Application requirements for US higher education institutions: what the terms mean and how to understand them
The college admissions process is a complex undertaking. Will a child get into the "right" school? Will they be happy there? Will they make the right choice? Will the family be able to afford it? But even before making a choice, there's the application process. And here, applicants risk getting confused by the plethora of technical terms: FAFSA (Federal Application for Financial Aid), early action (early application without obligation), early decision (early admission required), and more. This website explains what all this means. Mommy poppins.
Below are 27 key terms related to college admissions: what they mean and how to use them for you and, more importantly, your future student.
A few words about choosing a college
They say choosing a college is the first truly adult decision a teenager makes. This alone can be overwhelming for parents accustomed to exerting control over their children.
On the subject: Americans no longer want to spend time and money on higher education: 63% of them don't see the point.
Ideally, the decision is made jointly by parents and the student. And the discussion should begin not after standardized tests have been taken, but much earlier—ideally, in ninth grade. Then, they can approach graduation with a clear understanding of what's important: location, curriculum, cost, career prospects, campus atmosphere, and other factors.
"Admissions decisions depend on a multitude of factors that families are often unaware of or don't fully understand," says Lori Kopp Weingarten, president and chief education consultant at One-Stop College Counseling. "These factors vary from college to college. A lack of transparency and a sense of loss of control can be anxiety-inducing because people are seeking certainty where it doesn't exist."
27 Key Terms for Admission
Admissions-related terms fall into three categories: application terms, financial aid concepts, and examination terms. All three are presented here.
Admissions Tests
These are standardized tests that assess academic skills and college readiness. The two main ones are the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) and the ACT (American College Testing). Both test reading and math skills. SAT scores range from 400 to 1600, while the ACT scores range from 1 to 36. Both are accepted by all four-year colleges and universities in the US. They are called standardized because they measure the same skills in the same way for everyone.
Both tests are taken digitally. You can't simply request a paper version—you need to formally arrange special accommodations through the examining body. Students with documented learning disabilities can receive such accommodations, and the school usually assists with the application.
Application Fee
A non-refundable application fee covers administrative costs and varies by college.
Helpful tip: you can ask for a fee waiver. Some universities are accommodating. Many are not, but it doesn't hurt to ask.
Common Application (Common App)
A popular online platform that allows you to apply to multiple colleges and universities simultaneously. It includes personal information and an essay, as well as additional materials if required by a specific university.
College Decision Day (Candidates Reply Date Agreement)
A deadline, usually May 1, by which accepted applicants must confirm their offer of admission by making a non-refundable deposit or decline the offer of admission.
Cost of Attendance (COA)
An estimate of the total cost of one academic year: tuition, room and board, textbooks, transportation, and personal expenses. Financial services departments use the COA in conjunction with the Student Aid Index (SAI) to determine eligibility for need-based aid.
CSS Profile (additional financial aid application form)
An online application used by educational institutions to determine non-governmental financial aid. It allows for more detailed information than the FAFSA, including income from divorced parents, medical expenses, and job loss.
Deferred Decision
An application submitted through early decision or early action is transferred to the general regular decision pool. This is neither a rejection nor an admission, but a deferral of the decision until a later stage, when the university compares the candidate with a broader group.
Direct Admission
A procedure whereby a student is automatically admitted based on academic merit without having to submit an application. More and more colleges are implementing this procedure due to concerns about declining enrollment.
Early Action (early submission without obligation)
This procedure involves submitting documents earlier than the usual deadline (usually in October or November), and receiving a decision by February. You have until May 1st to decide whether to enroll. There is no obligation to enroll.
Early Decision (mandatory early admission)
A procedure in which a student submits documents to a priority university ahead of the usual deadline. If accepted and financial aid is acceptable, they are obligated to enroll. Application deadlines are typically early November, with decisions made by mid-December.
If you accept an early decision offer, you are required to withdraw applications from other institutions.
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
This is a US government form that students and their families complete to apply for financial aid to pay for college—including grants, work-study programs, and federal loans. The completed FAFSA is sent to the colleges and universities listed on the application. Schools use this data to calculate the Student Aid Index (SAI) and determine how much aid a student can receive. State governments and private scholarship foundations often use FAFSA data to distribute their own funds.
Completing the FAFSA is a complex process, and deadlines are tight. It's best to not delay with the FAFSA: closely monitor deadlines and ensure students respond to letters and inquiries promptly.
FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act)
A federal law regulating the protection of students' personal data and their academic information. When applying to colleges, applicants are typically asked to waive the right to view certain materials, such as letters of recommendation. This waiver allows recommendation writers to provide a more frank and honest assessment of the student's abilities.
Financial Need
A figure calculated on the FAFSA: the difference between the Cost of Attendance (COA)—the total cost of attendance—and the amount a family can afford to pay. Some colleges cover this need entirely through grants, scholarships, and loans, while others only partially.
Helpful tip: You'll likely disagree with the FAFSA estimate for your family. You can't challenge the calculation, but you can contact the admissions office of your chosen college and explain any circumstances that weren't accounted for on the application.
For-Profit Institution (commercial educational institution)
A college or university owned and operated by a private company or corporation. Shareholders or investors make decisions based on the goal of profit. Well-known examples include DeVry University and the University of Phoenix.
High School Transcript
An official transcript showing a student's completed courses and grades. It is almost always required for admission, as well as when applying for certain types of financial aid or scholarships. Colleges only accept "official" transcripts submitted by the school through the Common Application or another secure portal.
Legacy Applicant
An applicant who has relatives (usually parents or close family members) who graduated from the college or university. The practice of considering "heredity" in admissions has come under fire in recent years, and some universities have abandoned it.
Letters of Recommendation
Letters from a teacher, school counselor, employer, or other person who evaluates the student's abilities and suitability for the college. They provide the admissions committee with an outside perspective and can enhance the credibility of the application.
Need-Aware / Need-Sensitive (taking into account financial capabilities upon admission)
An approach in which a college considers a family's financial means when making admissions decisions. Borderline applicants who require significant financial aid may be at a disadvantage if the aid budget is limited.
Need-Blind (without taking into account financial capabilities)
An approach in which the admissions committee does not take into account the applicant's ability to pay for tuition when making an admissions decision.
Private Institution (private university)
A college or university that sets its own rules and does not receive primary funding from local, regional, or federal governments. Due to the lack of government support, basic tuition is typically higher than at public universities. However, the large endowments of these institutions allow them to offer financial aid and scholarships.
Public Institution (state university)
A college or university funded by local, state, or national governments. Tax subsidies typically lower tuition costs, especially for in-state residents.
Regular Decision (regular submission deadline)
A standard, no-obligation application process used by most colleges. The application deadline is usually on or around January 1st. Colleges typically respond in late March or early April.
Rolling Admission
A system in which applications are reviewed as they are received, with no single deadline. Admission continues until all spots are filled. This approach benefits those who apply early (usually by October), as the number of available spots decreases over time.
Student Aid Index (SAI)
A numerical value calculated using a formula and ranging from -1500 to 999,999. It reflects the student's estimated level of financial need. The calculation takes into account family income and assets, family size, and the number of family members attending college. The lower the value, the greater the need for assistance.
Student Loans
Special loans are available to cover tuition, fees, textbooks, materials, and housing costs for college or graduate school. These loans are available from both federal agencies and private financial institutions. Federal loans typically have lower interest rates, and payments can be deferred while you study. Note: Recent legislative changes have tightened the eligibility and repayment requirements for student loans.
Test-Optional (admission without mandatory exams)
A college that does not require entrance tests such as the SAT or ACT, although it may consider scores if submitted. Applicants are evaluated based on academic performance, extracurricular activities, and other factors. More than 2000 institutions in the United States adhere to this policy.
Be sure to check the requirements with the admissions committee of your specific university. Some truly don't require tests. Others claim they do, but in practice, they give preference to candidates with scores. These universities are usually honest about this when asked directly and encourage submitting scores if this increases your chances of admission.
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Waitlist
A status in which an applicant is not immediately accepted but may be admitted if spots become available. If more students than expected decline their admission offers, the college draws students from the waitlist to fill the enrollment.
Helpful tip: Waitlists vary greatly. Being ranked tenth at an Ivy League school gives you a lower chance of admission than being ranked two hundredth at a major public university.
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