Admission to non university higher education studies

Name of secondary school credential required: High School Diploma

Minimum score/requirement: High school marks depend on standards and policies of individual institutions.

For entry to: All programmes

Alternatives to credentials:

The Certificate of General Educational Development (GED Certificate) is legally recognized in all states as equivalent to the High School Diploma. It is a certificate awarded to adult learners who did not complete secondary school on schedule and who enter, and complete, a special programme of studies equivalent to senior high school. In addition, institutions may choose to make exceptions to standard requirements on an individual case basis and to award advanced credit for other education, training, or experience. In some states, public 2-year colleges (community colleges, vocational or technical institutes) are required by law to admit any applicant. This practice is called open admission. Institutions following open admission policies tend to monitor the progress of students and set clear requirements for course sequences and graduation in order to ensure that outcome standards remain acceptably high. High failure and dropout rates are not uncommon in open admissions situations.

Entrance exams required:

Scholastic Aptitute Test (SAT) and American College Testing (ACT) Examination (required by some states) scored by private corporations. A fee is required from the student. Achievement tests (SAT II) may be required or accepted in specific subject areas. Advanced Placement (AP) examinations are also considered in awarding advanced credit.

Numerus clausus/restrictions:

There are no data at the national level on any institutional restrictions. Any such restrictions are determined by the individual institutions in response to local conditions and they would need to be consulted directly. Any state restrictions would also need to be checked with the appropriate state authority. Institutions may occassionally impose restrictions on admissions, including specific grade and course requirements, in heavily oversubscribed subjects such as medical education or in subjects where professional licensing or accrediting requirements require such standards.

Other admission requirements:

No requirements are established at the national government level. Individual institutions may impose additional requirements such as specific secondary courses and course level; specific grades or grade-point averages; graduating class rank; standardized test scores; recommendations; entrance examinations, auditions, or portfolios; interviews; an foreign credential evaluations (when applicable).