Glossary of Admission Terms

Accelerated Program- A college program of study that is completed in less time. This is often done by taking courses through the summer, or having a larger than normal course load during the normal school year.

Accreditation- Recognition by an accrediting organization/agency that a school meets standards regarding its facilities, services, and educational programs. Regional Accreditation refers to the college as a whole whereas Specialized Accreditation refers to specific types of schools or programs.

Advanced Placement (AP) Exams- AP Exams are taken in May and are offered to students enrolled in AP courses. High scores on these tests can often transfer to college credit for most schools.

ACT (American College Testing)- Multiple choice achievement test that measures abilities in the following areas: English, Math, Reading and Natural science reasoning. Can be used in place of the SAT at most colleges and in some cases, in place of SAT Subject Tests.

Associate Degree- A degree program completed in at least two but less than four years.

Bachelor’s Degree- A degree program completed with undergraduate programs, typically completed in four years.

Brag Sheet- Document that students provide to Counselors detailing their extra-curricular activities, community service, work experience, and honors and awards received. This information in used to write the students letter of recommendation for college.

College Scholarship Services (CSS)- A service from College Board that assists post-secondary schools, the government, and scholarship associations in the equal distribution of student financial aid funds. This is done by measuring a family’s financial strength and analyzing the ability to contribute to the cost of college.

Common Application- An undergraduate college admission application that applicants may use to apply to any of 517 member colleges and universities in 47 states and the District of Columbia, as well as in Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and United Kingdom.

Consortium- Two or more colleges provide joint services and academic programs to students enrolled in member institutions. These are typically neighboring colleges, students at one campus are allowed to attend courses on the other.

Cooperative Education- A program where students alternate between periods of full-time course loads and full-time employment in a related field. Students are paid for their work, typically five years are required to complete a bachelor’s degree under a cooperative plan.

CSS Profile- A form filed through the College Scholarship Service for students seeking any type of campus-based aid at private institutions. Examples of this aid include grants, work study, scholarships etc.

Deferred Admission- Permits the students to postpone enrollment for one year after acceptance to college.

Double Major- Any program of study where the student completes the course work for two majors concurrently.

Dual Enrollment- Also called concurrent enrollment, programs that allow students to be enrolled in two separate, academically related institutions. Generally, it refers to high school students taking college or university courses. 

Early Action- Similar to Early Decision, but it is not binding. If you have been accepted you can commit immediately or wait until spring.

Early Decision- Early Decision plans are binding. You agree to attend if the college accepts you and offers an adequate financial aid package. If you are accepted to this school, you must withdraw your application from all other schools.

FAFSA- A form completed by parents and dependent students to provide information on assets, income, expenses, and liabilities. Schools use this to estimate the family’s contribution as well as federal institution in their decision to offer a Pell Grant or Stafford Loan, etc.

GPA- A grade point average is a number representing the average value of the accumulated final grades earned in courses over time. The most common form of GPA is based on a 0 to 4.0 scale (A = 4.0, B = 3.0, C = 2.0, D = 1.0, and F = 0) 

Gap Year- A period, typically an academic year, taken by a student as a break between secondary school and higher education.

Independent Study- Allows students to complete some of their college program by studying independently as opposed to scheduled classes and courses.

Internship- Short-term supervised work experiences usually related to a student’s major or field, where academic credit is earned for the experience.

Merit-Based Aid- The general term for grants, scholarships and discounts that a college awards to an admitted student without regard to financial need. Merit aid may be based on academic or athletic achievements, special talents such as music, where the student lives, or other demographic characteristics.

Need-Based Aid- Financial aid is awarded on the basis of the financial need of the student. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid application (FAFSA) is generally used for determining federal, state, and institutional need-based aid eligibility.

Postsecondary- Also known as tertiary education, is the level that follows the successful completions of secondary education (high school). It can include colleges, military academies, and universities as well as vocational and trade schools. 

PSAT/NMSQT- This test serves as a practice for the full SAT as well as being used for awards such as the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, offered once per year in October.

ROTC- Programs conducted by certain colleges in cooperation with the United States Air Force, Army and Navy, often combining scholarship opportunity with commitment to the military.

Rolling Admission- An admissions process in which the college considers each application as soon as all materials are received.

SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) - Tests students’ aptitude for subjects that are necessary for college success in the areas of: reading, writing, and mathematics.

Student-Designed Major- A program in which the student is able to build a major field of study not typically offered by the college.

Student Financial Aid- funding that is available exclusively to students attending a post-secondary educational institution in the United States. This funding is used to assist in covering the many costs incurred in the pursuit of post-secondary education.  

Study Abroad- An arrangement where a student completes part of their course work while studying in another country. These colleges either have a campus abroad, or they have a “sister” school with whom they have a cooperative agreement.

Test Blind- Standardized testing scores (SAT & ACT) are not required nor considered during the application review.

Test Optional- It is not mandatory for students to submit their SAT or ACT scores as part of their application, but if submitted they will be considered. 

TOEFL- A test that helps foreign students demonstrate their English proficiency at the level required by colleges.

Transfer Program- A program provide by two-year colleges that is offered to students who intend to continue on to four-year colleges and undergraduate degrees.

Universal Enrollment Deadline- May 1st is the date in which colleges expect students to reply back to them with their final decision on whether or not they will be attending.

Upper-Division College- Colleges that offer undergraduate degrees that begin in the junior year, after the student has completed freshman and sophomore coursework elsewhere.

Wait List- A college or university has not formally accepted a particular student for admission, but at the same time may offer admission in the next few months if spaces become available.

Sources: The Glossary of Education Reform, 2013, https://www.edglossary.org. Accessed 1 July 2021. College Board, The Big Future https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-in/applying-101/college-admission-glossary. Accessed on 25 June 2021. 

Community Colleges & Junior Colleges

These schools provide the option to earn credits toward an Associate’s degree, certificate, and training in technical and/or vocational fields. It may also be a good starting point for a student who wishes to eventually transfer to a 4-year college. A student who is unsure and interested in exploring multiple degree options, or planning on improving academic performance before entering a College or University could benefit from starting at a Community College both academically and financially.

Business Schools

These schools offer training in skills and career specific to the office environment. Certificates are often earned after 9 to 12 months of training.

Nursing Schools

These schools are often affiliated with a college or university and allow students to operate in conjunction with hospitals to earn two-year (A.S.) or four-year (B.S.N.) nursing degrees.

Fine Arts Colleges & Conservatories

Portfolios and or auditions are often required during the admission process to these schools. They offer specific degrees in everything from music, to theater, art, and dance.

Colleges and Universities

These schools will offer Bachelor’s degrees as well as the opportunity to prepare for higher degrees such as a Master’s or Doctorate degree.

Public vs. Private

Public schools are funded predominately by their local state education system. This generally means lower cost to in-state students. Public schools often tend to be much larger than private schools and offer a wider variety of areas of study. This also means class sizes tend to be much larger at the big public universities. Private schools can come with a hefty price tag, but often offer a more personalized experience for students. Because private schools rely heavily on endowments and private funds, they tend to offer a greater amount of financial aid to their smaller student bodies than the typical public school aid package does.

Service Academies

The five federal undergraduate service academies (U.S. Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine, West Point, and Naval) do not charge students for tuition, textbooks, uniforms or room and board. Each academy provides extensive fitness and leadership training, which are combined with a rigorous curriculum that includes courses in the humanities and sciences. Academy graduates typically receive a military commission for a junior officer position immediately upon graduation, though alumni of the Merchant Marine Academy frequently find leadership roles at nonmilitary federal agencies.

There are a variety of degrees and certificates available to you in your post-high school career. Some of these include:

Certificates

Certificates are similar to technical programs in that they are geared towards a student interested in a shorter program compared to the typical 4-year higher education, and who are interested in being prepared for a specific kind of work force or specialty training. Students can earn certificates in a variety of disciplines including Veterinary Technician, Web Design, or Paralegal. Certificates can often be earned by attending a two year college or a Technical School.

Associate Degree (A.A. or A.S.)

An Associate degree is an Undergraduate degree that is typically a 2-year academic program, compared to the 4-year Bachelor program. A student who earns an Associate degree often moves on to complete a Bachelor’s, or will enter the work force in their discipline.

Bachelor’s Degree (B.A. or B.S.)

The Bachelor’s degree is the most common academic path thought of when discussing college. Typically completed in four full-time years, the Bachelor’s Degree is the highest degree of an Undergraduate education. Students pursuing a Bachelor’s in any area of study will often find themselves choosing between public or private colleges or universities.

Master’s Degree

A Master’s degree is awarded for the next level of study after a Bachelor’s, with a greater concentration in an area of study. A student with a Master’s degree will have a higher understanding and greater mastery of their area of study. Master’s programs can take one to six years of study, as they are earned independently as well as on your way through a Doctorate program.

Doctorate Degree

A Doctorate degree is the highest degree earned and depending on your discipline, can give you the ability to teach at higher level institutions. The capabilities that come with earning a Doctorate vary by profession.

Common Application

Common Application is a web based college application that was developed to encompass the information most colleges wish to receive. This application includes “common” information that can be sent to multiple colleges. Therefore, many colleges accept Common Application. You can establish a Common Application account to view the application itself and to see which colleges accept this form. You can also review the main essay prompts if you’re looking to get started on writing. Each college has its own application fee and some colleges ask for additional information to supplement the common information. This application is very representative of what most college admissions applications look like, so it is helpful to peruse the site.

Individual College Application

Some public colleges are a part of their state system (for example, University of California system: admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/, or United Kingdom/British schools: www.ucas.com). These systems allow you to apply to multiple campuses within the same system by utilizing the main application portal. Other colleges and universities simply have their own application, which requires you to log onto their individual application portal (most often found on the Admissions page of their website). Each college’s application requirements differ, so it is important to review all application directions.

Note on Regular Admissions

The application deadlines for Regular Admissions typically range from January 1st to April 1st. However, we recommend that students strive to complete their applications by Thanksgiving or early December at the latest, ensuring that all materials are received by the college well in advance of the deadline. Applicants are typically notified of the admissions decision by April 15th, and you may be accepted, denied, or wait listed. You are required to reply to your chosen college with an enrollment deposit by May 1st, this is referred to as the “Universal Enrollment Deadline.” Some colleges may require an earlier response.

Early Decision vs. Early Action

Early Decision is for the student who plans to commit to attending one particular college upon acceptance. Students considering this option should be well aware that this is a binding decision. You can only apply to one school Early Decision and if you are accepted, you are committed to attend.

Early Action is similar to Early Decision in that the application deadlines are earlier in the fall (October 15- December 1 typically). Applying Early Action does not require the student to commit to attending the school. You will typically hear an admissions decision in late December or early January. You may be accepted, denied, or deferred. Deferral means you will be reconsidered as part of the Regular Decision pool.