In general, a college offers education in one specific area, while a university is a collection of colleges.
Private college - a school under the financial and managerial control of a private body or charitable trust, accepting mostly fee-paying pupils
Public college– A school that is predominantly funded by public means through government
Accreditation- the act of granting credit or recognition
Urban-characterized by higher population density and vast human features in comparison to areas surrounding it. Urban areas may be cities or towns.
Suburban- residential areas of a large city, or separate residential communities within commuting distance of a city.
Rural-large and isolated areas of a country, often with low population density.
Application - a verbal or written request for admission to a school
Early Action Decision-a type of early admission process for admission to colleges and universities in the United States. Unlike the regular admissions process, early action usually requires students to submit an application by November 1 of their senior year of high school instead of January 1.
Candidates’ Reply Date/Student Intention to Register(SIR)- The University of California and many other colleges require admitted freshman students to submit a statement and/or deposit by a specified date(usually May 1) to indicate they have selected the university for enrollment.
Registration- The process which students follow to enroll in classes and pay fees.
Transfer Admission Agreements- Written guarantees of admission provided by some four-year colleges to students enrolled at some community colleges. The agreements, normally made upon completion of one college year, stipulate admission requirements and appropriate course work to be completed.
Demographicsor demographic data - refers to selected population characteristics, or the demographic profiles used in such research.
Impacted(crowded)- Some majors at some colleges may receive more applications than program space available. Program applicants normally must apply during a specified time period, meet certain criteria, and participate in a competitive selection process.
SAT– the Scholastic Aptitude Test and Scholastic Assessment Test is a standardized test for college admissions
ACT- a standardized test for high school achievement and college admissions
Placement test- An examination used to determine a student's academic ability in a certain field such as English, mathematics, foreign language and scienceso that he or she may be placed in the appropriate courses
Proficiency- the quality of having competence
Tuition- a fee charged for educational instruction, usually only a portion of college expenses
Resident/Non-Resident Status-This is the status based on place of legal residence. Non-residents (out-of-state) who attend public colleges must pay higher fees and often meet higher admission requirements. This does not apply to students who attend independent or private school.
FAFSA- The form,Free Application for Federal Student Aid, the student must file to apply for federal Title IV financial assistance, including Stafford Loans. Private colleges often require an additional form called the PROFILE.
Financial Need- The difference between estimated college costs and the expected family contribution based on an evaluation of the FAFSA and supporting documents
Financial aid- refers to funding( private, federal and/or state) intended to help students pay educational expenses, generally a package constituting grants, loans, scholarships, and work study
Loans- a type of debt. It must be re-paid
Cal Grants (A, B, & C)-State of California grants are available to college-bound students based on high school academic achievement and family financial need
Scholarships - an award of access to an institution, or a financial aid award for a student to further education
Work study- an analysis of a specific job in an effort to find the most efficient method in terms of time and effort
Endowment-the capital that provides income for an institution
Concurrent Enrollment- This is the term used when high school students enroll during the school year in course work at many public colleges and universities, at low cost. College instructor, parent, and high school approval are normally required.
Associate of Arts Degree- this degree is awarded by a community college upon completion of a two-year program
Undergraduate- education taken prior to gainingbachelor's degree; courses offered for freshman through senior level credit
Bachelor's degree- an academic degree conferred on someone who has successfully completed undergraduate studies, generally 4 years
Graduate Student- involves studying for degreesafter completion of aBachelor's degree
Master’s degree-an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice. This degree is awarded upon completion of one or two years of study beyond the Bachelor’s degree
Doctorate Degree- an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries represents the highest level of formal study or research in a given field. This degree involves several years of study beyond the master’s degree
Residency- a stage of graduate medical training beyond the doctorate degree.
Major - major is a subject or field of study chosen by a student to represent his or her principal interest and upon which a large share of his or her efforts are concentrated
Minor - a subject pertaining to a field of study constituting a student's secondary interestMinor- A secondary field of studies outside of the major field. This is a requirement of some degree programs.
Concentration- An option or special interest emphasis within a degree program
Liberal Arts- Programs/courses in the humanities, natural sciences and social sciences
Lower Division- Courses offered in college for freshman/sophomore level credit
Upper Division- Courses offered in college for junior/senior class level credit
Dorms- a residence hall consisting of sleeping quarters or entire buildings primarily providing sleeping and residential quarters for students
Sorority- a society or club of women or girls, esp. in a college.
Fraternity- a brotherhood of me , esp. in a college.
Phi Beta Kappa- The Phi Beta Kappa Society is an academic honor society with the mission of "fostering and recognizing excellence"
Semester - a division constituting half of the regular academic year, lasting typically from 15 to 18 weeksin the fall and again in the spring
Quarter - Despite the name, quarters are generally 10-week trimestersoffered 3 times a year during the fall, winter and spring.
Intersession- A specific period of instruction offered by colleges between the fall and spring semesters.
The University of California (UC) system- the following schools are part of this system: Berkley, Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, and soon Merced. These school focus on research.
The California State University (CSU) system: the following schools are part of this system: Bakersfield, Chico, Dominguez Hills, Fresno, Fullerton, Hayward, Humboldt, Long Beach, Los Angeles, maritime Academy, Monterey Bay, Northridge, Pomona, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, San Luis Obispo, San Marcos, Sonoma and Stanislaus. These school focus on education.
Independent California Colleges and Universities- in California, this includes approximately 71 fully accredited independent colleges and universities affiliated with an association of the same name (AICCU)
The CaliforniaCommunity College System- this system of schools in California includes 106 two-year colleges and numerous branch campuses
Advanced Placement(AP)- Designated honors courses that provide college credit for students scoring at certain level on a final examination
Study abroad- the act of a student pursuing educational opportunities in a foreign country by providing a year or more of study at a cooperating college in a foreign country with credit counting toward graduation requirements
Reserve Officers Training Corp(ROTC)- A program which, upon completion of four years of appropriate college course work and military training, leads to a commission in the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy or Marines
Internships- These programs provide students with opportunities to obtain college credit through carefully monitored campus or community work experience related to educational objectives.
Honors Programs- These programs provide special courses for high academic achievers often within the framework of general education or major.
Extended Opportunity Programs/Services(EOPS)-programs which provide special admission, enrollment support services, financial and learning skills assistance to students who otherwise may not have been able to attend college because of the cultural, economic or educational background. Similar program are offered by many colleges under different names.