Information about the Verizon FiOS Services

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Coming to consumers through fiber optic networks is FiOS, a cable, broadband internet and telephone service from Verizon. People can choose among some of the FiOS offerings, and even package them together for price savings, plus use online codes to get the cost down a lot more. Verizon commonly provides periodic offers, specifically for new clients, which consist of fantastic starting costs. Potential customers can benefit from such excellent brand new promotions as a money card when they sign up for specific packages.
Verizon is a unique telecommunications business that links consumers and business owners with innovative mobile technology on the market.
Services
FiOS
Verizon is an innovator in rolling out a fiber optic network for non-commercial clients. Actually, the Fios program has existed for only under A decade. As a result of geographical limits within the network and/or local program contracts, FiOS may not be found in all states in the united states. Those people who are considering getting these services ought to check with Verizon or online sites for example spendlessandsavemore and make sure that Fios is provided in their community, as there are a multitude of locations where customers can’t obtain it. In certain areas, not every one of the Verizon FiOS offerings is going to be offered.

  • FiOS Digital Voice – Clients searching for voice over IP phone service can pick FiOS Voice. At this time, Verizon is not continuing to expand FiOS in areas where it doesn’t presently occur. The major difference between voice over internet and regular phone service tends to be that FIOS Voice requires an operating Web connection to make telephone calls. There are lots of FiOS Voice plans to pick from, from unlimited local calling to pay-as-you-go options.
  • FiOS TV -FiOS cable provides different program levels like HD, Prime HD, Extreme HD, Ultimate HD. With FiOS TV, clients are going to be thrilled with the station line-up, with over Hundreds of channels.
  • FiOS Internet – FiOS broadband is suggested to be one of the fastest high speed internet connections in the U.S. Online data transfer rates available are among the quickest available, and it’s also extremely dependable as well. Verizon makes it easy to decide on the connection speeds each client demands.

Verizon boasts several wireless plans along with the latest smartphones. Verizon always offers special offers for its cellular services, as well. Verizon also offers various tablet computers obtainable. Data is not provided on the fiber optic network, but Verizon does have a 4G network for smartphones.
Any individual trying to find new broadband, digital voice or television service should think about Verizon FIOS if available. Promotions take place throughout the year, which means that consumers who wish to move to FiOS should make sure that they can obtain it within their area and then see what promotional offers could be readily available.

Colleges Misreport Data for U.S. News Rankings

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The competition for high achieving students has lead colleges to falsify their school’s rankings and admission scores to appear more prestigious. What students don’t know is that the validity of a school’s score is rarely independently verified, so, it is easy for a school’s admissions officers to submit inflated school data, SAT scores, and overall school rankings.
Colleges Misreport Data for U.S. News Rankings
Besides SAT scores, colleges inflate their graduation rates, their freshmen retention rates, their student to faculty ratio, and the number of students receiving financial aid. Colleges feel these figures are important in helping students determine which college they want to attend. But, according to a group of college students polled,
a school’s rankings were not as important as once thought.

So why do schools feel it necessary to falsify their results? A top reason is to attract more students. School recruiters know that students and parents want the most for their money, and high school rankings suggest that students are getting the best education for their money. Schools with higher rankings can also justify their tuition cost, or, increase their reputation among competing colleges.

When school admissions officials were questioned in a Gallop poll survey, they admitted to a possibility that 91 percent of colleges falsify their results to appeal to more students. But, in a poll by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration survey, the US News and World Report rankings are not the most important factor for students deciding on a collage to attend. In fact, it rated sixth. They rely more on word of mouth from friends, family, and the media.

Verizon adds “record-high” but still has a loss

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Verizon continues to gain customers through smartphones and Verizon Fios. In the 4th quarter of 2012, Verizon gained $2.1 million net customers for a total of $98.2 million customers. More customers were gained in the 4th quarter than in the previous two quarters of 2012. Broadband connections totaled 8.8 million in 2012 which was a 1.4% increase from 2011. Verizon reported that 2012 revenues totaled $115.8 billion, which was an increase of 4.5% above 2011. Cash flow from operating activities increased by 5.7% as compared to 2011. Verizon’s balance sheet improved with year-end total debt of $52 billion, down from $55.2 billion at year-end in 2011. CEO Lowell McAdams reported that 2012 was a year of solid progress.
Verizon adds “record-high” but still has a loss
Even with these gains, Verizon had losses due to Hurricane Sandy and a one-time pension charge. Verizon reported $135 million in damages from Hurricane Sandy.

Verizon continues to invest in infrastructure through the roll-out of its 4G LTE mobile broadband networks and replacement of its residential copper network. Verizon Wireless 4G LTE service is available to more than 273 million people making this the largest 4G LTE network in the U.S. Replacement of Verizon’s residential copper network with fiber optics enhances services to customers and reduces repair costs. Introduction of the Verizon Share Everything Plan in June allows customers to add smartphones and tablets to the same plan. Average revenue per account grew by 6.6% in the 4th quarter as a result of this introduction. This good news in the 4th quarter of 2012 positions Verizon for a bright future in 2013.

Interested in a Verizon FiOS bundle plan?  Save on your purchase with a Verizon FiOS promo code.

The Average Cost of a College Education in the U.S.

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Just when we thought the hard part was over (i.e. the college application process), the realization that my husband and I would have to pay for college set in. We always knew (hoped) the college bills would one day arrive and opened 529 accounts when our children were each born. But the reality of the cost of a college education is often paralyzing, especially when we as parents wanted to take as much of the financial burden off our children as possible.

Unfortunately, for all but a few in our society, a college education in the United States is incredibly expensive. Very few people can afford to go to college without resorting to some form of financial aid, which often means going deeply into debt (in fact, I am still paying off my own college loans from 30 years ago). The crippling phenomenon of education costs growing more than inflation and a deteriorating economy and job market, many people may be asking themselves whether they should be going to college at all.

The Rising Cost of Education

According to recent data, the average cost for attending a moderately priced, in-state college during the 2011-2012 academic year was $21,447. For more expensive private colleges, the average annual price tag was about $42,224. Keep in mind this is for a single year; when one considers that many students can expect to spend between two and six years in college, the price tag is astounding.

As one could probably guess, the biggest reason for this high price tag is college tuition. This is what a college charges for the instruction that it provides to students. It varies from one school to the next and even from one major to the next, but most colleges charge by the unit that makes up an academic year. Typically, students in science, engineering, medical and fine arts programs can expect to pay the most money, while students who are only attending shorter certificate programs can expect to play considerably less.

The other major expenses for college students come in the form of student fees. These fees cover basic services such as parking, library access, student ID cards, health insurance, graduation expenses, textbooks and supplies. Of course, some of these services are more essential than others, but it is nearly impossible not to attend college and not have to pay at least some of these fees. This takes many first-time students off-guard, and many students run into problems when they find that they cannot pay for things that many would say are necessary for academic success.

Finally, housing costs often contribute to the total price tag of a college education. For obvious reasons, attending an out-of-state college will add to housing costs, so many students who are on a modest budget choose to attend a school closer to their home. Since housing costs can go over $10,000 for private colleges, living at home and commuting to a nearby school is a popular option for many students.

Although college can be incredibly expensive, you shouldn’t let that high price tag scare you away. No matter who you are or what your socioeconomic background may be, remember that there are options available to you to help pay for college. Financial aid is available in the form of grants, loans or even scholarships to those who qualify. Virtually every school has a financial aid department to help you navigate the financial aid application process, a process that is often more cumbersome and trying than applying to the school itself! Use the financial aid staff’s knowledge to guide you and always be cognisant of the financial aid deadlines — once they pass for a given year, you may be out of luck.

The Top 10 Universities in the United States

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Each year, U.S. News and World Report publish the top 10 universities in the United States.

This is the premier list and ranks universities in all educational aspects. This list also looks the school’s master and doctoral programs. If you have a child who aspires to go to a top tier, competitive school, then the list will serve him/her well, but for the majority of folks, it’s just interesting reading material!

1. Harvard University consistently ranks at number one. It is the oldest higher education facility in the country. Harvard also boasts the largest endowment of any school in the world.

2. Princeton ties with Harvard for number one. Princeton is a private school and is well known as the first school to give out grants instead of loans to students who needed financial aid.

3. Yale University which is located in New Haven, Connecticut has a small college feel. This is due to the fact that the school is separated into 12 separate colleges.

4. Columbia University is in New York City. One of the benefits of this college is the fact that it guarantees student housing for all four years of a student’s undergraduate degree.

5. The University of Chicago is quite famous for churning out publishers. It also boasts the largest scavenger hunt in the world.

6. MIT or the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is not only world renowned for its math and science departments, but the school is also known for a wide variety of other highly competitive areas of study such as architecture, humanities and a variety of social science programs.

7. Stanford University gives students the opportunity to participate in a wide selection of research projects and is in an amazing location just outside of San Francisco.

8. Duke University is more often known their basketball team, but it is also an incredibly competitive and highly regarded academic institution.

9. The University of Pennsylvania was actually founded by Benjamin Franklin. The Wharton School of Business stands out from most other business schools around the country.

10. The California Institute of Technology rounds out the top 10. What sets this school apart from the others is the incredibly low student to teacher ratio.

Popular Majors

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When it comes to college majors these days, students seem to be playing it safe choosing majors for careers with the highest earning potential. The reason for this is simple – a roller coaster economy, and tight job market, are forcing people to make choices for a major that will enable them to gain employment in the long run.

One of the majors that people flock to in good and bad economic times is business management. Increasingly, students are selecting this major and shoring it up with a wide selection of complimentary courses such as marketing or accounting. Having a well rounded business degree is very attractive to employers.

Another major that interests many people is computer science. Technology is changing on a regular basis. Companies need people with up to date training who can handle the ever-changing IT climate. As businesses are pushing towards cyberspace on an ever increasing basis, people with a computer major will thrive in the private and public sector.

Another major that is very popular with students is nursing. The job growth in this field increases every year. The opportunities for advancing in this field are tremendous. Nursing jobs can be found all over the country. One can work in a hospital setting, a private nursing situation, or in a doctor’s office. In short, there will always be a need for a nurse with a degree.

Another popular major is education. There will always be a need for teachers at all levels of the educational field. There are many reasons why people gravitate towards this field. Many like the challenge of teaching young people and enriching the lives of youth. Many teachers like the schedule and the time it affords one to spend with their own family. Whatever the reason, if a person selects education as his major, he will have a rewarding career on many levels.

The bottom line is a college student needs to make some prudent choices as to the major they select. While there are certainly the play-it-safe areas of study, according to some, most people will change jobs, if not professions, quite often in their career so majors might not factor as important. I told my kids it is more important to study something they enjoy so they will do well — professional success is often determined more by tenacity, perseverance and competency than by degree.

Top 10 Universities in the World

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There are many great schools/universities in the United States, as well as around the world. There are of course objective criteria that go into ranking schools as “the best”, but there is also a fair amount of subjective criteria.

I’ve read through a number of online sources and these ten schools were consistently rated as a top university (in no particular order):

1. Stanford University, whose name is really Leland Stanford Junior University, in California, boasts approximately 8,300 graduates and 6,800 undergraduates every year. This school has a reputation for putting its students into reputable employment places such as Google, Sun Microsystems, Cisco Systems, and Hewlett-Packard.

2. As one of the popular universities that offers higher education, Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the city of Cambridge earned its bragging rights for being responsible for making seventy-five Nobel laureates, thirty-one people became MacArthur Fellows, and forty-seven students were awarded the National Medal of Science.

3. Having created sixty-five Nobel laureates, University of California in Berkeley places as a top university in the world. This school accepts, annually, approximately 25,530 graduates and 10,313 undergraduates.

4. What top university list would be complete without Harvard University, which is America’s oldest institution of higher learning and was founded in 1636, 140 years before the Declaration of Independence was signed. Harvard has more than 18,000 students in total (undergraduate and graduate) at its main campus with 10 principal academic units.

5. In New Haven, Connecticut, Yale University is the third oldest of all universities that offers higher education in America. This school also boasts having had five US Presidents as former students or graduates.

6. Another top university in the world that calls the U.S. as its home is Purdue University which accepts students based on the results of their entry tests. This school is located in West Lafayette, Indiana.

7. In China, Shanghai Jiaotong University is considered to be one of the oldest schools, whose membership belongs to C9 League. C9 League is made up of top rated universities in China. This school is also known as Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

8. In Cambridge, UK, every year approximately 18,396 students attend University of Cambridge. This school places second place as the oldest school in this country that has the most attendees that speak English as well as having produced sixty-one Nobel laureates.

9. University of Oxford, in England, competes with University of Cambridge for the first-place slot in list of top higher education schools in United Kingdom. This university also boasts as the oldest living school with English-speaking students.

10. Cornell University is based in Ithaca, New York and offers seven graduate programs as well as seven schools for undergraduates. Annually, approximately 20,633 students are enrolled there.

Armed with this information, anyone can choose to go to one of above-mentioned for the best higher education experience. For an all-encompassing list of top universities around the globe, read here.

How the College Admissions Process Works

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Every year, millions of students enter some form of college in preparation for their lives as wage-earners, whether their area of study has anything to do with their eventual profession doesn’t seem to matter any more. The first step in going to college is understanding and preparing for the college application process.

If you are a high school senior, or maybe have taken some time off after high school and are interested in college, your first step should be to find a few colleges that you are interested in. Before getting started, start by reading college selection books or maybe speaking to a guidance counselor. Get a sense of the type of college that would suit your needs and interests. On many college website, the school will outline many things, including the academic departments, extracurricular activities, and other items that you might want to consider for the application process.

College Application
Most colleges will require you to fill out a college application. Within this application, the school will ask personal information, such as where you live and background information about your family. Most applications also ask that you answer a personal essay. Normally, the school will supply you with the question — it is imperative that you answer the question! This seems like an obvious and basic rule of thumb, but you would be surprised how many applicants do not actually answer the essay question(s). Many students use The Common Application, which is an application that many schools will accept for admission. Make sure to enclose the application fee, as there is almost always one, or your application will not be complete.

High School Transcripts/Recommendations
Colleges will also ask for your high school transcripts which will show how well you did in school. The high school transcripts will also tell the college what type of course load you took in high school and if you took the proper courses in preparation for college. Most colleges also ask for a few teacher recommendations. The recommendations are very important because they allow your teachers to evaluate and explain your work ethic beyond your transcript.

SAT/ACT Scores
Most four year colleges require that you take the SAT or the ACT. The SAT and ACT are standardized tests designed to test your intellectual capabilities in college. The SAT has a math, verbal and writing sections, while the ACT has a math, reading, science and English sections. The higher your score on these exams, the more attractive your application will be to colleges.

Financial Aid Documents
If you are looking to apply for financial aid, you will have to fill out certain documents. Most schools require the FAFSA, which is an application for federal aid. In addition, your school may require you to fill out a financial aid application for the particular school.

Supplemental Information
Each school may require a student to submit supplemental information, such as a resume, portfolio, an additional essay, etc. The school will outline the other information they may need to complete your application and again, it is imperative that you include all supplemental information that will make your application stand out from the pack.

After you submit the information, either electronically or by mail, the school will then notify you as to if you have been accepted, rejected, or wait-listed. Sometimes, before a decision is made, the school will request an in-person interview, if possible.

The waiting time during the decision process is often the most painful part, especially if applicants have a favorite choice. If there is a “first choice,” it might serve you well to apply early decision if the school offers this. By applying early decision, you are essentially agreeing to attend the school if ultimately accepted. While seemingly daunting, the college application process can be manageable if the student and parent are organized and follow all instructions.