In your last couple years of school, you'll hear every piece of advice there is to hear about university admissions from all over the internet and even classmates. Even then, there's no one-size-fits-all solution to getting into top universities. However, there are definitely some misconceptions you should be wary of when applying.
"If I get admitted to somewhere prestigious, I'm set"
We all know by now that ranks aren't the only measure of prestige. Even then, aiming for prestige alone when it comes to universities is ill-advised. In our pursuit of reputation, we forget that university is a place where we'll spend four years of our lives hard at work.
To ease the load during this period, it's imperative to remember that the journey should be worthwhile. Even when searching for prestigious universities, it is important to account for their reputation in the specific field you're interested in, student-to-faculty ratios, opportunities like co-op and internships, location, and more. The better you fit into the university, the better you'll do there.
Good grades and extracurriculars are the ticket
We often think that having the best grades and stellar extracurriculars guarantees us a spot in our dream universities. While those things are important, hinging all your hopes on them can potentially lead to heartbreak.
The reason why essays and letters of recommendation are important is that they communicate to the admissions officers important facets of your personality. When planning your application, it's important to consider what you want from your time at university, and how your ambitions overlap with the goals of the school you want to attend. If your words come from a place of genuine interest and enthusiasm, then they will reflect in your essays.
"If I don't get in, I'm a failure"
You are not defined by acceptances or rejections from a
particular institution, especially
as it involves an agonising
degree of luck. It's not the end of the world if you don't get to where you want.
Undoubtedly, it's still devastating to not accomplish a goal you've imposed on yourself for so long. The only way to deal with that kind of disappointment is to accept that there's more to do with your life and that there are more ways than one to prove yourself.