Shift - College admissions in a changing world

Is your student truly prepared for college-level math? David Blobaum is the Co-Founder of Summit Prep and a nationally recognized expert on standardized testing and college admissions. In this episode, David explores the growing college math readiness gap, the impact of grade inflation, and the lasting effects of pandemic learning loss.   Achievable has ACT, SAT and CLT prep courses that use advan...

What if the most important factors in college success have nothing to do with where you get accepted? Louis Newman is a scholar, educator, and college success coach with more than 40 years of experience in teaching, advising, and faculty development. He is the author of several books, including Thinking Critically in College: The Essential Handbook for Student Success . In this episode, we discuss...

What if the college admissions process didn't have to be so stressful? Jill Shulman is the author of College Admissions Cracked: Saving Your Kid (and Yourself) from the Madness, College Essay Confidence: Conquer Blocks, Free Your Voice, and Write a Knockout Application Essay, and she is the founder of In Other Words, a college essay coaching service. She has spent decades shepherding families thro...

Do you require testing accommodations for college entrance exams? Wendy Raynor is the founder of WRH College Prep, a SAT and ACT prep program specializing in neurodiverse teens. She also sits on the Board of Directors for the International Dyslexia Association of Georgia. In this episode, Wendy walks us through how to secure testing accommodations for the SAT/ACT, what qualifies for accommodations...

Understanding financial aid can be tricky, but we're here to help. Howard Freedman, founder of Financial Aid Consulting, has been helping applicants get financial aid for over 20 years. In this episode, Howard shares how to understand financial aid packages, common mistakes to avoid, and what to include in applications.   Connect with Howard Freedman: https://www.facebook.com/makingcollegehappen  ...

Writing your college essay requires a lot of strategy and confidence plays the biggest role. Jill Shulman is the author of College Admissions Cracked: Saving Your Kid (and Yourself) from the Madness, College Essay Confidence: Conquer Blocks, Free Your Voice, and Write a Knockout Application Essay, and she is the founder of In Other Words, a college essay coaching service. She has spent decades she...

Finding the best college for you will set you up for success in your life and career. Kevin Krebs founded HelloCollege and has spent the last 30 years helping students successfully navigate college admissions. In this episode, Kevin discusses how to vet colleges, test-optional policies, early decisions, and why deadlines are make-or-break.    Achievable has ACT, SAT and CLT prep courses that use a...

Applying to college as a classically educated student and unsure where to start? Becky Priest is the Director of Counseling at The Cambridge School. In this episode, Becky shares her insights on building college applications for homeschoolers, classically educated students, and Christian high schoolers.  Achievable has ACT, SAT and CLT prep courses that use advanced adaptive learning to target wea...

Do you struggle with the grammar questions on the SAT and ACT? Christina Chestnut is the owner of Chestnut Consulting and has been a tutor for the SAT, ACT, and AP topics for almost 20 years. In this episode, Christina guides you through the rules you need to know, how to diagnose questions, and strategies to help you succeed on these exams. Achievable has ACT, SAT and CLT prep courses that use ad...

Studying for a standardized test can be daunting for neurodiverse students. Wendy Raynor is the founder of WRH College Prep, a SAT and ACT prep program specializing in neurodiverse teens. She also sits on the Board of Directors for the International Dyslexia Association of Georgia. In this episode, Wendy helps you build a study plan for your neurodiverse student, including why traditional study pl...

Executive function coaching is all the rage right now, but is it the right solution for your child? Ed Antoine is the founder of Antoine Education and has been tutoring the SAT and ACT exams for over 20 years. In this episode, Ed walks you through whether your child actually needs executive function coaching or just study skills, including the four crucial study skills every student should know, w...

Applying to college as a homeschool student has some unique challenges and considerations. Rebecca Stuart-Orlowski is the founder of Orlowski College Consulting, specializing in supporting homeschool families through the college admissions process. In this episode, Rebecca walks you through the process of applying to college as a homeschooler, including transcripts and curricula, earning college c...

Getting ready to study for a standardized test like the SAT, ACT, or CLT? Christina Chestnut is the owner of Chestnut Consulting and has been a tutor for the SAT, ACT, and AP topics for almost 20 years. In this episode, Christina guides you through the standardized test prep process, covering what to expect, how your scores can impact your application, building a structured study plan, and how to...

If you approach the process with a plan, you can save tens of thousands of dollars on your college education. Becky Priest is the Director of Counseling at The Cambridge School. In this episode, Becky shares her strategic advice for securing college scholarships and financial aid, including the types of financial aid available, eligibility, the student aid index, and more. Achievable has ACT and C...

Getting into Harvard is tough for anyone, but with a full ride scholarship too? How? Shellee Howard is the founder of College Ready, where she has helped over 15,000 students get into their dream school, and is the author of both The College Admissions PLAN Simplified: A Busy Parent's P.L.A.N. to a Debt-Free Degree and the Amazon best seller "How to Send Your Student to College Without Losing Your...

Applying to an art program for college? Hyuk Chang is an Admissions Officer at the Academy of Interactive Entertainment (AIE). In this episode, Hyuk shares an admissions officer's perspective on what they look for in an art portfolio, including actionable advice that can improve your chances of admittance. Achievable has ACT and CLT prep courses that use advanced adaptive learning to target weak a...

The top college ranking sites dictate so much of how people evaluate colleges, but should they? Paul Glastris is the Editor-in-Chief of The Washington Monthly and previously worked for U.S. News and World Report on their college rankings. In this episode, Paul explains what the current top-ranking websites get wrong about college rankings and what 95% of students should be looking at instead. Achi...

How can you make the most of university if you're remote? Casey Vaughan is the Assistant Director of Military Outreach for Northeastern and has served in the Air Force. In this episode, Casey talks through her best practices for university students to make the most of their education while studying remotely. Achievable has ACT and CLT prep courses that use advanced adaptive learning to target weak...

What is the purpose of high school and college? Durga Suresh-Menon is the Head of School at New England Innovation Academy (NEIA), a forward-thinking independent school located near Boston that’s redefining how students prepare for the real world. In this episode, Durga talks about why you should consider rethinking high school and college, including where to start the process with your child in 9...

Want to send your kid to a prestigious college but are terrified of how much it will cost? Shellee Howard is the founder of College Ready, where she has helped over 15,000 students get into their dream school and afford it, including getting her own son into Harvard on a full-ride scholarship. She is also the author of The College Admissions PLAN Simplified: A Busy Parent's P.L.A.N. to a Debt-Free...

Thinking about transferring to a different college or spending 2 years in a community college before transferring to a 4-year college? Jamie Smith is a Certified Educational Planner and the author of the book The Complete Guide to College Transfers. In this episode, Jamie covers all things transfers, including intentional vs. spontaneous transfers, finding a perfect transfer-fit college, maximizin...

Hyuk Chang is an Admissions Officer at the Academy of Interactive Entertainment (AIE). In this episode, Hyuk shares an admissions officer's perspective on what they want to see in an application and interview. This episode is a unique perspective on the other side of the table, especially for creative schools like AIE. Achievable has ACT and CLT prep courses that use advanced adaptive learning to...

How can former military members make the most of going to college? Casey Vaughan is the Assistant Director of Military Outreach for Northeastern and has served in the Air Force. In this episode, Casey talks through veterans going to college, including how to get academic credit for your service work, how to juggle school with your other priorities, how to build a degree plan, and some success stor...

Are you looking to go to college abroad from the US? Jim Pierson is the Senior Regional Manager for University College Dublin, a global university based in Dublin, Ireland. In this episode, Jim talks through going international for college as a US student, including why students want to go, what makes you a good fit, the advantages and disadvantages, and how it affects competitiveness and finances...

How do you get the most out of college? Hamada Zahawi is the CEO and founder of Write Track Admissions, a global admissions consultancy with a 93% success rate. In this episode, Hamada shares his famous SLASH method to getting the most out of college: Social, Leadership, Academics, Study abroad, and Health. Achievable has ACT and CLT prep courses that use advanced adaptive learning to target weak...