According to the CDC’s most recent Youth Risk Behavior Survey, about four in ten high school students report persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. That is not a passing bad mood. Today’s teens face pressures earlier generations never did: round-the-clock comparison on social media, intense academic competition, and an unspoken expectation to have their future figured out before they turn eighteen. For many families, the college admissions process adds one more layer

As college application season approaches, a familiar pattern often emerges: parents want to help their teenagers succeed, so they begin stepping in to manage parts of the process. The motivation is understandable. Applying to college can feel overwhelming, and parents naturally want to reduce stress for their child. But there is an important difference between supporting a teenager and taking over the process. What the Research Shows Researchers have begun studying what is of