ACT

A standardized college admission test used by colleges  to evaluate prospective students. This test features four main sections: English, math, reading and science — and an optional essay section.

 

Activity List

An activity list is an overview of all the extracurricular activities a student participates in while attending high school. This includes activities inside and outside of school and may include community service, clubs, sports and faith-based activities. 

 

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements are basic guidelines for admission that colleges usually provide These serve as a baseline for admission and can give you a general understanding of whether or not you have the academic credentials necessary for admission. Certain degree programs may have additional requirements. 

 

Admission Tests

Also known as college entrance exams, admissions tests are designed to measure students’ skills and help colleges evaluate how ready students are for college-level work. The ACT and the SAT are two standardized admission tests. The word "standardized" means that the test measures the same thing in the same way for everyone who takes it.

 

Advanced Placement (AP)

Advanced Placement (AP) are college-level courses offered by high schools in a variety of topics ranging from U.S. history and literature to Spanish and art . Participating students have the option of taking an AP exam at the end of the course to demonstrate knowledge and potentially earn college credit.

 

Application Fee

Many colleges require students to pay application fees when they  submit their college applications. These fees typically range from $25 to $90, depending on the college.

 

Application Fee Waiver

Colleges usually offer a fee waiver option for students who demonstrate financial need. A college application fee waiver allows you to apply to college without paying the application fee.

 

Associate Degree

This is an undergraduate degree awarded to students who complete two to three years of coursework.

 

Bachelor’s Degree 

An academic degree earned after completing an undergraduate studies program at a college or university. The degree usually takes four years and is abbreviated B.A. (Bachelor of Arts) or B.S. (Bachelor of Science).

 

Class Rank

Class rank is a measure of how a student’s performance compares to other students in their high school class. Class ranking may be included on a student’s transcript. Some high schools no longer use class rankings. 

 

Coalition Application 

A standard application form that allows students to fill out one standardized application to apply to multiple colleges and universities. The Coalition Application partners with more that 150 colleges. This application primarily targets students from historically underrepresented groups. Specifically, this platform partners only with schools that offer generous financial aid or low-cost tuition.

 

Common Application

A standard application form accepted by all colleges that are members of the Common Application association. Once a student fills out the application, it can be submitted to any one or more of the over 1000 colleges that accept it.

 

College Application Essay

Any essay that a college requires students to write and submit as part of their college application. Almost all schools require a personal statement.  Then, some colleges request additional school specific questions to answer.

 

College Interview

Some colleges require applicants to meet with someone who represents the college as part of the college application process  Colleges conduct interviews to evaluate if a student is a good fit for the college. This is a smart way for a student to show their interest in the college.

 

College List

A college list is the list of colleges for which a student plans to submit an application.

 

College Visit

A college visit (or campus visit) is a virtual or in-person tour of a college campus. Many colleges offer official campus visits that include student-led tours and information sessions hosted by the admissions office.

 

Demonstrated Interest

Demonstrated interest is the way that a college evaluates a student’s level of interest in their school. Ways to demonstrate interest may include college visits, emails, registration on the college’s website, social media interaction, and admissions event attendance.

 

Dual Enrollment

Dual enrollment programs allow high school students to take college-level classes and earn college credit before graduating from high school. Not all colleges accept dual credit. The term dual enrollment refers to students being enrolled in two academic programs or educational institutions at the same time.

 

FAFSA

FAFSA, or the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is the form students use to apply for financial aid for college. Before each year of college, students use this form to apply for federal grants, work-study, and loans. A college uses a student’s FAFSA data to determine their federal aid eligibility. Many states and colleges use FAFSA data to award their own aid.

 

Financial Aid

Financial Aid is money given or loaned to a student to help pay for college. Financial aid can come from federal and state governments, colleges, and private organizations. Grants, loans, work-study, and scholarships are all forms of financial aid. 

 

First Generation College Student

First-generation (first-gen) students are students whose parents never completed a four year college degree.

 

Grade Point Average (GPA)

A number that shows overall academic performance. GPA is computed by assigning a point value to each grade a student earns. GPAs can be weighted, meaning advanced courses give students a numerical advantage, or unweighted, meaning each course is given the same value regardless of rigor.

 

Grants

A grant is a type of financial aid award that does not have to be repaid. Students can get grants from the federal government, their state, and their college.

 

In-State vs. Out-of-State Tuition

State public universities often charge different tuition amounts based on whether a student is considered a state resident. At public institutions, in-state students often pay less tuition than out-of-state students. State residency is determined by where a student (or parent/guardian) resides and pays taxes.

 

Ivy League

The Ivy League is a group of private schools in the Northeast. They are some of the most highly selective colleges in the United States and known for their low acceptance rates, academic excellence, research and accomplished faculty. There are eight Ivy League colleges: Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth University, Harvard University, University of Pennsylvania, Princeton University, and Yale University.

 

Letters of Recommendation

A letter of recommendation in college admissions is a formal letter written by a teacher, high school counselor, or other person with special knowledge of a student. This letter describes some of a student’s qualities and abilities, and advocates for a student’s acceptance to a college.

 

Loan

A loan is a form of financial aid that is expected to be repaid.

 

Merit-Based Financial Aid

Merit-based college aid is a form of financial aid awarded without regard for financial need. This type of aid usually is awarded to students who demonstrate high levels of academic excellence, athletic achievement, artistic talent, or other recognition. Not all colleges offer merit-based scholarships.

 

Major 

A major is a specific subject that a student specializes in to earn a degree.

 

Minor

A minor is a secondary area of specialization. It is similar to a major, but students need fewer courses to obtain a minor degree.  Students often choose to pursue one or two minors in addition to earning a bachelor’s degree.

 

Need-Based Aid

Need-Based Aid is financial aid that a student can receive if they demonstrate financial need and meet other eligibility criteria. Grants, scholarships, subsidized student loans, and work-study programs are forms of need-based aid. Need-based financial aid is awarded through the federal government, state government or colleges.

 

Non-Need-Based Aid

Non-Need-Based Aid is financial assistance awarded toa student who does not qualify for need-based aid.  Unsubsidized loans are a form of non-need-based aid. Merit based aid such as scholarships and tuition waivers are awarded without regard for financial need.

 

Need-Blind Admission

Need-blind admissions means colleges do not look at financial need  or an applicant’s ability to pay when making admission decisions, including whether a student will be admitted, waitlisted, or denied.

 

Private vs. Public University

A public university is funded and operated by the state government, while a private university is usually run by a nonprofit organization or other private entity.

 

QuestBridge

This scholarship program seeks to connect high-achieving, academically motivated low-income and first-generation students with partner colleges and universities. Any high school senior, regardless of citizenship, currently attending high school in the U.S. is eligible for the National College Match. 

 

SAT

A college admission test used by college admissions officers to evaluate prospective students. The SAT features three main sections: math, reading and writing, which includes a written essay. 

 

Scholarship

A scholarship is a form of financial aid that does not need to be repaid. Students usually have to meet specific criteria to qualify for a scholarship. Scholarships are often provided by colleges, school districts, or private organizations.

 

Transcript

A transcript is the official record of a student’s course work at a school or college.

 

Undergraduate

A college student who is working toward an associate or a bachelor's degree.

 

Work-Study

A work-study program is a form of need-based aid that provides students with part-time jobs to help afford the cost of attending college. The award will determine the number of hours available. Not all colleges provide work-study jobs.