Applying to College
Degree Types
College Types
Classes
Costs
100

All colleges require you to have one, to prove you completed high school.

What is a high school diploma or GED?

100

A career specific program that grants a credential indicating you learned a set of skills, typically takes between a few months and a year.

What is a Certificate program?

100

An institution of higher learning that grants bachelor’s degrees in liberal arts or science or both.

What is a college?

100

A typical college class is worth this many credit hours.

What is 3?

100

If you live in a college dormitory, you are this type of student, and you will pay for your "room" and "board" (meal plan).

What is a resident student?

200

Since you do not have a Bachelor's degree yet, you will be considered this kind of college student.

What is an undergraduate student?

200

A degree granted especially by junior or community colleges after completion of two years of full time study.

What is an Associate's degree?

200

An institution of learning of the highest level, having a college of liberal arts and a program of graduate studies together with several professional schools, as of theology, law, medicine, and engineering, and authorized to confer both undergraduate and graduate degrees.

What is a university?

200

You have to take these classes for a liberal arts degree, even if they aren't related to your major.

What are general education classes? 

200

You may opt-out of this college cost, if your parents want to keep you on their "plan."

What is health insurance?

300

When you get a Bachelor's degree, if you go back for a higher degree, you are this type of student.

What is a graduate student?

300

A four-year degree (if you attend full time and take approximately 5 classes each semester). Generally in either arts or sciences.

What is a Bachelor's degree?

300

This kind of school is mostly funded by a national or state government. They include community colleges, state colleges, and state universities. They tend to be less expensive than private colleges.

What are public colleges?

300

This type of school emphasizes a broad range of education in writing, mathematics, sciences, the arts, foreign language, philosophy, etc. The programs generally give you a broad education as well as a focus on your major course of study.

What are liberal arts colleges?

300

This is the cost of the classes you take. It is common to get a scholarship, like the John & Abigail Adams, to cover this cost.

What is tuition?

400

This is what you give to the school in order to be considered, which often includes your high school diploma, recommendations, a form, and a personal essay.

What is an apllication?

400

A degree awarded by a graduate school or department, usually to a person who has completed at least one year of graduate study. Generally goes with a specific career or academic pathway.

What is a Master's degree?

400

An institution for career-specific education that provides courses in technology, art, secretarial skills, agriculture. May be public or private. These college credits may not transfer to other schools.

What is a technical college?

400

If you get a passing score on this type of exam, you could have extra credits at the start of college, or even skip a class.

What is an AP exam?

400

This is a cost of attending college that pays for student activities, technology, capital projects, and other services. They are not typically covered by scholarships.

What are fees?

500

This is the process of getting into college, where an office chooses which applications to accept.

What are admissions?

500

The highest degree one can earn in the field. These degrees are specific to the field.

What is a Doctoral degree?

500

A nonresidential (commuter only; no dorms) junior college established to serve a specific community and typically supported in part by local government funds. Usually has 2-year associate degrees and shorter certificate programs. These colleges have minimal criteria for acceptance, although some specific programs may have competitive admissions.

What is community college?

500

You might get to skip a few first-year college classes, like science, math, and English, if you score high enough.

What is a placement test/Accuplacer?

500

You must complete this application every year, in order to qualify for financial aid and most scholarships. 

What is the FAFSA?