Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast

Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced independent educational consultant? MEET OUR GUEST Meet Chris Bell, a professional with a long history of helping students. Chris knows the college and university landscape and has a Masters of Science in Student Affairs in Higher Education where he was trained as a counselor. He served in college and university settings for mo...

Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced independent educational consultant? MEET OUR GUEST Admissions Untangled owner Gerene Keesler utilizes three decades of experience in the university profession including work in Admissions, Residential Life, and Career Services. Gerene recently obtained her certificate in College Counseling from UC San Diego (March, 2021) and ho...

Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced independent educational consultant? MEET OUR GUEST Meet Mike Hammer, a college admissions counselor with over 30 years experience in higher ed. Mike landed at Cornell University following stints in retail, non-profit, and IT consulting. Mike spent six years in Arts & Sciences where he was responsible for the undergrad admission...

Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced independent educational consultant? MEET OUR GUEST Jessica Chermak is an Independent College Counselor with over a decade of experience in academia and helping students navigate the college admissions process. She also spent four years conducting research at the University of Colorado Boulder's Institute of Behavioral Science,...

Students tend to see exams as a means to evaluate learning, but expert educators recognize assessments as instrumental elements of the teaching process. Amy and Mike invited researcher Ayanna Thomas to explain how tests aid memory. What are five things you will learn in this episode? How can completing practice tests be a strategy for learning? What does "testing to criterion" entail? How does str...

So much of the college admissions conversation seems to assume perfect grades and test scores along with ultra-selective ambitions. What about the other 99% of the applicant pool? Amy and Mike invited college advisors Katie Garrett and Melanie Talesnick to discuss college advising for B students. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What does it mean to be a regular kid in college...

Everything you need to teach your class in one place with ed tech developer Cameron Stoker What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is the story behind Speechcloud? How does Speechcloud work? Who currently uses Speechcloud? What kinds of outcomes do users experience? What should someone curious about Speechcloud know about it?  ABOUT SPEECHCLOUD Speechcloud is a classroom manageme...

The educational system in the United States bears a stark similarity to our political and economic structures, marked by both astonishing successes and painful failures. Amy and Mike invited professor Ashley Berner to examine pluralistic models and explore assumptions about public education. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is the current framework for public education in...

Teens–like people at every other stage of human development–need to feel confidence, satisfaction, and respect for themselves. Alas, that isn't always easy. Amy and Mike invited life coach Nellie Harden to share insights into cultivating teen self-esteem. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What are the biggest needs teens have today? What kinds of self esteems are there? What mak...

When students have choices on how to access instructional material, they often engage and learn at a higher level. Anyone who runs closed captions or subtitles no matter what they're watching knows exactly why! Amy and Mike invited educator Ginger Dewey to explain the uses and advancements in text-to-speech learning tools. What are five things you will learn in this episode? 1. What is text-to-spe...

Success in getting into a school does not guarantee success in staying there, and persistence should be an active concern for students, parents, and institutions alike. Amy and Mike invited college consultant Beth Howland to explore what to do when a student struggles in college. What are five things you will learn in this episode? 1. How can you tell when a student who struggles at college needs...

While only one of the two exams includes a dedicated science section, both the SAT and ACT find ways to challenge science literacy. Amy and Mike invited educator Elizabeth Breau to share insights into reading science passages on the SAT and ACT. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Do students need to be science experts to do well on science passages on the SAT and ACT? What kinds...

Jeanne Lucas was a remarkable educator and even better friend who impacted more lives than she knew. In recognition of Jeanne and her boundless love of language and literacy, the National Test Prep Association is offering a scholarship in her honor. Amy and Mike invited friends to share reminiscences and details about the Jeanne Lucas Memorial Scholarship. What are five things you will learn in th...

A Great Business Education Accessible For All with higher ed administrator Ian Mortimer The awesome sponsor we want to spotlight today is Golisano Institute. Let's meet our special guest Ian Mortimer. We're thrilled to be speaking with you, Ian. Welcome! What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is the story behind The Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship? How does Go...

That major aspects of K-12 and higher education along with society at large are undergoing meaningful transformation much faster than usual cannot be argued. How, then, can we swim with the tide rather than be pulled under? Amy and Mike invited college consultant Cyndy McDonald to expand upon the upsides of rapid changes in education. What are five things you will learn in this episode? 1. What as...

Considering all the steps in the intricate dance of selecting, applying, and paying for college, it's no surprise that applicants tend to get some of them wrong. Amy and Mike invited college counselor Shellee Howard to highlight common mistakes in college selection. What are five things you will learn in this episode? 1. How soon should the selection process start? 2. Who should take ownership of...

Better SAT and ACT Tests, Smarter Analytics with educators Sonya Muthalia and Neill Seltzer What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is the story behind ScoreSmart? How does ScoreSmart work? Who is the ideal user for ScoreSmart?  How will ScoreSmart benefit both students and tutors?  What should someone curious about ScoreSmart know about it? ABOUT SCORESMART ScoreSmart is the bra...

Politicians rarely weigh in on what students are taught in school and usually act from a non-academic agenda when they do. The announcements of new AP African American Studies and Precalculus courses have attracted far more negative attention than honors classes typically do. Why? Amy and Mike invited educator John Moscatiello to unpack the controversies around new Advanced Placement programs. Wha...

With all the focus on selectivity and compatibility–not to mention the delicate dance between potentially interested prospective partners, college admissions sounds a whole lot like dating. Amy and Mike invited tech entrepreneur Dave Hurwitt to share strategies for selecting your forever school.  What are five things you will learn in this episode? What factors should you consider when selecting a...

A modular, professional SAT & ACT curriculum that makes you a better teacher with educator Kailey Ossanna  What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is the story behind the TestBright Curriculum System? How does the TestBright Curriculum System work? Who currently uses the TestBright Curriculum System?  What kinds of outcomes do both students and teachers experience?  What should s...

Why do so many students who thrive in high school suddenly stumble once they attain the halls of higher education? Alas, the welcome packet rarely mentions that what gets you there might not be what keeps you there! Amy and Mike invited educator and author Jay Phelan to elucidate the unwritten rules of college success. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Why does success in colleg...

Parents, educators, and bloviators of every stripe have been given platforms to express their opinions on testing, admissions, and standards, but how often do we hear from those whose futures are directly impacted by this ongoing debate? Amy and Mike invited students from Eufaula HS and educator Olivia Jones to share student perspectives on why tests matter. What are five things you will learn in...

A relationship-rich school in the heart of the Finger Lakes with admissions counselor Melanie Sage What are five things you will learn in this episode? Where are Hobart and William Smith Colleges located and what are its demographics? What types of students feel most at home at HWS? What are the strengths of Hobart and William Smith Colleges? Why does HWS have such an exceptional student retention...

Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced professional in the test prep industry? MEET OUR GUEST Meet Josh D'Alemberte , a creative and energetic educator who pushes his clients to, "Do your maximum!" He knew that he wanted to teach since his high school years.  After teaching and coaching for 25 years in public and private schools, he left the traditional classroom to...

Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced professional in the test prep industry? MEET OUR GUEST Meet Dr. Kelly Finn , who has a BS in Business and K-12 teaching license, a MS in math, and a Doctor of Learning and Teaching from the University of Iowa. She has helped students prepare for college for 15 years. Kelly and her team have helped students enroll in top college...