They generally do not offer housing. Four year colleges award the bachelor degrees, and usually offer campus housing and extensive campus social and extracurricular programs. A university is an undergraduate four year college plus graduate schools. At some universities, the undergraduate schools predominate, at others, the graduate schools reign. Graduate schools often offer research and internship opportunities as well as the possibility of graduate study to the undergraduate.
All colleges use similar criteria, though in varying importance.
Applicants will be evaluated on the substance and difficulty of high school courses, grades, class rank, standardized test scores, special honors or awards, and guidance and teacher recommendations. The reputation of your school or a recommendation from an alumnus may help. College applications are accepted in all formats as long as they are neat and legible. The Cooperative Education Program offered at many colleges combines coursework with paid jobs, both inside and outside of the university. Some of these programs may extend the time it takes to earn your undergraduate degree, but you graduate with a rich resume and valuable professional experience.