A start-up, Loyal3, provides a technology platform for companies to sell their shares to consumers online and through Facebook. Loyal3’s CEO, Barry Schneider, explains that the initiative is beneficial to both sides. The brands will gain loyal consumers, because shoppers typically care about the company more when they actually own a piece of it. Participating brands will also gain exposure by allowing people to buy lots of small shares, while consumers will get to own a piece of their favorite corporation and hopefully get a return on their investment.

The system is very well thought out and simple to follow. As Loyal3 says, “it’s 3 clicks, 2 minutes and you’re an owner.” So how is this system different or better than a regular share buy?

Usually, you would have to pay high processing fees for shares brokerage, which aren’t actually included in your share value. Loyal3 eliminates all the fees, so you pay only for your actual investment. Another novelty is that the platform allows you to buy shares in the amount of as little as $10, so practically anyone could afford the investment. You can opt out and sell your shares at any time, so no annual contracts, third parties, or hidden fees. In addition to that, Loyal3 has developed a Facebook app through which you can purchase stock, without even leaving Facebook.

So what’s the catch?

Well, Loyal3 is not operating yet. Right now they’re testing the platform to make sure it can hold  up against thousands of little transactions each day. Both the corporations and the consumers have to be set up with their accounts to get started. The launch is scheduled for the second quarter of 2012, if you’re interested in owning a piece of your favorite company. In the meantime, you can look into Business Degree Programs to broaden up your horizons in business, finance or stock brokerage.

There are probably as many ideas as there are students: revolutionary car chips, windmill turbines testers, and foreign students’ support system. All very promising and innovative ideas, but one in particular grabbed the school’s attention. One of the competing students proposed an idea for a sensor which would be installed inside of clothes dryers to alert homeowners, in case of a fire. Those innocent looking clothes dryers are one of the most common causes of house fires. The student who invented the sensor technology knows it best – he’s actually a volunteer firefighter!

The winner is very grateful for this opportunity. Now, he will not only be able to cover the expenses of his education, amounting to about $37,000 a year, but he’ll also have the opportunity to start up his own business. The only catch in this arrangement is that the winner has to give the school a 10% stake in his new business. But, if that’s the price the student will have to pay for a debt free ride to school, it’s certainly worth it, isn’t it?

If you’re looking for alternative ways to fund your education, find out how you can pay for college by playing games or borrowing money from your supportive, fellow alumni. You can also research your financial aid options at UniversityDecisions.com.

Although Gideon Sundback didn’t exactly invent the zipper, he did perfect it. His perfection of this fastening device to clothing and accessories is honored today by the

Google Doodle, which is both interactive and informative. You can unzip the page and read all about Sundback and his accomplishments.

Sundback was born 132 years ago today in Sweden. The concept of the zipper had been around for years before Sundback, but it was clumsy and came undone easily, which eliminated its usefulness. He buried himself in perfecting the design of the zipper after his wife died and had designed the modern zipper by December of 1913. The popularity of the zipper later skyrocketed when companies began marketing it in the 1930s to mothers as a way for children to easily dress themselves.

The zipper is such a simple, yet very useful invention that many of us would miss if it wasn’t attached to our everyday clothing. The perfection of a product, such as a shoe lace or snap, are always welcomed when they allow our morning routine to be that much easier. If you have an idea of how to perfect an everyday product, ask your friends and see if it could be useful. 100 years from now, Google could be celebrating your birthday with a doodle!

There are many ways you can show Earth you care, and Earth Day is a wonderful time to put thought into action and figure out the ways to protect the environment. UniversityDecisions.com has prepared a list of the top 10 ways to celebrate this great holiday!

1. Plant a tree

You can plant one in your backyard, or if you don’t have one, talk to people in your community and get your neighbors involved. Maybe you’ll be able to plant not one but several trees by sharing the work and cost of this project. Planting trees helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and cleans the pollution- it is definitely worth it.

2. Ride a bike

Instead of driving your car to work or to the grocery store, ride a bike. It not only reduces pollution but also helps you stay active and healthy. Two birds with one stone :)

3. Cook an Earth Day meal

Plan a menu that uses locally grown products. Mainly use vegetables, as they take less resources to grow and distribute than meat. If you decide to eat meat, find organic, local products.

4. Wear green or brown

To remind others about the holiday wear Earth tones and encourage your friends to do so too. You can even print some environmentally friendly slogans on your tee to make sure everyone who sees you that day will remember it’s Earth Day.

Photo courtesy of earthday.org

5. Get the kids involved

Getting children involved at a young age is the best way to teach them how to care for the Earth when they grow up. Have them make “green” crafts, recycle their toys and clothes, or participate in the Earth Day cleaning event.

6. Hold an Earth Day event

There are many events all over the world celebrating Earth Day, but is there one in your community? Make sure that all of your friends and neighbors are aware of the day by hosting an event. Visit earthday.org for some tips on organizing one!

7. Make a day out if it

Take Earth Day seriously and try to avoid items that come in a lot of packaging, use your reusable coffee or water cup, and don’t use disposable plates or cutlery. Carry your own reusable bags to the grocery store.

8. Take an Ecological Footprint Quiz

The Ecological Footprint Quiz was designed for you to see how big of an impact you have on our Planet. This interactive feature will not only asses your footprint but will also allow you explore actions to improve your ecological score.

9. Strategize your impact

Sit down with your family and discuss certain ways you can make your lifestyle more environmentally friendly. Start small, for example, by recycling, using fluorescent light bulbs, unplugging rarely used appliances, line drying your laundry and, washing dishes by using a dishwasher, rather than by hand. Those are simple – but effective – ways to start!

10. Make every day Earth Day

Earth Day is not the only day we should be on our best behavior. If we make those “green” practices a habit, we can make Earth a very healthy environment, not just for us but for generations to come!

If you’re really passionate about Planet Earth and want to make an impact, consider becoming an Environmental Engineer. You’ll get to work on public health, recycling, pollution and waste treatment, and you’ll study how to lessen our impact on the environment.

http://youtu.be/ajVGIRsKXdo

Amazingly lifelike, the volumetric projection of Tupac Shakur materialized on stage and sprung into action alongside Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre, astounding the audience (and later, YouTube viewers) with its believability. From the clothing to the swagger, the hologram managed to capture every last detail of the Tupac image and achieved levels of realism that the world had not yet seen (though R2D2’s projection of Princess Leila in Star Wars came pretty close).

You might be wondering, who’s taking credit for this incredible illusion…and just how did they do it? Now, I’ll admit – I absolutely cannot answer the latter question – honestly, after hours of research and reading, all I’ve learned is that there ARE differences between holograms and volumetric projections, lasers and light are somehow involved for both, and those who work with holography are truly scientists and artists of the highest caliber. But I CAN tell you that the credit belongs to Dr. Dre, the mastermind who dreamed up the project, and to the highly skilled teams at AV Concepts and Digital Domain Media Group. Using the most sophisticated technology, these groups pulled together quite a convincing show and, as time will tell, may have sparked a revolution in the entertainment business.

Think you’ve got what it takes to lead the way in this groundbreaking industry? Visit us at UniversityDecisions.com to explore your options!

Didn’t your parents always tell you that playing video games was a total waste of time? Not anymore! Now, online gaming can actually help you pay for your college expenses. In addition to that, you make charitable donations by participating in the games.

How is that possible?

A unique social gaming platform, Grantoo, partnered with a variety of local colleges and national brands to sponsor free online game tournaments for students who need financial aid. Contestants can win tuition, rewards, discounts, and opportunities to donate to a charity of their choice.

For example, if Betty decides to play one of Grantoo’s games, she sets what percentage of her prize will go to a charity. Let’s say she chooses the minimum of 10% to go to a charity and the rest to pay for college. If she wins $4,000 there will be two checks issued – one for $400, which will be sent to the selected charity, and  one for $3,600, which will be sent to Betty’s college to cover her expenses.

Grantoo offers a number of different games like Wordy Bird, Grantoo Hold’em or Quiz Night, all of which are free! The only thing you need to devote is a little bit of your time, and you can start earning money for your college tuition and favorite organization. How cool is that!?

To find out about other ways to pay for college education, read our blog about SoFi – community based student loans. And, when exploring your financial aid options, don’t forget to visit our website at UniversityDecisions.com. There, you can find resources that will help you make the decisions that best fit your needs and career goals!

Photo and video courtesy of Grantoo.com

Here’s how it works:

SoFi connects potential students to alumni through a school-specific network to access financial aid. Alumni invest in the program for their respective schools, and SoFi manages the distribution of funds and provides students with low rate loans. After graduation, borrowers payback the loans and the investors receive a return on their investment.

The sense of community and the bond between alumni, students, and schools make this system very successful. Schools are now more likely to ensure that student debt is more manageable, students have sense of urgency to graduate and pay off what they borrowed, and alumni play a role of not only investors but of mentors to students who are able to ask them for advice on things like internships or class projects.

At this time, only thirty-some schools are participating in the SoFi loan program, but every day the community is growing. Anyone – students, alumni, career counselors, and even parents – can start the initiative to have a school participate in the program. It’s an easy three step process! You simply need to fill out the online form, spread the word in your community, and raise awareness, so that everyone may see the benefits of SoFi.

SoFi is a new and very compelling way of financing your higher education. When comparing all of your financial aid options, would you consider borrowing money through SoFi funds? As an alumni, would you consider lending money to the future students of your alma mater?

Let us know what you think about the SoFi loan program in the comments below!

Photo courtesy of SoFi.com

Photo Courtesy of ABCnews.com

I’m sure that everyone has been the victim of an April Fool’s joke at one time or another. Whether it was a case of being too gullible and believing something that was so outrageous it couldn’t be possible or you got the classic prank phone call, at UniversityDecisions.com, we love all harmless pranks. In fact, we’ve come up with a list of our own favorite office practical jokes and other miscellaneous pranks.

Office Pranks:

Invisible Ink: Paint all of the pens and pencils at a co-workers desk with clear nail polish. When they try to write with them, they won’t work. The pens and pencils can be dipped in nail polish remover to get them working again.

Take the Call: Use removable glue to secure a co-workers phone to the handset. Go and call their number, while watching them pick up the entire phone to answer.

Drawer Confusion: Switch the desk drawers of a co-worker, so when they go into a drawer to look for something specific, they can’t find it and panic.

Other pranks:

May I have Mayo: Replace the lotion in your victim’s lotion bottle with mayonnaise.

Confetti Shower: Place a cup of confetti on the blade of a ceiling fan and attach the string to turn the fan on. Your victim will think they are turning on the fan, but will be showered with confetti instead.

Can’t Come Clean: Add food coloring to the hand soap dispenser in your bathroom. When the victim tries to wash their hands, they’ll end up worse off than where they started.

We hope that some of these prank ideas can be put to good use, but remember, after every prank you have to yell—

APRIL FOOLS!

Why is networking important?

Establishing and maintaining professional relationships will help you learn about all the latest career options in your field of interest. The more you network and the more connections you make, the more likely it is that some of these contacts will turn into job referrals. Networking will also give you the practice and confidence you need for future job interviews.

How to network?

Have you ever heard of an “elevator speech?” The term refers to a 15- to 30-second long overview of who you are, what your strengths are, and how you could benefit your potential employer. Think of it as a commercial for your personal brand. After exchanging elevator pitches and briefly conversing, professionals usually exchange their contact information, so make sure you have your business cards handy.

Where to network?

A great starting point is your college environment. Classmates, instructors, and mentors who have connections of their own will keep you in mind if they know of any job opportunities. It’s also a good idea to stay tuned into what’s happening in your professional field – read journals, sign up for networking events, and join interest groups, even if it’s a group for dog lovers! You never know who you might meet with strong connections in the professional world.

Is online networking worth it?

Yes! More often than not, internet networking helps professionals stay in touch and up to date, and it enables employers to get to know their potential employees. Don’t hesitate to join networks like Facebook, LinkedIn or Meetup.com, but remember to maintain a professional profile. Depending on your chosen field, creating a portfolio website and linking it to your social networks may also be a great way to showcase your skills.

Now, you have a pretty hefty toolbox to get started on networking. Never underestimate an occasion to establish connections…whether it’s at a coffee shop, book club, or a professional networking event, every occasion is a great opportunity to get connected and pursue your career!

Photo Courtesy of Lionsgate

The Hunger Games is one of the most talked about and anticipated movies to come out since the ‘Twilight’ or ‘Harry Potter’ series. So what is ‘The Hunger Games’ really about and what has people buzzing so much about this movie?

Movies that are set in a post-apocolyptic world, such as the ‘Star Wars’ trilogy or ‘Avatar,’ have a way of completely captivating an audience, whether it’s because we’re all curious about the future  or we simply enjoy movies set in a world apart from our own. Either way, ‘The Hunger Games’ has some high expectations to live up to.

This particular story takes place after the destruction of North America, in a nation called Panem. Panem is a wealthy Capitol surrounded by 12 smaller, poorer districts. As punishment for a rebellion that took place against the capitol, one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 are chosen to play in the Hunger Games, each year. Those selected must fight each other until only one person remains living; meanwhile, this entire event is televised for everyone to watch.

Now, there is much more to the story than I’ve detailed above, but I don’t want to give the whole movie away (plus, I have yet to see it, myself). The plot of this movie is so unimaginable in today’s world, which is why I think I will be on the edge of my seat for the entire movie.

If you happen to see ‘The Hunger Games’ this weekend, let everyone at UniversityDecisions.com know whether it exceeded your expectations or it was a letdown at the box office.

Happy Hunger Games!