Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast

Despite their role as essential components of college applications, letters of recommendation--specifically how to elicit great ones--receive far too little attention. Amy and Mike invited college ad…

The annual rhythms of sports seasons and college recruiting cycles have always been comfortably familiar. Then came COVID-19. Amy and Mike invited college consultants David Stoeckel and Katie Anderse…

Homeschooling offers a distinctive choice for families seeking a flexible, specialized K-12 education for their children. Full immersion into higher education, however, cannot be experienced at home.…

While the general public tends to rank colleges mainly on the basis of exclusivity and Division I sports success, applicants should consider so many other factors. Two data points are particularly va…

Test prep differs from various other forms of academic instruction in that progress can be measured quantitatively. How many ways can this data be evaluated, and is that process even worth the effort…

If you think the college admissions process is an intricate and delicate dance involving numerous complex steps to be executed at precise intervals, take a look at the college financial aid process! …

Obviously, high schoolers put a lot of work into preparing for test day, as do teachers, tutors, coaches, and parents. But don’t forget those unsung heroes who labor behind the scenes to ensure a smo…

The SAT and ACT may be more similar than ever, but they are definitely not the same. Picking the right exam to showcase your particular strengths can make a massive difference in admissions. Amy and …

Many high schoolers benefit from academic accommodations intended to give a student with a disability an equal opportunity to benefit from the educational process. But how easy or even possible is it…

The world seems to be cleanly divided into two groups: people who aren’t good at math and those who miraculously are. Yet that belief that a person is inherently bad at math is simplistic, self-defea…

Media reports would have us believe that all colleges and universities will eventually eliminate all testing requirements from admissions decisions for the betterment of humanity. The test optional r…

According to author Timothy Gallwey, every game is composed of two parts, an outer game and an inner game. We play the outer game against an external opponent or obstacle, but the inner game takes pl…

You may have heard the saying, "Laws are like sausages. It's better not to see them being made."  Does that advice apply to admissions decisions as well? Amy and Mike invited college admissions exper…

The COVID-19 pandemic has shifted the locus of education from schools to homes. But should parents serve as proxy teachers or take different roles to further their children’s development? Amy and Mik…

If you ask your average high schooler (or parent) for some adjectives describing the SAT and ACT, the extensive vocabulary list will likely skew negative. But do those who know the tests best feel th…

Year after year, countless teens stress over a perceived need to attend a “good” college. But what does that even mean and how does reality differ from perception? Amy and Mike invited admissions adv…

Policies that allow students to apply to the colleges and universities of their choice ahead of the rest of the pack seem to offer tremendous advantages. But who really benefits and are there any dis…

When everything in the present is turned upside-down, how can students manage current challenges while working towards long-term goals like college admissions? What will colleges even want from next …

ACT, Inc. didn’t always endorse the practice of superscoring for admissions, but the test maker has changed its institutional stance on the basis of compelling evidence. What did ACT researchers unco…

Learning doesn’t have to stop just because schools are closed, does it? The future arrives whether we are ready or not, which means counselors, educators, and consultants need to continue to provide …