Everyone has an opinion about your college applications. Here’s what to do if they come into conflict

Some say you shouldn’t talk about religion or politics in polite company, but parents of high school students know that a third topic belongs on the list: the college admissions process. College application season is overwhelming for students and parents alike, and the stress only increases when everyone around you (parents, teachers, classmates, family friends, and even internet strangers) share their opinions about what you’re doing. should are doing. Many parents initially assume that asking for advice will be helpful, but then discover that the multitude of different opinions causes confusion, conflict and a lack of overall clarity.

Whether you’re going through the college admissions process this fall or are anticipating the process in years to come, it’s critical to build a strategic support network to help you through the process. Here are some strategies to get expert advice and eliminate the noise that could throw you and your student off course:

1. Build a small, reliable support network

One of the most common challenges families face when devising a college admissions strategy is inviting too many chefs into the kitchen. With too many people participating, different perspectives and priorities can lead to a fragmented and unfocused approach to your student’s application. This is especially detrimental because top schools are looking for compelling and coherent stories that can be found across all student application materials – not a random collection of impressive awards and activities.

2. Use social media wisely

Social media can be a valuable resource for researching colleges, learning about trends, and finding inspiration, but it can also be a vortex of misinformation, fear-mongering, and misleading anecdotes. Students and parents should be careful and deliberate about how they use social media in the college admissions process, being careful not to believe the inflammatory or sensational claims they encounter. Limit the amount of time you spend researching the college admissions process on social media, and be sure to vet the information you see before letting it dictate your strategy.

3. Think about the source

When receiving college admissions advice or “hacks” to get into top schools, students and parents should first consider the credentials of the person providing the information. There is no one-size-fits-all strategy for college admissions, so students should generally avoid advice from those who claim to have a “fool-proof” admissions formula. Furthermore, not every strategy will work for every student. It may be tempting to seek advice from the parent whose child has been admitted to Harvard, but what worked for that particular student may not match your child’s unique goals, skills, extracurricular profile, and capabilities. guiding passion.

While you may discuss the process with other parents or your student’s academic advisor, the personalized support of a private counselor can centralize your admissions strategy and help you critically evaluate other third-party approaches, anecdotes, or advice. Parents should find a reliable admissions counselor who has professional experience in the college admissions process, has worked with a larger sample size of students, and who offers a personalized approach to admissions counseling. Most importantly, parents should ensure that the advisor they hire implements a strategy that meets their student’s needs and goals and trust the advisor to be the point person for their admissions strategy. This will ensure that parents and students benefit from the consultant’s extensive first-hand knowledge of what colleges are looking for, as well as their individualized advice for building a student’s unique admissions profile.

While the wealth of information available about the college admissions process can be daunting, finding a reliable guide can take away much of the stress associated with the process. With the support of the right admissions counselor, parents and students can take much of the stress out of the process and trust the information they receive.