By Karen A. McCarthy
Assistant Director of Admissions
State University of New York at Binghamton

The higher education system in the United States includes statewide public systems which are partially funded by tax dollars. This public education system allows students from many backgrounds the opportunity to achieve their goals and dreams. The education system includes two-year agricultural and technical schools and community colleges, as well as four-year, and universities where students may pursue both undergraduate and graduate degrees.

Our focus here is on the four-year colleges and the universities. A great variety of disciplines and majors allows students the flexibility to study a broad range of topics. Also, each school offers different study options for students. The focus of most four-year colleges is liberal arts, whereas a university will consist of a college of liberal arts, and several other colleges, each with its specialized areas of study.

The inclusively of the public education system promotes intellectual and social equity, regardless of the socioeconomic status, ethnic, or religious background of students. Many colleges and universities have become microcosms of the global society.

The common bond among students is the desire to fulfill one's goals. Many of the students who attend college as undergraduates are 18-22 years old, entering college shortly after they finish their senior year in high school. Some students take advantage of the summer months to enroll in one or two college level classes, transferring the credits to the institution they will enter in the fall.

High achieving high school students are encouraged to take accelerated classes through such options as Advanced Placement courses (AP), classes through the International Baccalaureate program (IB) or college courses while in high school. Quite often, the credits are transferable to the desired institution of higher education, and students begin their college careers with some college credits already in place.

Other students are older, perhaps returning to college after establishing careers or beginning families. Some older students are interested in enhancing employment skills, or may be contemplating a change in their lives. People in such situations bring unique life experiences into the classroom and the experience of learning is enriched by the amalgamation of traditional and non-traditional students.

Students may choose to apply to institutions according to their personal preferences. Intellectual curiosity or creative talent often lead students to decide upon a particular school which offers programs or majors of interest. However, not all students entering college have a firm idea of which path they wish to follow through life.

It is not unusual for a student to apply to a college or university as an undeclared or undecided major. Delaying the choice of a specialized course of study allows students some flexibility to explore different programs and disciplines. Many schools encourage students to pursue classes which will offer them exposure to a broad educational spectrum.

Once students have developed a foundational knowledge, then they will enter into a particular discipline or disciplines. Some students enjoy the intellectual challenge of enrolling in two dissimilar majors, or they may enroll in two mutually enriching areas of study. Thus, it is possible for a student to graduate with a double degree, or graduate with a major and minor (a concentrated block of classes) in divergent or complementary fields of study.
Many students find ample opportunities to engage in research and laboratory work with their instructors and classmates. While involved in research, the primary focus is not on the grade, but on the work at hand. Quite often students will find themselves working in small groups or research teams, relying on one another's skills to bring a project to fruition. Research teams may be engaged in any number of projects, from computer programming to field research in foreign countries. This "hands-on," experiential learning enhances the knowledge students glean from their textbooks and classroom lectures.

Computers have become an integral element in the college classroom. Some instructors now teach in multimedia lecture halls, utilizing technology in ways that enhance the learning experience for students. And, of course, the World Wide Web, which is adding nearly 1,000 sites per day, is a tool which students use with increasing frequency.

Overall, the public education system throughout the United States offers students a multitude of opportunities.