* The country: Requirements differ drastically between countries. Some countries may have a national standardized exam as a primary requirement, while others rely heavily on high school grades.
* The type of college: Highly selective universities will have much stricter requirements than less selective community colleges or vocational schools.
* The specific program of study: Some programs, particularly those in highly competitive fields like engineering or medicine, may have additional prerequisites beyond the general admission requirements.
Generally, the minimum requirement in many countries (particularly in the US and Canada) is a high school diploma or its equivalent (GED). However, this is often just the *minimum* and doesn't guarantee admission to any college, especially not a competitive one. Many colleges will also require:
* Minimum GPA: A certain grade point average in high school courses.
* Standardized test scores: Such as the SAT or ACT in the US, or other comparable tests in other countries. This requirement is becoming less prevalent in some places.
* Letters of recommendation: From teachers or counselors.
* Essays or personal statements: Demonstrating the applicant's qualifications and goals.
* Extracurricular activities: Demonstrating involvement and commitment outside of academics.
In short, while a high school diploma is often the *minimum*, successful college admission usually requires much more than that. You should research the specific requirements of the colleges you're interested in attending.