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The college admissions process has
its own vocabulary. Understanding this vocabulary can make the process
less mysterious and more accessible to you. definitions of some key
words are listed below.
Advanced Placement Test (AP) - a test given to high school
students, usually at the end of their junior or senior year, after
they have completed certain AP or Honors courses. Many colleges give
advanced standing and/or credit for these College Entrance Examination
Board (CEEB) sponsored tests if students earn a score of 3, 4, or
5 on them.
American College Test (ACT) - a test which measures aptitude
and skill in English, mathematics, reading and natural science. The
ACT is more often used in the Midwest, South and Far West.
Associate Degree - a degree granted by a college or university
for a program that requires two years of full-time study.
Common Application - an application form developed and widely
accepted by participating colleges and universities.
Cooperative Education (Co-op) Program - a program integration classroom
study and work experience and offering credit and salary.
Deferred Admission - an accepted student can delay entrance
by a year (or a semester).
Early Action - permits you to apply to a college or university
of your choice and receive a decision early in the senior year, well
in advance of the normal spring response dates. Though you will hear
early regarding your admission, you are not committed to attend and
you may apply to other colleges. If you are applying for financial
aid, you will follow the aid application deadlines set by the institution.
You are not required to make a commitment before May 1, but you are
encouraged to do so as soon as a final choice is made.
Early Decision - requires you to commit to a college or university
at the time of application that, if admitted, you will enroll. You
should apply under an Early Decision plan only if you know that you
can make a well reasoned, first choice decision. Upon admission the
institution will require a nonrefundable deposit well before May 1.
you may apply to other colleges but are permitted to have only one
request for financial aid at or near the time admissions is offered.
If admitted, you must enroll unless the financial aid award is inadequate.
Expected Family Contribution (EFC) - the total amount the federal
government expects students and their families to pay toward college
costs from their income and assets.
Fee Waiver - permits eligible students to submit college applications
or test registration forms without the fee. A limited number are available
through guidance counselors and educational agencies for students
who qualify.
Financial aid package/award - a combination of grants/scholarships,
loans and work-study that the college is able to offer you to meet
your financial need.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) - the primary form
used to determine your eligibility for financial aid. Should be filled
out in January or February of your senior year.
Federal Work Study Program - an award of on-campus part-time
employment for students who demonstrate financial need. The maximum
amount a student can earn under this program is determined by financial
need.
Grade Point Average (G.P.A.) - a system used to evaluate academic
performance. The most frequently used system of numerical values for
grades is A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, and F=0. The G.P.A. is reached by multiplying
the number of credits given for a course by the grade received in
the course. May be weighted or unweighted. |
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Interview - an interview with you and a
representative from college. You will be able to demonstrate qualities
that don’t show up on our application and to find out more about
the college.
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) - an
athletic governing body to which approximately 500 small four year
colleges and universities belong. The NAIA governs athletic recruitment
and scholarship awarding policies.
National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) - an athletic governing
body to which approximately 800 colleges and universities belong.
Each school chooses a general division 1, 2, or 3 and is required
to follow the policies regarding recruitment and scholarship awards
that have been established for that division.
National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) - scores
from the PSATs given in October are used to determine if a student
qualifies for a National Merit Scholarship.
Open Admissions - the college admits all applicants.
Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test (PSAT) - this test is an
abbreviated form of the SAT I and is designed to give juniors an opportunity
to practice taking a test which is similar but shorter (1 hour) than
the SAT I. It is given in October of the junior year.
Rank in Class - a methodology to compare one student’s
academic performance with the performance of all other students at
the same grade level.
Regular Decision - most colleges have an early winter application
deadline (January 1 or 15 or February 1); they generally notify candidates
between March 1 and April 12. Students then have until May 1 (the
common reply date) to respond to the colleges.
Rolling Admission - is a term used to describe the application
process in which an institution reviews applications as they are received
and offers decisions to students soon after they are made. If you
are applying for financial aid, you will follow aid application deadlines
set by the school. You may apply to other colleges and you will not
e required to make a decision regarding enrolling before May 1.
Scholarship - a form of financial assistance which does not
require repayment and is usually made to a student who shows potential
for distinction, usually in academic performance.
Scholastic Assessment Test I: Reasoning Test (SAT I) - this
test, graded on a scale from 200 to 800, measures students’ mathematical
and verbal ability and skill. Note: The test was formerly called the
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT).
Scholastic Assessment Test II: Subject Tests (SAT II) - one
hour tests offered in subjects such as English foreign languages,
science, history, and mathematics.
Student Aid Report (SAR) - reports the information from your
FAFSA.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - a test used
to evaluate the English proficiency of those students whose first
language is not English.
Unmet Need - difference between the cost of education, the
total financial aid award + expected family contributions.
Wait List - is a term used by institutions to describe a process
in which they may initially delay offering or denying admission, but
rather extend the possibility of admission in the future. Colleges
offer admission to wait list candidates if insufficient numbers of
regularly admitted candidates accept their offers of admission. Please
refer to the Statement of Students’ Rights and Responsibilities
for the rights which you are assured if placed on a wait list. |
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