It’s time to flip college prep on its head.
Hey, parents. I know you love your teen. You want the world for them. You want them to be happy. You want them to be successful. But, how can you prioritize both success and wellness when being perfect still doesn’t feel good enough to get into college?
This is not your teen’s fault. It’s not your fault. But, as trusted adults, it is our responsibility. And, if we don’t shake things up, teens will continue to struggle.
Nearly twenty years ago, I started my career in college admissions and student support. I became a therapist after realizing how much mental health shapes a students’ success. Did you know that 40% of high school students reported feeling “so sad or hopeless almost every day for at least two weeks in a row that they stopped doing their usual activities” (2023, CDC). Let’s keep in mind that 40% is still an average because rates of depression and hopelessness are higher for teens with marginalized identities.
Stress and hopelessness has become so common for teenagers that we - parents, educators, coaches - have become numb to the fact that this is not “normal” adolescent development. And, even worse…in many high achieving circles, student stress and burnout is treated as a badge of rigor and competitiveness!
Clinical depression should not be diagnosable in 4 out of 10 teens. As a therapist, I tell my families and teens that their stress, anxiety, and depression may be genetic but it is also cultural, environmental, and circumstantial to the context of our world. (That different communities have different rates of mental health is actually how the field of sociology got started!)
The truth is that teens are surrounded by this depressive energy. And, if your teen isn’t struggling (yay!), but they still go to school, dance, sports, or camp with someone who is struggling. This level of persistent sadness and hopelessness is not caused by hormones or puberty. The silver lining here is that if we created this mess, we can also protect teens from this mess!
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. And, I’m here to show you how Joyful College Prep is the key.
Yup, I did just say college prep is the answer. But, it’s not the college prep you’ve heard about. It’s the college prep your teen deserves.
Hi. I’m Rachel Fusco
I have spent the better part of two decades supporting teenagers as they prepare for and move through college. With over 18 years of experience in college admissions, education, and mental health, I help parents and schools discover the connection between wellness and success because when we focus on raising joyful teens, we are raising resilient teens who are excited and motivated to experience life to the fullest. And, that is exactly the type of student colleges want on their campus!
Working 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.
Today, so many high-achieving teens struggle with the skills they need to thrive—handling stress, building resilience, and navigating challenges, bad habits, self-doubt, insufficient prep, avoiding problems, not asking for help, etc. They earn A’s but at what cost? More and more we see reports from employers talking about hiring a generation of college graduates who can take a test but still struggle with the interpersonal and intrapersonal skills needed to thrive in the workplace!
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.
The truth is teens are missing fundamental skills and strategies. They need wellness integrated with self-discovery and college prep. This is why I’ve created Joyful College Prep, a new framework for college prep that emphasizes wellness and empowers teens with research-driven, brain-based approach to college prep.
Teens are genuinely stressed and anxious. They are asking for help and it’s time we replace the stress and overwhelm with strategies, information, and skills to foster Joyful Teens.
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 Scholarships awarded - per student, per college, per year
$10,000-$175,000: Total Annual 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.