A short guide to this application terminology.

What does it mean when a college guide names a certain school “very selective”? Here’s a yardstick:

Less selective: Applicants need to meet minimum requirements and demonstrate interest in college-level study. Test scores are used for course placement.

More selective: Grades, recommendations, course work and essays are considered along with test scores.

Very selective: There are as many as 10 or 15 applications for every spot. Fewer than 100 colleges in the country are considered to be in this category.