Getting into college is challenging, this is why an Admissions Advisor works with you to get into college.

They’re there to walk you through each step in the process, guiding you each step of the way.

But a must have cheat sheet is helpful too. At times an Advisor will use phrases or words common to a college but not something used outside of the college admissions process.

Years of working with students, has shown that we don’t always ask questions if we don’t understand the meaning. It’s our way of protecting ourselves from feeling embarrassed that we don’t exactly know what’s being said.

Well, here’s a personalized cheat sheet designed to help avoid embarrassment.

Print this off or book mark it so you have a quick reference.

• ACT TEST: This test assesses student readiness for college, covering a variety of topics over the three hour exam.
• ADMISSIONS APPLICATION: The application completed to request being considered for Admission to the College. This does not guarantee admittance; it’s one of the first steps in the process of Admission.
• ADMISSSIONS ADVISOR: The individual you work with from initial inquiry through the Admissions process for each college you are interested in.
• AP COURSE: This college level course taken in high school can give you college credit during your first year, if the college accepts AP (Advanced Placement) courses. Be sure to ask your Admissions Advisor.
• AP EXAM: The exam taken to verify mastery of a given course for college credit, colleges considers your scores to determine college credit.
• AWARD PACKAGE: The complete outline of the funds you qualify for, including scholarships and loans.
• COMMON APPLICATION: This generic application is accepted by 350 colleges currently, this allows you to apply to more than one college at once, check with the colleges you’re considering, to see if they accept the common application. Some colleges, like private colleges don’t accept this.
• EARLY ACTION: An application process that allows potential students to find out if they are accepted earlier than those who wait. Ask if your college has an early application process for the time frame you are considering admission.
• EARLY DECISION: Acceptance to college earlier than traditional applicants, if accepted the early decision is binding and all other applications must be withdrawn from other colleges.
• FAFSA: (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) this is the Federal funding application considering you for grants and college loans, All students who need funding aid must complete this application. Do not pay for this application process, this is a complementary application. http://www.fafsa.ed.gov

• IB COURSE: This program is for high school students, interested in an AP program where they will be taking six courses for college credit in a variety of subjects, available to Juniors and Seniors, check to see if your college is offering this option.
• LOANS: Funding for college that has to be repaid over time, each lender or loan has a different amount of time for repayment.
• PERSONAL STATEMENT: In the essay portion of the college application that asks what sets the applicant apart as a unique and different, generally this answer is from an open ended question.
• PLACEMENT TEST: A test created by a given college to verify aptitude in various subjects matter. Some colleges do not require an ACT or SAT test, simply a placement test instead. The placement exam is specific to the college; other colleges will not accept it.
• PSAT: A test set up for students to find out college aptitude. Generally this test is taken in the sophomore year of high school, it does not take the place of the SAT, it is just practice for the actual standardized test.
• RECOMMENDATION: A letter obtained from a requested source, such as a teacher, verifying why you’d make a good candidate for the particular college being considered, often three letters are needed.
• SAT: This standardized test reviews your knowledge in critical reading, math, and writing. This three-hour-and-forty-five-minute college aptitude exam is different than the ACT exam in that looks at a student’s aptitude for reasoning and math ability rather than just specific knowledge.
• SAT SUBJECT TESTS: These tests are administered to demonstrate knowledge and understanding in a specific subject. Check with a college to find out if they request additional testing in certain subjects.
• SCHOLARSHIP: Complementary funding, or other aid for a student that does not have to be repaid. A great place to begin looking for a scholarship is www.fastweb.com
• WAIT LIST: Potential students who have not yet been accepted or denied, the list is created once the initial applicants have been accepted, if openings become available more students could be accepted from this list.
• WORK-STUDY: The need based ability to work part time while in college to help cover the cost of college, work study programs that are not federally funded is not need based. Check with the college for availability.

These are a few terms that you’ll find along your admissions process, keep in mind that each college will have terms that apply specifically to that college, so ask your Admissions Advisor for a list of common terms specific to their college.

If you found this helpful, please let me know, make a comment, re-tweet, or Digg this and share it with anyone you know who might be interested in college.

Sophie

Share