Terms to Know!!
Associates Degree - A.A. (Associate of Art), S.S. (Associate of Science): A two-year degree that generally prepares the student for additional study at a four-year school. Some associate's degree programs are sufficient training for certain careers, but many students in two-year colleges intend to complete their studies at a four-year school.
Bachelor's Degree: A four-year degree awarded for study in a certain subject.
- B.A. (Bachelor of Art) requires that the student take a foreign language.
- B.S. (Bachelor of Science) requires more science and math classes,
- B.F.A. (Bachelor of Fine Art) designates subject emphasis in fine and applied arts
Community Colleges: Public institutions that offer certificate programs (one year) and associate degrees (two years). Students may transfer from a community college to a 4-year school.
College Calendar:
- Traditional semester - two approximately equal semesters
- Early semester - two semesters, the first ending before Winter break.
- Quarter - three equal terms of about 12 weeks each
- Trimester - calendar year divided into 3 equal sessions, the 3rd session replaces summer school.
- 4-1-4: two equal terms of about 16 weeks each, with a 4-week interim term
Early Action: The term used to describe the application process which permits a student to apply to an institution of preference and receive a decision during the senior year, well in advance of the normal response dates in the spring. The candidate is not committed to enroll at that particular institution.
Early Admission: Many colleges have a program that allows a student to apply for admission during their junior year in high school. The early admission program at most colleges is reserved for truly exceptional students whose academic preparation and achievement level are sufficient for early entrance to college.
Early Decision: The term used to describe the application process in which a student makes the commitment to an institution that, if admitted, the student will enroll. Only a student who can make a deliberate and well-reasoned first choice decision should apply under an Early Decision plan because the institution will require a nonrefundable deposit well before May 1 and request the student withdraw any applications they have made to other schools.
Tuition: The tuition cost for attending classes at a college, university, or vocational school.
Undergraduate Degrees: Two-year (Associate's) or four-year (Bachelor's) degrees.
