Everyone who wants to go to college can. (And not just community college!) Despite the headlines and fear-driven narratives, the truth is that most students get into one of their top three choices—and many even their first choice.
According to data from the Higher Education Research Institute (HERI) at UCLA, approximately 75% of college freshmen were accepted to their first-choice institution. However, only about 57% of these students chose to attend that institution. This discrepancy is often attributed to financial considerations, as some students opt for more affordable colleges or those offering larger financial aid packages.
So why does college admissions feel so stressful? Because fear sells.
• Every year, the media churns out the same dramatic stories about record-low Ivy League acceptance rates.
• Some schools use college admissions as motivation, making it seem like the stakes are higher than they actually are.
• The test prep and admissions industry thrives on urgency—convincing students and families to start earlier, spend more, and worry constantly.
But here’s the truth: you get to choose how you approach this process. Yes, highly selective schools are competitive—but there are hundreds of fantastic colleges that admit far more than 10-20% of applicants. The key is building a strong college list and understanding what truly matters in the admissions process. Here are a few episodes covering how to do just that:
- 414: New Ideas for Putting Together Your College List (Beyond the Standard Advice)
- 518: What We Mean When We Suggest You “Research Colleges”
- 466: Should We Rate Schools Like Ski Slopes?
- 520: How Can I Tell if a College Is “Good”?
- 521: Warning Signs when Researching Colleges
Be sure to tune in for this episode, as we break down:
🎓 The reality behind college acceptance rates (and why they’re not as scary as they seem).
📌 The top reasons students are rejected (spoiler: they’re not a mystery).
🛠 How to take control of your college list so you have great options—no matter where you apply.
Your future isn’t defined by the fear-based admissions narrative. If you want to go to a four-year college, you can. There are great schools out there—you just have to find the one that fits you.
📧 Join the conversation! Email your questions to [email protected] or watch us on YouTube (@CollegePrepPodcast) and drop your questions in the comments—they could be featured in a future episode!
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