Don't Chuck It Up - College Search and Application Process

Navigating the modern college admissions landscape can feel overwhelming, especially as sticker prices soar and the "make-it-work" syndrome tempts families to overspend on brand-name institutions. In this episode, host Chuck Erickson is joined by educational planner and software developer Cathy Copeland Titus to break down the realities of college affordability, return on investment (ROI...

After hitting submit on your college applications and celebrating with the Common App confetti, the work isn't quite over yet. In this episode of Don't Chuck It Up, host Chuck guides students and parents through the critical next steps of the college admissions process, highlighting common mistakes to avoid—such as ignoring emails or assuming documents arrived automatically. To ensure a co...

In this episode of Don’t Chuck It Up, host and college counselor Chuck sits down with former student and University of Nebraska-Lincoln Senior, Ben, to discuss the out-of-state college search process, navigating higher education admissions, and transitioning from a small high school to a major Big Ten university. Tune in as Ben shares his journey from initial fixation on in-state options to discov...

In this episode, host Chuck catches up with his former student Calvin Keesler, a fifth-year senior at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, to look back at his college search and athletic journey. As a high school student juggling baseball and multiple career interests, Calvin ultimately chose St. Olaf—a picturesque, undergraduate-focused liberal arts college nestled on a scenic campus hill—f...

This episode of the Don’t Chuck It Up podcast features host Chuck, a friendly college counselor, catching up with his former student Sam Buono. Sam, a Northern California native and former multi-sport high school athlete, reflects on his journey from an all-boys Catholic high school to becoming a second-year undergraduate at Indiana University (IU). During high school, Sam initially struggled to f...

In this episode of Don't Chuck It Up, host Chuck Erickson sits down with Cassie Cunningham, Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at the University of Akron, to unpack why this midsize public research university in Northeast Ohio is a top hidden gem for higher education. Highlighting the university's motto of "Yes", Cunningham explains how students can pursue flexible academic...

In this episode of Don't Chuck It Up, host Chuck speaks with Rebecca Stuart-Orlowski (Orlowski College Consulting) about supporting non-traditional students through the college admissions process. Highlights: • Who is Non-Traditional? Beyond adult learners over 23, this includes homeschooled students, online degree seekers, gap-year takers, and anyone taking an unconventional path. • Flexible...

In this episode of the Don't Chuck It Up podcast, host Chuck sits down with Dr. Eric Endlich—a clinical psychologist, independent educational consultant, and founder of Top College Consultants—to discuss navigating the college search and transition process for neurodivergent students, including those with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and executive functioning challenges. The conversation dives deep...

In this episode of Don't Chuck It Up, host Chuck Erickson sits down with independent educational consultant Gerene Keesler (owner of Admissions Untangled) to demystify the college search for neurodivergent students, including those with ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, and hidden learning differences. Highlighting her own journey of being diagnosed with fetal autism spectrum disorder and epilep...

In this episode of Don't Chuck It Up, host Chuck sits down with Mark Talaga, a licensed professional counselor and director of the Center for Identity Potential, to discuss navigating the college search and transition process for gifted, talented, twice-exceptional (2E), and neurodivergent students. They dive deep into the unique challenges these complex learners face—especially asynchronous d...

Navigating the modern college admissions process doesn't have to be overwhelming, and in this episode of the Don't Chuck It Up podcast, host Chuck Erickson teams up with test prep expert Eric Rath (founder of Rath Tutoring) to demystify ACT vs. SAT prep, changing test-optional policies, and effective college entrance exam strategies. Aimed at helping high school students and parents reduce...

In this episode of Don't Chuck It Up, host Chuck Erickson reframes the high-stress college application process as a season of discovery, drawing inspiration from educational expert Dr. Steve Antonoff's belief that finding a university should be an enjoyable, low-stress journey. Addressing common pain points like college search anxiety, parental pressure, and chasing prestige over true coll...

In this episode of Don't Chuck It Up, host Chuck addresses the widespread anxiety surrounding choosing a college major, reassuring students and parents that a chosen field of study is merely a flexible starting point rather than a rigid life sentence. Highlighting how social media has pushed options like business administration into becoming default "safe majors," Chuck counters this...

What happens when an unexpected crisis hits right in the middle of college application season? Whether you are dealing with a natural disaster, personal illness, or family emergency, life doesn't always pause for deadlines. In this episode of Don't Chuck It Up, host Chuck draws on 25 years of college admissions experience to share essential, stress-free strategies for navigating the admiss...

In this episode of Don't Chuck It Up, host Chuck draws on his 25-year higher education background and experience reading over 25,000 Common App essays to relieve the high-stakes pressure surrounding the college application essay. He busts the myth that students need an earth-shattering topic or an overly sophisticated, thesaurus-heavy vocabulary to impress admissions officers who often spend just...

Celebrate a major milestone with the 100th episode of the Don't Chuck It Up Podcast! In this special edition, host Chuck Erickson—an experienced independent educational consultant and former college admissions professional—reflects on a decade of helping families successfully navigate the high school to college transition. High school juniors, seniors, and parents know firsthand how stressful...

In this episode of the Don't Chuck It Up Podcast, host Chuck breaks down the most critical, data-driven insights from the recent Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA) conference in Chicago. Pulling from the newest NACAC (National Association for College Admissions Counseling) report on the 2025–2026 application cycle, this deep dive uncovers a surprising reality that directly counter...

In this episode, we are diving deep into a hidden gem of higher education: the network of ELCA colleges and universities. Joining the show is Lamont Anthony Wells, Executive Director of the Network of ELCA Colleges and Universities, to break down what makes these 28 campuses across the U.S. and Canada so unique for families navigating the college application process. A common misconception about p...

In this episode of Don't Chuck It Up, host Chuck sits down with Reid Meyer, founder of A2A Academy and a member of the Student Athlete Advisors, to break down the complex world of college athletic recruitment. This conversation serves as an essential, hype-free resource for high school student-athletes aiming to play at the next level, as well as parents looking to navigate the process without...

In this episode of the Don't Chuck It Up Podcast, host Chuck sits down with Jason Sarouhan, the interim executive director of the Gap Year Association, to demystify the concept of college gap years and experiential education. Far from just "taking a year off" to sit on the couch, a purposeful gap year or "gap time" is an intentional journey focused on personal growth, hands...

Are you feeling overwhelmed by college admissions deadlines, shifting prestige and rankings, and the pressure to find the perfect school? In this episode of the Don't Chuck It Up podcast, host Chuck sits down with Dr. Steven Antonoff, a legendary independent educational consultant and former dean of admissions, to make the college search process painless and positive. Together, they tackle the...

In this episode of Don't Chuck It Up, host Chuck sits down with veteran educator, adjunct professor, and performing arts professional Kristi Ross-Clausen to dismantle the intense anxiety surrounding high school GPAs and college admissions. Drawing from her extensive background in K-12 teaching, technical theater pedagogy, and grading SAT essays, Kristi shares why standard letter grades and rig...

Are you stressing out trying to build the "perfect" college resume? 🤯 Between TikTok rumors and elite college rankings, it’s easy to feel like you need to invent a new product, start a viral non-profit, or host a TED Talk just to get into a great school. In this episode of Don't Chuck It Up, Chuck busts the "passion project" myth. He shares a heavy-hearted truth straight f...

In this episode of Don't Chuck It Up, college counselor Chuck sits down with former student Grant Romjue to discuss navigating the overwhelming college search and application process with clarity and confidence. Grant, a Neenah, Wisconsin native, shares his journey from being a confused high school junior to successfully completing his freshman year at the University of Cincinnati's busine...

In this episode of Don’t Chuck It Up, host Chuck addresses the "summer before senioritis" to help high school juniors and their parents navigate the college admissions process with clarity and calm. Chuck deconstructs the myth of the "perfect school," urging families to prioritize college fit and student engagement over prestige and selective rankings. To help listeners prepare...