APPLICATION PLANS
GRADES & RECORDS
TESTS & COLLEGE LIFE
Money Matters
College Applications
100

This binding application plan requires you to attend the college if admitted and withdraw other applications.

What is Early Decision?

100

This abbreviation represents your overall high school academic performance.

What is GPA?

100

These two common college entrance exams may be used in admissions decisions.

What are the ACT and SAT?

100

This free federal form is used to determine eligibility for federal student aid and is often needed for other aid considerations.

What is the FAFSA?

100

This centralized application platform lets students apply to many participating colleges using one application.

What is the Common Application, or Common App?

200

This nonbinding option lets you apply early and receive an early decision without committing to attend.

What is Early Action?

200

This GPA calculation gives additional weight to grades earned in more challenging classes (AP/Dual Enrollment).

What is Weighted GPA?

200

At these colleges, applicants may choose whether to submit standardized test scores.

What is test-optional admission?

200

This College Board application helps students apply for certain nonfederal financial aid offered by participating colleges.

What is the CSS Profile?

200

This affordable application platform helps students apply to participating Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

What is the Common Black College Application?

300

This application plan generally has deadlines from January through March and gives students more time to apply.

What is Regular Decision?

300

This official academic record lists courses taken, grades earned, and credits received.

What is a transcript?

300

Unlike test-optional colleges, these schools do not use standardized test scores in admissions decisions.

What is test-blind admission?

300

This allows an eligible student to apply to a college without paying its application fee.

What is a fee waiver?

300

This application method means you apply directly through a particular college's own website.

What is direct to the institution?

400

Under this process, a college reviews completed applications as they arrive rather than waiting for one deadline.

What is Rolling Admission?

400

This measure compares your academic achievement with other students in your grade. JPII does not calculate it.

What is class rank?

400

Colleges may use these exams in math or world languages to help place students in appropriate courses.

What are placement tests?

400

This admissions policy means a college does not consider an applicant's financial circumstances when making admission decisions.

What is need-blind admission?

400

This platform lets students organize a portfolio of high school work and apply to participating colleges.

What is the Coalition Application?

500

This nonbinding early application option restricts students from applying early to certain other colleges.

What is Restrictive Early Action?

500

This document summarizes a high school's grading system, curriculum, student population, and opportunities.

What is a school profile?

500

This program offers advanced academic opportunities and sometimes special housing or early registration.

What is an Honors College or Honors Program?

500

This important date is used for the strongest consideration for an application, housing request, or financial aid submission.

What is a priority deadline?

500

This document, written by a counselor, teacher, or mentor, describes a student's strengths and potential.

What is a letter of recommendation?

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