Author Archives: uwirepr

INFOGRAPHIC – Today’s Learner: Student Views 2018 Survey Reveals Buying Course Materials is a Top Source of Financial Stress

Cengage

BOSTON, July 26, 2018 — Today’s Learner: Student Views 2018, a newly released survey conducted by Morning Consult on behalf of Cengage, identifies buying course materials as the top source of financial stress after tuition for college students. The largest US-based education and technology company serving the higher education market, Cengage provides course materials including textbooks, ebooks, homework and study guides to 11 million students.

The survey of 1,651 current and former college students also shows that students routinely sacrifice basic needs, such as food and spending time with their family, to afford their course materials.  For more key findings, view the full infographic:

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ABOUT CENGAGE:
Cengage is the education and technology company built for learners. As the largest US-based provider of teaching and learning materials for higher ed, we offer valuable options at affordable price points. Our industry-leading initiatives include Cengage Unlimited, the first-of-its-kind all-access digital subscription service. We embrace innovation to create learning experiences that build confidence and momentum toward the future students want. Headquartered in Boston, Cengage also serves K-12, library and workforce training markets around the world. Visit us at www.cengage.com or find us on Facebook or Twitter.

ABOUT THE SURVEY METHODOLOGY:
Morning Consult, on behalf of Cengage, conducted a national survey from July 11-13, 2018 among a national sample of 1,651 current and former students, ages 18 to 30. The interviews were conducted online and the data were weighted to approximate a target. Results from the full survey have a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points.

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Media Contact:
Susan Aspey
Cengage
202-695-6012
susan.aspey@cengage.com

Olivia Campbell
Edelman
212-819-4850
olivia.campbell@edelman.com

Cengage Unlimited Summer Sweepstakes – I want Unlimited ___!

Enter for a chance to win a Cengage Unlimited subscription

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BOSTON – June 27, 2018 If you could have an ‘unlimited supply’ of anything, what would it be? Cengage, an education and technology company, today announced the Cengage Unlimited Summer Sweepstakes giving students the chance to win one of ten free all-access subscriptions to Cengage Unlimited this Fall.

Commercially available in August, Cengage Unlimited offers students complete access to more than 22,000 digital products across 70 disciplines and 675 courses – for $119.99 per semester or $179.99 a year. Students using digital platforms can also get a print rental for $7.99 plus free shipping.

To enter, simply post an image, video, GIF or Boomerang to Twitter or Instagram, to show what you want an unlimited supply of – and include the Cengage Student social media handle (Twitter: @CengageLearning or Instagram: @cengagestudent) and hashtag #CengageUnlimited. A drawing will be held on August 1 and ten winners will be selected. Click here for full sweepstakes rules.

WHAT: Cengage Unlimited Summer Sweepstakes – Students, show us what you want an unlimited supply of and be entered for a chance to win one of ten Cengage Unlimited subscriptions.

WHO: Legal residents (18-years of age or older) of the United States and the District of Columbia, except where prohibited by law.

WHEN: Entries must be submitted by 12:00 PM ET on July 22nd via social media, online or via mail-in entry.

WHERE: Submit entries by uploading an image, video, GIF or Boomerang to Twitter or Instagram, using the Cengage social media handles (Twitter: @CengageLearning — Instagram: cengagestudent) and hashtag #CengageUnlimited.

To enter online or via mail, visit: https://www.cengage.com/learn/unlimited-supply

Winners will be selected on August 1. For more information on Cengage Unlimited, visit: www.cengage.com/unlimited.

About Cengage
Cengage is the education and technology company built for learners. As the largest US-based provider of teaching and learning materials for higher education, we offer valuable options at affordable price points. Our industry-leading initiatives include Cengage Unlimited, the first-of-its-kind all-access digital subscription service.  We embrace innovation to create learning experiences that build confidence and momentum toward the future students want. Headquartered in Boston, Cengage also serves K-12, library and workforce training markets around the world. Visit us at www.cengage.com or find us on Facebook or Twitter.

Media Contact
Lindsay Stanley
Cengage
Lindsay.stanley@cengage.com
203-965-8634

FIRST, WE MAKE THE BEAST BEAUTIFUL

A New Journey Through Anxiety

by New York Times bestselling author

SARAH WILSON

*Available Now*

May 2018 Indie Next Pick!

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“An affecting memoir of coping with anxiety over a busy lifetime. […] Those who endure anxiety will find Wilson’s thoughtful, often funny self-analysis to be just the right companion and affirmation.”
— Kirkus

“Uplifting, earnest […] practical, and filled with delightful asides, this book will appeal to anxiety-prone readers, who will find much to calm them in these pages.”
— Publishers Weekly

“Wilson presents a compelling mix of cathartic memoir and advice. […] Raw and honest, Wilson’s “new story” is meant to serve as a companion to help ease the plague of anxiety.”
— Booklist

“Probably the best book on living with anxiety that I’ve ever read, and I have (unfortunately) read many. Sarah is full of expert advice while remaining grounded and incredibly human. Her vulnerability is her strength. And after reading, it will hopefully be yours too.”
— Mark Manson, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck

“A witty, well-researched, and often insightful book about negotiating a new relationship to anxiety.”
— Andrew Solomon, New York Times bestselling author of Far from the Tree

“Sarah’s life mission is to help us all feel less lonely in our pain. These pages are filled with authenticity and clear direction for how to return to our spiritual truth.”
— Gabrielle Bernstein, #1 New York Times bestselling author of May Cause Miracles

Last year, The New York Times declared that “Prozac Nation is Now the United States of Xanax,” and The Wall Street Journal has called this the “anxious generation.” Discussions on anxiety seem to be seeping through our culture, and with good reason—anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States, affecting 40 million adults every year. The mental health issue of our age, anxiety is viewed as a burdensome affliction, often leaving those who suffer from it feeling hopeless and alone.  But what if we changed the way that we view this widespread condition, in order to see it as a powerful teacher, and even as an asset, instead of as the enemy?

In FIRST, WE MAKE THE BEAST BEAUTIFUL: A New Journey Through Anxiety, New York Times bestselling author Sarah Wilson shifts the cultural narrative surrounding anxiety in a lyrical exploration that reframes anxiety as a spiritual quest, and overturns our accepted notion of this mental health issue.

To conquer a beast, you must first make it beautiful.

Wilson first came across this Chinese proverb about twenty years ago, while reading psychologist Kay Redfield Jamison’s groundbreaking account of bipolar disorder, An Unquiet Mind. After years of struggling with her own beasts—chronic anxiety, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, insomnia and more—these words would become the key that helped Wilson better understand her condition, ultimately changing her life. FIRST, WE MAKE THE BEAST BEAUTIFUL charts Wilson’s epic journey and creative response to living with anxiety, while examining the hard science and research surrounding it.

In the book, Wilson directs intense focus and fierce investigative skills onto her lifetime companion, looking at the triggers and treatments, the fashions and fads. Reading widely on the subject, she also interviews fellow sufferers, mental health experts, philosophers, and even His Holiness the Dalai Lama, processing all she has learned through the prism of her own experiences. Readers will find comfort, humor, companionship, inspiration, and will also learn about some helpful tips to better manage their anxiety, including:

• Cultivate a gratitude ritual. Science shows our brains can’t be grateful and anxious at the same time.
• Eliminate sugar from your diet. Instead, eat pork, turmeric, and yogurt. Our microbiota and the blood-brain barrier is the new anxious frontier.
• Make your bed. Creating new patterns is the most effect way to override bad emotional habits.
• Walk. Anxious thinkers, inventors, and creatives, from Darwin to Nietzsche to Jobs did.
• Actively practice missing out. Forget FOMO, curl up on the couch, and order takeout.
• Just breathe. Embrace the healing power of meditation.

Pulling at the thread of accepted definitions of anxiety, Wilson unravels the notion that it is a difficult, dangerous disease that must be medicated into submission, and re-frames it as a divine journey—a state of yearning that will lead us closer to what really matters. Practical and poetic, wise and funny, this is a small book with a big heart. FIRST, WE MAKE THE BEAST BEAUTIFUL will encourage the myriad of souls who dance with anxiety to embrace it as part of who they are, and to explore the possibilities it offers for a richer, fuller life.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sarah Wilson is a journalist, entrepreneur, and the New York Times bestselling author of I Quit Sugar. She is the former editor of Australian Cosmopolitan, and she blogs on philosophy, anxiety, minimalism, toxin-free living, and anti-consumerism at sarahwilson.com. Wilson was ranked in Greatist.com’s 100 Most Influential Health Experts in 2015 and as one of the top 200 Most Influential Authors in the world in 2017 and 2018. She lives in Sydney, rides a bike everywhere, is a compulsive hiker, and is eternally curious.

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MEDIA CONTACT
Maria Silva
(212) 207-7486
maria.silva@harpercollins.com

ADVERTISING AGE PARTNERS WITH KIA MOTORS AMERICA TO “DRIVE CREATIVITY”

“Kia’s Driving Creativity” Contest Will Inspire and Celebrate Design Leaders of Tomorrow

Kia

NEW YORK – JUNE 20, 2018 – Advertising Age, the leading source of news, intelligence and conversation for the global marketing and media community, announced today that it is partnering with Kia Motors America to spotlight design talent from accredited art schools across the country with the “Kia’s Driving Creativity” contest.

The contest is a challenge to design school students to produce a print ad that depicts an artistic representation of the award-winning Kia Stinger fastback sedan alongside a documentary-style video that explains the students’ vision behind the creative. The winner will receive an all-expense paid trip to the 2019 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, a $10,000 scholarship and a $5,000 grant which will be awarded to the winner’s school.

“At Kia, we are fueled by youth and design influences every aspect of the vehicles we produce. Styled and engineered by legends in the automotive industry, the Stinger brims with power, passion and performance and proves that Kia is different by design,” said Saad Chehab, vice president, marketing communications, Kia Motors America. “We are thrilled to share our passion for design and cultivate the innovators and stars of tomorrow.”

The contest will be announced by Ad Age on June 20, 2018, in France at the Ad Age Cannes Lawn Party. Entries will be accepted on the contest hub at www.kiasdrivingcreativity.com through September 30, 2018. Up to six finalists will be chosen by a panel comprised of Ad Age editorial board members and Kia Motors America brand executives and featured on AdAge.com. The grand prize winner will be chosen by the Ad Age online audience from October 15 – December 3, 2018. The winner will be announced on December 10, 2018.

“Our business celebrates youthful challengers, and we are proud to partner with Kia to help showcase the talents of the next generation of creative disruptors who can change the way we find meaning in marketing,” said Josh Golden, president and publisher, Ad Age.

About Kia Motors America
Headquartered in Irvine, California, Kia Motors America continues to top quality surveys and is recognized as one of the 100 Best Global Brands and 50 Best Global Green Brands by Interbrand. Kia serves as the “Official Automotive Partner” of the NBA and LPGA and offers a complete range of vehicles sold through a network of nearly 800 dealers in the U.S., including cars and SUVs proudly built in West Point, Georgia.*
For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com. To receive custom email notifications for press releases the moment they are published, subscribe at www.kiamedia.com/us/en/newsalert.

* The Sorento and Optima GDI (EX, SX & Limited and certain LX Trims only) are assembled in the United States from U.S. and globally sourced parts

About Ad Age
Ad Age is a daily must-read for an influential audience of decision makers and disruptors across the marketing and media landscape. Created in 1930 to cover a burgeoning industry with objectivity, accuracy, and fairness, Ad Age continues to be powered by award-winning journalism. Today, Ad Age is a global media brand focusing on curated creativity, data and analysis, people and culture, and innovation and forecasting. From vital print editions to must-attend events and innovative platform offerings, its industry-leading offerings include the coveted A-List & Creativity Awards, the Ad Age Next Conference, and proprietary data such as the Leading National Advertisers Report from the Ad Age Datacenter.

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Media Inquiries
Bonnie Rothman
aapr@adage.com
(914) 500-5150

ATLANTIC RECORDS AND BIG YELLOW DOG MUSIC UNITE FOR EXCLUSIVE PARTNERSHIP

FIRST RELEASE IS TRACK FROM RISING SINGER-SONGWRITER BRYNN ELLIOTT
“TIME OF OUR LIVES” OUT TODAY IN CELEBRATION OF ELLIOTT’S GRADUATION FROM HARVARD UNIVERSITY
INSPIRING POP SINGLE FOLLOWS BREAKTHROUGH SINGLE, “MIGHT NOT LIKE ME”
“TIME OF OUR LIVES” EP ARRIVES LATER THIS YEAR

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Atlantic Records and independent music publishing and artist development company Big Yellow Dog Music have joined forces in an exclusive label partnership. Based in Nashville, Tennessee, Big Yellow Dog was founded by Co-owner/CEO Carla Wallace and Co-owner Kerry O’Neil. Over the past two decades, the company’s roster has been recognized with numerous accolades, including four GRAMMY® Awards; 34 #1 songs; four Song of the Year awards from ACM, BMI, and ASCAP; five ASCAP/BMI Pop awards; and many more.  This marks Big Yellow Dog’s first label venture.

The first release from the Big Yellow Dog/Atlantic partnership is the new track from rising singer/songwriter Brynn Elliott. “Time Of Our Lives” arrives today – the same day Elliott graduates from Harvard University, where she has spent the past four years studying philosophy while simultaneously earning attention for her uniquely provocative pop songcraft. Elliott’s debut EP, slated for release later this year, will also include her breakthrough single, “Might Not Like Me,” which has already drawn more than one million streams and counting.

Co-written with GRAMMY® Award-winning producer Nathan Chapman (Taylor Swift, Kylie Minogue), the “TIME OF OUR LIVES” EP features a series of distinctive pop songs fueled in large part by Elliott’s studies at Harvard. Each of the five songs on the EP was inspired by a different philosopher or set of ideas, with “Time of Our Lives” drawing on Heidegger and existentialism and “Might Not Like Me” absorbing feminist critiques of Descartes into a buoyant and empowering pop anthem.  In addition to studying philosophy as song inspiration, the Atlanta-born singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist spent most of her weekends and summers on the road, playing over 200 shows both on her own and as special guest to such artists as Brandi Carlile, Grace Potter, and Alanis Morissette.

“I’ve been friendly with Carla and Kerry for a while and have always been impressed by their taste, sincerity, and successful early bets on creative talent who have gone on to incredible long-term careers,” said Atlantic President of A&R Pete Ganbarg. “The more we spoke about it, the more it seemed like a no-brainer to partner up.  And the fact that literally one day after our deal closed, Carla heard Brynn’s music for the first time is such incredible synchronicity that we couldn’t have made it up if we tried.  Brynn is a world-class talent who is just beginning to scratch the surface of what’s to come. All of us at Atlantic are thrilled to be working with both Brynn and Big Yellow Dog.”

“We couldn’t be happier to join with such a legendary label, and most importantly, to be able to work with Atlantic’s powerful team of highly innovative music lovers.” adds Co-owner/CEO of Big Yellow Dog Music, Carla Wallace.  “I’m delighted to be collaborating with Pete after all these years of friendship, and thank you to Craig, Julie, and Espo for believing in this exciting partnership. I couldn’t imagine starting this deal any other way than coming out of the gate with such an inspiring artist as Brynn Elliott. “

For more, please visit BRYNNELLIOTT.COM
FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | ATLANTICRECORDS.COM

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From left to right: Nina Webb (SVP, Marketing for Atlantic Records), Julie Greenwald (Chairman & COO, Atlantic Records), Pete Ganbarg (President of A&R, Atlantic Records), Carla Wallace (Co-Owner & COO, Big Yellow Dog), Brynn Elliott, Bruce Flohr (Red Light Management), Nathan Chapman (Producer), Katie Hoaldridge (Red Light Management)

ABOUT ATLANTIC RECORDS
Atlantic Records celebrates its 70th anniversary in 2018. Founded in New York City, the label literally grew from a one-room operation into one of the world’s most preeminent music companies. Atlantic has released a string of recordings that have had a profound impact on the course of modern music, its rich history including such musical icons as Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, John Coltrane, and Led Zeppelin. The Atlantic Records Group roster today includes many of the world’s most popular recording artists, among them Kelly Clarkson, Bruno Mars, Ed Sheeran, Cardi B, Coldplay, David Guetta, Death Cab for Cutie, Lil Uzi Vert, Janelle Monae, Jason Mraz, Panic! At the Disco, Paramore, Charlie Puth, Skrillex, Sia, Sturgill Simpson, Twenty One Pilots, Rob Thomas, The War on Drugs, Wiz Khalifa and many more.

MORE ABOUT BIG YELLOW DOG MUSIC
The Big Yellow Dog catalog includes songs performed by Meghan Trainor, Maren Morris, Lady Antebellum (including 2011’s GRAMMY® Song of the Year, “Need You Now”), Demi Lovato, Rascal Flatts, Luke Bryan, Charlie Puth, Keith Urban, Jennifer Lopez, Chris Lane, Jason Derulo, Florida Georgia Line, DJ Khaled, Dierks Bentley, Cole Swindell, Fifth Harmony, Martina McBride, Michael Buble, Kacey Musgraves, and more. Big Yellow Dog’s film, television and brand division had over 400 placements in both 2016 and 2017, including soundtracks and campaigns for Big Little Lies, Apple, JC Penny, How To Get Away With Murder, Grey’s Anatomy, PetSmart, 13 Reasons Why, Weight Watchers, Smurfs: The Lost Village, Toyota, and many more.  For additional information, please visit www.bigyellowdogmusic.com.

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MEDIA CONTACT
Kim Ballen
Publicity | Atlantic Records
212.707.2025
Kim.Ballen@atlanticrecords.com

Cengage and VitalSource expand collaboration to include Cengage Unlimited subscription

Cengage Logo VitalSource Logo

BOSTON (May 21, 2018) – Cengage, an education and technology company, and VitalSource®, the leading Inclusive Access provider for higher education institutions nationwide, announced today that they are expanding their existing collaboration to support the distribution, fulfillment and marketing of Cengage Unlimited.

Cengage and VitalSource work together to provide affordable and accessible learning materials for students nationwide. In 2017, more than a million students in the U.S. used VitalSource to access Cengage content. Beginning in August 2018, Cengage Unlimited will be available through the VitalSource E-commerce solutions and onsite campus stores, as well as through Cengage.com and numerous other channel partners.

Cengage Unlimited is the first-of-its-kind subscription service for digital higher education materials that gives students complete on-demand access to all Cengage digital resources for $119.99 per semester or $179.99 a year. The expanded collaboration with VitalSource will make Cengage Unlimited available to hundreds of thousands of U.S. students through www.vitalsource.com, partner campus stores, and VitalSource’s Inclusive Access model, which provides students immediate access to all required course materials on the first day of class at affordable prices.

In addition to distribution, VitalSource will power many of Cengage Unlimited’s 20,000 plus eTextbooks. The VitalSource platform gives Cengage Unlimited students both online and offline access to textbooks and course materials on all major operating systems and mobile devices, with the best accessibility and student ratings in the industry.

“At Cengage, we’re disrupting the traditional textbook publishing model with a focus on providing affordable access to high-quality digital learning materials for students,” said Todd Markson, Chief Strategy Officer at Cengage. “In working more closely with VitalSource, we will be able to reach even more students with our comprehensive subscription service. The collaboration with VitalSource continues the brisk momentum behind Cengage Unlimited.”

Students and faculty at more than 7,000 institutions will have the opportunity to access Cengage Unlimited.

“Ensuring students, stores and instructors have access to the best educational materials and experiences at more affordable, competitive price points has been the VitalSource mission for over twenty years, “said Pep Carerra, president of VitalSource. “This collaboration is the next generation of innovation in educational materials, reaching students where they are, and helping to provide options the way modern consumers expect and deserve. We couldn’t be more excited to distribute Cengage Unlimited and support it with our eTextbook platform, bringing both worlds seamlessly together for hundreds of thousands of students.”

For more information on Cengage Unlimited visit www.Cengage.com/unlimited. To learn more about VitalSource, visit get.vitalsource.com.

About VitalSource | get.vitalsource.com

VitalSource Technologies LLC, part of Ingram Content Group, is improving the learning experience by making it easier to create and deliver effective and affordable content. The preferred choice among educational institutions and companies for digital learning materials, VitalSource® helps over 1,000 educational content providers create and deliver seamless interactive learning experiences through its exclusive Bookshelf® platform to millions of learners at 7,000 institutions. Bookshelf users opened more than 20 million digital textbooks last year and read more than 3.4 billion pages. Follow VitalSource on Twitter at @VitalSource.

About Cengage
Cengage is the education and technology company built for learners. As the largest US-based provider of teaching and learning materials for higher education, we offer valuable options at affordable price points. Our industry-leading initiatives include Cengage Unlimited, the first-of-its-kind all-access digital subscription service.  We embrace innovation to create learning experiences that build confidence and momentum toward the future students want. Headquartered in Boston, Cengage also serves K-12, library and workforce training markets around the world. Visit us at www.cengage.com or find us on Facebook or Twitter.

Media Contacts:
Lindsay Stanley
Cengage
203-965-8634
lindsay.stanley@cengage.com

Erin Shannon
VitalSource
617-314-3789
erin.shannon@vitalsource.com

Online Test Prep Pioneer, ExamPAL, Leverages Artificial Intelligence to Develop Ground-breaking GRE Course

examPAL logo

Success Guaranteed; Crowd Wisdom and Machine Learning Personalize Prep Course to Increase Student Scores by 7 Points

BOSTON, MA – May 15, 2018 – Leveraging the power of data and artificial intelligence, online test prep company, examPAL, today announced the launch of its ground-breaking course to prepare students to take the GRE.  Using crowd wisdom and machine learning, examPAL’s algorithm identifies what has been statistically proven to be the best way to solve each question on standardized tests, and develops a personalized prep course for each student. The latest in its pioneering test prep courses, examPAL’s GRE prep platform draws on each student’s unique way of thinking and learning to identify the best way for each student to master the GRE.

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“Through the power of AI, each student prepares for the GRE in an entirely personalized way,” explained CEO and co-founder Oren Jackman.  “examPAL improves a student’s cognitive flexibility, finding the fastest tool to solve each question. examPAL guarantees success.  A student using the GRE prep platform can increase his/her GRE score by at least 7 points.”

Rather than being cemented in traditional and outdated test prep approaches, examPAL provides a new way, harnessing data on both the test and the test-taker.  The result is a personalized test-prep path that identifies the fastest approach to each question.  This personalized and interactive experience is unlike anything available on the market today.

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“examPAL has been recognized for its break-through learning technology,” CEO Jackman continued.  “By studying the way each user thinks, and studying all solution approaches used by dozens of thousands of students from 156 countries, examPAL provides each student with proven, tailor-made prep sessions, based on his or her personal way of thinking.  The result is higher scores, faster.”

Start A Free Trial

ExamPAL.com is as affordable as it gets – there is no charge for students to start preparing for the GRE.

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About examPAL

examPAL resulted from the combined talents of more than 50 people from multiple industries, including educators, trainers, data scientists, and interactive programmers.  Drawing on over 20 years of experience in the test prep industry, examPAL uses artificial intelligence and crowd wisdom to create a unique learning path for each student, identifying the best way for him/her to solve standardized test problems quickly.  In a very short time, examPAL has received multiple industry awards and recognitions, including being and SXSWEdu and Microsoft Innovate.AI finalist (chosen among 8 other AI companies out of 117) and winning the Google sponsored DLD Innovation bronze award. examPAL offers online test prep courses for both the GMAT and GRE, and has served more than 35,000 students in 156 countries.  examPAL students awarded it 5 stars and 9.5/10 on Trustpilot.

About the GRE

The GRE – Graduate Record Exam – was developed in 1949 and administered by Educational Testing Service to provide graduate and business schools with common measures for comparing applicants’ qualifications and preparedness for graduate-level academic work.  More than 580,000 people take the standardized GRE annually.

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Contact:
Josef Blumenfeld
EdTech180
JosefBlumenfeld@gmail.com

5 Money-Saving Tips For The Upcoming Semester

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Budgeting is incredibly challenging, especially as a college student. From worrying about the ever-increasing cost of housing, to meal plans and tuition – it’s a lot. Not to mention school supplies and books! You are not alone in the pain of preparing for a new semester, so here are five tips on how to save money this fall.

Cut Coffee Consumption

College is rough and it’s hard not to bite, literally, into the temptations of all the convenient campus fast foods and coffee shops. Whether you spend $5 a day on Starbucks, or $2 on a vending machine snack, it can add up. In fact, ABC News discussed a study that found the average American spends about $1,100 a year on coffee alone. By investing in a coffee maker this fall (some pots are as cheap as $25, that’s less than a week’s worth of coffee shop drinks), or packing snacks, you can minimize the amount of money you spend on campus food, and thus maximize savings.

Walk, Bike or take Public Transportation

Uber and Lyft are incredibly convenient options for getting around, especially when you are running late for class across campus. However, the costs can add up if it becomes a habit. Check out the public transportation in your area, where students often receive a discount, or your institution’s bus services, which are often free! Or, even better, consider leaving yourself a few extra minutes to bike or walk across campus. Not only is this cost-effective but it’s a great way to get fresh air and stay in shape.

Shop Around for Course Materials

Books are one of the most expensive parts of college but they don’t have to be! Your university will often carry copies of textbooks at the library for you to check out when you need it. If your friends have previously taken the course, ask to borrow their book if they purchased it.

In addition, check out Cengage Unlimited, a new subscription where students pay a one-time fee of $119.99 per term ($179.99 per year) to get access to all the digital learning platforms, online homework & study tools, as well as ebooks that Cengage offers. For students who need to purchase multiple books, this is a great tool because you can get all your materials in one place, and access all the other study tools Cengage offers for about the cost of just one book! And, if you want print, you can receive a free print rental at no cost – just pay $7.99 for shipping. Figure out how much you can save today by using the Cengage Unlimited Calculator.

Score Student Savings

Don’t overlook college student discounts – they’re an easy way to save money throughout your time as a student. Many stores, like Banana Republic, Topshop and ASOS, all offer discounts if you have a valid student ID. Amazon Prime also offers a 6-month free trial for students and the New York Times offers access to all publications for $1! Apple, Dell, Spotify and Microsoft give significant student discounts, as well. Find out if your university offers Microsoft products for free as many colleges do.

Plan Courses According to Expenses

The classes you take and the professor teaching it can make a huge difference in the course materials you’ll need. Some professors might require a subscription to a news service, while others may require three different textbooks. This could be the difference between spending $20 and $200.

To better prepare, check out websites like Rate My Professors, where students often mention whether the materials are required or just recommended. If, for instance, you know that one professor requires an expensive book or a digital program, plan to take that class when you don’t have many other expenses. Scheduling classes with this in mind can help you plan accordingly and minimize the amount you spend.

-Kat Humphries

 

Kat Humphries is a freshman majoring in Political Science and Criminal Justice at the University of Akron. She works as a Student Ambassador for Cengage and is a Student Assistant for the Engineering Department at her University. In her free time, she is an assistant debate coach for high school students and a writer for Her Campus Akron.

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi Accepting Applications for Council of Students

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society, is currently accepting applications for its 2018-2020 Council of Students. The Council, comprised of student vice presidents from chapters across the nation, serves as the student engagement committee for the Society.

Established in 2007, the Council is tasked with enhancing communication with Phi Kappa Phi’s student vice presidents, planning and hosting a student leadership conference, and interacting with student vice presidents in the Society’s five divisions, among other tasks.

The Council of Students will be comprised of no fewer than five members, representative of the student membership as a whole. These students will gain valuable leadership skills and will communicate regularly with staff at the national office and the two student representatives who serve on the Board of Directors.

“Being part of the Council made me feel an important part of my chapter. I made sure to help others feel important and essential as well,” said Ana Lu Ramirez, a 2016-2018 Council of Students member. “I mobilized my chapter and we accomplished events and chapter growth. We hosted a book drive and a member drive. It was a fantastic experience, and I highly recommend it to all the students.”

The Council will meet for the first time at the 2018 Convention in Minneapolis from August 1-4 with all expenses covered by Phi Kappa Phi. The Council will also be expected to attend and take a leadership role in the Student Leadership Summit held in July 2019. The opportunity to serve on the Council requires a commitment to serve through the 2020 biennium, when the Society selects its next Council of Students. The selected Council members must maintain student status at their institution for at least one full year of the two-year term served on the Council.

“The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi has given me numerous opportunities to expand my horizons outside the academic setting and get engaged in the community services,” said Amreen Mughal, a 2016-2018 Council of Students member. “Council of Students is a platform for me to connect with hundreds of other chapters to learn and effectively share new ideas to fulfill the motto of the Society, ‘Let the love of learning rule humanity.’”

Current Phi Kappa Phi student vice presidents interested in applying should visit www.phikappaphi.org/council to download the application and access full eligibility requirements. The deadline to apply is May 25, 2018.

About Phi Kappa Phi
Founded in 1897, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. Phi Kappa Phi inducts approximately 30,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni annually. The Society has chapters on more than 300 select colleges and universities in North America and the Philippines. Membership is by invitation only to the top 10 percent of seniors and graduate students and 7.5 percent of juniors. Faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction also qualify. The Society’s mission is “To recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others.” For more information, visit www.phikappaphi.org.

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CONTACT
Hannah Breaux
Communications Director
hbreaux@phikappaphi.org
225.923.7777

NEW APP DEBX HELPS COLLEGE GRADS RACK UP REWARD POINTS, NOT DEBT

debx

App Combines Best of Credit and Debit, Automatically Paying Off Credit Card Purchases and Helping Millennial’s Build Their Credit History

BETHESDA, M.D. (April 30, 2018) – As millions of college students prepare to graduate, Washington DC-based startup Debx has launched a new personal finance app that helps them build their credit history without racking up debt, by combining the perks of credit cards with the peace of mind and simplicity of a debit card.

Many recent college graduates are just now learning how vital good credit history is, whether they want to get a car loan or secure an apartment. But it turns out many are avoid using or even applying for credit cards, afraid of the debt and high interest rates that accompany them.

In fact, according to a recent survey, 33% of millennials are afraid of credit card debt more than anything else, compared to only 20% responding that their greatest fear was death1. With credit card debt rising to over $1.02 trillion by 20172, and the average American consumer carrying $5,290 in credit card balances, millennials have good reasons for being wary.

But avoiding credit cards entirely has its own downsides: recent grads often have a hard time building good credit without them, and they miss out on the many other benefits credit cards offer, such as rewards points, cashback, and consumer protections from fraud and theft.

“When college students graduate, they are often unsure how to build their credit or manage their personal finances, and are maybe even a little intimidated,” says Ben Psillas, Founder of Debx. “They leave school with tons of student loans, and they want to avoid getting deeper in debt. But, they need to start building their credit history, and credit cards are one of the best ways to establish that.”

Debx’s aim is to help college grads avoid the pitfalls of credit cards, staying out of debt while still taking advantage of the many perks they offer.

By linking users’ credit cards and checking accounts, Debx pays off credit card balances automatically, or at the push of a button, allowing user’s credit cards to effectively function as a debit card, and avoid amassing large balances. Customizable rules such as Auto-Pay automatically pays off purchases below a certain amount, while Shutoff Balance automatically stops auto-payments when the balance in a user’s checking account dips below a set limit. As a result, users can use their credit card as they would for everyday purchases, earning credit card reward points, miles and cash back, but without the risk of overspending – and the infamous high interest rates and late fees such overspending invites.

The app also reinforces good spending habits by tracking credit card spending and balances, sending users notifications and reminders, and giving them updates on what rewards they have earned and how much using their credit card saves them. Users can see all their credit cards in one place, keeping an eye on their balances, spending and payments and knowing exactly where their money is going.

“College grads should feel confident when using credit,” says Psillas, “and by letting them stay on top of their balances, avoid debt and reap all the rewards that credit cards have to offer – while practically on auto-pilot – Debx will help them build that confidence and feel good about how they spend their money.”

Debx is available free for iOS in the iTunes Store. Enrollment takes less than 90 seconds, and Debx links with most major credit card lenders, including American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Discover, Wells Fargo and many more. To learn more, visit www.debx.co

About Debx: 
Debx is a free personal finance app for college graduates and millennials that keeps consumers out of debt by automatically paying off their everyday credit card purchases. By linking users’ existing credit cards and checking account, Debx allows them to use their credit card like a debit card, helping them earn more rewards, build credit, and enjoy the security of a credit card, while avoiding interest charges and fees. For more information, visit debx.co or follow Debx on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contact:
Ben Psillas
Founder
ben@debx.co
202-297-3596

1. Credible.com, February 13, 2018, Survey: Millennials Fear Credit Card Debt More Than Threat of War and Dying
2. MarketWatch, August 8, 2017, “American’s Now Have the Highest Credit Card Debt in U.S. History”. Federal Reserve