I started a thread by that name a few years ago, on the subject of essays: http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/college-essays/1824438-not-all-opinions-are-created-equal.html#latest
But the subject bears repeating, and expanding.
I’ve read any number of posts recently by well meaning high school seniors, freely offering advice to other high school seniors.
And I don’t for a minute doubt their sincerity.
But the reality is that they frequently have no idea what they’re talking about as it applies to you. Their opinions are based on roughly the same experiences as yours. They don’t know what college – or the “real world”-- is like; they’re in high school, just like you. Their experiences in college admissions, in essays, in what makes for a successful application for college or a job or grad school or anything else is limited to what they’ve experienced. That’s it. They may be an expert on what worked for THEM… but you’re not them. So their opinions have no more weight than the kid who sits next to you in history class. Less, in fact. You know something about that kid in history that gives you an idea of how to weigh his opinion. The kids here, in spite of their screen names, are total strangers. You have no idea how much of what they say is simple hearsay, snarkiness, or something they thought sounded good.
So, sure, read what they have to say.
But take it all with a huge, tremendous HUNDRED POUND BAG of salt-- a simple grain of salt just won’t do.
There are some people here with years and years and years of experience with these areas; this place is a treasure trove of solid advice. But you’ve got to be particular. Before you take advice, click on the name of the person posting. Check out his/her credentials. See the threads he or she has started-- what career background he or she has, how long they’ve been involved in education.
Then weigh the opinions offered-- my own included-- against what your teachers and guidance counselors-- who KNOW YOU–are saying.
