J

Junior

A student in his or her third year of undergraduate studies.

L

LSAT

Law School Admissions Test. A standardized test required for admission to nearly all accredited law schools in the United States.

Land Grant

A grant of land made by the government for a public college or university. Land grants were established by the United States Federal government in 1862 with the mission to provide higher education in practical fields, such as agriculture and engineering. Most state agricultural and engineering colleges were created through these grants. Some 72 campuses and more than 50 state universities are members of the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges. Together, these institutions award about 450,000 degrees each year—including 60 percent of all US doctorates.

Liberal Arts

As opposed to practical subjects, such as agriculture. The distinction between the liberal arts and the practical arts originated in Greece. Traditionally, the liberal arts included grammar, logic, rhetoric, geometry, arithmetic, astronomy, and music. In modern times, the term has come to include any non-technical subject taught at college or university.

M

MCAT

Medical College Admissions Test. A standardized test required for admission to nearly all medical schools in the United States.

Major

The primary area of specialized study undertaken by a student.

Minor

The secondary area of specialized study (less than a major) undertaken by a student.

Masters Degree

A degree awarded after a student has completed approximately two years of work beyond a bachelor's degree and usually has written a thesis on the subject. There are two types of masters: Master of Art (MA) and Master of Science (MS).

P

Private School

A college or university that is not financially supported by the government, but instead depends on tuition, fees, private gifts, corporate contributions and endowments. Approximately half of the accredited schools in the US are private.

Prerequisite

A course or level of knowledge that is required before you can apply to a particular course or program.

Public School

A college or university that is partially funded by taxpayers who live in the school's state. Approximately half of the US schools are public.