I wish to study in a German college next winter semester. I am a US citizen who graduated High school. What education do I need to apply?

Once you have your highschool diploma, you're basically set. Just one thing to keep in mind:

German highschool curriculum has certain core subjects which every German must take. It should be possible to find out what these are nowadays (they change every now and then). Based on your grades in those subjects, they calculate a highschool diploma marking average. Once you know that average, you can start looking for study courses whose "numerus clausus" (the marking average cutoff point) matches yours. Only those degree programs would be worth applying for, since the universities basically go through the applications with an automatic dismissal for all applicants whose highschool diploma average is below the numerus clausus.

To give an example, when I finished highschool in Germany, the numerus clausus (also called "NC") for architecture was a veryhigh 1.7 (the marking system in germany goes from 1 for best to 6 for worst). I only had 2.7 though, so I knew there and then to forget about studying architecture.

Generally, it's easy from there though. Once you've been offered a Studienplatz, apply for a student visa, and off you go. Keep in mind that there are two types of university in germany: The more academic Universitaet, and the more technical FH (Fachhochschule). Depending on your professional vision, one of these may be better suited than the other (medicine is only available at universities; engineering though can be studied at both, and industry tends to agree that FH graduates are more employable, because they know the technical stuff and CAD better than the university types, who may know all the theory, but despair when sitting down with a CAD program).

I did some research and found out some basic things I needed to brush up on, I figured if someone else is in my position and they see this it may be helpful:

This is the general requirements to apply in Germany I believe for a high school diploma and an SAT score of 1300 or more. If you went to a university here for 2 years you don't need the SAT, and you can take an SAT after graduation at any time in your life. Also if you have proof of further education that meet this criteria and isn't on the official transcript I believe it must be shown. Good luck.

***Condition***:

It is obligatory for your High School Diploma*) to be acquired after continuous attendance of the classes 9 to 12 at a U.S. High School and to comprise a total of 16 "academic units" in the forms 9 to 12:

- 4 units (3 units are sufficient for 11 forms) English with a minimum grade C: English IV or Honors or AP English,

- 2 units Second Language,

- 3 units Social Studies,

5 units in total Mathematics and Science:

- 2 or 3 units Mathematics with a minimum grade C: Algebra II or III, Trigonometry or Precalculus,

- 2 or 3 units Science with a minimum grade C: Biology, Chemistry or Physics,

- 2 academic units free to choose.

From https://www.daad.de/deutschland/nach-deutschland/v...

You will still need to pass the entrance exam and visa interview, both of which are conducted in German. How strong is your German?