College and Career Clarity

In this episode, Lisa discusses: What supplemental college essays are and what is required of your teen Most common topics for supplemental college essays. How your student’s past activities and desired future link to their chosen major and how to communicate this to the colleges. Strategies for writing multiple versions of the “why this major” essay. Key Takeaways:  Most supplemental essays are s...

In this episode, Lisa and Barak discuss: Life skills, not just higher scores, gained from the SAT/ACT test prep.  How tutoring prepares students for their life’s adventure.  Opening doors and doing good through test prep.  The very real skills gained during the journey of test prep.  Key Takeaways:  Be more positive with your student, it will help to remove the frustration and help them cultivate...

In this episode, Lisa and Wendy discuss: What are the types of unexpected circumstances they may derail college planning? When facing unexpected family challenges during the college-bound process, what does (and doesn’t) change. Identifying support for your student when the unexpected strikes your family.  Building a well-balanced college list that fits your student’s circumstances (both current a...

In this episode Lisa and Susie discuss: When to really start diving deep into your student’s college search.  Focusing on the high school experience before pushing the college experience.  The importance of spending time on the college website.  Utilizing the various social media platforms to learn more about colleges.  Key Takeaways:  To know which college your student wants to attend, they first...

In this episode, Lisa and Ben discuss: The biggest challenge for teens and the best predictor of student success.  Understanding the true definition of your teen’s stress.  How your teen (and you!) can learn to be calm, confident, and focused in the face of stress.  Helping your student when they say they are not stressed, but you think they are.  How to foster agency in your student.  Key Takeawa...

In this episode, Lisa and Jennifer discuss: Pros and cons of universities versus colleges (and how each might work better for your student).  Review your student’s college list, recognizing what is different, and understanding what options your student will have at each school.  Using experiences and extracurricular activities to understand what careers and majors fit.  College and major flexibili...

In this episode, Lisa discusses the five questions: Does your college or university admit directly to the major, college, or division? Are there any majors that are restricted to first-year freshman applicants? If so, what are they? What is the process for changing majors within a college or division? And, are there any saturated majors where capacity is fairly limited?  What is the process for ch...

In this episode, Lisa and Scotti discuss: Why many students’ struggles appear in high school and after, rather than in younger grades.  Where families can start when their student is struggling.  Opportunities outside of high school for students to find success quickly and boost confidence.  Collaborative problem-solving with students and educators for student success.  Key Takeaways:  Every stude...

In this episode, Lisa and Jeremiah discuss: The nuances of the student experience at Christian colleges and universities.  The evolution of Christian colleges.  Majors that are commonly found at Christian universities and combined programs to meet your career goals.  The student experience for students of all faiths when attending a Christian college.  Key Takeaways:  Not all Christian universitie...

In this episode, Lisa and Cathy discuss: Creating a responsible, not perfect, college list.  Reconciling what actions parents can do and what is the students’ responsiblity. Defining success as a family for better communication.  Merit-based and need-based scholarships.  Key Takeaways:  College is different from when parents were in school than it is now. It is even wildly different just from pre-...

In this episode Lisa and Kim discuss: Secrets of admissions that might surprise students and their families. The myths and confusion surrounding the admissions essay.  How to be genuine while writing the admissions essays.  Understanding the questions being asked, answering the prompt, and not thinking about what other people want.  Key Takeaways:  When your student is starting to build their netw...

In this episode Lisa and Megan discuss: The importance of teaching your kids to think about thinking from a young age.  Recognizing the difference between what actually happens and the narrative our brain tells around the same event.  The difference harnessing the power of thought can make in parenting your teen.  The power of flipping statements into questions and interrogating the narrative.  Ke...

In this episode Lisa and David discuss: Statistics that will change the way you look at your student’s school breaks. How to use school breaks for students’ success.  The profound impact reading has on a student’s academic success.  Helping students to increase their reading speed and comprehension.  Key Takeaways:  Between 1st and 5th grade, roughly 24% of what wealthy students learned was during...

In this episode Lisa and Hanna discuss: Categories of student misconduct from minor to major. The evolution of misconduct by students (and how COVID rapidly changed some of those bad decisions).  Your teen’s obligation to disclose misconduct during the college admissions process (or not). How your student can tell the truth, explain their story, and understand how colleges will perceive misconduct...

In this episode Lisa and Lisa discuss: What a military service academy is and how the experience differs from that of a traditional college. The different college majors are emphasized at each military service academy.  What leadership looks like for applicants (and it’s not about the job title).  Requirements for military service academy applications and nominations.  Key Takeaways:  When graduat...

In this episode Lisa and Megan discuss: Navigating the AP exams from sign-up through the exam season.  The myth of the magic number of AP courses to take in high school.  If your student should risk getting a B in a harder course of interest in instead of playing it safe with only A classes when choosing your high school courses.  Deciding whether you want to take the AP e exam and which scores to...

In this episode Lisa and Elliot discuss: The importance of trying new things before college. Changing the mindset from where to go to college to how to go to college.  How to encourage your high schooler to know themselves.  Instilling resiliency in your children of any age.  Key Takeaways:  Think about your college experience as something you design to fit your personality and dreams. Design your...

In this episode, Lisa, Dean, and Joyce discuss:   Differences between secular colleges and catholic colleges What sets the student’s experience at a Catholic University apart from other schools The experience of non-Catholic students attending a Catholic school Unity is more observed than differences in a catholic college that are open to students of different backgrounds and faiths It is benefici...

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 s...

In this episode Lisa and Marni discuss: How you and your student can stay positive and be celebrating when decisions come in Keeping a realistic perspective on the likelihood of getting into each college Why proper college major planning is key to success   Prioritizing your teen’s mental health through the college-bound journey What tasks you as the parent should do (and shouldn’t) Key Takeaways:...

In this episode Lisa and Ryan discuss: The six essential traits of successful entrepreneurs  How teenagers can test the waters of entrepreneurship now Is college necessary and beneficial for entrepreneurship What do entrepreneurs need to succeed?  Key Takeaways: Our desire to take wisdom, our learnings, and lessons from leaps, guides better start-ups and a better life.  The six essential traits of...

Is it really challenging for homeschooled students to get admitted to college? Regardless of whether the student attended a public, private, or homeschool, as long as they have strong communication skills, the student will be fine. In this episode, Rebecca Stuart-Orlowski shares how to positively present homeschooled students through the college application process.  HIGHLIGHTS: Strong communicati...

Is the gap year for your teen? While only about 1% of American high school students currently take a gap year, the wildly popular custom in Europe is on the rise in the United States. Gap years can help your teen learn about the world, and different types of people, gain confidence and mature a little bit before they step onto a college campus. EPISODE NOTES March is the perfect time to talk about...

As we hit the third anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic, I’ve invited two guests, Amy Seeley and Cristiana Quinn, to discuss the effects it has had on college admissions. This includes both how students apply to college and how colleges determine who to admit. The last three years have felt like the wild west to those who work with college-bound families, so we know it feels even more so to you....

It’s the end of an era for standardized testing. For the past 90 years, students have taken their SATs in a pencil-to-paper format. However, as ACT and SAT expert David Blobaum shares, 2023 is the final year of the paper SAT.  In March 2024, the SAT will be an all-digital test and it will become adaptive. David explains what a digital-adaptive test is and gives advice for how your teen can best ad...