College Terms for College Bound!

college application

the process by which individuals apply to gain entry into a college or university; part of the competitive college admission system

application deadline

If not met, applicant not accepted

high school transcript

Official document; record of students academic history

Advanced Placement

courses in high school that are college-level curriculum

GPA (Grade Point Average)

quantitative measurement of students grade; needed for college admission; cumulative

extracurricular activities

course or activities not paid to go to (such as a job) or high school courses; needed for college applications to show your diversity in participation in community

in-state student

permanent residence of the same state as college; tuition is lower.

out-of-state student

permanent residence is not located in the state college location; tuition is higher

college entrance exams

test that may be required to be submitted in the application process, such as the ACT or SAT.

Associates of Arts degree (A.A.)

earned after two years of course study in the arts, social sciences, business, or humanities.

Associates of Applied Science (A.A.S.)

two year degree can lead to a wide variety of occupational majors, such as human services, health occupations, industrial education, office or business administration, agriculture, manufacturing technology, criminal justice, electronics, or computer science.

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

A degree from a four year year college or university for a course of study in the arts, humanities, or social sciences

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

A degree from a four year college or university for a course of study in the sciences

graduate degrees

Masters

Doctoral

Medical

Masters Business Admin.

a graduate degree

another full degree that is beyond a bachelor's degree

post-secondary institution

includes universities, colleges, and trade schools where a student earns a certificate, diploma or degree

college

four year school; institution; must be applied for; usually a smaller campus

university

diverse graduation system; degrees in various fields; usually a larger campus

Community College

Junior College

Tech College

City College

2 year public institution; lower level courses;certificate gained

public school

receives public funding that oversees and regulates schools operations

private school

funded by private sources

undergraduate degrees

takes 2-4 years to earn at a post-secondary institution; prior to a graduate degree

early action

applies before regular deadline; receives a notice

early decision

applies at regular deadline; students must enroll if accepted; first choice school

semester hours

number of credits taken in a 15-week term; 5 courses equal 15 credits per term.

prerequisite

A course that must be taken prior to enrollment in another course

major

the main subject a student is studying

minor

study or qualify in as a secondary subject at college or university

placement test

A test that is often used at the beginning of a course in a language school or mathematics school in order to identify a learner's level of language or mathematics and find the best class for them.

residence halls

dormitories

apartments

houses

living quarters

FAFSA

If a student is eligible and in need of government financial aide, they can fill this out.

graduate student

someone who has earned a bachelor's degree and pursuing additional education in a specific field

tuition

a sum of money charged for teaching or instruction by a school, college, or university.

undergraduate student

someone enrolled in a 4 year bachelor's or associate's degree program or technical program

work-study programs

Programs in which students are able to work at jobs on campus to make money to pay their college tuition.

scholarship

A form of financial aid that does not need to be repaid; usually awarded on merit-basis of academic, athletic or other achievements

loans

money that is borrowed and has to be repaid

Examples: Stafford, Federal Perkins, Subsidized

grants

monies freely awarded from a organization for financial aid and does not need to be repaid. Examples: Federal Pell Institution, need-based on your or your family's financial situation.

honors classes

offered in high school that are enriched curriculum in greater depth and faster pace to prepare for college.

credits

given for attending and passing one lecture hour of class each week; most classes are three hours per week.