Four-Year Colleges and Universities

Colleges

Institutions of higher learning that grant a bachelor's degree after (approximately) four years of study. At most of the colleges in the United States, you can earn either a baccalaureate or a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree.

Liberal Arts Colleges

Offer B.A. and B.S. degree programs that combine a broad cultural education through four years of study covering the arts, sciences, humanities, and social sciences. Each student is required to fulfill general requirement classes and would concentrate on a major field of study such as political science, literature, education, etc. Liberal Arts Colleges may be public, private or Christian and admissions policies may be open to highly selective.

Specialized Colleges

Offer bachelor's degree programs that focus more on preparation for a specific career such as art, music, engineering, etc. Less emphasis is placed on the broad liberal arts education. These schools

generally have a selective, competitive admissions process.

Universities

Offer four-year (bachelor's) degrees as well as some two-year (associate's) degrees. They include a liberal arts college plus specialized colleges such as education or business. Each college may have entrance requirements in addition to those for admission to the university. Check the admission standards of the individual college offering the program you want, as well as, the general admission requirements. For example, if you want to major in Nursing, the school of Nursing may have additional (or different) requirements for admission than the universities general admission policies. Universities may offer graduate programs leading to a master's, doctorate, or a professional degree. There are state univeristies and independent / private colleges and universities.

State/Public Universities

Class sizes may be larger - particularly in general requirement, core courses. Tuition rates are generally less expensive than private colleges/universities. Scholarships, grants, aid, etc. are available. However, if you choose an out-of-state (different than the state in which you reside) public university, the tuition may compare to a private school. Larger schools, in particular, offer lots of activities, sports, clubs, organizations, etc. The population is usually diverse.

Independent/Private Colleges and Universities

May offer fewer academic choices. Class sizes are usually smaller which can mean more interaction with the professor. Tuition is typically higher. There may be more possibilities for scholarships, grants, aid, etc. After scholarships, grants, aid, etc. tuition may be comparable to the public university. Smaller campuses can make it easier to get to know students and have more opportunities to get involved.

Advantages to Four-Year Colleges and Universities

• More areas of study will likely be offered at these institutions. These areas of study will offer a greater choice of possible majors
• The facilities at colleges and universities, from libraries to laboratories, generally will be more extensive and will offer a better opportunity for research, internships, etc.
• Usually, more activities are available at these institutions. From sports programs to special interest organizations. Most students find a greater chance to participate in social activities at colleges and universities.

Community and Junior Colleges

Community Colleges

Generally part of a state college system. They provide classes to meet the needs of a diverse group of students - from those taking a single course for career advancement to students beginning study for a four-year degree. Offer smaller classes; can obtain job training as well. Tuition is usually less than state universities. Usually commuter colleges because most do not have dorms.

Junior Colleges

Often independent, church-related schools. Offer associate degrees in arts and sciences that can be transferred to a four-year college. Make sure they are accredited colleges or your credits may not transfer to a four-year college.

Types of Programs offered at Community and Junior Colleges

Associate in Applied Science - degrees are terminal, or not transferable, and are meant to lead directly to employment in fields such as real estate, some nursing fields, etc.

Associate of Arts (A.A.) and Associate of Science (A.S.) - degrees provide the first two years of a four-year college degree and are intended for transfer to a four-year college or university. Check with the four-year college you plan to attend to be sure that your program will transfer.

Certificate Programs - sometimes called career-oriented programs, are for students who want to seek employment after six months to two years of post-secondary education/training. You need to ask careful questions from the beginning in order to avoid the frustration of taking courses that won't fit your goal.

NOTE: if you plan to transfer, check with your four-year college about their departmental entrance requirements before planning your classes. Get in writing what classes and grades will transfer. A guide to planning community college classes to fit with specific majors at a four-year college or university is very helpful. If you have a transferring four-year college in mind, ask if that college has such a publication.

Advantages of Community and Junior Colleges

• Economy - Tuition and fees are typically one-half or less of the tuition of four-year colleges. You can also save on room and board by living at home. Usually, you can combine classes with working.
• Open admission Policy - any high school graduate or holder of a GED certificate is eligible to enroll. If your high school grades or ACT/SAT scores are not high enough for admittance to a four-year college or university, a community college is a chance to get started in college. Community college grades will be looked at as you apply for admission to a four-year college as a transfer student.

Post-Secondary Vocational/Technical Education

Program offerings are often tailored to meet the needs of local business and industry. For those interested in studying a career-related program where you will be ready for employment in the labor market in two years or less after high school. Classes are typically taught by people who are or have worked in the particular career or profession. Tuition costs vary. Like community colleges, vocation/technical colleges usually do not have dorms.

How Do I Make the Right College Choice?

• Academic Program - How strong is the school in your major? Become an expert on your major and determine if the school has what you are looking for.
• Curriculum - How much depth and diversity is there? Remember the majority of students change their major so, you may want to choose a school with several good programs.
• Size and Type - How large of a school do you want to attend? Do you want a public, private, liberal arts, technical school, etc.?
• Location/Setting - Do you want a small town or a big city? Do you want a commuter school, or a large on-campus population?
• Student Body - Do you seem to fit well with these students? Are they mainly conservative, liberal, etc.?
• Resources/Faculty - What types of educational resources are there and how available are they? How talented and accessible are the faculty members? Who are students taught by: professors or teacher's assistants?
• Extracurricular Life - What is there to do outside of class? What extracurricular activities are available? Intramurals? Clubs and Organizations?
• Living Accommodations - Where do most of the students live - on or off campus? What are the dorms like - male, female, co-ed? What are the safety measures for the resident halls?

Tips for Admission

• Apply to 3 - 6 schools. This keeps your options open and may also give you a bargaining tool if discussing scholarships.
• Don't rule out a school because of finances until you have heard the final decision on all scholarships and financial aid. A more expensive school may end up costing you less once all the figures are in.
• Don't be late! Make sure to meet all of the deadlines!
• Keep all correspondence from every school of interest and keep it organized. Also, make copies of everything you send to the schools.
• Get to know a college representative at your schools of interest. You need a contact person on campus.

Talk to your parents - ultimately, college choice is a family decision.

**Some info taken from NextSTEPmag