Podcasts about college admission counseling

Colleges and universities made their acceptances at the end of March, now students have a month to decide. Angel Pérez, CEO of the National Association for College Admission Counseling, talks about the what goes into that decision and how the Trump administration actions might factor in.

In Episode 59 of the Mission Admissions podcast, host Jeremy Tiers sits down with Kelli Roberts to discuss her thoughts on work-life balance as a working mom and leader, emphasizing the importance of communication, asking for help, and managing your energy.Guest Name: Kelli Roberts, Director of Admission, Drury UniversityGuest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelli-roberts-b2644b7b/Guest Bio: Kelli Roberts currently serves as the Director of Admission at Drury University, where she also teaches Business Communication Writing. In addition to her role at Drury, she is the President-Elect for the Missouri Association of College Admission Counseling, and a proud mother of four children. A first-generation college student, Kelli is an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys time near the water and practicing hot yoga. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Jeremy Tiershttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremytiers/https://twitter.com/CoachTiersAbout The Enrollify Podcast Network:Mission Admissions 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

In this episode, Jeremy sits down with higher ed middle manager Stephanie Dickerson to talk about a wide-range of leadership topics including empathy, developing your leadership style, accountability, self-care, and organization.Guest Name: Stephanie Dickerson, Associate Director of Admission, University of LouisvilleGuest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-dickerson-m-a-a816779a/Guest Bio: Stephanie Dickerson is currently in her eighth recruitment cycle with UofL. She began her career there in 2017 as an Admissions Counselor and progressed into a Senior Admissions Counselor role, then the Coordinator of the Dual Credit Program & AP Summer Institute, and now her current role as Associate Director. Stephanie's responsibilities include the oversight of the first-time freshman recruiters, management of admissions scholarship programs and developing recruitment strategy for attracting diverse students. She also happens to be the current President of the Kentucky Association for College Admission Counseling. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Jeremy Tiershttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremytiers/https://twitter.com/CoachTiersAbout The Enrollify Podcast Network:Mission Admissions is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you'll like other Enrollify shows too! Some of our favorites include Generation AI and The Application with Allison Turcio.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

The current college admissions dynamic where selective schools routinely receive 10, 15, or even 20 times as many applications as they have available seats has been a tremendous source of stress for applicants and their families. But how are the professionals who have to manage these applications holding up? Amy and Mike invited author Teege Mettille to explore how admissions counselor morale is changing admissions. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What exactly is admissions counselor malaise? How have changes on college campuses impacted the admissions process? What are the implications of this malaise in admissions for applicants? What are the implications of this malaise in admissions for educators and counselors? What can be done in the short term to improve this situation? Is there a world where colleges and universities shift their perspective? MEET OUR GUEST Teege Mettille is a nationally-recognized leader in college admissions, with a career that spans leadership roles at four different institutions, serving as President of the Wisconsin Association for College Admission Counseling, and a three-year term as a member of the President's Council for the National Association for College Admission Counseling.  He recently wrote The Admissions Counselor Malaise, a thorough assessment of the changes in college and university management that has been zapping the joy out of the profession.  He joins us today to discuss that concept, and how it is impacting not just admissions counselors, but school counselors, independent educational consultants, and students. Teege can be reached at teegemettille@gmail.com. LINKS The Admissions Counselor Malaise: Addressing the staff morale crisis in college admissions Addressing The Staff Morale Crisis In Admissions RELATED EPISODES HOW TO SPEAK TO A COLLEGE ADMISSIONS REP DEMOGRAPHIC TRENDS AND COLLEGE ADMISSIONS POWER DYNAMICS IN COLLEGE ADMISSIONS ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our past episodes on the show page and keep up with our future ones by subscribing to our email newsletter. 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.  

Just about anyone who has a student in school knows there are school counselors, but many of us don't have any idea what they do. We know they provide guidance and assistance with college and career planning, but that's just one part of the career that also includes social and emotional counseling and addressing academic needs – and for a national average of 250-400 students per counselor! With that much to do, for that many students, counselors need all of the help they can get. Parents who understand the work of the school counselor may be better able to partner with their student's counselor to support their student. Lynn and Vicki spoke with Patrick O'Connor, author of College is Yours and past president of the National Association for College Admission Counseling to learn more about what counselors do and how students and parents can make the most of this important relationship.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.

Shantel Goodman-Luckett, Chief Experience Officer for the National Association for College Admission Counseling, or NACAC, joins FYI host Gil Rogers to talk about the upcoming NACAC National Conference in Los Angeles, including highlights for first-time attendees and new features for seasoned participants. Shantel shares insights on planning during the pandemic, the significance of the conference's theme 'The Courage Within,' and special events like Magic Johnson's upcoming keynote speech. The conversation also covers the conference's extensive educational sessions and opportunities for ongoing involvement with NACAC beyond the annual event, numbers of new vendors and attendees to expect. Get an inside preview of the conference here first.For Your Institution Podcast is a production of Mongoose Research. Introduction and Welcome | 00:00Shantel's Professional Journey | 01:43 NACAC Conference During the Pandemic | 04:10 What's New at the 2024 NACAC Conference | 08:35 Special Features of the Conference Being in LA | 13:37 Tips for First-Time Attendees | 18:10 Engaging with NACAC Beyond the Conference | 21:18 Conclusion and Contact Information | 26:08  RELEVANT LINKS:Shantel Goodman-Luckett on LinkedInNACAC SIGsNACAC AffiliatesFYI - Leadership Through Change and Challenges with Carlos Cano

“I have great respect for the past. If you don't know where you've come from, you don't know where you're going. I have respect for the past, but I'm a person of the moment. I'm here, and I do my best to be completely centered at the place I'm at, then I go forward to the next place.” - Maya AngelouThe Hawai'i Association for College Admission Counseling (HACAC) is a group of professionals committed to assisting students to strive for their best, as written in HACAC's mission statement.“Dedicated to helping students transition to post-secondary education through education, collaboration, and community building.”On August 15, 2024, I had the honor to talk story with three of the originating members - Judy Hiramoto, Myron Arakawa, and Dan Feldhaus - who shared their insights and wisdom on what motivated them to start, what is now called the Hawai'i Association for College Admission Counseling. They even provided guidance on how best to stay true to the profession.Their commitment to the college counseling profession demonstrated what it means to lead with integrity, compassion, and staying true to your core beliefs around student support services. One of the many highlights of this talk story session was a stroll down memory lane when Myron shared a group photo taken in 1987 of those who had a vision to design and execute this wonderful Association. Thank you Judy, Myron, and Dan for taking this from a hallway in 1987 to changing hundreds of lives from students to professionals. We all appreciate you!

Matt McGee is an educational expert, tutor, and college admissions specialist. He is the founder of MRM Education - An elite tutoring and college admissions consultancy that aims to fosters academic curiosity, mental health, and confidence in students' - with the ultimate goal of admission into a top university. Matt is a member of the National Association for College Admission Counseling and has over a decade of experience as a tutor. His intensive mentorship method helps students raise their grades and gain admission to Ivy Plus schools.Matt and I talk about neurodiverse students, how technology impacts college admissions, some students he's helped get into great colleges, how he became a tutor, best practices for standing out to admissions, choosing the right college, building a business, how he got where he is today, and a lot more. For more on Matt, checkout his site mrmeducation.com, or on Instagram @mattmcgee_edconsulting and @mrmeducation.Episode 0105 - College Admissions Anxiety, Neurodivergent Paths, And Using Your VoiceHit subscribe and follow for more conversations with fascinating people and unorthodox teachers. See ya next episode! - Jacob

In this episode, Lisa and Anne discuss:The benefits of liberal arts colleges and how to determine if they might be a good fit for your teen. How liberal arts colleges differ from larger research universities.Misconceptions about liberal arts colleges.Helping your teen understand their learning style to determine the right type of school for them. Key Takeaways: There are considerably more small liberal arts colleges in the US than there are big research universities. Many families rule out liberal arts colleges because they haven't heard of them. But until a student steps foot on the campus and has clarity about their college major, it is hard to know if it will be a great fit. Don't rule out liberal arts colleges until you have more information. There are opportunities available at smaller institutions that aren't available at larger schools.Visiting colleges and universities of various sizes, even if it isn't the schools your teen is considering, can help them understand more about the type of school they are looking for.  “There are a lot of really great opportunities at liberal arts colleges; we just have to take that next step to do a little bit more investigation and, hopefully, set foot on a campus or two before you completely rule them out.” – Anne IngersollAbout Anne Ingersoll: I am passionate about helping high school students and their families peacefully and successfully navigate the complex world of college admissions. This process is filled with much anxiety (and a touch of ego) but my goal is to remove that anxiety and focus on what's best for the student.I began my college consulting work in 2001 at a private firm in Louisville, Kentucky, where I spent over four years as an independent college counselor. Originally from Mishawaka, Indiana, I attended Butler University, earning a degree in Telecommunication Arts with a concentration in Japanese and Secondary Education. I earned my Masters in Education in 2009 from the University of St. Mary (KS). I have attended annual NACAC conferences and have served on the leadership team for GPACAC (Great Plains Association of College Admission Counseling).Episode References:098 How Your Teen Can Benefit from an Honors College with Sylvia Borgo086 Advice for High School Athletes About Playing in College with Dave Morris022 The College Bound Student Athlete Process115 Making the Final College Decision with Marni LevineGet 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 Anne:Instagram: instagram.com/collegeboundassociatesllc Facebook: facebook.com/CollegeBoundAssociates LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/anne-ingersoll-94618334 Website: collegeboundassociates.com Email: anne@collegeboundassociates.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

The bespoke nature of homeschooling can be a great advantage for tailoring education to a student's individual needs. However, those differentiated programs present challenges when the time comes to apply to college. Amy and Mike invited education consultants Michele Evard and Holly Ramsey to review the intricacies of college documentation for homeschoolers. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What do stakeholders in the admission process need to know about homeschool documentation?  What are some best practices for homeschool documentation? How do homeschoolers show the depth & breadth of their studies?  Who writes recommendations for homeschooled students, and do colleges believe them?  Should homeschoolers claim credit for every potential learning experience? MEET OUR GUESTS Dr. Michele Evard is an independent educational consultant who assists homeschooling families with planning & documenting K-12 education as well as the college application process; she specializes in assisting families of gifted and 2E young people.  She is an active member of multiple professional organizations including IECA, NACAC, SENG (Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted) and the Digital Learning Collaborative.  While homeschooling her three children and mentoring others, Dr. Evard co-founded Many Rivers Unschoolers and served as president of Voyagers Homeschool Cooperative and Resource Center.  Michele can be reached at https://evardconsulting.com. Holly Ramsey is an independent educational consultant specializing in working with homeschoolers and their parents to create clear, concise, and compelling college applications and counselor documents. She is a professional member of Independent Educational Consultants Association, where she served in a variety of roles and is a recipient of IECA's Making a Difference Award. Ms. Ramsey is also a member of the Texas Association for College Admission Counseling.  In addition to homeschooling her own five children over 20+ years, Holly taught writing to hundreds of homeschoolers through Brave Writer™ and mentored new Brave Writer instructors. Holly can be reached at https://thoughtfulhomeschooling.com.  Dr. Michele Evard and Holly Ramsey are co-authors of College UnMazed: Your Guide to Design & Document Your Homeschool. This book provides guidance for any professionals helping homeschoolers in the college admission process. Tests and the Rest listeners can use the coupon code HOMESCHOOL10 for 10% off this book AND anything else on the College UnMazed site. LINKS College UnMazed: Your Guide to Design & Document Your Homeschool How to Create Your School Profile As A Homeschooler RELATED EPISODES COLLEGE ADMISSIONS FOR HOMESCHOOLERS LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION: GOOD VS. GREAT CRAFTING YOUR COLLEGE RESUME 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. 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 today's episode, I sit down with Tom Bear and David Hawkins, and we delve into the significance of character in the college admissions process, the mission of NACAC, and the evolving landscape of higher education. Tune in to explore how character matters more than ever in shaping the future of higher education!BioTom Bear, Ed.D. has spent over thirty years in college enrollment.  He is currently the Vice President for Enrollment Management at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.  Prior to Rose, Tom served as Senior Director for Enrollment Management at the University of Notre Dame.  Additionally, Tom was Vice President for Enrollment Services at the University of Evansville. During his career, Tom has worked with both admission and financial aid decision-making.  He has built enrollment yield models, introduced holistic admissions, managed financial aid scholarships, administered pre-college programs, and promoted student diversity and inclusivity.  He has also been involved in the selection of merit scholar recipients including the Notre Dame Scholars (including Hesburgh/Yusko Recipients) and Noblitt Scholars at Rose-Hulman. Tom currently serves on the boards of Private College 529 and Voyageur Outward Bound.  He has also been a member of the Indiana ACT Council.  Tom currently serves as the Chair for NACAC's Character Focus Initiative.  He earned his doctorate degree from Indiana University and did extensive research on student retention.David Hawkins is the Chief Education and Policy Officer for the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), based in Arlington, VA. The NationalAssociation for College Admission Counseling is a non-profit membership associationthat represents more than 27,000 high school counselors and college admission officersthroughout the U.S. and around the world. NACAC is devoted to making the transitionbetween high school and postsecondary education equitable, transparent, and fair.Mr. Hawkins holds a BA and MA in Government from the College of William & Mary inVirginia. From 1995-1998, he conducted research for the Democratic CongressionalCampaign Committee (DCCC) in Washington, DC. From 1998-2000, he served underPresident Bill Clinton and Secretary Andrew Cuomo as a Congressional AffairsSpecialist at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Hawkins joinedNACAC as Director of Government Relations in March 2000 and over his 24 years withthe association has assumed responsibility for leading NACAC's advocacy, research,education and training, and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.Sign up for our June 17th Webinar: 'The College Essay Masterclass: Proven Strategies to Stand Out and Succeed'.Click here to visit the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) website.Access free resources and learn more about Sheila and her team at Signet Education at signeteducation.com or on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheilaakbar/.

On Friday's show: The Harris County Jail continues to face challenges with overcrowding. And it's not just the jail here. We learn how jails across the state are dealing with the same issue.Also this hour: For students going to college, picking where to go can be a complicated decision. And visiting all the campuses on your wish list might not be feasible. But what if they came to you? That's what happened recently when Houston's NRG Center hosted the National Association for College Admission Counseling's National College Fair, where dozens of institutions from across the country got a chance for some face time with busloads of local high school students and others there with their parents.Then, from the Texans unveiling new uniforms, to a former college football star getting back a trophy he had to forfeit years ago, our panel of non-experts discusses The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And the local ensemble WindSync is celebrating its 15th anniversary at their annual Onstage Offstage Chamber Music Festival, which runs through the weekend. We reflect on the group's history and how it has changed over years.

In this episode, NACAC Board Director Tahirah Jordan Crawford leads an engaging discussion with two accomplished women leaders in the world of college admission counseling, covering topics such as finding joy in the work, leadership, work-life balance, and overcoming challenges. Gain valuable insights into the experiences and perspectives of women who are shaping the landscape of higher education.Guests: Whitney Soule, vice provost and dean of admissions at the University of Pennsylvania, and Joy St. John, director of admissions at Harvard College. Moderated by Tahirah Jordan Crawford, Senior associate director and director of multicultural recruitment at Columbia College

Sign Up to Receive Venkat's Weekly Newsletter While he was in grad school, Chris Boehm applied for a College Admissions job at Albright College after seeing an ad in the Newspaper.Chris didn't get that job, but the job description intrigued him. So, he cold emailed the President of the Pennsylvania Association for College Admission Counseling. The President invited him for a chat and connected him with 3 College Admissions professionals. One of them was the Director of Admissions at Albright.  Things worked out better this time, and Chris started as a summer intern at Albright College. Chris joins us on our podcast to talk about his background, Archmere Academy, Counseling Approach, Challenges, Success Stories, and his Advice for High School students. In particular, we discuss the following with him:  Chris Boehm's Background Approach to College Counseling Managing Expectations Advice for High Schoolers Topics discussed in this episode: Introducing Chris Boehm, Archmere Academy [] Hi Fives - Podcast Highlights [] Background [] Why Counseling? [] Archmere Academy [] Counseling Philosophy [] Managing Expectations [] The Challenges [] Success Stories [] Advice for High Schoolers [] Our Guest: Christopher Boehm is the Director of College Counseling at Archmere Academy in Delaware. Memorable Quote: “if we start with the student, and the student honestly assesses what they need to be successful and happy then that will guide them towards certain types of schools.” Chris Boehm. Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode's Transcript. Recommended Episodes: College Experiences, College Application Workbook  Calls-to-action: Follow us on Instagram. To Ask the Guest a question, or to comment on this episode, email podcast@almamatters.io. Subscribe or Follow our podcasts at any of these locations:Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify.

In this episode, Lisa and Cristiana discuss:Families often default to in-state for financial reasons, but out-of-state can sometimes provide better financial and academic opportunities.Why many schools are increasing the number of out-of-state students admitted. Misconceptions that misguide families when considering where to apply to college.The financial implications and academic opportunities available for students at different institutions. Key Takeaways: Private or out-of-state schools may have better financial aid opportunities than your in-state public universities. In many regions of the country, tuition discounts are available in neighboring states. Some college majors will require your student to attend school out of state or in a different region.Admitting more out-of-state students brings diversity that might not be there otherwise.“The biggest mistake families make is to look at sticker price.” – Cristiana QuinnAbout Cristiana Quinn: Cristiana Quinn has been an independent college admission advisor for more than 15 years. To date,  she has worked with more than 500 students and visited over 150 colleges and universities in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. Cristiana is a member of the National Association for College Admission Counseling and the New England Association for College Admission Counseling. She graduated from the Wheeler School in Providence RI, holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Vermont where she is a member of the UVM Foundation Leadership Council. She also holds a Master's in Education from the University of Massachusetts and completed the coursework for a Certificate in College Counseling from UCLA.Episode References:Free College List Building Tutorial: https://flourishcoachingco.com/list Forbes Article, America's Flagship Universities Are Turning Away From In-State Students (Jan 26, 2024) https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaeltnietzel/2024/01/26/americas-flagship-universities-are-turning-away-from-in-state-students/Higher Ed Data Stories, First-year student (freshman) migration, 2022 https://www.highereddatastories.com/2024/01/first-year-student-freshman-migration.html Big Future College Search Tool: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/college-search/filters College and Career Clarity Ep 61: COVID Impact on College Admissions https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/transcripts/61-covid-impact-on-college-admissions-transcript/ College and Career Clarity Ep 87: Why Applying Early to Your College Of Choice Could be a Strategic Win with Julie Kelsheimer https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/podcast/087-why-applying-early-to-your-college-of-choice-could-be-a-strategic-win-with-julie-kelsheimer/ 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). https://flourishcoachingco.com/videoConnect with Cristiana:Website: https://collegeadvisorsllc.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

Piper speaks with a family of three equestrian sisters, Stella, Juliette & Clara Propp, who compete in the hunters and jumpers at the top level while also balancing school. Education Consultant Randi Heathman also joins to talk about how she helps equestrian students and their parents navigate the college application process. Brought to you by Taylor, Harris Insurance Services.Host: Piper Klemm, publisher of The Plaid HorseGuest: Stella Propp is a 21 year old amateur rider from New York, NY and a student at Brown University. She trains with Brianne Goutal and co. Currently, she is juggling the pressures of the upcoming competition season and attending a prestigious university that has its demands.  Guest: Juliette Propp is 18 years old from New York, NY and previously competed in the junior jumpers, trained by Brianne Goutal and Co. She has stepped back from competing indefinitely to devote her time to her first year at Yale University. Guest: Clara Propp is a 16 year old junior rider from New York, NY. She trains with Brianne Goutal and co. She is preparing for her upcoming winter in Wellington while also managing the work during her junior year at Grace Church High School. Guest: Randi Heathman has spent twenty years working in higher education as an admission counselor, equestrian program director, and now as an educational consultant who specializes in helping prospective college equestrians find their right fit school. Randi is a member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association and the National Association for College Admission Counseling. Working one on one with students and their families, Randi helps walk them through the college search, application, and selection process with an eye on balancing a student's academic and riding goals to truly give them a leg up on the process. You can find Randi in our upcoming Education issue of The Plaid Horse Magazine.Title Sponsor: Taylor, Harris Insurance ServicesSubscribe To: The Plaid Horse MagazineSponsors: American Stalls, Purina Animal Nutrition, Wordley Martin Premium Equestrian Surfaces, America Cryo, LAURACEA, BoneKare, Show Strides Book Series, With Purpose: The Balmoral Standard, Good Boy, Eddie and Silver Lining Herbs

On today's episode, Tom Campbell (CEG's Community Manager) and Nitzya Cuevas-Macias (Director of College Programs at Downtown College Prep) cover: How do students decide which classes to take—and what questions should they ask when deciding? Key recommendations for selecting English, math, science, social studies, language, and elective courses The most frequently asked questions we get asked about courses and grades Nitzya Cuevas-Macias was a first-gen college student at UC Berkeley where she studied History and Legal Studies, and earned her Master's in Mexican American Studies from San José State. She's been working in education for 16 years where the majority of her time has been in college access and success, in the CBO, non-profit world, k-12 public and charter, and community college. Currently, she is the Director of College Programs at Downtown College Prep, a free public charter in San José, CA and serves as a board member of the Western Association for College Admission Counseling.  We hope you enjoy!   Play-by-Play: 2:21 - Introductions 6:02 - What are key things to keep in mind when planning your high school experience?  10:21 - Subject area recommendations 11:40 - English  16:04 - Math 21:34 - Science  28:02 - Social Studies 31:11 - Languages 33:06 - Visual/Performing Arts  36:17 - Electives 36:39 - Rapid-fire FAQs about grades 37:43 How do colleges evaluate my course grades and transcript? 38:22 - Is it important to only get Straight-As to have a chance?  40:29 - How do colleges evaluate my GPA? 42:05 - How can students balance a high GPA with challenging courses? 44:28 - Should students increase their rigor every year? 45:23 - Is it a good idea to take additional summer or online courses? 49:43 - How important is class rank? 51:19 - Should I pick Honors, AP, IB, or Dual Enrollment?  54:17 - Are AP and IB scores important if my school doesn't offer AP courses? 57:28 - How do I know what classes to take if I don't know what I want to study or where I want to go to college? 59:59 - Wrap up / closing thoughts Resources: Coursera UC Scout Episode 403: AP, IB, Honors, Oh My!: How Admissions Officers View Your High School Courses, Rigor, and School Context - Susan Tree Episode 213: Self-Directed Learning (Why You Can Quit HS & Be Okay) What are AP classes? IB vs AP Easiest AP Classes Hardest AP Classes

In today's episode, Tom Campbell (CEG's Community Manager) and Susan Tree (a college counseling and admissions legend with 40+ years of experience) chat about all things related to the academic part of a student's college application— which, at many selective colleges, is seen as the “foot in the door” of their selection process. This is part 1 of a series we'll be doing around students' academic background and interests and how they factor into the admissions process. Part 2 is all about “intellectual curiosity”: a quality that many colleges actively look for in students, yet is a little more ambiguous and nuanced compared to mapping out a high school course plan. On the episode you'll hear Susan and Tom discuss: Why taking five solid academic courses (English, math, social studies, science and language) each year of high school gives students the broadest range of exciting college options How advanced course rigor (including Advanced Placement/AP and International Baccalaureate/IB courses) is evaluated by colleges The potential danger of “overspecialization” in an academic subject too early The value of demonstrating self-directedness in your academic journey— and where do to that in an application How admissions officers evaluate and contextualize your transcript and high scho0l profile when making admissions decisions1   Why these episodes? According to the 2018-2019 National Association for College Admission Counseling's Admission Trend Survey, students' grades and strength of curriculum are the top two application components that are of “considerable importance” to colleges During CEG's Applying to Highly Selective Colleges & Universities Course, the section on academics received the most questions out of all other application components— and elicited the most confusion! While we aren't able to give all students and families who come to us for support individualized guidance about their particular high school (though we do offer comprehensive college counseling at CEG!), we wanted this podcast to provide the most comprehensive advice possible around academic choices   Play-by-play 5:33 - So… Why are we talking about planning your HS Academic Journey? 8:28 - What are the benefits of planning your HS experience early? 10:39 - What do colleges expect from students? 11:08 - How do you check a college website for their required HS coursework? 12:48 - How is it different at more competitive universities? 13:14 - What if your HS doesn't offer opportunities for the classes you want to take? 14:44 - What is the value of self-directedness? 15:06 - How do I better understand how my school is viewed by admissions officers? 17:19 - What do admissions officers want to know about the school as it relates to your academic record? 19:24 - Why you should be looking at your transcript and school profile side-by-side 21:32 - Thinking like an admissions reader  22:26 - Transcripts vs. report cards 23:38 - How being aware of what colleges have access to can help you be strategic  25:44 - How do you put your academic experience into perspective? 27:18 - What students often don't realize about their application evaluation  29:50 - How important is it to tell your own story 31:28 - HS Counselor Tip: Your School Profile 32:56 - AP (Advanced Placement) course considerations 35:11 - How will colleges view XYZ  courses? Which course is better? 42:24 - Why are some independent schools getting rid of AP (Advanced Placement) course offerings? 44:00 What does Susan think about IB (International Baccalaureate) Curriculum considerations? 47:50 What if my high school doesn't offer AP or IB course options? 49:58 Key Takeaways from Today's Episode

Success in college depends on more than just finding the right academic fit–you have to find an environment where you can be yourself in all the ways that are important to you.  Amy and Mike invited educational consultant Robert Powers to share insights into navigating college and admissions as an LGBTQ+ student. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What are important factors to consider when trying to find the right fit as an LGBTQ+ student? What are the different campus organizations that support the social and emotional identity of LGBTQ+ students? Is it important or necessary to disclose LGBTQ+ status in the college application? What should students and families be asking when on campus to ensure a safe environment? What are good resources to use to identify colleges that support LGBTQ+ students? MEET OUR GUEST Robert Powers is an expert on the LGBTQ+ college search and a national advocate for LGBTQ+ students. He is currently writing the chapter on LGBTQ+ students for the upcoming sixth edition of NACAC's textbook Fundamentals of College Admission Counseling. He owns his own college counseling firm, College Torch, where he guides LGBTQ+ students through the college search and application process. He is also the co-founder of IECs for Human Rights, the only grassroots advocacy organization for IECs. Find Robert at robert@collegetorch.com or Follow Robert on LinkedIn LINKS 10 College Campus Red Flags for LGBTQ+ Students Campus Pride Join IECs for Human Rights Anti-LGBTQ+ policies RELATED EPISODES WHAT EDUCATORS SHOULD UNDERSTAND ABOUT GENDER FITTING IN AND STANDING OUT 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. 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 special edition, Art Coleman (@ArtColemanDC), managing partner and co-founder of EducationCounsel (and a former Deputy Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights), shares the initial chapters of a playbook admissions officers can follow to move forward with confidence (and care) in the wake of the Supreme Court's decision in SFFA v. Harvard and SFFA v. UNC. We discuss what colleges should (and shouldn't do),  what people are getting wrong in their interpretations of the rulings, and what the future might hold.Art provides helpful advice on thoughtful design around scholarships and financial aid programs as well as broader recruitment initiatives, while calling for colleges to use a lens shaped by "a design associated with the DEI goals ... that drive their mission."Read: EducationCounsel's Preliminary Guidance Regarding the U.S. Supreme Court's Decision in SFFA v. Harvard and SFFA v. UNC. (with ongoing updates)Many thanks to the National Association for College Admission Counseling for supporting this podcast through the NACAC Podcast Network.Theme music arranged by Ryan Anselment.

Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced independent educational consultant? MEET OUR GUEST Meet Nancy Steenson, a graduate of Tufts University, owner of Steenson College Coaching, and member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association and the New England Association for College Admission Counseling. Nancy visits dozens of colleges per year, and founded, chairs and moderates a group of 40 independent counselors who meet weekly to share best practices. She believes that many students underestimate the college admissions process and helps to market them in their best light by sharing underutilized strategies in order to distinguish them amidst thousands of applicants.  Nancy enjoys working with young people enormously and takes great pride in helping them realize their full potential in the college application process. With her guidance, students have great success in finding and applying to colleges that are a wonderful academic, social and financial fit, and have been accepted to many varied institutions across the country. In addition to working one-on-one with students, she speaks extensively on the topic of college admissions in the corporate world as well as to parents and students, both locally and nationally. Find Nancy at nancy@steensoncollegecoach.com. PLAYLIST Listen to all of our profiles of exceptional independent educational consultants on our IEC profile playlist. 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. 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.  

Season Finale: Dr. Joffery Gaymon,  Vice President for Enrollment at Auburn University, shares what it's like (and what it takes) to make the jump to one of the biggest roles at one of the most recognizable institutions in the U.S. She shares the essential and timeless tools to keep in your toolbox, whatever your ambitions may be, as well as how to keep yourself focused and grounded as the work gets tougher. (And there may be a reference to teaching spin classes.)Rapid DescentWalkout sons: Special by LizzoBest recent read: Campus Economics: How Economic Thinking Can Help Improve College and University Decisions by Sandy Baum and Michael McPherson, a gift from Sam Waterson at RHB.Eager to read next: "I have to finish that one."Favorite podcast: Unreformed: the Story of the Alabama Industrial School for Negro ChildrenFavorite thing to make in the kitchen: Anything with brunch ... with a mimosa on the sideWhat she uses to take and keep notes: old fashioned pen and legal pad, and EvernoteMemorable bit of advice: there are actually three (1) We are always called to serve. (2) When you're in a position of leadership, be mindful of what you say, because what you say carries authority. (3) Every time you go to a meeting, it's a like a zoo: everybody brings their own monkey. Your job is to not leave with anybody else's monkeys.Bucket list: Write a book.Theme music arranged by Ryan Anselment.Many thanks to the National Association for College Admission Counseling for supporting this podcast through the NACAC Podcast Network.

The Chief Experience Officer of an organization is a big title, but when you're overseeing just under 30K college admissions and college counseling professionals (NACAC) National Association for College Admission Counseling who are committed to students, education and access, the stakes are greater. With a steady smile and an unwavering sense of purpose, Shantel Goodman-Luckett, MBA accepts this duty as a welcomed labor of love. They say that experience is the best teacher and Shantel has plenty of it. She has held positions as Marriott International manager of marketing strategy and programs at the The Washington Post. She's been a leader for Newsweek Interactive's (a subsidiary of The Washington Post) as senior manager for consumer marketing and served as an adjunct faculty member at Marymount University. Armed with a BS in mass communications/advertising from Virginia Commonwealth University, an MBA from The Johns Hopkins University Hopkins and certificates from University of Virginia and University of Pennsylvania, Shantel is the model of perseverance and the unquestioned breath of fresh air we all need to aim for excellence as educators. Leading with intelligence and poise makes Shantel an amazing and versatile educational administrator, but you know what she's most proud of? Being a mom of a Spelman College senior. She gives us the realities of her own daughter's college search, application and admissions processes and how she straddled the professional and personal components of the college process with her child. Sound familiar anyone? Shantel is determined to impact all of us who serve in this profession and those listening to this podcast. We are honored that she gave us her time and wisdom.

Kent Barnds,  Executive Vice President of ExternalRelations: Advancement | Communication | Enrollment | Planning for Augustana College (Rock Island, Ill.), shares how he started as "an accidental admissions person" and become the person with the longest title in the history of the ALP, and what he has learned along the way by becoming a college parent. Great mysteries will be revealed in this episode, including the origin story of Kent's ubiquitous bow ties, what the "W" in his name stands for, and who can lay claim to being the pizza king of the Quad Cities.Rapid DescentWalkout songs: Everybody Wants to Rule the World by Lorde covering the original Tears for FearsBest recent read: They Said This Would be Fun: Race, Campus Life, and Growing Up by Eternity MartisEager to read next: The Generosity Crisis: The Case for Radical Connection to Solve Humanity's Greatest Challenges by Nathan Chapel, Brian Crimmins, and Michael AshleyFavorite podcast: Marketplace Favorite thing to make in the kitchen: PizzaWhat he uses to take and keep notes: sticky notes and notecards stuffed into an ever-expanding green folderMemorable bit of advice: When his uncle (college admission giant Delwin Gustafson) asked him if he was ready to see the dirty underbelly of his alma mater [as an admissions professional].Bucket list: To take a nice long week's vacation with his life partner, Jenny.Theme music arranged by Ryan Anselment.Many thanks to the National Association for College Admission Counseling for supporting this podcast through the NACAC Podcast Network.

Robert Gould, Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management at Augsburg University (Minneapolis), offers a deep dive into an approach to college admission that is turning the process on its head and—in the process—not only fostering a greater sense of belonging for students, but for the admission professionals who work with them.Could it be an antidote to the Great Resignation?NotesAugsburg Applies to YouPower of You program (Augsburg partnership with Minneapolis Community and Technical College and Saint Paul College)John Doerr's Objectives and Key Results (OKRs).Harriet Tubman Effect InstituteNicole Johnson, creator of EDIFY, "a 5 step dismantling systemic oppression program that is designed to shift culture in institutions, schools and artistic organizations."Wise Mind The Power of Forgiveness—MinneapolisRapid DescentWalkout songs: "anything by Bobby Sanchez, like Changing Landscapes ..."Best recent read: Forgive For Good: A Proven Prescription for Health and Happiness by Frederic Luskin, and Measure What Matters: How Google, Bono, and the Gates Foundation Rock the World with OKRs by John Doerr.Eager to read next: Irish Untold HistoryFavorite podcast: Edify Justice Advocates Podcast Favorite thing to make in the kitchen: Dark roast decaf coffee and vegetable juiceWhat he uses to take and keep notes: Rhodia Notebook Memorable bit of advice: Life is a balance of holding on and letting go —RumiBucket list: "I would like the entire system of admissions in higher education to be changed."Theme music arranged by Ryan Anselment.Many thanks to the National Association for College Admission Counseling for supporting this podcast through the NACAC Podcast Network.

Allan Mathew, Director of Graduate Admissions at Tufts University, discusses the similarities and differences of graduate and undergrad admissions and what he's learned working at three institutions in very different market positions. He also offers compelling insights into the four themes of his doctoral dissertation, which focused on the experiences of chief enrollment officers of color.Rapid DescentWalkout songs: Redbone by Childish GambinoBest recent read: Atomic Habits, by James Clear and Office Optional: How to Build a Connected Culture with Virtual Teams, by Larry EnglishEager to read next: Crying in H Mart: A Memoir, by Michelle ZaunerFavorite podcast: Chasing Scratch | The Rights to Ricky Sanchez: The Sixers PodcastFavorite thing to make in the kitchen: Indian food, especially a mean chicken curry.What he uses to take and keep notes: iPad and Apple PencilMemorable bit of advice: "Keep your head down and get your sh*t done."Bucket list: Play golf at Saint Andrews.Theme music arranged by Ryan Anselment.Many thanks to the National Association for College Admission Counseling for supporting this podcast through the NACAC Podcast Network.

Heather Daniels, Director of Admissions at Colorado State University, discusses how she's managed to "come home" to every college she has ever worked for ... and discovers that she and Ken have a surprising braided history.Rapid DescentWalkout songs: Believe by Mumford & SonsBest recent read/eager to read next: Coherence by Rick BaileyFavorite podcast: Up First | Smartless | Wiser Than MeFavorite thing to make in the kitchen: Squash casserole (It's better than it sounds).What he uses to take and keep notes: Old school pen and notebookMemorable bit of advice: "Follow your nose."Bucket list: Already checked it off in 2019: working for the Semester at Sea program, spending 4 months with her family and a bunch of students on a boat sailing around the world.Theme music arranged by Ryan Anselment.Many thanks to the National Association for College Admission Counseling for supporting this podcast through the NACAC Podcast Network.

In this episode Lisa and Megan discuss:Navigating the AP exams from sign-up through the exam season. The myth of the magic number of AP courses to take in high school. If your student should risk getting a B in a harder course of interest in instead of playing it safe with only A classes when choosing your high school courses. Deciding whether you want to take the AP e exam and which scores to report to colleges. Key Takeaways: As early as 8th grade, be aware of what AP classes your high school offers. The course offerings and policies not only vary regionally but also between high schools even within the same district. The student is only held responsible for pursuing the rigor that is available to them. If the AP classes are not available to you, it is not a big deal and colleges won't look negatively on that.Choose the AP courses that will assist your teen in their future career and college major. Do not take every single class available. Of those you do take, you do not have to take the exam for every course. Speak to the teacher and  the school counselor. AP courses are college-level courses but also vary in difficulty. Some students may be ready for an AP course during freshman year, others may not be until later.  “Do not let the fear of the AP exam stop you from taking a rigorous class.” – Megan RoseAbout Megan Rose: I moved to Florida in November of 2019 from New Jersey, where I was a social studies teacher for 15 years and a school counselor for three at one of the top public high schools in the state. As a school counselor, I assisted hundreds of families with the college application process. From the search for a student's "dream school” to finalizing their enrollment, I have dealt with all the paperwork in between and take pride in streamlining the application process for both students and parents. I am a fully licensed school counselor and a member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association, National Association for College Admission Counseling & the Southern Association for College Admission Counseling. With a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education from the University of Maryland and a Masters of Science in Educational Counseling from Monmouth University, I recognize the lifelong benefits that choosing the right school provides.Episode References:College and Career Clarity Episode #054 High School Course Selection with Julie Spak Take Lisa's free quiz “Is your teen ready for coaching?” here- https://quiz.tryinteract.com/#/608984a7a898980017089b21/q/1Connect with Megan:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/collegesolutionswindermere/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CollegeSolutionsWindermere/ Instagram: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-h-rose/ Connect with Lisa: Website: https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@flourishcoachingco Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flourishcoachingco/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flourishcoachingco LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-marker-robbins/

Boyd Bradshaw, the inaugural Vice President for Enrollment Management at Towson University (MD), discusses Towson's new comprehensive and integrated approach to enrollment—from recruitment to graduation—and what it has been like organizing the institution  around that work. We also learn Boyd's secret and surprising skill that he carries with him to this day. Rapid DescentWalkout songs: Eye of the Tiger by SurvivorBest recent read: A Profession on the Edge by Eric HooverEager to read next: "the next thing to come into my inbox" Favorite podcast: Best Podcast in Baseball (much to the chagrin of Ken, a lifelong Milwaukee Brewers fan, it's about the St. Louis Cardinals)Favorite thing to make in the kitchen: Grilling out is his jam, especially potato, onion, peppers and butter in foil.What he uses to take and keep notes: old fashioned notebook and Post-Its.Memorable bit of advice: "Focus on the positive."Bucket list: To be working for a college that gets an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament while he is the VP for Enrollment.Theme music arranged by Ryan Anselment.Many thanks to the National Association for College Admission Counseling for supporting this podcast through the NACAC Podcast Network.

Eric Hoover, Senior Writer at the Chronicle of Higher Education, joins the ALP to discuss his April 5 Chronicle article, A Profession on the Edge: Why enrollment leaders are wearing down, burning out, and leaving jobs they once loved.  He discusses what led to his writing the piece, what surprised him in his discovery, and why things are different now than they were nine years ago when he wrote a similarly provocative piece in September 2014, The Hottest Seat on Campus.  Theme music arranged by Ryan AnselmentThank you to the National Association for College Admission Counseling for supporting this podcast through the NACAC Podcast Network.

Tuesday, March 21st, 2023, Jeffrey Mosher attended the opening session of MCAN, the Michigan College Access Network's College Advocacy Day. Hear two segments with remarks from the opening session,, followed by his interview with Ryan Fewins-Bliss, MCAN's Executive Director. College Access Advocacy Day: Building on Momentum, MCAN's sixth annual advocacy event, was held on March 21, 2023. This year's event was a collaboration among MCAN, Michigan Association for College Admission Counseling, Michigan Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, Michigan Promise Zones Association, and Michigan Student Financial Aid Association. Participants met with legislators and policymakers and rallied around postsecondary access and attainment. View this year's legislative priorities on their website. Each year, College Access Advocacy Day is open to anyone who has a passion for college access and postsecondary attainment. In the past, participants have included school counselors, Local College Access Network coordinators and team members, higher education professionals, community-based organization leaders and staff, philanthropic leaders, and more. All are welcome to attend, and there is no cost to participate. No previous advocacy knowledge or skill set is required. » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Subscribe to MBN's YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCqNX… » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/

Everyone loves a list. Everyone needs a way to cut through all the noise and move forward with expert guidance. That's what today's episode is all about. For those who are making the big investment in college, here are the tips for how to make the best of it from two people who know: Katie Gayman, who has worked in the field of college counseling for 13 years and Dr. Angel Perez, CEO of the National Association for College Admission Counseling. Share this episode widely so that everyone can get the most out of their time on campus. Special thanks to the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations for supporting this series.

Director of the Master of Science in Analytics, Myra Gonzalez, is also an active community leader and possesses a fervent interest in the future of technology. She has also been an obliging mentor for many students while working at Texas A&M for over 20 years. She has done extensive outreach to high school students and created pipelines from areas that had never sent students to Texas A&M before. She centers her program around the students needs and enjoys watching her students go from having little knowledge in data, into flourishing digital leaders.   Bio:  Myra Gonzalez is an Aggie from Houston, Texas and the current Director of MS Analytics Program at Mays Business School. She is an accomplished higher educational professional with undergraduate and graduate admission experience. Gonzalez has a passion for life-long learning and understands that higher education is one pathway to improve oneself and the community we live in. Since 2002 she has served as advisor for the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers at Texas A&M University. She has also served on various committees in the Texas Association for College Admission Counseling and the National Association for College Admission Counseling.

Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced independent educational consultant? MEET OUR GUEST Meet Kristin Cocquyt, a seasoned college admission expert with nearly 20 years of experience in the field - on both the college and high school sides of the desk. As an Assistant Director of College Counseling and Director of College Counseling at two private high schools, Kristin counseled over 600 students and families through the college search and application process and visited over 200 colleges! Kristin completed her undergraduate degree at Hamilton College and then pursued Columbia University's Continuing Professional Studies, Teachers College Online College Advising Program.  After many years of engagement with national professional organizations (i.e. Association of College Counselors in Independent Schools and National Association for College Admission Counseling), Kristin's current professional learning endeavor is as an Application Reader for Rochester Institute of Technology where she can stay current on application and admissions trends.  Through Cocquyt College Consulting - based in Rochester, NY and on Zoom - Kristin joyfully collaborates with students and families to encourage and guide their college planning and enrollment.  Kristin's student-centered, fit-focused philosophy honors each student's identity and goals and empowers families to make informed choices throughout the search and application process to ultimately make a wise college choice and investment.  Find Kristin at www.cocquytcollegeconsulting.com or contact Kristin at cocquyt.kristin@gmail.com. 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. 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.

Applicants find themselves more confused than ever by current test-optional admissions policies; how do you know if “optional” really applies to you? Amy and Mike invited college counseling expert Judi Robinovitz to explore the complexities of whether to submit test scores or not. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is the difference between test optional and test blind? What did test optional look like as a policy before COVID? What does test-optional mean presently in college admissions?  What are the most important considerations in deciding to submit a score or not? What signals from schools can help applicants make wise score submission decisions? MEET OUR GUEST Judi Robinovitz is a Certified Educational Planner with more than thirty-five years of experience in college counseling and school placements. She is the author of numerous articles, books, and software products on educational planning and test preparation. Judi has been a featured speaker at national educational conferences, schools, and places of worship. To keep pace with current educational trends, Judi continually travels across the country to visit dozens of college and boarding school campuses every year. She has acquired vast knowledge of the admissions process as well as the requirements and specialties of hundreds of educational institutions. Since 1980, she and her team have successfully guided more than 8,000 students – from those at the very top of their class to students experiencing significant academic struggles – and their families through the planning and application process for private school, college, and graduate school. Judi specializes in guiding students applying to prestigious double-degree BS-MD programs and the nation's most selective universities as well as colleges that best serve mid-range students and those with learning disabilities. During her 23-year tenure at Educational Testing Service, Judi served as technical liaison to the College Board. She designed and led the programming team to implement the College Board's first SAT-prep software; she also wrote strategy chapters of their original SAT-prep books. Taking the SAT numerous times throughout her career, Judi has several perfect 800 scores on her record. As a founding faculty member of two private schools in Boca Raton, Florida, Judi created their college guidance programs and served as Director of College Guidance to the first four graduating classes of each school. Judi founded Score At The Top Learning Centers & Schools in South Florida. Accredited by AdvancED and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the learning centers provide academic tutoring, SAT & ACT preparation, and courses for credit to over 1,000 students every year, both in person and via Skype. The accredited schools are home to more than 180 full-time students who thrive in intentionally small classes ranging in size from one to eight students. Judi is a professional member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association, the Higher Education Consultants Association, the National Association for College Admission Counseling, the Secondary School Admissions Test Board, and the Learning Disabilities Association of America. Judi earned degrees in mathematics and computer science from the University of Connecticut and Rutgers University, both with highest honors. Her professional life has been devoted to helping students achieve academic success. Judi first appeared on our podcast in episode 139 to discuss Building an A+ Extracurricular Resume and in episode 202 to discuss Crafting A College Resume. Find Judi at judi@scoreatthetop.com. LINKS What Does Test-Optional Mean? Truth About Test Optional What Does an SAT Score Mean in a Test-Optional World? The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System RELATED EPISODES WHY COLLEGE READINESS MATTERS WHY OPTIONAL STATEMENTS AREN'T OPTIONAL WHO BENEFITS MOST FROM TEST OPTIONAL POLICIES? 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. 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.

Season Finale: Vern Granger,  Director of Undergraduate Admissions at the University of Connecticut AND the Chair of the Board for the National Association for College Admission Counseling shares what it takes to manage two jobs that, in themselves, are more than full-time jobs. We also discuss Vern's World Cup predictions, the finer points of bacon, proper peanut butter choices, and the virtue of the handwritten note.  Rapid DescentWalkout songs:  Big Poppa by the Notorious B.I.G. and Sumthin' Sumthin' by MaxwellBest recent read: The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America by Richard RothsteinEager to read next: Stealing Home: Los Angeles, The Dodgers, and the Lives Caught in Between  by Eric NusbaumFavorite podcast: The 2 Robbies with Robbie Mustoe and Robbie EarleFavorite thing to make in the kitchen: PB&J, BLT, and/or Chicken ParmesanWhat he uses to take and keep notes: paper and pen (but, to be clear, it's a fountain pen).Memorable bit of advice: "If you're going to hoot with the owls, you better know how to crow with the roosters."Bucket list: Travel to South Africa.Theme music arranged by Ryan Anselment.

Black and Latino student enrollment was hit particularly hard during the pandemic, and a lot of those students still haven't returned to campus. Angel Pérez, the CEO of the National Association for College Admission Counseling, says an affirmative action ban would make it even harder for colleges to maintain racial diversity. He sat down with Ben to map out a different way forward, and to explain why we need diverse campuses now more than ever.  Higher Ed Spotlight is a podcast, sponsored by Chegg's Center for Digital Learning, that aims to explore the future of higher education today.

On Monday, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in two cases seeking to overturn decades-old precedents that have allowed colleges to factor race into admissions decisions in order to create diverse student bodies. Opponents of the practice say that any decision based on race is wrong. Angel Perez, CEO of the National Association for College Admission Counseling, joins John Yang to discuss. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

On Monday, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in two cases seeking to overturn decades-old precedents that have allowed colleges to factor race into admissions decisions in order to create diverse student bodies. Opponents of the practice say that any decision based on race is wrong. Angel Perez, CEO of the National Association for College Admission Counseling, joins John Yang to discuss. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Shantel Goodman-Luckett, Chief Experience Officer for the National Association for College Admission Counseling, shares her insights on how associations can empower their members and enhance the overall membership experience. She discusses how NACAC implemented programs and resources to cater to all types of members, from the next generation of college admissions counselors to counselors that are retiring soon. Shantel shares what it was like to make the transition into this new role, and how she gained perspective after watching her daughter go through the college admission process. She highlighted how important it is for association professionals to speak directly with the membership to truly be able to serve them and understand their needs. Subscribe today so you never miss out on future episodes. Follow along for best practices, top trends, helpful ideas and smart strategies and tactics that work in the world of associations: Twitter: @association100 LinkedIn: /company/the-association-100

May is traditionally the month when many high school seniors make their final decisions about where they'll go to college.  But so much has changed with college: Admissions requirements have shifted, college enrollment has declined and more people are questioning the cost of college — especially if it involves years of repaying student loans.  MPR News host Angela Davis talks with a school counselor and admissions director about about the state of college. Do young people view the value of a college education differently than previous generations? And why are so many colleges re-thinking how they approach admissions?  Guests: Derek Francis is the manager of counseling services at the Office of College and Career Readiness for the Minneapolis Public Schools. Brian Jones is the Director of Admissions at Minnesota State University, Mankato and is the president-elect of the Minnesota Association for College Admission Counseling.

Kim Duckworth is a graduate of Stanford University where she received her BA in Communications Journalism. She was the first woman in her family to attend college. She worked in Sales and Marketing for IBM in Silicon Valley and White Plains, NY for over 10 years. She has called Arizona her home for the last 25 years. Currently, Kim is an independent college admissions coach and member of the National Association for College Admission Counseling. She personally consulted with over 7,500 high school families as the co-worker of Scottsdale Education Counseling (a college preparatory center) for over 12 years. She's been married 35 years, has three daughters and three grandchildren. She enjoys hiking, Labrador retrievers, reading, travel, and Telluride, Colorado.This episode is brought to you by N2N's Illuminate App, The iPaaS for Higher Education. Learn more at https://illuminateapp.com/web/higher-education/Subscribe and listen to more episodes at IlluminateHigherEducation.comContact Kim Duckworth: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-duckworth-048aa152Order  Parents, Are You Ready? The Practical Guide to Launching a Successful High School Student: https://parentsareyouready.com/   

#2 - Julie Taylor-Vaz: Ivy or Intuition Find Your Team of Supporters. Being accepted to an Ivy League doesn't come by chance, it begins with a community of believers who push you to work hard, follow the plan, grow as a leader, and dream big. Find your team and achieve! My question this week is simple: “Are the institutions we covet the perfect choice for everyone?” If you were admitted to an Ivy institution, would you turn it down? What circumstances would make you choose otherwise? This week our guest, Julie Taylor-Vaz shares her journey to college from the Crescent City of New Orleans. Discover how Julie followed the guidance of mentors and family members, found glory in every success, and in the end, listened to her gut in choosing what would become her home for over a decade. Every success story begins with a team of supporters, village of cheerleaders, and community of believers. Hear how this Director of College Counseling found her team that helped her land at her perfect destination: YOUniversity. Bio: Julie Taylor-Vaz has been a professional educator for thirty years, serving first as an undergraduate admission officer for Stanford University and then as a college counselor at three different K-12 independent schools. Currently, she serves as Director of College Counseling at The Buckley School, in Sherman Oaks, California. She is a member of several professional organizations, including the National Association for College Admission Counseling. She is a former instructor for UCLA Extension's college counseling certificate program, and has presented at a wide variety of professional conferences sponsored by NACAC, the College Board, the Independent Educational Consultants Association, and the National Association for Independent Schools. Julie has moved back and forth between the Gulf Coast and the West Coast, and considers both New Orleans and Los Angeles her homes. She is married, with two children, who have attended the independent schools where she has served. Get FREE College Admission Essay Help: https://www.drcynthiacolon.com/essay-mini-training Check out the Destination YOUniversity FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2489993244570408 See our website here: https://www.drcynthiacolon.com/ Schedule a call with Dr. C: https://www.drcynthiacolon.com/schedule ________________________________ #Drcynthiacolon #Collegeessaybootcamp #collegeessay #Highschool #Juniors #seniors #tipstalestruths #Tips #collegecounseling #collegeconsulting #collegeconsultingservices #collegeadmissionsconsultant #collegeadmissionsconsultingservices #bestcollegeconsultants #collegeadmissionshelp #collegeconsultant #collegeadmissionsconsulting #admissionsconsulting #college #collegeadmissions #Collegeadvice #collegeprep

In this episode, I sit down with college admissions coach Kim Duckworth from Bridge Education Center to talk about helping kids expand their options after high school.Many of my listeners are parents and professionals of K-12 kids, and many of them often wonder if they're doing the right things to prepare kids for young adulthood. That's why I thought Kim would be the perfect guest to discuss this topic, because she's helped hundreds of kids successfully get in to their "dream schools". In this interview, Kim and I discuss:✅The importance of having a plan A, plan B, and plan C when thinking about the post-high school years.✅Common options to consider post-graduation (not just college) and how to help your child decide which one is for them.✅The right and wrong way to do a "gap year" if your child is considering it. ✅The ONE habit your child can do to expand their options when it comes to life after high school-especially if they're considering college (spoiler alert: it has to do with vocabulary and books)✅Why the post-high school on-ramp starts in middle school, and what you can do at each age to help children have well-rounded high school experiences. If you have a child who is considering college as a post-high school option, you don't want to miss this interview.Kim Duckworth is the author of “Parents, Are You Ready? The Practical Guide to Launching a Successful High School Student”. She is a graduate of Stanford University, where she received her B.A. in Communications-Journalism. She was the first woman in her family to attend college. She worked in Sales and Marketing for IBM in Silicon Valley and White Plains, NY for over 10 years. She has called Arizona her home for the last 25 years. Currently, Kim is an independent college admissions coach and member of the National Association for College Admission Counseling. She personally consulted with over 7,500 high school families as the co-owner of Scottsdale Education Center (a college preparatory center) for over 12 years. She's been married 35 years, has three daughters and three grandchildren. She enjoys hiking, Labrador retrievers, travel, and Telluride, ColoradoYou can learn more about Kim's services, including her college admission coaching services on her website here: https://parentsareyouready.com/about/Also, I highly recommend checking out her book here: https://parentsareyouready.com/books/book/Finally, don't forget to check out the Ultimate Guide to Sentence Structure, which helps kids build the vocabulary and syntax skills they need for strong reading comprehension and written expression. You can grab a free copy of that guide here: https://drkarenspeech.com/sentencestructure

Amy Cembor,  Senior Associate Dean of Admission at Providence College (go Friars!) and former president of New England Association for College Admission Counseling, shares insights about life on the secondary and higher ed sides of the table, resistance against just going after what's next, and a story about an unfortunate mic drop moment in Las Vegas that, were this a video podcast, would reveal deep shades of red on Ken's face. 5Shout-outs to Darryl Uy, Marie Bigham and LaSalle Bakery.Rapid DescentWalkout song:  Standing Outside the Fire by Garth BrooksBest recent read: Untamed by Glennon Doyle.Eager to read next: Anything by Elin Hilderbrand that can serve as a beach readFavorite podcast: Dare to Lead and Unlocking Us, both by Brene Brown.Favorite thing to make in the kitchen: Karen Chen (Oklahoma State) has a killer recipe for garlic mashed potatoes with cream cheese and bacon.What he uses to take and keep notes: Listmaster app ... and conference giveaway notepads.. Memorable bit of advice: "People will forget what you said and what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel."Bucket list: Get my Ph.D!Theme music arranged by Ryan Anselment.

EAB's Madeleine Rhyneer and Dr. Angel Pérez, CEO of the National Association for College Admission Counseling, discuss recommended changes to admissions policies designed to improve college access. Dr. Pérez talks about his own educational journey that began in Puerto Rico and continued in one of the roughest neighborhoods in the South Bronx before a chance encounter with a high school guidance counselor helped set him on his present course. The two also discuss Dr. Pérez's recent Forbes op-ed as well as concrete next steps from the new NACAC/NASFAA report (Toward a More Equitable Future for Postsecondary Access) that higher ed leaders should consider.

On today's episode, we chat with Heather McCutchen, a former Admissions Reader at Dartmouth, and Mary Chobanian, a former Admissions Reader at Harvard and Barnard. Heather and Mary share the insights they gained from the 2021 National Association for College Admissions Counseling conference. They discuss everything from test-optional policies to AI in admissions. Check out our blog for more free resources: 2022 Test Optional Colleges: Changes in Light of COVID-19  Register for one of our upcoming webinars to learn more from our Former Admissions Officers. Questions or comments? Email contact@ingeniusprep.com Visit us at ingeniusprep.com to learn more. See you every other Monday!

Leri Argueta, MPA, serves as the inaugural Senior Assistant Director for Diversity Initiatives for the Georgia Institute of Technology. His role oversees the support, expansion, and advocacy for a growingly diverse and underserved student population across all academic divisions and majors. Argueta has served in several fellowship programs, including the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education Policy Fellowship Program, the GALEO Institute for Leadership, and the North-American Undergraduate Interfraternity Institute. Argueta has been recognized with several accolades for his work in Diversity and Inclusion including the 2020 Lillian Williams Champion of Diversity Award, the 2021 Myron G. Burney Award for Inclusion and Access from the Southern Association for College Admission Counseling, and the 2021 Dr. Bobby Gueh Leadership Award from the Georgia First Generation Foundation. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/georgiafirstgen/support

Shani Lenore is currently the Vice President of Enrollment at Maryville University. Her 24-year career has included admission/enrollment positions at Columbia College (Columbia, MO), Southeast Missouri State University, and Saint Louis University. During Ms. Lenore's tenure at Maryville, she developed and implemented multi-dimensional recruitment/marketing/enrollment campaigns informed by market and geo-demographic analysis, oversaw the implementation and effective use of numerous recruitment CRM's, and employed financial aid leveraging strategies resulting in record freshmen classes while maintaining academic quality and increasing geographic and ethnic diversity. Shani has served as Past-President of the Missouri Association for College Admission Counseling, served as a delegate to the National Association for College Admission Counseling, and held the Past-Chair position on the Missouri ACT State Organization. Shani also served as a Senior Consultant with AACRAO Consulting. She has been significantly involved in other regional and national professional organizations, presenting on various enrollment management topics regionally and nationally.

On this episode of the RAISE podcast, Brent breaks it down with Dan Allen, Senior Vice President of Advancement and External Relations at DePaul University in Chicago. Dan will be a Loras College Duhawk for life but is currently thriving as a DePaul Blue Demon after making a few pit stops on the journey in between. Dan and Brent dig into some really important questions during this conversation. Is higher education really leveling the playing field? Why do many talented, academically-prepared students not apply to institutions for which they're qualified and would likely do very well at? What is the relationship between preparation and privilege in college choice? (Dan completed his PhD on this topic, so he has lots of wisdom to share.) As soon as COVID hit last year, Dan and the leadership team at DePaul decided that if they didn't raise more money in FY21 than FY20, it sure as heck wouldn't be because they didn't try. Tune in to hear how Dan and his team are bucking national trends in donors in dollars through a proactive and hyper-focused commitment to DePaul's students.About DanDan Allen currently serves as the senior vice president for Advancement and External Relations at DePaul University. Since joining DePaul in August 2015, Allen has previously served as associate vice president for Principal Gifts and vice president for Development. In his capacity as senior vice president for Advancement and External Relations, Allen provides leadership and executive management for all fundraising, alumni relations, advancement communications, and community/government relations strategies. He also serves in a leadership capacity as an Administrative Officer of the university.Prior to joining DePaul, Allen served as senior associate dean for External Relations at the University of Chicago's Harris School of Public Policy. He also served as vice president of Institutional Advancement at Lewis University in Romeoville, Illinois and at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa. Allen has worked in educational development roles for more than 25 years, and has been a frequent presenter at various educational and healthcare development conferences and seminars.Allen completed his PhD at Loyola University–Chicago and continues to pursue his interest in the area of postsecondary educational access for low-income students. His dissertation considered how academically talented, low-income students access highly selective postsecondary education. He has presented work on improving opportunity for academically qualified, low income students to the Association for Institutional Research and has had his research published in “Research in Higher Education.” Allen also has presented research on college choice and social reproduction to the American Educational Research Association, and the National Association for College Admission Counseling. His scholarship focuses on how various forms of human, cultural, social and economic capital influence the college choice behavior of low-income students.