How do you deal with overbearing parents during the college process?
A college consultant provides a neutral third party, who can moderate conflict between parents and teens in this intense process. I meet with parents and teen in the beginning to work on the initial college list, and then with just myself and the student as we move into the essay part of the process. In the parent-teen phase, I do a great deal of listening, and offer my expertise to answer questions that both parties have. Often, parents don't know as much about the college process as they think they do, and having a consultant in the room helps them to back off and become better listeners themselves. I try to help the parents listen to their own teenager, and sometimes they gain a new perspective on the strengths and goals of their own child. I also help the student to see that the college process is not just a form of torture made up by his parents, but is a necessity in ushering in the next phase of his or her life. Sometimes I feel ilike more of a shrink than a college consultant!