We feel so lucky to have a guest two-fer! On the last episode, you heard Ali and her daughter Emme bravely share their takes on the college application process. Lucky for us, Ali stuck around for more tips on managing the college transition. Whether it’s gearing up for application season, or starting to prep for freshman year, college planning can feel scattered: tutors here, advice there, dorm stuff somewhere else — and new headlines every day. Seeing all the headlines, the information overload, and the social media sensationalism around college, Ali started The College Corner so parents and students could have a trusted, one-stop-shop for all things college.

We cover what Ali is seeing across the “college ecosystem” (from social media trends to major admissions shifts), why narrowing a list helps reduce chaos, and how families can keep perspective — especially when anxiety spikes as application season approaches.

This episode ends with one of our favorite takeaways: it’s not just about where a student goes — it’s about who they’re becoming.

What We Talk About

• The origin story of The College & Dorm Corner (a “Knot.com” model for college planning)
• Curated campus travel guides made by college students: where to stay, eat, and visit
• Why college advice feels fragmented — and what helps families feel less overwhelmed
• Social media vs. real expertise: what gets sensationalized and what stays grounded
• The admissions landscape as a constantly evolving story (and why that fuels stress)
• Ali’s “7 Steps to Choosing the Right College” and how lists can calm the chaos
• Building a college list: size, location, majors, and lifestyle factors (including sports culture)
• Why visiting a school can change everything (hello, “this speaks to me” moments)
• The “Dream School” mindset shift: fit > hype
• Parenting through application season: regulation, collaboration, and perspective
• The reframe we want every parent to remember: college is four years; your relationship is for life
  
  

Takeaways

• If you’re overwhelmed, a structured list can reduce decision fatigue — but don’t let it become rigid.
• Social media can be useful, but not all “expert” content is created equal.
• Students thrive most when they have agency and the school is a true fit.
• Parents: your steadiness is part of the intervention — zooming out can lower the temperature at home.
  
  

About the Guest

Ali Dorfman is a former TV producer (CBS News, The Today Show, ABC) and founder of The College & Dorm Corner, a one-stop platform supporting families through the college planning journey — from test prep to dorm décor. Make sure to check out this amazing resource! https://www.thecollegecorner.com/about-us

Want to share your story, give us feedback or offer up an episode idea? Reach out! We'd love to hear from you.

Insta: @collegeisfinepodcast
Tik Tok: @collegeisfinepodcast
Email: collegeisfinepodcast@gmail.com

Music is Deadbeats by Rex Banner

Junior year of high school is here — and the college process is officially real.

In this special episode, we try something new: a “Newlywed Game”-style conversation between a mom and her daughter about their different takes on independence, stress, communication, and what the college process actually feels like inside one household.

Ali Dorfman, former TV producer and founder of The College & Dorm Corner, joins us alongside her daughter Emme to share the parent and student perspective in real time.

From ACT prep to Life360, from FOMO to family rules, this episode captures the nuanced dance between pushing, guiding, and letting go.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• When junior year suddenly makes college feel “real”
• The independence spectrum: How much should parents step in?
• Balancing grades, sports, extracurriculars, and test prep
• The emotional climate inside a household during application season
• Communication expectations once students leave for college
• Which family rules may (or may not) retire
• The role of social media in shaping college dreams
• Why passion > résumé padding
• The tension between parent aspirations and student interests
• The “marathon, not sprint” mindset
  
  

Key Takeaways:

• Junior year often feels like “buckle up” season.
• Independence in the college process is rarely all-or-nothing.
• Students need space to develop their own internal compass.
• Parents are navigating their own letting-go journey.
• The fun stuff (sports, campus life, dorm decor) can be motivating — but academics still dominate the mental load early on.
• Family communication expectations should be discussed before move-in day.
  
  

About Our Guest

Ali Dorfman is a former TV producer (CBS News, The Today Show, ABC) and founder of The College & Dorm Corner, a one-stop platform supporting families through the college planning journey — from test prep to dorm décor. Make sure to check out this amazing resource! https://www.thecollegecorner.com/about-us

And a special thank you to the brave, insightful and all-around rock star Emme who was willing to be our *first* Two Takes guest!

Want to share your story, give us feedback or offer up an episode idea? Reach out! We'd love to hear from you.

Insta: @collegeisfinepodcast
Tik Tok: @collegeisfinepodcast
Email: collegeisfinepodcast@gmail.com

Music is Deadbeats by Rex Banner

Conflict on college campuses has changed—and not just because of roommates and group projects.

In this episode of College Is Fine, Everything’s Fine, we’re joined by Bob Bordone, conflict and negotiation expert, former Harvard Law School professor, and author of Conflict Resilience, for a timely conversation about how students can navigate disagreement when the stakes feel personal, political, and deeply tied to identity.

From classroom discussions and group chats to social media posts and friendships strained by global events, Bob helps us understand why conflict feels so overwhelming right now—and why avoidance has become the default coping strategy. He introduces the concept of conflict resilience, a skill that isn’t about “winning,” fixing, or resolving differences, but about staying present, authentic, and connected in the face of discomfort.

Together, we explore:

• Why conflict avoidance feels safer—but costs us more in the long run
• How polarization and social media amplify fear, reactivity, and disconnection
• The difference between aggression, assertion, and avoidance
• What “disagreeing better” actually looks like in dorm rooms, classrooms, and relationships
• How to raise hard topics without betraying your values—or yourself
• Why conflict resilience is a core leadership and life skill, not just a communication tactic

Bob also shares practical ways students can start building conflict resilience right now, including reframing conflict as a normal (and even connective) part of relationships and learning to sit with discomfort instead of immediately fleeing it.

If you’ve ever felt anxious about speaking up, setting boundaries, or engaging with someone who sees the world very differently than you do, this episode offers a grounded, hopeful path forward.

Links to Bob Bordone’s book Conflict Resilience and his work are below:

https://www.bobbordone.com/

https://www.bobbordone.com/books

Want to share your story, give us feedback or offer up an episode idea? Reach out! We'd love to hear from you.

Insta: @collegeisfinepodcast
Tik Tok: @collegeisfinepodcast
Email: collegeisfinepodcast@gmail.com

Music is Deadbeats by Rex Banner