College Myth busters – 3 Deadly Myths that will Ruin Your Chances at College

Today we’ll talk about three huge college myths that continue to exist no matter how many times they have been disproven. Whether you’re aiming for Ivy League universities or looking for colleges with high acceptance rates, you need to be strategic in building your college profile, which means knowing what’s true—and what’s definitely not.

College Myth #1: Taking weighted courses, like honors and APs, makes you look good for college

The Truth. Earning A’s in courses makes you look good for college. Earning A’s in weighted coursework makes you look even better. But taking weighted courses—by itself—does not make you look good for college.

The Reality. Many students take weighted coursework because they heard it makes them look good. This is a college myth. Students who take too many APs and honors courses often end up struggling in these weighted courses, especially if they sign up for courses they don’t care about or they lack the study habits required to get A’s in these courses.

College Myth #2: It’s important to self-study for and take AP exams outside of what’s offered

The Truth. Self-studying for AP exams often makes you look bad, not good. First off, colleges measure your coursework and performance based on the curriculum offered at your school and the grades you earned. Not AP exam scores. Hence, self-studying for additional subjects is irrelevant because it isn’t the same as taking a class and earning semester grades in it.

Top colleges aren't impressed by students who self-study for AP tests. Here are a few more college myths—and what it really takes to get into the best colleges in the US. — Photo by Ying Ge on Unsplash

Secondly, self-studying for AP exams beyond what was offered is often viewed as manipulative, try-hard, and contrived. It looks like an ingenuine attempt to look good for college rather than a genuine attempt to learn. After all, studying for an exam score isn’t the same as showing you genuinely wanted to learn about it.

The Reality. Most students who self-study don’t end up getting a 5. This is largely because they don’t have the time to adequately prepare amidst an already heavy course load and other commitments. This is a college myth. As a result, students often opt out of the test or get a 4 or less. Therefore, they don’t report it on their apps, since getting a 4 is equivalent to getting a B. For college admissions, that could hurt you rather than help you, especially if the AP score is in a subject related to your major

The College Myth #3: Your GPA is everything

The Truth. Your GPA does matter, so you should take it seriously. Don’t skip study sessions or blow off assignments, and consider investing in a tutor for the subjects you find yourself struggling with most. However, grades alone can only take you so far. Even an unweighted 4.0 is no guarantee that you’ll get into Ivy League universities or the best colleges in California.

The Reality. Admissions counselors look at the whole picture and want to see well-rounded applicants. This means that high achievers need to branch out and get involved in activities beyond their coursework. It’s also good news for those with grades that could use improving, as meaningful contributions in extracurricular activities and service opportunities can help make up for grades you aren’t proud of.

Want to get into the best public university? Here are 3 common college myths and what you need to know instead. — Photo by Allef Vinicius on Unsplash

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Want to learn more about how to boost your college profile? Check out our video about college myths for additional information about what it takes to get into good universities.

We can help you with everything from course selection to college applications and essay editing. Book your free consultation today to learn more about our targeted, one-on-one support from caring professionals who know the university application process like the back of our hands.

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Sarah Gooch

Essay Editor

Q:How many total years of experience do you have in your current role, including but not limited to ReadyEdgeGo?

A: I have five years' experience in coaching student writing, but this is my first year with ReadyEdgeGo.

Q: What about working with students do you most enjoy?

A: I love helping students find depth and meaning in their own stories—but I also just love it when they make me laugh!

Q: What do you like to do in your free time?

A: In theory, I enjoy painting and writing poetry, but these days I actually spend most of my free time socializing or watching movies with my husband.

Q: What is your one piece of advice for high schoolers?

A: Don't just focus on achieving top grades and credentials because they look good on applications, or your education will be meaningless. The numbers and awards have their place, but stay connected to your sense of curiosity, discovery, excitement, and wonder so that the content you're learning is constantly transforming you—it's something you care about, something you remember after the final exam. Work on the aspects of yourself no one can measure, like integrity, wisdom, kindness, and compassion, so that you're not only developing your academic and career potential but also investing in the type of adult you're going to be, the person you'll have to live with after you clock out every day for the rest of your life.

Doing the hard inner work of building your character and learning deeply instead of just earning grades will set you up for a satisfying, well-rounded life. Strange as it sounds, it will also put you ahead in your academic and career goals, because colleges and hiring managers aren't looking for an empty set of data on a spreadsheet; they want a fully fleshed-out person marked by passion, creativity, and a story no one else has lived.

So go on studying hard for tests, but also spend some time asking yourself what matters in life and who your role models are. Read up on topics that amaze you, and build something incredible just for fun. Cultivate that spark of joy you feel when you're immersed in a subject that fascinates you. If you can hit that balancing act of doing your homework and meeting deadlines but also investing in the kind of person you want to be, then trust that all the rest will follow: schools will recognize you as a dynamic, all-star person, and you will also build a life of happiness, close relationships, and peace.

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