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Tag: myths

  • College Myths (Last)

    This is fourth and final addition of the IQx college myth list.

    Myth #16 – A lot of extracurricular activities will compensate for poor grades.
    Yes, colleges do consider out-of-class activities such as athletics, student body, and drama when they review an application. However, universities first look at the academic record. The extracurricular activities generally only help after an academic transcript is looked at and it is considered to be good enough.

    Myth #17 – Liberal arts colleges don’t have good science programs.
    On the contrary, most liberal arts colleges have been emphasizing science for all students for over a hundred years. Since the best way to learn science is by doing science, small colleges with small classes and fewer students in the laboratories often have an advantage. As a result, far more physicians and Ph.D.s have earned their undergraduate degrees from small liberal arts colleges than larger universities.

    Myth #18 – A student’s college experience will be pretty much like everyone else’s.
    This is impossible and always will be. Everyone has a different life and everybody experiences many different things during their college years. When one may take five classes and only go to dances, another may take four classes and do student body leadership. A student’s experience is utterly unique in his/her own way.

    Myth #19 – The federal government provides most of the financial aid.
    A majority of the aid that is received from the government will come in the form of loans. For the last several years the amount of money made available in grants has been shrinking while the amount available in loans is increasing. Often, the amount available from various sources will depend on the kind of college you decide to attend- State schools will have most of their funding come from the government while private schools are often able to offer scholarships from their own funding and have more flexibility in creating financial aid packages.

    Myth #20 – Colleges are concerned only with my intellectual and academic development.
    Many colleges and smaller universities pride themselves on their ability to “develop the whole person”. Some of this personal development comes from requiring a broad-based general education that contributes to the understanding of the world. In some cases, personal and professional development is intentional. At these colleges, there are workshops open to students on time management, developing relationships, handling oneself at a job interview, and the responsibilities as a citizen.

  • College Myths (Third)

    This is third of the IQx college myth list.

    IQx Myth #11 – The duration of college is only four years.
    This is wrong for two reasons: 1 – A student can’t trade in his/her degree for another one if he/she didn’t go to the best college for his/her first time. The college is with the student for life. 2 – About one out of five students completes college in four years. In fact, only two of five students complete college in six years. If a student plans to be out of college in four years, learn what each college’s four-year graduation rate is.

    IQx Myth #12 – A student has to take only the minimum college prep courses to get into college.
    Technically, this is true. In reality however, it is not. The more science, mathematics and languages a student takes, the better his/her chances are for getting into a good four-year college.

    IQx Myth #13 – State institutions provide more financial aid than private universities.
    State-supported colleges offer less of their own resources for scholarships and financial aid. State-supported institutions are subsidized by their respective states which allows them to charge less. However, state institutions are also more likely to only offer loans to students who do not have a high need.

    IQx Myth #14 – Students can’t trust the college about financial aid.
    The job of a university’s financial aid officer is to make it possible for all admitted students to attend their college while still staying within the federal guidelines. Their job is to make the financial aid package fit different students as well as possible.

    IQx Myth #15 – A student’s life will be ruined if he/she doesn’t get admitted to his/her first choice college.
    Thousands upon thousands of students each year do not get admitted to their first choice college. They are still here today as happy and healthy as the rest of us. Rejection is always hard on egos, but lots of others are experiencing the same. It’s a part of life. Many go on to have a great time at their second choice school and go further to have a great career.

  • 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.

  • College Myths (First)

    There are many college myths that come up when a student is choosing which college he/she wants to go to. This is first of the IQx college myth list.

    IQx Myth #1 – Standardized tests, such as ACT, PSAT and SAT, are a lot more important than high school grades.
    Grades demonstrate a student’s drive to learn. Universities are aware that a student’s performance in high school is a much better predictor of college success than any standardized tests. However, this does not mean that universities will throw away a student’s test scores. If a student’s scores and grades differ immensely, then the admissions officers will examine the application into more depth.

    IQx Myth #2 – A student should go to the most prestigious college that he/she is admitted to.
    A student should not go to a college simply for “the name” or because it ranks number two in the nation. A student should go to the school that he/she personally likes the most. This includes liking the college campus, food, environment, etc. If the student goes to the most elite university but hates everything about it, he/she will not fit in and feel miserable the whole time.

    IQx Myth #3 – It is better to get good grades than take challenging courses.
    Undertaking challenging classes projects to colleges that the student can handle challenging courses very similar to that of a college class. Getting a 4.0 in the minimum required classes in the high school does not display any bit of hard work or ambition.

    IQx Myth #4 – Colleges need a certain amount of students, so it is easier to get accepted.
    Selective private colleges and most state universities get way more qualified applicants than they can possibly accept. While some colleges may have difficulty finding students, many would rather admit fewer students than admit unqualified students. Each year, there are only about 20-30 universities in the United States that accept every applicant.

    IQx Myth #5 – If a student did poorly in 9th & 10th grade he/she has a low chance of being admitted to a selective college.
    One attribute universities look for in applicants is improvement. When they see a jump of work ethic, they may consider letting the 9th and 10th grade grades slide a bit. The improvement must be over time though, and one semester of change will not affect anything.