Dealing with the American education system as international applicants can be challenge even for the best prepared. It’s filled with unfamiliar terms and processes, alongside titles and phrases that might not exist where you’re from– from middle school to high school to graduate school, the terminology of the U.S. education system can be such a headache for those who aren’t already familiar with it.
So, whether you’re considering pursuing a bachelor’s degree or aiming for advanced studies through international admissions, it’s important that you spend time familiarizing yourself with the key terms and concepts that shape the educational system in the United States if you want to have a less confusing process.
This blog defines the 15 essential terms we think that international applicants should know when applying to schools in the United States. By the end of this article, we hope you’re feeling better prepared to start this process with confidence and clarity; but if you’re still running into trouble, the dedicated counseling team at Marks Education would be happy to help!
Middle School: The education level between elementary school and high school, usually grades 6-8.
High school: The education level for students aged 14-18, it’s divided into four grade levels: freshman (9th grade), sophomore (10th grade), junior (11th grade), and senior years (12th grade).
Freshman year: The first year of high school or college.
Sophomore Year: The second year of high school or college.
Junior: The third year of high school or college.
Senior: The fourth and final year of high school or college.
Early Decision (ED): A college application process where students can apply early to their preferred college, typically by November 1st. Within this process, they’re committing to attend if accepted– even if they receive a better offer from another school.
Early Action (EA): A college application process similar to ED but which allows students to apply early and receive an admission decision without being required to to attend if accepted.
Regular Decision: The “normal” college application deadline, usually in January. Decisions are released in the spring. Students are not committed to attend if accepted.
Rolling Admission: A college admission process where applications are reviewed as they are received, rather than on a fixed/established deadline.
Common Application (Common App): A standardized application system used by many U.S. colleges and universities. This allows students to conveniently apply to multiple schools in one place.
SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test): A standardized test used (usually) for college admissions that assesses math, reading, and writing skills.
ACT® (American College Testing): Another standardized test (also usually) used for college admissions that assesses your English, math, reading, and science skills.
Academic Advisor: A faculty member who helps students with how to achieve their academic and career goals.
Campus Housing (Dorms): On-campus residential buildings where students can live while attending college. Usually these pair with dining halls, recreational facilities, and other resources for students.
Conclusion
The process of applying to college in the U.S. is often much more complicated than families or students anticipate. Please reach out to Marks Education to schedule a free consultation if you’re interested in personalized help on your applications! We’ve helped dozens of students apply to international universities and we’d love to meet and discuss your application!