Podcast: Supporting Your Teen Through College Applications

If your kid might apply for college in the next ten years, you want to listen to this one! Margaret is an expert in supporting kids through the college application process. She has a particularly valuable perspective on how teenagers experience this crazy time and how parents can support them, and today, she’s sharing her knowledge with us!

“I’m gonna write your essay & I think you’re ready for college.
Those two things don’t go hand in hand.”

– Amanda Sovik-Johnston

At College Solutions, Margaret helps students and parents find the right fit for college: the best academic, social, and financial fit. As parents, we want the best for our kids, but it’s important to consider how to get there and provide that environment. Being too involved as a parent might give your kid the idea that you don’t trust that they can do it themselves, so you should think about how you are helping your child feel empowered to achieve this goal. How can you support them and show them that you feel like they’re ready to leave your home and go to college?

So what can you do to best support your kid through college applications?

Top 3 ways parents can support their kids through college applications

#1 Focus on authenticity

Tune out the noise of other parents around you and really focus on what your child loves. Then help them grow these aptitudes and help them translate those to other opportunities.

#2 What’s the best-fit college for your kid? 

Where is your kid thriving, and why do they enjoy that part of academics? Remember the three parts of a good fit: academic fit, social fit, and financial fit.

#3 Foster an environment where your kid feels comfortable talking to you about college.

We dive deeper into all of the above and so much more in today’s episode so have a listen if you want to learn more!

In This Episode

  • Why not to rewrite your kid’s college application essay;

  • The three parts of finding a good-fit college;

  • Trusting your kid to go through this process themselves;

  • The top three ways parents can support their kid through college applications;

  • How to foster a safe environment for your kid to talk to you about college;

  • Some golden tips on scholarships;

  • And so much more!

Listen Now

Click here to listen on Spotify!

Click here to listen on Apple Podcasts!

Click here to listen on Google Podcasts!

Click here to listen on Stitcher!


You can catch up with all the Active & Connected Families Podcast episodes with Amanda Sovik-Johnston on their website, activeconnected.com. You can also subscribe via Apple Podcasts to get alerts when a new episode is posted.

Sarah DohlComment