Use this college-term glossary to get a clue!

This glossary of terms used when applying for college can help you talk about college admissions like a pro.

Use this college-term glossary to get a clue!

Common College Terms

 

Parents, need to know what all those common college terms are? Read on!

Add: Adding a course is when you join a course roster either before the class starts or during the first week of courses. This varies at each university. See your adviser or the registrar’s office for more information.

Admissions office: The admissions office is where you can go to meet with an admissions counselor to learn about the different degree programs offered by a university. The admissions office is also where you send your application, admissions fee and official transcripts. If you are accepted into a program, you will receive an acceptance letter from the admissions office.

Adviser: An adviser is a person you can talk to about your degree program, schedule, study habits, what courses to take, how to add/drop/withdraw from a course, degree or course requirements, and who can help you with any other questions you have regarding your degree.

Audit: When you take a course for general knowledge building, not a grade, it’s called auditing. Audited classes allow you to attend a course to gain information without being expected or required to do the assignments. Audited courses do not count toward your degree requirements but do appear on your transcript.

CLEP: CLEP stands for “College-Level Examination Program.” CLEP exams are distributed by the College Board and can be used to fulfill requirements of your degree. Visit www.collegeboard.org for a list of the CLEP exams offered.

Credit hours: Credit hours are awarded to a student upon passing a course. Courses typically range from one to five credit hours. You’ll need approximately 125 credit hours to
graduate.

Drop: Dropping a course is when you remove yourself from the course roster either before the course starts or during the first week of classes. Simply not going to class does not automatically drop you from a course. When you drop a course before a university’s deadline, you receive a full refund.

Full time: What you are when enrolled in 12 or more credit hours, usually three to five classes.

Half time: What you are when enrolled in six to 11 credit hours, usually two to three classes.

Major: Your major is the title of your degree. You may have different concentrations or focus areas within your major, but that does not change the title of your major. For example, you can major in business administration but focus on finance and marketing. 

Matriculated: This is when you have officially enrolled in a program after sending in the required official transcripts and admissions fee and receiving an acceptance letter. You must be matriculated to receive financial aid. 

Minor: A minor is an extra credential you can receive that is a part of your major. A minor usually consists of five to six courses in one area of study.

Online class: A class taken completely through the Web. You work on the course material through e-mail and online chat discussions, independent readings and homework.

Official transcript: A transcript is official if it’s sealed by the admissions office of that college. These transcripts are also stamped across the seal. If you receive an official transcript and open it, it is no longer official. To obtain an official transcript, you must contact the college registrar’s office.

Quarter/semester system: The quarter system means there are four 10- to 11-week terms throughout the year. In the semester system, there are usually two main semesters per year (fall and spring), each running 15 to 17 weeks depending on the school.

Registrar’s office: The registrar’s office of a school is where you go to add or drop a class from your schedule, request official transcripts, obtain a student ID, withdraw from the college or take a leave of absence. The registrar’s office also houses all official student documentation.

Transfer student: There are two types of transfer students: internal and external. An internal transfer student remains at the same university but changes majors. An external transfer student leaves one university to enter another.
If you transfer, be aware of the possibility that not all the courses you have completed will transfer into your new major or university. Each university and major has its own requirements for what will and won’t transfer.

Unofficial transcript: A transcript is unofficial if you have opened an official one or if it’s just a list of your courses with the corresponding grades and credit hours.

Withdraw: When you withdraw from a course, you must fill out a course withdrawal form and have your department chair sign it. The further into the quarter you withdraw from a course, the less money you will be refunded.

 



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