qualifications

the skills, qualities, education, or experience that you need in order to do something

EXAMPLE: The main qualification for this job is the ability to speak Spanish.

trend

a general development or change in a situation

EXAMPLE: There is a trend toward buying electric cars. They are becoming more popular every day.

individual

a person, especially when considered separately and not as part of a group

EXAMPLE: We understand each person is different and unique. We try to treat our students as individuals.

internship

the time when a student learns about a particular job by doing it for a short period of time

EXAMPLE: My summer internship is at 3M. I'm going to work there for 2 months in computer programming. I need to do this in order to complete my university degree.

introductory course

one of the first classes you take at college

EXAMPLE: In the introductory courses, we learned basic information about the subject.

lower

(verb) reduce

EXAMPLE: Tuition is getting pretty expensive. I really hope I can get a scholarship which will lower the amount I need to pay.

midlife

middle age, about 40 - 60

EXAMPLE: Some people decide to go back to school in midlife. They are a bit older and more experienced.

rewarding

satisfying or beneficial

EXAMPLE: Going back to school was a rewarding experience. I made lots of new friends and gained valuable knowledge.

suddenly

quickly and unexpectedly

EXAMPLE: I was relaxing on the sofa when suddenly there was a loud noise in the street. I ran to the window and saw that there had been an accident!

test out of

not have to take a course because you already know the material

EXAMPLE: I had studied French all through middle and high school. When I got to college, I tested out of the foreign language requirement.

use something to your advantage

let something be beneficial to you

EXAMPLE: I am very tall. I used my height to my advantage when I tried out for the basketball team. The coach picked me!

a number of

several, many

EXAMPLE: There are a number of different courses you can take at our school: English, GED, para, driver's education, and even CNA.

college credits

part of the number of hours counting toward your degree

EXAMPLE: Each of these classes is worth three credits. I need 120 credits to graduate.

common

usual, typical

EXAMPLE: It is common for people to focus on their education again after starting families.

depends on

determined by

EXAMPLE: I'm not sure if I can go to college this year. It depends on our financial situation. Will my spouse make enough to support us both if I give up my job? Will we be able to afford the tuition?

discrimination

treating a person or particular group differently (worse) because of their race, age, gender, etc.

EXAMPLE: Discrimination against older people is called "ageism." It is illegal.

factor

a fact or situation that influences the result of something

EXAMPLE: Price is one of the factors to consider when buying a car. Another factor is its reliability. And another is the way it looks.

in order to

"In order to" explains why

EXAMPLE: My brother works full time in order to support his wife and children. His wife always leaves work at 2 p.m. in order to pick up their kids from school.

anecdote

a short story about something that happened to you or someone else

anecdotal evidence

when you use a short story as evidence to support a claim