College and Career Clarity

In this episode, Lisa and Cindy discuss: How to make the most of summer for college-bound teens.  If pay-to-play programs are worth the investment for your student.  No-cost, meaningful summer enrichment options.  When to start making summer plans (and how to ensure your student doesn’t miss their crucial deadlines).  Key Takeaways:  Some summer programs have application deadlines in December, Jan...

In this episode, Lisa and Shara discuss: Looking at social work careers in both macro and micro settings.  The educational and licensing path to becoming an LCSW.  The three tracts of a Social Work Master’s program. Tips for preparing, taking, and succeeding on the licensure exams.  Key Takeaways:  Social workers work in every aspect of life, from birth to death, with individuals, organizations, a...

In this episode, Lisa and Natalie discuss: Why everyone should face their inner critic.  Ways in which the inner critic shows up in teens and young adults.  Building the muscle of resiliency. Strategy tools for silencing your teen’s inner critic.  Key Takeaways:  Having an inner critic is normal, but it does need to be addressed so the negative thoughts do not become your teen’s beliefs and action...

In this episode, Lisa and Vince discuss: The three different types of admissions interviews.  Benefits of participating in a college admissions interview.  How your student can demonstrate interest and show their voice to the interviewer.  Steps to prepare for admissions interviews.  Key Takeaways:  Typically, your student must have their college application submitted before they can interview.  M...

In this episode, Lisa and Julie discuss: Understanding your student’s goals before enrolling in Advanced Placement (AP) or Dual Enrollment (DE) courses.  Why your teen’s AP exam score matters more to colleges than their grade in the AP class.  How to know what your student’s desired colleges will accept for college credit.  Exploring academic, college major, and career interests through DE and AP...

In this episode, Lisa and Christine discuss: When your student should begin developing their foundation for those application requirements if they are considering performance arts majors.  The transferable skills of students with a music or other performing arts major. The commitment required for co-majors, double majors, and minors, and how they can ease student or parent concerns about performin...

In this episode, Lisa and Beth discuss: The changes to federal financial aid are set to begin in 2024.  Why parents should wait 10-15 days before applying with the new FAFSA application.  How to take back your family’s financial power and not rely solely on the government formula for your student’s education budget.  Strategies to handle the uncertainty of the college financial aid application pro...

Although it can sometimes seem like it, admissions officers aren’t in the business of crushing your teen’s dreams. They want to make things possible for as many students as possible, and that’s where a college major-based admissions process can come into play. Each university can only accommodate a certain number of students in each program, so this type of application can help admissions staff fo...

In this episode Lisa and Susan discuss: What admissions officers really want your teen to write about in their personal statement Why your student shouldn’t look at online sample essays  A good plan of attack for essays over the summer so your child finishes on time Key Takeaways:  It is important for your student to know that a college essay is not just a writing assignment but an opportunity to...

In this episode, Lisa, Rebecca, David, and Becky discuss: A critique of the information and misinformation of the latest NACAC Annual Survey of Colleges.  The role of ACT and SAT scores even beyond the admissions process.  The impact of Institutional Priorities in the admission of students. Colleges have differing expectations for various majors, including highly competitive majors.  Whether the a...

In this episode, Lisa and Annie discuss: The Disability Tax teens with physical disabilities and health conditions face as they begin their college journey.  Differences in accommodations and support for your student college.  How a college technically complying with federal law is different from being 100% accessible for all students and what your teen should consider.  The adulting skills your s...

In this episode, Lisa and Sylvia discuss: Why Honors Colleges should not be an afterthought as your student is making their college list.  What an Honors College is and how it differs from an Honors Program.  Benefits of being in an Honors College.  Differences in application processes for Honors Colleges.  Key Takeaways: Honors Colleges are intentional about building community, not just academica...

In this episode, Lisa discusses: How your student can demonstrate to colleges the reasons behind their choice of college major. Actions your student can take in high school to have confidence in their future major decision and share their story with colleges.  Options outside your high school to take the right classes.  Thinking more broadly about how your teen can gain valuable extracurricular ex...

In this episode, Lisa and Andrea discuss: Struggles parents have in the transition between being a high school parent and a college parent.  Start the transition by finding out where your college-bound student has room to grow.  The areas of college readiness beyond academics.  Supporting students as they transition and build resilience.  Key Takeaways:  Start parenting your college-bound student...

In this episode, Lisa and Wendy discuss: Accommodation strategies for your student - both no-brainers and more unique options. Why documentation of accommodations (official and unofficial) is critical. How the new VP of Accommodations for ACT made it easier to get accommodations. What the accommodation application process looks like.  Key Takeaways:  In notes from teachers, ask them to leave off t...

In this episode, Lisa and Keely discuss: How coaching can help improve your life, your parenting skills, and your family. Systems and processes for navigating raising teens.  Suggestions for committing to intentional family meetings with teenagers.  Intentionality in small conversations and finding time to empower your teenagers. Key Takeaways:  Coaches can give you a third-party perspective on wh...

In this episode, Lisa and Leia discuss: Ways your homeschooler can communicate their test scores with potential colleges and universities.  Why dual enrollment courses may be the right option for your student.  The importance of taking the PSAT, SAT, and/or ACT, and when your student should start preparing for those exams.  What your student should know about the CLT test.  Key Takeaways:  Your st...

In this episode, Lisa and Stephanie discuss: Reasons your student might consider community college instead of or before transitioning to a 4-year university.  Advantages of a community college and reasons your student should invest time in a visit to the campus.  Differences between community colleges, regional campuses, and technical colleges.  The correct verbiage you need to ask the right quest...

In this episode, Lisa and Lisa discuss: Why your student shouldn’t write off a ROTC program in college, even if they did in high school.  How an ROTC program at a public university is different from the military academies.  The competitive nature of the ROTC scholarship requirements and how they vary between the branches.   Avoiding procrastination - how your student can prepare and understand the...

In this episode, Lisa and Adam discuss: The upcoming rollout for the national test date Online ACT and what it means for students.  What your student can expect to be different between the online and paper ACT.  Tools, both digital and physical, to use while prepping for and taking the Online ACT.  Pros and cons of the Online ACT versus paper testing.  Key Takeaways:  There are many unpredictable...

In this episode, Lisa and Beatrice discuss: How the CSS Profile differs from the FAFSA for getting college financial aid. Which colleges use the CSS Profile. Why it’s important to establish a college budget as early as your student’s sophomore year.  Reasons why you should complete the CSS Profile and apply for other financial aid opportunities regardless of your family income.  What materials to...

In this episode, Lisa and Lauran discuss: The 4 (surprising) categories of executive function skills every student needs for success.  Why executive functioning skills are more important than the standard high school education leads you to believe.  Tips for how parents and families can set their teen up to learn these skills for a successful transition to college. Tips for creating open avenues o...

In this episode, Lisa and Julie discuss: Explaining the menu of college application early options for your student.  What it means for an early decision acceptance to be binding.  How applying to public versus private institutions changes Early Action and Early Decision applications.  Strategizing on your student’s applications.  Key Takeaways:  Early Decision 1 (ED1) applications are typically du...

In this episode, Lisa and Dave discuss: The lucrative nature of college athletics. How coaches and a ready-made set of peers can support their student-athletes.  Creating a holistic college fit for your student-athlete.  Who to talk to about your student’s major and sport to understand time conflicts.  Key Takeaways:  Only 5% of high school athletes go on to continue in college sports. But that nu...

In this episode, Lisa and Beth discuss: The changes to NEED based financial aid for students attending college in 2024 or later.  Why the changes are being made to the FAFSA application.  The goal of making higher education more accessible to those who need financial help.  Different financial aid forms: FAFSA versus the CSS Profile.  Taking back control as consumers of college education.  Key Tak...