Common Admission Myths

1) High scores can get you a confirmed admission. A low score means confirmed rejection!?

Ans) Well, it’s about a holistic resume with balance between leadership, academics and goals in life. The admissions committee wants an individual who can showcase concrete achievements and has a clear vision in terms of academic and professional growth.??

2) You can only succeed if you get an Ivy League seat.?

Ans) While the term “Ivy League” might conjure up the pinnacle of achievement,?Stanford, MIT, Caltech, CMU, and UMich are top colleges that are not part of the Ivy League. Do not be mystified by the hallowed name “Ivy League.” Learn to think of it as just a group of 7 colleges that became an official term at the NCAA Division I athletic conference in 1954. ? There is a world of opportunity waiting for you even outside the Ivy League! As long as you go to a Tier I college, your education is going to be top notch.

3) Scholarships are not possible at?the UG level so it’s better to wait till PG.

This is a persistent myth that refuses to go away.While, the US has the best offerings when it comes to UG scholarships, other countries like Canada, Singapore, and HK have multiple offerings. PG, on the other hand, has no funding or less funding. So don’t throw away your chance of getting that scholarship you have always dreamt of!?

4) Liberal arts courses - We don’t want our child to do any liberal arts but work toward professional success.?

A liberal arts degree can be an inroad into a world of careers in politics, public service, criminal justice, psychology, and social work to name a few possibilities.? – Unlike the STEM route, a liberal arts degree inculcates transferable skills including communication, critical thinking, and team management that are highly sought after by employers.

Research corroborates that if the child has a liberal arts degree at?the UG level then corporate growth and leadership roles are faster because one develops multiple skills. From Howard Schultz to Richard Plepler to YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki, we have countless examples of highly successful individuals who have majored in the liberal arts and benefited from it.

5) There will be easy access to illegal substances?

Ans) These are challenges? and peer pressure that may be present in India as well. However, students with a responsible mind frame will have enough course load and productive activities in college to keep them occupied and focused.?

6) My child might get confused about their gender.?

While this question unfortunately crops up even in this day and age, the reality is that we all need to become more mindful of gender identity and strive to remove our prejudices, even unintentional ones involving improper language use.?

7) It is better to do UG from India then go for masters for better jobs.

Ans) I would recommend being open to the other way around as well. Since India’s job market is booming and nowhere near stagnation it is a perfectly viable plan to do your undergraduate studies outside and then your postgraduate work in India.??

8) Applying and sending out forms don’t need prior planning.?

Ans) The process should begin after grade 10. Your application will be submitted at the mid of grade 12 and not after your board results.? All deadlines are between Oct-Jan'22 for the class of 2026.?

9) Plagiarism is not a risk for me.

Mostly, we don’t understand the grave consequences of plagiarism. Academically, plagiarism is one of the biggest crimes you can commit. Utilizing content from articles and essays even online without proper attribution of sources will lead to swift disciplinary action from the college’s side. .?Further, please don’t get some consultant to write your essays and represent you because ghostwriting is also a crime.

10) I have paid a consultant for my college shortlist so my work is done?

Ans) You pay consultants purely because they are experienced. The background and credibility of your consultant is important since they have a big role to play. However, you need to be the one making decisions and figuring out whether you are on the right track for your career and academic goals. Here’s a word of caution. If they charge you no fee, that's not a success. You are simply heading towards a long-term figure based on the commission they hope to earn from the admission.? Nothing is free!?