There is no doubt that college admissions have gotten more complicated and the stakes have gotten higher due to soaring tuition costs in the past couple of decades. These are undeniable facts. There are however, many myths being bantered about related to trends and procedures in college admissions.

Here is my take on some popular myths:

1. College admissions have gotten so competitive, it is nearly impossible to get into college these days.

While it is true there are more college-age students than ever before and the most competitive colleges have had the luxury of turning down record numbers of students, there are still more college seats available than there are students to fill them. There is a college out there for any one who is interested.

2. If a candidate for college admission has a long list of activities, his or her chance of acceptance will be much better.

Colleges are looking for students who are passionate about something in hopes that they will pursue that activity in college. A student who has a long list of activities but does not show dedication to any one thing is not necessarily attractive to the college admissions officer.

3. SATs and ACTs are the most important factors in college admissions and it is wise to do whatever it takes to get them as high as possible.

SATs and ACTs are important, but not as important as the transcript. The degree of rigor of the classes taken and the performance in those classes is the most important thing and should be the student’s number one priority.

4. The GPA is the most important part of the transcript — do whatever it takes to make that number as high as possible.

Grades are indeed important but not at the expense of the degree of rigor. A competitive college would be just as happy to see a “B” in an honors class as an “A” in an accelerated or college prep class.

5. Going to a prep school will increase the chances for acceptance to a competitive college.

Colleges are interested in how a student performs relative to what they have been provided with for classes. A student has to demonstrate that she has pushed herself within the environment that she has been in. A student who does poorly academically at a prep school will have just as hard a time as a student who does poorly at a public school.

6. There must be community service or volunteer work on an application in order to get into a competitive college.

Students and high schools have gone overboard with this concept. Some families are spending a great deal of money to send their students to build houses in a foreign country — it is now seen as privileged and “application padding.” Some high schools have built community service into their graduation requirements — this dilutes the value of the activity. Try good old-fashioned work for money instead and use it to help with the growing college tuition bills.

7. Merit scholarships for academics are only awarded to the very top-tier students.

Families are often surprised that if the right colleges are on their student’s apply-to list, they may get an acceptance letter with an attractive grant offer attached to it.

8. If you know the tricks to getting into college, you can get in almost anywhere.

In reality, the best use of your time is to concentrate your efforts on finding a college with the right fit rather than trying to find ways to beat the system. Some competitive colleges wouldn’t be good for your student even if they could find a way in.