The College Admissions Advice You Should Listen To

Photo by Thea on Unsplash

Every so often, we stumble upon college admissions advice that makes us cringe—or, if we’re being honest, laugh out loud.

Sometimes it comes from overheard conversations in the grocery store checkout line. Sometimes it’s shared online by well-meaning friends of friends. Either way, it’s a reminder that not all advice is created equal.

Some of our past favorite well meaning but inaccurate college admissions advice:

“You have to keep bowling if you ever want a full-ride athletic college scholarship.” 

👉 If you love bowling, keep bowling. If you’re bowling just for a scholarship, you might want to check the actual data. 

“Just make up a community service project. No one will ever check.” 

👉 Spoiler: Google exists, honesty always matters, and colleges do check.

“Don’t be yourself. You’re average and like everyone else.” 

👉 We don’t even know how to respond to this without offering counseling and mental health referrals. Ugh.

“If you’re applying to a big school, pick a really obscure major—like agronomy. You’ll have a better chance. Just switch later.” 

👉 Not great advice. Your student would have to start out in a major they’re not interested in—and switching into a more competitive program later isn’t always guaranteed. It’s more complicated than people think.

(Side note: in case you didn’t know—agronomy is the science of soil management and crop production.)

“Apply for dual enrollment in high school. That way, you’re automatically admitted to the college later.” 

👉 Also not how it works. Dual enrollment is a great opportunity for the right student—but it doesn’t guarantee admission to that college later.

We know people genuinely want to help. But here’s the thing: Good intentions don’t always lead to good information.

Having a mortgage doesn’t make someone a home loan expert. And sending one kid to college doesn’t make someone an admissions counselor.

When in doubt, ask someone who does this work every day.

Better yet? Ask us.

At Golden Educational Consulting, we help students find college without losing themselves—without the stress of trying to game the system, copy someone else's path, or follow advice that doesn't honor who they are.

Our mission is to center students in this process, guiding them with clarity, honesty, and encouragement. We believe that college admissions shouldn't be about chasing prestige or checking boxes. It should be about discovering the right-fit environment where a student can grow, thrive, and continue becoming who they're meant to be.

We listen closely, ask thoughtful questions, and support families through each step—because the process is personal, and every student deserves a plan that reflects their strengths, values, and goals.

So skip the internet hacks and secondhand tips. We’re here for the real conversations—and the real work that leads to meaningful outcomes.

Not working with us yet? Feeling stressed by the college search process?  Let's chat.