Glossary of college terms
American College Testing Program (ACT)
The ACT tests four areas: English, Math, Reading, and Science Reasoning.
Advanced Placement (AP)
AP tests are the Advanced Placement Tests of the College Entrance Examination Board.
Candidate Reply Date
Candidate reply date is the date by which a student must notify the college of his or her enrollment intentions. It’s usually May 1.
Common Application Form
The Common Application form is a single application which is accepted by more than 900 colleges, including some colleges outside of the U.S.
College Essay
An admissions or application essay, sometimes called a personal statement or a statement of purpose, is an essay written by a prospective student applying to college or university. The application essay is a common part of the admissions process.
CSS Profile
A CSS profile is an online application that collects information used by hundreds of colleges and universities to award financial aid from sources outside of the Federal Government.
Deferral
Deferral is the final evaluation of a student who has applied early and is postponed for inclusion in the regular applicant pool.
Early Action
Early action allows students to apply earlier than regular decision. Applicants receive decisions sooner than regular decision, typically starting in mid-December. Though students will hear back early, they are not committed to attend the school and may apply to other colleges. A final decision is not required before May 1.
Early Decision
Early decision is a program in which you may apply to your first-choice college early in the fall of the senior year and be notified by mid-December. You agree to enroll, if accepted, and withdraw other applications upon admittance.
Federal Application for Financial Student Aid (FAFSA)
The FAFSA is required by all colleges when applying for aid.
The International Baccalaureate (IB)
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Program is a two-year educational program, primarily aimed at 16-to-19-year-olds, in 140 countries around the world. The program provides an internationally accepted qualification for entry into higher education and is recognized by many universities worldwide.
Pell Grant
Pell grant is a form of need-based federal financial aid that does not have to be repaid. It is awarded by the U.S. Department of Education to help eligible low-income students pay for college.
Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT)
The Preliminary SAT and the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test are tests given to juniors to prepare them for the SAT. A high score may qualify a student for a National Merit Scholarship or certain scholarships for students of color.
Regular Decision
Regular decision means the student is applying in regular admissions round and will usually receive a decision in early spring. They have until May 1 to make a decision.
Rolling Admissions
Rolling admissions is a policy whereby some colleges and universities notify a student of the admissions decision as soon as the application is received and reviewed. Most students apply early and once the admission maximum is reached, applications are no longer accepted.
Sample of Major Fields of Study
A sample of major fields of study is usually chosen by a student in high school. A career is chosen later, often after a student has taken a variety of classes in college and learns more about vocational options.
SAT
The SAT is a multiple-choice test created and administered by The College Board. The purpose of the SAT is to measure a high school student’s college readiness.
TOEFL
A standardized test to measure the English language ability of non-native English speakers who wish to enroll in English-speaking universities.
Wait List
“Wait list” is a term used in university and college admissions in the United States and other countries to describe a situation in which a college or university has not formally accepted a particular student for admission. The school may offer admission in the next few months if spaces become available.