S2E22: Redefining Success and Easing the College Pressure for Our Kids with Dr. Irena Smith

Hello, and welcome back to The Parent Doctor Podcast. I'm your host, Dr. Marissa Caudill. Please rate and follow this podcast to help spread this resource, and be sure to visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠theparentdoctor.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to sign up for my ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or join the monthly ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠book club⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, both are FREE!

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In this episode, I’m thrilled to welcome Dr. Irena Smith—an accomplished author, mom of three, former Stanford lecturer, admissions officer, and private college admissions coach. I recently had Irena join my October book club to discuss Never Enough by Jennifer Breheny Wallace, which dives into toxic achievement culture, especially in “super zip” communities like Palo Alto, where high expectations and ambition can sometimes harm our kids.

Irena and I explore the college admissions process and how it’s become even more competitive in 2024. Reflecting on her experience at Stanford, where the acceptance rate has dropped from 12.5% to around 3% over the past 20 years, we discuss the pressures families face and why so many feel that getting into an elite school is crucial.

Irena shares insights from her memoir, The Golden Ticket: a life in college admissions essays, highlighting the impact of these pressures on teens who often feel crushed by expectations. For a deeper dive into the world of college admissions, be sure to check out Irena's book on Amazon: The Golden Ticket: A Life in College Admissions Essays.

Together, we explore how parents can help kids build a strong sense of self-worth early on, so they can face life’s challenges with resilience and a true sense of identity beyond grades or college acceptance. We also dive into the ways parental anxiety can shape kids’ ambitions and well-being, often unintentionally. Irena and I offer guidance on how to support children in embracing their natural strengths, pursuing their passions, and finding fulfillment. True success isn’t about getting into a particular school—it’s about helping our kids lead balanced, meaningful lives.

Join us for this enlightening conversation as we challenge conventional narratives around achievement and explore a healthier, more sustainable approach to raising resilient, self-assured kids.For more insights from Irena, be sure to follow her on Instagram at @irena.smith and check out her Substack for more valuable content at collegecurmudgeon.substack.com.