myths

Myth: No Need to Study for ACT/SAT if You Have Good Grades

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022

Some students in high school find they don’t have to study particularly hard to get good high school grades. But that method can get them in trouble when it comes to the two big college entrance exams—the ACT and SAT. So even the most talented students should focus on and study up! A Different Kind …

myths

Myth: If You Don’t Like Science, You Should Avoid the ACT!

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022

There are so many myths that surround the ACT and SAT it could make your head spin. Many myths directly relate to which test you should (supposedly) take. One of which, is that if you’re not good at science, you shouldn’t take the ACT. Origin of the Myth This misconception stems from the fact that …

myths

Myth: College Interviews Will Make Up For Weaker GPA And Test Scores

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

Maybe a student is a confident orator and a people’s person. They perform exceedingly well during face-to-face interactions such as college interviews. Maybe, however, they don’t fare too well in written tests. Under these circumstances, they may be wondering about their chances of getting accepted into the college of their choice. Will a college interview …

myths

Myth: Your Application Essay Should Tell Your Life Story

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

The application essay is an important element of your college application, and many students agonize over what their topic should be. Since the essay portion is your chance to show the potential college who you are, many students want to write out their life story on the page. Here’s why you should avoid doing that. …

myths

Myth: It Looks Bad if I Take the ACT / SAT Too Many Times

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022

Is it bad to take the SAT multiple times? Some fear that if they take the SAT or ACT too many times, it will make them look like a failure in the eyes of the colleges to which they’re applying. But that’s definitely not the case! Appearance is everything when it comes to college applications. …

myths

Myth: Your College App Essay Has to be About a Big Life Event

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022

The college app essay can be one of the more frustrating elements of building an application—especially because there’s a pervading myth that the essay has to be about a monumental life event. Luckily, this isn’t really the case. Big Stories Aren’t Always Best Some students stress out over picking the subject of their essay. Many …

myths

Myth: I HAVE to Answer My ACT/SAT Questions in Order

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

You may have heard it said before that you have to answer your ACT or SAT questions in exact order, but did you know that’s not exactly true? In any particular section, you can absolutely jump around from question to question! Here’s a bit of myth debunking on this so-called “fact:” Skip the Toughies Part …

myths

Myth: I Should Take Easier Classes to Boost My GPA and Increase My Acceptance Odds

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022

It’s an understandable thing to believe, right? The higher your GPA, the better. Thus, shouldn’t you try to raise GPA? Well, yes, but it’s not that simple. There are many elements in play when it comes to acceptance chances, and while GPA is a major part, it would be a mistake to put all your …

myths

Myth: Test-Flexible Colleges Have Lower Standards Than Test-Required Colleges

By Ellen AndersenLast updated on December 22, 2022

When creating your college application, you have to understand that each portion matters. Your essay, your extracurricular activities, your references, your GPA, your courseload: Everything carries some amount of weight. That includes your standardized test scores. At colleges where the test scores are mandatory, those scores help to balance out your GPA. It also balances …

myths

3 MORE College Admission Myths

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

There are far too many college admissions myths doing the rounds. Unfortunately, they send many students in the wrong direction. Spending too much time doing things that do not matter means less time doing things that do matter. Below are some myths about college admissions that are just that and nothing more. Myth #1 – …