5 Common Misconceptions About College Admissions

College application season is right around the corner. There is always some confusion and a lot of questions around this time,so we’ve put together a list of common misconceptions to help you and your student avoid pratfalls.

1. My student needs to be well-rounded to get into a top school.
   This belief reflects a bit of a generational gap. Growing up in the 80s and 90s, we were constantly told that we needed to appear well-rounded to get into a good college. This is no longer the case. These days colleges are looking for more focus and commitment. Instead of having your student involved in ten different activities that they quit after a year, find a few activities that they will stick with and really excel in. 

2. My student is perfect. Any college would be lucky to have them. 
   There’s a fine line between confidence and arrogance. Make sure not to cross that line. Colleges do not want arrogant students. Instead, your student should appear confident, but humble. They should be able to gracefully accept criticism, and yes, rejection. Practice these skills with your student so that when they get an interview they are able to confidently talk about their accomplishments without seeming like they are bragging. 

3. Summer is a great time for a campus visit.
   Yes, summer is a convenient time to check out colleges because your student is out of school and you can probably take some time off work. However, the downside to this approach is that the campus in summer is likely to be fairly empty with very few classes in session and little to no student activity. How is your student going to determine if the college would be a good fit for them under these conditions? It would be better to take a long weekend from school/work and check out the college while classes are still in session and students on campus. 

4. Every top college is looking for something different.
   No. In fact, they are all looking for the same thing: intelligent, thoughtful, hard-working students who will contribute something to the school. Your student should know what colleges look for when you’re putting together applications and preparing for interviews. Accordingly, your student will need to tailor their personal details to fit the school’s objectives, but overall, top colleges are ultimately seeking the same traits in their applicants. 

5. The college says they are test-optional, so my student doesn’t need to take the SAT/ACT.
   We are still living in the midst of pandemic-based policies. Some colleges are still saying they are test-optional. However, more and more colleges are requiring test scores again. Moreover, even the ones that are saying they are test-optional still seem to favor the students who submitted test scores and performed well. If your student really wants to get into a selective or highly selective college, they should absolutely plan to take the SAT or ACT. A good test score will only improve your student’s chances of getting into their top choice school. 

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