College Admissions Terminology, Explained
From ED to EA to IDK: What it all actually means (and a printable cheat sheet)
You know that moment when someone says,
"She applied ED, got deferred, is hoping her EA school comes through, but she’s also waitlisted at a school with rolling admission—so they’re keeping their options open."
Right. Totally clear. I don’t know about your brain, but even as much as I live it, I can’t remember which is which. It feels like word salad and I find myself trying to use mnemonic devices.
Even if you’ve been through the college process before, the language has changed. And the acronyms? Endless. They all sound like some sort of medical condition to me.
So here’s a one-stop glossary for the terms you keep Googling (or pretending to understand). Whether you’re deep into decisions or just starting the journey, save this one for the group text.
Application Types
Early Decision (ED):
Binding. If accepted, your student must enroll. Good for first-choice schools when finances are solid. My mnemonic device: D = done.Early Action (EA):
Non-binding. Apply early, hear back early, still get to choose. (Best of both worlds.) My mnemonic device: A = Available to change my mind.Restricted Early Action (REA):
A twist on Early Action. Students can apply early to one private REA school (like Georgetown, Notre Dame, or Stanford) — but can't apply Early Decision anywhere else. Other non-binding Early Actions (especially at public schools) are usually allowed. Always double-check each school's fine print! (thank you, Jennie!)Rolling Admission:
No deadline pressure. Applications are reviewed as they come in — and decisions are made as they go, not all at once.Side note: I’ll be honest — even with that explanation, I didn’t totally get Rolling Admission at first either. Needed an example.
So….
Think of it this way:Early = options. Late = leftovers (or sometimes nothing).
If you wait until spring to apply, the class might already be full.
Some public universities (like University of Alabama and Indiana University) use rolling admission. Apply early for the best shot at admission, scholarships, and housing.
Priority Deadline:
Apply by this date for best consideration—sometimes tied to merit aid or honors programs.Common App:
One application. Over 1,000 colleges use it. But check: some schools require extras.Coalition App:
Another shared platform. Fewer schools use it, but it offers digital lockers and collaboration tools.
Decision Outcomes
Admitted / Accepted: Yay!
Denied / Rejected: Not this time.
Deferred: For early applicants only. They’ll reconsider you in the Regular Decision pool.
Waitlisted: Not accepted but not out. Could get an offer later if spots open up.
Student Evaluation Glossary
GPA: Weighted (with AP/Honors) vs. unweighted. Most schools recalculate anyway.
Class Rank: Not all schools rank. If they do, it’s one way colleges compare academic performance.
Admissions Test: SAT/ACT. Still optional at many places. Some are test-blind. In my very unscientific view, the optional is creeping back to pre-covid requirements for more institutions every year.
Holistic Admissions: Colleges look beyond numbers—at essays, context, recommendations, and more.
Extracurriculars: Sports, clubs, leadership, jobs—showing depth and impact matters more than a long list.
Recommendation Letters: Usually one teacher, one counselor. Highlights who your student is, not just what they’ve done.
Personal Statement: The main Common App essay—your student’s voice, story, and point of view.
And one I wanted to note on its own:
Demonstrated Interest: is when a college tracks how much a student engages with them: visiting campus, opening emails, attending info sessions, signing up for virtual tours, and more.
I feel like this term gets thrown around a lot — and it can feel confusing.
Some schools genuinely care about this and use it as a "tie-breaker" if two applicants look equally strong. Others (including the super selective ones) don't track it at all. Bottom line: If your student loves a school, show it — but don’t panic if it’s not their system. Always check each college’s policy if you’re unsure.
But Wait….Is a Person Actually Reading These?
In an age of AI everything, it’s fair to ask: Is a real person even reading this?
The answer is mostly yes — but not everywhere.
Some colleges (especially small liberal arts schools) proudly state:
No AI is used in admissions.
Other institutions may use AI tools to screen, sort, or flag applications before a human ever sees them.
I think that it is still relatively rare for AI to make final decisions — but early tech "assistants" are for sure a part of the process at some large public universities and high-volume application centers.
Bottom line?
Essays, activities, and recommendations still matter.
But so does standing out quickly — because first reads are often fast, whether human or AI-assisted.
Don’t forget to let them be weird.
A Closer Look: Common Data Set
One of the best-kept secrets for real admissions numbers.
The Common Data Set (CDS) is where colleges publish detailed information you often won't find on the main admissions page — like:
Average GPA of students who actually enrolled (not just those accepted)
Sophomore-year retention rates
Percentage of students graduating in 4, 5, and 6 years
It lets you make apples-to-apples comparisons across schools.
Tip: They can be hard to find on websites, so just Google the school's name + "Common Data Set" to access it.
(thank you, Brigitte!)
Other Terms
Application Fee: Usually $50–$90 per school. Fee waivers are often available.
Admission Rate: The percentage of applicants who get in. Lower = more selective (not necessarily “better").
Let me know what I’ve missed!
Want the printable cheat sheet?
I’ll be sharing it in a separate post just for paid subscribers later this week. I can even add anything you think I should have added on here.
It’s clean, classic, and easy to save — hope it helps!
One of the most important that I didn't see on your list -- Common Data Set. This is where you can find numbers that many schools don't publish on their admissions page...things like the average GPA of matriculated (as opposed to accepted) students, sophomore year retention rate, and the percentage of students who graduate within 4, 5, and 6 years. This allows you to make apples and apples comparisons. They can be hard to find on websites so just google School Name + Common Data Set and you can access them.