Myths About College and the College Process
There are many myths about the college application process and colleges in general that should be dispelled. It is discussed time and again: Kathryn Randolph covers this in a 2021 article for Fastweb; Steven Antonoff writes in his book, schoolbuff.com/test-ebook/College Match A Blueprint for Choosing the Best School for You, about some notions people have about colleges. For more reading, see IvyPanda. Yet these continue to be believed by parents and students alike. Below are some of the most common and a brief explanation of the truth.
Most Students Graduate in Four Years
This trend is changing with more than half of students taking more than six years to graduate. Schools are adding co-op, study abroad, internship, and dual major programs all the time. What is the rush? If you insist on being out of a school in just four years, check the graduation rates and know how you will make it happen. And maybe ask yourself if you are really taking advantage of all a school has to offer.
Major Matters/I have to know what I am going to do in my career to go to college
In the US, you do not need to select a major for most universities during admission or in the first several years. Data suggest that most students will change their major two or more times in their undergrad. Many graduates will work outside of their major. If you don't know yet what you want to be, relax. You have time.
I Have Never Heard of that School/All Great Colleges are Well-Known
No one has heard of every college out there. And besides, even if you have "heard" of a school, you don't know all that much unless you went there, and even then, experiences are different for everyone. Bottom line, the only opinion about an institution you need to worry about is your own.
There isn't a Way for Me to Pay for School
Numerous organizations are set up to help fund students. Many private schools are known to immensely support students. The federal government provides money, some of which does not need to be paid back. Students can obtain scholarships and work study to help pay for school. The average loan for a graduating student is around $3K per year, just a fraction of the actual cost of a school. Do not be confused about what a school costs and what you actually pay to attend. Contact financial aid officers, do your research, and you will see that college is within reach for you.
"Prestigious/Elite" or Highly-ranked Colleges are the Only Ones Right for Me
Every year people wait on pins and needles to see who is the #1 best school. And the schools that are ranked pat themselves on the back and celebrate changing the world. This is perhaps the biggest detriment to perspective applicants. Private rankings of schools are based on subjective data that have no translation to the eventual success or happiness of a student. In fact, there is a direct correlation between a school's sticker price and it's ranking. Similarly, check out the admit rates of the top 10 schools. It is the same story - the lower the admit rate, the higher the rankings. These rankings fail to take into account many factors that may need to be considered in selecting a school. Never use rankings as a part of the selection process. The best college out there is the one that is best for you. Period.
I am a Failure if I am Denied Admission/My Life is Over if I don't Get Into My First Choice
College, any college, is what you make of it. If your search was done correctly, you still have a shot at multiple colleges that are right fro you. Every year, many people do not get accepted to their first choice and still become successful. Admission is a very subjective process at the selective schools and it does not say anything about you if you are denied. You are a lesser person or student.
Standardized Test Scores Are More Important Than Grades When Getting In/It is Better to Take Easy Courses and Do Well Than Harder Courses and Do Average
Two for one here. These are together because of the misconception about what matters. First, time and again, feedback from colleges indicate the biggest factor in the admissions process is grades in "college prep courses." Schools want to see you take challenging courses and do well in them. While there is no magic formula in college admissions, that is at least an equation you should get behind. So take those higher-level courses and work hard in them.
But what about those test scores and the thought of your entire career resting on one day? Phooey. Do the tests matter? Absolutely they can. But there are many reasons a person does not do well on a test and most of those have nothing to do with a student's ability. Schools know this. With the introduction of super scoring, the advantage has swung back to the student, who can rally from a bad day or bad section. In a lot of cases, yes, the test scores will be a big factor, but they are not the end-all-be-all of admissions. So study well and do what you can.
There are, undoubtedly, many more misconceptions out there. Do your reading and always be asking questions. And talk to your counselor. This is why we are here.
Most Students Graduate in Four Years
This trend is changing with more than half of students taking more than six years to graduate. Schools are adding co-op, study abroad, internship, and dual major programs all the time. What is the rush? If you insist on being out of a school in just four years, check the graduation rates and know how you will make it happen. And maybe ask yourself if you are really taking advantage of all a school has to offer.
Major Matters/I have to know what I am going to do in my career to go to college
In the US, you do not need to select a major for most universities during admission or in the first several years. Data suggest that most students will change their major two or more times in their undergrad. Many graduates will work outside of their major. If you don't know yet what you want to be, relax. You have time.
I Have Never Heard of that School/All Great Colleges are Well-Known
No one has heard of every college out there. And besides, even if you have "heard" of a school, you don't know all that much unless you went there, and even then, experiences are different for everyone. Bottom line, the only opinion about an institution you need to worry about is your own.
There isn't a Way for Me to Pay for School
Numerous organizations are set up to help fund students. Many private schools are known to immensely support students. The federal government provides money, some of which does not need to be paid back. Students can obtain scholarships and work study to help pay for school. The average loan for a graduating student is around $3K per year, just a fraction of the actual cost of a school. Do not be confused about what a school costs and what you actually pay to attend. Contact financial aid officers, do your research, and you will see that college is within reach for you.
"Prestigious/Elite" or Highly-ranked Colleges are the Only Ones Right for Me
Every year people wait on pins and needles to see who is the #1 best school. And the schools that are ranked pat themselves on the back and celebrate changing the world. This is perhaps the biggest detriment to perspective applicants. Private rankings of schools are based on subjective data that have no translation to the eventual success or happiness of a student. In fact, there is a direct correlation between a school's sticker price and it's ranking. Similarly, check out the admit rates of the top 10 schools. It is the same story - the lower the admit rate, the higher the rankings. These rankings fail to take into account many factors that may need to be considered in selecting a school. Never use rankings as a part of the selection process. The best college out there is the one that is best for you. Period.
I am a Failure if I am Denied Admission/My Life is Over if I don't Get Into My First Choice
College, any college, is what you make of it. If your search was done correctly, you still have a shot at multiple colleges that are right fro you. Every year, many people do not get accepted to their first choice and still become successful. Admission is a very subjective process at the selective schools and it does not say anything about you if you are denied. You are a lesser person or student.
Standardized Test Scores Are More Important Than Grades When Getting In/It is Better to Take Easy Courses and Do Well Than Harder Courses and Do Average
Two for one here. These are together because of the misconception about what matters. First, time and again, feedback from colleges indicate the biggest factor in the admissions process is grades in "college prep courses." Schools want to see you take challenging courses and do well in them. While there is no magic formula in college admissions, that is at least an equation you should get behind. So take those higher-level courses and work hard in them.
But what about those test scores and the thought of your entire career resting on one day? Phooey. Do the tests matter? Absolutely they can. But there are many reasons a person does not do well on a test and most of those have nothing to do with a student's ability. Schools know this. With the introduction of super scoring, the advantage has swung back to the student, who can rally from a bad day or bad section. In a lot of cases, yes, the test scores will be a big factor, but they are not the end-all-be-all of admissions. So study well and do what you can.
There are, undoubtedly, many more misconceptions out there. Do your reading and always be asking questions. And talk to your counselor. This is why we are here.