Types of Colleges

Technical college 

Technical colleges train students in technical skills for

specialized trades.  Typically, graduates earn a license or

certificate, or the two-year Associate of Arts (A.A.),

Associate of Science (A.S.), or Associate of Applied

Science (A.A.S.) degree.  Students commute to the school

from the local area.

Community college   

Community colleges offer technical, academic, and

continuing education programs.  Community colleges offer

licenses, certificates, two-year degrees, and four-year

degrees – Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science

(B.S.).  Students commute to the school from the local

area. 

Junior college   

Generally, junior colleges are two-year academic colleges

that award Associate degrees.  Sometimes, they offer

programs that culminate in a certificate or license.  Some

junior colleges offer on-campus housing, but most do not.

College   

The traditional, four-year college offers academic

programs, graduates of which earn a Bachelor’s degree. 

Often, college graduates undertake further studies

elsewhere, leading to an advanced degree such as a

Master’s or Doctorate.  Customarily, colleges are small,

and students live on-campus.  Belmont Abbey College and

Christendom College are examples of small, private,

Catholic colleges.

University   

Universities offer a wide array of academic concentrations

toward the Bachelor’s, Master’s, and doctoral degrees. 

Within a university are a number of colleges for the

various disciplines, for example, a college of humanities, of

sciences, and of arts.  University faculty teach class, as well

as conduct research in their area.  Given its many students,

a university’s population often can equal that of a small

town.  Universities offer on-campus housing, but since

demand is usually high, many students live in off-campus

apartments.  The University of Notre Dame is an example

of a large, private, Catholic university.

Common Terms

ACT (American College Test)   

The ACT is a national college admission examination that consists of tests in English, mathematics,

reading, and science.  Many, but not all, colleges consider ACT results.  A student should check with the

college’s admissions office before taking the test.

AP (Advanced Placement)

AP exams are college-level tests offered by the College Board.  Many colleges offer academic credit for good AP test scores (3 or above, on a scale of 1 to 5).

AP Scholar

The College Board recognizes as an AP Scholar a student who scores 3 or above on at least three different AP exams (on a scale of 1 to 5).  No monetary award is connected to the academic distinction.

Common Reply Date

The common reply date of May 1 is most colleges’ deadline by which an applicant must respond to an offer of admission.

Common Application

The common application is a standard application form accepted by a number of colleges.  In order to use the form, an applicant must subscribe to the Common Application program.

Common Notification

The common notification signifies the period – early April – when most colleges advise applicants about admissions decisions.

Decile

Decile is the measurement of a tenth.  In terms of class rankings, the “top decile” means the top 10 percent of the class.  The “second decile” refers to the top 10 to 20 percent of the class, and so on.  Class rankings are divided in ten deciles.

Deferred Admission

By deferred admission, some colleges allow applicants to wait a semester or a year to enroll.  This is especially helpful to a student who wishes to serve in a mission, travel abroad, or earn additional money before starting school.

Deferred Application

A deferred application is one on which the college defers a decision because the applicant has yet to fulfill a few outstanding requirements.

Early Action

Similar to Early Decision, but an Early Action admission does not obligate the student to attend the college if accepted and may wait until the regular notification date in order to decide whether to the attend the school or not.

Early Decision

This is an admission program where an applicant applies to one college under the early decision plan and receives an answer before the regular admission deadline. If accepted, the student is obligated to attend the college.  The advantage is that if a student is sure of their top priority for college they can have the information early and it will also help their chances of being accepted.

Priority Deadline

This means that you receive somewhat earlier notification without any obligation to attend.

Rolling Admissions

Under rolling admission colleges notify applicants of their decisions as soon as they are made. This means that getting in an application early improves chances of admission, but some colleges have spots open much later in the admission process for late decision makers also.

SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test)   

The SAT is a national college examination that consists of tests in critical reading,

mathematics, and writing.  Most colleges consider SAT results.  A student should check

with the college’s admissions office before taking the test.

SAT Subject Tests (formerly SAT II:  Subject Tests)

These tests are designed to measure  a student's  knowledge and skills in particular subject areas, as well as your ability to apply that knowledge.  Use your college of choice's admission requirements to help guide you on what subject test to take.  These are not required by all institutions.

Summer Acceptance

By summer acceptance, some colleges invite applicants to start in the summer term instead of the fall.

Waiting List

A college may place on a waiting list those students whose applications are acceptable but which rank below first-tier candidates.  The college may invite the applicant to enroll later if space becomes available.