College Terms

The method by which an institution structures most of its courses for the academic year.

A range of services, including (often) the following: coordination of visits of employers to campus; aptitude and vocational testing; interest inventories, personal counseling; help in resume writing, interviewing, launching the job search; listings for those students desiring employment and those seeking permanent positions; establishment of a permanent reference folder; career resource materials.

One year of study or the equivalent in a secondary school subject.

See Postsecondary award, certificate, or diploma.

The relative numerical position of a student in his or her graduating class, calculated by the high school on the basis of grade-point average, whether weighted or unweighted.

Courses in academic subjects (English, history and social studies, foreign languages, mathematics, science, and the arts) that stress preparation for college or university study.

The standard application form distributed by the National Association of Secondary School Principals for a large number of private colleges who are members of the Common Application Group.

A student who lives off campus in housing that is not owned by, operated by, or affiliated with the college. This category includes students who commute from home and students who have moved to the area to attend college.

A unit of measure that represents an hour of scheduled instruction given to students. Also referred to as clock hour.