierra Nevadas, it was as if he had come home. He loved the mountains, the wildlife, and the trees. He climbed the mountains and even climbed trees during thunderstorms in order to get closer to the wind. He put forth the theory in the late 1860’s that the Yosemite Valley had been formed through the action of glaciers. People ridiculed him. Not until 1930 was Muir’s theory proven correct.

Muir began to write articles about the Yosemite Valley to tell readers about its beauty. His writing also warned people that Yosemite was in danger from timber mining and sheep ranching interests. In 1901 Theodore Roosevelt became president of the United States. He was interested in conservation. Muir took the president through Yosemite, and Roosevelt helped get legislation passed to create Yosemite National Park in 1906.
Although Muir won many conservation battles, he lost a major one. He fought to save the Hetch Valley, which people wanted to dam in order to provide water for San Francisco. In the late 1913 a bill was signed to dam the valley. Muir died in 1914. Some people say losing the fight to protect the valley killed Muir.

What happened first?

The Muir family moved to the United States.
Muir Woods was created.
John Muir learned to climb rocky cliffs.
John Muir walked to the Gulf of Mexico
Muir visited along the east coast.

IDENTIFYING NOUNS

2008-03-09T06:14:00.000-07:00

It will take all of your energy and will to be able to walk again.

Take
All
Yours
Energy

The works of many great poets have been placed on reserve.

Many
Great
Placed
Reserve

The Brooklyn Bridge was opened in 1883.

Bridge
Was
Opened
In

Sparta and Athens were enemies during the Peloponnesian War.

And
Were
During
War

Sharks and lampreys are not true fish because their skeletons are made of cartilage rather than bone.

True
Because
There
Bone

Joe, have you met your new boss?

Have
You
Met
Boss

Sue’s parents tried living in the North, but they could not adapt to the cold.

North
But
Not
Adapt

Mastering basic mathematics is an important goal for younger students.

Mastering
Important
Younger
Students

To seize a foreign embassy and its inhabitants is flagrant disregard for diplomatic neutrality.

Seize
Its
Flagrant
Neutrality

The Trojans’ rash decision, to accept the wooden horse, led to their destruction.

Their
Led
Accept
Destruction

EXPONENTS

2008-03-09T06:10:00.000-07:00

104 is not equal to which of the following?

100,000
1.0 x 104
10 x 10 x 10 x 10
10 x 103
10,000
Multiply 104 by 102

108
1016
106
102
101

Find 8.23 x 109

0.00000000823
0.000000823
8.23
8230000000
823000000000

.00875 equals:

8.75 x 101
8.75 x 10-3
8.75 x 103
87.5 x 104
87.513 x 104

Divide x5 by x2

x25
x10
x7
x3
x2.5

GRE EXAM REVIEW

2008-03-09T06:09:00.000-07:00

GRE Exam Review
The GRE is the test that’s been taken by millions and millions of college graduates hoping to go on to graduate school over the past several decades. The name stands for Graduate Record Examination, but most people simply call it the GRE for short. The test is given at Thompson Prometric testing centers all over America, and also may be taken at many colleges and universities. As of late 2006, the cost to take the GRE general test is $130. (There are also GRE Subject tests in various subjects, but the information here is about the general GRE exam.) The test is a three-part exam, consisting of a writing part, a quantitative reasoning test, and a verbal reasoning portion. The writing portion is scored from 0 to 6, while the other two parts of the test are each scored on a scale between 200 and 800. The average scores for all people who take the GRE are 470 on the verbal reasoning test, and 570 on the quantitative reasoning test.

The test is taken on a computer, and not with the traditional pencil and paper. It’s also computer adaptive, which means that different people will see different questions, based on their responses to the first few questions, and then subsequent questions. A person who gets questions right will see harder questions, while a person who flunks some questions will get easier ones, in order to determine their level of knowledge. It’s important to focus hard and do well on early questions, as this can lead to a much higher score than answering later questions correctly. And keep in mind that the GRE test is a timed test-on the writing portion, you’ll have 45 minutes to write your first essay analyzing an issue, and 30 minutes to write your second one, in which you analyze an argument. On the quantitative portion of the GRE, you’ll have 45 minutes to answer 28 questions on quantitative comparisons and problem solving. You’ll have 30 minutes to answer 30 questions on the verbal test, which cover language and grammar, reading comprehension, sentence formation, etc. Don’t take the GRE for granted-it’s a difficult and challenging test which can have a huge impact, either positive or negative, on your future goals and career. A good study guide and prep materials are mandatory for any person contemplating taking the GRE in the near future.

2008-03-09T06:04:00.000-07:00

Links to GRE prep resources:

gre-secrets.com — Are you interested in a GRE test study guide written by ACTUAL GRE test experts, who ACTUALLY scored HIGHER than the 99th percentile on the GRE? Our original research into the GRE test reveals specific weaknesses never before discovered that you can exploit to increase your GRE test score more than you've ever imagined- and it's all available for less than the retail price of the rest of the filler-packed GRE test prep study guides on the market. GRE Secrets is available as an instantly downloadable ebook from this site. It doesn't require any special software- if you can read this web page, and have access to a computer, you have all you need to start using and applying GRE Secrets in just five minutes. You don't have to wait for anything to come in the mail. Download GRE Secrets to your computer immediately!

flashcardsecrets.com/gre — Who Else Wants to Use my Proven Flashcard System to Blow the Lid Off the GRE Exam? You can succeed on the GRE by preparing in depth for the different question types and being able to take difficult questions and break them down into easier parts that you can quickly solve. Repetition and thorough preparation is a process that rewards those willing to work hard, which means that passing the GRE is within the reach of virtually anyone willing to invest the time in learning how to handle any question they might face on test day. Our GRE Flashcards are written in an easy to understand, straightforward style — we don't include any more technical jargon than what you need to pass the test. The GRE Flashcard Secrets system is only available at this web page. Don't decide now if these flashcards are for you. Just get them and try them out.

GRE is a registered trademark of the Educational Testing Service. English-test.net materials do not contain actual GRE items and are neither endorsed by nor affiliated in any way with ETS.

FERRARI...........HAV FUN..............

2008-03-02T11:34:00.000-08:00

PHOTOGRAPHY-2

2008-03-02T11:31:00.000-08:00