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PART Issues and Perspectives ofHigher Education

American universities and colleges require for admission the completion of 12 year elementary and secondary education. As a matter of fact, students usually need to learn at a college-preparatory course (or track) of high school.

The specific selection procedures and the degree of competition vary among institutions, according to their types and characteristics. There are non-selective institutions among public two-year colleges.

The selection of entrants is usually made by individual institutions. The criteria for the selection of entrants to State universities are determined by individual universities in most States.

Many universities and colleges have officers who are responsible for services related to the selection of entrants and are provided with great power regarding the selection of entrants.

Requirements for selection are diverse, including those for non-academic elements. The relative weight given to respective requirements greatly varies according to the policy of each institution. The requirements widely emphasized by any institutions include: the students' academic achievement in high school; the names of subjects and the number of credits earned: the students' scores on scholastic aptitude tests, the recommendation of the high school principal; and interviews. In addition, among the factors affecting the selection of students are recommendations by churches, employers and others, the records of students' activities in high schools, and the major field of study each applicant wishes to choose. Competition for universities and colleges with a high social prestige is quite intense. Students need hard preparation in order to be admitted to these institutions.