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In the Know: Newsletter of Taleem Department, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, USA

Vol I, Issue 6
March 15, 2012

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What are AP Classes?

AP classes are college level courses offered in high school, specially designed for students attempting to attain college level credit. They give aspiring college students an opportunity to get a head start in their collegiate education. These classes are administered by the Advanced Placement Program which is run by the College Board.  AP Classes are offered for more than 30 subjects, representing a wide array of disciplines. AP classes are considered to be very demanding and they aim to properly prepare students for the rigors of university level education. At the end of the school year, a starndardized test is administered to assess the student’s success in the class. Depending on this score, colleges will award a student college credit for this class, even before stepping foot on the college campus.

Why are they Important?
College credit notwithstanding, recent studies reveal that after GPA and SAT scores, AP classes are the third major deciding factor for colleges in making crucial acceptance decisions. Colleges appreciate a student’s endeavor to participate in rigorous academic experiences. AP classes enable a high school student’s transition to higher education to be easier because of the advanced level of work encountered, as opposed to students who don’t take these classes and find university level education daunting.

Taking AP classes may allow students to skip intro and prerequisite classes and frees up room to take elective courses. This makes it easier to ensure graduating in 4 years and sometimes, even in 2-3 years.

Finally, taking AP classes is a great financial bargain for students. Apart from being able to graduate early, the credits awarded by schools for AP classes are acquired at a greatly reduced rate. An end-of-year AP test costs about $87. As an example, the University of Maryland gives 8 credits for receiving a score of 4 or above (out of 5) on the AP Bio test. A credit hour at the University of Maryland is $290 for in-state students and about $1000 for out of state students. This means that by passing the AP test for Biology with a score of a 4 or 5, a student has saved anywhere from ($290×8)= $2,320 to ($1,000×8)=$8,000! Passing more AP classes while in high school will only add to these savings.
The Khan Academy is an educational organization, created by
hedge-fund analyst and electrical engineer Salman Khan,
a graduate of MIT and Harvard. The Khan Academy website,
http://www.khanacademy.org/  supplies a free online collection
of more than 3,000 short lectures via video tutorials teaching
mathematics, history, medicine, finance, physics, chemistry,
biology, astronomy, economics, cosmology, organic chemistry,
American civics, microeconomics and computer science.

Young Travel Writers Scholarship
Society of American Travel Writers
Deadline: March 15, 2012. Award: $150

Submit a blog, of no more than 800 words, about where you went and what it meant to you, what worked and what didn’t work, what you learned from the trip, or how it changed you. Entries must include text and be illustrated by at least one photo, digital artwork or video and include practical details about your travels. For students between the ages of 18 and 26

Beyond the Boroughs Scholarship
http://www.beyondtheboroughs.org/the-scholarship/scholarship-requirements/
Deadline: March 19, 2012

Scholarships up to $20,000 over four years will be awarded to full-time students who have been accepted to an accredited four-year college, university, or the equivalent.

Odenza Marketing Scholarship
http://www.odenzascholarships.com/awards/8/eligibility_odenza_marketing_scholarship.php
Deadline: March 30, 2012.  Award: $500

The Odenza Marketing Scholarship is available to students in the U.S. and Canada who are between the ages of 16 and 25. You must submit two 500 – word essays to be considered for this award. A minimum 2.5 GPA is also required.

University of Tennessee summer REU Program
http://web.bio.utk.edu/bcmb/summer/reu.html
Deadline: March 30, 2012

Work alongside a team of REU scientists to analyze signal transduction and perception in a plethora  biological systems. This internship runs from May 28th until August 3rd  and includes  $5,000 stipend and an allowance for the cost living, travel and research supplies.

Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship
http://www.jackierobinson.org/apply/application.php, scholarships@jackierobinson.org or 212-290-8600
Deadline: Mar 30, 2012. Award: up to $7,500

Eligibility: Minority graduating high school senior showing leadership potential, demonstrating a dedication to community service, and demonstrating financial need.

APCF – Verizon Scholarship (First Cycle)
Asian Pacific Community Fund
Deadline: March 30, 2012. Award: $1000

The APCF – Verizon Scholarship is available to full – time college freshmen who reside or attend school in California, Oregon, or Washington. You must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and be majoring in math, science, engineering, or any major granting a Bachelor of Science degree to be eligible for this award.

Castle Ink Paperless Scholarship
Castle Ink Cartridges
Deadline:  March 31, 2012. Award: $1000

The Castle Ink Paperless Scholarship is available to students who are currently enrolled in college or planning to attend college in 2012 or 2013. You must be a resident of the U.S. to be eligible for this award. To be considered, you must submit a short essay, YouTube video, tweet, or Facebook status that explains how you “reduce, reuse, and recycle.”

ALA Viral Video Scholarship Contest
American Lawyer Academy, LLC
Deadline: March 31, 2012. Award: $1500

The ALA Viral Video Scholarship Contest is open to high school and college students. To enter, you must create and submit a viral video / public service announcement, of up to 240 seconds, on any topic covering public safety.

Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium Scholarship
Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium, Inc.
Deadline: March 31, 2012. Award: $1000

The Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium Scholarship is available to full – time students who are enrolled or enrolling in a college-level program, or an ASE/NATEF certified post secondary automotive technical program. You must be pursuing a career in the automotive aftermarket, or be the son or daughter of a family in the automotive aftermarket to be eligible for this award. An essay and a letter of recommendation are also required.

Inroads
Internship Contact: 314-241-7488 or info@inroads.org, http://www.inroads.org
Deadline: March 31, 2012

Eligibility: Paid interns are graduating high school seniors, college or university freshmen or sophomores with a B GPA or better, and a combined SAT score of at least 1000, or an ACT score of 20 or better.

A paid multi-year Internship with a top company for those with proven leadership ability and interested in pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, actuarial science, engineering, computer and information sciences, sales, marketing, allied health, healthcare management, and retail store management.

Danon Probiotics Scholarship for Incoming/Current Graduate Students
http://www.dannon.com/fellowship.
Deadline: March 31, 2012    Award: Up to $25,000

Eligibility: College Senior or Graduate Student
An all-expense-paid trip to the Danone Research Center in France to explore topics in probiotics, nutrition, and human physiology alongside leading experts; this unique experience will offer the winning student access to and networking opportunities with top international researchers.

AICPA Scholarship for Minority Accounting Students
Contact: http://www.aicpa.org/Career/DiversityInitiatives/Pages/smas.aspx and/or scholarships@aicpa.org
Deadline: April 1, 2012 Award: $3,000

Eligibility: US or Permanent Resident with financial need. An underrepresented minority and must be pursuing an undergraduate or graduate-level degree in an ―accounting-related

Categories: Americas, Education, Educational Resources

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