Explain Harvard College, and the US University system. (I'm British)?

Question

I have also dreamt of going to Harvard in America but have not thought about it seriously and looked into it until recently. I know understand, i think, that Harvard University is for people who already have degrees, and Harvard College is for undergrads. However is Harvard College still very prestigious and highly commended for being accepted into, and do i actually get a DEGREE when i finish, or does it just give IB's and diplomas. Also if someone was to explain the US further education system it would be a great help. Thank you.

Answer 1

Harvard University (incorporated as The President and Fellows of Harvard College) is a private university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S., and a member of the Ivy League. Founded in 1636 by the colonial Massachusetts legislature, Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. It is also the first and oldest corporation in North America.

Here is the Official site for Harvard University providing an overview of academic programs, campus life, resources, news and events, with extensive links to other web sites:

http://www.harvard.edu  

Answer 2

Harvard College is part of the university. The degree is conferred by the trustees of the university and college. Bottom line: its a Harvard degree.

Universities offer doctoral degrees, colleges offer bachelors.

Cooper Union, one of the most prestigious colleges in the US offers a 'diplomat' credential rather than a 'degree'. Most colleges here do offer degrees, as that is our standard terminology.

There are different designations of degrees and the link explains some of them. (http://www.highered.nysed.gov/ocue/chapt...

One caveat: the link I provided is NOT universal throughout the states: it is simply what New York State uses. It is however, one of the best examples I have seen that describes the various degrees.

a degree from harvard is very prestigious, and the huge alumni base gives you great connections, however there are many other fine schools, some of which may offer you better scholarships/grants to help offset the costs. Look for schools that actively recruit British students and get very detailed information about grants from their reps. In my mind, it is not even where you go to college so much anymore, but where you go to grad school. There are exceptions of course, but I personally am more impressed by a masters from a prestigious institution than a bachelors from a prestigious institution.

Answer 3

You are pretty dead on. Harvard University encompasses everything related to Harvard. A University just means that it has different colleges or faculties within its campus. Harvard College is undergraduate and is still quite prestigious and very difficult to gain entrance. (Although many Americans do feel that it is more a school of the wealthy rather than the academes.

Yes, you will earn a degree. Attending a typical college or university for four years (undergraduate) earns you either a Bachelor's of Arts or a Bachelor's of Science depending on your field of study. (Neither is better or worse, it serves to denote your area of study only.) Upon graduating with your BA or BS, you can opt to attend graduate school where you have the option to receive your Master's Degree (2 years) or your Doctorate (4 years). Of course, this also depends on your field of study as to the length of post-graduate study.

I hope that helps!