When youll receive your admission decision COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY - SIPA Admissions Blog

When youll receive your admission decision COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY - SIPA Admissions Blog During this time of year, I receive a lot of questions about the admission timeline.  So I decided to share with all of you this handy dandy flowchart I created, which outlines the process for both our fall and spring applicants. For fall candidates, applications are  due in three phases, which are November for early-action applicants with fellowship consideration; January for general applicants with fellowship consideration; and February  general applicants without fellowship consideration, aka the final application deadline. From there, decisions are released on similar schedules that are tangential with the month the applications were due.  For spring candidates, there is only one application deadline (with fellowship consideration) in October. This application process is within a shorter timeframe, since classes actually  commence in the New Year. Click on the chart below (and click again to enlarge it) for a  general  overview of what those timelines look like. Keep in mind that exact dates  may vary  for each applicant.

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A Guide to Policy Essay Topics

A Guide to Policy Essay Topics The Unusual Secret of Policy Essay Topics Currently there are many on-line essay writing companies based in numerous regions of the planet. You're along side given a completely free plagiarism report for a sign of excellent service and original on-line essay. The pricing of our on-line essay is dependent on various elements. Our on-line essay service is about providing students with premium quality writing. You don't need to find super technical with legal argumentative essays, but don't forget to do your homework on what the recent laws about your favorite topic actually say. Laws are necessary to safeguard the dignity of each civilian so that any danger of abuse can be avoided through law enforcement activities. Public policy and the law are often controversial topics it's no wonder that numerous individuals say you shouldn't speak about politics since it can lead to a great deal of heated argument. Reviewing social policies on a normal basis is vital as it seeks to regulate a current law, which might enable new tactics and policies to stabilize. Life After Policy Essay Topics School should occur in the evenings. Essays are sometimes a challenging assignment for many students. Textbooks ought to be free. Every American should learn how to speak English. Make certain your topic can be argued well by either side, try to choose a subject that's popular but also wide. You must look for a topic you may write about most passionately and effectively. Also you need to be genuinely interested to find more information regarding the subject. Persuasive essay topics don't always must be of a significant nature, you can write about things that are linked in your life. The more information you may gather about the subject, the better prepared you'll be for writing your essay. Quite frequently, the very best topic is one which you truly care about, but you also will need to get ready to research it. Argumentative essay topics are so important since they are debatableand it's essential to at all times be critically contemplating the world around us. Still, figuring out the ideal topic for your essay isn't your only concern for a student. You would like your paper to be noticed, meaning you don't wish to select the simple topic and have your paper reflect precisely the same thing every one's paper does. You should also constantly review your paper, to make sure your topic drives with what it is you're writing about. Not all research paper topics are made equal, and you would like to be certain you opt for a fantastic topic before you commence writing. It's important to select debatable argumentative essay topics as you need opposing points which you can counter to your own points. You do not need to any excess cost for absolutely any personal essay revision because it's your right to receive the best personal essay from us. Researching the topic will permit you to find out more about what fascinates you, and should you pick something you really like, writing the essay will be more enjoyable. Write the introduction you can Now sit down to begin writing your essay. An argumentative essay requires you to choose a topic and have a position on it. Look at our list of characteristics and when you have any questions whatsoever, don't hesitate to speak to us. When you're selecting an essay topic, it's important to choose one which has a lot of information and statistics to back up your standpoint, and don't exaggerate any info you have chosen to write about. Analyze your findings Once you've gathered information, you can begin to analyze what you've found. Prove to them that you're right dependent on the available info, not based on experience.

Thorn Queen Chapter Four Free Essays

string(22) " to stop for teatime\." We left as soon as etiquette said we could. I tried using Shaya’s argument about eccentric queens doing whatever they wanted, but it didn’t work on her. She said if we didn’t stay a certain amount of time, I’d appear intimidated by Maiwenn. We will write a custom essay sample on Thorn Queen Chapter Four or any similar topic only for you Order Now So, we stuck around a bit longer than I liked before finally making formal farewells to the others. Kiyo was preoccupied with a group of well-wishers, but he looked up at my departure and smiled. He mouthed the word soon. My group rode back in a subdued mood. The urgency was gone, and I think my glum attitude threw a cloud over everyone. Seeing Maiwenn and Kiyo had bothered me more than I liked to admit, and Dorian†¦well, that was another story. For now, I wanted nothing more than to cross over to my own world, throw on pajamas, and watch mindless TV. Possibly while eating ice cream. And as our journey continued, ice cream sounded more and more appealing once we crossed back into the Thorn Land. The sun was sinking, but heat still radiated off the sand and rocks. It wouldn’t dissipate for another couple hours, and even at midnight, the temperature probably wouldn’t drop below seventy. I’d changed back to my shorts and sunglasses before leaving Maiwenn’s, so again, the heat didn’t bother me as much as it did the others. Dorian had claimed my sundress would catch on as a fashion trend; I wondered if shorts would as well. â€Å"There’s a village ahead,† murmured Rurik. I snapped out of my daydreams and followed his gesture. Sure enough, a small cluster of buildings darkened the horizon. Like my castle, it was something more suited to a medieval British landscape than the desert. Considering how infrequently I visited my kingdom, this was the first settlement I’d seen outside of the castle. It unnerved me a little, my discomfort growing when I saw that our road went straight through the town. Damned twisting Otherworld. This village hadn’t been here on our earlier trip. And for that reason, I knew better than to suggest we go around it. With the way this world worked, a slight deviation could toss us into the Rowan Land or add hours onto our trip. Steeling myself, I tightened my grip on the reins, deciding that this place looked small and wouldn’t take long to clear. When we entered its outskirts, though, I discovered something that made me lose my resolve. The road was lined with people. It was like everyone in the town had come out to see us pass through. They stood along the sides, staring at my party and again looking like extras from some medieval movie. Except, it must have been a low-budget movie. The people’s clothes were ragged and dirty, their faces gaunt. Everyone seemed too skinny, even the children and babies held in parental arms. My unease grew as we rode deeper into the heart of the village. I hated crowds and having eyes upon me. There was something discomfiting about this particular group. Their expressions were either completely blank or†¦well, terrified. Everything was dead silent. â€Å"What are they scared of?† I whispered to Rurik. He gave me an amused glance. â€Å"You, of course.† â€Å"Me?† I squeaked. Glancing at my attire, I tried to imagine how out of place I looked here. Was my foreignness that frightening? â€Å"You’re their queen. Everyone knows how you slaughtered Aeson-and that isn’t a particularly heartwarming tale. Likewise, Storm King’s legacy of terror lives on after all these years. You’ve inherited it.† â€Å"So, what, they see me as some kind of tyrant?† He shrugged. â€Å"You’re their queen,† he repeated, as though that explained everything. I’d never wanted to be queen. I certainly didn’t want to be seen as some kind of despot queen either. I didn’t want these eyes upon me, these eyes that all seemed to be filled with apathy, judgment, and a kind of weary defeat. I breathed a sigh of relief when we reached what looked to be the halfway point. All of a sudden, a man stepped in front of us, bringing us to a halt. He was an older gentry, tall and gray-haired. He was skinny and clothed only a little better than the rest, though there was an air of dignity and authority that made him stand out. When he saw he had our attention, he swept me a bow so low, his face nearly touched the dusty road. â€Å"To Eugenie, great queen of the Thorn Land, I offer the most humble greetings of your servant, Davros.† At least, that’s what I think he said. He was bent so low that his words came out muffled. I glanced uneasily at the others in my group, unsure what to do. They all remained silent and looked at me expectantly. Oh, sure. They were full of advice back at Maiwenn’s, but when it came to peasants groveling in the road? That was apparently all me. â€Å"Please, um, stand up,† I managed at last. â€Å"Um, Davros.† He rose, clasping his hands in front of him, looking totally overwhelmed that I’d used his name. â€Å"Thank you, your majesty. I am the mayor of this village. Words cannot express what an honor it is to have you among us.† Considering what Rurik had just told me about my reputation here, I wasn’t entirely sure I believed Davros’ words. I forced a smile. â€Å"Thanks. We’re just passing through on our way back to the castle.† Davros spread his hands wide. â€Å"I hope, then, that you’ll consider resting and taking a brief refreshment in my home.† â€Å"Oh, well, that’s really nice, but-â€Å" Shaya cleared her throat loudly. I glanced over at her. She gave me a pointed look that gave no question to what she wanted me to do. Grimacing, I glanced back down at poor, groveling Davros. Damn. I wanted nothing more than to get out of the Otherworld right now. I didn’t want to stop for teatime. You read "Thorn Queen Chapter Four" in category "Essay examples" My expression must have looked scary because Davros blanched and lowered his head meekly. I sighed. â€Å"We’d love to.† Mayor or not, Davros didn’t have a very big house. Only Shaya, Rurik, and I joined him inside, while the rest of my party milled around outdoors. From the village, Davros had invited a few other important officials, as well as his wife and two grown sons. We sat at a round oak table while his wife served us red wine and something that reminded me of baklava. I sipped only a little of the wine, not wanting to risk dehydration in this weather. I wasn’t much better at making conversation here than at Maiwenn’s, but fortunately, there was no need for me to do anything. Davros and his associates kept the talking going, most of the conversation centering on how glad they were that I had come by, what an honor it was to meet me, how they hoped I’d call on them if I needed anything, et cetera, et cetera. Which was why it was a bit shocking when Davros’ wife suddenly asked, â€Å"But if you would, your majesty, please tell us what it is we’ve done to displease you. We’ll do anything at all to make amends and gain your favor once more. Anything.† I almost choked on the honey cake. â€Å"What do you mean†¦displease me?† The villagers exchanged glances. â€Å"Well†¦,† said Davros at last. â€Å"There must be something. You’ve placed a blight on the land, stripping us of our water and food. Surely we’ve done something to warrant your most righteous displeasure.† â€Å"You need only let us know what it is,† piped in someone else. â€Å"We will do anything you require to lift this curse from us.† This was the most astonishing thing to happen to me all day-which was saying something. I looked at Shaya and Rurik for help, having no clue how to respond to this. For a moment, I thought they would once again make me fend for myself, until Shaya finally spoke. â€Å"The residents had built their lives around the shape of the land when Aeson ruled it, when it was the Alder Land. When it transformed itself to you, their old ways no longer worked. Their crops don’t grow in this weather. The wells have run dry.† I stared at her in shock. Never, never had this occurred to me-but then, it wasn’t like I’d spent a whole lot of time thinking about the Thorn Land. Most of my energy had been spent on figuring out how to avoid it. Studying Shaya, I wondered how long she’d known about this. I somehow doubted there was much that went on around here that she didn’t know about. From the looks of Rurik’s averted gaze, it appeared as though he’d known about this problem as well. Both knew how upset I got when forced to deal with any sort of queenly issues. So both had spared me the details while these people suffered. I turned back to Davros. â€Å"It’s not a curse†¦it’s, I don’t know, it’s just the way the land is. The way I wanted it to be.† Astonished looks met me, and I could only imagine what a freak I sounded like. When Aeson had ruled, this land had been green and lush, filled with forests and fertile farmland. Who in their right mind would turn it into a desert? Davros confirmed as much. â€Å"But this land†¦this land is impossible to survive in,† he said. â€Å"Not where I come from,† I told him. â€Å"This is like the land I grew up in. People live and flourish there.† People also had modern ways of bringing in water and shopping for whatever other stuff they might need. And that wasn’t even taking air-conditioning into account. â€Å"How?† he asked. I didn’t know how to readily answer. I didn’t really understand the intimate details of my world’s infrastructure. I turned a faucet and water came out. I went to the grocery store and bought milk and Pop-Tarts. Desperately, I racked my brain and tried to pull out elementary school lessons about Arizona’s history. â€Å"Irrigation,† I said lamely. â€Å"Squash, I think. And, um, corn.† Had the natives grown corn? Or was I getting confused by stereotypes? Shit. I was so ignorant. The only thing I felt confident of was that Pop-Tarts were not cultivated natively in Arizona. The looks the others gave me told me I wasn’t helping this situation any. I glanced at Shaya and Rurik, but this time, no help came. The full weight of what I’d done started to sink in. Maybe I hadn’t wanted this land. Maybe I hadn’t intentionally turned it into a mirror of wild Tucson. The point was: it was done. The Thorn Land was as it was, and taking in these ragged and starving people, I realized it was all my fault. Only, I had no clue how to fix it. I was too much a product of modern innovation. There was nothing I could do. Scratch that. There was one thing I could do. I abruptly stood from the table, catching everyone by surprise. As custom dictated, they all hastily scrambled and rose as well. Without explaining myself, I headed outside, back out into the village. Behind me, I could hear Davros babbling something, apparently thinking they’d again caused offense. They probably thought I was about to send lightning bolts from the sky. As it was, that might not have been a bad idea-if I actually had that power. These people could certainly use rain. But one rainstorm wouldn’t fix things, and I could hardly do it day after day. Instead, I walked out to the middle of the street and came to a halt. My guards straightened up, awaiting my orders, and other residents stopped to see what was happening. Those from Davros’ gathering soon poured out of the house and joined everyone else. I closed my eyes, opening myself to the world around me. I smelled the clean, fresh scent of the desert and the faint, faint breeze blowing through it. The setting sun warmed my skin. Then, I pushed deeper, reaching out to that which the magic within me instinctively bonded to. I felt the minuscule water vapor in the air, but that wasn’t what I wanted. I had to go further. I sent my magical senses into the ground, seeking water throughout the village. None. I remembered what Shaya had said about wells drying up, which meant the surface wasn’t going to yield anything. That meant I’d have to go deeper still. There. Back in the direction we’d entered town, I felt a hit. I opened my eyes and strode toward it, the water calling to me. I was vaguely aware of a crowd following me, but I paid them no attention. Only the water was my goal. When I reached the spot, I found that it was just on the town’s outer edge. A mesquite tree grew nearby, which should have been a tip-off. They had deep feelers that penetrated the earth in search of moisture. I too sent my power into the ground, trying to summon the water up. There was a lot of dirt between me and it, and I realized it wouldn’t do these people any good in the long term to just suck it to the surface right now. I turned around and found Davros right behind me, face anxious. I pointed to the ground. â€Å"You guys need to dig here. Right now. There’s water here.† He stared at me, mouth agape. A moment later, he snapped out of it and turned to those nearest him. â€Å"You heard the queen! Fetch shovels immediately. And find anyone who can work with the earth.† Earth magic. A smart idea. Gentry didn’t have bulldozers or drills, but they did have people who could throw around huge piles of dirt, which was pretty sweet for this kind of thing. Dorian-who was probably the strongest earth user in the Otherworld-could cause earthquakes and level buildings. In minutes, a group had assembled. I tried to take a shovel and help, but that nearly caused Shaya and Davros to have a heart attack. Queens didn’t do that kind of work. Instead, I stepped back, watching as the other villagers used magic and manual labor to dig where I’d indicated. When the hole grew too deep for shovels, the village’s two earth-magic users took over. Even combined, they were nowhere near Dorian in strength, but they definitely sped the process along, kicking up towers of dirt along the sides. Finally, I heard a great cheer. Everyone else and I crowded to the hole’s sides, peering down. It was deep in the ground, but muddy water was slowly filling up the bottom. I looked at Davros. â€Å"Can you guys turn this into a well?† I certainly hoped so because I sure as hell had no idea how to do it. I imagined it involved stones and a bucket, but maybe that was just my naà ¯ve fairy-tale images. His head bobbed eagerly. â€Å"Yes, yes, your majesty. Thank you, your majesty.† After that, it was nearly impossible to leave. I was regarded as a miracle worker. I was no longer the tyrant queen. I was their savior, the generous and wonderful monarch who had brought life to their land. I declined their pleas to stay and celebrate but told them I’d be back with other ways to save their town. Admittedly, I had no idea what that would entail, but mentioning such a minor detail would have seriously brought down everyone’s mood. When we were finally mounted up and able to head out, I suddenly felt a tug on my shoe. Surprised, I looked down and saw a middle-aged man gazing up at me. A similarly aged woman stood close beside him. â€Å"How dare you touch the queen!† gasped Davros. From his face, it looked like he was seriously afraid I might level the town. I waved him off. â€Å"It’s okay.† The man who’d pulled my leg regarded me pleadingly. â€Å"Please, your majesty. My wife and I have a boon to ask of you!† â€Å"That’s a favor or a request,† said Rurik helpfully. â€Å"I know what a boon is,† I snapped. I looked back down at the couple, unwilling to make any promises yet. â€Å"What is it?† The man put his arm around the woman. â€Å"We’ve heard that you’re both a great warrior and a great magic user.† â€Å"And clearly kind and compassionate,† added his wife. â€Å"And?† I asked. â€Å"And very beautiful and-â€Å" â€Å"No,† I exclaimed. â€Å"I mean, what’s your boon?† â€Å"Our daughter has been taken,† the woman said, eyes filling with tears. â€Å"We beg you to help us get her back.† â€Å"Whoa. That might be a little beyond my reach,† I told them. â€Å"When you say taken, do you mean, like, kidnapped?† They both nodded, and I was swept by a strange sense of deja vu. I’d first stumbled into this Otherworldly mess when I’d been hired in the human world to also find a missing girl. The girl had turned out to be Jasmine, though I’d had no clue at the time that she was half-gentry, let alone my sister. Was my life destined to be filled with missing girls? Davros stepped forward, looking upset and embarrassed. â€Å"Your majesty, please ignore them for troubling you with something so meaningless. Their daughter was not taken by anyone. She ran off to Highmore with her lover from a neighboring village.† I glanced at Shaya and Rurik. â€Å"What’s Highmore?† â€Å"Really?† asked Rurik dryly. â€Å"I thought you already knew everything.† I glared at him. â€Å"It’s a city,† said Shaya. â€Å"The largest in this kingdom.† â€Å"Wait, what? I have cities?† I asked, feeling my eyes go wide. The distraught couple interrupted my new revelation. â€Å"Davros is wrong,† the woman said. â€Å"Our daughter did not run off. She was taken by the bandits who live in the passes.† â€Å"Everyone knows they’re there,† added the man. He eyed Davros. â€Å"Them and their beasts. Even you won’t deny their existence. They’ve been there for years, and she isn’t the first girl to disappear.† I turned to Davros. â€Å"Is that true?† He shifted uncomfortably under my gaze. â€Å"Well, yes, your majesty, but such brigands are nothing you need to concern yourself about, just as King Aeson did not.† â€Å"Wait. Aeson knew there were bandits going after you guys and didn’t do anything?† â€Å"Such petty concerns were beneath him,† said Davros. To my astonishment, he seemed to believe that. â€Å"I don’t know,† I said slowly. â€Å"If a monarch doesn’t take care of that kind of thing, I’m not really sure what they’re supposed to do.† Truthfully, I didn’t want to deal with this any more than I wanted any other Thorn Land responsibilities. But the mention of Aeson had stirred my blood. Aeson had been a self-serving asshole, and it pissed me off that he would have left these people to fend for themselves. The only thing I wanted less than to be a ruler was to be a ruler like him. Furthermore, the same fury that Jasmine’s abduction had stirred in me flared up. Maybe it was my own experience with always being chased down by aggressive men, but I hated the thought of any girl facing rape or abduction. It didn’t matter that these were gentry girls and not humans. The principle was the same. Brigands and thieves taking advantage of young girls, of preying on those weaker, had to be stopped. â€Å"I’ll send people to take care of these bandits,† I said finally. Behind me, Rurik made a strange sound. â€Å"But I can’t make any guarantees about your daughter.† The couple’s faces lit up, and they fell to the ground in gratitude. â€Å"Thank you, your majesty!† the woman cried. Her husband chimed in. â€Å"Truly you are generous and magnanimous and-â€Å" â€Å"Yeah, okay, there’s no need for that,† I said hastily. â€Å"Or to kneel. You’re going to get all dirty.† We had just started to ride away when Shaya leaned toward me. â€Å"You’ve made a lot of promises today.† I thought about it. She was right. I’d promised to help them get food, rebuild their infrastructure, and rid themselves of those who preyed upon them. â€Å"Yeah. I guess I did.† She gave me a bemused look. â€Å"And how are you going to accomplish all of this?† I glanced around us, noting that the faces watching us leave town were no longer blank and afraid. They were grateful and adoring. I sighed. â€Å"That,† I told her, â€Å"is an excellent question.† How to cite Thorn Queen Chapter Four, Essay examples

Television How Has It Changed Essays - Communication,

Television How Has It Changed TELEVISION HOW HAS IT CHANGED SINCE ITS INVENTION? How has television changed over the last 25-50 years? This question can be answered in a variety of different ways ranging from the technological changes and advances it has gone through to the question of whether it has any type of affects on the way people perceive it, or if society is manipulated by what they see on television. This report will hopefully uncover and discover television then and now. The first aspect that will be uncovered are the technological advances that television has made over the years. Naturally to see into this, we must look to how television originated. Television broadcasting was first introduced in 1936 when it was available in London. It was not until 1954 when the FCC authorized the NTSC standard for color television broadcast in the United States. The question raised at this point is what was the television actually like? How many channels were available? Naturally the availability of what we have today was unthought of and in most cases seemed impossible, but most television sets were capable of providing at least up to four basic channels. However, these channels were only received clearly in larger cities. It was very difficult for television signals to pass through the mountains and rural areas. In order to resolve the problem what is known as cable television was introduced in 1948. The purpose of cable television was to be able to bring exist ing broadcast signals to rural areas with community antennas placed at high elevations, usually on mountains or on top of tall poles. Since the invention of cable television, it has grown rapidly. By 1960, there were nearly 700 cable systems. In 1971, 2,750 systems were serving almost 6 million homes. Now in the year 1999, the number has risen to more than 65 million. Of course, the invention of cable television was by far if not the only major technological development for television in the early days of television. Today, cable still continues to advance with new developments with satellites. There are over 80 different channels available to cable subscribers ranging from 24 hour music channels, 24 hour movie channels, and 24 hour news channels, and 24 news channels. In addition to being able to have these types of channels, pay television services or better known as premium channels are also associated with the advancement of cable television. These services offer a variety of po pular movies, original programming and sports without commercial interruption. Soon after this, interactive television evolved. Interactive TV describes a range in two-way communication services between service providers and end users. Finally, direct broadcast satellites were introduced to further expand cable television. Direct TV and Primestar are just a few companies associated with direct broadcast satellites. It is clearly easy to figure out that television has and will continue to advance. Now that a few various technological advances and developments have been described, they must be tied into what is most important, and that is how viewer perception and societal influence has been changed from television changing over the past 25-50 years. The main change in television has become the command center of our culture. Because television is quite different from other media such as film, theater, or music, it must be examined carefully and more in depth. People go to movies to watch movies, they go to the theaters to watch plays, and they buy music to listen to it, etc. However, we go to television for almost everything. Politics, literature, music, religion, news, commerce, you name it and television has it. Therefore, this makes us known as television people, because for anything to be legitimate, it has to come through television. Has American society become so dependent on television that in order to be an American, you have to watch television in order to make contact with whatever is happening in the culture to be familiar with what is on the television? In other words, if we didn't have television, do you think that people wouldn't know what was going on or people wouldn't be able to follow events that we see on telev ision? If this is the case, then how

How Middle Class Families Can Afford Private School

How Middle Class Families Can Afford Private School Private schools can seem out of reach for many families. Middle-class households in many U.S. cities are struggling with the cost of  health care, education and other expenses on the rise. Simply paying for everyday living can be a challenge, and many middle-class families dont even consider the option of applying to private school due to the added cost. But, a private school education may be easier to achieve than they thought. How? Check out these tips. Apply for Financial Aid Families who can not afford the full cost of private school can apply for financial aid.  According to the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), for the 2015-2016 year, about 24% of students at private schools received financial assistance. That figure is even higher at boarding schools, with nearly 37% of students receiving financial aid. Nearly every school offers financial aid, and many schools are committed to meeting 100% of a familys demonstrated need. When they apply for aid, families will complete what is known as a Parent Financial Statement (PFS). This is done through the School and Student Services (SSS) by NAIS. The information you provide is then used by SSS to generate a report that estimates the amount you can contribute to school experiences, and that report is what schools use to determine your demonstrated need. Schools vary with regard to how much aid they can provide to help pay private school tuition; some schools with large endowments can provide larger aid packages, and they also consider the other children you have enrolled in private education. While families can not know in advance if the aid package provided by their schools will cover their costs, it never hurts to ask and to apply for financial aid to see what the schools can come up with. Financial aid can make affording private school much more feasible. Some financial aid packages can even assist with travel if youre applying to a boarding school, as well as school supplies and activities. Tuition-Free Schools Full Scholarships Believe it or not, not every private school carries a tuition fee. Thats right, there are some tuition-free schools across the country, as well as schools that offer full scholarships to families whose household income falls below a certain level. Free schools, such as Regis High School, a Jesuit boys school in New York City, and schools that offer full scholarships to qualified families, such as Phillips Exeter, can help attending private school a reality for families who previously never believed such an education would be affordable. Lower-Cost Schools Many private schools have lower tuitions than the average independent school, making affording private school more accessible. For example, the Cristo Rey Network of 24 Catholic schools in 17 states and the District of Columbia offers a college-prep education at a lower cost than that charged by most Catholic schools. Many Catholic and parochial schools have lower tuitions than other private schools. In addition, there are some boarding schools across the country with lower tuition rates. These schools make affording private school, and even boarding school,  easier for middle-class families. Enjoy Employee Benefits A little-known benefit of working at a private school is that faculty and staff usually can send their children to the school for a reduced rate, a service known as tuition remission. At some schools, tuition remission means a portion of the costs are covered, while at others, 100 percent of the costs are covered. Now, naturally, this tactic requires there to be a job opening and for you to be qualified as a top candidate who gets hired, but it is possible. Keep in mind, too, that teaching isnt the only job at private schools. From business office and fundraising roles to admission/recruiting and database management, even marketing and software development, the wide range of positions offered at private schools might surprise you. So, if you know that your skills align with the needs of a private school and that you want to send your children there, you might consider dusting off your resume and applying for a job at a private school.

Medieval Sumptuary Laws

Medieval Sumptuary Laws The medieval world wasnt all drab clothing, flavorless food, and dark, drafty castles. Medieval folk knew how to enjoy themselves, and those who could afford it indulged in dazzling displays of wealth - sometimes to excess. Sumptuary laws originated to address this excess. The Lavish Life of the Nobility The upper classes took particular pleasure and pride in garbing themselves in luxurious finery. The exclusivity of their status symbols was assured by the excessive cost of their garments. Not only were the fabrics expensive, but tailors charged hefty fees to design attractive outfits and fit them specifically to their clients to make them look good. Even the colors used indicated status: bolder, brighter dyes that didnt fade easily were more costly, too. It was expected of the lord of the manor or castle to throw great feasts on special occasions, and nobles vied with each other to see who could offer the most exotic and abundant foodstuffs. Swans werent particularly good eating, but no knight or lady wanting to impress would pass up the chance to serve one in all its feathers at their banquet, often with its beak gilded. And anyone who could afford to build or hold a castle could also afford to make it warm and welcoming, with opulent tapestries, colorful draperies, and plush furnishings. These ostentatious displays of riches concerned the clergy and the more pious secular rulers. They believed that lavish spending wasnt good for the soul, especially keeping in mind Christs warning, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. And those less well-off were known to follow the fashions of the rich on items they couldnt really afford. In times of economic upheaval (such as the years during and following the Black Death), it sometimes became possible for the lower classes to acquire what was usually more costly clothing and fabrics. When this happened, the upper classes found it offensive, and everyone else found it unsettling; how was anyone to know if the lady in the velvet gown was a countess, a wealthy merchants wife, an upstart peasant or a prostitute? So, in some countries and at various times, sumptuary laws were passed to limit conspicuous consumption. These laws addressed the excessive cost and reckless display of clothing, food, drink, and household furnishings. The idea was to limit wild spending by the richest of the rich, but sumptuary laws were also designed to keep the lower classes from blurring the lines of social distinction. To this end, specific garments, fabrics and even certain colors became illegal for anyone but the nobility to wear. The History of Sumptuary Laws in Europe Sumptuary laws go back to ancient times. In Greece, such laws helped establish the reputation of the Spartans by forbidding them to attend drinking entertainments, own homes or furniture of elaborate construction, and possess silver or gold. The Romans, whose Latin language gave us the term sumptus for excessive expenditure, were concerned with extravagant dining habits and lavish banquets. They also passed laws addressing luxury in womens adornment, the fabric, and style of mens clothing, furniture, gladiatorial displays, the exchange of gifts and even funeral arrangements. And certain colors of clothing, such as purple, were restricted to the upper classes. Although some of these laws were not specifically called sumptuary, they nevertheless formed precedents for future sumptuary legislation. Early Christians had concerns over excessive expenditures, as well. Both men and women were admonished to dress plainly, in keeping with the humble ways of Jesus, carpenter and itinerant preacher. God would be far more pleased if they garbed themselves in virtue and good works rather than silks and brightly-colored clothing. When the western Roman Empire began to falter, economic hardship reduced the impetus for passing sumptuary laws, and for quite some time the only regulations in effect in Europe were those established within the Christian Church for clergy and monastics. Charlemagne and his son Louis the Pious proved to be notable exceptions. In 808, Charlemagne passed laws limiting the price of certain garments in the hopes of reigning in the extravagance of his court. When Louis succeeded him, he passed legislation forbidding the wearing of silk, silver, and gold. But these were only the exceptions. No other government concerned themselves with sumptuary laws until the 1100s. With the strengthening of the European economy that developed in the High Middle Ages came the return of those excessive expenditures that concerned authorities. The twelfth century, in which some scholars have seen a cultural renaissance, saw the passage of the first secular sumptuary law in over 300 years: a limitation on the price of sable furs used to trim garments. This short-lived legislation, passed in Genoa in 1157 and dropped in 1161, may seem insignificant, but it heralded a future trend that grew throughout 13th- and 14th-century Italy, France, and Spain. Most of the rest of Europe passed little to no sumptuary legislation until well into the 14th century, when the Black Death upset the status quo. Of those countries that concerned themselves with their subjects excesses, Italy was the most prolific in passing sumptuary laws. In cities such as Bologna, Lucca, Perugia, Siena, and most especially Florence and Venice, legislation was passed concerning virtually every aspect of daily life. The foremost motive of these laws appears to be the restraint of excess. Parents could not dress their children in garments made of particularly costly fabric or adorned with precious gems. Brides were restricted in the number of rings they were allowed to accept as gifts on their wedding day. And mourners were forbidden to engage in excessive displays of grief, wailing and going with their hair uncovered. Sumptuous Women Some of the laws passed seemed to be specifically targeted at women. This had a lot to do with a common view among the clergy of women as the morally weaker sex and even, it was often stated, the ruin of men. When men bought sumptuous clothing for their wives and daughters and then had to pay the fines when the extravagance of their finery surpassed the limits set down in the law, women were often blamed for manipulating their husbands and fathers. Men may have complained, but they didnt stop buying luxurious clothes and jewels for the women in their lives. Jews and Sumptuary Law Throughout their history in Europe, Jews took care to wear fairly sober clothing and never to flaunt any financial success they may have enjoyed in order to avoid provoking jealousy and hostility in their Christian neighbors. Jewish leaders issued sumptuary guidelines out of concern for the safety of their community. Medieval Jews were discouraged from dressing like Christians, in part for fear that assimilation could lead to conversion. Of their own accord, Jews in 13th-century England, France, and Germany wore a pointed hat, known as a  Judenhut,  to distinguish themselves as Jewish in public. As Europe grew more populated and the cities became a little more cosmopolitan, there was increased friendship and fraternization among individuals of different religions. This concerned the authorities of the Christian Church, who feared that Christian values would erode among those exposed to non-Christians. It bothered some of them that there was no way to tell if someone was Christian, Jewish or Muslim just by looking at them and that mistaken identity could lead to scandalous conduct between men and women of different belief systems. At the  Fourth Lateran Council  of November 1215,  Pope Innocent III  and the gathered Church officials made decrees concerning the mode of dress of non-Christians. Two of the canons stated: Jews and Muslims shall wear a special dress to enable them to be distinguished from Christians. Christian princes must take measures to prevent blasphemies against Jesus Christ. The exact nature of this distinctive dress was left up to individual secular leaders. Some governments decreed that a simple badge, usually yellow but sometimes white and occasionally red, be worn by all Jewish subjects. In England, a piece of yellow cloth meant to symbolize the Old Testament was worn. The  Judenhut  became mandatory over time, and in other regions, distinctive hats were compulsory elements of Jewish attire. Some countries went even further, requiring Jews to wear wide, black tunics and cloaks with pointed hoods. These structures could not fail to humiliate the Jews, though mandatory elements of dress were not the worst fate they suffered in the Middle Ages. Whatever else they did, the restrictions made Jews instantly recognizable and clearly different from Christians throughout Europe, and, unfortunately, they continued up to the 20th century. Sumptuary Law and the Economy Most of the sumptuary laws passed in the High Middle Ages came about due to increased economic prosperity and the excessive spending that went with it. Moralists feared such excess would harm society and corrupt Christian souls. But on the other side of the coin, there was a pragmatic reason for passing sumptuary laws: economic health. In some regions where the cloth was manufactured, it became illegal to purchase those fabrics from foreign sources. This may not have been a great hardship in places such as Flanders, where they were famous for the quality of their woolens, but in areas with less stellar reputations, wearing local products could have been tedious, uncomfortable, and even embarrassing. Effects of Sumptuary Laws With the notable exception of legislation regarding non-Christian attire, sumptuary laws seldom worked. It was largely impossible to monitor everyones purchases, and in the chaotic years following the Black Death, there were too many unforeseen changes and too few officials in any position to execute the laws. Prosecutions of lawbreakers were not unknown, but they were uncommon. With the punishment for breaking the law usually limited to a fine, the very rich could still acquire whatever their hearts desired and simply pay the fine as part of the cost of doing business. Still, the existence of sumptuary laws speaks to the concern of medieval authorities for the stability of the social structure. In spite of their general inefficacy, the passage of such laws continued through the Middle Ages and beyond. Sources Killerby, Catherine Kovesi,  Sumptuary Law in Italy 1200-1500.  Oxford University Press, 2002, 208 pp. Piponnier, Francoise, and Perrine Mane,  Dress in the Middle Ages.  Yale University Press, 1997, 167 pp. Howell, Martha C.,  Commerce before Capitalism in Europe, 1300-1600.  Cambridge University Press, 2010. 366 pp. Dean, Trevor, and K. J. P. Lowe, Eds.,  Crime, Society and the Law in Renaissance Italy.  Cambridge University Press, 1994. 296 pp. Castello, Elena Romero, and Uriel Macias Kapon,  The Jews and Europe.  Chartwell Books, 1994, 239 pp. Marcus, Jacob Rader, and Marc Saperstein,  The Jew in the Medieval World: A Source Book, 315-1791.  Hebrew Union College Press. 2000, 570 pp.