What does 'admitted' mean in the college admissions process?

I keep hearing the term 'admitted' in the context of college admissions. Can someone explain exactly what it means and how it's different from being 'accepted'? Thanks!

Admitted and accepted are often used interchangeably in the college admissions context. Both terms essentially mean the same thing: a college has reviewed your application and decided to offer you a spot in their incoming class. When you are admitted or accepted to a college, it means the institution believes you have the potential to succeed in their academic programs and contribute positively to their community.

The confusion may arise from the notion that "accepted" is a more general term that can apply to many situations (such as being accepted into a club or organization), while "admitted" is more specific to the college admissions process. However, in the context of college admissions, both terms carry the same meaning and can be used interchangeably.

Once you have been admitted/accepted to a college, you can choose to enroll (i.e., commit to attending) if it's your top choice, or you might wait to hear back from other colleges before making your final decision. It's important to keep track of each college's specific deadlines for enrollment, as they can vary between schools, and failing to accept the offer of admission by the stated deadline may result in the loss of your spot in the class.