Resources
At Premier College Prep and Consulting, we believe informed students and families make the strongest decisions throughout the college planning process. This resource page provides a curated collection of trusted tools, guides, and external links designed to support stages of your college readiness- from academic planning, college admission terms, testing, to applications and financial aid. Our goal is to provide clear, reliable information that empowers students and families to navigate the path to college with confidence and clarity.
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)
A standardized college entrance exam administered by the College Board to measure high school students’ readiness for college in reading, writing, and math. The exam is 2 hours and 14 minutes, it features two main sections: Reading, Writing, and Math- with scores ranging from 400 to 1600.
Admissions Decision:
The decision made by the admissions committee at a college or university regarding a student’s status. Admissions decisions can include: accepted, deferred, waitlisted, or denied.
Acceptance:
The formal approval and acknowledgment by a college or university that a student has been granted admission to their academic programs. When a student receives an acceptance letter, it signifies that the educational institution has reviewed their credentials, determined that they meet the necessary criteria for admission, and has extended an offer for them to enroll as a student
The college application process often introduces unfamiliar terminology that can feel overwhelming for students and families. This guide highlights key admissions terms to help you better understand the process and move forward with confidence.
Useful College Admission Terms
Admission Rate:
The percentage of students who are admitted to a particular college. Admission rates can vary widely among schools and depend upon a number of factors.
Admissions Interview:
A face-to-face or virtual meeting between a student and a representative of a college or university, sometimes a current student or alumni volunteer. The purpose of the college admissions interview is to assess the student’s qualifications, personality, and suitability for admission to the institution.
Admissions Interview:
A face-to-face or virtual meeting between a student and a representative of a college or university, sometimes a current student or alumni volunteer. The purpose of the college admissions interview is to assess the student’s qualifications, personality, and suitability for admission to the institution.
Advanced Placement (AP):
A program coordinated by the College Board whereby high schools offer college-level courses with a specific curriculum in a large number of academic fields. Participating students have the option of taking an AP exam at the end of the course to demonstrate knowledge and earn college credit.
Class Rank:
A student’s place based on a rank ordering of students in a class by grade point average (GPA). While course sequence, rigor, and GPA matter more to colleges, a student with a high-class rank demonstrates that they will likely perform well at college-level classes.
College Essay:
A common component of the admission process that allows students to showcase their individuality.
College Fair:
A convenient way for students to meet representatives from many colleges and universities under one roof.
Conditional Admission:
An offer of admission contingent upon certain conditions, such as a mandated grade point average.
Deferred Admission:
An admission outcome wherein a student who has applied for early admission is not accepted or rejected, rather their application is reconsidered within the Regular Decision pool. Students who are deferred received acceptance or rejection along with the Regular Decision students in the Spring.
Deferred Admission:
An admission outcome wherein a student who has applied for early admission is not accepted or rejected, rather their application is reconsidered within the Regular Decision pool. Students who are deferred received acceptance or rejection along with the Regular Decision students in the Spring.
Deferred Enrollment:
A decision made by the student to postpone their admission to college, sometimes used to take a gap year.
Demonstrated Interest:
Various ways in which a student shows their interest in attending a specific institution prior to the official application process. Measures of demonstrated interest vary from college to college, but can include taking a campus tour, contacting the admissions office, registering for a virtual tour, and more.
Early Action (EA):
A non-binding college application process allowing students to apply early (November 1st or November 15th) and receive admissions decisions by December to January. Students who are admitted are not committed to attending. This is a great option if the school is a top choice for the student and they can submit a strong application in the early admission rounds, but they are not ready to commit if accepted.
Early Decision (ED):
Is a binding application option that allows students to apply early to their top-choice college, usually by November 1 or November 15, with decisions released in December/January. If admitted, students must enroll and withdraw all other applications.
Extracurricular Activities:
Any non-academic, voluntary pursuits such as sports, clubs, jobs, internship, volunteering, arts, and any additional organized endeavors that demonstrate leadership, commitment, and personal growth. They help show colleges your character, passions, and how you will contribute to their campus community beyond your academics.
Financial Aid:
Funding provided through grants, scholarships, work-study, and loans to help students and families pay for college expenses, including tuition, housing, and educational costs.
First-Generation:
A college applicant who is the first in their immediate family to apply and attend a post-secondary institution.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA):
The primary application form used by students and families to apply for federal financial aid, including grants, work-study, and student loans.
Gap Year:
A year taken between high school graduation and college enrollment, often used for work, travel, internships, or personal growth.
Grade Point Average (GPA):
A numeric summary of a student’s high school academic performance/transcript that averages all of a student’s grades, typically on a 4.0 scale. Some schools give more weight to grades earned through higher-level coursework (AP classes).
Holistic Review:
An admissions process in which colleges evaluate applicants based on multiple factors- including academics, activities, essays, and personal background, rather than grades and test scores alone.
Legacy Applicant:
A student who has a parent or close relative who previously attended the college.
Letter of Recommendation:
A written evaluation from a teacher, counselor, or mentor that highlights a student’s academic ability, character, and potential.
Major:
A student’s primary field of academic study in college.
Open Admission:
A policy at some colleges where students are admitted as long as they meet minimum requirements, such as having a high school diploma.
Personal Statement:
A required essay in which students share personal experiences, values, or perspectives to help admissions officers better understand them.
Placement Test:
A test used by institutions, particularly community colleges, to evaluate an incoming student’s proficiency in math, reading, and writing. It determines if the students are ready for college-level coursework or need remedial classes.
Reach School:
A college where a student’s academic profile falls below the average admitted student, making admission less certain.
Regular Decision (RD):
The standard, non-binding college application process where students submit their applications by a specific deadline and are notified of a decision within a clearly stated timeline.
Restrictive Early Action (REA):
A non-binding early application options that limits students from applying early to other private colleges.
Retention Rate:
The percentage of firs-year students who continue at that college or university for a second year of studies.
Rolling Admission:
A college application process where institutions review applications as they are received rather than waiting for a single, fixed deadline.
Safety School:
A college where a student’s academic credentials are well above the school’s average admitted student, making admission very likely.
School Profile:
A document created by a high school that provides colleges with context about the school’s curriculum, grading scale, and academic offerings.
Superscoring:
Is a practice used by some colleges in which they consider a student’s highest section scores from multiple test dates to create the strongest possible combined score.
Supplemental Essay:
Short, school-specific essay prompts used by many colleges that allow applicants to demonstrate their interest in a specific institution, highlight academic goals, and share more about their background beyond the main personal statement.
Test-Blind:
Institutions will not consider SAT or ACT exam scores, even if submitted. Admissions teams ignore scores to focus on GPA, essays, and extracurriculars, often to promote equity.
Test-Optional:
A policy allowing students to choose whether or not to submit standardized test scores (SAT or ACT) as part of their application.
Waitlist:
A status given to applicants who are neither accepted nor denied initially but may be offered admission if space becomes available.
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