University Admissions Glossary | ED, EA, Common App & more

Application rounds

Early Decision (ED)Binding early round: An early, binding application option, typically with a November deadline and decisions released in December. If admitted, you are generally expected to enroll and withdraw other applications, subject to the school's Early Decision agreement and financial aid provisions. You may have only one active Early Decision application at a time.
Early Decision II (ED2)Second binding round: Some schools run a second ED round before Regular Decision, usually due in early January with results in February. It is also binding. If you are not admitted through ED I, you may be able to apply ED II to another institution, provided you are not bound by an existing Early Decision agreement.
Early Action (EA)Non-binding early round: Apply early and hear back early, with no obligation: if admitted, you can wait for other results and decide by May 1. You can generally apply to multiple schools through Early Action, subject to any restrictions imposed by individual institutions.
Restrictive Early Action (REA / SCEA)Single-choice early round: Non-binding, but it limits early applications to other private universities. The exact rules differ by school, so check each school's website. Harvard, Yale and Stanford use this approach.
Regular Decision (RD)Main round: The main round at most schools, usually due in early January with results from late March to early April.
Rolling AdmissionReviewed as received: Applications are reviewed as they are received, often until available places are filled. Decisions may be released throughout the application cycle, so applying early can be beneficial.
National Candidate Reply DateMay 1 deadline to commit: May 1 is the traditional enrollment decision deadline for many US colleges, although some institutions use different dates. Students should confirm the deadline stated in each admission offer.

Application platforms & materials

Common ApplicationMain US application platform: A widely used US undergraduate application platform accepted by more than 1,000 colleges and universities. Students complete a common application, including personal information and activities, while individual institutions may require additional questions or essays.
Coalition Application (Scoir)Alternative US platform: Another US undergraduate application platform, now run by Scoir and used by fewer schools than the Common App. If a school accepts both platforms, applicants can generally choose either one without affecting how their application is evaluated.
UC ApplicationUniversity of California application: The shared application for the nine University of California undergraduate campuses, including Berkeley and UCLA; it does not use the Common App. You answer 4 of 8 Personal Insight Questions (up to 350 words each), and one application covers as many campuses as you choose. The UC does not consider SAT/ACT scores.
UCASUK application system: The UK's central undergraduate application system. You can apply to up to five courses through one application. For 2026 entry onwards, the personal statement consists of three structured questions, with a combined limit of 4,000 characters. Deadlines vary by course and institution, with earlier deadlines for Oxford, Cambridge, and most medicine, dentistry, and veterinary courses.
Personal Essay (Common App Essay)Main essay: The one essay every Common App school sees: up to 650 words, answering one of a set of prompts that rarely change. Its job is to help admissions officers get to know you as a person, not to list grades and awards.
Supplemental EssaysSchool-specific essays: Each school's own essay questions, such as "Why us?" or "What will you bring to our community?", ranging from a few dozen to a few hundred words. Our university pages list the verified prompts for each school under Application materials.
Activities ListExtracurriculars section: Up to 10 activities on the Common App, each with your role, time commitment and a very short description. List them in order of importance to you and say clearly what you did and what came of it.
Counselor Recommendation & School ReportFrom your school counselor: Submitted by your school counselor: a recommendation letter, your transcript and the school profile. If your school doesn't teach in English, transcripts usually need an official English version as well.
Teacher RecommendationFrom your subject teachers: Most selective US universities ask for two, ideally from teachers of core subjects in grade 11 or 12 who can describe how you work in class.
Mid-Year ReportSenior-year first-term grades: Your first-semester grade 12 results, sent by your school in January or February. It is the last set of grades before decisions, and a clear drop can affect the outcome.
InterviewUsually with alumni: Some US universities offer interviews with alumni or admissions staff. Their format and role in admissions vary by institution, and not all applicants will be invited to interview. Interviews for Oxford, Cambridge and some UK courses are academic and carry real weight.

Tests & English proficiency

SATUS admissions test: A US college admissions test scored out of 1600 (800 for Reading and Writing, 800 for Math), now taken on a computer. Many schools publish the 25th–75th percentile range of their admitted students.
ACTUS admissions test: The other US admissions test, with a composite score out of 36. Schools treat the SAT and ACT equally, so take whichever suits you.
SuperscoreBest sections combined: A score calculated using your highest section scores from multiple test dates. Whether a university accepts superscores, and how it calculates them, depends on its admissions policy.
Test RequiredSAT/ACT needed: An admissions policy that requires applicants to submit standardized test scores. Most test-required universities accept SAT or ACT scores, but some institutions offer alternative ways to meet their testing requirements. Always check the university's current policy.
Test OptionalSAT/ACT optional: An admissions policy that allows applicants to decide whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. Applications without scores are considered under the school's test-optional policy, while submitted scores may be considered as part of the overall review.
Test Blind / Test FreeSAT/ACT not considered: The school does not look at SAT/ACT scores at all, even if you send them. The University of California is an example.
TOEFL iBTEnglish proficiency test: A widely accepted English proficiency test used for university admissions. TOEFL iBT introduced a 1–6 score scale in January 2026, with scores also reported on the previous 0–120 scale during the transition period. Minimum or recommended scores vary by institution and program.
IELTSEnglish proficiency test: Scored out of 9 and the most common English test in Commonwealth countries; US universities widely accept it too. Many schools set both an overall and a per-section minimum.
Duolingo English Test (DET)Online English test: Taken online at home with fast results, scored out of 160. More schools accept it every year, but some selective universities do not, so check before you rely on it.

Costs, scholarships & financial aid

Cost of Attendance (COA)Full yearly cost: The school's estimate of a full year's expenses: tuition and fees, housing and meals, books, travel and personal costs. Our cost calculator adds these up for the whole degree.
Out-of-State TuitionNon-resident tuition: At US public universities, students who do not qualify for in-state tuition generally pay higher nonresident rates. International students typically pay nonresident or international tuition rates, although policies and exceptions vary by institution. Private universities generally do not use the same in-state and out-of-state tuition structure.
Financial Aid (Need-Based Aid)Based on family finances: Financial assistance based on a student's demonstrated financial need. It may include grants, scholarships, work-study opportunities, or loans, depending on the institution and the student's eligibility. Few US schools offer it to international students, and applying for it may affect admission depending on whether the school is need-blind or need-aware.
Need-BlindAid request not considered: An admissions policy under which an applicant's ability to pay is not considered in the admission decision. Whether this policy applies to international students depends on the institution. Only a handful of US universities are need-blind for international students and meet full demonstrated need; check each school's current policy.
Need-AwareAid request may be considered: An admissions policy under which an applicant's financial need may be considered as part of the admission decision. The school does offer aid to international students but has a limited budget, so whether you apply for aid can factor into the decision.
Merit ScholarshipBased on achievement: Awarded for grades or talent, regardless of family finances. Many of the most selective US private universities offer no merit scholarships, only need-based aid; merit awards are more common at public universities and private universities ranked a little lower.
CSS ProfileAid application form: The College Board's financial aid form, required by most selective private universities when international students apply for aid. It asks about family income and assets. International students cannot use the FAFSA, which is for US citizens and eligible residents.
Certification of FinancesProof of funding: Documentation showing that a student has sufficient financial resources to cover required educational and living expenses. US institutions may request this information as part of the admissions or Form I-20 process.

Admission decisions

DeferredMoved to the main round: Your application has not received a final decision in the early round and will be reconsidered in a later admissions round, typically Regular Decision. You can send new grades or a short update letter if the school allows.
WaitlistedOn the waiting list: The university may offer admission to students on its waitlist if spaces become available. The timing and likelihood of admission vary by institution and year. Commit to a school that has admitted you rather than waiting only on the waitlist.
RescindedOffer withdrawn: A school can withdraw an offer if senior-year grades drop sharply, for disciplinary problems or for false information in the application. Keep your grades up after you are admitted.

Visas & enrollment

Form I-20Certificate of eligibility: A document issued by a SEVP-certified US school to eligible international students. It confirms important information about the student's program and is required for the F-1 visa application process. Schools may require financial documentation before issuing it.
F-1 VisaUS student visa: A US nonimmigrant visa for eligible international students pursuing academic studies at SEVP-certified institutions. With your I-20, complete the online DS-160, pay the fee and book an interview. At the interview, explain your study plans, how you will pay, and your plans after graduation.
SEVIS I-901 FeeStudent record fee: A fee the US Department of Homeland Security charges international students, paid online before the visa interview. Check the official website for the current amount.
OPTWork after graduation: Temporary employment authorization for eligible F-1 students to gain practical experience directly related to their field of study. Post-completion OPT generally allows up to 12 months of authorized employment.
STEM OPT Extension24 more months for STEM: Eligible F-1 students with qualifying STEM degrees may apply for a 24-month extension of post-completion OPT, subject to additional requirements. Our university pages mark which majors are STEM-designated.
CPTWork while studying: Employment authorization for eligible F-1 students to participate in practical training that is an integral part of an established curriculum, as authorized by their school's designated school official.

Data sources

Common Data Set (CDS)Standard university data report: A standardized collection of institutional data published by many US colleges and universities. It may include admissions statistics, test scores, enrollment information, costs, and financial aid. Our admission chances check draws on CDS data.
IPEDSUS Department of Education data: A US Department of Education data system that collects standardized information from institutions participating in federal student financial aid programs. Admissions history and costs on our university pages come from here.

Cost calculatorEstimate the total cost of a degree using official university tuition and fee information.Admission chancesExplore potential reach, match, and safety schools based on your academic profile Explore universitiesExplore application deadlines, admission requirements, admissions statistics, and available majors.

Last updated: October 2026. Admissions policies and requirements may change. Always check the official university website for the latest information.