What a College Counselor Wishes Parents Knew About the Admissions Process Long Before College Applications Open

What if the college process starts years earlier than anyone told you?In this episode, I’m joined by Bekka Goldberg, a college counselor who spent her career in admission and student advising at independent schools including the School of American Ballet and the Benjamin School before stepping into entrepreneurship.Bekka and I talk about the difference between a kid who’s giving up and a kid who’s outgrowing something, and why she pushes families toward genuine interest instead of resume building. She tells me about one student whose passion for mangroves turned into something no one saw coming. We also get into what she promised herself she’d never do as a parent, and why parent support sometimes means stepping back when everything in you wants to step in.In this episode, you’ll learn:- When to push your kid to stay with something and when to let them walk away- How to help a child find the thing that lights them up without steering them- What admission officers read first and where the essay actually lands- What signing early decision commits your entire family to- What colleges are quietly prioritizing that applicants never get to see- Where AI belongs in college applications and where it gets caught- Why a “pointy” kid can be as compelling as a well rounded one- The parenting habit Bekka watches for in herselfIf you’ve been searching for college counseling that fits your family, a calmer way through the admissions process, or a clear explanation of holistic admissions, this episode is your invitation to slow down and let your child lead.Hit play and let’s grow together, KimberlyConnect with me:Website: https://www.kimberlyhand.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimberlyhand_Shop The Cinnamon Effect Journal here: https://thecinnamoneffect.com/journalConnect with Bekka:https://www.instagram.com/blade.and.stitch/https://www.bladeandstitch.com/https://www.instagram.com/bekkagoldberg/Products I use and love:Your old nonstick pans could be leaching chemicals into every meal. Swap them for Caraway's non-toxic cookware and cook clean: https://rstr.co/caraway/kimberlyhandBounce for ten minutes a day and feel your energy and lymphatic flow wake up. Shop my rebounder here and use code TCE: https://www.bellicon.com/?acc=kimberlyhand&a_bid=f1c026c9