Parenting Great Kids with Dr. Meg Meeker

Ep. 273: Navigating College Admissions: Expert Advice for Parents


Listen Later

What’s the real key to college admissions success? It might not be what you think. In this empowering episode of Parenting Great Kids, Dr. Meg Meeker is joined by Dr. Pamela Ellis, also known as The Education Doctor. With experience guiding over 30,000 families and helping students earn an average of $75,000 in scholarships, Dr. Ellis shares invaluable insights that every parent needs to hear.

In this episode, you'll learn:

  • Why finding the right college fit matters more than just getting into a "top" school.
  • How to debunk common college admissions myths and focus on what truly works.
  • The crucial role parents play—without micromanaging.
  • Tips for empowering your teen to lead their own admissions journey with confidence.
  • How gratitude practices can support emotional health during the stressful admissions process.

  • Whether you're just beginning to think about college or already knee-deep in applications, this episode offers actionable strategies and deep wisdom to help you and your child navigate the college admissions process with purpose and peace of mind.


    Episode Breakdown:

    00:00 – Introduction: Why college admissions is stressful for families

    00:21 – Meet Dr. Pamela Ellis: The Education Doctor’s approach to college planning

    01:34 – Common myths about admissions and scholarships

    04:22 – How to find the “right college fit” for your teen

    11:13 – The role of parents: guiding without controlling

    17:19 – Helping teens take ownership of the process

    22:01 – Gratitude practices and their impact on students

    26:06 – When college isn’t the obvious next step

    28:21 – Building confidence through applications

    34:16 – Supportive parenting strategies that work

    38:55 – Final thoughts and next steps for families


    About Dr. Pamela Ellis

    Dr. Pamela Ellis, MBA, Ph.D., is the founder of Compass Education Strategies and author of What to Know Before They Go. Known nationally as The Education Doctor, she helps families navigate college admissions with a focus on holistic student success—academically, socially, financially, vocationally, and culturally.


    Resources & Links:

    Learn more about Dr. Pamela Ellis and her work → https://compasscollegeadvisory.com/

    👉 Book a coaching session with Dr. Meg Meeker → https://meekerparenting.com

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store

    Parenting Great Kids with Dr. Meg MeekerBy Dr. Meg Meeker

    • 4.4
    • 4.4
    • 4.4
    • 4.4
    • 4.4

    4.4

    1,141 ratings


    More shows like Parenting Great Kids with Dr. Meg Meeker

    View all
    Focus on Parenting Podcast by Focus on the Family

    Focus on Parenting Podcast

    1,062 Listeners

    Don't Mom Alone Podcast by Don't Mom Alone Podcast

    Don't Mom Alone Podcast

    2,304 Listeners

    Read-Aloud Revival ® by Sarah Mackenzie

    Read-Aloud Revival ®

    3,337 Listeners

    Homeschool Better Together with Pam Barnhill by Pam Barnhill

    Homeschool Better Together with Pam Barnhill

    696 Listeners

    At Home With Sally by Sally Clarkson

    At Home With Sally

    2,948 Listeners

    The Lazy Genius Podcast by Kendra, The Lazy Genius

    The Lazy Genius Podcast

    6,507 Listeners

    Calm Parenting Podcast by Kirk Martin

    Calm Parenting Podcast

    1,380 Listeners

    Raising Boys & Girls by That Sounds Fun Network

    Raising Boys & Girls

    1,781 Listeners

    Crystal Paine Show by Crystal Paine

    Crystal Paine Show

    505 Listeners

    The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast by That Sounds Fun Network

    The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast

    2,060 Listeners

    Celebrate Kids Podcast with Dr. Kathy by Dr. Kathy Koch

    Celebrate Kids Podcast with Dr. Kathy

    341 Listeners

    Feeding The Mouth That Bites You: Parenting Teens Into Adulthood by Kenneth Wilgus, Jessica Pfeiffer

    Feeding The Mouth That Bites You: Parenting Teens Into Adulthood

    755 Listeners

    Girl Mom Podcast by Kari Kampakis

    Girl Mom Podcast

    368 Listeners

    MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose by Cynthia Yanof

    MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose

    186 Listeners

    Practice Makes Parent by Focus on the Family

    Practice Makes Parent

    111 Listeners