#145 | Five (5) Ways LGBTQ Students & Allies Can Stand Out in College Essays Through Authentic Storytelling

Is your teen navigating college applications with anxiety, confusion, or a sense of pressure to be “perfect”?

In this deeply insightful and refreshingly honest episode, Heather sits down with Dylan Nellis, Stanford grad and founder of NextGen Admit, to unpack what elite schools are really looking for in students. Spoiler: It’s not just grades or test scores. It’s authenticity, clarity, and storytelling, and it starts with helping students understand who they are before they even begin writing.

• Learn why “spiky” applicants stand out more than “well-rounded” ones, and what that actually means
• Discover the power of story-first college essays and why most applicants get them wrong
• Get real-world advice on how to help your child pursue their passions without turning their identity into a sob story

Press play now to learn how to ditch the overwhelm and guide your teen toward a meaningful, values-driven college application journey that works.

Links referenced in this episode:

• nextgenadmit.com
• nextgenadmit.com/masterclass
• Dyllen Nellis on YouTube

Hi, I’m Heather Hester, and I’m so glad you’re here!

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At the heart of my work is a deep commitment to compassion, authenticity, and transformative allyship, especially for those navigating the complexities of parenting LGBTQ+ kids. Through this podcast, speaking, my writing, and the spaces I create, I help people unlearn bias, embrace their full humanity, and foster courageous, compassionate connection.

If you’re in the thick of parenting, allyship, or pioneering a way to lead with love and kindness, I’m here with true, messy, and heart-warming stories, real tools, and grounding support to help you move from fear to fierce, informed action.

Whether you’re listening in, working with me directly, or quietly taking it all in—I see you. And I’m so glad you’re part of this journey.

More Human. More Kind. formerly Just Breathe: Parenting Your LGBTQ Teen explores connection, courage, and community for every concerned parent, mom, or ally navigating fear, grief, and bigotry with hope, resilience, and empathy. Through open-minded education, inclusive parenting guidance, and advocacy for mental health, safety, and a human first approach, we support LGBTQ youth and stand for human rights and social justice. More Human. More Kind. empowers listeners to shift their mindset, embrace activism and allyship, and lead with kindness, healing, and purpose.