College Admissions Vocabulary
College Admissions Vocabulary
AMERICAN COLLEGE TESTING PROGRAM (ACT)
A standardized aptitude test preferred by some colleges, especially in the midwest and south, instead of the SAT. Students planning to apply to a college which requires this test should make the necessary arrangements with us in the fall of their senior year.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT TEST (AP Exams)
AP exams are given in May to students who have completed an AP level course or the equivalent. Some colleges award credit for sufficiently high scores of the test (usually 4's and 5's) and may use the test results for placement in college courses. AP courses at Brunswick require that students take the AP exam.
BACHELOR OF ARTS (B.A.)
A degree awarded which indicates the student has studied one or more subjects in depth (including the sciences) and has also taken a wide distribution of courses in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, foreign languages and behavioral sciences. Typically, this is the only degree awarded by a liberal arts college.
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (B.S.)
This degree indicates the student has studied one or more subjects in depth (typically in the sciences, engineering, business, computers, etc.) but has not been required to take as many courses outside the field of concentration. Typically, this degree is awarded by universities.
CANDIDATE NOTIFICATION DATE
Normally, colleges will notify students of their decisions before April 15.
CANDIDATE REPLY DATE
Students must notify colleges of their enrollment intentions before May 1. Those who gain admission under an Early Decision plan commit to attend that college.
CLASS RANK
Brunswick School does not rank its students due to the competitive nature of our academic program and the academic homogeneity of our student body. Instead of ranking, the College Counseling Office provides each college with a school profile, which clearly indicates where a student stands in relationship to other students at the school.
COLLEGE BOARD (CEEB)
An organization of colleges and secondary schools that sponsors programs such as the Admissions Testing program and the College Scholarship Service. Brunswick's CEEB # is 070219.
COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP SERVICE (CSS)
An organization which processes information provided by financial aid applicants and distributes the information to the colleges where students are applying.
COMMON APPLICATION FORM
A single application form which is accepted by more than one hundred colleges. After completing the original application form available from your College Counselor, you simply make copies of it and submit these copies to the colleges that accept the Common Application. No distinction is made between a candidate who applies using the Common Application and a candidate who applies using the college's own application form.
DEFERRED ADMISSION
Many colleges will agree to defer your admission for a year if you are planning to pursue a particular option which would not be available at another time (for example, a year of study abroad or an internship in Congress). You should talk with each college to determine their specific deferral policy. Deferrals are not automatically granted.
ROLLING ADMISSIONS
Some colleges, in particular big state universities, don't admit their freshman class all at once, as is the accepted pattern in most liberal arts colleges. In a rolling admissions program, the college admits students as they go along. If a student applies in October and their application is considered complete (grades, test scores, recommendations, etc.) then a decision will be made on the student's application and the student will be notified immediately. Generally, you should plan to apply to colleges with rolling admissions as promptly as you can.
SAT REASONING
Most colleges require this test. SAT Reasoning measures your critical reading, writing and mathematical resasoning abilities. Although somewhat controversial, the SAT Reasoning test is an important aspect of the admissions process at most selective colleges and universities. Do not focus on the "average" SAT score listed in the college guidebooks for a particular college. Rather look for information on the range of SAT scores for the students offered admission. This will give you a clearer sense of where your SAT scores will fall relative to the applicant pool at that college.
SAT SUBJECT TESTS
"Sat Subject Tests" is the new name for the tests formerly known as the SAT II Subject Tests. The Subject Tests measure your knowledge or skills in a particular subject and your ability to apply that knowledge. Subject Tests should be taken at a time closest to the completion of the course. For example, the United States History Test should be taken at the end of the Junior year. Consult with your teachers, your advisor, and the College Office about which tests to take and when to take them.
STUDENT SEARCH
Many colleges participate in this program so as to identify the name of students who would seem likely candidates for admission. These colleges then forward information about the college to these students. The decision to be included in the Student Search is made at the time one registers for a College Board test.
TEST OF ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE (TOEFL)
The purpose of this test is to evaluate the English proficiency of people whose first language is not English. If you believe this test would be appropriate for you to take, consult with your college counselor. We strongly recommend that students for whom English is a second language take the TOEFL.
EARLY ACTION
Some colleges offer an admissions plan whereby a student can submit an application by November 1st and receive a decision by mid-December. The student is limited to making only one Early Action application. The Early Action decision by a college is generally a final one; seldom will an Early Action candidate who has not been accepted be reconsidered favorably in the regular decision pool. Students accepted under Early Action are not obligated to attend and are not required to notify the college of their enrollment intentions until May 1. However, if your Early Action college really is your first choice, do not try to see how many additional offers of admission you can receive.
EARLY DECISION
Under this admission plan, a student can apply to his or her first choice college early in the fall of the Senior Year and be notified of the decision by mid-December. Many colleges are also now offering later Early Decision plans (Early Decision Round I and Early Decision Round II). The student agrees to enroll if accepted. Students not admitted under Early Decision may be deferred and reconsidered with the regular decision applicants; seldom will an Early Decision candidate who has not been accepted be reconsidered favorably in the regular decision pool. Increasingly more colleges are now rejecting students outright in the Early Decision rounds. Students who are deferred or denied must be sure to file other applications in time to meet regular application deadlines.
FINANCIAL AID FORM (FAF)
Some colleges and universities require this standardized form from students who are applying for financial aid. The Financial Aid Form must be filed each year that aid is sought. These forms are available in the College Office in early December. Since financial aid procedures differ considerably, students applying for financial aid should be sure to inquire as to the forms required by each college.
FINANCIAL AID PACKAGE
A financial aid package is awarded to students with demonstrated financial need. Packages typically consist of scholarships, grants, loans and a campus job. Such packages are designed to fill the gap between what the family can contribute and the actual cost of attending an institution. However, financial aid packages might differ considerably between different colleges. Be sure to review your package carefully.
FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID (FAFSA.ED.GOV)
College financial aid offices use this form to determine eligibility for state and federal grants and scholarships. Some colleges require this form only for the allocation of their financial aid. Other colleges also require the FAF or their own financial aid form. Again, be sure to inquire at each of your colleges as to their financial aid procedures. You may obtain the FAFSA and the FAF from the College Guidance Office in early December.
FRESHMAN PROFILE
Most colleges provide a profile showing statistical data on the entering class. This can be most useful information when you are trying to determine your chances for admission at a particular institution. These profiles are available in college guides such as Barrons.
HIGH SCHOOL CODE (CEEB #)
An identification number assigned to each school by the College Entrance Examination Board. Brunswick's college code number is 070219.
LEGACIES
Legacies are sons or daughters or other direct relatives of an alumnus (graduate) of the college to which you are applying. At many colleges, legacies automatically have preference in the admission process. Generally speaking, brothers and sisters, aunts, uncles or cousins are not considered legacies.
NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
A program which identifies exceptionally talented students and awards scholarships of various amounts. Students are selected on the basis of their results of the NMSQT (the Junior Year PSAT).
PELL GRANTS
The federal government awards financial grants to students with high financial need as demonstrated on the FAFSA. The amount for which you will be eligible can be applied to tuition charges at any college.
PRELIMINARY SCHOLASTIC APTITUDE TEST (PSAT)
The PSAT is taken in October of the Sophomore and Junior years. It is a "practice" test for the SAT and Junior Year results are used to determine eligibility for the National Merit Scholarship Program.
