ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ

Throughout the admissions process, you will hear a lot of new acronyms and phrases. We’ve defined many of those terms below.

Academics

• Accelerated Programs : An opportunity to earn your bachelor’s and master’s degrees from ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ in four, five or six years. Accelerated programs are offered in nursing, business, and health sciences.
• ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ Counselor: An ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ staff member who supports students during their college search journey
• ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ Decision: A choice ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ makes on whether to offer a student admission
• Admit: ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ has reviewed a student’s application and agrees they are prepared to succeed  and extends an offer to attend ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ
• Advisor: An individual who gives advice in a particular field. In the college setting an advisor helps students plan a course of study.
• Dual-Degree Program: A program allowing you to earn two degrees.
• Faculty: Instructors, teachers and/or professors that teach a specific subject.
• Fellowship: An opportunity focused on professional development or academic research, often offered for graduate/ post-graduate students.
• Fellows Program: A highly-selective, merit-based program at ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ designed for students who are looking for additional challenge and opportunity during their college experience.
• Humanities: Academic disciplines that focus on the study of human society and culture Example: English, history, philosophy, etc.
• Liberal Arts Education: An academic program which promotes the integration of learning across the curriculum. Students are educated in multiple fields of study.
• Major: A primary area of study that a student specializes in as they pursue their degree.
• Mentee: The individual who is advised or counseled by a mentor.
• Mentor: An experienced and trusted individual who guides and directs a mentee.
• Minor: A secondary area of study.
• Office Hours: Designated time held by faculty for students to ask questions about assignments outside of class time.
• Syllabus: A document that outlines the topics you will study, due dates, and tests for a course; your professors will provide one for each of your college courses.

ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ Terms

• Acorn Account: Your or updates about your ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ application.
• ALANAM: African-American/Black, Latino/Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander, Native American, Alaskan Native and Multiracial.
• Deferred: The admissions committee needs to take another look at your application. At ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ, demonstrated interest can help your application go from defer to admit.
• Demonstrated Interest: This can be sending an email to your admissions counselor, calling our office, logging into a virtual event or visiting campus. Stay in touch. Is ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ your top choice? Let us know! Did you enjoy your tour? Let us know! Have a question about something you read on the website? Ask us!
• Early Action: Students who would like an early answer on their application status may apply Early Action. Early Action is non-binding, and students are permitted to apply to other schools in addition to ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ. This is the most popular deadline among applicants to ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ.
• Early Decision: Students whose first choice is ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ are encouraged to apply Early Decision. The Early Decision agreement is a binding agreement that a student will enroll at ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ if accepted. Early Decision is not recommended if you are auditioning for a fine arts program, trying out for a Division 1 sports team or applying to the Odyssey Program.
• Regular Decision: This is the final application deadline for first-year admissions. Applications received after this date will be considered on a space-available basis.
• Test Blind: Test scores are not used to review your application for admission.
• Test Optional: Test scores are not required when reviewing your application; however, it is your choice whether to send scores.
• Wait List: If a college or university has not formally admitted or denied a student, they are added to a wait list. This means admission may be offered if spaces become available.

ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ Experiences

• Experiential Learning Requirements (ELRs): These requirements prepare students for lives of meaningful work and service by engaging in opportunities that integrate knowledge and experience. At ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ, students are required to complete at least two of the following five options: Study Abroad/Study USA, Internship, Research, Service Learning and Leadership.
• Internship: A short-term professional opportunity that can be paid or unpaid and is designed to help students gain work experience.
• Service Learning: A volunteering experience that engages students in real-life settings, working on community issues to connect classroom learning with societal issues.
• Study Abroad: This opportunity is to study away from ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ in another country for a semester, Winter Term or summer immersing yourself into another culture while taking classes.
• Study USA: Study USA offers dedicated programs in Los Angeles, New York City, and Washington, D.C. These programs, in partnership with ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ faculty-in-residence or local partners, provide academic coursework, internships, and alumni support on-site to help you kick start your career. Study USA puts you where the action is happening.
• Undergraduate Research: The exploration of a specific topic within a field conducted by an undergraduate student that makes an original contribution to the discipline.

Financial Aid Terms

• Cost of Attendance: The total cost to attend college including tuition, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses (ie. Student government fee, health services fee, etc.)
• Endowed Scholarships (Odyssey Program): A scholarship that has been established by a donor and is invested with the college’s endowment. This type of scholarship earns interest each year and is awarded indefinitely. ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ’s Odyssey Program is an endowed scholarship program.
• FAFSA: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is an online application for federal student aid. This document is required to be considered for need-based financial aid at ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ.
• Federal Work Study: A U.S. Federal Aid Program that provides part-time jobs, administered by participating institutions, for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need.
• Grants: A form of financial aid that is awarded solely on demonstrated need. This traditionally does not need to be repaid to the institution.
• Pell Grants: A U.S. Federal Student Aid Grant Program that is traditionally available to students with high financial need. This traditionally does not need to be repaid.
• Subsidized Loans: Loans for undergraduate students that do not accrue interest while the student is in school.
• Tuition: The cost charged by a school or university for instruction.
• Unsubsidized Loans: Loans for undergraduate and graduate students that do accrue interest while the student is in school.

Residence Life

• Living-Learning Community (LLC): A residence hall of students who have a similar academic interest, hobby, affinity or passion.
• Food and Housing: The cost to live on campus and have a meal plan.
• Self-Care: The practice of taking action to protect your well-being and happiness.