You’ve visited campuses, read every admissions packet, compared financial aid letters, and heard your teen’s pros and cons a dozen times. But the decision deadline is looming… and they’re still unsure about which college to attend. Now what?
May 1st is just a few days away and your teen still hasn’t made their final decision. How can you help?
First, take a deep breath. It’s completely normal for students to feel overwhelmed or hesitant before committing. The final college decision is a major milestone — and a meaningful opportunity for growth.
As a parent, your role isn’t to make the choice for them, but to guide and support them toward confidence. Here’s a step-by-step way to help your teen move from feeling stuck to feeling ready.
If your student has been put on the wait list at one of their top-choice schools, take a deep breath—you are definitely not alone. Many families go through this, and while it can feel like you’re stuck in a holding pattern, there are productive and empowering next steps you can take together. Many students have been waitlisted at their dream school, this isn’t the end of the road—it’s just a detour.
Here’s how you can support your teen through the wait list process with clarity, compassion, and confidence.
It may still be spring, but college application season is just around the corner. The more your junior does now, the less stressful senior year will be. And summer is the best time to start the process.
Here’s how to set them up for a strong start this summer.
1. Brainstorm Essay Ideas
Encourage your student to reflect on meaningful life moments and write down possible personal statement topics. These early brainstorms can turn into solid essay drafts later on.
Parent Tip: Ask questions like “What’s something you’re proud of?” or “When did you overcome a challenge?”
As graduation draws near, your senior is almost at the finish line—but a few final tasks still need your attention. Helping your teen wrap up their college plans now can prevent headaches later. Here’s your parent-friendly checklist of what to tackle this spring.
1. Finalize the College Decision
Support your student as they compare financial aid offers and consider how each campus feels in terms of community, academics, and future opportunities. Encourage them to reach out to current students or attend a virtual event to help with their final decision.
Parent Tip:Use a spreadsheet to track cost, location, graduation rate, job outcomes, and gut feelings.
What do you do when Plan A doesn’t work out and your student is forced to take a look at Plan B? Here’s what happened in our family.
Ryan had his heart set on one school. For years, he talked about attending the United States Naval Academy. His walls were covered in Navy posters, he subscribed to their YouTube channel, and he even attended a summer seminar program there between his junior and senior year. He admired the discipline, the challenge, and the honor of service. When it came time to apply, he poured everything into the process: excellent grades, participation in NJROTC competitions, letters of recommendation, and hours spent polishing his personal statement.
Spring is a critical time for high school juniors to start thinking ahead, and as a parent, your support and guidance can make a huge difference. The more your student does now, the smoother their senior year and college application process will be. Here are key steps juniors should be taking this spring—with detailed actions and how you can help them prepare for what’s ahead.
When my daughter opened the email, I saw the joy light up her face. Congratulations! She got in. She did it. Her dream college, the one she had been talking about for years, was offering her a spot.
For a moment, everything felt perfect.
I let myself soak in her excitement. I hugged her tightly. I even let myself imagine what it would be like—move-in day, walking around that beautiful campus, wearing the school sweatshirt with pride. I thought about all the years of hard work, the late-night study sessions, the endless applications, the moments of doubt she had overcome. This was supposed to be it.
Every parent wants their child to receive the best education possible, however, academic success is not just about choosing the right school. A child’s education is shaped by their home environment and learning habits.
Parents play a crucial role in fostering a love for learning. This is going to ensure your child reaches their full potential. By being actively involved and encouraging curiosity, you are going to help set the foundation for knowledge.
College acceptance season can be an emotional rollercoaster. After months of hard work, applications, and anticipation, receiving a rejection letter can feel like a crushing blow to your student — and to you as a parent. While it’s hard to see your teen disappointed, this moment also presents an opportunity to teach resilience, encourage self-reflection, and support them as they regroup and move forward.
Here’s how you can help your student navigate the disappointment of college rejections:
Choosing a college is one of the biggest decisions your student will make, but as a parent, you play a crucial role in guiding them through the financial and logistical challenges that come with it. What happens when your child’s college plans don’t match your budget or comfort level? Let’s tackle some common concerns and explore ways to navigate these tough college decisions with your student.
