Hello Fellow Parent and Happy Holidays!
On the college admissions calendar this month three events collide that create, for many, a giant storm cloud darkening the holiday season. Whatever you celebrate, I will not let that happen for you. Continue lighting candles and munching cookies, and I’ll provide the umbrellas and snow boots (and in some cases, a generator).
1. Early Decision and Early Action Notifications arrived.
Sometimes, the college’s decision was exactly what the student had hoped for, and you will hear all about it.
More often, the notification was a disappointment. If it’s your own kid who received a denial or deferral from a college this month, if you’ve been following me for a while now, you know the drill. Help them move along from their mourning period into completing more applications (they only have days left to do so) by saying something along the lines of, “I know you’re disappointed, but I’m 100% confident you’ll land at a wonderful college for you.”
2. New Year’s Day is also the application deadline most seniors are shooting for.
Regular decision deadlines—generally on January 1-15—can mess with your season of cheer. But remember that submitting that college application by the deadline is on your kid, not you. I dive into exactly how to navigate your teenager’s angst during this final push in my book College Admissions Cracked (a no-brainer gift for your nervous friend or yourself to start the new year).
If you want someone else to deal with last minute essay support, send your kid to my Intrepid Applicant platform for immediate personal essay writing help. In case you were wondering, the Intrepid Applicant platform is not AI. I’ve created videos and interactive exercises to virtually guide your child through the same steps I use when coaching private students to write a unique, very human college essay.
3. Juniors are watching seniors and feeling those “I’m next!” jitters.
No matter how much we’re tempted to take charge of our children’s next steps, letting your child take the lead on their journey toward college is the best possible holiday gift.
If you’re just beginning the college search, stick with “How can I help?” as a conversation starter. Please don’t expect your child to respond with a simple “Thank you” for your generous offer. Responses can range from an oblivious “Help with what?” to an active volcano eruption like “Stop pressuring me about college!!!” for which I troubleshoot in College Admissions Cracked (and advise more spiked eggnog).
Sanity Saver…
Beyond eggnog therapy, here is one of my all-time favorite stress busters:
In Conclusion…
I hope you are more serene now than when you started reading this newsletter. Regardless, there is no world in which college admissions deserves top billing during the holidays, or ever. You’ve got this and I’ve got your back come rain or shine or wintry mix.
Warmly,
Jill
