The Question Every Parent Should Ask Their High School Junior About their College Admissions Application
- Nathan Hurwitz
- Aug 7
- 2 min read
Parents frequently ask where to start the college conversation. The honest answer isn't a spreadsheet of schools; it's a single question: Describe yourself in three sentences, using only things you've actually done.
Why this question works
It avoids the abstract adjectives (hardworking, passionate, well-rounded) that show up in nearly every college admissions application and forces a student toward evidence instead. If your high school junior freezes, that's not a red flag about their character. It usually just means the narrative work hasn't started yet, which is completely normal in for a high school junior.
What to do with the answer
Whatever comes back, even a stumbling, half-formed answer, is raw material. It tells you which activities, classes, or experiences your student actually associates with their own identity, as opposed to the ones a resume-builder would suggest they list.
What to do about it
• Ask the question once, casually, and don't correct the answer in real time.
• Write down the actual words yocur student uses; they often reveal voice better than a polished college admissions application essay draft.
• Revisit the question again in a month. The answer should sharpen, not just lengthen.
The Hurwitz Take
The families who navigate the college admissions application process with the least stress are the ones who start with identity, not with a college list. Everything downstream, the essay, the activity list, even the school list itself, gets easier once a student can answer this question honestly.
Ready for a clear, honest read on where your student stands? Grab the free Parent Starter Kit, or book a $250 / 55-minute College Readiness session with Dr. Nathan Hurwitz — no long-term package required. hurwitzadmissions.com | nathan@hurwitzadmissions.com | (203) 613-9262 |
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