ACT: The ACT® is a curriculum- and standards-based educational and career planning tool that assesses students’ academic readiness for college
Advanced Placement (AP) Classes: Advanced Placement is a program in the United States and Canada, created by the College Board, which offers college-level curricula and examinations to high school students. American colleges and universities often grant placement and course credit to students who obtain high scores on the examinations.
Early Decision: Early decision plans are binding. A student who is accepted as an early decision applicant must attend the college. The following are the steps in the early decision process:
- Apply early (usually in November) to first-choice college.
- Receive an admission decision from the college well in advance of the usual notification date (usually by December).
- Agree to attend the college if accepted and offered a financial aid package that is considered adequate by the family.
- Apply to only one college early decision.
- Apply to other colleges under regular admission plans.
- Withdraw all other applications if accepted by early decision.
- Send a nonrefundable deposit before May 1
Early Action: Early action plans are nonbinding. Students receive an early response to their application but do not have to commit to the college until the normal reply date of May 1. The following are the steps in the early action process:
- Apply early.
- Receive an admission decision early in the admission cycle (usually in January or February).
- May consider acceptance offer; do not have to commit upon receipt.
- Apply to other colleges under regular admission plans.
- Give the college a decision no later than the May 1 national response date.
Financial Aid: Any grant or scholarship, loan, or paid employment offered to help a student meet his/her college expenses. Such aid is usually provided by various sources such as federal and state agencies, colleges, high schools, foundations, and corporations.
Gap Year: A period, typically an academic year, taken by a student as a break between secondary school and higher education.
Grant: Grants are a type of financial aid that do not have to be repaid. Generally, grants are for undergraduate students, and the grant amount is based on need, cost of attendance, and enrollment status.
Loan: Something that is borrowed, especially a sum of money that is expected to be paid back with interest.
PSAT: The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) is a standardized test administered by the College Board and cosponsored by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) in the United States.
Safety School: A safety school is a college that a student will almost certainly get into because the student’s test scores, class rank, and high school grades are well above the school’s average.
SAT: The SAT is a globally recognized college admission test that lets you show colleges what you know and how well you can apply that knowledge. It tests your knowledge of reading, writing and math – subjects that are taught every day in high school classrooms.
Scholarship: A scholarship is an award of financial aid for a student to further their education. Scholarships are awarded based upon various criteria, which usually reflect the values and purposes of the donor or founder of the award. Scholarship money is not required to be repaid.
Study Abroad Program: Typical study abroad programs last either a year or a semester. Year-long programs follow the traditional junior year abroad model, where students spend a full academic year immersed in another culture and language. Classes for that academic year are conducted abroad and you live and work as though you have relocated your education to that country.
Semester abroad programs are similar to year abroad programs; your classes for that semester are conducted abroad and you live in your destination city for the entire semester. However, these programs typically only last four to five months. This program type is great for students who want to test the waters of studying abroad.
