Lulu：Hello again and welcome back to America under the microscope, hello James
James：Hello, Lulu.
Lulu：So nice to have you here again
James：Thank you for having me.
Lulu：We talked about raising a child in America, we talked about K12 education, so in today's episode let's take a look at American universities which I think a lot of our listeners are very interested in.
James：Alright, let's jump in!
Lulu：So first of all, most of our listeners definitely know this: in America you don't go through things like 高考, you would apply for universities.
James：That's right. So in America, how it will work is students in high school directly apply to the different universities they want to go to.
Lulu：Is there maximum numbers of universities they are allowed to apply to?
James: No, they can apply as many as they want, although that would take a lot of time.
Lulu：Hmm, so usually people would just apply for a few of their favorites.
James：Yeah, usually high school recommend us to apply four or five.
Lulu：Four or five universities. And then they don't have the same requirements, do they?
James：They do not, requirements vary from school to school and state to state.
Lulu：But what are some of the requirements?
James：Well, in general, most schools have the same basic requirements. So most universities, they care about your high school grades. They are going to care about your standardized test scores, the SAT or ACT test scores.
Lulu：I think this would probably be a little bit like 高考。I know it's not like the final thing, but it is a standardized test in which the score really matters.
James：Yeah. that's about the only similarity like高考, cause the SAT, ACT, that only test your math, reading, writing. And you can take this test as many times as you want, as long as you are willing to pay.
Lulu：Okay. So that really takes the pressure off, I guess
James：Yes, if you do poorly at the first time, you can sign up for the test again, and try again
Lulu：So by far you said high school grades, standardized test score, like SAT or ACT. What else?
James：Most schools require you to write a short essay usually around five hundred words
Lulu：About yourself?
James：The topics can vary, things like how will our school benefit you in the future, or what are your future goals, things like these pretty standard essay questions
Lulu：Okay, and apart from these writing and grades, I have heard that American universities also pay quite a bit of attention to what you do outside of your classroom.
James：Yes, that helps a lot, because universities in the America are looking for rounded individuals who can succeed in the environment and that's not just academic skills, so if you did sports in high school, they will want to know about that, if you did volunteer work they want to know about that too, if you are activated in community, yeah
Lulu：And when do high schoolers start preparing for the university exams or applications?
James：Third year of high school.
Lulu：And I have heard something called AP, what is AP?
James：AP stands for advanced placement, what these are are basically advanced subject classes so they can be things like chemistry, English, biology, physics, history. And then when you complete the class, there's an exam, if you pass this very difficult exam, they will give you a certificate which you can then give it to the university and you will get credit for university class.
Lulu: I guess those are only for the top students
James: Usually yes
Lulu: And then after your apply, the university need to decide they want you or not. Do they usually do an interview or further tests?
James: Not really. Only schools do interviews like the top top tier like Harvard and schools like that, most schools don't because it will take too much time.
Lulu: Normal universities generally don't.(James: no) how would you know if you are accepted?
James: The school will send you an official letter. In fact, school send you a letter whether they accept you OR decline you, they will tell you either way.
Lulu: They will say we regret to inform you.
James: Correct!
Lulu: Since you have so many choices, would your high school help you choose universities or recommend universities to you?
James: They might, most high schools have advisors to help you do the application process, looking to schools, they will necessarily say which school is better, but they will help you with the paper work, the applications and things like that.
Lulu: Hmm, and when do you choose your majors? For Chinese we have to choose: "OK, I'm going to Chemistry"
James: You choose your major in America in the second year of university.
Lulu: So what you do the first year?
James: Mostly you do what we called generally required classes.
Lulu: So it can be anything?
James: Your major can be anything, our majors are chosen by the students at second year after we talk to academic advisors at the university, about what our goals are and they help us organize our course plan to work towards becoming this major, that's quite a bit more complicated than what is here in china.
Lulu: And what is union life like in term of studies? Do university students go to a lot of lectures?
James: College life in America, mostly if you talk about classes, mostly in lectures. So you go there, you listen to your professor, you take notes, professor assigns you reading, a lot of it, then you go home and read and review.
Lulu: How many hours of class in general?
James: On average, most of American students have twelve to fifteen hours of class a week.

Lulu: that doesn't sound a lot.
James: class time isn't a lot. You're not in class much, but homework is what will get you
Lulu: ah, yeah, the reading.
James: right. So in America we have general rule for every one hour of class expect two hours of homework.
Lulu: This homework is mostly reading, writing?
James: Your homework is mostly like going to be reading and reviewing, is not going to be very many assignments, they were actually depend on the subject.
Lulu: And I think one thing that people would be quite interested in is what if you fail a certain course, do you get to take the exam again or?
James: You have to take whole courses over.
Lulu: That's a lot of pressure.
James: Yeah and it's not something just failing it, in a lot of cases, in order to move on to the next level of course, you have to be about 70%, 70% is not even the failing mark that still passing
Lulu: passing just not high enough, I suppose you have to pay again
James: You have to retake classes, probably you are going to delay your graduation
Lulu: So that's about the school work. What about living arrangement? Do university students generally live on campus?
James: Usually the first year most universities requires students to live in dormitory the first year.
Lulu: And then second year they move out?
James: It's their choice, you can live in dormitory still, but many students choose to live off campus.
Lulu: So when they live in the dorm, do they get their food in the dorm as well?
James: Well, when you pay for your dorm in America, you have to pay for a meal plan, basically the meal card with money loaded on it, so you can eat in the cafeteria.
Lulu: What about social life? You know, you watch American TV shows and it looks university such a crazy time, where you drink and party a lot, is that really true?
James: Americans do drink and party at school, that is true, but it's not as often as you can see in TV and stuff, a lot of students actually have part time jobs.
Lulu: Oh, is that because the tuition fee is quite high?
James: yeah, they need money to pay for everything.
Lulu: and do universities offer them some of the positions they can work like勤工俭学。Do you have similar things?
James: A lot of support work in university is done by students, so the book store, the library, the cafeteria, teachers'assistance, these are all students
Lulu: and they get paid from the part time.
James: Yes, they do
Lulu: What about sports? Last time we talk about in high school already sports are getting really serious. What about university sports?
James: Sports even up one more step, cause if you are a fan in America like the NBA, those basketball players all come from university teams.
Lulu: the scouting people will just go to universities.
James: yeah. These sports become very serious business, because if a school wins the championship, they get sponsorship deal and school can use this money to improve buildings and facilities. It's a very good deal.
Lulu: almost like run professional events
James: yes
Lulu: Are the games free for students to attend?
James: yeah, students can go watch the games for free, teachers sadly no.
Lulu: and then I guess you can also get super invested in their own home team.
James: Yeah, many students they go to school encourage school spirit
Lulu: A sport man is really popular in university?
James: Honestly, not really. They might be popular in one small social group but most American universities are so big, that a lot of students probably don't even know who they are.
Lulu: I see. So let's wrap up now next time in our advanced episode for university life, we are going to talk about things that are probably more on the heavy side, about tuition fee and some of the problems relating to it. see you next time, bye.

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