Glossary of Admissions Terms

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Academic Achievement

The record of a students progress in such areas as English, Science, History, and Mathematics.

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Academic Record

Transcript of grades, test scores, and related academic information kept on file by the school.

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ACT

The American College Test is used widely by college and university admission offices. The ACT tests students' ability in four distinct area of study: English, Math, Social Studies, and Science.

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Advanced Placement (AP)

Designed for strong students who have completed college level work in high school, AP's are given in specific subject areas and are used to determine if a student may gain advanced standing in college.

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Admission Test

A standardized test used in the admission process to predict the likelihood of a student's success in college.

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Application

Formally submitting a request and required forms and materials for admission to a college or university.

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Aptitude

A natural ability or talent.

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Associate's Degree (AA, AS)

A two-year degree which generally prepares the student for further study. Some associate's degree programs are sufficient training for certain careers, but many students in two-year colleges intend to complete their studies at a four-year college.

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Bachelor's Degree (BA, BS, BFA)

A four-year degree in a specified subject.

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Class Rank

A students approximate standing in his or her graduating class. Rank is based on grade point average and presented either in "percentiles" (such as upper fifth) or numerical order (such as 72nd in a class of 410).

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College Board

The oversight agency for many tests and services connected with the college admission process.

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Common Application

Allows a student to fill out one application form and photocopy the application and recommendation forms for filing at more than one college. Students should check with the admission office to see if a college will accept teh common application and if additional materials are required.

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Controllable Costs

When the college offers optional room and board plans or the community has off-campus housing opportunities, the student has greater flexibility at controlling these costs. Other controllable costs include books, travel, and personal items (laundry, entertainment, clothing). The amount depends on individual needs and preferences.

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Degree

The rank or title given by a college or university to a student who has met certain academic requirements.

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Diploma

Certificate issued by a school, college, or university to students who have met coursework and graduation requirements.

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Early Action

Early action is essentially the same as early decision, but accepted candidates are allowed till May 1 to accept or decline admission. Also, it is possible for a student to be denied admission outright and not be automatically deferred for later consideration.

Note: There are several different variations of early decision and early action at different colleges. Read the literature of each college carefully, and ask questions if you do not understand the program entirely.

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Early Admission

Many colleges have a program that allows a student to apply for admission during their junior year. The early admission program at most colleges is reserved for truly exceptional students whose academic preparation and achievement level are sufficient for early entrance to college.

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Early Decision

Not to be confused with Early Admission, early decision is a plan under which a student applies to the first-choice college early in the fall (usually Nov. 1) of the senior year and agrees by contract to enter that college if offered admission. Early decision applicants are judged on the basis of their junior year test scores, class rank, and grades.

Note: There are several different variations of early decision and early action at different colleges. Read the literature of each college carefully, and ask questions if you do not understand the program entirely.

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Extra Curricular

Any school activity - such as athletics, drama, or music - that offers the student the opportunity to compliment his or her class room experiences.

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Financial Aid & Assistance

Any financial award to a student. May come in the for of grants, loans and/or scholarships.

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Fixed Costs

College costs that are paid directly to the college or university, including tuition, student activities fees, laboratory fees, and other charges. For students who live on campus, the costs of room and board will also be a fixed expense, especially if optional plans are not available at a lower cost.

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GPA - Grade Point Average

An average of the students academic achievement in grades, computed by multiplying the numerical grade received in each subject or course by the number of credits offered for each then dividing by the total number credits earned or courses studied.

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Grant

An outright financial gift toward college costs that does not have to repaid by the student.

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Liberal Arts

A course of studies in college that provides a well rounded education, including arts, sciences, and the humanities as well as career courses.

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 Loan

Money borrowed by the student to pay for college expenses; the loan must be repaid, usually with interest.

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Major

The course of study in which a student concentrates coursework, time, and attention. A major in a subject of results in career preparation.

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Open Admission

Some colleges offer admission to all students who apply. Such colleges usually have extensive programs designed to provide remedial or developmental help to students who enroll with academic deficiencies.

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P-ACT+

The Preliminary American College Test is offered to high school sophomore who are considering a college education.

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PSAT/NMSQT

Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. The PSAT/NMSQT is a practice test designed to prepare juniors for the SAT and is used in the awarding of merit scholarships. PSAT scores are not usually used by colleges as admission criteria.

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Postsecondary

Opportunities that are available after graduation from high school; usually refers to colleges and universities as in "post secondary institutions" or "postsecondary education."

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Recommendation

A written assessment of the students aptitudes, abilities, and interests, written by a teacher or counselor and used by colleges and universities in the admission process.

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Rolling Admission

A college using rolling admission will review and application when the individual "folders" (the application form and all supporting data) is completed and will communicate the admission decision within a few weeks after the completed folder is reviewed.

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SAT

Scholastic Aptitude Test - The SAT is usually taken in the junior year and again in the senior year and is a required test for admission to many colleges. The SAT is designed to test a student's aptitude for scholastic work, not intelligence. The SAT is a multiple-choice examination and provides information on the basis of combined math and verbal scores of 400 to 1600. Low scores are not necessarily indicative that a student is unable to do competitive work in college, merely that someone else who has taken the same test has achieved higher scores. The SAT II is used for testing in more specific subjects.

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Scholarship

Financial aid based on merit and paid directly to the student in the form of an outright gift. Some scholarships are given to students who exhibit a particular ability or skill such as music or athletics.

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Standardized Tests

Tests such as the SAT and ACT that provide college admission officers with a comparative standard for evaluating a students academic aptitude and likelihood of success in college.

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Study Climate

The creation of a home environment and atmosphere that is conducive to learning - one that supports the students need to devote concentrated time to reading, preparation for tests, daily homework, and other tasks.

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Test Preparation Course

A formal program or course designed to assist students become familiar with test taking and review the areas that any be covered in admission tests.

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TOEFL

Test of English as a foreign language. Administered to students who's native language is not English. This exam measures the students English language proficiency.

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Transcript

The official record of a students coursework and levels of achievement at a school or college. A transcript is usually required as part of the college admission process.

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Transfer

Refers to a student who begins his or her college career at one school and chooses to mover to another to complete the program of study. A student might begin at a 2-yea school, then transfer to a 4-year school to earn a bachelor's degree. Similarly a student might move from one 4-year college to another to complete the degree

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Tuition

The cost for instruction or study at a college, university, or school.

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Undergraduate Degrees

Two-year (Associate's) or four year (Bachelor's) degrees.

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University

An institution which may be the same as a college, but which usually offers graduate degrees in addition to undergraduate degrees.

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Vocational/Technical Education

A program of study designed to train students for a particular occupation, business, or trade.

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Wait List

A list of students who meet the admission requirements but will only be offered a place in the class if space becomes available.

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Work Experience

Experience (either volunteer or paid) in a job relevant to the student's anticipated field of study.

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Work Study

A financial aid program that allows the student to work on campus or with approved off campus employers to earn money to pay for college expenses.

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3-2 Program

Program in which a student can earn undergraduate degrees in two separate fields (most often in a general/liberal arts major and a professional or specialized major) in five years of study.

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