Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast

We may all agree that reading is fundamental, but is there consensus on how best to teach reading and increase literacy? You'd be surprised at what we are still learning about such a basic yet critical responsibility. Amy and Mike invited researcher Adam Tyner to share new findings about the links between social studies instruction and reading comprehension.  What are five things you will learn in...

Everyone knows that extracurricular activities matter in college admissions. But do you know which aspects of participation and achievement really make a difference? Amy and Mike invited admissions expert Judi Robinovitz to outline the essentials of building an A+ extracurricular resume.  What are five things you will learn in this episode? Are extracurriculars as important as people say? Do colle...

The test prep and tutoring industry has somehow grown into a multi-billion dollar behemoth without any guiding association, credentials, or voice. But is the world ready for a non-profit industry organization ready to promote ethical education and advocate for all stakeholders in the testing process? Amy and Mike invited members of the NTPA Board of Directors to introduce the new National Test Pre...

While most K-12 students would love test-optional schooling, most K-12 teachers strongly disagree. Why are exams essential and inextricable components of education? Amy and Mike invited educator Travis Koutsoubos-Miles to discuss how tests drive learning.  What are five things you will learn in this episode? Are tests necessary in the classroom? In what ways do testing and accountability interact?...

For most families, the path from kindergarten to college seems set in stone, requiring as many years as there are grades. Yet, many students accelerate through the process. Should yours?  Amy and Mike invited educator Ann Lupkowski-Shoplik to explore the impact of skipping a grade on students.  What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is grade acceleration? Do a lot of students sk...

The admissions process for four-year schools increases in complexity in proportion to how tough a college or university is to get into. What should you know, then, for the most competitive of all? Amy and Mike invited educational consultant John Morganelli, Jr. to share admissions insights for highly selective universities.  What are five things you will learn in this episode? What are the odds of...

Taking the SAT and ACT with the proper accommodations can level the assessment playing field for students with learning disabilities and medical needs. But needing and getting accommodations are two very different things. Amy and Mike invited educator Wendy Hayes to outline the process for receiving testing accommodations.  What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is the best way...

Depending on your background, you either know lots of people who have attended Christian colleges or can't name more than one or two of the hundreds of institutions in the U.S. Amy and Mike invited educational consultant Mark Cruver to proclaim the virtues of attending a Christian university. What are five things you will learn in this episode? How many Christian colleges are there and where can t...

In this era of instant internet searches, you may think that memory doesn't matter as much as it used to. Maybe you forget how much memory drives everything we do! Amy and Mike invited education professional Nancy Weinstein to explain the science of memory.  What are five things you will learn in this episode? What does it mean to have a "good" or "bad" memory? What are the different types of memo...

Contrary to the allegations of critics, you cannot buy great test scores. In fact, a surprising number of students earn elite--and sometimes perfect--scores on their own. Amy and Mike invited test prep professional Brian Eufinger to analyze self-prep for the SAT & ACT. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Is it possible to self-prep and excel on the SAT and ACT? What kind of studen...

As long as school has included tests and grades, teachers have had to deal with dishonesty and plagiarism. With rapidly changing technology, however, come more and more novel and insidious ways to cheat. Amy and Mike invited education technology expert Gretchen Hanson to describe the evolving academic integrity arms race.  What are five things you will learn in this episode? What does academic int...

21st century high schools teach different subjects in different ways integrating entirely different standards, guidelines, and technology. So why do they still use a 19th century grading system? Amy and Mike invited educator and author Jonathan E. Martin to learn about models of reinventing the high school transcript.  What are five things you will learn in this episode? Why and how is the current...

Most families get serious about planning for life after high school during a child's tween or teen years. If you want to pay for educational programs like college, though, you might want to plan much further in advance! Amy and Mike invited financial expert John Hupalo to demystify 529 college savings plans.  What are five things you will learn in this episode? What exactly is a 529 college saving...

In-school prep programs can be highly effective in terms of score increases, content mastery, and overall student satisfaction... as long as school staff and private partners are on the same page. But how often does that happen?  Amy and Mike invited test prep professional Rhett Barbour to describe the key steps to building and maintaining effective school partnerships.  What are five things you w...

In a surprising number of ways, putting together a new incoming class at a college is like crafting a list for the perfect party. So how can you make sure you are invited? Amy and Mike invited author Jeff Selingo to pull back the curtain on the process of shaping an admissions class.  What are five things you will learn in this episode? What does "shaping" mean in admissions parlance? Do all colle...

The SAT has attracted incalculable criticism and scorn over the last century, but would detractors feel as much loathing if they knew the test's noble origins and purpose? Amy and Mike invited educational icon Anthony P. Carnevale to recall the historical mission of the SAT.  What are five things you will learn in this episode? What was the original purpose of the SAT? What was the initial role of...

The classic liberal arts and sciences education represents the prototypical college experience, yet many argue that modern times call for different kinds of programs and degrees. Is it possible, though, that a liberal arts education may be more valuable now than ever? Amy and Mike invited Kenyon admissions officer Ellen Turner to enumerate the virtues of attending a liberal arts college. What are...

With all the concern swirling around college admissions testing, maybe the solution isn't fewer exams but actually more . Amy and Mike invited education professional Jeremy Tate to shed light on the Classic Learning Test (CLT).  What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is the Classic Learning Test? How does the CLT differ from the SAT and ACT? Why should schools value the CLT? Wha...

Many students do college-level work during high school, but only a fortunate few figure out how to translate their studies to substantial college credits. Amy and Mike invited financial expert Rocky Lalvani to explain the many educational and fiscal advantages of dual enrollment programs.  What are five things you will learn in this episode? What do dual enrollment and dual credit mean? Why do som...

The college essay is, at heart, a sales letter intended to close the deal of a student's admission to a desired school. Why, then, do writers so often ignore the power of rhetoric to inform, persuade, or motivate? Amy and Mike invited educator and podcaster Ryan Tibbens to explore the benefits of writing rhetorically in admissions essays. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What e...

The traditional college visit presents the perfect opportunity to get a real feel for a school while demonstrating sincere interest. A virtual college visit is no different. Amy and Mike invited admissions consultant Jessie Peck Martin to explain how to make the most of a virtual college admissions event. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What, beyond the obvious, makes a virtua...

Money is a major concern before, during, and very much after the college admissions process? So why isn't financial planning integrated more consistently?  Amy and Mike invited educator and consultant Lisa Marker-Robbins to explain why and how test prep professionals and financial planners can work together.  What are five things you will learn in this episode? How can test scores affect scholarsh...

Very few students graduate from college thinking that they just lived through the most challenging yet enriching four years of their lives. Then again, most students don't go to schools like West Point!  Amy and Mike invited admissions officer Major Kendrick Vaughn to describe the distinctive experience of attending a military service academy. What are five things you will learn in this episode? W...

We all want to get scholarships, right? But how many people want to give scholarships? Amy and Mike did, mainly because scholarship expert Monica Matthews inspired us. That's why we invited Monica back to help process the lessons learned by offering a scholarship.  What are five things you will learn in this episode? What makes offering a scholarship an excellent idea? How quickly can you expect f...

Perfection, according to Vince Lombardi, is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence. But is a perfect score on a critical admissions test really impossible, and what else can you catch in the pursuit of one? Amy and Mike invited author and educator Debbie Stier to discuss the road to a perfect test score.  What are five things you will learn in this episode? How hard is...