7 Myths About College Choice

Myth #1: Only the most prestigious and/or well-known colleges are worth attending.

Reality: How students engage (i.e., what they do) in college is far more important than selectivity. According to a 2018 report by the Stanford Graduate School of Education, COLLEGE SELECTIVITY IS NOT A RELIABLE PREDICTOR OF STUDENT LEARNING, JOB SATISFACTION, OR WELL-BEING!

Myth #2: All Good colleges are SO hard to get into!

Reality: A handful of colleges are really hard to get into; most are not.

The average acceptance rate among all ranked colleges is about 70%; 90% of colleges accept 80% of applicants. Schools such as Stanford (4%), Tulane (9%), and Duke (<8%) are outliers

Myth #3: Medical schools, graduate schools, and employers favor applicants from prestigious universities.

Reality: Students drive their own successes by attending institutions where they can earn high grades and take advantage of internship and co-op opportunities.

Myth #4: SAT/ACT scores are the most important factor in a college application. 

Reality: It depends on individual context and school. Most institutions use a holistic approach to admissions and more than half of U.S. college and universities were test-optional for the 2022 admissions cycle.  While many schools have indicated they will be test-optional for the 2023 admissions cycle, it is important to read all information related to each institution’s test-optional policy and evaluate your own situation when deciding whether or not to submit a test score.

Myth #5: Only state universities are affordable.

Reality: State university sticker prices are lower, but merit and needs-based aid may offset the higher sticker-prices of private institutions.

Myth #6: Higher Cost=Higher Quality

Reality: Price is a reflection of factors such as state funding and endowment size. Price reflects little about quality and NOTHING about fit or potential for success in college and beyond.

Myth #7: Students who attend community college and transfer are losers.

Reality: Attending community college is a great way to save money (up to 50% of the cost of attendance) as well as access good-fit colleges that may have been out of reach during high school.

Tune in next week to learn how to create your list of “good-fit” colleges.

For more information about the myths and realities of college admissions and how to ensure a data driven college application process, reach out at kathy@fineeducationalsolutions.com.