Degrees
A two-year degree that generally prepares a student for further study at a four year institution or may provide sufficient training for a specific career.
Associates's Degree (A.A., A.S.)
A curriculum-based test and examination of interests and skills for 10th graders.
PreACT
A financial aid letter or document indication the amount and type of financial support the school is able to provide for the upcoming year.
Award Letter
The policy of some colleges of admitting virtually all high school graduates, regardless of academic qualifications such as high school grades and admission scores.
Open admission (open enrollment)
A formal request for admission to a college or university; requires the submission of forms and other materials.
Application
The rank or title given by a college or university to a student who has met certain academic requirements.
Degree
College entrance exam designed to measure reading, writing and language, and math skills needed for academic success in college. SAT scores range from 200 to 800 in each of the two sections.
SAT Reasoning Test
Awarded upon successful completion of a short-term vocational or career training program.
Certificate
An assessment of the student's aptitudes, abilities, and interests, written by a teacher or counselor and used by colleges and universities in the admission process.
Letter of Recommendation (LOR)
Early action is a plan under which a student applies early in the fall and often receives an admission decision prior to January. EA allows the accepted candidate until May 1 to accept or decline the offer of admission.
Early Action (EA)
A four-year degree from college or university for a prescribed course of study. Also referred to as Baccalaureate degree, B.A. (Bachelor of Arts), B.S. (Bachelor of Science), etc
Bachelor's Degree
Designed for students who have completed college-level work in high school, AP tests are given in specific subject areas and are used to determine if a student may gain advanced standing in college.
Advanced Placement (AP) Tests
Certificate issued by a school, college or university to a student who has met coursework and graduation requirements.
Diploma
The decision to allow a student to enter a college or university.
Admission
The official record of high school or college courses and grades; generally required as part of the college application.
Transcript
Bachelor's Degree plus graduate courses in specialized area. A Master's Degree usually requires two additional years of full-time study after completion of a Bachelor's Degree.
Master's Degree (M.S.,M.A.)
A college exam that measures English, math, reading and science reasoning. Scores range from 1-36 along with a composite score. An optional writing test is offered.
ACT
Financial aid based on merit and/or criteria set by the donor. This award money does not have to repaid and is either paid directly to the student or deposited in a university account.
Scholarship
The application process whereby a college reviews an application when the application is completed and communicates the admission decision within a few weeks of reviewing the application.
Rolling Admissions
Early decision is a plan under which a student applies to the first-choice college early in the fall (usually by November 1 of the senior year) and agrees by contract to enter that college if offered admission. Early decision applicants are judged on the basis of their junior year test scores, class rank, and grades.
Early Decision (ED)
One of the highest levels of an academic degree. Typically requires the completion of Master's Degree plus advanced graduate courses in a specialized area.
Doctorate Degree (Ph.D.)
Preliminary SAT and National Merit Scholarship Qualify Test. Enables students to practice for the SAT Reasoning Test and serves as the qualifying test for scholarship competitions conducted by National Merit Scholarship Corporation.
PSAT/NMSQT
Awards are usually based on financial need and do not require repayment. Grants are available through the federal government, state agencies, private organizations and educational institutions.
Grants
Allows an admitted/accepted student to postpone enrollment for one year.
Deferred Admission
A standardized undergraduate application used by more than 400 colleges (mostly selective, independent) for admission.
Common Application