Podcasts about college essays

Megan and Erin kick off their summer with shorter episodes. Listen now or save them up and listen when you get back to school in the fall. This summer Megan will focus on different college application essay topics, pinpointing common pitfalls and offering suggestions for strong responses. Today's essay challenge: “Why do you want to apply HERE? — Responses should go beyond superficial likes such as location, good weather, or proximity to the beach, mountains, city, etc. — Before starting this topic, students should take time to dig into the specific reasons they like that particular school. Look into course offerings, specialized programs, and unique features. — When writing the essay, don't focus exclusively on the school. (Yes, they know they are amazing!) Make sure to clearly connect your interest in the school with YOU. The post 631: College Essays: Why Do You Want to Apply Here? appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

AI college essay detection is broken — and it's threatening students' college admissions futures in 2026. If your high school junior or senior is writing a college application essay right now, this episode of LCP Coffee Talk is the most important thing you'll watch this year. Andy Lockwood and Pearl Lockwood of Lockwood College Prep break down what's actually happening inside admissions offices — and what it means for your kid's college essay, Common App submission, and financial aid strategy. A Bible verse scored 93% AI-generated by an AI detector. A student's personal college essay — written by hand, in their own voice — flagged as ChatGPT. This is not a hypothetical. This is the current reality of AI detection software like Turnitin and GPTZero, and it is actively threatening real students in the college admissions process right now. The question isn't whether colleges are using AI detectors. They are. The question is whether those AI detector tools are accurate — and the answer, backed by evidence, is no. Yet the consequences for a false positive on a college essay can range from a failed grade to an expulsion hearing. Andy and Pearl cut through the noise and give Class of 2027 families a clear-eyed look at what AI in college admissions actually means for your student's application. IN THIS EPISODE ────────────────────────── • Why AI detector software — including Turnitin and GPTZero — cannot reliably distinguish between human and AI writing, and why false positive AI detection on college essays is a growing crisis for high school students • The "Bible verse test": how a passage of ancient scripture scored 93% AI-generated, exposing the fundamental unreliability of AI detection software used in college admissions • How to use ChatGPT on a college application essay the right way — as a thinking partner and editor, not a ghostwriter — without triggering false AI accusations or compromising your Common App essay • "Robots grading robots": professors using AI to grade essays, and what that feedback loop signals for the Class of 2026 and Class of 2027 • Why computer science went from one of the hottest college majors to one of the most saturated — and how AI is reshaping career planning for students choosing their college major in 2026 • Pearl's "where's the beef" case study: the financial aid mistake families make 8 months too late — and how merit scholarship negotiation still works if you know the FAFSA filing window and your leverage points • Real Class of 2026 college admissions wrap-up: waitlists, May 1 college deadline decisions, and scholarship negotiations still in play for families right now ABOUT LOCKWOOD COLLEGE PREP ────────────────────────── Andy Lockwood and Pearl Lockwood are the founders of Lockwood College Prep, a private college admissions consulting firm based in Glen Head, Long Island. Through their proprietary P4 system — Plan, Path, Position, Pay — Andy and Pearl have helped hundreds of families navigate the college admissions process, maximize financial aid, and secure merit scholarships at schools their students love. LCP Coffee Talk is their weekly show covering real college admissions strategy for parents of high school students. Learn more lockwoodcollegeprep.com.

Most students start their personal statement by asking, “What should I write about?”That's the wrong starting point.In this episode, Steve explains why the topic is not the essay-- and why strong essays usually reveal three layers: the external problem  the internal journey  the deeper reason the story matters Before students begin drafting, they need to understand what their essay is actually trying to reveal: who they are, what they value, and why it matters.For students who have been through the Ivy League Challenge, this is the moment to connect the dots between core values, meaningful impact, personal growth, and application strategy.Register for the workshop at TILC.to/essay

Applying to college isn't just about submitting applications in senior year. It starts with months or even years of preparation, which many families are caught off guard by once their teen becomes a rising senior. But don't worry. We are here to give you some tips and tricks to reduce the stress and confusion that can come from having all the information thrown at parents at once. Knowing how to write college admissions essays and how to find scholarship opportunities before things get too busy allows you to take some work off your plate now, making everything more manageable later. College essay expert Dr. Kellie Coppi and Dave “The Scholarship Coach” Peterson share actionable steps that your Class of 2027, 2028, and even 2029 students can take this spring and beyond to make their college admissions journey less stressful and more successful. Two College Prep Programs - One Low Price Get access to the Scholarship GPS Course and the Writing the College Admissions Essay Course for one low price! Writing the College Admissions Essay This self-paced course will take you through 9 lessons, both introducing you to the purpose of an admissions essay and how to properly craft one. Whether you're looking to write a Common App essay, essay for any other submission platform, a UC PIQ, or a supplemental essay, this course will ensure that your written submission fulfills the character-driven requirements for any admissions submission. With the structure and support offered, you also have a course at your disposal that can be used for students submitting in future college-bound cycles, as well! With nearly two decades of experience in college application coaching, Dr. Coppi is a college admissions essay expert. Dr. Coppi's background in higher education ensures that she understands the nuances of crafting compelling admissions essays. Dr. Coppi's College Admissions Essay course normally sells for $175, but with this special offer, you get BOTH the Scholarship GPS course and the College Admissions Essay course for one low price! Scholarship GPS The Scholarship GPS self-paced video course allows you to learn at your own pace. Throughout the course, you'll acquire essential scholarship skills, including: How to identify the best scholarships based on your student's unique profile Tips and best practices for scholarship applications, essays, and projects The importance of crafting your student's Personal Narrative, a key element in winning scholarships Additionally, you will have access to helpful tools such as: A scholarship tracking tool preloaded with quick and easy no-essay scholarships for immediate application A scholarship checklist template to ensure completion of applications Examples of scholarship-winning essays The Scholarship GPS course normally sells for $197, but with this special offer, you get BOTH the College Admissions Essay course and the Scholarship GPS course for one low price! Get lifetime access to BOTH the Writing the College Admissions Essay course AND Scholarship GPS for the low price of just $147! Click here to take advantage of this limited-time offer: https://www.scholarshipgps.com/collegeprepbogo ---------- Featured Scholarships: $1000 Review It Scholarship Constituting America "We the Future" Contest $2500 Jeanne Lucas Memorial Scholarship $1000 Veliz and Associates Right Mindset Scholarship $2026 No Essay Scholarship from ScholarshipOwl $10,000 Scholarships360 No Essay Scholarship ---------- Did you know that you can appeal your financial aid offer? In fact, colleges expect you to do so. However, it's important to submit your financial aid appeal correctly. That is why I'm so happy to share with you the FREE Financial Aid Appeal Letter Generator. The Financial Aid Appeal Letter Generator is completely FREE, takes just 5 minutes, provides you with a custom letter for your student based on their unique circumstances, and gives you a list of documents you can use to support your appeal. So, don't delay! Click here to start your financial aid appeal today!

Welcome to Hot Topics! In this episode, Dr. Kellie Coppi, CEP, reveals insider tips on what colleges look for in essays. Along with host Gabrielle Crichlow, Dr. Coppi will tackle a sample application question together, breaking down how to approach it effectively and authentically. This episode is perfect for high school juniors and seniors.Who is Dr. Kellie Coppi?Dr. Kellie Coppi, CEP, is a board-certified educational planner through the AICEP who works with college-bound students on anything from course selection to college lists to, in particular, the admissions essay process. Seventeen years in the business helping hundreds of families per year.You can find Dr. Coppi:On the web: https://sayyestotheessaywithdrcoppi.com/On Facebook # 1: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580879431978On Facebook # 2: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090534173974Promo: 10% off college list building services when you mention that you heard about her services from our "Hot Topics!" podcast!Watch Dr. Coppi's free recorded webinar on the college admissions process: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1e8TANthsndJhxsPGax1kua8ydiiRQ3nN/view?usp=sharingWatch this episode on YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/R547Nm8deSARate this episode on IMDB: TBA********************************************Follow Gabrielle Crichlow:On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gabrielle.crichlowOn Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabrielle.crichlowOn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielle-crichlow-92587a360Follow A Step Ahead Tutoring Services:On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/astepaheadtutoringservicesOn Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astepaheadtutoringservicesOn X: https://www.x.com/ASATS2013On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-step-ahead-tutoring-services/On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@astepaheadtutoringservicesOn TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@asats2013On Eventbrite: https://astepaheadtutoringservices.eventbrite.comVisit us on the web: https://www.astepaheadtutoringservices.comSign up for our email list: https://squareup.com/outreach/a41DaE/subscribeSign up for our text list: https://tapit.us/cipPJOCheck out our entire "Hot Topics!" podcast: https://www.astepaheadtutoringservices.com/hottopicspodcastSupport us:Cash App: https://cash.app/$ASATS2013PayPal: https://paypal.me/ASATS2013Venmo: https://venmo.com/u/ASATS2013Zelle: success@astepaheadtutoringservices.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/hot-topics--5600971/supportOriginal date of episode: December 27, 2025

Creative Thought Matters: Navigating Admissions at Skidmore CollegeEpisode OverviewIn this episode of The College Admissions Process Podcast, Dr. John Durante sits down with Dr. Janessa Dunn, Director of Admissions at Skidmore College, to pull back the curtain on the admissions process at one of the nation's premier liberal arts colleges.Located in the quintessential college town of Saratoga Springs, Skidmore is a campus where “Creative Thought Matters” and interdisciplinary exploration are central to the student experience. In this conversation, Dr. Dunn shares how admissions officers evaluate applications, what truly stands out in the review process, and how students can best present their authentic selves.Whether you're curious about how to stand out among more than 12,000 applicants or simply want to learn what makes Skidmore's campus community so distinctive, this episode offers valuable insights for students and families navigating the college admissions journey.What Listeners Will Learn• How admissions officers review applications using a holistic process• What makes a college essay truly stand out• When it makes sense to submit SAT or ACT scores at a test-optional school• What admissions officers really look for in letters of recommendation• The right—and wrong—way to use the Additional Information section of an application• What makes the student experience at Skidmore uniqueKey Highlights from the EpisodeThe “Crust of the Pie” AnalogyDr. Dunn explains Skidmore's holistic review process using a memorable pie metaphor. Learn the four key components that form the “crust” of a strong application and how your high school transcript helps tell your academic story. The 75/25 Essay RuleWhy should most of your essay focus on the meaning behind your experiences? Dr. Dunn explains why roughly 75% of a compelling college essay should focus on reflection rather than simply retelling events. To Submit or Not Submit Test ScoresWith approximately 65% of the most recent incoming class applying test-optional, Dr. Dunn offers candid advice on how students should decide whether their SAT or ACT scores strengthen their application.Beyond the Grades: Letters of RecommendationWhat makes a recommendation letter stand out? Dr. Dunn explains why admissions officers value teachers who can speak to a student's character, curiosity, and the “intangibles” that go beyond the transcript.The “Additional Information” TrapLearn how to use this often-overlooked section of the application effectively—including when bullet points can help provide useful context—and the one mistake students should avoid. Life at SkidmoreFrom a completely nut-free dining hall ranked among the best in the country to a student “test kitchen,” Dr. Dunn shares what makes the Skidmore campus experience both distinctive and welcoming.Skidmore Admissions & Aid

This week, the sisters cover a lot of ground—from a surprisingly effective skincare tip you'll want to remember, to the very real stress of figuring out what to wear to a black tie optional wedding without losing your mind (or your budget).In “What's the Buzz,” things take a turn into the irrational (and maybe not-so-irrational) as they unpack fears around flying, bridges, gondolas, and self-driving cars—basically, all the ways modern life can quietly freak you out.Then it's onto the main event: surviving the back half of the school year. With junior year in full swing, the conversation gets honest about burnout, pressure, and the myth that effort always equals results. The sisters share practical advice for both parents and kids—how to communicate better, when to step in, and why building relationships (not just GPAs) actually matters.And in “What's for Dinner,” Kathy takes on the ambitious task of making mac and cheese for 50 lacrosse players… and lives to tell the tale (barely). Spoiler: it involves a new food processor, a kitchen disaster, and a lot of cheese.As always head to threelilfishes.com/shownotes for links and recipes.

The ACE Network (Access to College Admissions Experts) is a private, subscription-based group designed to give parents direct access to trusted experts in the college preparation process. Our team includes specialists in admissions advising, essays, scholarships, financial aid, and test prep. Inside the group, parents can post their specific questions — from essay feedback to scholarship searches — and receive personalized answers directly from our experts. We also host monthly webinars to dive deeper into key topics. It's the quality of one-on-one guidance, but at a fraction of the cost, because you benefit from expert support in a group setting. Click here to learn more. ---------- FREE Expert-led Financial Aid Webinars: FAFSA Tips & Tricks: Tuesday, 2/10/26 @ 8pm ET: Click here to register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/5717679098185/WN_WL4G1MmWT92K8CpJ1MxVyQ Understanding Student Aid Index: Thursday, 2/12/26 @ 8pm ET: Click here to register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/4217679099261/WN_NxWKorMBRbmL-46qdqGd_w  Appealing Financial Aid: Tuesday, 2/17/26 @ 8pm ET: Click here to register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/4117679100106/WN_eLa7PW5YR9yhNmQjcD9lKw ---------- Featured Scholarships: $2500 Giveaways are My Valentine Scholarship $2000 Smarter College Scholarship $1000 A Helping Hand Scholarship $1000 Act of Kindness Scholarship $1000 Resilient Student Scholarship $1000 Fair Divorce Legislation Scholarship $100,000 McDonald's HACER® National Scholarship Subscribe to the free "Your Daily Scholarship" Newsletter here: https://nodebtcollege.substack.com/ ---------- With nearly two decades of experience in college application coaching, Dr. Coppi provides expert guidance tailored to each student's unique needs. Dr. Coppi's background in higher education ensures that she understands the nuances of crafting compelling admissions essays. In our conversation, Kellie and I discussed: How to start the Letter of Recommendation (LOR) process before senior year. The varying level of support from guidance counselors in college prep, and why college planning and scholarships usually get few resources from the Guidance Department. What current juniors should be doing right now in the college admissions process. Where AI fits into essays and college prep. And much more… And, check out the replay of a webinar that Kellie and I recently held on starting the college essay and scholarship process early. Click here to get free access to the recording.

Want personalized help with your application strategy? Book a free 1:1 call with one of our Former Admissions Officers here: CLICK HERE. "  Eventually AI will be good enough that it should be able to mimic that voice. I expect essays will become meaningless and either abolished completely or they just won't have a significant impact on the admissions process." Joel Butterly, CEO of InGenius Prep, discusses the current landscape of college application essay writing. The conversation explores how artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the writing process, how colleges are adapting their evaluation methods, and what students need to understand to stand out in an increasingly AI-influenced admissions landscape. --- 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.

What does it actually look like to support a highly driven teenager—without controlling, pushing, or burning them out?In this episode, I sit down with Karen DiNapoli, mother of nationally ranked speaker and Ivy League Challenge alum Ava DiNapoli, to pull back the curtain on the parent side of an extraordinary student journey.Karen shares:What it felt like when Ava first came home with an overwhelming, world-scale project ideaWhy seeking outside guidance was essential—for both parent and childHow Ava's first projects weren't the final answer, and why that matteredThe moment Karen realized Ava had found her own core values, not her parents'How internal motivation changed everything—from reminders and resistance to self-driven actionWhy parents must learn when to step in—and when to step backThis conversation is a powerful reminder that:You don't need a perfect plan to startGrowth comes from action, reflection, and course-correctionThe right support system helps teens become drivers of their own lives-----To register for the Ivy League Challenge, visit our websiteTo follow on Instagram:  @TheIvyLeagueChallengeTo join us on our Facebook group for parents

Send us a textJoin hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell with guest Anna Edwards of Whiteboard Advisors as they unpack a packed week in education technology. From sweeping cell phone bans to AI reshaping classrooms and colleges, and celebrate a major milestone of 400 episodes of EdTech Insiders!✨ Episode Highlights:[00:00:00] States expand K–12 phone bans over mental health[00:04:29] Federal shutdown hits Title I, Head Start, ED[00:06:28] ICE detains superintendent, raising compliance fears[00:13:25] Why phone bans need digital-literacy support[00:19:25] Higher ed faces international enrollment and funding drops[00:28:41] Harvard grade inflation reignites rigor debate[00:32:32] States pilot graduate profiles and competency shifts[00:38:08] ChatGPT adds apps; Coursera leads edtech uses[00:46:20] Key state and district policy trendsPlus, special guests: [00:46:20] Jim Beasley, Co-founder & Technology Director and Maurie Beasley, Co-founder & Educator, AIEDPro, on AI PD and classroom pilots. [01:16:32] Stacey Brook, Founder & Chief Advisor, College Essay Advisors on College EssAI and ethical AI for essays. 

Some of the trickiest essays to pin down on college applications are the Why College/Why Academic Interest essays. This has never been more true than today, so we wanted to bring back our interview with special guest Lisa Marker-Robbins, Founder of Flourish Coaching, who's helped over 4,000 high school students and young adults gain the insight, experiences, and confidence they need to successfully embark on their post-high school path. She busts some myths about the Why College/Why Academic Interest essays, reveals some findings of her study of the Top 50 public universities and their admissions practices, and shares her best advice for students who truly don't know what to major in. Get Lisa's resources at FlourishCoachingCo.com/Majors and check out her College and Career Clarity podcast, and Subscribe to College Bound Mentor on your favorite podcast platform and learn more at CollegeBoundMentor.com

Writing college admissions essays is hard. We are here to help. This week, Megan and Erin discuss strategies to produce better essays and tips for educators and parents looking to support students through this process.  We share lots of ideas ... Read More » The post 597: Supporting Students with College Essay Writing Strategies appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

  In today's episode, I'm joined by my long-time colleague, and our Chief People Officer here at CEG, Sandy Longworth. Sandy has worked as a therapist, a researcher, college counselor — among other things — and has spent years studying the role that narrative storytelling plays in how teens develop their identities.  Important note: While Sandy trained as a therapist, and we do talk a lot about therapy in our conversation, I want to make clear that I do not hold that college counseling and essay coaching — or what we do at College Essay Guy — to be therapy. It isn't. As college counselors and essay coaches — and I'm speaking about us as a profession here — we help students discover the skills, qualities, values, and interests they'll bring to a college campus… and then express those parts of themselves in writing.  Having said that, when I was first introduced to Narrative Therapy in 2012, I was struck by how some of its techniques — like reframing, for instance, which involves finding alternate perspectives on a set of events, something sometimes called “re-storying” — overlap with some of the things that happen in essay coaching sessions… and that's the territory Sandy and I explore in this conversation.   In this episode, Sandy and I get into:  How adolescence is a key time for identity development, how this process unfolds and why it's so significant for personal statements What is narrative identity theory and how do our stories shape who we think we are and can be?  How can narrative therapy techniques help students develop and showcase these qualities? What are some narrative therapy exercises students can use to reflect on their experiences and write authentically? And more   Sandy Longworth is a proud first-generation college graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison who earned her M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Seattle Pacific University, completed her doctoral coursework in Child and Family Studies from UW-Madison, and completed her School Counseling certificate at Northern Illinois University.  There's a little more to her bio, but I'll let her share that with you directly — hope you enjoy.    Play-by-Play: 3:05 – Sandy shares her background and some of her roles and identities  9:46 – Why is adolescence such a key time for identity development, and how does that connect to the personal statement?  12:20 – What role does narrative storytelling play in how students think about and develop their identities?  24:26 – How can narrative therapy techniques help students develop and showcase these qualities in their college application? 39:32 – What are some practical ways counselors and students can bring narrative therapy techniques into the personal statement process? 41:34 – Sandy leads Ethan through a narrative exercise 53:41 – Ethan and Sandy share impact and reflections 1:01:16 – How could narrative therapy ideas inform a montage-style essay? 1:10:10 – What does Sandy love about this work?  1:13:32 – What resources are available to learn more about narrative therapy? 1:16:15 – Closing thoughts    Resources: The Dulwich Centre The Values Exercise CEG's College Admission Nutrients (aka The Great College Application Test) College Essay Guy's Personal Statement Resources College Essay Guy's College Application Hub  

Struggling with supplemental essays like “Why Us?” or “Diverse Community”? You're not alone—and these underrated prompts can make or break an application. In this episode, I'm joined by experts Joanna Graham, Holly Schreiber, Alex Greco, and Andrew Friedman to uncover what colleges are really looking for, how to avoid common clichés, and how to craft responses that feel authentic, specific, and powerful. Tune in to get the strategies that will help your student's application stand out where it counts.Access free resources and learn more about Sheila and her team at Signet Education at signeteducation.com or on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheilaakbar/.

This is a great conversation with our admission and essay advisor Christie. She is creative, kind and passionate about helping high school students write the best essay possible and give tips on admissions into colleges.

EXCLUSIVE VIRTUAL EVENT: Two Students. One Spot. Who Gets In? Watch Former Admissions Officers battle it out live in the first-ever Admissions Showdown—where you'll witness the debates, the behind-the-scenes decision-making, and the exact factors that determine who gets in. Curious what actually happens after you hit submit on your college application? Join us on September 23rd and experience it firsthand. Reserve yours now and see what makes them say YES. Here's the link to register.  Want personalized help with your application strategy? Book a free 1:1 call with one of our Former Admissions Officers here: CLICK HERE. RISING SENIORS: This is your last shot to get everything in place for college apps. Our Application Counseling Program helps you stay on track, craft a standout application, and improve your chances of getting into a Top 10 school, by up to 7x: https://hubs.la/Q03BtBZ50 Join us as Shannon, who's taught literature and writing at Yale and Ohio State, breaks down two standout personal statements from students accepted into top colleges and Ivy programs. We dive deep into each essay—one takes a traditional topic and makes it deeply personal, while the other uses a creative structure and bold voice. Shannon analyzes what makes them successful, how they reflect each student's identity, and the key lessons you can apply to strengthen your own writing. This is a very detailed analysiss—perfect for students, parents, or anyone looking to master the art of the personal statement. --- 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.

Few writing assignments loom as large or feel as significant as the application essay does to a college-bound teen. But what if the keys to a statement that makes a difference were both simple to understand and easy to implement? Amy and Mike invited educational consultant Susan Knoppow to reveal valuable college essay secrets. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is the real essay prompt every applicant needs to respond to? How are college essays used in the admissions process? Do they really matter? What are the biggest mistakes students make when writing college essays? How many editors are too many? How much guidance should counselors provide students on what to write? MEET OUR GUEST Susan Knoppow is CEO of Wow Writing Workshop, a college essay coaching company that teaches students and professionals a streamlined, ethical essay coaching process. The ten-step Wow Method has been used by thousands of students to get into their top choice colleges, and is the go-to system for independent educational consultants, school counselors, and other admissions professionals. A former corporate trainer and executive speechwriter, Susan can turn any task into a series of simple steps. She is a published poet and essayist with a BA in Psychology from the University of Michigan and an MFA in Writing from Vermont College. When she's not running Wow, Susan likes to garden, cook, and go on adventures with her husband and their dog, Luna.  Susan can be reached at wowwritingworkshop.com or  susan@wowwritingworkshop.com. LINKS 10 Step Wow Method RELATED EPISODES MAKING YOUR COLLEGE ESSAYS COUNT COLLEGE ESSAYS IN THE AGE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE HOW MUCH AI IS JUST RIGHT IN THE COLLEGE ESSAY? TABOO ESSAY TOPICS 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.

Choosing the right college can feel overwhelming, especially for creative students exploring paths like art and animation. In this episode, I chat with a parent navigating this very journey—we unpack how to center student interests, explore interdisciplinary options, and look beyond just academics when building a school list. Tune in for a practical, thoughtful conversation that might just reframe how you think about fit.Register to attend or receive the recording of our upcoming webinar, 35 College Essays?! The Overlooked Prompts that Unlock Acceptance & How to Get Your Rising Senior Started Before They're Neck-Deep in Supplemental Essays https://signeteducation.com/eventsSign up to join our live coaching session and receive personalized insights!Students: https://forms.gle/cRyBSFP9tSEJnsVN6Parents and other Adults: https://forms.gle/v6Nppxix6HPKrRfdAAccess free resources and learn more about Sheila and her team at Signet Education at signeteducation.com or on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheilaakbar/.

Writing college essays is one of the most challenging aspects of the college application process. Where do students even get started? Susan Knoppow is Co-Founder & CEO of Wow Writing Workshop, where she created the Wow Method - a simple, 10-step process for writing college essays. A former executive speechwriter and copywriter, Susan is also a published poet and essayist. Hear the key elements to a successful college essay, how parents can help - not hurt - their students' essays, how to reduce overwhelm for students when writing college essays, how to approach supplemental essays, and how to navigate AI as it relates to college essays. Connect with Susan at WowWritingWorkshop.com, on LinkedIn, and Get Your Copy of the 10-Step Wow Method, and Subscribe to College Bound Mentor on your favorite podcast platform and learn more at CollegeBoundMentor.com

Send us a textIn this episode of College Knowledge, Dave and Joe sit down with professional writer and college essay coach Alan Gelb to break down what makes a standout college admissions essay. From storytelling structure to showcasing authentic human qualities, Alan shares expert strategies for creating compelling personal statements.You'll also hear tips on supplement essays, how to navigate the writing process from brainstorming to final draft, and the growing influence of AI in student writing — including how to use it ethically. Whether you're a student, parent, or educator, this episode is packed with practical guidance to help essays rise above the rest. Video Version of Podcast YouTube:The College Knowledge PodcastFollow us on social media:InstagramFacebookLinkedInVisit us online:The College Knowledge Podcast WebsiteElite Collegiate Planning

College essay mistakes, Common App essay fails, and admissions tips, all based on real examples from our weekend bootcamp. These writing errors can sink even great students. In this episode of College Coffee Talk, Andy & Pearl Lockwood share real case studies from their latest in-office essay bootcamp. You'll see the most common college essay mistakes students make, and how to fix them fast. Topics include: ✔ 3 real essay mistakes from high-achieving students ✔ The problem with generic hardship stories ✔ What colleges really want to see in your essay ✔ Live financial aid appeal breakdown from the Lockwood office

In Episode 4 of our series on Admission Nutrients, Tom Campbell is joined by Dysean Alexander, Assistant Director for West Coast Admission at Lafayette College, to discuss Consistent Engagement. In their conversation, they get into:  Why consistent engagement is a valuable nutrient to fold into your high school experience How it's talked about in an admissions office, and how admission readers like Dysean (and his team at Lafayette) measure it Tips on “translating” your own examples of consistent engagement to an admission officer audience Advice for counselors on how to explain the value of this nutrient to students and families And more! Counselor by day and stand-up comedian by night, Dysean Alexander is a first-generation college graduate of Ursinus College (PA) where he earned a BA in Media & Communications while being an all-conference football player. After his first year as a college admission counselor (Albright College), he served as the Assistant Director For Middle School Enrollment at Moravian Academy (PA), allowing him to gain additional knowledge on high-level high school curriculum and communities. After 6 years working at Lafayette College, he has been able to work with Army ROTC recruitment and POSSE selection, and has covered territories all over the globe, domestically spanning from Long Island, NY to Southern California, where he now serves as Assistant Director Of West Coast Admissions.   Play-by-Play:  2:39 – Welcome and introductions  7:12 – Where does consistent engagement show up in an application?  10:09 – How do institutional priorities impact admission?   19:19 – What does consistent engagement say about the student to an admission reader? 25:50 – How can students brainstorm and prioritize which activities to show on the application? 36:30 – What is the balance of quality over quantity when it comes to activities? 45:05 – FAQs about consistent engagement 45:28 – What if I decide to change activities midway through high school?  52:23 – What if I had to stop my activity? 53:49 – What if I transferred schools and didn't have time to engage consistently? 57:49 – What are some tips for counselors and educators in this process? 1:07:06 – Closing thoughts   Resources: College Essay Guy's BEABIES Exercise (Public) College Essay Guy's Personal Statement Resources College Essay Guy's College Application Hub  

Smart college applicants know not to let artificial intelligence agents write their entire personal statement but might shudder at the idea of ignoring these tools entirely. How much is too much? Amy and Mike invited educator Razi Hecker to explore how much AI is just right in the college essay. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Should students avoid AI entirely when writing their college application essays? At what points in the writing process can AI be most helpful? What tasks can be AI-assisted and which ones should never be? Is there a danger that use of AI might be detected by essay readers? Why is a main thesis so critical for effective college essays? MEET OUR GUEST Razi Hecker is a Harvard graduate (Cum Laude, B.A. in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations) and a creative writer whose work appears in literary journals, news outlets, and the most recent edition of 50 Successful Harvard Application Essays. With over 2,000 hours of college essay coaching and 10+ years in education and creative writing, Razi helps students transform personal experiences into powerful, memorable admissions narratives. His students have been accepted to every Ivy League school, as well as Stanford, MIT, and Caltech. This past year alone, over 70% of Razi's top retainer students were admitted to at least one Ivy. Those who didn't landed spots at other elite institutions such as Johns Hopkins, Carnegie Mellon, UC Berkeley, and Washington University. Find Razi at League Bound Consulting. LINKS Common App Fraud Policy Can prospective students use generative AI to help with their application to Cornell? AI Is Taking Over College Admissions RELATED EPISODES COLLEGE ESSAYS IN THE AGE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE MAKING YOUR COLLEGE ESSAYS COUNT WRITING RHETORICALLY IN ADMISSIONS ESSAYS 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.  

Summer is for relaxing and recharging, but it's also a great opportunity to set yourself up for success! In this episode, former college counselor and former dean of admission share their pro-tips for college-bound high schoolers on how to make the most of summer break. From working and volunteering, to exploring and getting creative, we've got you covered! Follow us on Instagram!Learn more about Scoir

Send us a textIn this episode of College Planning Simplified, Arielle is joined by Jamie Pack, Director of Content and a college consultant at Advantage College Planning, to discuss the nuances of writing college essays. Jamie highlights the value of an authentic voice in essays and provides practical advice on brainstorming and drafting compelling personal statements. The episode also offers guidance for parents on how to support their children without overshadowing their voice. Listeners receive tips for overcoming writer's block.00:00 Introduction to College Planning Simplified01:20 The Role and Importance of Supplemental Essays02:34 Diving into the Personal Statement05:35 The Significance of Authenticity in Essays12:08 Common Mistakes in College Essays19:04 Parental Support in the Essay Writing Process23:30 Encouraging Self-Reflection in Students27:11 Overcoming Writer's Block28:29 Finding Unique Essay Topics35:55 Conclusion and Additional Resources

In today's episode, I'm joined by Holly Schreiber, Joanna Graham, and Andy Friedman for a deep dive into what really makes a college essay stand out. We share why students should start early—way before senior year kicks in—and how the best personal statements reveal something real, not rehearsed. From creative brainstorming techniques to honest talk about why AI won't cut it, we cover what works (and what doesn't). If you want the inside scoop on writing essays that actually matter, don't miss this one!Register to attend or receive the recording of our upcoming webinar, Protect Their College Options: What Sophomores Must Do Around Testing This Summer: https://signeteducation.com/eventsSign up to join our live coaching session and receive personalized insights!Students: https://forms.gle/cRyBSFP9tSEJnsVN6Parents and other Adults: https://forms.gle/v6Nppxix6HPKrRfdAAccess free resources and learn more about Sheila and her team at Signet Education at signeteducation.com or on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheilaakbar/.

To set up a complimentary strategy call, CLICK HERE.  What makes a college essay stand out at top schools like Harvard, Stanford, or Yale? In this episode, we sit down with Dave Marcus, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, bestselling author of Acceptance, and former high school teacher, to unpack the art of storytelling in college applications. Dave shares tips he's used to help CEOs, students, and professionals tell their stories with clarity and heart. Perfect for students, parents, and counselors guiding the college application process. --- Register for our upcoming webinars. Questions, comments, or topic requests? Email jilian.yong@ingeniusprep.com. To learn more about InGenius Prep, visit us at ingeniusprep.com.

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

If you've been putting off your college essay, dreading it like a monkey on your back—you're not alone. But what if you could stop trying to sound impressive and start telling a story that actually matters?In this episode, I'll guide you through the exact questions and strategies we used in the first week of my Personal Statement Workshop to help students uncover stories that admissions officers care about.You'll learn:Why this essay can make or break your applicationWhat admissions officers are really looking forHow to start discovering the contradictions and insights that make your story unforgettableExamples of thought-provoking contradictions like “a colorblind painter” or “a debater who avoids conflict”Insightful truths that make you human—and memorableWhether you join my workshop or not, this episode will help you begin writing an essay that's honest, thoughtful, and impossible to ignore.Ready to take action?Join my 4-week Personal Statement Workshop and finish your essay before July even starts. You'll get instant access to the replay of Session 1 and join me live for the next three trainings. Enroll now: TILC.to/essayMentioned in this episode:20+ examples of powerful contradictions you can explore in your own storyInsightful one-liners that could become the heart of your essayThe two questions every personal statement should answer

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

Hi friends, and welcome back to the podcast! Many of you have been following Cassidy, a current high school senior, as she navigates the college application process. We've walked through her brainstorming exercises, her personal statement writing, and her supplemental essays. And now, at long last, Cassidy has received her college acceptances. Rather than reading the email she sent me, I replied, "Hey, I know you got your acceptances. What if we do a live reveal on the podcast?" So, I genuinely don't know yet where she's been accepted. Huge shoutout to Cassidy for agreeing to do this live! In this conversation, we dive into a range of things, including: The extent to which Cassidy felt she had a successful application process vs. successful outcomes (and the difference) Which schools she was accepted into Important factors in making her final college decision, focusing on what my team calls the "6 Fs" of college fit: focus, fellowship, finances, future, family, and feeling What she did well, and what she'd do differently I also guide Cassidy through a fun, quick exercise—one you (or your student) can also try—that can be completed in one day, one hour, or even one minute. Cassidy is a current high school student going through the college application process. She lives in the Bay Area, loves ballet, identifies as a “yapper,” and knows a lot about Biology. Hope you enjoy it.   Play-by-Play 2:11 – Welcome and check-in 3:31 – To what extent does Cassidy feel like she had a successful application process? 4:48 – Cassidy shares her college decision results! 8:13 – To what extent does Cassidy feel she had successful outcomes?  9:02 – Ethan introduces the six F's of college fit for Cassidy's top choice schools   10:43 – Focus 12:12 – Fellowship 13:32 – Financial  14:52 – Future 16:53 – Family 17:41 – Feeling 20:36 – Cassidy reflects on what stands out at each school she is considering 23:40 – How to choose which college to attend in one day, one hour, or one minute 29:39 – Reflecting on this process, is there anything Cassidy wishes she had done differently?  31:10 – Wrap up and closing thoughts   Resources: How to choose which college to attend: Key factors to consider College Essay Guy's Personal Statement Resources College Essay Guy's College Application Hub  

In this episode, Lisa and Susan discuss:How AI impacts the essay-writing process for studentsMistaken beliefs about what makes a strong application essayCrafting essays that truly reflect a student's voice and experiencesHelpful strategies and tools that can assist in writing a strong college essayKey Takeaways: AI should not be used to generate or refine college essays. It can assist with research, but all information must be verified, and the writing must be entirely the student's own.Admissions officers value essays that show a student's true personality and experiences over overly polished or generic ones. They seek real people who will contribute to the college community, not just applicants with strong credentials.Essays should reflect the voice of a 17 to 18-year-old. Unnecessarily formal or complex language can make an essay feel inauthentic; clear and honest communication is more important.Rather than focusing on structure or a single moment, strong essays thoughtfully respond to the prompt, offering meaningful personal insights that reveal the student's true character. “You don't have to create a persona that you think will be appealing to your reader. You need to answer the question and show who you really are.” – Susan KnoppowAbout Susan Knoppow: Focused, incisive, and creative, Susan can turn the most daunting writing challenge into a series of simple steps; she conceptualized and developed the Wow Method for teaching writing.A former executive speechwriter and copywriter, Susan is also a published poet and essayist. She holds a BA in Psychology from the University of Michigan and an MFA in Writing from Vermont College.When she's not running Wow, Susan likes to garden, cook, and go on adventures with her husband and their dog, Luna. She has three adult children who are all talented creative writers as well.Episode References:College Essay Resources from WOW https://flourishcoachingco.com/essays#066 Everything You Think You Know About College Essays Is Wrong with Susan Knoppow: https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/066Says Who? by Anne Curzan: https://www.amazon.com/Says-Who-Kinder-Funner-Everyone/dp/0593444094Get Lisa's Free on-demand video: How-to guide for your teen to choose the right major, college, & career...(without painting themselves into a corner, missing crucial deadlines, or risking choices you both regret). flourishcoachingco.com/video Connect with Susan:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wowessayexperts/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wowwritingWebsite: https://wowwritingworkshop.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanknoppow/Connect with Lisa:Website: https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@flourishcoachingcoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/flourishcoachingco/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flourish-coaching-co

I know lots of high school seniors applying to lots of colleges. 

To kick off Season 6, Ethan shares some practical resources based on a new framework he's been exploring.  If you're a regular listener, you'll already be familiar with something we call the Roles and Identities List, which is a huge menu of roles (things like “catalyst” and “change-maker” and “party-bringer”) — Ethan has used it as a get-to-know-you exercise with a number of previous guests.  In case you missed it, check out Part 1 of this mini-series where Ethan walked through some practical exercises for students and parents based on the Roles and Identities framework.  But what about counselors? We who spend our days (and often nights) answering emails, phone calls, texting and generally caretaking in 100 different ways…  Today's episode is the second of two where Ethan will share some exercises that counselors can use to recognize patterns they may fall into at times and how they might practice more self-care and show up more fully for their students. Ethan explores:  How can counselors make sure we fill our own cups (and not just our coffee cups)?  How can we make sure we're even more spacious and resourced… so that we're able to give back from a full cup, and with a full heart? And more.  We hope you enjoy!   Play-by-Play 0:08 - What is the Roles & Identities Framework?  5:34 - Exercise #1 : The Roles & Identities List  11:39 - Exercise #2: The “shadow” version 21:30 - Exercise #3: The “foil” to your role  23:20 - Closing thoughts    Resources: The Roles and Identities Exercise  College Essay Guy's Personal Statement Resources College Essay Guy's College Application Hub

Listen to some accepted Harvard supplemental college essay examples! Think your supplemental college essays don't matter? Think again! These school-specific essays are an opportunity for you to get that coveted acceptance letter from top schools. In today's episode, we'll share some Harvard supplemental essay examples that got accepted! Plus some examples of rejected Harvard essays to show you what makes a strong essay versus a weak one and how to write an essay that gets you accepted to top schools. Like the podcast? Check out our website at BeMoAcademicConsulting.com 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

To kick off Season 6, Ethan shares some practical resources based on a new framework he's been exploring.  If you're a regular listener, you'll already be familiar with something we call the Roles and Identities List, which is a huge menu of roles (things like “catalyst” and “change-maker” and “party-bringer”) — Ethan has used it as a get-to-know-you exercise with a number of previous guests.  Today's episode is the first of two where Ethan will dive into a few short, practical exercises for students and parents that can help them figure out things like how they'd like to focus their time as they go through this process. He gets into, among other things:  The philosophy behind the Roles and Identities framework Some hands-on exercises that students can do — whether in 9th, 10th, or 11th grade — that can help them, for example, plan summer/EC activities, or even map out their college application.  A simple but powerful exercise for parents thinking about who they want to be in this process—since let's be honest it isn't the students who are learning about themselves here.  Stay tuned for Part 2 where Ethan will share some exercises that counselors can use to recognize patterns they may fall into at times and how they might practice more self-care and show up more fully for their students.  We hope you enjoy!   Play-by-Play 3:36 - What is the Roles & Identities Framework?  6:57 - Exercise #1 (for both students and parents): The Roles & Identities List  8:59 - Exercise #2 (for students): Using the Roles & Identities list to plan your summer or extracurricular activities 11:30 - Using The Values list to expand on your roles and identities 13:23 - Which parts of you will you show in your college application? 18:21 - Exercise #3 (for parents): Who do you want to be in this process?  27:50 - Closing thoughts   Resources The Roles and Identities Exercise  The Values Exercise 100+ Summer and Extracurricular Ideas — Based on Your Roles and Identities 100+ Summer and Extracurricular Ideas — Based on Your Values College Essay Guy's Personal Statement Resources College Essay Guy's College Application Hub

Are you making these CRINGEWORTHY mistakes when picking colleges? STOP sabotaging your college admissions chances! In this episode of College Coffee Talk, we break down the biggest college list mistakes and what you MUST do instead to get accepted into your dream school. In This Episode: - The biggest college list MISTAKES students make! - How to choose the RIGHT colleges (instead of wasting time & money). - Pro tips to boost your chances of getting in! Want expert help with your college applications? Visit LockwoodCollegePrep.com today! #CollegePlanning, #CollegePrep, #CollegeAdmissions, #CollegeBound, #Scholarships, #CollegeApplications, #FinancialAid, #CollegeEssays, #ACTPrep, #SATPrep, #CollegeLife, #CollegeBound2025,#Parenting #Education #College #StudentLoans #FinancialPlanning #Family #HigherEducation #Scholarships #CollegePlanning #StudentDebt #Collegeadvice #studentloans #LoanForgiveness #DebtRelief #ParentLoans

Did your college lowball your financial aid offer? Don't panic—fight back! In this episode, College consultants Pearl and Andy Lockwood discuss how to negotiate with colleges after they've "low balled" you. They discuss how to avoid common mistakes, and maximize your merit aid.

College consultant Andy Lockwood unlocks the truth about how much AP classes matter to admissions committees at America's top colleges. #CourseSelection #AcademicExcellence" #Collegeadvisor #CollegeAdmissions, #CollegeBound, #Scholarships, #CollegeApplications, #FinancialAid, #CollegeEssays, #ACTPrep, #SATPrep, #CollegeLife, #CollegeBound2025,#Parenting #Education #College #StudentLoans #FinancialPlanning #Family #HigherEducation #Scholarships #CollegePlanning #StudentDebt #Collegeadvice #studentloans #LoanForgiveness #DebtRelief #ParentLoans

College counselor Pearl Lockwood challenges the advice of a school counselor from a tony, elite NYC private high school about applying Early Decision. Is Early Decision the right move for every student? Pearl offers a fresh perspective and unconventional strategies to help families make smarter choices in college admissions. For more unconventional college advice, download our free 'Wow Report' at LockwoodCollegePrep.com/wow. It's packed with killer extracurricular ideas guaranteed to impress admissions committees! #CollegePlanning, #CollegePrep, #CollegeAdmissions, #CollegeBound, #Scholarships, #CollegeApplications, #FinancialAid, #CollegeEssays, #ACTPrep, #SATPrep, #CollegeLife, #CollegeBound2025,#Parenting #Education #College #StudentLoans #FinancialPlanning #Family #HigherEducation #Scholarships #CollegePlanning #StudentDebt #Collegeadvice #studentloans #LoanForgiveness #DebtRelief #ParentLoans

We just completed our Holistic College Application Roadmap workshop.Enjoy our final day (day 2) here. To register for the Ivy League Challenge, go to TILC.to/register-----To register for the Ivy League Challenge, visit our websiteTo follow on Instagram:  @TheIvyLeagueChallengeTo join us on our Facebook group for parentsOr schedule a meeting with Steve here

In our most recent series on storytelling and identity, Ethan sat down with his screenwriter friends to do a deep dive into the creative process, the power of storytelling, and how identity plays a role in both. In this bonus episode, the tables are turned as Ethan is interviewed by CEG Essay Coach, Ali Pineo. In their conversation, Ethan and Ali get into: Ethan's background and how his identity has evolved over the years The roles Ethan identifies with most: connector, harmonizer, and seeker How Ethan measures success in his personal and professional life His journey from aspiring screenwriter to teacher and writer Brainstorming Ethan's own personal statement as if he were writing it today And more Ali Pineo is a writing coach and college admissions essay specialist with a BA in English from Stanford University and MFA from UC Irvine. She is passionate about building her students' confidence in the writing process and developing them into strong self-advocates for their individual learning needs. She has spent thousands of hours coaching admissions essay writing and tutoring AP English and US History,. and the highlights of her career center around her mentorship of bright students with learning differences. In addition to teaching, she is an arts entrepreneur, former professional ballet dancer, and mama to a busy toddler. We hope you enjoy!   Play-by-Play: 1:41 - Introductions 2:48 - Ethan shares the roles he identifies with most 10:36 - What does Ethan's identity of “Connector” mean to him? 14:34 - How does Ethan distinguish between the “Connector” and “Harmonizer” roles? 20:16 - Do any roles conflict with other identities?  25:13 - How does Ethan balance his many roles?  28:37 - How does Ethan measure success in his personal and professional life? 33:20 - In what ways have Ethan's career aspirations changed over the years?  37:00 - How does Ethan define his role as a “Culture-Tender?”  43:55 - What has Ethan been writing about lately? 47:18 - Ali shares her a bit about her background, roles, and identities  52:33 - How do Ethan's outward identities overlap with his inner world?  56:48 - Brainstorming Ethan's own personal statement as if he were writing it today 1:11:37 - Closing thoughts and wrap-up   Resources: College Essay Guy's Roles and Identities Exercise Listen: Five Simple Tools to Meet Your Everyday Parenting Challenges College Essay Guy's Personal Statement Resources College Essay Guy's College Application Hub

In this three-part series, Ethan sits down with his screenwriter friends to do a deep dive into the creative process, the power of storytelling, and how identity plays a role in both. In Episode 3, Ethan is joined by screenwriter Ryan Maldonado, known for his work on AMC's Parish, Hulu's Death and Other Details, Amazon's Hunters, Chicago PD, FBI, and Grey's Anatomy. Ryan and Ethan talk about, among other things:  Ryan's origin story, how he identifies, and how he became a storyteller What Ryan's writing process is like and what it's like working on a TV show How Ryan shows up in characters that may seem very different from who he is  What he feels Hollywood is doing well in terms of representing diverse voices, and where there's still work to be done Advice to students going through the personal statement writing process And more.  Born and raised in Miami, Florida, Ryan Maldonado is a writer and producer who currently serves as Executive Producer and Co-Showrunner of AMC's crime series Parish, starring Giancarlo Esposito. His previous credits include Hulu's upcoming Death and Other Details (starring Mandy Patinkin) and Amazon's Hunters (starring Al Pacino). Before moving to Los Angeles to complete his MFA at USC's School of Cinematic Arts, Ryan worked as a reporter for The Detroit Free Press, St. Petersburg Times and Variety. He currently lives in Los Angeles with his wife and daughter. We hope you enjoy!   Play-by-Play: 2:00 - Ryan's origin story and what it was like growing up in Miami in the '80s 11:18 - When did Ryan start writing? 15:10 - How has Ryan's interest in writing shifted over the years? 19:47 - Where does “Ryan” show up in his writing and storytelling? 26:12 - How might personal experiences influence writing, especially in TV dramas?  33:00 - What is Ryan's writing process like? 38:50 - What is it like working on a TV show?  44:56 - What lessons from film school still apply to Ryan's work today?  54:33 - How has representation in Hollywood improved? What still needs work?  59:23 - What are some roles Ryan identifies with and how have these manifested in his life? 1:08:56 - What advice would you give to students working on their personal statements for college?  1:18:49 - Wrap up and closing thoughts   Resources: College Essay Guy's Roles and Identities Exercise College Essay Guy's Personal Statement Resources College Essay Guy's College Application Hub

In this three-part series, Ethan sits down with his screenwriter friends to do a deep dive into the creative process, the power of storytelling, and how identity plays a role in both. In Episode 2, Ethan is joined by screenwriter Whit Anderson, known for her work on Daredevil, The Twilight Zone, and Ozark.  Whit and Ethan talk about, among other things:  How a life-changing illness inspired one of her screenplays The cultural role that storytellers and screenwriters play Whit's approach to writing, including the use of visuals and detailed outlines The challenges of working in a male-dominated industry And more Content warning: In our conversation we talk briefly about suicidal ideation — both in the context of a movie Whit is working on but also in the context of the illness she experienced.  Whit Anderson has written both original and adapted content for HBO, Showtime, NBC, Warner Brothers, Paramount, Stars, Netflix, and Sky UK. She's also worked on such shows as Daredevil, The Twilight Zone, and Ozark, as well as on screenplays for her original film Players, and the Netflix hit, Damsel. Most recently for Netflix she wrote a feature script for the epic space opera Empress and she's currently in development with Paramount Studios, George Clooney's company Smokehouse, Margot Robbie's LuckyChap, and Jude Law's Riff Raff, among others.  And, like Ethan, Whit studied Theater at Northwestern University. We hope you enjoy.    Play-by-Play: 1:47 - When did Whit realize she was a storyteller? 3:48 - How has her storytelling shifted over the years? 5:56 - How has Whit's identity and experiences influenced her writing?  11:30 - Where does “Whit” show up in her stories? 17:47 - How does Whit decide what to write about next?  22:00 - What is Whit's writing process like? 23:14 - How does music influence Whit's writing?  28:15 - What does a typical week look like when working on a project?  31:30 - How does Whit work through writer's block or moments of feeling uninspired?  35:12 - What is something Whit wants to share about screenwriting? 47:58 - What has Whit learned about being a writer since starting?  56:00 - What change would Whit like to see in Hollywood?  1:05:01 - If Whit could do college again, what might she do differently? 1:09:23 - What upcoming projects is Whit excited to work on? 1:11:14 - Wrap up and closing thoughts   Resources: The Little Porch and a Dog College Essay Guy's Personal Statement Resources College Essay Guy's College Application Hub  

In this new three-part series, Ethan sits down with his screenwriter friends to do a deep dive into the creative process, the power of storytelling, and how identity plays a role in both. In Episode 1, Ethan is joined by screenwriter Dave Callaham, known best for Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Wonder Woman 1984 and many others. Dave and Ethan discuss, among other things:  When Dave knew he was a storyteller The “armor” that Dave wears (how he presents physically vs. who he is) What the process of writing Shang-Chi was like, especially when much of the source material included outdated stereotypes and problematic portrayals. Dave's advice to writers on finding their voice And more   Fun fact: You can find the video version of this podcast on the College Essay Guy YouTube channel by clicking here. This is a longer episode format we're experimenting with, so feel free to use the chapters on the video to skip around, and let us know what you think in the YouTube comments. Rather than give you the typical bio, Ethan and Dave kick things off with an improv game where Dave shares what he loves and knows a lot about — an activity that is great for brainstorming ideas for the personal statement! We hope you enjoy.      Play-by-Play: 2:02 - Dave plays “I love, I know” – a brainstorming exercise  3:45 - What was Dave like in high school? 7:46 - When did Dave start writing? 11:08 - When did Dave realize he was a storyteller? 12:12 - What did Dave study in college?  13:11 - What was it like writing Shang-Chi? 16:57 - Where does “Dave” show up in Shang-Chi?  28:39 - What is Dave's writing process like when working on a movie? 32:42 - How is writing for animation different from live-action? 35:14 - How does writing change through the movie process? 39:01 -  How does Dave decide what to write about next?  51:59 - How important is structure when it comes to screenwriting? 58:30 - The “armor” that Dave wears (how he presents physically vs. who he is) 1:09:33 - What did Dave learn about fight scenes when writing Shang-Chi? 1:16:58 - Dave's advice to writers on finding their voice 1:24:09 - What did Dave write about in his college essay? 1:29:07 - How much time does Dave dedicate to brainstorming in his writing process? 1:32:30 - If Dave could do college again, what might he do differently? 1:39:20 - Why is representation so important on screen?  1:44:06 - What is something Dave wants to share about screenwriting? 1:48:50 - What advice would you give to young people who are considering writing for a living? 1:50:32 - Rapid-fire questions  Resources: YouTube video version of this episode I love, I know – a brainstorming exercise College Essay Guy's Personal Statement Resources College Essay Guy's College Application Hub  

Today's episode is part four of our series Inside the Application. Ethan is joined by Cassidy, a current high school senior who is working on her college applications for the Fall 2025 term.  Cassidy's application deadlines are coming up, so Ethan and Cassidy check out what she has so far through a process called the “Almost Done” review. They discuss about, among other things: Where do things stand & how's Cassidy feeling about the application? What values come through in each piece of Cassidy's writing?  Where do Ethan (and Cassidy) see opportunities for revision to bring more of herself into the application?  And more Stay tuned, as we'll continue to check in with Cassidy to find out how her process went and what she ended up hearing back from colleges. Cassidy is a current high school student going through the college application process. She lives in the Bay Area, loves ballet, knows a lot about Biology, and identifies as a “yapper.”  We hope you enjoy.   Play-by-play:  2:05 - How's the writing process going for Cassidy? 2:50 - How much time has Cassidy been putting into her application lately? 4:50 - Does Cassidy consider herself a writer? 5:45 - What is an “Almost Done” review?  6:39 - What is a Values Scan?  8:55 - Reviewing Cassidy's most recent draft of the personal statement  23:20 - Cassidy shares some of her activities list descriptions 34:35 - Highlights from Cassidy's additional information section 38:25 - Cassidy's draft of her “excitement for learning” essay  48:08 - Cassidy's draft of her “roommate” essay 53:20 - Cassidy's draft of her “community” essay 1:03:08 - Cassidy shares her short answer responses (50 words each)  1:12:55 - Ethan shares closing advice for Cassidy as she prepares to submit  1:14:20 - Final thoughts     Resources Part 1 of this series, Inside the Application  Part 2 of this series, Inside the Application Part 3 of this series, Inside the Application Cassidy's Supplemental Essay Doc The Roles and Identities Exercise How to Write the Stanford Roommate Essay + Examples A How-To Guide for the Short Answer Questions for Highly-Selective Colleges How to Choose a College: A Step-By-Step Guide CEG's College Application Resource Hub A List of Activities You May Not Have Considered Including—But That Count! What do colleges look for in students?

Lily Janas, now a student at Bowdoin College, wrote this stirring college admissions essay called “We Rise”. She sets the scene at 2am and goes on to describe one of the most impactful experiences of her young life. The story unfolds slowly, and Lily gives clues along the way but never fully reveals what she's a part of - until the very end. (Previously aired) To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today's episode is part two of our series, Inside the Application. Ethan is joined by Cassidy, a current high school senior who is working on her college applications for the Fall 2025 term. Ethan and Cassidy will be walking step-by-step through the college application process as it unfolds this school year. In episode 2, they get into:  How is Cassidy's personal statement coming along? What does Cassidy want colleges to know about her? How is Cassidy approaching her supplemental essays? What is Cassidy looking for in a college and how did she develop her list? And more Stay tuned for future episodes where Ethan and Cassidy continue the conversation! This series is a bit different in that, normally, we share episodes-in-a-series consecutively. For these, we're releasing them pretty much as we record them, so you'll notice them interspersed among other topics we'll be covering. We'll continue to check in with Cassidy to see how things are going, and you'll find out how it turned out a few months from now. Cassidy is a current high school student going through the college application process. She lives in the Bay Area, loves ballet, knows a lot about Biology, and identifies as a “yapper”—more on that in our conversation.  We hope you enjoy!    Play-by-play 1:36 - What has Cassidy been working on since last episode? 3:28 - Cassidy reads draft two of her personal statement  7:51 - Cassidy shares her thoughts on her draft 9:18 - Ethan gives feedback and shares suggestions for the next draft  12:57 -  Ethan reviews Cassidy's "Everything I Want Colleges to Know About Me" list 21:38 - Ethan reviews Cassidy's CommonApp Activities List and Additional Info sections 26:09 - What is Cassidy looking for in a college and how did she develop her list? 25:00 - Ethan reads the supplemental prompts from Cassidy's college list tracker  35:56  - What is a “super topic" and how might it help Cassidy? 50:50 - What is the Roles and Identities exercise? 58:55 - What are Cassidy's next steps in her drafting process?    Resources Part 1 of this series, Inside the Application Cassidy's brainstorming and second draft The "Everything I Want Colleges to Know About Me" List: A Brainstorm Exercise 8 First Choices: An Expert's Strategies for Getting into College by Joyce Slayton Mitchell How to Combine Your College Essay Prompts (To Save 20+ Writing Hours) College Essay Guy's Personal Statement Resources Learn How to Write Great Supplemental College Essays College Essay Guy's College Application Hub College Essay Guy's Roles and Identities Exercise Funko Pops