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Guide/03 Building Your College Strategy

Myths & Misconceptions

Six widespread beliefs about admissions — and what's actually true.

Chapter 12 of 245 min readUpdated September 23, 2026 Preview

Here's something ironic to hear from an admissions guide: college content creators are some of the biggest sources of admissions myths. Fear keeps people watching and buying, so a lot of online advice is designed to scare you into thinking you need a particular product or strategy.

Don't trust any single source unconditionally — including this one. With that said, here are six myths that do the most damage.

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What’s in this chapter

  1. 1Myth 1: You need a unique, impressive "hook"
  2. 2Myth 2: A high GPA and test score guarantee admission
  3. 3Myth 3: Applying early dramatically improves your odds everywhere
  4. 4Myth 4: Your essay needs to be about tragedy or a life-changing event
  5. 5Myth 5: A deferral or waitlist is basically a rejection
  6. 6Myth 6: The school you attend determines your success