Education system

[medo]

Hello,

I am a bit confused with USA's education system. In one of the topics it was mentioned - a graduate from college and I assumed it is something higher than high school.
Here in Australia \ College is a sort of high school and after year 12 you can go to University.
Back in Europe (most of countries - except UK) we have eight years of primary school (some countries have 10 years) then 4 years of gymnasia - sort of a non-profile high school (do not confuse with gymnasium) or 4 years of technical school (there are various technical schools and if you finish that type of school you are technician or nurse or … ) and after that you might go to University for two or more years (depends of the study - medicine almost 6 years, political science 4 and half years and etc).
In higher years of primary school we had 10-12 subjects and in gymnasia we had 12-14 subjects per year (mathematics, chemistry, geography, biology, history, logic, sociology, philosophy, foreign language 1 and sometimes 2, local language, music, arts, sport, physic and etc.) - 8 of them all 4 years.
Any lights on this subject will help.

Medo

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[hd581]

In the states it generally works like this:

1st-8th grade is Elementary/Middle school. By 8th grade we know maybe Algebra, a little world history, lots of US history, basic grammar and composition rules. 8th graders are usually 13 years old (some maybe older, some younger). Also, Kindergarten is a level that precedes 1st grade.

9th-12th grade is High School. By 12th grade, we know maybe Trigonometry maybe some Calculus, more history, more english. Maybe a foriegn language, etc.

College follows and is usually 4 years. There are 2 year programs but they are not as common. The job market is geared around 4 year programs and encourages it. Here, we specialize in our specific career, Biology, Engineering, Education, Political Science. For some degrees, extra school is required: Pharmacy 2 extra years I think, Law 2 or 3, MBA/Masters Science 1, PHD 4-5, Medicine way too many.

If I read your post correctly it sounds like most of you enter the working world at age 20 or so. Here most people w/ 4 year degrees finish at 22. I wish the US would adopt that policy. If I could throw out 1 of my 2 englishes, 2 of my 3 histories, and countless other UTTERLY USELESS classes, I could have taken some graduate level courses relating to my major, which would make me a very useful asset to my company.

[This message has been edited by hd581 (edited 05-20-2000).]

[medo]

Hello,

College is "sort" of Univeristy?


Thank you

Medo

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[medo]

Hello,

My path was 8+4+4,5 and I start schooling when I was 6.
For masters I will need another 2 years (a little bit less now).


Medo

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[hd581]

Oh yes, sorry I didn't read your post thoroughly or I would have cleared that up.

Yes, what we call College or University level is what you call University. It starts at our 13th formal year of education, at usually 18 years of age, and goes to the 16th year. Past that, additional education is optional.

The normal path here is 1+8+4+4, (kindergarten + elementary + highschool + university). Kindergarten is started at age 5.

[This message has been edited by hd581 (edited 05-20-2000).]

[medo]

Thank you


Medo

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[ghostface]

after college then there's 4 years of med school, at least 3 years of residency, ...

sigh.

[brandon184]

ghostface - Thats assuming you want a Ph.D or something to the like.

[This message has been edited by brandon184 (edited 05-20-2000).]

[ghostface]

well i'm just finishing up my 1st year in med school so i'm stuck in the middle of finals now with the image of at least another 6 years of school on top of the 16 i've already spent. sigh. at least once finals are done i can finally play with the new system i'm building. yay!