Why Harvard Isn’t the Goal: An Orthodox Christian Approach to Choosing a College

If you've got a teenager, you know how quickly the college search can take over: the rankings, the essays, the pressure to get into the "right" school. But what if this season is really a chance to help your child discern who God is calling them to be? In this episode, we talk with Christopher Chiakulas, a high school counselor and the founder of Orthodox Christian College Counseling, about walking through the college search with faith at the center. He shares the framework he created to guide Orthodox families, offers practical ways to keep your child connected to a parish while away at school, and reminds us that the goal is never a brag-worthy acceptance letter—it’s raising a child who stays rooted in Christ. Download this week's free Discussion Guide here. Episode Recap:Today we're talking with Christopher Chiakulas about approaching the college search from a faith-first perspective. (0:00)When did you realize the college process looks a little different for Orthodox families? (2:02)What are the six P's you walk families through in your book? (3:33)How do we keep from tying our child's worth to where they attend school? (8:00)Why does being near a parish matter so much? (12:02)How can families lean on organizations like OCF and Crossroad Institute to build support before their kids ever set foot on campus? (14:39)How should families weigh a major against the cost of a school? (17:32)What does a genuine win actually look like at the end of the college search? (25:16)What can a family do if their child is already at a school with no nearby parish or OCF chapter? (29:45)What is one practical way to recalibrate when the whole process starts to feel overwhelming? (32:38)Daniel in Virginia asks: My son wants to attend a large secular school with no Orthodox parish or OCF chapter nearby. Am I wrong to push back? (34:00)Nadia in Tulsa asks: Every acceptance letter on social media makes me panic that we're behind. How can I protect my son's peace and my own? (38:25)Where can listeners learn more about Orthodox Christian College Counseling? (40:51)Resources: Follow and rate the podcast on Apple, Spotify or YouTubeDownload this episode’s free Discussion GuideDownload The Encounter app Share your feedback on our Listener Survey Explore the full library of Faithtree ResourcesLearn more about Orthodox Christian College CounselingOrthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF)CrossRoad InstituteDonate to support the podcast