Glossary
As you probably realize by now, there's a lot of jargon colleges and universities use. Some of it can be quite confusing. That's why we compiled this glossary of terms to help you sort out all the words.
A-C :: D-H :: K-O :: P-S :: T-Z
A-C
Achievement Record: A listing of courses taken in high school, the grades received in the courses, the number of credits awarded, accomplishments, and achievements.
ACT (American College Test): The ACT combines certain aspects of both the SAT I and SAT II into one test. It's a multiple-choice test, that scores in four categories (English, Social Science, Natural Sciences and Mathematics) and a composite average of the four areas. It is scored on a 0 (low) to 36 (high) basis.
Admissions: There are several types of admissions procedures.
- Open: Some colleges do not select students to attend, rather offer admission to all students who apply. These colleges usually have extensive programs designed to provide remedial or developmental help to students who enroll with an insufficient academic record.
- Regular: Basically, colleges who use this process request that applications be submitted during the fall or early winter. Applications typically include standardized test scores, high school records and recommendations. A committee in the college's admissions office reviews applications and notifications are typically sent out in late spring.
- Rolling: This process is used by colleges in several ways, but the most common scenario is that a college using rolling admissions will review applications as the "folders" (the application form and all supporting data) are completed. Then, the college will return decisions within a few weeks after completion. Other variations in the process: Some colleges send decisions as soon as the folder is completed and reviewed, regardless of the time of the year. Other colleges will accumulate applications and send decisions only after a certain date.
Advanced Placement (AP): A service of the College Board that profiles high schools with course descriptions in college subjects and Advanced Placement Examinations in those subjects. High schools implement the courses and administer the examinations to interested students, who are then eligible for advanced placement, college credit, or both, on the basis of satisfactory grades.
Alumna: A female graduate of a specific college (plural female - alumnae).
Alumnus: A male graduate of a specific college (plural masculine -- alumni).
Alumni: Used to refer to a group of both male and female graduates from a college.
Associate Degree (AA, AS, AAS): A degree granted by a college or university after the satisfactory completion of a two-year, full-time program of study or its part-time equivalent.
Award Letter: The document issued by the college's financial aid office to the student that indicates the type, amount, and disbursement dates of the funds awarded from various financial aid programs. These could include grants, loans, scholarships or work-study. The letter also provides information on the conditions that go with award, such as whether it has to be repaid or not.
Bachelor's Degree: A four-year degree in a specified subject. There are different types of bachelor's degrees. They include:
- BA: Bachelor's of Arts
- BS: Bachelor's of Science
- BBA: Bachelor's of Business Administration
- BFA: Bachelor's of Fine Arts
Class Rank: The academic position a student holds in relation to the rest of the class. The overall grade point average is used to determine this position.
CLEP (College Level Examination Program): This is somewhat like the SAT II and Advanced Placement. CLEP is designed primarily for people who have not been in school for awhile. But, they may have gained considerable knowledge through a job or experience. Some colleges have incorporated CLEP into testing programs for entering freshmen.
College: An institution at which students study toward two- or four-year undergraduate degrees after completion of secondary school.
College Board: A nonprofit organization governed by college and secondary school members. The College Board oversees many tests and services connected with the college admissions process.
Common Application: Allows a student to fill out one application and send the application and recommendation forms to more than one college. Texas A&M and other public and private universities use the State of Texas Common Application. But, be sure to check with each institution for which application to use.
Community College: Sometimes referred as junior college. These are two-year institutions that are often public, though some are private (nonprofit) or proprietary (profit making). These colleges award associate degrees at the completion of two years of full-time study. They frequently offer technical programs of study that prepare students for immediate entry into the job market. Many of these colleges offer general education programs that are equivalent to the first two years of a bachelor's degree program.
Credit: You may see this used to refer to both high school and college courses.
- High School: A one-year course in high school equals one unit. So, in other words one unit is the same as one credit. Most courses are one semester long and are equal to .5 units.
- College: Typically defined as credit hours. For example, if the college refers to a 3-hour course that is the equivalent of 1 credit. (See Hours entry.)
Curriculum: The course or plan of study in a school.
D-H
Elective Courses: Those courses which you have the option to take but are not required.
EFC (Estimated Family Contribution): This refers to the amount of money your family can contribute to your college education. It is typically based on your family's income and taxes.
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid): This is the form that's completed by all students who are applying for federal student aid. It helps financial aid offices determine the amount of financial support you need. The form is free and cannot be mailed prior to January 1 of the year you are seeking financial assistance.
Financial Aid: The financial assistance given to a student to help fund his/her college education. This could include sources, like scholarships and grants, which you don't have to pay back. It also includes work-study programs and loans, which you do have to repay.
GPA (Grade Point Average): The total of the number of grade points earned in each course, which is divided by the total number of courses carried (usually using a 4 point score with A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0).
Greek System: Refers to fraternities (male) and sororities (female) (using Greek letters) that are active campus-based organizations concerned with social, academic and philanthropic issues.
Hours: Most colleges/universities refer to a student's courses in hours. College courses are designated as a 1, 2, 3 or 4-hour courses. Each degree program has a specified number of hours that you must complete before earning a degree. For example, to earn a bachelor's (undergraduate) degree, you must complete approximately 130 total hours of classes. Again, this number depends on the degree program you're in.
K-O
Liberal Arts College: Four-year institution that emphasizes providing a broad undergraduate education. Pre-professional or professional training may be available but is not stressed. A strong liberal arts program teaches students how to think in a variety of areas.
Major: The subject area(s) in which a student intends to specialize (such as business, history, psychology or English). Some students choose to double major.
Military Academy: Federal military academies prepare officers for the Army, Navy, and Air Force. These institutions (e.g., US Military Academy - West Point, US Naval Academy - Annapolis, and Air Force Academy - Colorado Springs) require a recommendation and an appointment by a state congressman. Private and state supported military institutes (e.g., The Citadel, Virginia Military Institute), however, operate on a college application basis. They all offer degree programs in engineering and technology with concentrations in various aspects of military science.
Minor: The subject area(s) in which a student tends to sub-specialize. Requires less credit hours than a major.
Needs Analysis: The process used to evaluate an applicant's financial situation. It determines how much student aid he/she needs to help pay for college expenses.
P-S
Prerequisite: A course that is needed before another course can be taken. These courses are necessary so that you have adequate background information and knowledge before taking the course.
PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary Scholastic Admissions Test and the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test): The PSAT/NMSQT provides a practice test for freshmen, sophomores and juniors for the SAT I. It is used in the selection of the top scholars in the country for the award of merit scholarships. Only juniors may qualify for NMSQT. The results for NMSQT are announced each year in the fall. PSAT scores are reported in the range of 20 (low) to 80 (high). The NMSQT Selection Index is determined annually, and the minimum score to receive national recognition varies from year to year. PSAT scores are not used by colleges as admission criteria.
Required Courses: Those courses that must be taken to meet your school district's, college's, or the state's requirements for graduation.
R.O.T.C. (Reserve Officer Training Corps): Military training that's offered on some college campuses. It can offer financial support to pay for college. It also prepares students who want to enter the military. At Texas A&M, the Corps of Cadets is the R.O.T.C. organization. Military service is not required to be a part of the Corps.
SAT or SAT I (Scholastic Aptitude Test): This test is also sometimes referred to as the College Boards. The SAT is usually taken in the junior year of high school and again in the senior year. It is a required test for admission to many colleges. It is a multiple-choice exam designed to test a student's aptitude for scholastic work (not intelligence). It is scored on the basis of 200 (low) to 800 (high). Before you take the SAT, you should read and study The College Board book, Taking the SAT, available in your guidance counselor's office.
SAT II: The SAT II subject tests are one-hour, primarily multiple-choice tests in specific subjects. Unlike the SAT I, which measures more general abilities, the SAT II tests measure your knowledge of particular subjects and your ability to apply that knowledge. SAT II test are offered in 17 disciplines and are best taken at the end of the junior year. They are scored on the same 200 to 800 system as the SAT I. Some colleges use the SAT II tests for placement in various levels of freshman courses, while others use them as an additional indicator in the admissions process.
Scholarship: A form of financial aid that does not require repayment. Scholarships are offered at by various organizations and colleges to students who show potential for distinction, usually in academic or athletic performance.
Semester: The terms, lasting about five months, that usually make up a school year.
Single-sex Colleges: There are nearly 130 colleges in the United States that enroll either men only or women only.
T-Z
Technical & Vocational Schools: Specialized education programs usually leading directly to employment. Programs vary from several months to two years or more.
Transcript: A copy of your school record that shows the grades you received in all courses. An official copy of this document is required for admission to most colleges and universities.
Undergraduate Degree: An undergraduate degree is a two-year (Associate's) or four-year (Bachelor's) degree.
Unit: Official recognition in a record; successful completion of a course (in high school a grade of 70 or above) during a semester will earn one-half credit.
University: An institution that may be the same as a college, but which usually offers graduate degrees in addition to undergraduate degrees. A university will generally have a larger student population, offer more degrees and have more research facilities than a college.
Unmet Need: This is used to refer to the difference between the cost of college expenses, the total financial aid offered plus expected family contribution.
Work-study: An award of part-time employment for students who demonstrate financial need. The maximum amount a student can earn under this program is determined by financial need.