USC's Glossary for First-Year Applicants
One of the hallmarks of the college application journey is the jumble of acronyms and random terms that are casually thrown around to describe the various stages of the admission process. The USC Office of Admission knows that many of these concepts will be brand new to prospective students and may add an extra layer of confusion to an already complex process. We know this because we were once students embarking on our college application journeys and were very confused too.
Worry no more! We have put together this handy glossary of terms to help any applicant feel like an expert when navigating the college search process:
Academics
Undergraduate: Students who are earning a Bachelor’s degree (typically, the first four-year academic degree that you can earn after graduating from high school).
Graduate: Students who are earning a Master’s, Doctorate, or other advanced degree, after they have earned a Bachelor’s degree.
University: This term describes the overall institution, which is made up of an undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate student body. Universities, in addition to offering undergraduate programs, offer a broad range of graduate programs.
College or School: At USC, these terms are used interchangeably to describe each of the nineteen academic units on campus that offer undergraduate degrees—ranging from the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences to the School of Cinematic Arts. You can find information on each of USC’s academic units here.
Public vs. Private: Public universities and colleges are predominately funded by state governments while private universities and colleges, like USC, are primarily funded through tuition and endowments. While private universities and colleges do receive some government funds, they are subject to less government regulation.
Major: This is the main field of study in which a student will take most of their classes. USC offers more than 150 majors for students to pursue, and students can declare more than one major (also known as double-majoring). When a student applies to USC, they will apply directly to a major and can list a second choice major if they have one. View a list of available USC majors here.
Minor: This is a secondary field of study that a student can pursue, in addition to their major. Minors require fewer courses or credits than a major. They also don’t result in a degree. At USC, there are over 190 minors for students to pursue, and students can add more than one minor to their educational plan. View a list of available USC minors using the link mentioned in the section above.
Impacted Major: When a major continually has more eligible applicants than the department can accommodate. This sometimes leads to delays in taking required courses, having larger class sizes or limiting qualified students from switching into that major. While admission into USC is competitive, none of our majors are impacted.
Fit: This is a concept that describes a mutual understanding of (1) what types of students a college or university is looking for and (2) what types of colleges or universities a student is looking for. Students should learn about what individual schools have to offer (i.e. majors, clubs and organizations, research opportunities, residential life, etc.) to make sure that they would feel comfortable there and be able to accomplish their educational and professional goals.
General
High School Visit: College admission counselors visit high schools around the world to speak to students about distinct aspects of their school, including academic and extracurricular opportunities, campus life, the application process, tuition and financial aid, and so on. Whether the visit is virtual or in person, this is a terrific opportunity to meet an admission counselor who may be reading your application. Also, there are plenty of ways to get your questions answered! You can find the USC admission counselor assigned to your high school here or register to attend one of our information sessions here.
College Fair: An event where multiple colleges and universities come together to provide students with information about their schools. This allows students to learn about many kinds of colleges and universities at one time.
First-Generation Student: A student who will be part of the first generation in their immediate family to attend college. One in five students at USC is a first-generation student. You can learn more about the first-generation student experience and resources available on campus on the First Generation Plus Success Center website.
Application
Early Decision (ED): An application deadline in which students commit to attend a single school if accepted during the Early Decision process. This is considered a binding decision. USC does not offer an Early Decision deadline.
Early Action (EA): An application deadline where applicants apply early and may receive their admission decision early. Students admitted Early Action have until May 1 to decide if they will attend that school or not. At USC, Early Action (EA) is non-binding, non-restrictive, and is not available for majors requiring a portfolio or audition. For more information and answers to frequently asked questions about USC’s EA process, visit the Dates and Deadlines section of our admission website.
Restrictive Early Action (REA): Also sometimes referred to as Single Choice Early Action (SCEA). REA is a variation of the EA decision plan and prohibits students from applying to other schools early. There are often exceptions to this restriction, and those schools will list those policies on their websites. Students admitted REA have until May 1 to decide if they will attend that school. USC’s Early Action plan is not restrictive and does not prevent students from applying early to other schools.
Regular Decision (RD): All colleges and universities have a deadline by which students need to submit a completed application. This decision is non-binding, and students have until May 1 to decide if they will attend that school. At USC, our first-year regular decision deadlines are December 1 (deadline for majors requiring a portfolio or audition, which is also the scholarship deadline for those programs) and January 15. Our transfer regular decision deadline is February 15. For more information regarding our deadlines, review the Dates and Deadlines section of our website.
Waitlist: When a student is not admitted or denied to a school, but their admission is put on hold in case a spot opens for them in the admitted class. USC does not utilize a waitlist.
Spring Admission: Some schools will allow students to specify to which term they wish to apply. At USC and several other universities, students may only apply to the fall term. At USC, we will admit some students who applied for the fall semester to the spring semester. We have many incredible students that apply to USC each year, but not enough space in the fall to accommodate all of them—so we utilize the space that opens in the spring semester. Students cannot apply directly to the spring term in USC’s admission process.
The Common App: This online application is used by hundreds of private and public schools around the world and allows students to complete just one application that can be sent to up to 20 schools they wish to apply to. This application asks for personal information, high school classes and grades, standardized test scores (note: USC is test optional), an activities list, and essays and short answer responses.
Holistic Review: An application review style that thoughtfully considers all application materials. This includes an applicant’s performance in school, their program’s rigor, writing skills, etc. It also considers personal qualities, as revealed in community involvement, leadership and achievements. At USC, decisions are never based solely on numbers. Every application is fully and fairly evaluated.
Supplemental Materials: In addition to the Common App, many schools ask students to fill out a shorter supplement (also included in the Common App website) that is specific to their school. At USC, this supplement is one short-answer question, the Quick Takes section and, if required, major-related additional materials (some majors require an audition, portfolio, professional resume, additional letters of recommendation or additional writing samples).
Demonstrated Interest: Some colleges and universities track how often students interact with their school (i.e. campus visits, high school visits, phone calls or e-mails, etc.) to measure their interest. USC does not track the demonstrated interest of our applicants through these means. Instead, we want you to write about your interest in USC and your intended major(s) in the short answer response on Common App.
Test Optional: At some colleges and universities, applicants can decide if they would like their SAT or ACT scores to be considered as part of their application. At USC, applicants can indicate on their Common Application whether they would like USC to review their test scores. Students applying to USC without submitting scores will not be disadvantaged in our admission or scholarship process. Refer to the Test Optional FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) page for more information about USC’s Test Optional Policy.
Superscore: If a student would like to opt in to submitting multiple SAT or ACT scores, some colleges will allow students to combine their highest subtest scores from multiple testing dates. For example, at USC, we will accept your highest SAT Math subtest score and your highest SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing subtest score from different testing dates and add them together to give you a higher overall (or composite) score. USC allows superscoring of the SAT and the ACT. We do not superscore English Language Proficiency exams.
English Language Proficiency: International applicants to USC must demonstrate their ability to communicate effectively in English as part of their application. At USC, this requirement can be satisfied with minimum scores on one of the following tests: SAT (650 on the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section), ACT (27 on the English section), TOEFL (100), IELTS (7), or PTE (68). At USC, an international student is defined as an individual who will enter or has already entered the United States with an F1 visa. Students who are already in the U.S., or who plan to enter the U.S., on non-immigrant visas such as the E2, H2 or L2 are also considered international students. Please visit our International Students page for more information about USC’s English proficiency requirements.
Official vs. Unofficial Transcript: In most cases, an official transcript will be required as part of your application. A transcript is considered official when it is sent from the high school or college/university that the applicant has attended, directly to the recipient. This is typically by electronic delivery or mailed in an envelope sealed by the sending school. A transcript is unofficial if it is provided by the applicant in an unsealed envelope, when a student emails a transcript, or if an electronic transcript is uploaded by a student to their applicant portal. Students and counselors can request to have their official transcripts sent to uetrans@usc.edu.
Exam Credit: Many colleges will allow students to apply exam credits from upper-level classes taken in high school towards college level credits. At USC, this can include credits earned from Advanced Placement (AP) tests, International Baccalaureate (IB) tests or Advanced Level (A-Level) exams. However, for these credits to be evaluated, official score reports from these exams must be submitted. For more information, review our Exam Credit Policy here.
Tuition and Financial Aid*
*For detailed information, refer to the USC Financial Aid website.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): This is a free online financial aid application that students will fill out the year before and during each subsequent year of college to determine their eligibility for federal financial aid (grants, loans and work-study). Loans comprise of money that students need to pay back in installments after they graduate, while grants are considered “gift aid” that students do not need to pay back.
College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile: A paid online financial aid application that many private colleges and universities will require for students to determine their eligibility for school-specific need-based financial aid. For information on how to receive a Fee Waiver, please refer to the CSS Profile webpage.
Work-Study: A federal program that enables students to work part-time on campus to earn money for school. Financial aid applicants who demonstrate financial need and meet all deadlines and requirements will be considered for this program. Eligible students can work up to 20 hours a week (during the academic year) in an approved work-study job to earn the award amount. Students receive a bi-weekly paycheck, which may be used for living expenses and educational expenses. USC students can view their options at the Work-Study Job Fair hosted at the beginning of each academic year.
Tuition: The price to take courses at a college or university. At USC, a student’s tuition may fluctuate depending on if they are enrolled full-time (taking 12-18 units in a semester) or less than full-time.
Affordability Initiative: An initiative that allows students to have access to a more affordable education. At USC, the Affordability Initiative allows incoming first-year students from U.S. families with an annual income of $80,000 or less with typical assets to attend USC tuition free (see following definition). See further details of USC’s Affordability Initiative here.
Tuition Free: Tuition free does not mean a “full ride” or that a student will pay nothing for college. Room and board, student fees and other non-tuition costs of attendance must also be accounted for—and how much of these costs are covered by financial aid depends on the family’s financial situation.
California Dream Act Application: Free online application for students who are not eligible to fill out the FAFSA but are residents of California who have attended at least three years of high school in California or will graduate from a California high school. The California Dream Act application allows students to apply for California state financial aid.
Need-Blind Admission: When a student’s financial means are not considered as part of their application and have no bearing on their admission to a university. Hence, there is no disadvantage in the admission process if a student also applies for financial aid. USC is need-blind for domestic applicants. USC is need-aware for international applicants considering all international applicants must provide, at the time of application, financial documentation affirming their ability and intent to finance USC’s full cost of attendance for at least the first academic year.
Total Cost of Attendance: The total cost of attending a college or university for one year, which, for USC, is as comprehensive as possible. Our total cost of attendance not only includes tuition and fees, but also estimated costs for room and board, books and supplies, transportation, and even miscellaneous expenses.
Financial Aid Summary: The total amount and composition of financial aid a student receives. It usually includes grants, scholarships, loans and work-study. USC students can view their summary in their FAST (Financial Aid Summary and Task) portal.
In-State vs. Out-of-State Tuition: Public universities/colleges will have a tuition amount (the cost of attending the school) for students who are residents of the state and a different/higher tuition amount for students who are not residents of the state. Private universities and colleges, like USC, have only one tuition amount that is charged to both state resident and non-resident students.
Expected Family Contribution (EFC): The amount a school determines that you and your family can contribute towards your education, as determined by analyzing your family’s financial information. A student’s EFC will be adjusted each year to reflect any changes in their family’s financial strength.
Demonstrated Need: The difference between the total cost of attendance at the college/university and the student’s EFC. For students who apply for financial aid to help cover the cost of attendance, USC will put together a package of loans, grants and/or work-study to cover 100% of a student’s demonstrated need.
Merit-based Scholarship: Scholarships based on a student’s academic record, extracurricular accomplishments, or other factors, none of which are tied to demonstrated need. First-year applicants who apply to USC by the November 1 Early Action deadline (or December 1 for portfolio-based programs) or transfer applicants who apply to USC by February 15 will automatically be considered for available USC Merit Scholarships administered by the Office of Admission. In addition to these merit-based scholarships, our scholarships list highlights additional sources of funding that students can apply for.
Now you are a college lingo expert!
Now you can flex your knowledge and conquer your application.
We look forward to reading it!
Written by: Natasha Hunter, Senior Assistant Director - USC Office of Admission