The College Prep Podcast

If you have no idea what Desmos is–then this is the episode for you! If YOU do know what Desmos is and heard it is the key to getting an even higher score on those standardized tests–then this is also the episode for you! Find out what Desmos is and when it’s a good idea to rely on it for extra points and when it might not be magic tool so many are promising. The post 610: Is Des...

The holidays are here! It’s a time for reflection and hope. Megan and Erin share the things they most want this year for students, for education, and for the entire college-application process. The post 609: Megan & Erin’s Holiday Wish List appeared first on The College Prep Podcast .

Oh noooooo! It’s the end of high school (and maybe the start of college) and my child has decided that college isn’t for them. Is this devastating news? What options does your child have to become a productive member of society? How do we have a dialog about this and move forward as a family? The post 608: My Kid Decided Not to Go to College appeared first on The College Prep Podcast .

You are stuck with a teacher that is a bad teacher or you don’t like–what can you do? In many cases, you can’t switch the teacher or decide not to take the class, so now what? How do you learn what you need to know? How do you help build a relationship with a difficult instructor? And what do you do if it just isn’t working? The post 607: Terrible Teacher in a Core Subject:...

The school year is now in full swing and it is time to start on that “when I get time” list. What should be on the list? How do I know if I am on track? What can I do right now to give myself a competitive advantage? The post 606: Are you doing what you should be doing? appeared first on The College Prep Podcast .

When you have stellar grades and a super test scores, what should be the focus for getting into those elite schools that only accept a small percentage every year? What types of activities stand out? How do you differentiate yourself in a sea of high-acheivers? The post 605: How Highly Selective Admission Is Different appeared first on The College Prep Podcast .

Get all the late, breaking news from the college admissions world! Megan highlights SAT/ACT changes, test optional vs. SAT/ACT required, auto-admission to colleges, erasing past mistakes, and Early Action/Early Decision/Restricted Early Action debates. Get caught up on all that’s coming up in the college prep world! https://www.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2025-10-27/college-admissions-early-...

Chat GPT and AI are here. It can create and essay in a fraction of the time it takes the typical high schooler and many families are looking to it to ease the college application process. Megan and Erin provide some thoughts on when to use it (and when not to) for a truly spectacular college essay. https://www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-takes/2025/10/06/admissions-essays-written-ai-are-generic-...

So many changes and redesigns – what is the current information? When should we fill it out? What tax year do we report? Megan helps answer all those questions without you having to search around amongst conflicting information to be ready for financial aid! The post 602: FAFSA Refresh Fall 2025 appeared first on The College Prep Podcast .

Maria writes and asks how high school students might get valuable lab experience in order to be more competitive. What should a STEM student do if their high school doesn’t offer research opportunities? Megan and Erin discuss strategies for high school students to gain research and lab experience. The post 601: LISTENER QUESTION: How to get Research and Lab Experience appeared first on The C...

UGMA? UTMA? 529? Saving for college can be overwhelming and daunting. Erin is here with her finance experience to break down the difference between them and help you determine what is the best financial plan for your needs. The post 600: College Investment Information appeared first on The College Prep Podcast .

Megan and guest host Gretchen Wegner explore the concept of cognitive overload and its impact on students’ learning abilities, particularly focusing on working memory and its limited capacity. Listen to learn about working memory which has a limited capacity and our goal in learning which involves transferring information to our long-term memories which have almost unlimited capacity. Variou...

This week we are answering a listener question. Jason’s 9th and 19th graders are on track to exceed their state’s graduation requirements by the end of their third year in high school. They will also have surpassed the maximum number of AP credits many colleges accept. Should they try to start college early? Listen as Megan and Erin discuss: Factors to consider behold academics Alterna...

Writing college admissions essays is hard. We are here to help. This week, Megan and Erin discuss strategies to produce better essays and tips for educators and parents looking to support students through this process.  Essays are personal— make them about YOU Some meaningful topics may may less effective essays because they cannot be connected to actionable outcomes.  It is a common mistake...

We love getting listener questions! Today we answer a question about universities in the UK and Canada. Is admission the same? What about majors? Are test scores important? How will costs and scholarships differ? The post 596: Universities in the UK & Canada: Is admission the same? appeared first on The College Prep Podcast .

This week we are answering a listener question: is it feasible for a 10th grader to take two AP courses, compete in varsity swim, and still have time for everything else? Listen as we discuss: — the rationale behind taking two social studies AP classes and the potential challenges for the student –the importance of academic rigor and extracurricular involvement but stress the need for...

We are seeing it already this school year— students making bad schedule choices.  High school course selection is important. Students and parents should make informed decisions. Listen as we discus The value of core academic courses  How to balance taking challenging academic courses and having time for other activities Finding alternative options when a student is struggling with challenging...

As we head back to school, there are a lot of changes. We have some changes at “The College Prep Podcast” too. Listen as we discuss: — How to decide when a big change is necessary — How to focus on what is important as we start a new school year — The challenge of getting clear on priorities when you feel conflicted — Learning to STOP is as important as learning to start new things — Our goals for...

UPDATE– this episode didn’t post correctly last week, so we are releasing it with the correct audio . Most college students don’t fall behind at midterms. They fall behind starting Week 1 and it can rough to dig themselves out. In this mini-episode, we cover: 3 key signs your student may already be slipping off track A simple reset plan to get back in control before it snowballs How to...

Too often, students view community college or commuting as a last resort, but it doesn’t have to be, unless you want it. In this mini-episode, we help students and families rethink how to build a smart, balanced college list. We cover: Why every student should have at least one option they’d be excited to attend How to find affordable schools where admission is likely Tips for making sure your stu...

Students who build a support system early are more likely to succeed—and stay—in college. That’s why Alma Modern created the Three Connections Challenge : a simple way for students to build meaningful relationships in their first few weeks on campus. In this mini-episode, we walk through how to connect with: One professor – Use office hours to introduce yourself and ask for a success tip One campu...

Many parents are confused by the optional essay portion of the SAT/ACT and wonder if their student should register. Will it make them look more responsible? Will it improve their chances of admission? in short, for most students, no. In this mini-episode, we explain: Why the writing portion is separate from the main test score How it can actually hurt performance due to mental fatigue Why most col...

In college, the textbook isn’t just “extra reading”, it’s a central part of how successful students learn. Skipping it can mean falling behind fast. In this mini-episode, we explain: Why textbooks are key to the college learning cycle: before, during, and after class What to do when professors say the book “might not be necessary” Creative ways to access books affordably: borrow, rent, share, or u...

Too often, college is reduced to “just get the degree.” But what truly shapes a student’s future isn’t only the diploma—it’s the experience. In this mini-episode, we explore: Why atmosphere, culture, and community matter How challenges like roommate issues, homesickness, and self-management are part of the learning The value of personal growth that happens outside the classroom Why day-to-day expe...

College brings a sudden surge in independence—and for many students, that shift reveals just how much they’ve been relying on others to manage their routines. In this mini-episode, we explore: Why summer is the ideal time to practice daily and weekly routines The importance of identifying what habits actually work (and which don’t) Questions students should ask now: Who’s keeping me on track—me or...