Misconceptions In the College Application Process
Things we hear that, well, just really aren't true
This fall, we’ve been virtually meeting with and talking to high school students from all over in our virtual office hours, in our live info sessions and through our mentors. (You can connect to all of these free services on our website, btw.)
We hear lots of questions and mistaken ideas about how college works. Let’s address some of those misconceptions here:
Your college list should show how ambitious and how high your aspirations are. Nope. If you only apply to colleges with very low acceptance rates, you may end up with few (or no) options next spring. The best way to build your college application list is with a few aspirational colleges, a few competitive colleges, and a few safe-bet colleges. All of the colleges on your application list should have high graduation rates, low net costs and offer the programs and environment that appeal to you.
Action Steps: Read our Guide. Do some research on College Navigator. Schedule a virtual office hour visit with us!
It’s hard to get financial aid so it’s not worth filling out the FAFSA. No, no, no. Let’s rephrase this: if you do not fill out the FAFSA, it WILL be hard to get financial aid. FAFSA—the Free Application for Federal Student Aid—is THE single most important step you can take in getting aid for college. Why? It is the gatekeeper for federal aid and federal subsidized loans, AND also for aid from your college and often from private scholarships. When you don’t complete the FAFSA, you remove yourself from the running for all kinds of other aid. Why would you do that?
Action Step: Google search “college goal + {your state}” and you’ll find a list of in-person and virtual, free opportunities to get free help from a financial aid expert to complete your FAFSA. It’s a FREE form to complete. We can also provide help.
Financial aid packages are “you get what you get.” Not true. Colleges base their offers on the family financial information that you provide, and that information can change. What if family income changes because of a lost job? Costly medical care? Colleges WILL work with you if you provide them with the details they need. The “sticker price” or published cost of tuition and fees is almost never what the average college student pays.
Action Step: SwiftStudent provides free financial aid appeal forms that were created with financial aid office advice. These forms are easy to use and provide financial aid offices with the information they need to re-evaluate your financial aid package.
College Application Essay Writing is Hard. That’s why we started offering a free, confidential essay review. Our trained team members will provide personalized feedback and specific suggestions for improving your writing.
Invitation
Are you a school counselor working with first-generation or underserved high school students? We invite you to partner with Fair Opportunity Project to access free mentoring and college support services for your students. We have a new opportunity to connect with 10 schools.
Contact us at info@fairopportunityproject.org to learn more and start the process.
Live Info Sessions
Students can get their questions answered in these live info sessions with college admissions experts. We offer weekly Q&A sessions on the Common App, math and reading techniques for the SAT & ACT, scholarships and essay writing. Sessions are small to ensure individual attention. Click the button below to see upcoming events and to register.
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Featuring Our Very Own Fair Opp Mentor Lily Nagengast