I'm slightly confused about the American definition of a "college" and how it works. When I first applied to attend a college (I've only ever applied to attend one college), I simply went for an informal meeting and they basically offered me an unconditional (guaranteed) place on a lower-level course and a conditional place on a higher-level course depending on my GCSE results.

Now, from what I've read, it's much more complicated to get into an American college. What are the differences?

Also - what is a "college" in America? In the UK, a "college" is where you go to do NVQs and things, and they someties have a sixth form centre (for A-Levels). Many people go there at school leaving age (16). Now, it seems that Americans usually don't leave school until 18, so does college come after that or is that the final two years of schooling?

So, could someone please explain what the main differences are?

A college in America is an extra 4 years after you finish high school.

So, when does high school end, is it 16 or 18? And when do you start university, or is an American college the same kind of thing as what we would call a university?

A college education does not necessarily last for four years, PokeSplicer.

High school ends at 12th grade, which should be around eighteen years old or so. College basically means the same thing as university, just another word I guess. You usually apply for different colleges from your junior year (11th grade, but could vary from the different types of schools around the country), but make your first actual steps in the process at the sophomore year (10th grade) for preparation and stuff.

Hope that helps.

Yes, that makes things clearer.

Here, colleges and universities are different things (some universities have colleges within them, apparently). College can be attended at any age after that (and apparently in rare cases before if you do particularly well at school), but often it's 16 when people leave school. After that, it's sometimes university.

Yeah a college helps you get an extra learning and study of what career you want.
Plus most jobs require you to have a college education, or the good jobs with money do that is.

quote Galacticdramon

So, when does high school end, is it 16 or 18? And when do you start university, or is an American college the same kind of thing as what we would call a university?