Common College Myths

The college selection process can be made more difficult by giving into the myths that distort perceptions and detract from what the college process can and should be. Year after year, students settle on schools that might not be best for them because they've fallen victim to the many half-truths or myths surrounding the college selection process.  There is a better way!

Myth #1: It’s better to get good grades than take a challenging course.

Even modest success in advanced or accelerated courses indicates to a college that you seek and can handle challenging courses, like those that you will find in college. A challenging college preparatory program like the IB Diploma program will help you get into more selective schools.

Myth #2: Standardized Tests (ACT or SAT) are more important than my transcript grades.  

Your performance in high school is a better predictor of college success than standardized tests, a fact of which universities are well aware. That does not mean that most colleges won't look at your SAT or ACT scores. Some state institutions, where they have far more applicants than they can fairly assess, may in fact use scores to screen out candidates.

Myth #3: I need to decide on my career BEFORE I choose a college.  

College is a time to explore. With the exception of a few specific cases, you can choose a major at the end of your sophomore year and still complete the degree in four years. A surprising number of students discover the field for them while taking a course they didn't expect to like. Don't let well-meaning friends pressure you into deciding on a major field or a career at this point. Take your time.

Myth #4: I can’t get into a selective college if I performed poorly in Years 10 and 11.

Colleges look for improvement in performance as a sign that you can and will do the work. In fact, a vast improvement in you work in the IBDP indicates to a college that you have settled down. However, do not expect to catch up for three poor years in one good semester in Year 13. 

Myth #5: If I haven’t heard of a college or university, it can’t be very good.

You may not hear of many of the nation's finest colleges until you are well into your adult life. Athletics on television is how universities often get to be known, but many colleges do not get that kind of exposure. Some of the nation's finest colleges don't have big-time athletic programs. Judge an institution on its own merits. Don't let name recognition or ranking determine a good or bad college for you.

Myth #6: A lot of extra curricular activities will compensate for poor grades.

Admittedly, colleges consider out-of-class activities such as athletics, student government, music, etc. when they review an application. But colleges look at your academic performance first. Lots of out-of-class activities help only if the college already believes you can do the work. "The thicker the file, the thicker the student" is an expression admission counsellors use when a prospective student submits materials on all that they have done in an effort to compensate for poor grades.

Myth #7: I should opt for the most prestigious college which accepted me.

You should go to the college that "fits" you best; if it happens to be prestigious, that's fine. However, fit has to do with how you feel when you are on campus, the match with how you learn and how the professors teach, and the academic pressure you can handle. If the university and you are not a good match, you will be unhappy (and therefore not do well) regardless of the prestige. 

Myth #8: Big colleges are best if I haven’t decided on a major. 

Many students think because there are more courses to choose from, a large university offers greater options for undecided students. However, choices alone should not be the deciding factor. If you are undecided, the best college is one that has core requirements or distribution requirements that ensure you can explore different subjects and fields. Also, look for colleges with strong academic advising and Career Counseling programs regardless of their size. Good advising can help you choose an academic and career path you will enjoy and are well suited for.  

Myth #9: The quality of the academic program in which I am interested is the most important factor to base my decision on. 

About two out of five students change their major field of interest before they actually enroll in college, and about one of two change their major field once they enroll. Look for a college that has a program in current area of interest, but is also strong in other areas you would like to explore. It's worth noting that the research on success in graduate school and in employment after college suggests the best way to master a major field is a combination of learning theory and active, hands-on learning by doing. The opportunity to do research on your own or work side by side with a professor on a project, for example, tends to be more valuable than simply taking more courses in the field.

Myth #10: The best time to visit a college is after I have been accepted. 

Many students have fallen for this myth only to find out that none of the colleges to which they were accepted "felt" right when they visited. If possible, visit before you apply and again after you have been admitted. If you can visit only once, make it before you apply. 

Myth #11: My life will be ruined if I don’t get into my first choice colleges.  

Thousands of students each year do not get admitted to their first choice college and most live happy, healthy and productive lives. Yes, rejection is hard on your ego, but you will not be alone. Additionally, the vast majority of students who settle for their second choice end up happy at that institution. Remember college admission, especially at the more selective colleges, is a subjective decisions made by humans. They make these decisions based upon institutional needs from among many more qualified applicants than they can possibly admit. In some ways, once an applicant is determined to be academically and socially attractive to the institution, the final admission decision comes down to factors that have absolutely nothing to do with the candidate (ie, male/female ratio, needing a musician for the orchestra or a point guard for the basketball team).

Myth #12: I will have a better chance of getting into professional or graduate school if I choose a university with these programs.  

Many students and parents mistakenly think that attending a university with a law school, medical school or graduate school guarantees admission into that program at graduation. Very few universities give their students special preference for graduate study. The bottom line is that the faculties at graduate and professional schools want the very best students they can get…regardless of where they did their undergraduate work. In fact small undergraduate colleges send a much higher percentage of graduates on to graduate and professional schools than do large universities. The key to admission is doing well in a demanding program as a challenging institution. Regardless of where you attend there are no guarantees of admission to graduate and professional programs. 

Myth #13: Liberal arts colleges do not have good science programs. 

The "liberal" in liberal arts means "broadening" and "freeing" -- as in freeing one's mind from narrow thinking. The term liberal arts is a shortened version of the full title: liberal arts and sciences. Most liberal art college's have been emphasizing science for all students for a century or more. Since the best way to learn science is by doing science, small colleges with small classes and fewer students in laboratories often have an advantage. Proportionally, far more Ph.Ds in the sciences and physicians have earned their undergraduate degrees from small liberal arts colleges than large universities.  

Myth #14: Residence halls are simply a place to sleep. 

This is true at many large institutions, but it is not the case at smaller colleges. At "residential colleges" the staff take advantage of the 24-hour learning experience. Many small colleges have regular activities in the residence halls ranging from those focusing topical subjects, wellness and personal growth to film festivals and social events. A residential college offers a unique time in your life to blend your academic, social, personal and recreational lives. The famous college tradition, the late night, "bull sessions," often deal in subject matter from academic courses, personal beliefs, and arguments over the views of famous philosophers. Residential life can add a great deal to your college experience.  

Myth #15: Large universities have greater diversity. 

This may be true if "diversity" simply means having greater numbers of African-American, Hispanic-Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans and international students. Unfortunately, the size and nature of a large university often means there is little interaction among those of various ethnic and racial backgrounds. At large universities, distinct groups of students can often choose to live and learn together, separately from other students. This is generally not true at smaller institutions where all students are interspersed throughout the residence halls. Classes are small, so you will get to know well or in passing virtually all students. If the value of diversity is to learn to understand and appreciate other cultures and groups, then small colleges often offer greater opportunity to interact with a wide range of students.

Myth #16: My college experience will pretty much be like everyone else’s. 

This can be true at large universities where the number of students makes "personalizing" the experience difficult, but generally not true at smaller colleges. With the advantage of lower student/faculty ratios, students at smaller schools can get the attention necessary to do such things as develop one’s own major, or do research on a highly specialized ‘sub-area’ of one’s major; in other words to “personalize” their experience.

Myth #17: Colleges are only concerned with my intellectual and academic development.

Many colleges and universities pride themselves on their ability to "develop the whole person." Some of this personal development comes from requiring a broad-based general education that contributes to your understanding of the world and society at large. Some of the personal growth takes place in residence halls where you learn things like tolerance and how to get along with different kinds of people. In some cases, personal and professional developments is structured in the program. At these colleges, there are often workshops for students on such non-academic topics as time management, developing relationships, handling yourself at a job interview and your responsibilities as a citizen, etc.