Updates from Organizations - Government agencies - Advertise Various Artists

With financial aid season officially kicking off on January 1, I'm writing to suggest a story idea on why your test scores can stop you from attending college — even if you've already gotten in.

Around 48 percent of Americans said they chose not to attend pursue education after high school due to cost. According to the education experts at Magoosh [https://magoosh.com]—an online solution that gives everyone access to enjoyable, affordable, and quality test prep—earning scores that just get you into college aren't enough anymore... and the mantra of "scores aren't important anymore" is a myth.

Here's why:

>> GREAT SCORES = FREE MONEY

Many schools offer substantial merit-based scholarships with your offer of admission just for having better test scores than others — so even though "all right" test scores will get you in, great ones will earn you automatic money.

>> "OKAY" SCORES LOCK YOU OUT OF THE SCHOLARSHIP MARKET
Competitive scores have become the norm, meaning they're now essentially a prerequisite to be considered for most popular private scholarships. 

>> GOOD SCORES PUSH YOU OVER THE EDGE
Thousands of students apply for any given scholarship, and as judges are forced to decide between similar essays or teacher recommendations, a score of even 50 points higher than your competition can shift the balance in your favor.

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With February being National Children’s Dental Health Month and dental health having an effect on appearance, general well-being and even earnings, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2018's States with the Best & Worst Dental Health.
 
In order to determine which places have the healthiest teeth and gums in the U.S., WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 25 key metrics. The data set ranges from share of adolescents who visited a dentist in the past year to dental treatment costs to share of adults with low life satisfaction due to oral condition.
 

States with the Best Dental Health

States with the Worst Dental Health

1

Minnesota

42

Texas

2

Wisconsin

43

South Carolina

3

Connecticut

44

Florida

4

Illinois

45

California

5

North Dakota

46

Louisiana

6

District of Columbia

47

Montana

7

Michigan

48

West Virginia

8

Massachusetts

49

Alabama

9

South Dakota

50

Arkansas

10

Idaho

51

Mississippi

 
 Best vs. Worst

• Rhode Island has the lowest share of the population who couldn’t afford more dental visits due to costs, 37 percent, which is two times lower than in Georgia, the highest at 74 percent.
   
• Massachusetts has the most dentists per 100,000 residents, 48, which is three times more than in Tennessee, the fewest at 16.
   
• The District of Columbia has the highest share of the population who receive fluoridated water, 100 percent, which is 8.5 times higher than in Hawaii, the lowest at 11.70 percent.
   
• Minnesota, Hawaii and Illinois have the lowest share of adults with poor or fair oral condition, 22 percent, which is 1.8 times lower than in Montana, the highest at 40 percent.
   
• Hawaii has the lowest share of adults aged 65 and older with no natural teeth, 5.6 percent, which is 5.4 times lower than in West Virginia, the highest at 30.4 percent. 

To view the full report and your state or the District’s rank, please visit:
https://wallethub.com/edu/states-with-best-worst-dental-health/31498/    

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Off Road Minivan

Premiere New Music Video

"Spiral Gaze"

via Alternative Press

Debut EP Spiral Gaze Out February 16th, 2018 

via Tooth & Nail Records
 

Pre-Order Now at:

www.smarturl.it/OffRoadMinivan

January 31, 2018 - Red Hook, NY - Rock quintet Off Road Minivan is thrilled to share their brand new music video "Spiral Gaze," premiering now via Alternative Press. "Spiral Gaze" is the title track from the band's forthcoming debut EP, out February 16th, 2018 via Tooth & Nail Records. For more information or to pre-order the EP, please visit:www.smarturl.it/OffRoadMinivan

On the new video, drummer Evan Garcia Renart shares: "We really wanted to create a collection of songs that not only allowed the audience to hear a powerful final product, but to be immersed in the intimate process that we used to create it. Our goal is to create high concept contemporary material that's imbued with the nostalgia of the music we grew up listening to and were inspired by."

Off Road Minivan is Ryan "Tuck" O'Leary (vocals, bass), Melvin Brinson (guitar), Dave Trimboli (guitar/keyboard), Miles Sweeny (guitar/keyboard), and Evan Garcia Renart (drums).

Off Road Minivan is an alternative rock band from Red Hook, NY. Their sound-a nod to acts like Jimmy Eat World, Thrice, and Snow Patrol-is the direct result of decade-long friendships and a collective passion for 90's grunge. Lead vocalist Ryan "Tuck" O'Leary (Fit For A King) uses Off Road Minivan as an opportunity to write the softer rock he loves to play. His band mates Melvin Brinson (guitar), Dave Trimboli (guitar/keyboard), Miles Sweeny (guitar/keyboard), and Evan Garcia Renart (drums) all play active roles in the writing process too, collaborating and building songs in sessions, not on screens.

"Our main point is to try and get away from what everyone is doing," explains O'Leary, referencing the popularity of electronic music. "We want the organic part of music, the kind that really fills the room, to be what we're known for."

Their debut EP, Spiral Gaze, releases on February 16th, 2018 via Tooth & Nail Records.

For More Information:

Website: www.offroadminivan.merchnow.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/OffRoadMinivan

Instagram: www.instagram.com/offroadminivan

Spiral Gaze Track Listing:

1. Spiral Gaze

2. Light Up The Room

3. Glow

4. 17 Years