There have been a lot of misconception and assumptions about the college admissions process. One prominent one is the mistrust some people have about the process. This is perhaps caused by the negative news that surface in the media about admissions scandals. They often report news about parents who try to buy their children’s way into college and others who forfeited guardianship of their children to cheat the financial aid system.

However, the truth is that the college admissions process is not corrupt as the press makes it seem. Also, there’s no known admission secret to get into highly selective colleges. As a student and parents, you need to put all these misconceptions in hindsight and familiarize yourself with the truth about the admissions process.

This article brings you the truth about the college admissions process after thorough research into the admissions process. These truths are as follow:

1. No Silver Bullet

Most times, admission aspirants always assume some secret or criteria that specific colleges consider before granting admissions to students. For instance, participation in sports and voluntary activities. But the truth is none of these extracurricular activities solely guarantee you admission. You need to show the admission team that you participate in a few activities that make you feel fulfilled. You’re doing them because you genuinely enjoy them – not because you think it a sure bet for admission.  No particular sport or club gives you a total of admission assurance.

2. Standardized Testing

Some students assume they were denied admission because they didn’t submit test scores even when their chosen collect to say test score is optional. This skepticism has to stop. When some colleges say for some reason that test scores are not required for admission, that submitting them is optional, and that it will not affect your admission decision, that’s the fact. The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) has over 500 colleges that affirm no to penalize students for the absence of a standardized test score.

3. Quality Matters

In the college admission process, quality is more desired than quantity. The anxiety about college admission can make students and their caregivers want to do more than expected. For instance, submitting excessive reference letters or other materials. What colleges look for is the quality of your file, not quantity. The student file’s conciseness makes it sink in faster.

4. High School Admission Quota

It is always speculated that some colleges have a limited number of applicants they accept from one high school. However, colleges do not have a set number of spaces allocated to certain high schools. Every college aims to accept as many well-qualified applicants as possible to meet institutional enrollment goals irrespective of the high school applicants attended.

5. College Ranking Doesn’t Matter

Some students and parents believe that college ranking makes some colleges admission more competitive than the others. Don’t overlook a school because you think the admission standard will be too high for you to meet based on its ranking. If you have done adequate research and submit a quality application file, the ranking can’t do you any harm. 

6. College Support Diverse Talents

If you have a unique unpopular talent, you might feel it may affect your admission into certain colleges. But the fact is college admission offices support a diverse and talented array of prospective students while fulfilling institutional expectations and strategic priorities. 

Final note:

As students, parents, and caregivers, you need to shun all forms of assumptions and misconceptions about college admission processes. Conduct sufficient research before your application and take time to submit quality admission materials. Also, college admission college is not about finding the right college for you but finding the college that will welcome you and challenge you to grow. That’s why it is always advisable to apply to many colleges. You may not get your first choice, but other colleges who offer you admission too may not be a bad option to explore. 

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