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In the United States, there are three broad categories of higher educational institutions. These include public colleges and universities, private institutions, and community colleges. While each provide opportunities for students to obtain higher education degrees, it is important to understand the distinctions between each type of institution so that students can determine which type suits their needs and goals.

1. Public Universities/Colleges: public universities are funded primarily by state government subsidies and taxpayer revenue. This allows for tuition to be more affordable for residents of the state. Some of the top public universities in the US include Indiana University-Bloomington, University of California-Berkeley, University of Virginia, and University of Michigan-Ann Arbor.

2. Private Universities/Colleges: private institutions are not government-run and most run as non-profit organizations. Tuition rates are typically higher at private universities, as they receive less government funding. Some private universities have religious affiliations. In the United States, some of the top private universities include Stanford University, Princeton University, Harvard University, and the University of Pennsylvania.

3. Community Colleges: Community colleges typically provide two-year Associate’s programs as well as certificate programs and adult education programs. Community colleges are often supported by tax revenue, and therefore, provide affordable education programs. After attending community colleges, many students chose to continue their education at four-year public or private universities. The largest public community college systems in the United States include the State University of New York Community College System, Ivy Tech Community College, and Miami Dade College.

Students should also be aware of the type of degree they intend to seek. For undergraduate students in the U.S., there are two types of degrees they can pursue: Associate’s Degree and Bachelor’s Degree.

Associate’s Degree: associate’s degrees typically take two-years (full-time) that provide career training or prepare students to transfer to a four-year program. These programs can help students begin a career in a technical field, such as automobile repair, cosmetology, dental/medical assisting, and construction management.

Bachelor’s Degree: These degree programs are designed to take four-years and provide a more comprehensive education than an associate’s degree program. Bachelor’s degrees require students to choose a specific major in addition to taking general required courses in various subjects. Bachelor’s degrees are often required to enter or to advance in certain career paths, such as finance, teaching, and various engineering fields. In addition, bachelor’s degrees are prerequisites to continued education, such as law school, medical school, and other master’s and doctoral programs.

Certificates and Vocational Training: Certificate programs are offered over a short period of time, typically several months to a year. These programs provide students with vocational training needed for specific technical jobs or with continued education needed for career advancement.

Advanced/Graduate Degrees: After obtaining a bachelor’s degree, some students may go on to obtain higher-level degrees. These degrees are necessary for certain fields, such as law and medicine, or can help professionals advance their career. Common types of graduate degrees include Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Master of Arts (M.A.), Juris Doctor (J.D.), Medical Doctorate (M.D.), and PhD. The process of applying to graduate programs is more complex than applying to an undergraduate program. To see an overview of the graduate admission’s process, please visit our graduate student information page.

Due to the time consuming nature of applying for college, it is recommended that students begin the application process as early as possible. There are many steps within this process, so it is critical that students are careful about and aware of each piece of their application.

1. Be Aware of Deadlines: Application deadlines vary among, and even within, institutions. Pay close attention to deadlines of each school you plan to apply to, and try to apply early if possible. Most application deadlines for major universities take place in the months of January, February, and March. Some colleges also give priority deadlines for certain scholarship packages, so the earlier you apply, the more financial aid you may receive. Priority deadlines are often in the months of October or November. In addition, certain programs, especially those that are highly competitive, have earlier deadlines. For example, Purdue University’s computer science program deadline is November 1, while the deadline for most other programs is January

2. Review Admission Standards: Each school will have its own standards for applicants, so it is critical that students are aware of whether or not they meet admissions criteria. A general overview of admissions criteria is listed in this document, but be sure to check with each school you apply to.

3. Take and Send Test Scores: Each institution has their own code to send test scores. When taking SAT/ACT/AP tests, students will have the option to submit scores to several institutions. Students should submit scores to any and all colleges/universities he/she is considering applying to. However, if a student wishes to submit test scores after they have taken the test, they may submit them online. Sending AP test scores is an important step, as they can allow for students to gain additional university credits or gain acceptance to advanced courses.

4. Fill out and submit the Application: Universities and colleges often will have their own applications, or students can fill out the Common Application. The Common Application allows students to fill out one application for all the schools they are interested in. Most colleges and universities in the US now accept the Common App, making the process of applying to college easier. Take your time filling this out! It is important that all information is accurate.

5. Application fees: fees vary depending on the institution. While some universities may allow students to apply for free, those that do require application fees often will waive the fee for students with limited financial resources. Students can request fee waivers when applying and the institution will review his/her financial needs. Enrollment in specific programs also can allow students to waive application fees, for example, in Indiana, students enrolled in the 21st Century Scholars Program do not have to pay application fees when applying to public universities in Indiana, such as IU.

6. Receive Admission Decision: Admissions decisions can take several months and are typically sent out during the spring. Applicants will receive their admissions decision by mail and e-mail, and if accepted, the university/college will send students information about the next steps he/she needs to take in order to enroll, as well as financial aid information. Institutions will give accepted students a deadline for when he/she must either accept or decline the enrollment offer.

For high school students of all grade levels, it is important to prepare for higher education. At all grade levels, students should be considering their college options, planning for college costs, working hard to improve their GPA, and participating in extracurricular activities so that they can not only gain acceptance and be successful at the college of their choice.

Freshmen: It is never too early to start thinking about college! While freshmen students do not have to take the SAT or apply for college just yet, it is still important to begin thinking about attending a higher education institution. High school freshmen are encouraged make appointments with their guidance counselors to discuss how to prepare for college by enrolling in advanced courses or courses that will best prepare them for the major/program they may be interested in. Freshmen students are also encouraged to join extracurricular activities or engage in volunteer opportunities and community service. Not only are these great ways to make new friends, colleges and universities like to see that students have interests outside of school and can manage their time effectively.

Sophomores: Sophomores are encouraged to meet with their counselors and partake in extracurricular activities as well. In addition, sophomores should begin researching colleges and start financial planning. Sophomores can also begin SAT preparation, as more practice can lead to a higher score.

Juniors: Junior year is a critical time for students to plan and prepare for college. It is recommended that juniors prepare for the SAT as much as possible and take the SAT test at least once. In addition, juniors should begin thinking about which colleges/universities they would like to apply to and start searching and applying for scholarships. In addition, juniors should continue participating in clubs, sports, volunteering, etc. as well as meet with their guidance counselors.

Seniors: Students begin the process of applying to college as soon as possible during their senior year. For most colleges and universities, early decision application deadlines are often in early November, and regular decision deadlines often take place in February or March, but is it recommended that students submit applications to their top choice schools as early as they can. Seniors should also continue to search for and apply for scholarships and submit the FAFSA after January 1. After applying to college, seniors should expect to receive admissions decisions by May and can then decide which college to attend.