Top Jobs

These jobs will experience strong growth and be in great demand for the next decade, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Information technology

1. Network systems and data communications analysts
Projected growth by 2016: 53 percent
Median annual salary: $64,600*

2. Computer applications software engineers
Projected growth by 2016: 45 percent
Median annual salary: $79,780

3. Database administrators
Projected growth by 2016: 29 percent
Median annual salary: $64,670

4. Computer systems software engineers
Projected growth by 2016: 28 percent
Median annual salary: $85,370

5. Network and computer systems administrators
Projected growth by 2016: 27 percent
Median annual salary: $62,130

Service occupations

1. Home health aides
Projected growth by 2016: 49 percent
Median annual salary: $19,420

2. Makeup artists, theatrical and performance
Projected growth by 2016: 40 percent
Median annual salary: $31,820

3. Medical assistants
Projected growth: 35 percent
Median annual salary: $26,290

4. Skin care specialists
Projected growth by 2016: 34 percent
Median annual salary: $26,170

5. Dental assistants
Projected growth by 2016: 29 percent
Median annual salary: $30,220

Business and financial operations

1. Personal financial advisors
Projected growth by 2016: 41 percent
Median annual salary: $66,120

2. Financial analysts
Projected growth by 2016: 34 percent
Median annual salary: $66,590

3. Management analysts
Projected growth by 2016: 22 percent
Median annual salary: $68,050

4. Meeting and convention planners
Projected growth by 2016: 20 percent
Median annual salary: $42,180

5. Cost estimators
Projected growth by 2016: 19 percent
Median annual salary: $52,940

Health diagnosing and treating occupations

1. Veterinarians
Projected growth by 2016: 35 percent
Median annual salary: $71,990

2. Physician assistants
Projected growth by 2016: 27 percent
Median annual salary: $74,980

3. Physical therapists
Projected growth by 2016: 27 percent
Median annual salary: $66,200

4. Radiation therapists
Projected growth by 2016: 25 percent
Median annual salary: $66,170

5. Registered nurses
Projected growth by 2016: 23 percent
Median annual salary: $57,280

Education

1. Preschool teachers, except special education
Projected growth by 2016: 26 percent
Median annual salary: $22,680

2. Postsecondary teachers
Projected growth by 2016: 23 percent
Median annual salary: $56,120

3. Self-enrichment education teachers
Projected growth by 2016: 23 percent
Median annual salary: $33,440

4. Instructional coordinators
Projected growth by 2016: 22 percent
Median annual salary: $52,790

5. Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten and elementary school
Projected growth by 2016: 20 percent
Median annual salary: $46,360

Sales

1. Securities, commodities and financial services sales agents
Projected growth by 2016: 25 percent
Median annual salary: $68,500

2. Counter and rental clerks
Projected growth by 2016: 23 percent
Median annual salary: $19,570

3. Advertising sales agents
Projected growth by 2016: 20 percent
Median annual salary: $42,750

4. Demonstrators and product promoters
Projected growth by 2016: 18 percent
Median annual salary: $22,150

5. Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products
Projected growth by 2016: 12 percent
Median annual salary: $64,440

Art and design

1. Multimedia artists and animators
Projected growth by 2016: 26 percent
Median annual salary: $51,350

2. Interior designers
Projected growth by 2016: 19 percent
Median annual salary: $42,260

3. Fine artists, including painters, sculptors and illustrators
Projected growth by 2016: 10 percent
Median annual salary: $41,970

4. Graphic designers
Projected growth by 2016: 10 percent
Median annual salary: $39,900

5. Art directors
Projected growth by 2016: 9 percent
Median annual salary: $39,900

Office and administrative support

1. Customer service representatives
Projected growth by 2016: 25 percent
Median annual salary: $28,330

2. Bill and account collectors
Projected growth by 2016: 23 percent
Median annual salary: $29,050

3. Brokerage clerks
Projected growth by 2016: 20 percent
Median annual salary: $36,390

4. Medical secretaries
Projected growth: 17 percent
Median annual salary: $28,090

5. Executive secretaries and administrative assistants
Projected growth by 2016: 15 percent
Median annual salary: $37,240

Installation, maintenance and repair occupations

1. Medical equipment repairers
Projected growth by 2016: 22 percent
Median annual salary: $40,580

2. Automotive glass installers and repairers
Projected growth by 2016: 19 percent
Median annual salary: $30,720

3. Motorboat mechanics
Projected growth by 2016: 19 percent
Median annual salary: $33,210

4. Automotive service technicians and mechanics
Projected growth by 2016: 14 percent
Median annual salary: $33,780

5. Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines
Projected growth by 2016: 12 percent
Median annual salary: $40,440

Construction

1. Construction and building inspectors
Projected growth by 2016: 18 percent
Median annual salary: $46,570

2. Tile and marble setters
Projected growth by 2016: 15 percent
Median annual salary: $36,590

3. Boilermakers
Projected growth by 2016: 14 percent
Median annual salary: $46,960

4. Roofers
Projected growth by 2016: 14 percent
Median annual salary: $32,260

5. Reinforcing iron and rebar workers
Projected growth by 2016: 12 percent
Median annual salary: $38,220

*Median annual salary based on BLS data.

Source: CareerBuilder.com

Master's or Ph.D.: Which Is Right For You?

Just as there are many reasons people choose to go to graduate school, there are many options from which they may choose. If you have selected a field of study, you may be wondering whether you should get a master's degree or a doctoral degree. Here are some things to consider.

TIME
A graduate degree requires a significant investment of time.

Master's degrees require less time than doctoral degrees. Typically a full time student can acquire a master's degree in about two years. A Ph.D. usually requires at least five to six years and many people take seven to nine years.

MONEY
The old adage 'time = money' was never so true as with graduate school.

Since a Ph.D. takes longer to complete, it also requires more money. (Not that a master's degree is cheap either!) The flip side to this is that a Ph.D. may yield a higher salary upon completion and is therefore worth the increased cost long term.

With both degrees, school costs money (tuition, fees, books, etc.). In addition, however, there is also a significant loss of money if the student is not working or is earning low wages through assistantships or part time employment. Many people find they must either live a Spartan lifestyle for many years, or they find themselves strapped with huge loans when they graduate.

COMMITMENT
Graduate school takes work.

Most people are not going to argue with this. However, many students who drifted through college are surprised to find that graduate school requires a much larger commitment in terms of work and intellectual energy. Graduate schools are frequently very competitive. Students who are taking a full course load as well as teaching often find themselves overwhelmed. And of course, the many years of school required for a Ph.D. require perseverance on a scale above and beyond what undergraduates must contemplate. The difference between college and graduate school lies in the ability of the student to focus on their field and the subjects and areas that most interest them. While graduate school requires more work, most students find the work enjoyable since it involves an area in which they are very interested.

PROS AND CONS
So we know that graduate school requires time, money and commitment for both a master's and a Ph.D. So which should you choose?

If all you want is a raise, a Ph.D. is probably not the road to choose. If you love learning in and of itself, and you want to pursue a career as a professor then the work required for a Ph.D. may be worthwhile. Master's degrees tend to be more career-oriented while Ph.D.'s tend to be more research oriented since they are preparing people for research-oriented careers.

A master's degree has some definite benefits in that it requires less time and money than a doctoral degree, but will still set you apart from the crowd who only have a bachelor's. The master's degree can allow specialization within a field. The degree works especially well for those who have been working in a particular career for some time and hope to advance or gain new knowledge that will qualify them for a different position within their field.

A master's degree can also be an excellent method of changing careers. For those who have been in the workforce and found that their career or undergraduate education are not leading them in the direction they would like to go, a master's degree can allow them to start in a different direction by gaining new knowledge and skills.

However, there are things that a master's degree simply cannot do. For those who want to become professors, a Ph.D. is practically mandatory. Even for those few who can find teaching positions with only a master's, most schools want to see progress toward a Ph.D.

A Ph.D. can also be helpful outside the world of academia in today's increasingly competitive job market. Businesses are searching for extremely qualified people who have demonstrated intelligence, perseverance and the ability to learn. A Ph.D. can open doors.

One of the less tangible, though very important, aspects of getting a Ph.D. consists in the ideal of creating knowledge. Ph.D. work requires original research that contributes new information to the field of study. People interested in pursuing a Ph.D. should love their studies and be excited by the prospect of meaningful contribution.

Still not sure what to do?
To summarize, a Ph.D. may be worth it if you truly love your field, enjoy your studies, and want the benefits and prestige associated with the doctoral degree. If you are simply looking to change fields or gain a promotion or do not think you could maintain interest through at least five to six years of school, then a master's is probably a better choice.

However, it is worth noting that you may be able to get more financial aid for a Ph.D. Since it takes longer, schools recognize that those trying to acquire their Ph.D.'s need more assistance than those who only want a master's degree. This adds an interesting dimension to the application process for two reasons.

First, if you think you may want a Ph.D. but still are not sure, it is probably better to apply to the doctoral program. There is no penalty for changing your mind later and deciding to leave with a master's degree, and it increases you chances of getting financial aid.

The second consideration is that the Ph.D. program can be more competitive, and applying to it rather than the master's degree program might decrease your chances of admission. If you are denied entrance to the Ph.D. program, you could ask them to then consider you for the master's degree program, but that may not be allowed.

Gradschools.com

Which Way to Go: How to Find a Graduate Program That's Right For You

The decision to attend graduate school is only the first step in what may seem to be a long, and at times frustrating, journey. In fact, some would argue the truly difficult decisions are yet to come. With over 400 English programs and 300 Chemistry programs, just to name a few, it can be rather difficult to narrow the field. So how do you identify the graduate program that is right for you?

Specialization:
Of course, the area of specialization will ultimately depend on your own interests, but you may also want to take into account the job market. Some specialties will experience growth in the future, whereas those that are currently growing may be expected to become stagnant. For example, if you're interested in getting a Ph.D. in Microbiology, the job market in academia is projected to be relatively stable, whereas the job market in biotechnology and the pharmaceutical industry tends to be brighter. You might be better prepared to choose an area of Microbiology that is more marketable to the biotechnology industry.

Ranking:
For some students, a program's ranking is important. They feel that the rank of a program is an indication of the quality of education they will receive and the level of resources that will be available to them, and, in most cases, this is probably true. However, students should be aware of what qualities are used to establish a program's ranking and how those qualities are evaluated. For example, a highly-ranked program may indeed have greater resources available, but may also have a higher cost which may make it more difficult to attend, or a higher student-to-faculty ratio which may actually detract from the educational experience.

Location:
One criterion that may play an important role in the decision of which graduate program is right for you may simply come down to geography; is the program located in an area of the state or country in which you want to live. Be aware that you will be living in this area for an average of 2-6 years or more, depending on if you are seeking a Master's degree or Ph.D. You should be comfortable with the location. Some students may, for personal reasons, want to be relatively near their family. Others have a spouse who is more likely to be employed in certain areas of the country. Some students may have allergies, asthma or other health issues which may become aggravated in some areas of the country. A good way to get an idea of what the location of a university is like is to take a look at the web site of the city or community in which the university is located. The city web site will often have links to lo cal weather reports, employment opportunities, community businesses, health care facilities, etc.

The People:
Recently, I was speaking with a noted professor in the Department of Biology at Texas A&M University, and he made a comment that is especially applicable here: "You may get your degree from a university, but you get your education from your adviser." When you earn your graduate degree, you will be entering a professional community that is influenced by tradition and reputation. Your major professor will be your means of entry into this community, and his or her reputation will influence yours. Also, it is important to remember that, as with the location of the program, you will be working very closely with your major professor for an average of 2-6 years or more. It is important that your personalities and professional ideas are compatible. The best way to get an idea of the students and faculty you will be working with is to talk to people. Talk to faculty at your current college or university to find out the reputation of the professor who will be your advisor. If at all possible, contact some of his or her current graduate students and ask them what he or she is really like to work for. Most importantly, talk to your potential advisor to get an idea of their personality and professional ideas.

The Cost:
The level of financial support you receive often depends on the degree you are seeking. There tends to be less financial support for a Master's degree than for a Ph.D. At the doctoral level, it is not uncommon for a university to waive tuition requirements (referred to in the business as tuition remission). In addition to not paying tuition, many doctoral students receive some form of grant, stipend or assistantship. Whether a university is public or private, if tuition remission is available, the likelihood of assistantships (either teaching or research), etc. are all issues to be considered when examining the cost of attending a particular program.

The Quality of Life:
Graduate school will be a way of life for the next 2-6 years. If you are married, however, your decisions will also affect your spouse and/or children. Some of the things to consider include the availability of child care, employment opportunities for spouses, health insurance, the local cost of living and the weather, culture, and local forms of recreation (is this a place where you can have some fun?). If possible, try to visit the area and spend some time in the community. Talk to some of the "locals" and find out what's going on in the area. Talk to some of the business owners to find out what the job market is like for the area, to get an idea of the local cost of living and housing and to find out what people do for fun. When you apply to a university or program, quite often they will be more than happy to send you information from the local Chamber of Commerce concerning health care, child care, cost of living expenses and recreation opportunities.

This is in no way an exhaustive list of things to consider, and students will give a higher priority to those issues that are important to them. However, these are a few of the things to consider that may help narrow the field of choices. The decision is never easy; you will be investing 2-6 years or more of your life and you do not want to make a mistake. By beginning your search early in your undergraduate career, you will have time to objectively evaluate each program, closely examine the details of each and ultimately reach a decision that is best for you.

Ref: Steve R. Simcik, Ph.D., Coordinator of Graduate School Programs
Texas A&M University, Office of Professional School Advising

Thinking about going back to school?

Some things to consider from a student loan provider

So you're thinking about going back to school to get an advanced degree. You may be wondering if this is a good idea. Answering a few questions can help you determine if now is the right time for you to go back to school.

* Why do you want an advanced degree?
* What will you have to give up to go back to school?
* What will it cost to obtain the degree?

Why do you want an advanced degree?

Now may be a very good time to go back to school. Obtaining a graduate or professional degree can be an important investment in yourself and in your future. Whether you're going back to school because you want a new career or you want to increase your skills in your current field, or you can't find a job that matches your current skills or interests, you should identify the reasons why you want to do it and to write them down. Then you can evaluate the benefits and costs of furthering your education.

Be certain that the benefits of returning to school outweigh the costs. If after reviewing both the benefits and costs you're not certain that you'll be better off, then it may be wise to re-evaluate if going back to school is the best choice right now. At that point, it might be good to talk to people in the program of study you want to pursue at the school(s) you're thinking of attending. Whether they're students, faculty, admissions staff, or other professionals at the school, they may be able to help you clarify what is best for you.

You also should explore the status of current employment opportunities in your desired field. Even if the job market is strong now, there are no guarantees that it will provide good job prospects when you're ready to enter that market, but it certainly can help you evaluate the merits of pursuing your educational objectives if they're job-related. On the other hand, if current prospects are limited, you may want to talk with career planning staff in that field in order to better assess future employment opportunities. Also, check out the Web sites of any professional organizations affiliated with your planned career/profession and other employment/salary sites.

What will you have to give up to go back to school?

Whether you're thinking about obtaining an advanced degree or certificate, or you just want to complete some additional coursework, you'll be making an investment of both time and money. If you're currently working, will you continue working and earning the same salary while you're in school? Or, will you have to reduce your hours or quit your job altogether in order to pursue your educational goals? If you do, you'll be giving up at least a portion of your current income. However, what you're giving up may be worthwhile to you if the education you're pursuing will provide for greater earnings and/or a more personally rewarding career.

What will it cost?

The cost of your education is all about choice and how you pay for those choices. Tuition expenses depend on the degree program you choose to pursue and the school you choose to attend, as well as how long it takes you to complete your program of study. It also depends on your lifestyle choices as a student, such as housing, food, clothing, transportation, entertainment, etc.

Financing options influence what you'll pay, as well. There are three general financing options available if you or your family can't pay the full cost: (1) grants/scholarships, (2) loans, and (3) work study. The sources of these funding options include federal and state governments; the school you attend; banks and other lending organizations; and private foundations, civic organizations, and other associations. In addition, assistantships and fellowships may be available from the school you attend, particularly if you're pursuing a Master of Arts (M.A.), Master of Science (M.S.), or Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree.

Student loans are the most common and abundant source of funding available for many students. Remember, however, the resulting interest charges on loans will add to the overall cost of your education.

You must satisfy all of the following criteria to participate in the federal student loan and work study programs:

• Enrolled at least half-time at an eligible institution pursuing a degree or certificate.
  
• U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen (e.g., permanent resident) with a valid U.S. Social Security number.
  
• Not currently be in default on any prior federal student loans, nor owe a refund on a federal grant program.
  
• Registered for Selective Service (males only).

Private student loan programs typically require that you satisfy the above federal eligibility criteria. They usually also require that you don't have credit problems. Consequently, it's a good idea that you review copies of your credit report from each of the three national credit reporting agencies well before you apply for any private student loans to ensure no errors exist.

It's important that you contact the financial aid office at the school(s) you're considering if you will need financial assistance paying for school. If you're an international student, please note that there currently are no federal financial aid programs available to you, but there may be private student loan programs. Contact the financial aid staff at the school you want to attend for more information.

In making your decision, remember . . .

Your education is an important key to your financial future and to your success. Expanding your education by going back to school can add to that success. Answering the questions posed here should help you make a responsible, well-informed, decision about what is right for you. You should take care that the costs of furthering your education will be exceeded by the benefits you'll receive once you've finished.

Gradschools.com

Writing Your Graduate School Statement

As you gather application materials for graduate school, you will be required to include a written statement as part of the process. These written statements are often called "letters of intent," "personal narratives," "personal statements" or "statements of purpose." While the essays are personal in nature, the school is not looking for your life story. Your statement should focus on your specific interests and goals when it comes to academics.

Many people dread writing an essay of any kind, especially when it is part of an application process. However, you have no need to be concerned as long as you know how to construct the statement and what must be included. Your statement may be in response to questions posed by the graduate program in your application documents, or you might simply be responding to a brief directive to write about the area of study you intend to focus on and why.

Your statement will likely be between 250 and 750 words, depending upon the school and its requirements. You will need to determine your purpose in writing your statement, what it will contain and the style you will use to write it. Before you begin, be sure to research the school and the program to which you are applying. Conducting that research will help you decide how to approach writing your statement.

The Purpose

The statement you write gives you the opportunity to sell yourself to the graduate program of your choice. Your goal and purpose is to persuade the school that you will be a positive addition to its student body. The relevant experiences you have gained through your undergraduate work, as well as through field and employment experiences, are precisely what you want to highlight.

Your purpose should be clear and concise, and you should ensure that you keep your audience in mind as you write your statement. Explain your academic goals, how you developed them and how being a part of that graduate program will help you reach those goals. The tone of your statement should be very direct and you should answer any and all questions posed by the application.

Do your best to express how the graduate program matches your educational goals. Be sure to discuss both short- and long-term goals. While you are introducing yourself to the graduate program, your statement should be as objective as possible. Be as specific as you can and refrain from using too many big "academic" words.

Content

As for content, you will want to include any academic achievements that distinguish you as a student. For instance, if you have had work published, have completed an internship or studied abroad, you should mention those experiences as they relate to your graduate education goals. The area of study that you wish to focus on should be clear, as should your plans to use your education to enrich your future.

If any inconsistencies exist in your records, this is your chance to explain them in a positive way.. If, for example, you had to drop out of school for a year to earn money to finance your education, talk about that, briefly.

If you worked full-time during your undergraduate education, you would certainly want to mention that, in order to put your achievements in perspective.

The school may ask you to write about why you have chosen their program, which will be much easier to answer if you have done your research.

Do not forget to include any special skills you have developed that will make you a better candidate for acceptance into the program. These skills may include computer, laboratory and foreign language skills. If you have research skills, it is important to highlight them as well.

Style

The style of your statement is individual to you as a person. Just be sure that your statement is clear, organized and specific. Try to use good transitions between your paragraphs to enhance the flow of the statement. The use of an active voice is important, so avoid the use of passive verbs. For example, rather than saying that your goal "was achieved," say "I achieved my goal." (Don't shy away from using the "I" first-person pronoun.)

No matter what, be accurate. The last thing you want to do is include anything in your statement that is unsubstantiated or untrue. When you do your final editing, which should be extensive and detailed, check your facts.

When you reach the conclusion of the statement, treat it like the concluding paragraph of a persuasive essay. Your final paragraph should tie everything together and make that last stab at selling yourself to the graduate program. The most important message to get across in your statement is that you will excel in your graduate study and research at the particular program you have chosen.

One last bit of advice: when you've finished your statement: get others to read it and help you revise. Don't hesitate to go to your favorite professor, and ask him or her to read the statement and help you improve it.

Gradschools.com

Applying to Graduate School

Planning to apply to grad school?

If so, you're probably wondering what the basic steps are that you'll have to follow and what your timeline should be for your preparations.

Probably the single best piece of advice in this process is to:

Do everything early!

While the graduate school process is a long one and you may feel you have plenty of time to write essays, get recommendations, or take your tests, you will find that the time passes incredibly quickly. You don't want these deadlines sneaking up on you and to be biting your nails as you wait for that last professor to finish a recommendation or as you try to cram last-minute for the GRE.

You basically have to start at least a full year in advance! (This does depend on the program you're applying for and the requirements you will need to fulfill.) Especially if you are looking at graduate school as a way to change careers or are entering a program that is different from your undergraduate background, you may find that there are pre-requisite courses necessary in order to gain admittance to the programs you are considering. You also want plenty of time to gather information on the various programs and to evaluate the relative benefits of different schools before you start applying to them.

NOW would therefore be a good time to start considering your options if you want to start in Fall of 2006. This will give you time to really consider what you want out of your graduate school education, to gather information from various sources on the best programs and schools, and to gather information directly from schools on what they can offer you.

Talk to people and gather information

One of the best ways to gather information is to talk to people. Talk to experts in the field, talk to your professors, talk to people who attended the schools or programs you are considering. The most valuable thing you can do right now is gather all the information you can about different schools and programs as well as the benefits of attaining a graduate school education and how to do so. You need to determine why you want to go to school, what you want to study, what you want from a program, how you're going to accomplish and pay for all of this, and many other things. Gathering information from a variety of sources is therefore your first step to getting the answers you need.

Applications

You can begin contacting schools and getting the applications you need now. Where you apply is based on a variety of factors. The schools you choose to apply to should provide programs that match your interests and can give you the necessary environment to pursue your graduate studies. Other than that, you need to consider things such as location, cost, etc. Apply to enough schools so you will have options depending on which you get accepted to. You generally will want at least one safe school that you are confident you can get into as well as at least one school that presents a real challenge in terms of competitiveness.

Tests

Almost all graduate programs require some type of test whether it be the GRE, LSAT, MCAT, GMAT, etc. Now is a great time to get some test prep materials and start studying for these tests. You may be surprised at how much of your high school mathematics you've forgotten!

Recommendations

While it's a bit early to be asking for recommendations now, it is a great time to be building relationships with your professors if you are still in school. You are much more likely to get a positive recommendation if your professors know you and can speak from personal experience rather than solely reciting a list of your accomplishments. If you have the opportunity to be an assistant to one of your professors during your senior year, capitalize on it. Either way, take the opportunity to talk to your professors about your interest in graduate school. You may be surprised to discover how receptive they will be. They were in your shoes at some point and will typically be more than happy to help you with any advice or assistance they can offer.

Essays

Right now is also a great time to begin drafting the personal statement you will need for your application essays. For some people, writing their personal essay is the most difficult part of the process and starting early helps alleviate the stress when the deadlines are still far away. You can visit http://Info.GradSchools.com for more information on the details of application essay writing.

One benefit of writing your application essays is that you get to think through your reasons for pursuing a graduate education and what qualifies you to do so. Frequently, students will learn something about themselves through this highly introspective process that they say helps them in better defining their graduate school and personal goals. Such clarity can be a great benefit when you are considering where to apply so starting early with your essays is helpful on multiple levels.


GradSchools.com

More Students Head Overseas Freshman Year

Callie Broughton had an eventful freshman year at Florida State University -- in Spain.

Ms. Broughton, now a 20-year-old junior, opted to study abroad in Valencia through a program for first-year students at Florida State. For one year, she lived in an apartment and took classes with other FSU students at the university's Valencia Study Center. In her spare time, she explored Europe.

Amy Goldstein, a Hamilton College student, spent her first freshman semester in London.

There were downsides to going abroad the first year of college. "Missing Thanksgiving and stuff I had never missed in 18 years was definitely weird," she says. But the benefits outweigh the disadvantages: "You're getting to see the world at such a young age," she says. Ms. Broughton, an education major, is now a student recruiter for the program.

Freshman year has typically been considered a time for students to settle in and try living on their own for the first time, plan their course schedules and decide on a major. Now, a growing number of schools are expanding their study-abroad options for first-year students. "This was something that was very rarely done at all up until a few years ago," says Brian Whalen, president and chief executive of the Forum on Education Abroad and executive director of the Office of Global Education at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pa.

Spending freshman year abroad presents challenges for younger students: easy access to alcohol, lack of supervision and, given the weak dollar, surprisingly high prices for basic goods and services.

But schools say these programs provide a more globally focused education. As the world economy becomes increasingly intertwined, they argue, overseas experience is an increasingly important credential. The programs also appeal to students in majors -- such as the sciences -- that offer less flexibility in studying abroad during junior and senior years, since they typically offer course credit for the general requirements that freshmen need to fill. In the past, students who studied abroad were primarily liberal-arts majors.

New York University already offers freshmen students in its general-studies program the option of spending their first year in Florence, Paris or London, in addition to the school's New York City campus. In fall 2009, NYU expects to offer the option to other freshmen and allow them to apply directly to the study-abroad programs when applying for admission.

Syracuse University will offer a first-semester program for freshmen in Florence, Italy, this fall. The University of Mississippi is launching a study-abroad program in Edinburgh, Scotland, for freshman students next fall. Florida State offers out-of-state freshmen an added financial incentive: Participants in the program pay in-state tuition for the rest of their time as undergraduates at the university.

At some smaller schools, the programs serve another function: to help alleviate overcrowding in the dorms. Arcadia University in Glenside, Pa., created its first-year study-abroad program five years ago because of a housing shortage, says David Larsen, executive director of the university's Center for Education Abroad.

Some colleges, including Hamilton College in Clinton, N.Y., Colby College in Waterville, Maine, and Wheaton College in Norton, Mass., which admit a small group of students in the spring semester, often encourage those students to go abroad in the fall before they start. Middlebury College in Middlebury, Vt., which offers February admission to about 100 students a year, sends admitted students a booklet highlighting options abroad for the first semester.

Changing Demographics

A 2007 study by the Institute of International Education, a New York-based nonprofit that manages study-abroad programs, shows that the distribution of students who study abroad is changing. In the 2005-06 school year, 34% of study-abroad students were juniors, down from 42% in the 1995-96 school year. The percentage of freshmen -- albeit still small -- doubled to 4% from 2% over the same period.

"Increasingly, we are going to see study abroad as something that is woven into the fabric of the undergraduate degree," says Allan Goodman, president and chief executive of the Institute of International Education. "Economic drivers are pushing people to think about the world. Freshmen enter the university with 'study abroad' planted in their minds."

Allowing freshman students -- who in most cases have never lived away from home -- to study abroad comes with risks, college officials say. "There's the issue of maturity and having the coping skills and the resources," says Valerie Eastman, director of off-campus study at Scripps College, a private liberal-arts school for women in Claremont, Calif., that doesn't offer the program for freshman.

For one thing, alcohol consumption may be heightened while overseas. Freshmen are typically under the legal drinking age in the U.S. "When you figure it's totally accessible in markets and anywhere overseas, even if you are under 21, some people have control issues," says Ms. Eastman.

Barry Hendler, a junior at Arcadia, went abroad the fall semester of his freshman year to study at the University of Stirling in Scotland. Some of his peers were living away from home for the first time and had recently turned 18. "Some people took advantage of it too much, just enjoying the lower drinking age," he says.

Schools say that their freshmen programs generally offer more handholding and supervision than do similar programs for upperclassmen. While students who study abroad later in their college career often live with host families and take classes at local universities with native students, freshmen participants typically take classes in English and live in dorms or apartments with other international students.

Parental Waivers

At many schools, freshmen students under the age of 18 who study abroad are required to have their parents sign a waiver that authorizes the school to act in lieu of the parent if needed. Some programs prohibit students who are not at least 18 to participate.

Another issue is money. This year, the cost of studying abroad in Europe -- where most of the freshmen programs are offered -- is higher as a result of the dollar's sharp decline against the euro. (One euro currently buys about $1.45.) While students usually pay the programs in U.S. dollars, they are usually not eligible for financial aid, and the cost of extra traveling, food and other items can add up. For parents of freshmen, the bill can be hard to swallow -- especially given that they have three more years of undergraduate tuition to pay.

Swallowing the Expense

Just ask Ellen Keats, 50, of Greenwich, Conn. She and her husband footed the bill for their daughter, Amy Goldstein, a freshman at Hamilton College, to study abroad in London last fall. The total cost for the semester, including tuition, room, food, books, and money for traveling was about $33,000. A semester at Hamilton is approximately $23,000. "It's so expensive," Ms. Keats says. "We weren't going to nix the idea because of the expense. We just swallowed really hard."

Schools that offer such freshman programs say that they are not intended for the average student. In many cases, the students have spent time overseas, or their parents studied abroad and want their kids to have the same experience. "I thought it would really be great for her," says Ms. Keats, who studied abroad her junior year of college. "It kind of pushes the envelope of our comfort zone and our expectations of the college experience, but it's a different world and you have to think globally."

Last fall, Ms. Goldstein, the freshman student at Hamilton, lived in a dorm with six other women in London. She says she is not worried about adjusting to campus life. She bonded with the other Hamilton students in her program, so she has a group of friends going into the spring semester. And while the 18-year-old Ms. Goldstein says there are things about London that she will miss, she is excited to start on Hamilton's campus in Clinton, N.Y.

"I'm ready to go and live and be in the place that I signed up for," she says.

By ANJALI ATHAVALEY
Staff Reporter of The Wall Street Journal

From The Wall Street Journal Online

--January 24, 2008