ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Colleges in the United States

Colleges in the United States are special schools where people go to continue learning after they finish high school. In high school, you learn a little about many different subjects, but in college, you can choose a specific subject and learn a lot about it.

Colleges are usually bigger and have more students than high schools. They have many special buildings where you can take classes and do different activities. Some colleges even have big campuses, which are like huge parks with many buildings and places to explore.

When people decide to go to college, they have to apply first. This means they have to fill out some forms and send them to the college. The college looks at these forms and decides if the person can come to their college or not. The college might look at things like the person's grades in high school, how well they did on tests, and if they did any special activities or volunteer work.

If the person gets accepted to college, they become a student there. They have to pay money to go to college, but sometimes the college can help with the cost by giving the student some money. This is called a scholarship or financial aid.

In college, there are many different classes that a student can take. These classes are usually more focused on one subject, like math, science, literature, or history. Students usually take a bunch of classes at the same time, and they have to go to each class a few times a week.

One thing that is different about college compared to high school is that students have more freedom to choose the classes they want to take. They can decide what they want to study and which professors they want to learn from. Some people study things like engineering, medicine, or business, while others study art, music, or even computers.

In addition to classes, colleges also have many other fun activities and clubs for students to join. For example, there might be a club for people who like to play sports, or a club for people who like to sing in a choir. These activities can help students make friends and have a good time while they're in college.

When students finish college, they usually get a special piece of paper called a diploma. This diploma says that they completed all the classes and requirements for their chosen subject. Having a college diploma can help people find good jobs and have better opportunities for their future.

Overall, colleges in the United States are special schools where people can continue their education and learn a lot about a specific subject. It's a place where students have more freedom, make new friends, and prepare for their future careers.