Parental Guidance Suggested: Creating a Positive College Culture at Your Student’s School
Each spring, as college admission decisions are released, high schools across the country experience a mix of excitement, relief, disappointment and uncertainty. It’s an emotional time for students who have invested months—sometimes years—into the college application process. In these moments, the culture within a school community matters more than ever. Parents and families can play an important role in helping shape an environment that celebrates effort and is supportive of others.
One way to foster a positive culture and support your students is by reminding them that college is not a single defining moment, but the beginning of a much longer journey. While it’s natural for students to feel proud of an acceptance or disappointed by a rejection, it helps to keep perspective: college is ultimately what you make of it. Students at every institution find opportunities to learn, build friendships, pursue their interests, and grow into the people they want to become. By reinforcing this message, you can help reduce the pressure many students feel when decisions arrive.
Families can also encourage students to celebrate each other’s successes without turning the moment into a competition. Every student’s path is different, and admissions outcomes do not reflect a person’s worth or potential. By focusing on the idea of “best fit” rather than “most prestigious,” parents can help shift conversations away from rankings and toward the environments where students will feel motivated, supported and excited about the next chapter in their education.
Ultimately, a healthy college-going culture in high school is one where students uplift one another and recognize that there are many ways to succeed after high school graduation. When families model empathy, perspective and encouragement during decision season, they help create a community where students can feel proud of their hard work while also supporting their peers. Even if things didn’t work out with a certain school, there are still several ways students can thrive and take advantage of any college experience. As long as they are supported and assisted with maintaining a positive mindset, they have the opportunity to continue to grow as they embark on their next adventure.
Written by: Jaelin Robin, Assistant Director, USC Office of Admission