• College Planning

     

  • College Admissions and Financial Aid Terms

    ACT – The American College Test is the most widely accepted standardized college admissions instrument. The ACT is an achievement test that consists of Math, Science, English, Reading, and an optional Writing section.

    Candidates Reply Date – Students have until May 1st of their senior year to notify a college of their intention to attend that school.  Students confirm their choice by sending a tuition deposit (most likely non- refundable).  Check with the specific college regarding this policy.

    CEEB Code – Also known as the high school code, it is the identification number assigned to a particular high school by the College Entrance Exam Board.  Students need this code for SAT registration, college applications, etc.  The CEEB code for Atlantic City High School is 310030.

    Common Application – This is a college application accepted by a large number of colleges and universities nationwide.  Students can complete the general application once and submit it to multiple schools. 

    Community College – A two-year institution offering a variety of degree and certificate programs. Degrees can be terminal or transferable to a four-year college or university.

    CSS Profile – The College Scholarship Search Profile is a supplemental financial aid application used by over 450, mostly highly selective, colleges and universities.  There is a fee to file this form.

    Deferred – Receiving an admissions decision of “deferred” when you’ve applied early action or early decision means that a college is not yet ready to make a final decision on your acceptance.  Your application will be reconsidered among those submitted for regular decision.

    Early Action – For colleges offering this option, students can apply early, usually between November 1st and December 1st of their senior year, and receive notification between mid-December and mid-January. Early action is not a binding contract; however, students should have thoroughly and carefully researched all of their educational options, visited campuses, had interviews, completed SAT and/or ACT tests and considered financial factors prior to applying early action.

     Early Decision – Students who apply early decision are entering into a binding contract to attend if they are accepted. The contract must be signed by the parent or guardian, school counselor, and student. Deadlines for submitting early decision applications are typically in November, and a decision is usually made by December.

    FAFSA – The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is the main vehicle in the application process for need-based federal financial aid.  Forms must be filed with the federal government soon after October 1st of the applicant’s senior year.  There is no fee to submit this form.  Apply online at  www.fafsa.ed.gov.

    GPA – Grade Point Average.  Atlantic City High School reports a cumulative, weighted GPA on transcripts.

    Merit-Based Scholarships – Financial awards from colleges to students based on academic achievement (grades and SAT scores), not family income.

    Need-Based Scholarships – Financial awards from colleges to students based on family income, not academic achievement.

    NCAA Eligibility Center – Formerly NCAA Clearinghouse, The National College Athletic Association is found online here.  Prospective student athletes register online with the NCAA sometime after their junior year of high school.  They must file prior to participating in, or accepting money to participate in, collegiate Division I or II level athletic teams.  NCAA charges a fee to register and requires that students send official test scores directly from the College Board or ACT, using code 9999.

    Net Price Calculator – An online tool to help determine the overall price of attending each college.

    Official Test Scores – SAT or ACT scores that are sent directly from the testing agency to a college.  These scores are sent for free (up to four schools) when registering for the test, or can be sent afterward for a fee. Colleges and Universities will not accept scores sent by Atlantic City High School.

    PSAT/NMSQT – Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.  ACHS administers this test each October to freshman, sophomores and juniors.  Juniors who score in at least the top 98th percentile may be in contention for a National Merit commendation or scholarship.

    Rank – The academic standing of a student in relation to his or her class.

    Restrictive Early Action – A non-binding application option. If you apply restrictive early action, you may not apply to any other school early action.  Any other applications must be submitted for regular decision.

    Rolling Admissions – An admissions policy whereby institutions process applications as soon as all credentials are received, without regard to a specific due date.  An admissions decision is then typically rendered within a four to six week period.  It is important to apply as soon as possible to schools using a rolling admissions policy.

    SAT – A standardized college admissions instrument.  The SAT was originally called the Scholastic Aptitude Test, then the Scholastic Achievement Test, then simply the SAT (or SAT I), and is now called the SAT Reasoning Test.  The 3-hour and 45-minute College Board exam includes Math, Critical Reading, and Writing Sections.  SAT performance is a major factor used in the college admissions process at many colleges and universities.  ACHS students are encouraged to take the SAT at least twice and the ACT once between the spring of their junior year and fall of their senior year.

    SAT Subject Tests (formerly SAT II) – Another college admissions instrument required at mostly highly selective colleges and universities.  SAT Subject Tests are achievement tests designed to measure a student’s ability in fourteen different subject areas.  The tests are one hour in length, and students may take up to three tests in one day.

    School Profile – A document that provides a statistical snapshot of ACHS.  It includes school history, course offerings, grading scale, standardized test performance, and a comprehensive list of colleges and universities offering admission to the previous year’s graduates.  A copy of the School Profile is sent with each college application mailed from the Guidance Office.

    Superscoring – A policy used by many (but not all) colleges to use a student’s best test scores on each section combined from multiple test administrations, rather than scores from one test date.

    Transcript – A record of high school coursework and grade performance.  Official transcripts include a counselor’s signature and a school seal.

    Work Study – College work-study is a government supported financial-aid program whereby eligible students may work while attending school.  Often, income earned from a work-study program is applied directly toward tuition.

    Wait List – A practice by which colleges and universities postpone making a final admissions decision on a potentially admissible candidate.