The College Prep Podcast

This summer Erin will focus on building skills that will help students in the present and are essential to transition to a functioning adult. Today’s focus is on decluttering. Did you know that decluttering, organizing, and cleaning are three very separate tasks? Erin tackles the first of these with some of her best tips from her favorite declutterer. Resource: A Slob Comes Clean – Dan...

This summer Megan will focus on different college application essay topics, pinpointing common pitfalls and offering suggestions for strong responses. Today’s topic: “how have your impacted your community?” — No, you don’t need to cure cancer to impact your community.  — Impact is far more about what you DO than developing an activity with an impressive sounding title.  — There are a lot...

This summer Erin will focus on building skills that will help students in the present and are essential to transition to a functioning adult. Today’s focus: self-care. We want our students to grow up and develop the skills needed to successfully get themselves through college and live independently. This week we are talking about self-care. What does that mean? It isn’t bubble-baths and me-t...

Megan and Erin kick off their summer with shorter episodes. Listen now or save them up and listen when you get back to school in the fall.  This summer Erin will focus on building skills that will help students in the present and are essential to transition to a functioning adult. Today’s focus: habits.  Learn How do you make change?  How do you know you are ready?  How do we form habits...

Megan and Erin kick off their summer with shorter episodes. Listen now or save them up and listen when you get back to school in the fall.  This summer Megan will focus on different college application essay topics, pinpointing common pitfalls and offering suggestions for strong responses. Today’s essay challenge: “Why do you want to apply HERE? — Responses should go beyond superficial likes...

Megan and Erin discussed how to build a rigorous but manageable high school schedule that balances academic rigor with student well-being. College Course Planning Strategy Megan and Erin discussed building a rigorous but manageable school schedule, emphasizing that colleges evaluate both grades and course difficulty when reviewing applications. They highlighted the importance of balancing strong g...

Megan and Erin discussed a challenging college admission situation involving a student with strong academic credentials (1520 SAT, 4.0 GPA, all A’s) who was rejected by highly competitive schools despite thorough preparation and professional guidance. The student ultimately gained admission to a school with rolling admissions that better suited his needs, though his parents and mentor experi...

Megan and Erin discussed the importance of utilizing PSAT results to identify areas for improvement and prepare for future standardized tests. They explain how to access and interpret PSAT scores, focusing on analyzing specific subject areas rather than just the overall score. Megan emphasizes the value of reviewing results early, particularly for high-achieving students who could potentially qual...

Megan and Erin discussed Erin’s recent experience at South by Southwest, where she attended sessions focused on AI in education and executive function coaching. Executive Function Coaching Certification Discussion Erin and Megan discussed the importance of using accurate vocabulary when talking about executive function and the challenges of identifying qualified coaches. Erin shared insights...

Megan and Erin discussed five key actions families can take throughout high school to make college admissions easier, emphasizing actions families can take from freshman year through junior year. Megan highlighted the importance of consistent planning and outlined key tasks for each year, while Erin shared insights and actionable items. They agreed on the value of starting early and maintaining a...

Today Megan and Erin answer a listener question about online classes and brainstorm ideas for students, parents, and educators to help avoid a schedule full of unwanted online college classes. Laurie wrote: I have noticed a trend the past two years that is frustrating the students I work with and I would love to hear your and Erin’s perspectives and thoughts. Out of about dozen college fresh...

Megan and Erin discuss common surprising college rejections and how to avoid them. College rejections are often based on numerical limitations rather than personal judgment, but they still hurt. While some rejection is expected with competitive admissions, there are some steps parents and students can take to minimize disappointment. Preventable Mistakes Megan and Erin discussed preventable mistak...

Megan and Erin discuss the importance of not rushing to decide a college major, especially for high school students who may not have been exposed to all possible fields of study. Many students change their majors during college and that the degree itself is less important than the skills and experiences gained. Some key issues: Choosing a college major as a high school senior can cause unnecessary...

Join us as Megan and Erin discussed how parents can determine if their children are working hard enough, particularly in the context of academic performance and test preparation. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as it depends on the individual student and their goals, but there are some things parents can consider. We want to see our kids succeed and teach habits that...

Join Megan and Erin as they discuss how students can compare and make decisions about college offers, focusing on financial considerations and program offerings. It can be difficult to make that final decision. Families can start evaluating offers by create a pros and cons list for each school, considering factors like location, specialized programs, and affordability evaluate the financial aid pa...

Join Megan and Erin as they discuss strategies for maximizing college scholarship dollars while avoiding scams. Scholarship Search Tools Overview Megan and Erin discussed scholarship search tools, with Megan recommending several legitimate scholarship aggregators and advised listeners to be cautious of sites that charge fees for applications, as legitimate scholarship programs do not require payme...

Admission to music programs and conservatories is a specialized process that involves more steps than simply sending application material and essays to the admissions office. This week Megan is joined by Darren Sacks, a professional double bassist and music college admissions expert to discuss key aspects of music education and the audition preparation. Darren shares: the importance of early music...

In this episode, Megan and Erin dive into practical financial literacy topics students need to understand before and during college. Their discussion centers on managing money in an increasingly cashless world, avoiding common student loan mistakes, and building credit responsibly. Using real-life examples from their own families and experiences with students, they highlight how small financial de...

Megan and Erin break down how students and families can turn college fairs into a genuinely useful part of the college search process. Drawing on both student and admissions-side perspectives, they emphasize that preparation, smart engagement, and follow-up are what separate an overwhelming fair from a productive one. The conversation covers how to approach admissions representatives, what kinds o...

In this episode, Megan and Erin break down effective college application strategies, using insights from a U.S. News article featuring Rice University’s Dean of Admissions. Rice says it wants to see Academic excellence and intellectual curiosity Community engagement and contributions Students who really want to be here Listen as Megan and Erin discuss How students can demonstrate intellectual curi...

Building a college list can feel overwhelming—and it’s easy to get it wrong. In this episode of  The College Prep Podcast , Megan and Erin break down the most common mistakes students and families make when creating a college list and explain how to avoid last-minute stress and disappointment. Rather than focusing on the “perfect” way to build a list, the hosts walk through  how not to do it...

When should students take the SAT or ACT—and how many times is enough?  In this episode of  The College Prep Podcast , Megan and Erin break down the ideal testing timeline and clear up common misconceptions that cause unnecessary stress for families. They explain why  junior year is the sweet spot for SAT and ACT testing , how many times students typically take these exams, and why...

In this episode of  The College Prep Podcast , hosts Megan and Erin tackle a question that causes a great deal of stress and confusion for students and parents alike:  What do colleges really want from applicants?  Moving beyond myths about perfect GPAs, nonstop leadership titles, and extreme extracurriculars, they explain how colleges evaluate students across a wide range of instit...

Paying for college can feel overwhelming, especially for families who do not qualify for need based financial aid. In this episode, Megan and Erin break down how merit based scholarships really work and how families can be more strategic about reducing the cost of college. What We Cover in This Episode • The difference between need based aid and merit based scholarships • Why income level does not...

LISTENER EMAIL! We love these–and our friend Ben sent one in wanting to know what he might do in the early stages of college prep to set himself up for success. Megan and Erin make a must-have checklist for this proactive eigth-grader! The post 611: Early Steps for College Planning and Academic Success appeared first on The College Prep Podcast .