You’ve spent years practicing the cello, perfecting your pirouette, or memorizing dramatic monologues. Now it’s time to take your art form to the next level and pursue a college education in the visual or performing arts. But as you start to research arts programs on your college list, you notice a dizzying array of letters. BA? BS? BFA? BM?

The NCAA announced today that it will be extending the COVID-19 initial eligibility policies for student-athletes graduating in the class of 2022. According to a press release from the NCAA:

The road to college ideally ends when a student arrives at a school that aligns perfectly with both fit and ambition. So why do so many parents take the wheel? Estrela Founder, Kristina Dooley, joined Amy Seeley of Seeley Test Pros and Mike Bergin of TestBright on their podcast - "Tests and the Rest" - to explore the role of parents in the college process.

As a parent, there are few things worse than knowing your child has been rejected in some way. Whether the rejection comes from a person, a sports team, an audition, or a college, it cuts deep. In fact, we’re biologically programmed to protect our kids. Though, when it comes to college denials, your protection will look a little different.

Maybe you’ve experienced rejection before. Like, a so-called friend playing with someone else on the playground? Or being turned down by the person whom you asked to the dance? Or maybe not enough people liking or sharing your social media post? No matter what form it comes in, rejection stings.