We've compiled some admissions office lingo and FAQs to help you decipher the sometimes confusing admissions process.

Terms and Definitions

• What is Early Action?
• What is Early Decision?
• What is rolling admissions?
• What is meant by the admission selection category of open admissions?
• What is meant by the admission selection category of selective?
• What is meant by the admission selection category of competitive?

The Process

• How can I make my admissions essay stand out positively?
• What is the scale used by the California State University System for determining the appropriate GPA/SAT rating combination?
• How do I go about asking my teachers to write a recommendation for me to be sent to colleges? What are the right things that I should say to the teacher to make them willing to write a recommendation for me? And a very good recommendation as well?
• Does the major I choose to write on my application affect my chances of being accepted at a certain college?
• Is it easier to get into college if I know somebody important?
• How much does it matter if I go to a well-known school (Ivy League) vs. a less well known - but academically well known school?
• Is it okay to apply Early Decision to more than one school?
• What criteria do admission officers look for in an application?
• When will I find out if I have been accepted?
• To how many schools should I apply?
• How important is the actual application?
• How do I get the college application?
• When do I need the college application?
• Do all schools require an essay?
• How important is the essay?
• How do I make myself sound interesting to a college in my personal essay?
• How do I write a good essay?

Terms and Definitions

What is Early Action?

Schools that offer Early Action admissions are willing to notify you of your acceptance earlier than mid-April but you will not have to notify them of your decision to attend until the regular May 1 deadline. Early Action deadlines vary from school to school but are usually in the fall of the senior year. You may still apply to other schools.

What is Early Decision?

If you are positive you want to attend a certain school, you can apply under their Early Decision Plan. This means that when you are accepted you will say yes and not apply to any other schools. You will need to complete your application for admission (and financial aid) early in the fall of your senior year and no later than November 15.

You must take all the required tests before the fall of your senior year. The college will notify you of its admissions and financial aid decisions in advance of the usual notification date. If you are accepted under the first-choice plan (EDP-F), you must withdraw applications from all other colleges as soon as you are notified of acceptance by your first choice college.

If you have applied under the single-choice plan (EDP-S) you may not apply to any colleges other than your first choice school unless rejected by that institution. If you are not accepted under early decision, your application is reconsidered without bias under the college's regular admissions plan and you will be notified in mid-April.

What is rolling admissions?

Some schools indicate their willingness to accept applications until school starts or until the enrollment is full. These school process applications on a first-come, first-served basis and notify students within two-three weeks of receiving the application.

What is meant by the admission selection category of open admissions?

These schools accept almost every student who has a high school degree without regard to test scores, grade average, or class rank. Some open admissions schools have selective requirements for out-of-state applicants or specific programs, such as nursing.

What is meant by the admission selection category of selective?

These schools offer admission to all or most applicants who meet their specific admissions requirements, but more applicants meet those requirements than they are willing or able to admit. The specific requirements vary from school to school and may be rigorous, but you can reasonably expect to be admitted if you meet their requirements. Most four-year colleges in the United States classify themselves as "selective."

What is meant by the admission selection category of competitive?

These schools offer admission based on specific admissions requirements and like selective schools, more students qualify than can be admitted. You cannot be sure of admission to a competitive college, even though you satisfy the entrance requirements, because you will be competing with other equally qualified applicants.

The more competitive the college, the more likely it is to consider personal qualifications (motivation, special skills or abilities, leadership capabilities, community involvement, and good moral character) in admissions decisions.

The Process

How can I make my admissions essay stand out positively?

Choosing a compelling topic is the best way to make your essay stand out. The topic should be personal and reveal something about your personality.

Read the articles in the Apply section of Embark.com to find complete tips on writing your application essay.

What is the scale used by the California State University System for determining the appropriate GPA/SAT rating combination?

With a philosophy that was established by the state legislature, the California State University (CSU) system is based on the premise that students in the top one-third of their senior class will be successful at this college level. (The UC system is based on the premise that the students in the top 12 1/2 percent will be able to be successful in that system.) The CSU system uses a 3.0 GPA in the eligible course work for grades ten and eleven as the benchmark.

If you have a 3.0 GPA, then test scores will not be a factor in the admission determination unless you apply for an impacted program. If your grade point average is between 2.0 and 2.99, you need to check the Eligibility Index to determine what test score you must achieve to be considered for regular admission.

The lower the GPA the higher the test score must be; i.e. 2.99 needs a 510 and 2.00 needs a 1300. If your GPA is below 2.00 you are not eligible for regular admission to a California state university.

How do I go about asking my teachers to write a recommendation for me to be sent to colleges? What are the right things that I should say to the teacher to make them willing to write a recommendation for me? And a very good recommendation as well?

Colleges give very specific instructions about who they want to write your recommendations. Usually it is a Junior or Senior teacher in an academic subject like English, Math, Science, History, or Foreign Language. Some schools will even specify it has to be a particular subject. So, first check to see the requirements of each school for which you need recommendations.

Once you determine which subject teachers are required, pick the one who knows you best and can tell about your involvement in classroom discussions, your inquisitiveness, your insight into the material, your growth, and your potential. Make an appointment with the teacher so you can discuss this request in peace and quiet. Explain you are applying to colleges and will be needing letters of recommendations and were wondering if he/she would be interested in writing one for you.

Since you are talking to a teacher who has some idea of who you are, and hopefully, has written recommendations before, he/she should agree to write it. At this point you say, "Thank you," and schedule a time when you can meet again with all the information. You should then make up a packet with a cover letter explaining which schools and which deadlines the writer needs to follow. Provide the school's Letter of Recommendation forms, self-addressed envelopes, and a resume of your activities (both in school and out of school). You should waive your write to read the letter of recommendation. Schools feel the writer can give a more accurate indication of your strengths and weaknesses if they know you will not be seeing it. If you are careful in your choice of teachers, you have been a good student, and the teacher knows you from an academic class and clubs/athletics/music, you should receive a good recommendation.

Does the major I choose to write on my application affect my chances of being accepted at a certain college?

It depends on where you are applying. Read the schools' catalogue to find out their rules on applying by major in the application process. Generally, liberal arts schools will ask just for informational purposes and your application will be compared to all those who are applying.

Other schools will ask you to apply by major so they can compare you to your peers also interested in that major and select the ones most qualified from that group. In this situation, you could be denied admission because other students are more qualified in that major. Nursing is a prime example of a major that is very competitive.

Engineering is another area where schools would like you to state your major. Engineering requires many courses and in order to finish in four years schools like you to start your freshman year. That way you can start taking the courses and find out quickly if you want to remain in that major. You can always transfer to a non-engineering major if you do not like engineering. It is usually difficult to transfer into an engineering major because of all the pre-major requirements you will have to make up.

One thing to keep in mind: if a school has requirements for certain majors and you feel you cannot meet them as an incoming freshman and you choose an "easier" major and are accepted, you may not be able to transfer to the "harder" major once you get there.

Is it easier to get into college if I know somebody important?

There are different opinions on this issue. The more competitive the college the more likely someone in admissions will make a note of your connection. However, few schools will admit an unqualified candidate based solely on connections. Most schools have more applications from qualified students than they can admit. Admissions Officers are very careful to select those students who will be successful at their school and who will be an asset to their campus based on their talents, accomplishments, diversity of race, diversity of location, grades, disabilities, unusual circumstances and community involvement. These factors are more important than connections.

How much does it matter if I go to a well-known school (Ivy League) vs. a less well known - but academically well known school?

Both types of schools will serve you well. Ivy Leagues have worldwide recognition. Less well-known schools would have national/area recognition which would help you if you stay in that area. The key is how you fit on the different campuses because ultimately, your success after graduation depends on your grades, leadership, research opportunities, internships, network, and faculty letters of recommendation. You have to back up the school's reputation with your own personal accomplishments.

Is it okay to apply Early Decision to more than one school?

No. If you have applied under the single-choice plan (EDP-S) you may not apply to any colleges other than your first choice school unless rejected by that institution. If you are not accepted under early decision, your application is reconsidered without bias under the college's regular admissions plan and you will be notified in mid-April.

NOTE: Many institutions talk to each other and often discover if a student has applied Early Decision to more than one school. It is almost guaranteed that a school will not accept a student who has been dishonest.

What criteria do admission officers look for in an application?

It is important for you to research the schools you are interested in to see what the criteria for acceptance is for each school. Each school has its own admissions philosophy, policy, and procedures. Basically all schools look at the same criteria which is: course work, grade point average, test scores, rank in class, activities, essays, letters of recommendations, and interviews. The importance placed on each item changes from school to school. You can find this information in the college catalogue or by talking to an admissions counselor or a college representative.

When will I find out if I have been accepted?

The usual notification methods are: April, Rolling Admissions, or Early Decisions. Most colleges notify a candidate in mid-April and ask for a reply by May 1. With rolling admissions notification is received about two or three weeks after the application is mailed to the college and students have until May 1 to reply. Early Decision candidates choose this option with the expectation on all sides that if the student is accepted, they will attend and all other applications will be withdrawn. Generally the student is notified by December 15 of the senior year and the student must respond immediately.

To how many schools should I apply?

There is no one answer to this question. Avoid wasting time and money and only apply to schools that you would really care to attend. You need to evaluate your chances at each school and then apply to one or two in each category. A good rule of thumb is to apply to two schools that will very likely accept you, two that are selective, and two that are long shots.

How important is the actual application?

Every step of the application process is saying something about you as an individual. You want to represent yourself as a worthy candidate for this school. Since admissions officers are reading hundreds of applications very quickly, neatness and legibility are very helpful and show you took time in preparing your application. Reading the directions, following instructions, and meeting deadlines all help to make you look like a viable candidate.

The schools that require essays and short answers are trying to find out how well you can articulate your thoughts on a given subject. This gives them a more personal look at you than your test scores, course work, and grade point average so it is crucial for you to spend significant time writing your responses to reflect you at your best.

How do I get the college application?

The college applications are available from the individual school. You need to e-mail, write, or call the Office of Admissions. Addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses are available in the college catalog and Embark.com. Many can be found through the schools' websites also.

When do I need the college application?

You should start sending for college applications in the summer of your junior year in high school. Most colleges have their applications ready by late August. By having the application in the late summer you can review the information and start organizing your dates and make a timeline listing each school's requirements and deadlines for the application and financial aid forms.

You should always make a copy of the application to work on so you will make all your mistakes on the copy and not have to send for another application. Colleges can take as long as three weeks to send you an application. Do not put this off to the last minute.

Check to see if the school has an online application as well.  This may make communicating with the school about your application much easier.

All schools do not require you write an essay as part of their application process. It is up to you to find out the application requirements of each school. This information is available in Embark.com, the college catalogue, application, brochures, and on their web pages on the Internet.

How important is the essay?

The college application is the main way colleges can find out about you as a person. In the application you supply all the facts about your course work, grades, test scores, work, activities, honors, and awards. The only place they can find out how you think or feel about life is in the essay. This is where they hear your "voice."

As the admissions committee considers all the information you have given them, they are comparing you to your peers and judging your achievements. Sometimes those facts alone will win you a coveted acceptance to that college. Sometimes they need more information to render a final decision. This is when the essay can give the admissions committee a fuller picture of you as a candidate. It can be the deciding factor in your acceptance so never underestimate its importance. Remember, the college is asking you to write it because they intend to read it, so don't bring your application down with haphazard work.

How do I make myself sound interesting to a college in my personal essay?

The best way to sound interesting is to write about what you know, not what you think you should write. The biggest mistake students make is trying to sound "smart" or "highly intelligent" rather than sounding like themselves. Admissions officers are interested in your focus, perceptions, and opinions because that is how they will get to know you.

Avoid facts and write about your observations, reactions, opinions, perceptions, and reflections. They do not want a description of how you did a project but rather your reflections on what went well and what could have been improved, or how the experience affected other areas of your life.

How do I write a good essay?

In order to do a good job on this very important part of your application you need to commit time and energy to do it right. Start by writing what you know and care about, then have other people, such as friends or a teacher, read what you have written. Be sure to spend time gathering your thoughts, finding the right opening and closing sentences, deciding what topic to write.

After you have written an essay, put it away for a few days then come back and read it. Does it still interest you? Is it written in a positive tone throughout the piece? Have you thought of a more interesting way of writing about the same topic? Your essay should evolve over time so that you can write a concise, meaningful piece that will reveal your personality.