There are nearly 6,000 colleges and universities with about 18 million students currently enrolled in the U.S.
Getting accepted isn’t easy. College acceptance rates average out to be about 70%, but at competitive schools, it’s much lower. Schools like Harvard admit only 3% of applicants each semester.
You should know about some common myths when it comes to admissions.
Myth No. 1: It’s all about your grades. While grades matter, colleges will also look at the difficulty of the classes you take. So, a “B” in an advanced placement class might be just as good as an “A” in a standard grade-level class.
Myth No. 2: Test scores will ruin your chances. To most schools, they are just one measure, and in fall 2024, more than 1,900 will not require applicants to submit test scores.
Myth No. 3: The more activities you’re involved in, the better. Colleges tend to look at the quality not quantity of your extracurricular activities. So taking a key leadership role in one club might be better than just being a member of multiple organizations.
Myth No. 4: An in-person visit will boost your chances of acceptance. There are other ways to demonstrate interest in the college, such as sending emails, requesting a virtual interview, interacting on social meetings, or contacting alumni.
Myth No. 5: Only ask for a recommendation letter from a teacher who gave you an A. In fact, it’s best to choose a teacher who knows you best and can provide information about your character and growth.
Myth No. 6: You shouldn’t be creative in your admission essay. Colleges will read thousands of essays, so yours should stand out, but the most important thing is to reveal something genuine about yourself that highlights who you really are.