I'm starting my college application journey and keep seeing the term 'prospective student.' It seems like a simple term, but just to clear up any misunderstandings: what exactly does it mean to be a prospective student?
A "prospective student" is someone who is considering applying to a particular college or university but has not yet submitted an application. Essentially, it's a term used to describe a student who is in the exploring phase of the college application process.
During this stage, the prospective student usually carries out a lot of research into several different colleges, trying to identify which one would be the best fit for them. This research could include visiting campuses (either virtually or in-person), attending college fairs, scheduling informational interviews, seeking advice from current students or alumni, and so on.
Once a prospective student submits their application to a school, they then become an 'applicant.' If they are accepted and enroll, they will then become a 'current student.' The ultimate goal of being a prospective student is to gather enough information to make an informed decision about which schools to apply to and eventually, where to attend.
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