# Inside the Admissions Office: What Colleges Really Look For—and How Parents Can Help Without Hurting

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/parents-is-your-teen-college-ready-5437024/inside-the-admissions-office-what-colleges-really-look-for-and-how-parents-can-help-without-hurting
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/parents-is-your-teen-college-ready-5437024/inside-the-admissions-office-what-colleges-really-look-for-and-how-parents-can-help-without-hurting.md
Podcast: [Parents: Is Your Teen College Ready?](https://stenobird.com/podcast/parents-is-your-teen-college-ready-5437024)
Published: 2026-02-12T11:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://parents-is-your-teen-college-ready.simplecast.com/episodes/inside-the-admissions-office-what-colleges-really-look-forand-how-parents-can-help-without-hurting-Vf9VnNlP
Audio file: https://cdn.simplecast.com/audio/81be547e-cd65-4642-9b32-8c344b462e0f/episodes/dc0bd1d7-155c-49e8-adbd-4faaf5eedb78/audio/6a62dc5d-b2dd-4c36-9eec-d84cf7307f38/default_tc.mp3?aid=rss_feed&feed=HyXhW3hM
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Duration seconds: 2499

## Resource

The college admissions process can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be a mystery. In this episode, Shellee Howard speaks with Karen Kristoff, Dean of Admission at Colorado College, who pulls back the curtain on how colleges review applications and make decisions. Karen explains why authenticity matters more than flawless transcripts, how essays shape the admissions narrative, and what admissions officers hope students—and parents—understand about the process. They also discuss senior-year grades, mental health topics in essays, why fit matters more than rankings, and how parents can support their teens without increasing anxiety. This conversation reassures families that college admissions is more human—and more holistic—than many believe. An essential listen for parents navigating applications with their teens.

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## Transcript

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