Collegiate Degrees
Associate Degree - The degree awarded after the successful completion of a two-year program, usually at a junior or community college.
Bachelors Degree - The degree awarded after the successful completion of a four-year program of study at a college or university.
Masters Degree - The degree awarded at the completion of the first post-graduate program.
Doctoral Degree - The degree awarded after intensive study in a particular field such as Philosophy (Ph.D.), Medicine (M.D.), Education (Ed. D.) or Law (J.D.)
Collegiate Calendars
Semester System - The most common calendar, where the academic year is divided into two relatively equal periods of approximately 16 weeks.
Trimester System - A calendar which divides the academic year into three equal periods.
Quarter System - Similar to the Trimester System, but usually includes a fourth, summer session.
4-1-4 System - A system where students carry four courses during the fall session, one course during the “January Term” (sometimes in an off-campus situation), and four courses in the spring session.
Three-Two Program - A combined degree program at two cooperating institutions, the first three years at an undergraduate school and the final two years at an institution providing specialized study; degrees are awarded from both.
Admission Plans
Matriculation - Admission to a college as a degree candidate.
Early Admission - Admission to a college following completion of the junior year of secondary school.
Early Decision - A plan where students make application in early fall of senior year and notification is sent by mid-December; if accepted, a commitment-to-attend is usually required along with withdrawal of other college applications. A Student may apply to only one college under Early Decision.
Early Action/Early Notification - Similar to Early Decision except that if accepted, the applicant is not committed to attend the institution and other applications may be made.
Wait List/Alternate List - A response to an applicant indicating that his/her application is acceptable, but the limit of accepted students has already been reached; wait listed students may be admitted after May 1, if space becomes available.
Rolling Admission - A procedure by which admission decisions are made on a continuous basis and sent within about 3-4 weeks after receipt of completed application material.
Admission Dates
College Notification Date - The date by which colleges not using rolling admission notify applicants of the decision on their applications, usually by April 15.
Candidate Reply Date - he date by which applicants must reply to college offers of admission and submit a tuition deposit to secure a place in the freshman class, usually by May 1.
Testing Terminology
Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test (PSAT) -Two-hour forty-five minute test usually taken in fall of junior year in preparation for SAT. The PSAT score serves as the basis for selection of National Merit Scholars who receive public recognition and financial awards.
Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) - A three-hour forty-five test given on specific dates throughout the year at testing centers and required by most colleges for admission. The scoring has three components: 1) Critical Reading - which indicates an understanding of words, skill in dealing with word and thought relationships, the ability to read with understanding and discrimination; 2) Math- which measures ability to handle numbers and do quantitative reasoning. Scores on each section range from 200-800. a fifty minute essay section is optional.
SAT Subject Tests - One-hour tests given in specific high school subjects and scored 200 - 800 to demonstrate level of accomplishment. A number of colleges may require these tests in addition to SAT Reasoning.
American College Test (ACT) - A four-part test consisting of English, Mathematics, Reading, and Natural Science used largely by midwestern, western, and southwestern colleges for admission. Individual and composite scores range from 1 to 36.
Advanced Placement Examination (AP) - Subject-oriented college-level tests given in May and usually taken by high school students completing advanced placement courses; college credit usually granted based on scores (1 is low and 5 is high), enabling students to pursue further study in a field or shorten their college career.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - An exam used in conjunction with or as a substitute for the SAT or ACT for students whose native language is not English.
College Level Examination Program (CLEP) - A testing program by which students can usually earn up to 30 college credits by passing subject exams available in 33 different areas.
College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB) - More commonly called the “College Board,” this organization regulates the Admission Testing Program which includes the Scholastic Assessment Tests and the Advanced Placement Tests.
Educational Testing Service (ETS) - This organization creates, administers, scores and reports results of the Admission Testing Program of the College Board.
Secondary School Code (SSC) - The identification number of your high school used for CEEB and ACT tests.
Student Descriptive Questionnaire (SDQ) - A form used by the College Board to collect information about a student’s interests, aspirations and activities; the SDQ response sheet is returned when a student registers for the SAT.
Student Search Service (SSS) - A program by which students’ SDQ responses, PSAT, SAT Reasoning and SAT Subject scores are made available to colleges to allow them to directly contact by mail those students in which they might be interested.