Junior year of high school is here — and the college process is officially real.

In this special episode, we try something new: a “Newlywed Game”-style conversation between a mom and her daughter about their different takes on independence, stress, communication, and what the college process actually feels like inside one household.

Ali Dorfman, former TV producer and founder of The College & Dorm Corner, joins us alongside her daughter Emme to share the parent and student perspective in real time.

From ACT prep to Life360, from FOMO to family rules, this episode captures the nuanced dance between pushing, guiding, and letting go.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• When junior year suddenly makes college feel “real”
• The independence spectrum: How much should parents step in?
• Balancing grades, sports, extracurriculars, and test prep
• The emotional climate inside a household during application season
• Communication expectations once students leave for college
• Which family rules may (or may not) retire
• The role of social media in shaping college dreams
• Why passion > résumé padding
• The tension between parent aspirations and student interests
• The “marathon, not sprint” mindset
  
  

Key Takeaways:

• Junior year often feels like “buckle up” season.
• Independence in the college process is rarely all-or-nothing.
• Students need space to develop their own internal compass.
• Parents are navigating their own letting-go journey.
• The fun stuff (sports, campus life, dorm decor) can be motivating — but academics still dominate the mental load early on.
• Family communication expectations should be discussed before move-in day.
  
  

About Our Guest

Ali Dorfman is a former TV producer (CBS News, The Today Show, ABC) and founder of The College & Dorm Corner, a one-stop platform supporting families through the college planning journey — from test prep to dorm décor. Make sure to check out this amazing resource! https://www.thecollegecorner.com/about-us

And a special thank you to the brave, insightful and all-around rock star Emme who was willing to be our *first* Two Takes guest!

Want to share your story, give us feedback or offer up an episode idea? Reach out! We'd love to hear from you.

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Email: collegeisfinepodcast@gmail.com

Music is Deadbeats by Rex Banner