Going to College in the U.S. Tacoma WA

Going to College in the U.S.

The opportunity to choose from a large range of institutions and programs is one of the greatest advantages of the U.S. educational system. American schools range from large research universities with more than 30,000 students to small colleges with fewer than 1,000 students; from universities with graduate and professional studies in medicine, law, and many other fields to schools offering only the two-year associate degree. Similarly, schools can be found everywhere from urban schools in large cities to rural institutions located far from metropolitan areas.

Admission policies
The admission requirements for students educated outside the U.S. educational system will vary from institution to institution. The educational preparation that is required to apply to a university in your own country will usually enable you to apply to a U.S. college or university. Since U.S. colleges and universities have the authority to determine their own admission and advanced-standing policies, you should always ask each institution what specific educational qualifications they require from students educated in your country. TOEFL scores are commonly required of students whose first language is not English.

The academic calendar
American colleges operate on three main types of calendars that divide the year into terms: the semester, trimester, and quarter systems. The academic year is approximately 9 months long.

Author: Amy Ambler

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