Today’s episode covers a topic that I don’t often talk about on the podcast: college admissions. If you are a regular listener, you know that many of my conversations focus on post-high school paths that don’t require college. I thought it was important to delve deeper into the college planning process, primarily because I’ve heard from a lot of parents about the overwhelm they are facing as their teens begin the college application process. And to be completely transparent, this is personal for me. Our high school junior has made the decision to attend college after high school graduation and already I’m feeling the confusion, overwhelm and information overload that so many families experience. If you’ve begun the online research, you know there is a LOT of information out there, some accurate and helpful, and some not. It takes a lot of time and patience to dig through the myriad of resources and even then, it’s hard to know which ones provide correct information and which ones create the “hair on fire” mentality. This week’s guest is an expert in her field and a breath of fresh air for parents who want to help their teen find the best fit. Notice I didn’t say “best college”? That’s right. I said “best fit”. Because “best college” is completely subjective and our main focus should be helping our kids find the best fit for them. I’m joined today by Allison Slater Tate. If you live in Florida and have a teen pursuing the college path, you may already be a member of Allison’s Facebook group. No matter where you call home, you have likely come across Allison’s work on NBC News, TODAY.com, and Your Teen Magazine as well as others. Allison has extensive experience in test prep, essay writing and college counseling, and she has the “inside scoop” on the real truth about college admissions. Our conversation is straight-forward, no-nonsense and drama-free, so sit back and enjoy this pleasant trip down the college admissions path.
About Allison Slater Tate
Allison Slater Tate advises high school students and their families to find college homes where they will thrive and grow. She is a college consultant for Dunbar Educational Consultants , where she uses her extensive experience in test prep and personal essay writing to help her students find the fun and the positive in what can be a stressful process. She also serves as the Director of College Counseling for Lake Mary Preparatory School in Lake Mary, Florida, where she is also the testing and AP coordinator and a registered UCAS adviser. She loves to help each student find their voice and their story through the college application journey.
Allison is also a professional freelance writer covering parenting, education, and college admissions for national outlets including NBC News, TODAY.com, Grown and Flown, YourTeen Magazine, the Washington Post, and the Huffington Post, among others.
Episode Highlights
- Allison’s positive approach to college admissions
- How college admissions have and haven’t changed
- The most important thing parents can do to help their kids through the process
- The untrue narratives that live in parents’ heads
- Believe that your child will be good enough no matter where they go and what they do
- Is it ok to share college acceptances or declines on social media?
- Don’t use your kids’ successes to validate yourself
- How college enrollment management is a lot like having a dinner party
- The secret sauce to help teens to stand out
- Colleges want kids that care about something
- How to help your teen find the best college fit for them
- Don’t ignore freshman retention rate
- Start by visiting nearby colleges, even if they aren’t on your teen’s list
- Try to find virtual student panels
- The truth about holistic admissions
- Busting the biggest myths about college admissions
- College acceptance is never a measure of your child’s worth
Resources
email: astate@dunbarconsultants.com
Twitter: @allisonstate
Instagram: astcollegebound
Central Florida College Bound Facebook Group (FOR FLORIDA PARENTS ONLY)