College admissions can feel overwhelming—especially for parents striving to support their children through a process that has steadily grown more competitive and nuanced.
Drawing from the expertise of College Benefits Research Group (CBRG), this article highlights five college admissions pitfalls parents often encounter—and how to help your child avoid them.
1. Ignoring the Shift to Test‑Optional Policies
Pitfall: Thinking “no test scores = lower pressure.”
In reality, test-optional doesn’t mean unimportant. Over the past few years, many colleges have embraced test-optional admissions, a trend accelerated by COVID-19 cancellations. While this can benefit applicants with weaker SAT/ACT scores, it also means schools will weigh other components—GPA, essays, extracurriculars—more heavily.
Parental role: Help your child assess whether submitting test scores strengthens their application. If their SAT/ACT is solid—at or above the school’s middle 50%—it’s likely worth submitting. But if it’s weak, shifting focus to essay development, coursework, and recommendation strength may be a better strategy.
2. Underestimating the Power of Well‑Written Essays
Pitfall: Relying on grades or test scores while neglecting the essay.
CBRG emphasizes that admissions officers seek authenticity and insight, not generic narratives. These essays are opportunities for students to tell their unique story and humanize their application. A strong essay can often tip the scales in a competitive applicant pool, especially at test-optional schools where written components carry even more weight.
Parental role:
- Encourage your child to brainstorm a personal, specific story—perhaps about overcoming a challenge or discovering a passion—and align it with their future goals.
- Help them avoid clichés and coach them through revisions, ensuring their authentic voice shines rather than your voice.
3. Neglecting Strategic Extracurricular Planning
Pitfall: Accumulating activities without purpose.
According to CBRG, extracurriculars should reflect commitment, leadership, and genuine interest—not just a long list of resume entries. Colleges prefer depth and meaningful engagement. Admissions officers are increasingly looking for focused involvement that tells a cohesive story about a student’s interests and values.
Parental role:
- Prompt your child to identify their genuine passions, whether in STEM, arts, volunteer work, or athletics.
- Encourage them to take on leadership or long-term roles—like directing a club, starting a community initiative, or coaching younger students—that demonstrate depth and responsibility.
4. Overlooking Letters of Recommendation
Pitfall: Treating recommendations as a required checkbox.
CBRG advises parents to ensure recommenders can speak specifically about students’ growth, character, and potential. Generic letters lack impact. A vague or generic letter can hurt more than it helps, offering little insight into what sets the student apart.
Parental role:
- Help your child choose teachers or mentors who know them well and can offer concrete examples.
- They should provide these recommenders with a “brag sheet”—a summary of their achievements, experiences, and goals—to help personalize the letters.
5. Missing Key Milestones and Deadlines
Pitfall: Late submissions and missed steps.
College applications involve more than essays and test scores. Families must pay attention to transcripts, awards, interviews, scholarship forms, and financial aid applications. Many high-achieving students falter simply by overlooking deadlines. Even a small oversight—like missing a scholarship deadline or forgetting to submit a form—can mean lost opportunities or reduced financial aid.
Parental role:
- Take ownership of creating a clear timeline covering school deadlines, standardized tests, financial aid (FAFSA, CSS Profile), and scholarship dates.
- Monitor the application tracker together and establish firm “mini‑deadlines” to prevent last-minute scrambling.
Putting It All Together: A Sample Parent-Led Timeline
Here’s how parents can help orchestrate a successful, stress-minimized admissions plan:
| Time Frame | Parental Actions |
| 9th–10th Grade | Encourage exploration—help kids join clubs, camps, or creative outlets. Stay aware of early STEM, arts, or athletic passions. |
| 11th Grade | Schedule SAT/ACT. Attend CBRG webinars on test-optional vs. required policies. Discuss what extracurriculars to deepen. | |
| Summer before 12th | Begin drafting essays. Secure letters of recommendation—help students provide teachers with supporting materials. |
| Fall Senior Year | Finalize essays. Begin applications (early decision/action where appropriate). Fill out FAFSA/CSS. |
| Winter–Spring | Monitor acceptance letters. Track merit-based scholarship deadlines. Accept offer and finalize financial aid packages. |
Why Parent Involvement Matters
At CBRG, we’ve seen firsthand that involved parents can make a powerful difference for their children—without overstepping. The best parent support is proactive, structured, and supportive, allowing teens to develop independence while staying on course.
Whether it’s deciding whether to submit test scores, brainstorming a personal essay, or chasing a leadership role, your guidance keeps things on track.
How CBRG Supports Families
CBRG offers tailored support throughout the admissions journey, helping families navigate changes like test-optional policies, essay crafting, extracurricular strategy, recommendation coordination, interview prep, and financial aid support.
A parent-informed, teen-driven approach tends to yield the best final applications: strong, authentic, and well-rounded. Here’s how CBRG can help you apply these best practices:
- Test-Optional Strategy: We help families decide whether to submit scores based on each child’s profile.
- Essay Coaching: Brainstorming sessions, multiple revisions, and style feedback to ensure authenticity.
- Extracurricular Advising: Guidance on choosing meaningful roles and connecting those experiences across essays and references.
- Recommendation Management: Advice on identifying and prepping the right recommenders—and ensuring timely submissions.
- Calendar Planning: Creating comprehensive admissions roadmaps, complete with deadlines and reminders.
- Aid & Scholarship Support: Helping families understand award offers, identify opportunities, and request appeals.
Stay Engaged & Stay Away from College Admissions Pitfalls
Avoid these five common college admissions pitfalls by adopting a supportive, structured approach:
- Test-Optional Misunderstanding
- Underdeveloped Essays
- Shallow Extracurriculars
- Weak Recommendations
- Missed Deadlines
Parents who stay informed and involved—without doing the work themselves—help teens build strong, impactful applications and avoid unnecessary stress.
If you want more detailed support or a free consultation to build your own family’s admissions plan, contact CBRG. Let us help you turn this pivotal journey into a positive, confidence-building experience—for both you and your child.