Admissions Glossary

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7th Semester Transcript - An official high school transcript that includes a student's grades from the first seven semesters of high school- typically covering freshman through the first half of senior year.

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Academic Focus - An academic focus refers to a specific area of interest or concentration within your education. It's often used to describe what you're most interested in studying or what you plan to specialize in, especially before you officially declare a major.

ACCUPLACER - The ACCUPLACER is an untimed, computer-adaptive assessment that is given in order to determine the best course placement in the areas of Math, English, and Reading. It provides students and their advisors with important information about educational preparation and is a good beginning toward the achievement of academic goals. Placement testing should be taken before an admission decision can be made. CLICK HERE for more information.

ACT/SAT Scores - ACT and SAT are standardized tests used for admission to the UofM. Traditional first-time freshmen are required to submit ACT/SAT Scores.

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Border County Tuition Waiver - The University of Memphis accommodates students from border counties in Arkansas and Mississippi with a waiver of the non-resident portion of regular tuition. CLICK HERE for more information the border county tuition waiver.

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Common App - is a centralized college application platform that allows students to apply to multiple colleges and universities using a single application. It simplifies the college admissions process by letting students fill out their personal information, academic history, and essays once and then submit that information to any participating schools.

Community Standards Documentation - Refers to official records that provide details about the legal issue disclosed in a student's Community Standards Questionnaire. These documents must be issued by a recognized authority such as a court, law enforcement agency, or legal representative. They serve to verify the circumstances surrounding the incident and are required as part of the university's review process to ensure compliance with institutional policies and student conduct standards.

Conditional Admission- International students interested in study at the University of Memphis have the option to apply for Conditional Admission if English language study is needed first. Conditional Admission at the University of Memphis means that the student will begin his or her studies in the Intensive English for Internationals program on an I-20 provided by IEI. The student must successfully complete the Advanced Level in the IEI program with a recommendation for undergraduate or graduate study to meet the university's English language proficiency requirement. CLICK HERE for more information about our IEI program.

Course Description/Syllabi - A course description or syllabus is a detailed summary of a class taken at a previous institution, typically including the course title, objectives, topics covered, textbooks used, grading criteria, and contact hours. For international students seeking to transfer credits to a U.S. university, these documents help academic departments evaluate whether the completed coursework aligns with U.S. standards and degree requirements. Providing official syllabi in English is often required to ensure accurate credit evaluation.

Credential Evaluation - Credential evaluation is the process of assessing and comparing academic or professional qualifications earned in one country to the standards of another country, most commonly for education, employment, or immigration purposes. CLICK HERE for more information about the credential evaluation process for international transfer credits.

Curriculum - A structured educational plan that outlines the courses, learning objectives, and experiences required within a specific academic program or major. It is designed to help students develop the knowledge and skills necessary for success in their chosen field. A curriculum typically includes a combination of lectures, labs, seminars, and hands-on learning opportunities such as internships or research projects.

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FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) - A form used by students in the United States to apply for financial assistance for college or graduate school. Completing the FAFSA is the first step in determining eligibility for federal grants, loans, and work-study programs, as well as some state and institutional aid. CLICK HERE for more information about financial aid and submitting your FAFSA.

Final College Transcript - A final college transcript may be required if the most recent transcript shows coursework in progress or an additional semester not yet completed. It must include final grades for all completed courses and reflect the cumulative GPA.

Final High School Transcript - A final high school transcript is issued by a high school after a student has completed all graduation requirements. It includes final grades for all completed courses, cumulative GPA, and a graduation date. This document is required by UofM as proof of high school completion during enrollment process. If a student fails to submit their final high school transcript by the end of their first semester, a registration hold will be placed on their account.

Financial Aid - Financial aid is federal or state financial support provided to students to help cover the cost of higher education, including tuition, fees, room and board, books, and other related expenses. It can come in the form of grants, scholarships, loans, or work-study opportunities and may be awarded based on financial need, academic merit, or other criteria. Students must submit a FAFSA form to be eligible for financial aid.

First-Time Freshman Application Fee Waiver - The UofM accepts application fee waivers for new first-time freshman applicants (International students do not qualify for the application fee waiver). All new first-time freshman applicants are required to either pay the application fee or submit one of the approved application fee waiver documents before their application can be considered for admission. There is no advantage or disadvantage in using an application fee waiver. The application fee waiver replaces the fee and qualifies an applicant for admission consideration. Only new first-time domestic freshmen applicants are eligible for an application fee waiver.

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GED/HiSet Applicants - An individual who has not earned a traditional high school diploma but has completed and passed either the GED (General Educational Development) or HiSET (High School Equivalency Test) to demonstrate high school-level academic skills. These applicants must complete the Accuplacer Exam to be considered for admission to the University.

Global - Global students are fully online students. UofM Global is designed for students who need the flexibility of completing their degree remotely. Courses are taught by the same professors and follow the same curriculum as on-campus classes. CLICK HERE to learn more about UofM Global.

G.P.A or Grade Point Average - A numerical representation of a student’s academic achievement, calculated by averaging the grades earned on a 4.0 scale where 4.0 represents an A grade.

Graduate Student - An individual who has already earned a bachelor's degree and is pursuing advanced academic studies in a specialized field. Graduate programs typically lead to a master's or doctoral (PhD) degree and involve more focused coursework, research, and professional development than undergraduate education.

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Holistic Admissions - An admissions approach used by colleges and universities that evaluates applicants based on a broad range of factors—not just academic metrics like test scores or GPA. Holistic admissions are especially common at selective institutions in the United States, where the goal is to understand each applicant's potential and unique contributions to the campus community.

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Intensive English for Internationals (IEI) - An intensive English language program at the University of Memphis that helps students improve their English proficiency. CLICK HERE for more information about our IEI porgram.

International Student - A person studying in the United States where they are not a citizen or permanent resident.

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MyMemphis Portal - is the University of Memphis’s online student portal that gives you easy access to everything you need to manage your college experience. Through this portal, you can register for classes, view your grades, access Canvas and umMail, check your financial aid status, pay tuition, and much more—all in one place. It’s your personalized hub for staying on top of academics, finances, and campus resources.

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Non-Degree/Transient Applicants - These are students enrolled in courses at the university without the intention of earning a degree from the institution. They might be taking classes to transfer credits to another school, to fulfill prerequisites, or simply for personal enrichment.

Non-Traditional Freshman - A student who does not follow the traditional path of enrolling in college immediately after high school. These applicants may be older than typical college students and often have unique life circumstances, such as delaying college enrollment, attending part-time, working full-time, being financially independent, or having dependents.

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One-Step Closer (OSC) - Is a program designed to support students on their journey to the University of Memphis (UofM) by offering two distinct pathways. Whether you're currently enrolled at a community college or were recently denied admission to UofM, OSC provides a structured, supportive bridge that leads to gaining admission to the UofM. This semester-long program will provide you with the opportunity to enroll in a non-credit online course at the UofM while working directly with our transfer admissions team to ensure that you remain on track to start your journey at the UofM. Is

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Readmit Questionnaire - Are a set of questions UofM requires former students to complete as part of the readmission process. This questionnaire will gather information about the student's academic history, reasons for leaving, activities during their time away, and their current educational goals. This information helps the Admissions Office assess the student's readiness to return and determine if any additional support or documentation is needed.

Readmit Student - An individual who previously attended the University of Memphis but discontinued their studies for a period of time due to personal, financial, academic, or other reasons. Students seeking readmission who have attended another institution since leaving the UofM must submit official transcripts from that school. Those who left the university on academic warning or suspension are encouraged to consult with their CASA advisor before reapplying.

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Selective Service - The Selective Service System is a U.S. government agency that keeps a registry of individuals who may be called to serve if a military draft is ever reinstated. Although it is not required for college admission, registration with Selective Service is mandatory for students who wish to receive federal financial aid or scholarships.

Self-Directed English Placement Survey - Is a brief questionnaire completed by traditional first-time freshmen to help determine the most appropriate English course based on their writing background and standardized test scores. Used during advising and orientation, the survey supports accurate placement and helps the English Department tailor course content to student needs.

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Tiger Tracks Portal - Is the UofM's official application platform where prospective and admitted students can manage their admissions process. Through the portal, students can submit applications, upload required documents, track their application status and admission decisions, and view important next steps after being admitted. It serves as a centralized hub for staying informed and organized throughout the enrollment journey.

Traditional First-Time Freshman - A student who is enrolling in college or university for the first time after graduating from high school and has not previously completed any college-level coursework following graduation. Students who participated in Dual Enrollment while in high school are still considered traditional first-time freshmen, as those courses were taken prior to high school completion. To be classified as a traditional first-time freshman, the student must enroll in college for the semester immediately following high school graduation; taking a gap year or semester would disqualify them from this classification.

Transfer Credit - Transfer credit refers to previously completed coursework from a regionally accredited college or university that may count toward a student’s degree. Once a student is admitted as a regular undergraduate, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions evaluates the credits for general university use. Final decisions about how those credits apply to specific degree programs are made by the student’s academic college. CLICK HERE to veiw more information about transfering credits to the UofM.

Transfer Student - A student who has previously attended another college or university and transfers to a new institution to continue their education. Their completed coursework is typically reviewed to determine how it applies to the academic requirements of the new school. This definition does not apply to Dual Enrollment students- those who took college-level courses while still in high school.

Transcript - College(Final) - A final college transcript is issued by a college or university after a student has completed all graduation requirements or ended their studies at the institution. All courses on the transcript must have a final grade listed.

Transcript/Marks Sheet - International High School - The official document demonstrating a student graduated from high school and their cumulative GPA. The official document Admissions requires varies by country. CLICK HERE to view admission requirements by country.

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Undergraduate - Someone enrolled in a college or university program that leads to an associate or bachelor’s degree.

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Verification for Residency/EVEA - Is the process of confirming a student’s physical address as listed on their university application. This documentation is required—especially for students receiving financial aid—to ensure eligibility for in-state tuition rates or aid disbursement. CLICK HERE to view the list of documents that can be submitted as proof of residency.