Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast

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 disadvantages? Amy and Mike invited retired college president and author Michael T. Nietzel to offer an expert analysis of Early Decision and Early Action. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What are Early Decision (ED) and Early Action (EA) policies? What advantages and disadvantages affect students using this application approach? What are the advantages and unexpected disadvantages to colleges offering Early Decision and Early Action? Who benefits the most from these options? How will ED and EA be affected by the recent changes in NACAC policy? MEET OUR GUEST Michael T. Nietzel is president emeritus of Missouri State University. After earning my B.A. from Wheaton College (Illinois), Mike was awarded a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Illinois in 1973. He then joined the faculty at the University of Kentucky, where he progressed through the professorial ranks and served as director of the Clinical Psychology Program, chair of the department of psychology, dean of the graduate school, and provost. In 2005, Mike was appointed president of Missouri State University. Following retirement from Missouri State in 2011, Mike became senior policy advisor to Missouri Governor Jay Nixon. From 2016-18, he served as a Deputy Director of the Missouri Department of Mental Health. Recently, he has authored two books: Degrees and Pedigrees: The Education of America's Top Executives (2017) and Coming to Grips With Higher Education (2018), both published by Rowman & Littlefield. Mike is currently a Senior Contributor to Forbes Online. Find Mike at [email protected]. LINKS Early-Decision College Admissions For 2019 And 2020 College Board page on Early Decision & Early Action Early Action and Early Decision vs. Regular Decision Admission Rates The Debate Over Early Decision In College Admission: Who Is It Good For? Colleges Should Abandon Early Admissions 2020 CHANGES IN ADMISSIONS RULES ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

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 year's high school graduates? Amy and Mike invited author and college counselor Brennan E. Barnard to share insight into college admissions during a global pandemic. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What reassurance can be found in the global nature of a worldwide crisis? What elements of the application rise and fall in value during a global pandemic? Will application essays about your pandemic experience be well-received? How can students learn about colleges when campuses are closed? What can we learn from an unexpected crisis about when students should work on showing colleges who they really are? MEET OUR GUEST Brennan Barnard, M.Ed is the Director of College Counseling and Outreach at The Derryfield School, an independent day school in Manchester, New Hampshire and at US Performance Academy, an on-line independent high school for elite athletes. He is also the College Admissions Program Advisor with the Making Caring Common project at Harvard Graduate School of Education. During over two decades in education Brennan has worked as a teacher, coach, dorm parent, admission officer, counselor and administrator at a number of independent high schools and colleges. He has counseled Olympians, thespians, artists, cadets, social workers, engineers, philosophers, doctors, writers, lawyers and everything in between. Brennan is a member of the Advisory Board for the New Hampshire College and University Council's New Hampshire Scholars Program and on the Executive Committee for the Character Collaborative. He presents regularly on character, athletic recruiting, mindfulness, discipline and other topics in college admission. He has written about college admission for the New York Times, Washington Post, Forbes.com, HuffPost, Concord Monitor, Journal of College Admission and other publications. He has also been featured in articles in the Wall Street Journal, Boston Globe and Associated Press and an occasional featured guest on New Hampshire Public Radio. He has been interviewed about college admission by New England Cable News and ABC News. Brennan was a New England Association of College Admission Counselors Professional of the Year for 2017. He is co-author of the book, The Truth About College Admission: A Family Guide to Getting In and Staying Together. A native of suburban Philadelphia and practicing Quaker, he is a graduate of Westtown Friends School. Brennan earned a bachelor's degree in Psychology and Spanish from Franklin & Marshall College and a master's degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration from The University of Vermont. This father of two lives in Hopkinton, New Hampshire where he is a volunteer firefighter. LINKS The COVID College Choice: How To Pick A College During A Global Pandemic The Truth About College Admission: A Family Guide to Getting In and Staying Together Virtual College Tours (Episode #73) ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.76.

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 uncover that everyone should know? Amy and Mike invited ACT Senior Director in Research Krista Mattern to share the newest findings regarding ACT superscoring and section retesting. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Why was ACT historically against superscoring and what changed? How predictive are superscores regarding academic success in college? How does research support the concept of section retesting? What is the philosophy behind the order of the ACT sections? What are the similarities and differences between paper-and-pencil and online testing ? MEET OUR GUEST Krista Mattern is a Senior Director in Research at ACT. Her research focuses on predicting education and workplace success through evaluating the validity and fairness of cognitive and non-cognitive measures. Also known for work in evaluating the efficacy of learning products to help improve intended learner outcomes. Krista has over 100 publications including journal articles, technical reports, and books chapters and has served as the editor of two books. Her work has been published in the Journal of Applied Psychology, Journal of Educational Measurement, Educational Measurement: Issues and Practice, Educational and Psychological Measurement, and the Journal of College Student Development. She received her Ph.D. in Industrial and Organizational Psychology with a minor in Quantitative Psychology from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign Find Krista at [email protected]. LINKS How should colleges treat multiple admissions test scores? Testing, testing: What is the fairest score when applicants retake admissions tests? Does superscoring increase subgroup differences? Impact of superscoring on subgroup differences ACT Superscore Database ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

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 support even when they can't meet students face-to-face. Amy and Mike invited admissions consultant Jona Jacobson to share key insights into college advising and prep by videoconference. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Can advising or instruction ever be as effective over video? How does working over video differ from working in person? What hardware and software facilitates effective meetings? How can attention to onboarding make video conferencing better? How tech savvy do you need to be to work by video? MEET OUR GUEST Jona Jacobson is an independent educational consultant who coaches students on choosing colleges and completing their college applications and essays. A former attorney and substitute teacher, Jona is in her seventh year of advising students and families through the college application process, both locally and nationally. Jona was previously our guest way back in episode 5 to discuss NEED BLIND AND NEED AWARE ADMISSIONS. Find Jona Jacobson at [email protected]. ADDITIONAL LINKS Benefits of Online Tutoring The Best Mobile Scanning Apps ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

The traditional college selection process usually includes plenty of live campus visits. But what happens when logistics, expenses, or unexpected pandemics get in the way? Amy and Mike invited CampusReel cofounders Nick Freud and Rob Carroll to share the magic of virtual college tours. What are five things you will learn in this episode? How does a virtual college tour differ from visiting in person? What makes school visits important for students in terms of both fit and admissions? What should be done before, during, and after to make a virtual campus tour effective? Do virtual tours still signal demonstrated interest? Can you get a feel for campus life through a virtual tour? MEET OUR GUEST CampusReel co-founders Nick Freud and Rob Carroll maintain a library of 17,000 videos created by students at 355 colleges and universities, offering candid, insider perspectives to prospective applicants and high school counselors—as well as a marketing and recruitment tool for admissions staff. These Colgate University alums, recently named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, have reached users in 140 countries in less than three years and raised $1 million. After graduating from Colgate University in 2015, Nick moved to Phuket, Thailand to work as a math and health teacher and spent eight months bartending his way through Australia before returning to the U.S. at the beginning of 2017 to found CampusReel with Rob Carroll. Rob also graduated from Colgate University in 2015 with a degree in environmental economics. After graduation, Rob worked at Ernst & Young (EY) helping clients identify and implement process efficiencies before leaving to found CampusReel. Find Rob at [email protected]. ADDITIONAL LINKS Making the Most of College Visits (Tests and the Rest #32) https://www.campusreel.org/ ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

Taking high quality practice tests at deliberate intervals is an indispensable part of any true test preparation regimen. But what makes mocks or diagnostics so important? Amy and Mike invited test prep professional David Phelps to explain specifically what SAT & ACT diagnostic tests can tell you. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Why do diagnostic tests matter for students taking the SAT and ACT? At what point in the prep process should students take practice tests? What should we look for in evaluating diagnostic tests? What won't SAT & ACT diagnostic tests tell us? Is over testing a legitimate concern? MEET OUR GUEST David Phelps is the cofounder and co-director of Forum Education. A tutor by trade, David has spent the last decade consulting and tutoring nearly every major subject and test to private school students of widely different learning and psychological profiles. At Forum, he has personally co-architected three apps for tutors and education, as well as advanced mock test diagnostics that recommend what students should work on to optimize their score. He is also the author of a number of guides for analytical writing, college essays, Spanish, chemistry, and test prep. Find David at [email protected]. LINKS Practice Tests: How Many, How Often, and How to Do Them Right ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

While many Americans have either personally attended or know alumni of all-boys or all-girls high schools, very few have met graduates of women's colleges. Is a single-gendered college experience an outdated concept or a reflection of modern sensibilities? Amy and Mike invited Director of US Admission at Mount Holyoke College Catarina Costa to describe the many benefits of attending a women's college. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is the history of women's colleges, and who are the "Seven Sisters"? What is different or unique about attending a women's college? What distinctive academic opportunities do women's colleges offer? What are the specific benefits of attending a women's college? What kind of student should consider attending a women's college? MEET OUR GUEST Catarina Costa is the Director of US Admission at Mount Holyoke College and has been a member of its admission team since 2006. Catarina has done recruitment travel to many regions of the country and has had a varied portfolio throughout her nearly fourteen years at Mount Holyoke, which includes special event management, selection and training of the senior fellows and tour guides, and coordination of the office's diversity outreach efforts. She currently leads the domestic office operations, overseeing the first-year application reading and selection process and the campus visit experience. Catarina has a Masters degree in Counseling and Personnel Services from Fordham University, where she also completed doctoral studies in Counseling Psychology before embarking on a career change. In the early aughts, Catarina was doing career and transfer counseling for CUNY in NYC and moved to the Five College area looking for opportunities on the proverbial "other side of the desk." She found college admissions and Mount Holyoke--and they both stole her heart! Catarina is passionate about issues of social justice and is an advocate in the areas of diversity and inclusion efforts on campus. Find Catarina at https://www.mtholyoke.edu/admission. LINKS Why a Women's College? The Top 9 Reasons Why Does the World Need Women's Colleges? Why applications at women's colleges are on the rise ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

Admissions essays, more than any other piece of the college application process, allow applicants to communicate distinctive and personal aspects of their lives. But can essays be too personal? Absolutely! Amy and Mike invited college admissions expert Sally Rubenstone to share both warnings and guidance about taboo essay topics. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Are there REALLY essay topics that are "taboo"? What does the "Jerry Springerization" of college essays refer to? What do admissions personnel look for when they review an applicant's essay? Is writing about a medical or mental health disorder in a college essay ever appropriate? What are the right--and wrong--ways to package essays about very personal topics? MEET OUR GUEST Sally Rubenstone knows the competitive and often convoluted college admission process inside out: from the first time the "C" word comes up at the dinner table until the last duffel bag is unloaded on a dorm-room floor. She is the co-author of Panicked Parents' Guide to College Admissions; The Transfer Student's Guide to Changing Colleges; and The International Student's Guide to Going to College in America and the author of eBook, 25 Tips from the Dean. Sally has appeared on NBC's Today program and has been quoted in countless publications, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, USA Today, U.S. News & World Report, Newsweek, People, and Seventeen. Sally has viewed the admissions world from many angles: as a Smith College admission counselor for 15 years, an independent college counselor serving students from a wide range of backgrounds, and the author of College Confidential's "Ask the Dean" column. She also taught language arts, social studies, study skills, and test preparation in 10 schools, including American international schools in London, Paris, Geneva, Athens, and Tel Aviv. As senior counselor and contributing writer for College Confidential since 2002, Sally has helped hundreds of students and parents through the college admissions quagmire. In 2008 she co-founded College Karma, an independent college consulting firm, with her CC colleague Dave Berry. Although Sally has been dispensing advice to anxious families for more than three decades, she only became a mom herself in 1997, at the ripe old age of 45. Now she is the senior-citizen mother of a recent college graduate, delighted that she won't have to navigate the admissions maze as a parent ever again! Find Sally at Ask the Dean at College Confidential and add Tests and the Rest in your message. LINKS Which College Essay Topics Are Taboo? Should I Mention Depression on My College Application? Sally's catalog of books ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

Everyone knows that you have to graduate medical school to become a medical doctor. Less obvious are the actual steps required to get into medical school. Amy and Mike invited author and med school student Elisabeth Fassas to clarify what every pre-med major should know. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What classes and majors should pre-med students consider? Why should pre-med students do as much job shadowing as possible? What is the optimal plan for taking the MCAT? What is the ideal application timeline and can a gap year fit in? What major lesson learned through the med school process should be considered at the start of the journey? MEET OUR GUEST Elisabeth Fassas graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a BA in Molecular and Cellular Biology and the London School of Economics with a MA in International Health Policy . Elisabeth initially intended to take a single gap year before attending medical school, applying at the end of her senior year of college. However, when the time came, she requested a deferral of her admission for an extra year to work with McKinsey & Co. as a junior research analyst. She is the author of Making Pre-Med Count. Elizabeth began her medical school career this past fall at the University of Maryland Medical School. Find Elisabeth at [email protected]. LINKS Making Pre-Med Count: Everything I wish I'd known before applying (successfully!) to med school ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

The gap between a test taker's potential best and actual best depends entirely on delivering an error-free performance when it counts. But how easy is that in the face of tricky test questions, challenging content, and human fallibility? Amy and Mike invited test prep professional Michael Jordan to identify the common testing mistakes and how to avoid them. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What types of errors do test takers think they make? What types of errors do test takers actually make? How can test takers avoid these classic mistakes? What can analyzing errors teach us? What does "muscle memory" have to do with error-free performance? MEET OUR GUEST A native of Lawrence, Kansas, Michael Jordan is a National Merit Scholar and perfect-scorer on the SAT and ACT. As a high school senior, he was torn between pursuing biomedical engineering or music education, and ultimately chose to study the latter at the University of North Texas. After teaching high school band in Texas for four years, Michael branched out to test prep tutoring in 2013. He started hiring tutors in 2015, and since then, Michael Jordan College Prep has established itself as the leading provider of in-home test prep in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Michael is still a certified teacher as well as a member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association. Outside of running a test prep business, Michael enjoys running a competitive barbecue team, cooking with his wife, Ashleigh, playing with his dog, Ella, and planning world travels. Find Michael at http://www.mjprep.com/ or [email protected]. LINKS The "Categorize Your Mistakes" Exercise Embracing Mistakes for Bigger Brains… and Test Scores ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

Every college applicant seems to dream of attending an elite academic or athletic institution. But does the difficulty in getting into a school predict the value of its education? Amy and Mike invited lecturer and author Denise Pope to explain why college engagement matters more than selectivity. What are five things you will learn in this episode? How expectations and stress impact engagement? Does college selectivity matter to learning or well-being in the long run? What does engagement mean in the context of college? How does intellectual vitality improve college fit? How can educators cultivate engagement on the high school level? MEET OUR GUEST Denise Pope, PhD, is a Senior Lecturer at the Stanford University School of Education. For the past 13 years, she has specialized in student engagement, curriculum studies, qualitative research methods, and service learning. She is co-founder of Challenge Success, a research and intervention project that aims to reduce unhealthy pressure on youth and champions a broader vision of youth success. Challenge Success is an expanded version of the SOS: Stressed-Out Students project that Dr. Pope founded and directed from 2003-2008. She lectures nationally on parenting techniques and pedagogical strategies to increase student health, engagement with learning, and integrity. Her book, Doing School: How We Are Creating a Generation of Stressed Out, Materialistic, and Miseducated Students was awarded Notable Book in Education by the American School Board Journal, 2001. Dr. Pope is a three time recipient of the Stanford University School of Education Outstanding Teacher and Mentor Award. Prior to teaching at Stanford, Dr. Pope taught high school English in Fremont, CA and college composition and rhetoric courses at Santa Clara University. She lives in Los Altos, CA with her husband and three children. Find Denise at [email protected]. LINKS Doing School: How We Are Creating a Generation of Stressed Out, Materialistic, and Miseducated Students Challenge Success Gallup Alumni Survey and the Six College Experiences That Drive Success A "Fit" Over Rankings: Why College Engagement Matters More Than Selectivity (90 second video summary) ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

When it comes to paying for college, we could all use a bit of help. Why, then, do so many families ignore easily accessible sources of college funding right in their own backyards? Amy and Mike invited author Monica Matthews to explain how to win local scholarship awards. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What are some key strategies to find scholarships? Why are local scholarships so important? What mistakes to scholarship seekers often make? How much is available in local scholarships? How can scholarship applicants ace an essay requirement? MEET OUR GUEST Monica Matthews is the author of How to Win College Scholarships. She helped her own sons win over $100,000 in college scholarships and now shares her expertise with other parents and their students. She truly has "been there, done that" in regards to helping families navigate the scholarship process. Her methods of helping students find college scholarships, write compelling essays, and create unique application packets have taught desperate parents to help their own students win thousands of scholarship dollars. Her scholarship tips have been featured in several publications such as U.S. News & World Report, The Huffington Post, and The Penny Hoarder. Monica has been dubbed The Scholarship Mom and "Go-To" expert on college scholarships. You can find her winning tips and scholarship blog at https://how2winscholarships.com. Find Monica at info@/how2winscholarships.com. LINKS How to Win College Scholarships How to Win College Scholarships Facebook group ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

Most of us intuitively understand why testing is necessary to assess learning outcomes. What is the problem, then, with attempting to accurately assess these outcomes beyond a school or district level? Amy and Mike invited researcher and consultant Glynn D. Ligon to rise to the defense of state tests. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Why is state proficiency testing valuable? What are the attributes of an effective accountability test and where do the SAT & ACT fit in? Are the arguments against state testing persuasive? How do accountability and formative assessments differ? What are politimetrics, and why are they important? MEET OUR GUEST Glynn Ligon is currently the CEO of ESP Solutions Group, a company he founded 27 years ago. ESP mainly manages the secure data exchanges for their 14 state education agency clients between districts, the states, and the US Department of Education. Dr. Ligon's journey to this destination with education data began in the Teacher Corps working with migrant students along the border of Mexico and Texas, then evaluating programs and overseeing assessment programs in some of Texas' poorest schools. Eventually, he became the head of the Austin Schools' information systems. Dr. Ligon was a charter member of the National Association of Assessment Directors, Vice President of the American Educational Research Association, chair of the Texas Education Commissioner's Evaluation Advisory Committee, and a member of the U.S. Department of Education's Evaluation Review Panel. He's published and presented dozens of technical papers and reviews on assessment topics. Find Glynn at [email protected]. LINKS Test Critics Fail the Test: Critics of Testing Don't Understand the Basics of Testing ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

The typical path for a student seeking higher education is to enter college right after high school. For what possible reason, then, would--or should--a teen consider deviating from that path to pursue a period of personal growth at home or abroad? Amy and Mike invited association executive Ethan Knight to enumerate multiple answers to the question, "Why take a gap year?" What are five things you will learn in this episode? What exactly is a gap year, and how does one work? How does "radical juxtaposition" improve perspective? What three big reasons impel students to take a gap year? What is the optimal timeline to address gap years for applicants to public and private schools? Do any schools reward or penalize a commitment to a gap year in the application process? MEET OUR GUEST In 1995, Ethan Knight was one of several hundred students packed into a high school assembly at Catlin Gabel where he first learned about gap years. He researched his options with a Gap Year Consultant, and eventually traveled for 7 months to India, Nepal, and Tibet. After his "time on" he returned to Willamette University where he graduated with a Bachelor's degree in English and Philosophy and minors in Environmental Science and Spanish. Ethan supported more than 2,000 students on their own gap year experiences, managed and subsequently founded a gap year organization and founded the Gap Year Association. Ethan has traveled to more than 50 countries, co-authored the Fair Trade Learning Standards and the Gap Year Standards, launched two nonprofits, one college, and three for-profit organizations. He has been a guest speaker on three continents, a TEDx presenter, and is a fan of all puns. Find Ethan at [email protected]. LINKS Planning Your Gap Year ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

There are so many decisions to be made on the path to college, including deciding which college entrance exam to take. ACT has announced new options coming for the ACT® test, starting with the September 2020 national test date, designed to give students more flexibility in their college planning. What do we know about these changes so far? Amy and Mike invited ACT National Director of K-12 Lisa Wolf to share details right from the source about new options for the ACT. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What are the new ACT testing options available to students beginning in September 2020? How and why has ACT changed its institutional stance on superscoring? What do changes in the ACT testing experience have to do with recent research into test scores and admissions? Does ACT already have experience with online testing, and how does that inform the September 2020 rollout of new features? What questions about ACT online testing and section retesting remain to be answered, as of February 2020? MEET OUR GUEST Lisa Wolf has been with ACT since June 2008. She began her ACT career as a Test Development Associate, where she developed math constructed response items and led teams in scoring student responses to the items. She also worked on other ACT mathematics-related materials, such as writing instructional units. She transitioned to a client-facing role in January 2012 and worked with secondary and postsecondary institutions across many states, primarily Colorado and Kansas. Wolf is currently the National Director of K-12 on the Client Relations team. Prior to coming to ACT, she was a high school math teacher. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics and a Master of Science degree in educational leadership. Get updates on the upcoming changes to ACT testing by registering at act.org/newfirsts. LINKS How New ACT Test Options Help with College Planning ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

Every high school athlete dreams of playing for an elite college team, ideally with tuition, room, board, and all associated expenses covered. But how closely does that fantasy match reality? Amy and Mike invited coach and author Renee Lopez to offer critical insights and advice to college applicants looking for a full ride. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Does anyone get a full ride anymore? How and when should student athletes initiate contact with coaches? What are the best ways to get a college coach to evaluate you as a potential recruit? What are coaches looking for--and trying to avoid--in applicants? What is the "broken leg test," and why should student-athletes take it seriously? MEET OUR GUEST As a seventeen-year coaching veteran, Renee Lopez is an expert in the college recruiting process, leadership training and team culture development. As a United States Soccer Federation and National Soccer Coaches Association of America licensed coach, she has recruited and produced three All-Americans and has been honored as Coach of the Year by her peers. In addition to serving as NCAA compliance director, she has learned the recruiting process from having worked as a high school varsity head coach for three years and a college coach for fourteen, in NCAA Division I, II, III, and NAIA. Renee is the author of Looking For A FULL RIDE?: An Insider's Recruiting Guide. Listeners can order this book with free shipping by using the coupon code TESTS (first 15 orders only!) Find Renee at www.rlopezcoaching.com. LINKS Common Misconceptions about the College Athletic Recruiting Process Educating Parents of HS Athletes On The College Recruiting Process FB Group Renee on Twitter: @lookn4aFULLRIDE ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

American colleges and universities represent many of the highest ideals of an educated, democratic society, and few institutions of higher education are as quintessentially American as our historically black colleges and universities. What makes HBCUs so special? Amy and Mike invited Howard University Associate Provost Anthony Jones to expand upon the benefits of attending an historically black college or university. What are five things you will learn in this episode? How does the history of HBCUs inform education and culture today? What are the advantages of attending college at an HBCU? How does attending an HBCU feel from the student perspective? Are select opportunities for honors students typically available at this type of school? What kind of student should consider attending an HBCU? MEET OUR GUEST Anthony is Associate Provost/Assistant Vice-President for Enrollment Management at Howard University in Washington, DC. In this capacity he oversees the offices of Admissions, Financial Aid, Registrar and Student Accounts. His responsibility includes providing strategic direction to the University enrollment objectives and administering a budget of over $200 million in operational and student aid funds. Professionally, Anthony has been a member of the Council of Independent Colleges Executive Leadership Academy, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Reaffirmation Committee, National Association for College Admission Counseling, American Association of College Admission Officers and Registrars, Tennessee Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, Southern Association for College Admissions Counseling, Indiana Association for College Admissions Counseling, and Committee Chair for the National Association of College, Deans, Registrars and Admission Officers. He is also the recipient of the Lafourche Education Foundation Distinguished Graduate Award, Most Outstanding Employee Renaissance Award of Fisk University, and the Education Equal Opportunity Group, Save-A-Student Award. Anthony is a Summa Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Fisk University, holds a Masters Degree from Vanderbilt University and a certification in Diversity Management from the University of Houston. To help individuals maximize their life experience, Anthony has also published the book and workbook, Success by Design: Becoming the Person You Were Destined to Be. Find Anthony at howard.edu/admission LINKS What is an HBCU? ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

When you work in the business of education, you are bound to receive an education in business law. Don't learn your legal lessons the hard way! Amy and Mike invited attorney Matthew K. Seeley to the Tests and the Rest Winter Conference 2020 to speak about legal issues for educational enterprises. In the second part of his remarkably thorough and insightful presentation, Matthew addressed the legal issues around noncompete agreements and intellectual property. Be sure to download the attached presentation pdf as visual support for this discussion. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What are the parameters of a defensible noncompete agreement? How does state law influence the ability to enforce a noncompete agreement? What are trade secrets in the context of an educational enterprise? How can educators and business owners protect intellectual property? What is the risk of employing independent contractors to create programs and curriculum? MEET OUR GUEST Matthew K. Seeley is a partner at the law firm of Buckley King, which is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio and has offices in Atlanta and Phoenix. Matt practices as a business litigator, which encompasses a number of areas including commercial, employment, tax and real estate matters. Matt has been in practice for nearly 23 years and has an active role in Cleveland's legal community; regularly speaking at local bar associations and trade conferences on topics pertinent to business owners and employers. Matt was recently a delegate to the Eighth District Judicial Conference which is by invitation only and involves a gathering of prominent local lawyers and judges to discuss issues pertaining to Cuyahoga County's justice system. Find Matthew at [email protected]. LINKS LEGAL ISSUES FOR EDUCATIONAL ENTERPRISES PowerPoint presentation pdf Law offices of Buckley King ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

When you work in the business of education, you are bound to receive an education in business law. Don't learn your legal lessons the hard way! Amy and Mike invited attorney Matthew Seeley to the Tests and the Rest Winter Conference 2020 to speak about legal issues for educational enterprises. In the first part of his remarkably thorough and insightful presentation, Matthew addressed the legal issues around employees and independent contractors. Be sure to download the attached presentation pdf as visual support for this discussion. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is the difference between an employee and an independent contractor? How does having a teacher use a specific curriculum influence classification? What are the pros and cons for teachers retained as employees or independent contractors? What are the benefits and disadvantages of retaining employees or independent contractors? What are the penalties for misclassifying employees and independent contractors? MEET OUR GUEST Matthew K. Seeley is a partner at the law firm of Buckley King, which is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio and has offices in Atlanta and Phoenix. Matt practices as a business litigator, which encompasses a number of areas including commercial, employment, tax and real estate matters. Matt has been in practice for nearly 23 years and has an active role in Cleveland's legal community; regularly speaking at local bar associations and trade conferences on topics pertinent to business owners and employers. Matt was recently a delegate to the Eighth District Judicial Conference which is by invitation only and involves a gathering of prominent local lawyers and judges to discuss issues pertaining to Cuyahoga County's justice system. Find Matthew at [email protected]. LINKS LEGAL ISSUES FOR EDUCATIONAL ENTERPRISES PowerPoint presentation pdf Law offices of Buckley King ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

In the course of common school day activities, students share extensive personal data, completely oblivious to the many ways this information can be--and often is--exploited. Even the important college admissions tests can present certain security hazards. Amy and Mike invited student advocate Leonie Haimson to explain both the necessity and challenges of keeping student data private. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Who seeks to collect student data and under what rationale? What kind of student data is collected? In what ways have the laws protecting student privacy been weakened? How do current College Board practices threaten student data privacy? What do students and parents need to know about keeping student data private? MEET OUR GUEST Leonie Haimson is the founder and Executive Director of Class Size Matters, a non-profit organization that advocates for smaller classes in NYC's public schools and the nation as a whole. She started the organization in 2000 and as of 2019, she continues to lead the organization. She is a graduate of Harvard College (Phi Beta Kappa, Magna cum laude) was a public school parent for 15 years, worked for the Educational Priorities Panel, and founded Class Size Matters in 2000. The New York Times has called her the "city's leading proponent of smaller classes." In 2013-2014, she led the fight both in NY and nationally against the Gates Foundation $100 million dollar data-collection project, later spun off into a separate corporation called inBloom Inc. As a result of the controversy this project aroused, nearly 100 new state student privacy laws were passed in states throughout the country in recent years, including in New York. In 2015, she was credited by investigative reporter Juan Gonzalez for helping to save the city between $163 million and $627 million when she alerted the media to a highly inflated contract that was about to be signed by the NYC Department of Education with a vendor, Custom Computer Specialists, that had been involved in a kickback scheme a few years before. Because of the resulting scandal, the contract was withdrawn and rebid with multiple vendors for a far lower amount. Leonie received the John Dewey award from the United Federation of Teachers in 2007, was named one of NYC's "family heroes" by NYC Family Magazine in 2009, and was honored as an "Extraordinary Advocate for our Children" by Advocates for Justice in 2012. In 2014, she received the "Parent Voice" award from Parents Across America for her work defeating inBloom and protecting student privacy. In 2015, she was named one of the ten most influential people in education technology by Tech and Learning Magazine. She blogs at the NYC Public School Parents, is a board member of the Network for Public Education and serves on the steering committee of NY State Allies for Public Education. She is also the co-chair of the Parent Coalition for Student Privacy which she co-founded after the collapse of inBloom in 2014. Starting this fall of 2019, she is co-hosting a weekly radio show on WBAI FM called "Talk Out of School." Find Leonie at [email protected] LINKS Privacy warning for parents of students taking ACT or College Board exams Five Principles to Protect Student Privacy ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

Colleges and universities in the United States draw international acclaim and interest. Why, then, might American students be wise to consider schooling abroad? Amy and Mike invited international educational consultant Kevin Newton to enumerate the many unexpected benefits of attending university in Europe. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What countries should American students consider for university? How important are the SAT, ACT, and Subject Tests in admissions to European universities? What advantages and potential downsides does attending university in Europe present? How does the cost of education in Europe compare to costs in the U.S.? What are prospects after graduation like for students with European degrees? MEET OUR GUEST Kevin Newton is the founder of An Education Abroad, a company that helps Americans who are interested in earning a degree outside of the United States. Since 2016, he and his wife have helped place dozens of students at top universities around the world. Kevin fell in love with everything that international education has to offer while studying for his MA in Islamic and Chinese Law at the University of London's School of Oriental and African Studies Find Kevin at http://www.aneducationabroad.com/ LINKS Go to University for Free in Europe (Or At Least Much Cheaper) In Which Countries is College Free? ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

Major revisions of the major standardized college entrance exams come few, far between, and with great fanfare. Don't take this to mean, however, that the SAT and ACT don't change all the time bit by bit. Amy and Mike invited test prep expert Evan Wessler to the Tests and the Rest Winter Conference 2020 to speak about emerging trends in SAT and ACT content. The recording of this incredibly important presentation runs much longer than our usual podcast, but anyone who prepares students for the tests will appreciate every minute! Be sure to download the attached presentation as visual support for this discussion. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What are the best ways to keep up with subtle changes in test content? What new trends are emerging on the grammar sections of the tests? What is a "gotcha" question and how do they differ on the SAT and ACT? Have math trends and emphases changed on the tests? How have the reading and ACT science sections changed recently, if at all? MEET OUR GUEST A Long Island, NY native and Pittsburgh, PA transplant since 2016, Evan Wessler has been tutoring and teaching in one way or another since high school. After graduating summa cum laude with a degree in biology from Bucknell University, Evan spent a brief period in Harvard University's Biomedical & Biological Sciences Ph.D. program before deciding to pursue a different path. In 2009, he joined Method Test Prep as an ACT/SAT/academic tutor. Soon after, he took on additional responsibilities within the organization, including managing the tutoring team, developing educational content, and expanding the reach of Method Test Prep's private tutoring and online services. Ten years later, he remains involved in many facets of the organization as it continues to grow. Evan's extensive experience in analyzing and teaching the ACT and SAT has helped him develop keen insight into what works in test prep and what doesn't. As an educator and advisor, Evan is passionate about using this knowledge to prime students for success. This includes establishing realistic goals and practical plans for achieving them. He strongly believes that test prep is about much more than questions and answers: it's a process that demands careful thought, deliberate planning, and steady work. Find Evan at https://methodtestprep.com/ LINKS DECK How Test Prep Tutoring Should Work ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

While qualifying for admission to a competitive college or university requires endless hours of study and commitment, applying to such a school should not. Is the application process as difficult as it used to be, and can it be further improved? Amy and Mike invited author and consultant Roger Dooley to explain the importance of reducing friction in the college admissions process. What are five things you will learn in this episode? How does the Fogg Behavior Model illuminate problems in the college admissions process? What changes to the application process reduce friction? How does a focus on user experience improve the process? Is a certain level of friction desirable in the admissions process? What areas of the college application process can still be improved? MEET OUR GUEST Roger Dooley is an author and international keynote speaker. His books include Friction: The Untapped Force That Can Be Your Most Powerful Advantage and Brainfluence: 100 Ways to Persuade and Convince Consumers with Neuromarketing. He writes the popular blog Neuromarketing and is a columnist at Forbes.com. He is the founder of Dooley Direct, a consultancy, and co-founded College Confidential, the leading college-bound information forum online. Roger has an engineering degree from Carnegie Mellon University and an MBA from the University of Tennessee. Find Roger at rogerdooley.com. LINKS Maximizing College Admissions Yield by Reducing Friction College Confidential Neuromarketing Fogg Behavior Model Twitter: @rogerdooley – https://twitter.com/rogerdooley Roger Dooley at Forbes – https://www.forbes.com/sites/rogerdooley/ ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

While getting into college seems like a Herculean task requiring the collaboration and contributions of a team of experts, paying for college can--believe it or not--be even tougher. For example, nearly everyone takes out student loans, but how many applicants understand what they should focus on? Amy and Mike invited financial aid expert Elaine Rubin to break down the basics of what you need to know about student loans. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What kinds of loans can students apply for? How do students and parents apply for loans? What is the right timeline to apply for student loans? How much should applicants seek? What is the difference between subsidized and unsubsidized loans? MEET OUR GUEST Elaine Rubin is the Senior Contributor and Communications Specialist at Edvisors. For more than 20 years, Edvisors has helped empower students and families with the information they need to make timely decisions about planning and paying for college, as well as life beyond graduation. Their free resources, tools and services are both expert-level and engaging, drawing from expansive team experience in the higher education space as lending specialists, financial aid authorities, and public service leaders. Elaine is responsible for maintaining content, responding to press and media inquiries, as well as serving as the lead contributor for the Edvisors blog and the Ask the Edvisor column. She volunteers in the local Las Vegas community to help students and families understand the importance of education for success. Elaine has worked in higher education finance for more than 10 years, including seven years with the U.S. Department of Education's office of Federal Student Aid, and provides information and advice from both personal and professional experiences. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with a concentration in Public Policy and Administration from Northeastern University. Find Elaine at https://www.edvisors.com/ask/ask-the-edvisor/. LINKS 2019 Student Loan Handbook 2020-2021 Guide to Filing the FAFSA ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

Since 2014, Gallup has investigated some of the most important outcomes of higher education through a survey of college graduates. What valuable lessons can future college students learn from the reflections of those who came before them? Amy and Mike invited research consultant John Clark to explain the significance of the Gallup Alumni Survey and the six college experiences that drive success. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What does the Gallup Alumni Survey capture about the experiences of college graduates? Why is long-term success of college graduates worth exploring? What are the big six college experiences that appear to drive success after college? How do relationship-rich and project-oriented learning experiences link to workplace engagement? How have colleges responded to the revelations of the Gallup Alumni Survey? MEET OUR GUEST John Clark is a consultant with Gallup's Higher Education group, which delivers forward-thinking research and analytics to help universities solve their most pressing problems. Before joining Gallup, John worked as a consumer protection attorney, then moved to the education world with Kaplan, where he helped universities build pathway programs to guide students to law, medical, and graduate school. John has a B.A. in philosophy from Bucknell and a J.D. from Southern Illinois. He lives in Chicago, Illinois, where he also teaches a Medical Law & Ethics course at a local university. Find John at [email protected] LINKS 2018 Strada-Gallup Alumni Survey ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

Many high school students dream about playing sports on the college level. However, entering the application and recruitment process with low grades and test scores can be a nightmare for even the most talented athletes. Amy and Mike invited educational consultant Jennifer Henson to explain requirements for test scores and the NCAA Clearinghouse. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is the NCAA eligibility center, and why does it matter? What is confusing about how NCAA evaluates ACT scores? How else do test scores impact a student athlete's college prospects? Why do some schools combine athletic and academic money? How does the college testing timeline differ for an athlete? MEET OUR GUEST Jennifer Henson ( a.k.a "The GOAL DIGGER") is a nationally sought after test prep expert specializing in the ACT test. Jennifer, who was Winton Woods City School's (OH) Teacher of the Year in 2014, holds a Master of Education degree with a Bachelor's in English from Xavier University—where she was a walk-on tennis player. She's taught 21 years and coached ACT prep for over 7 years-- and has an army of teachers trained to assist her requests for tutorials. Her former ACT students now attend notable higher learning institutions, including Notre Dame, The Ohio State University, Texas A&M, The Naval Academy, and the University of Kentucky—among others. Jennifer has assisted students from California to Connecticut—and states in between—to reach their personal ACT goals. No score is too low or too high, as she has doubled the scores of students starting at the low end, in addition to helping initially higher scoring students achieve the coveted 36 on every section of the test. Two young men playing D1 football had a composite score of a 9 originally, and scored 18 and 20 (respectively) after working with her. Two of her former clients now have NFL experience. Find Jen at www.jenhensonactprep.com. LINKS NCAA Sliding Scale for GPA and SAT/ACT Scores How Test Prep And Sports Are Similar ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

Too many students, parents, and professionals act as if high schoolers magically transform into independent, motivated, productive college students right after their graduation ceremonies, even if none of those adjectives previously applied. If only that were true! Amy and Mike invited clinical neuropsychologist Dr. Adam Zamora to offer insights into helping students prepare for the demands of college. What are five things you will learn in this episode? How long is the transition from high schooler to college student? Why is it critical that students carry their learning supports to school? How does unstructured free time threaten success at college? What aspects of motivation need to change in college? Why is a student's ability to self-assess and advocate so critical? MEET OUR GUEST Adam S. Zamora, PsyD, is a neuropsychologist in the Learning and Development Center at the Child Mind Institute. He specializes in the evaluation and remediation of children, adolescents and young adults with a wide range of conditions that impact academic functioning, including ADHD, verbal and nonverbal learning difficulties, social and interpersonal weaknesses, and emotional disorders. Dr. Zamora utilizes diagnostic interviewing and comprehensive assessments to help provide families with a thorough understanding of their children, to identify assets and strengths, and to unravel the underlying reasons for challenges in their everyday lives. He also takes on an active, collaborative role with families, treatment providers and school personnel to tailor recommendations that help each child meet his or her potential. In addition to completing his neuropsychological training in academic medical settings, Dr. Zamora has provided psychotherapeutic treatment for children and adolescents with anxiety, mood disorders, behavioral difficulties, trauma histories and complex medical issues in both inpatient and outpatient hospitals and clinics. In a school setting, he has experience with developing behavior plans, conducting social skills groups and helping to facilitate classroom interventions. Dr. Zamora enjoys providing psychoeducation to families and presenting about learning difficulties at local schools. He has also supervised psychology trainees in administration, case conceptualization and report-writing of neuropsychological evaluations. Dr. Zamora grew up in New York City and has extensive educational consulting experience in the local private school world. Since 2005, he has provided academic consultation and remediation services for students struggling with motivation, study skills, academic performance, test preparation and the school application process. Additionally, as part of his clinical training, Dr. Zamora has conducted numerous school visits and classroom observations, consulted closely with teachers and learning specialists, and advocated for families at IEP meetings and impartial hearings. Dr. Zamora's work as a clinical psychologist and educational consultant has given him a unique perspective on students and their individual needs, and has aided his ability to translate evaluation results into meaningful clinical summaries with practical, applicable recommendations for use at home and in school. He has a passion for understanding and tapping into individual strengths, and then utilizing those assets to support families and help children overcome areas of weakness. Find Adam at childmind.org or 212-308-3118 LINKS How Academic Accountability Makes a Difference ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

The college essay provides teens their single best chance to speak from the heart and share something significant that does not come through the rest of the application. But what happens when a student can't find anything significant to share? Amy and Mike invited educational consultant Carrie Bedard to extol the virtues of utilizing a reflection journal to prepare for a college essay. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is a reflection journal and how does it differ from a diary? How does keeping a reflection journal help the essay writing process? How does keeping a reflection journal help college and career choice? What other benefits accrue from keeping a reflection journal? How can parents and counselors motivate students to maintain journals? MEET OUR GUEST Carrie Bedard of Soar 2 Success Consulting graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in Hospitality and a Minor in Psychology. She has worked in education throughout her career, including teaching, tutoring and personal essay development. She has an extensive background in Marketing and Public Speaking, which she uses to help her students to become the best they can be to achieve their goals. In 2012, she decided to make helping students a full time venture, after seeing parents had no idea how to guide their students in the college guidance and admissions process and guidance counselors were over worked with hundreds of students and couldn't give the 1-1 attention necessary to properly guide students. She has traveled and met with college admissions staff, joined the Southern Association of College Admissions Counselors, and worked with over 100 families around the globe. Find Carrie at [email protected]. LINKS How to Keep a Reflection Journal ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

Many families embark on the college search process with a magical "dream school" in mind. But what if the dream doesn't match the reality? Amy and Mike invited college consultant Lynn O'Shaughnessy to answer the burning question of whether where you go to school matters. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What makes a school a "dream college" to most students? What the relationship is between college selectivity and student outcomes.? What do college rankings actually measure? What factors really determine success at and after college? What critical step should you take at the beginning of the college search? MEET OUR GUEST Lynn O'Shaughnessy, a nationally recognized college expert, is a higher-ed journalist, author, educator and speaker. Lynn's No. 1 goal is helping parents with teenagers cut the cost of college. Lynn shares college advice on her blog at TheCollegeSolution.com, which attracts more than a million visitors a year. She also offers a popular online course, The College Cost Lab, on her website for college consultants, school counselors and parents with teenagers. Lynn is also the author of The College Solution: A Guide for Looking for the Right School at the Right Price, which is an Amazon bestseller. Lynn's higher-ed commentary has been featured in such national media outlets as The New York Times, U.S. News & World Report, USA Today, Los Angeles Times and Money Magazine. For six years, she was the higher-ed columnist for CBS MoneyWatch. Prior to focusing exclusively on college issues, Lynn was a veteran financial journalist/author and a former Los Angeles Times reporter. Find Lynn at http://www.thecollegesolution.com/ or [email protected]. LINKS Saying No to a Dream College Gallup Alumni Survey: Measuring College and University Outcomes ETC College to Career Planning System ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

We live in a society where most people hate tests with the same intensity they love sports. Would this stark dichotomy exist if the many parallels between the two challenges were more widely known? Amy and Mike invited test prep professional Tony Miglio to describe how test prep and sports are similar. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Why do sports analogies make so much sense when we talk about test prep? Why is motivation so important in both endeavors? What does the concept of muscle memory have to do with testing? Why can mistakes be meaningful in the prep process? How does coaching make a massive difference in both tests and sports? MEET OUR GUEST Tony Miglio is the owner of NKY Tutoring (https://nkytutoring.com/) and is a nationally sought-after test prep expert, specializing in the math section of the ACT Test. He has worked with students both locally in the Greater Cincinnati area, but also students throughout the US and Europe. He works with students in person, and virtually; in groups, and 1-1, and is able to help build a rapport with each of his students to help students grow in confidence, along with the growing their ACT Scores. Tony holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Education with a minor in Psychology from Northern Kentucky University. Tony is a former teacher, and he has been an ACT tutor for more than 15 years, with the last 10 years specializing in helping students conquer and raise their Math ACT Scores. His specialty is customizing the mental approach for each student, based upon their score that they need to drive success on the test. Last year, he quit his previous job to be a full-time standardized test tutor and focus on helping students all over the country. Being full time allows him to meet with students throughout the day as well as travel across the US, to work with schools. This flexibility has provided Tony the opportunity to make a work with more students and make a positive impact in their lives. Find Tony at [email protected] LINKS Similarities between Baseball/Softball and the ACT Looking for a Good Test Strategy? Think Sports. ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

Grade inflation often seems like a trivial offense, a somewhat victimless crime. However, evidence suggests the exact opposite, that the practice undermines students, corrodes institutions, and perpetuates privilege. Amy and Mike invited researcher and professor Seth Gershenson Ph.D to enumerate the many reasons why grade inflation is harmful. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What are the three different types of grade inflation and how do they manifest? How does grade inflation hurt students? How does grade inflation hurt institutions? How does grade inflation impede equity? What policies might address or improve this situation? MEET OUR GUEST Seth Gershenson is Associate Professor of Public Policy in the School of Public Affairs (SPA) at American University. He is also Research Fellow at the Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), Senior Technical Advisor to Institute for Education Policy at Johns Hopkins, and Coordinator of SPA's Analytics and Management Institute. Professor Gershenson works broadly in the economics of education and education policy, with specific interests in teacher labor markets, summer learning loss, student absences, community-wide shocks, teacher expectations and implicit bias, and the causes and consequences of the underrepresentation of teachers of color. Seth's research has been funded by the Spencer Foundation, the American Educational Research Association, W.E. Upjohn Institute, Association for Institutional Research, and Google; published in leading education-policy academic journals; and featured in media outlets such as USA Today, The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, NPR, The Washington Post, Huffington Post, Vox, NBC News, and The Atlantic. Professor Gershenson received his Ph.D. in Economics from Michigan State University in 2011. You can learn more about Professor Gershenson's research here. Find Seth at http://www.sethgershenson.com LINKS Grade Inflation in High Schools (2005–2016) The Reality of Grade Inflation High School Grades: Higher and Higher Elite Prep Schools in L.A. and Across the U.S. Are Brazenly Inflating Grades ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

For many students, community college represents the path to academic and career success, while others only see a stop on a longer educational journey. County by county and state by state, these institutions truly focus on community. Amy and Mike invited Cuyahoga Community College Director Heidi Nicholas to describe the experience and advantages of attending a community college. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is distinctive and great about attending community college? What is campus life like at a community college? How does the community focus of these schools benefit students? Are there programs community colleges offer that cannot be found anywhere else? What kinds of students thrive at community colleges and which do not? MEET OUR GUEST Heidi Nicholas is currently the District Director of Enrollment Management and Dual Enrollment at Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland, Ohio. Prior to assuming this role, Heidi served in several positions at Tri-C; Completion Manager, Interim Assistant Dean of Students at both Eastern and Metro Campus', and Student Success Specialist. Prior to working at Tri-C, Heidi held positions in admissions and recruitment at several private colleges. Heidi's most notable achievements include the 2018 Cuyahoga Community College, President's Award for her contributions in increasing the IPEDS graduation rate and the 2013 Innovation of the Year Award by the League of Innovation. Heidi is active in the Kent State University Alumni Association and is a College Now, Greater Cleveland professional mentor. Heidi graduated with her Bachelor's Degree from Kent State University and her Master's Degree in Adult Learning and Development from Cleveland State University. She has completed coursework toward a Doctorate in Community College Leadership from Ferris State University and is currently A.B.D. Find Heidi at [email protected] ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

Success in tests, as in life, comes down to much more than just what you know. But where and how are students supposed to learn key skills like time management, organization, prioritization, and project management? Amy and Mike invited interdisciplinary educator Jenna Bee to explore the connections between executive functioning skills and test prep. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What key skills fall under the header of executive functioning? Where or when do we develop executive function? How can we help students prioritize effectively? How can feelings of safety and control contribute to success? How is executive function like a vending machine? MEET OUR GUEST Jenna Bee is a holistic and interdisciplinary teacher. She combines years of yoga and meditation practice with test prep training and a Bachelor's Degree in International Relations to support students in preparing for SATs, ACTs, the college admissions process, and beyond. Every student has strengths and we are most effective as teachers and coaches when we start from there. By nourishing the strengths, we cultivate confident students who can show what they know on test day. The tips and tricks are great—and important. But it's tough to learn new tricks when we're stressed, scared, or insecure. Learn more about Jenna at jennabeeyoga.com and inquire about test prep support by emailing her directly. Find Jenna at [email protected] LINKS What is Executive Functioning? How Does it Affect My Child? How To Prioritize When Everything Feels Important ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

While life after high school should be one of the most important considerations for teens and the adults that support them, too many kids choose default paths because they don't know the depth and breadth of options before them. Amy and Mike invited school counselor Andrea House to discuss the vital importance of pathway planning for high schoolers. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What does pathway planning mean to a high schooler? What are career clusters, and how do they inform pathway planning? Why is having a path in mind so important when considering life after college? What tools and resources facilitate pathway planning? How many different options can and should students consider? MEET OUR GUEST Andrea House is celebrating her 12th year as a school counselor at Wheatland Chili Central School District. In her work with students in grades 6 through 12, she's come to see students struggle with making decisions about their future. Her district has a career and college program that they utilize to help determine career cluster of interest to students with a goal of helping students see where interest, skills, and personality come together. All are important to pay attention to in a future career. Andrea is currently involved in a variety of school counselor groups that focus on best practices and helping students make the most of their time in high school, discovering their interest areas and exploring within various career pathways. Find Andrea at [email protected] LINKS Career Clusters Road Trip Nation ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

Attending college as a student with special needs presents a wide variety of serious logistical challenges. Even more daunting, though, may be the extra burden of paying for extra accommodations and services on top of tuition, room, and board. Amy and Mike invited Publisher and VP of Research for Savingforcollege.com Mark Kantrowitz to outline the increased college costs for special needs students. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What special needs tend to incur extra costs at college? What specific accommodations might be needed and at what cost? What obligations do colleges have in accommodating special needs students? What distinguishes standard 529s and ABLE accounts? How many other details should special needs students consider in the application process? MEET OUR GUEST Mark Kantrowitz is Publisher and VP of Research for Savingforcollege.com, the most popular guide to saving for college and 529 plans. Mark is an expert on student financial aid, the FAFSA, scholarships and student loans. His mission is to deliver practical information, advice and tools to students and their families so they can make smarter, more informed decisions about planning and paying for college. Mr. Kantrowitz has been quoted in more than 10,000 newspaper and magazine articles about college admissions and financial aid. Mark has written for the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Reuters, Huffington Post, U.S. News & World Report, Money Magazine, Forbes, Newsweek and Time Magazine. Mark is the author of five bestselling books about scholarships and financial aid and holds seven patents. He also writes extensively on student aid policy. Mark serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Student Financial Aid, the editorial advisory board of Bottom Line/Personal, and is a member of the board of trustees of the Center for Excellence in Education. He previously served as a member of the board of directors of the National Scholarship Providers Association and as publisher of the FinAid, Fastweb, Edvisors and Cappex web sites. Mark has two Bachelor's degrees in mathematics and philosophy from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and a Master's degree in computer science from Carnegie Mellon University (CMU). Find Mark at savingforcollege.com LINKS Mark's extensive catalog of college financial aid books Special-Needs Students May Need An Extra $25,000+ For College College Preparation for Autistic Children ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

Humans may spend about a third of their lives asleep, but the average time at slumber dips dramatically during the teen years. Yet, the physical, mental, and emotional health of adolescents and young adults depends desperately on sufficient time to rest, recuperate, and dream. Amy and Mike invited program manager for Start School Later of Sleep 101 Kari Oakes to offer strategies for helping teens get the sleep they need. What are five things you will learn in this episode? How much sleep do teens need and are they getting it? How does inadequate sleep hurt a teen? What benefits accrue when a teen gets enough sleep? What can families do to support teens getting the sleep they need? What can school administrators and teachers do to support teens getting the sleep they need? MEET OUR GUEST Kari Oakes is a medical writer who also trained and has practiced as a physician assistant. She is on the Executive Committee of Start School Later, a grassroots, all-volunteer nonprofit that is dedicated to healthy, safe, equitable school hours, and she is the program manager for Start School Later of Sleep 101, an award-winning, online, interactive sleep health education curriculum for high school and college students. Kari, who currently lives in Middleton, Wisconsin, is also the mother of two young adult children, and reluctantly woke them as early as 5:50 a.m. for a 6:20 am bus and 7:17 high school start time. Find Kari at [email protected] LINKS Sleep 101 Start School Later - Helping Your Teen get More Sleep ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

Techniques such as hypnosis and neuro-linguistic programming can be used to quell anxiety, sharpen focus, and boost performance. So why do so few educators know about how these skills and interventions can improve test taking outcomes? Amy and Mike invited test prep professional Bara Sapir to share some mental techniques for peak test performance. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What are some mental enhancement techniques that allow us to be present in a pivotal moment? Which mental enhancement techniques can be leveraged in the short term? Why is the flow state so desirable during testing? How can neuro-linguistic programming help reframe negative beliefs? What is a surprising yet effective way to deal with a moment of panic? MEET OUR GUEST Bara Sapir, CEO/Founder of City Test Prep, is an internationally recognized expert in high-performance coaching, personal empowerment, and transformative test preparation. She has over 20 years of experience in the test preparation field, including six years as an instructor for The Princeton Review Bara is a pioneer bringing holistic, mindful human potential techniques to the test preparation field, including teaching students effective ways to stay calm, focused and able to recall material learned. She does this through hypnosis, neuro-linguistic programming, tapping, integrated life coaching, mindfulness, and more. Sapir is the co-author of The Full Potential GMAT Sentence Correction Intensive, published by Nova Press, creator of the HypnoPrep™ method and the Full Potential™ audio series. All these products help students optimize test-taking results and professional success by reducing anxiety and enhancing concentration, confidence, and ease. This approach works as a complement to any content-based study program and will work to help students beyond content mastery and test-taking strategy. Her Full Potential™ audio series is a unique interactive audio training for SAT, GRE, GMAT, LSAT, and other standardized tests, designed to inspire relaxation and improve test scores. Sapir also innovated MindFlow, a mindful speed reading workshop that has increased students' verbal scores an average of 13% and their reading speed up to 5x.. Bara's test prep expertise has been featured in the media, including The Wall Street Journal, Business Because, CBS Bay Sunday, Cosmogirl, Women's World, Next Step, CNN/Fortune Magazine's online blog and Positive Thinking, National Public Radio (NPR), WBAI, and on Karen Salmonson's Lime Satellite Radio program, Be Happy...Dammit!. Bara holds masters degrees in education from the Jewish Theological Seminary and in art history from the University of Michigan. She also has certifications in hypnosis, Integrative Life Coaching, Reiki, neurolinguistic programming (NLP) and Interchange Counseling. lectures and conducts workshops for students, parents, educators, business people, and creative professionals seeking high-performance results at school, work, and in life. Find Bara at https://citytestprep.com LINKS The Full Potential GMAT Sentence Correction Intensive ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

NACAC's Code of Ethics and Professional Practices (CEPP) establish guidelines for college admissions conduct that most colleges voluntarily observe. In 2019, the organization voted to remove three provisions believed to inhibit competition among colleges for students. How will this change college recruiting practices? Amy and Mike invited past president of NACAC Patrick O'Connor to explain the implications of 2020 changes in admissions rules. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is Early Decision and how has the ED system changed? How do applicants and colleges benefit from Early Decision? How binding are Early Decision and Early Action? What has changed in deadlines for commitment? Why should we expect a wild summer for counselors and college-bound students alike? MEET OUR GUEST Patrick O'Connor is associate dean of college counseling at Cranbrook Kingswood School in metropolitan Detroit. A past president of NACAC and Michigan ACAC, Patrick also teaches Counseling in the College Selection Process as both a graduate class and professional development program. In 2017-18, he served as the inaugural School Counselor Ambassador Fellow with the US Department of Education, keeping the Department informed of current trends and issues of interest to school counselors. Patrick is the author of five books on college counseling, including the highly acclaimed College Counseling for School Counselors and the College is Yours series. He also writes regularly for HS Counselor Week, and Admissions Intel, with other work appearing in The Washington Post, USA Today, The Christian Science Monitor, and Diverse: Issues in Higher Education. He is on the board of directors for the Michigan College Access Network, serves as the co-founder and co-editor of the Journal of College Access, and has recently served on the board of The Common Application, and the credentialing commission for the American Institute of Certified Educational Planners. A member of the Political Science Faculty at Oakland Community College, Patrick is a recipient of the Outstanding Faculty Award from Oakland Community College, the Margaret Addis Service to NACAC Award, NACAC's Government Relations Award, and the William Gramenz Award (for outstanding contributions to college counseling in Michigan.) He holds five college degrees, including a Ph.D. in Education Administration, and is the first member of his family to graduate from college. Find Patrick at collegeisyours.com LINKS NACAC's Code of Ethics and Professional Practices (CEPP) Changes in College Admissions Deadlines Mean Changes for Counselors College counselor to parents: Relax Benefits of Applying Early Decision at High Point University ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

While we always expect standardized test scores to reflect general academic achievement, these metrics often diverge dramatically. When students underperform on tests, they--and their parents--often conclude that they are just "bad test takers." But is that even a thing? Amy and Mike invited test prep professional and author Moshe Ohayon to clarify what it means to be a bad test taker. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Is it possible to be a bad test taker? What are the signs of a bad test taker? How does one become a good test taker, if that's even possible? What do the differences between tennis and ping pong have to do with testing? What does social equity and access have to do with test taking ability? MEET OUR GUEST Moshe Ohayon has been working in the tutoring and test prep industry for over 20 years. He is the author of the award-winning strategy guide, The ACT for Bad Test Takers and the developer of the ACT preparation app PrepSharp. Moshe holds degrees from Columbia University, the University of Louisville, and Harvard University. After years of operating a successful tutoring and test prep company, Moshe became disillusioned with the tremendous educational advantage that is all too often only available to those from financially-privileged backgrounds. He founded Educational Justice and Equitas Prep to help level the educational playing field for under-resourced students. Find Moshe at EquitasPrep.com LINKS PrepSharp App The ACT for Bad Test Takers Educational Justice ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

In a perfect world, every student would commit to exactly the kind of test prep program he or she needs to confidently reach or exceed SAT & ACT score goals. However, in the world we live in, most families have no idea what an ideal test prep program should even look like. Amy and Mike invited test prep professional Evan Wessler to illuminate how test prep tutoring should work. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Why is test prep necessary? What are some fundamentals any test prep program should include? Is individual tutoring always the best option? What is the right timeline for testing and preparation? Is more prep always better? MEET OUR GUEST A Long Island, NY native and Pittsburgh, PA transplant since 2016, Evan Wessler has been tutoring and teaching in one way or another since high school. After graduating summa cum laude with a degree in biology from Bucknell University, Evan spent a brief period in Harvard University's Biomedical & Biological Sciences Ph.D. program before deciding to pursue a different path. In 2009, he joined Method Test Prep as an ACT/SAT/academic tutor. Soon after, he took on additional responsibilities within the organization, including managing the tutoring team, developing educational content, and expanding the reach of Method Test Prep's private tutoring and online services. Ten years later, he remains involved in many facets of the organization as it continues to grow. Evan's extensive experience in analyzing and teaching the ACT and SAT has helped him develop keen insight into what works in test prep and what doesn't. As an educator and advisor, Evan is passionate about using this knowledge to prime students for success. This includes establishing realistic goals and practical plans for achieving them. He strongly believes that test prep is about much more than questions and answers: it's a process that demands careful thought, deliberate planning, and steady work. Find Evan at https://methodtestprep.com/ LINKS SAT & ACT Tutoring is Not Sliced Chicken 7 Things Parents Need to Know About the ACT and SAT ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

"Grit" is definitely one of this decade's biggest buzzwords in education. However, many people use this term without a clear sense of what grit really means or how to cultivate it. Amy and Mike invited researcher and author Laila Y. Sanguras to explain how to bring grit to the testing and admissions process. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What exactly is grit? Why are passion and perseverance essential to reaching high levels of success ? How can parents, educators, and counselors cultivate grit? What is the difference between productive and unproductive success and failure? What does it mean to say that developing grit is a long game? MEET OUR GUEST Laila Y. Sanguras, Ph.D., is a lecturer in the department of Curriculum and Instruction at Baylor University. Dr. Sanguras' areas of teaching include psychology of learning, educational evaluation, and educational research. Her primary scholarly interest is on the development of psychosocial skills, particularly grit and coping, and how teachers and parents can support their children to succeed academically and personally. She has written books for teachers and parents focused on strategies they can use to cultivate grit in their students. She also just released a student planner that is full of activities for students to set goals, rethink failure, and explore their interests. Dr. Sanguras works closely with school districts and parent organizations to bring research to practice. She also presents at numerous professional conferences and enjoys mentoring students on their personal research projects. Laila is the author of Grit in the Classroom: Building Perseverance for Excellence in Today's Students, Raising Children With Grit: Parenting Passionate, Persistent, and Successful Kids, and other works. Find Laila at https://www.andstillweteach.com/ LINKS Laila's catalog of books Duckworth's Grit Scale ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

Most high schoolers are highly motivated to attend and maybe even graduate college. If only they'd bring the same fervor to the steps needed to get to college! Amy and Mike invited test prep professional Pranoy Mohapatra to discuss what motivates students and how to engage them. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Where does motivation start and what motivates most teens? What can be done to help drive students who lack or lose motivation? Why is motivating students to care about the right thing so important? Does motivation even matter that much on tasks like test prep? What role can shame play in motivating effort? MEET OUR GUEST Pranoy Mohapatra began tutoring as a high school sophomore for a local company after finding joy in helping classmates at the Academy of Allied Health and Sciences study for tests. Pranoy found he learned by teaching and explaining concepts to reinforce them, and often viewed standardized tests as puzzles. He continued to tutor through college and his first year in medical school, before leaving medical school and officially starting his tutoring company PMTutoring LLC in 2015. Pranoy's approach to test prep focuses on in depth understanding and recognition of concepts, as he found the "memorize and regurgitate" methods taught in many classes frustrating. His objective is to provide the tools necessary for any student with goals the opportunity to reach them. Find Pranoy at www.PMTutoring.com ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

While you may be able to uncover hundreds of Catholic and Christian universities in your college searches, you'll only find a select number of Jesuit schools. These universities, however, tend to stand out from the crowd in terms of reputation, satisfaction, and overall academic excellence. Amy and Mike invited Xavier University Regional Recruitment Director Trace Althoff to extol the virtues of attending a Jesuit university. What are five things you will learn in this episode? How many Jesuit universities are there and where can they be found? What is the hallmark of a classic Jesuit education? What differentiates Jesuit schools from the broader category of Catholic schools? What are the academic, social, and financial advantages of attending a Jesuit university? Should students who aren't Catholic have concerns about attending a Jesuit university? LINKS Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities http://www.ajcunet.edu/institutions MEET OUR GUEST Trace Althoff has practically spent his whole life within the sphere of Jesuit education. He attended a Jesuit high school, graduated from a Jesuit college and has worked at several Jesuit colleges in admissions, including Loyola University of Chicago and currently Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. To say that he is passionate about the benefits of a Jesuit education is an understatement. Find Trace at https://www.xavier.edu/admission/ ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

Isn't it funny how we expect students to study and understand really complex material while using really basic study skills? Educators should prepare their students for advanced learning by understanding and sharing advanced learning techniques. Amy and Mike invited academic life coach Gretchen Wegner to share tips on how to teach students to study effectively. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What does your body have to do with your ability to learn? What and why educators need to practice? How students can avoid being bored while learning? Why telling a teen what to think might not be working? What are the three steps of the study cycle? MEET OUR GUEST Gretchen Wegner is an Academic Life Coach who inspires students to uncover their true identities as capable, clever, and creative learners in school and life. She is an internationally recognized expert in how to destressify school by building their executive function skills, teaching teens a unique system for time management, organization and studying called The Anti-Boring Approach to Powerful Studying™. Not only has Gretchen coached hundreds of students in middle school through grad school, she now trains educators all over the world in her unique, powerful, and research-based system for transforming students into voracious, organized learners through her signature courses The Art of Inspiring Students to Study Strategically and the Anti-Boring Approach™ Coach Training Program. A former Fulbright Fellow, Gretchen has a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction and was a credentialed middle and high school teacher. She is also the inventor of the MuseCubes™, a productivity toy that helps people — quite literally! — shake their brains free when they're feeling stuck. Always an advocate of playful rigor in school and in life, she is also a public speaker, improvisational performer, lindy hop dancer, backpacker, and proud resident of Oakland, California. Gretchen is the cohost of The College Prep Podcast, one of the longest running and consistently posted podcasts about how students can prepare themselves to get into the college of their dreams. Find Gretchen at www.gretchenwegner.com ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

Every October, approximately 3.5 million high schoolers take the PSAT/NMSQT, but a significantly smaller percentage of the population understands exactly why! Amy and Mike invited test prep professional and author Brian Stewart to explain both the PSAT and the National Merit Scholarship. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is the PSAT and why should a student take it? What is the National Merit Scholarship? How does the Selection Index differ from a PSAT or SAT score? Do colleges care about National Merit Scholarship recognition? How much scholarship is at stake through the PSAT? MEET OUR GUEST At the end of his first year teaching Social Studies at Dublin Jerome High School, company founder Brian Stewart thought it would make sense to do some part-time tutoring work over the summer. After all, he had done quite well on standardized tests when he was in high school and really enjoyed coming up with creative ways to explain challenging concepts to students. Other companies charged a fortune and didn't seem to have a high-quality product. As Brian worked with more students, word spread about the quality of his tutoring services. He started to offer ACT and SAT test prep group classes, and worked with students from all over Central Ohio. In 2011, Brian left his day job to run BWS Education Consulting full time with his wife Caitlin. Applying the expertise from her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy, Caitlin has ensured that our teaching materials and methods make high-quality test preparation accessible to students of all backgrounds and ability levels. In 2012, Barron's Educational Series contacted Brian about submitting samples of his writing as they conducted a national search for their next ACT book author. Brian was chosen to write Barron's ACT, and has gone on to write several ACT, SAT, and PSAT books with Barron's Educational Series. His books have sold hundreds of thousands of copies worldwide. In 2014, BWS Education expanded to have associate tutors who teach not only the ACT and SAT, but tutor students in math, science, and writing. Brian and Caitlin personally interview and train every tutor on our staff to ensure they are the best in the business. BWS is a team of committed educators who relentlessly look for the best way to deliver educational enrichment to our clients, whether it's test prep, academic help, or college admission counseling. Find Brian at https://www.bwseducationconsulting.com/ LINKS Brian's PSAT Book: Barron's PSAT/NMSQT 1520 Why take the PSAT? PSAT and Scholarships ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

Everyone knows that school visits are an important and often enjoyable part of the college admissions process. Unfortunately, not everyone knows how to make this process worthwhile. Amy and Mike invited independent educational consultant Jodi Rosenshein Atkin to share serious tips on making the most of college visits. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What makes school visits important for students in terms of both fit and admissions? What is a "Goldilocks visit" dry run? What should be done before, during, and after to make a school visit effective? Why does the tone of the information session matter? What questions should you ask student tour leaders? MEET OUR GUEST Jodi Rosenshein Atkin is an independent educational consultant in private practice. She holds a BA and MA from the University of Rochester in Psychology, and has over 20 years of experience in educational and clinical settings. Her first career focused on working with individuals and families living with learning challenges. She is a professional member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association, as well as a member of the National Association of College Admissions Counselors, New York State Association of College Admissions Counselors and Higher Education Consultants Association. Her practice is entering its seventh season. During that time, she has visited almost 200 college campuses in 15 different states! Jodi is committed to finding a "best fit" school for every student, considering academic, financial, social and cultural factors. It's about more than the mascot and the sweatshirt; it's about finding the places that each student can thrive and grow, making the most of their higher education investment. Finding the right school is a journey, not a race to some imaginary finish line. Jodi is a frequent guest speaker at libraries, schools, podcasts and webinars. Her insights have been featured in publications nationally, including the Wall Street Journal, Rochester Democrat & Chronicle, Teen Vogue, Rochester Business Journal, and The Deseret News (Utah). She has also presented to professional groups, including the NYS Association of College Admissions Counselors. She and her husband, Louis, have four adult children and live in Rochester, NY with their golden doodle, Dustin. Find Jodi at www.jodiratkin.com ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

Despite their value, the SAT and ACT have always been the tests people love to hate. But do the test makers themselves--considering all the good works they do--deserve this same level of contempt? Amy and Mike invited Ben Sexton of Sexton Test Prep to clarify what College Board and ACT are doing right. What are five things you will learn in this episode? How do predictive validity research supports the value of the SAT in admissions decisions? Why does Khan Academy delivers such valuable free test preparation? How do the testng organizations improve access through fee waivers and scholarships? Why do ACT's strengths in test security and consistency helps students? How do the tests effectively assess relevant skills and knowledge? MEET OUR GUEST A resident of Dover, MA, Ben Sexton graduated with a Philosophy degree from Skidmore College in 2004 and has been working in the tutoring and test preparation industry ever since. After running a one-man show from 2005-2012, Ben began Sexton Test Prep in earnest in 2012, when he attracted his wife as a manager and began hiring tutors. Since then, Sexton Test Prep has expanded to a company of 20 employees that serves nearly 500 students each year through its mix of one-one tutoring, classes, and bootcamps. Ben writes all of the SAT/ACT curriculum for STP and continues tutoring heavily, with a client load of 28-32 weekly students. Ben also earned his M.Ed. in Educational Research, Measurement, and Evaluation (ERME) from the Lynch School of Education at Boston College in 2014. When not working, he enjoys watching football, investing, collectibles, poker, telling bad jokes, and spending time with his wife Sarah, his sons Wyatt and Drew, and their dog, Beso. Find Ben at https://www.sextontestprep.com/ ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

When people think of colleges, the names that come to mind are very often those of large public universities. But how many teens can handle attending schools with populations larger than their own hometowns? You'd be surprised! Amy and Mike invited The Ohio State University Admissions Counselor Keith Lofton to expand upon the benefits of attending a large public university. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Are students typically overwhelmed by the size of a huge university? How does it feel to attend a school that cultivates a powerful culture or school spirit? What are the advantages of attending college at a large public university? What kind of student thrives at a large public university? Are select opportunities for honors students typically available at this type of school? MEET OUR GUEST Keith Lofton is an admissions counselor at The Ohio State University. He lives in the Cleveland area and works from The Ohio State University Cleveland Recruitment Center, servicing 9 counties in Northeastern Ohio. Keith is a graduate of The Ohio State University and has seen his alma mater, a land grant institution in Ohio and one of the nation's largest public universities, transform from a non-selective to a highly selective institution over the past decade. The Ohio State University is now one of the most competitive institutions in the state of Ohio and the nation. Keith has served in Undergraduate Admissions as the Cleveland representative for the past seven years and has worked to help get students to and through Ohio State University since 2001. Find Keith at https://www.osu.edu/ ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

Testing may be an individual endeavor, but test prep is very much a team sport. People often focus on the essential roles of educators, counselors, and other external supports, but what about dear old mom and dad? Amy and Mike invited test prep professional Alexis Avila to explain how parents can best support students in test prep. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What are helicopter, snowplow, curling, and absentee landlord parents? How much pressure is the right amount of pressure? How do parents alleviate--or exacerbate--test anxiety? Why are research and planning so important for parents? How can parents establish an early foundation for test success? MEET OUR GUEST Frequently quoted by U.S. News & World Report, Alexis Avila founded Prepped and Polished to help elementary, secondary, college-level, and adult students improve their grades and test scores. While tutoring for several small and large commercial test prep companies, Alexis envisioned growing his own independent educational services company run entirely by educators, for the love of education. Alexis and other members of the Prepped and Polished team have collectively traveled one hundred thousand miles to educate students in person, working with well over a thousand families. Described by students as supportive, patient, and enthusiastic, Alexis has helped students and adults gain confidence, maximize their academic potential, and achieve dramatically improved grades and test scores. Alexis is a certified school guidance counselor, grades Pre K-12, and holds a Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (a US News ranked top-five Counseling Psychology program), as well as a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. Alexis also spent his junior year living in Seville, Spain through the Cornell, Pennsylvania, University of Michigan study abroad program. Alexis completed a two day seminar in Executive Function disorder, as well as a one day seminar on Advanced Strategies to Improve Executive Function Skills, all through the Landmark School Outreach Program. Alexis regularly speaks nationally about tutoring, test preparation, and students with learning challenges to parents and professionals at schools and conferences across the US, including SEPAC organizations in Dover, Sudbury, and Wayland, MA, as well as the IECA and CollegeWeek Live. Alexis writes and produces videos for his educational blog, which has over 300 videos and podcasts. He interviews educators, mentors, and inspiring leaders on his Prepped and Polished Podcast, which has over 200 episodes. Find Alexis at www.preppedandpolished.com LINKS How to support your child during test prep Where You Go Is Not Who You'll Be: An Antidote to the College Admissions Mania by Frank Bruni Alexis Avila's interview with Frank Bruni Helicopter Parenting (podcast) ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

Earning straight A's once signified levels of academic excellence and diligence unattainable by most students. Do these grades still mean as much when 40% or more of the class carries the same perfect average? Amy and Mike invited test prep professional Brian Eufinger to explore the reality of grade inflation. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What does it mean when more than half of students at a school have A averages? How common are C-level grades at public and private schools? How can high school grade inflation harm a student's college admissions process? What role do parents play in driving grade inflation? Why are standardized test scores essential in identifying grade inflation? MEET OUR GUEST Brian Eufinger graduated with honors from Washington University in St. Louis in May 2004. While an undergrad, he enjoyed working as a teaching assistant for Political Science 101, a resident advisor (RA) and as a volunteer paramedic with WashU's Emergency Support Team. He is an active member of Washington University's Young Alumni chapter in Atlanta, as well as the WashU Alumni Admissions Interviewer Program. Brian is frequently invited to speak about test prep, college admissions, and scholarships at PTSA meetings at Atlanta-area high schools as well as Edison Prep's free parent meetings. Find Brian at https://www.edisonprep.com/ LINKS When your GPA doesn't equal your GPA Does an "A" mean anything anymore? Investigating the School-Level Relationship Between ACT Scores and High School GPA Do No-Zero Policies Help or Hurt Students? Why we need norm-referenced tests Elite Prep Schools in L.A. and Across the U.S. Are Brazenly Inflating Grades ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.