College Football and College Choices: 3 Big Questions Parents Should Ask Their Teen

Football season is back, and for many teens, Saturdays are now about game-day hype, rankings, and highlight reels. Parents often roll their eyes, but here’s the truth:

College football can spark powerful conversations about your teen’s college future.

When your child says, “I want to go to Penn State!” after watching a big game, don’t dismiss it. Instead, lean into the curiosity. Use it as a way to ask deeper questions about what they want in a school.

Over the years, I’ve seen how football culture reflects campus energy, school spirit, and community. And whether your student is an athlete or not, those things matter.

That’s why I encourage every parent to use this season to guide their teen with three big questions:

1️⃣ Where is this school located?
2️⃣ What are the most popular majors?
3️⃣ How do you see yourself there beyond football?

Let’s break it down.

Where Is This School Located?

Most teens get caught up in the logos and fight songs, not geography. But location is everything.

📍 Urban, suburban, or rural?
📍 How far is it from home?
📍 What’s around it besides the stadium?

The University of Michigan is not the same as SMU, and Penn State is not the same as USC. Your child may only see the big crowds on ESPN, but you need them to understand what daily life looks like beyond the field.

👉 Parent Tip: Even if they’re just 15, help your teen pull up Google Maps and research what’s nearby. Airports? Restaurants? Opportunities? Location determines so much more than they realize.

What Are the Most Popular Majors?

Here’s where academics come in. College is not just Saturday football. It’s Monday through Friday classes that prepare them for life.

🎓 Big universities have specialized colleges under one umbrella business, engineering, performing arts, architecture, and more.
🎓 Your teen needs to know what academic strengths a school has.
🎓 This helps them make choices that are about more than school spirit.

👉 Parent Tip: If your child is undecided, encourage exploration. Knowing a school’s most popular majors gives them a sense of direction and avoids choosing a campus just because of the game-day vibes.

How Do You See Yourself There?

Football creates community, and your teen may be drawn to that energy. But the real question is: How will they thrive outside the stadium?

🏆 What clubs might they join?
🏆 Which classes sound exciting?
🏆 How do they picture their week outside of football Saturdays?

I once had a student transfer from Emory because she wanted a big football culture she saw on social media. On the flip side, I’ve had students choose smaller campuses where football wasn’t central, because they connected with academic and social communities instead.

👉 Parent Tip: Encourage your child to imagine their daily life at the school. Football can spark the conversation, but identity, purpose, and academic fit must fuel the decision.

The Bottom Line

Football season gives you a gift a way to connect with your teen about college without nagging.

When they get excited about a game, ask:
1️⃣ Where is this school?
2️⃣ What are its popular majors?
3️⃣ How do you see yourself there?

From there, you can guide them toward building a smart, balanced, and realistic college list.

📌 Remember, the school isn’t about the football team. It’s about your child, their growth, and your investment.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

At Strategic Admissions Advice, we help parents of high school students take curiosity and turn it into action.

✔️ Download our College List Builder to organize options
✔️ Join our College Application Action Plan to stay on track
✔️ Or book a complimentary call today at www.callwithsaa.com

Football season is the perfect kickoff for your teen’s college journey. Let’s make sure it’s about more than the scoreboard.