Chapter 11 Postsecondary Education Admissions

Overview of Postsecondary Education in the U.S.

Introduction to Postsecondary Education

• The lecture focuses on postsecondary education in the United States, covering facts about colleges and universities, admissions policies, community colleges, and student demographics.

Facts and Figures About Colleges

• There are 4,182 public and private four-year and two-year colleges in the U.S., ranging from large universities to small community colleges.

• Accreditation is crucial; most schools meet standards set by evaluators. Approximately 78% of students attend public institutions despite more private colleges existing.

• Student populations vary significantly; some private schools have fewer than 100 students while state universities may exceed 50,000.

Admissions Requirements

• Admissions requirements differ widely among institutions; some are easy to enter while others are highly competitive.

• Undergraduate applicants typically need high school transcripts and standardized test scores (e.g., SAT). Graduate applicants may require tests like GRE or GMAT.

• Standardized exams like TOEFL for foreign students face criticism but remain a common admission criterion.

Holistic Admissions Approach

• Many schools consider factors beyond grades and test scores, such as extracurricular activities, ethnic background, work experience, and personal interviews.

• Prestigious institutions like Stanford and Harvard evaluate a diverse range of applicant backgrounds rather than solely focusing on academic metrics.

Community Colleges Overview

• Community colleges offer lenient admissions compared to four-year institutions; generally requiring only a high school diploma for entry.

• They provide lower tuition costs with many students living at home due to the absence of dormitories.

Programs Offered at Community Colleges

• Community colleges often lead to an Associate of Arts degree through two-year programs that can be vocational or transfer-oriented.

Educational Trends and Statistics in U.S. Colleges

Enrollment Statistics

• In 2002, among 2.8 million high school graduates, 65.2% enrolled in college by October, with over 90% attending full-time.

• Female graduates had a higher enrollment rate (68.4%) compared to male graduates (62.1%). Racial breakdown shows white students at 66.7%, black students at 58.7%, and Hispanic students at 53.5%.

Employment Among Students

• A significant portion of full-time students (42.6%) were either employed or seeking work; this figure rose to 75.7% for part-time students.

• Many older married students attend part-time to upgrade skills or change careers, contributing to the employment statistics.

Preparedness of American Students

• Foreign students often find American peers poorly prepared for university-level work, especially outside selective institutions.

• The educational philosophy in the U.S. leads to higher admission rates than many other countries, resulting in varying levels of preparedness among students.

Variability in Educational Opportunities

• Admission standards differ greatly across U.S. colleges; while some are highly competitive, many accredited institutions accept reasonably performing high school graduates.

Challenges in Completing Education

• Graduate school admissions are highly competitive; many undergraduates do not finish their degrees within four years due to various reasons such as working or traveling.

• Students may switch between full-time and part-time status during their education journey, impacting completion rates.

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