collegepreppodcast's podcast

back to school in the fall. 

This summer Erin will focus on building skills that will help students in the present and are essential to transition to a functioning adult. Today's focus: habits. 

Learn

• How do you make change? 
• How do you know you are ready? 
• How do we form habits? 

Here are some resources mentioned:

The Power of Habit - Charles Duhigg 

Atomic Habits - ...

Megan and Erin kick off their summer with shorter episodes. Listen now or save them up and listen when you get back to school in the fall. 

This summer Megan will focus on different college application essay topics, pinpointing common pitfalls and offering suggestions for strong responses. Today's essay challenge: "Why do you want to apply HERE?

— Responses should go beyond superficial likes such as location, good weathe...

Megan and Erin discussed how to build a rigorous but manageable high school schedule that balances academic rigor with student well-being.

College Course Planning Strategy

Megan and Erin discussed building a rigorous but manageable school schedule, emphasizing that colleges evaluate both grades and course difficulty when reviewing applications. They highlighted the importance of balancing strong gr...

Megan and Erin discussed a challenging college admission situation involving a student with strong academic credentials (1520 SAT, 4.0 GPA, all A's) who was rejected by highly competitive schools despite thorough preparation and professional guidance. The student ultimately gained admission to a school with rolling admissions that better suited his needs, though his parents and mentor experienced disappointment and felt personally ...

Megan and Erin discussed the importance of utilizing PSAT results to identify areas for improvement and prepare for future standardized tests. They explain how to access and interpret PSAT scores, focusing on analyzing specific subject areas rather than just the overall score. Megan emphasizes the value of reviewing results early, particularly for high-achieving students who could potentially qualify for National Merit Scholarships...

Megan and Erin discussed Erin's recent experience at South by Southwest, where she attended sessions focused on AI in education and executive function coaching.

Executive Function Coaching Certification Discussion

Erin and Megan discussed the importance of using accurate vocabulary when talking about executive function and the challenges of identifying qualified coaches. Erin shared insights from a...

Megan and Erin discussed five key actions families can take throughout high school to make college admissions easier, emphasizing actions families can take from freshman year through junior year. Megan highlighted the importance of consistent planning and outlined key tasks for each year, while Erin shared insights and actionable items. They agreed on the value of starting early and maintaining a steady approach throughout high sch...

Today Megan and Erin answer a listener question about online classes and brainstorm ideas for students, parents, and educators to help avoid a schedule full of unwanted online college classes.

Laurie wrote:

I have noticed a trend the past two years that is frustrating the students I work with and I would love to hear your and Erin's perspectives and thoughts. Out of about dozen college freshman that I worked with last year, 8 of th...

Megan and Erin discuss common surprising college rejections and how to avoid them. College rejections are often based on numerical limitations rather than personal judgment, but they still hurt. While some rejection is expected with competitive admissions, there are some steps parents and students can take to minimize disappointment.

Preventable Mistakes

Megan and Erin discussed preventable mistake...

Megan and Erin discuss the importance of not rushing to decide a college major, especially for high school students who may not have been exposed to all possible fields of study. Many students change their majors during college and that the degree itself is less important than the skills and experiences gained. Some key issues:

• Choosing a college major as a high school senior can cause unnecessary stress,...

Join us as Megan and Erin discussed how parents can determine if their children are working hard enough, particularly in the context of academic performance and test preparation. There isn't a one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as it depends on the individual student and their goals, but there are some things parents can consider. We want to see our kids succeed and teach habits that will serve them well in the long run, ra...

Join Megan and Erin as they discuss how students can compare and make decisions about college offers, focusing on financial considerations and program offerings. It can be difficult to make that final decision. Families can start evaluating offers by

• create a pros and cons list for each school, considering factors like location, specialized programs, and affordability
• evaluate the financial aid packages, ...

Join Megan and Erin as they discuss strategies for maximizing college scholarship dollars while avoiding scams.

Scholarship Search Tools Overview

Megan and Erin discussed scholarship search tools, with Megan recommending several legitimate scholarship aggregators and advised listeners to be cautious of sites that charge fees for applications, as legitimate scholarship programs do not require paymen...

simply sending application material and essays to the admissions office. This week Megan is joined by Darren Sacks, a professional double bassist and music college admissions expert to discuss key aspects of music education and the audition preparation.

Darren shares:

• the importance of early music lessons and private instruction quality
• participation in youth orchestras and summer festivals
• the significan...

In this episode, Megan and Erin dive into practical financial literacy topics students need to understand before and during college. Their discussion centers on managing money in an increasingly cashless world, avoiding common student loan mistakes, and building credit responsibly.

Using real-life examples from their own families and experiences with students, they highlight how small financial decisions in college can have long-te...