As parents and students navigate the ever-changing college application process, rumors continue to grow, leading to widespread misunderstandings and confusion. As the Class of 2025 wraps up their process and submits college commitments, Mrs. Christine Gerrity and Mrs. Alycia Crane, Upper School College Guidance counselors, shed light on some of the most common misconceptions that circulate each application season, such as the importance of test scores, early decision applications, and if high schools have connections with largely recognized colleges.
An opinion data study, run by the National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC) in August of 2023 revealed that underrepresented students place the most emphasis on test scores and course grades in their applications, according to nacacnet.org. Mrs. Gerrity and Mrs. Crane noted that one of the most frequent misconceptions they face is the belief that test scores, even when applying test optional, are the most influential aspect of a college admissions decision. Senior Ava Clear discussed her concerns regarding test optional policies.
“I had thought that if you didn’t send your scores that you wouldn’t be given a ‘fair’ chance by the admissions review committee,” Ava said. “I was quite nervous about that, actually.”
Over 2,000 institutions were test-optional for the year of 2024-2025. Some of these institutions include the College of the Holy Cross, Vassar College, and Amherst College, according to fairtest.org. During COVID-19, many colleges that required scores became test optional to adapt to the change of the pandemic. Slowly, those schools that required test scores are now transitioning back to making test scores mandatory, according to yipinstitute.org.
Students often share this belief at the beginning of their college admission process. While test scores are a key factor, Mrs. Crane reassured students that test scores are not the only piece to a strong application, so it is difficult to rely simply on that score. Other key factors include class rank, extracurriculars, personal essays, and courses students take throughout their high school career, according to counselors.collegeboard.org.
Truly, the college admissions process is holistic, and no formula determines the qualifications of an applicant counselors.collegboard.org. Mrs. Gerrity explained what admissions counselors look for when reviewing a student’s application.
“Universities encourage students to create applications emboldening and celebrating themselves for who they are,” Mrs. Gerrity said. “Submitting test scores depends on where the student chooses to apply, and admissions counselors consider various factors of the application when making their decisions.”
When completing applications, students might have the option to choose between early decision, early action, and regular decision, depending on which institution they apply. Early decision is a binding commitment to the university or college of the student’s choice. On the other hand, early action is not a contractual commitment, which enables students to receive decisions earlier than regular decision applicants, according to counselors.collegeboard.org. Along with these options, some institutions offer early action and early decision programs in more unique ways. For example, Georgetown University has an Early Action Program, which has restrictions. Students are not allowed to apply early decision to any other institution, resembling most early decision programs. This Early Action program allows students the option to choose without having to worry about a strict commitment, according to uadmissions.georgetown.edu.
Despite having freedom when applying early action or regular decision, there are many benefits to applying early decision. Indeed, 450 colleges offer early admission opportunities, and those applicants often have higher odds of receiving admissions letters earlier than in the regular decision pool, according to bigfuture.collegeboard.org. In fact, if a student applies early decision, in some cases, they are nearly four times more likely to be admitted, according to sparksadmission.com. With these statistics in mind, Ms. Crane advised students and families to think carefully when deciding how to apply.
“It is important to consider early decision but not necessarily for every college,” Mrs. Crane said. “We encourage students to apply at least a few early action applications.”
Another rumor that Mrs. Gerrity and Mrs. Crane address is the misconception that some high schools share tightly knit relationships with colleges. Some even suggest that institutions ‘hold grudges’ against certain schools. Mrs. Gerrity denies any truth in the idea that schools have these tight relationships with colleges that make it simpler for students to be accepted.
“There is no such thing as a ‘feeder school,”‘ Mrs. Gerrity said. “This is a perpetuating and fed rumor. There are relationships with admissions colleagues, yet they are representative of the university, not the university. Colleges also do not have the bandwidth to ‘hold grudges,’ so it is always a clean slate every admission season.”
Although the college process is often a stressor for students, Ava leaves juniors with some advice before continuing her studies at Fordham University in the fall. Ava shared her hope that students take their time and reflect on their options and opportunities while applying. She hopes that students focus on themselves and not worry about others during their process.
“There is a huge amount of pressure and stress during this time in your life, and for all your classmates too, ” Ava said. “So don’t feel worried to ask for help. Don’t feel nervous to look outside your comfort zone. […] I believe it’s really important to understand and respect that everybody is working on their own time, and their own pace. Even when it seems like everybody around is committing, or have more applications out than you do, or it seems like they know what they are doing, just focus on yourself.”
Featured Image by Olivia Figueiredo ’26
