College Prep Confidential

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Empowering college bound students and their parents with the elite tools they need to get accepted to their dream university. Discover test taking blueprints from Ivy League professionals, financial aid secrets to get more money for school, and mindset tips for a better college future.

Don Sevcik


    • Apr 18, 2022 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 17m AVG DURATION
    • 42 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from College Prep Confidential

    3 Interview Red Flags

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2022 11:15


    Welcome to the hottest job market in recorded history. That means big money and big perks for college students looking for jobs. Before you accept a job or take an interview, avoid any company that does these 3 interview red flags like the plague.

    The Positive Feedback Loop

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2022 8:34


    Watch as John goes transforms social anxiety, a fat body, and a low self esteem into a completely different person. And it's all thanks to a mental model called the positive feedback loop.

    The Hidden Reason We Choose Expensive Colleges

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2022 8:47


    In this episode, we talk about the real reason, not the reason parents and students tell others, of why we choose expensive colleges. We also talk about each college having an intrinsic value based on this hidden reason, and how YOU can use it to your advantage.

    CPC Episode #39 - You v2

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2022 8:24


    Treat your life improvements like a computer upgrade. What to do and what not to do when leveling up your life. Use this 2 column list to transform your college experience and your life.

    Interview Dominance with Rishav Khanal

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2021 54:15


    This week, our guest is Rishav Khanal, who is a bestselling author and founder of Compound Career, where he helps college students and recent graduates develop the career readiness skills to break into competitive job market. In this episode, we discuss:   Networking secrets from somebody who's landed jobs at Under Armour and LinkedIn Revealed: The 3 tier structure Rishav uses to guarantee a job interview and offer Discover how Rishav's secret sauce process helped a Jimmy John's employee land a dream job with Robert Hrjavec from Shark Tank And, as a special deal for our audience for recent college grads, here's the link: https://bit.ly/CompoundCareer1

    CPC Episode #37 - Become a Connection Magnet

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 20, 2021 17:27


    Your network is your net worth. And in this episode, we'll reveal the secrets behind a top 1% networker on LinkedIn with tips like: The unknown area of LinkedIn where you can explode your network One of the best places to get LinkedIn connections outside of LinkedIn 3 types of authenticity which make people want to network with you Why people really connect with you on LinkedIn

    CPC Episode #36 - Is College Worth It?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2021 12:52


    We're talking about the 4 word question every student should ask themselves before ever stepping foot in a college. To find the answer to the question, we've got tips like: Other lucrative options besides going to college The 2 Column Test every student should do before going to college Why you should measure this "cost" before ever going to college

    CPC Episode #35 - 3 Magic Interview Questions To Make Them Beg You To Take The Job

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 6, 2021 14:34


    No matter where you work or what you do in life, you will interview. In this episode, I'm revealing interviewing secrets from 25 years in the corporate world like: 3 questions to ask the interviewer to give you an unfair advantage for job interviews How to become an interview detective where the interviewer tells you HOW to get the job The 2 types of interview personalities, and how to talk to them to instantly bond  

    CPC Episode #34 - When Will I Ever Use Math in the Real World?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2021 10:54


    Get the real answer to the most asked question for any student or parent who's ever taken math. Discover things like: The one thing math class gives you which will change your life Which jobs which pay over 150,000, if you have the right math skills Why anxiety and pressure from math class give you an unfair advantage in the real world

    CPC Episode #33 - Think Like Elon Musk with These Models

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 23, 2021 13:42


    What if you could install part of Elon Musk's brain into your brain? How would that change your life? In this episode, we're covering thinking tips like: Why modeling will explode test scores and get you job interviews What bear attacks teach you about succeeding in life To achieve your goals, ignore the goal and focus on this instead. What is congruence and why your social media profile may be hurting your college and job prospects What a chain link reveals about failing college prep exams

    CPC Episode #32 - Transform a Crappy College Essay into a Masterpiece with This One Skill

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2021 16:05


    Are you a bad writer? An average writer? Here's how to transform yourself into a keyboard killer using one skill.  The one book you can read in 2 days which will transform your writing into greased lighting Use this free tool to tighten up your college essay The one skill needed to upgrade a boring college essay into something college advisors can't put down The one thing you want your writing to trigger inside the college advisor's body    

    CPC Episode #31 - Attack Anxiety Using Temporal Tricks

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 2, 2019 25:39


    Anxiety is a national nuisance. Can your interpretation of time affect anxiety? Yes, and you'll discover nuggets like: 6 steps to evaporate anxiety Use this time trick to reduce anxiety The two saddest words in the English language How the Power of One can help you conquer your task list and reduce anxiety

    CPC Episode #30 - Transform Your Life With This Equation

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2019 31:00


    Can one equation really transform your life? Yes, and you'll discover how with insights like: Why effort means nothing...and what to focus on instead Most of what you do all day is useless. Here's why. Ditch linear thinking. Embrace this type of thinking instead How to do college prep on easy mode Why y = cx^b is one of the most important equations in your life. Learn it and unlock the secret to success with less effort

    CPC Episode #29 - Varsity Blues Scandal and the Most Important Skill To Learn In College

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2019 19:24


    Are you disgusted yet? The Varsity Blues scandal has people questioning if college selection is rigged. The scandal teaches us a valuable lesson for those of us who follow the rules like: Why college reputations are in the toilet right now and how to capitalize on it What skill you should master from the Varsity Blues scandal 3 steps to building your social circle and reach One book you must read to build your empire

    CPC Episode #28 - Fortune Favors the Bold: Solving Unsolvable Problems

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2019 13:51


    Society loves to tell us what to think. If you listen, you limit yourself. Instead, seek greatness by discovering: What Alexander the Great teaches you about solving the unsolvable The One Trait the Best People In Each Industry Share Why Being Unreasonable is a Good Thing The 3 Step Formula to Being Unreasonable 3 Traits of the Best Problem Solvers

    CPC Episode #27 - What a Gunslinging Shrimp Can Teach You About Turning Weaknesses Into Strengths

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 4, 2019 16:29


    Can you really turn liabilities and shortcomings into advantages? Yes, and you'll discover how with tidbits like: The 3-step checklist to turn weaknesses into strengths The 3-part inventory to measure strengths, weaknesses, and transformations Why failure is not the end, but rather a new beginning Why adversity helps you get stronger

    CPC Episode #26 - 10 Steps to Choosing the Right College

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2019 13:33


    How would you like 10 easy steps to choose the right college? If so, then check out:  The time travel method to see if your chose your college wisely What Neopolitan ice cream can teach you about choosing the right colleges Why looking to the future helps you choose the right college now How alumni groups set you up for killer job offers and powerful connections

    CPC Episode #25 - Now Is The Time To Stick It In... Nice and Deep

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2019 19:06


    The recent college ruling rains down manna from heaven. Get the details such as: Why the new ruling turns you into a free agent How to earn college financial aid even after you've accepted a college offer The new negotiation rules you have in your favor as a college bound student Why applying to more colleges will flood you with more financial aid offers Why the government is now your biggest ally to negotiate financial aid

    CPC Episode #24 - Treating Students as Stocks

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2019 16:50


    A new rival to student loans has arrived. Discover: The wild new college aid financing idea The marketplace where investors have an "educational draft" How to get unemployment insurance against a student loan The advantages and disadvantages of letting investors "finance" your college tuition The list of colleges and universities offering this "odd" new financing Why high salary earners might hate this new financing method

    CPC Episode #23 - Do This ONE Thing On Your College Essay In 8 Seconds Or Else

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2019 17:19


    College essay competition is fierce. Discover how to get your essay read with tricks like: The one sentence which makes or breaks your college essay Use this trick to jolt the brain out of slumber mode 6 ways Readers Digest hooks millions of readers The only 2 purposes of your college essay opening Burying this one piece of your college essay ensures your essay's funeral

    CPC Episode #22 - Do You Make These Financial Aid Mistakes?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2019 15:38


    Sometimes, slowing down helps you go faster. And we'll cover how to avoid financial aid blunders with tips like: 14 mistakes which will cost you thousands in financial aid Don't fill out the FAFSA until you have these items How to speed up your financial aid report Why the FAFSA response is not guaranteed financial aid The magic number to call to get $250 worth of free college financial aid advice

    CPC Episode #21 - Crush College Exams Using This 100 Million Year Old Trick

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2019 14:30


    In this episode, we'll transform your mind into a thermostat for success with tips like: How to take your exam temperature Why there's no such thing as failure. What it is instead What Angry Bees Can Teach You About Improving 7 questions to ask after you attempt anything 3 categories expert learners use to group concepts

    CPC Episode #20 - Desperation Is The World's Worst Cologne

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2019 15:08


    This episode is dedicated to giving you negotiation power with tips like: Why you should treat college choices like dating and jobs The 7 letter word which guarantees you more financial aid Do this one thing if you like giving away all your power How to flip a coin where you win with Heads or Tails The 3 positions in any negotiation, and which one you should always strive for

    CPC Episode #19 - Secret of the 3 Sisters

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2019 16:32


    Want to power up your brain? Then check out the learning habits of Elon Musk, Bill Gates, and Oprah with nuggets like: Dilbert Creator's guide to multiplying your talents The learning habit of great minds like Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Davinci Rewire your brain to be smarter with this one trick The 3 traits of the top 5% of exam takers

    CPC Episode #18 - Why Phone Numbers Have Dashes And the Secret to a Steel Trap Memory

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 2, 2019 20:18


    Memory experts cite one special technique for their skill. In this episode, I'll reveal... What you can learn about memory from a carpet company phone number song Crush your college prep exams with this memory expert pyramid trick The one question to ask to determine if a student likes big picture learning or nitty gritty details Why you should start with a conclusion and work backwards for better memory Our 2 memories, and which one you need to optimize to memorize faster

    CPC Episode #17 - The Most Important College Recruitment Photo You Will Ever Take

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2019 19:14


    College Recruiters research your social media. To reel them in and get attention, optimize this photo on LinkedIn with tips like: Discover the most important social media photo you will ever take for college prep 3 traits college recruiters judge your LinkedIn photo on Learn what the squinch is, and how it magnetically attracts more college attention Wear these clothes to get more social media connections Where to "field test" your social media photos to optimize your connections

    CPC Episode #16 - Stop College Admissions Officers Dead In Their Tracks With This Tabloid Trick

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2019 19:11


    We're dissecting Tabloid Magazines and the powerful writing lessons they give such as: What are the 4 U's, and why using them will make your college essay irresistible to read Why writing out tabloids will make your college essay magnetic Build this personal "library" of headlines to improve your college essay title skill What this 1928 book reveals about the most important part of your college essay How hacking the lizard brain glues college admissions officers to your college essay

    CPC Episode #15 - 7 Math Brain Filters

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2019 18:42


    2 people can see the exact same math problem, but interpret it completely different. This is because we all use brain filters. And in this episode, we'll reveal: 7 ways we see the world, and how it affects math The magic about thinking about thinking Top frustrations about math, and what to do about them What the 3 Rectangles Test reveals about your brain organization Who really determines when your successful in math Wants versus Have Tos - Which One Are You?

    CPC Episode #14 - Access Forbidden Knowledge From an $80 Cup of Cat Poop

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2019 13:14


    I bet you never thought you'd find deep lessons inside cat turds, did you? Well you will, in Episode 14, with nuggets like: What experts do instead of work hard What cat poop coffee can teach you about opportunity spotting Learn how farmers got around an obstacle to discover "beans of gold" How you can get $250 of college prep advice, free Use this Tony Robbins "cloning" process to shrink your exam learning curve Expert ACT and SAT consultants charge $150 per hour. Find out how you can get their knowledge for a fraction of the cost

    CPC Episode #13 - Lord of the Flings

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2019 15:01


    Are you turning your brain into mush with this one behavior? Discover the diagnosis and cure with tips like: Why checking your social media feed makes you dumber Want to relieve stress? Stop jumping between tasks What multi-taskers have in common with drug addicts Eradicate brain-drain by eliminating this one habit Napoleon's 8 word quote on focus will remove uncertainty from your life What you have in common with the Prancing Pony Get laser focus using the "Tomato Technique"

    CPC Episode #12 - It's There If You Know Where To Look

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2019 13:23


    This week, we're tapping the power of "the search", and how it gives you laser focus for your college prep journey and beyond with insights like: What Patrick Swayze can teach you about learning Why you'll find anything you want with the right search Why you have two identities, and which one you need to feed to improve your life Study these two wrestling celestial bodies to resolve your inner conflicts Why breaking out of your routine helps you find breakthroughs

    CPC Episode #11 - What the U.S. Navy and a $2,500 Flash Drive Can Show You About Getting College Advisors Eyeballs Glued to your Essay

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2019 17:18


    College Essays can make or break your college prep. Discover how to make your writing pull in college advisors with tips like: What this U.S. Navy Test can show you about clear writing What type of writing makes people trust you more Why big words equal headaches  What pouring grease down a slide will teach you about better writing Why this multi-million dollar writer forces his employees to write for 7th graders How to Channel Ernest Hemingway for Free Writing Secrets From a $2,500 Flash Drive

    CPC Episode #10 - Don't Apply To College Until You Jot These 3 Letters Down

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2019 13:39


    College Prep can be grueling. You need help, and this episode will show you how with tips like: The 3 letter word which simplifies college prep Carry this piece of paper around and read it twice a day to visualize your college prep goals What monks can teach you about college prep The 2 reasons people give for doing anything. One is a lie, the other is truth Ask these 5 questions to avoid lying to yourself 2 success secrets a billionaire revealed to reduce college prep time

    CPC Episode #9 - Optimize your memory using this invention by "Napoleon's Scientist"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2019 14:31


    Want to build a memory like a steel trap for your ACT and SAT exams? Then let's pull back the curtain to reveal tips like... A form of handwriting, popularized by old ladies, which earned higher SAT scores A device to turn on the light switch in your brain Record your thoughts using this device to get smarter How a power outage improves your memory Eliminate distractions using this "guided missile" brain bundle technology What a 4 year old can show you about learning acceleration Where to get concentrated notes prepared by ACT and SAT experts for pocket change

    CPC Episode #8 - Is the Key To Exam Dominance Hiding Inside These Russian Dolls?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2019 12:19


    In this episode, we're tapping into Russian culture, wind currents, and horse racing to reveal: What these wooden Russian Dolls reveal about expert test preparation The key difference in this 3-tier horse racing structure between amateur and expert ACT and SAT Test takers How peeling an onion can make you smarter What testing experts remove with each study session What an air current can teach you about better study habits How $1 can get you a 150 point increase on your SAT exams What's even better than solving an ACT or SAT problem

    CPC Episode #7 - Warren Buffett’s College Prep Strategy: Seek Stupidity to Get Smarter

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2019 14:43


    In Episode 7, we'll channel Warren Buffet’s Seek Stupidity to Get Smarter trick to help you conquer college prep. You'll discover: Use these models to avoid college prep mistakes Use this lens when looking at the world Don't take any exam before you look for this 8 letter word Improve test scores by writing this obituary Why seeking stupidity makes you smarter Think backwards to move forwards Ask yourself this two letter question to avoid exam failures Avoid this to find this The Graham Quiz - Warren Buffet took this quiz and what he learned can improve your college prep scores  Avoid college prep failure by watching this Brad Pitt Movie The most dangerous person in the room when you take ACT and SAT exams

    CPC Episode #6 - Alien Invasions and Electrical Insulators Reveal Clues To Better College Test Scores

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2019 20:18


    In Episode 6, we're digging deep into learning mastery tips for College Prep Exams including: The fatty electrical insulation sheath you can strengthen through "mental weight lifting" to get better test scores Tom Cruise used this technique in the movies to get smarter. You'll find it on CD players These little blobs in cookies show you how to structure your study sessions The only type of practice to improve your skills. Miss this, and you reduce your potential on college prep exams How this "weird" soccer game holds the key to quicker learning Why the best musicians in the world ripped up their music sheets during practice Learning maximization using the "Go Slower to Go Faster" Technique How and where to "download" an Ivy Leaguer's Exam Experts Brain

    CPC Episode #5 - Financial Time Machine Earns you $87,050 over 10 years if you avoid THIS 4 Letter Word

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2019 19:33


    In this episode, I'll reveal: The 4 letter mistake millions of college prep parents make The College Prep Decision worth $87,050 What is a financial time machine, and how it saves you money The most valuable commodity in life - Learn this, and you'll master College Prep What billionaire investors and a Nobel Prize Winning scientists call the most powerful force in the universe. Use this to pocket more cash for College Prep Discover the free resource to extract more financial aid from colleges

    CPC Episode #4 - Discover How To Use Financial Aid Alchemy To Boost Your Financial Aid Package

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2019 22:42


    In Episode 4, we cover the secret of Financial Aid Alchemy, and how you can move, or reclassify your assets and income to get more financial aid. You'll discover: What financial aid alchemy is, and how one family used it to get $30,000 in additional financial aid The Financial Need Equation, and what lever you can pull to get more money by lowering this 3 letter number How lowering this 3 letter acronym raises your financial aid eligibility How To Make Income and Assets "vanish", raising your financial aid yield What you can learn from magicians to increase financial aid What the base year is...and why lowering your income in this year increases financial aid What number to reduce which is 8 times more effective than any other number to getting more financial aid Avoid these artificial increases in income, and the government will give you more money The two types of assets. Skip this, and you'll leave thousands on the table for financial aid The Mother Bird Secret to getting more money from colleges 7 states which will give you more money just by winning this "race"

    CPC Show Episode #3 - Canadian Game Show Hosts Discovers The Key to Test Taking Mastery from Addition By Subtraction

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2019 18:28


    In this episode you'll discover a test taking secret expert test takers use. The secret comes from combining a Canadian Game Show Host's problem and neuroscience. In this episode, you'll discover: The Power of Addition By Subtraction to get better test scores How Eliminating What Could Never Be Earns You Better Test Scores The 3 Step Guessing Recipe to Immediately Increase Your Guessing Power Discover the power of opposites, and how it helps clarifies correct answers on exams What a "brain tax" is, and how to reduce it to have more vitality on exams Shrink this "space", and get better test scores For parents of college bound students, check out your free training to extract more financial aid from schools and simplify the college prep process at cpcshow.com.

    CPC Episode #2 - These 3 Letters Will Have Colleges Eating Out of the Palm Of Your Hand

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2019 34:51


    In episode #2, we cover the 3 letters you can use to have colleges eating out of the palm of your hand. We show you how you can use these 3 letters like businesses do to. A These 3 letters turned FedEx into a multi-billion dollar force These 3 letters transformed Dominos pizza to a nationally recognized name And these 3 letters turned a simply candy into a multi-billion dollar empire These 3 letters will have colleges lining up to give you money You'll also learn the 2 sales made for college prep, and how you can take advantage of both of them. When you make the first sale, you'll discover: The one thing you can do with colleges to get them to stand up and pay more attention to you How to make your college application jump out of the pile Social media tips to move to the front of the line in college admission officer searches 3 questions to ask to make colleges pay extra attention to you The power of "squinching", and why it makes college admission officers think you're more intelligent Why chewing gum gets you more social media followers, including college employees

    CPC Episode #1 - You Are The Prize

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2019 13:26


    In this pilot episode for the College Prep Confidential podcast, we show college bound students and parents of college bound students how to take advantages and get more money. We'll cover: How enrollment shortfalls can be used to get you more financial aid The one thing you need which forces colleges to compete over you by offering you more financial aid Why getting your grades in the top 25% helps you get more financial aid The power of Social Proof, and why colleges use this to determine your value Show this piece of paper to a college to get additional financial aid considerations How the "Curse of One" evaporates your financial aid options Negotiation tactics to extract more financial aid into your pocket   

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