On To College Podcast (Formerly John Baylor Prep)

Summer is the time to create student passion. Here’s how-- without spending much. The Gender Gap is Real. Here’s one reason girls outperform boys in school. The Gap Year— a great strategy for students seeking their passion before starting college.

What is the biggest concern for families and students? Debt. Don’t let it happen to you. Is College Too Expensive? Some say yes. We say, “Only for uninformed college shoppers." College should not created indebtedness— it should create financial freedom. Here’s how.

7 Ways Parents Can Get Ready for College & where to find those scholarships. 4 Ways to maximize scholarships. Don’t be confused. How to calculate that financial aid offer.

Lessons learned by this year’s seniors— don’t do this if you’re applying to colleges and on a budget. Merit aid is rare if you apply to schools on the East or West Coast. Plus, Midwest Colleges cost less. Where can you find merit-based aid (think midwest)?  And an elite engineering college for under $20k a year: The Webb Institute.

20% of U.S. States have an average ACT score below 20.0. It’s not intelligence-- it’s effort. Let’s attack student apathy. Here’s how to attack student apathy at home and in schools, & OTC’s 3 keys to getting into a selective college: have a productive passion, write about it well, have your recommendations cover it. An affordable, strong, Big Ten University: Nebraska. And how driverless cars make a two-or four-year degree more important than ever: don’t get scared, get prepared.

Becoming a two or four-year college grad with minimal debt is a choice,  Yes, it’s feasible and critical. Yes you CAN negotiate that college offer. Here’s how. The 4 keys to successful college negotiations: prepare, determine your annual budget, have leverage, respectfully negotiate a lower net cost.

Screenagers— half admit to being addicted. Parents-- we all need to put the the screens away and connect daily with our children— not just to help them attain a degree but to attain so much more. Two strategies for unfocused high school seniors: an 18-month culinary arts degree (eating isn’t going out of style), a 12 week computer coding camp (but buyer beware), ... Walk and talk— how to reinforce what matters with your children (to combat our screen culture)

Hate Mail— JB responds to a skeptical student. How does answering ACT questions help create two- and four- year college graduates with minimal debt? Graduating with minimal debt is a choice. Don’t add (more than $5k a year) to the $1.4 trillion in student loan debt. Don’t become a debt slave. Yikes! The Summer Melt— the percentage of HS seniors enrolled in college, who never show up in the fall— is up to 20%. Here are some antidotes.

This scandal illustrates why 2 and 4-year college graduation rates should be a key metric for assessing school districts. Hint: they aren't. Spring game plan for HS sophomores, juniors, and seniors: what matters and what tests to take and when. More value colleges: affordable quality— Central Michigan, SW MN State, Chadron State, Peru State, & Wayne State

Civil Unrest Imminent, so claims a U.S. Presidential Candidate. The reason: AI. Students: be prepared, not scared. Examples of how to best choose extra-curriculars: the power of music. Graduating from HS early: many do it wrong, but here’s how to do it right.

Two skills that double the likelihood of college graduation, according to a 19-year study. Curb the college dropout rate: Top ten list for Freshmen Year Success in College. Don’t become a debt slave: another value college debunks the myth that college has to be pricey and debt-filled-- Missouri State.

Another myth: certain test dates mean higher ACT or SAT scores. When it makes sense to take both the ACT & SAT. Two colleges for under $10k a year: Berea College and College of the Ozarks.

Why we can expect more from Middle School— so students can avoid the high school expectation ‘cliff' Grit, Impulse Control, & Finding Productive Passions— three goals when doing Middle School and beyond A 51% college drop out rate— specific strategies to avoid being a college casualty

Seniors- Yes, there’s still time to get to the right, affordable college next fall. Here’s how. Seniors- Here are two of so many examples of affordable four-year colleges still available to you: Dakota Wesleyan and Dakota State. Juniors- The journey begins. Here’s the simple game plan for winning the college admissions game over the next twelve months

The reason qualified applicants often don’t get into their top selective college: the essay. Here’s how to write a better one. How the online ACT differs from the paper ACT test. Rural Ohio high schools demonstrate that expecting college graduation from all students improves all academic outcomes— quickly. Check out Reaching Higher, John’s book on this very topic at OnToCollege.com.

JB met these great restaurant waiters, hard-working high school students who need to realize that they have more affordable options than community colleges. 529 College Savings Plans— the good and the bad. Get started early. Another great college saving vehicle: Roth IRAs. Use both— Roths and 529s.

Know your college’s CDR— don’t dare join the 11%! CDR: a critical measure to know before saying YES to any college. Tough love— all parents need to have the Money Talk with their teens. Here’s how. Good and bad U.S. News Study Tips and The Canadian Options— excellent colleges up north for less than $30k per year.

Timely To-Do List for High School Seniors. Take care of these tasks ASAP. The Secretary of Education wants to celebrate two-year colleges. It’s about time. Three Ohio Colleges I love: Ohio Wesleyan, Denison, and Wooster— each a New England Liberal Arts Education for just 1/2 or 2/3 the price.

Seniors— tactics now to avoid remedial classes next year. 529 College Saving Plans— why you should join the 14% of families who use them to pay for college. Robots are pushing out lower level jobs, a key reason why two- and four-year degrees with minimal debt are so critical.

How the Automation Revolution dramatically increases the relevance of school. Nathan Hunt, an automation consultant, talks with JB Automation— don’t get scared, get prepared. Automation increases the need for education. Automation is only Step 1 towards AI, which will make education even more important for our students.

How to market that athletic skill into a full scholarship— especially Olympic, non-revenue sport athletes The uncommon athletic skill that gets boys a full scholarship (this may amaze you), and another great value college: Hastings College. Listen to CEOs— the liberal arts major is highly valued and, ultimately, well paid.

The Evidence is in: Smart Phones are an Enemy to Learning. What schools and parent now might do. A value college that graduates students on time with a transformative degree: Nebraska Wesleyan One reason to apply to at least seven colleges: smaller schools, like Nebraska Wesleyan, often have discretion to increase aid offers and lower the family’s cost.

Stories of real students who became savvy college shoppers and got their reward: the right college at the right price Is your high school senior indecisive? Here are two great, affordable strategies for him or her. Ten more affordable colleges for non-residents, further debunking the myth that four-year colleges have to cost too much.

Trucks are Bucks— how materialism makes college less affordable. Let’s persuade students to put off big expenses until they have that degree. Debunk the myth that college is too pricey— let naive college shoppers believe that. Three key strategies to graduate with minimal or no debt. A value college for under $16,500 a year— Bemidji State. And what JB’s high school senior daughter has done and has yet to do in her college admissions journey.

How a family saved tens of thousands on college thanks to about 14 hours of their son’s effort: Morningside College— a great value. This is Money— best value colleges from under $35k to under $10k per year. Ohio Wesleyan, MST, Nebraska Wesleyan, SD School of the Mines, AL- Huntsville, SEMO State. Enough of the misinformation— Why Community College-bound students need to prepare for and take the ACT or SAT.

New name, same mission! Formerly John Baylor Prep Show. Segment 1 - The college conversation to have with your students beginning in sixth grade Segment 2 - Have this college conversation with your students beginning in grade school Segment 3 - A Division 2 university for under $15k a year, possibly under $11k a year: Southern Arkansas State

OnToCollege Show (Formerly John Baylor Prep Show). New name, same mission. Provide information to help get into the best college with minimal debt! Segment 1: The college conversation to have with your students beginning in sixth grade Segment 2: Have this college conversation with your students beginning in grade school Segment 3: A Division 1 university for under $15k a year, possibly under $11k a year: Southern Miss

Segment 1: $11k Paves The Way— a key precondition for getting the right college degree with minimal debt Segment 2: Some of JB’s best value colleges in price ranges above $50k a year. Segment 3: Some of JB’s best value colleges in price ranges below $50k a year, many below $20k a year. Get these on your list.

OnToCollege Show (Formerly John Baylor Prep Show). New name, same mission. Provide information to help get into the best college with minimal debt! Segment 1: The Author of Screw College Debt, Marco LeRoc, shares insider tips for getting the degree without debt- part 1 Segment 2: The Author of Screw College Debt, Marco LeRoc, shares insider tips for getting the degree without debt- part 2 Segment 3: The Author of Screw College Debt, Marco LeRoc, shares insider tips for getting the degree without debt- part 3

OnToCollege Show, new name, same great info! (Formerly John Baylor Prep). Segment 1: 58% of Republicans say colleges and universities are having a negative impact on the country. We disagree. Here’s why. Segment 2:The $11k Rule (11KR)— the key to making college affordable. Segment 3: America’s Most Affordable Colleges— the new OTC book is out. Graduating with minimal debt is a choice.

OnToCollege Show, new name, same great info! (Formerly John Baylor Prep). Segment 1: Have select teams ruined youth sports? A game plan for parents. Segment 2: Have select teams ruined youth sports? A game plan for parents- part 2. Segment 3: An Oklahoma State student living the OTC plan— on track to graduate debt free. Mary Kurzweil shows how to win scholarship money after you get to college.

OnToCollege Show, new name, same great info! (Formerly John Baylor Prep). Segment 1: Three simple strategies to succeed in college. Professor Shane Farritor shares twenty years of experience observing do’s and don’ts. Segment 2: Three simple strategies to succeed in college- Part 2. Professor Shane Farritor shares twenty years of experience observing do’s and don’ts. Segment 3: Figure out how you can be special: Dr. Farritor’s strategies for success in a world with automation and outsourcing.

OnToCollege Show, new name, same great info! (Formerly John Baylor Prep). Segment 1- A list of Affordable 4-year colleges from OTC’s updated America's Most America’s Affordable Colleges book for this coming year. Segment 2- The real risks of letting screens raise your children. Segment 3- Final summer strategies for improving your children’s fall semester.

New name, same mission! Formerly John Baylor Prep Show. Segment 1 - Make sure you know when to take SAT or ACT tests, especially if applying to select institutions! Segment 2 - Criteria for highly selective colleges and other things to help your application. Segment 3 - Standardized tests for college students that are measuring colleges' success!

John Baylor Prep is now OnToCollege.com! Segment 1 - JohnBaylorPrep.com is now OnToCollege.com! New name, same mission! Segment 2 - Here is a secret, you do not have to pay sticker price when you go to a college! Segment 3 - You've selected your college, now find out how to get the best price!

Session 1: Why the stakes for creating college graduates are so high. Session 2: Don’t misuse this summer— strategies for creating your children’s most productive summer. Session 3: Don’t misuse this summer— strategies for creating your children’s most productive summer (Part 2).

Session 1: Summer: a great time for the Money Talk with your high school children. Session 2: Summer: a great time for the Money Talk and finalizing the college list for your rising high school senior. Session 3: High School Jobs— great experience for life, but don’t earn too much.

Segment 1 - 5 ACT Myths – Don’t fall for them! (Part 1) Segment 2 – 5 ACT Myths – Don’t fall for them! (Part 2) Segment 3 – Write your perfect essay in 5 easy steps.

Session 1: How tragic it is that so many families think college is unaffordable. Session 2: Looking for more scholarships? Here are some great, free websites. Session 3: The college dropout crisis, and strategies to help your student actually graduate-- and on time!

Session 1: 21 states now mandate the ACT (or SAT) for all juniors. Here’s how that policy can transform those states. Session 2: 21 states now mandate the ACT (or SAT) for all juniors. Here’s how that policy can transform those states, Part 2 Session 3: Parents: when should your student take his or her first ACT or SAT? Earlier than you think!

Segment 1: Add speech and debate to the list of extracurriculars that best prepare students for college and beyond. Segment 2: Rule 3000: become a savvy college shopper (or else you’ll incur these excessive fees). Segment 3: Two solid 4-year colleges for families on a budget: Weber State and Michigan Tech

Segment 1: How Tesla and Ford teach us the value of a college degree with minimal debt. Segment 2: Why chat-bots should motivate apathetic students and parents. Segment 3: Your game-plan for doing Community College right. Hint— 70% of CC students don’t.

Segment 1: JB’s lessons from visiting six colleges with his daughter Segment 2: More first-hand lessons from JB’s college visits with his daughter Segment 3: What Research says about the importance of teachers, our most important profession

Guest: Rosanne Liesveld, long-time leader within Gallup's Education Division Segment 1: Parents: How our Obsession with grades is hurting our children and teachers Segment 2: Parents: how to develop trust with your child’s teachers Segment 3: Parents: focus on learning rather than grades

Segment 1: Eight Strategies for making your student(s) more gritty- a key to education and life success Segment 2: Eight More Strategies for making your student(s) more gritty Segment 3: Your Social Media— make sure Grandma would approve. Otherwise, you jeopardize admissions and aid.

Segment 1: Do your college visit right. Here’s how. Segment 2: Here are great questions to ask everyone on your college visit. Segment 3: The Tuition Compact is another benefit to negotiate— think no tuition increases all four years.

Segment 1: AP tests-- more students taking them, fewer colleges accepting them Segment 2: 2+2-- do's and don'ts for those thinking about two years at a community college for general education requirements. Guest: JBP college counseling guru Trevor Loney Segment 3: A great value college for your list-- Nebraska Wesleyan. Graduate in four years with an affordable, meaningful degree. Guest: NWU grad Ben Wiese

Advice for getting K-12 students into medical school and beyond. Guest Ben Wiese, recent UNMC graduate Segment 1: How much undergrad debt is too much for pre-meds? Segment 2: Pre-meds-- small colleges v. big universities-- which is better for getting into medical school? Segment 3: Advice for K-12 parents and students for aspiring pre-med students

Segment 1: Higher poverty requires great effort to create higher motivation. Here’s a plan for educators. Segment 2: Are 100% of your juniors taking the ACT? Concerned? Here are strategies to motivate them. Segment 3: How to minimize the downward effect lower achieving students have on your school’s ACT score.

Segment 1: Visit Colleges Correctly. Here’s How. Segment 2: Here’s your strategy to maximize that college visit. Segment 3: Two affordable STEM Colleges New Mexico Tech and South Dakota School of the Mines (a real value!)

Segment 1:How to help your counselor help you develop the right college list— ‘default’ colleges often are not the best choice. JBP expert Trevor Loney joins JB. Segment 2: Sports— what families often don’t think about. Segment 3: Sports— be strategic as a family. And let’s be strategic as a culture. Only 17% of our students access sports after school— ever.