The College Search Is Broken. That's Why I Changed How I Work.
College Pennant
A recent article by Jeff Selingo in The Chronicle of Higher Education carried a headline that stopped me in my tracks: "The College Search Is Broken."
For many families currently in the thick of it, drowning in frantic emails and conflicting data points, this isn't news; it's a daily reality. But seeing it spelled out so starkly in a major higher education publication validates what I have witnessed on the front lines for years: The problem is a "structural failure" of the system, not a failure of effort by students or parents.
The article highlights a painful truth: the process has devolved into a high-stakes game. Students aren't just lacking information; they are drowning in a "haystack of data," which only serves to amplify noise, anxiety, and confusion. They are pressured to curate a "brand" for admission rather than find a home for their education.
The View from the Inside
As a former counselor and Director of Counseling, I didn’t just watch this system break, I tried to hold it together from the inside.
I loved my work in schools. There is nothing quite like the energy of a high school campus or the privilege of walking alongside students during their formative years. But as a Director, I also faced the hard math of the profession.
In many high schools, counselors are heroes, but they are heroes tasked with the impossible. Between crisis intervention, master scheduling, standardized testing coordination, and caseloads that can number in the hundreds, the time left for actual college counseling, the deep, nuanced conversations about fit, finance, and future goals, is fractured.
I often found myself wishing I could pause the clock. I wanted to sit with a student for an hour to really dig into their essay, or to help a family decipher a confusing financial aid offer. In effect, I wanted to be the "interpreter," a role the Selingo article specifically calls for, without the bell ringing or the next crisis knocking at the door.
I realized that the system wasn't just broken for the students, it was broken for the counselors who wanted to help them.
Why I Chose a Different Path
This realization is ultimately what led me to work privately with students. My decision wasn't about leaving the school system behind; it was about creating a space where I could do the work I was trained to do, the work students actually need.
The "broken" college search described in the Chronicle is characterized by transactional interactions. It’s impersonal. It’s rushed.
Selingo notes that just as hospitals use "patient navigators" to translate complexity, higher education needs its own version of that role. Private counseling allows me to step into that role and offer the antidote: relationship and clear translation.
By moving to private practice, I reclaimed the ability to:
Slow down the process: I can focus on the student, not just the deadline.
Cut through the noise: I can help families sort through the "haystack of data" and ignore the panic-inducing headlines to focus on the schools that actually align with their values.
Provide continuity: I am there from the initial confused "where do I start?" to the final "I committed!" button press, without the distraction of administrative duties.
Fixing the Search, One Student at a Time
I may not be able to fix the systemic issues of higher education overnight. I can’t single-handedly stop the deluge of marketing emails or change admission algorithms.
But we, the student, the family, and I as your navigator, can fix the search for your student.
We can turn a broken, stressful process into a journey of self-discovery. We can replace anxiety with a plan. That is why I do this work, and that is why I stepped out of the traditional office and into a role where I can truly put the student first.
The college search might be broken, but your child’s experience of it doesn’t have to be.
Is your family lost in the "haystack of data"?
As Jeffrey Selingo notes in his article, the modern admissions process urgently requires "interpreters" to translate the noise into a clear plan.
You don't have to navigate this structural problem alone. If you're looking for a personalized partnership that prioritizes your student’s well-being and genuine fit over the rankings frenzy, I invite you to reach out.
Let's partner together to build a confident, stress-free search.
Selingo, J. (2025, December 3). The college search is broken: How a push for transparency created an admissions system that serves no one well. The Chronicle of Higher Education. https://www.chronicle.com/article/the-college-search-is-broken
Navigating Holiday Stress
Navigating Holiday Stress for College-bound Seniors: Protecting Their Well-Being During College Conversations
The holiday season brings family, traditions, and well-meaning relatives eager to hear about the future. For high school seniors, however, this time of year can also come with a heavy dose of stress. With college application deadlines, essays, decisions, and pressure to have life “figured out,” students sometimes walk into family gatherings carrying anxiety that others cannot see.
One of the most meaningful gifts parents can give their seniors this holiday season is emotional protection.
Why Holiday Gatherings Can Be Triggering
Questions like:
“Where are you applying?”
“What’s your top school?”
“Did you get in yet?”
can feel overwhelming if a student is uncertain, waiting on results, or simply tired of talking about college. Even supportive curiosity can feel like pressure.
Have a Conversation Before the Gathering
A proactive check-in helps parents understand what their teen needs:
How are you feeling about talking about college during the holidays?
Would you rather share updates or take a break from the topic?
If it comes up, how would you like me to help redirect the conversation?
Listening — without judgment — is key.
Create a Shared Narrative
If a student prefers not to discuss applications, parents and teens can agree on a unified message to share with relatives. For example:
“We’re keeping the college process low-stress right now and focusing on the holidays. We’ll have updates later in the year.”
A shared explanation:
✔ removes pressure
✔ avoids unwanted attention
✔ protects the student’s privacy
Try a Holiday “Safe Word”
A fun, subtle family cue can empower students to advocate for themselves without needing to speak up in the moment. It could be:
a seasonal word (“pumpkin,” “gingerbread,” “cranberry”)
a quick hand signal
a text from across the room
Once used, parents can gently redirect the conversation.
Model Boundaries With Kindness
If relatives push for information, simple redirection keeps things warm and respectful:
“We’re really focused on enjoying family time today, not college updates.”
College will be there tomorrow. Holidays are about connection today.
With Gratitude
Lorrie at DirectEd Advantage believes every student deserves to feel supported, not evaluated. By setting boundaries with love, we create room for joy, belonging, and rest.
From my family to yours, we wish you a peaceful, connected, and gratitude-filled holiday season.