College admissions are stressful enough...

When meeting with students about their college lists, they frequently share about the additional pressure they feel related to family expectations. "Mom wants me to go to the best, most prestigious school that I can get into. It's really important to her." "I know they care about me and want what's best, but I feel like everyone is pulling me in different directions, and I'm trying to please them all." "My dad thinks I need to start a program to help kids like me at my school this fall. He says I have gaps in my application." "Dad says I can get a scholarship to play football, but I'm not sure I even want to play in college and no coaches are recruiting me."

This perspective article, "College Admissions are Stressful Enough. Parents Don't Make It Worse," gives some healthy perspective on how to support your student in thinking about and applying to college. Working with a college counselor can help bridge these conversations, offer resources and effective tools, and guide your student toward pathways to pursue their interests and goals, while balancing family priorities and needs.