As the college admission season ramps up this fall, many families can get caught up in academic achievement and lose sight of the bigger skills all students need to thrive past the acceptance letters and college move-in day. Yes, grades and test scores still make a difference. Even so, if teens can’t manage their time, advocate for themselves, or recover from setbacks, they are more likely to struggle with the demands of college and, later, the workforce.

In good news, after 25 years as an academic advisor, I’ve found the college application process to be an incredible opportunity for high school students to develop the skills needed to handle college life.

In many ways, applying to college can be a college-level experience. Teens are juggling multiple deadlines, drafting personal narrat

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