Degree Audit – A road-map to graduation. A form available on eLion that shows all the requirements for a specific major or minor and whether or not you have completed those requirements.

THON – Penn State’s Dance Marathon. The largest student-run philanthropy project in the world (so we hear). A 46 hour no-sitting, no-sleeping dance marathon to raise money for pediatric cancer research.

Controls – In reference to courses… limits put on enrollment in a specific course, often based on enrollment (i.e., you must be in a specific college or major), program (i.e., Schreyer Honors program), or semester standing (i.e., you must be a 4th semester student).

Sapphire Program – An accelerated business program offered only to high-achieving first-year Smeal students. Allows qualified students to take certain courses and enter their major early.

Drop/Add Period – The first ten days of courses when students may adjust their schedule as much as they would like without penalty.

Late-Drop – Dropping a course after the Drop/Add period has ended. Students may only “late drop” 16 credits total during their time at Penn State.

 

Smeal Glossary

We like jargon here in Smeal. If we can say it using an acronym or some crazy word that doesn't make sense to anyone outside of the college, why bother! In an effort to reduce the confused looks we get all the time, here's a basic glossary of what we're talking about. Penn State also provides a great glossary of academic terms here...

Global Awareness/GAU – A required area of courses that focus on non-US areas and themes like Chinese History, European Art, Latin American Culture, etc. They may double-count with general education or other degree requirements.

FTCAP – The First-Year Testing, Consulting, and Advising Program. Your academic orientation to Penn State and Smeal.

Junior Core – Four Courses (BA 301, 302, 303, 304) that all students are required to take regardless of their major. They are typically taken during the junior year, hence the name.

ETM/Entrance-to-Major – The term that refers to the courses and requirements that you need to complete to be eligible for a Smeal major after your Sophomore year.

eLion – A web-based program that you will use to schedule courses, check your bursar bill and grades, review your degree audit, etc.

BA Status – Stands for “Business Administration” and means students that are in Smeal, but who have not yet entered their major.