U.S. Embassy in Fiji,
Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga, and Tuvalu

Types of Institutions

There are approximately 3,200 accredited degree-granting institutions in the United States. College is a generic term for any form of post-secondary education. The word never applies to secondary level education. There are several types of colleges:

• Two-year community colleges / junior colleges – award associate degrees at the completion of two years of full-time study. Many students transfer to a four-year college or university to complete a bachelor’s degree in an additional 2 years.
• Four-year colleges – award bachelors degrees upon completion of four years of full-time study. There are over 1,800 colleges in the States, about one third of which are private institutions. Colleges tend to focus on undergraduate education rather than research.
• Liberal arts colleges – most are private institutions and focus on undergraduate studies in the humanities, social sciences and sciences. There are over 900 liberal arts colleges in the States.
• Universities – generally offer a broad range of both undergraduate and graduate degree programs, and has an emphasis on research. Universities can vary considerably in size and the diversity of the programs they offer. There are more than 700 universities in the States.

There are both public and private universities and colleges in the United States. There is no distinction in quality between the two types. Private institutions usually charge higher tuition fees. The same fee normally applies whether the applicant is an in-state resident, an out-of-state resident, or an international student. Public institutions have two levels of tuition rates, one for residents of the state and the other for all other students.

In 2002-2003 there were about 586,000 international students enrolled in U.S. higher education programs. Fijian students in the U.S. number around 212, about 89% of whom are undergraduates.

Most bachelors’ degrees in the United States are earned through a broad program of study. It is often possible to complete up to two years of study before having to choose a major, the area in which more concentrated studies are done in the final two years. It normally takes four years to obtain a U.S. bachelor’s degree. The Australian system of three years to obtain an ordinary degree does not exist in the United States.

The U.S. academic year runs from approximately 1 September to May or June, with a summer break between June – August.

Admission Tests

American colleges commonly require a score on either the SAT or ACT. Many will accept scores on either test, but some request the SAT only or the ACT only. Be sure to check college websites and/or the application materials themselves to determine each college’s requirements. There is no “pass” mark for these admission tests. Your test scores are just one part of the whole application.

The SAT is the test most commonly held worldwide, and over 1 million students take it annually. The SAT is held 6 times a year between October and June, at various sites throughout Australia. Special requests can be made for alternative centers or for accommodations appropriate to disabilities. In 2003-04 the cost of the test is US$45.50. If you miss the registration deadline, it may be possible to sit the test on a standby basis. (Note the standby fee is an additional US$30). The SAT Registration Bulletin contains information about test dates, special requests, registration information and deadlines, test centers, fees, what the tests involve, sample questions and test taking tips.

Some colleges may request scores on some SAT II Subject Tests which test knowledge in particular areas of study, e.g., English, History, Maths, etc. The SAT I: Reasoning Test and the SAT II: Subject Tests cannot be taken on the same test date.

The SAT I and II test preparation materials are available from the advising center.

English Language Tests: If English is not your first language OR if the majority of your studies have been completed in a language other than English, you will probably be required to take the TOEFL Test. Registration Bulletins are available from all U.S. Educational Advising Centers. Test preparation materials are available from the advising center.

The ACT is designed to access students’ general development and their ability to complete university level work. The test covers four “skill areas”, English, maths, reading and science reasoning. The basic fee for the test is US$42.

To register: Students must register DIRECTLY with the test center they wish to sit the test NOT with the ACT or via the web. The deadline for contacting the test center is the Friday 2 weeks prior to the scheduled test date. There is NO standby test provision.

The PSAT measures critical reading, math problem solving, and writing skills that are developed over time. The test, which is usually taken in Year 11, is an excellent practice test opportunity for the SAT. It also gives American citizens the opportunity to qualify for scholarship and recognition programs.

AP (Advanced Placement) Exams are available as 35 exams in 19 subject areas. These exams allow students to receive advanced placement and/or credit at many U.S. undergraduate institutions, for university level knowledge and work completed prior to starting tertiary level studies.