Terminologies You Need To Know For US Application Process From Nepal

You will come across many terminologies while applying to U.S. universities, but here are a few essential terminologies you need to know. If you do not know these terminologies, you will be like a Titanic that is hard to save. So, don't be like titanic save yourself before it's too late.  ‌‌

Why do you need to know these terminologies? Well, the U.S. being a western country, is quite different from ours in terms of culture, demography, education system, language, and infrastructure. In order to navigate through the differences and adapt to the U.S. way of learning and living, you need to know the terminologies from the beginning of your U.S. application process.‌‌

Let's find out what terminologies you need to know before starting your U.S. studies application immediately.

US Visa Terminologies

Okay, this came in the beginning, but let's admit it, we all have U.S. visas in our minds and what's in mind needs to be addressed first.‌‌

SEVIS: The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is simply a web-based system that monitors international students, exchange visitors, and their dependents throughout their studies in the U.S. This system ensures the entry legitimacy of foreign students or exchange visitors to the United States.‌‌

Each foreign student gets their unique SEVIS identity number once the SEVIS fee is paid. In order words, the SEVIS identity number is like your citizenship number, your unique identity in the country.‌‌

DS-160: DS-160 is an online U.S. visa application form for nonimmigrant students, in our case, Nepalese students. It needs to be filled out before booking your U.S. visa interview dates.‌‌

SSN: A Social Security Number (SSN) is an identification number issued to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and temporary residents, including full-time international students. Its primary purpose is to track individuals who earn an income in the United States for taxation purposes. ‌‌

R.O.: Responsible Officer (RO) is the one who assists in the visa process by gathering information on exchange visitors and reporting to the SEVIS. He/she is the exchange program staff.‌‌

VO: Visa Officer (VO) is the one who takes your U.S. visa interview.

US Degree and Academic Terminologies

Now let's get into the degrees and academics section of terminologies.‌‌

Associate Degrees: An associate degree is a two-year academic degree offered by community colleges in the U.S. People opt for such degrees so that they can later transfer to bachelor's degree programs at university after two years.‌‌

Bachelor's Degree: A bachelor's degree is a four-year academic offered by a college or university.‌‌

Master's Degree: A master's degree is a two-year academic degree offered by a college or university.‌‌

Ph.D.: A Ph.D.(Doctorate of Philosophy) the degree is an independent research degree offered by a university. Depending on the university, its duration can range from 5 to 7 years.‌‌

Core Course: For any academic program, specific courses need to be taken by all enrolled students before they get into their specialization courses. In order words, the courses that set a foundation for any academic degree are called core courses.‌‌

Credit Hours: Credit hours are the unit of weight assigned to a particular course that is recorded with passing grades to calculate GPAs. For example, if your course has a credit hour of 2 and you acquire 3.5 in a course, your acquired grade point will be 2 multiplied by 3.5 equals 7. Additionally, credit hours also indicate how much time should be allocated for class lectures, outside-class activities, and assignments.

Electives: Electives are independent courses that are not part of your core and specialization courses. The elective courses allow students to explore other fields of study or interest.‌‌

Major: A major is a primary focus study for you in academic degrees. Generally, your major consists of maximum courses and credit hours.‌‌

Minor: A minor is your secondary focus of interest in your academic degree.‌‌

GPA: Grade Point Average (GPA) is a standardized grade form used in the U.S. education system on a scale of 0 to 4. It is calculated as total grade points divided by total credit hours. Here, 4 is the highest, and 0 is the lowest.‌‌

Term Paper: A term paper is the final essay, project, or assignment that needs to be submitted at the end of the term.‌‌

Plagiarism: You have often copied and pasted your friends' assignments as yours. Well, there is a word for it. It is plagiarism which is unacceptable in U.S. universities and colleges.‌‌

U.S. Study Financial Aid Terminologies

Some of you might be applying for scholarships and financial aid to study in the U.S. There are various forms of financial aid. Let's find out.‌‌

Scholarship: A scholarship is financial aid given to undergraduate students through tuition fee waivers.‌‌

Fellowship: A fellowship is financial aid awarded to graduate students by universities where students are not required to do service in return.‌‌

Grant: A grant is financial aid for a specific purpose, like a research project.‌‌

R.A.: Research Assistantship (R.A.) is a financial aid given to graduate-level students as a salary for assisting professors in their research projects or for becoming full-time partners in the research.‌‌‌‌

U.S. Study Standardized Tests Terminologies‌‌

SAT: Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) is a standardized test you must take before applying to U.S. universities/colleges. It tests your critical reading, writing, and mathematical abilities.‌‌

Subject SAT: Subject SAT is the same as SAT, but here you will be tested on a specific subject area. ‌‌

ACT: American College Testing (ACT) is a standardized test measuring your reading, writing, mathematical, and scientific abilities.‌‌

LSAT: Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is a standardized test required by law schools to assess your reading and verbal reasoning skills.‌‌

MCAT: Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a standardized test required to assess the prerequisites of a student to study medicine as a field of study.‌‌

US Jobs Terminologies

Here are the terminologies for you to earn while in the USA.‌‌

CPT: Curricular Practical Training (CPT) allows you to gain employment training and work in paid internship positions in your related area of study. It can be part-time or full-time.‌‌

OPT: Optional practical training (OPT) is a work permit for you to get real-world work experience related to your field of study after graduation.‌‌

US Student Terminologies‌‌

Freshmen: The first-year student is a freshman.‌‌

Sophomore: The second-year student is a sophomore.‌‌

Junior: The third-year student is a Junior‌‌

Senior: The final-year student is a senior.‌‌

Other Terminologies‌‌

Winter Break:  It is a two to three-week break after the fall term.‌‌

Spring Break: It is a one-week break after the winter term.‌‌

Sorority: It is a social organization for female undergraduate students.‌‌

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