I don’t watch a lot of television, and admittedly it falls into two camps: documentaries and nonsense.
Sometimes the nonsense is quite informative, and last night I caught an episode of “And Just Like That” (please don’t judge, it was a long day…). One storyline followed two mothers of rising high school seniors who get swept up in the frenzy of parent chatter around college advising: who to trust, how to get the best advice, how to “get into” the office of the best admissions coaches, who will guarantee that the student gets into _______ (fill in the blank). All the pretentious bluster that can drive the process from joyful discovery to stress and panic. And I found myself really, really HATING what I was watching. Here’s why:
There is no single counselor or counseling practice that is perfect for every family.
Anyone who guarantees a particular outcome is either misleading a family, or is behaving unethically.
A counselor who encourages families to “chase them” for the opportunity to work with them is more focused on their reputation than on your child’s outcomes.
College guidance and the journey it leads should promote joy and growth, not panic and stress.
This is the season for rising seniors who are finding themselves lost or confused by the process AND for rising juniors who are planning ahead. This is the time to interview independent educational consultants to find one that feels right for your family and your goals. This is the time to get started, so that the process is mindful and objective. And fun (yes, you read that correctly!).
College choice is not a four year race to an invisible finish line. It is a time to clarify goals, identify opportunities, explore what is available, and create a list where every school your student applies to is one they will be excited and proud to attend. Sometimes that will be the one they dreamt of for years, and sometimes it can be one they didn’t know about until this exploration began.
The real process, not the television version, starts with an open and honest conversation. I’m always ready to talk when you are. Feel free to reach out.