Academic Degree Degree Requirements and Admissions

Question 1

What is a 'GPA' and how is it calculated in US higher education?

Accepted Answer

Grade Point Average — calculated by dividing total grade points earned by total credit hours attempted

Answer

Graduate Program Assessment — a standardized entrance exam score

Answer

General Performance Audit — an end-of-year faculty evaluation

Answer

Grade Progress Average — the percentage of classes passed

Question 2

What is the minimum GPA typically required to maintain good academic standing at a US university?

Accepted Answer

2.0 on a 4.0 scale

Answer

3.5 on a 4.0 scale

Answer

1.0 on a 4.0 scale

Answer

4.0 on a 4.0 scale

Question 3

What does 'academic probation' mean for a college student?

Accepted Answer

A warning status given when GPA falls below the minimum requirement, with conditions for improvement

Answer

Permanent suspension from the institution

Answer

A scholarship restriction applied to first-year students only

Answer

A mandatory leave of absence from the university

Question 4

What is 'credit hour' in US higher education?

Accepted Answer

A unit measuring the amount of coursework completed, typically representing one hour of class per week per semester

Answer

The total number of hours spent in class per day

Answer

A financial measurement of tuition costs

Answer

A measure of how many credits a professor teaches annually

Question 5

What is the Common Application (Common App) used for?

Accepted Answer

A single online application platform accepted by over 1,000 US colleges and universities

Answer

A shared financial aid form for community colleges

Answer

A joint admission test for graduate school

Answer

A federal database of accredited US degree programs

Question 6

What is 'test-optional' admissions in the context of US undergraduate applications?

Accepted Answer

A policy allowing students to apply without submitting SAT or ACT scores

Answer

A policy requiring students to submit scores from alternative science tests

Answer

A policy eliminating all standardized testing requirements permanently

Answer

A system used only for transfer students applying from community colleges