College and University Admissions Flashcards
7 cards from real CEP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 College and University Admissions flashcards as text
When evaluating a transfer applicant, colleges primarily look at which academic record?
Answer: College transcript with GPA and course rigor, plus high school record as context
Transfer admissions committees focus mainly on the college-level academic record, though high school credentials may still be reviewed for context.
Which statement best describes a 'likely letter' in college admissions?
Answer: An informal communication from a college signaling strong interest in admitting an applicant before official decisions are released
Likely letters are unofficial signals sent by colleges—often to recruited athletes or exceptional candidates—to indicate a positive admissions outcome is expected.
The 'holistic review' process in admissions means that colleges:
Answer: Consider the full range of an applicant's academic, personal, and contextual factors
Holistic review evaluates the complete picture of an applicant—academics, character, experiences, background, and potential—rather than relying on numerical cutoffs alone.
For a student with a disability seeking accommodations in college, the educational planner should advise them to:
Answer: Contact the college's disability services office and provide documentation before or shortly after enrollment
Under the ADA and Section 504, colleges provide accommodations, but students must self-identify and submit documentation to the disability services office; high school IEPs do not automatically carry over.
An applicant's 'spike' in the context of college admissions refers to:
Answer: An extraordinary depth of achievement or passion in one specific area
A 'spike' indicates that a student has pursued an area of interest at an unusually high level, which can differentiate them in a competitive applicant pool.
Which CSS Profile data element distinguishes it most significantly from the FAFSA?
Answer: Home equity and non-custodial parent financial information
The CSS Profile collects home equity and often requires non-custodial parent data, allowing colleges to conduct a more detailed institutional aid calculation than the FAFSA permits.
A student placed on a college waitlist should optimally:
Answer: Submit a concise letter of continued interest and any meaningful updates, then commit to another school by May 1
A well-crafted letter of continued interest and a firm enrollment elsewhere protects the student while keeping the waitlist option open.