Navigating College Admissions
Imagine navigating college admissions with clarity and confidence instead of confusion. That's what we're aiming for today on The Positively Healthy Mom! I'm Laura Ollinger, your Teen and Parent Well-being Coach, and I couldn't be more excited to introduce a powerhouse expert whose advice has captured my attention on Instagram: Jenna Schebell from The College Navigators.
Overcoming Overwhelm: Transparency and Control
Jenna and I dive right into a feeling many parents and teens experience during the college admissions process: overwhelm. Having worked both in college admissions and on the high school side, Jenna brings a unique perspective on the "business side" of college decisions—institutional priorities and behind-the-scenes factors parents often don't see. She also understands the student's experience of preparing applications.
Her mission, and a key reason for her social media presence, is to bring transparency to the process. As Jenna wisely puts it, "knowledge is power." Understanding that you can only control so much of the admissions process significantly reduces stress and anxiety. The rest, she explains, varies year to year, with unexpected challenges and "curveballs" always arising. The core message: control what you can, trust the process, and know that you will end up where you are meant to be. This perspective alone can be a huge relief for overwhelmed families.
Finding the Right "Match": Beyond Checking Boxes
The most common question for college admissions experts is often: "What are they looking for these days in a student?" Jenna emphasizes that it's fundamentally about finding a match. Unlike high school, where hard work and checking boxes often guarantee a reward (like a good grade), college admissions—especially for highly selective schools—is more nuanced.
Jenna uses a relatable analogy: it's like dating. You might initially be drawn to someone, but as you get to know them, you discover whether your values and interests truly align. Colleges are doing the same. Highly selective schools meticulously analyze supplemental essays to see how a student's strengths, interests, values, and character align with their specific institution. Every school seeks something different; what's a perfect fit for one might make you completely wrong for another, even as the same applicant. It's about finding an environment where a teen will thrive.
College rejections, though painful and often a teenager's first "no," are not a reflection of self-worth. Jenna reassures parents that in hindsight, many students are incredibly happy with where they end up, even if it wasn't their initial "dream school." It's about the college building its community just as much as the student finding their place. She shares an example from her own experience working at Marymount Manhattan, where students, regardless of major, shared a deep love for theater and arts – demonstrating how colleges build specific communities.
Understanding the Numbers and Building a Balanced List
Jenna frequently shares acceptance rates and other statistics on her social media, which can initially seem daunting but serve a crucial purpose. Post-pandemic, acceptance rates have shifted dramatically (e.g., Auburn's acceptance rate dropped from 85% to 45% in just a few years). Sharing these numbers helps parents and students create a balanced list of schools.
The goal is to build a diverse list with various options, ensuring that even if a teen were denied by every other school, they'd still genuinely love the one remaining. She stresses that who a rising senior is now might be very different from who they are in May of their senior year when decisions are made. A student adamant about a large, far-away school might later desire a smaller, closer option. Therefore, a well-shaped list provides flexibility for a teen's evolving preferences.
Why the Competition is Rising: Unpacking Application Trends
The increased competitiveness in college admissions is a "loaded question," but Jenna breaks down several contributing factors:
Information Overload: More information often leads to more panic, prompting students to apply to more schools.
Ease of Application: Platforms like the Common Application make it incredibly easy to apply to multiple schools with minimal effort. This significantly inflates application numbers; for instance, the University of Texas at Austin saw a 35,000+ increase in applications after joining the Common App.
Fee Waivers: Schools often offer free application waivers, further boosting application volume.
The "Sports Effect": A winning season in sports (basketball, football) can dramatically increase a school's popularity and application numbers.
Post-COVID Shifts: After the pandemic, many students from the Northeast migrated South. Initially driven by Northern schools' continued virtual learning and mask mandates versus the South's open campuses, this trend created a ripple effect as students shared their positive experiences, influencing younger siblings and friends. This explains the surge in popularity for SEC and other Southern schools.
Demographic Changes and Their Impact
Laura notes a perceived "baby boom," with her teen's rising senior class being the largest ever at her high school. Jenna confirms that the Class of 2025 (the one that just graduated) was indeed the largest nationally. However, she clarifies that between now and 2041, the overall U.S. graduate population is expected to decline.
Despite this overall decline, some states like Texas, Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas will continue to see significant increases in graduates, making admissions even more competitive in those regions, especially for in-state students where enrollment caps exist. Conversely, states like California and New York will see substantial declines. This means while some smaller private schools may close due to declining enrollment, highly competitive schools in growing states might become even more selective. These institutional trends, sometimes transparent but often not, significantly influence admission decisions.
Beyond "Well-Rounded": Depth of Involvement and Context
Laura asks if colleges are truly looking for a "well-rounded student" or if this is a misconception. Jenna explains that the definition has shifted.
Academic Achievement in Context: Colleges evaluate a teen's GPA and SAT/ACT scores in the context of their specific high school. They assess how much rigor they undertook compared to what was available to them. A 3.75 GPA and a 1400 SAT score might be average at one school but top-tier at another. It's about how a teen utilized their opportunities, not just the raw numbers.
Depth of Involvement and Impact: Instead of well-rounded individuals, colleges now seek a well-rounded campus community. They prefer students who demonstrate depth of involvement and impact in a few key areas, rather than spreading themselves thin across many activities. They want dedicated "theater kids," "tuba players," or "athletes" who excel in their chosen passions. This focus naturally leads to leadership opportunities, community impact, and genuine stories for essays that delve into intellectual curiosities and meaningful experiences.
The Business of College and Hidden Priorities
Jenna confirms that colleges absolutely seek students who will be successful for the college's reputation and as future donors. But beneath this, colleges operate as businesses driven by institutional needs set by their board. These needs dictate the type of students they enroll to fulfill specific goals.
Examples of these "hidden" priorities include:
Increasing the number of students from rural communities.
Balancing local vs. out-of-state students due to dorm space.
Growing or shrinking specific academic majors.
Sometimes colleges are transparent about these (like Rice expanding or Texas A&M dialing back), but often they are not. An applicant might perfectly fit these needs at one school, granting them an advantage, while the same profile might work against them at another, even though the applicant hasn't changed.
"Easier" vs. "More Difficult" Schools: Finding Your Best Fit
On the philosophy of choosing an "easier" versus a "more difficult" school, Jenna advises visiting the campus. The environment, student body, and overall feel can only truly be understood by experiencing them firsthand, especially during admitted student days in the spring. Some students thrive as a "big fish in a small pond," while others are motivated by peers who push them to excel.
It's wise to apply to both types of environments. Teens also need to consider their long-term goals. Many smaller liberal arts colleges, without large graduate programs, pour all their resources into undergraduates. They often boast exceptional success rates for pushing students into top medical schools, law schools, and other postgraduate opportunities. Jenna emphasizes, "It's not where you start, it's where you finish." A teen might not get into a dream undergraduate school, but excelling at a strong undergraduate program can open doors to highly selective graduate programs.
She also suggests the benefit of attending two different schools for undergraduate and graduate studies. This exposes students to diverse environments and experiences. For example, an 18-year-old might prefer a traditional campus for undergrad but later find a big city environment ideal for graduate studies aligned with career aspirations like Wall Street or politics.
Guiding Teens to Long-Term Goals and The Undecided Advantage
Connecting teenagers to long-term goals can be challenging, as many are focused on immediate desires like weather or social scene. When students lament not getting into their "dream school," Jenna asks for 3-5 solid reasons why it was their dream, beyond surface-level attractions.
Her biggest advice: life doesn't have to be a linear path. Most colleges offer flexibility, allowing students to explore classes and declare a major later. It's okay not to have all the answers. The most important thing is not to compare yourself to others. There will always be someone ahead or behind you. This comparison fuels stress and anxiety.
The ultimate reward of college is a career you enjoy for the next 50 years. Jenna stresses the importance of investing in something you genuinely love. If you love what you do, the money will follow. Decisions shouldn't be based solely on potential earnings if it means being miserable. Students should approach college admissions with an open mind, accepting that they are 18 and have much room to grow.
For undecided or undeclared students, Jenna suggests a powerful response to persistent questions about their major: "I'm going to college to figure it out – that's the whole reason I'm going!" This confident stance helps mitigate the insecurity and pressure many teens feel to have all the answers.
Crafting Impactful College Essays
In college essays, a teen's authenticity is key. Jenna advises focusing on small moments and stories that have the biggest impact. Admissions officers understand that 17- and 18-year-olds typically don't have dramatic life experiences. The essay's goal is to learn about a student's character, values, interests, and intellectual curiosities – things not already covered elsewhere in their application.
It's a chance to show "who you are outside of all this." Examples include writing about a passion for crime documentaries, being the family baker, or growing up on a working farm. The advice is to keep it simple, real, and authentic. It should sound like a 17-year-old wrote it, so while parents can read it over, over-editing should be avoided. Colleges aren't primarily looking for perfect grammar; they want to hear the student's story.
Think of it like writing a book, not a book report. Describe experiences vividly to give the reader a clear vision, like painting a picture of a bike ride instead of just saying "I fell off my bike." Remember, admissions officers read many essays daily, so capture their attention from the get-go.
Ready to gain more actionable strategies for navigating the complexities of college admissions?
Listen to the full episode with Jenna Schebell on The Positively Healthy Mom Podcast wherever you get your podcasts. Don't miss this opportunity to demystify the process and empower your family for a successful college journey!
