Podcasts about college admissions

Send us a textIf there's one thing that's always constant, it's change. Nowhere is that more true than in the field of technology. Like many industries, higher education is transforming in the midst of the newest tech revolution: Artificial intelligence.In this episode of College Admissions Insider, we'll explore some of the ways colleges are implementing AI assistance, how that impacts the experience for students and families, and what it means for the future of higher ed.Our guest is Emily Smith, Principal Vice President of Partner Success at CollegeVine — a company that helps colleges and universities optimize their operations with AI.Read a transcript for this episode.If you have a question, comment or idea for a future episode, email podcast@bucknell.edu.Please note: Information presented in this episode was accurate at the time of recording, but may have since changed. Participants may have changed roles or no longer hold positions at Bucknell University.Links:How to use AI in your college searchInfo about applying to BucknellApplication dates and deadlinesPlan a visit to Bucknell@iamraybucknell, our student-run InstagramBuild a Bucknell Custom ViewbookLatest news for prospective studentsBucknell Virtual Welcome Centerhttps://www.bucknell.edu/admissions-aid/admissions-dates-deadlines When you visit campus for a preview session and guided tour, chat with our student ambassadors, or experience an interactive virtual tour of campus, you'll have a front-row seat as you explore this place we call home.This combination of in-person and virtual visit offerings means you can learn more about Bucknell in the way that fits you and your family best.We hope to see you soon — either on campus or online.

Most students think leadership starts with a title like captain, president, or founder.But true leadership doesn't wait for permission.In this episode, two teens prove that real impact begins the moment you care enough to act. Asher Stubbs shares how his great-grandmother's legacy in Peru inspired him to create Kusko Trips, a program helping students build cross-cultural understanding through service and entrepreneurship.Asher's email address is ajstubbs100@gmail.comToby Hou explains how he launched the Civil Discourse Initiative to bridge political and social divides in his school through empathy and open dialogue.Toby's email address is thou26@lawrenceville.orgIf your teen believes they need a title to lead, this episode will change the way they see leadership and themselves.Register for the Ivy League Challenge to gain the kind of support that these students had as they went through this journey towards incredible college preparation. -----To register for the Ivy League Challenge, visit our websiteTo follow on Instagram:  @TheIvyLeagueChallengeTo join us on our Facebook group for parents

Click here for Flourish Coaching's Free 2-Minute College Major & Career Readiness Quiz ---------- Click here to learn more about the ACE (Access to College Experts) Network, where you will get expert guidance for college admissions, essays, test-prep, scholarships, and even dorm planning, for less than the price of a tank of gas! ---------- Featured Scholarships: $1000 Seth Okin Good Deeds Scholarship $1000 Arckey & Steele Safety First Scholarship $1000 Courage to Grow Scholarship $1000 "Commencing at Community College" Essay Scholarship $60,000 Burger King Scholarship $5000 Christian Connector Scholarship $2000 Catholic College Scholarship $50,000 ScholarshipOwl No Essay Scholarship   Subscribe to the free "Your Daily Scholarship" Newsletter here: https://nodebtcollege.substack.com/ ---------- Whitney Crowell of Launchpad Consulting. As a mom, Whitney was chief cook and bottle-washer, which was hard. But as a homeschooling mom, she was also a guidance counselor, which was a million times harder. During the 10 years she spent steering her oldest along the path to college and career — with a full ride, no less! — she conducted hundreds of hours of research. And somewhere along the line, people started to ask Whitney for advice. It seemed that in her quest to give her kids my best, she'd unwittingly gained a reputation as something of an expert on how to launch your teen. In our conversation, Whitney and I discussed: College admissions for “average families with average teens.” The college admissions misconceptions that families in the middle need to let go of. Some lesser-known strategies families can use to cut the time and cost of college without sacrificing quality. The challenges that homeschool families face in the college application process. And much more… To connect with Whitney and learn more about how he works with students and families, go to yourguidancecounselor.com. You can also follow Whitney on Substack at YourGuidanceCounselor.Substack.com. Whitney recommends Corsava as a way to get the ball rolling for college conversations with your teen. ---------- If you would like the same kind of support that I gave to those past winners of the Burger King Scholarship, check out the Scholarship Navigator Programs. There are programs for students in high school and college. To learn more, go to www.ScholarshipGPS.com/services, and then click on the Scholarship Navigator Program for your student's grade level.

Despite the Supreme Court ruling against race-based admission practices, colleges across America continue to practice illegal discrimination. Reilly Stephens, senior counsel at the Liberty Justice Center, sits down with Washington Times Commentary Editor Kelly Sadler on Politically Unstable to discuss.

Most college-bound teens tend to focus on core English, history, science, and math classes as the keys to the schools of their dreams. Little do they know how important or influential their language studies can be. Amy and Mike invited educator Rachèle DeMeo to explore foreign languages as a superpower in college admissions. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What's the best way for students to make their language proficiency really stand out on a college application, so it doesn't just look like another bullet point?  How can students highlight their language skills on their college applications? How can foreign language knowledge help students skip certain classes in college? How can students weave their language skills into their college experience—whether through study abroad, tutoring, campus jobs, or other opportunities that let them practice and even get paid for it? What are some of the long-term benefits of being bilingual or multilingual—not just for a student's academic journey, but also for their personal growth and future career opportunities? MEET OUR GUEST Rachèle DeMeo was born in Nîmes, in the south of France, and raised in a multicultural family with American, British, and Italian roots. Growing up bilingual, she developed a deep love for languages and cultures, which set the stage for her lifelong mission: helping others discover the power of languages. After earning her French Baccalaureate in languages, philosophy, and literature, she moved to the United States, where she completed a B.A. in Christian Education, taught French in various institutions, and even worked on Capitol Hill. She later moved to California to teach French at the middle school, high school, and college levels, and went on to earn two Master's degrees and a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership. With more than 20 years of teaching experience, Rachèle has taught everyone from young children to college students and professionals, both in-person and online. She is the founder and president of FLAM San Diego, a nonprofit school that provides French language and culture programs for children across the U.S., and the founder of Belle Terre Academy, which offers online language courses. She is also an author of six (published) books, an educational speaker who trains teachers worldwide, and a YouTuber with a growing community of over 18,000 subscribers. Beyond education, Rachèle is passionate about humanitarian work, having supported refugee and orphan projects around the world. She's also a musician, a lover of travel, and a fan of extreme sports like surfing and snowboarding. Today, she and her husband are raising their two children bilingually, continuing the family tradition of celebrating languages as a bridge between cultures. Rachèle can be reached at Rachele@flamsandiego.com. LINKS Rachèle DeMeo's books Foreign Languages for University Admissions — Setting Up for Success RELATED EPISODES GETTING READY FOR AP WORLD LANGUAGE EXAMS 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, Roots2Words, and College Eagle. 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, get in touch through our contact page.  

If you've been quietly wondering why college admissions feel so much harder than when we applied, this episode is for you.  I sat down with Casey Gendason, a trusted college advisor in our community, to break down what has changed, what colleges actually care about now, and how families can navigate the process without losing their minds.We talk timelines, school lists, essays, testing strategies, and the biggest mistakes families make without realizing it. If you're feeling overwhelmed, take a breath—this conversation will get you grounded, informed, and back in the driver's seat.To learn more about Casey Gendason Guidance click hereThis episode is sponsored by: Cambridge Caregivers Kathy L Wall State Farm Agency | Mother Modern Plumbing | SA Oral Surgeons | Please show your support for the show by visiting our amazing sponsors.

Get all the late, breaking news from the college admissions world! Megan highlights SAT/ACT changes, test optional vs. SAT/ACT required, auto-admission to colleges, erasing past mistakes, and Early Action/Early Decision/Restricted Early Action debates. Get caught up on all that's coming ... Read More » The post 604: What's New in College Admission (fall 2025) appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

Harvard and Stanford educator and co-author of the bestselling book Innovation-ish Richard Braden joins me to discuss how his book can help my students. We explore how teens, parents, and aspiring innovators of all ages can develop the mindsets and skill sets needed to thrive in an ambiguous world.Rich shares how his book demystifies innovation, reframes failure as essential learning, and helps ordinary people unlock their creative potential. Together, we dive into the connection between design thinking and college prep, the power of micro-failures, and how to navigate the real world with curiosity, empathy, and humility.Whether you're a student trying to design an impact project or a parent guiding your teen through uncertainty, this episode is packed with inspiration, insights, and practical tools. Topics Covered:What Innovation-ish really means, and why it makes innovation more accessibleHow “Explore Before Explain” builds lasting learningThe critical role of ambiguity in growth, creativity, and college prepWhy the myth of the lone genius is holding us backThe two types of failure, and how to embrace the kind that leads to successWhy humility is the single most important trait for innovation, leadership, and impact-----You can find Richard's book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Innovation-ish-Anyone-Breakthrough-Solutions-Problems/dp/1394318901To register for the Ivy League Challenge, visit our websiteTo follow on Instagram:  @TheIvyLeagueChallengeTo join us on our Facebook group for parents

We began our program with our special annual College Admissions Panel! We were joined by the Deans of Admission at Harvard University, William Fitzsimmons and at Boston College, Grant Gosselin. Both Deans answered questions about getting into college, the SATs, paying tuition, the application process, what colleges are looking for in prospective students, and so much more! If you are a student, parent or guardian looking for insight into how the college application process works, this was your opportunity to speak directly to the Deans of Admission at two of the country’s most prestigious academic institutions!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We began our program with our special annual College Admissions Panel! We were joined by the Deans of Admission at Harvard University, William Fitzsimmons and at Boston College, Grant Gosselin. Both Deans answered questions about getting into college, the SATs, paying tuition, the application process, what colleges are looking for in prospective students, and so much more! If you are a student, parent or guardian looking for insight into how the college application process works, this was your opportunity to speak directly to the Deans of Admission at two of the country’s most prestigious academic institutions!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feeling overwhelmed by college admissions? I sat down with David Blobaum, a national test prep expert, to demystify the entire process. We discuss how test-optional policies really work, what admissions officers actually look for, and why prestigious schools aren't always the best choice. David shares insider secrets like using the Common Data Set to decode admissions criteria and understanding when to submit (or skip) test scores. Most importantly, we shift the focus from just getting in to ensuring your teen graduates and thrives. If you're navigating college applications with your teenager, this conversation will ground you in what truly matters. Find more show notes at https://www.besproutable.com/podcasts/eps-624-college-admission-truths-with-david-blobaum/ Learn more about 2025 Living Joyful Courage Coaching Week at www.besproutable.com/ljccoachweek Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Billionaire trader and philanthropist Jeff Yass joins Michael to discuss his $100 million donation to the University of Austin, a new institution co-founded by CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss that promises “the fearless pursuit of truth.” Yass explains why he believes higher education is broken, how government involvement has inflated costs, and why this new school refuses federal funding altogether. He outlines a radical model — no tuition, no federal money, and full accountability to students' success — arguing that universities should be judged not by prestige, but by the impact of their graduates. An eye-opening conversation about money, ideology, and the future of learning. Original air date 10 November 2025. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

17-Year-Old CEO Disrupts College Admissions in India: Aadesh Panwar of AdMeasyWebsite: [https://admeasy.in](https://admeasy.in)A 17-year-old founder is taking on India's hardest college-entrance grind. Meet **Aadesh Panwar**, Founder & CEO of **AdMeasy**, a free mentorship platform connecting high-school students with undergrads from India's top colleges for real exam strategy, stress management, and honest campus insights.

Get our free list of recommended scholarship database sites to find thousands of scholarships: https://www.scholarshipgps.com/scholarship-websites ---------- Today, we are joined by Lee Norwood of College Sharks. In our conversation, Lee and I discussed: How students and parents can DIY college admissions while still getting expert guidance Why AI can't replace a real human for college prep guidance How a trusted third party can help overcome a student's objections to following their parents' lead The importance of getting educated on the college admissions process and strategies is critical for success What “the perfect college” means, and the need to look at college beyond “the usual suspects” And much more… To learn more, visit collegesharks.com ---------- Featured Scholarships: $5000 Unigo Education Matters Scholarship $20,000 Equitable Excellence Scholarship $1000 Volunteer for Vets Scholarship $1000 Sharing is Caring Scholarship $1000 Whistleblower Education Scholarship $2000 Smarter College Better Financial Future Scholarship (No Essay) $1000 Appily Easy Money Scholarship (No Essay) Subscribe to the free "Your Daily Scholarship" Newsletter here: https://nodebtcollege.substack.com/  

In this episode of The Admittedly Podcast, host Thomas Caleel reveals the hidden half of the college admissions process, the part most families never think about. Students spend years stacking achievements and building resumes, but the truth is that admissions officers care less about what you have done and far more about why you have done it. Drawing from two decades of experience, including his time as Director of MBA Admissions at the Wharton School, Thomas explains why resume racing does not work, how to uncover authentic motivation, and what real introspection looks like in practice. Through powerful examples from students he has guided, from costume designers to community leaders, this episode unpacks how self-awareness, focus, and coherence make the difference between a good application and a great one.   Key Takeaways 1. The Resume Myth Admissions is not a checklist. Doing more does not make you stand out; it makes you blend in. Top schools see thousands of "captains," "presidents," and "founders." What matters is why you chose what you did and what you learned along the way. 2. Depth Over Breadth Students who slow down and invest deeply in a few meaningful pursuits instead of chasing every opportunity demonstrate maturity, focus, and authenticity. Less really can be more. 3. Introspection Is Power Reflection builds connection. Admissions officers can feel when an applicant understands themselves. The best essays do not just describe activities; they reveal growth, intention, and purpose. 4. Narrative Coherence Wins When your choices, experiences, and essays fit together naturally, you tell a story that admissions officers can remember and advocate for. That is the hidden skill behind every standout applicant.   College admissions is not just about proving what you have done; it is about showing who you have become. Visit www.admittedly.co for free resources, guides, and upcoming webinar dates.

Most people romanticize mastery.They talk about "grit" and "passion" and "work ethic," but avoid the uncomfortable truth:Mastery is build by failing-- over and over again. In public, in private, both big and small failures. Failure is followed by recovery and reflection and leveling up.In this recording, you can hear me teaching this idea to my students in the Global Impact Council, which is our internal teen mentoring program. Enjoy the call!-----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, members of NACAC's Admission Practices Committee share how NACAC's Guide to Ethical Practice in College Admission supports college admission professionals in making sound decisions with integrity, equity, and transparency. We discuss ethical dilemmas and consider how the profession can respond to emerging challenges in ever-involving higher education landscape.

In this episode you will hear: (02:07) In the News Andy Strickler and Mark Stucker discuss some trends in college admissions that present challenges to enrollment officers-Part 2 of 2 (22:52) Interview: Lisa interviews two students, a female student who is a freshman in college and a male student who is a rising senior in high school. Each student is very transparent about the pressure and stress they experienced with the college process. They share advice to any students and parents who will listen-Part 2 of 2 (49:58) College Spotlight-Lisa shares her recent visit to Champlain College and she shares her thoughts. Recommended Resource-Guide to help first year students complete the Common Application- Application guide for first-year students 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: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/category/blog/ 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: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/recommended-books/ Check out the college websites Mark recommends: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/recommended-websites/ 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: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScCauBgityVXVHRQUjvlIRfYrMWWdHarB9DMQGYL0472bNxrw/viewform If you want a college consultation with Mark or Lisa, just text Mark at 404-664-4340 or email Lisa at lisa@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/

Wondering how to craft a compelling college applicant profile? This episode breaks it down, year by year! Join host Tasha (formerly at Boston University and USC) as she speaks with expert IvyWise counselor Amy (formerly at Harvard) about strategically building your profile from freshman to senior year.

In this episode you will hear:   (08:25) Kate Stricklan from CU Boulder and Susan Tree discuss takeaways from the NACAC conference and they share insights into file reading. (23:50) Heath Einstein explains to us what colleges want to see in teacher recommendations: Preview of Part 1 v Heath gives updates on TCU v Heath shares what he learned about admissions from being a parent v Heath shares some major changes happening at TCU v Heath shares how you can know if a teacher rec is important v Heath shares why teacher recs are important v Heath gives everyone writing recommendations some great advice, but if you're a student, there is plenty of advice packed in for you to help you decide who to ask v Heath gives us examples of the do's and don'ts when it comes to teacher recommendations.     Here is a link for our new YCBK listener survey so you can take the survey:   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 follow our podcast. It really helps us move up in Spotify and 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 just text Mark at 404-664-4340 or email Lisa at . 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:   (02:10) In the News   Andy Strickler and Mark Stucker discuss some trends in college admissions that present challenges to enrollment officers   (25:15) Interview: Lisa interviews two students, a female student who is a freshman in college and a male student who is a rising senior in high school. Each student is very transparent about the pressure and stress they experienced with the college process. They are transparent about their experience and give advice to students and parents-Part 1 of 2     (56:04) College Spotlight-Lisa shares her recent visit to Middlebury College and she shares her thoughts.      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, just text Mark at 404-664-4340 or email Lisa at 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 know the key trends & takeaways in college admissions for 2025? We've got you covered. In this webinar, hear why the demographic cliff is real, how schools are using AI in admissions, how to show you're a great fit for your major, why standardized testing is making a comeback, and what's happening with supplemental essays. Watch the webinar on YouTube, and Subscribe to College Bound Mentor on your favorite podcast platform and learn more at CollegeBoundMentor.com

College might seem far away, but eighth grade is the perfect time to start thinking about college prep! Host Tasha (formerly at Boston University and USC) sits down with expert IvyWise counselors Juaquin (formerly at Occidental College) and Nat (formerly at NYU, NYU Abu Dhabi, and Skidmore College) to discuss what eighth graders need to know.

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.

In this episode of The Admittedly Podcast, host Thomas Caleel breaks down why college admissions at Ivy League and other top universities are more competitive than ever—and what students and parents can still control in the process. Despite social media myths about an “easier” year ahead, Thomas explains why application numbers remain high, selectivity rates are dropping, and grade inflation is blurring academic distinctions. Drawing on decades of admissions experience, he reveals how to focus on what actually moves the needle: differentiation, strategy, and authentic engagement. Key Takeaways: Admit Rates Stay Low: Even with visa changes and testing shifts, top schools like Columbia, Penn, and Stanford continue to see rising applications and falling admit rates. The qualified applicant pool is bigger, not smaller. Qualified Isn't Enough: Perfect grades and test scores don't guarantee admission anymore. What separates top candidates is coherence—the ability to connect activities, essays, and recommendations into a clear, intentional story. Differentiate or Disappear: Students who follow formulas or copy peers' paths blend into the crowd. The strongest applicants take risks, pursue genuine interests deeply, and craft an application that reflects individuality, not perfection. Parents, Step Back Strategically: Thomas offers a direct message to parents—how to support without pressuring, and why old admissions playbooks no longer apply. Honest evaluation, early preparation, and outside perspective are key. Control What You Can: Grades and scores matter, but the true edge lies in strategy—building academic rigor, refining narratives, and making decisions with long-term intention. Admissions to top universities aren't getting easier. But with clarity, focus, and the right approach, students can still stand out. Follow @admittedlyco on Instagram and TikTok for more college admissions strategy, and visit www.admittedly.co for webinars, guides, and expert support.  

In this episode of the Athlete Brand Advisor podcast, Greg Glynn, founder & CEO of Pliable Marketing talks about helping athletes find the right college and how to get scholarships and reduce debt with Shellee Howard, the Founder and CEO of College Ready. Shellee Howard is the Founder and CEO of College Ready and a Certified Independent College Strategist who helps families navigate the college admissions process with a proven, personalized approach. A best-selling author and global speaker, Shellee specializes in helping students gain admission to top-tier schools and graduate debt free. With real-world experience as a mother of four college graduates, she empowers students to build standout strategies for academic, financial, and personal success. In the podcast, Shellee shared her background in college preparation and detailed her approach to helping students develop unique strategies for college applications, including identifying core values and pursuing authentic community service opportunities.  Shellee shared her journey into the college preparation business, inspired by her son's successful college application process. She emphasized the importance of viewing college as a business and highlighted her son's strategy, which included leadership activities and a focused approach, leading to full-ride offers from USC and Harvard. Shellee now helps families create similar standout strategies for their children, aiming to provide clarity and support in the college application process. Shellee shared her experience of touring 25 colleges and emphasized the importance of starting the college planning process early, ideally when children express career interests. She highlighted that students in their program start as young as seventh grade and explained the benefits of a long planning runway.  Discovering Student Core Values Shellee discussed a strategy for helping students identify their core values, passions, and gifts, emphasizing the importance of individuality and authentic self-expression. She encouraged parents to engage in one-on-one conversations with their children to understand their true interests and aspirations, rather than imposing their own expectations. Greg inquired about exercises to uncover core values, and Shellee suggested focusing on proven achievements and encouraging students to articulate their motivations beyond external influences. Authentic Community Service Greg and Shellee discussed the importance of community service in college applications. Shellee emphasized that while community service is crucial, it must be authentic and driven by passion rather than just fulfilling requirements. She advised against common activities like tutoring, which are often seen as easy and expected by colleges. Instead, she suggested pursuing unique and meaningful service opportunities that showcase a student's true character and dedication. Greg agreed with this approach, noting that it aligns with the concept of branding in college applications. College Admissions and Leadership Insights Shellee discussed her "vault" tool, which provides real data on college admissions criteria and requirements, helping students understand what each school values. She emphasized the importance of demonstrating leadership and community impact in college applications, highlighting her students' work with EmpowerEducation.World, which supports education projects in Uganda and Mexico. Greg and Shellee also discussed the realities of athletic scholarships, noting that while major revenue-generating sports like football and basketball offer significant funding, students in other sports should focus on combining academic excellence with athletic achievement to enhance their college applications. Student-Athlete Academic Success Strategies Shellee discussed the importance of balancing academic and athletic achievements for student-athletes, emphasizing that maintaining a high GPA can significantly increase their chances of college admission and success. She clarified that her organization does not engage in college outreach or NIL deal negotiations but focuses on academic support and intramural sports. Shellee advised parents to prioritize written contracts over verbal promises and encouraged realistic goal-setting for student-athletes. College Preparation for Student-Athletes Shellee discussed her approach to preparing students for college and life beyond sports, emphasizing the importance of developing a comprehensive plan. She shared her resources, including free materials, best-selling books, and a complimentary discovery call, as well as her pricing structure for various services. Greg appreciated Shellee's insights, particularly her emphasis on helping athletes focus on their core values and gifts rather than relying solely on sports opportunities. They agreed on the importance of preparing athletes for life after sports and discussed the potential for athletes to pursue NIL deals and community service opportunities. Show Links: Websites PliableMarketing.com www.collegereadyplan.com www.instagram.com/collegereadyplan https://www.facebook.com/CollegeReadyPlan https://www.youtube.com/@collegereadyplan https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleehoward/   Social media @pliablemktg on Instagram, X and Tiktok www.instagram.com/collegereadyplan https://www.facebook.com/CollegeReadyPlan https://www.youtube.com/@collegereadyplan https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleehoward/

In this episode you will hear:   (13:15) Kate Stricklan from CU Boulder and Susan Tree discuss takeaways from the NACAC conference and they share insights into file reading. (33:54) Mark Stucker and Hillary Dickman discuss some takeaways from the Case Studies, there focus is on key insights we hoped the listeners didn't miss that give students and parents insights into how admissions decisions are made   Here is a link for our new YCBK listener survey so you can take the survey:   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 follow our podcast. It really helps us move up in Spotify and 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 just text Mark at 404-664-4340 or email Lisa at . 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/  

If you have a Class of 2026 or Class of 2027 student, this is for you. Through the ACE Network, you'll have access to 6 AMAZING and VETTED college planning experts. This affordable service gives you access to gems of personalized information on college admissions, college essays, SAT and ACTs, dorm planning, and, of course, scholarships! Click the link to learn more: https://sites.google.com/view/ace-network/home Space is extremely limited, so don't delay. ---------- If your Class of 2026 student would like help with scholarships, check out the Class of 2026 Scholarship Navigator Program. The program includes: A custom list of scholarships based on the student's unique profile Unlimited scholarship essay and application support Access to the Scholarship GPS video-based course to learn best practices and tips Expert answers to your scholarship questions Click here or go to www.scholarshipgps.com/2026navigator to learn more and to get started for just $47! ---------- Featured Scholarships: $2000 Brains of Bust No-Essay Scholarship $50,000 ScholarshipOwl No Essay Scholarship $60,000 Burger King Foundation Scholarship $1000 “Pen to Paper” Scholarship for Storytellers $1000 Defining the Disability Scholarship $1000 Starfish Scholarship $2500 Fostering Education Scholarship ---------- Abbie Metzler is the founder of Confident College Admissions, where she helps students and families navigate the college application process with clarity and confidence. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and a current Clinical Psychology PhD student, Abbie brings a unique blend of strategy and psychology to her work. She has worked one-on-one with students for over two years, combining practical application guidance with mindset tools to reduce stress, boost confidence, and empower students to present their most authentic selves. In our conversation, Abbie and I discussed: How her own college journey shapes the way she guides students. The biggest misconception families have about college admissions today, especially with test-optional policies. How students can stand out in essays and applications without feeling like they need to be “perfect.” What a “confident” application really looks like—for both students and parents. Resources for families who feel overwhelmed by the college admissions process. And much more… To connect with Abbie, go to ConfidentCollegeAdmissions.Podia.com or find her on Instagram: @ConfidentCollegeAdmissions

Join Kyle Jones and Kat Clowes of March Consulting as they dive into the often overwhelming and misunderstood world of college admissions. In this candid conversation, Kat shares her personal story of graduating high school early, navigating college transfers, and realizing just how many students — even high-achieving ones — are unprepared for the reality of applying to competitive schools.   They talk through the ideal timeline that every college-bound student should follow, including why it's critical to start planning as early as 7th or 8th grade if top-tier schools are the goal. Kat explains how starting early opens more opportunities for scholarships, more strategic course planning, and less stress during senior year.   The conversation also covers the surprising affordability of some private and Ivy League schools compared to in-state options, the common pitfalls of the transfer process, and the wide gap between what school counselors can offer and what families actually need. With insider insight into what colleges really look for, beyond just grades and test scores, this episode is packed with actionable advice for parents and students navigating the path to higher education.  Listeners can mention this Our Two Cents episode and receive a free 30-minute consultation with March Consulting!   Kat Clowes is the CEO and Founder of March Consulting, a college and career firm that helps students with the college application and career search process, and the CEO of Higher Scores Test Prep, providing affordable, online test prep to students. In 2025 alone, her students earned over $10 million dollars in scholarships and were accepted to over 200 schools across the country. She's a Certified Educational Planner and earned an MBA from Mount Saint Mary's University with an emphasis in Entrepreneurship, a BA in communications from Santa Clara University, and a post-graduate certificate in Independent Educational Consulting from University of California, Irvine. She is the co-author of Managing Generation Z, helping employers welcome a new generation into the workforce, which was recently added to the Leadership Library of Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. of the USAF. She is also the author of Put College to Work, a book created to help her students maximize their time in college in a way that will prepare them for a successful career. Her favorite part of her job, however, is watching clients discover that they have something to offer the world and find the means of communicating it. She has been featured in US News and World Report, HerCampus, and other publications.   Learn more about March Consulting:   Website Phone number: (661) 747-4514  Facebook  Instagram YouTube LinkedIn  

In this episode you will hear:   (01:50) In the News   Lynda and Mark discuss why they are seeing so much interest in Early Decision to the University of Chicago this year   (30:52) Interview with Daniel Chambliss, author of the book, “How College Works” Part 4 of 4 §  Dan talks about the importance of motivation §  Dan explains what you can do to as a professor to bring out the best in students §  Dan talks about how his book has been used by those in student life, those in alumni life, Presidents and by architecture firms, but he explains why the book didn't resonate as much with professors §  Dan talks about how the concepts in the book were cost neutral, so they could be applied §  Dan talks about he applied the results of the book in his own teaching and how the book made him a much better professor §  Dan talks about the most important thing in college §  Dan goes on the hotseat in the lightning round and he gets really honest and open with us §  Dan talks about a great book from a former student of his, called, Creating a class §  Dan talks about what he would write on if he had another book in him     (58:02) College Spotlight-Lisa shares her recent visit to Bennington College and she shares her thoughts.      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, just text Mark at 404-664-4340 or email Lisa at 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:   Kate Stricklan shares her background and then Susan and Kate discussed some of the hot topics college counselors and admission officers were discussing at the recent NACAC conference in Columbus, Ohio. This is your chance to see how admissions committees make decisions. Read the admissions file for Layla on the Yourcollegeboundkid.com website under the resources tab and then either watch the committee discussion, or listen to it   Here is a link for our new YCBK listener survey so you can take the survey:   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 follow our podcast. It really helps us move up in Spotify and 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 just text Mark at 404-664-4340 or email Lisa at . 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:   (01:56) In the News   Hilary and Mark discuss some new ways that were revealed at the recent Slate conference that AI is being used in college admissions   (38:04) Interview with Daniel Chambliss, author of the book, “How College Works” Part 3 of 4 §  Dan talks about the importance of mentorship, but he talks about what works and what doesn't work §  Dan talks about the importance of spaces, including architecture §  Dan talks about the importance of high contact activities §  Dan talks about what he learned from the Hamilton school choir, from sports teams and from certain dormitories §  Dan talks about the importance of keeping your social and academic options open §  Dan talks about the importance of friendships §  Dan explains why he valued residential colleges §  Dan takes on some sacred cows and exposes the myths of several things that administrators often think are crucial for quality teaching and educational impact §  Listen to what Dan said about strategic plans, pedagogical innovation and curriculum     (01:06:09) College Spotlight-Lisa shares her recent visit to Saint Michael's College and she shares her thoughts.      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, just text Mark at 404-664-4340 or email Lisa at 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/

Today, Dr. Julia Matias discusses the best college admissions consulting.    Like the podcast? Schedule a Free Initial Consultation with our team: https://bemo.ac/podbr-BeMoFreeConsult   Don't forget to subscribe to our channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for more great tips and other useful information!   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BeMoAcademicConsultingInc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bemoacademicconsulting Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bemo_academic_consulting/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BeMo_AC TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bemoacademicconsulting

In this episode of The Admittedly Podcast, Thomas Caleel speaks with Matthew Demmer, Associate Director of Advantage Testing New York and Director of Advantage Testing UK. With over 22 years of experience tutoring students across the U.S., U.K., and Middle East, Matt shares how one-on-one tutoring helps students build confidence, reduce anxiety, and perform at their best — whether preparing for the SAT, ACT, UCAS, or Oxbridge interviews. Key Topics: Lessons from the UK's tutorial system and how they shape effective tutoring Why confidence is the antidote to test-day stress UCAS vs. Oxbridge admissions: what students need to know The real timeline for SAT/ACT prep (and why 3 months usually isn't enough) Writing authentic personal statements for U.S. and U.K. schools Advice for parents: how to support without adding pressure Why top colleges are reinstating testing — and what it means for students Matt's perspective is essential for families planning ahead for competitive college admissions in the U.S. or abroad. Guest: Matthew Demmer – Associate Director of Advantage Testing New York and Director of Advantage Testing UK, veteran tutor, and international education expert Learn more about Admittedly's partnership with Advantage Testing: admittedly.co/programs Follow Admittedly: Instagram and TikTok: @admittedlyco  Follow Advantage Testing: Instagram: @advantagetesting  

In this episode you will hear:   Mark answers a queston from a listener about whether playing a varsity sport in college hurts you from getting a job after college. This is your chance to see how admissions committees make decisions. Read the admissions file for Layla on the Yourcollegeboundkid.com website under the resources tab and then either watch the committee discussion, or listen to it   If you want to reach out to our three admission officers who participated in the case studies, here is there contact information: • Kate Stricklan - katherine.stricklan@colorado.edu • Grace Robertson-Lloyd - lloydgra2@grinnell.edu • Hillary Dickman - hdickman@coloradocollege.edu   Here is a link for our new YCBK listener survey so you can take the survey:   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 follow our podcast. It really helps us move up in Spotify and 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 just text Mark at 404-664-4340 or email Lisa at . 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 personalized help with your application strategy? Book a free 1:1 call with one of our Former Admissions Officers here: CLICK HERE. In this episode, we delve into key takeaways from the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) Conference. Our experts, Katherine—Director of Undergraduate Services, and Pia—Director of Counselor Management at InGenius Prep, share their firsthand experiences and valuable insights from attending the event. Tune in to get up-to-date on the latest trends and developments in college admissions. --- Register for our upcoming webinars. We also offer tons of free resources on our website/blog.  Questions, comments, or topic requests? Email jilian.yong@ingeniusprep.com. To learn more about InGenius Prep, visit us at ingeniusprep.com.

In this episode you will hear:   (02:00) Question from a Listener   Vince and Mark answer a question from a listener about the lawsuit against Early Decision. Vince and Mark answer this by discussing a recent article on this topic.   (30:34) Interview with Daniel Chambliss, author of the book, “How College Works” Part 2 of 4 §  Dan about the importance of your peer group §  Dan talks about ideas colleges can do to bring students together §  Dan talks about Living Learning Communities §  Dan talks about Honors Colleges §  Dan talks about what he learned from studying world class competitive swimmers §  Dan talks about the importance of focusing on having great experiences at the start of the college experience §  Dan talks about orientation programs §  Dan talks about the disconnect between how professors feel versus how students feel when it comes to fun, and the students social lives §  Dan talks about affinity groups §  Dan explains what he means by the importance of the arithmetic of engagement     (57:18) College Spotlight Interview, Grant Gosselin, Chief Enrollment officer at Boston College-Part 4 of 4     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, just text Mark at 404-664-4340 or email Lisa at 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/

Say YES! to France! It's not too late join Wendy in France in 2025. Get all the details and reserve your spot below:Paris Christmas Markets Dec. 4-9, 2025Welcome to the Say YES to Yourself! Podcast—the show for midlife women, empty nesters, and anyone navigating life after divorce, burnout, or big transitions. If you're ready to shed cultural expectations, reconnect with your true self, and put your joy first—you're in the right place.In this episode, Wendy welcomes Shellee Howard, a Certified Independent College Strategist and CEO and founder of College Ready, about supporting teens in choosing and affording the right college, without overwhelm, confusion, or regret.They explore:Why college planning often creates stress, fear, and disconnect in familiesWhat shifts when students take ownership and parents lead with values, not pressurePractical strategies for reducing college debt and helping your teen take ownership of their futureThis is a must-listen for any parent who wants to approach college planning with more confidence, clarity, and connection.Connect with Shellee:Get her books: How to Send Your Student to College Without Losing Your Mind or Money &  The College Admissions PLAN SimplifiedSchedule your FREE call: CollegeReadyPlan.infoCollegeReadyPlan.comEmpowerEducation.world________________________________________________________________________________________ Say YES to joining Wendy for her: Say YES Sisterhood PWH Farm StaysPWH Curated France TripsInstagram: @phineaswrighthouseFacebook: Phineas Wright House LinkedinWebsite: Phineas Wright HousePodcast Production By Shannon Warner of Resonant Collective Want to start your own podcast? Let's chat! If this episode resonated, follow Say YES to Yourself! and leave a 5-star review—it helps more women in midlife discover the tools, stories, and community that make saying YES not only possible, but powerful.

Ikigai, a Japanese concept that translates to "a reason for being" or "a reason to live," focuses on the intersection of what you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. Doesn't that sound like a critical consideration for college students and applicants? Amy and Mike invited admissions expert V. Peter Pitts to explore how ikigai can help to choose a college major. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is IKIGAI? How can an Ikigai exercise help in narrowing down your major? Do students really need to choose a major before choosing a college? Do majors really matter? What matters more than choice of a major? What is the biggest mistake students make in choosing a major? MEET OUR GUEST V. Peter Pitts retired after 42 years in the College Admission profession, most recently with Monmouth College of Illinois. Over his 27 years at Monmouth, he recruited over 2,000 students and still keeps in touch with many of them. He is originally from Iowa and holds an undergraduate degree from Wartburg College (IA) and a Master's degree from the University of Iowa, both in Sociology. In his retirement, Peter publishes a website–https://www.lifechangingcolleges.com–that celebrates small private colleges. He also gives presentations to high school classes about a variety of college admission topics.  He is the author of Common Sense Guide to Choosing a College---Making a Case for Small Residential College, and his latest book is Choosing Your College Major: The Ikigai Approach. Peter previously appeared on this podcast in episode 163 to discuss Do College Majors Matter? and in episode 347 to discuss Attending A Small College. Peter can be reached at vpeterpitts@gmail.com. LINKS Choosing Your College Major: The Ikigai Approach Why majors don't matter | Kai Kight Common Sense Guide to Choosing a College---Making a Case for Small Residential College RELATED EPISODES HOW COLLEGES ADMIT BY MAJOR WHY THIS COLLEGE, WHY THIS MAJOR? STRATEGIES FOR SELECTING A COLLEGE MAJOR ON TIME 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, Roots2Words, and College Eagle. 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, get in touch through our contact page.  

In this episode you will hear:   (09:18) Lisa and Lynda discuss Lisa's recent visit to the University of New Hampshire   (31:42) A student at Berry College who is considering law school, asks a few questions about law school. Jon and Jeff, our two law school partners answer the question   This is your chance to see how admissions committees make decisions. Read the admissions file for Allen Landon on the Yourcollegeboundkid.com website under the resources tab and then either watch the committee discussion, or listen to it   Here is a link for our new YCBK listener survey so you can take the survey:   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 follow our podcast. It really helps us move up in Spotify and 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 just text Mark at 404-664-4340 or email Lisa at . 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/  

College planning season is here — and the last quarter of 2025 brings critical deadlines for students and parents. Jonathan Penn and Sarah Buenger break down what you need to know about FAFSA, scholarships, and smart funding strategies for higher education.

In this episode you will hear:   (02:08) Question from a Listener    Hilary and Mark answer a question from a student from mom from suburban Philly and she wants to know how colleges read athletes that won't play at their college. Hilary and Mark also discuss our thoughts on passion projects.    (36:07) Brand new interview with Daniel Chambliss, author of the book, “How College Works” Part 1 of 4 §  Dan gives his backstory §  Dan tells us why he decided to study how college works §  Dan shares the funding he got to do this 10-year project §  Dan shares the methods he used to do the study §  Dan shares the challenges involved in doing this study §  Dan shares the most surprising takeaways from the study §  Dan unpacks the one sentence that really explains the essence of the book's findings §  Dan talks about how colleges should deploy teachers §  Dan talks about the misunderstandings about introductory classes §  Dan talks about the importance of physical space §  Dan tells us what he regards as the worst idea in higher ed in the last 25 years §  Daniel talks about the disconnect between how professors think and how students think   .   (01:02:04) College Spotlight Interview, Grant Gosselin, Chief Enrollment officer at Boston College-Part 3 of 4     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, just text Mark at 404-664-4340 or email Lisa at 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/

Tenth grade is a pivotal year for college preparation, and this episode is your comprehensive guide! Join host Tasha (formerly at Boston University and USC) as she sits down with expert IvyWise counselors Phuong (formerly at Babson College) and Rod (formerly at Case Western Reserve University) to break down exactly what sophomores need to do to build a strong foundation for college admissions.

In this episode you will hear:   This is your chance to see how admissions committees make decisions. Read the admissions file for Alana Anderson on the Yourcollegeboundkid.com website under the resources tab and then either watch the committee discussion, or listen to it   Here is a link for our new YCBK listener survey so you can take the survey:   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 follow our podcast. It really helps us move up in Spotify and 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 just text Mark at 404-664-4340 or email Lisa at . 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:   (06:10) Question from a Listener   Hilary and Mark answer a question from a student from rural Kentucky and then Hilary and Mark discuss whether a student needs to talk about academics in their Personal Statement   (21:00) Our Roundtable is back. Susan, Julia, Hilary and Mark discuss the Secondary School Report, what is it and how does it factor into admission decisions-Part 3 of 3   (37:22) College Spotlight Interview, Grant Gosselin, Chief Enrollment officer at Boston College   o   Mark shares about 8-10 impressions that students he is working with have, after they visit Boston College, and Mark asks Grant, if he feels the impressions his students have are accurate.  This entire segment is dedicated to Grant sharing whether he agrees with the impressions Mark's students have of BC after they visit; I hope you find it helpful. Listen and enjoy   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, just text Mark at 404-664-4340 or email Lisa at 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/

Hi friends, and welcome back to the podcast. In today's episode, I'm joined by two special guests: Dr. Steven Antonoff and Jay McCann, co-authors of the newly updated 5th edition of The College Finder: Your comprehensive guide to finding colleges that fit YOUR unique path. In this conversation, we dig into some of the biggest questions students and families face in the college search today, including: What—if anything—are rankings good for in 2025? Beyond starting salaries, which outcome metrics actually indicate value? What's a responsible way for students to use AI in the search phase—and what should they avoid? How do you plan a high-yield campus visit (or a virtual substitute) that actually informs fit? What's the most productive role for parents at each stage of the process? Jay McCann is co-author of The College Finder, now in its fifth edition since Steve's original publication in 1993. He earned his graduate degree at San Diego State University, where he was part of the Native American Scholars and Collaborators grant, focusing on education and community engagement. Jay began his counseling career in Denver Public Schools, where he served as department chair, before moving to Valor Christian High School and now The Westminster Schools in Atlanta. He is also the founder of Future to Find College Consulting, and he lives in Atlanta with his wife, Erin, and their three young children. Dr. Steven Antonoff has more than 30 years of experience in higher education. He is the author of College Match and The College Finder, both highly regarded resources for students and counselors. Steve holds a PhD in Human Communication Studies, an MA in Education from the University of Denver, and a BS in Psychology from Colorado State University. He is the former Dean of Admission & Financial Aid, Executive Director of Admissions & Student Affairs, and Dean of Students at the University of Denver. A founding chair of the American Institute for Certified Educational Planners, he helped launch the first certification program, training initiatives, and textbook for IECs. His work supports low-income and first-generation students through IB programs, Denver's Latino Association, and College Summit. He is the recipient of IECA's Professional Achievement Award, now named in his honor.  We hope you enjoy!   Play-by-Play:  4:37 – What do students need to understand about themselves before they start their college search?  5:45 – What are some common gaps between what students say they want and the schools they choose? 7:37 – How much time should students spend reflecting on what they want in a college? 11:23 – What, if anything, are rankings good for in 2025? 15:42 – Beyond starting salaries, which outcome metrics actually indicate value? 19:15 – How can students evaluate the strength of a specific program at a college? 22:49 – How can students get a real sense of campus culture? 27:12 – How should students (and counselors) categorize colleges when building a list? 32:44 – How many colleges should students apply to? 33:53 – What's a responsible way for students to use AI in the search phase—and what should they avoid? 38:14 – How should students and families think about Early Action and Early Decision? 42:34 – What's the most productive role for parents in this process? 45:46 – What's one action step seniors should take before applying? 48:12 – What are a few must-have resources for the college search and application process?     Resources:   Books, Guides, and Tools The College Finder 3 Step Guide to Choosing a College That's Right for You Fiske Guide to Colleges SchoolBuff (Dr. Antonoff's website) Future to Find (Jay's website)   College Research Platforms College Navigator  CampusReel  CampusTours  College Scorecard Net Price Calculator Center   Reflection + College Planning Roles and Identities Exercise (with Counselor Notes) How to Decide Whether to Apply Early Action (EA) or Early Decision (ED) Challenge Success (Stanford) Making Caring Common (Harvard)  CEG Podcast Episode 503 with Trisha Ross Anderson (Making Caring Common)  College Essay Guy's Personal Statement Resources College Essay Guy's College Application Hub

In this episode you will hear:   Mark shares two admissions tips from students and he discusses Cal Tech's new test score policy. Lisa leads a panel discussion of five parents, all listeners of YCBK. The parents open up and reveal the pressure their student faces at school to go to an elite college.   Here is a link for our new YCBK listener survey so you can take the survey:   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 follow our podcast. It really helps us move up in Spotify and 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 just text Mark at 404-664-4340 or email Lisa at . 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:   (02:42) In the News   Vince joins Mark to discuss an article that ran in the Duke Chronicle about Duke admitting 50 students off the waitlist in August. Vince and Mark discuss why this is happening and whether it is happening at other colleges   Mark continues to share insights from an article that the Chronicle of Higher Education Ran Entitled, “The Money Problem No College Can Escape”   (29:02) Our Roundtable is back. Susan, Julia, Hilary and Mark discuss the Secondary School Report, what is it and how does it factor into admission decisions-Part 2 of 3   (43:20) College Spotlight Interview, Grant Gosselin, Chief Enrollment officer at Boston College   Grant shares his experience from his active role as a student in the admission office to graduating to the Caroll School of Management at BC to becoming the chief enrollment officer. Grant tells us how BC is different from the other many universities in the Boston area. Grant tells us how BC is different from the other 26 Jesuit schools. Grant talks about the 3 questions that grew out of a sermon that BC asks all of its students to ask each other   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, just text Mark at 404-664-4340 or email Lisa at 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/