This should go for Off-Topic section. There are two types of education system in universities: four-year and two-year. In two-year system, you can graduate earlier and have more flexible options--either continuing your education further or taking a full-time job. In four-year system, you have the advantage of absorbing more higher technical stuffs (depend on your major) and earning more annual wage when graduate. Taxation rate is different from states to states, those with good surrounding (i.e. great education, low crime rate, etc) generally have higher tax rate, but not all of them. The grading system goes in two ways, depending on professors' preference: A to F with - and + signs included, or 1-4 (where 1 is equivalent to F and 4 to A). Most universities offer scholarships and part-time jobs based on your grade, social activities, etc. Check them out if you plan to pay off the tuition. As for exam, you can apply for either ACT or SAT, though SAT is currently the most widely accepted type.