Fixation on college admissions is unhealthy for teens

Being human in 2024 is hard — we live in chaotic and stressful times. Perhaps no group of humans is more stressed than our teenagers, who report levels of anxiety, stress and self-harm unparalleled in prior decades. As someone working with teenagers on a daily basis to help them navigate the college application process, I’m deeply concerned that our society’s collective approach to high school is not only misguided but harmful.