All students are asked to bring with them a laptop for use in research, writing, and e-mailing home. Instruction is given in basic computer skills such as word processing, professional presentations, and spreadsheets to improve the student's chances for success in college. These skills are not only needed in college but are now being included as prerequisite to admission at many schools. Most disciplines are now requiring these skills as basic to admission to their programs. This has caused several universities to require that all their incoming students bring a laptop with them and many professors ask the students to bring them to class on a regular basis. All colleges and universities have a library orientation program for new students. The Library Orientation course at Pillars of Hope teaches the student's proper research and reference techniques according to the latest MLA guidebooks.