Episode 32 | Three Things to Do Before Senior Year (So Your Kid Walks In Confident and You Walk In Relieved)

By the time senior year starts in August, what do you actually want for your kid? Lindsay says: a confident kid and a relieved parent. That doesn't happen by accident. It happens because of three quiet things you do between now and August that almost no one in the admissions industry is talking about. In this episode: lock the June testing plan, do the activities brain dump, and have the money conversation before applications go live. Plus a behind-the-scenes look at why Lindsay built her summer program lineup the way she did, and the real reason this prep work matters: it buys your kid the bandwidth to write strong supplemental essays in the fall, which is where admissions decisions actually get made.Key talking points:The Family A vs Family B difference every AugustWhy the June 6 or June 13 SAT/ACT dates are the real deadline for rising seniorsHow to run an activities brain dump conversation with your seniorThe gold parent questions that surface your kid's real storyWhy the money conversation in May beats one in March of senior yearThe behind-the-scenes story on why the Personal Statement Huddle existsThe supplemental essay payoff that nobody tells rising senior moms aboutLinks and resources:Free: Common App Timeline — month-by-month roadmap from July through JanuaryOpen now: Personal Statement Huddle — first cohort May 31, more all summerIf 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