PHOTOGRAPHS BY DALE DARDEN
Navigating the journey to college can feel overwhelming for both teens and their parents. It’s a time filled with big questions about academics, extracurriculars and future career paths. But what if there were simple, actionable steps you could take right now to set your teen up for success? These ten tips offer a path to college admissions—moving beyond test scores and grades to help your teen develop transferable skills, meaningful and measurable impact, and a distinctive application that captures an admissions officer’s attention.
No. 1
TEACH A TEEN THE POWER OF A CALENDAR
Want to set your kid up for lifelong time-management skills? Start with a shared family calendar.
Show them how to add events, set reminders, and sync notifications. They’ll begin to connect the dots between planning and freedom because when they know what’s coming, they’re less overwhelmed. It’s also a great way to reduce “Mom, you never told me!” moments. Everyone in the house is aware of upcoming tests, practices and family plans.
Start with Google Calendar or Apple Calendar. Add just one shared family event this week (like “lacrosse practice”). Have your teen set the notification themselves. Then have them schedule recurring events and set reminders.
No. 2
THE IMPORTANCE OF CHORES
Chores build executive function and foster brain development, preparing teens for college and beyond. A long-term Harvard study found that kids held accountable for household chores are more likely to succeed. Teaching skills like laundry, tidying shared spaces, and cooking basic meals equips them for independence. Chores aren’t just tasks—they’re mental training for a successful adulthood. For our students, we focus on nailing one skill at a time and letting the student decide how they are going to remember it (Post-it notes, notifications, posters). We know we’ve succeeded when a parent notices behavioral changes at home.
No. 3
HARNESS THE POWER OF SOCIAL MEDIA
A Kaplan survey found that 36% of admissions officers admitted to reviewing applicants’ social media. It’s a common practice, so take steps to ensure your online presence is positive.
When your teen wins an award, finishes a big project, or takes on a leadership role, have them post a short update on Instagram or LinkedIn. Tag the school, team or organization they worked with. That digital footprint isn’t just for admissions—it’s a portfolio you can use for internships, jobs and networking for years. If you decide to make a profile public for admissions or professional purposes, create a dedicated account that’s curated, clean and separate from your personal posts.
The best place to include a social media handle is in a resume (if submitted). It’s okay to include it in the “Additional Info” section of the Common App, but only if you’re using that space for something truly meaningful and not merely repeating info from elsewhere in your application. Don’t insert it into your main Activities list, essay or “Challenges and Circumstances” section.
No. 4
USE AI TO EXPLORE POTENTIAL CAREERS
Forget outdated career tests! Tell AI your age, grade level and interests. Then type in the following prompt:
“Based on my age, grade level, and interests — ask me ten questions that will help you recommend possible career paths with salary ranges, required education, “a day in the life description of this career, and why you recommend this for me.”
Sit down with your teen and do it together. They’ll be surprised by how many creative options come up, and you’ll save a lot of time. You can also use AI to help you build your college list and gain interview skills, among other things.
No. 5
BROWSE COLLEGE MAJORS & COURSES EARLY
Instead of waiting until senior year, get inspired early. Different colleges have wildly different course offerings and programs available. The same majors at two schools can be totally different from each other. You’ll also find that there are interesting minors that only require you to take a couple of extra classes. Choosing a minor helps you consider possible career directions and can even help differentiate your application by niching down. Start with one target college and browse through its course catalog. You’ll find some hidden gems that will help activate your teen’s imagination.
No. 6
Tune into Admissions Podcasts
Admissions podcasts are a low-effort way to hear directly from the people who make the decisions: college admissions officers and counselors. Sometimes you will even get info from current students themselves. Many top schools now have their own podcasts, offering behind-the-scenes insights on what they value, how they review applications, and what life is like on campus. Search for podcasts from your teen’s top-choice schools—like “Inside Dartmouth Admissions,” “Yale Admissions Podcast” or “Inside the College Experience” and hear from current students.
No. 7
SHOW COLLEGES YOU’RE SERIOUS (AKA DEMONSTRATED INTEREST)
Colleges want students who are likely to enroll and are excited to contribute to campus life. This is especially true for private, midsized and smaller schools that are concerned about yield (the percentage of admitted students who actually enroll). Think registered campus visits, virtual tours, info sessions, following their social media and even opening their emails. Admissions offices track these touch points.
It’s worth it to build a relationship with your regional admissions officer. Meet them at a college fair or information session, follow up with a thank-you email and a specific question (not one you can easily find the answer to on their website), and send one meaningful update before you apply. To find them, search “[School Name] + regional representative.”
Some colleges weigh demonstrated interest heavily; others don’t track it at all. Search for the Common Data Set (Section C7) + [School Name] for detailed information on the importance of various factors in their admissions process
No. 8
VISIT YOUR TARGET COLLEGES FIRST
Don’t start with your dream schools. It will taint the rest of your college search.
If you visit your reach schools first, it sets impossibly high standards. Your teen might compare every other visit to that one perfect campus. Worse, skipping target schools can backfire. Many colleges track your visits, and skipping one can seriously hurt your chances.
Pick one realistic target school this month—maybe an hour away—and make that your first visit.
No. 9
COMPETITIONS ARE A CHEAT CODE
Awards and honors are third-party validation, and colleges LOVE them.
There are hundreds of competitions for every interest, including writing, science, music, robotics, art, and more. Search for competitions in your area of interest and don’t necessarily go for the biggest, most competitive one. Find a competition where you actually stand a chance. Do an internet search for “[your teen’s interest] + national competition” to see what’s out there.
No. 10
GET HELP EARLY
There are a variety of local resources available to students. Take advantage of them! Don’t wait for your 11th grade English teacher to say, “Let’s start working on college essays!” Amazing college essays take time to ideate, structure and polish—so do effective activities lists.
New Canaan and Darien libraries occasionally host seminars on topics like college application timelines and college coaching for parents, some of which I teach myself. At Kate Stone Prep, we offer free in-person college application and essay workshops and invite any student 8th grade and up who wants to get a jump on preparing for what’s ahead. For ongoing advice and tips, follow me on social media @katefrancestone, where I regularly share insights for students of all ages.
The earlier you start preparing, the more time you have to build experiences for the college application.
A LOCAL MENTOR WITH A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE
Growing up in Darien gives Kate unique insight into the high-achieving, high-pressure world of Fairfield County students. After graduating from NYU, she spent a decade as a professional actress in Los Angeles—honing the storytelling, preparation and presentation skills she uses to coach students—while also teaching in Southeast Asia through the Princeton University Teaching Fellowship, and training with some of the nation’s top college advisors.
Following the sudden loss of her mother, Kate returned home with a new mission: to fix what she saw as the college prep industry’s flaw—focusing on the college application instead of developing the student. In 2014, she launched her company, Kate Stone Prep, recently partnering with her husband, Zac, a former AP/IB teacher, college professor and tech-education entrepreneur. Now based in Darien, they work together to help students become capable and confident individuals, ready to stand out in college and beyond.