| Face it, searching for and selecting a college that is | | | | prefer, for example, the student solely dedicated to |
| best suited to your needs, interests and potential can | | | | being the yearbook editor over the student who has |
| be a difficult challenge. But that challenge can often | | | | some participation in 10 different activities. This is |
| be exacerbated by a lack of well-grounded | | | | what is called "productive follow-through." |
| information about what the college selection process | | | | Myth #4: It is better to go to a big university that is |
| is all about. These seven beliefs make up a portion of | | | | well known than to a small college that few people |
| the most misleading ideas that can lead to poor | | | | have heard of. |
| results and a disheartening college experience. Let us | | | | Fact: This generalization about large versus small |
| debunk them. | | | | schools is quite misleading. While a large university |
| Myth #1: The only private colleges worth applying to | | | | with wide name recognition (such as UCONN or |
| are the Ivy League colleges. | | | | Duke) may be ideal for many students, others may |
| Fact: Not true. The eight Ivy League colleges are | | | | perform better in a smaller, more personalized |
| among the most selective schools in the nation, but | | | | environment (such as Oberlin College or Connecticut |
| they may not offer, academically, socially, or | | | | College). Just because your next door neighbor has |
| otherwise, what you really want. Besides, did you | | | | not heard of a particular college does not mean the |
| know that the "Ivy League" is simply an athletic | | | | school is not prestigious. Graduate schools and |
| league like the Big 10 or the Pac 10? Certainly the Ivy | | | | employers make it their business to know which |
| League is known for its academic quality, but is does | | | | colleges turn out the brightest and most capable |
| not have a monopoly on academic quality. Often, | | | | graduates, and the size of the school has very little |
| students and parents fail to identify the intrinsic value | | | | to do with it. It is important to define the things you |
| of any school, especially Ivy League schools: the | | | | want in a college - to understand yourself, not to be |
| students. While it is true that resources and | | | | unduly influenced by the opinions of others. |
| technology can make a difference in opportunities or | | | | Myth #5: Colleges receive too many admissions |
| access to advanced learning, it is even truer that | | | | essay to read them all. |
| your personal determination to grow as a student | | | | Fact: Private college admission officers read personal |
| and a professional is the real secret to success. No | | | | essays with great care. Writing about yourself in a |
| matter where you are, your own work ethic and | | | | way that makes you unique is the one of the most |
| internal drive will determine whether or not you will | | | | significant things you can do to overcome lackluster |
| be success. Even if you begin as a Yale Bulldog, a | | | | test scores and a mediocre school record. Do not |
| lack of solid character will eventually catch up to you. | | | | wait until just before the deadline to rush to write |
| Myth #2: Colleges really do not look at senior year | | | | your essay just to get the application in the mail on |
| grades. | | | | time. A well-written essay can tip the scales in your |
| Fact: All college admissions committees analyze not | | | | favor; the personal essay can make a difference. |
| only senior year grades in the first semester, but also | | | | Myth #6: Colleges do not have enough money to |
| the degree of difficulty of the senior year course of | | | | give families financial aid. |
| study. As for the second semester grades, if there is | | | | Fact: Financial aid continues to be more readily |
| a significant change (decline) in academic performance | | | | available than you might think in the forms of grants, |
| from February to June (spring semester), the college | | | | loans, work-study, and merit scholarships. Read the |
| that originally accepted you might require summer | | | | financial aid section of the schools you will be applying |
| school work, put you on probation for the first | | | | to, attend evening financial aid sessions at your high |
| semester of college, or rescind your acceptance on | | | | school this fall and winter, and investigate websites |
| the grounds that you are not the same strong | | | | such as FastWeb or FinAid. |
| student they originally admitted. Most colleges will not | | | | Myth #7: If I make the wrong decision about college, |
| officially accept you until they see your final | | | | my life will be ruined. |
| transcript. Since that arrives in July or August after | | | | Fact: While it is important to realize the significance of |
| high school graduation, there are serious | | | | your college choice, take it seriously, and spend time |
| consequences for you if your admission offer is | | | | on all the steps of the college process, you should |
| rescinded one month before the fall term begins. | | | | remember to keep things in perspective. If you find, |
| Myth #3: It is important to participate in as many | | | | in spite of an informed choice, that you are not well |
| extra-curricular activities as possible to impress college | | | | suited to your college, you can transfer to another |
| admission people because it "looks good." | | | | college. So be conscientious about the selection |
| Fact: Colleges are "looking" for quality of involvement, | | | | process. Also, never underestimate life as a journey |
| not simply quantity. They want a well-rounded | | | | filled with experiences. Often, what may seem like a |
| student body made up of students who are | | | | mistake can be the key to something great when |
| passionately interested in particular activities, those | | | | you apply a positive attitude. Remember the key to |
| who have not spread themselves so thin that their | | | | your success comes from within - your determination |
| extra-curricular commitments are superficial. Colleges | | | | and desire is what must be spot on, not your college. |