The University of California and California State University systems have established minimum course requirements that all students pass in order to be eligible for admission to either system. These requirements are called the A-G requirements. All Gateway students take a course load which exceeds the A-G requirements. If, however, a student receiv [..]

The ACT is a curriculum-based test used to determine admissibility to a college. It is a multiple-choice test scored from 1 to 36. There are four subtests: English, mathematics, reading, and science. The website for the ACT is www.actstudent.org

Advanced Placement: these are college-level courses offered by Gateway and endorsed by the College Board. After an AP course is completed, students generally take AP exams, which are scored on a 1-5 scale (5 being the highest possible score.) Colleges may offer either credit or advanced standing to any student who has received a recommended AP exam [..]

The National Candidates Reply Date is May 1 and is the national deadline for submitting a deposit to one college.

The rating of a student base don an academic comparison with all other students in a class. Gateway does not rank its students.

College Scholarship Service is a division of the College Board devoted to the financial aspects of a college education. CSS processes information provided by financial aid applicants on the PROFILE form and distributes that information to colleges.

A not-for-profit membership association whose mission is to connect students to college success and opportunity. Among its best-known tests and programs are the PA+SAT/NMSQT, SAT Test, SAT Subject Tests, and the AP Program. Their website www.collegeboard.com

A standard application form accepted by almost 400 colleges. A student completes one application form and submits it online or mails duplicates to subscriber colleges. Many colleges require individual application supplements. The website is www.commonapp.org

This is an admission decision which may be received if a student has applied under an Early Decision or Early Action plan. A deferral means that the applicant has not yet been admitted or denied, the application will be placed in the regular round for another review, and an admission decision will be rendered in March or April.

A process whereby an application is submitted and a decision is received early in the senior year. Usually application for Early Action is made by November 1 and decisions are sent by mid-December. Early action is a non-binding plan; students will not receive a financial aid package until April, the same time as regular decision applicants. Student [..]