Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast

About 66% of American students FAIL to earn their bachelor's degrees in four years. Yet, those extra years of college come at a tremendous cost. Amy and Mike invited educational consultant Edie Steele to explore the benefits and challenges around finishing a four-year degree on time. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Why does finishing a four-year degree on time matter? What academic issues keep students from finishing college on time? What credit and career planning issues keep students from finishing college on time? What role do or should colleges play in facilitating on-time completion? How can parents prepare high schoolers to finish their degrees on time? MEET OUR GUEST Edie Steele's expertise was honed as an Academic Advisor and Student Retention Director at diverse colleges and universities. Her Ph.D. in Educational Policy, Planning and Leadership from the College of William and Mary enabled Edie to understand key factors driving student success, and the larger forces that shape and define the American higher education system. Her Master's degree in Counselor Education from the University of Virginia strengthened Edie's skills in supporting individual students. Edie's background includes Career Exploration with students and Admissions Counseling positions at the graduate and undergraduate levels. Edie now coaches students privately through Finish in Four, LLC with a simple goal of helping students finish college on time. With high school and college students in tailored sessions, remotely and in person, she works to identify potential roadblocks, teach students how to navigate college structures, and provide strategies for academic, social and career success. Edie also presents to groups of parents and students about academic success and a dream of a college education pursued the right way: on time and on budget! Find Edie Steele at www.finishin4.org ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

Far too often, we evaluate math ability in high schoolers solely on the basis of grades and level of math learned. A more accurate assessment of a student's potential on challenging math tasks--including those posed on tests like the SAT and ACT--should consider mathematical maturity. Amy and Mike invited author and test prep professional Dr. Steve Warner to define what this means and explain the link between mathematical maturity and test success. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is mathematical maturity? How can you determine your "level" of mathematical maturity? Can mathematical maturity be improved? How does mathematical maturity relate to standardized test scores? What steps can students seeking higher levels of mathematical maturity take? MEET OUR GUEST Dr. Steve Warner, a New York native, earned his Ph.D. at Rutgers University in Pure Mathematics in May 2001. After Rutgers, Dr. Warner joined the Penn State Mathematics Department as an Assistant Professor and in September 2002, he returned to New York to accept an Assistant Professor position at Hofstra University. By September 2007, Dr. Warner had received tenure and was promoted to Associate Professor. He has taught undergraduate and graduate courses in Precalculus, Calculus, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Mathematical Logic, Set Theory, and Abstract Algebra. From 2003 – 2008, Dr. Warner participated in a five-year NSF grant, "The MSTP Project," to study and improve mathematics and science curriculum in poorly performing junior high schools. He also published several articles in scholarly journals, specifically on Mathematical Logic. Dr. Warner has nearly two decades of experience in general math tutoring and tutoring for standardized tests such as the SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, and AP Calculus exams. He has tutored students both individually and in group settings. In February 2010 Dr. Warner released his first SAT prep book "The 32 Most Effective SAT Math Strategies," and in 2012 founded Get 800 Test Prep. Since then Dr. Warner has written books for the SAT, ACT, SAT Math Subject Tests, AP Calculus exams, and GRE. In 2018 Dr. Warner released his first pure math book called "Pure Mathematics for Beginners." Since then he has released several more books, each one addressing a specific subject in pure mathematics. Dr. Steve Warner can be reached at [email protected] LINKS Gaining Mathematical Maturity Dr. Warner's extensive catalog of math prep books 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 involved even tangentially in college admissions understand that, while earning a college degree is expensive, the investment is well worth it on a variety of levels. But college is, by any metric, expensive! Amy and Mike invited college finance and planning expert Paul Celuch to discuss ways to recognize and deal with the rampant cost of college. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Are college applicants making rational economic choices? Do colleges seem out of touch with spending concerns of families? What is the significance of the term non-collateralized? Should career plans influence college choice? Do colleges pay special attention to full-pay applicants? MEET OUR GUEST Paul Celuch has 30 plus years of sales and marketing experience with IBM, Burroughs, MCI, and various telecommunications companies. He founded College Assistance Plus because of his love of people and his sincere wish to help families with this expensive, emotional purchase. Paul had put his two sons through college. During their college search and then financing their educations, Paul realized how involved the entire college journey was. More incredibly, he discovered how much college debt families across the country were incurring. After extensive research into, Paul and his business partner created College Assistance Plus to help parents of high school students through the college process, and developed a service that continues after ten years to guide parents toward a college choice that guarantees a great education and limits college debt. Find Paul at https://www.collegeassistanceplus.com/ ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

Why is it so difficult sometimes for professionals with overlapping competencies to collaborate or communicate even when they seek the same outcomes. Amy and Mike invited Cathy Charles Szendrey, who works as both a school-based and private college counselor, to explore how school and private college counselors can work together. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Why do school counselors often reject working with outside college consultants? Are there positive ways school counselors and private consultants can work together? Why should school counselors work with or refer outside counselors? What role does a student's family play in encouraging collaboration? Are there good reasons for families to engage private college consultants? MEET OUR GUEST Cathy Charles Szendrey has been counseling, coaching and advising students for twenty years. She began her career advising first generation students through the access group formerly known as Cleveland Scholarship. This opportunity trained her in the areas of college counseling, financial aid and scholarships for the most at risk students in the greater Cleveland area. Cathy then went onto become the Director of College Counseling at St. Ignatius High School, a nationally recognized all-male Jesuit High School. During her time at Ignatius, Cathy brought Naviance onboard, created college application classes, and co-created the Cleveland Urban plunge week. After leaving St. Ignatius, Cathy began her own private college admissions consulting business where she partnered with three innovative high schools in the Cleveland Municipal School district, mapping out their first graduation success plans. In this role, she took students on college tours, coordinated high stakes test prep, designed summer programs to develop and launch college applications, as well as informing administration and faculty about the process. Currently, Cathy has her feet in both worlds of high school college advising: she is a high school counselor at a suburban Cleveland high school and is a private college consultant who advises families on planning for college from 8th to 12th grade. Cathy's diverse experience has trained her in student planning for the best fit in academic classes ranging from Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, College dual enrollment and all other opportunities for course enrichment. She has consulted on sports, fine arts, and military recruitment processes. She also works with families needing assistance with IEP's, 504's and navigating the challenges of mental health issues for their child. Cathy is a passionate learner of all things counseling and considers it her lifelong calling. Find Cathy at https://www.guidanced.com/ ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

While all teenagers are alike in certain ways, those at the very top and very bottom of the socioeconomic spectrum share some disconcerting similarities. How are these peer groups connected and what can be done to help them? Amy and Mike invited psychiatrist Anthony Villani to bring clarity to the topic of anxiety and socioeconomic status. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What fascinating aspects of teen life has Dr.Suniya Luthar uncovered in her research? What behaviors do teens at the highest and lowest socioeconomic levels exhibit? Does gender enter into teen anxiety equation? How can parents, educators, and counselors mitigate these levels of teen anxiety? How does envy undermine teens in school? Learn more about this episode and our guest in the show notes at testsandtherest.com. MEET OUR GUEST Dr. Anthony Villani is a practicing psychiatrist, former school board member, parent of two teens, and college applicant interviewer. He's also a competitive math coach. ADDITIONAL LINKS Children of the Affluent: Challenges to Well-Being (Suniya S. Luthar and Shawn J. Latendresse) ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

The SAT and ACT have both been around for decades, but the two tests have never been more alike or universally accepted. How is a college-bound teen to choose? Amy and Mike invited test prep professional Heather Krey to help understand the relevant criteria in deciding between the SAT and ACT. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Why shouldn't students automatically default to a certain test? What math considerations influence test selection? What reading considerations influence test selection? What time management considerations influence test selection? What is the most accurate way to decide between the SAT and ACT? Learn more about this episode and our guest in the show notes at testsandtherest.com. MEET OUR GUEST Heather Krey is the director of Test Prep for Success, located in Allentown, PA. She has a background in engineering, psychology, and education, and has put that together to help hundreds of students do their best on the SAT and ACT. In addition to teaching SAT and ACT classes, Heather works with students one-on-one, either in person or through video chat, to help them meet their personal goals and get into their top choice colleges. Heather is currently developing a SAT/ACT combo test that high school students can take to determine which of the two tests is a better match for their academic strengths. Find Heather Krey at http://TP4S.com. ADDITIONAL LINKS How do the SAT and ACT differ? SAT vs. ACT: How do you decide? SAT/ACT Concordance Tables ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

Comprehensive college advising sets the foundation for college success, but not all students receive this guidance in equal measure. What kind of specific support do urban, rural, and first-generation students need, and who can and should provide it?. Amy and Mike invited school counselor Dr. Chris Tudico to help understand the topic of college advising for underserved populations. What are five things you will learn in this episode? How do underserved populations differ from majority populations in terms of college advising? What should comprehensive college counseling entail? What special needs do first-generation college aspirants have? How can colleges help students from underserved populations succeed? What does "intrusive advising" mean? MEET OUR GUEST Dr. Chris Tudico is the Director of College Counseling & Alumni Advising at Saint Martin de Porres, Cleveland's Cristo Rey High School. He has earned a PhD in Higher Education from the University of Pennsylvania, specializing in the study of the history of access to American higher education. Prior to assuming his role at Saint Martin, Dr. Tudico served as an Institutional Researcher at the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation in New York City and a College Advisor at College Now Greater Cleveland. ADDITIONAL LINKS What is a Cristo Rey High School? https://public.tableau.com/profile/third.way#!/vizhome/PellDeserts/PellDeserts http://collegeresults.org/ ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

Many of today's high school students somehow appear to cram 30 hours of academic, extracurricular, work, and social commitments into each of their 24-hour days. Is that frenzy of activity sustainable or even healthy? Amy and Mike invited school counselor Eric Domroes to analyze the need for bringing critical balance to high schoolers' lives. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What does balance mean for a high school student? Where does the pressure to do too much come from? What should students consider when planning for life after high school? Is balance just a euphemism for doing too much? How can counselors help students find balance? Learn more about this episode and our guest in the show notes at testsandtherest.com. MEET OUR GUEST Eric Domroes is a 21-year veteran educator and lead school counselor at Pittsford Mendon High School, which has the notable distinction of consistently achieving top academic standing in all of Upstate New York. His work developing a diversity of students gives him some unique perspectives on how best to support good planning and advocacy for student preparation for college and beyond. ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

Test preparation might be the least understood or explored multibillion dollar industry in the world. How has test prep--particularly in the realm of college admissions testing--changed, and how is the industry still changing? Amy and Mike invited educational consultant Kevin Organisciak to explore the state of the test prep industry in 2019. What are five things you will learn in this episode? In what ways is the test prep industry growing? What forms of test prep are students currently looking for? What new trends are emerging in test prep? Is local test prep going away? What might the future hold for the SAT and ACT? Learn more about this episode and our guest in the show notes at testsandtherest.com. MEET OUR GUEST Kevin Organisciak has been guiding educational service firms for over a decade. He was an executive at Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions where he earned company wide distinction in profitability AND student outcomes. While at Kaplan, Kevin created the industry's first Higher Score Guarantee (still in use). In 2009 Kevin founded The Association for Test Prep, Admissions, and Private Tutoring (TPAPT); since then TPAPT has helped over 1000 schools, learning franchises, and college prep firms scale, accelerate, or turn around their business. Kevin holds Master's degrees in Organizational Behavior and Educational Psychology. He is married with four kids and a dog. Find Kevin Organisciak at the TPAPT website: https://testprepprofessionals.com/. ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

Students have never had access to more or better digital SAT and ACT prep tools than they do right now. So why aren't everyone's scores skyrocketing? Amy and Mike invited test prep professional Tom Ehlers to explain how to make the most of online test prep. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What are the different forms of online prep? What are the benefits of self-paced digital prep and who best benefits from it? What features make the best self-paced digital prep tools? How can students make the most of self-paced online prep? How can educators help students make the most of self-paced online prep? Learn more about this episode and our guest in the show notes at testsandtherest.com. MEET OUR GUEST Tom Ehlers is the founder and president of Method Test Prep. He is a passionate believer in online learning and has spent the last 18 years developing effective teaching methods that have helped thousands of students significantly raise their ACT and SAT test scores. Over 1,000 schools around the world use Method Test Prep's online learning platform to provide all students with access to effective ACT and SAT preparation and to help students improve their fundamental English and math skills. Tom works as an educational consultant to these schools to help them expand their online learning initiatives. Tom also trains dozens of groups of educators each year on how to encourage more students to take advantage of online learning tools as well as speaking to large groups of parents and students on the shift to online learning and how to benefit. Tom graduated with honors from Princeton University and also completed the prestigious Princeton University Teacher Preparation Program. Tom is proud of his role as an entrepreneur in the world of education. Since he started Method Test Prep, the organization has grown to 60 people whose mission is to help students and schools achieve more academically. Tom lives on Long Island in New York with his wife and twin 4th graders. Tom's hobbies include basketball, reading, tennis, podcasts, learning online, and travel. Find Tom Ehlers at https://www.methodtestprep.com/. ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

Is any aspect of college admissions more mystifying than the determination of financial aid? The concept of "need" and how different schools consider need in both admissions and aid decisions goes deeper than most people realize. Amy and Mike invited admissions consultant Jona Jacobson to bring clarity to the topic of need blind and need aware admissions. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What do the terms "need," "need blind," and "need aware" mean in college admissions? What is gapping? Do all colleges meet 100% of need? Does need or the lack thereof influence admissions decisions? What does it mean when schools claim that x% of students receive financial aid? Learn more about this episode and our guest in the show notes at testsandtherest.com. 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. Find Jona Jacobson at http://collegeadvisorusa.com. ADDITIONAL LINKS Information on how much students can borrow through guaranteed student loans FAFSA4Caster Student Loan Calculator ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

In communities across the United States, libraries deliver critical services to students and families on the road to college. Why do so few people recognize the essential role libraries can play in this process? Amy and Mike invited YA Librarian Deena Viviani to elucidate the role of libraries in testing and admissions. What are five things you will learn in this episode? In what ways do libraries support students preparing for the SAT and ACT? In what ways do libraries support students applying to college? How can professionals best work with libraries to offer these services? Do libraries welcome tutors and study groups? Why do libraries offer services and programs typically associated with schools? Learn more about this episode and our guest in the show notes at testsandtherest.com. MEET OUR GUEST Deena Viviani grew up in western New York with an older sister, younger brother, and parents who encouraged the creation of fictional worlds. She has a BS in Creative Writing and Communications from SUNY Brockport, and a Masters in Library Science from the University at Buffalo. By day she works as a Young Adult Services Librarian at the Brighton Memorial Library, and by night she dives into her manuscripts. Besides reading and writing, Deena is also a fan of traveling, Muppets, Project Runway, and baking gluten free recipes. She lives near her home town with her musician husband, curious daughter, and a large number of guitars, computers and, of course, books. Find Deena Viviani at her author's website: http://www.deenalipomi.com/. ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

Security at testing centers is almost as tight as screening at American airports. Yet, some test takers still find ways to cheat on the ACT or at least raise suspicions. Amy and Mike invited school counselor Desiree Rodriguez-Gould to explore to the process of ACT score review and validation. What are five things you will learn in this episode? How does ACT, Inc. handle score review and validation? What roles can counselors and test prep professionals play in the review process? How badly can ACT score cancellation impact some students? In what ways does the SAT score review process differ? What are some possible ways to avoid ACT and SAT score review? Learn more about this episode and our guest in the show notes at testsandtherest.com. MEET OUR GUEST Desiree Rodriguez-Gould, M.Ed, born and raised in the city of Cleveland, Ohio, is a first generation Latina college graduate and is passionate about college admissions and educational opportunities for all. She is currently the College Counselor at St. Edward High School. Desi is married to her husband Matt with two beautiful children, Maria and Joseph, plus an adorable Labradoodle, Riff. With a background in both college counseling and strong involvement in professional development organizations as well as a number of university advisory boards, Mrs. Rodriguez-Gould is an eager student and higher education advocate. ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

As long as institutions have required admissions tests, applicants have sought out more efficient and effective ways to prepare for them. Amy and Mike took some time to chat about some interesting aspects of the past, present, and future of test prep. Amy also shared how she got into test prep.. What are five things you will learn in this episode? How is the test prep landscape different today? How has college admissions changed over the years? Does geography influence test choice today as much as in the past? Why are admissions tests still important? What is Amy's professional nickname? Learn more about this episode and our guest in the show notes at testsandtherest.com. MEET OUR GUEST Amy Seeley is founder and president of Seeley Test Pros based out of Cleveland, OH. A formally certified and licensed secondary-education teacher, she received her degree from John Carroll University. She began her career in test preparation over 25 years ago working for Princeton Review. After gaining valuable knowledge and experience as a part-time tutor, she turned that passion into a career with Townsend Learning Centers. She quickly assumed the role of Director of Test Preparation Services, creating, managing and administering all aspects of Townsend's test preparation programs. After leaving Townsend in 2006, Amy began Seeley Test Preparation Services – meeting the test preparation needs of several hundred students annually in the Greater Cleveland area. As demand grew for Amy's assistance in improving test scores, Seeley Test Pros was born in 2012 with the addition of tutors trained in the successful methods and strategies of Amy's experience. Amy's knowledge of standardized tests is unsurpassed. Her methods and techniques for navigating through the ACT and SAT, as well as many other standardized exams, guarantee students who apply themselves and are committed to her methodology to obtain higher scores. "It takes 20 years to get as good as Amy!" writes one counselor. "I trust her with any one of my students." Amy has helped thousands of students over the years to achieve National Merit status, be admitted to highly selective colleges and universities, as well as to be awarded lucrative scholarships based on high test scores. Amy is a Magnificat High School alumna. She is the mother of five children, 3 of whom have successfully gone through the college admissions process. She and her family currently reside in Lakewood, OH. Find Amy at https://seeleytestpros.com/

The SAT and ACT are now offered throughout all four seasons, with tests available nearly every month of the year. That doesn't mean, however, that every test date is equally auspicious for a busy high schooler. Amy and Mike took some time to discuss all of the factors that determine when a student should sit for the big tests and when the best time to take the SAT and ACT might be. Mike also shared how he got into test prep.. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Does test preparation really help? When should high schoolers plan to prep for and take the SAT and/or ACT? How does this philosophy differ from the old testing paradigm? What scheduling challenges should be considered during test planning? How do Mike's kids feel about his expertise as an educator? Learn more about this episode and our guest in the show notes at testsandtherest.com.