What We Tell Our Students About the College Process

Every year, we get the same question from parents and students alike:

"What do you tell your students as they go through the college process?"

Our answer is always rooted in one core truth:

Please, enjoy the process.

This may be one of the only times in your life when you’ll spend such a significant amount of time focused solely on you, your goals, your values, and your future. It’s a rare and powerful opportunity for self-reflection and growth. If you’re open to it and trust the journey (and the people guiding you), you might find yourself enjoying it. You’ll be amazed at what you learn—not just about colleges, but about yourself.

This is your story. Not your friends’, not your parents’, not your neighbor’s. Yours. So don’t get caught up in what others are doing or saying. Stay grounded in what matters to you and what kind of future you want to create.

Let’s clear up one common myth: There absolutely is a college out there for you. In fact, there are more than 3,500 options in the U.S. alone. Try to resist the anxiety-driven impulse that whispers, “What if I don’t get in anywhere?” Instead, flip the mindset to:

“I’m going to find schools that are a great fit for me, and I’ll be successful and happy there.”

Because you will—and if you aren’t, you can transfer. We always tell our students, college is not a jail sentence; if you are unhappy, you can leave.

Finally, remember this: live in the present and prepare for the future. They’re not the same thing, but they can exist side by side. Be present in your classes, your friendships, and your family time. But also take the steps to build the future you want.

This process is about possibility. Embrace it.