Key Insights from the Episode:

• Most U.S. colleges admit more than half of applicants—elite schools are the exception, not the rule
• Admissions officers are looking for fit, not perfection
• Applications are reviewed holistically by trained teams using rubrics—not randomly
• Essays should tell a small story in a meaningful way, not trauma-dump
• Authentic explanations for academic dips help admissions officers understand context
• Optional essays are rarely “optional” if students want to stand out
• Mental health topics should focus on growth, insight, and recovery—not the lowest point
• Senior-year grades still matter after acceptance
• Parents play a vital role—but too much control can increase stress
• The college experience builds critical thinking, communication, teamwork, and resilience beyond academics

Parent Takeaway:
Your job isn’t to manage the process for your student—it’s to model confidence, curiosity, and calm while allowing them to own their journey.

🎁 Episode Gift & Contact

🎓 College Planning Support for Parents
Want help organizing next steps and avoiding costly college mistakes?

📘 Workbook Gift:
https://go.collegereadyplan.com/podcast-gift-workbook

🤝 Interested in Collaborating with College Ready?
Email Julienne at julienne@collegereadyplan.com