Curious about the equivalent of A Levels in the U.S.? What do students have to complete to show they’ve finished secondary education in the United States compared to A Levels in the UK? Let’s discuss the differences and similarities.
In the U.S., high school students don’t specialize as they do in the UK. They study a variety of subjects and electives based on interest, without needing specific subject credentials for university majors. You apply to the university as a whole, not to specific departments, except for a few exceptions like engineering. Majors are usually declared by the third year of college, so there’s no direct equivalent to A Levels due to these fundamental differences in the educational systems.
@Blair
Some majors like music performance do require specific applications and auditions to get into the program, not just the university. This isn’t common, but it’s worth noting for anyone looking into specialized fields. For instance, I had to audition for the University of Michigan’s music performance program and was accepted to the university but not the performance program.
@PoshDontleton
At the community college where I work, getting in is the easy part. For certain programs like nursing or mortuary science, you must apply separately and meet specific prerequisites.
@PoshDontleton
Exactly, even as a music major, pre-med students often have to declare majors early too, contrary to most other fields.
@Blair
While some states offer AP classes that can help students prepare for a college major, it’s not mandatory. You can get into a state school without having taken AP calculus.
Carter said:
@Blair
While some states offer AP classes that can help students prepare for a college major, it’s not mandatory. You can get into a state school without having taken AP calculus.
Yes, AP classes can enhance your college application and might even give you college credit, but they’re not a prerequisite for entering a specific major, unlike in the UK where you must have certain qualifications.
@Blair
The Hotel School at Cornell is an interesting case. My friend could only take classes in her major because she was accepted into that particular school, not the other divisions of Cornell.
madisonwilson said:
@Blair
The Hotel School at Cornell is an interesting case. My friend could only take classes in her major because she was accepted into that particular school, not the other divisions of Cornell.
The Hotel School operates under SUNY standards, which differ from Cornell’s private and selective Arts & Science division.
@Blair
If you want to switch majors like from business to nursing at a big university, you often need to reapply, which can be as selective as initial admissions.
Emma1 said:
@Blair
If you want to switch majors like from business to nursing at a big university, you often need to reapply, which can be as selective as initial admissions.
True, competitive programs like nursing, business, or engineering often require a separate application process.
Emma1 said:
@Blair
If you want to switch majors like from business to nursing at a big university, you often need to reapply, which can be as selective as initial admissions.
Usually, transferring between colleges within a university is straightforward, though exceptions exist in more exclusive colleges.
madisonwilson said:
@Blair
The Hotel School at Cornell is an interesting case. My friend could only take classes in her major because she was accepted into that particular school, not the other divisions of Cornell.
Generally, students at Cornell can take courses across different colleges, depending on the course’s popularity and requirement.
fionamathews said:
@Blair
It’s surprising that we expect young people to choose their future careers so early in life.
Puberty usually ranges from ages 13 to 16, so it’s quite early to make such significant decisions.
@Blair
It’s true that there are exceptions like magnet STEM or performing arts high schools that do focus on specific fields.
@Blair
At some universities like Columbia, you apply to specific schools like the College of Engineering and Science or Columbia College depending on your intended major.
Earning a high school diploma is the closest thing to A Levels in terms of educational progression in the U.S. It involves passing a series of classes to earn enough credits. Some states like New York also require passing a standardized test. The graduation ceremony symbolically represents completing secondary education, similar to passing A Levels.
@Kieran
In New York State, I’ve never had an employer ask to see my high school transcripts. It seems more about confirming you’ve completed education rather than examining the details.