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Reference
38 terms explained in plain English. No jargon, no condescension — just what you need to know.
A standardized test used for college admissions in the US. Scored 1–36, with four sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science. Some schools accept ACT interchangeably with the SAT.
College-level courses offered in high school through the College Board. AP exams are scored 1–5. Most selective colleges expect 4+ AP courses by graduation, with scores of 4 or 5.
The most widely used college application platform. Accepted by 1,000+ schools. Includes a personal essay (650 words max) and school-specific supplements.
An alternative to the Common App, used by 150+ schools. Features a locker system for storing work samples throughout high school.
A financial aid application required by ~400 schools (mostly private). More detailed than FAFSA — asks about home equity, savings, and non-custodial parent income.
A school's measure of how likely you are to enroll if admitted. Tracked through campus visits, info sessions, email opens, and supplement quality. Important at some schools, irrelevant at others.
A non-binding early application round, typically due November 1. You receive a decision in December but can still compare offers until May 1.
A binding early application round. If admitted ED, you must withdraw all other applications and attend. Typically due November 1 with decisions in December.
A second binding Early Decision round, typically due January 1–15. Available at schools like WashU, Emory, NYU, and Vanderbilt. Same binding commitment as ED.
The amount the federal government calculates your family can afford to pay for college, based on your FAFSA. Recently renamed SAI (Student Aid Index).
A non-refundable payment (usually $200–$500) you make to the school you choose, confirming your intent to attend. Due by May 1 (National Decision Day).
Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Required by virtually all US colleges for need-based aid. Opens October 1 each year.
A student whose parents did not complete a four-year college degree. Many schools actively recruit first-gen students and offer specific support programs.
Taking a year off between high school graduation and starting college. Most selective schools allow admitted students to defer enrollment for a year.
A numerical measure of academic performance. Unweighted GPA uses a 4.0 scale; weighted GPA gives extra points for AP/IB/Honors courses (typically up to 5.0).
An approach where schools consider the full application — academics, activities, essays, recommendations, background, and context — rather than reducing decisions to a single metric.
An admissions advantage that isn't purely academic: legacy status, recruited athlete, underrepresented minority, first-generation, geographic diversity, or major donor connection.
A rigorous international curriculum. The full IB Diploma requires 6 subjects, an extended essay, Theory of Knowledge, and CAS hours. Scores range 1–45.
An applicant whose parent (or sometimes grandparent/sibling) attended the same school. Legacy status provides an admissions advantage at some schools, though several have recently eliminated it.
An informal communication from a school (usually in February) signaling that a strong admit decision is coming. Rare — sent to top recruits and academic standouts.
The percentage of admitted students who choose to enroll. Also called yield. Harvard's yield is ~80%; most schools are 20–40%.
A policy where a school considers your ability to pay when making admissions decisions. More common than many students realize, especially for waitlisted and international applicants.
A policy where the admissions office does not consider your financial situation when deciding whether to admit you. Only a handful of schools (Harvard, Yale, Princeton, MIT, Amherst) are need-blind for all applicants including internationals.
What you actually pay after grants and scholarships. Sticker price minus free money (grants, scholarships). Does not subtract loans or work-study.
A school where your academic profile is below the median admitted student. Your chances are lower, but admission is possible with strong essays, activities, or hooks.
The standard application round, typically due January 1–15 with decisions in late March or early April. Non-binding.
An early action round (non-binding) that restricts you from applying ED or EA to other private schools. Used by Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, Notre Dame, and Georgetown.
A school where your stats are well above the median and admission is highly likely. Should be a school you'd genuinely be happy attending.
A standardized test used for college admissions, scored 400–1600 with two sections: Evidence-Based Reading & Writing (EBRW) and Math. Now offered digitally.
A deep, distinctive strength in one area that makes you stand out. The opposite of being well-rounded — admissions offices at selective schools are building a class of specialists, not generalists.
The full published cost of attendance (tuition + room + board + fees). Very few families pay sticker price at private schools — the average discount rate is 50%+.
When a school takes your highest section scores across multiple test sittings to create the best possible composite. Most selective schools superscore the SAT; fewer superscore the ACT.
An additional essay required by a specific school beyond the Common App personal statement. 'Why us' supplements are the most common type.
A school where your academic profile matches the median admitted student. Admission is plausible but not guaranteed.
A policy where submitting SAT/ACT scores is not required. Post-COVID, many schools went test-optional, though some (MIT, Georgetown, Purdue) have returned to requiring scores.
A holding pool for applicants the school wants to admit but doesn't have room for. Waitlist admission rates vary wildly (0–50%) and decisions often come May–July.
The percentage of admitted students who choose to enroll. Schools with high yield (Harvard ~80%) rarely need their waitlist; low-yield schools rely heavily on it.
The practice of rejecting or waitlisting overqualified applicants who the school believes will attend elsewhere. Controversial and officially denied by most schools, but widely believed to exist.
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