076 - Purpose Over Prestige: Reframing the College Quest
On this episode of The Gaslight Effect Podcast, Dr. Robin Stern welcomes college‑admissions veteran Dr. Joie Jager‑Hyman—founder of College Prep 360 and author of Fat Envelope Frenzy and B+ Grades, A+ College Applications.
Joie, a Dartmouth alum and former Assistant Director of Admissions, reveals how her own curiosity about the process led her to guide students away from small missteps and toward a more empowered, self‑directed path.
Together, Stern and Jager‑Hyman demystify the intense pressures of Ivy‑League admissions—from “fat‑envelope envy” and the ever‑escalating expectations of top high schools, to the mental‑health toll of feeling you’re “just not enough.” Joie shares why she tells every student, “I hope you get into your dream school—but I also hope it’s the least important thing you do,” and how reframing ambitions around authentic acts of service can restore perspective and build real self‑worth.
They also tackle the modern amplifiers of stress: the public spectacle of social‑media acceptances (that 5 pm Yale notification everyone sees) and the isolating “don’t talk to your friends” advice that can fracture peer support.
You’ll learn concrete strategies for parents, educators, and students alike—how to create dedicated spaces for honest conversation, put mental‑health safeguards in place, and approach applications as a journey of growth, not just a destination.
Listen now to turn admissions anxiety into strategic empowerment, so every student can step into the process clear‑headed, confident, and ready to define success on their own terms.
To read the full transcript of this episode, head over to robinstern.com.
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The Gaslight Effect Recovery Guide
Emotional Intelligence for School Leaders
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