It seems like just yesterday school was out for summer 2018, but here we are: back in August. Normally, senior year of high school is when college applications start getting serious. At least, that's how it was for me and my Texas friends. But instead of stressing out about the things that don't matter, use my list to debunk the falsehoods of the application experience. Searching for the perfect college can be a handful, but focus on the right things like preparing for the SAT. Don't worry about the money and all the scary technicalities until AFTER you are granted admissions. You never know who will offer you what until you set aside your preconceived worries and just apply. Here are a few examples of things you should consider before applying.
1. Out-of-state schools with out-of-state tuition give out-of-state scholarships.
More often than not, kids will avoid out-of-state colleges for fear that the tuition will be wildly out of their budget. Contrary to popular belief, going to a university out of your state comes with scholarships JUST for being out-of-state. And the cultural benefits of being in a new area for four years is probably worth the extra mile.
2. Colleges super-score your SAT scores.
I took the SAT twice. My math and reading scores were better the second time, but sadly, my essays dropped. Luckily, I found out that many schools will take the highest of each subject test into account during their admissions decisions. So if my math score was higher the first time but my reading score was better the second time, a college that super-scores is willing to view the tests separately to benefit the applying student.
3. AP exams are not as convenient as they seem (and neither is dual credit).
I know that statement is a slap in the face for students and teachers, alike. But feelings aside, colleges have different standards. Consequently, one college might need a 3 on the AP Psychology exam, and another will need 5. Plus, these standards can change on a yearly basis. So that AP exam you took as a freshman may no longer be acceptable by the time you start applying for college. Similarly, dual credit seems like a foolproof idea, but SURPRISE! Your university-of-choice won't accept credit for the dual program at your school. Looks like you're retaking Basic Biology in the fall.
4. Automatic admissions will only take you so far.
I will admit that I am only well-versed in the matters of colleges/universities in Texas. I'm not sure how things work in other states. But to enlighten my non-Texan readers, automatic admissions is the idea that if you are in a certain top percentage of your graduating class, you will be automatically admitted into the particular state school(s) you applied to. However, many of us learned through applying to The University of Texas at Austin that admissions into a school does not AT ALL guarantee admissions into your major. UT Austin probably has more undeclared freshman than not.
5. Endorsements are guidelines, not laws.
This is another bonus for Texans; I wish I knew better than to take endorsements seriously. Endorsements were introduced to my high school classmates and I when we were in the eighth grade, and the panic of that day still rings loudly in my head. House Bill V was enacted that year, and in a nutshell, it just urges students to choose their career path and complete a series of courses that comply with their "endorsement" before they graduate. It sounds like a lot, but it isn't that serious. And if you don't complete your endorsement, it isn't the end of the world. You probably completed a few endorsements without even thinking of it. I did.
