College Myths vs Facts

Some tech degrees are highly sought after and have higher starting salaries than bachelor’s degrees.

Senior year of high school doesn’t matter to admissions.

Extracurricular activities will compensate for bad grades.

Senior year grades and classes definitely matter, even if you’ve already been accepted!

ACT scores are just one part of the acceptance process and will not ruin your chances of acceptance by themselves.

Statistically taking a year off means you won’t go back 6% of students who took a gap year graduated college in 10 years

The average student loan is debt is $25,000. (or $5,000 per year of school.)

It’s more important to have a high GPA than to take hard classes.

Not all colleges are equal. Not all departments are equal.

While extracurricular activities add to your portfolio, they can NOT compensate for grades.

A low ACT will destroy your chances of getting into college.

Only the very best students are eligible for financial aid.

Cost of Attendance is the sticker price. There are many other factors which impact affordability.

It’s easy to get accepted to public colleges and hard to get accepted to private colleges.

I can make good money working at the factory my dad works at. I don’t need a degree.

A degree is an investment that provides choices, career mobility, and statistical stability in times of economic crisis.

The college with the lowest official Cost of Attendance is the most affordable option.

Many private schools have generous scholarships based on GPA and ACT scores which are listed on their websites.

Employers think four year schools are better than two year schools.

Every school is different in the bar they set for acceptance.

It would be better to take a year off afterschool and get financial aid.

Students who graduate with bachelor’s degrees always make more than students who get tech degrees.

Employers are looking for more than just the degree.

Earning money in a gap year can make you ineligible for need based aid and for some first year scholarships.

Colleges like to see gap years (taking a year off between high school and college.)

Most students graduate in 4 years.

Private schools are unaffordable.

Less than 20% of students graduate in 4 years.

Liberal arts (like communication, English, art appreciation etc) degrees will leave you working in a coffee shop.

Student's who take harder classes and get B's are better applicants than those with A's and fluff classes

There are all kinds of scholarships out there for all kinds of students.

People are graduating with a $100,000 in student loans. A degree isn’t worth it.

College admissions look for students who have had meaningful experiences and active involvement.

Students in the most groups, club, sports, and organizations are better candidates.

It doesn’t matter where I go to college; my odds of getting a degree are the same anywhere.

A liberal arts degree can provide flexibility. Being prepared for a job in your field requires more than the degree.