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College = Uni.
Some colleges are called university of so and so, but sometimes they call them colleges. They all award degrees, but what counts is where the degree comes from. Also in the US, we will say school and that refers to uni.
What you see on TV are the Unis where you go away to. Usually after high school many graduates go to schools that are a few hours away from school, usually some town in the middle of nowhere. For example, I grew up on Long Island (one hour outside of New York City) and about 50% of the class that I graduated in went away to uni. They usually went upstate to a state school, b/c of the cost and upstate NY is really nothing. I did not go away to school, but I lived with my parents and went to a local school. I did go and visit people upstate and basically the town is a college (uni) town full of parties and underage drinking. a 17-18 year old away from their parents usually goes crazy and drinks a lot. Often many students fail and do poorly their first year b/c of this. Sports are a large part of life as well. Some schools are not like this. Certain schoold have a reputation as a "party school". Dorm rooms are usually shared and many school make you live in a dorm for at least 2 years, before you can do a houseshare. These houses often are really old and rented by students only.
Post grad is very different here. I did my MA at UNSW and the program is easier. In the US there is no option of course work vs. research. An MA program consists of taking at least 30 credits and a thesis. It is also more difficult to get a PhD in the US; it can take up to three years and you also have to take classes and then write your dissertation.
High schools in the US are about the same, but there are no HSCs, so no pressure there. We do have the SATs and those can be stressful for some students, but it is only one test and something you cant really study for. Many unis do not care so much about SAT scores these days. We also do not wear uniforms. Many Americans go to public schools rather than private schools. In NY private schools are often referred to as catholic schools. If you go to a private school you have to wear a uniform. Also from what I understand, catholic school teachers are paid shit compared to some public schools, especially those in an affluent neighbourhood. We also have huge high school graduations, wearing a cap and gown and stuff. I think the education is a bit better in Australian high schools, IMO. But I cant really compare b/c I didnt go to one and I hardly ever went to my American high school and when I did go I was high most of the time.
To go to law school, you must first do a BA and then get accepted into a law school. There is also a test that you have to take (LSAT, I think?) and law schools do look at that test score. After law school you then take a bar exam for that state. We dont really have barristers in the US. Regular lawyers can talk in court, they dont need a wig. We dont wear wigs in our court system either.
Hope that helps. Any other questions feel free to ask.
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Kraftwerk. Die Mensch Maschine.
John Donne "Valediction: Forbidding Mourning". Thy firmness makes my circle just, and makes me end where I begun.
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also reminds us how much better our taste in music is 
