Regarding admission in American educational system

Applying to College
1

<p>I don't know if this is the right place to create a thread asking this, but I'll just do it.
To put it short: I am German and don't quite understand the American educational system.</p>

<p>How come that people are admitted 4 years in advance? Is this normal? If I apply to a university in this summer, can I plan to enroll in 2012 or will I have to wait 4 years? </p>

<p>What made me suspicious are those "Class of 2015"-threads that have opened up by April (not to speak of the already existing "Class of 2014, 2013 and 2012" threads...)</p>

<p>Can someone please explain the existence of these threads to me? I'm desperate!</p>

<p>Thanks in advance!</p>

2

<p>In the US “Class of 2015” means the group that will graduate in 2015, not the group that starts in 2015. Students are admitted in the spring of 2011 and will start in the fall of 2011 and will graduate (after a normal four year program ) in 2015.</p>

<p>If you enroll in a four year program in the fall of 2012, you will be part of the graduating class of 2016.</p>

3

<p>Oh my god. So simple?! Sorry for my stupidity and thanks for your answer! :D</p>