In the United States, a student must complete twelve years, or "grades," of education before they can attend a university. Education begins at kindergarten, when children are around five years old. After completing their fifth grade, students move onto the secondary phase of their education. Once the child reaches ninth grade, they move to high school, where they stay until they complete their twelfth grade. At this point, the student receives a high school diploma. Students who do not possess a diploma will need pass the GED test, developed by the American Council on Education, to apply for university. Most institutions accept this alternative qualification.
When applying to university, students are asked to list their preferred subject, or "major," but they are considered by the university as a whole, not just one specific department. Therefore, prospective students should list a variety of potential courses of study and not just their first choice.
Universities tend to assess applicants by their academic grades and grade point average, or GPA, especially their grades in subjects relating to their preferred majors, as well as the core grade point average. The schools also usually require an SAT Test score for consideration. Students must provide a personal statement, which will be taken into account. Some universities may offer places according to their own particular criteria, for example, by preferring students from their own state or with a particular class ranking or life experiences. A criminal record check might be necessary. Some institutions have many more applicants than places and can afford to be extremely selective.
All universities publicize their admission requirements, typically using their website to do so. They have dedicated admissions offices, which handle inquiries and processing applications. Determine the specific institution's entry requirements and the deadline date before entering this process. Applying to a university can cost up to $100 and this fee is usually not refundable. However, some universities waive this fee for applicants using the Common Application form. Scholarships and other forms of financial assistance are often available, including federal grants, loans and private funds made available by corporate or charitable sponsors.