myths

Out of Date College Admissions Advice That No Longer Works

By Hilary CairnsPublished on April 25, 2023

Adults generally mean well when they give you advice on aspects of life. And a lot of their advice still holds true and should be taken to heart. However, there are some tidbits – like knocking on doors to get jobs – that are simply out of date or just plain wrong. And that holds …

college admissions, myths

Conquering Freshman Fears

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 21, 2022

Entering college for the first time is definitely a major life change. You’re (likely) moving out of your house, leaving the K-12 system, leaving your friends, and entering a new chapter of your life. It’s no wonder it can be scary! But know you’re not alone. There are plenty of common fears that new college …

myths, questions & answers

15 Things to Know Before Going to College

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on February 6, 2023

The transition from high school to college is a big jump that comes with a lot of new and exciting experiences. Not to mention, a lot more responsibility. Going off to college is often the first glimpse of what being an adult looks like, especially if you’re relocating. The advice you can get from college …

myths

Myths About Having A 4.0 GPA

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

How important is it to get a 4.0 GPA? Ask a class of high school students this question and you’ll be surprised at the varied answers you’ll get. Many students are under the notion that their GPA is the only thing that matters for admissions and scholarships. Only very few students understand the role GPA …

myths

Myth: Applying To A College Is All The Demonstrated Interest I Need To Show

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

Applying to a college may tell them that you are interested in attending their institution but it does not tell them much about your ‘level of interest’. That’s where demonstrated interest comes in. Colleges are well aware that every student will have created their own shortlist of colleges to apply to. Moreover, each student will …

myths

6 Myths about the PSAT

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on November 20, 2023

The Preliminary SAT, or PSAT, is a standardized test that often serves as a practice run for the SAT. While it may provide valuable insights into your strengths and weaknesses, there are several myths and misconceptions surrounding the test that may create unnecessary stress and confusion. Let’s debunk some of those myths to help you …

myths

Myth: You Should NEVER Guess on the SAT

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on November 26, 2024

You may have heard to “never guess on the SAT,” especially from your parents or older friends or relatives. However, that is actually not true (anymore)! Here’s a rundown of what that means for you and why guessing may actually help earn you the highest SAT score: No Points Are Deducted for Wrong Answers In …

myths

Myth: Colleges with High Acceptance Rate Must Be Bad!

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

College acceptance rates are a helpful tool in understanding how competitive a college is. However, many people equate the acceptance rate to the quality of the school, and that can spread misconception. In other words, they believe that colleges with high acceptance rates aren’t “good”. In fact, a college and the experiences students have there are …

myths

Myth: The ACT is Easier than the SAT

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

If you’re a high school student planning on going to college, you know you need to take either the ACT or SAT. Most colleges accept either the ACT or SAT, so that’s good. But you may be wondering “Is the ACT easier than the SAT?” It’s actually a common misconception that the ACT test is …

myths

Myth: ACT/ SAT Questions Are Arranged by Difficulty

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

With many tests, questions are generally ordered from easiest to most difficult. It’s easy to make the assumption that the ACT and SAT questions would be similar, but that’s not necessarily the case with these entrance exams. Randomized Questions For the most part, the ACT and SAT questions fall into a randomized level of difficulty. …