Hi Fellow Parent!
Welcome to our tribe of parents trying to be chill (and sometimes succeeding), and kudos for being here amidst the mayhem the college admissions process has become. Or so the media would have you think.
The college admissions news cycle sounds dreary—AI is taking over the world, standardized testing is back, the process is inequitable, applying for financial aid has become a nightmare. As with any news cycle, some of it is true, and some of it is hyperbole that escalates to outright lies by the time you hear it through the grapevine. Let’s discern!
AI is taking over college admissions (and the world)
It’s the wild west out there right now with kids using AI as a writing tool, colleges using AI to sift through applications, and no clear rules. Still, do not fear the robots! As of yet, robot overlords have not overtaken college admissions for the worse.
The truth: overwhelmed college admissions offices have used AI for many years now to sift through applications, and we’ve all been using AI writing tools—hello spellcheck and autocorrect. No college wants to miss finding an outstanding applicant, and no diligent student wants to submit a generic application essay (or get caught cheating). Human beings are still running the show at the moment.
Standardized testing is back with a vengeance
I’m sure you’ve seen news headlines that a handful of famous universities have reinstated an ACT or SAT requirement for admission. What you won’t see in the media is that the vast majority of colleges remain test-optional. Check out fairtest.org, if you haven’t, and you’ll see a huge list of test-optional and test-free colleges and universities. Chances are many if not all of the colleges on your kid’s list are included.
Inequity abounds in college admissions
It’s true. As I’ve written here before, I’m no advocate for the unnecessarily complicated and pressure-filled college admissions process. My goal is to help you gain perspective and get through it with your kid. So today, let’s deflect focus away from complaining that “It’s not fair” (which attracts more eyeballs to the breaking news stories), and toward “How can I help my kid during this stressful time?” (which is far more productive for our purposes).
Applying for financial aid has become a nightmare
Also true! Gotta love how the U.S. Government Accountability Office convened to cast blame on who was responsible for the botched new FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Why didn’t the government use that extra funding and manpower to fix the existing problems so you can actually pay for college?
I am so sorry to say that once again, the release is of the forms you’ll need to fill out to apply for college aid is delayed. I am also so sorry to say that the news about the FAFSA debacle is not hyperbole—it remains a *%^! show. As I did last year, I’ll try to stay on top of this and report back. If you hear updates first, please let me know, so I can help spread the word.
Sanity saver
Definitely celebrate big wins, but do not let your small, everyday victories pass you by without celebrating them, as well!
Studies say it’s important for your wellbeing and motivation (and for avoiding chronic stress and burnout) to treat yourself to a mental fist bump (or ice cream) when you:
- Achieve a little bit more than you had achieved an hour ago (including crossing one thing off your to-do list)
- Turn your phone all the way off (even for just ten minutes)
- Work out (even for just ten minutes)
- Handle a difficult situation or conversation well (or at least okay)
- Create something new (a client account? a ceramic vase? a friendship?)
- Fix something broken (a client account? a ceramic vase? a friendship?)
- Step out of your comfort zone (no matter how it turned out)
- Finally finish something you started (no matter how it turned out)
- Volunteer to help (your kid or a stranger)
- Overlook flaws and smile at yourself in the mirror (bonus points for giving yourself a compliment)
- Apologize sincerely (regardless of how it was received; it takes guts)
- Ask for help (also takes guts sometimes)
There are so many more reasons to celebrate! My parting advice for this newsletter:
- If media coverage on college admissions makes you break out in a sweat (that is clearly not a hot flash), stop reading or listening to it.
- Celebrate the discipline it took to turn off the news.
- Always keep ice cream in your freezer for such an occasion.
Warmly,
Jill
