- Riverdale High School
- College Admissions Glossary of Terms
College Admissions Glossary of Terms
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Bachelor or Baccalaureate Degree
A degree that is granted to a student who has completed a four-year program. Click to see the difference between BA and BS.
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Candidates Reply Date
Students have until May 1 of their senior year to notify a college of their intention to attend that school.
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Career Services
Office within a college that is the place to go for information about internships, jobs and careers.
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Common Application/Supplements
A general application accepted by a large number of schools, some of whom may also ask for additional information.
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CSS Profile
A supplemental financial aid application used by over 450 colleges and universities. Click to learn more.
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FAFSA
The main vehicle in the application process for need-based federal financial aid. Click to see how to apply.
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Financial Aid
Merit- and Need-Based Scholarships, Estimated Family Contribution, Work-Study, Gapping and more. Click to see what these terms mean.
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Gap Year
A year between high school and college spent engaged in school, community service or employment opportunities, to better prepare for a college experience. Click to learn more.
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Holistic Review
Looking beyond the basic numbers of GPA and test scores to see the “whole person” the applicant represents. Click to see how this affects admissions.
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Legacy
Legacies have parents or siblings who attended the college, which may improve an applicant's chances for admission.
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Liberal Arts College
A college with an emphasis on undergraduate study in the liberal arts and sciences. Click to learn more.
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Middle 50%
The range of GPAs and test scores reported by a college for admissions purposes. Click to see why this is helpful.
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National Merit Scholarship Program
Commendations and scholarships awarded based on PSAT performance.
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Admissions Decision Terminology
Accepted, Deferred, Denied, Waitlisted ... What do these mean? Click to find out.
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Application Deadline Terminology
Early Action, Early Decision, Regular Decision, Rolling Admission. Click to see what these terms mean.
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Naviance
Helps students explore college choices and allows Riverdale to send recommendations, transcripts and reports to colleges.