GPA is incorrect on recs, is this going to affect me?

[IndianaSigKap]

Originally Posted by FSUGirl94

I am a rising sophomore rushing at Florida State in the fall, and I have had a few letters of recommendation written for me.

Not picking on the original poster, because I have seen this multiple times on GC, but what the heck is a rising sophomore? It seems awkward. Is it a regional thing? Does it mean the same thing as incoming sophomore or I will be a sophomore in the fall? Rising means that something is higher in elevation or stature.

[adpiucf]

"Rising [year]" means that when the new school year resumes you will be [year]. This is different than an incoming student, which is a new student. I've heard it living in the northeast, deep south, and west coast, so I wouldn't call it regional either. It's a commonly used phrase when talking about students.

[IndianaSigKap]

Originally Posted by adpiucf

"Rising [year]" means that when the new school year resumes you will be [year]. This is different than an incoming student, which is a new student. I've heard it living in the northeast, deep south, and west coast, so I wouldn't call it regional either. It's a commonly used phrase when talking about students.

It's not common here in the Midwest. I had never heard it until GC. It makes the grammarian in me bristle a little. Incoming would still be grammatically correct, you are an incoming sophomore even if you were a freshman at your school last year. Incoming student is new to the school, just as an incoming sophomore will be new to sophomore year (unless he or she does not have enough credit hours to be classified as a junior and is a repeat sophomore). In my area, we hear second year, third year more often as many programs vary from 3.5 years to 5 years. It seems to have taken the place of freshman, sophomore, etc.

[adpiucf]

Originally Posted by IndianaSigKap

In my area, we hear second year, third year more often as many programs vary from 3.5 years to 5 years. It seems to have taken the place of freshman, sophomore, etc.

I like this better than "freshman," "sophomore," etc. I recall my UCLA collegians referring to one another as first, second, third years, and it makes sense for the reasons you've given, as well as the fact that people take longer or shorter to finish depending upon a variety of life factors (e.g., AP credits, illness, working full time, etc.).

[Benzgirl]

Originally Posted by IndianaSigKap

It's not common here in the Midwest. .

Actually, the first time I ever heard it was at DePauw. Can't get much more Midwest than that.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by IndianaSigKap

Rising means that something is higher in elevation or stature.

I'd say it means moving up or advancing in elevation or stature.

I guess I fall in the group that's surprised that phrases like "rising sophomore" are unfamiliar to anyone. I thought it was pretty standard.