Some
American academic terms may differ from those used in your country.
Don't let them confuse you; brush up on the meaning of some commonly
used words with this glossary.
You may encounter the terms that follow as you search for a college:
Academic Advisor: Most colleges assign students an advisor to help them with problems relating to specific classes, changing majors, or curriculum requirements.
Accreditation:
The process by which colleges and universities are granted approval by
an official review board, indicating that the institution has met
certain requirements.
Alumnus, Alumni, Alumna, Alumnae: These Latin words refer to graduates of a college or university.
Associate Degree: Awarded after completing a program of study at a two-year college.
Bachelor's Degree: Awarded after four years of study at a college or university. Also referred to as an undergraduate degree. Campus: A college or university's buildings and grounds. College/University/School:
These terms are often used interchangeably, as in “Where do you go to
school?” or “Where do you go to college?” Differences among the terms
do exist, however. Colleges primarily award bachelor's degrees and
concentrate on providing a general, or liberal arts, education.
Universities tend to be larger and award advanced degrees (master's and
doctoral degrees) along with bachelor's degrees. In addition, portions
of a university are also referred to as colleges, as in the College of
Arts and Sciences. Credit Hour: A unit of study
at a college or university, usually represented by one hour of class
per week per term. Most classes are worth three credit hours and meet
for three hours per week. Culture Shock: Confusion or anxiety caused by sudden exposure to a new culture. Doctoral Degree: The most advanced degree, awarded after three to
five years of additional study following completion of a master's
degree. Dormitory:
Residence halls (called dorms, for short) that students live in on
campus. Each room generally accommodates two students. Bathrooms can
either be private or shared among a number of students. Students living
in dorms eat their meals at a central location on campus or in
on-campus restaurants. Extracurricular: This term describes activities that take place outside the classroom, including athletic, social, and cultural events. Faculty:
The teaching staff of a college or university. The term does not refer
to a department within the university, as it does in some countries. Final Exam: The test at the end of the term. Most courses also have midterm exams in the middle of the semester or quarter. Financial Aid: Money supplied by a source other than the family to help pay for education costs. Fraternity: A social or honorary club of male students. Members often live together in a fraternity house. Freshman: The first year of undergraduate study. Grade Point Average (GPA):
A student's average for the semester or quarter. Letter grades (A, B,
C, D, and F) are converted to points (A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1) and averaged
to determine the GPA. I-20 Immigration Form: The certificate of
eligibility for the F-1 student visa. You will need this form to obtain
your visa and to enter the United States. Internships:
Practical work or training experience that allows students to apply
what they have learned in class. Generally, you'll participate in an
internship when you are not taking classes—perhaps during the summer. Junior: The third year of undergraduate study. Major: Chosen area of academic specialization. Master's Degree: An advanced degree awarded by a university after completion of studies beyond a bachelor's degree. Minor: A secondary area of academic specialization. Professor: A teacher at a university or college. Public/Private:
Public schools receive public funding and are generally less expensive
than private schools, which do not receive public funding. Public
schools are also referred to as state schools. Semester/Quarter/Term:
Most colleges and universities divide the school year into two
semesters (fall and spring), while others have three slightly shorter
quarters (fall, winter, and spring). “Term” is the general word for
either a semester or a quarter, as in “fall term.” Senior: The fourth year of undergraduate study. Social Security number: A nine-digit identification number, assigned
by the U.S. government, that citizens provide to employers for tax
purposes. Sophomore: The second year of undergraduate study. Sorority: A social or honorary club of female students. Members often live together in a sorority house. Study Abroad:
A program in which students attend school in a country outside the
United States and receive academic credit toward their major. Visit
colleges' Web sites to determine whether they offer study abroad. Syllabus: An outline of topics to be covered in a course for the duration of the semester or quarter. Teaching Assistant: A graduate student who handles classroom instruction duties for the professor. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL®): A standardized test required by most schools. The test measures a student's proficiency in the English language. Transcript: Official record of a student's academic courses and grades received. Tuition: The cost of attending classes at a college or university. Tuition does not include room and board or other living expenses. Visa: Official designation on a passport that the holder is authorized to travel or live abroad.
