Becky Urbansky, age 14, of Des Plaines, I11., for her question:
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A COLLEGE AND A UNIVERSITY?
Colleges and Universities in the United States vary in pupil size from fewer than a hundred to more than 300,000. Largest enrollment honors go to the 19 campus complex of California State University and Colleges with second honors going to another California school: the University of California where there are more than 175,000 students on eight different campuses.
Most people agree that a college or university education helps a girl or boy enjoy a richer and more meaningful life. It prepares them for careers and also gives them an excellent appreciation of the workings of human relationships.
High school students must give serious consideration to the possibility of continuing their studies after graduation and then they must decide which institution of higher learning best suits their needs.
Offering opportunities with two year study programs are the community colleges across the continent. Called junior colleges in some areas, these schools provide training for many semiprofessional careers and occupations.
The word college has two meanings in education today. It may refer to a part of a university that teaches a special branch of knowledge, or to a separate institution which specializes in a single branch of knowledge. Oldest school of higher learning in the United States is Harvard University. In its early days, Harvard only prepared men for the ministry. Today we would call such a school a college of theology. Later schools broadened their courses to teach the liberals arts and became known as colleges of liberal arts.
The first universities in the United States offered courses in various fields of learning and called the departments that taught each branch colleges or schools.
Most universities provide a wide range of graduate study programs and also have a number of undergraduate colleges. With the University title comes the understanding that the school deals with nearly all fields of learning.
Modern universities have many departments including colleges of law, medicine, theology, dentistry and fine arts. Schools that specialize only in one area are often identified, in their name, such as teachers college, dental college or agricultural college. In liberal arts schools, they are usuallycalled simply colleges.
Aid programs are available to help students receive part or all of their college or university expenses.. There are many scholarships and fellowships available, as well as federal, state and private loan plans.
A prospective student who meets the academic requirements and would like to receive some financial assistance should contact the school of his choice and discuss the subject with the counselors. Aid programs and part time jobs make successful entrance possible for all those who have the desire to go on to college or university.