Abbreviation Thread

[Jason1117]

[quote][Why is the University of Kansas known as KU and not UK? Is it to avoid confusion with Kentucky?/quote]

because UK=u of kentucky

[Dizzymom]

And TIA is?

[patsmom]

^^ Thanks in advance (I think).

[Tigrael]

Someone mentioned that UM might refer to University of Massachusetts. It's ALWAYS UMass, never UM. And to add to the list, University of Memphis.

Someone asked what's the name for someone going around posting sob stories for sympathy. Those are called attention whores.

WPI - Worcester (WHUS-ter) Polytechnic Institute (MA)
RPI - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (Troy, NY)
RIT - Rochester Institute of Technology (NY)

[skiers-mom]

What does TROLL refer to on CC?

[mootmom]

"Troll" is a term that is used all over the Internet, not just on CC. From the online Urban Dictionary:

One who posts a deliberately provocative message to a newsgroup or message board with the intention of causing maximum disruption and argument

and

One who purposely and deliberately (that purpose usually being self-amusement) starts an argument in a manner which attacks others on a forum without in any way listening to the arguments proposed by his or her peers.

Those pretty much sum it up.

[skiers-mom]

Thanks mootmom - they sound like lovely people.

[Kathyc]

What is PWN--I mostly see it from kids, not parents.

[mkm56]

I have no idea--perhaps "parents watching now"?

[patsmom]

I always wondered about that one myself - had to look it up!

PWN = http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=pwn

[Kathyc]

I sort of wondered if it had to do with computer games because it always seemed to be guys and seemed to imply dominating...

[Kathyc]

Now, another one because I'm a relative newbie--what in the world is the thing with the carets (^^^^^)?

[Tigrael]

It could either be a smily face, like so: ^_^

Or referring to the post or lines above, like arrows.

[jsmall]

As far as OSU goes, where I'm from people think of Oregon State, but I see that a lot of Mid west and East Coast people think of OHIO state University. FYI

[ixjunitxi]

LAC - liberal arts college
HYP - Harvard/Yale/Princeton
HYPS - Harvard/Yale/Princeton/Stanford
HYPSM - Harvard/Yale/Princeton/Stanford/MIT
HYPSMC - add Caltech
Little Three = Amherst, Wesleyan, Williams
HBCU-historically black colleges/universities
ROFLOL - rolling on the floor/laughing out loud
AWS - Amherst, Williams, Swarthmore meaning specifically those three or a stand-in for most selective LACS
ED-Early Decision (binding)
ED1, ED2 - two different deadlines for schools which have them; usually around Nov 1 for ED1, Jan _ for ED2
EA-Early Action (non-binding)
SCEA-Single Choice Early Action (non-binding but can apply to only one early school)
FAFSA-Free Application for Federal Student Aid (I think) - the form you need to fill out for aid at very many colleges/univs
CSS Profile - the form you need to fill out for aid at some colleges/univs (often in addition to FAFSA)
URM-under-represented minority
ADCOM- Admissions Committee
BWRK - Bright, well-rounded kid
YMMV = your mileage may vary
NTTAWWT = not that there's anything wrong with that
JK- Just kidding
NMF- National Merit Finalist
NMSF -National Merit Semifinalist
IMO- In my opinion
FWIW -For what its worth
PLOS - Parent looking over shoulder
BTW - by the way
BUMP - bring up my post
D - Daughter
S - Son
DD / DS - Dear or Darling Daughter/Son
DH or DW (darling husband/wife)
ID - Interim decision (term used by some schools instead of Early Action)
IMNSHO - in my not so humble opinion
SIL/BIL - Sister/Brother in Law
EFC - Estimated Family Contribution
CSU- California State university system
CUNY- City University of New York system
SUNY- State University of New York system

UNC - University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
U of C - University of Chicago
SU - Syracuse University (but also Seattle U)
USD - University of San Diego (but also University of South Dakota)
CMU - Carnegie Mellon U
NYU - New York U
SMU - Southern Methodist U
UCB - University of California, Berkleley, also known as "Cal"
UCLA - University of Calif, Los Angeles
UCR - University of Calif, Riverside
UCSD - University of Calif. San Diego
UCSB - University of Calif, Santa Barbara
UCSC - University of California, Santa Cruz
UCD - University of California, Davis
UCI -- University of California, Irvine
UCSF -- University of California, San Francisco (has no undergrad programs)
UCM - University of California Merced (opening next year)
SDSU - San Diego State University

Admissions related terms:
Stats - a student's GPA, test scores, curriculum and extracurriculars
ACT - an alternative to the SAT
SAT - the big brown cat SAT on the little grey mouse (sorry, the College Board is on my crap list this week)
GC - guidance counselor
RD - Regular decision

Board related Abbreviations
CC College Confidential

OP - original post(er)
OT = off topic
AA = Affirmative Action
ECs = extracurricular activities
OMG = Oh my God!
LOL= Laugh out loud
*pithy remark*= narrative voice, usually sarcastic
::something slugg:: = cyber hugs etc., usually from poster sluggbugg
ROFLMAOPMP Rolling on the floor laughing my ass off pi$$ing my pants

Mod or Mods -- the forum moderators. AKA "Big Brother."
AKA -- also known as
CAS = college of arts and sciences
idk = I don't know
SN= screen name
TTFN -tata for now
WUSTL - Washington U - St. Louis
BRB- Be right back
plme-Program in Liberal Medical Education(offered by Brown)
The Seven Sisters(all girls schools):
(most of the co ed now) were the female equivalent: Smith, Mt. Holyoke, Wellesley, Sarah Lawrence, Bryn Mawr, Vassar, and Connecticut College.
RSI = Research Science Institute at MIT
DD- dear daughter
DS- Dear Son