What is a Supplemental College Application?
Everyone. Welcome back for another deep dive. And, today we're gonna be talking about something that I think is on a lot of people's minds these days, college admissions.
Speaker 2:Yeah. It's, certainly a topic that comes up a lot and especially this time of year, you know, as deadlines are approaching.
Speaker 1:Right. Yeah. And you sent me some fascinating material actually about how parents are approaching this process and some of the the anxieties that they're feeling around it.
Speaker 2:Yeah. It seems like there's this kind of a shared sense of overwhelm among a lot of parents, you know, trying to juggle all the different aspects of life, their own busy schedules, the rising cost of college, and then on top of that, trying to figure out how to guide their kids through this process that just seems to get more and more competitive every year.
Speaker 1:Yeah. It really does feel like a high stakes game now more than ever.
Speaker 2:It does.
Speaker 1:And I think one of the things that really stood out to me from the materials you shared is just this sense of, like, information overload. Like, there's so much information out there. There's so many different opinions and perspectives. Where do you even begin? You know?
Speaker 2:Right. Right. It's easy to get lost in that sea of information, and I think that's where a lot of the anxiety comes from.
Speaker 1:Absolutely.
Speaker 2:You know, parents are really invested in their kids' success, and they wanna make sure they're doing everything they can to help them get into the best possible college. But figuring out what that even means, the best possible college, that's a challenge in itself.
Speaker 1:Yeah. I mean, it used to be like, okay. You get good grades. You get a good score on the SAT or ACT, and that's your ticket in. But it seems like it's so much more than that now.
Speaker 2:It is. It really is. Colleges are looking for well rounded individuals. You know, they wanna see that you're passionate about something, that you have something to offer beyond just your academic record.
Speaker 1:And that's where the supplemental applications come in. Right? The essays, the personal statements, all of that stuff that's supposed to help you showcase who you are as a person.
Speaker 2:Exactly. Those supplemental applications are becoming more and more important. It's a chance for students to really tell their story, to share their experiences, and to highlight the qualities that make them unique.
Speaker 1:Yeah. It's like you're creating a narrative that goes beyond just the numbers and the transcripts.
Speaker 2:Exactly. It's about bringing your application to life and showing the admissions committee who you are as a person.
Speaker 1:And what's interesting is that some of the research you shared suggests that a lot of students make common mistakes when it comes to these supplemental applications.
Speaker 2:Oh, yeah. Absolutely. They might use generic responses, or they might not tailor their essays to each specific college they're applying to, or they might miss opportunities to highlight relevant experiences.
Speaker 1:It seems like having someone to guide you through that process could be really valuable, someone who understands the nuances of college admissions and can help you showcase your strengths effectively.
Speaker 2:Oh, for sure. I mean, having that kind of personalized guidance can make a world of difference. It can help students understand what colleges are really looking for, how to craft compelling narratives, and how to present themselves in the best possible light.
Speaker 1:Right. And it's not just about the application itself either. Right?
Speaker 2:Yeah. I mean, there's
Speaker 1:a whole emotional aspect of this process, the stress, the anxiety, and then, of course, the financial piece.
Speaker 2:Oh, yeah. The financial side of things can be a huge burden for families.
Speaker 1:Absolutely. And I think that's something that the research really highlights, this need for more support, not just on the academic side of things,
Speaker 2:but
Speaker 1:also on the emotional and financial side.
Speaker 2:Right. It's about taking a more holistic approach to the college admissions process.
Speaker 1:Exactly. Recognizing that it's not just about getting into college, but about setting students up for success in all aspects of their lives.
Speaker 2:Yeah. And finding the right fit for them. A college that's gonna meet their needs and help them thrive.
Speaker 1:Absolutely.
Speaker 2:So it really raises the question, you know, what kind of resources are out there that can provide this comprehensive level of support? How can we empower families to approach this process with more confidence and less stress?
Speaker 1:Right. That's the big question. And maybe one that we can explore a little bit further as we continue this deep dive.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. I think there are some exciting developments happening in this space, and I'm eager to share what I've learned.
Speaker 1:Sounds good to me. Let's take a quick break, and then we'll come back and dive into that.
Speaker 2:Sounds great. Yeah. It really does seem like people are looking for a way to kind of streamline this whole thing, you know, make it less overwhelming and and maybe even, you know, kinda take some of the guesswork out of it.
Speaker 1:Right. And and one of the things that I found really interesting in the articles that you sent was, this idea of using technology to sort of bridge that gap
Speaker 2:Mhmm.
Speaker 1:Between the overwhelming information and that personalized guidance that families are looking for.
Speaker 2:Yeah. That's a really interesting point. I mean, technology is already transforming so many aspects of our lives, so why not education?
Speaker 1:Right. Exactly. And and we see it happening already to some extent. But, I'm talking about something even more advanced.
Speaker 2:Like, what do you have in mind?
Speaker 1:Well, imagine like a tool that could analyze a student's academic profile, their interests, their aspirations Okay. And then use that information to create a personalized road map for their college journey.
Speaker 2:So kind of like a a GPS for college admissions.
Speaker 1:Exactly.
Speaker 2:That's an interesting idea.
Speaker 1:Right. And and it could help them identify colleges that are a good fit.
Speaker 2:Mhmm.
Speaker 1:Maybe even suggest relevant extracurricular activities or internships.
Speaker 2:Mhmm. And maybe even provide feedback on their application materials. Exactly. It would pretty amazing. Right.
Speaker 1:And and what if it went even further than that?
Speaker 2:Oh, how so?
Speaker 1:What if it also provided support with things like stress management, financial planning?
Speaker 2:Wow. You're talking about a really comprehensive approach.
Speaker 1:I am because I think that's what families are really craving.
Speaker 2:It would be like having a personal assistant for the entire college admissions process.
Speaker 1:Exactly. Someone who's there every step of the way to guide you and support you.
Speaker 2:I mean, that sounds almost too good to be true.
Speaker 1:It does, doesn't it? Yeah. But it's not entirely out of reach.
Speaker 2:You think so?
Speaker 1:I do. I think the technology is there.
Speaker 2:Interesting. And I
Speaker 1:think there are companies out there who are starting to develop these kinds of solutions.
Speaker 2:That's encouraging.
Speaker 1:It is. And I think it's something that could really make a difference. For families who are feeling overwhelmed and stressed about this whole process.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. I mean, anything that can help simplify the process and empower families to make more informed decisions, I think that's a step in the right direction.
Speaker 1:Absolutely.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:Yeah. It feels like we're really at a turning point here. You know?
Speaker 2:I agree.
Speaker 1:The old way of doing things just doesn't seem to be cutting it anymore.
Speaker 2:It really doesn't.
Speaker 1:And it's exciting to think about how technology could really change the game.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. I mean, the potential is huge.
Speaker 1:Right. Like, imagine a world where every student has access to that kind of personalized support.
Speaker 2:And imagine how much less stressful the whole process could be.
Speaker 1:Right. Exactly. It wouldn't be about just checking boxes or meeting deadlines.
Speaker 2:It would be about actually helping students figure out who they are, what they're passionate about, and how to pursue their goals.
Speaker 1:And it could help level the playing field too.
Speaker 2:Right. Absolutely.
Speaker 1:Make sure that every student has the opportunity to succeed.
Speaker 2:Regardless of their background or their circumstances. Exactly.
Speaker 1:That's what it's all about.
Speaker 2:And it seems like there are companies out there who are starting to get that.
Speaker 1:Yeah. You mentioned one earlier that's really kinda leading the charge.
Speaker 2:Yeah. College Journey.
Speaker 1:College Journey.
Speaker 2:They're doing some really things.
Speaker 1:Tell me more about them.
Speaker 2:Well, they've developed this AI powered platform that provides personalized guidance, stress reduction techniques, and even financial planning tools.
Speaker 1:Wow. All in one place.
Speaker 2:All in one place.
Speaker 1:That's incredible. And they have that AI guide. Right?
Speaker 2:Oh, yeah. Alice.
Speaker 1:Alice. That's right.
Speaker 2:She's amazing.
Speaker 1:So she's kind of like a virtual college counselor.
Speaker 2:Yeah. You could think of it that way.
Speaker 1:That's amazing.
Speaker 2:She provides personalized recommendations feedback, helps students stay on track with their applications.
Speaker 1:It sounds like they're really trying to address all of those pain points that we've been talking about.
Speaker 2:They are, and I think they're doing a great job.
Speaker 1:This has been a really fascinating conversation.
Speaker 2:I agree.
Speaker 1:It's given me a lot to think about.
Speaker 2:Me too.
Speaker 1:And I think it's a really hopeful message for families out there who are feeling overwhelmed by this whole process.
Speaker 2:Definitely, there are solutions out there. Yeah. And there's no need to go through this alone.
Speaker 1:Right. So if you're out there listening and you're feeling lost or stressed
Speaker 2:Just remember that there are resources available to help.
Speaker 1:You can check out College Journey and their AI guide, alice@collegejourney.ai.
Speaker 2:That's a great place to start.
Speaker 1:We'll be sure to include that link in the show notes.
Speaker 2:Perfect.
Speaker 1:And as always, thanks for joining us on this deep dive.
Speaker 2:It's been a pleasure.
Speaker 1:Until next time. Keep exploring, keep learning, and keep striving for a brighter future.
