Are you staring down the college admissions maze and wondering how on earth you’re supposed to stay sane through it?

Laurie Kopp Weingarten says there is a calmer way to do this. And yes, she makes it sound possible.

 Rebecca sits down with Laurie Kopp Weingarten, CEP, President and Chief Educational Consultant at One-Stop College Counseling, for a masterclass in making the college admissions process less stressful and far more human. Laurie has decades of experience guiding students and families with clarity, strategy, and character-grounded wisdom.

In this episode, she explains why uncertainty fuels family stress, how to help teens stay motivated, why parents need to stop rewriting their kids' essays, what demonstrated interest really means in 2026, and how character and likability now play as much of a role as GPA. This is the ultimate guide for parents who want to support their teens without taking over the entire process.

Six Key Takeaways

→ Uncertainty fuels anxiety

Focus only on what your teen can control instead of the entire admissions maze.

→ Character matters

Colleges want kind, collaborative students who contribute to their community.

→ Demonstrated interest counts

Most colleges track visits, interviews and engagement. It truly makes a difference.

→ Parents often add pressure

Too much college talk overwhelms teens. Many families do better checking in once a week.

→ Never hinge everything on one dream school

Build a balanced list of schools your teen would happily attend.

→ Let your teen lead the process

Essays, interviews, and communication should come from them. Parents support, not steer.

Quotes from Laurie

“One of the biggest mistakes is when parents take over. Teens need to learn to advocate for themselves before they get to college.”

“You want to show colleges that you will thrive academically and also contribute to the community.”

How to Reach Laurie

Website www.one-stopcc.com

Email Laurie@one-stopcc.com

Monthly Tips for Teens newsletter is available on her website

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