Glossary

UCAS The University and Colleges Admissions Service is a nonprofit that runs the application process for British universities. Similar to the Common Application, the UCAS requires a personal statement, a written recommendation, and details about a student’s academic/personal/professional history.

Undergraduate A student who has not yet earned a bachelor’s degree.

Universal College Application Similar to the common app, the UCA was created to allow students to apply to more than one college with the same application. Much newer than the Common Application, it is currently accepted by approximately 20 colleges. It opens one month earlier than the Common Application, does not require a personal essay, and has several unique interface details.

University A post-secondary institution designed to instruct students in many different branches of advanced learning and to confer degrees. Universities typically offer both graduate and undergraduate programs of study while colleges typically offer only undergraduate instruction.