Study-abroad glossary

Short, plain definitions of the words families meet when applying to U.S. boarding schools and exchange programs — each with an official source. You can also ask about any term in Ask USAnaru™.

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# AP (Advanced Placement): AP courses are college-level classes taught in high school, with exams by the College Board scored 1–5. Good scores can earn credit or placement at many U.S. colleges. 🔗 Official source More on USAnaru™ ›
# Boarding school: A boarding school is a private school where students live on campus during the school year — they study, eat and sleep at school with teachers living nearby. Many U.S. boarding schools serve grades 9–12 and accept international students. 🔗 Official source More on USAnaru™ ›
More detail
A day at school: classes in the morning, sports or arts in the afternoon, dinner together, then evening study hall. Teachers often live in the dorms as 'dorm parents'.
Grades: most are grades 9–12; some start at 6 or 7 (junior boarding), and some offer a PG year after grade 12.
Cost: tuition usually includes room and board. Across the schools that publish it, most fall around $61,000–$83,000 a year — ask USAnaru™ for the latest numbers.
For international students: the school must be SEVP-certified to issue an I-20, many ask for a U.S. guardian, and some offer ESL.
What to compare: share of boarding students, international students, ESL, sports and arts, coed or single-sex, location and total cost. Browse boarding schools.
# CBE (Texas Credit by Examination): In Texas public schools, Credit by Examination lets a student skip a grade (grades 1–5: 80% in language arts, math, science and social studies for the grade to be skipped, with district and parent approval) or earn course credit in grades 6–12 (80% without prior instruction, or 70% with some prior instruction under district policy). Districts may not charge for these exams (TEC §28.023; 19 TAC §74.24). 🔗 Official source More on USAnaru™ › 📝 Free online practice quizzes for Texas CBE: texascbe.com.
# Coed and single-sex schools: A coed school teaches boys and girls together; a single-sex school is only for boys or only for girls. USAnaru™ lists both — filter by 'Students' on the schools page. 🔗 Official source More on USAnaru™ ›
# CSIET: CSIET is a nonprofit that reviews and lists international student exchange and F-1 placement programs that meet its standards. 🔗 Official source More on USAnaru™ ›
# Day school: A day school is a private school where students go home after classes. International students at day schools live with a host family (homestay) or relatives. 🔗 Official source More on USAnaru™ ›
# DSO (Designated School Official): The DSO is the person at an SEVP-certified school who issues and signs the Form I-20 and keeps the student's SEVIS record up to date. Ask the DSO about anything to do with F-1 status. 🔗 Official source More on USAnaru™ ›
# Duolingo English Test: The Duolingo English Test is an online English test taken at home, scored 10–160. Many boarding schools accept it instead of TOEFL. 🔗 Official source More on USAnaru™ ›
# Enrollment contract and deposit: After admission, families sign an enrollment contract and pay a deposit to hold the place. Most schools issue the I-20 only after this step and proof of funding. 🔗 Official source More on USAnaru™ ›
# ESL: ESL (English as a Second Language) is extra English instruction for students whose first language is not English. Schools with ESL often accept lower TOEFL or Duolingo scores. 🔗 Official source More on USAnaru™ ›
# F-1 / J-1 visa interview and the $185 application (MRV) fee: F-1 and J-1 student visas are applied for at a U.S. embassy or consulate. The non-refundable visa application fee for F and J visas is $185 under the State Department's fee schedule. You book the interview yourself and bring your I-20 or DS-2019, passport, DS-160 confirmation page, fee receipt and supporting documents. 🔗 Official source More on USAnaru™ ›
# F-1 visa: The F-1 is the U.S. student visa for full-time study. A boarding-school student gets it with a Form I-20 from an SEVP-certified school, then pays the SEVIS fee, files the DS-160 and has a visa interview. 🔗 Official source More on USAnaru™ ›
More detail
Who uses it: most international students who enroll in a U.S. boarding school for a full program, through graduation. (A J-1 exchange is one school year and usually no diploma.)
Steps: ① get admitted to an SEVP-certified school → ② sign the enrollment contract, pay the deposit and show proof of funds → the school issues the Form I-20 → ③ pay the SEVIS I-901 fee ($350) → ④ fill in the DS-160 and pay the visa fee ($185) → ⑤ visa interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate → ⑥ enter the U.S. no more than 30 days before the start date on your I-20.
Public high school: F-1 study at a U.S. public high school is limited to 12 months, and the student must pay the full cost (details).
Keeping status: stay enrolled full time, keep your passport valid, and tell your DSO before you move, travel or change schools (basics).
Common mistake: coming on a tourist visa or visa waiver to study — that is not allowed. Plan the F-1 early; interviews can take weeks to book.
# Financial aid: Financial aid is money a school gives to help a family pay tuition, usually based on what the family can afford. Ask each school whether aid is open to international students. 🔗 Official source More on USAnaru™ ›
# Form DS-160 (Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application): The DS-160 is the online application every F-1 and J-1 visa applicant completes and signs electronically on the State Department's CEAC website before the visa interview. For a student under 16, a parent or guardian may fill it in. You bring the DS-160 confirmation page to the interview. 🔗 Official source More on USAnaru™ ›
# Form DS-2019 (Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status, J-1): The DS-2019 is the J-1 equivalent of the I-20. A U.S. Department of State–designated exchange sponsor creates it in SEVIS and its Responsible Officer signs it; the student uses it to pay the SEVIS fee, apply for a J-1 visa and enter the United States. High-school exchange students get it from their exchange sponsor, not from the school. 🔗 Official source More on USAnaru™ ›
# Form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status): The Form I-20 is the document an SEVP-certified U.S. school gives an admitted international student so they can apply for an F-1 student visa. It is issued by the school's Designated School Official (DSO) — never by an agent or a government office — and you need it to pay the SEVIS fee, apply for the visa and enter the United States. 🔗 Official source More on USAnaru™ ›
# Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record): The I-94 is CBP's record of when you entered the United States, in what status (F-1 or J-1) and until when you are admitted. There is no paper card any more for air arrivals; you look up and print your I-94 on CBP's official website or app after you land, and you should check it right away. 🔗 Official source More on USAnaru™ ›
# Gateway to Prep Schools: Gateway to Prep Schools is an online platform where families apply to several private and boarding schools with one account and shared forms. 🔗 Official source More on USAnaru™ ›
# Homestay: A homestay means living with a host family. Day-school students and J-1 exchange students usually live in a homestay arranged by their school, program organization or a homestay company. 🔗 Official source More on USAnaru™ ›
# IELTS: IELTS is an English test scored in bands from 0 to 9. Some boarding schools accept it in place of TOEFL. 🔗 Official source More on USAnaru™ ›
# ISEE: The ISEE (Independent School Entrance Exam) is an admission test from ERB that many private schools accept as an alternative to the SSAT. 🔗 Official source More on USAnaru™ ›
# J-1 visa (exchange): The J-1 is the U.S. exchange visitor visa. High-school exchange students get it through a State Department–designated program organization, which issues the Form DS-2019; the stay is up to one school year and is not a degree program. 🔗 Official source More on USAnaru™ ›
# Junior boarding school: A junior boarding school is a boarding school for younger students, usually grades 6–9, that prepares them for high school. 🔗 Official source More on USAnaru™ ›
# Merit scholarship: A merit scholarship rewards strong grades, arts or sports regardless of family income. Fewer boarding schools offer merit awards than need-based aid. 🔗 Official source More on USAnaru™ ›
# Port of entry (CBP): At the U.S. airport (port of entry), a CBP officer checks your passport, visa and I-20 or DS-2019 and admits you as a student. Keep these documents in your carry-on bag. 🔗 Official source More on USAnaru™ ›
# Postgraduate (PG) year: A PG year is an extra year at a boarding school after finishing high school, often taken to strengthen grades, test scores or sports before college. 🔗 Official source More on USAnaru™ ›
# Program organization (J-1 sponsor): A program organization (J-1 sponsor) is designated by the U.S. State Department to run exchange programs. It issues the DS-2019, places the student with a school and a host family, and supports them during the year. 🔗 Official source More on USAnaru™ ›
# RO (J-1 Responsible Officer): The Responsible Officer (RO) or Alternate RO works for the J-1 program organization. They sign the Form DS-2019 and manage the student's SEVIS record. 🔗 Official source More on USAnaru™ ›
# Rolling admission: Rolling admission means a school reviews applications as they arrive and decides until its places are full, instead of one fixed deadline. 🔗 Official source More on USAnaru™ ›
# SAO (Standard Application Online): The Standard Application Online (SAO) is a shared application accepted by many boarding and day schools — you fill in one application and send it to several schools. 🔗 Official source More on USAnaru™ ›
# SEVIS: SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) is the U.S. government database that tracks F-1 and J-1 students. Your school or program enters you there, and your I-20 or DS-2019 carries your SEVIS ID. 🔗 Official source More on USAnaru™ ›
# SEVIS I-901 fee (F-1 $350 · J-1 $220): Before an F-1 or J-1 visa can be issued, the student must pay the I-901 SEVIS fee to the Department of Homeland Security: $350 for F-1 students and $220 for most J-1 exchange visitors, including J-1 secondary school students. It is paid online at fmjfee.com using the SEVIS ID from the I-20 or DS-2019. 🔗 Official source More on USAnaru™ ›
# SEVP certification: SEVP (Student and Exchange Visitor Program) certifies the schools that may enroll F-1 students. Only an SEVP-certified school can issue a Form I-20, so check a school on the official list before you apply. 🔗 Official source More on USAnaru™ ›
# SSAT: The SSAT (Secondary School Admission Test) is an entrance test used by many private and boarding schools. Results are reported as percentiles compared with students of the same grade; some schools are test-optional. 🔗 Official source More on USAnaru™ ›
More detail
Levels: Elementary (for students now in grades 3–4), Middle (grades 5–7) and Upper (grades 8–11). Boarding high school applicants take the Upper level.
Sections: math (quantitative), verbal, reading, plus a writing sample that is not scored but is sent to schools.
Scores: you get scaled scores and a percentile that compares you with students in the same grade. Schools usually talk about the percentile.
How to take it: at a test center or at home (online), on several dates through fall and winter. Register and send scores from your SSAT account before each school's deadline.
Good to know: some schools are test-optional, and some accept the ISEE instead. International students usually also need an English test such as TOEFL or Duolingo.
# TABS: TABS (The Association of Boarding Schools) is a membership association of boarding schools in the U.S., Canada and beyond that shares information for families. 🔗 Official source More on USAnaru™ ›
# Teacher recommendation: A teacher recommendation is a confidential form that current teachers (often English and math) send straight to the school about the student's work and character. 🔗 Official source More on USAnaru™ ›
# TOEFL: TOEFL is an English test by ETS. Boarding schools usually ask for TOEFL iBT (scored 0–120) or TOEFL Junior from students whose first language is not English. 🔗 Official source More on USAnaru™ ›
# Transcript: A transcript is the official record of a student's courses and grades from their current school. Boarding schools usually ask for the last two or three years, translated into English. 🔗 Official source More on USAnaru™ ›
# U.S. grade names: U.S. high school is grades 9–12: freshman (9th), sophomore (10th), junior (11th) and senior (12th). Boarding schools sometimes call them third, fourth, fifth and sixth form. 🔗 Official source More on USAnaru™ ›
# U.S. guardian: A U.S. guardian is an adult or company in the United States who looks after an international student for the parents — emergencies, school breaks and school contact. Many boarding schools require one, especially for younger students. 🔗 Official source More on USAnaru™ ›
More detail
What a guardian does: answers the school in an emergency, picks the student up at the airport, hosts or arranges a place to stay when dorms close for breaks, joins school meetings and helps with medical visits.
Who can be one: a relative or family friend living in the U.S., or a guardian company. Many schools ask that the guardian live within a certain distance of campus; some schools run their own program.
Paperwork: usually a letter or power of attorney signed by the parents (template). This is not court-ordered legal guardianship.
Cost: guardian companies charge a yearly fee; ask exactly what is included (airport pickups, holiday stays, school visits).
Tip: ask each school what it requires first, then compare verified guardian services on USAnaru™ — each shows the schools it covers.

Definitions are short summaries for families, not legal or immigration advice. Always confirm with the school, the program organization or the official source. · API