- Senior grades don’t count.
- Schools that cost more are of higher quality.
- Future employers and graduate schools give an edge to those who have degrees from prestigious universities.
- Being a competitive athlete means I don’t need to be a competitive scholar.
- I can’t apply to a school I’ve never visited.
- I should only apply to schools that seem to be inexpensive.
- The more rigorous the admission standards, the higher the quality of education.
- Test scores are the most important criterion in college admission: My SAT (or ACT) is the only thing preventing me from being admitted. Or, my SAT (or ACT) is the only thing I need to be admitted.
- Colleges don’t take more than one student from the same high school.
- I can increase my chances of admission to a competitive school or a "reach" school by applying Early Action/Early Decision.
- Some secret strategy can get me admitted to college.
- I can’t apply to colleges; I haven’t picked my major or career yet.
- I’m a failure if I don’t get into College X.
- Relying on magazine lists of "Best Colleges" is the best way to determine whether a college is right for me.
- A big, metropolitan state university outside of Utah will be completely different from the big, metropolitan state university in Utah.
- My mom/dad attended this college so I should get in without problems.
- Admissions Officers are too busy/dumb/disinterested to notice how carefully or truthfully I have completed their application.
- It’s better to take easier classes in high school and get better grades.
- A college I’ve heard about is better, or at least safer, than one I haven’t.
- What my friends say about a college is a good indicator.
- I have to make my college selection early on in my senior year and have all my applications in by Christmas.
