2. College-Speak Challenge Activity

Chances are good that the students will need more practice with this vocabulary. Arrange the class into pairs of students and give each pair a large index card (approximately 4x6) with one of the college admissions words on it. They should not show the card to anyone else. NOTE: The list of words used in the game can be found on the attached Language of College page.

Give each pair a copy of the attached Language of College handout.

They will need to look up the word that is written on their card and illustrate it on the other side (like Pictionary). They should then outline the drawing with markers. Once finished (approximately 10 minutes) ask each pair to show their illustrated side of the card to the group. Without using their Language of College page, students should guess the vocabulary word that is shown. If they guess correctly, they get the card. If not, the pair who stumped the group gets to keep their own card.Count cards at the end of the game and announce the winner(s).

Discuss the vocabulary meanings after the game is over. Tell students to put the Language of College page in their portfolios for quick reference and add to it as needed.

ownyourownfuture.com || Texas GEAR UP Language Of College

High school students will need to learn the lingo of college admissions. In the video Language of College a student envisions a game show about that

vocabulary. This lesson will give students a chance to review the vocabulary and use it creatively in a game show activity in class.

Language of CollegeFind, Grades 9-10

Suggested Activities

1. Language of College Video and DiscussionBefore showing the video, ask students to think about how they learn new vocabulary words. Do they try to use words over and over again until they are comfortable with them? Do they visualize the word and its meaning? How do they commit it to memory?

In this video, Carrie is studying vocabulary related to college admissions. As they watch the video, ask them to write down as many examples of these words as they can from the game show segment.

After the video, review their lists. How did they do? Can they give some definitions for the words?

JournalWrite a definition in your own words for three of the Language of College words. Share this with a classmate nearby.

ownyourownfuture.com || Texas GEAR UP Language Of College

Like Carrie in the video Language of College, the vocabulary for college admissions can seem very foreign. Admit it–you don’t use these words on a daily basis until you get to high school, right? And

even then, they don’t find their way into most conversations. Use this page as a quick reminder about some of the vocabulary you’ll encounter in the world of college admissions, and you’ll be a winner, too.

Language of College

OWN IT! I need to look up definitions for these college words:

1) 2) 3)

Rolling admissionsA school reviews applications and makes decisions on them

throughout the year.

Official transcriptThe official record of your

educational achievements, provided by your high school.

Full-time studentA student who is enrolled in at least 12 credit hours during a given term

at a college or university.

Common ApplicationAn application form developed and

widely accepted by participating colleges and universities.

Undergraduate studentA student enrolled in a bachelor’s

degree program, associate’s degree program or vocational/technical

program.

Admissions interviewAn interview with a representative

from a college. It’s a chance to demonstrate qualities that don’t

show up on your application and to find out more about the college.

Class rankA system of ranking a student’s academic performance with the

performance of all other students at the same grade level.

Application fee waiverEligible students can

submit college applications or test registration forms without the fee. Ask the

counselor about this option.

Application deadlineThe due date by which your application

must be submitted to the college. Applications are usually due in the early winter, and candidates are

notified by mid-April. Students have until May 1 (the common reply date) to

accept the offer.

AdmitYou are officially being offered

admission to the college to which you applied.

DenyYou are not being offered

admission to the college to which you applied.

Early ActionAllows you to apply to a college or

university of your choice and receive a decision early in the senior year, well in advance of the normal spring response

dates. Though you will hear early regarding your admission, you are not

committed to attend and you may apply to other colleges.

Wait-listA group of students who

may still be admitted if/when openings occur.

Financial aid packageThe amount and types of aid a student receives from federal

and non-federal sources.

Division I, II, and IIINational Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) groupings of colleges for the purpose of athletic competition. This is important information for athletic

scholarships and often indicates the size of the university.