I'm anxious about my daughter's college applications, so I'm often nagging her. I'm now trying to save our relationship.

"More students than ever are applying to college, he explained, but schools haven't kept up with demand. With acceptance rates falling, the colleges we once considered safety schools have become a lot more selective. Unlike when I was a teenager, factors such as the Common App and the widespread adoption of test-optional policies have made it easier for students to apply to multiple schools at once."

"One college consultant told me that the high schoolers he works with apply to between 10 and 12 schools on average. With more applicants for a limited number of spots, kids are feeling increased pressure to distinguish themselves - and at earlier ages. While I didn't take any AP classes until my senior year of high school, my daughter will have completed several by the time she graduates."

"For my daughter and her peers, junior year has been exciting but fraught with anxiety, as every test, grade, and decision feels critical. I want to reassure them, but I know they're facing an uphill battle. My daughter regularly hears from older classmates who were rejected from their dream colleges despite near-perfect grade point averages and deep involvement in extracurricular activities."

The college application landscape has transformed dramatically, with more students applying to multiple schools simultaneously through platforms like the Common App, while acceptance rates at selective institutions continue to fall. High school juniors now face unprecedented pressure to distinguish themselves at younger ages, taking advanced courses earlier and managing applications to an average of 10-12 schools. Parents absorb their teens' stress while recognizing they are providing substantially more guidance than previous generations received. The competitive environment means even students with excellent grades and strong extracurricular involvement face rejection from their preferred colleges. This creates anxiety throughout junior year as every academic decision feels consequential.

Read at Business Insider