Format of study at US universities
Education in U.S. universities is based on units (units) – the analog of European credits. To successfully complete a bachelor’s degree, you need 120-180 units, and 30-40 units for a master’s degree.
In American universities, students make their own schedule and choose their own courses. They have a major – a major specialization and a minor – an additional specialization. For example, journalists can take a minor in film in order to work as a film critic in the future. Some courses will still be compulsory. Freedom, but not freedom.
In addition, some colleges in the U.S. also have core curriculum courses – required subjects of a broader orientation. For example, at American University, core curriculum courses include science studies, ethics, and social history. Students must take them in order to graduate.
Besides finals – exams at the end of the semester and academic year, in the USA there are also midterms – midterm tests in the middle of the semester.
Classes are usually held in the format of seminars and discussions. Lectures are not honored in the USA. This approach allows students to better digest the material and develop critical thinking. In specialties related to economics, business, sociology, case studies are common, when students are offered to solve a real problem from life or the activities of a company.
Special attention is paid to independent work. Unit consists of 3 hours of work, only one of which is allocated for classroom study. But a student should devote 2 hours to independent study of the material.
Initiative, creativity and ability to generate ideas are also valued. Back in the distant 30s of the last century, Stanford encouraged the entrepreneurial spirit of its students. As a result, Google, Yahoo, Netflix and others were born within its walls. And a whole community of IT companies and startups was formed near the campus.
Student life in American universities
Student interest clubs are widespread in US universities.
Traditionally, a special place is given to sports. Even the legendary Ivy League was originally an association of soccer teams. Now almost all universities in the United States have their own student team in some kind of sport: golf, rugby, baseball and even hockey.
But this is just a tiny drop in the ocean of activities that are available to students in American universities. Dartmouth College goes hiking in the Appalachian Mountains, MIT makes chocolate, and Alaska Pacific University plays pool. Creative individuals can try out the theater club, music groups and orchestras. There are book clubs, cooking circles, movie nights, debate clubs, and more.
Here everyone can find something to their liking and will not be left alone in a dorm room with their interests.
The most famous student organizations in the United States are sororities and fraternities. As you can understand from the name, members of the community are like family to each other and usually they live all together in a separate large (huge) house. The main purpose of fraternities and sororities is to help each other both during school and in later life. In addition to this, members of the community are involved in social activities, volunteering, and charity work.