Navigating the College Journey: Advice for Parents and StudentsFeaturing Ali Dorfman on the College Is Fine Podcast
The college application process can feel overwhelming for both students and parents. Between researching schools, touring campuses, preparing applications, and imagining life in a dorm room, there are countless decisions along the way.
In a recent episode of the College Is Fine Podcast, we spoke with Ali Dorfman, founder of The College Corner and The Dorm Corner, about how families can navigate the college journey with better information, realistic expectations, and a little perspective.
Her platform has become a resource hub for families trying to make sense of the college admissions landscape—and the many exciting milestones that come with it.
Creating a “One-Stop Shop” for the College Journey
Ali describes her business as a resource similar to a wedding planning site—think everything you need in one place.
Just as engaged couples might use a site like The Knot to find vendors, planners, and inspiration, Ali envisioned a platform where families could find:
College admissions experts
Travel guides for campus visits
Dorm shopping inspiration
Advice from families going through the process
Her goal was simple: help families navigate every step of the college journey, from the first campus tour to decorating a dorm room.
One feature she especially loves is the curated college travel guides, where current students recommend where visiting families should stay, eat, and explore when touring campuses.
If you're visiting a school like University of Michigan for a weekend, these insider guides help families experience the campus like a student rather than a tourist.
Why the College Admissions Conversation Is Everywhere
If it feels like college admissions is constantly in the news—you’re not imagining it.
From changing testing policies to shifting admissions trends, the landscape is evolving rapidly. Major outlets such as The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times regularly cover new developments in higher education.
Ali notes that parents and students are deeply engaged in the topic because so many decisions are changing quickly, including:
Test-optional admissions policies
Holistic application reviews
Shifting popularity of certain universities
Geographic trends in where students apply
Families want guidance—but they also want perspective.
How to Build a Smart College List
One of the most helpful resources on Ali’s website is a guide to creating a college list.
Rather than focusing only on prestige or rankings, students are encouraged to think about what truly fits their personality and interests.
Some of the most important factors to consider include:
School Size
Large university vs. small liberal arts college
Location
Urban vs. rural
Distance from home
Climate
Campus Culture
Athletics and school spirit
Social environment
Extracurricular opportunities
Academic Interests
Specific majors or professional schools
Liberal arts exploration
A student who thrives at a large school with big football culture may be looking for a very different environment than someone who prefers smaller classes and quieter campus life.
At the same time, Ali emphasizes that students should keep an open mind.
Sometimes the school that feels right isn’t the one that originally made the list.
The “Dream School” Mindset
Ali also referenced the work of Jeff Selingo and his book Dream School, which challenges the idea that students should chase only the most prestigious universities.
Instead, the real “dream school” is:
The place where a student will thrive
The environment where they feel engaged
The college that sets them up for future success
For students, that means thinking beyond rankings and focusing on fit.
A Parent’s Challenge: Following Your Own Advice
Even with all the expertise around her, Ali admitted something many parents experience:
It’s hard to stay objective when your own child is applying to college.
Parents want their children to be open-minded, but they may still feel drawn to certain well-known schools or outcomes.
That tension is completely normal.
And it’s where thoughtful parenting becomes especially important.
Advice for Parents Navigating the Application Process
During the conversation, we shared a few guiding principles for parents going through the college admissions process with their children.
1. Trust Your Child’s Intuition
Students are more likely to succeed in college when they feel ownership over the decision.
Parents can guide and support—but ultimately the student is the one living the experience.
2. Make It a Collaborative Process
College decisions work best when they are shared conversations rather than top-down directives.
Parents can help by:
Asking questions
Exploring options together
Supporting their child’s decision-making process
3. Manage Your Own Anxiety
The admissions process can trigger a lot of parental stress.
Healthy coping strategies help parents stay supportive instead of overwhelmed:
Exercise
Meditation
Talking with other parents
Keeping perspective
4. Remember: College Is Only Four Years
It may feel like the biggest decision in the world right now—but in the context of a lifetime, college is just one chapter.
What matters even more than the specific school is:
The person your child becomes
The relationship you maintain with them
The confidence and independence they build
As one parent beautifully put it:
“I’m excited about where my child is going to college—but I’m even more excited about the person he’s becoming.”
The Bigger Picture
College admissions can easily become the center of family life for a year or two.
But the real goal isn’t just getting into a particular school.
It’s raising a thoughtful, capable young adult who can thrive wherever they go.
And when families keep that bigger perspective in mind, the college journey becomes less about pressure—and more about growth.
Listen to the full episode of the College Is Fine Podcast featuring Ali Dorfman to hear more about navigating college admissions, campus visits, and supporting students through the process.
