The Truth about College Admission

The Truth About Family and College Admission - Dr. Lisa Damour

Mar 19, 2024
Dr. Lisa Damour, a clinical psychologist and bestselling author, delves into the stress families face during the college admission process. She shares insights on how the landscape has shifted, the heavy workload involved, and the pressure from elite schools. Lisa emphasizes the importance of letting go of prestige to alleviate stress and argues that success isn't about brand names but meaningful relationships. She advises parents to align with their teens' emotions and reframe college as a chapter in life, not the pinnacle of success.
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ANECDOTE

Parents Shocked By Hidden Workload

  • Lisa Damour and her husband found the college process far more work than expected despite their academic backgrounds.
  • Their hands-on involvement increased Lisa's empathy for families navigating admissions.
ADVICE

Don't Treat Elite Schools As Guarantees

  • Avoid pinning your child's future to a tiny set of ultra-selective colleges because admissions are essentially lottery-like now.
  • Release pressure by embracing the many excellent colleges that will support your child's success.
INSIGHT

Marketing Fuels Parental Anxiety

  • Colleges understandably market themselves as life-changing products which increases parental anxiety.
  • Adults often conflate professional success with long-term happiness even though relationships and meaningful work matter more.
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