College Bound Mentor

Passion projects are becoming a hot topic on student resumes. How important are they? In this first episode of Season 2, we welcome on special guest Dr. Liz Krider, the Founder & CEO of KSA Catalyst. She helps students (ages 14-24) find purpose through projects and internships - experiences that reveal their character to prospective colleges and employers. Hear how to find a passion project, examples of passion projects, why it helps to think local, the fine line between being persistent and being annoying, and why it's a good thing for college and your career to learn from failure. Connect with Liz at PassionProjects.net and on LinkedIn, and Subscribe to College Bound Mentor on your favorite podcast platform and learn more at CollegeBoundMentor.com

Waitlists are one of the most unpredictable parts of the college application process - and an area we get questions on all the time. This is especially relevant now, as it's been such a tough year for college waitlists. In this episode, you'll hear the ins and outs of waitlists, including whether you should express your continued interest, whether changing your major can help, and why patience is key. Subscribe to College Bound Mentor on your favorite podcast platform and learn more at CollegeBoundMentor.com

Engineering programs seemingly get more & more competitive every year. How do you land a spot in that dream engineering program - or maybe one that's an even better fit? In this episode, Lisa, Abby, and Stefanie break down the various pathways for pursuing engineering degrees. Hear how engineering works at larger public universities, how to get into an engineering school, what to expect from engineering at liberal art colleges, why applying to engineering programs is such a long process, and 3 case studies of aspiring engineering students. Subscribe to College Bound Mentor on your favorite podcast platform and learn more at CollegeBoundMentor.com

It's no surprise the college application process can have a big impact on your teen's mental health. On the bright side, there are plenty of things you can do as a parent to make sure they can handle anything. In this episode, we welcome on special guest Dr. Beth Watson, a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in treating children, adolescents, and adults suffering from depression or anxiety. She's an expert in both Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) & Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Hear why there's a lack of awareness around teen mental health & development, how to help your teens take care of their bodies & mental health, how to tell if a child is actually struggling with their mental health, the most stressful parts of the college application process, and the best ways to help your teen manage stress. Connect with Beth at BethWatsonPhD.com and on LinkedIn, and Subscribe to College Bound Mentor on your favorite podcast platform and learn more at CollegeBoundMentor.com

Summer experiences can really make your college application pop. In this episode, Lisa, Abby, and Stefanie reveal how to make the most of your summer with your college application in mind. Hear the variety of academic programs offered over the summer, how to find summer programs, why getting a summer job is one of the best things you can do, whether it's okay to keep going to summer camp, and how to focus on making your summers productive. Subscribe to College Bound Mentor on your favorite podcast platform and learn more at CollegeBoundMentor.com

How do you make the right class selections ahead of each year of high school? And how much will they actually impact your college application? In this episode, Lisa, Abby, and Stefanie talk everything you need to know when selecting classes for freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior year of high school. Hear which year should be the most challenging, how to find that balance between APs & electives, how long to continue taking a foreign language class, what to do if you don't know what you want to major in in college, and whether senioritis is worth it. Subscribe to College Bound Mentor on your favorite podcast platform and learn more at CollegeBoundMentor.com

The Early Action (EA) & Early Decision (ED) results are in. In this episode, Lisa, Abby, and Stefanie reveal the latest trends based on the results. Hear why you need a testing strategy, whether safety schools exist anymore, the most competitive majors, how campus culture is driving college decisions, and how ChatGPT is impacting college essays. Subscribe to College Bound Mentor on your favorite podcast platform and learn more at CollegeBoundMentor.com

There's a lot to consider when it comes to SAT & ACT accommodations. But, they can be well worth your time if they're relevant to you. In this episode, we welcome on special guest Jordan Schwartz, Founder & CEO of Green Light Education. He's been teaching the SAT, ACT, and LSAT since 2016 and manages a team of highly-skilled academic & test prep tutors. Hear whether you should apply for SAT & ACT accommodations, when to submit, the most common types of accommodations, ethical considerations when it comes to testing accommodations, and how the SAT compares to the ACT. Connect with Jordan on LinkedIn and at GreenLight.Education, check out his Accommodations Guides for the SAT, ACT, and LSAT, and Subscribe to College Bound Mentor on your favorite podcast platform and learn more at CollegeBoundMentor.com

Want to continue your athletic career into college? It can set the stage for the experience of a lifetime - or turn into a nightmare, if you're not careful. In this episode, we welcome on special guests Katie Andersen & Reid Meyer of The Student-Athlete Advisors. They're part of the team of experienced consultants, former coaches, and former student-athletes dedicated to providing personalized college prep guidance for student-athletes. Hear how athletic recruiting can affect your college experience, how to find the college that's right for you, how to proactively reach out to coaches, why it's important to remember you're more than just an athlete, and why athletic recruiting is a marathon, not a sprint. Connect with Katie & Reid on LinkedIn and at TheStudentAthleteAdvisors.com, and Subscribe to College Bound Mentor on your favorite podcast platform and learn more at CollegeBoundMentor.com

Now that Early Decision (ED) results are back - and students are either thrilled or disappointed - we wanted to look back at our first interview with a student, Zoe, who shares her experience not getting into her first choice Early Decision school. She reveals her feelings when she first got denied, why it was actually a blessing in disguise, and her advice to rising seniors. Subscribe to College Bound Mentor on your favorite podcast platform and learn more at CollegeBoundMentor.com

Applying for Medical School (aka Med School) is one of the most stressful times for future doctors. Is it possible to go that route while taking a non-traditional path? In this episode, we welcome on special guest Sam Goldman, who's a living case study of resilience & dedication. She's currently in the process of interviewing for med schools after starting her college career in Pre-Law at WashU (Washington University in St. Louis). Hear why she switched from Pre-Law to Pre-Med, the courses you have to take to get into med school, whether it's okay to retake the MCAT, the easiest & hardest parts of the med school application process, and the experiences that help out in med school interviews & application essays. Connect with Sam on LinkedIn, and Subscribe to College Bound Mentor on your favorite podcast platform and learn more at CollegeBoundMentor.com

Considering a military academy or ROTC? We have the answers to all your questions. In this episode, we welcome on special guest Lisa Hillhouse, an independent college and career advisor specializing in military service academies & ROTC. Hear the biggest differences between military academies & ROTC, what a day in the life is like for each, how to apply to military academies & ROTC, what the military looks for in high school students, and how parents can handle concerns about the military being so dangerous. Connect with Lisa at HillhouseCollegeAdvising.com, on LinkedIn, and check out her post Summer Programs for Prospective Military Officers, and subscribe to College Bound Mentor on your favorite podcast platform and learn more at CollegeBoundMentor.com

Financial aid can make a huge impact on your college potential & college experience. Want to find out all you need to know about financial aid? In this episode, we welcome on special guest Jeff Levy, Co-Founder of Big J Educational Consulting, who's been an educational consultant since 2007. Hear some myths and truths about financial aid, how to fill out the FAFSA application and CSS Profile, how financial aid is decided, the best places to find college scholarships, and the biggest mistakes families make when applying for financial aid. Check out Jeff's resources at BigJEducationalConsulting.com and connect with him on LinkedIn, and subscribe to College Bound Mentor on your favorite podcast platform and learn more at CollegeBoundMentor.com

Want to hear the latest trends in college admissions? In this episode, Lisa, Abby, and Stefanie share the webinar they presented on everything that's new with college admissions. Hear the biggest changes over the past year when it comes to college admissions, which schools are becoming harder to get into, how schools are using technology to assess students, new questions you might encounter in your college essays, and what you can do to increase your chances of getting into your favorite school. Subscribe to College Bound Mentor on your favorite podcast platform and learn more at CollegeBoundMentor.com

Considering going to law school or pursuing a career in law or public policy? This is the episode for you. We welcome on special guest Jenn Arnold, a “Double Wolverine” from the University of Michigan Law School and undergrad who now works in the Legislative Counsel for a member of the House of Representatives. Hear what to consider when looking at law schools, how to take care of your mental health in law school, the keys to success in law school and in your law career, he biggest myths and truths about law school, and why you should write down the main reason you went to law school in the first place. Connect with Jenn on LinkedIn, and subscribe to College Bound Mentor on your favorite podcast platform and learn more at CollegeBoundMentor.com

How do you stand out in college admissions? It all goes back to your college application. In this episode, Lisa, Abby, and Stefanie put together all the puzzle pieces that make up the college application puzzle. Hear the components of the college application, the most important component, whether to submit your test scores, how to handle letters of recommendation, and how specific colleges differ with their applications. Subscribe to College Bound Mentor on your favorite podcast platform and learn more at CollegeBoundMentor.com

Feeling safe and supported on a college campus is important for any student. For students in the LGBTQ+ community, it can be an even more important factor when deciding where to go to college. In this Part 2, Stefanie interviews a college student, Ben, about his experience being a member of the queer and Modern Orthodox Jewish community on a college campus. Hear his experience coming out, what went into his college decision, how to get the pulse of the straight people on campus, how to get involved on campus, and his advice to queer students just starting college. Subscribe to College Bound Mentor on your favorite podcast platform and learn more at CollegeBoundMentor.com

Heading off to college is one of the most exciting - and scary - moments in your life. We want to make sure you have all the helpful information you need to make your freshman year a slam dunk. In this episode, we interview a panel of college students who have survived freshman year at 3 different universities. Hear Nina, Lily, and Michael share the emotions they felt throughout their transition to college, how college life compares to what they expected, what to do if you feel homesick, the best ways to make friends, and the most surprising realizations about freshman year. Subscribe to College Bound Mentor on your favorite podcast platform and learn more at CollegeBoundMentor.com

Some of the trickiest essays to pin down on college applications are the Why College/Why Academic Interest essays. In the first part of this episode, we share why these essays are frustrating, the format of these essays, and how to write them. We then welcome on special guest Lisa Marker-Robbins, Founder of Flourish Coaching, who's helped over 4,000 high school students and young adults gain the insight, experiences, and confidence they need to successfully embark on their post-high school path. She busts some myths about the Why College/Why Academic Interest essays, reveals some findings of her study of the Top 50 public universities and their admissions practices, and shares her best advice for students who truly don't know what to major in. Get Lisa's resources at FlourishCoachingCo.com/Majors and check out her College and Career Clarity podcast, and subscribe to College Bound Mentor on your favorite podcast platform and learn more at CollegeBoundMentor.com

You can use a special talent like dancing, singing, or acting to your advantage to help stand out in college admissions. In the first part of this episode, we break down why special talents are helpful, how an Arts Supplement works, and how to frame your application. We then feature an interview with a college student, Brandon, who shares his experience bringing his incredible dance background to college. Hear how to stand out with your application, how special talents programs differ between schools, and whether to pursue a BA or BFA. Subscribe to College Bound Mentor on your favorite podcast platform and learn more at CollegeBoundMentor.com

Grades are going up, and standardized test scores are going down. How should we handle this as students and parents? In this episode, we welcome special guest Dr. Jed Applerouth to talk all things grade inflation and standardized testing. Jed is a teacher, educational innovator, and the Founder and President of Applerouth, an expert college admissions tutoring business. Hear how grades and standardized tests have changed in recent years, what to think of colleges who say they're test-optional, how many times you should take standardized tests, how to manage anxiety during standardized tests, and how to prepare for standardized tests. Learn more about Jed at Applerouth.com and on LinkedIn, and subscribe to College Bound Mentor on your favorite podcast platform and learn more at CollegeBoundMentor.com

Feeling safe and supported on a college campus is important for any student. For students in the LGBTQ+ community, it can be an even more important factor when deciding where to go to college. In this Part 1, we interview a panel of college students and recent alums about their experience finding a queer-friendly college. Hear the red flags and positives that stand out at different colleges when it comes to being inclusive, how to research queer-friendly colleges, how to get involved in queer-friendly groups on campus, whether to share your story in your Personal Statement, and their advice to queer students starting their college journeys. Subscribe to College Bound Mentor on your favorite podcast platform and learn more at CollegeBoundMentor.com

Transitioning from high school to college is one of the biggest changes in a student's life. And that can be incredibly intimidating - for both students and parents. In this episode, we welcome special guest Dr. Andrea Malkin Brenner to make sure students and parents have the smoothest transition to college possible. Andrea has 25 years of experience as a college professor and university administrator, is the Co-Author of How to College: What to Know Before You Go (and When You're There), and is the creator of the Talking College card decks. Hear the biggest differences between high school and college, the opportunity to reinvent yourself, how to develop independence as a college student, how to leverage the helpful resources available on campus, and how to decide what students and parents should each pay for. Learn more about Andrea at TalkingCollege.com and AMBrenner.com, and subscribe to College Bound Mentor on your favorite podcast platform and learn more at CollegeBoundMentor.com

There are lots and lots of myths about the Personal Statement. What should you actually believe? In the first part of this episode, we detail what a Personal Statement is, how to choose a topic to write about, and how to be yourself. We then feature an interview with a student, Alexandra, who shares her experience writing a stellar Personal Statement. Hear how she chose between 2 very different essay topics, how to showcase your skills in your essays, and her advice for fellow students as they approach their Personal Statement. Subscribe to College Bound Mentor on your favorite podcast platform and learn more at CollegeBoundMentor.com

Early Decision (ED) and Early Action (EA) are two of the biggest considerations when applying to college. In the first part of this episode, we break down what Early Decision and Early Action are, the different types of each, and restrictions on each. We then feature our first interview with a student, Zoe, who shares her experience not getting into her first choice Early Decision school. She reveals her feelings when she first got denied, why it was actually a blessing in disguise, and her advice to rising seniors. Subscribe to College Bound Mentor on your favorite podcast platform and learn more at CollegeBoundMentor.com

Waitlists are one of the most unpredictable parts of the college application process - and an area we get questions on all the time. In the first half of this episode, you'll hear the ins and outs of waitlists, including how waitlists work, how schools differ by their waitlists, and how to write a letter of continued interest. In the second half of this episode, you'll hear our first Case Study: Jack for The University of Michigan's Ross School of Business. There, you'll learn the most unique aspects of the Michigan application and how to paint an appealing picture with your extracurricular activities and charity work. Note: starting for 2025, students applying to Ross must apply as a direct admit rather than a preferred admit. Subscribe to College Bound Mentor on your favorite podcast platform and learn more at CollegeBoundMentor.com

Welcome to College Bound Mentor! Lisa, Abby, and Stefanie know college. They also know students. With over 30 years combined experience mentoring young people, they'll show you why understanding yourself is the key to finding the right college. In this pilot episode, you'll hear what to expect from this podcast going forward, the most surprising trends of the 2024 college admissions season, how the Co-Hosts will approach next year differently, their advice for students as they begin the college application process, and some of the most impressive resume boosters they've seen. Subscribe to College Bound Mentor on your favorite podcast platform and learn more at CollegeBoundMentor.com