College 101
This two-year degree is commonly awarded by community colleges and is different from a bachelor's degree.
Associate's degree
Unlike a student loan, this form of financial aid generally does not require repayment.
A grant
What does the acronym WICOR stand for?
Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, Reading.
This section of a TRF identifies the exact point at which a student gets stuck while working on a problem.
The point of confusion (POC)
This document summarizes your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, experience, and relevant skills for scholarship or college applications.
A résumé
What is the name of our monthly AVID newsletter?
The AVID Insider
A student wants to transfer from Joliet Junior College to a four-year university. This document helps determine which credits count toward the new degree.
A transfer equivalency guide or articulation agreement
Completing the FAFSA determines potential aid eligibility, but this institution sends the actual financial aid offer.
The college or university
Students compare three articles, identify conflicting claims, and write a single conclusion supported by evidence from multiple texts. This higher-order process goes beyond summarizing.
Synthesis
During tutorials, this student leads the group through their point of confusion.
Presenter
A student applies to 12 scholarships using the exact same essay, even though each prompt asks something different. This crucial writing quality is missing.
Responsiveness to the prompt (also accepting tailoring or relevance).
This school staff member works in Room 279 and helps students navigate college and career planning.
Ms. Martinez
A university admits only a small percentage of applicants. This statistic measures its selectivity, not necessarily its quality.
The acceptance rate
This federal loan is generally more favorable for eligible undergraduates because the government covers interest during qualifying enrollment periods.
A Direct Subsidized Loan
What does the acronym TRF stand for?
Tutorial Request Form
A college says an application is due November 1. This term describes an admissions plan in which students apply early but generally are not required to attend if accepted.
Early Action
AVID 11 students pitch ideas for campus improvements in this business-inspired, community service competition.
Shark Tank
Two colleges advertise identical tuition, but one has substantially higher housing and meal expenses. This broader estimate provides a better picture of total college expenses.
Cost of attendance
A student receives a $20,000 scholarship to a college with a $45,000 cost of attendance. Assuming no other aid, this is the remaining annual cost.
$25,000
A student annotates an author's argument, challenges a source's credibility, and examines its assumptions. This is the WICOR strategy most directly demonstrated.
Reading, specifically critical reading
What is the difference between a point of confusion and an initial question?
The point of confusion identifies where understanding breaks down.
A scholarship requires a 300-word response about leadership. A student lists every club they've joined without describing any decisions or contributions. What's the main weakness?
A lack of specific evidence of leadership, reflection, or impact
Our AVID students visited this middle school to speak with sixth-grade AVID students.
Washington Middle School
A student applies to a college without submitting SAT or ACT scores under this admissions policy.
Test-optional
This number, calculated from FAFSA information, helps colleges determine a student's financial need.
Student Aid Index (SAI)
During a group discussion, one student does all the work while everyone else copies. Explain which WICOR principle is missing and what genuine use of it requires.
Collaboration - All students must contribute meaningfully to shared learning and thinking.
A tutor gives a presenter the answer instead of asking guiding questions. Which essential tutorial process has been skipped?
Inquiry
Two scholarship essays describe the same obstacle. One focuses entirely on suffering, while the other explains personal decisions, growth, and future goals. Identify why the second is generally more effective.
It demonstrates agency, reflection, and growth instead of merely describing hardship
- Northwestern
- NIU
- Loyola
- U of I
- JJC
- Elmhurst
- Augustana
- UChicago