The College Decision Phase: Navigating Deferrals, Yield Protection, and "The Limbo" (Part 1)

It’s February, and for many high school seniors and their parents, the "college limbo" has officially set in. Between waiting on regular decision letters and navigating unexpected deferrals, the stress at home can be at an all-time high. In Part 1 of this two-part series, Laura Ollinger sits down with Jenna Schebell, founder of The College Navigators, to pull back the curtain on the final stages of the college admissions process.

Jenna, an independent education consultant with over 20 years of experience, explains why the power dynamic is finally shifting. Now that the applications are in, it’s time for your teen to move from "applicant" to "decision-maker."

In this episode, we discuss:

• The "Decision Central" Mindset: How to handle the anxiety of not knowing where you’re going while peers are already posting their roommates.
• The Truth About Deferrals: What is "yield protection" and why do colleges keep students in limbo even when they are highly qualified?
• Choosing the Right Major: The strategic difference between direct-admit programs (like nursing and engineering) versus exploratory paths.
• Evaluating College Fit: Why attending an admitted students day is the best way to test the "vibe" and community values.
• The Summer Start Advantage: Why starting college in the summer might actually lead to a smoother social transition for your teen.

Whether you are navigating college application stress or trying to help your child choose between two different majors, Jenna provides the logical and emotional roadmap parents need right now.

Resources Mentioned:

• The College Navigators
• Follow Jenna Schebell on Instagram
• Positively Healthy Coaching: Connect with Laura Ollinger for parent and teen well-being support, including coaching around the college admissions time of life.

Next Steps: Stay tuned for Part 2 next week, where we dive deeper into this conversation with Jenna Schebell, founder of The College Navigators. If your teen is selecting high school courses and not quite in the college admissions phase, this one is for you!