This addition to the Glossary of Confusing Words has been a long time coming, but at long last, here it is:  Your guide to the mess of letters and numbers that describe the standardized tests you might have to take when applying to a university in the U.S.

Not all universities require these exams – some colleges, for example, are test-optional – and highly specialized programs may require different or additional exams.  But these ones are the most common that you will encounter.

Tests of English
 Most schools require international students to prove their English proficiency by taking one of these exams.  Some undergraduate programs may accept SAT subject tests instead, and some programs may waive this requirement if you’ve already completed a part of your education in the U.S.

TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Language
or
IELTS - International English Language Testing System

Tests for undergraduate admission
Most schools that require standardized tests accept either the ACT or SAT exam.

ACT
or
SAT

SAT II – Subject-specific exams

Tests for graduate admission
Many graduate applicants will have to take the GRE, but certain graduate subjects require a different, specialized exam instead.   Older students can sometimes substitute work experience for exam scores.

GMAT – Graduate Management Admission Test (business school)
or
GRE – Graduate Record Examination
or
LSAT – Law School Admission Test (law school)
or
MCAT – Medical College Admission Test (medical school)

Read the rest of this entry »

Sadly, I can’t remember who suggested we add “honor code” to our ever-growing Glossary of Confusing Words (if it was you, let me know so I can give you credit!), but it’s a good one.

If you’re not familiar with our Glossary of Confusing Words, it’s our attempt to clarify and define all the words about American education that can be confusing to international students. The words are entirely submitted by YOU, and there’s a form at the bottom of this article to submit any words you want us to add.

What’s an Honor Code?

Not every university has an honor code, but for those that do, the honor code is a set of principles that all students pledge to uphold.  Honor codes usually deal with academic integrity, but some extend to personal values as well, like respect and proper behavior.

Georgetown University students, for example, agree to the following pledge when they enroll at the university:

In pursuit of the high ideals and rigorous standards of academic life I commit myself to respect and to uphold the Georgetown University honor system:
To be honest in every academic endeavor, and
To conduct myself honorably, as a responsible member of the Georgetown community as we live and work together.

Read the rest of this entry »

It’s been a while since we had a new entry in the Glossary of Confusing Words, but we’re finally back on the case with a great suggestion from Muhammad: seminary.

Muhammad asked:

Under which category a seminary can be placed: college, university, institute, etc?

First of all, you may remember from our previous discussions of the words “college” and “university” that there is no official difference between these terms.  Dartmouth College, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Princeton University all offer undergraduate and graduate degrees. However, you’ll often see “college” used to describe undergraduate programs, while “university” is used to describe schools that offer both undergraduate and graduate degrees, or only graduate degrees.

A seminary is an institution of higher education focused on theology (the study and practice of religion).  Most seminaries are graduate-level schools offering master’s degrees, particularly the Master of Divinity.  Seminaries also usually offer academic M.A. degrees in fields related to religion.

Read the rest of this entry »

Why might “library” be a confusing word?

this is confusing to the french speaking student, it get confusing with bookstore cause bookstore in french is “Librairie”

Indeed.  And it’s just as confusing for English speakers learning French.  So let’s clarify and put “library” into the Glossary of Confusing Words.

A bookstore is where you go to buy books.  A library is where you go to borrow books. It’s as simple as that.

On a college campus, libraries and bookstores often take on additional functions, but that core distinction remains.

In addition to being a place to borrow books, the university library is one of the most popular places on campus to study. University libraries usually have tables or cubicles where students can bring their books and computers for a quiet place to concentrate, and often have meeting rooms available for group work.

Read the rest of this entry »

Robert wrote to us with the following question about the word “class,” and a great lead-in to its entry into the Glossary of Confusing Words:

Merriam-Webster’s 11th Collegiate Dictionary lists the meanings of “class” as follows:

a:a body of students meeting regularly to study the same subject b : the period during which such a body meets c : a course of instruction d : a body of students or alumni whose year of graduation is the same.

Could you please give sentence examples conveying the different meanings above?  

Class is one of those fun (?) English words that have lots of different meanings.  In general, a class is a group of things that have an attribute in common.  That’s how you get “upper class” people (and social classes) and why the USS Enterprise is a “Constitution class” starship.

Class

That’s also why it makes sense to use “class” as a term for a group of students who graduated or will graduate in the same year.

“I’m Harvard class of 1995.”

As Robert said, “class” is also a unit of education.  It can be synonymous with “course,” meaning a series of sessions in which students are taught one subject [check out our previous Glossary entry for "course"]:
Read the rest of this entry »

Today we have a fantastic addition to the Glossary of Confusing Words.  The word is “extracurricular,” and the person who submitted it said they found it in their school reference and didn’t know what it meant.

Extracurricular is one of those great words that, if you break it down, actually tells you what it means.  Take a look:

Extra = outside of

You might have heard aliens referred to as “extraterrestrial” (outside of earth).  Or maybe you know someone who’s had an “extramarital” affair (outside of their marriage).  When “extra” is used as a prefix it means “outside of.”

Curricular = related to a school’s academic program

In a previous Glossary entry, we defined “curriculum” as the set of courses offered by a university or program.

So if something is extracurricular, it is outside of a school’s academic program.
Read the rest of this entry »

Guillermo wrote in a while ago (sorry for the delay!) to ask our Glossary of Confusing Words about the word “high school.”

“How many years?” he asked, wanting to know if a U.S. high school degree is equivalent to his Colombian ”bachillerato” degree.  It was the perfect opportunity to do something we’ve been wanting to do for a while: publish a definitive list of all the levels of a U.S. education.

So here it is; every school you would attend in America, from the age of 2 until you retire.

1) Nursery School - Optional

Typical ages:
2-5

Might also be called:
Preschool
Pre-K
Montessori

Photo: James Fleeting

2) Kindergarten - Optional

Typical ages:
5-6

Photo: MaST Charter

Read the rest of this entry »

Today’s addition to the Glossary of Confusing Words: curriculum

This is a particularly great word, because explaining it will invoke many other words that we’ve already put into our Glossary! So thanks to whoever submitted it (you didn’t say your name, but hopefully you know who you are).

A curriculum is the set of courses [definition] offered by a university or program.  It’s essentially the word to describe the listings in a university catalog [definition].

You’ll most often hear it used in describing a school or program’s educational philosophy; for example, “this school teaches a liberal arts [definition] curriculum,” or “the curriculum mixes theory and practice.”

Many schools also use a “core curriculum,” which is a set of subjects you must study in order to graduate.  Schools that have a core curriculum don’t always require students to take specific courses; often they are required to study specific subjects but can choose from several courses within that subject.
Read the rest of this entry »

Today’s entry into the Glossary of Confusing Words: transcript.

According to the person who submitted it:

Schools ask for transcripts and this is an unfamiliar word to many students.

A transcript is an official record of the courses you took and grades you received in high school, college or graduate school.  For students from South Asia, mark sheets may be considered equivalent.
Read the rest of this entry »

Normally on Fridays we post a list of webinars and virtual fairs coming up in the next week. But what is a “webinar” anyway?  The person who submitted it for our Glossary of Confusing Words wrote:

I couldn’t find this word in Longman Dictionary and also in google translate online.

We use it, EducationUSA uses it, but what is it?

“Webinar” is one of those made up internet words, like e-book or tweeps, that tries to describe something that happens on the internet instead of in real life. It’s actually a combination of the words “web” (as in, internet) and “seminar.”  When you smash them together you get “webinar” (see it?).

So a webinar is a seminar, workshop or lecture that happens online.
Read the rest of this entry »

When you hear the word “arts,” you probably think of things like painting or singing. So why can you get a liberal arts degree in biology?  And why does a School of Arts and Science offer courses in history?  It’s pretty confusing, which makes it a great submission for the Glossary of Confusing Words!

(Thanks to the anonymous person who suggested it. I hope you know who you are)

As a description of university programs, “arts” can cover a pretty broad range of courses.  So, from most to least obvious, here are the university courses described by the word “arts.”

Fine Arts/Performing Arts

Some universities have programs in “Fine Arts” or “Performing Arts.”  In either case, “arts” has a meaning closest to what you’re probably used to – the practice of creative expression.  Fine Arts can include only the visual arts (painting, sculpture, photography, etc.), or both the visual arts and performing arts (music, dance, theatre).

Arts and Sciences

At many universities, the general education program is housed in the “School of Arts and Sciences,” in which case “arts” also cover studies of human thought and culture, called “humanities.”  This would include things like languages, philosophy, and religion.
Read the rest of this entry »

International student advisor Megan wrote to our Glossary of Confusing Words to suggest the following:

I’m an international student advisor, and I’ve noticed that new students generally have no idea what a university catalog is. This would be a great addition to your glossary!

We asked our current bloggers, and even they were unsure what a catalog is.  Nareg got the closest, suggesting, “Is it a prospectus?” Sort of.

A university catalog (or college catalog) is an official publication that contains all the information a current or prospective student might need about academics and student services at a university.  

It usually contains information about academic requirements, grading policies, calendars, tuition rates, and, probably most importantly, it lists all the programs and courses available at a university.

It’s basically like the big guide to academic and official student life at a university.
Read the rest of this entry »

Someone recently submitted the phrase “undergraduate-focused institution” to our Glossary of Confusing Words, saying:

It might be confusing to spanish students because it’s not commen in spanish

So, what does it mean if a college or university says it is “undergraduate-focused”?

First of all, an undergraduate is someone who is pursuing an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree (what are those?).  This is the level of education that comes after high school.

An undergraduate-focused institution, then, is a school that puts all or most of its attention on undergraduate education.  This type of school either only enrolls undergraduate students, or has only a few small graduate programs.  Undergraduate-focused institutions tend to be smaller liberal arts colleges.

The opposite would be a school where the graduate program is as large or larger than the undergraduate program, and faculty focus on research as well as teaching (you might hear this referred to as a research institution).
Read the rest of this entry »

Today’s additions to the Glossary of Confusing Words are the words “faculty” and “alumni.”

Olesya suggested them, saying she had come across them while preparing for the TOEFL, and asking:

What’s the difference between these terms?

Good question! Here’s the answer:

Faculty = The professors and instructors of a university

If you want to see an explanation of all the different types of faculty members, we covered that in a previous Glossary post.
Read the rest of this entry »