It’s time to flip college prep on its head.
Chronic stress isn’t a rite of passage - it’s a crisis.
You love your teen and want them to succeed- of course! But, at what cost?
Everyday I hear parents and teens talking about their college prep stress like it’s unavoidable. That’s just how it is! It’s just so competitive. What can we really do?
The result is overwhelmed and anxious teens and parents. Today’s teens are struggling - even if they have straight A’s! In fact, 40% of high school students meet clinical criteria for a depressive episode — feeling “so sad or hopeless” for a period of 2 weeks or longer that they’ve stopped their usual activities” (2023, CDC)! Parents, educators, coaches - this is not just “teenage hormones!”
Today’s “college prep” has truly become a toxic cycle of scaring families, pushing kids to their limit, and intimidating families. It doesn’t have to be this way.
It’s time to help your teen thrive!
Hi. I’m Rachel Fusco and I have spent the past 18 years working in education, college access, and mental health. Being a teenager is harder than it has ever been and I’ve watched adults - parents and educators - dismiss and normalize the added stressors - or worse - celebrate the burnout as a sign of rigor.
Parents, we need to shake things up. I want your teen to thrive, not just survive high school. But, we have to start early and do things differently if we want to help teens lean into their fullest potential and away from the stress.
Parents, I want you to know that college prep does not have to be so hard. There is a much easier approach to guiding your teen towards their future…one that is rooted in neuroscience (aka how your teen’s brain functions) and developmental career coaching (aka how we help kids discover skills and strengths).
Parents, I work with schools, families, and teens to make sure that students have the tools they need confidently navigate their path to college. And, if this sounds too good to be true, don’t take my word for it - take a look at what the parents and teens have said about our work together.
I work with schools, families, and teens to make sure that students have the tools they need confidently navigate their path to college.
Have a high school junior, senior, or young adult who could use support? Learn more about individual coaching.
Have a middle school or early high school student? Join my newsletter ↓↓↓ and be the first to learn about FAMILY UNIVERSITY, a “Prep for College Prep” Coaching Program launching this Fall.
It’s not just talk.
With an emphasis on self-discovery and self-reflection, I guide students through a college prep process that is fun, stress-free, and successful. When I work with students from start to finish, they submit powerful applications that capture why they will thrive in college:*
Over 90% of students were admitted into their top (1st or 2nd) choice school
Over 90% of students received merit scholarships
$1,500-$55,000: Range of Annual Merit Scholarships awarded - per student, per college, per year
$10,000-$175,000: Total Annual Merit Scholarships offered - per student, per year, all colleges
100% of students reported increased self-knowledge & confidence
100% of parents observed positive growth in their teen
100% parents reported that their family’s college prep was enjoyable
100% parents report that they experienced far less stress than their friends
*While these numbers are a reflection of the guidance my coaching programs provide teens, these numbers equally reflect the hard work, flexibility, and dedication that each teen put into their admission process. Because college admissions and financial aid awards are based on so many variables that shift year to year, I cannot guarantee outcomes for any of my clients.
Hi. I’m Rachel Fusco
Nearly 20 years ago, I started my career in college admissions and student retention. I saw firsthand how mental health shapes success in college. This is why I returned to graduate school to become a therapist. I studied everything I could find about adolescent development, mental health, and career counseling. I’ve worked in schools - public and private - eager to teach kids these skills as early as possible. And, after navigating the bureaucratic obstacles in schools, I started working independently.
I became a therapist to focus on helping teens and families foster resilience. But, as a therapist, I can only focus on mental health through the lens of mental health problems, and that’s just as limiting as being a college counselor who only focuses on college admissions.
Now, I challenge outdated college prep practices that breed stress, overwhelm, and procrastination and help parents and schools empower teens with a research driven, brain-based approach to college prep that is rooted in wellness.
Today, so many high-achieving teens struggle with the skills they need to thrive—handling stress, building resilience, and navigating challenges, breaking bad habits, self-doubt, insufficient prep, avoiding problems, not asking for help, etc. They earn A’s but at what cost? Especially when college graduates still struggle with the interpersonal and intrapersonal skills needed to thrive in the workplace!
Teens are genuinely stressed and anxious. They are asking for help and it’s time we replace stress with strategies and skills that promote wellness and success. Learn more about how to replace stress with strategies here.