Busting Myths About College

Myth 1: "The more prestigious the college, the better the future."

Truth: A college’s reputation doesn’t guarantee success. While attending a well-known college can offer opportunities, what truly matters is how much a student engages with their education by seeking out opportunities and mentorship. Success comes from making the most of the college experience, regardless of the institution’s name. To demonstrate this point, take a look at Harvard Law School 1L cohort and the true variety of undergraduate institutions they graduated from. Big state schools to tiny liberal arts colleges and everything in between!

Myth 2: "My child needs to have a perfect GPA to get into a good college."

Truth: While grades are important, colleges consider a variety of factors in admissions—extracurricular activities, essays, recommendations, and personal achievements. Colleges are looking for well-rounded applicants who will help build out their ideal class. Two admission buzzwords: matriculation and retention. Colleges want to admit students who will actually come to that school and stay through graduation. Looking at the student as a whole helps admissions professionals make informed choices. 

In addition, colleges are comparing students to their high school profile, a document that summarizes a school's community, curriculum, and grading system. Colleges use this profile to learn more about a student's high school and evaluate their application. This allows colleges to directly compare academic opportunities at different high schools and prevents students from being penalized for attending schools that may lack rigorous courses like AP or dual credit.

Myth 3: "Students should only focus on academics and forget about hobbies or interests."

Truth: Colleges value well-rounded applicants, which means they want to see students who are not just focused on grades, but also passionate about hobbies, interests, and activities outside the classroom. Admission professionals take note of student interests in relation to the campus culture, as research shows that this greatly aids student retention. Pursuing hobbies and extracurriculars while in high school can help students develop valuable skills, showcase their creativity, and stand out in their applications. Balancing academics with personal passions is a great way not only to make a strong impression in your application, but also explore and enjoy life!

Myth 4: "My child should apply to as many colleges as possible to increase their chances."

Truth: Quality over quantity is key. Applying to a large number of schools may overwhelm students and lead to rushed applications. During my time in admissions, I recall reading numerous applications where students neglected to replace the name of the school they had just applied to with the name of my institution. This oversight indicates that they had hastily rushed through the application process without tailoring their essays to each individual school. Just a copy & paste for each school. Needless to say, the impression was not great on the reader! By focusing on schools where the student is genuinely interested and that are a good fit academically, socially, and financially, everyone’s time is better spent, and the student’s satisfaction with their ultimate choice is much higher. 

Myth 5: "Extracurricular activities don't matter as long as my child gets good grades."

Truth: Colleges want students who show initiative, leadership, and commitment outside the classroom. Involvement in clubs, sports, volunteer work, part-time jobs, caretaking, or other activities can demonstrate a student’s passions, work ethic, unique story, and ability to contribute to the college community.

Myth 6: "My child’s SAT/ACT score is the most important factor in getting into college."

Truth: While standardized test scores are still considered by many schools, they are not the sole deciding factor in college admissions. Since the great shakeup of COVID, many colleges remain test-optional, meaning they focus more on grades, essays, extracurriculars, and personal background. For context, in 2022 only 4% of colleges required a test score compared to 55% in 2019. Additionally, holistic reviews allow a more complete picture of the student, and research continues to show that high ACT/SAT scores do not equate to success in college.

Myth 7: "Financial aid is only for low-income families."

Truth: Many families qualify for financial aid, even if they are middle-class. Colleges offer both need-based and merit-based financial aid, and some scholarships are available for academic achievements, leadership, or specific interests. It's important to apply for aid, regardless of income level. Each institution has its own processes for scholarships, which can vary greatly. Some institutions that have a higher net price (the actual cost of attendance) also have very generous institutional scholarships in both merit- and need-based categories. 

Myth 8: "Early Decision is the best way to guarantee admission."

Truth: Early Decision (ED) can potentially increase a student's chance of getting in, but it’s a binding commitment, meaning students must attend that school if accepted. It only makes sense if the student is absolutely sure about that college, and even in that case, I still rarely recommend it. Also, schools with ED may be more selective, so it’s not a guaranteed admission strategy.

Myth 9: "My child can’t get into a competitive school if they don't have perfect extracurriculars."

Truth: While it’s helpful to be involved, again quality over quantity is the name of the game. Colleges value meaningful engagement over doing everything, especially because continued interest and commitment over years is a key indicator of grit and success. A few impactful experiences where a student shows dedication and leadership can be more impactful than having a long, long list of activities.

Myth 10: "My child needs to have everything figured out before applying to college."

Truth: Not only is it okay for students to not have a clear career path or major decided when applying to college, it’s completely normal! Many students change their major during their college years, the average being three times. Colleges understand this and often offer opportunities to explore different fields before settling on a specific path. College, including the application process, is a time for self-discovery, and many students find their true interests and strengths along the way.  

I hope debunking these myths has been helpful for you and you feel better able to support your kids through the college admission process!