Some commonly accepted "truths" about the college application process contain little truth at all. Reading this list can help you make better decisions about which college would be the best match for you.

MYTH - "I don't have to take this process seriously as I can always transfer."
REALITY - While many students do transfer, research indicates that students who are serious and thorough in the process are happier with their initial choice.

MYTH - "SAT scores are the most important factor in college admissions".
REALITY - The most important factor in college admissions is the student's academic record, which includes courses taken and grades in those courses.

MYTH - "I should take the SATs as many times as possible to get a high score".
REALITY - The scores of all the SATs that you take get sent to the colleges together. Too many SATs (more than 3) on a Score Report could be interpreted negatively by a college. An SAT score must increase by at least 30 points to be statistically significant. Students should not take the SAT before the March/April test date of Junior year.

MYTH - "Colleges prefer students who have a long list of extracurricular activities".
REALITY - Colleges are more interested in depth of commitments and passion rather that a superficial "laundry list".

MYTH - "Acceptance to a 'big name' college guarantees a high-paying job and a successful future".
REALITY - All colleges have both successful and unsuccessful graduates. Success depends on many factors - including what the individual makes of his or her college experience.

MYTH - "Any 'big name' college will have a strong program in my Major".
REALITY - Not all colleges have all Majors, and not all programs at a college will be of comparable strength.

MYTH - "Applying via an Early Decision program gives me a much better chance of being accepted".
REALITY - Applying via an Early Decision program is a complex decision. Please refer to the full discussion of Early Decision here.

MYTH - "Students who are sure of their Major are better off than those who aren't".
REALITY - If you are undecided about a Major, it is OK to say so on your application. Many students who declare a Major on their applications end up changing it.

MYTH - "There is only one school where I can be happy and successful".
REALITY - There are over 3,500 colleges in the United States. There are many great colleges where any individual can be happy and productive.

MYTH - "The more colleges that you apply to, the better".
REALITY - Applying to colleges can be time-consuming and expensive. With a well-balanced, well-thought-out list, students do not need more than eight colleges (with at least two "likelies") on their final list.

MYTH - "College which is very likely to accept me ("safety" schools) are probably not good schools".
REALITY - Selectivity is not the same as quality. A college has accepted you because you have the characteristics to succeed at that college.

MYTH - "Private colleges are better than public colleges".
REALITY - High cost does not necessarily mean high quality. Remember, public colleges cost less because they are subsidized by taxpayers.

MYTH - "You don't need to visit a college before you have been accepted".
REALITY - If possible, visit the colleges that you will apply to. It is your perceptions and impressions that are important.

MYTH - "If I take a year off between high school and college, I'll never go to college".
REALITY - This is a fear of many parents; however, a year spent in a worthwhile activity can have many benefits. Almost all colleges allow students, once accepted, to defer entrance for a year.

MYTH - "Once I've been accepted at a college, my grades don't matter".
REALITY - Colleges expect students to continue the kind of performance that earned them admission. Colleges can, and do, rescind offers of admission if performance drops. All colleges request final Senior year grades.

MYTH - "Financial aid is only awarded to students who are really poor, or to students who get A's and B's"
REALITY - Most financial aid is based on financial need; however, many students qualify for certain types of need-based aid who are not poor. Also, some students may receive aid that is not need-based because of factors other than academics.

MYTH - "The financial aid package awarded for freshman year will stay the same until college graduation".
REALITY - Financial aid packages vary depending on many factors. Some parts of the package are renewable and some may not be. You can, and should, ask if your package will be similar every year. Also, you need to reapply each year.