Common college application myths

Given that we have a quiet moment this Saturday, now’s a great time for an update. What’s today’s topic, you ask? Common college application myths sounds like a good subject, so let’s go with that.

Specifically, a lot of students have objections to applying based on myths they’ve heard, so why don’t we clear the air on a few of those. Three of the more common concerns are the cost of applying, essays and letters of recommendation, and grades. First off, the application process is a pretty low cost endeavor; there’s a $30 one-time application fee that is nonrefundable, but if a high school counselor can show financial need, that fee can be waived. The other major fees, $150 for housing and $95 for orientation, are both refundable up until May 1. Other student worry that their grades aren’t high enough or they don’t have the proper high school schedule, and while we do have recommendations for incoming students, they are not carved in stone. The admissions counselor’s take a very holistic approach to reviewing applications, which kind of goes hand in hand with myth #3. Students will often ask if there is a letter of recommendation or an essay required for the application. Nope, it’s a pretty pain free application, just about four pages of questions. That being said, if there is any other information or materials you want to provide us with (including an essay, should you wish) to help inform us of a larger picture we will accept and review it with your application. A rigorous schedule, lots of extracurriculars, if you let us know about any of these, they will play a part in your application.

Another objection is “it’s too early for me to apply.” Not always true; students are able to apply as soon as they finish their junior year, and the earlier a student applies the better. Applications are reviewed beginning at about mid-September, but when students are admitted early, they are able to apply for housing earlier and (if they applied before December 31) have access to a number of scholarships, depending upon GPA and ACT. And again, most deposits can be refunded should a student change their mind on colleges.

Finally, I wanted to address a pretty big and very damaging myth about first generation college students. A lot of these students believe that there’s no point in attending a university, either because they feel that they can’t or because those around them haven’t. Fortunately, one of our student employees in the office, Cortney, is a first generation student, and she said the following:

“If you’re the first student in your family thinking about college, it’s all the more reason to go. You have an opportunity to not only influence those around you to achieve more now, but to set a precedent for everyone else in your family to continue your hard work. Especially if other people tell you that you can’t do it; there were a few individuals in my life who said I wouldn’t be able to make it, but with some help from scholarships I have a lot more doors opening for me now and in the future. I’ve met people and had experience that I wouldn’t have been able to without attending college.”

So there you have it, I tried to avoid Mythbusters jokes, but hopefully that enlightens you guys as to the truth about some common college myths, clearing out some negative misconceptions, and hopefully encouraging some students who may not have been thinking about applying to submit an application. But not all college myths are false; that one about Transformational Links on the Allendale Campus? Totally true, it’s bad luck to walk underneath it.

-Kyle