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General Glossary of Terms
"A - G" Requirements
These are courses required by the University of California for admission: (A) 2 year history (U.S. History - 1 year); (B) English - 4 years; (C) Math - 3 years required, 4 years recommended; (D) Laboratory Science - 2 years required (at least one lab science), 4 years recommended; (E) Foreign Language - 2 years required of the same language, 3 years or more recommended; (F) one year of visual or performing arts; and (G) College Preparatory Electives - in addition to the courses already mentioned, 2 years are required from at least two of the following areas: English, History, Advanced Math, Laboratory Science, Foreign Language, Social Science, and Visual and Performing Arts. (See UC application for more details).
ACT (American College Test)
This test has four sections: English, Math, Social Studies and Natural Sciences. Scores range from 1 - 36 on each section. The composite score is an average of these four scores. It is considered as the equivalent to the SAT I: Reasoning Test. Registration forms are available in the College Counseling Office.
Advanced Placement (AP)
A cooperative enterprise between the College Entrance Examination Board, high schools, and colleges to provide an extra challenge to high school and college students with special interests and abilities. College credits are often given for scores of 4 or 5 in the Advanced Placements tests given in May. Some colleges will even grant credit for a score of 3. Advanced Placement tests are usually taken during the second and third week of May.
Breadth Requirements
The courses of college requires you to take to ensure that you graduate as a well-rounded student. (These are sometimes called "Core Requirements", "Distribution Requirements", "Divisional Studies" or "General Education".
Candidate Reply Date
Applicants to all colleges must let the colleges know their decision by May 1st. All financial aid and admission information should be known by mid-April to allow candidates to make their decision in time for this deadline. Colleges will extend this deadline sometimes if necessary.
C.E.E.B. Code or School Code
The cost number by which a college can identify each high school. The school code for College Prep is 052192.
College
An institution that offers educational instructions beyond high school level in a two or four year program. A college may offer graduate programs at the Master's degree level, but typically not Doctoral degrees.
Common Application
A generic application form that can be copied and used for many different colleges. 171 universities and colleges (over 2,000) have agreed to let students use this form.
Deferred Admission
The practice of most private colleges of permitting students to postpone enrollment for one year after acceptance. This is done for students who want to work for a year or travel. Most public colleges are unable to offer this option.
Early Action
A plan used by some colleges, allowing applicants who apply by November 1st or 15th or receive notification by mid-December. There is no obligation to attend the college if accepted.
Early Decision
A plan offered for applicants who are sure of the college they want to attend. Students will apply in November or December (dependent on the college) and will be notified by January 1st. An acceptance requires a commitment on the part of the student. This is a binding decision. If the student were deferred, he/she may be considered again later with the regular applicant pool.
Eligibility In The Local Context
Under the Eligibility in the Local Context (ELC) pathway, the top four percent of students at each participating California high school are designated UC eligible and guaranteed admission to one of UC's eight general campuses.
Liberal Arts College
A four-year institution which emphasizes a program of broad undergraduate education typically in the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences. Pre-professional or professional training may be available, but it is not stressed.
PSAT/NMSQT
Preliminary SAT and the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. The PSAT was designed to provide a practice test for students in the fall of the sophomore and/or junior year as a warm up for the SAT I: Reasoning Test. The NMSQT has been combined with the PSAT; and from these results, the Selection Index is determined annually for juniors only and used to select the top scholars in the country for the award of National Merit Scholarships.
Rolling Admission
A procedure some colleges follow of considering a student's application as soon as all the required credentials have been received and of notifying the applicant of the decision without delay.
SAT I: Reasoning Test
A test made up of two sessions: Verbal (with questions on vocabulary and reading comprehension) and Math (including questions designed to measure a student's ability to solve problems involving arithmetic reasoning, algebra and geometry). Scores range from 400 - 1600 on SAT I. The test takes about three hours and is given at local public schools. Registration booklets are in the Student Center. On the day of the exam, students must have a ticket and proof of identify (such as a driver's license).
SAT II: Subject Test
This test is offered in 22 subjects and is required by many selective colleges (about 150 of them including the University of California). Generally, students are required to take three tests - (1) Writing, (2) Math IC or IIC, and (3) a test of your choice. Each test takes an hour.
Secondary School Report
A form used for the school recommendation. It is filled out by the College Counselor.
University
An academic organization which grants undergraduate and graduate degrees in a variety of fields, and which supports at least two degree-granting professional schools that are not exclusively technological. It is composed of a number of schools or colleges, each of which encompasses a general field of study.
3/2 Engineering Program
Combined liberal arts/engineering program. Typically
the first three years are spent taking core arts and science courses and general
education courses at a smaller size liberal arts college and the last two
years at another college or university's engineering program. The student
may graduate with two bachelor degrees in five years.
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