4. Preparing for a college interview that will make or break their acceptance to a school.

For freshman undergraduate admissions, the interview does not weigh in on a final admission decision whatsoever. Many schools have gotten rid of interviews altogether! At many schools like Columbia University for example, interviews are now considered to be extra information sessions for the student, rather than a character evaluation. Many students going to competitive schools do not even go through an interview. It is not a requirement for admission and opting to ask for an interview (unless you have many questions about the school to ask a school rep) is fairly useless and often just added pressure for the student. Being called, emailed, etc. about taking an interview is not a privilege for favored applicants. Many people think that because they were asked if they would like an interview, this means they have made it past some first phase of applying, but this is not the case. Everyone is asked! Interviews are only important if they are specifically for a scholarhip, in this case an interview may be a deciding factor for the scholarship. If you are still unsure about whether or not the interview scheduled for your child is one that will weigh in on admissions, just ask the person interviewing them! Call or email the alumni or admissions counselor who is supposed to conduct the interview and ask about the interview’s importance in admission. They are instructed fully on how to answer this question.

5. Thinking ‘My child has the perfect application put together, he/she is a shoo-in.’

There is no such thing as the perfect application. It cannot be created! Applicants are not judged as individuals, but as part of a larger picture for the freshman class. Colleges want to preserve their variety of jocks, musicians, brainiacs, artists, politicians, etc., and make decisions accordingly in admissions. Try not to think so much about what the school wants and more about who the applicant is. You already know your child would do well at this school, why do you know that? Make sure your child understands this idea and does not feel pressured to present themselves otherwise just to fit some sort of admission ideal. The admissions committee wants to know who the applicant is, not how wonderful the applicant would be for their school. It is very obvious when an application is "selling itself." It is much better when an applicant treats the application just as an opportunity to give a genuine picture of who they are as a student and as a person.