How to Get a Recommendation Letter for Graduate School

How to Get a Recommendation Letter for Graduate School The letter of recommendation is the part of the graduate school application that students stress most over. As with all elements of the application process, your first step is to be sure that you understand what you’re asking for. Learn about letters of recommendation early, well before it is time to apply to graduate school. What Is a Recommendation Letter? A letter of recommendation is a letter written on your behalf, typically from an undergrad faculty member, that recommends you as a good candidate for graduate study. All graduate admissions committees require that letters of recommendation accompany students’ applications. Most require three. How do you do about getting a letter of recommendation, specifically a good letter of recommendation? Prep Work: Develop Relationships with Faculty Begin thinking about letters of recommendation as soon as you think youd like to apply to graduate school because developing the relationships that are the foundation of good letters takes time. In all honesty, the best students seek to get to know professors and get involved regardless of whether they are interested in graduate study simply because its a good learning experience. Also, graduates will always need recommendations for jobs, even if they dont go to graduate school. Seek experiences that will help you develop relationships with faculty that will get you excellent letters and help you learn about your field. Choose Faculty to Write on Your Behalf Carefully choose your letter writers, keeping in mind that admissions committees seek letters from specific types of professionals.  Learn about what qualities to look for in referees and dont fret if youre a nontraditional student or one who seeks entry to graduate school several years after graduating from college. How to Ask Ask for letters appropriately. Be respectful and remember what not to do. Your professor does not have to write you a letter, so do not demand one. Demonstrate respect for your letter writers time by providing him or her with plenty of advance notice. At least a month is preferable (more is better). Less than two weeks is unacceptable (and may be met with a No). Provide referees with the info they need to write a stellar letter, including info about the programs, your interests, and goals. Waive Your Rights to See the Letter Most recommendation forms include a box to check and sign to indicate whether you waive or retain your rights to see the letter. Always waive your rights. Many referees will not write a non-confidential letter. Also, admissions committees will give letters more weight when they are confidential under the assumption that faculty will be more candid when the student cannot read the letter. Its OK to Follow-Up Professors are busy. There are many classes, many students, many meetings, and many letters. Check in a week or two before its due to see if the recommendation has been sent or if they need anything else from you. Follow-up but don’t make a pest out of yourself. Check with the grad program and contact the prof again if it hasnt been received. Give referees lots of time but also check in. Be friendly and dont nag. Afterwards Thank your referees. Writing a letter of recommendation takes careful thought and hard work. Show that you appreciate it with a thank you note. Also, report back to your referees. Tell them about the status of your application and definitely tell them when you are accepted to graduate school. Theyll want to know, trust me!

Philosophy, Enlightenment and Education Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 1

Philosophy, Enlightenment and Education - Essay Example curriculum is designed and committed to use learning as a tool to stimulate and encourage the best attainable academic progress and results for all students. However, as Aristotle argues, attaining high grades is not the only measure of successful learning. Students at the early learning stages should not be subjected to tests because moral values and character states cannot be assessed through exams. They should, rather, be encouraged to achieve character by practice before intellectual skills are taught. For every subject in each key stage, the study programmes lay out what the students must be taught while the achievement targets lay out the performance standards expected of the students. However, the performance standards do not give any provisions for students with their own views. It would not be right for students to score low marks, denoting a failure, simply because they gave their own views on their understanding of what they have been taught. The curriculum should give roo m for finding a relationship between the learners’ ideas and what is stipulated in the standards. Conversely, its rigidity may only succeed in creating a block of stereotyped knowledge, not considering the flexibility of the learners’ minds. It is only through training mental skills and giving ways of discovery that the aim of making achieving and progressive learners can be achieved. Otherwise, the curriculum is biased towards handing over instruction and thus, presupposed knowledge. It is then up to the teachers to organise their individual curricula and available technology to target individual students’ experience, interests and strengths. The aim of creating confident students, as per the curriculum, assesses confidence by the students’ ability to meet standards. However, confidence cannot be correctly judged by meeting preset standards. A display of confidence would be more accurate if students knowingly followed what they understood from the instru ctions given, rather

Cultural tourism, ecotourism, sport tourism, and other emerging types Research Paper

Cultural tourism, ecotourism, sport tourism, and other emerging types of tourism - Research Paper Example Ecotourism is mainly concerned with enabling the tourist to be enlightened on the effects of human beings on the nature and to help them develop more understanding and love for the natural ecosystems. Generally, ecotourism will involve travel to sites where the plants, animals, and cultural heritage are the main attractions. Ecotourism is becoming a more popular form of tourism in which tourist visit wild and scenic areas such as rain forests, mountains, game reserves, wildlife conservancies for leisure and educational trip, and the tourist are mainly from North America, Europe, or Australia/New Zealand with their destination being mostly the developing countries (Eduweb, 1996). Ecotourism is concerned with integrating conservation, communities, and travel activities a departure from convectional tourism. According to TEIS (1990), those who implement and participate in ecotourism activities should do it in observances of the following ecotourism principles. First, involve travel to n atural destinations, secondly minimize impact, thirdly build environmental and cultural awareness and respect, fourthly, provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts, fifthly, provide direct financial benefits for conservation, more so provide financial benefits and empowerment for the local people, and lastly, raise sensitivity to host countries’ political, environmental, and social climate. Based on these principles, the ecotourism should be in position to analyze environmental and cultural factors, promote conservation through recycling, energy saving activities, avoiding and minimizing pollution, and providing economic gains to the local communities. Ecotourism developed from the global environmental movements in the late 1970s and by the early 1990s, ecotourism along with natured-based cultural, heritage and adventure tourism had transformed, with the global tourism industry being among the fastest growing sectors (TIES, 1990). Ecotourism has helped develop o ther forms of tourism, which borrow from the principles of ecotourism but at the same time, it differs from them. The following descriptions of other forms of tourism can illustrate how ecotourism differs with them though they share some similarities. Adventure travel is a form tourism that involves taking risk and it may involve using unconventional means of transport. The purpose mostly does not include conservation or benefit to local community. Secondly, sustainable tourism involves any form of tourism that does not reduce the availability of resources and does not inhibit future travelers from enjoying the same experience. Thirdly, responsible tourism involves tourism activities or operations, which minimize negative impacts on the environment. Fourthly, nature-based tourism is any form of tourism with focus on nature. Lastly, cultural tourism focuses mainly on interacting with and studying unique cultures (Untamedpath, 2007). The above terms and other terms such as green touri sm, bio-tourism, and low impact tourism have been used in literature and marketing activities to mean ecotourism though they are not the same as ecotourism, an occurrence that confuse tourist and academics in their understanding of ecotourism. The ambiguity and misunderstandings related to description of ecotourism has led to exploitation of many unsuspecting tourists by countries, hotels, destinations, resorts, and corporation making huge profits but

Quality Improvement Plan Essay Example for Free

Quality Improvement Plan Essay For more than a decade, Via Christi has sponsored a variety of initiatives designed to improve the quality of care provided. These efforts have engaged staff, patients and physicians at all levels within the hospital to measure and improve the quality and safety of patient care. At times these initiatives have seen success and failures, but with the recent push for our â€Å"big aim† quality is the major focus. The physicians, nurses, other clinicians and administrative leaders overwhelmingly agreed that Via Christi should adopt the goal of reducing serious safety events by 80 percent over the next three years. Performance Measurement and Quality Improvement Performance measurement is known as the collecting and analysis of data to determine how an organization will reach its potential (The Joint Commission, 2013). Often this type of analysis is seen in engineering, with the recent push in Via Christi, Lean design and Six Sigma black belts have joined the team in quality. A good example of performance measurement is through The Joint Commission. They have outlined a set of performance development methodology that is considered the gold standard in health care today. By meeting these measure hospitals can function at an optimal level regarding quality care. â€Å"Quality improvement consists of systematic and continuous actions that lead to measurable improvement in health care services and the health status of targeted patient groups† (U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2013). It would be hard to not have quality improvement and not have some type of performance measurement to guide the work. Therefore, you need quality improvement to have some type of quality measurement. Via Christis Mission, Services, Goals  Via Christi provides a wide range of services for the community, from rehab to acute care, with a new dedicated focus on long-term care. The mission of Via Christi is derived from the Sister of the Sorrowful Mother and the Sisters of St. Francis and reads as â€Å"Inspired by the Gospel and our Catholic tradition, we serve as a healing presence with special concern for our neighbors who are vulnerable† (Via Christi Hospitals, 2012). At this time Via Christi is embarking on a journey of â€Å"big aim†, which means decreasing serious safety events by eighty percent in three years. An example of how the hospital specifically will tackle this goal is with the work of our central line committee, which is comprised of nursing, Six Sigma black belt engineers, and physicians. This team is reviewing current process and implementing new concepts. Role of Consumers and Quality Indicators The role of patient, families, and friends is one of active engagement with Via Christi. As Via Christi launches into its â€Å"big aim† campaign there is a need for these individuals to help lead the changes through active participation. An example of this type of engagement is how a patient’s son perceived the care of his mother during a hospital stay. The son later contacted the unit manager and offered some feedback regarding the stay, as the unit manager listened she realized that the family had some valid points, such as the long time diabetic mother being allowed to do her own blood sampling and peritoneal dialysis treatments as she was use to at home. So often we take over for the patient in the name of policy, when we could have the patient as an active participant. Some of the external resources available to our community regarding quality indicators would be with The Leap Frog Group. Leap Frog follows quality indicators for hospitals and then issues a grade related to findings. Some of the specific quality indicators for Via Christi are related to central line infection rates, foreign bodies left after surgery and respiratory failure after a surgical procedure. Consumers can access this sight to obtain the information and then ask questions related to findings. This information helps the consumer to be more participative and informed. Feedback Used to Improve Quality At Via Christi, they are just starting to incorporate the consumer into the equation on quality care. The Clinical Practice Council has been formed with all of the various stakeholders to provide the feedback necessary on quality care. The group of physicians, nurses, hospital administrators, and consumers work to review core measures and clinical findings. This group will then make recommendation on how to help move the organization forward. The hospital is working towards being a high reliability organization, through high quality outcomes and patient satisfaction. Conclusion Via Christi serves a wide range of individuals from all generations. As this organization moves forward toward their â€Å"big aim† project of reducing the serious safety events by 80 percent in three years, the consumer will be at the helm helping to guide the decision with feedback, by active participation in councils and satisfaction surveys. All of this work will lead to high quality care being provided to all.

They Call Him Mr. Gacy Essay -- John Wayne Gacy Serial Killers Law

There are numerous portraits, perspectives, and analyses of the life and deeds of American serial killer John Wayne Gacy, who is thought to have sexually assaulted and murdered 32 boys between 1976 and his arrest in December 1978 (Cahill, 1978; Gacy, 1989). This profile of Gacy compiles a birth-to-death chronology of events and activities that may lend insight to the personality of a habitual liar, model citizen, and serial murderer. Born to Marion Elaine Robinson Gacy and John Hanely Gacy on St. Patrick's Day in 1942, John Wayne Gacy was the second of three children. The alcoholic Gacy, Sr. was both physically and verbally abusive towards the entire family. His special interest in John, Jr. was the litany that he was 'dumb and stupid' and an embarrassment to the family. However John Jr. loved his father and strived to please him. John suffered poor health during much of his childhood. After attending four years in high school John Jr. dropped out leaving home for Las Vegas. He worked odd jobs to include a maintenance position at a funeral parlor. There were few decent jobs available in Las Vegas for John Jr., so he saved up enough money to move back to Chicago. Returning to Chicago in the early 1960's he graduated with a degree from a business college. His first job was as a sales person at Nunn-Bush Shoe Company. Quickly moving up in the company, he was soon transferred to a men?s clothing outlet in Springfield, Illinois and promoted to a management position. John Jr.?s took an active interest in the community and became a respected member of several community organizations: the Chi Rho Club as chairman, the Catholic Interclub Council as a member of the board, the Federal Civil Defense for Illinois, Chicag... ... shock A. Lt. Kozenczak?s discovery and the investigation 1. Background check 2. Search warrant 3. Removal of remains 4. Demolition of the Summerdale home a. Remains found in concrete B. Trial 1. Cook County Criminal Courts 2. Prosecutor Bob Egan a. Manipulative behavior b. Rape and torture c. Premeditated and planned 3. Defense attorney Robert Motta a. Insanity plea b. Thomas Eliseo, psychologist c. Schizophrenic, personality disorder and antisocial behavior 4. The verdict a. Two hour deliberation b. Sentenced to Death C. Poking and Proding into the brain of a serial killer 1. The pieces coming together D. Making Money 1. Artwork 2. They Call Him Mr. Gacy E. The End 1. Denied Appeals 2. Famous Last Words

Mary Shelley – Cloning

In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, the topic of cloning and the moral issues relating to it become prevalent. First of all, the creature in the novel was in essence a human clone. The creature was created by Victor Frankenstein in attempt to help humanity by searching of a way to perpetuate life and eliminate death. Ironically, Victor Frankenstein creates a being that takes life away making him, in a way, the real monster of the story. Mary Shelley explores the mindset of society by portraying the way society treats a product of scientific knowledge,such as the practice of human cloning.Shelley depicts society’s reaction to the creature that Victor Frankenstein created as negative, and displays Victor’s reflections on the problems that his creature creates for him. Shelley’s position on cloning is that the possible â€Å"benefits† are not reliable enough to overcome the bad and thus, making the practice of cloning negative. Mary Shelley begins her nove l with a well-known quote from John Milton’s Paradise Lost, â€Å"Did I request thee, Maker, from my clay/ To mold me Man,/ did I solicit thee from darkness to promote me? This rhetorical question made by Adam, a creation of God, epitomize the creatures feelings toward his creator, Victor Frankenstein. The creature is comparing himself as to both Adam and Lucifer, or Satan, as he is shunned and left in abandonment by his own creator, though he strives to be good. Because of the isolation and loneliness that the creature had to deal with, it caused him to turn evil and eventually, into a murderer. Eventually, it also led to Victor Frankenstein’s ruin in attempt to rid humanity of the creature when ironically, was for humanity in the first place.This reveals man’s attempt to play God, to create life from nothingness, can lead to horrible results. Mary Shelley’s novel is also reference to as the â€Å"Modern Prometheus†. Similarly, Prometheus and Vic tor Frankenstein both attempted to create something to benefit humanity; however, their creations ended up harming themselves and this led to their own destruction. Prometheus stole fire for man, trespassing on â€Å"immortal territory† and resulted in having his liver eaten out every night for eternity. In comparison, Victor Frankenstein suffered from prolonged torture and guilt due to his creation murdering all of his loved ones.Both characters go too far and does not accept their own limitations. Similar to Prometheus, who was tied up to a rock, alone in the middle of the sea, Frankenstein feels left out by society and cannot run away from his situation. Victor Frankenstein’s dream is to create a whole species that will bless him, a species of wonderful, perfect beings : â€Å"A new species would bless me as its creator and source; many happy and excellent natures would owe their being to me†. In addition, it seems like Victor Frankenstein wanted to create th e creature to praise him more than to improve and help human nature.Even though, while Frankenstein had a good motive when creating the creature, he failed to ask himself if the creature himself would want to be brought into the world. On the other hand, he refuses his responsibility and flees from the creature after bring it to life. He leaves the creature alone and does not understand the fact that he as the creator is a father and his responsible for his creation. Frankenstein does not teach the creature how to deal with the badness of society and how to treat other human beings.He does not teach the creature from right and wrong and should have accepted the creature as a human, not a ugly monster. Eventually, the creature is, in a sense, corrupted by society, while Frankenstein deserts him due to fear of the creature. Therefore, Victor Frankenstein can be portrayed as a â€Å"monstrous† instead of the creature itself. Even at the end of the novel, he does not learn to acc ept his own failure of moral imaginations and dies without understanding the nature of his own guilt. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is a great depiction of how science advancements, such as a the practice of human cloning, can go wrong.Even though Frankenstein is a fiction novel, contents contained in Frankenstein can well compare to the situations that we have in society today, especially in the field of science. Although some may say the practice of cloning could be used to find about many genes that can cause possible diseases, improving the quality of foods that we eat, and obviate the human aging process; however, it is scientifically proven that 90% of cloning attempts fail to produce viable offspring, cloned beings tend to have weak immune functions, higher rates of infection, develop diseases, alter normal human lifespan, and more.Relating to Frankenstein, the novel displays how discrimination and tension would arise in the world if cloning were to take place. Human clo ning would tear apart the world, and would result in to winning side, just one distraught world, similar to lives of people that were taken away by the creature in Frankenstein. Therefore, if Mary Shelley were to live in the present time, today, she would not approve of the scientific practice of cloning. The â€Å"beneficial† evidences that are believed in the practice of cloning can not overcome how disastrous the world would become if science were to take use of cloning.

The No Child Left Behind Act - 1520 Words

Introduction â€Å"We will not tire, we will not falter, and we will not fail,† is a quote said by former president, George W. Bush, in his address to a joint session of Congress after the September eleventh attacks. The beginning of the twenty-first century marked a start of a revolution. A revolution of social change and global peace. The 2000’s is a decade of advanced technology, new and improved adjustments, and a decade of remembrance. U.S. Political Events The 2000’s brought many changes through different political events to help shape the country and keep it safe. For instance, in 2001, the Patriot Act was signed by Congress by George W. Bush to give the United States Department of Justice the permission to surveil devices that may†¦show more content†¦There were four passenger airliners that included nineteen terrorists (Catastrophic Events in the 2000s 11). American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175 crashed into the north and south tower of the World Trade Center while, American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon and United Airlines Flight 93 crashed into a field in Pennsylvania (Catastrophic Events in the 2000s 11). In 2003, there was an enormous power outage on the Northeastern and Midwestern parts of the United States that affected forty-five million Americans (Catastrophic Events in the 2000s 15). On the early morning of August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast of the United States with one hundred and forty mile per hour winds (Catastrophic Events in the 2000s 26). There were one hundred billion dollars in damages and approximately two thousand deaths (Catastrophic Events in the 2000s 26). Operation Red Dawn was a mission that took place in ad-Dawr, Iraq to capture Saddam Hussein (Catastrophic Events in the 2000s 21). He was captured in a spider-hole without resisting on 13 December 2003(Catastrophic Events in the 2000s 21). Invention, Discovery, and Technological Systems The 2000’s was a decade of remarkable advances. Embryonic Stem Cells have the ability to turn into any type of cell and multiply and have the potential to cure Alzheimer s disease,