www.RachelFusco.com

Don't wait until 11th grade!

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If you've heard that college prep can wait until 11th grade, you've gotten bad advice. Yes, some parts of college prep can wait. But, the parts that reduce stress and build confidence start early.

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The solution to the stress isn't delaying college prep until 11th grade. The solution to the stress is doing college prep differently.

College prep is stressful because we’re doing it backwards.

We push 11th graders to have the answers, instead of giving 9th and 10th graders time to explore the questions.

Hi there! I’m Rachel Fusco. I have spent the past 18 years supporting teens in their journey to, through, and beyond college. I've worked on the college admissions side, on student support side (mentoring college students who were struggling with either mental health or academics), and I've worked as a high school counselor. I kept shifting my career "backwards" to try to prevent the stress, anxiety, and overwhelm. Along the way, I realized that the way we prepare teens for college is not at all aligned with what we know about the teenage brain. We expect teens to naturally discover their interests, which happens for some, but not for most. And, most importantly, I realized that school counselors have too many limitations to offer the individualized, proactive support that teens need.

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The reality is that both you and your teen are already nervous about college. Waiting until 11th grade just gives your teen less time to discover the answers that will guide their college prep process.

Family University is a virtual coaching program that helps parents and teens in 9th and 10th grade go from college-prep avoidant to college-prep confident!

There is a better way to approach college prep and it starts early - with self-exploration, curiosity, and curated experiences that are fun and engaging!

Teens want to be excited about their future. Let's help them.

Teens in 9th and 10th grade are at the perfect stage to discover who they are, explore interests, and understand their learning profile.

Have you ever asked your teen "Why?" and gotten a shoulder shrug? College applications are entirely "why" questions: Why do theater? Why become a doctor? Why serve as treasurer? Unfortunately, "IDK" doesn't work on a college application.

College prep is actually REALLY simple when you know -- and trust -- your answers. A confident teen with a resume of meaningful experiences they can talk about with passion- that's what every college wants!

College prep that's built for your teen's brain:
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Strategies,
not stress.
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Passion,
not pressure.
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Actionable,
not overwhelming.
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Supported,
not stuck.
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Growth,
not grind.
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Family University is a virtual coaching program that helps parents and teens in 9th and 10th grade go from college-prep avoidant to college-prep confident!

Family University is grounded in neuroscience (knowing how your teen’s brain works) and developmental career coaching (knowing how people discover skills and strengths).

Family University helps parents understand the road ahead and how to co-regulate with your teen. I'll show you how to help your teen discover who they are and who they want to become.

Family University helps teens learn the invisible skills that 9th and 10th graders need in order to complete the harder tasks of researching college in 11th grade and applying to college in 12th grade.

Family University is designed to be a more affordable and accessible coaching program for families. A healthy college prep process is something all teens deserve.

Registration opens November 2025 and coaching runs January 2026-May 2026.

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