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. 

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.








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