Chasing the “dream school” can quietly turn college admissions into a stress contest, and it doesn’t have to. We’re sharing our annual summer reading list for college parents, with books that help you step back, ask better questions, and support your student without getting pulled into rankings anxiety. If you’ve been wondering how to talk about fit, finances, and what your child actually needs to thrive, these reads give you a calmer, clearer way in.

We start with Jeffrey Selingo’s Dream School: Finding the College That’s Right for You, plus the bigger perspective his work brings to the college search. We talk about why the most famous schools aren’t automatically the best schools, how rankings can distort decisions, and how to reframe “What’s your dream school?” into questions about learning environment, outcomes, and support. We also touch on Selingo’s “buyers and sellers” idea, a practical way to understand recruiting, merit aid, and why some colleges compete hard for students.

From there, we widen the lens to what’s happening emotionally for both students and parents. Brad Stolberg’s Master of Change introduces “rugged flexibility,” a useful mindset for major life transitions. Jennifer Breheny Wallace’s Mattering explores belonging and purpose as real needs, not buzzwords, and we connect that to the college transition. We also recommend a striking poem that captures what neurodiversity can feel like from the inside, a hands-on guide to rekindling motivation when a bright kid seems checked out, and a fascinating look at how the arts can support mental health and brain function, even for students who swear they’re “not artistic.”

If you want a summer reading list that’s practical, humane, and full of conversation starters, come listen, then share this with a fellow college parent and leave us a review so more families can find the support. Which book are you adding to your list first?

Thank you for listening!

• Much more information for college parents can be found on our website, College Parent Central
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“What are you going to do with that?” is a question raised by the parents of many students who declare their primary interest is in the humanities. We wondered the same thing, so we decided to have a conversation with two faculty members who teach in a new college major – Applied Humanities. In this episode, we were joined by Professors Lindsay Illich (Writing) and Robert Smid (Philosophy) to talk about how majoring in Applied Humanities can prepare students for careers, and for a life of meaning. Rob and Lindsay helped us unpack why humanities majors have declined, what families are really anxious about, and why this new approach called Applied Humanities (or another similar name) is gaining momentum.

Thank you for listening!

• Much more information for college parents can be found on our website, College Parent Central
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The summer between high school and college isn't just busy—it's a profound transition that transforms both students and parents. This emotional crossroads, where students are "no longer" in high school but "not yet" in college, demands navigation through unfamiliar territory. We did a bit of a turn for this episode as Lynn interviewed Vicki about her new E-book, The Summer Before College: A Parent's Survival Guide from Deposit to Move-In. The book is a comprehensive guide that walks parents step-by-step through the entire senior summer timeline. From the Deposit to the tearful (or celebratory!) drive home after Move-in Day, the book offers a roadmap for parents feeling overwhelmed by this transitional period. In this episode we talk about the crucial shift parents must make from caretakers to coaches, how to guide without controlling, support without hovering, and listen without immediately jumping to advice-giving. The conversation explores specific strategies for developing these skills, including thoughtful questions to ask your student and communication techniques that foster independence while maintaining connection.

Thank you for listening!

• Much more information for college parents can be found on our website, College Parent Central
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Based on an article that Elizabeth wrote recently, Vicki and Elizabeth sat down to talk about the importance of transparency in conversations with your student. Elizabeth brings her LD expertise and discusses how to help your student understand their disabilities and why this understanding can help them advocate for themselves and have more confidence. As she often does, Vicki sees this advice as important for all students (with and without disabilities) so we discuss the importance of the language parents use, the amount and type of support they provide, and how to encourage students to advocate for themselves. You know your student’s needs best, but we encouraged parents to have direct and meaningful conversations with their student.

Thank you for listening!

• Much more information for college parents can be found on our website, College Parent Central
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In this episode, Vicki and Lynn sit down with Dr. Eric Endlich—clinical psychologist, author, and founder of Top College Consultants—to map a smarter path to college for neurodivergent and disabled students – and really, for everyone else, too. From decoding what colleges are legally required to provide to spotting truly comprehensive support programs, we break down how to verify services, assess campus culture, and avoid costly surprises. Dr. Endlich shares practical strategies to evaluate learning support, autism programs, executive function coaching, and peer mentoring, and why the “feel” of a campus—belonging, friendship, acceptance—matters as much as majors and location.

Thank you for listening!

• Much more information for college parents can be found on our website, College Parent Central
• Find us on Twitter at @CollParCentral
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Colleges and universities work to provide students with the support they need to thrive – both in the classroom and out. From professors, advisors, tutors, and librarians to counselors, resident directors and student activity personnel, most colleges are staffed by professionals and experts in all areas. But there’s another source of support for students that may be too often overlooked – that provided by their peers. In this episode, Sarah and Vicki talk about the many ways that peer support can help students – sometimes even more than professional support. We examine the types of support available, why it can make a difference, and also why some students might want to become peer tutors, advisors, teaching assistants, or residence assistants. If you’re a parent, you’ll leave with concrete ways to encourage smart help-seeking and ideas for campus roles your student can pursue.

Thank you for listening!

• Much more information for college parents can be found on our website, College Parent Central
• Find us on Twitter at @CollParCentral
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After all of the transitions during fall semester (even for upper class students) students, and their parents, often assume it will be easy to navigate spring semester. Even if there are a few more transitions settling in at the beginning of second semester, the rest should be smooth sailing. In this podcast, Vicki and Lynn explore some of the things that are on students’ minds during this semester. It’s packed with choices that will shape the next year – housing, course registration, spring break, and summer decisions lead the list. Understanding what’s on your student’s mind and remaining a calm presence means you can ask curious questions, point to campus resources, and resist catching the overwhelm they may be feeling.

Thank you for listening!

• Much more information for college parents can be found on our website, College Parent Central
• Find us on Twitter at @CollParCentral
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In this episode, Vicki and Elizabeth sit down with transition specialist Kelly Challen to unpack what truly prepares teens for college and adult life: agency, executive function, and repeat practice with real responsibility. Kelly shares how to choose low-stakes experiments—having students email teachers, schedule their own tutoring, manage appointments, or learn to rebound from failures. We also talk about life skills we’ve all observed that quietly derail success—students’ ability to handle their own alarms, laundry, room hygiene, and basic routines. Whatever transition your student may be facing, this conversation will help you talk together about how to prepare.

Thank you for listening!

• Much more information for college parents can be found on our website, College Parent Central
• Find us on Twitter at @CollParCentral
• Find us on Bluesky at @CollParCentral.bsky.social
• Sign up for our newsletter for ongoing information