Rooted in humorous stories distilled with bits of sagely honest advice, The Journey goes beyond the well-chronicled
college admissions madness and cuts to the core of parental angst with concrete suggestions for
preparing children for a competitive and rapidly changing world.
Young people face an increasing medley of challenges as they pursue higher education. Amid skyrocketing
tuition costs, 43 million U.S. adults hold a whopping $1.78 trillion in student loan debt. College admission is
significantly more competitive than it was just a few years ago, and today's students compete with international
talent for education and career opportunities. As a result, 40% of Gen Z adults live at home and have gained a
"failure to launch" reputation. Many lack the skills and perspective they need to become fulfilled adults because
their educational journey did not prepare them to be thoughtful, authentic, or strategic in developing and
achieving their goals.
Enter The Journey. Written for both parents and students, this guide is comprised of advice and personal
anecdotes drawn from college admissions counselor Greg Kaplan's work. Kaplan offers sobering statistics
about the lacking capabilities of the next generation and prescribes stories of parenting strategies that succeed
in raising independent children to achieve their long-term goals. Emphasizing the foundational tenets of a
successful adult life—grit, leadership, and passion—Kaplan approaches the college admissions process with
the intent of instilling transferable skills that will carry students well into adulthood. He asks students: What do
you want to get out of your college career and work career? How can you make the most of the college journey
to jumpstart your journey into the real world? He asks parents: Are you preparing your children to attain a life
of health, happiness, and financial independence?
This book is designed to support today's youth in identifying their passions and developing the grit and
leadership skills they will need to make the most of future opportunities. The Journey calls on parents to both
act and refrain from acting to help their children develop into capable and independent adults and calls upon
students to take control of their own futures through easy to implement steps.
