Glossary of Terms

TERM

MEANING

Academic Advisor

A faculty or staff member assigned to help students navigate their academic program, choose courses, and plan their academic trajectory.

Academic Calendar

Calendar which specifies key academic dates when classes are in session.

ACT (American College Testing)

A standardized test accepted by many colleges and universities for undergraduate admissions.

Admissions Committee

A group of faculty, staff, and administrators responsible for reviewing and evaluating college applications.

Admissions Interview

A meeting between an applicant and a representative of the college or university, conducted to assess the applicant's fit for the institution.

Admissions Officer

A staff member responsible for reviewing and evaluating college applications, answering prospective students' questions, and representing the institution at recruitment events.

Admissions Rate

The percentage of applicants who are offered admission to a college or university.

Admissions Yield

The percentage of admitted students who choose to enroll in a college or university.

Alumni

Graduates of a college or university, who may remain involved with their alma mater through alumni associations, events, and philanthropic activities.

Campus Tour

A guided tour of a college or university campus, often led by student ambassadors or admissions representatives.

Coalition Application

A standardized undergraduate college application similar to the Common Application.

College

In the US, the term "college" can have multiple meanings. It can refer to an undergraduate division within a university, offering bachelor's degree programs in various fields of study. Additionally, "college" is sometimes used interchangeably with "university" to refer to any institution of higher education

Common Application

A standardized undergraduate college application used by many US colleges and universities.

Commuter Student

A student who lives off-campus and travels to campus for classes.

Conditional Admission

Admission granted to international students contingent upon meeting certain requirements, such as English language proficiency or academic performance.

Course 

A specific class or subject that students take during a semester or academic term. It typically has a title, course number, description, and is led by an instructor.

Course Catalog

A publication listing all the courses offered by a college or university, along with descriptions, prerequisites, and other relevant information.

CPT (Curricular Practical Training)

Another program that allows international students to engage in paid internship or employment directly related to their field of study while enrolled in school.

Credit Hour

A credit hour is a unit of measurement representing the amount of academic work completed in a course. It is used to quantify the amount of time a student spends in class and on coursework. Typically, one credit hour corresponds to one hour of class time per week over the duration of a semester.

CSS Profile

An additional financial aid application required by some colleges and universities to assess a student's eligibility for institutional aid.

Deferred Admission

When an applicant's admission decision is postponed to a later date, typically in the regular decision round

Demonstrated Interest

Actions taken by applicants to show their interest in and commitment to a particular college, such as campus visits, interviews, or contacting admissions representatives.

Early Action (EA)

A non-binding admission process where students apply to colleges early and receive an early decision without the obligation to enroll.

Early Decision (ED)

A binding admission process where students apply to their first-choice college early and agree to enroll if admitted.

Early Decision Agreement

A contract signed by applicants and their parents or guardians agreeing to enroll in a college if admitted through the early decision process.

Elective 

An elective is a course that students can choose to take based on their interests or academic requirements, but which is not mandatory for their program of study.

Enrollment Deposit

A non-refundable deposit required to secure a student's place in a college's incoming class.

Essay

A written component of the college application where applicants have the opportunity to showcase their personality, interests, and writing skills.

Extracurricular Activities

Activities pursued outside of the classroom, such as sports, clubs, volunteer work, and part-time jobs.

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

A form used to apply for financial aid from the US federal government and many colleges and universities.

Financial Aid Package

The combination of grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study offered to a student to help cover the cost of attending college.

GPA (Grade Point Average)

GPA is a numerical representation of a student's academic performance, calculated based on the grades earned in courses. It is used by colleges and universities to assess a student's overall achievement and eligibility for academic honors, scholarships, and other opportunities.

Greek Life

Fraternities and sororities, social organizations often found on college campuses, with members sharing common values, interests, and traditions.

Holistic Review

An admissions process that considers various aspects of an applicant's profile, including academic achievements, extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation.

Honor Code

An honor code is a set of ethical principles or rules that students are expected to uphold, typically related to academic integrity and honesty. It often includes guidelines for proper conduct during exams, assignments, and interactions with peers and faculty.

IELTS (International English Language Testing System)

A standardized test used to assess the English language proficiency of non-native English speakers.

International Student Advisor

A staff member who provides support and guidance to international students throughout the admissions and enrollment process.

Interview

An optional or required meeting between an applicant and a college admissions representative, faculty member, or alumni.

Legacy Admission

A policy where applicants with family members who attended the same college are given special consideration in the admission process.

Merit-Based Aid

Financial aid awarded to students based on their academic, athletic, artistic, or other achievements, rather than financial need.

Mission Statement

A mission statement is a formal declaration of an institution's purpose, goals, and values. It outlines the overarching objectives and ideals that guide the college or university's operations, academic programs, and community engagement.

Need-Based Aid

Financial aid awarded to students based on their demonstrated financial need as determined by a college's financial aid office.

Net Price Calculator

An online tool provided by colleges and universities to estimate the cost of attendance and potential financial aid for prospective students.

OPT (Optional Practical Training)

A program that allows international students to gain work experience in their field of study in the US for up to 12 months after completing their academic program.

Orientation

A program designed to familiarize new students, including international students, with the college campus, academic policies, and support services.

Personal Statement

A type of essay where applicants discuss their background, experiences, goals, and reasons for applying to a particular college.

Portfolio

A collection of an applicant's creative work, such as artwork, writing samples, or design projects, often required for admission to art and design programs.

Program

A program, also known as a major or concentration, is a specific area of study that students choose to focus on during their undergraduate or graduate studies. It consists of a set of required and elective courses designed to provide comprehensive knowledge and skills in that particular field.

Recommendation Letters

Letters written by teachers, counselors, or other individuals who can attest to an applicant's character, abilities, and achievements.

Registrar 

The registrar's office is responsible for maintaining student records, handling course registration, issuing transcripts, and managing academic policies and procedures.

Regular Decision

The standard admission process where students apply by a specified deadline and receive admission decisions at a later date.

Residence Hall

On-campus housing facilities for students, typically offering dormitory-style accommodations.

SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test)

A standardized test widely used for college admissions in the United States.

School

In the US, the term "school" can refer to an individual academic unit within a university or college, such as the School of Engineering or the School of Business. It can also refer to institutions providing primary or secondary education, but in the context of higher education, it typically indicates a specialized division or department within a larger institution.

Semester 

A semester is one of the two main divisions of an academic year, typically lasting around 15 to 16 weeks. Colleges and universities in the US often operate on a semester system, with two semesters per academic year (fall and spring).

SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System)

A US government database used to track and monitor international students and exchange visitors.

Standardized Tests

Tests like the SAT or ACT that are often required for undergraduate admission in the US.

Student Visa

A type of visa that allows international students to study in the United States.

Study Abroad

Programs that allow students to spend a semester or year studying in another country while earning academic credits towards their degree.

Supplemental Essays

Additional essays required by some colleges to gain a deeper understanding of an applicant's interests and fit with the institution.

Test-Flexible

A policy where applicants can choose to submit alternative standardized tests in place of traditional exams like the SAT or ACT.

Test-Optional

A policy where applicants can choose whether or not to submit standardized test scores as part of their application.

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)

A standardized test measuring the English proficiency of non-native English speakers applying to US colleges and universities.

Transcript 

An official document containing a student's academic record, including courses taken, grades earned, and credits accumulated.

Transfer Student

A student who moves from one college or university to another, typically after completing some coursework elsewhere.

Undergraduate and Graduate

Undergraduate programs are typically four-year programs leading to a bachelor's degree, while graduate programs are advanced studies pursued after completing a bachelor's degree, leading to master's or doctoral degrees.

University 

In the US, a university typically refers to a higher education institution that offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs across a wide range of academic disciplines. Universities often consist of multiple colleges, schools, or departments, each specializing in specific areas of study.

Visa

A document issued by a country's government that allows individuals to enter and stay within its borders for a specified period.

Waitlist 

A list of applicants who are neither accepted nor rejected initially but may be offered admission if spots become available later.