Episode 25 | Spring Break, College Visits, and the Junior Year Moment Nobody Warns You

Spring break feels like a pause. But for junior families, it might be one of the most important weeks of the year — and most families do not realize it until they are standing on a campus somewhere thinking... wait. This just got real.This week I am sharing what is actually happening in my house right now. Josh and I have been on the road doing college visits over spring break. ACT scores landed. We are in the middle of the test score conversation. And essay brainstorming has started quietly bubbling up in the background — not in a formal way, just in the way it does when your kid says something on a drive between campuses and you think, wait. Write that down.If you have a junior, this episode is for you.In this episode I talk about:Why spring break visits hit differently than fall visits — your student is more self-aware, the questions feel more loaded, and the gut reactions on campus tell you more than any tour guide willThe ACT vs. SAT decision: how to use the Common Data Set middle 50% to figure out where your student actually stands — and whether a retake is worth the time and energy or notWhy setting a limit on retakes matters — two or three attempts, make a decision, and move forward with your energy focused on things that move the needle moreEssay brainstorming vs. essay writing — why April is exactly the right time to start one of those things and not the other, and what noticing actually looks like in practiceThe one question to ask your student this week that has nothing to do with a blank document or a formal brainstorming sessionWhat junior families can actually release right now — no finalized college list, no finished essay topic, no major declaration requiredA real time update from our spring break campus visits with Josh, including what the test score conversation actually sounded like in our houseIf you’re a parent navigating high school, college admissions, or the many transitions that come with raising teens, you’re in the right place.I’m Lindsay, a college counselor and parent who believes thoughtful guidance matters—especially for the awesomely average kid. The student who isn’t chasing prestige, but still deserves smart planning, clear strategy, and a path that truly fits.You can explore ways to work with me, learn about upcoming programs, or find additional resources at www.thecollegecounselingmom.com and sign up for my weekly newsletter here. If this episode was helpful, I’d be so grateful if you’d follow the show, leave a review, or share it with another parent who could use steady, grounded support.Thanks for being here. I’m honored to walk this season with you.Lindsay | The College Counseling Mom