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Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success. Business Podcast Entrepreneurship Small Business Business Growth Financial Literacy Wealth Building Black Entrepreneurs Minority Business Leadership Executive Leadership Business Funding Marketing Strategies Personal Development Startup Advice Sales Training CEO Interviews Founder Stories Professional Development Economic Empowerment Business Success Networking Brand Building Innovation How to start a business Small business funding Entrepreneur success stories Business leadership podcast Wealth building strategies Black entrepreneur podcast Minority business development Marketing for small businesses Business growth strategies Startup funding opportunities Executive leadership training Financial literacy education Success mindset podcast Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Shaan Patel. Founder and CEO of Prep Expert, a leading online test prep company. The conversation explores Patel’s journey from struggling test-taker to perfect SAT scorer, bestselling author, and successful entrepreneur. He shares how his personal experience inspired a mission to help students unlock scholarship opportunities and academic success.
Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success. Business Podcast Entrepreneurship Small Business Business Growth Financial Literacy Wealth Building Black Entrepreneurs Minority Business Leadership Executive Leadership Business Funding Marketing Strategies Personal Development Startup Advice Sales Training CEO Interviews Founder Stories Professional Development Economic Empowerment Business Success Networking Brand Building Innovation How to start a business Small business funding Entrepreneur success stories Business leadership podcast Wealth building strategies Black entrepreneur podcast Minority business development Marketing for small businesses Business growth strategies Startup funding opportunities Executive leadership training Financial literacy education Success mindset podcast Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Shaan Patel. Founder and CEO of Prep Expert, a leading online test prep company. The conversation explores Patel’s journey from struggling test-taker to perfect SAT scorer, bestselling author, and successful entrepreneur. He shares how his personal experience inspired a mission to help students unlock scholarship opportunities and academic success.
Thousands of UC STEM professors have signed an open letter calling on UC to again require the SAT or ACT for admissions. They say they are seeing more and more students arriving to college so poorly prepared that they can't solve middle-school math equations. But not all faculty agree that reinstating standardized tests would help with the lack of preparation. Many are concerned that requiring the SAT or ACT could exclude students from less privileged backgrounds. Guests: Zvezda Stankova, mathematics professor, UC Berkeley Bjorn Birnir, chair of the mathematics department, UC Santa Barbara Michael Burke, reporter, EdSource Read more from EdSource: UC freshmen increasingly are not ready for college math. Some professors want to require the SAT again Why the University of California should bring back the SAT/ACT now (Commentary) Why the University of California should not reinstate the SAT/ACT for admissions (Commentary) Education Beat is a weekly podcast, hosted by EdSource's Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald. Subscribe at Apple, Spotify, SoundCloud
Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success. Business Podcast Entrepreneurship Small Business Business Growth Financial Literacy Wealth Building Black Entrepreneurs Minority Business Leadership Executive Leadership Business Funding Marketing Strategies Personal Development Startup Advice Sales Training CEO Interviews Founder Stories Professional Development Economic Empowerment Business Success Networking Brand Building Innovation How to start a business Small business funding Entrepreneur success stories Business leadership podcast Wealth building strategies Black entrepreneur podcast Minority business development Marketing for small businesses Business growth strategies Startup funding opportunities Executive leadership training Financial literacy education Success mindset podcast Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Shaan Patel. Founder and CEO of Prep Expert, a leading online test prep company. The conversation explores Patel’s journey from struggling test-taker to perfect SAT scorer, bestselling author, and successful entrepreneur. He shares how his personal experience inspired a mission to help students unlock scholarship opportunities and academic success.
Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Shaan Patel. Founder and CEO of Prep Expert, a leading online test prep company. The conversation explores Patel’s journey from struggling test-taker to perfect SAT scorer, bestselling author, and successful entrepreneur. He shares how his personal experience inspired a mission to help students unlock scholarship opportunities and academic success.
Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Shaan Patel. Founder and CEO of Prep Expert, a leading online test prep company. The conversation explores Patel’s journey from struggling test-taker to perfect SAT scorer, bestselling author, and successful entrepreneur. He shares how his personal experience inspired a mission to help students unlock scholarship opportunities and academic success.
Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Shaan Patel. Founder and CEO of Prep Expert, a leading online test prep company. The conversation explores Patel’s journey from struggling test-taker to perfect SAT scorer, bestselling author, and successful entrepreneur. He shares how his personal experience inspired a mission to help students unlock scholarship opportunities and academic success.
Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Shaan Patel. Founder and CEO of Prep Expert, a leading online test prep company. The conversation explores Patel’s journey from struggling test-taker to perfect SAT scorer, bestselling author, and successful entrepreneur. He shares how his personal experience inspired a mission to help students unlock scholarship opportunities and academic success.
For many student-athletes, the discipline learned on the track does not end at the finish line — it can become a foundation for academic ambition, college access, and long-term opportunity. At a moment when young people are navigating rising college costs, uneven access to counseling, and growing uncertainty around higher education, programs that connect athletics, academics, and personal support are taking on new importance. At The Armory Foundation in Washington Heights, that connection is more than a theory: since 2016, Armory College Prep has maintained a 100% four-year college acceptance rate for its seniors. The stakes are clear for first-generation and underserved students, many of whom need not only academic guidance, but also exposure, confidence, and a sense of belonging.So what happens when a track-and-field institution becomes a launchpad for college access, career exploration, and community transformation?Welcome to DisruptED. In the latest episode, host Ron J. Stefanski speaks with Rita Finkel, Co-President of The Armory Foundation, and Clayton Harding, Director of College Counseling for Armory College Prep. Their conversation explores how the historic Armory has evolved from a former homeless shelter into a hub for athletics, education, health, and community programming — and how its college prep model helps students translate the discipline of sports into academic persistence and long-term opportunity.Top insights from the talk…Athletics becomes a bridge to academics. Harding explains that student-athletes already understand the value of practice, discipline, and measurable improvement. Armory College Prep helps them apply that same mindset to grades, test preparation, essays, college applications, and persistence through graduation.College access requires exposure and trust. The program takes students beyond New York City to visit small liberal arts colleges, private universities, SUNY and CUNY campuses, and other institutions they may not have considered. Finkel and Harding emphasize that seeing a campus firsthand can help students and families overcome “sticker shock” and understand how financial aid can make a private college more affordable than expected.The Armory model is high-touch and long-term. With a strong adult-to-student ratio, structured SAT/ACT preparation, essay coaching, alumni mentorship, college visits, and paid summer internship support, the program focuses not only on college admission, but also on college completion and career development.Rita Finkel serves as Co-President and COO of The Armory Foundation, where she has spent more than 20 years leading operations, strategy, finance, and youth-serving programs. She previously served as Executive Vice President of Strategy and Finance at the Armory and has played a major role in advancing the organization's athletic, educational, and community impact work. Before joining the Armory, she was Executive Director of Fencers Club, where she oversaw membership development, coach recruitment, and day-to-day operations.Clayton Harding serves as Director of College Counseling at Armory College Prep, where he has spent more than 12 years guiding students through college admissions, academic planning, financial aid, and long-term success. He has previously served as Interim Director of College Success, supporting alumni with paid internship placement, academic resources, graduate school applications, resume writing, mock interviews, networking, and career readiness. Earlier in his career, he co-owned and led test-prep organizations, including Bell Curves/The ProTesters and PLR Publishing, where he developed K-12 and LSAT preparation programs and co-authored test-prep materials.
This Week: The UC system mulls joining a number of elite universities around the country that have brought back the SAT/ACT testing requirements that went by the wayside during the pandemic. Citing examples of professors having to reteach middle school level math to undergrads, regardless of where you stand on testing, this feels like a canary in the mine shaft kind of moment. At the same time, AI use in higher ed is totally out of control, with some professors resorting to invasive surveillance strategies to curtail its use. AI detection programs can be helpful, but also yield false positives that erode trust, including disproportionately for non native English speakers. This is quite the pickle we find ourselves in. Manuel and Jeff discuss. MAXIMUM WOKENESS ALERT -- get your All of the Above swag, including your own “Teach the Truth” shirt! In this moment of relentless attacks on teaching truth in the classroom, we got you covered. https://all-of-the-above-store.creator-spring.com Watch, listen and subscribe to make sure you don't miss our latest content!Listen on Apple Podcast and Spotify Website: https://AOTAshow.com
The University of California is reconsidering SAT/ACT requirements after more than 1,400 professors warned many students lack basic math skills. Faculty say they’re relearning middle school concepts in college, raising concerns about readiness. UC officials will study whether standardized tests could better measure academic preparation and admissions standards. Please Like, Comment and Follow 'Broeske & Musson' on all platforms: --- The ‘Broeske & Musson Podcast’ is available on the KMJNOW app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever else you listen to podcasts. --- ‘Broeske & Musson' Weekdays 9-11 AM Pacific on News/Talk 580 AM & 105.9 FM KMJ | Facebook | Podcast| X | - Everything KMJ KMJNOW App | Podcasts | Facebook | X | InstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this week's Fear Of Missing Out report, we look at an example of two-tier policing. There is a set of policies for whites and another for everyone else. Is Orange Juice good for you or not? A Democratic candidate for Congress tells why she left the Church. There are now more information out about how the Southern Poverty Law Center was funding racism. It looks like SAT & ACT scores are back for admissions. Scott Pelley is out at CBS as he goes off on his new bosses. We end with this year's list of things left behind in Uber rides.
Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Ashley Christopher. Interview Summary: Ashley Christopher on Money Making Conversations Masterclass Guest: Ashley ChristopherHost: Rushion McDonaldPlatform: Money Making Conversations MasterclassFocus: HBCU access, scholarships, STEM pipeline, purpose-driven leadership Overall Summary Ashley Christopher shares the origin, growth, and impact of the HBCU Week Foundation, which she founded in 2017 to increase enrollment at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), remove financial barriers, and create direct pathways from high school to college and corporate America. What began as a local Wilmington, Delaware initiative evolved into a national movement that has facilitated over 10,000 on-the-spot HBCU acceptances and nearly $100 million in scholarships, including a landmark $40 million STEM scholarship partnership. The conversation blends entrepreneurship, education equity, resilience, faith, and purpose, highlighting how lived experience and authentic mission can scale social impact. Purpose of the Interview To spotlight the HBCU Week Foundation and its measurable outcomes (acceptances, scholarships, STEM investment). To educate families and students about on-the-spot college acceptance and scholarship opportunities. To inspire purpose-driven leadership, particularly among Black entrepreneurs and community leaders. To demonstrate how local solutions can scale nationally when rooted in authenticity and impact. To share a personal story of resilience, including surviving a stroke at age 29 and redefining purpose. Key Takeaways 1. Access Changes Outcomes HBCU Week’s on-the-spot acceptance model allows eligible students to receive immediate college decisions and scholarship offers at a live college fair. This removes prolonged uncertainty and barriers that often discourage first-generation and underserved students. Students bring their transcript, SAT/ACT scores, meet with an HBCU counselor, and can be accepted immediately. 2. HBCUs Are a Pipeline to Opportunity Ashley emphasizes that HBCUs are not just cultural institutions, but talent pipelines into corporate America, particularly for STEM fields. Enrollment growth and scholarship funding are as critical as brand awareness. 3. The Power of Strategic Partnerships A relationship that began with seven $40,000 STEM scholarships grew into a $40 million partnership with the American Chemistry Council. The goal: addressing a projected STEM workforce deficit while increasing diversity in the field. The partnership now supports 1,000 students committed to STEM majors at HBCUs, with nearly 600 awards already distributed. 4. Purpose Can Be Born From Crisis Ashley shares her experience of having a stroke at age 29, caused by birth control use, which required her to relearn how to write and regain physical mobility. The experience intensified her sense of urgency, discipline, and purpose. Surviving the stroke shifted her mindset from ambition to intentional impact. 5. Authentic Passion Fuels Scalable Impact Ashley never intended HBCU Week to become national—it was designed to serve students in her hometown. Growth occurred organically because the mission was authentic, focused, and student-centered. “When you love what you do and have a real passion behind the impact, it catches on.” Notable Quotes On Mission & Growth “The goal was to take care of the students in my hometown… I had no idea it would become national.” On On-the-Spot Acceptance “If you have the requisite GPA and SAT or ACT score, you can be admitted right there.” On HBCUs & STEM “If everybody around the table looks the same, we’re in trouble.” On Faith & Opportunity “I can’t take credit for it… but for my relationship with God, this wouldn’t be a thing.” On Purpose After Adversity “It created a different sense of drive and purpose in me.” On Impact “If I can’t help tier-one students, who can?” Conclusion The interview positions Ashley Christopher as a systems builder, not just a nonprofit founder. Her work demonstrates how education access, strategic partnerships, and lived experience can intersect to change thousands of lives. The conversation reinforces that scalable impact often starts with a local problem, clear values, and relentless execution. #BEST #STRAW #SHMSSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Ashley Christopher. Interview Summary: Ashley Christopher on Money Making Conversations Masterclass Guest: Ashley ChristopherHost: Rushion McDonaldPlatform: Money Making Conversations MasterclassFocus: HBCU access, scholarships, STEM pipeline, purpose-driven leadership Overall Summary Ashley Christopher shares the origin, growth, and impact of the HBCU Week Foundation, which she founded in 2017 to increase enrollment at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), remove financial barriers, and create direct pathways from high school to college and corporate America. What began as a local Wilmington, Delaware initiative evolved into a national movement that has facilitated over 10,000 on-the-spot HBCU acceptances and nearly $100 million in scholarships, including a landmark $40 million STEM scholarship partnership. The conversation blends entrepreneurship, education equity, resilience, faith, and purpose, highlighting how lived experience and authentic mission can scale social impact. Purpose of the Interview To spotlight the HBCU Week Foundation and its measurable outcomes (acceptances, scholarships, STEM investment). To educate families and students about on-the-spot college acceptance and scholarship opportunities. To inspire purpose-driven leadership, particularly among Black entrepreneurs and community leaders. To demonstrate how local solutions can scale nationally when rooted in authenticity and impact. To share a personal story of resilience, including surviving a stroke at age 29 and redefining purpose. Key Takeaways 1. Access Changes Outcomes HBCU Week’s on-the-spot acceptance model allows eligible students to receive immediate college decisions and scholarship offers at a live college fair. This removes prolonged uncertainty and barriers that often discourage first-generation and underserved students. Students bring their transcript, SAT/ACT scores, meet with an HBCU counselor, and can be accepted immediately. 2. HBCUs Are a Pipeline to Opportunity Ashley emphasizes that HBCUs are not just cultural institutions, but talent pipelines into corporate America, particularly for STEM fields. Enrollment growth and scholarship funding are as critical as brand awareness. 3. The Power of Strategic Partnerships A relationship that began with seven $40,000 STEM scholarships grew into a $40 million partnership with the American Chemistry Council. The goal: addressing a projected STEM workforce deficit while increasing diversity in the field. The partnership now supports 1,000 students committed to STEM majors at HBCUs, with nearly 600 awards already distributed. 4. Purpose Can Be Born From Crisis Ashley shares her experience of having a stroke at age 29, caused by birth control use, which required her to relearn how to write and regain physical mobility. The experience intensified her sense of urgency, discipline, and purpose. Surviving the stroke shifted her mindset from ambition to intentional impact. 5. Authentic Passion Fuels Scalable Impact Ashley never intended HBCU Week to become national—it was designed to serve students in her hometown. Growth occurred organically because the mission was authentic, focused, and student-centered. “When you love what you do and have a real passion behind the impact, it catches on.” Notable Quotes On Mission & Growth “The goal was to take care of the students in my hometown… I had no idea it would become national.” On On-the-Spot Acceptance “If you have the requisite GPA and SAT or ACT score, you can be admitted right there.” On HBCUs & STEM “If everybody around the table looks the same, we’re in trouble.” On Faith & Opportunity “I can’t take credit for it… but for my relationship with God, this wouldn’t be a thing.” On Purpose After Adversity “It created a different sense of drive and purpose in me.” On Impact “If I can’t help tier-one students, who can?” Conclusion The interview positions Ashley Christopher as a systems builder, not just a nonprofit founder. Her work demonstrates how education access, strategic partnerships, and lived experience can intersect to change thousands of lives. The conversation reinforces that scalable impact often starts with a local problem, clear values, and relentless execution. #BEST #STRAW #SHMSSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Ashley Christopher. Interview Summary: Ashley Christopher on Money Making Conversations Masterclass Guest: Ashley ChristopherHost: Rushion McDonaldPlatform: Money Making Conversations MasterclassFocus: HBCU access, scholarships, STEM pipeline, purpose-driven leadership Overall Summary Ashley Christopher shares the origin, growth, and impact of the HBCU Week Foundation, which she founded in 2017 to increase enrollment at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), remove financial barriers, and create direct pathways from high school to college and corporate America. What began as a local Wilmington, Delaware initiative evolved into a national movement that has facilitated over 10,000 on-the-spot HBCU acceptances and nearly $100 million in scholarships, including a landmark $40 million STEM scholarship partnership. The conversation blends entrepreneurship, education equity, resilience, faith, and purpose, highlighting how lived experience and authentic mission can scale social impact. Purpose of the Interview To spotlight the HBCU Week Foundation and its measurable outcomes (acceptances, scholarships, STEM investment). To educate families and students about on-the-spot college acceptance and scholarship opportunities. To inspire purpose-driven leadership, particularly among Black entrepreneurs and community leaders. To demonstrate how local solutions can scale nationally when rooted in authenticity and impact. To share a personal story of resilience, including surviving a stroke at age 29 and redefining purpose. Key Takeaways 1. Access Changes Outcomes HBCU Week’s on-the-spot acceptance model allows eligible students to receive immediate college decisions and scholarship offers at a live college fair. This removes prolonged uncertainty and barriers that often discourage first-generation and underserved students. Students bring their transcript, SAT/ACT scores, meet with an HBCU counselor, and can be accepted immediately. 2. HBCUs Are a Pipeline to Opportunity Ashley emphasizes that HBCUs are not just cultural institutions, but talent pipelines into corporate America, particularly for STEM fields. Enrollment growth and scholarship funding are as critical as brand awareness. 3. The Power of Strategic Partnerships A relationship that began with seven $40,000 STEM scholarships grew into a $40 million partnership with the American Chemistry Council. The goal: addressing a projected STEM workforce deficit while increasing diversity in the field. The partnership now supports 1,000 students committed to STEM majors at HBCUs, with nearly 600 awards already distributed. 4. Purpose Can Be Born From Crisis Ashley shares her experience of having a stroke at age 29, caused by birth control use, which required her to relearn how to write and regain physical mobility. The experience intensified her sense of urgency, discipline, and purpose. Surviving the stroke shifted her mindset from ambition to intentional impact. 5. Authentic Passion Fuels Scalable Impact Ashley never intended HBCU Week to become national—it was designed to serve students in her hometown. Growth occurred organically because the mission was authentic, focused, and student-centered. “When you love what you do and have a real passion behind the impact, it catches on.” Notable Quotes On Mission & Growth “The goal was to take care of the students in my hometown… I had no idea it would become national.” On On-the-Spot Acceptance “If you have the requisite GPA and SAT or ACT score, you can be admitted right there.” On HBCUs & STEM “If everybody around the table looks the same, we’re in trouble.” On Faith & Opportunity “I can’t take credit for it… but for my relationship with God, this wouldn’t be a thing.” On Purpose After Adversity “It created a different sense of drive and purpose in me.” On Impact “If I can’t help tier-one students, who can?” Conclusion The interview positions Ashley Christopher as a systems builder, not just a nonprofit founder. Her work demonstrates how education access, strategic partnerships, and lived experience can intersect to change thousands of lives. The conversation reinforces that scalable impact often starts with a local problem, clear values, and relentless execution. #BEST #STRAW #SHMSSteve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Ashley Christopher. Interview Summary: Ashley Christopher on Money Making Conversations Masterclass Guest: Ashley ChristopherHost: Rushion McDonaldPlatform: Money Making Conversations MasterclassFocus: HBCU access, scholarships, STEM pipeline, purpose-driven leadership Overall Summary Ashley Christopher shares the origin, growth, and impact of the HBCU Week Foundation, which she founded in 2017 to increase enrollment at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), remove financial barriers, and create direct pathways from high school to college and corporate America. What began as a local Wilmington, Delaware initiative evolved into a national movement that has facilitated over 10,000 on-the-spot HBCU acceptances and nearly $100 million in scholarships, including a landmark $40 million STEM scholarship partnership. The conversation blends entrepreneurship, education equity, resilience, faith, and purpose, highlighting how lived experience and authentic mission can scale social impact. Purpose of the Interview To spotlight the HBCU Week Foundation and its measurable outcomes (acceptances, scholarships, STEM investment). To educate families and students about on-the-spot college acceptance and scholarship opportunities. To inspire purpose-driven leadership, particularly among Black entrepreneurs and community leaders. To demonstrate how local solutions can scale nationally when rooted in authenticity and impact. To share a personal story of resilience, including surviving a stroke at age 29 and redefining purpose. Key Takeaways 1. Access Changes Outcomes HBCU Week’s on-the-spot acceptance model allows eligible students to receive immediate college decisions and scholarship offers at a live college fair. This removes prolonged uncertainty and barriers that often discourage first-generation and underserved students. Students bring their transcript, SAT/ACT scores, meet with an HBCU counselor, and can be accepted immediately. 2. HBCUs Are a Pipeline to Opportunity Ashley emphasizes that HBCUs are not just cultural institutions, but talent pipelines into corporate America, particularly for STEM fields. Enrollment growth and scholarship funding are as critical as brand awareness. 3. The Power of Strategic Partnerships A relationship that began with seven $40,000 STEM scholarships grew into a $40 million partnership with the American Chemistry Council. The goal: addressing a projected STEM workforce deficit while increasing diversity in the field. The partnership now supports 1,000 students committed to STEM majors at HBCUs, with nearly 600 awards already distributed. 4. Purpose Can Be Born From Crisis Ashley shares her experience of having a stroke at age 29, caused by birth control use, which required her to relearn how to write and regain physical mobility. The experience intensified her sense of urgency, discipline, and purpose. Surviving the stroke shifted her mindset from ambition to intentional impact. 5. Authentic Passion Fuels Scalable Impact Ashley never intended HBCU Week to become national—it was designed to serve students in her hometown. Growth occurred organically because the mission was authentic, focused, and student-centered. “When you love what you do and have a real passion behind the impact, it catches on.” Notable Quotes On Mission & Growth “The goal was to take care of the students in my hometown… I had no idea it would become national.” On On-the-Spot Acceptance “If you have the requisite GPA and SAT or ACT score, you can be admitted right there.” On HBCUs & STEM “If everybody around the table looks the same, we’re in trouble.” On Faith & Opportunity “I can’t take credit for it… but for my relationship with God, this wouldn’t be a thing.” On Purpose After Adversity “It created a different sense of drive and purpose in me.” On Impact “If I can’t help tier-one students, who can?” Conclusion The interview positions Ashley Christopher as a systems builder, not just a nonprofit founder. Her work demonstrates how education access, strategic partnerships, and lived experience can intersect to change thousands of lives. The conversation reinforces that scalable impact often starts with a local problem, clear values, and relentless execution. #BEST #STRAW #SHMSSteve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Ashley Christopher. Interview Summary: Ashley Christopher on Money Making Conversations Masterclass Guest: Ashley ChristopherHost: Rushion McDonaldPlatform: Money Making Conversations MasterclassFocus: HBCU access, scholarships, STEM pipeline, purpose-driven leadership Overall Summary Ashley Christopher shares the origin, growth, and impact of the HBCU Week Foundation, which she founded in 2017 to increase enrollment at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), remove financial barriers, and create direct pathways from high school to college and corporate America. What began as a local Wilmington, Delaware initiative evolved into a national movement that has facilitated over 10,000 on-the-spot HBCU acceptances and nearly $100 million in scholarships, including a landmark $40 million STEM scholarship partnership. The conversation blends entrepreneurship, education equity, resilience, faith, and purpose, highlighting how lived experience and authentic mission can scale social impact. Purpose of the Interview To spotlight the HBCU Week Foundation and its measurable outcomes (acceptances, scholarships, STEM investment). To educate families and students about on-the-spot college acceptance and scholarship opportunities. To inspire purpose-driven leadership, particularly among Black entrepreneurs and community leaders. To demonstrate how local solutions can scale nationally when rooted in authenticity and impact. To share a personal story of resilience, including surviving a stroke at age 29 and redefining purpose. Key Takeaways 1. Access Changes Outcomes HBCU Week’s on-the-spot acceptance model allows eligible students to receive immediate college decisions and scholarship offers at a live college fair. This removes prolonged uncertainty and barriers that often discourage first-generation and underserved students. Students bring their transcript, SAT/ACT scores, meet with an HBCU counselor, and can be accepted immediately. 2. HBCUs Are a Pipeline to Opportunity Ashley emphasizes that HBCUs are not just cultural institutions, but talent pipelines into corporate America, particularly for STEM fields. Enrollment growth and scholarship funding are as critical as brand awareness. 3. The Power of Strategic Partnerships A relationship that began with seven $40,000 STEM scholarships grew into a $40 million partnership with the American Chemistry Council. The goal: addressing a projected STEM workforce deficit while increasing diversity in the field. The partnership now supports 1,000 students committed to STEM majors at HBCUs, with nearly 600 awards already distributed. 4. Purpose Can Be Born From Crisis Ashley shares her experience of having a stroke at age 29, caused by birth control use, which required her to relearn how to write and regain physical mobility. The experience intensified her sense of urgency, discipline, and purpose. Surviving the stroke shifted her mindset from ambition to intentional impact. 5. Authentic Passion Fuels Scalable Impact Ashley never intended HBCU Week to become national—it was designed to serve students in her hometown. Growth occurred organically because the mission was authentic, focused, and student-centered. “When you love what you do and have a real passion behind the impact, it catches on.” Notable Quotes On Mission & Growth “The goal was to take care of the students in my hometown… I had no idea it would become national.” On On-the-Spot Acceptance “If you have the requisite GPA and SAT or ACT score, you can be admitted right there.” On HBCUs & STEM “If everybody around the table looks the same, we’re in trouble.” On Faith & Opportunity “I can’t take credit for it… but for my relationship with God, this wouldn’t be a thing.” On Purpose After Adversity “It created a different sense of drive and purpose in me.” On Impact “If I can’t help tier-one students, who can?” Conclusion The interview positions Ashley Christopher as a systems builder, not just a nonprofit founder. Her work demonstrates how education access, strategic partnerships, and lived experience can intersect to change thousands of lives. The conversation reinforces that scalable impact often starts with a local problem, clear values, and relentless execution. #BEST #STRAW #SHMSSteve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode, I sat down with Janae Young, founder and CEO of Young College Prep, who started her first business at just 15 years old, tutoring classmates out of her school library in Wilmington, North Carolina. By the time she graduated high school, she had a team of eight tutors. By the time she graduated from Stanford, she had hit $300K in annual revenue. And by 2025, she crossed her first million.But Janae's path was anything but linear. COVID wiped out the SAT/ACT prep market practically overnight, and her company went into negative profit. She was a freshman in college, going through a breakup, studying computer science remotely and somehow she held on. What she shares in this episode about staying stubborn in the quiet moments, investing $25K in herself as a 19-year-old college student, and pivoting her business model to serve parents instead of students is the kind of transparency you don't often hear.Janae also opens up about navigating the college admissions landscape in a post-affirmative action era, why she believes the college application process is a metaphor for life, and how she's helping students of color tell their stories powerfully. If you're an entrepreneur in a side hustle chapter or a parent thinking about your kid's future this one is for you.Main TakeawaysInvest in yourself before you feel ready: Janae wired $25K to a mastermind as a 19-year-old college student with almost nothing left in her account and that bet changed everything.Know who actually holds the decision and the wallet: When Janae shifted her focus from students to parents, her revenue took off.Real urgency comes from the problem, not just the deadline: Make your client deeply aware of what inaction is costing them for Janae's audience, that's potentially $100K+ in lost merit scholarships.Selling is just teaching: When you see yourself as an educator first, the "sleazy" feeling disappears and you become a genuine guide.Highlights Include(0:38) Janae started her tutoring business at 15 because she was too young to work at Chick-fil-A(3:26) Hiring and firing her first employee at 16 -- including a tutor who poached a client and cited contract law to get away with it(11:12) How COVID wiped out the SAT/ACT market overnight and sent her business into negative profit(22:43) Screen recording a webinar, then closing 4 out of 5 people at $500 the very next night(27:28) Wiring $25K to a mastermind at 19 -- and the phone call her mom got from the bank(31:21) Why shifting her target from students to parents changed her revenue trajectory(36:27) How she structured her Stanford schedule to be a student Mon-Wed and a CEO Thu-Fri(39:30) Breaking down her two offers: Ivy League Score ($2,500) and Ivy League Acceptance ($12K)(51:00) Her organic and paid marketing mix: podcast, ads, and live and evergreen webinar funnels(1:03:46) Her response to the affirmative action ruling and how she helps students of color own their storyLinks Mentioned in This EpisodeYoung College Prep website: janaetutoring.comStacey Boehman -- 2K for 2K program: staceyboehman.com/2kfor2kDielle Charon -- Six Figure Liberation mastermind (formerly called Sales Queen): diellecharon.comClaire Pelitro (Claire Pels) -- Get Paid Marketing: clairepells.comAmy Porterfield -- amyporterfield.comBrooke Castillo -- The Life Coach School: thelifecoachschool.comWatch & ListenListen to the Side Hustle Pro podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you stream podcasts. Watch full video episodes on the Side Hustle Pro YouTube channel.Social MediaInstagram: @JanaeTutoringFacebook: @JanaeTutoringPodcast: The Get Accepted Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Classic Learning Test is disrupting the standardized testing status quo. Michael Torres, CLT's Director of Legislative Strategy, explains how this fast-growing exam is quietly challenging the SAT/ACT duopoly, offering a rigorous alternative with longer reading passages, no-calculator math, and a focus on true college readiness. He traces CLT's 10-year rise from a niche option […]
Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Shaan Patel. Founder and CEO of Prep Expert, a leading online test prep company. The conversation explores Patel’s journey from struggling test-taker to perfect SAT scorer, bestselling author, and successful entrepreneur. He shares how his personal experience inspired a mission to help students unlock scholarship opportunities and academic success.
Advanced Placement exams represent some of the most challenging subject-specific standardized tests a high schooler might ever take. Amy and Mike believe that every test warrants smart, serious preparation, so we invited educator Leann Westin to share valuable strategies, insights, and resources for getting ready for the AP Biology exam. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is tested on the AP Biology exam? How is the AP Biology exam structured and scored? What are the highest priority topics on the tests? How should students prepare for the AP Biology exam? What are the best prep materials for AP Biology? MEET OUR GUEST Leann Westin is a Master Tutor at Open Door Education in Massachusetts, where she also serves as the Tutor Success Coordinator. Leann earned a BS in biology with a minor in Spanish from Wake Forest University, and she specializes in biology, environmental science, statistics, SAT/ACT prep, and organizational coaching. Leann has over a decade of full-time experience helping students prepare for the AP Biology exam through both one-on-one tutoring and small group classes. Her favorite AP Biology topics to teach are evolution and ecology. Outside of her work at Open Door, Leann has been an education volunteer at her local zoo for almost a decade, and she enjoys helping people better understand the natural world. Leann can be reached at https://opendoor.education. LINKS AP Biology Exam AP Biology Exam – AP Students AP Biology (Pearson Education AP) by Fred W. Holtzclaw; Theresa Knapp Holtzclaw AP Biology — bozemanscience RELATED EPISODES BIG CHANGES TO AP TESTS IN 2025 THE RISE IN AP TESTING CHOOSING BETWEEN AP AND IB PROGRAMS 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.
Are your SAT/ACT scores not what you had hoped for? Host Tasha (formerly at Boston University and USC) and IvyWise counselor Chris (formerly at Wesleyan University) discuss how to present your strengths and remain competitive, even without a perfect standardized testing score.
Dr. Tere Linzey is a Licensed Educational Psychologist and the founder of BrainMatterZ, a program meant to improve auditory processing, executive functioning skills, attention/focus, and memory in youths. Her book, Measuring Up! The Go-To Guide for Parents & Students Looking for an Edge in the Hyper-Competitive World of Education, has recently been updated with her clinical trials. Measuring Up shows readers how neuroplasticity and brain optimization work, and how to reshape a student's cognitive skills, which can lead to better scores and results. Dr. Linzey maintains a successful private practice in Carmel and Santa Barbara while being considered the premier cognitive skills expert as a result of her success rate and innovative programs. In this episode, Dr. Tere Linzey shares how targeted brain training can dramatically improve auditory processing, executive function, attention, and memory in kids and teens. You'll hear practical, non-supplement strategies—from environment and neuroplasticity "big hitters" to eye–hand games and daily habits—that help optimize cognitive performance at any age. RESOURCES: Learn more about Dr. Linzey here: https://www.brainmatterz.com/ Get her book "Measuring Up" here: https://amzn.to/4kNtG1y Get 15% off Peluva minimalist shoe with coupon code COACHTARA here: http://peluva.com/coachtara CHAPTERS: 0:00 Intro 3:39 – From basketball coach to brain coach: Dr. Linzey's origin story 6:01 – "The brain is always practicing": habits, patterns, and neuroplasticity 8:56 – Environment, relationships, and becoming the average of your five people 13:20 – Big neuroplasticity "hitters": socializing, exercise, eye–hand games 16:00 – Brain cards, jigsaw puzzles, and why movement beats crosswords 17:02 – Teens, video games, and using screen time strategically (not every day) 25:41 – Phones, presence, and how constant tech access erodes attention and connection 39:30 – Brain camps, SAT/ACT boosts, and who comes to Tere's programs 41:00 – Success stories, raising scores by hundreds of points, and what's possible with training 44:10 – Where to find Dr. Tere and Brain Matterz, plus closing thoughts WORK WITH TARA: Are You Looking for Help on Your Wellness Journey? Here's how Tara can help you: TRY TARA'S APP FOR FREE: http://taragarrison.com/app INDIVIDUAL ONLINE COACHING: https://www.taragarrison.com/work-with-me CHECK OUT HIGHER RETREATS: https://www.taragarrison.com/retreats SOCIAL MEDIA: Instagram @coachtaragarrison TikTok @coachtaragarrison Facebook @coachtaragarrison Pinterest @coachtaragarrison INSIDE OUT HEALTH PODCAST SPECIAL OFFERS: ☑️ Upgraded Formulas Hair Test Kit Special Offer: https://bit.ly/3YdMn4Z ☑️ Upgraded Formulas - Get 15% OFF Everything with Coupon Code INSIDEOUT15: https://upgradedformulas.com/INSIDEOUT15 ☑️ Rep Provisions: Vote for the future of food with your dollar! And enjoy a 15% discount while you're at it with Coupon Code COACHTARA: https://bit.ly/3dD4ZSv If you loved this episode, please leave a review! Here's how to do it on Apple Podcasts: Go to Inside Out Health Podcast page: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-out-health-with-coach-tara-garrison/id1468368093 Scroll down to the 'Ratings & Reviews' section. Tap 'Write a Review' (you may be prompted to log in with your Apple ID). Thank you!
In this episode of The Admittedly Podcast, Thomas Caleel sits down with Kathy Yellen, Senior Program Consultant at Advantage Testing, to pull back the curtain on what most families misunderstand about tutoring and test prep. With 16 years at Advantage Testing and a background spanning early childhood education, classroom teaching, and performance, Kathy explains what her role actually looks like: listening to families, building a roadmap, and "matchmaking" students with the right tutors so the relationship works, not just the schedule. Together, Thomas and Kathy unpack the real concerns parents bring to the table when they're navigating SAT/ACT prep or academic tutoring for the first time, including confusion, misinformation, and the fear that "we're behind." Key Topics: What Advantage Testing "program consulting" actually is, and why the student-tutor match matters as much as expertise How families should approach test prep and academic tutoring when they don't know where to start Why there is no "only way" to prep and how to tune out conflicting opinions and social media noise What tutoring is (and is not): scaffolding, mentorship, and confidence-building, not replacement or shortcutting When to consider tutoring, including support, remediation, and enrichment, and why timing depends on the student Why practice test scores often fluctuate and how to evaluate progress using trendlines, not single data points How to handle mid-process stress and what to do if the match isn't working (and why course correction should happen early) Guest: Kathy Yellen: Senior Program Consultant at Advantage Testing with 16 years of experience supporting families through academic tutoring and test preparation. Kathy holds a BA in English from Tufts University and an MST in Early Childhood Education from Fordham University, and has worked as a teacher, tutor, actor, and singer before joining Advantage Testing. Learn more about Admittedly's partnership with Advantage Testing: admittedly.co/programs Follow Admittedly: Instagram and TikTok: @admittedlyco Follow Advantage Testing: Instagram: @advantagetesting
When should students take the SAT or ACT—and how many times is enough? In this episode of The College Prep Podcast, Megan and Erin break down the ideal testing timeline and clear up common misconceptions that cause unnecessary stress for families. They explain why junior year is the sweet spot for SAT and ACT testing, how many times students typically take these exams, and why finishing testing before senior year can make the college application process far less overwhelming. The conversation also covers strategic retakes, including why second attempts often lead to higher scores and how fee waivers and school-day testing can reduce costs. Listeners will learn when test prep actually makes sense (and why starting too early can backfire), how to use the PSAT effectively in 10th grade, and what really matters when choosing between the SAT and ACT. Megan also shares practical guidance on scheduling tests around math coursework, AP exams, extracurricular commitments, and student motivation. This episode provides a clear roadmap for parents and students who want to make smart, low-stress decisions about standardized testing—without falling for rumors or over-preparing too soon. The post 614: SAT / ACT 2026: Which Test to Take & When appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.
In this episode of the Admittedly Podcast, Thomas Caleel breaks down why junior year is the most consequential year in the college admissions process. As students are assigned college counselors and admissions timelines become real, he explains what juniors should be focused on right now — and where families often misunderstand how the process actually works. This conversation covers academic rigor, grades, standardized testing, teacher relationships, extracurricular strategy, and junior summer planning, with a clear message throughout: junior year is not the time to drift or wait for direction. Students who want competitive outcomes need to take ownership, make intentional choices, and understand how admissions officers evaluate applications in context. Key Takeaways Junior year grades and course rigor carry the most weight SAT/ACT prep should already be underway Teacher relationships now shape recommendation letters later School counselors do not manage the process for you Extracurriculars should narrow and deepen, not multiply Junior summer must be planned with purpose For juniors, the second semester is not a pause. It's a pivot point. This is when academic performance, testing, extracurricular decisions, and summer planning begin to directly shape college outcomes. For parents, this episode offers clarity on where guidance helps, where pressure backfires, and how to support students without outsourcing responsibility or trusting the process blindly. Families can explore free guides, blog articles, and admissions resources at admittedly.co, and continue the conversation on Instagram and TikTok at @admittedlyco, where questions from students and parents often shape future episodes.
The first ROTC scholarship boards (Army, Navy, Air Force) were extremely competitive this cycle, and many strong candidates did not get picked up early. In this episode, we break down what we're seeing from board results, what profiles were most successful, and what applicants should do right now to improve their odds on upcoming boards. We cover: Why the first ROTC scholarship boards were so competitive this cycle (and what that means for the next boards) Air Force ROTC scholarship types, including the new Type 4 ($36,000/year), and what early winners looked like Why Type 1 winners tend to look like “top of the top” candidates (tests, majors, overall strength) Why a high SAT/ACT alone will not save you if your interview is weak Navy ROTC's “cut line” and why “no news” can actually be good news Marine Option timing and what to expect from the process Army ROTC selection realities, plus why retesting fitness and continuing SAT/ACT work can still move the needle How to take control of your interview by visiting units early and setting yourself up with the right evaluator If you do not win a scholarship, how to commission anyway as a non scholarship cadet
Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced professional in the test prep industry? MEET OUR GUEST Lucy Zhang is the owner of A+ Test Prep and Tutoring, a 30+ year–old company helping students boost SAT/ACT scores and academic performance. She also co-founded SetSail, an online tutoring company connecting U.S. tutors with students abroad, and now runs both organizations. Lucy is focused on growing her impact by bringing additional tutoring teams into the fold, so more students can access high-quality, one-on-one support. Find Lucy on LinkedIn. 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.
Expanding your tutoring business with MentoMind with educators Amit Jain and Chris McKenna What are five things you will learn in this episode? How are tutors using MentoMind? How is MentoMind helping tutors attract more students? How is MentoMind evolving from an SAT/ACT platform to an all-learning course platform? What kind of courses are tutors creating on MentoMind? What is the new and upcoming AI-powered toolkit "TutorHub" all about? ABOUT MENTOMIND MentoMind is a revolutionary SAT/ACT prep platform designed to support students and help tutoring and test prep businesses thrive. MentoMind helps tutors attract and engage students through free diagnostic tests, practice questions, fun quizzes, and video courses. With robust white-label capabilities, freemium features, and payment gateway integration, tutors can launch their own branded platform to offer free content and sell digital subscriptions or self-paced programs. By using automated drip emails and parent communication, tutors can nurture a community of students and become their go-to choice the moment students need additional support in the form of full tutoring services. MentoMind uses AI-powered insights, adaptive learning technology, and high-quality test prep content to deliver personalized practice and strengthen student outcomes. The platform offers more than 3,500 expert-created practice questions, full-length tests, and real-time performance tracking, making it a well-rounded resource for standardized test preparation. For tutors, MentoMind streamlines time-consuming tasks such as grading, quiz creation, and student progress tracking. Its centralized dashboard lets instructors assign practice tests, monitor performance, and provide personalized feedback. It also integrates parent communication tools to support transparency and engagement. With AI-powered features, tutors can create or upload their own learning and practice materials, allowing them to focus more on teaching and student growth. One noteworthy feature of MentoMind is its AI-powered learning assistant, which offers 24/7 support to students. It provides hints and step-by-step guidance when they encounter difficulties, while keeping tutors informed of their conversations and progress. This interactive tool adapts to individual learning needs, making study sessions more engaging and effective. Beyond test preparation, MentoMind provides a holistic environment for both learners and educators. Whether you're an independent tutor, a test prep center, or a school, MentoMind delivers the tools, insights, and automation needed to enhance student success while streamlining workflows and supporting business growth. With advanced AI capabilities, automation, and white-label flexibility, MentoMind is a forward-thinking solution for college test preparation. TutorHub by MentoMind is an AI toolkit and content marketplace built for tutors. It enables tutors to quickly convert their existing practice worksheets into digital problem sets that are easily shared with students and graded automatically. And we're just getting started—powerful tools for creating new content and publishing to the marketplace are coming soon. Amit first appeared on the podcast in episode 539 to discuss How Can Tutors Use AI? and in episode 631 for a SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: MentoMind. To learn more about MentoMind, please reach out to amit.jain@mentomind.com or chris.mckenna@mentomind.com. ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page. ABOUT YOUR HOSTS Mike Bergin is the president of Chariot Learning and founder of TestBright, 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 of The Admittedly Podcast, host Thomas Caleel breaks down what freshmen (and their parents) should be thinking about as they wrap up their first semester of high school. From academic foundations to extracurricular exploration to strategic planning for summer, Thomas explains why the habits students build now will shape their options in junior and senior year — especially if they're aiming for selective or highly selective colleges. Rather than overwhelming families with long-term predictions, Thomas focuses on practical, immediate steps freshmen can take to stay on track, reduce future stress, and explore their interests with intention. Key Takeaways Academic Foundations Matter: Freshman year grades and mastery—not just passing—set the tone for your entire transcript. Weak foundations now become big problems in junior year. Teachers Should Know You: Asking questions, checking in after class, and building relationships early pays off later when rigor increases and recommendations matter. You Must Be Doing Something Outside of Class: Clubs, sports, jobs, community involvement—freshman year is about exploration, not perfection. But doing nothing is not an option. Summer Planning Starts Now: Applications for competitive or meaningful summer programs open between December and February. Freshmen need to be ahead of the curve, not scrambling in April. Choose Activities With Intention, Not Prestige: Freshman summer doesn't need to be fancy. Programs, jobs, volunteering, or personal projects all count—admissions officers care about why you did something and what you gained from it. Reading Is a Superpower: Regular reading builds critical thinking and reading speed, two skills that make a huge difference for future SAT/ACT prep and AP courses. Freshman year sets the foundation for high school. This episode walks you through how to self-assess, course-correct, and plan ahead without burning out or getting caught up in panic culture. Follow along on Instagram and TikTok @admittedlyco for more tips to stay ahead.
The College Essay Guy Podcast: A Practical Guide to College Admissions
Welcome back to the College Essay Guy Podcast. This is a very special session with a dear friend of mine and an honored guest in my world, Joan Liu. Joan is the founder of Second Chance, an organization that helps high achieving students from around the world secure full scholarships to universities after their original offers fall through. This conversation is adapted from a live webinar that we hosted where Joan shares some of the most practical, candid advice I've heard for international students who are looking for full financial aid and for the counselors who support them. In our conversation, we talk about: What a competitive, full-need international applicant really looks like Some common mistakes that students make when applying to colleges and universities in the United States Why creating a global list and not just a US-centric list can open up new opportunities Joan's advice for counselors who are guiding students through this sometimes really complex process. And more. Joan Liu has been a college counselor for the past 25 years, across top secondary schools in the US, UK, Turkey, and Singapore. She is a graduate of Cornell University and Columbia University. Joan is known in the admissions field for her financial aid expertise, and her ability to place students at universities with a full ride. In 2018, Joan mobilized a team of colleagues to support 60 Nepali students who had lost their scholarships from a university in Texas, USA. Joan did not stand by and watch this higher ed crisis. She assembled a team, and these teams stepped forward and re-seated all of the students at universities in the US, Canada, Middle East, and East Asia, with 10+ million in financial aid and scholarships - after the admissions cycle was OVER for that year. That experience led to Joan founding the non profit, Second Chance at Higher Ed, which supports talented students needing financial support, in accessing higher education at the last minute, after the US cycle is over. Folks, that's full rides after April 1 - no other organization has ever done this - and Second Chance is first in its category. Just a few months ago, SC went into its 7th cycle, helping 53 students from 23 countries earn a full ride in less than eight weeks. These students included refugees from Syria, Jordan, and Palestine. Whether you're a student dreaming of studying abroad or a counselor helping students try to reach that dream, we're hoping that you'll find something useful in this episode. Play-by-Play: 2:36 – What is Second Chance and how did it get started? 3:34 – What is the typical profile that colleges look for in an international student who is competitive for full financial aid in the United States? 8:00 – How do admissions officers evaluate international applicants compared to U.S. students? 11:59 – What are the most common mistakes that full-need international students make when applying to colleges and universities in the US? 21:53 – What does it mean when a college says they are need-blind for international students? 23:02 – How important is early action for international students? 23:53 – How should international students think about SAT/ACT? What if testing is difficult to access? 31:34 – How important is English proficiency? 32:51 – How should full-need international students think about developing their college list? 41:22 – How does the financial aid process differ for full-need international students? 46:03 – How can students learn more about Second Chance? 51:35 – If a student is rejected from Early Decision, can they still be considered for Regular Decision? 53:09 – If a student does not have a school counselor, how do they submit a school report or other documentation required for applications? 55:11 – How is the application process different this year than in the past? 56:35 – How can students compensate for an average or low GPA? 58:13 – How can counselors best advocate for their full-need international students? 1:02:17 – Closing advice Financial Aid Resources: Second Chance EducationUSA RESOURCES — BigJ Educational Consulting International Applicants – CSS Profile | College Board International Student Application for Financial Assistance (ISAFA) International Association for College Admission Counseling (IACAC) College Essay Guy Resources: College Application Hub for International Students How to Use Jennie Kent and Jeff Levy's Financial Aid Information Excel Sheets 4 Major College Application Deadlines to Keep in Mind College Essay Guy's Personal Statement Resources College Essay Guy's College Application Hub Podcasts: CEG Podcast Episode 205: That One Time a University Revoked More Than 60 Full Scholarships (And What You Can Do About It) CEG Podcast Episode 211: Financial Aid Tips for International Students (and Their Counselors)—2019 Version CEG Podcast Episode 122: Which Schools Are the Most Generous With Financial Aid? (International Version)
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.
Today, we take you inside Princeton's 2027 SAT/ACT requirement, cover CampusRec's support for club sports fees and finish out by hearing what students have planned for fall break
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
Many parents are confused by the optional essay portion of the SAT/ACT and wonder if their student should register. Will it make them look more responsible? Will it improve their chances of admission? in short, for most students, no. In ... Read More » The post 588: Is the Optional SAT/ACT Essay REALLY Optional? appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Shaan Patel. Founder and CEO of Prep Expert, a leading online test prep company. The conversation explores Patel’s journey from struggling test-taker to perfect SAT scorer, bestselling author, and successful entrepreneur. He shares how his personal experience inspired a mission to help students unlock scholarship opportunities and academic success.
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Shaan Patel. Founder and CEO of Prep Expert, a leading online test prep company. The conversation explores Patel’s journey from struggling test-taker to perfect SAT scorer, bestselling author, and successful entrepreneur. He shares how his personal experience inspired a mission to help students unlock scholarship opportunities and academic success.
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Shaan Patel. Founder and CEO of Prep Expert, a leading online test prep company. The conversation explores Patel’s journey from struggling test-taker to perfect SAT scorer, bestselling author, and successful entrepreneur. He shares how his personal experience inspired a mission to help students unlock scholarship opportunities and academic success.
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Shaan Patel, founder and CEO of Prep Expert, a leading online test prep company. The conversation explores Patel’s journey from struggling test-taker to perfect SAT scorer, bestselling author, and successful entrepreneur. He shares how his personal experience inspired a mission to help students unlock scholarship opportunities and academic success.
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Shaan Patel, founder and CEO of Prep Expert, a leading online test prep company. The conversation explores Patel’s journey from struggling test-taker to perfect SAT scorer, bestselling author, and successful entrepreneur. He shares how his personal experience inspired a mission to help students unlock scholarship opportunities and academic success.
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Shaan Patel, founder and CEO of Prep Expert, a leading online test prep company. The conversation explores Patel’s journey from struggling test-taker to perfect SAT scorer, bestselling author, and successful entrepreneur. He shares how his personal experience inspired a mission to help students unlock scholarship opportunities and academic success.
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Christopher Gray. He is the CEO and co-founder of Path, an AI-powered platform transforming the way students and professionals prepare for critical exams. Path is an AI-powered platform transforming the way students and professionals prepare for critical exams. Path provides unlimited practice questions, full-length exams, and personalized study plans for professional certifications in IT, cybersecurity, and healthcare, including CompTIA Security+, CompTIA A+, Microsoft Azure Fundamentals, and key healthcare certifications. It also supports students preparing for college admissions exams such as the SAT, ACT, GED, LSAT, GMAT, and more. By making high-quality test prep accessible and affordable, Path empowers learners from diverse backgrounds to achieve their professional and academic goals. Before Path, Christopher co-founded Scholly, an app designed to help students easily find scholarships for college and graduates pay off student debt. Scholly gained national attention on ABC’s Shark Tank, securing a deal with Daymond John and Lori Greiner while sparking the biggest debate in the show’s history. With over 5 million users, Scholly has helped students secure more than $100 million in scholarships. The app’s success led to its acquisition by Sallie Mae, furthering its mission to reach and support even more students. Christopher also serves on the Board of Directors of Camelback Ventures, an organizationdedicated to supporting underrepresented entrepreneurs in education and social impact. #BEST #STRAW #SHMS Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Christopher Gray. He is the CEO and co-founder of Path, an AI-powered platform transforming the way students and professionals prepare for critical exams. Path is an AI-powered platform transforming the way students and professionals prepare for critical exams. Path provides unlimited practice questions, full-length exams, and personalized study plans for professional certifications in IT, cybersecurity, and healthcare, including CompTIA Security+, CompTIA A+, Microsoft Azure Fundamentals, and key healthcare certifications. It also supports students preparing for college admissions exams such as the SAT, ACT, GED, LSAT, GMAT, and more. By making high-quality test prep accessible and affordable, Path empowers learners from diverse backgrounds to achieve their professional and academic goals. Before Path, Christopher co-founded Scholly, an app designed to help students easily find scholarships for college and graduates pay off student debt. Scholly gained national attention on ABC’s Shark Tank, securing a deal with Daymond John and Lori Greiner while sparking the biggest debate in the show’s history. With over 5 million users, Scholly has helped students secure more than $100 million in scholarships. The app’s success led to its acquisition by Sallie Mae, furthering its mission to reach and support even more students. Christopher also serves on the Board of Directors of Camelback Ventures, an organizationdedicated to supporting underrepresented entrepreneurs in education and social impact. #BEST #STRAW #SHMS See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Christopher Gray. He is the CEO and co-founder of Path, an AI-powered platform transforming the way students and professionals prepare for critical exams. Path is an AI-powered platform transforming the way students and professionals prepare for critical exams. Path provides unlimited practice questions, full-length exams, and personalized study plans for professional certifications in IT, cybersecurity, and healthcare, including CompTIA Security+, CompTIA A+, Microsoft Azure Fundamentals, and key healthcare certifications. It also supports students preparing for college admissions exams such as the SAT, ACT, GED, LSAT, GMAT, and more. By making high-quality test prep accessible and affordable, Path empowers learners from diverse backgrounds to achieve their professional and academic goals. Before Path, Christopher co-founded Scholly, an app designed to help students easily find scholarships for college and graduates pay off student debt. Scholly gained national attention on ABC’s Shark Tank, securing a deal with Daymond John and Lori Greiner while sparking the biggest debate in the show’s history. With over 5 million users, Scholly has helped students secure more than $100 million in scholarships. The app’s success led to its acquisition by Sallie Mae, furthering its mission to reach and support even more students. Christopher also serves on the Board of Directors of Camelback Ventures, an organizationdedicated to supporting underrepresented entrepreneurs in education and social impact. #BEST #STRAW #SHMS Steve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Shaan Patel. He is the Founder and CEO of Prep Expert. On ABC’s Shark Tank, he closed a deal with Mark Cuban for an investment in Prep Expert. He has created Prep Expert to help high school students achieve their own dreams. Prep Expert has helped more than 100,000 students improve their SAT and ACT scores, get into top colleges, and win over $100 million in scholarships. Prep Expert offers online SAT and ACT courses, academic tutoring, and college admissions consulting. #BEST #SHMS #STRAWSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Shaan Patel. He is the Founder and CEO of Prep Expert. On ABC’s Shark Tank, he closed a deal with Mark Cuban for an investment in Prep Expert. He has created Prep Expert to help high school students achieve their own dreams. Prep Expert has helped more than 100,000 students improve their SAT and ACT scores, get into top colleges, and win over $100 million in scholarships. Prep Expert offers online SAT and ACT courses, academic tutoring, and college admissions consulting. #BEST #SHMS #STRAWSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.