MYTH: If your child is a top achiever in her school and local community (extremely high grades, outstanding SATs, a leader of many clubs) she deserves to get into an elite school.

FACT: Elite colleges compare students on a National Level - make your child stand out from the 25,000 other valedictorians that are also applying to the Ivy League!

MYTH: You need to put in "face time" in school activities to get elected to the top leadership position.

FACT: Time is the most precious resource. Look outside of your school and create your own opportunities. Start your own publication or write your own book where you are the editor-in-chief. Show leadership by onboarding your peers and providing them opportunities to contribute.

MYTH: Summers are for recovering, sleeping, watching TV or "hanging out" with friends.

FACT: Summers are the very best resource you have! The variety of summer programs (paid and unpaid) is staggering. Craft your summer to explore your passions, learn new skills and achieve great things that can't be squeezed into the school year.

MYTH: Colleges are looking for well-rounded, outstanding-in-all-areas applicants.

FACT: You need to demonstrate one or more "grand passions", a high level of achievement in one particular area. This is something that needs to be planned as early as possible.

MYTH: There is nothing you can do about your GPA.

FACT: Your GPA is the most important number in the college admissions process. Savvy applicants look outside their school for courses that can be averaged into their high school GPA.

MYTH: Premier brand name summer programs like Harvard Summer School will give you an edge in admissions.

FACT: Not true!

MYTH: The smartest, most brilliant students get into elite colleges.

FACT: The best prepared, passionate, best-positioned students get those acceptance letters!

MYTH: High schools are responsible for your education.

FACT: You are responsible for your education. Treat it as home school, and that you are just outsourcing some of the teaching to the high school. Supplement this with outside courses, activities etc.

MYTH: Being a National Merit Scholar guarantees admittance to an elite college.

FACT: Approx. 50,000 students each year receive commendation by this group. Nice to have, but not earth-shattering.