The mythological “intel” below may SOUND reasonable enough, but applicants who heed such advice often find themselves disconsolate when admission decision postings and letters come out…
Academic
- Myth #1: As college admissions rates go lower, academic standards go higher across the curriculum.
- Myth #2: It’s always better to take more rather than fewer AP (and honors) classes, but whether you get 4s or 5s on AP exams doesn’t really matter.
- Myth #3: Your weighted or unweighted GPA is the only measure of grades admissions officers consider.
Standardized Tests
- Myth #4: Most admissions committees don’t count standardized test scores as much as they used to.
- Myth #5:“Test Optional” means you have just as good a chance getting in when you don’t send scores as when you do.
- Myth #6:Committees would rather see As and Bs in AP classes than 4s and 5s on AP Exams.
- Myth #7:With COVID and all the test-optional schools, students should take advantage of not having to deal with all the standardized test stress by just opting out.
Activities
- Myth #8:All community service activitie are seen as equal in the eyes of admissions officers.
- Myth #9:Specific athletic achievements like team and school records are more important to most admissions committees than leadership roles.
- Myth #10:Committees are looking for active membership in a range of clubs rather than leadership in one or two.
Application Writing
- Myth #11: You should write your personal essay about one of your greatest accomplishments or shining moments, perhaps to color in and emphasize an activity.
- Myth #12:A great personal essay highlights a major high school accomplishment or your “highlights reel.”
- Myth #13:Get recommendations from teachers who, you know, ”love you” even if you didn’t learn much of interest in their classes or whether you earned impressive grades demonstrating college-ready skills—you know, because they “love you.”
- Myth #14:Use every question, essay and other conceivable means on individual schools’ supplements to recap/emphasize your high school hit parade.
Miscellaneous
- Myth #15: All colleges favor the naturally brilliant, straight-A kids taking all APs, and who ace every test; with such a high academic bar in 2020, you don’t stand a chance and shouldn’t waste time applying.
Learn about these MYTHS in today’s admissions game and find out who advice DOES work in our Monthly College Admissions Zoom Talks for Parents & Teens…with Dr. Yo
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