Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You

• How to Use AI in the College Admissions Process: Smart, Ethical Strategies for Students and Families

  AI is changing how students navigate the college admissions process, and knowing how to use it well can save families time and stress. In this episode, Cathy and Meredith focus on the most effective and responsible ways teens can use AI for college search, planning campus visits, organizing supplements, preparing for interviews, and comparing schools. They explain why AI is a powerful tool for reflection and structure in essay writing, but not a replacement for a student’s real voice. They also address concerns about accuracy, misuse, and school policies around AI. Looking ahead, they share why AI will likely reshape admissions in the coming years and what families should keep in mind as the landscape evolves. Tune in for clear, practical insights on using AI wisely in the admissions journey! Key Points From This Episode: [0:01:20] Today’s topic: how AI is shaping the college admissions process. [0:02:38] Cathy and Meredith’s mixed feelings about adopting new AI tools. [0:04:30] How students, parents, and counselors can use AI for college search. [0:06:06] Teaching students to research colleges using AI and multiple sources. [0:08:41] Why AI is helpful but never exhaustive in list-building. [0:09:54] Using AI as an essay-editing tool, not a writer, in the admissions process. [0:14:48] How AI can help you identify distinctive program features and compare colleges. [0:16:52] AI as a time-saver for planning tours and organizing writing requirements. [0:17:35] The right and wrong ways to use AI in admissions work. [0:17:56] Looking ahead at how AI may reshape future college applications. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You on Instagram

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• How to Parent an Anxious Teen: Practical Strategies for Teen Anxiety

  Anxiety is a common experience among teenagers, and today on Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You, we are sharing some tips for parenting teens with anxiety! Tuning in, you’ll hear all about how anxiety manifests differently in different people, what it looks like in teens on a basic level, how to know when it’s affecting how they function, and the importance of helping teens get out of their heads to combat anxiety. We delve into why feelings need to be named, acknowledged, and felt before discussing why anxiety is contagious, how to model behavior for your teens, and how to make sure co-regulation is effective. We even talk about the difference between sphere of influence and sphere of control and why you should validate your kids’ emotions first. Finally, we touch on the value of exercise for teenagers and how to keep an eye on your kids’ anxiety to avoid bigger, clinical issues. Thanks for listening in! Key Points From This Episode: [0:03:16] Today’s topic of discussion: how to parent anxious kids.   [0:04:41] How anxiety manifests differently in Meredith and Cathy. [0:06:42] What anxiety looks like in teens and how to know if it’s affecting them. [0:10:45] How to help teenagers bring themselves back to the present moment. [0:18:12] The power of modeling behavior and how to properly co-regulate.  [0:22:33] Why you should validate before you problem-solve (if at all). [0:24:21] Explaining the difference between sphere of influence and sphere of control. [0:25:49] The value of physical movement and exercise for teenagers. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You on Instagram

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• How to Master the UC Application: PIQs, Impacted Majors, Activities & Common UCLA Mistakes

  Today we’re unpacking the UC application, partly because the online advice is… all over the place. With the December 1st deadline coming up, we break down why the UC application is different from the Common App and what actually matters. We walk through the Personal Insight Questions, how to choose which ones to answer, how to navigate impacted majors, and how to approach the activities section thoughtfully. We also touch on why context and extenuating circumstances should be included, plus a common UCLA mistake to avoid. If you’re feeling unsure or overwhelmed as you finalize your application, you’re not alone, and this episode will help you move forward with clarity. If you have questions or concerns, let us know.  Thanks for listening. Key Points From This Episode: [0:02:28] How the UC application differs from the Common App. [0:05:00] The personal insight questions included in the application process. [0:06:30] Strategizing around impacted majors.   [0:10:35] How to approach the UCPIQs.  [0:13:59] Why it is important to list extenuating circumstances or context in your application. [0:15:45] One of the common mistakes students make on their UCLA applications. [0:17:15] A common misstep around applications during this time of year. [0:18:55] How to approach the activities summary on the UC application. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: College Admissions Insider Interview with Gary Clark UC admissions REACTS to TikTok application advice Counselors and Advisers Bulletin Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You on Instagram

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• What Is a School Profile? How Colleges Use It in Admissions (and Why Parents Should Care)

  The school profile is an essential document that provides the context, rigor, and strategic insight needed to build a smart, effective college application list. Join Cathy and Meredith for another episode of Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You as they break down everything you need to know about the school profile — what it is, how college admissions use it, and why understanding it matters. They also share tips on reading transcripts, which GPA to focus on, and why no amount of extracurriculars can distract from a funky transcript. Key Points From This Episode: [0:00:50] A proviso for today’s episode. [0:01:20] Today's topic: The School Profile (what the heck is that?) [0:03:00] How the school profile is used by college admissions. [0:07:10] Understanding grades within schools and the lack of ranking. [0:08:30] Why it’s important to know ranking and distribution when making a college list. [0:10:00] The materials schools send to colleges on behalf of students. [0:10:48] A note on transcripts and which GPA to look at. [0:13:00] Why students want to have information, the data set, and a strategy for finding the right matches. [0:14:20] Final notes on the school profile, where to find it, and why you want to understand it before building a school list.  Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You on Instagram

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• You Hit Submit — Now What? What Really Happens After Sending Your College Application

  You finally hit “submit” on your college application, so what do you do now? In this episode, Cathy and Meredith walk families through what happens after the big moment, from the confetti on your screen to the first response email from your selected college. They explain how admission portals work, what to do if materials look “missing,” and why it’s normal for systems to take time to update. They also debunk common myths about submission timing, server crashes, and small errors, reminding parents and students alike that perfection isn’t the goal. With empathy and humor, they encourage parents and students to stay calm, be patient, and let the process unfold. Tune in for practical, sanity-saving advice on what really happens after you hit submit! Key Points From This Episode: [0:00:58] Today’s topic: what to do after you hit submit. [0:02:39] What to expect from Common App and college confirmation emails. [0:03:52] Setting up admission portals to track your application status. [0:04:49] Why missing materials, like transcripts or test scores, aren’t cause for panic. [0:07:18] How colleges batch-process and match materials behind the scenes. [0:08:30] Why parents should avoid contacting colleges directly. [0:09:47] Making sure students pace themselves after hitting their first deadline. [0:10:41] The truth about submission timing and last-minute applications. [0:14:25] Debunking fears about Common App crashes on deadline day. [0:16:09] Why fear tactics don’t help students do their best work. [0:18:39] Reasons to consider letting your college text you. [0:19:54] Why small typos and formatting errors won’t hurt your application. [0:20:16] When and how to contact a college about a real error, like a wrong major. [0:21:22] Stay calm, patient, and let the process unfold. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Common App Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You on Instagram

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