The Student news source for West Shore Junior/Senior High School

The Roar

The Student news source for West Shore Junior/Senior High School

The Roar

The Student news source for West Shore Junior/Senior High School

The Roar

College admission myths debunked

Colleges aren’t looking for extracurricular overload from their applicants this year, the Washington Post and Forbes magazine report. Misled students could be surprised to find that pursuing a few serious interests is favorable to a hefty resume. According to the Forbes article, “7 College Admissions Myths,” colleges are not looking for well-rounded students.

“They’re looking for the well-rounded class,” the article stated. “The word they most often use is passion.” They are also looking for students that challenge themselves in favor of trying to achieve the highest GPA. “Just don’t fail.”

Most West Shore students pursue many clubs and accelerated classes to boost college chances. Freshman Kaitlin Inganna is involved in eight sports and clubs, as well as three honors and AP courses. “I enjoy being involved,” Inganna said, “and I want to have an appealing college application.”

Junior Dakota Helbig shares similar ideas. He is involved in the school’s band program and pit orchestra, and “taking a lot of AP classes.” He maintains that colleges are looking for “someone with good grades, who is serious about education, and is well-rounded.” His dream school is Massachusetts Institute of Technology, as he aims to become an engineer, but “MIT is an expensive college and very competitive.” Realistically, Helbig said, he plans to attend the Florida Institute of Technology or the University of Florida.

But the high price of tuition is another myth, according to The Washington Post. The article states that students rarely pay the “sticker price” listed on informational websites like U.S. News & World Report, and end up getting a rate reduced by an average of 40 percent. In addition the article recommends that everyone should fill out the free application for federal student aid, even if you think you won’t qualify. More than 1.8 million students who would have qualified for federal financial did not apply.

Students may find these tips helpful in gearing their mindset and schedule as they inch closer to filling out college applications.

“Here is help,” the Post stated, “for the frantic seniors and their parents who are spending practically every waking moment fixated on getting into college… and for younger students who will eventually be in the same boat.”

By Meaghan Pickles

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