Podcasts about college admissions

In this episode you will hear:   Mark explains what holistic admissions is, how it works and some of the areas of holistic admissions that are often misunderstood Part 2 of 3 Mark shares a few insights from the counseling room on what to do if your financial situation definitely changes.   Lynda interviews J Hall, a college Dean in Oklahoma City and the author of the book, “College Unpacked” Preview of part 3 of 4 v  J Hall gives some academic advice for students transitioning to college v  J talks about things like procrastination, professors who don't give grace for missed deadlines or hardships v  J talks about the systems colleges have in place to detect plagiarism and whether a student abused AI in their writing and he talks about how important it is to know the policies each professor has in advance v  J talks about all of the resources that are on the college campus to support students that students need to be aware of v  J gives some great advice about what to do when everything goes wrong   Speakpipe.com/YCBK is our method if you want to ask a question and we will be prioritizing all questions sent in via Speakpipe. Unfortunately, we will NOT answer questions on the podcast anymore that are emailed in. If you want us to answer a question on the podcast, please use speakpipe.com/YCBK. We feel hearing from our listeners in their own voices adds to the community feel of our podcast.   You can also use this for many other purposes: 1) Send us constructive criticism about how we can improve our podcast 2) Share an encouraging word about something you like about an episode or the podcast in general 3) Share a topic or an article you would like us to address 4) Share a speaker you want us to interview 5) Leave positive feedback for one of our interviewees. We will send your verbal feedback directly to them and I can almost assure you, your positive feedback will make their day.   To sign up to receive Your College-Bound Kid PLUS, our new monthly admissions newsletter, delivered directly to your email once a month, just go to yourcollegeboundkid.com, and you will see the sign-up popup. We will include many of the hot topics being discussed on college campuses.   Check out our new blog. We write timely and insightful articles on college admissions:   On X for our podcast:   https://twitter.com/YCBKpodcast   1. To access our transcripts, click: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/category/transcripts/ 2. Find the specific episode transcripts for the one you want to search and click the link 3. Find the magnifying glass icon in blue (search feature) and click it 4. Enter whatever word you want to search. I.e. Loans 5. Every word in that episode when the words loans are used, will be highlighted in yellow with a timestamps 6. Click the word highlighted in yellow and the player will play the episode from that starting point 7. You can also download the entire podcast as a transcript   We would be honored if you will pass this podcast episode on to others who you feel will benefit from the content in YCBK.   Please subscribe to our podcast. It really helps us move up in Apple's search feature so others can find our podcast.   If you enjoy our podcast, would you please do us a favor and share our podcast both verbally and on social media? We would be most grateful!   If you want to help more people find Your College-Bound Kid, please make sure you follow our podcast. You will also get instant notifications as soon as each episode goes live.   Check out the college admissions books Mark recommends:   Check out the college websites Mark recommends:   If you want to have some input about what you like and what you recommend, we change about our podcast, please complete our Podcast survey; here is the link:     If you want a college consultation with Mark or Lisa or Lynda, just text Mark at 404-664-4340 or email Lisa at or Lynda at Lynda@schoolmatch4u.com. All we ask is that you review their services and pricing on their website before the complimentary session; here is link to their services with transparent pricing: https://schoolmatch4u.com/services/compare-packages/

In this episode you will hear:   (03:02) Question from a listener:  Number 1 Hillary and Mark answer a question from Dale from Virginia. Dale wants to know how the demographic cliff will impact admission decisions   (16:40) Question from a listener Number 2 Lisa and Lynda answer a question from a mom from California who wants to know if Columbia University should be avoided because of the protests going on at the campus.   (21:46) Interview Jennifer Mandel from Milwaukee shares her experience of having a student attending a large business school is different from having a student attend a medium size business schools   (40:31) College Spotlight-Interview #2: Mark Stucker and Bob McMahan, President of Kettering University Preview of Part 4 of 5 ²  Bob tells us about the additional personal qualities that Kettering looks for, things that make an applicant pop in the application process ²  Bob tells us the role essays play in admissions ²  Bob tells us about the role recommendations play in the admissions process ²  Bob tells us about interviews and demonstrated interest ²  Bob talks about how they discern if a student has bought in to their unique model ²  Bob talks about the importance of a campus visit ²  Mark asks Bob how many people go into work in the automotive industry ²  Bob answers the question, what have we not discussed that is important       Speakpipe.com/YCBK is our method if you want to ask a question and we will be prioritizing all questions sent in via Speakpipe. Unfortunately, we will NOT answer questions on the podcast anymore that are emailed in. If you want us to answer a question on the podcast, please use speakpipe.com/YCBK. We feel hearing from our listeners in their own voices adds to the community feel of our podcast.   You can also use this for many other purposes: 1) Send us constructive criticism about how we can improve our podcast 2) Share an encouraging word about something you like about an episode or the podcast in general 3) Share a topic or an article you would like us to address 4) Share a speaker you want us to interview 5) Leave positive feedback for one of our interviewees. We will send your verbal feedback directly to them and I can almost assure you, your positive feedback will make their day.   To sign up to receive Your College-Bound Kid PLUS, our new monthly admissions newsletter, delivered directly to your email once a month, just go to yourcollegeboundkid.com, and you will see the sign-up popup. We will include many of the hot topics being discussed on college campuses.   Check out our new blog. We write timely and insightful articles on college admissions:   Follow Mark Stucker on Twitter to get breaking college admission news, and updates about the podcast before they go live. You can ask questions on Twitter that he will answer on the podcast. Mark will also share additional hot topics in the news and breaking news on this Twitter feed. Twitter message is also the preferred way to ask questions for our podcast:   https://twitter.com/YCBKpodcast   1. To access our transcripts, click: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/category/transcripts/ 2. Find the specific episode transcripts for the one you want to search and click the link 3. Find the magnifying glass icon in blue (search feature) and click it 4. Enter whatever word you want to search. I.e. Loans 5. Every word in that episode when the words loans are used, will be highlighted in yellow with a timestamps 6. Click the word highlighted in yellow and the player will play the episode from that starting point 7. You can also download the entire podcast as a transcript   We would be honored if you will pass this podcast episode on to others who you feel will benefit from the content in YCBK.   Please subscribe to our podcast. It really helps us move up in Apple's search feature so others can find our podcast.   If you enjoy our podcast, would you please do us a favor and share our podcast both verbally and on social media? We would be most grateful!   If you want to help more people find Your College-Bound Kid, please make sure you follow our podcast. You will also get instant notifications as soon as each episode goes live.   Check out the college admissions books Mark recommends:   Check out the college websites Mark recommends:   If you want to have some input about what you like and what you recommend, we change about our podcast, please complete our Podcast survey; here is the link:     If you want a college consultation with Mark or Lisa or Lynda, just text Mark at 404-664-4340 or email Lisa at or Lynda at Lynda@schoolmatch4u.com. All we ask is that you review their services and pricing on their website before the complimentary session; here is link to their services with transparent pricing: https://schoolmatch4u.com/services/compare-packages/

In this episode you will hear:   Mark explains what holistic admissions is, how it works and some of the areas of holistic admissions that are often misunderstood.   Lynda interviews J Hall, a college Dean in Oklahoma City and the author of the book, “College Unpacked” - Part 2 Preview v  J Hall continues giving tips to parents when they drop off their student at college v  J Hall and Lynda talk about the big shopping run, and they give some tips of what to get when shopping v  J Hall and Lynda discuss roommates, and they give some roommate advice v  J Hall and Lynda discuss selecting a dorm room v  J Hall discusses whether a student should bring a car to campus v  J gives advice about how to find friends on campus v  J gives advice for parents about what to do on Parents Weekend   Speakpipe.com/YCBK is our method if you want to ask a question and we will be prioritizing all questions sent in via Speakpipe. Unfortunately, we will NOT answer questions on the podcast anymore that are emailed in. If you want us to answer a question on the podcast, please use speakpipe.com/YCBK. We feel hearing from our listeners in their own voices adds to the community feel of our podcast.   You can also use this for many other purposes: 1) Send us constructive criticism about how we can improve our podcast 2) Share an encouraging word about something you like about an episode or the podcast in general 3) Share a topic or an article you would like us to address 4) Share a speaker you want us to interview 5) Leave positive feedback for one of our interviewees. We will send your verbal feedback directly to them and I can almost assure you, your positive feedback will make their day.   To sign up to receive Your College-Bound Kid PLUS, our new monthly admissions newsletter, delivered directly to your email once a month, just go to yourcollegeboundkid.com, and you will see the sign-up popup. We will include many of the hot topics being discussed on college campuses.   Check out our new blog. We write timely and insightful articles on college admissions:   On X for our podcast:   https://twitter.com/YCBKpodcast   1. To access our transcripts, click: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/category/transcripts/ 2. Find the specific episode transcripts for the one you want to search and click the link 3. Find the magnifying glass icon in blue (search feature) and click it 4. Enter whatever word you want to search. I.e. Loans 5. Every word in that episode when the words loans are used, will be highlighted in yellow with a timestamps 6. Click the word highlighted in yellow and the player will play the episode from that starting point 7. You can also download the entire podcast as a transcript   We would be honored if you will pass this podcast episode on to others who you feel will benefit from the content in YCBK.   Please subscribe to our podcast. It really helps us move up in Apple's search feature so others can find our podcast.   If you enjoy our podcast, would you please do us a favor and share our podcast both verbally and on social media? We would be most grateful!   If you want to help more people find Your College-Bound Kid, please make sure you follow our podcast. You will also get instant notifications as soon as each episode goes live.   Check out the college admissions books Mark recommends:   Check out the college websites Mark recommends:   If you want to have some input about what you like and what you recommend, we change about our podcast, please complete our Podcast survey; here is the link:     If you want a college consultation with Mark or Lisa or Lynda, just text Mark at 404-664-4340 or email Lisa at or Lynda at Lynda@schoolmatch4u.com. All we ask is that you review their services and pricing on their website before the complimentary session; here is link to their services with transparent pricing: https://schoolmatch4u.com/services/compare-packages/  

You've done the hard thinking. You've found your insights, explored your contradictions, and reflected deeply. But now you're stuck—staring at a blank page, unsure how to turn those ideas into a compelling college essay.In this episode, Steve explains why the next step is not perfection—it's motion. You'll learn how to choose the right moment to write about, why your first draft should be messy, and how that so-called “garbage draft” is the best way to get unstuck and start building an unforgettable essay. What You'll Learn:Why insight alone won't get you a finished essayHow to choose a powerful, reflective moment for your personal statementThe truth about “impressive” stories (and what to do instead)Why the garbage draft is your most powerful tool for clarity and momentumA simple two-step plan to move from stuck to confident Ready to finish your essay?Join Steve's College Essay Workshop and get:Access to recordings from completed weeksStep-by-step guidance to write a powerful, authentic essay

I recently spoke with Maggie Finn and Jacklyn Angell of Summit Academic Support. In our conversation, we discussed: The biggest mistake students make when writing their college essays—and how they can avoid it. How students can make their college essay stand out, even if they don't have a “dramatic” story to tell Common myth about college essays. How students can find their unique voice when writing their essays. Some of Maggie and Jacklyn's favorite transformation stories of working with students. What should families look for when choosing someone to help with college essays. To connect with Maggie and Jacklyn, go to https://www.summitacademicsupport.com/ ---------- I have long said that scholarships give students and parents freedom. But, scholarships also give them power. It's never too early to begin a student's scholarship journey, and it's only too late if the student has graduated from college. If you would like to begin your scholarship journey, check out the Scholarship Navigator Program for the Class of 2026, or for the Class of 2027, or for the Class of 2028. Go to www.ScholarshipGPS.com/services to find the right program for your student. ---------- This Week's Featured Scholarships: $1000 DRS Gabe Jenks Memorial Scholarship $2500 Mesothelioma Cancer Victims Memorial Scholarship $1000 Footsteps to Your Future Fall Scholarship $1000 Law Office of Philip R. Nathe Scholarship Weekender: $1000 No Essay Scholarship ---------- Subscribe to our free newsletter, Your Daily Scholarship, here: https://nodebtcollege.substack.com/  

Christina Sanchez Bonner, M.Ed provides private, one-on-one, college and career consulting. As a third generation Tampanian that grew up in Valrico, FL she graduated from Riverview High School and received a B.A. in Interpersonal and Organizational Communications and a Masters in Education from USF. Services include College Admissions, Academic Advising, Career Consulting, Funding Education, Resumes and Cover Letters and Training and Interview Prep. (813) 315-5214https://www.northstarconsultings.comMyOspreyTV is a special presentation of the Osprey Observer Newspapers www.ospreyobserver.comWebsite: http://ospreyobserver.com https://www.facebook.com/OspreyObserverFans/ https://www.instagram.com/ospreyobserver/https://twitter.com/ospreyobserver

In this episode you will hear:   (02:04) Question from a listener:  Number 1 Susan and Mark answer a question from a listener who wants to know what her student can do to prepare for a career in architecture   (19:26) Interview 1-Mark Stucker interviews Jennifer Mandel from Milwaukee Jennifer Mandel from Milwaukee shares her experience of how joining the right clubs can lead to career opportunities. ²  Jen, gives her backstory as a parent of really four business majors, as an educator and as a social worker ²  We introduce our topic for the day, The opportunity clubs present for college students ²  Jen explains all the benefits of college clubs; she talks about her kids experience with clubs and she gives us some tips for what to do to get through the competitive process of joining some of the more selective clubs   (41:51) Interview #2: Mark Stucker and Bob McMahan, President of Kettering University Preview of Part 3 of 5 ²  Bob talks about the unique role they have created for the Chief Student Experience officer, and he explains why they have a Chief Student Experience Officer instead of a Dean of Student Life ²  Bob talks about what they can do and cannot do at Kettering when it comes to sports, clubs, student abroad, etc. ²  Bob talks about the unique program they have with Germany that they have had for 30 years ²  Bob talks about the gender ration at Kettering ²  Bob tells us what percentage of students go to work full-time for the same employer that was their co-op employer ²  Bob talks about the entrepreneurship culture that exists at Kettering ²  Bob explains one reason why there is a gender imbalance at engineering oriented schools ²  Bob talks about the academic profile of the student at Kettering and he looks at what they look for when they are selecting students in admissions ²  Bob highlights one personal quality that is extremely important in the admissions process for Kettering University       Speakpipe.com/YCBK is our method if you want to ask a question and we will be prioritizing all questions sent in via Speakpipe. Unfortunately, we will NOT answer questions on the podcast anymore that are emailed in. If you want us to answer a question on the podcast, please use speakpipe.com/YCBK. We feel hearing from our listeners in their own voices adds to the community feel of our podcast.   You can also use this for many other purposes: 1) Send us constructive criticism about how we can improve our podcast 2) Share an encouraging word about something you like about an episode or the podcast in general 3) Share a topic or an article you would like us to address 4) Share a speaker you want us to interview 5) Leave positive feedback for one of our interviewees. We will send your verbal feedback directly to them and I can almost assure you, your positive feedback will make their day.   To sign up to receive Your College-Bound Kid PLUS, our new monthly admissions newsletter, delivered directly to your email once a month, just go to yourcollegeboundkid.com, and you will see the sign-up popup. We will include many of the hot topics being discussed on college campuses.   Check out our new blog. We write timely and insightful articles on college admissions:   Follow Mark Stucker on Twitter to get breaking college admission news, and updates about the podcast before they go live. You can ask questions on Twitter that he will answer on the podcast. Mark will also share additional hot topics in the news and breaking news on this Twitter feed. Twitter message is also the preferred way to ask questions for our podcast:   https://twitter.com/YCBKpodcast   1. To access our transcripts, click: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/category/transcripts/ 2. Find the specific episode transcripts for the one you want to search and click the link 3. Find the magnifying glass icon in blue (search feature) and click it 4. Enter whatever word you want to search. I.e. Loans 5. Every word in that episode when the words loans are used, will be highlighted in yellow with a timestamps 6. Click the word highlighted in yellow and the player will play the episode from that starting point 7. You can also download the entire podcast as a transcript   We would be honored if you will pass this podcast episode on to others who you feel will benefit from the content in YCBK.   Please subscribe to our podcast. It really helps us move up in Apple's search feature so others can find our podcast.   If you enjoy our podcast, would you please do us a favor and share our podcast both verbally and on social media? We would be most grateful!   If you want to help more people find Your College-Bound Kid, please make sure you follow our podcast. You will also get instant notifications as soon as each episode goes live.   Check out the college admissions books Mark recommends:   Check out the college websites Mark recommends:   If you want to have some input about what you like and what you recommend, we change about our podcast, please complete our Podcast survey; here is the link:     If you want a college consultation with Mark or Lisa or Lynda, just text Mark at 404-664-4340 or email Lisa at or Lynda at Lynda@schoolmatch4u.com. All we ask is that you review their services and pricing on their website before the complimentary session; here is link to their services with transparent pricing: https://schoolmatch4u.com/services/compare-packages/

In this episode of College Admissions Decoded, we're focusing on one of the most important, but often overlooked, parts of the college journey: the transition from high school to higher education. Getting into college is just the beginning. Helping students find their footing, their people, and their purpose once they reach campus is key to their success. Together with our expert guests, we'll explore how to prepare students emotionally and practically, and what students can do to build support systems and a sense of belonging on campus.Guests: Asia Bailey, Associate Program Director of High Schools, CollegeBound FoundationAaron Cook, Senior Assistant Director of Out-of-State Recruitment, University of MissouriJosh Eisenberg, Dean of Campus Life, Pomona CollegeHost: Eddie Pickett, Senior Associate Dean of Admissions and Director of Recruitment at Pomona College.

The dip in global population is something that's been gaining attention as of late, but mostly in the abstract. Something concrete in that dip is about to come due this fall, a staggering drop in the number of available 18+ year olds for the traditional college path. The first bellwether in what my guest for this episode labeled in a piece that, America is about to go over the ‘demographic cliff'. Journalist Jon Marcus, joins for this episode to explore the intersection of demographic shifts, higher education, and the implications for the workforce. The conversation highlights the decline in birth rates, the resulting impact on college enrollment, and the broader economic consequences of college closures. We also get into the cultural perceptions of the value of a college degree and the challenges faced by institutions in adapting to these changes. Before ending on potential strategies for colleges to navigate the impending demographic cliff and its effects on education and the economy.

In Episode 2 of our series on Admission Nutrients, Ethan is joined by Raissa Diamante, the Director  of Admission at Harvey Mudd College, to do a deep dive into collaboration — why is it important to colleges and where does it show up in the application process? Ethan and Raissa get into, among other things: What does the admission review process look like at Harvey Mudd? Why is collaboration particularly important (spoiler: it's one of the main things they look for)? Tips for the supplemental essay (side note: it's a prompt they've kept some version of over the past 15 years) via a brief analysis of a real essay from a past student What does Raissa think about students using Chat-GPT / generative AI for their essays? What do students miss or get wrong about the college admission process? Can students write about race in their college application essays? And more!   Raissa Diamante is the Executive Director of Admission at Harvey Mudd College (HMC) in Claremont, CA. She grew up in a mixed immigration status home and is a proud product of the Los Angeles Unified School District. Raissa believes in the power of data in storytelling as a means to operationalizing change. She takes pride in developing and implementing strategies that help make institutions more representative of our society. Prior to HMC, Raissa was the Director of Multicultural Recruitment at Swarthmore College and worked at the Office for Multicultural Affairs at Barnard College. She earned her Bachelor's degree from the University of California, Berkeley and her Master's degree from Teachers College, Columbia University. In her spare time, she enjoys playing with her child, working on puzzles, and being an introvert.   We hope you enjoy!   Play-by-Play 2:50 – What are some of Raissa's roles and identities?  9:02 – What goes on behind-the-scenes in Raissa's office at Harvey Mudd?  16:50 – Why is collaboration important, from Harvey Mudd's perspective? 21:24 – Where do collaborative qualities show up in the application?  23:18 – What are some qualities of collaboration that students might not think of? 31:28 – Analyzing a past supplemental essay prompt for Harvey Mudd   41:07 – What does Raissa think about students using Chat-GPT / generative AI for their essays? 48:35 – What do students miss or get wrong about the college admission process? 50:56 – What are some ways that Harvey Mudd is approaching access and equity?  54:32 – Can students write about race in their college application essays? 58:31 – Wrap up and closing thoughts     Resources: CEG Podcast Episode 605 - Navigating College Applications with AI (Part 1): How High School Teachers and Students Use Tools Like ChatGPT Navigating College Applications with AI  | foundry10 College Essay Guy's Personal Statement Resources College Essay Guy's College Application Hub  

In this episode, Lisa and David discuss:Evolving expectations in college admissionsChallenges in assessing academic readiness amid grade inflation, and how some colleges are respondingIncreased reliance on standardized, verifiable academic indicatorsStrategic adjustments needed for competitive application successKey takeaways:Colleges increasingly expect students to submit AP exam scores for each AP class listed on transcripts to verify true academic mastery beyond inflated grades.Objective academic benchmarks—like AP exams, competitions, and certifications from Schoolhouse.world—are filling the gap left by discontinued SAT Subject Tests.Students without AP access, including those in under-resourced schools or homeschooling, can use Schoolhouse.world or CLEP exams to demonstrate subject proficiency.The selectivity of a student's intended major—not just the college—can significantly affect how much weight objective academic data carries in admissions. “Now, when you take an [AP] class in high school, an A in that course does not necessarily reflect content mastery anymore, and college admissions officers will even say this.” – David BlobaumAbout David Blobaum: David Blobaum is a nationally recognized expert on standardized exams and college admissions. He graduated from the University of Chicago with honors from both the college and his major. He is the managing partner at Summit Prep, a supplemental education company specializing in SAT and ACT tutoring. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the National Test Prep Association and is its Director of Outreach. In that role, he has helped educate families on testing and admissions through over seventy TV interviews, podcast appearances, and published op-eds. Episode References:#072 Summer is the Key to Academic Success https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/072#100 Can You Really Trust What Colleges Say Matters in Admission? https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/100#142 SAT, ACT, and Test-Optional Admissions https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/142#057 College Admission by Major with Andy Borst https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/057#149 Boosting STEM Student Success Through Math Contests with Vida John https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/149#042 Will grade inflation hurt your teen? https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/042#018 How to Get Freshman Year Free https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/018Schoolhouse.world: https://schoolhouse.world/Modern States: https://modernstates.org/The Nation's Report Card | NAEP: https://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/Get Lisa's Free on-demand video: How-to guide for your teen to choose the right major, college, & career...(without painting themselves into a corner, missing crucial deadlines, or risking choices you both regret). flourishcoachingco.com/video Connect with David:Website: http://summitprep.us/Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCUAS5Ayzj6evxDqoNieGkqgLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-blobaum/ & https://www.linkedin.com/company/summit-prep-llcConnect with Lisa:Website: https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@flourishcoachingcoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/flourishcoachingco/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flourish-coaching-co

In this episode you will hear:   Mark answers a question from a student from Texas and she wants to know why I have soured on BS/MD programs.     Lynda interviews J Hall, a college Dean in Oklahoma City and the author of the book, “College Unpacked” Preview v  J gives his backstory and like me, he came to college related advising from Christian ministry v  J explains why he wrote the book, “College Unpacked and he explains what the heartbeat of the book” v  J tells us what the biggest things are that rising college students need to do over the summer before they enroll in college v  J talks about some basic skills he has seen that college students lacks and he focuses on two very important skills v  J shares something he wants students to do when they ae hanging out with their friends, and it may surprise you what he says v  Lynda and j talk about the importance of the syllabus v  J gives advice for parents on “Moving Day, what can parents do v  J shares a great idea a student can set up with their parents to let parents know when it is time for you to go   Speakpipe.com/YCBK is our method if you want to ask a question and we will be prioritizing all questions sent in via Speakpipe. Unfortunately, we will NOT answer questions on the podcast anymore that are emailed in. If you want us to answer a question on the podcast, please use speakpipe.com/YCBK. We feel hearing from our listeners in their own voices adds to the community feel of our podcast.   You can also use this for many other purposes: 1) Send us constructive criticism about how we can improve our podcast 2) Share an encouraging word about something you like about an episode or the podcast in general 3) Share a topic or an article you would like us to address 4) Share a speaker you want us to interview 5) Leave positive feedback for one of our interviewees. We will send your verbal feedback directly to them and I can almost assure you, your positive feedback will make their day.   To sign up to receive Your College-Bound Kid PLUS, our new monthly admissions newsletter, delivered directly to your email once a month, just go to yourcollegeboundkid.com, and you will see the sign-up popup. We will include many of the hot topics being discussed on college campuses.   Check out our new blog. We write timely and insightful articles on college admissions:   On X for our podcast:   https://twitter.com/YCBKpodcast   1. To access our transcripts, click: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/category/transcripts/ 2. Find the specific episode transcripts for the one you want to search and click the link 3. Find the magnifying glass icon in blue (search feature) and click it 4. Enter whatever word you want to search. I.e. Loans 5. Every word in that episode when the words loans are used, will be highlighted in yellow with a timestamps 6. Click the word highlighted in yellow and the player will play the episode from that starting point 7. You can also download the entire podcast as a transcript   We would be honored if you will pass this podcast episode on to others who you feel will benefit from the content in YCBK.   Please subscribe to our podcast. It really helps us move up in Apple's search feature so others can find our podcast.   If you enjoy our podcast, would you please do us a favor and share our podcast both verbally and on social media? We would be most grateful!   If you want to help more people find Your College-Bound Kid, please make sure you follow our podcast. You will also get instant notifications as soon as each episode goes live.   Check out the college admissions books Mark recommends:   Check out the college websites Mark recommends:   If you want to have some input about what you like and what you recommend, we change about our podcast, please complete our Podcast survey; here is the link:     If you want a college consultation with Mark or Lisa or Lynda, just text Mark at 404-664-4340 or email Lisa at or Lynda at Lynda@schoolmatch4u.com. All we ask is that you review their services and pricing on their website before the complimentary session; here is link to their services with transparent pricing: https://schoolmatch4u.com/services/compare-packages/

In this episode you will hear:   (02:02) Question from a listener:  Number 1 Hillary joins me to discuss a question from a student named Saul from New Hampshire, Saul wants to know, he has heard that some schools use likes and shares to test demonstrated interest and he wants to know if this is correct?   (11:05) Question 2 If a student uses a fee waiver, does it stigmatize the student and hurt their chances of admission at Need-Aware colleges? A mom from Maryland asks this question and Julia joins me to answer it (26:57) Interview #1-Lisa interviews Adrienne Amador-Oddi Part 2 of 2 v  We start out by playing a very concrete example of how a conversation for a school to re-consider their original financial offer that is productive looks like. I played this last week but it is so important I am playing this example again to reinforce it if you heard that segment, and for those who missed last week, I didn't want you to miss this important example v  Lisa asks Adrienne how should a family initiate an appeal for reconsideration for more money and Adrienne shares some of the different approaches that different schools use v  Adrienne talks about how a family can know how much merit aid they can expect to get from a school v  Adrienne talks about how more and more colleges are doing an early   (43:38) Interview #2: Mark Stucker and Bob McMahan, President of Kettering University Preview of Part 2 of 5 ²  Bob lets us know the size of Kettering ²  Bob talks about the unique focus of Kettering ²  Dr. McMahan shares about a half dozen areas where Kettering is particularly strong other than in auto-related majors ²  Bob shares the unique advantage that Kettering grads have ²  Bob gives us more details on how the co-op programs work for Kettering students ²  Bob tells us about the senior thesis and the patents Kettering is known for ²  Bob walks us through what the Kettering onboarding process is ²  Bob talks about what the Kettering student is like ²  Bob talks about how they help guide the student that doesn't know what he or she wants to do   (26:14) Recommended Resource-Guide to help first year students complete the Common Application-     Speakpipe.com/YCBK is our method if you want to ask a question and we will be prioritizing all questions sent in via Speakpipe. Unfortunately, we will NOT answer questions on the podcast anymore that are emailed in. If you want us to answer a question on the podcast, please use speakpipe.com/YCBK. We feel hearing from our listeners in their own voices adds to the community feel of our podcast.   You can also use this for many other purposes: 1) Send us constructive criticism about how we can improve our podcast 2) Share an encouraging word about something you like about an episode or the podcast in general 3) Share a topic or an article you would like us to address 4) Share a speaker you want us to interview 5) Leave positive feedback for one of our interviewees. We will send your verbal feedback directly to them and I can almost assure you, your positive feedback will make their day.   To sign up to receive Your College-Bound Kid PLUS, our new monthly admissions newsletter, delivered directly to your email once a month, just go to yourcollegeboundkid.com, and you will see the sign-up popup. We will include many of the hot topics being discussed on college campuses.   Check out our new blog. We write timely and insightful articles on college admissions:   Follow Mark Stucker on Twitter to get breaking college admission news, and updates about the podcast before they go live. You can ask questions on Twitter that he will answer on the podcast. Mark will also share additional hot topics in the news and breaking news on this Twitter feed. Twitter message is also the preferred way to ask questions for our podcast:   https://twitter.com/YCBKpodcast   1. To access our transcripts, click: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/category/transcripts/ 2. Find the specific episode transcripts for the one you want to search and click the link 3. Find the magnifying glass icon in blue (search feature) and click it 4. Enter whatever word you want to search. I.e. Loans 5. Every word in that episode when the words loans are used, will be highlighted in yellow with a timestamps 6. Click the word highlighted in yellow and the player will play the episode from that starting point 7. You can also download the entire podcast as a transcript   We would be honored if you will pass this podcast episode on to others who you feel will benefit from the content in YCBK.   Please subscribe to our podcast. It really helps us move up in Apple's search feature so others can find our podcast.   If you enjoy our podcast, would you please do us a favor and share our podcast both verbally and on social media? We would be most grateful!   If you want to help more people find Your College-Bound Kid, please make sure you follow our podcast. You will also get instant notifications as soon as each episode goes live.   Check out the college admissions books Mark recommends:   Check out the college websites Mark recommends:   If you want to have some input about what you like and what you recommend, we change about our podcast, please complete our Podcast survey; here is the link:     If you want a college consultation with Mark or Lisa or Lynda, just text Mark at 404-664-4340 or email Lisa at or Lynda at Lynda@schoolmatch4u.com. All we ask is that you review their services and pricing on their website before the complimentary session; here is link to their services with transparent pricing: https://schoolmatch4u.com/services/compare-packages/

Vicki and Elizabeth were excited in the episode to welcome college admission experts Rick Clark and Brennan Barnard to talk about their book, “The Truth About College Admission: A Family Guide to Getting In and Staying Together.” This book cuts through the noise, misinformation, and unhealthy pressure surrounding college admissions. While acknowledging the admission system system isn't perfectly "fair," Rick and Brennan believe understanding it empowers families to navigate it wisely. We were especially impressed by the focus on practical wisdom for preserving relationships, fostering healthy communication, and maintaining perspective throughout one of life's major transitions. Join us to discover why the truth about college admission might be the most liberating thing your entire family needs to hear. Thank you for listening! Much more information for college parents can be found on our website, College Parent Central Find us on Twitter at @CollParCentral Sign up for our newsletter for ongoing information Please leave us a review at “Love the Podcast” to help others find us.

In this episode you will hear:   Mark shares a letter from a listener with extensive medical school admissions experience. Mark shares a lesson from the counseling room about knowing what your career is going to be when you are still a teenager. Mark shares what rising seniors should be doing now. Mark shares some Personal Statement tips.     Mark interviews John Pollard, Dean of Admissions of Franke Honors College at the University of Arizona, Understanding Franke Honors College, Part 2 of 2 Preview ²  John continues talking about the admissions criteria at Franke ²  John talks about how they evaluate a student and how an application is read at Franke ²  John talks about how you can reach out to Franke for assistance when completing your application ²  John talks about what his pet peeve is that students do in when applying ²  John goes on the hot seat in the lightning round   Speakpipe.com/YCBK is our method if you want to ask a question and we will be prioritizing all questions sent in via Speakpipe. Unfortunately, we will NOT answer questions on the podcast anymore that are emailed in. If you want us to answer a question on the podcast, please use speakpipe.com/YCBK. We feel hearing from our listeners in their own voices adds to the community feel of our podcast.   You can also use this for many other purposes: 1) Send us constructive criticism about how we can improve our podcast 2) Share an encouraging word about something you like about an episode or the podcast in general 3) Share a topic or an article you would like us to address 4) Share a speaker you want us to interview 5) Leave positive feedback for one of our interviewees. We will send your verbal feedback directly to them and I can almost assure you, your positive feedback will make their day.   To sign up to receive Your College-Bound Kid PLUS, our new monthly admissions newsletter, delivered directly to your email once a month, just go to yourcollegeboundkid.com, and you will see the sign-up popup. We will include many of the hot topics being discussed on college campuses.   Check out our new blog. We write timely and insightful articles on college admissions:   On X for our podcast:   https://twitter.com/YCBKpodcast   1. To access our transcripts, click: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/category/transcripts/ 2. Find the specific episode transcripts for the one you want to search and click the link 3. Find the magnifying glass icon in blue (search feature) and click it 4. Enter whatever word you want to search. I.e. Loans 5. Every word in that episode when the words loans are used, will be highlighted in yellow with a timestamps 6. Click the word highlighted in yellow and the player will play the episode from that starting point 7. You can also download the entire podcast as a transcript   We would be honored if you will pass this podcast episode on to others who you feel will benefit from the content in YCBK.   Please subscribe to our podcast. It really helps us move up in Apple's search feature so others can find our podcast.   If you enjoy our podcast, would you please do us a favor and share our podcast both verbally and on social media? We would be most grateful!   If you want to help more people find Your College-Bound Kid, please make sure you follow our podcast. You will also get instant notifications as soon as each episode goes live.   Check out the college admissions books Mark recommends:   Check out the college websites Mark recommends:   If you want to have some input about what you like and what you recommend, we change about our podcast, please complete our Podcast survey; here is the link:     If you want a college consultation with Mark or Lisa or Lynda, just text Mark at 404-664-4340 or email Lisa at or Lynda at Lynda@schoolmatch4u.com. All we ask is that you review their services and pricing on their website before the complimentary session; here is link to their services with transparent pricing: https://schoolmatch4u.com/services/compare-packages/

The personal statement can be one of the most confusing and stressful parts of the college application — but it doesn't have to be. In this episode, I share a few key do's and don'ts to help you avoid common pitfalls and start your essay with clarity and confidence.Whether you're staring at a blank page or already brainstorming ideas, these tips will help you stay on track and write something that actually strengthens your application.

College admissions officers don't just want perfect GPAs or test scores—they want authenticity, consistency, and leadership. Here's what really matters in 2025 applications. In this episode, Pearl and Andy Lockwood unpack: ✔ The “60/40” formula behind Ivy League admissions ✔ How GPA inflation is hurting students ✔ What colleges look for beyond stats ✔ Why fake passion projects hurt more than help ✔ How parents unintentionally sabotage applications

Dr. Philip Glotzbach discusses his book “Embrace Your Freedom” and winning strategies to succeed in college. Phil is the former president of Skidmore College and a passionate advocate for student success. His work helps students and families navigate the challenges of college and beyond. Listen for three action items you can use today. Host, Kevin Craine Do you want to be a guest? https://Everyday-MBA.com/guest This episode is supported by the Naveen Jindal School of Management 

In this episode you will hear:   (02:50) Question from a listener:  Number 1 Julia joins me to answer a question from Cortnie from Connecticut and she wants to know if it is true that sometimes a college blacklists a high school they are not happy with.   (19:04) Question 2 Carter, a student from VA asks a question and we also have a question from an anonymous listener, both questions have to do with preparation for med school. Susan joins me to answer these questions, Part 2 of 2   (41:32) Interview #1-Lisa interviews Adrienne Amador-Oddi Part 1 of 2 v  Adrienne shares why financial aid is important to her personally v  Adrienne tells us what SAI and EFC are and she explains what these terms are and how they are calculated v  Lisa and Adrienne have a good conversation about why financial aid is so confusing, especially when you are talking about colleges that require the CSS Profile v  Lisa and Adrienne talk about a school with an expensive sticker price may end up costing the same as your state school v  Adrienne talks about appealing an aid award v  Adrienne talks about how important it is for a family to be very specific in their request for additional money v  Adrienne gives a very concrete example of how a conversation for a school to re-consider their original financial offer that is productive looks like   (59:15) Interview #2: Mark Stucker and Bob McMahan, President of Kettering University Preview of Part 1 of 5 ²  Bob gives us his backstory ²  Bob gives us the history of Kettering University ²  Bob explains Kettering very unique approach to education ²  Bob explains how Kettering's co-op is different from all other co-op programs in the country. ²  Bob talks about the impressive ROI of Kettering graduates       Speakpipe.com/YCBK is our method if you want to ask a question and we will be prioritizing all questions sent in via Speakpipe. Unfortunately, we will NOT answer questions on the podcast anymore that are emailed in. If you want us to answer a question on the podcast, please use speakpipe.com/YCBK. We feel hearing from our listeners in their own voices adds to the community feel of our podcast.   You can also use this for many other purposes: 1) Send us constructive criticism about how we can improve our podcast 2) Share an encouraging word about something you like about an episode or the podcast in general 3) Share a topic or an article you would like us to address 4) Share a speaker you want us to interview 5) Leave positive feedback for one of our interviewees. We will send your verbal feedback directly to them and I can almost assure you, your positive feedback will make their day.   To sign up to receive Your College-Bound Kid PLUS, our new monthly admissions newsletter, delivered directly to your email once a month, just go to yourcollegeboundkid.com, and you will see the sign-up popup. We will include many of the hot topics being discussed on college campuses.   Check out our new blog. We write timely and insightful articles on college admissions:   Follow Mark Stucker on Twitter to get breaking college admission news, and updates about the podcast before they go live. You can ask questions on Twitter that he will answer on the podcast. Mark will also share additional hot topics in the news and breaking news on this Twitter feed. Twitter message is also the preferred way to ask questions for our podcast:   https://twitter.com/YCBKpodcast   1. To access our transcripts, click: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/category/transcripts/ 2. Find the specific episode transcripts for the one you want to search and click the link 3. Find the magnifying glass icon in blue (search feature) and click it 4. Enter whatever word you want to search. I.e. Loans 5. Every word in that episode when the words loans are used, will be highlighted in yellow with a timestamps 6. Click the word highlighted in yellow and the player will play the episode from that starting point 7. You can also download the entire podcast as a transcript   We would be honored if you will pass this podcast episode on to others who you feel will benefit from the content in YCBK.   Please subscribe to our podcast. It really helps us move up in Apple's search feature so others can find our podcast.   If you enjoy our podcast, would you please do us a favor and share our podcast both verbally and on social media? We would be most grateful!   If you want to help more people find Your College-Bound Kid, please make sure you follow our podcast. You will also get instant notifications as soon as each episode goes live.   Check out the college admissions books Mark recommends:   Check out the college websites Mark recommends:   If you want to have some input about what you like and what you recommend, we change about our podcast, please complete our Podcast survey; here is the link:     If you want a college consultation with Mark or Lisa or Lynda, just text Mark at 404-664-4340 or email Lisa at or Lynda at Lynda@schoolmatch4u.com. All we ask is that you review their services and pricing on their website before the complimentary session; here is link to their services with transparent pricing: https://schoolmatch4u.com/services/compare-packages/

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Christopher Gray. CEO and co-founder of Path. Gray discusses how his AI-powered platform is transforming test preparation for professional certifications, IT, cybersecurity, healthcare, and college admission exams.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Christopher Gray. CEO and co-founder of Path. Gray discusses how his AI-powered platform is transforming test preparation for professional certifications, IT, cybersecurity, healthcare, and college admission exams.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Christopher Gray. CEO and co-founder of Path. Gray discusses how his AI-powered platform is transforming test preparation for professional certifications, IT, cybersecurity, healthcare, and college admission exams.

The personal statement is one of the most important — and misunderstood — parts of the college application. In this short, powerful episode, Steve Gardner explains why so many students struggle to get started, what the real purpose of the personal statement is, and how families can reduce stress and gain a competitive edge now, before summer slips away.If you're a parent or student feeling overwhelmed, this episode offers clarity, direction, and a powerful invitation to tackle this task with expert support.

Welcome back to the College Essay Guy Podcast! Today, Ethan kicks off a brand-new series: Admission Nutrients — qualities that not only enhance a well-balanced college application but can also contribute to a more meaningful life. In Part 1, Ethan introduces these “nutrients,” breaking down what they are, where they show up in the application, and why they matter. In upcoming episodes, Tom and Ethan will be joined by admission officers from different colleges to take a deeper dive into each one.  In this episode, Ethan shares: What are Admission Nutrients, and what do they reveal about what colleges value? Where do these nutrients show up in the college application? How can students realistically develop these qualities in a way that feels authentic rather than forced? And more   A quick but important note: At College Essay Guy, we don't believe that every hour of high school should be spent optimizing for “what colleges want.” Get this: These nutrients are not only qualities employers seek but can also help students create more meaning and purpose in their lives — and yes, sure, help improve college acceptance chances along the way.  We hope you enjoy!   Play-by-Play: 2:18 – Intellectual Curiosity  7:12 – Service to Others 9:38 – Leadership or Initiative 14:09 – Collaboration 16:30 – Consistent Engagement 19:58 – How can students explore and develop these qualities?    Resources: CEG Podcast Episode 503: What Colleges Want (Part 3): "Positive Character Attributes": What Are They, and How Do You Show Them in Your College Application? CEG Podcast Episode 413: Intellectual Curiosity + College Admissions: What It Is, Why It Matters to Colleges, and How to Show It  How to Use the Common App Additional Information Section: Guide + Examples CEG Podcast Episode 213: Self-Directed Learning (Why You Can Quit HS & Be Okay) How to Ask for a Letter of Recommendation | College Essay Guy Roles and Identities Exercise College Essay Guy's Personal Statement Resources College Essay Guy's College Application Hub

To err is human, which makes adolescence a particularly intense expression of the human condition. Yes, we all make mistakes, but some are more glaring and likely to impact acceptance than others. But which ones? Amy and Mike invited student advocates Susan Stone and Kristina Supler to clarify how past poor decisions can affect college admissions. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What kinds of past poor decisions might hurt admissions chances? Can criminal charges prevent someone from getting into college?  How can social misconduct impact college acceptance?  What steps can applicants take to address past disciplinary actions or lapses in judgment?  Should a student speak to past poor decisions in the college essay? MEET OUR GUESTS Susan Stone is co-chair of KJK's Student & Athlete Defense/Title IX Practice Group, dedicated to supporting students in crisis and addressing their legal needs. Recognizing the importance of legal advocacy for students, professors, and individuals with disabilities, she handles a wide range of matters, including special education issues, student disciplinary cases, and Title IX investigations. With extensive experience in due process complaints, 504 Plans, and Individualized Education Programs, Susan is well-equipped to navigate complex educational and legal challenges. She also represents students in cases involving hazing, bullying, and social media issues. Kristina Supler is co-chair of KJK's Student & Athlete Defense/Title IX Practice Group. She has extensive experience handling complex cases involving allegations of sexual assault and has served on national defense teams representing students and executives facing prosecution both in the United States and internationally. Additionally, Kristina is extremely adept at working with families and defending juveniles, particularly those with physical or mental disabilities, who are facing legal challenges. Kristina has achieved great success protecting students and professors in campus Title IX proceedings, which has garnered her a national reputation. Find Kristina and Susan at https://studentdefense.kjk.com/. LINKS CHADD: Helping College Students With ADHD Avoid Risky Behaviors RELATED EPISODES ADMISSIONS LESSONS FROM ADMISSIONS REPS BUILD A WINNING BRAND TO ACE COLLEGE ADMISSIONS COLLEGE ADVISING FOR B STUDENTS ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page. ABOUT YOUR HOSTS Mike Bergin is the president of Chariot Learning and founder of TestBright. Amy Seeley is the president of Seeley Test Pros and LEAP. If you're interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, feel free to get in touch through our contact page.  

In this episode, Lisa and Phil discuss:The increasing competitiveness of college admissions and how students can stand outCollege affordability challenges and emerging solutions for middle-income familiesHow military-affiliated education pathways like Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) are evolving in today's landscapeStrategic early planning in high school to align students with admissions and career opportunitiesKey Takeaways: Pursuing ROTC scholarships can significantly increase a student's chances of admission at selective colleges by placing them in a smaller, less competitive applicant pool with added institutional incentives.ROTC programs can drastically reduce or eliminate the financial burden of college, with full-tuition scholarships, summer stipends, and guaranteed high-paying jobs post-graduation.Starting as early as 9th grade, students should build a competitive ROTC profile by demonstrating academic strength, physical fitness, leadership, and a consistent interest in service.With the potential reduction in need-based financial aid at elite institutions due to shifting federal funding, ROTC offers a strategic alternative for middle-income families seeking affordability without compromising on school quality.“If you're an ROTC student, you can get nearly all of your college paid for.” – Phil BlackAbout Phil Black: Phil Black has built a remarkable 30-year track record that includes roles as a Division I college athlete, Navy SEAL officer, Goldman Sachs investment banker, entrepreneur, firefighter, and two-time Shark Tank contestant. He holds a bachelor's degree from Yale and an MBA from Harvard Business School.For the past 12 years, he's helped hundreds of students gain admission to service academies, ROTC programs, and top-tier colleges. His twin sons are graduating from Yale (Navy ROTC), one son is at the U.S. Naval Academy, and his youngest is a high school sophomore.Episode References:Phil's ServeWell Academy ROTC Blog Posts: https://www.servewellacademy.com/blog?tag=rotc#144 Military Service Academy Majors & Career Paths with Phil Black: https://flourishcoachingco.com/144#091 How ROTC Programs Train Future Officers & Help Pay For College with Lisa Rielage: https://flourishcoachingco.com/091Get Lisa's Free on-demand video: How-to guide for your teen to choose the right major, college, & career...(without painting themselves into a corner, missing crucial deadlines, or risking choices you both regret). flourishcoachingco.com/video Connect with Phil:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/servewell_academyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philipablack/Website: https://www.servewellacademy.com/Connect with Lisa:Website: https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@flourishcoachingcoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/flourishcoachingco/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flourish-coaching-co

In this episode you will hear:   Mark shares a story from a meeting he had with a mom in Orange County, CA. Mark talks about the dispute Harvard University is currently facing.   Mark interviews John Pollard, Dean of Admissions of Franke Honors College at the University of Arizona, Understanding Franke Honors College, Part 1 of 2 Preview ² Friends, you are going to see why Honors colleges and public John explains how Franke is distinctive from other Honors colleges ² John talks about the Honors Village ² John talks about a unique dual degree program Franke offers ² Dr. Pollard tells us about two unique minors that Franke offers ² John talks about early assurance programs that Franke has with their med school and with their vet school ² John tells us about the unique peer to peer mentoring program called Path that 400 students participate in ² John tells us about some more unique programs that will be rolled out over the next few years ² John talks about how Franke handles Gen Ed courses in ² John talks about how Franke uniquely gets students involved in research ² John talks about unique scholarships for Franke and their unique study abroad offerings ² John talks about the 25-million-dollar gift that Bill Franke gave to help Franke ² John tells how The University of Arizona is different from Arizona State University ² John tells us how Franke is different from Barrett, which is Arizona State's Honors college ² John talks about the admission criteria for getting into Franke ² John talks about the 3 different pathways to get into Franke     Speakpipe.com/YCBK is our method if you want to ask a question and we will be prioritizing all questions sent in via Speakpipe. Unfortunately, we will NOT answer questions on the podcast anymore that are emailed in. If you want us to answer a question on the podcast, please use speakpipe.com/YCBK. We feel hearing from our listeners in their own voices adds to the community feel of our podcast.   You can also use this for many other purposes: 1) Send us constructive criticism about how we can improve our podcast 2) Share an encouraging word about something you like about an episode or the podcast in general 3) Share a topic or an article you would like us to address 4) Share a speaker you want us to interview 5) Leave positive feedback for one of our interviewees. We will send your verbal feedback directly to them and I can almost assure you, your positive feedback will make their day.   To sign up to receive Your College-Bound Kid PLUS, our new monthly admissions newsletter, delivered directly to your email once a month, just go to yourcollegeboundkid.com, and you will see the sign-up popup. We will include many of the hot topics being discussed on college campuses.   Check out our new blog. We write timely and insightful articles on college admissions:   On X for our podcast:   https://twitter.com/YCBKpodcast   1. To access our transcripts, click: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/category/transcripts/ 2. Find the specific episode transcripts for the one you want to search and click the link 3. Find the magnifying glass icon in blue (search feature) and click it 4. Enter whatever word you want to search. I.e. Loans 5. Every word in that episode when the words loans are used, will be highlighted in yellow with a timestamps 6. Click the word highlighted in yellow and the player will play the episode from that starting point 7. You can also download the entire podcast as a transcript   We would be honored if you will pass this podcast episode on to others who you feel will benefit from the content in YCBK.   Please subscribe to our podcast. It really helps us move up in Apple's search feature so others can find our podcast.   If you enjoy our podcast, would you please do us a favor and share our podcast both verbally and on social media? We would be most grateful!   If you want to help more people find Your College-Bound Kid, please make sure you follow our podcast. You will also get instant notifications as soon as each episode goes live.   Check out the college admissions books Mark recommends:   Check out the college websites Mark recommends:   If you want to have some input about what you like and what you recommend, we change about our podcast, please complete our Podcast survey; here is the link:     If you want a college consultation with Mark or Lisa or Lynda, just text Mark at 404-664-4340 or email Lisa at or Lynda at Lynda@schoolmatch4u.com. All we ask is that you review their services and pricing on their website before the complimentary session; here is link to their services with transparent pricing: https://schoolmatch4u.com/services/compare-packages/

In this episode you will hear:   (02:24) Question from a listener:  Julia joins me to answer a question from a dad from North Carolina who wants to know if there is a way of figuring out class rank or a proxy for it when it is not explicitly listed.   (16:20) Second Question from a listener: Mark and Hillary answer a question from a listener who has heard that students should not mention their race in their Personal Statement   (24:41) 3rd and 4th questions are both about preparation for med school   Carter, a student from VA asks a question and we also have a question from an anonymous listener, both questions have to do with preparation for med school. Susan joins me to answer these questions, Part 1 of 2 (51:54) Interview: Mark Stucker and Nate Haveman,  VP of enrollment of Hope College Preview of Part 4 of 4 v  Nate explains the various reasons why HOPE loses students to their overlap schools v  Nate tells us what percentage of students are from Michigan, what percentage are from contiguous states and what percentage of students are International v  Nate tells us which sports Hope has had the most success in v  Nate tells us what two of his admissions pet peeves are v  Nate goes on the hotseat in our lightning round       Speakpipe.com/YCBK is our method if you want to ask a question and we will be prioritizing all questions sent in via Speakpipe. Unfortunately, we will NOT answer questions on the podcast anymore that are emailed in. If you want us to answer a question on the podcast, please use speakpipe.com/YCBK. We feel hearing from our listeners in their own voices adds to the community feel of our podcast.   You can also use this for many other purposes: 1) Send us constructive criticism about how we can improve our podcast 2) Share an encouraging word about something you like about an episode or the podcast in general 3) Share a topic or an article you would like us to address 4) Share a speaker you want us to interview 5) Leave positive feedback for one of our interviewees. We will send your verbal feedback directly to them and I can almost assure you, your positive feedback will make their day.   To sign up to receive Your College-Bound Kid PLUS, our new monthly admissions newsletter, delivered directly to your email once a month, just go to yourcollegeboundkid.com, and you will see the sign-up popup. We will include many of the hot topics being discussed on college campuses.   Check out our new blog. We write timely and insightful articles on college admissions:   Follow Mark Stucker on Twitter to get breaking college admission news, and updates about the podcast before they go live. You can ask questions on Twitter that he will answer on the podcast. Mark will also share additional hot topics in the news and breaking news on this Twitter feed. Twitter message is also the preferred way to ask questions for our podcast:   https://twitter.com/YCBKpodcast   1. To access our transcripts, click: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/category/transcripts/ 2. Find the specific episode transcripts for the one you want to search and click the link 3. Find the magnifying glass icon in blue (search feature) and click it 4. Enter whatever word you want to search. I.e. Loans 5. Every word in that episode when the words loans are used, will be highlighted in yellow with a timestamps 6. Click the word highlighted in yellow and the player will play the episode from that starting point 7. You can also download the entire podcast as a transcript   We would be honored if you will pass this podcast episode on to others who you feel will benefit from the content in YCBK.   Please subscribe to our podcast. It really helps us move up in Apple's search feature so others can find our podcast.   If you enjoy our podcast, would you please do us a favor and share our podcast both verbally and on social media? We would be most grateful!   If you want to help more people find Your College-Bound Kid, please make sure you follow our podcast. You will also get instant notifications as soon as each episode goes live.   Check out the college admissions books Mark recommends:   Check out the college websites Mark recommends:   If you want to have some input about what you like and what you recommend, we change about our podcast, please complete our Podcast survey; here is the link:     If you want a college consultation with Mark or Lisa or Lynda, just text Mark at 404-664-4340 or email Lisa at or Lynda at Lynda@schoolmatch4u.com. All we ask is that you review their services and pricing on their website before the complimentary session; here is link to their services with transparent pricing: https://schoolmatch4u.com/services/compare-packages/

Want to send your student to college without going into debt? Join me for the second part of my conversation with Shellee Howard on how to make college more affordable and accessible for your family.   Shellee is the founder and CEO of College Ready and a certified independent college strategist. She specializes in helping families navigate the complex world of college admissions and funding.   In part two of our conversation, we discuss: The critical steps to take if you're starting the college prep process late Key factors colleges consider in applications and how to enhance them The importance of community service, leadership, and extracurricular activities How to identify the right colleges based on fit and financial considerations Tips for effectively negotiating financial aid and scholarships effectively   Tune in now to gain the knowledge you need to help your child succeed in their college journey! If you missed part one, be sure to listen to that episode before diving into this one.   And as a special gift, Shellee is offering a complimentary 30-minute consultation for listeners who want to assess their child's college readiness. You can grab that opportunity at collegereadyplan.info.   Connect with Shellee: College Ready's website: https://collegereadyplan.com/  College Ready's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/collegereadyplan/    Shellee's Podcast: Parents: Is Your Teen College Ready?   Shellee's Books on Amazon: How to Send Your Child to College Without Losing Your Mind or Your Money The College Admissions Plan Simplified  

In this insightful conversation between Shelley Howard and Elliot Felix, Felix—shares valuable guidance on preparing students not just to enter college but to thrive throughout their college journey and beyond. He emphasizes the importance of community, support systems, and aligning coursework with career goals to maximize the college experience. Elliot breaks down complex academic research into practical strategies, such as setting process-based goals and finding mentors, which significantly improve student outcomes. He candidly addresses the evolving value of college in today's economic landscape, highlighting that success is not guaranteed but can be increased by purposeful engagement and preparation. Elliot also explores how families can decide if college is the right path for their child, emphasizing alternative educational routes and realistic planning. His two books, How to Get the Most Out of College and the forthcoming The Connected College, aim to empower students, families, and institutions to foster environments conducive to student success. Ultimately, Felix advocates a design-thinking approach to life and college, encouraging students to prototype their decisions through exploration, research, and mentorship. HighlightsElliot Felix emphasizes the critical difference between getting into college and truly succeeding once there.Students need a sense of belonging and community to thrive in college.Aligning coursework with career goals through real projects creates meaningful learning experiences.Process-based goals (e.g., completing tasks) outperform vague performance-based goals (e.g., earning a grade).Finding mentors doubles the likelihood students will value their education and succeed professionally.College's worth depends largely on how students engage, not just on where they attend.Viewing college and life decisions as a “prototype” allows for flexible learning and growth.Key InsightsProcess-Based vs. Performance-Based Goals: Elliot underscores research from MIT that process-based goals—clear, actionable steps—are far more effective for student success than vague performance goals tied to outcomes. This approach helps students focus on controllable behaviors, reduces anxiety, and builds momentum.Sense of Belonging as Foundation for Success: A strong peer community is essential. Feeling connected to a group helps students engage more deeply, access support, and overcome challenges, which boosts retention and graduation rates. Colleges should encourage social and academic integration early.Connecting Coursework with Real-World Careers: Elliot highlights the value of projects that simulate or connect to actual career tasks, helping students experiment with potential fields and build relevant experience. This practical application helps make education more relevant and supports future employment.Mentorship Is a Game-Changer: Referencing Gallup studies, Elliot points out that students with mentors are twice as likely to feel their education was worth it and to be engaged in their careers. Mentorship provides guidance, networking, and emotional support critical for navigating college and work life successfully.Reevaluating the Value and Risk of College: Research shows lifetime earnings can be significantly higher for graduates, but only about 60% of students graduate within six years, making college a risky investment for some. Success hinges on preparation, financial planning, and purposeful engagement rather than blind attendance.Expanding the Definition of College: Elliot stresses that college isn't just four-year universities but also includes community colleges, apprenticeships, and boot camps. Different forms of postsecondary education can suit different students' needs, avoiding a “one size fits all” mentality.Design Thinking and Prototyping Life Choices: Viewing decisions about majors, schools, and careers as prototypes to test and refine reduces pressure and increases adaptability. By encouraging exploration and seeking feedback, students can make more informed choices—ultimately leading to greater success.This interview offers parents and students practical, research-backed advice to navigate higher education more effectively while promoting a more holistic and nuanced understanding of what it means to be “college ready.” The blend of research, personal stories, and actionable tips provides a roadmap for making college a transformative and worthwhile experience.Connect with Shellee Howard:WebsiteYouTubeInstagramLinkedInEmail: shellee@collegereadyplan.comWebsiteYouTubeInstagramLinkedInEmail: elliot@connectedcollege.org  

In a process with as many steps as choosing, applying to, and being accepted at a target higher education institution, small improvements in efficiency at any point can compound dramatically for both applicants and admissions offices. Amy and Mike invited ed tech entrepreneur Sam Bernstein to explore the current state of AI and the college admissions process. What are five things you will learn in this episode? How is AI changing the way students search for colleges and navigate the application process? How should students and parents be using AI in the college process—and where should they draw the line? What AI-powered tools should parents, counselors, and IECs be aware of? How can counselors use AI to manage caseloads more efficiently while maintaining a personal touch? What does a student-first future look like in an AI-driven college admissions landscape? MEET OUR GUEST Sam Bernstein is the co-founder of Loper, a free mobile app designed to help students explore and discover their best educational opportunities after high school. The inspiration for Loper came out of the pandemic, where “life on pause” led to two college friends (Sam and his co-founder Eric) spending long nights discussing their shared passion: education. Fast forward two years, and they quit their jobs to launch Loper, which has now helped nearly 200,000 students find best-fit opportunities after high school. Since founding Loper, Sam has spoken at nearly a dozen industry conferences, and he always loves the opportunity to present to both students and parents on college and career readiness. Sam lives in Chicago, loves to bike, and (so far) has kept up with his 2025 resolution to read more fiction. His favorite podcast is “Revolutions” by Mike Duncan. Sam has previously appeared on the podcast in episode 360 to discuss FINDING YOUR COLLEGE FIT. The best place to connect with Sam is on LinkedIn. If you have questions about Loper or are interested in either a virtual or live presentation to your students, you can reach him at sam@getloper.com. LINKS AI Is Taking Over College Admissions Incorporating AI into the Admissions Process Loper ESAI CollegeCraft.Ai TurboLearn AI RELATED EPISODES COLLEGE ESSAYS IN THE AGE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND ACADEMIC INTEGRITY ADMISSIONS LESSONS FROM ADMISSIONS REPS ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page. ABOUT YOUR HOSTS Mike Bergin is the president of Chariot Learning and founder of TestBright. Amy Seeley is the president of Seeley Test Pros and LEAP. If you're interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, feel free to get in touch through our contact page.  

In this episode, Lisa and Alison Slater discuss:Mastering college interviews as a tool for standing out in competitive admissionsBuilding confidence and communication through intentional interview prepNavigating different formats and policies of college interviewsApplying interview skills to scholarships, internships, and future jobsKey Takeaways: Starting interview prep in junior year helps students take advantage of early opportunities, including summer interviews and scholarship deadlines that may come before applications.Building a personal elevator pitch and identifying 3–5 core values allows students to answer questions with clarity and purpose across interviews and essays.Practicing out loud and doing mock interviews with someone objective improves delivery, boosts confidence, and helps uncover forgotten strengths.AI can support interview prep and school research, but the interview itself remains a valuable, real-time moment for students to show authenticity and create a personal connection.“Interview prep is a combination of preparing the skills that you need... and doing the self-reflection to be able to speak about your experiences eloquently.” – Alison SlaterAbout Alison Slater: Alison attended Bucknell University and worked in selective college admissions for fifteen years. Interviews were her favorite part of the college application process, but she found they often became missed opportunities when students arrived nervous or unprepared. Now, Alison helps students make strong impressions by preparing thoughtfully and approaching each interview with a clear plan.Episode References:#170 AI and College Essays: What Families Need to Know with Susan Knoppow: https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/170#173 The Top 3 Scholarship Essays That Win Money with Leia LeMaster Horton: https://flourishcoachingco.com/173Alison's Practice Interview Questions: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/6680dabe235f54454a61cb47/t/67e1d8b1e9be040252804a25/1742854322162/Common+Interview+Questions.pdfGet Lisa's Free on-demand video: How-to guide for your teen to choose the right major, college, & career...(without painting themselves into a corner, missing crucial deadlines, or risking choices you both regret). flourishcoachingco.com/video Connect with Alison:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/interviewprepllc/Website: http://www.interviewprepllc.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-slater/ & https://www.linkedin.com/company/interview-prep-llc/Connect with Lisa:Website: https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@flourishcoachingcoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/flourishcoachingco/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flourish-coaching-co

In this episode you will hear:   Mark shares four things from his Texas trip he thinks will be of interest to our listeners. .  Mark shares why he does not think high schools should rank students.   Mark interviews John Pollard, Dean of Admissions of Franke Honors College at the University of  Arizona. John gives an overview of Honors Colleges in the United States. Preview o   John gives an overview of the national landscape when it comes to Honors Colleges o   John explains some outstanding strengths that almost all Honors colleges have in common o   John gives the history of Honors colleges, and he shares how they have evolved over the last 30 to 40 years o   John shares what questions students and parents need to ask to differentiate between one Honors college and another one and he gives us eight questions that students and parents need to ask when comparing one Honors College to another o   John lets us know the difference between an Honors College and an Honors Program o   John talks about the caliber of the faculty that Honors colleges attract o   John shares the three ways in which students have an Honors experience academically     Speakpipe.com/YCBK is our method if you want to ask a question and we will be prioritizing all questions sent in via Speakpipe. Unfortunately, we will NOT answer questions on the podcast anymore that are emailed in. If you want us to answer a question on the podcast, please use speakpipe.com/YCBK. We feel hearing from our listeners in their own voices adds to the community feel of our podcast.   You can also use this for many other purposes: 1) Send us constructive criticism about how we can improve our podcast 2) Share an encouraging word about something you like about an episode or the podcast in general 3) Share a topic or an article you would like us to address 4) Share a speaker you want us to interview 5) Leave positive feedback for one of our interviewees. We will send your verbal feedback directly to them and I can almost assure you, your positive feedback will make their day.   To sign up to receive Your College-Bound Kid PLUS, our new monthly admissions newsletter, delivered directly to your email once a month, just go to yourcollegeboundkid.com, and you will see the sign-up popup. We will include many of the hot topics being discussed on college campuses.   Check out our new blog. We write timely and insightful articles on college admissions:   On X for our podcast:   https://twitter.com/YCBKpodcast   1. To access our transcripts, click: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/category/transcripts/ 2. Find the specific episode transcripts for the one you want to search and click the link 3. Find the magnifying glass icon in blue (search feature) and click it 4. Enter whatever word you want to search. I.e. Loans 5. Every word in that episode when the words loans are used, will be highlighted in yellow with a timestamps 6. Click the word highlighted in yellow and the player will play the episode from that starting point 7. You can also download the entire podcast as a transcript   We would be honored if you will pass this podcast episode on to others who you feel will benefit from the content in YCBK.   Please subscribe to our podcast. It really helps us move up in Apple's search feature so others can find our podcast.   If you enjoy our podcast, would you please do us a favor and share our podcast both verbally and on social media? We would be most grateful!   If you want to help more people find Your College-Bound Kid, please make sure you follow our podcast. You will also get instant notifications as soon as each episode goes live.   Check out the college admissions books Mark recommends:   Check out the college websites Mark recommends:   If you want to have some input about what you like and what you recommend, we change about our podcast, please complete our Podcast survey; here is the link:     If you want a college consultation with Mark or Lisa or Lynda, just text Mark at 404-664-4340 or email Lisa at or Lynda at Lynda@schoolmatch4u.com. All we ask is that you review their services and pricing on their website before the complimentary session; here is link to their services with transparent pricing: https://schoolmatch4u.com/services/compare-packages/

Your college application isn't just paperwork—it's your personal sales pitch. It's how you present your academic story, your values, and your potential to admissions committees who may only spend a few minutes reviewing it. In the fourth episode of our ... Read More » The post 578: College Applications 101: Everything You Need to Know (College Admissions Essentials #4) appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

In this episode of the Admittedly Podcast, host Thomas Caleel tackles a concern we hear often from families: “What if my kid isn't the extroverted type who starts clubs or rallies crowds?” What happens when a student is deeply curious, authentic, and passionate—but in a quieter, more individual way? Thomas breaks down what admissions officers actually value, why solo work can absolutely shine, and how to ensure your quieter approach still connects outside your own bubble. With real examples from students who were more introspective but still successful at the most competitive schools, this episode will help you reframe what leadership, initiative, and involvement really mean—and how to lean into your strengths, even if they look different from everyone else's. Key Takeaways: Being Introverted Isn't a Red Flag: You don't need to lead 100 people to be seen as a leader. You just need to show passion, initiative, and depth—on your own terms. Independent Work Still Counts as Involvement: Internships, research, and solo projects are valid forms of engagement. If you're working with a local lab, nature center, or professor—that is community involvement. But You Can't Stay in a Bubble: Doing everything in isolation won't cut it. Admissions officers are looking for signs that you'll engage with a college community. Find ways to bring your work into the world—through mentorship, volunteering, presentations, or collaboration. Top Schools Value Depth Over Performance: Real curiosity and consistency go further than surface-level leadership. What matters most is how well you understand yourself and how thoughtfully you pursue your interests. You don't need to be someone else to succeed in this process—but you do need to stretch. That might mean presenting your research, finding collaborators, or simply joining a community tied to your interest. Whatever your personality, the key is showing that your work doesn't exist in a vacuum. Let your ideas breathe outside your own world. You're not applying to college to live alone in a lab or in your head—you're joining a community. Admissions officers want to see that you're ready for that in a way that's still true to who you are. Are you an introvert navigating this process? We want to hear your story. DM us your questions @admittedlyco on Instagram or TikTok. Visit www.admittedly.co for more resources and support.

In this episode you will hear:   (01:45) Question from a listener:  Mark and Hillary answer a question from a listener who wants to know how AI is being used in admissions (17:33) Second Question from a listener: Barry from New Jersey wants to know more about dual enrollment, and especially how dual enrollment classes are interpreted by colleges for a physical applicant (42:20) Interview: Mark Stucker and Nate Haveman,  VP of enrollment of Hope College Preview of Part 3 of 4 v  Nate tells us about why he is so impressed with President Scoggin v  Nate tells us about the Racquet Sports management program that Hope offers v  Nate tells us about the most popular majors at HOPE v  Nate tells us about what it means that HOPE is a “Colleges That Change Lives” school v  Nate talks about the outstanding art music, dance and theater programs at HOPE v  Nate answers the question, would a student who a Christian is not fit in at HOPE v  Nate talks about the political affiliation of the students at HOPE v  Nate talks about who the small colleges they overlap with are. v  Nate talks about the things that when he is reading an admissions file makes them pop and stand out v  Nate explains why students pick HOPE over there other cross-apps         Speakpipe.com/YCBK is our method if you want to ask a question and we will be prioritizing all questions sent in via Speakpipe. Unfortunately, we will NOT answer questions on the podcast anymore that are emailed in. If you want us to answer a question on the podcast, please use speakpipe.com/YCBK. We feel hearing from our listeners in their own voices adds to the community feel of our podcast.   You can also use this for many other purposes: 1) Send us constructive criticism about how we can improve our podcast 2) Share an encouraging word about something you like about an episode or the podcast in general 3) Share a topic or an article you would like us to address 4) Share a speaker you want us to interview 5) Leave positive feedback for one of our interviewees. We will send your verbal feedback directly to them and I can almost assure you, your positive feedback will make their day.   To sign up to receive Your College-Bound Kid PLUS, our new monthly admissions newsletter, delivered directly to your email once a month, just go to yourcollegeboundkid.com, and you will see the sign-up popup. We will include many of the hot topics being discussed on college campuses.   Check out our new blog. We write timely and insightful articles on college admissions:   Follow Mark Stucker on Twitter to get breaking college admission news, and updates about the podcast before they go live. You can ask questions on Twitter that he will answer on the podcast. Mark will also share additional hot topics in the news and breaking news on this Twitter feed. Twitter message is also the preferred way to ask questions for our podcast:   https://twitter.com/YCBKpodcast   1. To access our transcripts, click: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/category/transcripts/ 2. Find the specific episode transcripts for the one you want to search and click the link 3. Find the magnifying glass icon in blue (search feature) and click it 4. Enter whatever word you want to search. I.e. Loans 5. Every word in that episode when the words loans are used, will be highlighted in yellow with a timestamps 6. Click the word highlighted in yellow and the player will play the episode from that starting point 7. You can also download the entire podcast as a transcript   We would be honored if you will pass this podcast episode on to others who you feel will benefit from the content in YCBK.   Please subscribe to our podcast. It really helps us move up in Apple's search feature so others can find our podcast.   If you enjoy our podcast, would you please do us a favor and share our podcast both verbally and on social media? We would be most grateful!   If you want to help more people find Your College-Bound Kid, please make sure you follow our podcast. You will also get instant notifications as soon as each episode goes live.   Check out the college admissions books Mark recommends:   Check out the college websites Mark recommends:   If you want to have some input about what you like and what you recommend, we change about our podcast, please complete our Podcast survey; here is the link:     If you want a college consultation with Mark or Lisa or Lynda, just text Mark at 404-664-4340 or email Lisa at or Lynda at Lynda@schoolmatch4u.com. All we ask is that you review their services and pricing on their website before the complimentary session; here is link to their services with transparent pricing: https://schoolmatch4u.com/services/compare-packages/

In this episode of the Mad Rush Podcast, host Tricia Addicks welcomes Brian Eufinger, owner of Edison Prep, to discuss the landscape of college admissions and test preparation. Brian shares the importance of a strong GPA, extracurricular activities, and strategic planning for SAT/ACTs. He emphasizes the long-term impact of these scores on internships and job applications. Throughout the conversation, Brian provides valuable tips on creating effective college essays, the significance of early preparation, and debunks myths about the 'test-optional' policy. Additionally, he introduces helpful resources such as free mock tests and merit aid grids for financial planning. This episode is a deep dive into optimizing the college prep process to achieve the best possible outcomes for students. 00:00 Introduction to the Mad Rush Podcast 00:03 The Importance of Test Scores Beyond College 01:35 Meet Brian Eufinger of Edison Prep 02:17 The Journey and Success of Edison Prep 02:49 The Value of Hard Work and Test Prep 03:19 Real-Life Stories of Test Prep Success 04:05 The Role of Parents in Test Prep 04:43 Financial Benefits of High Test Scores 06:10 The Impact of GPA on College Admissions 16:40 Understanding Yield Protection in College Admissions 21:55 The Importance of Early Decision and Application Strategies 34:04 Final Tips for College Admissions Success 36:14 Designing a Summer Plan for SAT/ACT Prep 37:15 Understanding the Costs of SAT/ACT 37:38 State and District Funded Testing 41:12 The Importance of Super Scoring 46:51 Test Optional Misconceptions 54:15 The Long-Term Value of Test Scores 56:47 The Role of Essays in College Admissions 01:01:18 The Importance of College Counselors 01:04:27 Edison Prep Services and Resources 01:07:56 Conclusion and Contact Information Brian's Info:

The college admissions process can be incredibly competitive and stressful―intense strategizing is required. The lack of clarity around the role that standardized admissions tests such as the SAT and ACT play in the process doesn't help. College admissions coach Nancy Steenson joins podcast host John Bryson on how best to navigate the evolving college admissions environment.

In this special episode recorded on site at SXSW EDU, Dustin speaks with Ana Homayoun, executive functioning expert, author, and founder of Green Ivy Educational Consulting and Luminaria Learning. Ana has spent 25 years helping students develop the organization, planning, and adaptability skills they need to thrive in school, work, and life. She explains why higher ed institutions must start teaching executive functioning skills, how this can boost retention and student well-being, and why these abilities are just as critical as technical knowledge for career success.Guest Name: Ana Homayoun - Author, Nonprofit Executive, & Independent Academic AdvisorGuest Social: LinkedInGuest Bio: Ana Homayoun is a noted author, academic advisor, and early career development strategist. Her work focuses on helping students develop executive functioning skills in today's technology and social media world. Her latest book, Erasing the Finish Line: The New Blueprint for Success Beyond Grades and College Admissions, underscores the fundamental skills needed for academic success, emotional well-being and long-term workforce development. Ana is the founder of Green Ivy Educational Consulting, a Silicon Valley-based academic advising firm that helps students, parents and educators with crucial executive function and life-management skills. She is also the founder and executive director of Luminaria Learning Solutions, a non-profit initiative developing the Life Navigator School Advisory Program, an executive function skills curriculum rooted in social and emotional well-being that aims to prepare students for success in and outside of the classroom. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Dustin Ramsdellhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/dustinramsdell/About The Enrollify Podcast Network:The Higher Ed Geek is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you'll like other Enrollify shows too!Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

Welcome to Part 2 of 2 of this mini-series on AI in college admission! In our last episode, I interviewed Jen Rubin from foundry10 on how students and counselors are using AI in the college admission process. In today's episode I'll get into what colleges have to say, and what I would advise as a result. I'll get into: My biggest concern with AI… in general (spoiler: it's much bigger than college applications) My concerns related to AI use in the college application process   Common App guidelines + What colleges have to say around AI use What I believe students might miss out on if they use AI to write their essays for them My advice to students and counselors We hope you enjoy!   Play-by-Play: 2:12 – What is Ethan's biggest concern with AI?  3:29 – CommonApp Guidelines 4:09 – What do colleges have to say about AI use in the application process?   7:05 – What does Ethan believe students might miss out on if they use AI to write their essays for them? 12:00 – Can Chat GPT and AI be useful in certain contexts? 13:34 – AI use and environmental impacts  14:26 – Closing thoughts    Resources: CEG Podcast Episode 605 - Navigating College Applications with AI (Part 1): How High School Teachers and Students Use Tools Like ChatGPT Blog Version of this episode – Navigating College Applications with AI: What Colleges Say + CEG's Advice to Students and Counselors CEG's Thoughts on AI and College Application Essays Duncan Sabian – Article on AI Safety AI 2027 CommonApp Affirmation Statement College Statements on AI Usage Princeton University CalTech Brown University University of California (UC) System Gonzaga University Southern Methodist University (Graduate) University of Melbourne (Outside the US) As Use of A.I. Soars, So Does the Energy and Water It Requires Jeff Neill's Tech-Neill-ogy  College Essay Guy's Personal Statement Resources College Essay Guy's College Application Hub  

Today's guest is Kathleen deLaski, author of the thought-provoking new book: Who Needs College Anymore? Imagining A Future Where Degrees Won't Matter. Kathleen spent 20 years as a journalist, including time as an ABC News White House correspondent. In the second half of her career, she has focused on education reform, cofounding or founding several national nonprofits, notably the Education Design Lab, which led her toward this book. After stepping down as president to become board chair, Kathleen also spends time as a senior advisor to the Project on Workforce at Harvard University and teaches human-centered design and higher ed reform as an adjunct professor at George Mason University. *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly e-newsletter on education entrepreneurship and innovation at edentrepreneur.org.

The last thing anybody wants to do is sit for a meaningless test. Entrance exams like the SAT & ACT should be able to inform both test takers and target institutions about the likelihood of success at the next level. So do they? Amy and Mike invited educator David Blobaum to explore the predictive validity of test scores in college admissions. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Research says that SAT/ACT scores are better predictors of success at Ivy-plus colleges than are high school grades–why? Have any other colleges beyond the Ivy-plus colleges made similar statements? Why have colleges not gone back to requiring test scores then if they're so predictive? Do test-optional colleges value SAT/ACT scores? Are test-blind colleges blind to all tests? MEET OUR GUEST David Blobaum graduated from the University of Chicago with honors both from the college and in his major. In college, he took seriously the University of Chicago's aim of a “Renaissance” or well-rounded education and took courses in 17 different disciplines, ranging from Statistics and Economics to Philosophy and Art History. Since then, he has devoted himself to helping students reach their potential on the SAT and ACT and, more broadly, to help them succeed through education.  To that end, in 2013, he founded Summit Prep with a former UChicago classmate. They now have two tutoring centers in New Jersey, and their team of SAT/ACT experts privately tutors over 500 students per year. David is a consultant to schools on SAT/ACT best practices, personally trains each Summit Prep tutor one-on-one, and tutors a select few students himself. David not only teaches students the necessary subject matter but also motivates them to continually strive towards their potential. David first appeared on the podcast in episode 79 to discuss Why The SAT And ACT Are Awesome, in episode 582 to discuss The Need For Testing Sites In California, and in episode 421 for a Sponsor Spotlight. Find David at https://summitprep.com/. LINKS Common Data Set AP Exam Scores Are Important For College Admissions  The Rumors Are... True. Testing is Coming Back. SAT And ACT Scores Are More Predictive Than Grades? RELATED EPISODES HOW GRADING POLICIES INFLUENCE GRADE INFLATION WHO LOSES WHEN WE ABOLISH ENTRANCE EXAMS? WHY TESTS MATTER: STUDENT PERSPECTIVES WHY UC WAS WRONG TO STOP USING THE SAT ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page. ABOUT YOUR HOSTS Mike Bergin is the president of Chariot Learning and founder of TestBright. Amy Seeley is the president of Seeley Test Pros and LEAP. If you're interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, feel free to get in touch through our contact page.  

In this episode you will hear:   Mark shares two things from his Texas trip he thinks will be of interest to our listeners. .  Mark shares how he answers the question, “What Can I Do To Support My Student With The College Admissions Process” Mark interviews John Pollard, Dean of Admissions of Franke Honors College at the University of Arizona, Topic, Understanding the University of Arizona Preview of Part 2 of 2 ·         John talks about the strength of the engineering program ·         John talks about the strength of the fine arts program at U of A ·         John talks about he marching band program at U of A ·         John talks about creative photography and ·         John talks about the school spirit around sports at U of A ·         John talks about the Greek life at U of A ·         John describes the personality at U of A ·         John talks about the weather at U of A ·         John talks about the merit scholarships at U of A ·         John talks about some of the challenges U of A has faced recently ·         John talks about the new President at U of A     Speakpipe.com/YCBK is our method if you want to ask a question and we will be prioritizing all questions sent in via Speakpipe. Unfortunately, we will NOT answer questions on the podcast anymore that are emailed in. If you want us to answer a question on the podcast, please use speakpipe.com/YCBK. We feel hearing from our listeners in their own voices adds to the community feel of our podcast.   You can also use this for many other purposes: 1) Send us constructive criticism about how we can improve our podcast 2) Share an encouraging word about something you like about an episode or the podcast in general 3) Share a topic or an article you would like us to address 4) Share a speaker you want us to interview 5) Leave positive feedback for one of our interviewees. We will send your verbal feedback directly to them and I can almost assure you, your positive feedback will make their day.   To sign up to receive Your College-Bound Kid PLUS, our new monthly admissions newsletter, delivered directly to your email once a month, just go to yourcollegeboundkid.com, and you will see the sign-up popup. We will include many of the hot topics being discussed on college campuses.   Check out our new blog. We write timely and insightful articles on college admissions:   On X for our podcast:   https://twitter.com/YCBKpodcast   1. To access our transcripts, click: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/category/transcripts/ 2. Find the specific episode transcripts for the one you want to search and click the link 3. Find the magnifying glass icon in blue (search feature) and click it 4. Enter whatever word you want to search. I.e. Loans 5. Every word in that episode when the words loans are used, will be highlighted in yellow with a timestamps 6. Click the word highlighted in yellow and the player will play the episode from that starting point 7. You can also download the entire podcast as a transcript   We would be honored if you will pass this podcast episode on to others who you feel will benefit from the content in YCBK.   Please subscribe to our podcast. It really helps us move up in Apple's search feature so others can find our podcast.   If you enjoy our podcast, would you please do us a favor and share our podcast both verbally and on social media? We would be most grateful!   If you want to help more people find Your College-Bound Kid, please make sure you follow our podcast. You will also get instant notifications as soon as each episode goes live.   Check out the college admissions books Mark recommends:   Check out the college websites Mark recommends:   If you want to have some input about what you like and what you recommend, we change about our podcast, please complete our Podcast survey; here is the link:     If you want a college consultation with Mark or Lisa or Lynda, just text Mark at 404-664-4340 or email Lisa at or Lynda at Lynda@schoolmatch4u.com. All we ask is that you review their services and pricing on their website before the complimentary session; here is link to their services with transparent pricing: https://schoolmatch4u.com/services/compare-packages/

You've made it to the end of AP season—or you're just about to. So… what now? In this episode, I share what successful students actually do after their exams are over to prepare for college applications. These are the same strategies used by Ivy League, Stanford, and MIT admits—and they're simple, clear, and powerful.You'll learn:Why the summer after junior year is a “bonus semester”The two questions your application must answerWhat aligned action looks like (with real student examples)How to recover, reflect, and move forward with purposeA simple 3-step plan you can start this weekWhether you're feeling burned out or just unsure of your next step—this episode will help you reset your direction and use your time wisely.

I wanted to have Dan on the show to learn more about the inner workings of the mysterious private tutor world.  When I was coming up, private tutors were hardly a thing; now, they can be a difference maker.  Access to elite educational opportunities is a key line of division in our fracturing society and, while in education we tend to look for systemic solutions, what's going on with private tutors suggests that individual intervention may be where we want to focus.  Tune in to this fascinating conversation to learn:Why parents around the world are willing to pay people like Dan upwards of $2000 per hour to help their kids do better on standardized testsWhat close reading is and why it's the secret to standardized test success Just what is being measured by standardized tests, and why should we care about itWhy, despite their issues and limitations, many schools are turning back to standardized test scores to help sort candidatesHow the best schools in the world are designed to create lifelong learners rather than for information/curriculum deliveryAnd Much, much moreConnect with Nick Halaris: Nick Halaris website and newletter (sign up!) Nick Halaris on Instagram Nick Halaris on linkedin Nick Halaris on Twitter

In this episode you will hear:   (01:36) Question from a listener:  Mark and Hillary continue giving tips for college fairs but then they discuss how it lands when a student doesn't have any service hours. (17:33) Interview: Mark Stucker and Nate Haveman,  VP of enrollment of Hope College Preview of Part 2 of 4 v  Nate and I talk about why college costs so much these days v  Nate goes back to Hope Forward and goes into more in depth explaining things like, how are students selected for Hope Forward and is it based more on merit or need, and what is the interview process like v  Nate talks about how unique it is for a liberal arts school to offer both business and engineering, like Hope provides v  Nate talks about the role of research at Hope v  Nate talks about study abroad opportunities at Hope   (32:22) College Spotlight-Kevin Newton, Changes in International Admissions-2 of 2       Speakpipe.com/YCBK is our method if you want to ask a question and we will be prioritizing all questions sent in via Speakpipe. Unfortunately, we will NOT answer questions on the podcast anymore that are emailed in. If you want us to answer a question on the podcast, please use speakpipe.com/YCBK. We feel hearing from our listeners in their own voices adds to the community feel of our podcast.   You can also use this for many other purposes: 1) Send us constructive criticism about how we can improve our podcast 2) Share an encouraging word about something you like about an episode or the podcast in general 3) Share a topic or an article you would like us to address 4) Share a speaker you want us to interview 5) Leave positive feedback for one of our interviewees. We will send your verbal feedback directly to them and I can almost assure you, your positive feedback will make their day.   To sign up to receive Your College-Bound Kid PLUS, our new monthly admissions newsletter, delivered directly to your email once a month, just go to yourcollegeboundkid.com, and you will see the sign-up popup. We will include many of the hot topics being discussed on college campuses.   Check out our new blog. We write timely and insightful articles on college admissions:   Follow Mark Stucker on Twitter to get breaking college admission news, and updates about the podcast before they go live. You can ask questions on Twitter that he will answer on the podcast. Mark will also share additional hot topics in the news and breaking news on this Twitter feed. Twitter message is also the preferred way to ask questions for our podcast:   https://twitter.com/YCBKpodcast   1. To access our transcripts, click: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/category/transcripts/ 2. Find the specific episode transcripts for the one you want to search and click the link 3. Find the magnifying glass icon in blue (search feature) and click it 4. Enter whatever word you want to search. I.e. Loans 5. Every word in that episode when the words loans are used, will be highlighted in yellow with a timestamps 6. Click the word highlighted in yellow and the player will play the episode from that starting point 7. You can also download the entire podcast as a transcript   We would be honored if you will pass this podcast episode on to others who you feel will benefit from the content in YCBK.   Please subscribe to our podcast. It really helps us move up in Apple's search feature so others can find our podcast.   If you enjoy our podcast, would you please do us a favor and share our podcast both verbally and on social media? We would be most grateful!   If you want to help more people find Your College-Bound Kid, please make sure you follow our podcast. You will also get instant notifications as soon as each episode goes live.   Check out the college admissions books Mark recommends:   Check out the college websites Mark recommends:   If you want to have some input about what you like and what you recommend, we change about our podcast, please complete our Podcast survey; here is the link:     If you want a college consultation with Mark or Lisa or Lynda, just text Mark at 404-664-4340 or email Lisa at or Lynda at Lynda@schoolmatch4u.com. All we ask is that you review their services and pricing on their website before the complimentary session; here is link to their services with transparent pricing: https://schoolmatch4u.com/services/compare-packages/

Are you feeling pressure to make the most of summer—but not sure what actually matters for college admissions? In this episode, Steve Gardner breaks down the three most common mistakes high-achieving students make when planning their summer... and shows you how to avoid them.You'll meet:Sophia, who overloaded her schedule trying to impress collegesDaniel, who created a meaningful project from a single questionAnd Bryanna, a real student whose summer project led to research, grants, and scholarship offersWhether you're feeling behind or just overwhelmed, this episode will help you create a summer that builds not just a stronger application—but a stronger you.-----To register for the Ivy League Challenge, visit our websiteTo follow on Instagram:  @TheIvyLeagueChallengeTo join us on our Facebook group for parents

In this episode you will hear:   Mark gives out awards in 25 different categories to the 11 colleges he visited in Texas in his 3 weeks he spent in Texas in April.   Mark interviews John Pollard, Dean of Admissions of Franke Honors College at the University of Arizona, Topic, Understanding the University of Arizona Preview of Part 1 of 2 ·         John gives his backstory ·         John shares what changes he has seen at the University of Arizona ·         John shares the changes at the campus of U of A? ·         John talks about the changes on campus ·         John talks about the world class research being done at U of A ·         How does being close to the border impact school culture ·         John talks about the strength of the Scientific research at U of A ·         John talks about the strength of the Health Sciences at U of A ·         John talks about the strength of Environmental Studies at U of A ·         John tells us more about the unique strengths of the SALT Center at U of A     Speakpipe.com/YCBK is our method if you want to ask a question and we will be prioritizing all questions sent in via Speakpipe. Unfortunately, we will NOT answer questions on the podcast anymore that are emailed in. If you want us to answer a question on the podcast, please use speakpipe.com/YCBK. We feel hearing from our listeners in their own voices adds to the community feel of our podcast.   You can also use this for many other purposes: 1) Send us constructive criticism about how we can improve our podcast 2) Share an encouraging word about something you like about an episode or the podcast in general 3) Share a topic or an article you would like us to address 4) Share a speaker you want us to interview 5) Leave positive feedback for one of our interviewees. We will send your verbal feedback directly to them and I can almost assure you, your positive feedback will make their day.   To sign up to receive Your College-Bound Kid PLUS, our new monthly admissions newsletter, delivered directly to your email once a month, just go to yourcollegeboundkid.com, and you will see the sign-up popup. We will include many of the hot topics being discussed on college campuses.   Check out our new blog. We write timely and insightful articles on college admissions:   On X for our podcast:   https://twitter.com/YCBKpodcast   1. To access our transcripts, click: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/category/transcripts/ 2. Find the specific episode transcripts for the one you want to search and click the link 3. Find the magnifying glass icon in blue (search feature) and click it 4. Enter whatever word you want to search. I.e. Loans 5. Every word in that episode when the words loans are used, will be highlighted in yellow with a timestamps 6. Click the word highlighted in yellow and the player will play the episode from that starting point 7. You can also download the entire podcast as a transcript   We would be honored if you will pass this podcast episode on to others who you feel will benefit from the content in YCBK.   Please subscribe to our podcast. It really helps us move up in Apple's search feature so others can find our podcast.   If you enjoy our podcast, would you please do us a favor and share our podcast both verbally and on social media? We would be most grateful!   If you want to help more people find Your College-Bound Kid, please make sure you follow our podcast. You will also get instant notifications as soon as each episode goes live.   Check out the college admissions books Mark recommends:   Check out the college websites Mark recommends:   If you want to have some input about what you like and what you recommend, we change about our podcast, please complete our Podcast survey; here is the link:     If you want a college consultation with Mark or Lisa or Lynda, just text Mark at 404-664-4340 or email Lisa at or Lynda at Lynda@schoolmatch4u.com. All we ask is that you review their services and pricing on their website before the complimentary session; here is link to their services with transparent pricing: https://schoolmatch4u.com/services/compare-packages/

In this episode you will hear:   (02:30) In The News Vince Garcia and Mark Stucker discuss observations from admission decisions from this year's class. Part 3 of 3 (16:55) Question from a listener:  Mark and Susan answer a question from a listener who wants advice for student who is content getting B's (50:00) Interview: Mark Stucker and Nate Haveman,  VP of enrollment of Hope College Preview of Part 1 of 4 v  Nate gives his backstory v  Nate explains how Hope is different from other colleges v  Nate talks about how attending HOPE impacting him as a student v  Nate tells us what the tradition of “The Pull” is at HOPE college v  Nate tells us how big Hope is v  Nate tells us more about Holland, Michigan v  Nate tells us about a very exciting new initiative known as “Hope Forward'   (01:09:54) College Spotlight-Kevin Newton, Changes in International Admissions       Speakpipe.com/YCBK is our method if you want to ask a question and we will be prioritizing all questions sent in via Speakpipe. Unfortunately, we will NOT answer questions on the podcast anymore that are emailed in. If you want us to answer a question on the podcast, please use speakpipe.com/YCBK. We feel hearing from our listeners in their own voices adds to the community feel of our podcast.   You can also use this for many other purposes: 1) Send us constructive criticism about how we can improve our podcast 2) Share an encouraging word about something you like about an episode or the podcast in general 3) Share a topic or an article you would like us to address 4) Share a speaker you want us to interview 5) Leave positive feedback for one of our interviewees. We will send your verbal feedback directly to them and I can almost assure you, your positive feedback will make their day.   To sign up to receive Your College-Bound Kid PLUS, our new monthly admissions newsletter, delivered directly to your email once a month, just go to yourcollegeboundkid.com, and you will see the sign-up popup. We will include many of the hot topics being discussed on college campuses.   Check out our new blog. We write timely and insightful articles on college admissions:   Follow Mark Stucker on Twitter to get breaking college admission news, and updates about the podcast before they go live. You can ask questions on Twitter that he will answer on the podcast. Mark will also share additional hot topics in the news and breaking news on this Twitter feed. Twitter message is also the preferred way to ask questions for our podcast:   https://twitter.com/YCBKpodcast   1. To access our transcripts, click: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/category/transcripts/ 2. Find the specific episode transcripts for the one you want to search and click the link 3. Find the magnifying glass icon in blue (search feature) and click it 4. Enter whatever word you want to search. I.e. Loans 5. Every word in that episode when the words loans are used, will be highlighted in yellow with a timestamps 6. Click the word highlighted in yellow and the player will play the episode from that starting point 7. You can also download the entire podcast as a transcript   We would be honored if you will pass this podcast episode on to others who you feel will benefit from the content in YCBK.   Please subscribe to our podcast. It really helps us move up in Apple's search feature so others can find our podcast.   If you enjoy our podcast, would you please do us a favor and share our podcast both verbally and on social media? We would be most grateful!   If you want to help more people find Your College-Bound Kid, please make sure you follow our podcast. You will also get instant notifications as soon as each episode goes live.   Check out the college admissions books Mark recommends:   Check out the college websites Mark recommends:   If you want to have some input about what you like and what you recommend, we change about our podcast, please complete our Podcast survey; here is the link:     If you want a college consultation with Mark or Lisa or Lynda, just text Mark at 404-664-4340 or email Lisa at or Lynda at Lynda@schoolmatch4u.com. All we ask is that you review their services and pricing on their website before the complimentary session; here is link to their services with transparent pricing: https://schoolmatch4u.com/services/compare-packages/

Mona talks with Richard Kahlenberg about a proposal to make college admissions more fair in a post race preferences world. The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. New shows drop Mondays. Find this show wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add the show to your player of choice, here. Listen now to the NPR Politics Podcast, only from NPR – wherever you get podcasts. Get PrivacyHawk and run your FREE privacy scan here! Use code MONA20 (iOS) / mona20 (Android) for full access to the Platinum Suite: $1M ID theft recovery insurance, dark web alerts, sensitive info monitoring, and much more—all at a special price!