Chapter 1: August - Senior Year Begins

Emma's Story: The Reality Check

Seventeen-year-old Emma Martinez starts her senior year with a mix of excitement and dread. She thinks she has college planning figured out. She's about to learn how wrong she is.

The Current Situation

Emma's Stats
  • • 3.7 GPA (solid, but not spectacular)
  • • 1100 SAT score (good, but not great)
  • • Lives in Boulder, Colorado with her mother
  • • Father lives in Atlanta, Georgia
  • • Parents divorced since she was 5, minimal communication between them
Her "College List"

University of Colorado Boulder

Right in her hometown, chosen after a junior year field trip

University of Georgia

90 minutes from her dad, where she says she "fell in love" during a summer visit

What Emma doesn't realize...

Her college planning process is already off track, and August of senior year is late to be figuring this out.

The Problems Nobody's Talking About

Problem #1: People Pleaser Caught in the Middle
Emma has unconsciously chosen schools based on what she thinks each parent wants to hear. CU Boulder keeps her close to mom. University of Georgia is near dad and far from mom's 'overbearing control' (her dad's words, not hers).
Problem #2: Mixed Messages About Money
Her mother constantly talks about how expensive college is, mentioning community college as an option. Her father tells her 'don't worry about money, that's our problem to figure out.' The result? Emma is simultaneously worried about finances and has no idea what's realistic.
Problem #3: No Real Financial Plan
Not only does Emma not understand the financial realities, but neither do her parents. Her father isn't entirely sure what the family can afford, and there's been no coordinated conversation between the parents.
Problem #4: Limited and Poorly Researched College List
Two schools is not a college list—it's barely a starting point. Neither choice was based on careful research into academic programs, campus culture, or realistic financial analysis.

What This Looks Like Day-to-Day

Conversations with Mom:

"College is so expensive, honey. Maybe you should consider community college for the first two years to save money. CU Boulder is a good school and you could even live at home..."

Conversations with Dad:

"Don't worry about the money—your mom and I will figure that out. You need to experience life outside of Boulder. University of Georgia would be amazing for you..."

Conversations with Friends:

"OMG, I can't believe you only have two schools! Sarah applied to twelve! You better get your applications done soon—deadlines are coming up fast!"
Emma's Internal Monologue:

"I don't want to disappoint anyone, but I have no idea what I'm doing. Everyone seems to know more than me. What if I can't afford anywhere I want to go? What if my grades aren't good enough? What if I make the wrong choice?"

The August Wake-Up Call

By the end of August, several things become clear:

1

Time is running out. College applications are due in just 3-4 months.

2

The family has no coordinated plan. Each parent is operating independently with different priorities.

3

Financial reality needs to be addressed. You can't make college decisions without understanding what's affordable.

4

Emma needs a real college list. Two schools chosen for emotional reasons isn't enough.

5

Someone needs to understand the logistics. FAFSA, deadlines, requirements—nobody in the family has a handle on the process.

What Should Have Happened by Now (But Didn't)
  • • Spring of Junior Year: Parents should have had a conversation about college costs and planning approach
  • • Summer Before Senior Year: Family should have created a realistic college list based on academic fit and financial capacity
  • • August of Senior Year: FAFSA preparation should be underway, with clear understanding of which parent files and what documents are needed

The Reality Check

This story might sound familiar because it represents thousands of families every year. Divorce adds layers of complexity to an already complicated process, and when parents don't coordinate their approach, students get caught in the middle.

The good news? It's not too late to get on track. But it requires some uncomfortable conversations, honest assessments, and coordinated planning between people who might not want to talk to each other.

Over the next eight months, we'll follow Emma's family as they navigate this process—the mistakes, the revelations, the conflicts, and ultimately, the lessons learned that could help your family avoid the same pitfalls.

Coming Next: September-October
The FAFSA Wake-Up Call

When the family discovers that divorce makes financial aid much more complicated than anyone realized.

Continue to Next Chapter

Chapter 1 of 9

August: The Reality Check

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