College Admissions with Mark and Anna

In this episode, we sit down with Molly Carroll to explore the shifting family dynamics that come with having a collegebound student. Molly shares valuable insights into the emotional and practical changes families experience during this transition. We focus on how parents can navigate this challenging shift with empathy, clear communication, and support. Through thoughtful discussion, Molly offers strategies for parents to maintain strong connections while encouraging independence, ultimately helping families adapt to this new phase with confidence and understanding.Molly Carroll is the author of Cracking Open: A Creative Journal for Self-Transformation and Trust Within: Letting Intuition Lead. she has also delivered two powerful TedTalks on The Need for Human Connection and Why it Starts with Ourselves. She is also the host of the popular and heartwarming podcast Cracking Open with Molly Carroll. With over 30 years of experience in education and mental health, Molly is a seasoned therapist, coach, and public speaker dedicated to helping individuals lead empowered, connected lives. Connect with Molly at https://molly-carroll.com/.

As more teens prepare to go to college this summer, the importance of what qualities students should develop in high school so that they can thrive in college is ever important. Join Mark and Anna as they speak with Carol Ben-Davies from College Bound Determination as she shares her decades of experience working with students at top universities on the recommendations she has to help students thrive. From self-advocacy to resilience, Carol shares the most important qualities a student can develop when preparing for college and resources that students should take advantage of. Carol is the founder of College Bound Determination, where she helps parents prepare their kids not just for college admissions, but for real college success—academically, socially, emotionally and personally. With over 20 years of experience at top universities, Carol has worn many hats—from admissions to student leadership and advocacy—guiding countless students and parents through the highs and lows of college life while working to empower students of all backgrounds with the resources and support they need to thrive.  She's a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach. Oh, and she literally wrote the book on paying for college—she's the co-author of You Can Go to College for Free! Carol holds degrees from UNC-Chapel Hill and Loyola University Chicago, and she's here today to share her insights on setting students up for success in college and beyond. Learn more about Carol at https://carolbendavies.com/ 

In this episode, we sit down with Lynne Peeples, a distinguished science journalist and author of "THE INNER CLOCK," to delve into the fascinating world of circadian rhythms and sleep. Lynne shares her journey of writing the book, emphasizing the importance of understanding our internal clocks.Lynne discusses optimal sleep and wake times, cultural differences in sleep practices, and common misconceptions about sleep, such as the fallacy of catch-up sleep. The episode also addresses the impact of modern lifestyles on sleep, particularly for students. Lynne provides insights into the effects of cramming, the benefits and drawbacks of naps, and the consequences of all-nighters. She offers practical advice for students and college freshmen on prioritizing sleep amidst hectic schedules.Finally, Lynne shares actionable tips for optimizing sleep and maintaining a healthy circadian rhythm, making this episode a must-listen for anyone looking to enhance their sleep health. Tune in to learn how to optimize your sleep for productivity and well-being. Learn more about Lynne and her book at lynnpeeples.com

It's college application season! Building of school lists is into the final push for November 1st - Early Action/Decision. As students/families look for schools to apply to, there are some general but very important guiding questions to consider:What IS a GOOD school? What is a GOOD school….for YOU? Join Mark and Anna as they discuss factors to consider and how to identify which schools should make the final cut on your college list. 

While there are many consistent challenges and affirmations that teens have historically encountered during their first year of college, some major cultural/social/academic shifts have occurred in the last five years to disrupt those traditional challenges. Join Mark and Anna as they check in with current students transitioning to college after COVID about what it's like to navigate and experience a college campus as a freshman in 2024. Our freshman guests include students from Duke, Georgetown, Princeton, and University of Washington-Seattle as they share their biggest lessons from life as a freshman. 

Join Mark and Anna as they talk with Daniel Curell as they get the inside school on how much college actually costs and tips for how families can try to better afford college. Dan Currell was Deputy Under Secretary of Education in the U.S. Department of Education from 2018 to 2021.  He has published on various aspects of higher education public policy, including a recent article in the journal National Affairs titled The Truth About College Costs.  Dan and his wife are happy empty-nesters with two children currently in college. 

With more students interested in pursuing fields in STEM, Mark and Anna invited Sydney Trahan of Worcester Polytechnic Institute or more commonly known as WPI to join us in discussing what's unique about a technical school and more specifically, WPI. Known for their project-based curriculum and test-blind admissions process, Sydney shares what they really look for in applicants and what type of students thrive at WPI in this episode.Learn more about WPI at www.wpi.edu or contact Sydney directly at strahan@wpi.edu. 

Why is a liberal arts college education valuable, especially in an increasing AI dominated world? What's admissions like at a liberal arts college? Join Mark and Anna as they chat with Courtney Stricklin Burgan of Occidental College. Courtney is the Senior Associate Dean and Director of Admission at Occidental College, which happens to also be her undergraduate alma mater. Courtney has worked in higher education for 19 years and has been back at Oxy for more than half of that time, holding positions in both career services and admission. 

The December 2023 SAT will be the last paper exam from the CollegeBoard as they shift to digital SATs in 2024. With such a big shift, Mark and Anna decide to sit down with Matty of Compass Education Group to help get the questions on parents and students' minds answered. From what to expect on the new digital format to whether or not super-scoring will be allowed between paper and digital tests, Mark, Anna, and Matty have you covered!Matty is a Senior Director at Compass Education Group, a provider of one-on-one test preparation and academic tutoring that works with thousands of students nationwide. Prior to joining Compass, Matty obtained their MA from the University of Chicago and a BA from UC Santa Cruz. They have over fifteen years of experience in the testing industry and are regularly invited by counselors and admission professionals to explain the latest updates to the testing landscape. Each year, Matty and their colleagues speak at over 300 high schools and professional organizations. 

When students are asked where they want to college, many of them will list a college based on rank or brand - because that's what they are exposed to. While rankings can be a good way to start the college search, a top-ranked school doesn't necessarily equate to a successful college experience or future. After all, US News and World Report rankings were created to sell magazines. Join Mark and Anna as they chat about rank, brands and society's obsession with elite schools and how families can craft a better list for college. 

With ChatGPT being used across different corners of the internet, its not surprising to hear that it is also shaking up the college admissions landscape. Whether its new essay prompts, no essay prompts, or a switch from written prompts, college admissions teams across the country are exploring new ways to get to know applicants authentically. Join Mark and Anna as they speak to Mark Cruver of Capstone Educational Consultants as they discuss the implications of AI in college admissions, including the challenges and potential benefits for all. More about Mark Cruver:Referred to by many as The AI Navigator at AIfortheIEC.com, Mark's journey has been anything but artificial.  When Mark isn't working with students and supporting parents as the founder of Capstone Educational Consultants, he's teaching others how to unleash the power of AI on their business branding messaging, social media content, marketing campaigns, and more. Along with his distinguished credentials as an Independent Educational Consultant, Mark has written articles on AI in Education for the GenAI Newsletter, become Jasper Certified, earned a certificate in AI in Business mirrored from UC Berkley's AI in Business course, and author of HELP! My Teen Isn't On Track To College:  10 Tips for Parents on the College Admissions Process

What's the hardest part about the college application process? Most fun? Join Mark and Anna as we learn about the college application process through the eyes of a graduating high school teen - Kamila from College Reality Check. From essays to list building, Kamila breaks down what its really like to apply to college as a current teen in high school.  Learn more about Kamila at College Reality Check - https://collegerealitycheck.com.

With total cost of attendance edging towards $90,000 a year for private universities, Mark and Anna are excited to have financial aid expert and independent educational consultant, Claire Law from Educational Avenues talk about how families can prepare for the financial aid process. From discussing 529s to the difference in financial aid applications, learn how you can have the right conversations with your family around affording college. Claire Law is an independent educational consultant, professional member of IECA, Certified Educational Planner. She helps parents figure out the best educational avenues for their teen children. Claire Law worked in college admissions for ten years and for a SallieMae lender for a short while.

You've been accepted to college. Now what? Join Mark and Anna as they discuss next steps after you've gotten into college. From not getting grades below a B on your report card to playing pranks, we'll cover tips for how to manage the transition to college, including once you get to college.  As per Mark's favorite topic of food, we'll cover how to ensure you stay healthy in addition to knowing where to get help when you get sick for the first time without mom and dad. This is for all the graduating seniors!

Ever wonder what college admissions officers really want from applicants and how students can better prepare for college applications? We went straight to the source - Rick Clark - Assistant Vice Provost and Executive Director of Undergraduate Admission at Georgia Tech. Join Mark and Anna as they answer some of your most common questions about applying for college and what Rick would change about the college admissions process in our newest episode.  From how to prepare as a STEM applicant to how students can become better students and therefore better applicants, we've got you covered.

Selecting a major…or not? Okay, let's just get it out there…NO…you do not have to select a major and know exactly what you will do for the rest of your life. However, there may be situations in which having an idea of what to major in and preparing for it will be beneficial in high school. Join Mark and Anna as they discuss the pros and cons of having a major in mind when you apply for college and how to explore potential majors.   

With an endless "To Do" list, and the pressure to keep up with their peers, its no surprise that an increasing amount of today's teens face anxiety and depression. Join Mark and Anna as they talk with Dr. Sarah Pospos of Lifestyle Telepsychiatry to talk about "comparaitis", Imposter Syndrome, testing anxiety and more importantly, how we as parents and educators can better support our teens and help them thrive. Dr. Sarah Pospos completed her psychiatry residency as a chief resident at UCLA-Kern and has published extensively on burnout and depression at UCLA, UCSD and UCSB. As a psychiatrist and lifelong learner, Dr. Pospos is devoted to helping high performers with test anxiety, burnout, imposter syndrome, depression and other challenges by incorporating exercise, nutrition, sleep, stress management, efficient time management (especially as a mom of 2 under 2 during medical training) and other lifestyle changes in her telepsychiatry practice. 

As tuitions rise faster than inflation, more and more students and their families may wonder what value college offers and which colleges offer the most opportunities to help set them up for success. Join Mark and Anna as they speak with Ann Marano, Executive Director for the Colleges That Change Lives organization, to discuss the value of liberal arts education and what truly sets colleges in that organization a part from the hundreds of other colleges and universities in the country, including a student-centered approach to education. Learn more about Colleges that Change Lives at https://ctcl.org.

No idea what to do this summer? Join Mark and Anna as they speak with Fredrik van Huynh from Absolute Internship about finding your passion and lining up an internship that helps you explore it. Internships aren't only for college students - high school students can do it too!   In this episode, you'll learn the benefits of learning multiple languages, being immersed in different cultures, and the value in building relationships through international internships. From how to find internships and how to make a good impression to how internships can help set your college application apart, Fredrik has you covered.Fredrik is the Co-Founder of Absolute Internship and has been ranked among the Top 25 young entrepreneurs in Sweden, he's also the podcast of Fika with Rice and is a jiu jitsu geek! To learn more about Fredrik and  Absolute Intership, visit https://absoluteinternship.com.

We are entering our third year of COVID related social adjustments that have included education, social gatherings, family dynamics, job loss/gain, finances, Netflix addiction, and unknown health risks, just to name a few. Understandably, it is an especially difficult time for teens as they try to navigate a transitional period in their lives during a pandemic. Join Mark and Anna as they speak with Danit Erlich of Always Forward Coaching and Consulting, LLC as they talk about how parents and educators can better help support teens through stress and mental health challenges.Danit Erlich is a community educator and consultant on topics related to communication, wellness, youth & adult mental health, and suicide prevention. Danit taught Mental Health First Aid classes to hundreds of people, including school staff from different districts, faith communities, the general public, employees in various companies, and in nonprofit organizations. As a coach, Danit is working with families of teens on improving communication and reducing confrontation using a unique model she created. Danit also is doing self-care workshops for teens, to allow them to share about their challenges, to learn important principles of self-care and to create their own self-care plan. Learn more at https://www.alwaysforward.coach. 

While a student's weighted GPA and SAT score are important, and thoughtful recommendations are significant, as are clear, concise, and cogent essays—school representatives often comment that a common attribute of the strongest and most successful applications is…consistency. Does the entire application sound like the same person? Are strong attributes and characteristics consistently highlighted, and do examples from essays, recommendations, and even extracurricular activities correlate with one another? These are all ways to make an application more powerful and effective.Join Mark and Anna as this discuss how essays, recommendations, and activities support an applicant beyond their transcript and test scores to help them stand out in the college admissions process. 

Letters of recommendation are one of the holistic components of the college application, but probably a component that is talked about the least, despite the weight they hold. Most college admissions officers would say that letters of recommendation do not help or hurt an application. However, strong letters of recommendation can really strengthen a college application. Join Mark and Anna as they discuss why letters of recommendation and how to prepare in obtaining a strong one. Mark and Anna will also talk about who to ask and why as they share how students can try to strengthen their recommendations, even if they didn't get to physically meet their teachers in this new episode on making the most of letters of recommendation during a pandemic. 

What's it like to be a teen actually going through the college admissions preparation process? Between classes, activities, college lists, and essays, our teens have A LOT on their plates. Join Mark and Anna as they speak with Kamila from the "Who Cares about College" Podcast as they talk about how they're preparing for college during a pandemic. Kamila also shares insights from her experiences interviewing students who have applied and are in college now. From testing to financial aid, join Mark and Anna for a very REAL conversation about applying to college and how we can do better in managing the process and stress for our teens. 

Ever feel like the college admissions process has gotten overwhelming and overall insane? Join Mark and Anna as they speak with Kevin Martin, author of "Surviving the College Admissions Madness", about how families can better approach the admissions process to reduce stress as well as recommended improvements they would like to see in the college admissions process.  Kevin also provides helpful advice for avoiding application mistakes, building a reasonable college list, minimizing debt, identifying cognitive errors and distortions, and helping you reframe your college applications. Martin equips readers with the vocabulary, frameworks, and tools to make sense of America's broken higher education system, starting with the admissions gatekeepers.After serving in UT-Austin's Office of Admissions, where Kevin reviewed and scored thousands of applications, he completed a Fulbright Fellowship in Malaysia and currently travels the world while helping students gain admission to top-50 universities through his business Tex Admissions. More about Kevin here: texadmissions.com/about

While many elite universities do not offer merit scholarships, honors colleges and programs at many public universities offer great options for high-achieving students. In addition to providing merit-based awards, they can offer specialized curriculums and unique opportunities to help students thrive in a larger school environment. Join Mark and Anna as they speak with Craig T. Cobane, Ph.D. from Western Kentucky University's Mahurin Honors College as they discuss the difference between honors program and honors colleges, why they are valuable, and who they are a great fit for in this new episode. Craig T. Cobane, Ph.D. is the Executive Director of the Mahurin Honors College (MHC) at Western Kentucky University (WKU). He built and has led the MHC for 15 years. While building the MHC, he created the Office of Scholar Development (OSD), which helped over 550 students earn over $10 million in national scholarships (e.g., Truman, NSF, Fulbright, Goldwater, etc.). From 2012-17, he served concurrently as Chief International Officer (CIO) growing education abroad participation by 40 percent. For his work diversifying education abroad participation he was selected as the “Diversity and Inclusion Champion” by Diversity Abroad in 2018. Finally, he is the recipient of multiple teaching awards and national fellowships including American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Science and Technology Fellowship, where he spent a year at the Pentagon working on the Global War on Terrorism, and the American Council on Education (ACE) Fellowship, where he spent a year shadowing a university president.

It's that time of year again - writing the college admissions essay! This year, Mark and Anna are excited to share approaches to college essay writing from published author and college admissions essay coach, Molly Moynahan. Molly shares the key elements to storytelling, tips for overcoming writer's block, and more. Molly Moynahan is an expert in adolescent literacy, a novelist and a writing coach, specializing in supporting students through the writing of the personal essay for college admission. She holds an MFA in Fiction writing and has decades of teaching English to high school and college students. Learn more about Molly at The Teachers Way. 

Class of 2021 faced record-low acceptance rates at many elite universities, but the truth is, there are hundreds of amazing colleges out there that will support students in their success. Join Mark and Anna as they discuss the numerous options available with special guest Lisa Fuller from College Primed as they take a deeper look at women's colleges and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and how they enable success for their students. Lisa will also share how HBCUs have transformed to not only serve the black community but other students, especially those with aspirations in medicine. Lisa Fuller is an Independent Educational Consultant,  Owner & Founder of College Primed, LLC, a company located in Richmond, Virginia, that focuses on advising 7-12th grade students on educational planning and the college admission process.Lisa served as an alumna recruiter for Spelman College, volunteered as a Questbridge mentor, and a ScholarMatch counselor.  She earned a certificate in College Counseling from The University of California, San Diego, and a certificate in College Advising, Teachers College, Columbia University. 

Without the ability to visit campuses, applying for college and selecting where you want to spend the next four years can be more difficult than years past. Students have had to sometimes pick colleges "blindly" which has resulted in the desire for some students to transfer to new colleges. Join Mark and Anna as they speak with Deborah Shames of Personal Best College Coaching to learn more about why students transfer, how to prepare, and more details in this newest episode. 

So you think you want to go to college in Europe? Fantastic! Have you thought about the differences in the application process, the travel involved, passports, different languages, and different deadlines? There are many great reasons to study abroad, but there are also many things students and their families should know and consider before making that leap. Join Mark and Anna as they talk to Sandy Furth from World Student Support, who has successfully helped many students and families through those considerations and can help us all understand the process better.

With return on investment at a forefront in the college admissions process, its no wonder that majors related to STEM have become increasingly popoular over the years...especially during a pandemic.  Mark and Anna dive into what colleges are looking for when it comes to classes, activities, recommendations and more in this fun episode with our resident expert, Mark Hofer. Join Mark and Anna as they tackle the myths related to STEM in college admissions.

Join Mark and Anna as they talk about the importance of acknowledging, expressing, and regulating emotions with Dr. Marc Brackett, the author of Permission to Feel, and the Founder and Director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and a Professor in the Child Study Center of Yale University.  As anxiety and depression are at all time highs for our teens, we are thankful to be able to have Dr. Brackett address how we can better support our teens in becoming happy and successful members of society through the concepts from his book, Permission to Feel. We also discuss how these manifest themselves in picking college fit and writing compelling essays. To learn more about Dr. Marc Brackett and get his book, you can visit his website https://marcbrackett.com.

Do you have a talented musician who wants to pursue their passion for it in college? Have questions on how to best prepare for the music college admissions process? Join Mark and Anna as they speak to Dave Best, Founder of Best College Consulting where they orchestrate the college search for talented students. 

College essays have always been an important part of the college application process; however, this year—the year that COVID arrived and stayed for a while—provides a perfect storm for buoying up the importance of the college essays. Yes, that is essays, plural.While the personal statement essay has always been the focus for most students—and it remains to be an important part of the application—many schools weigh their supplemental and proprietary essays as even more important in the overall evaluation of students’ applications. For example, Stanford doesn’t have eleven supplemental essays just because they like to read. This year provides an unprecedented level of unknowns regarding how—and even when—schools evaluate students and their applications. Join Mark and Anna as they discuss tips on what to cover in your essays this admission season,  if and when you should utilize the Covid essay prompt and more!

College consultants often get asked “How early do you start working with students in the college application process?” This question almost always comes from parents. Sometimes they are just curious, but increasingly, they are serious.  Can, should, their 8th grader start preparing for college applications?If we are really honest, and take a step back, we must admit that we currently don’t know what colleges and universities will use as metrics for evaluation in the coming one to five years. Honestly, we don’t. The evaluation system is, thankfully, in a high state of flux with COVID-19 and the changes it has inspired colleges and universities to make in the application process are being developed, tested, and analyzed right now…and will continue to be over the next two – five years. But high school will continue. Academics will continue. Building relationships will continue. And a transition from high school to higher education…will continue. So a good question to entertain might be how—and when—can we help students prepare for that yet to be determined future?Join Mark and Anna as they tackle when a good time to start preparing for college, why starting too early can be bad, but also what pieces you can start focusing on so you aren't in the 'missed the boat' scenario for certain rare situations. From testing to courses and intellectual exploration, Mark and Anna tackle how some students can start preparing for college like a marathon in a healthy manner. 

What a strange and unprecedented time this is. Schools—ALL schools—are closed for what will be months. How many months this closure will last has yet to be determined. College and Universities…closed, and many considering a “virtual start” in September. K-12 schools also closed and not reopening before the next school year…and possibly longer. This is unprecedented. All of these things provide a lot of uncertainty about our education system for 2020 – 2021. This is really stressful if you are a junior, or senior. Although these are things we don’t know, and we can’t control…what can students control? Join Mark and Anna as they cover what students can focus on during this time, especially as colleges and universities go test-optional. They cover essays, brag sheets, and more in their take on how to get a start on the college admissions process during Covid. 

Ever hear that crazy story of how someone wins a ton of money for college? Even when they already have money and didn't qualify for financial aid? Or have you heard stories of how some families can't afford college because colleges didn't provide them enough money to attend? If so, you're in luck, because Anna and Mark will be chatting with Monica Matthews, the author of How to Win College Scholarships, to talk about how families can earn money for college through private scholarships. Monica Matthews is the author of How to Win College Scholarships. She helped her own sons win over $100,000 in college scholarships and now shares her expertise with other parents and their students. She truly has “been there, done that" in regards to helping families navigate the scholarship process. Her methods of helping students find college scholarships, write compelling essays, and create unique application packets have taught desperate parents to help their own students win thousands of scholarship dollars. Her scholarship tips have been featured in several publications such as U.S. News & World Report, The Huffington Post, and The Penny Hoarder. Monica has been dubbed The Scholarship Mom and "Go-To" expert on college scholarships. You can find her winning tips and scholarship blog at how2winscholarships.com.

It’s the holiday season…and there are always vacations and breaks. What to do, what to do? One of the most common questions consultants hear from students and parents is: “What should I do during vacation… you know, to look good on college applications?”Join Mark and Anna as they discuss how high school and college students can best utilize their breaks. While families often think they should attend a summer program or conduct research, etc, there are other options out there. Each of these experiences can be valuable—but so can painting a house, babysitting, publishing a blog, getting a j.o.b., learning an instrument, taking a bike apart, learning to sew, taking a daily walk, volunteering, speak (and think!) only in Spanish for a week, or becoming a street mime… can be just as valuable, when approached with the right mindset and two questions. Learn more in our newest episode.  

Join Mark and Anna as they speak with Mark Salisbury from TuitionFit to discuss something revolutionary - transparent college pricing. Learn about how TuitionFit helps students and their families feel empowered in college admissions and get the best value from college for free.Mark Salisbury started his career in higher education as a soccer coach in 1995. After a decade, he transitioned to admissions and then, after earning a PhD in higher education, became a researcher, director of institutional research and assessment, writer, and a consultant for colleges that wanted to get better at using data to improve student learning.

Join Mark and Anna as they speak with Michael B. Horn, one of the authors of Choosing College, as they discuss how to put students and families in the driver's seat of their future so that they understand why they want to go to school and make better decisions around the college admissions process.Michael Horn, the coauthor of the new book, Choosing College, is the chief strategy officer at the Entangled Group, an education venture studio, and the cofounder of the Clayton Christensen Institute, a nonprofit think tank. To learn more about Michael and check out his book, please visit https://michaelbhorn.com.You can purchase his book, Choosing College, on Amazon. 

Join Mark and Anna as they speak with Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Rob Kirkland of ROTC Consulting as they cover the benefits of joining ROTC in college (both monetary and not), how to apply for scholarships that help you afford college, the military expectations upon graduating, how you can earn 'free ride' including room and board, and more! 

Join Mark and Anna as they talk about what new college students should actually be thinking about and preparing for that are often glossed over or just missed in the conversation. This goes for parents too. Now that you've gotten off the roller coaster cycle of Find School, Apply to School, Get Accepted to School, Select School, Finish High School, Pack Up for College, Travel to College, Unpack and Prepare for Life in College cycle, here are some things you may have missed. Mark and Anna break down their top list of what to expect when starting college for the first time. Resources in this episode include: Shipbike.com

Join Mark and Anna as they speak with guest, Debbie Schwartz. Debbie Schwartz is a former financial services marketing executive with expertise in personal finance. She’s also a parent, with 3 children and has had the personal experience of navigating college admission and paying for it for her own children. From her experience with her oldest child, she knew families needed better information and tools to make smarter college decisions. To learn more about Road2College or join the Paying for College 101 Facebook group.

Ever wonder if playing sports makes a difference in college admissions? Or what type of sport? Or how good you have to be? Join Mark and Anna as they talk with Dr. Chris Siedem from Perfect College Match as they discuss what's important to focus on as it related to playing athletics in college, what the recruiting process is like and how to best present yourself as an athlete in college admissions. Learn more about Chris at http://perfectcollegematch.com/

Mark and Anna are excited to welcome Jessica Yeager from Dream College Summit back again to learn about what new insights are available for Dream College Summit 2019, including top trends, art schools, athletics, applying to STEM schools and more! Mark and Anna also grill Jessica on why she chose Harvard over MIT for her undergraduate degree. Make sure you get your free ticket to Dream College Summit happening in May 2019.

Educational consulting addresses many common issues of the application process; however, applications for students with learning disabilities and the schools that support them is an incredibly important – but often underrepresented and often misunderstood – area of educational consulting. Working with high school students applying to colleges requires an increasing number of steps and areas for consideration. However, schools that understand and support learning disabilities provide additional considerations, knowledge, experience and support for students are adds another dynamic to the application and admissions process. While college admission becomes even more complex some opportunities – like applying to specific departments – have become even more competitive, and students must consider learning environment and support with even greater intention. This includes finding the most supportive and understanding environment for each student’s academic needs. Join our guest, Lauren Gaylord, co-founder of G2 College in Seattle and is an advocate and educational consultant for students with learning differences as we talk about how students can make the most of learning differences in the college admissions process.

Join Mark and Anna as they co-host a special episode with Steve Schwartz from College Admissions Toolbox as they discuss the college admissions scandal, designing activities, and letting passion guide your way to the perfect resume! Learn more about College Admissions Toolbox at http://www.collegeadmissionstoolbox.com.

The college admissions scandal has stormed the media! While everyone enjoys a good scandal, join Mark and Anna as they offer perspective on the scandal but also true practices (for better or worse) in college admissions. While Mark and Anna chat about some of the issues associated with the college application and admissions process that have fallen from grace, more importantly, they are going to refocus on those components of the college application process that are most important in the evaluation of college applicants as well as the most important things to focus on when developing your application-and it doesn't require $500,000 or unethical actions.

With college loan debts increasing far beyond any healthy, logical, or sustainable level—approaching 1.6 Trillion dollars, and the average student accruing $37,000 of debt by graduation—the illogical and unsupported quest to pursue and attend only a handful of elite schools with less than 15% acceptance rates and COAs over $70,000 a year… may finally be in recession. Many students and parents are paying attention to the mounting research and overwhelming evidence that shows going into debt for undergraduate education is a bad long-term investment. Enter in the era of “ROI”! Join Mark and Anna as they explore the significance of return on investment in college selection.

Anna and Mark recently attended the IECA National Conference in sunny Los Angeles, California—and took over the house! Okay, maybe not so much as took over as rolled through. Join Mark and Anna as they give you the dirt that they received straight from admissions themselves and cut down on the stress as they discuss tours of LA schools, admissions thoughts on test scores and the factors that actually get you in vs. qualifying you.

Heading out for some school tours? From figuring out fit, culture, and where to find comfort food to demonstrating interest, learn how to make the most of campus visits as Anna and Mark cover questions to ask, what to look out for, what to do, and who to talk to.

As college applications and admissions becomes more competitive each year and the financial ramifications of choosing the right school is even more important and daunting… parents desperately recognize that preparing earlier is better than later. But how early is too early? Join Mark and Anna as they discuss when and how to start preparing for college admissions so that you are on track to deliver "what schools want."