The Loneliness of Admissions Season — For Parents, Too
High-achieving teens often measure themselves by accomplishments, masking self-doubt beneath impressive achievements. At EdAstra, we focus on what students feel, not just what they do, helping them navigate ambition, burnout, and the pressures of growing up while reconnecting with their authentic selves.
Every year, around September, my inbox starts to change.
The messages aren’t just logistical — they’re emotional. A parent will write late at night, asking if their child is “behind,” if they’re “good enough,” if they’re “running out of time.” Sometimes it’s masked as curiosity. Often it’s fear.
We talk a lot about student stress — and rightly so. But we don’t talk enough about parental loneliness in the college application process. The isolation of watching your child drift between independence and uncertainty. The internal tug-of-war between wanting to help and not wanting to overstep.
Here’s what I tell them: You’re not alone. And neither are they.
The admissions process is not a performance — it’s a portal. A transition not just for students, but for families. At EdAstra, we counsel both sides. We invite parents into quiet conversations. Not just about deadlines, but about letting go. Because support is not control. And love is not pressure. It’s presence.
