From “Gluey” to “Fitty”: What Admissions Jargon Reveals About What Colleges Value

One of my favorite podcasts for demystifying the college admissions process is Admissions Beat, hosted by Lee Coffin, Vice President and Dean of Admissions & Financial Aid, Dartmouth College. While Coffin brings his Dartmouth experience to the table, the podcast explores the broader world of college admissions, not just one school’s perspective.

Guests range from college admissions and financial aid officers to high school counselors, as well as students and parents. I loved this particular episode, which aired 11/4/2025, titled "Admissions Quiz Bowl." I highly recommend listening to the entire episode to hear how the admissions officers think. The full episode is here.

The episode playfully opens the "committee-room door" so families can hear the quick codes and phrases readers use to discuss applications under time pressure. The big takeaways:

• Context matters as much as credentials. Readers weigh school context, trends across years, and the overall pool.

• Precision beats puffery. Notes and codes exist to compress clear evidence (rigor, trend, impact) into fast signals.

• Fit is multi-dimensional. Academics, voice, community contribution, and genuine interest all surface in the shorthand.

  
  

Mini-Glossary (Plain English)

Applicant Profile & Strengths

• Late bloomer: Grades/rigor rise over time.

• Spiky: Very strong in one area (a “specialist” rather than well-rounded).

• Ren man / Renaissance student: Strong across many areas (academics and/or activities).

• Plugger: Steady, hard-working striver; keeps at it.

• Voracious (reader): Deep, sustained intellectual curiosity (often about books).

• POE (Point of Excellence): A truly exceptional element in the file.

• Connector: Bridge-builder who brings people together; community catalyst.

• BWOC / BMOC: Big presence on campus; highly influential student.

• Topper / FIC (First in Class): Highest-ranked student in a school group.

  
  

Academic Signals

• MD (Most Demanding) curriculum: Took the toughest courses available.

• CP: College-prep level course.

• Upward trend: Grades and/or rigor moved up year to year.

• LITE12: Senior year schedule looks lighter than it should ("under-rigored").

• T75: Scores sit around the top-75th percentile of the college’s reported range (context for testing).

• HST: High school transcript.

Interest, Context & Equity

• Has done his/her homework: Demonstrated research/interest (webinars, visits, specifics).

• Stealth: Applied with no prior contact/engagement.

• Hooked: Candidacy includes a hook (recruited athlete, legacy, faculty/staff child, etc.).

• FGLI: First-gen, low-income.

• Mid-mid: Middle-income family.

• NN (No Need): Family is not applying for need-based aid (used at some need-aware schools).

• Geomarket: Regional reading territory/context for recruitment and review.

• %4Y: Percent of the applicant’s high school grads who attend 4-year colleges (context for opportunity).

  
  

Reader Notes & Committee Jargon

• Woof: Outstanding file (ironically positive).

• Fitty: Strong institutional fit.

• One for the faculty: A true intellectual match; professors will love this student.

• Sum-of-parts admit: No single spike, but the whole package is compelling.

• Flat: File doesn’t pop; voice/impact unclear.

• LMO (“like many others”): Not differentiated in a crowded pool.

• STST (standard strong): Solid in all ways, but not distinctive in a hyper-selective pool.

• As above: Second reader agrees with the first reader’s summary/assessment.

• Yield buster: Terrific applicant who’s unlikely to enroll.

• HCWN?: “How can we not?” is a persuasive push to admit.

• Boom/bust: High upside but some risk (could soar or fizzle).

  
  

Essays & Recommendations

• Camp (don’t): Common, hard-to-differentiate essay topics (e.g., camp, injury, service trip)—doable only if truly personal/specific.

• TR’s lift: Teacher rec elevates the file in ways the student didn’t self-present.

• CEG mad lib (don’t): A College Essay Guy-inspired -fill-in-the-blank supplements that read generic; show poor school research. (I love the College Essay Guy, but only use it as a guide; do not copy his suggestions verbatim).

Boundaries & Etiquette

• “We” (don’t): Parents saying “we are applying” (pet peeve; application is the student’s).

• Pen pal (don’t): Over-emailing admissions without purpose; interest ≠ inbox volume.

  
  

Identity + Major Mix

• femE: Female engineer (or other “unusual” gender/field pairing in context).

• STEMI / Humsy: Student oriented toward STEM or the humanities.

  
  

How Students Can Apply This Insight

• Translate codes into actions. “Upward trend” → show semester-by-semester growth. “Has done her homework” → cite specific programs/courses/labs.

• Balance spike + story. If you’re “spiky,” craft supplements that connect your specialty to campus opportunities.

• Guard against “flat.” Tighten voice in essays, use specifics, and let activities quantify impact.

• Right-fit rigor. Aim for Most Demanding (MD) given your school’s offerings; avoid “LITE12” (an easy senior year)

• Demonstrate smart interest. Quality > quantity: targeted webinars, academic department pages, student panels, a crisp “Why Us.”

Now that you know how applications are really read, it’s time to make sure yours stands out. Book a session to create a focused, authentic narrative that gets noticed. Book a call today here.