How To Handle Conflicting College Admissions Opinions

Some say you shouldn’t talk about religion or politics in polite company—but parents of high school seniors know a third topic belongs on the list: the college admissions process. College application season is overwhelming for both students and parents, and the stress is only exacerbated when everyone around you—parents, teachers, classmates, family friends, and even internet strangers—shares their opinion about what you should be doing. Many parents initially assume that soliciting advice will be beneficial, only to discover that the multitude of differing opinions causes confusion, conflict, and a lack of overall clarity.?

Whether you’re navigating the college admissions process this fall or anticipating the process in the coming years, it is critical to build a strategic support network to help you through the process. Here are some strategies for seeking expert advice and eliminating the noise that might throw you and your student off course:?

Build a Small, Trustworthy Support Network?

One of the most common challenges families face when strategizing for college admissions is inviting too many cooks into the kitchen. When you have too many people weighing in, differing perspectives and priorities can lead to a scattered and unfocused approach to your student’s application. This is particularly detrimental given that top colleges are looking for compelling and cohesive narratives that are traceable through the entirety of students’ application materials—not a random assortment of impressive accolades and activities.??

Use Social Media Wisely?

Social media can be a valuable resource for researching colleges, learning about trends, and gaining inspiration—but it can also be a whirlpool of misinformation, fearmongers, and misleading anecdotes. Students and parents should be cautious and intentional about how they use social media in the college admissions process, being mindful not to believe the inflammatory or sensational claims they may come across. Limit the amount of time you spend researching the college admissions process on social media, and be sure to fact check information you see before allowing it to inform your strategy.?

Consider the Source

When receiving college admissions advice or “hacks” for getting into top schools, students and parents should first and foremost consider the credentials of the person supplying the information. There is no one-size-fits-all strategy for college admissions, so students should generally avoid advice from those who claim to have a “fool-proof” formula for admission. Additionally, not every strategy will work for every student—it may be tempting to seek advice from the parent whose child was accepted to Harvard, but what worked for that particular student may not align with your child’s unique goals, skills, extracurricular profile, and guiding passion.?

While you might discuss the process with other parents or your student’s guidance counselor, having the personalized support of a private consultant can centralize your admissions strategy and help you to critically evaluate other approaches, anecdotes, or pieces of advice from third parties. Parents should find a reliable admissions consultant who has professional experience in the college admissions process, has worked with a larger sample size of students, and who offers a personalized approach to admissions consulting. Most importantly, parents should ensure that the consultant they hire employs a strategy that aligns with their student’s needs and goals, and trust that consultant as the point person for their admission strategy. This will ensure that parents and students benefit from the consultant’s wide-ranging firsthand knowledge of what colleges are looking for, as well as their individualized advice for building a student’s unique admissions profile.?

While the wealth of information available about the college admissions process can feel daunting, finding a trustworthy guide can eliminate much of the stress associated with the process. To evaluate your options and find the right college consultant for your student, check out Command Education’s comprehensive guide!?

Originally published on Forbes