US college applications be like #usa #american #collegeapplication #collegeadmissions #college

[ArmyDropout]

It's more about payment than anything. Schools make money off sports and multigenerational alumni are more likely to be donors.

[GeneralNuisance]

Canada: uhh yeah just your grades. 6 best classes from your senior year of high school. Don't submit an essay or your activities, that's a waste of time

[obnoxiousNoxy]

Germany: Do you have good grades? Yeah? Welcome aboard then.

[cantthinkofabettername]

meanwhile in Switzerland: "You finished high school? See you in September!"

[AubzCelli]

Not to mention how absolutely outrageously priced it is here in the great old US

[alorentis]

In Italy you just graduate high school and take a standardised test in most faculties. The real challenge is not dropping out while you are in university😅

[washyourmouthoutwithpope]

meanwhile, in Ireland, only your grades matter and you just have to submit one application with your college preferences listed in order

[mitchmonin]

To explain the trauma thing: Here in the US we are all in constant competition with each other. The number of spots available in a given college could be limited, especially for the "good" schools. So in order to get an advantage in the admissions process, it is recommended that your personal statement essay contain something that motivates them to pick you over someone else. This has led to students going for pity points by talking about their various challenges growing up as a way of crafting a "pulled myself up from nothing" narrative. This might make any individual admission seem more deserving than another, seem like a harder worker than someone else, or simply might make the admissions team feel they want to continue that individual's story and contribute to their success.

[friendlyneighbourhoodbridg]

In my state in Australia, you literally submit your preferences to the Tertiary Admissions Council, your grades are uploaded there and then the universities just offer you a place

[especialistaemnada]

Brazil: we really don't care about your hobbies, it all depends on this one national test that only happens once a year... Good luck 👍

[michelem]

In the U.S., you can go to community college first, which only reqiured a high school diploma and placement testing when I went there. I then transfered to university with an associates degree from community college. I only had to take classes related to my major at university. I saved a bunch of money this way.

[lfocoapajf]

Plus donations your parents have made to the school, 2 letters of recommendation, basically a full time job's worth of extracurriculars, and a million different tests

[sd-chcq]

Netherlands: just have passing grades in the national exams please, nobody cares about your hobbies.
(There are a few exceptions like artistic studies where you also need experience as an artist)

[A.The.H.]

I remember hearing a great quote regarding college and sports; It’s been awhile but this is basically the gist of it

If the highest paid member of staff is the college sports coach, it is not an academic institution, but a sports franchise with a degree program as a backdrop.

[Sayf-]

They be asking fully grown adults WHAT.😅😭
Family trauma?!!
“Is tHAt wEirD” 🤣🤣🤣.
Y’all Ok over there ???

[CyranoForever]

You forgot the most important American part: paying a $50-80 application fee PER college

[iloananda]

In Belgium to apply you need to : have a high school diploma and fill in an application file (and there's no selection you're automatically in if you apply)
(except for some specific options)

[braddo]

Yes, America, that's SUPER weird... like WHY is it like that? Do we get an explanation or is there just not one? 😂😂😂 the family trauma part took me all the way out 😂😂😂

[PENGUINGIRL]

The “trauma” thing I think is like a similar joke to contests like the Voice and that where if you write a really soapbox essay about why you want to go to the school, then you’re more likely to be picked. And it’s turned from a joke to a requirement somehow (shrugs) just like one said talent shows

[stianthomassen]

Was it George Carlin who said: “ And they wonder why don’t have more rocket scientists anymore” ?