Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You

The hosts dive into the debate over the necessity of college visits, with one asserting they're overrated. They explore how technology, like virtual tours, reshapes the college search process. Discussions reveal that visiting elite colleges can create skewed expectations. However, they acknowledge exceptions where campus visits can be beneficial, especially for first-gen students and those facing unique challenges. The conversation emphasizes the need for college counselors to reflect on traditional beliefs and adapt their advice.

Not all summer activities contribute to real growth for teens. The hosts critique common advice that often leads to superficial experiences, like cookie-cutter internships and pay-to-play programs. They emphasize the value of earned opportunities over those arranged by parents. The conversation highlights the importance of embracing discomfort and taking initiative for personal development. They also discuss the pitfalls of aimless summers versus meaningful downtime, encouraging teens to pursue genuine interests rather than follow peers.

This time of year can be very stressful for seniors applying to college, and they all need a break from the college discussions and pressure that comes with it. In this episode of Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You, we are touching on what not to say during the holidays. You’ll hear all about what topics to avoid, why teenagers need a certain degree of privacy, how you can express care and interest without asking too many personal questions, and more! We talk about how to prepare your teenagers for these discussions before discussing what not to say to younger kids applying to private independent schools. Lastly, we share some examples of things you can talk about with teens other than college. Thanks for tuning in!  Key Points From This Episode: [0:02:20] Today’s topic: what not to say to teens during the holidays. [0:03:20] Why you shouldn’t ask teens about college and other private topics. [0:08:10] Cathy shares an example of an inappropriate holiday discussion. [0:10:20] How to express interest in college applications without prying too much. [0:11:34] What kids can say when they don’t want to answer personal questions.  [0:13:47] How this also applies to younger kids applying to private independent schools.  [0:15:46] What you can talk about with teens instead of talking about college applications. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You on Instagram

AI is changing how students navigate the college admissions process, and knowing how to use it well can save families time and stress. In this episode, Cathy and Meredith focus on the most effective and responsible ways teens can use AI for college search, planning campus visits, organizing supplements, preparing for interviews, and comparing schools. They explain why AI is a powerful tool for reflection and structure in essay writing, but not a replacement for a student’s real voice. They also address concerns about accuracy, misuse, and school policies around AI. Looking ahead, they share why AI will likely reshape admissions in the coming years and what families should keep in mind as the landscape evolves. Tune in for clear, practical insights on using AI wisely in the admissions journey! Key Points From This Episode: [0:01:20] Today’s topic: how AI is shaping the college admissions process. [0:02:38] Cathy and Meredith’s mixed feelings about adopting new AI tools. [0:04:30] How students, parents, and counselors can use AI for college search. [0:06:06] Teaching students to research colleges using AI and multiple sources. [0:08:41] Why AI is helpful but never exhaustive in list-building. [0:09:54] Using AI as an essay-editing tool, not a writer, in the admissions process. [0:14:48] How AI can help you identify distinctive program features and compare colleges. [0:16:52] AI as a time-saver for planning tours and organizing writing requirements. [0:17:35] The right and wrong ways to use AI in admissions work. [0:17:56] Looking ahead at how AI may reshape future college applications. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You on Instagram

Explore the nuances of teen anxiety, with insights on how it manifests differently among individuals. Learn to recognize when anxiety impacts daily functioning and discover practical techniques to ground your teen in the present. Delve into the importance of naming emotions and how to model calm behavior for effective co-regulation. Understand the crucial distinction between what teens can control versus influence. Finally, channel anxious energy through movement and emphasize early coping skills to prevent escalation into more serious issues.

Dive into the intricacies of the UC application, exploring how it differs from the Common App. Uncover the secrets to crafting impactful Personal Insight Questions and navigate impacted majors with ease. Learn why detailing context and extenuating circumstances matters to your application. Avoid common pitfalls, especially for UCLA, and discover the keys to effectively summarizing your activities. This engaging discussion will help you tackle the application process with confidence and clarity.

Discover the crucial role of school profiles in college admissions. Learn how admissions officers evaluate student performance through these profiles and why understanding them is essential for crafting a college list. The hosts offer insights on navigating transcripts, the importance of GPA comparisons, and how AP data reflects academic rigor. With expert tips on building smart college application strategies, this discussion equips parents and students with the tools needed to tackle the admissions process confidently.

After hitting submit on a college application, the real journey begins! The hosts discuss what to expect from confirmation emails and admission portals. They debunk myths about missing documents causing crisis and emphasize patience as colleges batch-process applications. Parents are advised against unnecessary contact with colleges, while students are encouraged to take a breather. Lastly, they tackle the anxieties surrounding submission timing and server crashes. Stay calm and let the process unfold!

How much do those quirky one-line college application questions really matter? In this episode of Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You, hosts Cathy and Meredith dive into the world of application videos to reveal what colleges are really looking for (and what not to stress about). Together, they share the inside story behind the creation of USC’s original Quick Takes section, why it spread to other schools, and how applicants should approach it today without overthinking. They also discuss the growing trend of 90-second admissions videos and provide advice on what to wear, how to prepare, and explain why being authentic wins every time. Tune in to learn how to nail your Quick Takes, ace your videos, and show colleges who you really are without the stress.  Key Points From This Episode: [0:00:00] Introduction and the motivation behind today’s topic. [0:01:52] Learn what Quick Takes are and why students find them stressful. [0:03:37] What colleges still use Quick Takes and how the admissions landscape has shifted. [0:06:28] Cathy gives an example of a bad admission for a quick take. [0:07:02] Advice on how students should answer quick take questions. [0:09:46] How to use Quick Takes strategically to complement the admission process. [0:11:11] The rising popularity of short applicant videos and how they mirror Quick Takes. [0:12:48] Hear tips and recommendations for recording effective application videos. [0:13:44] Find out why over-editing, heavy scripting, or gimmicky videos do not work. [0:16:19] Learn the difference between authentic quirkiness and trying too hard.  [0:17:43] Cathy and Meredith’s final takeaways: have fun and remember to smile! Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You on Instagram

After Cathy attended the 2025 National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) conference—where a session titled "The Plight of the Standard Strong Student" drew such an overwhelming crowd that police had to intervene for safety reasons—it became clear just how urgent this topic has become. The so-called "standard strong student" is academically exceptional: straight As, rigorous coursework, impressive test scores, and meaningful extracurricular involvement. Yet, despite being "perfectly qualified," many of these students are still turned away from institutions with single-digit acceptance rates. In today’s episode, Cathy and Meredith unpack what these students often lack, why identifying institutional priorities is nearly impossible, and how families can regain a sense of control in the admissions process. Tune in to hear all this and more, including why authenticity and alignment are the real keys to success in selective college admissions. Key Points From This Episode: [0:01:00] Meredith and Cathy welcome listeners to today’s episode. [0:02:20] Today’s topic of conversation: the plight of the standard strong student. [0:04:00] We define what a standard strong student is. [0:05:00] What they lack: institutional priorities. [0:05:30] The difference between admission and enrollment management. [0:09:00] Why institutional priorities are impossible to see. [0:09:45] How we can give control back to students and families. [0:13:45] They replicate school lists as an example of how to go about finding the right school. [0:17:30] The point: are students diving deep enough into researching colleges that align with their goals and values? [0:21:00] Widen the lens: not having the exact same college list and the exact same majors. [0:24:00] Encouraging critical self-reflection early. [0:25:40] Tips for taking back control for our standard strong students. [0:26:36] The “village” approach and the standard strong student. [0:28:04] Making space for authenticity to grow in our children. [0:29:30] An example of why we need to cultivate other interests. [0:34:40] Key takeaways from today’s episode. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: What Is An Admissions Hook? Things That Make Us Go Ew Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You on Instagram