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Tests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastEXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: July 2025The Tests and the Rest podcast has always been relentlessly focused on exploring important topics in testing, admissions, education, and learning with amazing expert guests. Sometimes, though, we enjoy an unstructured opportunity to discuss our takes on major issues, upcoming events, and our endeavors at the intersection of business and education. Catch up with us in the latest episode of EXTEMP with Amy & Mike. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What have Amy and Mike been up to this month? Why is summer always so busy? What’s...2025-07-3126 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastHOW MUCH AI IS JUST RIGHT IN THE COLLEGE ESSAY?Smart college applicants know not to let artificial intelligence agents write their entire personal statement but might shudder at the idea of ignoring these tools entirely. How much is too much? Amy and Mike invited educator Razi Hecker to explore how much AI is just right in the college essay. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Should students avoid AI entirely when writing their college application essays? At what points in the writing process can AI be most helpful? What tasks can be AI-assisted and which ones...2025-07-0127 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastEXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: June 2025The Tests and the Rest podcast has always been relentlessly focused on exploring important topics in testing, admissions, education, and learning with amazing expert guests. Sometimes, though, we enjoy an unstructured opportunity to discuss our takes on major issues, upcoming events, and our endeavors at the intersection of business and education. Catch up with us in the latest episode of EXTEMP with Amy & Mike. What are five things you will learn in this episode? How was the NTPA Conference in Minneapolis? Where did Mike go after Minneapolis? What projects are Mike...2025-06-2726 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastHOW TO PLAN A GAP YEARMost students matriculate directly from high school to college. But what if you’re not like most students? Amy and Mike invited education consultant Julia Rogers to explore how to plan a gap year. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Is there a typical profile of "who" takes a gap year? What are the biggest benefits of taking a gap year to this particular sub-generation of students? How does a student get started with planning a gap year? What steps should students and families take to...2025-06-1725 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastHOW CAN PAST POOR DECISIONS AFFECT COLLEGE ADMISSIONS?To err is human, which makes adolescence a particularly intense expression of the human condition. Yes, we all make mistakes, but some are more glaring and likely to impact acceptance than others. But which ones? Amy and Mike invited student advocates Susan Stone and Kristina Supler to clarify how past poor decisions can affect college admissions. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What kinds of past poor decisions might hurt admissions chances? Can criminal charges prevent someone from getting into college? How can social misconduct impact college a...2025-05-2725 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastEXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: May 2025The Tests and the Rest podcast has always been relentlessly focused on exploring important topics in testing, admissions, education, and learning with amazing expert guests. Sometimes, though, we enjoy an unstructured opportunity to discuss our own takes on major issues, upcoming events, and our endeavors at the intersection of business and education. Catch up with us in the latest episode of EXTEMP with Amy & Mike. What are five things you will learn in this episode? How was the IECA Conference in Detroit? Was our presentation on Scaling Your Practice well received? ...2025-05-1626 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastENROLLING IN A TRADE SCHOOLNot everyone assumes that life after high school automatically entails immediate enrollment in college. Many teens graduate ready to pursue a more practical education. Amy and Mike invited education market researcher Brady Colby to explain the implications of enrolling in a trade school. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What exactly is a trade school? What are recent trends for trade schools? Why might trade schools be getting more popular? How should parents or guidance advisors incorporate trades into post-high school planning? Are the...2025-05-0626 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastTRUE COLLEGE ROIOne should not take on what is potentially the biggest expense of a lifetime lightly. Motivated students can absolutely make sure college pays off academically, socially, and emotionally; financially, though, can be a big question mark. Amy and Mike invited educator Gage Mersereau to define the concept of true college ROI. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What does ROI mean in the context of college? What are the major factors to determine your true college investment? Why should plans after graduation factor into college plans? 2025-04-2924 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastEXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: April 2025The Tests and the Rest podcast has always been relentlessly focused on exploring important topics in testing, admissions, education, and learning with amazing expert guests. Sometimes, though, we enjoy an unstructured opportunity to discuss our own takes on major issues, upcoming events, and our endeavors at the intersection of business and education. Catch up with us in the latest episode of EXTEMP with Amy & Mike. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What have Amy and Mike been up to in the last month? How is Amy using ChatGPT? 2025-04-2531 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastA TEST TAKER’S PERSPECTIVE ON THE ENHANCED ACTThe ACT has been a remarkably stable exam, administered in roughly the same way for decades. However, a new version is on the horizon, and some intrepid souls have braved the uncertainty of the field test to experience it. Amy and Mike invited someone who sat for the April 2025 Enhanced ACT to share the test taker’s perspective. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What were your general impressions about the enhanced ACT test experience in the digital format? What did you find to be the same on the en...2025-04-2233 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastGETTING READY FOR THE AP ECONOMICS EXAMThe Advanced Placement exams represent some of the most challenging subject-specific standardized tests a high schooler might ever take, and AP Economics is no exception. Amy and Mike believe that every test warrants smart, serious preparation, so we invited educator Michael Rodriguez to share valuable strategies, insights, and resources for getting ready for the AP Economics exam. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is tested on the Macro vs Micro AP Economics exam? How do students score points on the AP Economics exam? What are the h...2025-04-1825 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastGETTING READY FOR THE AP PRECALCULUS EXAMThe Advanced Placement exams represent some of the most challenging subject-specific standardized tests a high schooler might ever take, and AP Precalculus is no exception. Amy and Mike believe that every test warrants smart, serious preparation, so we invited educator Joey Lin to share valuable strategies, insights, and resources for getting ready for the AP Precalculus exam. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is tested on the AP Precalculus exam? How do students score points on the AP Precalculus exam? What are the highest priority topics o...2025-04-1623 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastEXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: March 2025The Tests and the Rest podcast has always been relentlessly focused on exploring important topics in testing, admissions, education, and learning with amazing expert guests. Sometimes, though, we enjoy an unstructured opportunity to discuss our own takes on major issues, upcoming events, and our endeavors at the intersection of business and education. Catch up with us in the latest episode of EXTEMP with Amy & Mike. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What happened with the March SAT? How can test takers mitigate the impact of test cancellations? ...2025-03-2127 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastTHE THREE CORE EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS AND TEST PREPTraits like cognitive flexibility and impulse control strongly influence student grades and test scores to such an extent that they may be best learned in an academic context. Amy and Mike invited educator Ariel Lieberman to explore the relationship between the three core executive functions and test prep. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What are the core executive functions and why are they important? How do weak EF skills get in the way of a student’s test prep? Why is executive function best learned in a re...2025-03-1826 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastTHE DIGITAL SAT: HOW IT STARTED AND HOW IT’S GOINGA year ago, an innovative new digital adaptive SAT came to the United States–a year after its first appearance internationally. This is the perfect time to find out how College Board feels about both the obstacles and opportunities encountered over this historic transition. Amy and Mike invited Vice President of SAT Suite Program Maureen Forman to talk all about the digital SAT: how it started and how it’s going. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Looking back, what were the most substantial challenges in transforming the SAT to a digi...2025-03-0435 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastEXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: February 2025The Tests and the Rest podcast has always been relentlessly focused on exploring important topics in testing, admissions, education, and learning with amazing expert guests. Sometimes, though, we enjoy an unstructured opportunity to discuss our own takes on major issues, upcoming events, and our endeavors at the intersection of business and education. Catch up with us in the latest episode of EXTEMP with Amy & Mike. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Where did Amy and Mike go last month? What is keeping Mike and Amy busy professionally these days?2025-02-2128 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastTHE DEMOGRAPHIC CLIFF IS HEREThe entire edifice of higher education and industry depends on a steady flow of students coming in and qualified graduates flowing out. What happens to the system when the crucial input of applicants drops dramatically? Amy and Mike invited journalist Jon Marcus to answer that very question, because the dreaded demographic cliff is here. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What exactly is a demographic cliff? What have colleges done to prepare for a decline in applicants? Which schools are most and least threatened by the demographic c...2025-02-0426 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastTHE MOST COMMON NEUROMYTHSA widely held belief about brain function is that very little is truly understood in modern science. Unfortunately, most people probably know even less than they think! Amy and Mike invited education professional Gretchen Wegner to explore and debunk the most common neuromyths. What are five things you will learn in this episode? 1. What exactly is a neuromyth? 2. Is there one neuromyth that stands out over all the others? 3. What are some other common neuromyths? 4. Why is it so destructive to believe and teach neuromyths? 5. How do we e...2025-01-2828 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastEXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: January 2025A new year brings new excitement. The Tests and the Rest podcast has always been relentlessly focused on exploring important topics in testing, admissions, education, and learning with amazing expert guests. Sometimes, though, we enjoy an unstructured opportunity to discuss our own takes on major issues, upcoming events, and our endeavors at the intersection of business and education. Catch up with us in the latest episode of EXTEMP with Amy & Mike. What are five things you will learn in this episode? How were Amy and Mike’s holidays? What are our one word ma...2025-01-1729 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastEXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: December 2024The Tests and the Rest podcast has always been relentlessly focused on exploring important topics in testing, admissions, education, and learning with amazing expert guests. Once in a while, though, we enjoy an unstructured opportunity to discuss our own takes on major issues, upcoming events, and our endeavors at the intersection of business and education. Catch up with us in the latest episode of EXTEMP with Amy & Mike. What are five things you will learn in this episode? How was the NTPA Winter Workshop? How did Amy celebrate the end of Mike’s te...2024-12-2029 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastQUALITIES OF GREAT EDUCATORS AND COACHESJust about anyone can become an educator or coach, but can anyone become great at it? Amy and Mike invited educator Dan Lerman to enumerate the qualities of great educators and coaches. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What are the foundational qualities of a great tutor or coach? What can be taught to tutors and how? How do you know if you are not a great tutor or coach? Beyond a test, what does a great tutor teach? What is the current st...2024-12-1031 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastHOW TEST PREP PREPARES YOU FOR COLLEGEThe successful outcome of preparing for the SAT & ACT can yield a massive return on investment, but the real value lies in the process itself. Amy and Mike invited educator Rob Pollak to explore how test prep prepares you for college. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Is test prep all about tips and tricks? How is standardized test prep more than just preparation for one isolated exam? In what way does test prep challenge students to think more strategically about their learning and approach to studying?2024-11-2629 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastEXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: November 2024The Tests and the Rest podcast has always been relentlessly focused on exploring important topics in testing, admissions, education, and learning with amazing expert guests. Once in a while, though, we enjoy an unstructured opportunity to discuss our own takes on major issues, upcoming events, and our endeavors at the intersection of business and education. Catch up with us in the latest episode of EXTEMP with Amy & Mike. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What new piece of curriculum did Mike create recently? What is Mike’s background in bir...2024-11-0828 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastALL ABOUT THE ACT TEST ENHANCEMENTSThe ACT has been remarkably stable since the last time the exam was “enhanced” in 1989. However, significant changes are coming more quickly than you might think to this influential college admissions exam. Amy and Mike invited ACT representative Catherine Hofmann to share all the details about the ACT Test Enhancements. What are five things you will learn in this episode? How is the ACT changing? What aspects of the ACT are staying the same? What is the motivation for these enhancements? Will the Enhanced ACT be linear or adaptive?...2024-11-0531 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastHOW ADMISSIONS COUNSELOR MORALE IS CHANGING ADMISSIONSThe current college admissions dynamic where selective schools routinely receive 10, 15, or even 20 times as many applications as they have available seats has been a tremendous source of stress for applicants and their families. But how are the professionals who have to manage these applications holding up? Amy and Mike invited author Teege Mettille to explore how admissions counselor morale is changing admissions. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What exactly is admissions counselor malaise? How have changes on college campuses impacted the admissions process? What are the...2024-10-2226 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastEXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: October 2024The Tests and the Rest podcast has always been relentlessly focused on exploring important topics in testing, admissions, education, and learning with amazing expert guests. Once in a while, though, we enjoy an unstructured opportunity to discuss our own takes on major issues, upcoming events, and our endeavors at the intersection of business and education. We hope you enjoy this first episode of EXTEMP with Amy & Mike. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What massive step did Amy take in her test prep business? How many educational projects exactly h...2024-10-1839 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastCELEBRATING OUR 600TH EPISODEAfter 599 episodes devoted to amazing conversations about testing, admissions, education, and learning, it’s time for something completely different. Amy and Mike invited educator Susan Powers to help celebrate our 600th episode. Get ready to hear from the ghosts of podcasts past, present, and future along with a modified Colbert questionnaire! What are five things you will learn in this episode? What are the biggest things Amy and Mike learned since the beginning of the podcast? What were some of our favorite episodes? What will our podcast tombstones say? Wha...2024-10-1532 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastTHE ROLE OF RAPPORT IN EDUCATIONAL RELATIONSHIPSWhen learners work with teachers, tutors, consultants, and coaches, developing domain mastery and a strategic plan is an obvious component of success. Less obvious, however, is the instrumental roles personality and chemistry play in the learning process. Amy and Mike invited Jagmohan Durganandan to explore the role of rapport in educational relationships. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What does rapport mean in an educational or coaching context? Why does rapport matter? How can educators and coaches cultivate effective rapport? What is the role of...2024-08-2730 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastTHE NEED FOR TESTING SITES IN CALIFORNIACalifornia is the most populous American state with a veritable cornucopia of exceptional and reasonably well-funded high schools. Why, then, do Californian teens need to travel hundreds–and sometimes thousands–of miles to sit for the SAT or ACT? Amy and Mike invited student Sebastian Gillmore and educator David Blobaum to discuss the need for testing sites in California. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is the problem with SAT & ACT testing locations in California? Why are testing locations so scarce? Why is access to testing so c...2024-07-0925 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastTHE PARENT TRANSITION FROM HIGH SCHOOL TO COLLEGEWe focus so much on our teens getting through high school and into college yet spend little time looking at the space between or how everyone involved needs to change and adapt for success. Amy and Mike invited educator Dr. Andrea Malkin Brenner to discuss the parent transition from high school to college. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What role can parents play to support their students as they become self-reliant and college-ready? What are the major differences between being a high school parent and a college parent?2024-06-2526 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastWHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT TRANSFERRINGWhile choosing a college feels like one of the biggest decisions of your life, choosing to leave one may be even more difficult. That said, swapping the wrong school for the right one can do wonders for your grades, mental health, and future prospects. Amy and Mike invited college advisor Jaime Smith to explore what you should know about transferring. What are five things you will learn in this episode? How common is college transfer? How has the rise of credible online programs impacted transfers? What are the best and worst...2024-06-1127 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastTEST PREP PROFILE: Mike SetteleReady to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced professional in the test prep industry? MEET OUR GUEST Meet Mike Settele, the founder of Settele Tutoring, an SAT prep company that specializes in creating user-friendly SAT resources. Mike has published thousands of hours of SAT lessons on his YouTube channel, which are watched every day by students around the world. Mike began his SAT career while an undergraduate at Johns Hopkins University, where he studied political science and philosophy. He started as a Writing section tutor for Capital Educators, a test...2024-06-0318 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastHOW TO GUARANTEE CAREER SUCCESS AFTER COLLEGEAn undergraduate education should never be mistaken for a job training program. That said, gainful employment is usually the obvious expectation after graduation. Amy and Mike invited educator Bill Coplin for thoughts on how to guarantee career success after college. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Why is coursework alone not enough to explore and get jobs? Is there academic coursework that would help build skills, experience, and networks? How should students increase their chances of getting internships and/or part-time jobs? Are some colleges...2024-05-2828 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastWHO SHOULD TAKE THE CLT?Now that we’re moving back to more of a test-required college admissions paradigm, the pressing question for most students regards which test to take. In some cases, the answer is not as binary as you might expect. Amy and Mike invited counselor Becky Priest to explore who should take the CLT? What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is a classical education? What is the Classic Learning Test? What schools currently accept the CLT as an admissions test? What kind of student does well on...2024-05-2124 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastTOOLS AND TIPS TO BUILD YOUR EDUCATIONAL PRACTICEFor many teachers, tutors, counselors, and coaches, the actual delivery of insight, expertise, and service comes easy. Creating and maintaining business structure and processes, on the other hand, can be an ongoing challenge. Amy and Mike invited educator Danny Pernik to explore tools and tips to build your educational practice. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What qualifies as an educational practice in a discussion like this? What considerations make sense for anyone building an educational practice? Why are websites so valuable for educational businesses? ...2024-05-1430 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastGETTING READY FOR THE AP GOVERNMENT EXAMThe Advanced Placement exams represent some of the most challenging subject-specific standardized tests a high schooler might ever take. Amy and Mike believe that every test warrants smart, serious preparation, so we invited educator Dan Corrigan to share valuable strategies, insights, and resources for getting ready for the AP United States Government and Politics exam. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is tested on the AP Government and Politics exam? What are the highest priority topics for this exam? How should students prepare for the AP...2024-04-2325 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastTESTING POLICIES AND EDUCATIONAL EQUITY REVISITEDTheories that standardized testing impeded equity in admissions decisions drove the pandemic-era test optional movement. With a few years of real-world data, we can now examine the accuracy of those theories. Amy and Mike invited student advocate Dr. Yoon Choi to revisit the review of testing policies and educational equity. What are five things you will learn in this episode? 1. What does the research say about testing and equity? 2. How do standardized tests help predict college readiness? 3. Why do many states and school districts in the U.S. use the SAT a...2024-04-1627 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastPOWER DYNAMICS IN COLLEGE ADMISSIONSStudents and their families anxiously awaiting acceptance letters often feel helpless throughout the college admissions process. Little do they realize how quickly the advantage can shift in their favor. Amy and Mike invited educator Debra Landesberg to explore the concept of power dynamics in college admissions. What are five things you will learn in this episode? 1. Why are power dynamics worth considering in the admissions process? 2. Who holds the most power before applications are submitted? 3. Who holds the most power once applications are submitted? 4. Who holds the most power...2024-04-0928 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastBUSTING MYTHS ABOUT HOW TO PAY FOR COLLEGESome rumors about the costs of college are true. For example, some colleges this year will establish record highs in tuition and fees. But does that mean you can trust everything you’ve heard? Amy and Mike invited educational consultant Ann Garcia to bust some pervasive myths about how to pay for college. What are five myths that are busted in this episode? Myth #1: We're not poor and our student isn't an athlete, so we're stuck paying full price for college. Myth #2: I have a 4.6 GPA so I will get merit scholarships wherever I...2024-04-0226 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastHOW COLLEGES ADMIT BY MAJORApplicants often look at the requirements and selectivity of a school as standard for every one of its courses of study, only to find that certain programs are WAY harder to get into than others. Amy and Mike invited educator Lisa Marker-Robbins to explain how colleges admit by major. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What does it mean to apply to a school by major? What factors need to be taken into account when considering certain majors? What can families do to know if a college...2024-03-1926 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastWHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE GRE IN 2024The GRE General Test may be the world’s most widely used admissions test for graduate & professional school, which makes the assessment important to anyone considering graduate, business, or law school. Amy and Mike invited educator Vince Kotchian to share details on what to know about the GRE in 2024. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What does the GRE test and how has it changed over the years? What should students, tutors, and counselors know about the shorter GRE? What should test takers know about the computer-based fo...2024-03-1226 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastHOW TO CHOOSE A COLLEGE COUNSELORConsidering how exponentially complex the college admissions process has become in the last decade, the decision to work with an independent college counselor makes sense. The bigger question is, “Which one?” Amy and Mike invited educational consultant Julie Kim to explore considerations on how to choose a college counselor. What are five things you will learn in this episode? 1. How do you know if you need a college counselor? 2. What are some of the most important traits to look for in an IEC? 3. What can a small or solo practice provide that...2024-02-2729 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastHOW TENNIS AND TEST PREP ARE SIMILARBillie Jean King described tennis as a perfect combination of violent action taking place in an atmosphere of total tranquility. In a lot of ways, taking a high-stakes exam feels the same way. Amy and Mike invited educator Scott Greenspan to explore how tennis and test prep are similar. What are five things you will learn in this episode? 1. What makes tennis such a perfect analogy for testing? 2. What can aspiring test takers learn from tennis? 3. In what ways are tennis players and test takers alike? 4. What is the...2024-01-1628 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastHOW CAN TUTORS USE AI?Every innovation in technology eventually impacts education, yet artificial intelligence already seems poised to transform the way people learn and teach at every level. Amy and Mike invited technology expert Amit Jain to explore how tutors can use AI. What are five things you will learn in this episode? How have Large Language Models (LLMs) solved the decades-old problem of Natural Language Processing (NLP)? How is AI helping curate and personalize content for individual students? How is AI enhancing comprehension and engagement, and bridging cultural and linguistic gaps for students? 2024-01-0926 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastALL ABOUT DIGITAL SAT READING & WRITINGThe digital SAT may look like the future of standardized admissions tests, but the exam continues a long tradition of verbal priorities. The more things change, the more they stay the same! Amy and Mike invited educator Lori Goldstein to talk all about digital SAT Reading & Writing. What are five things you will learn in this episode? How is the SAT Reading & Writing section structured? How important are vocabulary skills on the test? What makes SAT Reading questions so difficult? What makes SAT Writing questions so difficult? ...2024-01-0227 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastALL ABOUT THE AMERICAN MATH COMPETITIONMathematics is one of the fundamental tools for understanding the universe, nothing less than the science and study of quality, structure, space, and change. That doesn’t mean, though, that we can’t make a contest of it, especially if doing so can uncover a generation’s brightest math minds. Amy and Mike invited Vida John to explain all about the American Math Competition. What are five things you will learn in this episode? 1. What is the American Math Competition, and who runs it? 2. How is the AMC scored and what is a good scor...2023-12-0527 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastHOW IMPORTANT IS GPA IN COLLEGE ADMISSIONS?We all know that the first and most influential item in a college application is the academic record, right? But, at a time when everything else in the calculations of selective colleges seems uncertain, can we be so sure the role of grades hasn’t changed as well? Amy and Mike invited educational consultant Susie Watts to explore just how important GPA is in college admissions. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Will a low high school GPA keep you out of college? Will a high GPA guarantee you ge...2023-11-1428 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastWHEN IS DUAL ENROLLMENT A GOOD OPTION?Earning valuable college credit while fulfilling high school requirements sounds too good to be true, and yet many teens do exactly this every year. Why don’t more? Amy and Mike invited educator Dr. Amanda Sterk to explore when dual enrollment is a good option. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What exactly does dual enrollment mean? What are the benefits of dual enrollment? Do many students pursue dual enrollment opportunities? Are dual enrollment credits always transferable? What if your school doesn't offer a...2023-10-3124 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastBREAKING THROUGH TEST SCORE PLATEAUSStudents, parents, and even teachers sometimes fall prey to the misconception that academic improvement follows a perfectly linear path with each performance a marked improvement over the last. If only! Amy and Mike invited educator Shahar Link to explore strategies for breaking through test score plateaus. What are five things you will learn in this episode? How can you tell the difference between a score ceiling and a plateau? What are the most reliable ways to break through score plateaus? What are the most common score levels where students hit plateaus?2023-10-1027 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastDOES GROWTH MINDSET MATTER?Few concepts in education and performance psychology are as universally accepted as that of the power of a growth mindset. Does that mean the research is conclusive and settled? Not exactly. Amy and Mike invited journalist Jill Barshay to dig into an unexpectedly controversial question–does growth mindset matter? What are five things you will learn in this episode? 1. What is growth mindset? 2. How new is the concept of growth mindset? 3. What is the research evidence for growth mindset? 4. Is the science behind growth mindset universally accepted? 5. Sho...2023-10-0325 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastUSING BRAIN SCIENCE TO HELP YOUR TEEN NAVIGATE THE COLLEGE PROCESSEvery aspect of being or raising a teenager is complicated by the emotional, irrational, and idiosyncratic responses inherent to all of us. Luckily, psychologists have been piecing together some strategies for bringing order to our typical chaos. Amy and Mike invited counselor Samantha Straub to explore using brain science to help your teen navigate the college process. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What distinguishes the teen brain from the adult brain? What are the implications that adolescent brain development has on the college process? What...2023-09-1926 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastHOW THE DIGITAL SAT IS SCOREDEvery time a sophisticated educational assessment changes, every aspect has to be reconsidered and possibly changed. The digital adaptive SAT is no exception, and one particular aspect of that test has transformed substantially. Amy and Mike invited educator Brenna O’Neill to explain how the digital SAT is scored. What are five things you will learn in this episode? How does multistage adaptive scoring work on the digital SAT? Does every question count the same on the dSAT? What is Item Response Theory (IRT) and how does it apply on the dS...2023-08-2931 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastTEST PREP PROFILE: Keith BrownReady to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced professional in the test prep industry? MEET OUR GUEST Meet Keith Brown, Ph.D. With a strong foundation in standardized tests such as ACT, SAT, and PSAT, Keith is committed to guiding students toward academic excellence. His teaching journey commenced at CalTech, where he earned an MS and Ph.D. in Biology, amassing extensive tutoring experience exceeding 4000 hours. Having served as a Teaching Assistant, he has mastered the art of instilling self-assurance and motivation in students, nurturing their autonomy in learning. Keith holds degrees...2023-08-2515 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastTEST PREP PROFILE: Maria HarmonReady to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced professional in the test prep industry? MEET OUR GUEST Meet Maria Harmon. With an MIT degree and love of all things STEM, Maria knows the value of curiosity and its power inside and outside the classroom. She attended a vocational high school, studying under electricians for 4 years. Her Environmental Engineering degree led her to visit farmers in India, get dirty with waste-pickers in Nicaragua, and chase volcanic smog around Hawai’i. Yet every experience has built her passion for unlocking student potential. Since 2011, she ha...2023-08-2413 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastTEST PREP PROFILE: Kartik SardaReady to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced professional in the test prep industry? MEET OUR GUEST Meet Kartik Sarda. At 25, Kartik's journey is a promising one, marked by an intriguing blend of entrepreneurship, education, and creativity. It all began at Streamline Learning, where Kartik spent three years juggling roles, from tutoring to handling their digital marketing and product development. His entrepreneurial spirit then led him to found two startups: Saathi Global Education Network and Seven Square Learning. Saathi GEN was an ambitious venture aimed at creating a global networking...2023-08-2317 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastTEST PREP PROFILE: Josh KutchaiReady to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced professional in the test prep industry? MEET OUR GUEST Meet Josh Kutchai, a private SAT/ACT and curriculum tutor. Josh teaches all sections of the SAT and ACT as well as curriculum mathematics up to and including calculus BC. Josh grew up in Charlottesville, Virginia, where he spent a lot of time playing basketball and piano. He then moved to New Jersey to attend Princeton University, where he majored in mathematics and minored in music. After struggling to become a famous rock ‘n’ roll star...2023-08-2216 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastWHY STUDENTS SHOULD GET TO KNOW THEIR TEACHERSAt every level of education, teachers serve irreplaceable roles as purveyors of knowledge, curators of culture, and gatekeepers to priceless opportunities and understandings. So why do students seem to so desperately avoid their instructors? Amy and Mike invited educational consultant Dale Troy to enumerate the compelling reasons why students should get to know their teachers. What are five things you will learn in this episode? How does knowing your teachers–and having them know you–open up opportunities? What are the best ways for students to get to know their teachers? Why...2023-08-1523 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastTOP TIPS TO PASS YOUR STUDY VISA INTERVIEWIn many ways, higher education can be considered one of the top U.S. exports, especially when you consider just how long the line of prospective international students is. Amy and Mike invited visa expert Ben Arterburn to share top tips to pass your study visa interview. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Who needs a visa to study in the United States? What is the main reason someone is denied a visa? What is the biggest mistake visa applicants make? How can a visa...2023-08-1125 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastNAVIGATING COLLEGE AND ADMISSIONS AS AN LGBTQ+ STUDENTSuccess in college depends on more than just finding the right academic fit–you have to find an environment where you can be yourself in all the ways that are important to you. Amy and Mike invited educational consultant Robert Powers to share insights into navigating college and admissions as an LGBTQ+ student. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What are important factors to consider when trying to find the right fit as an LGBTQ+ student? What are the different campus organizations that support the social and emotional identity of...2023-08-0130 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastTHE W-CURVE MODEL AND NEW COLLEGE STUDENTSNew college students invariably arrive on campus flush with optimism for all the good times, academic successes, and healthy relationships ahead. If only life proceeded that smoothly… Amy and Mike invited educational consultant Lee Norwood to explain the W-Curve Model and new college students. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is the W-Curve Model? How do the five stages of the W-Curve Model map levels of student comfort at school? Why should new college students be prepared for culture shock? How can having this W...2023-07-2529 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastWHO LOSES WHEN WE ABOLISH ENTRANCE EXAMS?Admissions decisions for selective educational programs require as much useful data about applicants as possible, particularly regarding academic skills and ability. Is it possible that opponents of standardized testing seek something other than a fair and transparent selection process? Amy and Mike invited educator Daniel Buck to explore who loses when we abolish entrance exams. What are five things you will learn in this episode? How widespread has the elimination of entrance exams been? What is the history of standardized tests as entrance exams? What factors have replaced the data provided b...2023-07-2126 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast500. CELEBRATING OUR 500TH EPISODEThe success of the Tests and the Rest podcast can be credited to our focus on fascinating guests with specific expertise and insight into admissions, testing, education, and learning. To celebrate our 500th episode, we’re throwing all that away to focus on ourselves! Amy and Mike invited educator Brian Eufinger to guest host our first show devoted to listener questions. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What were Mike and Amy’s favorite topics, most famous guests, and most popular episodes? How spontaneous are podcast conversations, and do we r...2023-06-3036 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastCOMPARING MOST POPULAR AND MOST LUCRATIVE COLLEGE MAJORSWhile a college education represents far more than just job training, a substantial return on that tuition investment certainly doesn’t hurt. Amy and Mike invited policy expert Michael Itzkowitz to compare the most popular and most lucrative college majors. What are five things you will learn in this episode? 1. Do college graduates tend to earn more than non-graduates? 2. How should we evaluate the return on investment of college? 3. Which college majors currently pay the most right out of school? 4. How does this list compare to the most popular co...2023-06-2726 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastHOW TO BE A SUCCESSFUL COLLEGE FRESHMANEntering the halls of higher education for the first time can feel momentous and exciting, which is true. What is also true is how challenging life can be at the next level of education, especially if you aren’t ready for what lies ahead. Amy and Mike invited educator Scott Lutostanski to share how to be a successful college freshman. What are five things you will learn in this episode? In what critical way does life at college differ from the high school experience? What is the definition of success for a college fr...2023-06-2329 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastHOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU ARE READY FOR COLLEGE?Graduation from high school may signal the natural time to enter the halls of higher education, but is that actually the right time? Amy and Mike invited psychologist Tamir Rotman to answer a question that should be asked more often: “How do you know if you are ready for college?” What are five things you will learn in this episode? What does it mean to be ready for college? What are the consequences when a student is not ready for college? What skills and traits should students possess before they arrive at c...2023-06-2026 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastADMISSIONS CONSIDERATIONS FOR AVIATION MAJORSBelieve it or not, you can go to college to learn to become a pilot or work in the airline industry. Just keep in mind how much there is to know if you’re hoping to get a career in aviation off the ground. Amy and Mike invited college consultant Malinda Schantz to share admissions considerations for aviation majors. What are five things you will learn in this episode? 1. What are the different aviation majors? 2. What are some considerations to keep in mind when researching professional pilot programs? 3. How is the ap...2023-06-1325 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastWHAT IS THE HIGHLANDS ABILITY BATTERY?When the time comes to select courses of study and future career paths, we hope to align what we are interested in with what we excel at. The preference part may be easy, but determining our strengths and weaknesses often requires expert assessment. Amy and Mike invited educator Marcus Gray to explain the Highlands Ability Battery. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is the Highlands Ability Battery, and how does it help students discover their strengths and weaknesses? In what ways does the Highlands Ability Battery contribute to i...2023-06-0927 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastHOW TO SPEAK TO A COLLEGE ADMISSIONS REPAs the primary ambassadors to prospective students throughout the application process, college admission representatives manage most communication on behalf of their institutions. So how should applicants communicate with them? Amy and Mike invited educator John Durante to share advice on how to speak to a college admissions rep. What are five things you will learn in this episode? 1. What, in your experience, is the role of a college admissions representative? 2. What kind of questions should applicants ask admissions reps? 3. What kind of questions should applicants avoid asking admissions reps? 4...2023-06-0625 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastCOMMON MISTAKES IN APPLYING FOR ACT ACCOMMODATIONSSometimes, the best way to ensure that everyone taking a test is compared fairly is to make sure that not everyone takes the test the exact same way. Testing accommodations are meant to level the playing field in the case of disability or differences. Amy and Mike invited accommodations expert Bailey Graham to describe common mistakes in applying for ACT accommodations. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What accommodations are available to test takers? What is the right timeline for requesting accommodations? How important is professional documentation...2023-05-1926 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastWHAT IS SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING?While schools are recognized primarily as institutions of academic study and knowledge acquisition, students learn so much more there… especially when they are in the right frames of mind. This is where SEL comes in. Amy and Mike invited educator Andy Tucker to answer the common question, “What is social and emotional learning?” What are five things you will learn in this episode? What exactly does social and emotional learning (SEL) entail? Why is SEL so relevant in educational conversations? What is the educational benefit of SEL? Why is SEL im...2023-05-1626 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastCOLLEGE ESSAYS IN THE AGE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCEOne of the major selling points of the current wave of natural language processing tools driven by AI technology is assistance in composing essays. What, then, are the implications for any admissions process that depends heavily on authentic writing samples? Amy and Mike invited educator Barak Rosenbloom to consider the state of college essays in the age of artificial intelligence. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Can current AI really write as well as humans? What makes the act of writing an application essay intrinsically valuable? Are...2023-05-0926 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastADMISSIONS CONSIDERATIONS FOR MUSICIANSAC/DC famously established that it’s a long way to the top if you want to rock and roll, but even they probably had no idea how true that could be even when applying to music schools and programs. Amy and Mike invited educational consultant Christine Gangelhoff to clarify admissions considerations for musicians. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What are some important things to keep in mind when researching music programs? What are some important factors for determining school or program fit? How is the appl...2023-04-2828 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastCOMPETITIVE MINDSET IN TESTINGEvery meaningful challenge can be prepared and practiced for, which tends to mean that challengers vie for the best outcomes. Whether you’re competing against yourself or others, you have to put in the effort. Amy and Mike invited educator Steven Menking to explore the importance of a competitive mindset in testing. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Why is mindset such a significant factor in test prep success? What is a competitive mindset, and how does it work? Who exactly are typical test takers competing with?...2023-04-1827 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND ACADEMIC INTEGRITYTraditionally, the words “academics” and “intelligence” have always evoked a positive, mutually supportive relationship. Then AI improved! Amy and Mike invited writer Derek Newton to explain the escalating arms race between artificial intelligence and academic integrity. What are five things you will learn in this episode? How have advances in artificial intelligence changed how students work? How does AI threaten the integrity of assigned homework and papers? What other factors contribute to academic dishonesty? What have teachers and institutions done so far to combat this threat? What else can...2023-04-1424 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastTHE FLUTIE EFFECT IN ADMISSIONSYou would presume that the reputation of an institution of higher education would be based on factors like academic rigor and postgraduate success, but that would be naive. Amy and Mike invited educator Christopher Sanderson to explain the meaning of the Flutie effect in admissions. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is the Flutie Effect? What sporting events are most likely to trigger the Flutie Effect? How intensely does the Flutie Effect impact admissions chances? Can non-sporting events exert a Flutie Effect? Wh...2023-04-1132 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastGETTING READY FOR THE AP PSYCHOLOGY EXAMThe Advanced Placement exams represent some of the most challenging subject-specific standardized tests a high schooler might ever take. Amy and Mike believe that every test warrants smart, serious preparation, so we invited educator Garry Shriver to share valuable strategies, insights, and resources for getting ready for the AP Psychology exam. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is tested on the AP Psychology exam? How is the AP Psychology test scored, and what is a good score? What are the highest priority topics for this exam?2023-04-0425 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastGETTING READY FOR THE AP CHEMISTRY EXAMThe Advanced Placement exams represent some of the most challenging subject-specific standardized tests a high schooler might ever take. Amy and Mike believe that every test warrants smart, serious preparation, so we invited educator Tim Murphy to share valuable strategies, insights, and resources for getting ready for the AP Chemistry exam. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is tested on the AP Chemistry exam? How is the AP Chemistry test scored, and what is a good score? What are the highest priority topics for this exam?2023-04-0321 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastIEC PROFILE: Mike HammerReady to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced independent educational consultant? MEET OUR GUEST Meet Mike Hammer, a college admissions counselor with over 30 years experience in higher ed. Mike landed at Cornell University following stints in retail, non-profit, and IT consulting. Mike spent six years in Arts & Sciences where he was responsible for the undergrad admissions system, learning all the ins and outs of the admissions process and participating as an admissions reader. Moving to Engineering, he became involved in college- and university-level admissions policy while continuing to read applications “because it wa...2023-03-2817 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastHOW TESTS AID MEMORYStudents tend to see exams as a means to evaluate learning, but expert educators recognize assessments as instrumental elements of the teaching process. Amy and Mike invited researcher Ayanna Thomas to explain how tests aid memory. What are five things you will learn in this episode? How can completing practice tests be a strategy for learning? What does “testing to criterion” entail? How does stress impair memory? How does taking regular practice tests aid students with their stress, especially for high-stakes tests? What factors should learners keep...2023-03-2427 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastCULTIVATING TEEN SELF-ESTEEMTeens–like people at every other stage of human development–need to feel confidence, satisfaction, and respect for themselves. Alas, that isn’t always easy. Amy and Mike invited life coach Nellie Harden to share insights into cultivating teen self-esteem. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What are the biggest needs teens have today? What kinds of self esteems are there? What makes cultivating self esteem so important? Do boys and girls cultivate self-esteem differently? What is the best way to build self-esteem? 2023-03-1426 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastTEXT TO SPEECH LEARNING TOOLSWhen students have choices on how to access instructional material, they often engage and learn at a higher level. Anyone who runs closed captions or subtitles no matter what they’re watching knows exactly why! Amy and Mike invited educator Ginger Dewey to explain the uses and advancements in text-to-speech learning tools. What are five things you will learn in this episode? 1. What is text-to-speech technology? 2. What makes seeing and hearing text at the same time so powerful? 3. How can students use this technology for their own use? 4. What is...2023-03-1026 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastREADING SCIENCE PASSAGES ON THE SAT & ACTWhile only one of the two exams includes a dedicated science section, both the SAT and ACT find ways to challenge science literacy. Amy and Mike invited educator Elizabeth Breau to share insights into reading science passages on the SAT and ACT. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Do students need to be science experts to do well on science passages on the SAT and ACT? What kinds of science topics are usually included in SAT & ACT passages? How can test takers make sense of test science...2023-03-0325 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastTHE UPSIDES OF RAPID CHANGES IN EDUCATIONThat major aspects of K-12 and higher education along with society at large are undergoing meaningful transformation much faster than usual cannot be argued. How, then, can we swim with the tide rather than be pulled under? Amy and Mike invited college consultant Cyndy McDonald to expand upon the upsides of rapid changes in education. What are five things you will learn in this episode? 1. What aspects of education are changing rapidly? 2. What are the downsides of such a dynamic and volatile environment? 3. What are the upsides of rapid change for...2023-02-2429 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastCOMMON MISTAKES IN COLLEGE SELECTIONConsidering all the steps in the intricate dance of selecting, applying, and paying for college, it’s no surprise that applicants tend to get some of them wrong. Amy and Mike invited college counselor Shellee Howard to highlight common mistakes in college selection. What are five things you will learn in this episode? 1. How soon should the selection process start? 2. Who should take ownership of the process? 3. How important is pursuing volunteering and leadership opportunities? 4. Should students take the SAT or ACT if they plan to only apply to te...2023-02-2124 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastSELECTING YOUR FOREVER SCHOOLWith all the focus on selectivity and compatibility–not to mention the delicate dance between potentially interested prospective partners, college admissions sounds a whole lot like dating. Amy and Mike invited tech entrepreneur Dave Hurwitt to share strategies for selecting your forever school. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What factors should you consider when selecting a college? What does fit really mean, and how do you know when you’ve found it? What role does new matching technology play in selecting a college today? How d...2023-02-1427 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastSPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: TestBright Curriculum SystemA modular, professional SAT & ACT curriculum that makes you a better teacher with educator Kailey Ossanna What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is the story behind the TestBright Curriculum System? How does the TestBright Curriculum System work? Who currently uses the TestBright Curriculum System? What kinds of outcomes do both students and teachers experience? What should someone curious about TestBright know about it? ABOUT THE TESTBRIGHT CURRICULUM SYSTEM The TestBright SAT & ACT Curriculum System is built on the sam...2023-02-1216 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastWHY UC WAS WRONG TO STOP USING THE SATIn May 2020, the University of California Board of Regents eliminated standardized testing as part of its admissions considerations for at least five years. The move was alternately hailed or condemned, depending on your thoughts about education, standards, and opportunity. But what did the evidence suggest? Amy and Mike invited professor Donald Wittman to clarify why UC was wrong to stop using the SAT. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What led the University of California Regents to ban the use of the SAT and ACT for admissions? Was this decision supported by t...2022-10-1832 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastFINANCIAL LITERACY ESSENTIALS FOR STUDENTSOne of the great challenges of modern education is finding ways to teach students everything they should know along with everything they must know. Unfortunately, while understanding saving, spending, and investing falls into the latter category, most teens and young adults haven’t learned the basics. Amy and Mike invited educator Isabel De La Cruz to outline financial literacy essentials for students. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Why is financial literacy so important for high school and college students? 400-850 Where should young adults learn financial literacy? 1438 What are common problems re...2022-09-2325 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastHOW STUDENT RESEARCH IMPACTS COLLEGE ADMISSIONSIn 2022, the University of Pennsylvania reported that a third of their class of incoming freshmen had done research in high school. What makes research so important? Amy and Mike invited researcher Stephen Turban to discuss the trend of high school students doing independent research and how research impacts the admissions process. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Why does research matter in the undergraduate admissions process? How do admission offices evaluate independent research projects? Does research need to be published to be impactful? How can students find research opportunities? What are the...2022-08-0925 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastTEST PREP PROFILE: Michael ElDeiryReady to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced professional in the test prep industry? MEET OUR GUEST Meet Michael ElDeiry. Since founding Broward Tutorial Services in 2004, Mike has worked with over 1,000 students. His students have achieved score improvements of 10+ points on the ACT and 500+ points on the SAT. Mike has a BS in Biology from Tufts University and an MBA from the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. He has completed courses for an MA in Biology from Harvard University as well. When he’s not bu...2022-07-2517 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastFITTING IN AND STANDING OUTThe most selective schools and academic programs seem to set an impossible standard for applicants: be as perfect in all ways possible as everyone else but somehow also be even better in at least some ways. Amy and Mike asked educational consultant Linda Abraham to describe the delicate dance of fitting in and standing out. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is the paradox at the heart of admissions? How do you show you fit in at the school of your choice? What does authenticity mean in the context of admissions...2022-06-2424 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastTRACKING TIME ON STANDARDIZED TESTSAll time management, it is said, begins with planning. If you have a big test in your future, your time management plan better include a watch! Amy and Mike invited educational consultant Dustin Claretto to share strategies for tracking time on standardized tests. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Why is timing so important on standardized tests? Is time management a practicable skill? How can students use a watch during the test? What kind of watch is permissible during testing? What role does a physical watch play during a digital test? ...2022-06-0727 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastCOURSE SELECTION FOR HIGHLY SELECTIVE ADMISSIONSAll things being equal, high school GPA carries the most weight in college admissions decisions. But when it comes to the classes those grades come from, all things most certainly are not equal. Amy and Mike invited educational consultant Aly Beaumont to explore the finer points about course selection for highly selective college admissions. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What classes should a student really take in high school? Do students really need to take foreign language for college, and if so for how long? How important is it to take...2022-05-3124 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastWHEN SHOULD YOU TAKE THE SAT OR ACT?Once you decide whether you’ll take the SAT or ACT for college admissions and scholarship purposes (you probably should), you’ll need to make critical decisions about timelines for prep and testing. Amy and Mike invited educator Jim Reinish to answer the age-old question: “When should you take the SAT or ACT?” What are five things you will learn in this episode? When should high schoolers plan to prep for and take the SAT and/or ACT? How do current testing timelines differ from the old testing paradigm? What academic considerations influence testing timelines? What scheduli...2022-05-1729 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastAll About Mathchops: Higher Scores, Less Work, More FunAll About Mathchops: Higher Scores, Less Work, More Fun with educator Mike McGibbon What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is the story behind Mathchops? How does Mathchops work? Who currently uses Mathchops? What kinds of outcomes do users experience? What should someone curious about Mathchops know about it? ABOUT MATHCHOPS Mathchops helps students earn higher scores in much less time through adaptive games. Continually updated, its questions target the most common skills from recent tests. From this high yield set, Mathchops selects the best questions for each student to...2022-05-1514 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastCONCERNS ABOUT COLLEGE STAFFING TRENDSAs we observe over and over, the cost of college increases every year. But if you think that additional funding is going to faculty, you are probably wrong. Amy and Mike invited independent counselor Jane Gabin to explore concerns about college staffing trends. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What does it mean to be an adjunct professor? Are all part-time faculty the same? Is it a bad thing to have an adjunct professor? Are full-time faculty more stable? Is there a link between faculty composition and quality of education? What questions s...2022-05-0326 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastYIN AND YANG IN COLLEGE ADMISSIONSThe Chinese philosophical concept of yin and yang describes how forces that appear opposite or contrary may actually be complementary, interconnected, and interdependent in the natural world. Can we observe this concept at work in the highly unnatural world of college admissions? Amy and Mike invited educator Belle Liu to explain the relevance of yin and yang in college admissions. What are five things you will learn in this episode? How would you describe a Yin-Yang Philosophy? Does this school of thought apply to college advising? What does holistic college advising look like? How can this p...2022-04-0826 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastWHAT IS THE TOEFL?In every country around the world, some student is dreaming of pursuing higher education at an English-speaking university. Admissions exams like the SAT and ACT may evaluate specific reading and writing skills, but say nothing about broad fluency, especially in regard to listening and speaking English. Luckily, another test assesses English as a foreign language very well. Amy and Mike invited testing expert Michael Knab to tell us all about the TOEFL. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is the TOEFL? Who takes a TOEFL test? How do colleges or organizations...2022-04-0529 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastWHAT IS A NET PRICE CALCULATOR?Most of us live within a carefully planned budget, where we spend based on anticipated costs and expenses. But how can we predict the cost of a college application when the numbers involved are so hard to read or even find? Amy and Mike invited researcher Laura W. Perna, Ph.D. to explain all about net price calculators. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is a net price calculator, and why are they important? Does every college have a net price calculator and where can you find it? What should you...2022-03-0125 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastPast, Present, and Future of TestingAs 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...2019-06-2122 min