Common Application Definitions

Question 1

Not required by every college, these are additional writing prompts asked as part of the college specific questions.

Accepted Answer

Writing Supplement

Question 2

Applications are due between early January and mid-February, depending on the school you’re applying to. (NONBINDING)

Accepted Answer

Regular Decision

Question 3

Required by colleges to determine your eligibility for non-government financial aid, grants, loans, and scholarships.

Accepted Answer

CSS Profile

Question 4

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act is federal law that protects your education records. Hint: Acronym

Accepted Answer

FERPA

Question 5

Summarizes your academic performance from freshman year to the end of your senior year of high school.

Accepted Answer

Final Report

Question 6

A writing prompt that your teachers and recommenders can use to elaborate on what colleges should know about you.

Accepted Answer

Evaluation

Question 7

A "just in case" form that your counselor can submit if they want or need to. (Not Required)

Accepted Answer

Optional Form

Question 8

A break you take in your formal education, typically between graduating from high school and starting college.

Accepted Answer

Gap Year

Question 9

Many colleges are making this optional for &#x27;24 applicants.

Accepted Answer

Standardized Test

Question 10

The date by which you must submit your application materials. All deadlines are in your local time zone.

Accepted Answer

Deadline

Question 11

A "binding&#x27; application process by which you commit to enrolling in a certain college if you&#x27;re admitted.

Accepted Answer

Early Decision

Question 12

This form usually summarizes your academic performance through the middle of your senior year.

Accepted Answer

Mid Year Report

Question 13

The fees a college charges you to apply to their institution. The amount varies from 1 college to the next.

Accepted Answer

Application Fee

Question 14

An application process to apply and receive a decision earlier than the regular decision notification date. (NONBINDING)

Accepted Answer

Early Action

Question 15

Applicants completing high school this academic year and have never enrolled at a college or university.

Accepted Answer

First Year

Question 16

Funding to help you pay for education-related expenses including tuition, room and board, textbooks, and supplies.

Accepted Answer

Financial Aid

Question 17

Individual responsible for submitting your transcripts to colleges.

Accepted Answer

Counselor

Question 18

Gives you the chance to tell your story and to show off your writing skills.

Accepted Answer

Essay

Question 19

A request to the college to remove the application fees. Hint: you can use these for ACT and SAT as well!

Accepted Answer

Fee Waiver

Question 20

A type of recommender that lets you invite coaches, employers, etc. to support your application for admission.

Accepted Answer

Other recommender

Question 21

Admissions officers review applications as they receive them and send their decisions within 4-6 weeks. (NONBINDING)

Accepted Answer

Rolling Admissions

Question 22

Letter written by your COUSELOR to address things like your academic, extracurricular, and personal characteristics.

Accepted Answer

Counselor Recommendation

Question 23

Documentation to prove which courses you’ve taken and the grades you received for those courses. Counselors report.

Accepted Answer

Transcript

Question 24

A "just in case" form that your counselor can submit if they want or need to. (Not Required)

Accepted Answer

Optional Form

Question 25

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid: used to determine eligibility for federal, state, & college sponsored aid.

Accepted Answer

FAFSA

Question 26

You can share your in-progress application with this trusted individual to keep up with progress, cannot send in forms.

Accepted Answer

Adviser

Question 27

A type of recommender that has TAUGHT you in a specific subject and can speak to your performance in their class.

Accepted Answer

Teacher

Common Application Definitions

Questions 27

Common Application Definitions

Questions 27