General College Terms

• Adult learner: An older student with workforce experience who didn’t attend college immediately after high school.
  
  
• Campus: The physical buildings and grounds owned by a college or University.
  
  
• Center for Career Engagement Opportunities (CEO): A department that helps students and alumni search for jobs, develop resumes, write resumes and cover letters, prepare for interviews, and network.
  
  
• Cohort: A group of students working together toward the same degree through a shared curriculum.
  
  
• College vs. University: Colleges are usually smaller institutions focused on undergraduate education, while universities are larger and offer more graduate programs.
  
  
• Commencement: A formal ceremony celebrating graduates with their family and friends.
  
  
• Continuing education: Part-time formal education for working adults; often required for professional certification credits.
  
  
• Dormitories: Campus housing where full-time students live near academic buildings.
  
  
• FERPA: The Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects the privacy of students’ educational records, transfers rights to students at 18 or post-high school, and limits parental access without written permission.
  
  
• First-generation student: A college student who is the first in their family to attend college.
  
  
• Fraternities and sororities: Social and academic organizations identified by Greek letters, collectively known as Greek life.
  
  
• Gainful employment: A regulation requiring for-profit college programs to prepare graduates for recognized occupations to receive federal funding.
  
  
• Higher education: Any formal schooling after high school.
  
  
• Meal Plan: A meal plan is a pre-paid account for college meals, with students selecting and being billed for their preferred plan before the semester starts.
  
  
• Orientation: A training period at the start of the school year with activities to help new students learn about the institution and available resources.
  
  
• Post-secondary: Any education pursued after high school, degree-seeking or not.
  
  
• Private vs. public college: Public institutions are state-funded; private institutions rely on tuition and private contributions.
  
  
• Provost: A senior academic administrator overseeing educational program quality, sometimes called the vice president of academic affairs.
  
  
• Registrar: The office responsible for registering students, preparing transcripts, scheduling classes, and enrollment analytics.
  
  
• Student Handbook: The primary resource for academic policies, disciplinary procedures, expectations, and financial aid information.
  
  
• Tenure: An employment track guaranteeing professors a permanent position, barring termination for cause or financial insolvency.
  
  
• Terms vs. quarters vs. semesters: Academic years divided into semesters (two main terms plus summer) or quarters (four ~10–11-week terms).
  
  
• Traditional vs. nontraditional student: Traditional students enroll right after high school and attend full-time; nontraditional students are typically older, may work full-time, and attend part-time.
  
  
• Work-study program: A federal or state-funded program that helps students with financial need earn part-time jobs to pay for expenses.
  
  

Academic College Terms

• Academic advisor: A staff member who helps students choose majors/minors, plan courses, and meet graduation requirements.
  
  
• Accelerated program: Programs with stricter admission requirements and summer courses designed to help students graduate sooner.
  
  
• Add/drop period: The timeframe when students can add or drop courses without transcript penalties.
  
  
• Adjunct faculty/professor: Independent contractors who teach a limited number of classes instead of working full-time.
  
  
• Associate’s degree: An undergraduate degree requiring two years of full-time study.
  
  
• Audit: Attending a course without completing assignments or exams—learning for interest, not credit.
  
  
• Bachelor’s degree: An undergraduate degree requiring four years of full-time study, with a declared major and a BA or BS path.
  
  
• Certification: A non-degree credential proving knowledge or skill in a specific area.
  
  
• Class rank: A student’s standing among classmates, often based on GPA and expressed as a percentile.
  
  
• Clinical education: Hands-on practice under supervision, standard in healthcare programs.
  
  
• Course catalog: A publication detailing academic programs, majors, minors, and course descriptions.
  
  
• Core courses: Fundamental classes (e.g., English, math, science, history) that form the foundation for major-specific work.
  
  
• Course load: The total number of courses a student takes in a term.
  
  
• Credit for prior learning: College credit awarded for demonstrable knowledge gained outside traditional settings.
  
  
• Credits represent the amount of class time, typically based on the hours spent in class each week. Credit hours also indicate the recommended amount of study time outside of class. For example, if a class is worth three credit hours, you can expect to spend three hours per week in the classroom and an additional three hours studying outside of class.
  
  
• Curriculum: The collection of lectures, assignments, tests, and courses that comprise a program.
  
  
• Department: An academic division specializing in a field of study, such as biology or engineering.
  
  
• Department chair: The educator who manages an academic department and liaises with the administration.
  
  
• Didactic learning: A teaching method focused on foundational knowledge through teacher-directed lessons.
  
  
• Dissertation: A lengthy research document is required to complete a doctoral degree.
  
  
• Dual or Double Major: A double major involves completing two sets of degree requirements in distinct areas, earning one bachelor’s degree listing both majors, and possibly overlapping coursework.
  
  
• Doctoral degree: The highest academic degree demonstrating advanced expertise and research capability.
  
  
• Electives: Courses students choose to meet general-education requirements or out of personal interest.
  
  
• Faculty: All academic staff, including full-time and adjunct professors.
  
  
• Final exam: A comprehensive test at the end of a course covering all material.
  
  
• General education courses are lower-level courses (English, math, sciences, social sciences) that form the foundation of an undergraduate degree.
  
  
• Grade point average (GPA): The average of final grades, calculated by dividing total grade points by total credit hours.
  
  
• Grading scale: The system assigns numeric values to letter grades for GPA calculation.
  
  
• Hybrid degree: A program combining on-campus learning with online components.
  
  
• Internship vs. externship: Internships are often paid, extended work experiences; externships are shorter, unpaid job-shadowing experiences.
  
  
• Lecture: An oral presentation by a professor can also refer to a class format without lab components.
  
  
• Liberal Arts: Interdisciplinary study of humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.
  
  
• Major: An academic major is a chosen area of specialization requiring specific courses for degree completion, typically declared by the end of the first or second year.
  
  
• Matriculate: To be admitted, registered for classes, and in good academic standing.
  
  
• Master’s degree: A graduate-level degree requiring 1.5–2 years of full-time study after a bachelor’s.
  
  
• Midterm: An exam given halfway through a term covering material taught so far.
  
  
• Minor: A secondary academic focus requiring fewer courses than a major.
  
  
• Pass/fail course: A course is graded only as Pass (P) or Fail (F) instead of with a letter grade.
  
  
• Plagiarism: Using someone else’s work without credit, with serious academic consequences.
  
  
• Postgraduate education: Advanced studies after an undergraduate degree, including master’s and doctoral programs.
  
  
• Practicum: Supervised practical application of classroom theory.
  
  
• Prerequisites: Courses required before enrolling in more advanced courses.
  
  
• Probation: A status for students whose academic standing falls below the required standards.
  
  
• Professional Certificate: A credential earned outside a degree program to demonstrate specialized skills.
  
  
• Programmatic accreditation: Independent validation of academic quality for programs or departments.
  
  
• Registration: The process of enrolling in specific classes for a term.
  
  
• Seminar courses: Small, discussion-based courses focused on advanced topics.
  
  
• Syllabus: The syllabus outlines course details, including requirements, expectations, textbook info, instructor contact, objectives, assignments, and a schedule, serving as a vital reference throughout the course.
  
  
• Synchronous learning: Real-time online learning with live interaction.
  
  
• Thesis: A substantial research paper is required in graduate programs.
  
  
• Transcript: The official record of courses taken and grades earned.
  
  
• Transfer credits: Course credits accepted from another institution.
  
  
• Tutors: Experienced students or instructors offering one-on-one academic assistance.
  
  
• Undecided or undeclared: Students who have not yet chosen a major.
  
  
• Waitlist: A queue for enrollment in a full class, allowing students to join if spots open.
  
  
• Withdraw: Dropping a class after the add/drop period, usually receiving a W on the transcript.
  
  

Tuition & Aid College Terms

• Assistantship: Graduate positions that provide tuition reimbursement in exchange for work.
  
  
• Employer education assistance benefit: An employer benefit covers all education expenses.
  
  
• FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid; determines federal loans and grants eligibility.
  
  
• Federal grants vs. state grants: Need-based aid that doesn’t require repayment; federal via FAFSA; state via state agencies.
  
  
• Income-driven repayment plan: Monthly loan payments based on income and number of dependents.
  
  
• Net price: The “sticker price” minus scholarships and grants.
  
  
• Room and board: Charges for on-campus housing and meal plans.
  
  
• Satisfactory Academic Progress: Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requires students to maintain a minimum GPA and complete degree credits within 150% of the credits necessary to remain eligible for financial aid.
  
  
• Scholarship: An award to help pay for tuition or expenses based on various criteria.
  
  
• Stafford loan: A federal student loan with fixed interest rates.
  
  
• Subscription-based pricing: Allows unlimited courses (usually a semester) for a set period.
  
  
• Subsidized vs. unsubsidized loans: Subsidized loans have government-paid interest during school; unsubsidized loans accrue interest immediately.
  
  
• Tuition is the fee for enrolling in classes, either a flat rate for a credit range or per credit.
  
  
• Work Study: Federal Work Study provides part-time campus jobs based on financial need, funded by the government, allowing students to earn part of their financial aid package.
  
  

Admissions College Terms

• ACT: American College Test; measures college readiness.
  
  
• AP classes: College-level courses in high school; high exam scores may earn college credit.
  
  
• Common Application: A platform to apply to multiple colleges with one application.
  
  
• Early action vs. early decision: Early action allows multiple applications without obligation; early decision is binding.
  
  
• Entrance requirements: Materials and criteria needed for admission (e.g., transcripts, test scores).
  
  
• GRE: Graduate Record Examination; often required for graduate school applications.
  
  
• Open Enrollment: Open Admission, or Open Enrollment, means unselective admission requiring only a high school diploma or GED, which is common in community colleges, though applicants must still meet deadlines.
  
  
• Placement test: Tests that place incoming students in the proper course level.
  
  
• Priority date: The deadline for applications to be strongly considered for admission and scholarships.
  
  
• PSAT: Preliminary SAT; practice test and qualifier for National Merit Scholarships.
  
  
• Regular decision: Standard application timeline with deadlines around January and responses by April.
  
  
• Rolling admission: Applications evaluated as received, with decisions returned within weeks.
  
  
• SAT: Scholastic Aptitude Test; standardized test for college admissions.
  
  
• TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language for non-native speakers applying to English-speaking institutions.
  
  
• Waitlisted: An admissions status indicating potential acceptance if space becomes available.

Lynchburg Lingo

• Dell: The grassy heart of campus, with walkways to most academic buildings. Perfect for events, hanging out with fellow Hornets, and relaxing in our iconic red chairs!
  
  
• Dell the Hornet: Our spirited mascot that pops up at campus events to cheer everyone on.
  
  
• Westy: A grab-and-go convenience-style eatery on the 2nd floor of Drysdale Student Center. Stock up on snacks and drinks, or try the famous Friday-only “Nolan Special” hot meal at the deli counter.
  
  
• Caf: The main dining hall is on the 3rd floor of the Drysdale Student Center. Dive into theme nights and chef-curated menus from our award-winning dining staff.
  
  
• The Nest: First-year and overflow parking off Thomas Road (entrance behind Peaksview apartments). Need a lift back to campus? Just give Campo a call!
  
  
• Campo: Campus Safety & Security is available for on-campus rides and any safety needs. They are on the 1st floor of Hall Campus Center (terrace entrance of Drysdale Student Center).
  
  
• Shelley: Shellenberger Field: home turf for Hornets games, outdoor movie nights, away-game streams — and our annual commencement ceremony.
  
  
• Southside: Upperclassmen housing area, including Townhouses, Peaksview apartments, and nearby street houses (College, McCausland, Vernon, Lakeview). Assigned on a first-come, first-served basis each year.
  
  
• Friendship Circle: The crossroads of the Dell’s walkways are marked by a campus seal. Legend says stepping on it means you won’t walk at graduation—so make sure to go around!
  
  
• Brewed: The coffee shop on Schewel Hall’s 1st floor. Formerly “Brewed Awakenings,” it serves Mission House seasonal specials and your daily pick-me-up.
  
  
• Code Red: Special home-game events where we pack the stands in RED to support our teams. Follow @lynchburgsports for the official schedule!