Also known as your academic counselor, your designated adviser will help you choose classes and make sure you’re taking the right courses for your major and minor. At some schools, advisers are faculty members. Other institutions may have entire positions dedicated to the role.
ADVANCED STANDING CREDIT
Credit for previously completed college-level work or demonstrated knowledge of a subject granted by taking advanced standing exams, such as Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) exams, among others.
AWARD LETTER
An explanation of the financial aid a college will give a student, which may include grants, scholarships, student loans and work-study.
COMMON APPLICATION
A general application accepted by 517 colleges and universities throughout the United States and abroad
(www.commonapp.org).
CREDIT HOURS
A unit of measurement a course is worth, usually based on the number of one-hour classes per week. For example, a biology class taken from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday would likely be worth three credits.
DEFERRED ADMISSION
A college’s option to postpone making a decision on whether to accept or deny an applicant.
DEFERRED ENROLLMENT
An accepted student’s decision to put off a college’s offer of admission in order to take a one-year absence (e.g., to travel, work or take care of a family member).
DEMONSTRATED INTEREST
A student’s expression of desire to attend a specific college or university.
DUAL ENROLLMENT
A process allowing high school students to take college-level courses that can be transferred to a college or university for credit. Also called concurrent enrollment. The credits may be available both for college and high school credit.
EARLY ACTION
A process that allows students to apply to a school earlier than normal (often before November) in order to receive an earlier decision (usually by mid-December). Students are allowed to apply to other schools as well, but they typically need to let the accepting colleges know by late spring if they’ll be attending. With early action, you don’t have to accept an offer of admission.
EARLY DECISION
A process that allows students to apply to ONE college or university with the promise to attend if accepted. Early decision is binding, so students should be sure it’s the school they want to (and can afford to) attend before applying early decision.
ELECTIVE
A class not required for your major or minor. These are generally courses you take for fun or just to see if something sparks your interest. Examples might include a theater class, a beginner’s Spanish class or volleyball.
FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID (FAFSA)
A form that all students must fill out to be considered for federal financial aid.
GRANT
A form of financial aid based typically on need—funded by the federal government or nonprofit institutions—that does not need to be repaid.
MAJOR/MINOR
A major is your main field of study in an undergraduate program, typically requiring 30 to 60 credit hours. A minor is your secondary field of study, often providing more of a specialization to support your major. For example, a business major might
minor in economics.
MERIT AID
Financial aid that is awarded based on a student’s achievements and/or talents (e.g., academic, athletic).
NEED-BASED AID
Financial aid that is awarded based on a student’s ability to pay for college.
PERSONAL STATEMENT
An application essay in which a student gives more insight into his/her personality, achievements, history and character.
PUBLIC VS. PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS
Public colleges are supported by state funds and typically are less expensive for residents of that state. Private colleges get their funding from tuition, endowments, alumni support and other donations. Although private colleges may have a higher sticker price, most offer substantial financial aid packages.
RECOMMENDATION
A letter written on your behalf, explaining why you make a good candidate. Most applications require three recommendation letters.
ROLLING ADMISSIONS
A process of reviewing and making decisions on applications as they are received, rather than according to a specific deadline.
R.A.
Short for resident assistant or resident adviser, an R.A. is a college student who supervises the other students living in a college dorm, usually in exchange for food and housing from the school.
SCHOLARSHIP
A form of financial aid—usually based on merit, such as academic or athletic—that does not need to be repaid.
SYLLABUS
Created by the professor, a syllabus outlines important information about the class. This might include test dates, deadlines for papers, required textbooks, expectations, homework assignments and policies specific to the course.
TRANSCRIPT
An official academic record from the student’s school that shows his/her courses and grades, as well as the dates attended.
WAIT LIST
A list of college applicants who haven’t been accepted or denied. If openings develop, the college may offer admission to some of the students on the wait list.
WORK-STUDY
A job (typically on campus) that allows a student to earn money to help pay for the costs associated with college.
