Glossary

One of the two main standardized admissions tests, scored from 1 to 36. The composite is built from English, Math, and Reading; Science is now an optional section, as is Writing. It has traditionally been the more time-pressured of the two tests.

An optional Common App section for context that doesn't fit anywhere else — a schedule conflict, a family circumstance, a program that needs explaining. Use it for clarity, not for a second essay.

An invitation-only math competition for top scorers on the AMC 10 or AMC 12. Qualifying is widely recognized as a genuinely selective academic honor.

National math contests for students in grade 10 and below (AMC 10) or grade 12 and below (AMC 12). The highest scorers are invited to the AIME.

College-level high school courses run by the College Board, each ending in an exam scored 1–5. They signal rigor on your transcript and may earn credit, depending on the college.

A short document you give recommenders that summarizes your classes, activities, awards, and goals — plus specific moments they might remember. It gives them concrete material to write from.

The nonprofit behind the SAT, PSAT, AP exams, and the CSS Profile. Its official practice tests and question bank are the most reliable SAT prep materials.

The shared online application used by more than a thousand colleges. You complete one core application — profile, education, testing, activities, personal statement — and add school-specific questions and essays.

A standardized report many colleges publish each year with admissions statistics, including middle-50% test score ranges and how much weight they give different factors. One of the best sources for honest numbers.

An official nomination from a member of Congress (or another authorized source) that most applicants to the U.S. service academies must secure in addition to a strong application.

A college's estimate of the full yearly cost — tuition, fees, housing, food, books, travel, and personal expenses. Aid is calculated against this number.

A detailed financial aid application run by the College Board and required by many private colleges in addition to the FAFSA. It looks at things the FAFSA doesn't, such as home equity and business assets, to award a school's own need-based aid.

An early-round outcome where the college neither admits nor rejects you yet and instead reconsiders your application with the Regular Decision pool.

How much a college believes you actually want to attend, based on things like visits, info sessions, emails, and applying early. Some colleges track and weigh it; many highly selective ones say they don't.

The graphing calculator built into the digital SAT. It makes many algebra questions faster, but it doesn't replace knowing the math — especially on geometry.

Taking college courses (usually at a local community college or university) while still in high school, earning credit at both. List these courses in the Common App education section.

A non-binding early round, usually with a November 1 or 15 deadline. You hear back early — often by mid-December — and don't have to commit until May 1.

A binding early round. If you're admitted, you agree to attend and withdraw your other applications, which means you can't compare financial aid offers. Only use it for a true first choice your family can afford.

The FAFSA's old name for its estimate of what a family can pay. It has been replaced by the Student Aid Index (SAI), though you'll still see the term in older articles.

The federal form that determines eligibility for federal grants, loans, and work-study — and that most colleges use for their own aid too. It typically opens in the fall of senior year; submit it as early as you can.

A numerical summary of your grades. Unweighted GPA uses a 4.0 scale; weighted GPA adds points for honors, AP, or IB courses. Many colleges recalculate GPA their own way, so report it exactly as your transcript shows.

Evaluating an applicant as a whole person — grades and scores, but also activities, essays, recommendations, background, and context — rather than ranking by numbers alone.

Informal term for a factor that gives an applicant extra weight at a particular school, such as being a recruited athlete, a legacy, or a first-generation student. Most applicants don't have one, and that's fine.

A demanding international curriculum offered at some high schools. Full IB Diploma candidates complete exams, an extended essay, and a service component.

Money a college gives from its own funds — need-based grants and merit scholarships. It varies enormously from school to school.

The day, usually in late March, when the Ivy League schools release Regular Decision results at the same time.

An athletic conference of eight private universities in the Northeast: Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Penn, Princeton, and Yale. Often used loosely to mean "very selective," though many non-Ivy schools are just as selective.

An applicant whose parent (or sometimes other relative) attended the college. Some schools have given legacies an advantage; a growing number have dropped the practice.

A short letter you send after being deferred or waitlisted that confirms the school is still a top choice and shares meaningful updates since you applied.

A letter from a teacher, counselor, or other adult describing your character and abilities. Many selective colleges ask for two teacher letters plus a counselor letter — check each school's requirements.

A college where your academic profile sits near the middle of admitted students. You're competitive, but admission isn't assured.

To officially enroll at a college after accepting its offer of admission.

The standard deadline for committing to one college and paying an enrollment deposit. Committing means withdrawing from the other schools that admitted you.

Scholarships based on achievement, talent, or leadership rather than financial need. Merit aid doesn't have to be repaid.

A competition based on junior-year PSAT scores. Top scorers become Commended Students or Semifinalists, and many Semifinalists advance to Finalist — a widely recognized distinction.

Aid awarded because a family can't cover the full cost, determined through the FAFSA and (at many private colleges) the CSS Profile. It can include grants, loans, and work-study.

What you'd actually pay after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the cost of attendance. It's the number to compare across offers — not the sticker price.

A tool every U.S. college is required to post on its website that estimates your net price based on your family's finances. Run it before you build your list.

The main Common App essay (up to 650 words) that every school using the Common App receives. It's your chance to show who you are beyond grades and activities.

A practice version of the SAT, taken in 10th and/or 11th grade. The 11th-grade score is what qualifies students for National Merit recognition.

A college where admission is statistically unlikely for you — or for almost anyone, since at the most selective schools every applicant is effectively applying to a reach.

A student a college's coaching staff actively supports in admissions. At many schools, recruitment is a significant advantage.

The standard, non-binding round. Deadlines usually fall between January 1 and January 15, with decisions released from mid-March to early April.

A non-binding early round that limits where else you can apply early — typically no other private early applications, with exceptions that vary by school. Also called Single-Choice Early Action.

A college where your profile is comfortably above the typical admitted student and admission is very likely — and, just as importantly, a place you'd genuinely be happy to attend.

The College Board's admissions test, scored from 400 to 1600 across two sections: Reading and Writing, and Math. It's taken digitally, with Desmos available on the Math section.

A college's published cost before any aid. Many students — especially at well-funded private colleges — pay far less.

The number the FAFSA calculates to measure your family's ability to pay for college. It replaced the Expected Family Contribution (EFC), and it can be negative for families with the highest need.

School-specific essays and short answers required on top of the personal statement. Common prompts cover why you want that school, your intended major, and your community.

Shorthand for the top 20, 30, or 50 schools in national rankings (usually U.S. News). A rough proxy for selectivity — not a measure of where you'll get the best education.

A policy where a college won't look at SAT or ACT scores at all, even if you send them. The University of California system is the best-known example.

A policy where submitting SAT or ACT scores is your choice. At many selective schools, a strong submitted score still helps — test-optional doesn't mean test-irrelevant.

A policy where every applicant must submit an SAT or ACT score. Several highly selective colleges have returned to requiring scores in recent cycles.

A group of applicants a college hasn't admitted or rejected, held in reserve in case not enough admitted students enroll. Most waitlists aren't ranked, and movement varies wildly from year to year.

A GPA that adds extra points for honors, AP, or IB courses, so it can go above 4.0. Every high school calculates it a bit differently.

The share of admitted students who actually enroll. Schools with very high yield rarely need their waitlists; schools with lower yield tend to use them more.