Is the pressure of college admissions overwhelming your family? You’re not alone. Between endless AP classes, campus tours, and the unspoken competition of “where did your kid get in?”, it’s easy for parents to feel consumed by stress and worry. But what if the path to your teen’s success isn’t about getting into the “best” school, but finding the right one?

In this episode of Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens, Dr. Lisa Damour and journalist Reena Ninan sit down with bestselling author and higher education expert Jeff Selingo, author of Dream School: Finding the College That's Right for You, to rethink what makes a college the “dream school.” Drawing on decades of research and thousands of parent and student stories, Jeff helps families step back from the frenzy and see the college search for what it truly is: a chance to find the right fit for your child’s growth, learning, and future.

- Why prestige isn’t everything, and why outcomes from mid-tier schools often match those from elite institutions

- How to help your teen find a college where they’ll truly belong, both socially and academically

- The surprising research on student satisfaction, faculty connections, and opportunities at different types of schools

- Smart ways to talk with your teen about money, financial aid, and realistic college costs

- Why the approach your child takes to college matters more than the name on the diploma

Warm, practical, and myth-busting, this conversation will help you and your teen navigate the admissions maze with less anxiety and more clarity.

Dream School: Finding the College That’s Right for You https://jeffselingo.com/books/dream-school

Study: The Determinants and Causal Effects of Admission to Highly Selective Private Colleges https://opportunityinsights.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/CollegeAdmissions_Paper.pdf

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Ask Lisa is produced by: https://www.goodtroubleproductions.com

Episode keywords: college search, college prep, college anxiety, dream school, jeff selingo, college admissions, college stress, college success, college tips, college choice

Podcast keywords: ask lisa podcast, dr lisa damour, reena ninan, psychology, parenting, podcast, teens, tweens, parenting teens, parenting tweens, teen parenting, tween parenting, parenting tips, parenting advice, positive parenting, parenting podcast, teen behavior, tween challenges, raising tweens, raising teens, parenting hacks, parenting help, family dynamics, kids podcast, mental health, teen mental health, attachment styles, emotional intelligence

Guy Garvey