Furman University Acceptance Rate, SAT/ACT Scores, GPA

Furman University is a private liberal arts college with an acceptance rate of 61%. Located in Greenville, South Carolina, Furman is noted for its high level of student engagement. Over 80% of students take part in internships or undergraduate research programs. The university can boast of a chapter of  Phi Beta Kappa for its strengths in the liberal arts and sciences. Furman has an impressive 11-to-1  student/faculty ratio, and an average class size of 13. On the athletic front, the Furman Paladins compete in the NCAA Division I  Southern Conference. Considering applying to Furman University? Here are the admissions statistics you should know, including average SAT/ACT scores and GPAs of admitted students. Acceptance Rate During the 2017-18 admissions cycle, Furman University had an acceptance rate of 61%. This means that for every 100 students who applied, 61 students were admitted, making Furmans admissions process competitive. Admissions Statistics (2017-18) Number of Applicants 5,469 Percent Admitted 61% Percent Admitted Who Enrolled (Yield) 21% SAT Scores and Requirements Furman has a test-optional standardized testing policy. Applicants to Furman may submit SAT or ACT scores to the school, but they are not required.  During the 2017-18 admissions cycle, 40% of admitted students submitted SAT scores. SAT Range (Admitted Students) Section 25th Percentile 75th Percentile ERW 630 710 Math 600 700 ERW=Evidence-Based Reading and Writing This admissions data tells us that of those who submitted scores during the 2017-18 admissions cycle, most of Furmans admitted students fall within the top 20% nationally on the SAT. For the evidence-based reading and writing section, 50% of students admitted to Furman scored between 630 and 710, while 25% scored below 630 and 25% scored above 710. On the math section, 50% of admitted students scored between 600 and 700, while 25% scored below 600 and 25% scored above 700. While the SAT is not required, this data tells us that a composite SAT score of 1410 or higher is competitive for Furman University. Requirements Furman does not require SAT scores for admission. For students who choose to submit scores, note that Furman participates in the scorechoice program, meaning that the admissions office will consider your highest score from each individual section across all SAT test dates. Furman does not require the essay portion of the SAT. ACT Scores and Requirements Furman has a test-optional standardized testing policy. Applicants may submit SAT or ACT scores to the school, but they are not required. During the 2017-18 admissions cycle, 50% of admitted students submitted ACT scores. ACT Range (Admitted Students) Section 25th Percentile 75th Percentile English 27 34 Math 25 30 Composite 28 32 This admissions data tells us that of those who submitted scores during the 2017-18 admissions cycle, most of Furmans admitted students fall within the  top 11% nationally  on the ACT. The middle 50% of students admitted to Furman received a composite ACT score between 28 and 32, while 25% scored above 32 and 25% scored below 28. Requirements Note that Furman does not require ACT scores for admission. For students who choose to submit scores, Furman participates in the scorechoice program, meaning that the admissions office will consider your highest score from each individual section across all ACT test dates. Furman does not require the ACT writing section. GPA In 2019, the middle 50% of Furman Universitys incoming class had high school GPAs between 3.4 and 3.9. 25% had a GPA above 3.9, and 25% had a GPA below 3.4. These results suggest that most successful applicants to Furman University have primarily A and B grades. Self-Reported GPA/SAT/ACT Graph Furman University Applicants Self-Reported GPA/SAT/ACT Graph. Data courtesy of Cappex. The admissions data in the graph is self-reported by applicants to Furman University. GPAs are unweighted. Find out how you compare to accepted students, see the real-time graph, and calculate your chances of getting in  with a free Cappex account. Admissions Chances Furman University, which accepts fewer than two-thirds of applicants, has a competitive admissions pool. However, Furman also has a  holistic admissions  process and is test-optional, and admissions decisions are based on much more than numbers. A strong  application essay, short answer response, and  glowing letters of recommendation  can strengthen your application, as can participation in meaningful  extracurricular activities  and a  rigorous course schedule. The college is looking for students who will contribute to the campus community in meaningful ways, not just students who show promise in the classroom. Students with particularly compelling stories or achievements can still receive serious consideration even if their grades and scores are outside of Furmans average range. In the graph above, the blue and green dots represent accepted students. You can see that most successful applicants had A- or higher averages, SAT scores of about 1200 or higher (ERWM), and ACT composite scores of 25 or higher. Note that grades are much more important than standardized test scores due to Furmans test-optional admissions policy. If You Like Furman University, You Might Also Like These Schools Carleton CollegeColby CollegeColgate UniversityDenison UniversityGettysburg CollegeGrinnell College All admissions data has been sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics and Furman University Undergraduate Admissions Office.

Eliminating Salary Disparities Between Men And Women

What should be done to eliminate salary disparities between men and women? Income inequalities among the genders are often reported in numerous countries around the world with some having a very high disparity rate. This disparity is referred to as gender wage gap and is measured as the ratio between the women s median earnings and the men s median earning in a certain period. According to American Association of University Women (AAUW), the United States had a gender wage gap of about 22% in 2013 (Glynn, Sarah, Milia and Emily 2). This means that women earned about 78% of the earnings of their male counterparts. According to Bennett, the U.S Department of Labor recorded a gender wage gap of 18% weekly in 2013; Since the 1970s, this gap†¦show more content†¦Some of the solutions to this menace include: Firstly, increasing equal access to education (Chang 4). Secondly, supporting income initiatives of working families (Covert 6). Thirdly, increasing better data collection and analysis by the stakeholders (Bennett 3). Training initiatives on salary negotiation skills to improve the women average annual wages. Increasing the statutory minimum wage level for all workers in the country (Gouveia 4). Federal government should increase its investment in affordable and high quality childcare institutions (Glynn, Sarah, Milia and Emily 2). Enacting of Legislations that support women and family so as the women as able to earn a decent salary as well as take decent care of their families (Thompson 15). Finally, encouraging women to join unions so as their interests would be advocated for better (Gouveia 14). Education. The first solution to eliminating and reducing this wage gap in the present society and in the future is the implementation of education strategies aimed at giving all children regardless of their gender equal education opportunities (Chang 4). The emphasis on scientific, technological, engineering and mathematical courses for the girls will help them in accessing good jobs their male counterparts have predominant access to. Studies have shown that women have declined from accepting such courses as

Fahrenheit 451 Dystopian Society free essay sample

Even though the government makes people believe that they have freedom of choice and that they are in total control of their lives, the dystopian society in ‘Fahrenheit 451‘ resembles the present day world because people have stopped questioning the government mainly due the fact that they have stopped reading which makes them ignorant and their lack of knowledge and their inability to think makes the government’s job easier to control and manipulate them through fear . Another reason why the society in ‘Fahrenheit 451’ resembles the current world is the excessive use of technology, television, internet and the lack of empathy and love. The society shown in the book is highly conservative and is afraid of the government. People shown in this dystopian society are ignorant and they have lost their ability to think or to question. The government doesn’t want people to read books because books provoke thoughts and make people think and question. We will write a custom essay sample on Fahrenheit 451 Dystopian Society or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Fahrenheit 451’ was written in 1953 predicting the future of the American society where books would be illegal. Though this prediction was wrong and books are still legal but the main idea does actually reflect in our present society. People in general have stopped reading and are losing their ability to think. There is a lack of creativity. One of the main reasons behind people not reading books is due to the popularity of television, internet and media in general. According to the New Harris Poll an average adult user spends 24 hours or more on the internet each week. This is an alarming number because people are more into socializing on the internet rather than having real life interactions. This is exactly like the society in Fahrenheit 451 where the government has removed porches, front lawns and rocking chairs mainly because they don’t want people to socialize, think and talk. Another reason why the society in ‘Fahrenheit 451’ resembles the modern world today is the total reliance on technology and computers. Humans have lost the ability to do simple straight forward tasks. People sit in front of the television kill time watching boring programs fed by the government. There is a lack of creativity and appreciation for nature. People are constantly being brainwashed through long advertisement boards as seen in the book. They are shown taking sleeping pills to relieve their stress and forget about their miserable state. This is exactly what is happening to people nowadays. There is a lot of stress and misery without actual happiness leading to mental health problems and depression. According to Health Canada and Statistics Canada, approximately 8% of adult Canadians will experience a major depression/anxiety at some point in their lives, and around 5% will in a given year. â€Å"Modern technology is affecting our sleep. The artificial light from TV and computer screens affects melatonin production and throws off circadian rhythms, preventing deep, restorative sleep. † Says David Volpi M. D (Otolaryngology surgeon) The final reason why the present day society is similar to the society in ‘Fahrenheit 451’ is due to the lack of empathy and love in relationships. The protagonist Montag in the book is shown to have a shallow relationship with his wife. His wife is an unsupportive woman and leaves him when he needs her the most. This is exactly where the relationships these days are going. There are increased divorce rates. According to a research article on CBC News, 4 out of 10 first marriages end in divorce. Main reason for these divorces is stated to be alcohol and drugs. Montag’s wife is shown taking drugs frequently, she is addict. All in all, the dystopian society in the novel ‘Fahrenheit 451’ is merely a reflection of the present society and social problems relating to it. Main reasons being, is the use of excess technology , lack of real life social interactions, not reading books that provoke thought , lack of empathy and love in relationships and people being more interested in being alone and watching T. V than having a real conversation with people.

October Sky Essays - American People Of German Descent, Laura Dern

October Sky How about I believe in the unlucky ones? If I don't I'd probably go crazy.(Laura Dern, October Sky) This could arguably be the most important line in the entire movie, in my opinion. This teacher recognizes the potential in every student, not only the ones with visible ability. This, I would hope, would be the goal of every teacher. Teachers have the greatest gift in the world - - the ability to help shape a student's life. Recognized and appreciated he or she can use that to present a world of opportunities to those who may not have had any. This was true in October Sky; the Rocket Boys were from a small failing mining community, where little expectations were placed on them and even less opportunities were available. When Dern's character was accused of giving the boys false hopes she held her grounds and continued to support the boys. This to me is an example of a great teacher, one who will continue to do what he or she thinks is right regardless of whether it earns her the disapproval of the rest of the staff. The movie October Sky gives a very positive representation of a teacher. She is a role model, a friend, a source of information, a defender, and a fighter. She is portrayed as compassionate, understanding, and very beneficial in keeping the students directed toward their goals. This would seem to say that teachers need these qualities in order to fully relate to their students. A teacher can not only be there for informational needs, but must also stand behind her students and be prepared to defend their rights to discover themselves. A teacher should be prepared to recognize hidden potential; it is in almost every student. This is a difficult task, especially if the student also brings great adversity, however, it is not impossible; Dern's character realized this. Every teacher will have a student in his or her classroom with hidden ability; despite the student's possibility for greatness, the great teacher will be measured by her ability to see the potential inside that student.

Cleveland Clinic Strategies Analysis Essay

Cleveland Clinic Strategies Analysis Essay Cleveland Clinic Strategies Analysis Essay Example Cleveland Clinic Strategies Analysis Essay Example Internal Weaknesses and Strengths Cleveland Clinic is a multi-specialty academic organization that combines hospital and clinical care with education and research. The Clinic was founded in 1921 by doctors who used to work in the military. Their experience had taught them that, when physicians work together as a unit, they could increase the chances of improving the care given to the patients. The Clinic is non-profit one; in other words, its primary objective is to provide care to clients. This paper focuses on the analysis of the Clinics’ internal and external environments in order to understand its strategies and how they relate to the components identified in the evaluation. A SWOT analysis of Cleveland Clinic has revealed that planning is the entity’s greatest weakness. Planning Planning determines activities that are vital for the achievement of Clinic’s goals (Allen, 2014). Cleveland Clinic has a planning process that distinguishes appropriate actions that are likely to result in desirable outcomes. A part of the organization’s corporate strategy is forming joint alliances with the Community Health Systems, which is a profit-making chain of hospitals. These alliances aim to share the good practices developed at Cleveland Clinic in order to improve healthcare in other hospitals. The venture provides an avenue for Cleveland Clinic to grow. The organization’s plans include building outpatient facilities; it is an effective response to the trends in the industry. The outpatient facilities that are working to promote care after treatment are on the rise. Despite the existence of the planning process, some flaws in it limit the organization’s ability to respond to the external threats such as increased competition, for example. A weak ness in the planning process is evident in the decision to focus on heterogeneous clients. The Clinic serves people from all walks of life and treats every illness. The scope denies the Clinic a chance to increase its competencies in specific services. The Clinic’s functional strategy depends on the standardization of processes. A shortcoming of this plan is the fact that there are other healthcare providers that provide specialized services. These corporations have decided to focus on the specialty treatment because they have identified the weakness in such providers as Cleveland Clinic. When a firm specializes in a process or activity, it achieves the learning scale in the field of specialization (Burke, 2010). Consequently, such an establishment can offer better services in its market segment than a competitor that serves various segments. A part of the long-term plans is to focus on increasing the use of technology with the aim to enhance service delivery. An electronic platform is very comprehensive and span across all the aspects of the Clinic’s operations. Although the aim of a holistic integration of technology is to increase efficiency, it may erode intended gains. For instance, the integration reduces the need for online customers to visit healthcare facilities if they can solve their problems virtually. Patients catered for in the in-house settings receive a better high-touch care than online customers. Since the customer perception is an integral part of the quality evaluation system, the gap between the virtual and physical services may cause dissatisfaction and, consequently, lower quality. When a competitor comes with better ways to promote the quality of care, Cleveland Clinic may not have the flexibility to respond appropriately because of the scope of the technological use in its entire system. So me of the technological innovations that have originated from Cleveland Clinic have been spun off to become independent entities. The spinning off may allow companies to have leeway in the security of technologies they create. Since Cleveland Clinic is not a profit-oriented organization, it has managed to ensure that technologies it uses meet all appropriate requirements that would assure clients of their medical records’ privacy. The span off firms may prioritize profits at the expense of privacy issues. Any leakage of medical records would lead to legal suits that may taint Cleveland Clinic’s reputation and cause a market share loss. Cleveland Clinic has undertaken several changes in its plans and strategies in the recent past. An organization has changed its operational plans by shifting physicians’ focus from the volume-based to value-based outcomes. A result of these changes has been the adoption of physician integration, which involves engaging physicians in decision-making that concerns the quality of care. The change entails restructuring of the work processes, and it is very expensive. A considerable drawback of the plan is that, while the costs are high, the results are rather uncertain. When the Clinic undertakes such a venture with uncertain benefits, it incapacitates its response to the emerging economic conditions. For instance, the Clinic is facing reduced reimbursement from the government. Previously, the government provided funding to healthcare providers that had instituted the quality reporting to motivate them to continue with the good practice. However, political decisions by the governm ent in the recent past have made the quality reporting a requirement for all providers. As a result, there is no need to provide financial incentives for the quality reporting. Financial ramifications of such organizations as Cleveland Clinic are enormous. Consequently, Cleveland Clinic may not afford an investment in the environmental sustainability. Numerous firms around the world are focusing on sustainability measures in order to reduce their impact on the environment (Kondalkar, 2010). Sustainability requires financial resources, which are currently scarce due to the prioritization of risky processes. The implication of a weak environmental conservation policy includes reduced funding from charitable institutions that form a part of Cleveland Clinic’s financiers. Moreover, the failure to address sustainability adequately can lead to the loss of clients because customers are currently supporting corporations with a conservation agenda. A planning process should reduce spending on high-risk activities with the aim to cover the cash shortfall resulting from the economic changes. Leading The leading function of Cleveland Clinic has been a strength that supports its strategy implementation. The Clinic’s leadership has been exemplary and has contributed to its reputation. The CEO, Delos Cosgrove, has played a critical role in the organization’s care measurement since he took over leadership in 2004. His communication skills have assisted him in implementing his vision concerning care measurement in the whole corporation. Since the man is a medical doctor, he possesses skills that empower him to understand effects of his strategies on each aspect of Cleveland Clinic. A part of his strategy is publishing the care measurement plan for the public to see. The move has motivated employees to improve their performance because they do not want to face shame because of underperforming. His participation in the U.S. Air Force as a doctor is ideal for understanding Cleveland Clinic, which was founded by the war veterans. He has a powerful Chief Human Resource Office r (CHRO) with experience in cultural and organizational change and quality systems management. The CHRO has been vital in preparing employees and designing job descriptions that align with the change. Controlling The controlling function is a strength that has empowered Cleveland Clinic by maintaining the quality, curtailing financial wastage, and ensuring practices align with the strategies and objectives. The employee performance appraisals rely on the quality of care instead of the volume of patients served. Making the quality outcomes measurements public allows underperformers to make adjustments and high achievers in order to set new goals and either improve or maintain its productivity. The publicity also appreciates the top performers so that they can remain motivated to sustain the quality standards. The internal financial controls include a certification of controls by the management (Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 2015). The management ascertains on a quarterly basis that there are internal mechanisms that ensure the best practices in financial auditing and reporting. Its information technology is the best in the market because Cleveland is the market leader in healthcare-related tech nologies. Organization The organizing function of the management is a supporting pillar that reflects the strength of Cleveland Clinic. The Clinic uses a matrix organizational design because of the complexity of its operations. The design reflects functions, products, and geographical dispersion of operations. The jobs are designed to align with the institutes, which are the multi-disciplinary systems for collaboration. The Clinic has organized institutes according to organ systems and related diseases. The employees in each institute provide a flawless service to patients through collaboration with the aim to cover every aspect of the illness. Through these institutes, the Clinic enhances the quality of care and reduces readmission. The workers receive salaries and enjoy other benefits, which correlate with their performance on the quality metrics. Cultural inclusion of minorities and diverse people provides the Clinic with a pool of talents that has varied problem-solving skills (Browaeys Price, 2011). Additionally, a diverse workforce helps in the care delivery for the clients because employees understand cultural aspects of patients. Understanding how to manage a diverse workforce increases Cleveland’s flexibility to venture into foreign markets by leveraging the experience. External Opportunities and Threats Porter’s Five Forces Today, new entrants’ threat is low in the healthcare industry. Existing organizations have gained economies of scale that allows them to offer competitive prices that new entrants cannot afford. Secondly, current operators have exclusive access to distribution channels, which lock out new players. Additionally, the entry is capital intensive; thus, few new competitors can raise the amount required. Therefore, the low threat of new entrants is an opportunity for Cleveland to gain an extra market share. The bargaining power of suppliers in the healthcare industry can be divided into physicians and other professionals. Physicians are suppliers because they refer clients to various hospitals, and their power is high. Material suppliers are numerous; thus, they have a low bargaining power. The high power of physicians is a threat to Cleveland Clinic because they can take away its clients and refer them elsewhere. Material suppliers represent an opportunity because the organization can negotiate for low prices and high-quality products. The rivalry among competitors is intensive because they are numerous and have access to vital resources (Swayne, Duncan, Ginter, 2012). Competitors are threats to Cleveland Clinic because they can reduce its market share and profitability. Despite the need to respond to the competition, the Clinic may not succeed because of the gap in the quality that exists between its online customers and in-house clients. An organization-wide application of technology has made flexibility difficult to respond to such a gap. Many competitors offering similar products and services create powerful substitutes. Substitutes threaten Cleveland Clinic’s products and services because they can serve the same purpose (Lutchman, 2011). The entity’s only advantage is high switching costs, which would curtail its current customers from seeking competitors’ services. The bargaining power of customers is high because they have a variety of products and services, from which to choose. On the one hand, affluent customers pose a threat to the Clinic because they can always choose other providers. On the other hand, poor clients represent an opportunity to Cleveland Clinic because they have limited options as services of the majority of competitors are too expensive for them. Macro-Environment Forces Global forces represent issues arising from the world markets that affect the performance of an organization. One of the global forces is globalization, which has increased interconnectivity of the markets (MacLennan, 2011). Globalization is an opportunity for Cleveland Clinic because it offers possibilities for the growth in foreign markets. Demographic forces refer to different characteristics of a population such as religion, ethnicity, and nationality. In the American society, demographic forces present an opportunity for Cleveland Clinic. The American society is increasingly diversifying in terms of ethnicity, religion, and origins (Reiss, 2012). Consequently, Cleveland Clinic can build its inclusion program by taking advantage of the talent from around the world, which can empower its workforce. Political and legal forces are a result of the decisions made by governments concerning policies and regulations governing business operations. Some of the recent forces include the requirement for all healthcare providers to report on the quality. Such a requirement has eliminated the reimbursement that Cleveland used to get from the government as an incentive to continue reporting on the quality. Such a requirement is a threat to Cleveland Clinic because it reduces its financial resources. Ethical requirements are potential threats to the Clinic because any violation may lead to negative consequences. For instance, the increased use of electronic records requires ethical considerations to protect the privacy of clients. However, such activities as hacking can threaten the organization by exposing sensitive information to unauthorized personnel. Fulfilling environmental sustainability requirements can create a positive image for Cleveland Clinic, which can attract donors. Since the Clinic is a non-profit entity, it strongly depends on well-wishers. Therefore, it is an opportunity for the organization. However, the scarcity of money due to planning problems may hinder the exploitation of this chance. Technological changes and forces represent opportunities for Cleveland Clinic because it is the current leader in the medical technologies. It can leverage its expertise in order to develop a cutting-edge technology, which can become its competitive advantage. Social changes include such aspects as the lifestyle (Yuxiang Qinghua, 2014). These changes have resulted in the lifestyle diseases. For Cleveland Clinic, such changes are opportunities to provide its excellent quality services and treatments and make a difference in people’s lives. Evaluating the SWOT Analysis According to the SWOT analysis, Cleveland Clinic can gain a competitive advantage by making minor changes in its planning process. The organization’s ability to achieve competitiveness results from the opportunities available in the market and the nature of threats that are facing it. The main obstacle towards achieving a competitive advantage is the Clinic’s inability to address the competition in the market and the substitute products. Competitors have identified a quality gap in Cleveland Clinic’s services caused by the differences in the care of its online and in-house clients. Most market competitors offer specialized care, which makes delivery of the quality care easy. Although Cleveland serves people from different market segments, it can leverage its institutes’ settings in order to ensure that the quality of care is at par with that of competitors. Such a move can reduce the negative effects of competition and the substitutes they offer in the mar ket. Some minor changes in the technology plans can involve the collaboration between Cleveland Clinic, its online clients, and affiliate clinics that are located near customers’ locations to improve the quality of services. Other threats from Porter’s five forces analysis and the macro-environment are not unique to Cleveland Clinic and affect all the other competitors in the market. The current matrix organizational structure is perfect because of multiple affiliates and alliance partners involved. Control systems can be replicated in other geographical regions, to which the company may decide to expand. They have ensured that the company has retained its edge in the quality and financial reporting despite its increase in size. Corporate level strategies include activities such as building outpatient facilities and forming alliances and joint ventures with the aim to expand. The strategies fit the situation as explored by the SWOT analysis because there are numerous opportu nities to be exploited using these corporate strategies. The business level strategy that is remarkable and capable of providing a competitive edge is the formation of institutes and the care they offer to patients. The physician integration taking place at Cleveland Clinic is unprecedented, and once the process is functional full, other competitors may need a while before replicating the competency. Meanwhile, Cleveland Clinic, therefore, can enjoy the first mover advantage before imitators can create any similar institutes. The primary weakness facing Cleveland Clinic is the planning process. All the other management functions represent strengths that the corporation can use to gain a competitive advantage. The aspects of Porter’s five forces analysis that are opportunities for Cleveland Clinic include the threat of new entrants, the power of material suppliers, and the power of poor clients. On the other hand, substitutes, physician suppliers, competition, and rich customers are threats to Cleveland Clinic. In turn, global forces, environmental requirements, technological, demographic, and social changes are promising opportunities. Political and ethical changes threaten the operations of Cleveland Clinic. The company can gain a competitive edge by utilizing its strengths and making few changes in its planning process.

Changes to Greece Brought About By WWI essays

Changes to Greece Brought About By WWI essays Changes to Greece Brought About By WWI. World War One greatly affected many countries in Europe. Some of the post-war affects were the country's population, economy, politics, and geography. Usually, when wars come to end, there are winners and losers. One party celebrates its victory while the other tries to overcome its defeat. Sometimes the victors see their enemies weak period as an opportunity to take back their rightful share. In the early nineteen hundred's Greece was playing with the winning team (Greece- History). It saw Turkey as weak, thus a chance to reclaim western Turkey. Western Turkey was important to Greece because it used to be Greek territory and still remained vastly populated by Greeks (Greece). During World War One, the Greek troops served with distinction on the Allied side (Greece-History). When the war ended in 1918, Germany and the Ottoman Empire were defeated, but the Allies' promised land to Greece in western Turkey was not forthcoming. In May 1919, for reasons of protecting the half a million Greeks living in Smyrna (present-day Izmir, Turkey), Greece decided to take matters into its own hands, and landed troops on Turkey's coast. With a firm foothold in western Turkey, Greece organized an invasion inland (Greece). Greece fought its way through the rough headlands of western Turkey. It pushed Turkish forces back to the Sakarya river. The Greeks at this point were extremely close to Ankara, the head of Turkey. They thought a captured Ankara would result in a unification with old Greek territory. This would reunite the millions of Greeks living in Turkey with mainland Greece once again. It would stabilize the economy and secure the Bosborus Strait (the strait between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea). The Greek army intended to continue its push right through Ankara. Once captured, it would stabilize its recaptured territory, and reunify it with the rest of Greece (Dr. Chrysomilides). ...

Identify and Discuss the Change of Activity and Costs Structure within Essay

Identify and Discuss the Change of Activity and Costs Structure within the Supply Chain ifLB Looked to a Third Party Logistics - Essay Example This paper examines critical issues related to Lauritzen Bulkers - LB, one of the leading dry bulk shipping firms in the world with its head quarters in Netherlands (Wolf, 2008). The paper first presents a brief literature review about SCM and then it discuses the change of activity and costs structure within the supply chain if LB looked to a third party logistics provider to supply their transport needs. The paper also examines the extent to which this would impact LB gaining ISO 14000 recognition. LB is a very large shipping company that owns a large number of carriers and it has taken up partnerships with other shipping firms and uses third party logistics. As per the annual report (LB, 2011), by 2011, LB controlled through its owned assets and with those of its network partners, 100 ships of different sizes such as Handymax, Handysize, Capesize and Panamax bulk carriers. Through its subsidiary Lauritzen Kosan, LB controlled a combined fleet of 44 semi-refrigerated ships. Gas car riers for Ethylene, fully pressurised gas carriers, and several smaller refrigerated gas carriers. The firm also controlled 2 numbers very large oil carriers, DP shuttle tankers, and 18 MR product tankers. 2. Literature Review An efficient supply chain can reduce costs, increase efficiency and help to retain customers. Organisations across the world have come to depend on supply chains to service their production lines, fill customer orders and retail shelves. Some important aspects of SCM are discussed in this chapter. 2.1. Nature of supply chains and networks A critical review of Hugos (2011), supply chain management is not merely about picking items from one point and dropping it to another. It is more about estimating demand correctly, understanding the lead-time for procurement and then placing the order for manufacturing. If the lead-time estimation is excessive, then inventory is more and lead to excessive costs while lesser lead-time means the risk of stock out. There is als o the economic order that indicates the minimum quantity required in a shipment. Shipping and logistics firms are integrated with the operations of large buyers so that efficiency is maintained, the quality of service is prompt and reliability of service is unfailing. 2.2. Cost structures in Supply Chains Supply chain analytics often focus on reducing cost structures of the supply chain. This is mainly done because in a procurement cycle, other than the basic product cost, the cost of the supply chain makes up a major component of the cost. The percentage of cost varies from 35% to 55% of the product costs. For perishable items such as dairy products, meat and poultry products, livestock, the costs are more than 67%. Much depends on the distance travelled, the nature of product, pressure for on time delivery, possibility of wastage and loss and other factors (Deloitte, 2012). A critical review of Xia (2003) shows that some of the cost structures in an organisation are inventory carr ying costs, production costs, inspection costs, logistics costs, transportation and handling costs, storage costs, onward forwarding costs and other costs due to delays in berthing, availability of shipping and so on. Some of the costs are borne by the organisation while some are borne by the

Applications of Operant Conditioning at School Essay

Applications of Operant Conditioning at School - Essay Example Operant conditioning can be defined as a type of learning in which voluntary (controllable; non-reflexive) behavior is strengthened if it is reinforced and weakened if it is punished (or not reinforced) 1 . It states that environmental contingencies or the environment's 'reaction' to an individual's behaviour controls that individual's behaviour. As an Undergraduate he was an English major, then decided to study Psychology in graduate school. Early in his career he believed much of behavior could be studied in a single, controlled environment (created Skinner box - address later). Instead of observing behavior in the natural world, he attempted to study behavior in a closed, controlled unit. This prevents any factors not under study from interfering with the study - as a result, Skinner could truly study behavior and specific factors that influence behavior. During the "cognitive revolution" that swept Psychology (discussed later), Skinner stuck to the position that behavior was not guided by inner force or cognition. This made him a "radical behaviorist". As his theories of Operant Conditioning developed, Skinner became passionate about social issues, such as free will, how they developed, why they developed, how they were propagated, etc. 1 Skinner state that actions that are followed by reinforcing consequences are more likely to re-occur, and that actions that are followed by unpleasant or punishing consequences are less likely to re-occur. Again this might seem deceptively simple. However, the theory becomes more complicated when one realizes that what constitutes punishment and reinforcement differs depending on the individual. Skinner also noted that the situation within which the learning took place had to be taken into account. In analyzing and trying to account for behaviour, the psychologist, as behavioural detective, needs to take into account the antecedent (what happens immediately before the behaviour), the behaviour, and the consequences of the behaviour. This method is known as the ABC approach (A for antecedent, B for behaviour and C for consequences). There are five basic processes in operant conditioning: positive and negative reinforcement strengthen behavior; punishment, response cost, and extinction weaken behavior 2. Positive Reinforcement The term reinforcement always indicates a process that strengthens a behavior; the word positive has two cues associated with it. First, a positive or pleasant stimulus is used in the process, and second, the reinforcer is added (i.e., "positive" as in + sign for addition). In positive reinforcement, a positive reinforcer is added after a response and increases the frequency of the response. 2 Negative Reinforcement The term reinforcement always indicates a process that strengthens a behavior; the word negative has two cues associated with it. First, a negative or aversive stimulus is used in the process, and second, the reinforcer is subtracted (i.e., "negative" as in a "-" sign for subtraction). In negative reinforcement, after the response the negative reinforcer is removed which increases the fre

Prohibition Underage Drinking Essay Example for Free

Prohibition Underage Drinking Essay Throughout the years advertisement has played a big part in the growth and popularity of many products in our country. Since the 1920’s advertisements have been used for cars, clothes, food and materialistic things that people want or think they have to have. In the mix of all these advertisements, alcohol is the most used, sought after, and dangerous advertisement in the industry. After the prohibition the safety of the people has been the number one concern since alcohol hit the streets. Where we place the advertisement has more of an impact on society and community than the advertisement does on its own brand. Since 1933, when the prohibition ended, advertising was something that people didn’t know much about. The products that were sold by alcohol companies were all sold by word of mouth or by being the first to sell a big order to a local saloon. Now advertising is not only important but it is a necessity. Unlike the 1900’s, businesses currently make teams to go out and make charts, graphs, and plots of all cities with bus station, bus benches, billboards and even characteristics to the city that match the target market that the company is trying to attract. What makes this so dangerous is the fact that companies have gotten so good at placing advertising, that they already know who the advertising will influence in that city before they put it up. The reason why this is bad is because unlike in the 1920’s, now businesses and companies can find out what parts of the country and what communities drink the most in what areas . In the business world this is great because it makes maximizing your profits really easy, but what they don’t know is that it is hurting the community. The areas that these advertising companies target are low income families, poor communities, and neighborhoods that are known for alcohol induced crimes. This has not only made the problem worse but it has created new problems like underage drinking. Advertising is perceived by teens in different ways than adults perceive it. When a teen sees an advertising in these kinds of areas often they get confused about what is really being advertised and often teens don’t have the support in their life to ask about what it really is. They try and take what they see on the advertisement and match it to what they see in reality. Often the only similarities teens make the connection with is parties, dancing, and girls. But what they don’t know about is the consequences. Since the 1920’s the government has been doing everything they can to stop alcohol induced crime, but it has only gotten worse. In the united states 80% of college students between the age of 18-20 are said to consume alcohol when at college. The universities have tried to set strict policies for drinking and having parties on campus, but all it has done is make the college kids more rebellious and determined to not get caught. This can be a main contributing factor to drop out rates, car accidents, unprotected sex, fights, and alcohol poisoning that has been a concerning statistic for many universities. The consequences that the universities and even the government have set up for underage drinking are become so serious that it can now effect your entire life with fines such as a year in jail, $500 fine, 3 year probation, and a felony. This can effect students and underage drinkers from getting jobs, driver license, and going to school in the future. As you can see advertising since the 1920s was nothing like it is today. They relied on word of mouth to sell their product to the right place and now we have cheat sheets and charts to send companies to the right buyer and sometimes the wrong consumer. As a part of the 20th century revolution we have to deal with the problems that the advertising has created as well as learn about what the advertising has taught us.

Lets all smoke some Pot :: essays research papers

Marijuana is the most commonly used illegal street drug, used by many as a depressant. It is one of the cheapest illegal drugs, and can be found almost all over the world. This makes it very easy to find. In reality, almost anyone can get this drug even though it is presently still illegal.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Marijuana is grown from the cannabis plant, which was cultivated for its tough stem fibers prior to the advent of synthetic fibers. Most often the leaves and the flowering tops of the plant are dried and rolled into marijuana cigarettes (joints), or cigars (blunts), but there are also various types of pipes used for smoking the drug. Over 2,000 chemicals are released into the body when marijuana is smoked. However, psychological effects on the mind are produced by one main chemical, THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). Short term effects include an increased heartbeat, slurred speech, and red, glossy eyes. A high usually lasts approximately three to five hours, and usually consists of a dreamy, relaxed state in which the user seems more aware of their senses and surroundings. Sometimes the user may experience hallucinations, fantasies or a feeling of dread, panic, or paranoia. Above all though, it eases the pain a person feels inside which makes them forget their problems in a current situation.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In most countries, marijuana is by law illegal because of its classification as an illicit drug, but controversial issues have been established that this illicit drug can and does have many medicinal benefits. People have been using marijuana as a medicine for thousands of years, beginning in China, India, and the Middle East. The plant’s therapeutic potential became known in western countries during the nineteenth century. Now more than one hundred articles have been published about cannabis in the European and American medicinal journals, recommending it as an appetite stimulant, muscle relaxant, painkiller, sedative, and anti-convulsion agent. Much of the controversy surrounding legalization of the drug, in medicinal terms then falls in the hands of the government, which claims that marijuana is not a safe form of medicine. Versus the doctors who have studied and believe that the use of marijuana may benefit their patients. Not all doctors feel marijuana should be a legally prescribed medication, most feel that it should be in their hands to decide it so. Both the government’s and the doctors’ ethics have been questioned in debates about the topic of marijuana use, this has only fueled the controversy, it has been said that smoking marijuana is risky, but also recommended that critically ill patients should be allowed to use it under closely monitored settings.

Marketing Research Report for Canadian Energy Drink

Marketing Research Report Good4U Drinks co. Exporting Beaver Buzz Product Line to India Prepared for ¬: Richard Debanks, Director of Marketing, GOOD4USports Nutrition 15621 Marine Drive White Rock, British Columbia V4B 1E1Canada Email:[email  protected] com Prepared by: Hot Point Marketing DepeshMohindra, Ankush Sharma, Gautam Sharma CONTENTS 1.Richard Debanks Hot Point Marketing Director of Marketing 80 Rouge River Drive GOOD4USports Nutrition Toronto, Ontario 15621 Marine Drive, White rock, Canada British Columbia , Canada M1B 6K3 V4B 1E1Dear Mr. Richard Debanks, Hot Point Marketing is a team of Marketing Management students at Centennial College who are determined to achieve and succeed. Our team boasts a diverse background in experience. With our collective skills we seek to provide GOOD4UDrinks co. with the opportunity to launch their product line of Beaver Buzz energy drinks in India. Attached is a copy of our marketing research report which explains how we have evaluated t he business opportunities for the company in India and also the methodologies and sources we have used..We appreciate your cooperation and assistance and thank you for taking the time to read our report . We are indebted to you for helping us apply our knowledge and skills. We look forward to hearing from you. Yours Respectfully, Depesh Mohindra Director of Hot Point Marketing? EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The market of energy drinks in India has witnessed an increase of about 50% from 2006-2011 crossing the Rs 600 crore ($109 million CAD) in 2011. Beaver Buzz Canada as a new entrant in the energy drink market can gain a significant market share in the market due to its unique flavours and product line of energy drinks.The market is dominated by Red Bull, and other energy drinks brand like Monster, Cloud9, Full throttle and XXX. This research report explains in detail the business opportunity for Beaver Buzz Canada in the Indian energy drink market. and also explains how the product should be marketed in order to gain a significant market share and increase the sales volume. It contains information on present market situation, marketing objectives of the product and also the marketing actions to be taken to achieve the marketing objectives.The document also explains about the various methodologies used to conduct the research and how data was interpreted from the various sources. ? INTRODUCTION (Beaver Buzz Canada) Good4u Drinks co. was established in 2001 in Vancouver, British Columbia by Andrew Drayson and Richard DeBanks (nutrition). They are known for making sports nutrition drinks which include drinks for endurance, recovery, calorie burning and relaxation and also Beaver Buzz product line of energy drinks (overview). Beaver Buzz was created by Good4u Drinks co. in 2005 as a purely Canadian energy drink that Canadians will be extremely pleased to call as their own.Beaver Buzz became an instant hit after its launch in the Canadian market to such an extent that the Am ericans also started to demand for their product, so the company started selling the product via internet to the Americans initially and the company launched the product line later on in August 2009 in the United States (Buzz B. ). The Buzz Beaver product line is also available in the UK by the name of Bulldog Buzz (Buzz W. t. ). Buzz Beaver is devoted to efficiency in all its efforts, from the tiniest details, to the greatest venture. Above all, the company is devoted to provide the customers with the best beverages on the planet. Buzz B. ) BUSINESS OPPURTUNITY (Energy drink market in India) Energy drinks contain legal stimulants, vitamins and minerals, including caffeine, guarana and taurine, various types of ginseng, malt dextrin, carnitine, creatine monohydrate and ginkgo biloba. Some contain high levels of glucose and glucose. This category typically included caffeinated drinks which are used for boosting energy. Currently the market of energy drinks in India is lead by two maj or firms namely Red Bull and Cloud 9. Beaver Buzz can break the ice in this market by introducing its unique energy drink line of products.Flavours Saskatoon Berry, Black current, Citrus, Core energy, Green tea and pink grapefruit can make the brand famous in the country as they are new. Also their energy shot version which is a small black bottle of 60 ml can help them capture a significant market share (Buzz B. ). According to marketing research company Datamonitor Plc, the market for energy drinks in India was estimated at Rs 600 crore($109 million CAD) in the year 2011, still at a young age when compared to carbonated beverages, which was valued at Rs 7000 crore($1. 27 billion CAD).Between 2006 and 2011, the market of energy drinks in India has grown constantly at a rate of 50%. Contrary to that the growth of carbonated drinks experienced a decrease by 0. 5% during the same period. With an increase in number of modern retail stores the energy drinks market is expected to reach R s 1100 crores ($197 million CAD) by the end of 2012. This decrease in the market of carbonated drinks and a high rate of growth in the energy drink market can be linked to the change in perception of the Indian youth towards carbonated drinks. The industry foresees a huge potential for energy drinks.The segment of energy drinks is one of the fastest growing segment in the ready to drink category, reason being the youth centric population of India and also growing number of urban areas. The energy drink market till a year back was dominated by Red Bull and Cloud9. Sales started to pick up with the entry of recognized players such as Pepsi, Amway and the latest entry of Coca Cola and GT&T proves the market potential of the energy drink industry in India. The market players in this category are adopting different styles of unique marketing strategies like distributing free samples at schools and colleges before launching their products.They also sponsor big events like sporting events and fashion shows to attract youth. These promotions are done to build a relationship of the brand with the target customer. This is a part of marketing communication strategy. The major brands in the energy drink market are Red bull, SJ XXX, Burn, Sobe, Power Horse, Amway and Rock star. The market share for the following brands is determined by the following pie chart. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES Demand trends in the energy drink market (Consumer Behaviour) It has been observed that most of the energy drink users in India drink it because of the energy it provides.Basically a majority of students consume energy drinks because it gives them energy and due to the high concentration of caffeine in the energy drinks it allows them to stay up all night and because of this they are able to study better. They are motivated by the self esteem and stats that good grades provide them with. The students are sensitive to the price of the energy drinks as the energy drinks are priced higher when compar ed to carbonated beverages, if the energy drinks were priced lower the consumption of the students is bound to increase.There are also certain types of energy drink consumers in the country who believe that energy drinks are superior to carbonated beverages and therefore they should be sold at a premium price. These people also believe that by drinking premium priced energy drinks they can impress others as not everyone can afford these products on regular basis. So, these people look towards maintaining a status by consuming energy drinks. There are some other important customers of the target segment also like people who like to party hard and stay awake all night. They tend to use energy drinks because they want to stay awake throughout the night.They consider waking up for the whole night very important as they want to enjoy with their friends. It’s the sense of belongingness to the group that these type of consumers value. They are not sensitive to the price of the produ ct as they do not use the product very frequently; they use it only for the purpose of staying awake throughout the night, so price of the product does not matter to them. One of the most interesting group of consumers has been those who have started using energy drinks as a substitute for alcohol. This is because they are not comfortable consuming alcohol anymore.These consumers feel that it is difficult not consuming anything or consuming carbonated beverages in front of people who are consuming alcohol. Segmentation of the target market The map below shows various factors taken into consideration while doing segmentation Based on the above factors the following three segments were identified College students- The age of the college students range from the ones who are teenagers to those who are post graduates. This segment sees a variety of constituent individuals like energy, power of purchasing, preferences, shifting attitude towards alcoholic beverages.These types of people ha ve adopted snacks as alternative to regular meals because of the tight schedule that they have. Energy drinks are viewed as something above carbonated beverages but not alcohol, hence a tradition among this group. Moreover, because they have to study late at nights, energy drinks are becoming popular among them (India`s youth). Working Professionals- These people represent the young working population of India. These people are mainly the employees of MNCs and BPOs. They consume energy drinks when they go to pubs and bars on weekends to relax after a long week of work.They also consume energy drinks when they are working on certain occasions like when they are suffering from stress and fatigue. An energy drink at this time works as a energy booster for them and hence becomes an obvious choice for them (India`s youth). Socialites/Party Animals- These are the people who par regular visit to pubs, parties and discotheques. Therefore, energy drink consumption is normal for these people. Moreover, energy drink act as an alternative to alcoholic beverages for these king of people. Also, they are in a habit of mixing energy drinks with alcohol to serve their purpose (India`s youth).Evaluation of major brands Red Bull Energy Drink Red Bull is only functional in the energy drink segment of the beverages market. The product is an example of functional drink. The functional foods are those kinds of food that respond to consumer preferences in terms of well-being and performance. Some of the major multinational soft drink companies are trying to enter this segment of functional drinks in the country because the traditional market of soft drinks is approaching a maturity stage and the rate of growth is minimal. For these multinationals, new functional drinks offer opportunities for a new business growth.Red Bull- Positioning General positioning strategy The brand is positioned as something that energizes body and mind. It was also intended that Red Bull be drunk whenever c onsumers needed a lift, whether it was morning, noon or night. This broader type of positioning was developed to increase growth into a variety of market segments. Their advertising strategy didn’t specify any particular consumption occasions, which further helped them to elastically position themselves in the market. Pricing strategy Red Bull set the price of it product at least 10% higher than any of its competitors in the segment.This means they used product philosophy to position themselves into the market. The 250ml can of Red Bull is 300% more expensive than the traditional soft drinks in terms of per ounce. Market Share The brand has managed to maintain at least 60% of the market share in this category since its launch. XXX Energy Drink This Brand currently comes in two different forms namely – REJUVE and NICOFIX. NICOFIX contains NPR which is used to reduce the nicotine urge. This is useful for people who are trying to leave cigarettes. REJUVE is a new type of energy drink which is specially designed to suite Indian taste buds.It is made to energize the mind and the body and also to enhance the immunity system of the body, in turn, increasing the stamina of the body. Its 250 ml bottle I priced at Rs 75. Monster Energy Drink It is depicted by a logo of three claws; it is distributed by Hansen Natural Corporation, Corona California. It includes ingredients like guarana, caffeine and glucose and is designed to artificially stimulate energy in the body. Although it is not widely advertised in the media still it receives a large amount of recognition from the sponsorships that it provides to the various sporting events around the country.METHODOLOGY Data collection from secondary resources A significant number of secondary resources were available about the energy drink segment were available on the internet. We have also taken references from the various marketing research reports on the energy drink industry to evaluate the most essential fe atures required to formulate the plan of action. This provides us with a basic knowledge of the features that play a significant role in the selection of an energy drink. Data collection from primary resourcesData collection from primary resources can be done by interviewing various segments of people in depth to know the criteria to select an energy drink. We can use an online spread sheet to interview various people of various demographic profiles. Our objective of the exploratory research is to find the questions that need to be included in the questionnaire for descriptive research. Descriptive Research We have prepared a comprehensive questionnaire using the inputs of exploratory research. The soft copies of the surveys can be mailed various sections of the people. Also hard copies can be distributed to people who do not have email ids.The questionnaire was prepared for collecting primary source of data for the research. The questions were designed to do a study of marketing mi x, segmentation and target market. The questions can help us to know their perceptions and awareness about energy drinks. DATA ANALYSIS The secondary data taken from the internet was mostly used to conduct this research report. This data was used as the required funding for the primary data collection methods was not available. But still we have mentioned about the method in the methodology that we will use if funding was available for primary data collection.The data used for the research was derived from various marketing research reports found on the internet. and also some government sites on which we searched about business implications. The results found on the internet were analysed and cross referenced and then only they were included in the research. BUSINESS IMPLICATIONS Legal and political factors: In India, under PFA act 1954 no standards are there for energy drinks. Under the PFA rules 1955 the max limit of caffeine were reduced to 145ppm from 200ppm on recommendation b y central committee on food standards.For inspection food safety and standard authority established a proficient team to gather scientific literature and global positioning on usage of non carbonated and caffeine beverages and labelling and acclaim the limit under food regulations of caffeine in energy drinks. The team was supposed to recommend if there were any risk for using the energy drinks. The report determines that there was only addictive property in the chemical used but not in the caffeine. Caffeinated drinks up to 200 ppm are added as a flavouring agent but above 200 ppm it is an efficient component. The performance of caffeine at 320 ppm needs to be determined long with justified reason for solving a cut-off restricts at 320ppm. Economic Factors: Economic factor influences the power of purchasing of promising customer and cost of capital of a firm. In macro-economic the examples of factors are as follows: exchange rates, inflation rate, interest rates, economic growth. T he last reported inflation rate in India in June 2010 was 13. 73 percent. The economic system is not much designed and extensive variations among declares and areas within declares are there due to which we might have to create distinguished promotional strategies.Social-cultural factors: The Indians are conscious about health and wants to be away from diseases of heart and digestive system, obesity, bone, pain in joints, anxiety and depression, lack of stamina and sleeplessness, etc. Indian consumers are more concerned about ingredients and health benefits; to make product choice Indians confirms the nutritional information. Therefore health claims are demanded for food and beverages. Technological Factors: The technological factors can lower limitations to access, reduce the minimum effective development levels and impact freelancing decisions.Technological factors comprehend: R and D activity, rate of technology change, technology incentives automation. CONCLUSION To conclude thi s proposal our team Hot Point Marketing would like to say that the energy drink market in India is worth$109 million dollars and there are only 4 major brands in the whole country so there is large scope for Brands like Beaver Buzz who have differentiated themselves from brands like red bull in Canada and still generate a gross income of around 600, 000 dollars a month, which means they are capable of doing the same in India.So, it will be beneficial for Beaver Buzz Canada to launch its product line of Beaver Buzz energy drinks in India as the Indian energy drink market is growing at a rate of 40% every year and red bull owns 70% of the market share. Works Cited Buzz, B. (n. d. ). Beaver Buzz Energy. Retrieved November 11, 2012, from http://www. beaverbuzz. com/about-beaverbuzz. htm Buzz, W. t. (n. d. ). Bulldog Buzz. Retrieved November 11, 2012, from http://www. bulldogbuzz. co. uk/ Health, P. (n. d. ). Public health.Retrieved November 11, 2012, from http://www. publichealthgreybru ce. on. ca/home/publications/Board/BOH_Resolutions/2011/GBHU%20BOH%20Motion%202011-16,%20Energy%20Drinks. pdf India`s youth. (n. d. ). Retrieved November 30, 2012, from financialexpress: http://www. financialexpress. com/news/twothird-of-indias-youth-find-drinking-unacceptable/484312 nutrition, G. s. (n. d. ). Retrieved November 11, 2012, from http://www. gd4u. com/aboutus. htm overview, P. (n. d. ). Retrieved november 11, 2012, from http://www. gd4u. com/products. htm

History Questions and Answers on France Essay

1.How far did Napoleon Bonaparte maintain the ideals of the French Revolution during the period 1799–1815? The key issue is the relationship between Napoleon Bonaparte and the French Revolution. ‘How far’ invites candidates to consider the extent and limits of the claim that he maintained revolutionary ideals. These ideals can be summarised quickly as ‘liberty, equality and fraternity’. The Revolution had sought greater equalisation between classes, the rule of law and the end of secular and religious privilege. The focus should be on the period from 1799 to 1915 and there is no need for long narratives of the period from 1789 as long as answers can put Napoleon into context. Napoleon maintained that he was the son of the Revolution and his Code incorporated some measures that ensured the rule of law. He encouraged promotion by merit rather than by birth. He confirmed the changes to property ownership that had taken place. On the other hand, the Code benefited the middle classes more than the peasantry and the emphasis on authority in the family returned to pre-1789 values. His rule was authoritarian and the establishment of the Empire was a contradiction of republican principles. Opponents were prosecuted by an active police system, headed by Fouchà ©. Government institutions were not independent and Napoleon was able to nominate those to high offices. Lesser officials, although elected, could be removed. There is no need for long narratives of foreign policy but it will be relevant to explain how far it was driven by personal, rather than revolutionary, motives. Answers worth 22-25 will consider both sides of his rule and come to clear conclusions. 19-21 answers will be mostly secure but will miss some possible lines of discussion. 11-13 answers will show a basic knowledge of his rule but will be very narrative or descriptive, but sometimes incomplete. 14-15 can be awarded to fuller descriptions. 16-18 answers will make some salient points of comment in otherwise largely descriptive accounts. 2 How far did Napoleon Bonaparte achieve his aims in domestic policy? The key issue is Napoleon’s success in achieving his aims in domestic policy. The question is deliberately worded to exclude discussion of foreign policy and this will be irrelevant unless referred to briefly in an introduction or conclusion. For example, a good point would be that Napoleon achieved power largely by conquest and was then was brought down by failure abroad, not by internal opposition. But this does not mean that victory and defeat abroad must be described in detail. Answers can be awarded 11-13 marks when they contain relevant but basic descriptions of domestic policy. These answers will give little consideration to Napoleon’s aims and will probably be very uncritical. Fuller descriptions but with a similar approach can be awarded 14-15 marks. The 16-18 band will require some specific study of aims although these might be treated broadly; the description will be quite full. The discriminating factor for the 19-21 band will be the concentration on aims and their achievement although the essays will contain some gaps. For example, they might be very one-sided. More complete assessments that consider alternatives can be awarded 22-25 marks. Napoleon aimed at personal power and he secured this from 1799, with the Consulate, and then 1804, with the Empire, until 1814. But candidates should note his abdication before his unsuccessful return. Credit will be given when candidates consider how far he wished to continue the reforms of the Revolution. He sought to maximise his support and offered promotion by merit. However, political opponents were treated harshly by the police system under Fouchà ©. His attempts to stabilise the economy can be examined as can his relations with the Roman Catholic Church, which he stabilised. Candidates should consider the importance of the Code Napoleon. 3.The aims and methods of Cavour were completely different from those of Mazzini.’ How far do you agree with this judgement? The key issue is the comparison of Cavour and Mazzini. Answers should be reasonably balanced in their treatment of the two men. 60:40 either way can deserve any mark band; 70:30 will normally lead to the award of one band lower than would otherwise be given. The 11-13 band will require a basic knowledge and understanding of one man. Answers in the 22-25 band will be fully comparative. They will differentiate between aims and methods and support the argument by sound knowledge. Most candidates, even in this band, can be expected to agree with the claim in the question but credit should be given to candidates who are aware of some common ground, e.g. both wished to make Italy an independent state and saw Austria as the major stumbling block. 19-21 answers will show good qualities but will be less impressive, perhaps by lacking a distinction between aims and methods or by pursuing a more uneven comparison. There will be some comparison in the 16-18 answers but the approach will be mostly descriptive or narrative. The emphasis on narrative will probably be characteristic of answers in the 11-13 and 14-15 mark bands. In their aims, Mazzini always sought the unification of all of the Italian peninsula. Cavour began by seeking to make Piedmont a more important and extended state in northern Italy and was initially reluctant to embrace the southern states. Mazzini was a democratic republican. Cavour was a monarchist whose ideas of democracy were more limited. Mazzini wished Italians to gain independence by themselves; Cavour aimed to win European support for his designs. In methods, Mazzini embraced revolutionary methods, for example in the 1830s and in 1848. He tried to build an alliance of all classes although he failed to do so. Cavour began by strengthening Piedmont. He opposed revolutions but manipulated plebiscites to give the appearance of popular support for his policies. Diplomacy, especially with Napoleon III of France, was a vital means of isolating Austria and supplementing the weak Piedmontese army. To the dismay of Mazzini and Garibaldi, Cavour was willing to surrender some Italian territories to gain his wider ends (Nice and Savoy to France). Although not an ally of the Roman Catholic Church, Cavour saw the importance of not alienating the papacy, unlike Mazzini. 4.How far was Napoleon Bonaparte an oppressive ruler in his domestic policies from 1799 to 1815? The key issue is the assessment of Napoleon’s domestic policies. Foreign policy will be irrelevant unless mentioned briefly in an introduction or conclusion. For the highest marks, 21 – 25, Examiners will expect answers to consider the case for and against the claim that he was oppressive, coming to a clear conclusion. For 11-13 marks, answers should be expected to demonstrate a basic knowledge and understanding of the main elements of domestic policies. Some policies might be seen by some as oppressive and by others as liberating. 1799 marks the appointment of Napoleon as First Consul after the fall of the Directory. Especially during the Consulate, he implemented many reforms such as the Code Napoleon and the Concordat (1801). The former helped to restore administrative order to France and guaranteed certain rights but it also strengthened Napoleon’s authority. The latter was a reconciliation between France and the Papacy/Roman Catholic Church. This pleased many French people who retained their religious views but it afforded Napoleon a considerable measure of control over the Church. The Empire (1804) saw Napoleon achieve even more power and he was dominant over every aspect of French life. Candidates can explain administrative measures that cemented the authority or oppression of the Emperor. Officials were nominated rather than freely elected. The most successful candidates should be able to note and assess the reasons for the continuing opposition to Napoleon within France which was controlled to some extent by a harsh police system. Answers worth 11-13 marks should display basically acceptable knowledge but there will be little considered assessment. 14-15 marks can be awarded to answers that are relevant and more detailed but still more dependent on narrative and description than assessment and comparison. 16-17 marks might be awarded to answers that contain more analysis and assessment but where the assessment might be largely implicit. 18- 20 marks will be appropriate for answers that focus on the key issue but in which there is evident imbalance and unevenness. The discriminating factor in the 21-25 mark answers might well be their success in providing convincing assessments. 5.‘From 1789 to 1799, who posed the more dangerous threats to the French Revolution: its internal or its external enemies? The key issue is the threats or dangers to the French Revolution. Candidates should note that the question ends in 1799 with the coup d’à ©tat of Brumaire, the end of the Directory, and Napoleon’s accession to the Consulate. No particular ceilings are suggested for incomplete answers but answers that end in 1794-95 with the fall of the Jacobins might be worth at least one band lower than would otherwise be awarded. Candidates should consider both internal and external threats. Answers that discuss only one aspect and completely ignore the other cannot expect more than a mark in a middle band. However, examiners will not look for an even balance in even the best essays; a reasonable balance but one that is weighted to one side can score very highly. The quality of the argument will be of prior importance. Internal enemies included the King and court to Louis’ execution in 1793. His recognition of the Revolution, and the concessions that he agreed, were half-hearted. Royalists within France and those who left the country (à ©migrà ©s) continued to agitate. The influential Church was hostile. Conservative regions of France, especially the more rural areas, were hostile to the changes, such as the Vendà ©e. From 1795, the Directory tried to draw back from the alleged excesses of previous years but was unsuccessful in controlling disorder until the advent of Napoleon. France had to face foreign enemies from the inception of the Revolution and open war broke out in 1792 against Austria and Prussia. The danger of overwhelming defeat and the fall of the Revolution seemed very real. Foreign enemies later included Britain, Holland and Spain. Although unsuccessful at home, the Directory had more success abroad, especially through the victories of Napoleon in Italy. Weak answers will probably be vague about the threats and might be confined to very general accounts of the Revolution. Answers in the middle bands might focus on threats but deal with them in a highly descriptive manner, lacking assessment and comparison. The most successful answers can be expected to be analytical, focused on assessment and supported by appropriate factual knowledge Why did Louis XVI’s policies from 1789 fail to prevent his execution in 1793? †¨The key issue is the assessment of Louis XVI’s policies as a reason for his execution. The question asks ‘Why†¦?’ and examiners will award the highest marks to answers that are analytical, providing a series of reasons for the execution of Louis XVI. However, excellent answers can be organised chronologically because the period from 1789 to 1793 saw many changes that can be examined sequentially. Candidates might examine his reluctance to accept the comparatively moderate changes that were demanded by the Third Estate in 1789. He sided with the First and Second Estates until he was forced to concede. He was forced to accept the Declaration of Rights and the Civil Constitution of the clergy. Suspicions that he wanted to overturn the concessions, probably with foreign assistance, were reinforced when he fled to Varennes. Answers in Band I should also consider the impact of other factors that led to the King’s execution. These included a worsening economic situation and the rise of political radicalism, leading eventually to the (brief) triumph of Robespierre and the Jacobins, who were directly responsible for Louis XVI’s execution. War and counter-revolution in the provinces threatened the gains of the Revolution and had an impact on the King’s situation. The Grand Peur, the Terror and the influence of Paris and the sans-culottes might be seen as evidence of the burgeoning influence of the urban lower classes. Some candidates might consider the reputation of the Queen, Marie Antoinette, and the royalist supporters. 7. ‘The divisions among the revolutionaries were the most important reason why Austria was able to suppress the revolutions in Italy and Germany in 1848–49.’ How far do you agree with this claim? †¨ The key issue is the reason for the failure of the revolutions of 1848–49 in Italy and Germany. Examiners will expect a reasonable balance in the discussion of the two regions for marks in Bands 1 and 2 (18–20; 21–25). 60:40 either way will be acceptable. An understanding of the revolutions in one region will be required for Band 5 (11–13). Candidates can argue that other factors were more important than divisions among the revolutionaries, for example Austrian military power, but the stated factor should normally be given some attention for Band 5. In Italy, the revolutionaries had different aims. For some, local grievances were most important. For example, Sicily resented rule by Naples. Mazzini and Garibaldi aimed at wider issues when they established the Roman Republic. Piedmont’s leaders had a different agenda. In Germany, Liberals demanded constitutional reform but disagreements appeared, for example over the role of Prussia. There was no coordination between the movements. Religious divisions between Catholics and Protestants were important. Candidates might explain the failure of the Frankfurt Parliament. On the other hand, Austria’s army was stronger than any force that the revolutionaries could muster. Their generals were more capable; answers might mention Radetsky in Italy. 8. How far did Napoleon Bonaparte ensure liberty and equality in his domestic government of France? †¨The key issue is the nature of Napoleon’s government of France. The question clearly refers to domestic issues; discussions of foreign policy or the impact of Napoleon’s rule on other countries will not be relevant unless they are a brief part of introductions or conclusions. One would expect answers in Bands 1 (21–25) and 2 (18–20) to consider arguments for and against Napoleon’s support for liberty and equality. However, examiners should not require an equal balance. The balance will reflect the argument. For example, it might reject ’liberal’ measures as of minor importance. Answers in other Bands might plump for an argument that accepts or rejects ’liberty and equality;’ without considering the alternative at all. It will be relevant to discuss the Code Napoleon (1804), an attempt to unify the diverse laws of France. Its confirmation of equality before the law and the end of privilege, and religious toleration would point towards Napoleon’s liberalism. Careers were open to talent. However, associations of workers were banned and women were given fewer rights than men. Napoleon kept a tight hold on power through his autocratic rule. Officials were nominated and the Empire ensured Napoleon’s personal rule. Opposition was suppressed and reference might be made to the work of Fouchà © as Minister of Police. Equality was limited by the restriction of promotion to Napoleon’s supporters. 9. Why was Napoleon Bonaparte able to become Emperor of France? †¨The key issue is the creation of the Empire by Napoleon Bonaparte. The Question asks ‘Why’ and examiners will be looking for analysis when awarding the two highest Bands. It will be relevant to explain the background to Napoleon’s rise to show his appeal after the instability of the previous decade. However, surveys need to be linked to the Empire to get a high reward. Napoleon offered military success in the revolutionary wars especially against Austria; the failure of the Egyptian campaign was offset by propaganda. He also gained support because of his ability to put down insurrection and disorder within France. He managed to out manoeuvre colleagues in the Consulate and caught the imagination of France by establishing the Empire, promising to safeguard the ideals of the Revolution and maintain order. He had pursued populist policies, for example in the Codes and through the Concordat. War was not a heavy expense for the French people but made Napoleon‘s reputation. Even the Egyptian expedition did not reflect badly on him. It will not be necessary, and probably irrelevant, to narrate the developments of foreign relations and campaigns but candidates can point out the resulting popularity within France. Although the Empire contradicted the republicanism that was at the heart of the French Revolution from 1792, it promised to maintain the ideals of the Revolution whilst, at the same time, ensuring order and efficiency. Some, such as extreme royalists and Jacobins, were not reconciled but Napoleon’s autocracy and the establishment of the Empire were not seriously threatened by oth er people or alternative ideas. 10 How far was France a police state under Napoleon Bonaparte from 1799 to 1814? †¨The key issue is in the phrase ‘police state’. The question asks ‘How far..?’ and candidates should examine both the extent and limits of the claim. However, examiners will not expect balanced answers. The French were completely free under Napoleon but many candidates might judge that France was indeed a police state and therefore devote most of their time to this argument. An uncritical acceptance of this view might be worth up to Band 2 (and Band 1 might be achieved by excellent discussions) but normally answers in the highest band might be expected to consider both sides. Napoleon seized power in 1799, reduced the other Consuls to impotence and then declared himself Emperor in 1804. Although these changes were approved by plebiscites, and were genuinely supported by most French people, they represented authoritarian rule and the results of the plebiscites were rigged to produce even larger majorities in favour. Fouchà © headed the Ministry of Police. Letters of arrest very similar to the Bourbons’ lettres de cachet were used. Opponents were detained. The press was heavily censored and the state itself engaged in widespread propaganda. Napoleon’s governments under the Consulate and Empire gave him considerable power over central and local administration. The Codes might have guaranteed some freedoms but they were also a device to bring order and obedience to France. The Concordat with the Papacy (1801) recognised the need to conciliate the Roman Catholic Church and it also allowed some toleration to Protestants but its justification to Napoleon was political rather than moral. On the other hand, it can be argued that police action was not indiscriminate. Many French people found conditions improving. There is no need to compare Napoleon’s rule with other revolutionary regimes (or other police states) but brief comparisons can be given credit. 11Why was Louis XVI executed in 1793? †¨The key issue is the reasons for Louis XVI’s execution. The question asks ‘Why?’ and candidates should provide a series of reasons. Most candidates can be expected to begin in 1789. It will be difficult to make material before 1789 relevant. Some might take a narrower approach with the rise of the Jacobins. As always, the main criterion in assessment will be the quality of the argument. The question can be tackled chronologically. It is easy to underestimate the support for Louis XVI in 1789. The decision to convene the Estates General was popular. The number of republicans was negligible. Nevertheless, his popularity continued to decline until his execution at a time when few monarchists in France dared to protest. Louis’ personality can be examined. He was well-meaning but lacked political skills. He had a strong sense of duty and monarchical obligation. He believed in divine right. Together, these made him reluctant to accept the (comparatively moderate) reforms that were demanded, such as the issue of voting in the Estates General, the August Decrees and Declaration of Rights, until he was forced into concessions, which consequently made him less, not more, popular. His defence of privileged classes was an important factor. He held out against the Civil Constitution. There were suspicions, not wholly unfounded, that he was angling for foreign intervention to regain power. The King was seen as sympathetic to the à ©migrà ©s. Whatever the truth about Marie Antoinette’s attitudes and actions, she was widely hated. The ill-fated flight to Varennes can be examined. It will be very relevant to show how extremists hijacked the Revolution. The dangers from war, internal unrest as in the Vendà ©e, and economic pressures led to the victory of extremists such as Robespierre and the defeat of moderate revolutionary forces. Louis’ execution was important in its own right but it was also a reflection of rivalries between different groups of radicals. 12 Who of Cavour, Garibaldi and Mazzini contributed most to the unification of Italy by 1871? †¨The key issue is the comparative contributions of three leaders of Italian unification. Band 5 (11–13) will need a basic understanding of the work of one man. However, even the best answers do not need to show an even balance between the three. Candidates can spend most time on their preferred choice but answers in the two highest bands will need a sound knowledge and understanding of all three. There is a comparative element in the question (‘contributed†¦most’) and answers in Band 1 (21–25) will be clear when offering their reasons. Answers in lower bands might be relevant, well informed and clearly argued but they will probably not justify their choice. A problem might be when candidates interpret the question as an invitation to write about only one leader – the most important. These answers might show the candidates to be capable of writing well but they will be incomplete. Such answers might be limited to a ceiling in Band 3 (16–17) although, as always, the overriding factor will be the quality of the argument. Cavour laid a firm foundation for unification by re-organising Piedmont. He was a successful politician who managed Piedmont with a combination of skill and bribery. He was a realist and ensured that he obtained foreign assistance, especially from Napoleon III’s France, before confronting Austria. He preferred to extend Piedmont’s influence by plebiscites, apparently democratic but actually carefully managed. It might be argued that unification went further than he intended but his acceptance of Garibaldi’s gains in the south confirmed his pragmatism and he was careful not to confront the Papacy. By the time of his death (1861), Italy was unified with the exceptions of Venetia and Rome. Garibaldi made his name in Italy and outside by his contribution to the failed revolutions of 1848–49. He did as much as anybody to popularise the cause of Italian unification. The 1860 invasion of the south was successful militarily and had knock-on effects by forcing Cavour to recognise the momentum of pressure for a larger Italy. Although his later career was less successful, his particular claims were to push for the unification of the peninsula as a whole and to win the support of the lower orders. Mazzini led the cause in the 1830s and 1840s, for example through the Carbonari and the 1848–49 revolutions. It might be claimed that his ideas were unrealistic: a secular democracy achieved by Italians alone. However, although he was to be less successful in practical terms than either Cavour or Garibaldi, his claim to have been the most important contributor depends largely on the way in which he began the struggle. Except for the monarchy, the final shape of Italy closely resembled his programme. 2 Was Robespierre more a success or a failure than a revolutionary leader? Robespierre soon gained a reputation in the Estates General of 1789 as a lawyer who defended the interests of the poor. He became a leader of the Jacobins and was one of the first to demand the establishment of a republic and the execution of King Louis XVI after the Flight to Varennes (1791). He opposed the war in 1792 because he feared that it would result in the rise of a dictator. Robespierre and the Jacobins (or Montagnards/Mountain Men) defeated the Girondins and dominated the new Committee of Public Safety (1793-95). While in a dominant position, he did not merely seek power for himself and was believed not to be corrupted by power or wealth. He was the ‘Incorruptible’. He believed the problems facing the republic (including external war, internal counter-revolutionary groups and inflation) could only be solved through the use of terror. The terror acted against real and suspected enemies of the revolution and extended into every corner of France. Victims were mostly the aristocracy, bourgeoisie and members of the clergy but also included members of other classes. In all, perhaps 40,000 people were executed. Robespierre advocated a Republic of Virtue. He took the anti-clerical policies of the revolution further by inaugurating the cult of the Supreme Being, based on Reason. He also took severe steps to solve the dual problems of inflation and food shortages. Assignats and price fixing were introduced but both were unsuccessful. Robespierre took on board Carnot’s proposals for mass conscription to fight the war against counter-revolutionary kingdoms. By 1794, the opposition was able to gather sufficient support to bring him down and he was executed. Answers in the higher bands will consider both successes and failures although answers need not be evenly balanced because arguments can stress either. Was he more a success than a failure? Successes might be seen in the defeat of counter-revolution from within and outside France. The establishment of the republic was a short-term success. Robespierre’s leadership of war was decisive. Failures might include the brief period of his rule. Enemies were paralysed briefly. His socio-religious and economic policies did not work. 14 ‘Italian unification was more a victory for Piedmont’s power than for nationalism.’ How far do you agree with this claim? After 1815, Piedmont emerged as the major Italian state to oppose Austria’s power in Italy. However, its leadership was not accepted universally and was unpopular in some quarters. Other places with their leaders had claims, e.g. Rome and Venice. Charles Albert of Piedmont played a controversial role in 1848, seeming to lead the resistance to Austria but in the narrower interests of Piedmont and being willing to exploit the problems of risings elsewhere. After 1848 and under Victor Emmanuel, Piedmont became the more obvious candidate for leadership of Italy. It was independent of Austrian influence, with a constitution including the Statuto, was the wealthiest state in Italy and possessed an army which, although not equal to that of Austria, was stronger than that of other Italian states. Responses might build on this to examine the particular role of Cavour. He aimed to modernise Piedmont and then win allies to help to weaken Austria. By his death in 1861 his policies were successful in expanding Piedmont’s role in the north and in the Duchies. Garibaldi’s success in the south led him to go further than he probably wanted. But by 1861 Venetia and Rome were still outside the new kingdom of Italy in which Piedmont was the most powerful state. Italian nationalism was diverse in its aims. Mazzini aimed at the unification of the entire peninsula but he was foiled in the 1830s and in 1848-49. Other leaders such as Manin in Venice and, briefly, the Pope in 1848-49 had very limited success. None of these gained universal support from inside or outside Italy and crucially lacked military power. However, the role of nationalists, especially Garibaldi, should not be underestimated. Garibaldi played a crucial role in Cavour’s later years and he continued to aim at the incorporation of Rome. Candidates might point out that the final stages of unification (Venetia in 1866 and Rome in 1870) owed little to either Piedmont or to other Italian nationalists. To achieve the highest bands answers need not be evenly balanced between Piedmont and nationalism but should be sound on each.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) Essays - Genetics, Free Essays

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) Essays - Genetics, Free Essays Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a fatal progressive neurodegenerative disorder, is the most common motor neuron disease in European populations. Approximately 10% of ALS cases are familial (FALS) and the other patients are considered as sporadic ALS (SALS). Among many ALS causing genes that have been identified, mutations in SOD1 and C9orf72 are the most common genetic causes of the disease. In Iranian patients, it has been shown that SOD1, as compared to C9orf72, plays a much more prominent role. To date, more than 170 mutations have been reported in SOD1. Genotype/phenotype correlation with respect to either different causative genes or different mutations of a specific gene has not been well established. The inheritance of FALS in many families is atypical with one proband and one or two first/second degree relatives who also have the disease (Valdmanis Neumann et al 2006). Mutations in the gene encoding TDP-43, TARDBP, were subsequently found as a genetic cause of ALS (Sreedharan et al 2008). The genetics of FALS has moved forward rapidly in recent years, providing invaluable insight into disease pathogenesis and allowing the development of animal models to further study the disease and efficacy of therapeutic compounds. Autosomal Recessive: Parents do not have to be affected to have an affected child; often skips generations. For autosomal dominant traits, only ONE copy of the mutated allele is required for an individual to be affected, and this can be inherited from either parent. Individuals with a dominant trait have a 1 in 2 chance of passing that allele, and, therefore, that trait, to each of their children. If a child is affected, one parent must be affected. Clues to Pedigree Problems A. When determining if a trait is sex-linked or autosomal 1. An X-linked trait is usually expressed far greater in males since most are X-linked recessive. If X-linked, we will only consider X-linked recessive traits (none will be X-linked dominant). 2. Y-linked traits are only passed from father to son. Females are never affected. In this assignment, none of the traits are Y-linked. 3. An autosomal trait is expressed approximately equally in males and females. B. When determining if an autosomal trait is dominant or recessive 1. Dominant traits only require one allele to outwardly express the trait. a. Dominant traits are often present in every generation. b. If a child is affected, at least one parent must be affected. 2. Recessive traits require two alleles to outwardly express the trait. a. Recessive traits often skip generations. b. An affected child does not have to have an affected parent. This is a pedigree from two highly inbred families containing the ALS2 gene, and it displays the autosomal recessive nature of the mutation. A partial three generation pedigree of the index patient (indicated by the arrow), heterozygous for the p.D90A SOD1 mutation, is shown. The pedigree suggests autosomal dominant inheritance/transmission.

What MBA Admissions Consulting Isnt

What MBA Admissions Consulting Isnt Do Business School Admissions Need an Overhaul? There have been a few articles published lately about MBA Admissions Consulting. One such article published in Bloomberg Businessweek, Business School Admissions Needs an Overhaul, proposed that the entire admissions process for graduate business school be changed. The author, Alex Fleming, goes so far to propose that essay length and number should be reduced to discourage applicants from hiring admissions consultants. No one, he suggests, would pay someone $1,000 to write 100 words. The author and I both have MBA degrees from Wharton, but we part company after that. What Business School Admissions Consulting ISNT As an MBA Admissions Consultant for 14 years, I believe that what needs the overhaul isnt business school admissions but rather the incorrect understanding that many have about what admissions consulting actually is. For a start, any ethical admissions consultant will make it clear that he or she will never write an essay for an applicant. Some of our clients will ask us to do so despite what our written agreements and policies may say, but we make it clear that thats not part of our service. And for the record, as of the current admissions season, most top business school applications require multiple essays, with limits of several hundred to about a thousand words each. An admissions consultant can help to ensure the topic and organization of those essays hits the mark with admissions committees. Admissions Consultants also wont ghost write recommendations for our clients, although a few may request that service. In fact, many of us, myself included, refuse to even review a draft recommendation. I take it even further than most, suggesting that my clients push back if the recommender wont write a recommendation without getting a draft from the applicant. If the recommender insists on receiving more than a bulleted list of suggested points, I tell my clients to find another recommender. Is there an alumni interviewer popularity contest? I disagree with another point in the article. Having been an alumni interviewer for Wharton MBA applicants, I dont understand what he means by the â€Å"alumni interviewer popularity contest.† Assuming that the school trains its volunteer alumni interviewers well, as most do, an interview with an experienced alumnus can give the interviewer and interviewee insights into the fit between the applicant and the school that an on campus interview may not, especially in terms of the long-term career view. I have no understanding of the popularity contest that the author mentions. You are no doubt wondering what MBA Admissions Consulting is if this is what it isnt? That will be the topic of my next blog entry. Need guidance in your MBA/EMBA Application process? Maximize your applications with help from The Essay Experts MBA Admissions Consulting Services. Or feel free to email me directly at larryessayexpert@gmail.com. Larry Sochrin Category:MBA Admissions ProcessBy Brenda BernsteinNovember 18, 2011