highly structured

more flexibility

dependence

independence

courses less demanding

(requires less time & energy)

courses more demanding

(requires more time and energy)

student is a child and parents are held responsible for actions

student is an adult and held responsible for own actions

grades given to parents who have access to student's records

grades mailed directly to student (no parent access to records without student's consent)

parents are very important for student to obtain resources and for support

parents are still important to the student (much less for academic resources)

student remains in same classes for one year

student selects new courses each semester

four marking (grade) periods

one grade reflects entire semester

grades might reflect effort, attendance, conduct, homework, and teacher's opinion of student

grades reflect performance on quizzes, exams, and projects

teacher calls parents for conference

professor has no interaction with parents

teacher seeks out students to assist

student must seek professors/TAs for assistance

school develops individual assistance for student

student must seek assistance from campus services

student has daily interaction with teachers

student has little or no interaction with professors (office hours or by appointment)

counselor meets with student & parent

counselor meets with student only

daily lectures/classroom activities, one teacher per class

lectures held two to three times a week, discussion courses taught by TAs

tests given weekly/biweekly

tests given every five weeks

collaborative work not encouraged

collaborative work necessary

cost of education, books, and lunch are free within public school system

tuition and book costs paid by directly by student & parent, and (sometimes by tax payers through financial aid)

student does not apply for financial aid

student must apply for financial aid to be considered for scholarships, grants, & loans(this is an ongoing process until graduation)

school creates social, cultural, etc. activities to enhance student's education

student must find organizations and activities of interest

a student can remain in school despite only one semester for poor academic performance

student can be dropped from college after poor academic performance

student can be suspended for disobeying rules and regulations

student can be dismissed from college permanently for disregarding rules and regulations (receives a hearing)