The Scholarship GPS Podcast: Your Directions to a Debt-Free College Degree

Did you know that high school students can do college-level research that may actually be published in academic journals? That’s where Horizon comes in. Horizon Academic Research Program was founded in 2016 to give a platform to the world’s best young researchers. Horizon was founded by Columbia University alums with a strong belief in how early access to research can shape the lives of future lea...

Macayla is a first-year college student who has earned multiple scholarships. She jumpstarted her scholarship journey as one of my Class of 2024 scholarship coaching students. Macayla and her mom, Leslie, share their thoughts on how having success with scholarships is a process, the benefits of scholarships beyond the money for college, and much more. Listen to my interview with Macayla and her mo...

I recently spoke with Katie Azevedo of School Habits . Having taught in both public and private school systems, Katie has seen firsthand how our students are expected to learn, but they are rarely given the tools or strategies to do so. Since 2006, she has personally coached thousands of students, one-on-one, on standardized tests (SAT/ACT, SSAT, GRE), application essays, study skills, executive f...

I recently spoke with Vida John of Vida John Tutoring . Vida is dedicated to helping motivated students excel in math problem-solving and competition math. She uses the Art of Problem Solving curriculum to help students understand, develop, and use their problem-solving techniques for math success! In our conversation, Vida and I discussed: Some of the  not-so-obvious benefits of participating in...

Many students want to pursue an internship, but struggle to find one that aligns with their interests. That’s where Ladder Internships comes in. I recently spoke with Rachel Berkower of Ladder Internships. In our conversation, we discussed: What kind of students are the best fit for Ladder Internships The types of internships that are available How Ladder Internships help students in their college...

I recently spoke with Maggie Finn and Jacklyn Angell of Summit Academic Support. In our conversation, we discussed: The biggest mistake students make when writing their college essays—and how they can avoid it. How students can make their college essay stand out, even if they don’t have a “dramatic” story to tell Common myth about college essays. How students can find their unique voice when writi...

I recently spoke with Steve Tapper of Tapper College Counseling . In our conversation, we discussed: The workflow that Steve uses to help students through the entire college admissions process. College list-building strategies and considerations Types of college fit: academic, social, and financial Resources for building a college list To connect with Steve, go to tappercollegecounseling.com . Ste...

Start your scholarship journey this summer with the Scholarship Summer Camp . Your student will learn the skills needed for scholarship success by applying for real scholarships, including a $35,000 scholarship capstone project! Every Monday through Thursday, a new, pre-recorded lesson will be released. On Thursday evenings, we will be live (but recorded for future viewing), discussing the week's...

I recently spoke with Sam Bernstein, co-founder of Loper, a free mobile app designed to help students explore and discover their best educational opportunities after high school. The inspiration for Loper came out of the pandemic, where “life on pause” led to two college friends (Sam and his co-founder Eric) spending long nights discussing their shared passion: education. Fast forward two years an...

Avery is a first-year college student who has earned multiple scholarships. She started her scholarship journey when she participated in the Scholarship Summer Camp a few summers ago. This week, Avery shares her tips and suggestions for students on their own scholarship journey. ---------- Start your scholarship journey this summer with the Scholarship Summer Camp . Your student will learn the ski...

I recently spoke with Brian Eufinger of Edison Prep . Brian graduated with honors from Washington University in St. Louis in May 2004 and a Healthcare MBA in 2006. He serves as a founding board member of the National Test Prep Association and is an Associate member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association. More recently, he represents Edison Prep in a consortium of four tutoring comp...

I had the opportunity to talk with Peyton Rudolph, Vice President of Marketing for GradGuard . In our conversation, Peyton explained how GradGuard helps students and parents protect one of the largest investments of their lives. Plus, she shared the details of their news scholarship with us, in which five students will each earn $3000! Learn more about GradGuard here: https://gradguard.sjv.io/c/40...

I recently spoke with Suzanne Scullion. Suzanne is the Head Coach of G.R.A.C.E. Financial Coaching . Over the past ten years, she has helped hundreds of clients reprioritize their spending, pay down debt, and master their income without dismantling their lifestyle. Suzanne also hosts a podcast and YouTube show called, “ Lessons Learned: The Dumbest Thing I’ve Ever Done with Money. ” In our convers...

I recently spoke with Luanne Lee, Owner of Your College Planning Coach . Luanne wanted to do something where she could make an impact to help families and feel good about what she did every day, so she began her career in Financial Services in 1996. Luanne decided to focus on the specialty of College Planning and Funding when she saw how student loan debt was hampering so many parents and students...

I recently spoke with Reid Meyer of A2A Academy and the Student-Athlete Advisors . Reid always knew that sports would be a significant part of his life. Growing up, he dreamed of playing college sports, and he vividly recalls feeling anxious about second-guessing every decision he made in high school regarding his college opportunities. After attending four schools in four years and ultimately giv...

I recently spoke with Jackie Pollina of J&J Test Prep and No B.S. SAT® Prep. In our conversation, Jackie and I discussed: The structural changes that come with the SAT moving to a digital format The adaptive nature of the new digital SAT and how that can impact your student’s SAT score The importance of your student becoming familiar with ‘Desmos’ (and what this is) When students should start...

I recently spoke with Michelle McAnaney, Founder and CEO of The College Spy . Michelle founded The College Spy® with this mission: Help students identify colleges that are a good fit for them and get accepted. Michelle is an expert in college admissions and a leader in her field. She has over 20 years of experience as an educator, counselor and consultant, assisting students in making smart choice...

Beth Walker is the Founder and CEO of Center for College Solutions . Choosing a college and paying for it is one of the biggest investments families face, often with very little guidance. You don’t have to do this alone. Beth Walker and Center for College Solutions help your student get what they need academically, socially, and emotionally, without burying your family in debt. Beth is also the au...

Andy Lockwood is a college admissions and funding advisor in Long Island, New York. Andy personally coaches a select group of college-bound teens through the process of choosing majors and careers, then backward planning, strategically, into a college list, THEN strategizing how to maximize chances of admission. He also helps families improve their eligibility for financial and and scholarships, a...

Alison Slater attended Bucknell University and worked in selective college admissions for fifteen years. Interviews are her favorite part of the college application, but they can be such a missed opportunity when students arrive nervous or unprepared. Alison helps students make a strong impression in their interviews by preparing thoughtfully and approaching each interview with a plan. In our conv...

For over a decade, Lisa Marker-Robbins has helped roughly 4000 high school students and young adults gain the insight, experiences, and confidence they need to embark on their post-high school path. Along the way, however, she noticed an alarming trend: Teens struggled to find their true purpose–and the fallout wasn’t pretty. There was a lot of uncertainty around college majors and future careers....

Dominique Padurano, or Dr. P. as she is known, founded Crimson Coaching to help all students fulfill their potential. A Harvard grad, Dr. P. has experience as a high school teacher and tutor. In 2014, she opened Crimson Coaching, where she helps students in several ways, including as a college counselor and essay coach. In our conversation, Dr. P and I discussed: Why a family would want to work wi...

For over a decade, Lisa Marker-Robbins has helped nearly 4,000 high school students and young adults gain the insight, experiences, and confidence they need to embark on their post-high school path. Along the way, however, she noticed an alarming trend: Teens struggled to find their true purpose - devastatingly impacting the student’s college admissions and scholarship success. In our conversation...

Dr. Sapna Sehgal is a PhD holder, a university professor, an Oxford graduate, and College Admissions Consultant. When you work with Sapna, you’re working with an English professor and tutor with 20+ years teaching experience, 7+ years university lecturing experience, and 7+ years of college consulting experience, working for top companies and individual families. In our conversation, Sapna and I d...

Scholarship season for the Class of 2026 is officially open! The Bryan Cameron Foundation Scholarship is just the first of the many HUGE scholarship opportunities your Class of 2026 student will have over the next 17 months. Starting your scholarship journey now provides your student with many advantages, including: Getting a head start with scholarships compared to their peers More opportunities...