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

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...

In this episode of the Don't Chuck It Up podcast, college counselor Chuck offers a comprehensive year-in-review of the college application process, providing actionable advice for high school juniors preparing for the upcoming cycle. Highlighting essential strategies for a successful college search, the discussion covers critical topics such as managing college costs through net price calculat...

Join host Chuck and special guest Al Reiser, a seasoned college athletics administrator, on this episode of Don't Chuck It Up as they dive deep into the complexities of choosing between Division I (D1) and Division III (D3) athletic programs. Through the lens of their own experiences at small liberal arts colleges and high-level D1 institutions, they debunk common myths about athletic talent g...

In this episode of Don't Chuck It Up, host Chuck, an experienced college counselor and former admissions officer, provides a comprehensive guide to maximizing your college campus visit by asking high-impact questions to admissions counselors, tour guides, and professors. The discussion explains how to move beyond the standard tour script to uncover vital information about financial aid process...

In this episode of Don't Chuck It Up, Chuck breaks down the complexities of the college waitlist and what it means for your admissions journey. You will learn why selective universities use waitlists to manage enrollment goals and "summer melt," as well as the critical importance of submitting an enrollment deposit to another institution by the May 1st national decision deadline. We...

As the May 1st college decision deadline looms, many families are struggling with the high-stakes debate of price versus prestige. In this episode of Don't Chuck It Up, veteran college counselor Chuck explores whether "big name" schools truly justify their heavy price tags, especially when considering that undergraduate rankings rarely dictate success in medical school or law school...

Unlock the secrets to securing a future with the United States Military Service Academies in this expert-led episode of Don’t Chuck It Up. Host Chuck sits down with independent educational consultant and Air Force veteran Lisa Hillhouse to provide a comprehensive guide for students pursuing fully funded college tuition, elite leadership training, and guaranteed officer commissions. This deep dive...

In this episode of the Don't Chuck It Up podcast, host and college counselor Chuck shares three essential college visit tips to help students and families make a positive impression and maximize their time on campus. Based on his recent tours of various universities, Chuck identifies common mistakes, such as arriving late due to parking difficulties, and advises visitors to arrive at least 30...

In this episode of Don't Chuck It Up, college counselor Chuck sits down with Manila-based independent educational consultant John Sy. to demystify the complexities of financing a US education for international students. The duo explores the critical differences between public vs. private universities, explaining how out-of-state tuition impacts non-US passport holders and why some institutions...

In this episode of Don't Chuck It Up, college counselor Chuck interviews Mason Campbell, a sophomore at Coe College who pivoted from dreaming of coastal schools and Disney to finding his fit at a small liberal arts college in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Mason discusses the realities of being a D3 student-athlete, balancing a biology pre-med major with the rigorous schedule of a starting center on the...

In this episode of Don’t Chuck It Up, host Chuck is joined by college success expert Mya Anderson to tackle the often-overlooked "sophomore slump" and provide essential parenting tips for supporting students during their second year of college. The conversation dives deep into student success strategies, emphasizing the importance of shifting mindsets from "not knowing what you don&...

In this episode of the Don’t Chuck It Up podcast, college counselor Chuck chats with former student Hattie Nesvig about her inspiring journey from a rural high school in Western Montana to becoming a biomedical and mechanical engineering double major at Colorado State University (CSU). Designed for families navigating the college search and application process, this conversation explores how stude...

In this episode of Don’t Chuck It Up, host and college counselor Chuck welcomes ROTC scholarship expert and military service academy specialist Lisa Hillhouse to break down the "nuts and bolts" of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps. Designed for high school students and families navigating the college application process, this guide explores how ROTC programs offer a "real col...

In this episode of the Don't Chuck It Up podcast, host Chuck—a professional college counselor—sits down with former student Cameron Chudacoff to explore the real-world student experience of navigating the college search and application process. Cameron, now a sophomore at the University of Tampa, shares valuable college admissions advice for high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors looking...

In this episode of Don't Chuck It Up, college counselor Chuck interviews former student Elijah Greene, who shares his journey from an unmotivated high schooler in Wisconsin to an elite senior at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Despite a "shaky" academic start and a 3.16 high school GPA, Elijah found his drive by focusing on his lifelong dream of becoming an airline pilot, event...

In this episode of Don't Chuck It Up, college counselor Chuck returns from a holiday hiatus to kick off 2026 with a deep dive into the 2025 podcast data and essential advice for the year ahead. Chuck reveals that since its October 2024 launch, the podcast has reached nearly 3,000 streams across 30 countries, with a global audience particularly active on YouTube. The episode transitions into a...

In this episode of Don’t Chuck It Up, host Chuck sits down with Scott Garbini, an independent educational consultant and expert in LGBTQ+ college resources. Together, they dive into the unique challenges and essential considerations for LGBTQAI+ students and their families during the college application process. From identifying inclusive campuses to understanding when and how to "come out&qu...