College Myths (Second)
This is second of the IQx college myth list.
IQx Myth #6 - If a student hasn’t heard of a college or university, it can’t be a good one.
A student may not hear about many of the world’s most prestigious colleges until he/she is in his/her senior year of high school. Most universities that are broadcasted nationwide are displayed through sports. However, many of the best colleges may not be amazing at athletics and don’t get the chance to get extremely well known. Look at colleges for their merits, not for their name.
IQx Myth #7 – A student should decide on his/her career before he/she can choose a university.
In most colleges, a student can choose his/her major in his/her sophomore year and still complete the degree in four years. A surprising number of students discover their ideal field while taking a course they didn’t expect to like. Take the time to decide.
IQx Myth #8 - The best time to visit colleges is after the student has been admitted.
This is absolutely vital to the student’s happiness in his/her college. Students should visit every school that they want to attend before applying. This will determine whether they enjoy the campus and general feel of the particular university. Many students have visited after they were accepted and found that none of the colleges were ones that they would fit into.
IQx Myth #9 - Large universities have greater ethnic diversity.
If the value of diversity is to learn to understand and appreciate other cultures and groups, then small colleges often offer greater diversity. However, the ratios of the different ethnic groups are generally within 1-2% from college to college.
IQx Myth #10 - Only the highest achieving students receive financial aid from colleges.
Many students are accepted to a college, but they need financial aid. Although another student may have a better transcript, financial aid is generally saved for those who need it. There are more need based scholarships than academic or athletic based scholarships.