Violence in school campuses is not a relatively new concept. There have been documented cases wherein a lax security system in schools has led to school shootings and violent student outbursts. In the US, the more recent cases that gained wide media coverage were the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) massacre and Northern Illinois University shooting, which caused the deaths of numerous students and school personnel. When such events occur, US colleges observe maximum tolerance in their security systems and safety measures, but often fall into a relapse as time progresses.
Guns are strictly prohibited in all US college campuses, but as we learned through the Virginia Tech and Northern Illinois University massacres, students still manage to smuggle handguns and machine guns into college campuses. This says a lot about the need for US colleges to devise and employ stricter safety measures and security checks.
Safety measures employed in US colleges
Most US colleges have guards who roam around the university, including the grounds where on-campus dormitories are located. University guards are, more often than not, effective in controlling student activities such as frat parties, student protests, and keg parties, activities which can potentially lead to dangerous situations. Some US colleges have scanners installed in entry doors as a form of safety measure that prevents smuggling of firearms and dangerous weapons into the campus.
Some US colleges have also implemented a form of PA system for students and school personnel which allows them to receive school announcements and/or messages and warnings. This PA system works by having all the students’ mobile numbers, and dorm phone numbers registered in the school database, allowing fast communication between college authorities and their students. Some universities have also considered using a software that would allow college authorities to locate their students in case of emergencies. This, however, is still being discussed because some students feel that this system will mean a breach in their privacy. In the end, students and parents have to realize that the safety measures in US colleges can only attain maximum effectivity if they are employed and observed in participation with the students themselves, as well as with all campus personnel.
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Thinking about one’s future is very important and should be practiced as early as possible. Doing so
saves time and allows a person to prepare for what is to come. So, while you’re considering which college to apply to, here is a guide to why an all-women’s college is advisable or is not a good option. As you read, consider the goals you value most. This will help you make a wise decision.
Advantages in attending an all-women’s college
1. All-women’s colleges allow female students to foster self-confidence.
Because there are often more female students and teachers in all-women’s colleges, female students feel secure that their teachers know and understand their personal and educational needs. Plus, because they are expected to do well in their lessons, female students recognize that academic excellence is as possible as anything and is not just for the gifted.
2. All-women’s colleges allow female students to make great achievements in their academics.
One reason behind this is that the lessons are taught in ways that cater to the female students’ learning styles. Such styles allow women to learn easily and confidently.
Another reason is that the presence and encouragement of other women in all-women’s colleges boost the interests of female students in learning. There are also no distractions like competition with men in academics. Because of the same-sex environment in these institutions of higher learning, healthy competition is fostered in academics and in other areas such as sports.
Finally, a seemingly cold learning environment experienced in co-educational schools is absent in all-women’s colleges. The absence of the cold learning environment encourages female students to delve deeper into intellectual pursuits.
3. All-women’s colleges enable women to be recognized for leadership positions.
Through the education and extra-curricular activities that they excelled in, female students may be seen in the workforce as people able to lead both women and men.
Disadvantages in attending an all-women’s college
1. All-women’s colleges can be an inadequate avenue for true-to-life leadership training.
Because of the absence of male students in all-women’s colleges, female students learn how to lead only co-females. There is also minimal interaction with males, making female students less knowledgeable on the behavior and thinking processes of men.
2. Some all-women’s colleges provide limited social or cultural diversity.
While this does not apply to all, some all-women’s colleges are specific to a social class or a race. This exclusivity provides female students with minimal experience in dealing with other people from different social ranks and cultures.
After knowing more about why you should or shouldn’t attend an all-women’s college, you should remember to do very well in accomplishing the college admission requirements for the schools of your choice. The college admission essays are particularly challenging; so, you must consult sample college admission essays. Sample college admission essays are excellent guides to writing admission essays.
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Looking to enter the best colleges and universities in the United States? Here are the five best
historically black colleges and universities (HBCU) that offer excellent education to both men and
women. Learn more about the curriculum, values, and admission requirements of each institution.
Spelman College
Spelman College is a private and independent historically black college for women. It was founded in
1881 and is known for promoting the values of leadership, academic excellence, achievement, and environment development and improvement. Women of all races are invited to join the college so that they may participate in learning the liberal arts and the sciences.
Admission requirements: Common Application, application fee, personal essay, transcripts, SAT or ACT scores, signature page and two letters of recommendation
Howard University
Howard University was founded in 1867 and carries with it until today an academic culture of avid
intellectual pursuit, a diverse student body, and a directed vision of success. Men and women from
different countries are invited to apply to Howard University where they will learn not just about the fields that interest them but also about the sciences and the humanities.
Admission requirements: Application form, scores in standardized tests, transcripts, recommendation letters, admission essays
Morehouse College
Morehouse College is a private all-black men’s college that provides a liberal arts education.
Morehouse College is an avenue for fostering spiritual and humanistic values and for providing a sense of belonging among black male students. A long list of famous people are associated with Morehouse College, which includes Martin Luther King Jr., Maynard Jackson, Donn Clenendon, and Shelton “Spike” Lee.
Admission requirements: Application form, standardized test scores, recommendation letters, transcripts, admission essays
Hampton University
Hampton University is a private institution that is also non-sectarian, non-profit, and co-educational. The university welcomes applicants of all races to date and is recognized for its liberal arts and technical education. Applicants, in addition, may enroll to various post-graduate and professional programs should they choose to.
Admission requirements: Downloadable application forms that also contain checklists of all required application items
Fisk University
Fisk University was founded in 1867 and is popular for its slogan, “Success in D.E.T.A.I.L.S. (diversity, excellence, teamwork, accountability, integrity, leadership, and service).” Some famous people associated with the university are John Hope Franklin, Thurgood Marshall, John W. Work Sr., John W. Work Jr., and John W. Work III.
Admission requirements: Downloadable Common Application that includes a checklist of all enrollment requirements.
Note that most of these colleges will require you to submit admission essays. To write excellent admission essays, it is advisable to view well-written sample college admission essays so that you will have an idea on the topics to write about. Sample college admission essays are special guides for writing and are available online.
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Moving on to college or simply transferring? Here is a list of the country’s top 5 women’s colleges. Get acquainted with the college offerings, values, and requirements for the applications.
Bryn Mawr College
Known today for its liberal arts and sciences curriculum, Bryn Mawr College espouses the values of freedom of conscience, intellectual development, and commitment to contributing to the world. The college has offerings of 36 major and 38 minor courses but students may also cross-apply with the University of Pennsylvania, Swarthmore, and Haverford College should they choose to.
Admission requirements: $50 application fee, The Common Application and its supplement, two teacher evaluations, school report, personal statement, mid-year report, TOEFL, SAT and ACT results, and final report.
Barnard College
Barnard College was founded in 1889 in New York City through the efforts of Frederick A.P. Barnard. Barnard was Columbia College’s tenth president and believed that women should be educated and trained with as much intensity as men. Today, the college is popular for its diverse student body, its liberal arts education, and its intent to instill a strong intellectual environment.
Admission requirements: Downloadable Common Application and supplement that contain a checklist of all needed forms, reports and essays.
Mount Holyoke
Mount Holyoke College also offers an indispensable liberal arts curriculum that helps students be trained in proper writing, speaking and critical thinking skills. The college makes available 49 major courses through which students may learn more about the world and humanity. Mount Holyoke College also has the goals of accommodating and excellently educating an international student body and of preparing women for globalization.
Admission requirements: Downloadable Common Application and supplement that lists down the forms, reports, and essays needed.
Wellesley College
Wellesley College is not just known for a liberal arts curriculum but also for being one of the pioneering colleges to offer a distinguished computer science major and computer science department. Wellesley College also promotes the values of intellectual excellence and cultural understanding and interaction to name a few.
Admission requirements: Application form and checklist that may be requested from the Wellesley Office of Admissions or downloaded from the College’s website.
Smith College
Smith College is grounded on a humanities, arts, and sciences curriculum, and it fosters a sense of leadership among the students. Academic excellence and global readiness are also goals of the school for women who are believed to be as talented and as capable as men.
Admission requirements: Downloadable Common Application and supplement, secondary school and midyear report, teacher evaluation forms, essays, SAT and ACT scores.
Note: For assistance and guide to writing college admission essays, use sample college admission essays as a guide. Sample college admission essays are available online.
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