Fake news: debunking myths about the college admissions process
December 8th, 2020The spread of misinformation has long been a problem in our culture and now with social media, it is so prevalent that we have all learned to “fact-check” as a common practice. Today we want to apply that fact-checking to some of the most common misconceptions around the college admissions process.
Author Brennan Barnard wrote a great article for Forbes addressing common myths heard by parents and students alike. Although this article is a bit lengthy, it’s packed with helpful and thought-provoking information. Take the time to read it all the way through, as we trust you’ll find his insights useful as a fact-checking resource in the months ahead.
Article referenced below from Forbes, originally published November 2, 2020, written by Brennan Barnard
Where do you turn for information about college admission? Do you rely on friends, parents, neighbors, siblings, teachers, coaches, or counselors? Perhaps you default to the internet and the sea of sources for admission related news? From webinars, virtual visits, and search engines to rankings and crowdsourced rumor mills like College Confidential and Reddit, there is an unimaginable amount of content. It is enough to make one’s head spin. What is credible? Who is reliable? And, when is someone simply trying to profit from the angst that students, and those who support them, feel as they approach this experience?
We are living in the age of information overload and one need not look beyond the presidential election to realize the need to fact-check the news we are being fed. From Politifact to Factcheck.org, there are entire institutes and websites dedicated to verifying what is accurate in politics. But who is responsible for setting the record straight in college admission?
