Myths About College Admissions

Monday, March 1, 2004

'PLANNIN G-=:; Busting Some Myths About College Admissions @ (NAPSA)—There are many myths about the college admissions process that just don’t bear up underinvestigation. Myth: Smaller independentcolleges are more likely to review an applicant’s entire folder while larger public institutions are more likely to operate on the basis of formulas. Not so, says College Board consultant Gretchen Rigol, who authored Admission DecisionMaking Models, a resource for admissionsprofessionals. Manyinstitutions, large and small, public and private, use complex, multi-step procedures that involve multiple readings. “The only safe generalization that can be made is that the process tends to be more complex if the number of applicants is considerably higher than the number of available spaces,” Rigol adds. Myth: You have to be interviewed to be accepted. While some colleges request students to come for an interview, most don’t require it (either because they couldn’t possibly manage to conduct all those interviews anyway or because they don’t want to disadvantage students wholive at a distance and would find it impos- sible to come). If you can get to the campusfor an interview,by all means do so, but for your own benefit. Visiting a college is a great way to learn firsthand what a schoolis really like. Myth: It’s impossible to figure out whata college is really looking for. On the contrary, most colleges go to great lengths to specify what kinds of students they’re looking for. You'll find lots of information on their Websites about their academic requirements; you'll often find profiles of previously-admitted classes. Myth: There’s only one perfect college for me. “Perhaps the most harmful myth in college admissions is that there’s a perfect school for you and yourlife will be ruined if you don’t get into it,” says Delsie Phillips, dean of admission and financial aid at Haverford College. Chances are there are many colleges that will meet your educational and personal goals. “Looking for colleges, based on what’s important to you, has never been easier,” says Phillips. Search by a variety of different characteristics on www.collegeboard.com—you'll be amazed at how many opportunities are available to you!

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