• Application

  Required part of the competitive college admissions process.

• Bachelor or Baccalaureate Degree

  A degree that is granted to a student who has completed a four-year program. Click to see the difference between BA and BS.

• Candidates Reply Date

  Students have until May 1 of their senior year to notify a college of their intention to attend that school.

• Career Services

  Office within a college that is the place to go for information about internships, jobs and careers.

• CEEB Code

  High school identification number assigned by the College Entrance Exam Board.

• College vs. University

  Ever wonder about the difference? Click to find out.

• Common Application/Supplements

  A general application accepted by a large number of schools, some of whom may also ask for additional information.

• Community College

  A two-year institution offering a variety of degree and certificate programs.

• CSS Profile

  A supplemental financial aid application used by over 450 colleges and universities.

• Demonstrated Interest

  What is demonstrated interest, and how can you show it? 

• Distribution Requirements

  Courses required by a college or university in order to graduate.

• FAFSA

  The main vehicle in the application process for need-based federal financial aid. 

• Financial Aid

  Merit- and Need-Based Scholarships, Estimated Family Contribution, Work-Study, Gapping and more. 

• Gap Year

  A year between high school and college spent engaged in school, community service or employment opportunities, to better prepare for a college experience.

• Holistic Review

  Looking beyond the basic numbers of GPA and test scores to see the “whole person” the applicant represents. 

• Legacy

  Legacies have parents or siblings who attended the college, which may improve an applicant's chances for admission.

• Liberal Arts College

  A college with an emphasis on undergraduate study in the liberal arts and sciences. 

• Middle 50%

  The range of GPAs and test scores reported by a college for admissions purposes. 

• National Merit Scholarship Program

  Commendations and scholarships awarded based on PSAT performance.

• 3:2 Programs

  A dual degree program. 

• Admissions Decision Terminology

  Accepted, Deferred, Denied, Waitlisted ... What do these mean? 

• Application Deadline Terminology

  Early Action, Early Decision, Regular Decision, Rolling Admission. 

• Naviance

  Helps students explore college choices and allows Riverdale to send recommendations, transcripts and reports to colleges.

• Net Price Calculator

  An online tool to help determine the overall price of attending each college.

• Rank

  The academic standing of a student in relation to his class.

• Reach, Match and Safety Schools

  Click to see why you'd want to apply to colleges at each of these levels.

• Recommendations

  Most colleges require three recommendations. 

• Residential Campus

  A college that provides or requires on-campus housing for most or all students.

• School Profile

  A statistical snapshot of Riverdale High School.

• School Report

  A combination of the School Profile and the Counselor Recommendation. Click to see how it's compiled.

• Standardized Tests

  SAT, ACT, Superscoring, Test Optional and Official Test Scores. Click to learn more.

• TOEFL

  Test of English as a Foreign Language.

• Transcript

  Simply an official record of high school coursework and grade performance.

• Western Undergraduate Exchange

  Options for a reduced tuition rate at participating college programs outside your home state.

College Planning FAQs

• Q. How can I increase the chance of getting into a great fit college?

  Starting freshman year, work hard academically and take the most challenging courses that are appropriate for you. Be engaged in activities, both in and outside of school. Follow your interests and passions. Get involved in community service, research, and/or internships related to your interests. You don't need to spread yourself thin with activities. Just identify what you are passionate about and dedicate time to explore and pursue those things that interest you. Seek leadership opportunities and make a difference your activities. Start a new club if there isn’t one that is aligns with your interests. Prepare for standardized tests both with practice and scheduling.

  Q. When do I start the college admissions process?

  Start to earn good grades immediately! Be involved with activities as soon as possible and seek leadership opportunities. Be a team player in the classroom and out. Although the college planning process discussion officially kicks off during the junior year, students and parents can meet with the college counselor earlier to discuss plans.

  Q. How do I register for the SAT?

  See www.collegeboard.org for specifics.

  Q. How do I register for the ACT?

  See ACTstudent.org for specifics.

  Q. How do I prepare for these tests?

  Your score on the PSAT is an indication of how you will do on the SAT or ACT. 
 Check your scores in each section. You can improve your scores in any section with practice and/or tutoring. There are prep books with actual practice tests available in the College Resource room. See Kathleen Reid to check these books out. Riverdale offers SAT and ACT prep classes in the fall and spring.

  Q. What are the SAT Subject tests and do I need to take them? If so, when?

  There are SAT subject tests offered in many different academic subject areas. These tests are one hour long, and students can take up to three tests in one sitting. Approximately 200 colleges require or recommend these subject specific tests. Some schools require or recommend applicants submit scores from two SAT subject tests, and a handful of schools recommend three subject test scores be submitted. They tend to be required by the more selective colleges. As students create a college list in the junior year, they can then check college websites (generally under Admissions) to see if these tests are required. SAT subject tests are generally taken at the end of a student’s junior year.

  Q. Which test should I take: the ACT or the SAT? 


  Colleges accept both tests equally. Decide which test is best for you by trying a practice test in each.

  Q. What if I don’t have great test scores?  

  There are many schools who have opted to go “test optional” and will not consider test scores in the admissions process.  This is a good option for students who have other stats that are in the top 25% of a schools’ admission statistics but test scores are lower.  Here is a link to a list of test optional schools: http://www.fairtest.org/university/optional