Application Strategies
A list of all the colleges a student plans to apply to, usually including reach, match, and safety schools.
What is a college list?
A course load typically taken in one academic term.
What is a semester schedule?
The typical year most students begin applying to colleges.
What is senior year?
The percentage of applicants a college admits each year.
What is the acceptance rate?
This tool on many college websites helps families estimate how much financial aid they might receive before applying.
What is a Net Price Calculator?
This application plan lets students apply early and receive an admission decision earlier than regular applicants.
What is early application (Early Action or Early Decision)?
Classes that many colleges require students to take regardless of major.
What are general education requirements?
This school professional often helps students plan college applications.
Who is a school counselor?
The average grades of admitted students is often shown in this statistic.
What is average GPA?
Aid awarded for achievements like grades, athletics, or talent.
What is merit-based aid?
Showing strong interest in a school through visits, emails, or interviews can demonstrate this.
What is demonstrated interest?
Changing your academic focus to something different is called this.
What is switching majors?
Students often start researching colleges seriously during this year of high school.
What is junior year?
Being placed here means you may still be admitted if space opens later.
What is the waitlist?
Colleges that promise to cover 100% of demonstrated financial need offer this.
What is a "full-ride"?
Some colleges admit students throughout the year as applications arrive.
What is rolling admission?
A professor’s scheduled time for students to ask questions or get help.
What are office hours?
Visiting colleges during the summer before this year can help finalize applications.
What is senior year?
When a student accepts admission and commits to attend a college.
What is enrollment (or committing to a school)?
A form some private colleges require in addition to FAFSA.
What is the CSS Profile?
Students sometimes ask teachers, counselors, or mentors to review essays before submitting them to improve clarity and impact.
What is receiving feedback?
Programs that allow students to complete both a bachelor’s and graduate degree faster.
What are combined or accelerated degree programs?
The month when FAFSA typically opens each year.
What is October?
The national deadline most colleges set for accepted students to choose their school.
What is May 1st?
This type of scholarship is offered by colleges themselves to attract strong students with good grades, leadership, or special talents.
What is an institutional scholarship?