GLOSSARY OF COLLEGE TERMS

AA (ASSOCIATE OF ARTS):
A 2 year community college degree. (also offered by some 4-year colleges)

ACADEMIC CALENDAR:
Breaks the school year into one of the following:

Semesters ..............Two terms of 17-18 weeks
Quarters ................Three terms of 11 weeks (fourth term optional)
Trimesters ..............Two terms off 15 weeks (third term optional)

ACT (AMERICAN COLLEGE TEST):
A college admission test covering: English, Science, Math, and Reading.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
A set of rules established by each college for a student to be accepted.

ADVANCED STANDING:
Admission status when a student has completed more than 12 college credits.

"A-F" PATTERN:
Refers to the list of subjects required for admission by the University of California:

AP (ADVANCED PLACEMENT):
A system by which college freshmen may bypass entry-level courses by proving that they have already taken the equivalent in high school. College credit may be awarded if a student earns a certain score on a specially designed college Board exam at the conclusion of an AP course. AP class taught at Monta Vista include the following: English, Calculus, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, American History, German, Computer Science, Spanish Language, Spanish Literature, and French.

ASSOCIATE DEGREE:
(In arts and science) - A diploma earned after successfully completing a required course of study in a community college. It usually takes two years. Abbreviated A. A. or A. S.

BA (BACHELOR OF ARTS) OR BS (BACHELOR OF SCIENCE):
A 4-year college degree.

CAL GRANTS:
California financial aid. Available to students having financial need as they continue their education at a college or vocational school. Forms available in December.

CHSPE (CALIFORNIA HIGH SCHOOL PROFICIENCY EXAM):
A state exam to qualify for a high school equivalency certificate. Students who pass the California Proficiency Exam and leave school are NOT eligible to participate in the graduation ceremony. Applications to register for the exam are available at your high school and must be mailed approximately one month before the test date. Applicants must be at least 16 years of age and must remain in school until results are received.

CLASS RANK:
A student's standing based on his or her GPA as compared with that of the other member of the class. In a class of 100, the best students would be No.1; the poorest No. 100. Monta Vista does not rank students.

COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION BOARD (CEEB):
Company which provides college entrance testing, such as SAT I, SAT II, TOEFL, PSAT, etc. ETS (Educational Testing Service) is the testing division.

COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY:
An institution for higher learning. A university campus is often made up of more than one college.

COLLEGE CATALOG:
A book published by the college describing requirements for admission, degrees, services, and course descriptions. You high school has most college catalogs and the addresses of all other colleges. Many catalogs can be viewed and copied on a microfiche reader printer.

COMMUNITY COLLEGE:
A two year college offering:
Transfer Programs: The first two years of a four year program. Preparatory for transferring to a four year college for the last two years.
Vocational Programs: Usually no more than two years in length, leading to employment in various specialties.
Certificate Programs: Of varying length, they involve detailed study in one particular field (such as real estate).

CREDIT OR "SEMESTER HOURS" OR "UNIT HOURS" OR "QUARTER HOURS" OR "UNIT"
A way of referring to the number of credits which are earned in a course. Approximately 64 total credits are needed for an AA degree, and 124 credits for a BA degree for schools on a semester calendar. If a class meets three hours per week, it is usually a 3 credit course. A full time student at college usually attends 5 classes and earns 15 credits per semester.

CSF (CALIFORNIA SCHOLARSHIP FEDERATION):
State-wide honor society designed primarily for the academically oriented, college bound students. Eligibility for membership depends on previous semester's final grades. Students who qualify for 4 semesters become Seal bearers at graduation. Membership is neither automatic, mandatory nor retroactive. Join the first three weeks of a semester, if eligible. See CSF advisor for eligibility requirements.

CSU (CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITIES):
The 20 public state campuses, such as CSULB (California State University at Long Beach).

CUMULATIVE RECORD OR PERMANENT RECORD CARD:
The complete record of all courses and grades earned. You transcript is a copy of your cumulative record or permanent record card.

DEGREE:
Titles given to college graduates upon completion of a program. A 4-year degree is usually a BA or BS, a 5th or 6th year degree is often an MA (Master of Arts), with a Doctoral degree (Ph. D.) requiring approximately five additional years beyond the BA or BS.

EARLY ACTION:
Under this plan, highly qualified candidates who apply early may receive offers of admission by mid December. Unlike the Early Decision Plan, the Early Action Plan does not allow an institution to request an applicant to make a prior commitment to matriculate, indicate college preferences, or make any response to an offer of admission until the traditional May 1 candidate's reply date.

EARLY ADMISSION:
A plan that allows students to begin college work after their junior year of high school. This program is limited to exceptional students.

EARLY DECISION:
Some colleges offer to notify applicants of acceptance or rejection during the first semester of their senior year. There are two types of early decision plans: the single choice plan: students cannot apply to other colleges until they have been notified by the early decision college. In the first choice plan, students may apply to other colleges, but name the early decision college as the first choice and agree to enroll at that college and withdraw all other applications if accepted.

EARLY EVALUATION PROCEDURE:
A plan under which applicants to some Ivy League institutions (Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Pennsylvania, Princeton, Yale and MIT receive between November I and February 15 an evaluation of their chances for acceptance. Categories used are likely, possible, unlikely, and insufficient evidence for evaluation. Final notification is made on a common date in April.

ELECTIVE:
A course needed for graduation credit, but not one of the specific course requirements.

EOP (EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM):
A program designed to assist low income and/or educationally disadvantaged students with admission, financial aid and academic support services at college.

ETS (EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE):
The operational phase of many College Board programs, including the development and administration of the Board's major testing programs, are carried out under contract by the Educational Testing Service. ETS is a separate and independently governed non-profit organization.

FAFSA (FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID):
The form used to file for financial aid for colleges, CAL Grants A, B, and/or C, and PELL Grants. File in January of the Senior year. Replaces the SAAC.

FEE:
A sum of money which must be paid for a variety of things in college, such as for admission, registration, graduation, health services, etc.

FEE WAIVER:
A form available to students having a family income that meets the U.S. Dept. of Labor definition of low income. The Fee Waiver Form is submitted instead of money when applying for college testing or admission.

FINANCIAL AID:
Money from a variety of sources, (grant, loan, scholarship, work study) which helps pay for college costs. The "package" of funds is determined by family financial need and the availability of funds. Families may pick up financial aid material in December of a student's senior year.

FINANCIAL NEED:
The difference between the cost of education and what the family or the applicant can reasonably be expected to contribute.

FULL TIME STUDENT:
A college student who generally takes a minimum of either 12 units per quarter or 12 units per semester.

GED (GENERAL EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT EXAMINATION):
A series of tests that adults take to qualify for a high school equivalency certificate or diploma. Some colleges will accept satisfactory GED test results in place of a high diploma. Students may not take the GED until they are eighteen years of age.

GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS (ALSO CALLED BREADTH REQUIREMENTS):
Courses selected from several divisions required for a college degree. These are completed the first two years of college. The second two years involve course work in major and minor areas.

GPA (GRADE POINT AVERAGE):
A student's average grade, computed on a four point scale. An “A” counts as 4; a “B” is 3; a “C” is 2; a “D” is 1, and an “F” is 0. Each student has several GPA's; one for the Semester, one cumulative GPA which includes previous semesters, and a college admissions GPA that includes grades from the sophomore and junior years. The GPA for car insurance discount includes the last semester grades. The GPA for the CSU system includes all courses except PE in grades 10-12. For the UC system the GPA includes just those grades earned after 9th grade in the A-F Pattern of courses. Honors or AP courses earn 1 extra grade point.

GRANTS:
Payments made to students by various organizations, including CAL Grants from the State of California. Grants do not have to be paid back.

IMPACTED PROGRAM:
A college degree program, such as computer science, which may be temporarily closed to new students due to heavy enrollment or may require supplementary screening of student records.

LOANS:
Money borrowed from a bank or a college for the purpose of attending college.

LOWER DIVISION:
Refers to courses usually completed in the first two years of college.

MA (MASTER OF ARTS):
A college degree usually requiring one or two years work beyond the BA.

MAJOR:
The main area of study in college, usually requiring about one year in a planned series of courses during the 4-year program.

MINOR:
Approximately 18 credits in an academic area outside major department.

PELL GRANT:
Financial aid from the Federal Government available to students with financial need to be used at many types of colleges and vocational schools. Apply in January of the senior year.

PREREQUISITES:
Courses, test scores, and/or grade level that must be completed before taking a specific course.

PRIVATE COLLEGE:
A school which is not supported by state taxes. (Public colleges are supported by tuition fees, taxes, and other state funds.)

PSAT/NMSQT (PRELIMINARY SCHOLASTIC ASSESSMENT TEST/ NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP QUALIFYING TEST):
A shortened version of the SAT I offered in October for high school juniors. The scores are helpful in all college admission planning and/or qualifying for National Merit and other scholarships.

PUBLIC COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES:
Those institutions that are supported by state and local taxes. (California State University, the University of California, and community colleges.)

QUALIFIED ACCEPTANCE:
Occasionally an institution postpones action on an application and will suggest that the applicant pursue a particular course in its summer session. Upon satisfactory completion of this course, the college agrees to accept the student for its regular degree programs at the beginning of the first or second semester.

ROLLING ADMISSIONS:
This means that a college gives and admissions decision as soon as possible after an application is completed and does not specify a notification deadline. Usually, it is wise to apply early to such colleges, since applications are normally not accepted after the admissions quota has been reached.

ROTC:
Many colleges have units of the Reserve Officer's Training Corps that offer two and four year programs of military training culminating in an officer's commission. In some colleges, credit for the courses can be applied toward a degree. ROTC Scholarships arc available which pay for full college costs.

SAT I: REASONING TEST
A college admission exam measuring verbal and math reasoning plus a standard written English test.

SAT II: SUBJECT TESTS
One hour exams offered in 15 different subjects. English, Math and one other test are required by UC.

SCHOLARSHIPS:
Gifts of money awarded for achievement, skills, talents and/or financial need. Most scholarships are awarded to high school seniors in the spring semester and usually range from $25 to several hundred dollars. Students do NOT necessarily need to have an “A” grade point average to apply. Many scholarships go to students with "B" averages.

SDQ (STUDENT DESCRIPTIVE QUESTIONNAIRE):
A questionnaire that can be completed by students when they register for the SAT I (Scholastic Assessment Test) or SAT II (Subject Tests). It gives the student an opportunity to provide information about educational objectives, extracurricular activities, academic record, and areas in which counseling of assistance may be needed.

STATEMENT OF INTENT TO REGISTER:
This is the form that must be returned to the college of your choice by a specified date, usually at the beginning of May. It confirms your intent to register at the college and reserves a spot for you.

SUMMER SESSION:
College Summer School. Open entry (not "formal" admission) makes it possible for students to take classes at almost any campus and then transfer to the “home” campus towards their degree. Students who plan to continue in the fall must file for admission.

TECHNICAL/VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS:
Usually, but not always, private institutions which charge fees for education in specific skills and trades (secretarial, welding, etc.) Community colleges offer vocational training.

TOEFL:
Test of English as a Foreign Language. An English exam for foreign students used for admission purposes and for placement in college English classes.

TRANSCRIPT:
A copy of your official record of grades and courses from time of entrance to the end of the latest semester.

TRANSFER COURSES:
College courses giving credit which may be transferred to another college.

TRANSFER STUDENTS:
College students who transfer from one college to another, usually at the end of the sophomore year. Changing colleges during the junior or senior year, when the student is completing major requirements, is not recommended.

TUITION:
A fee that is paid for instruction in a school, college, or university.

UC (UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA):
Eight general campuses (Berkeley, Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, Riverside, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, and San Diego) and one graduate campus (San Francisco) make up the UC system.

UNDERGRADUATE:
College student who has not yet received a bachelor's degree.

UPPER DIVISION COURSES:
Courses designated for the junior and senior years of college.

WAITING LIST:
In addition to accepting and rejecting applicants, many colleges place students on a waiting list for admission. As accepted applicants decide to attend other colleges, the school will offer their places to students on the waiting list.

WORK-STUDY:
A federally funded program that makes part-time jobs available to students with financial need.

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