Admissions Myths: What Social Media Gets Wrong
College Admissions Advice Is Everywhere. But Is It Actually True?
If you’re applying to college, you’ve probably seen it:
“This is the essay that got me into Harvard!”
“I heard interviews are already full!”
“My school can only send four students to this college!”
“Colleges want well-rounded students!”
“I got $1 million in scholarships!”
Social media has created an entirely new source of college admissions advice. TikTok, Instagram, Reddit, YouTube, and other platforms can be helpful places to hear about other students’ experiences—but they can also create a lot of confusion.
In our latest episode, “Admissions Myths: What Social Media Gets Wrong,” we’re breaking down some of the most common claims we hear from students and families.
Myth #1: “This Is the Essay That Got Me Into [Dream School].”
We see videos and posts claiming that a particular essay was responsible for a student’s admission to a highly selective college.
But here’s the problem:
You don’t know the whole application.
College admissions are generally holistic. An essay is only one component of an application.
What was the student’s GPA?
What courses did they take?
What were their test scores?
What extracurricular activities did they pursue?
What recommendations did they receive?
What other factors were part of their application?
You also don’t necessarily know whether the person posting the essay actually received the outcome they’re claiming.
That doesn’t mean students shouldn’t read sample essays.
In fact, sample essays can be helpful for understanding the tone, format, level of detail, and general expectations of college essays.
The problem occurs when students treat someone else’s essay as a formula.
An essay that worked for another student isn’t automatically going to work for you.
The strongest essays are usually authentic to the student who wrote them.
Myth #2: “I Saw on Reddit That…”
Reddit can be an interesting place to hear about other students’ experiences.
But it isn’t an official admissions source.
We regularly hear students say:
“I saw on Reddit that the interview invitations already went out.”
Or:
“Someone said the program is already full.”
Or:
“People on Reddit said this college hates when students talk about ______.”
Before changing your application strategy based on an online post, ask:
Who said it? When was it posted? How do they know?
And here’s a simple rule:
Check the year.
Admissions policies, deadlines, interview procedures, and program requirements can change.
Something that was true two years ago may not be true this year.
Use Reddit and other social platforms to gather perspectives—not as your final authority.
Myth #3: “My College Only Lets Four Students From My High School Get In.”
This is one of the most persistent rumors students hear.
Students sometimes believe that colleges have a secret limit on the number of students they will admit from a particular high school.
In general, that’s not how students should think about the admissions process.
If you’re qualified for a college, you shouldn’t assume that another student from your high school being admitted means there is now “one less spot” for you.
There are, however, situations where geographic considerations or state-specific policies can influence admissions. For example, certain public universities have specific approaches to geographic distribution.
The important point is to understand the actual policy rather than relying on hallway rumors.
And here’s something interesting:
Having students from your high school successfully attend a college in previous years may actually provide useful context for the college. Your school sends transcripts, your counselors communicate with colleges, and admissions officers may already understand the rigor and opportunities at your high school.
Myth #4: “Colleges Want Well-Rounded Applicants With Tons of Activities.”
The idea that every successful applicant needs to participate in 15 different activities is outdated.
Students don’t need to join every club.
They don’t need to be president of everything.
And they certainly don’t need seven different leadership titles.
The Common App allows students to list up to 10 activities, but that doesn’t mean you need to fill every available space.
Colleges want to understand:
What are you interested in?
What have you committed yourself to?
Where have you made an impact?
Depth can be much more meaningful than simply collecting activities.
A student who spends several years deeply involved in one area may tell a more compelling story than a student who joins 12 clubs without meaningful involvement in any of them.
This is also where passion projects can be valuable.
If there is something you’re genuinely interested in, consider how you can explore it beyond the classroom.
Myth #5: “I Earned $1 Million in Scholarships!”
This one sounds impressive—but there’s often a lot more to the story.
When you see a student claim they earned hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars in scholarships, ask:
What exactly does that number represent?
Is it renewable each year?
Is it a scholarship or an institutional discount?
Is the student actually receiving the entire amount?
Is it based on a four-year calculation?
Does the student have to maintain a certain GPA?
A large scholarship number doesn’t necessarily mean a college is the most affordable option.
Instead of focusing on the biggest scholarship headline, students should compare the actual net cost of attending each college.
The Bottom Line: Question the Algorithm
Social media can be a great place to find ideas, hear other perspectives, and even discover resources.
But your college admissions strategy shouldn’t be based on a viral video or a Reddit comment.
Before believing a claim, ask:
Is this current?
Is this an official policy?
Does this apply to my college or program?
Do I know the full context?
And most importantly:
Does this advice actually apply to me?
College admissions are personal. What worked for another student isn’t necessarily the right strategy for you.
Listen to “Admissions Myths: What Social Media Gets Wrong” for more of the myths, rumors, and questionable advice we’re hearing online—and what students should actually know.