jlm21

Of course! I'm happy to read yours -- thanks for the input!

Edit: ---> Please excuse the embarrassing lack of English grammar in the title :). Forgot I was going to come back and change it! Hello -- I am taking the GRE in two days and absolutely not doing well with quantitative no matter how hard I try. I haven't had a real math class since high school and it is not my strong point to begin with. With that said, I'm looking more at damage control than skills improvement at this point. I've found that I do significantly better when I take plenty of time of the question. With the CAT scoring, is it better to do fairly well on 3/4 of the test and fill in answers for the last part, or get through the entire test with hit-and-miss answers? Also, if I am scoring very well in the Verbal (680-750) on practice tests and my intended program (international studies) has said "we look for verbal and writing scores that are in the 60th percentile, but we don't place as much emphasis on quantitative scores." (quoted from an email) -- what are the bare minimum not-completely-embarrassing math scores I should hope for? Thanks in advance!

The intellectual benefits of attending a university or college are vastly overrated: most people could learn more by studying and reading on their own for four years than by pursuing a university or college degree." The notion that self-study can easy equate to obtaining a university degree could not be more false. What the author fails to consider in this opinion is that university study encompasses not just intellectual facts, but strengthening of academic abilities, collaboration with learned faculty and fellow students, and intellectual experiences outside of the classroom. College courses focus not only on the obtaining of facts, but also on the development of essential academic skills. When students participate in university coursework, they are expected to strengthen a multitude of academic areas unrelated to the course topic. For example, students enrolled in a “History of Japan” course will, of course, be expected to learn about events in Japanese history. In addition, however, students might also be asked to also hone other academic skills such as historical research, informative writing, and comprehension of high-level academic texts. These skills are unlikely to be practiced by the simple self-studier. University students also hold the unique advantage of working directly with experts in their field of study. University professors, on top of a Doctorate degree, often hold an impressive resume of academia and research. When students study in a classroom, they receive the benefit of a professor’s unique academic perspective, as well as additional expert help if needed during a professor’s office hours. Self-studiers do not typically have such easy access to field experts. Self-studiers also lose the advantage of practicing collaborative work. Most American colleges and universities have some degree of group work incorporated into the curriculum. Students studying at a university gain beneficial practice of skills that will be essential to future careers, such as collaborative projects, group leadership, and presentation of materials. A student studying alone will have n intellectual disadvantage over these practiced students. Lastly, college life hones essential life skills and provides for important life experiences outside of the classroom as well. These skills and experiences will not necessarily always be available to self-studiers as college campuses tend to be a magnet for educational events and extracurricular activities. For example, students at a university have easier access to working with diverse cultures, participating in workshops, studying abroad, attending lectures, or participating in an interest-based student group. With these options, college students often have unique the advantage of supplemental materials and events to which self-studiers do not have access. All in all, the choice to study at a college or university provides for distinct advantages over self-study. University students have more opportunities to develop essential intellectual skills not likely to be a focus in self-study, such as research or reading comprehension skills. College students also have access to highly trained professors for unique perspectives and help with questions. Unlike self-studiers, students studying in a classroom gain practice in real-life skills such as group projects or presentations. Self-studiers also miss out on important intellectual experiences that college students can easily find outside of the classroom. With these disadvantages, it is easy to see that self-study does not hold the same intellectual benefits as attending a university.

Hello -- this is the first AWA I have completed. I'm feeling very stumped and hoping for any feedback or comments! Thanks you in advance -- it is so very appreciated! "With the growth of global networks in such areas as economics and communication, there is no doubt that every aspect of society—including education, politics, the arts, and the sciences—will benefit greatly from international influences. As economic and communication advances push for more international relations, these exchanges work to the advantage of society as a whole. When two cultures are in contact, the communication and exchange of ideas is of mutual benefit. Societies can also work together to provide advancements in other areas of general knowledge, such as science and technology. Artistic quality and aesthetics can increase by influence of world cultures. Connections between countries can also help to solve world problems. Better evaluation of societal practices can be accomplished when such practices are compared to the differing views of other cultures. Take, for instance, the state of public education in the United States and China. On one hand, Chinese students score significantly higher in standardized testing, particularly in the areas of math and science. The United States, however, excels in areas of problem solving, creativity, and logical application. Both societies can benefit from the study of the other’s educational system in order to make gains in the area that it is lacking. American schools, in this sense, could thoroughly evaluate schools in China in order to incorporate methods that encourage American students to score higher in math and science. Likewise, Chinese students could benefit from the inclusion of application-based learning that American students often encounter. Only through communication and observation of the other culture can this be made possible, however. Both societies can benefit from the exchange of ideas and practices. Countries can also work together to advance general knowledge that is applicable and useful for the entire world. As the old adage states, “Two heads are better than one.” This idea can also transcend geographic boundaries. Take for example the scientific research laboratory CERN in Switzerland. Scientists from all over the world are invited to CERN in order to aid in scientific and technological advancements. Without the collaboration of these experts, many of the most recent advancements would not have been discovered. When experts in all fields are able to transcend political boundaries in order to collaborate strengths, the world benefits from any discoveries made. The influence of other world cultures can also strengthen areas such as humanities or the arts. Take for example the world of architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Wright was exceptionally influenced by Japanese art and culture after multiple visits to the country. This influence can be seen in many of his famous works. Many other artists have experienced similar influences – musician John Lennon also to Japanese culture and artist Mary Cassett to French impressionism. Societies can benefit from the inclusion of these influences as it helps to create a more aesthetically pleasing and diverse society. Lastly, some world problems require the communication and collaboration of multiple countries in order to be solved. A good example of this is the work of the United Nations. When global safety or health risks occur, the countries involved in the United Nations work together to provide solutions. Some of these solutions may include economic sanctions on uncooperative governments or aid for the impoverished. No matter the method, it is important to note that the outcome of these acts would not be as effective without the collaboration of multiple countries. In exchange, participating countries can feel assured that, should issues occur in their own country, the United Nations will be willing to offer assistance. Without a doubt, countries are becoming more involved with one another due to increased globalization in areas of economics and communication. These interactions, however, are of mutual benefit to the societies of all countries involved. By working together, countries are able to evaluate their own societal practices, advance general knowledge, create a more aesthetically pleasing atmosphere, and solve worldwide problems. Without a doubt, these benefits are essential to the betterment of our world as a whole.

Hello! I am applying for an international studies MA program at the University of Kansas. The program is fairly new, not highly ranked or well known, but is still a good, developing program. I graduated last May with an undergraduate degree (in education) not related to international studies whatsoever, so I'm fighting that uphill battle. The advisor in the MA program urged me to have "strong" GRE scores to give me an advantage in the application process. Their website states that applicants should have at least a 60th percentile in verbal and writing. Quantitative scores are not looked on as heavily, I was told. My undergraduate GPA is 3.8. I have a pretty solid resume of work, volunteer, cultural, and travel experience. I have references from a former professor, my academic advisor, and assistant dean from my undergraduate program. I am also taking graduate-level courses with the program in the fall as a non-degree seeking student. With that said, what would be considered "strong" GRE scores in this case? Thank you in advance!