Learning the lingo: college buzzwords

Navigating the college application and admission process can be tricky, especially if you’re not familiar with the higher education jargon. 

Fortunately, learning higher ed lingo isn’t too difficult. In fact, it can be pretty easy to pick up. Consider this your handbook for some of the most-used college buzzwords and what they mean.

What is early decision and early action?

In early decision, you're signaling to the college or university that if you’re admitted, you’ll enroll. By choosing an early decision plan, you’re committing to attending that university. Early action, on the other hand, allows you to be admitted early, but you don’t have to make a formal decision on that university until Decision Day (more on what that is later). Some schools, like ASU, don’t have early decision or early action, but instead offer rolling applications. That means you can apply and decide to attend the university at any point during the year.

What is a safety school?

You might hear friends say, “I’m applying to a couple safety schools.” Those are schools they’re confident they’ll get admitted to so they’ll have a backup plan in case they don’t get admitted to any of the schools they really want to go to. It’s important to apply to schools where you meet the minimum qualifications. Note that with some highly selective schools, you may not be admitted even if you meet the minimum qualifications. With these schools, there’s often more student demand than the school can support. 

What is a reach school?

A reach school is the opposite of a safety school. It’s a school that traditionally has low acceptance rates and is generally perceived to be more prestigious. You may meet minimum qualifications, but getting accepted is a longshot. Still, it may be a dream school so you apply and hope for the best.

What is need-blind admission?

Need-blind admissions is when a university does not factor in any financial aspect of a student’s application. They won’t look at your Free Application for Federal Student Aid, and they won’t make any determinations about your admissibility based on your family’s finances. They’ll look only at your merits, including your grade point average, class rank and other academic factors, when reviewing your application.

What is an acceptance letter?

An acceptance letter is the official notice that you’ve been admitted to a university or college. Some schools send acceptance letters with a lot of fanfare, while some simply send a letter saying that you’re admitted and congratulations. Others send large packets that include affinity-building items like stickers or other swag. Some schools even add confetti to the envelope. Receiving an acceptance letter is usually a big celebratory moment in a student’s life.

What are Decision Day and College Signing Day?

Decision Day and College Signing Day are actually the same thing. It’s modeled after a tradition in college athletics, where a student-athlete publicly declares which university they’ll attend. It’s since grown to include any student. May 1 is National College Decision Day. There’s a lot of excitement around it as students declare on social media where they’re going to college. Keep in mind, not all schools follow the May 1 deadline. In fact, you can apply to some universities, including ASU, after May 1 of your senior year of high school and still be admitted. Meanwhile, some schools require a decision by May 1.

What is a gap year?

A gap year is when a student decides to take a year off between high school and college. Gap years can be productive for some students and not productive for others. If you’re interested in doing a gap year, it’s ideal to make it a period of enrichment and growth. For example, by working, volunteering, traveling or conducting independent study. A well-spent gap year can look good on a college application.

What is considered a prestigious school?

A lot of emphasis is placed on the prestige of a university. This can mean many things. Traditionally, we think of the Ivy Leagues. They’re often thought of as the most prestigious because of their rigorous academic reputation and low acceptance rate. But many other universities can be considered prestigious and the term is not reserved for only Ivy League schools.

What are tier 1, 2, 3 and 4 schools?

Tier 1 schools are traditionally referred to as private research universities. Tier 2 schools are private liberal arts colleges that don’t offer master’s or PhD programs. Tier 3 schools are public research universities — schools like Arizona State University. Tier 4 schools are more regional or mid-sized universities that aren’t research universities. These markers are more an indication of resource access than anything else, and you can get a high-quality academic experience at any of them.