MYTH: Admissions committees seek to recruit well-rounded
students.
FACT: This is not necessarily true. What they're usually
looking for is a well-rounded student body comprised of students
with various interests and skills. This is good news. It means
you don't need a ten-page list of activities stuffed with entries
like the Trampoline Club and the Polka Band. But don't cut down
on your activities for fear of appearing unfocused. Believe it or
not, admissions committees can differentiate between those who
are trying to load up their activities sheet and those who have a
sincere interest in their extracurriculars. Don't worry about
joining clubs you think colleges want to see on your resume.
Participate in what you're really interested in.
MYTH: The essay doesn't count for much.
FACT: Through the essay, an admissions board is able to gain
an appreciation of the student's understanding of intellectual or
social issues, as well as her creativity and maturity. Many
colleges view the essay as a "tipper" that can affirm or negate
an admissions decision. The essay is regarded as a critical
aspect of admissions credentials, so you should spend
considerable time developing the idea, writing, and proofing.
Read
more about essays.
MYTH: Applying for financial aid diminishes my chances of
admission.
FACT: In an ideal world, all colleges would be need-blind,
considering a student's academic and personal qualities and
achievements, but not her ability to pay. Although some schools
still operate under this credo, more common now is a need-aware,
or need-conscious policy; few colleges now have the money to fund
all of the students who qualify for need-based aid. But by not
applying for aid, you may be cutting off any possible chances for
admission. Read
more about financial aid.
MYTH: If you are rejected from a school, that's the final
word on the matter.
FACT: There are some questions about your rejection you can
ask the college that can turn the situation to your advantage.
Like if you really and truly believe that your application was
not given full consideration or if you absolutely want to attend
a specific school, you can appeal the decision. Schools often
have a review process, and it will get you a second look, though
it may not lead to a change in the outcome.
MYTH: If, by second semester of junior year, your GPA isn't
so hot, it's too late to bring it up.
FACT: Most colleges look for a trend in high school academic
performance, and they place a high importance on improvements in
a student's grades in the second semester of junior year. So if
your transcript to date is not stellar, it's may not be too late
to bring up your GPA. Do whatever is necessary—stay in some
weekends to study, go to your teachers for help, do an extra
credit assignment, maybe even invest in a tutor.
MYTH: It doesn't matter when I send in my applications, just
as long as it's before the deadline.
FACT: Generally, there's no disadvantage to sending your
application right at the deadline, but there are pluses if you
get your application in early:
- If any component of your application is missing, you'll
have time to get it in before it's too late.
- Admissions officers become weary as the file-reading season
wears on; the files that are complete and ready to be read
early in the process may be reviewed more carefully when the
staff is not at the edge of exhaustion.
- Some institutions, including Harvard, prefer all applicants
to have an interview with a staff member or a local alum. The
earlier your application is received, the sooner the college
can contact you about an interview.
- If you get your applications completed and sent well in
advance of the deadline, you avoid the stress of squeezing
everything into the last minute.
MYTH: It's not a good idea to ask alums from your high school
what they think of a particular college.
FACT: Enrolled students and alumni are the best source for a
candid, unvarnished opinion of what the school is like and how it
could serve your needs and goals. Seek out former students of
your high school who went there (your guidance counselor can help
you with this) or friends of your parents who graduated from
there. Don't be shy about asking them the tough questions: Do you
like it? ...What's it like to live there? ...Was the school
helpful in finding a job? ...What are the classes like? People
love to talk about their lives and their school, so most likely,
the student or alum will be more than happy to answer your
questions.
