Mark Stucker
Your College Bound Kid | Admission Tips, Admission Trends & Admission Interviews
Admission Tips, Admission Trends & Admission InterviewsAdmission InterviewsOur mission is to "make college knowledge available to all." Each Thursday, the "Your College-Bound Kid" podcast will discuss a hot college topic in the news; we will answer a question or two that listeners send in, we will interview a "thought leader" in the world of college admissions, and do a "deep-dive," we call Spotlights on a College. Every Monday, we have a second episode to discuss a "hot topic" and interview a "thought leader" in the admissions or college life world. YCBK combines "in-depth knowledge" with a l...
Author
Mark Stucker
Category
Podcast website
Latest episode
Jul 9, 2026
Where to listen?
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Episodes
YCBK 555: How Demonstrated Interest Is Evaluated & Why It Matters 24.07.2025 1:26:42
In this episode you will hear: (01:52) In the News Hillary and Mark gives some tips to help students with the writing in their applications-Part 1 of 3. (18:43) Interview Greg Zaiser-VP of Enrollment at Elon University-Understanding Demonstrated Interest-2 of 2 Part 2-Preview v Greg answers the question, does a school have the ability to track one student across different devices v Greg answers th...
YCBK 554: How Will The New Tax Bill Impact Students and Colleges 21.07.2025 1:17:36
In this episode you will hear: Mark discusses three aspects of the new tax bill and how it will impact students and colleges and universities-Part 1 of 2; Chris Teare is interviewed on a range of topics related to college admissions. Preview of part 3 of 4 v Chris talks about how he counsels students when it comes to deciding whether to applying Early Decision v Chris answers the question, how do...
YCBK 553: Should Students At Private Schools Hire Private College Counselors-2 of 2 17.07.2025 1:41:24
In this episode you will hear: (01:56) Question from a listener: Number 1 Julia and Mark answer a question from a mom who has a son at an independent school and she wants to know whether to hire an outside college counselor when the school her son attends is discouraging, making a hire-2 of 2 (01:15:40) Interview Greg Zaiser-VP of Enrollment at Elon University-Understanding Demonstrated Interest-1...
YCBK 552: Michigan Drops a Bomb By Adding Early Decision, Effective Immediately! 14.07.2025 1:07:25
In this episode you will hear: Mark describes why he thinks the decision for the University of Michigan toad a binding Early Decision option for the class of 2026 is such a significant decision that will inevitably impact other universities. Chris Teare is interviewed on a range of topics related to college admissions. Preview of part 2 of 4 o International Baccalaureate program o His admission ex...
YCBK 551: Should Students At Private Schools Hire Private College Counselors 10.07.2025 58:37
In this episode you will hear: (05:04) Question from a listener: Number 1 Julia and Mark answer a question from a mom who has a son at an independent school and she wants to know whether to hire an outside college counselor when the school her son attends is discouraging making a hire (30:31) Question from a listener Number 2 Lisa and Lynda answer a question about which online tools to use for col...
YCBK 550: The Big Fear That Many Teens Have When It Comes To Admissions 07.07.2025 1:01:40
In this episode you will hear: Mark shares a big fear that many teens have when it comes to the college admissions process. Mark shares the bombshell announcement from Indiana University. Mark shares the final segment of his breakdown of holistic admissions. Chris Tear is interviewed on a range of topics related to college admissions. Preview of part 1 of 4 v Chris Teare gives his backstory v Chri...
YCBK 549: Two Frequently Asked Questions about Standardized Test Scores 03.07.2025 1:50:06
In this episode you will hear: (02:07) Question from a listener: Number 1 Julia and Mark answer a question from Emily from Seattle about ACT/SAT scores. (39:08) Question from a listener Number 2 Kevin and Mark discuss a question from Kevin from Arizona about getting an undergraduate degree in China (59:06) Interview Jennifer Mandel from Milwaukee shares her experience of having a student attending...
YCBK 548: Why Are So Many Juniors Being Asked Repeatedly To Interview 30.06.2025 46:55
In this episode you will hear: Mark gives a tip about interviews and a tip about the Personal Statement Lynda interviews J Hall, a college Dean in Oklahoma City and the author of the book, "College Unpacked" Preview of part 4 of 4 v J gives his advice for students, parents and college counselors v J goes on the hot seat and J and Lynda end up discussing a lot of books and movies Speakpipe.com/YCBK...
YCBK 547: How Should a Student Use The Additional Information Section 26.06.2025 1:13:54
In this episode you will hear: Question from a listener: Number 1 Julia and Mark answer a question from Sapna and Sivan, two high school students about what is the proper way to use the Additional Information Section of the Common App Question from a listener Number 2 Jennifer Mandel joins Mark to answer a question from Diana from Idaho, and she wants to know if a student has to attend a T-20 coll...
YCBK 546: Unlocking the Puzzle of How Colleges Make Admissions Decisions 23.06.2025 1:12:53
In this episode you will hear: Mark explains what holistic admissions is, how it works and some of the areas of holistic admissions that are often misunderstood Part 2 of 3 Mark shares a few insights from the counseling room on what to do if your financial situation definitely changes. Lynda interviews J Hall, a college Dean in Oklahoma City and the author of the book, "College Unpacked" Preview o...
YCBK 545: How Is The Demographic Cliff Is Going To Impact Admissions Decisions 19.06.2025 1:02:03
In this episode you will hear: (03:02) Question from a listener: Number 1 Hillary and Mark answer a question from Dale from Virginia. Dale wants to know how the demographic cliff will impact admission decisions (16:40) Question from a listener Number 2 Lisa and Lynda answer a question from a mom from California who wants to know if Columbia University should be avoided because of the protests goin...
YCBK 544: Some Tips For HS Grads to Successfully Transition to College-Part 2 16.06.2025 55:25
In this episode you will hear: Mark explains what holistic admissions is, how it works and some of the areas of holistic admissions that are often misunderstood. Lynda interviews J Hall, a college Dean in Oklahoma City and the author of the book, "College Unpacked" - Part 2 Preview v J Hall continues giving tips to parents when they drop off their student at college v J Hall and Lynda talk about t...
YCBK 543: How The Right College Clubs Can Lead To Career Opportunities 12.06.2025 1:12:27
In this episode you will hear: (02:04) Question from a listener: Number 1 Susan and Mark answer a question from a listener who wants to know what her student can do to prepare for a career in architecture (19:26) Interview 1-Mark Stucker interviews Jennifer Mandel from Milwaukee Jennifer Mandel from Milwaukee shares her experience of how joining the right clubs can lead to career opportunities. ²...
YCBK 542: Some Tips For HS Grads to Successfully Transition to College-Part 1 09.06.2025 1:08:20
In this episode you will hear: Mark answers a question from a student from Texas and she wants to know why I have soured on BS/MD programs. Lynda interviews J Hall, a college Dean in Oklahoma City and the author of the book, "College Unpacked" Preview v J gives his backstory and like me, he came to college related advising from Christian ministry v J explains why he wrote the book, "College Unpack...
YCBK 541: Do Colleges Use Likes and Shares to Test Demonstrated Interest 05.06.2025 1:11:21
In this episode you will hear: (02:02) Question from a listener: Number 1 Hillary joins me to discuss a question from a student named Saul from New Hampshire, Saul wants to know, he has heard that some schools use likes and shares to test demonstrated interest and he wants to know if this is correct? (11:05) Question 2 If a student uses a fee waiver, does it stigmatize the student and hurt their c...
YCBK 540: Some Tips To Help Students Write Great Personal Statements 02.06.2025 1:26:56
In this episode you will hear: Mark shares a letter from a listener with extensive medical school admissions experience. Mark shares a lesson from the counseling room about knowing what your career is going to be when you are still a teenager. Mark shares what rising seniors should be doing now. Mark shares some Personal Statement tips. Mark interviews John Pollard, Dean of the Franke Honors Colle...
YCBK 539: Do Colleges Blacklist High School's That They Do Not Like 29.05.2025 1:29:14
In this episode you will hear: (02:50) Question from a listener: Number 1 Julia joins me to answer a question from Cortnie from Connecticut and she wants to know if it is true that sometimes a college blacklists a high school they are not happy with. (19:04) Question 2 Carter, a student from VA asks a question and we also have a question from an anonymous listener, both questions have to do with p...
YCBK 538: Students Are Facing Peer Pressure to Attend College With Low Acceptance Rates 26.05.2025 48:09
In this episode you will hear: Mark shares a story from a meeting he had with a mom in Orange County, CA. Mark talks about the dispute Harvard University is currently facing. Mark interviews John Pollard, Dean of the Franke Honors College at the University of Arizona, Understanding Franke Honors College, Part 1 of 2 Preview ² Friends, you are going to see why Honors colleges and public John explai...
YCBK 537: Advice for Students Who Are Thinking About Going to Med School 22.05.2025 1:11:27
In this episode you will hear: (02:24) Question from a listener: Julia joins me to answer a question from a dad from North Carolina who wants to know if there is a way of figuring out class rank or a proxy for it when it is not explicitly listed. (16:20) Second Question from a listener: Mark and Hillary answer a question from a listener who has heard that students should not mention their race in...
YCBK 536: Reasons Why High Schools Should Not Rank Students by Grade Point Average 19.05.2025 55:05
In this episode you will hear: Mark shares four things from his Texas trip he thinks will be of interest to our listeners. . Mark shares why he does not think high schools should rank students. Mark interviews John Pollard, Dean of Admissions of Franke Honors College at the University of Arizona. John gives an overview of Honors Colleges in the United States. Preview o John gives an overview of th...
YCBK 535: How Are Admissions Offices Using AI to Evaluate Students 15.05.2025 1:06:40
In this episode you will hear: (01:45) Question from a listener: Mark and Hillary answer a question from a listener who wants to know how AI is being used in admissions (17:33) Second Question from a listener: Barry from New Jersey wants to know more about dual enrollment, and especially how dual enrollment classes are interpreted by colleges for a physical applicant (42:20) Interview: Mark Stucke...
YCBK 534: What Can I Do To Support My Student With The College Admissions Process 12.05.2025 54:45
In this episode you will hear: Mark shares two things from his Texas trip he thinks will be of interest to our listeners. . Mark shares how he answers the question, "What Can I Do To Support My Student With The College Admissions Process" Mark interviews John Pollard, Dean of Admissions of Franke Honors College at the University of Arizona, Topic, Understanding the University of Arizona Preview of...
YCBK 533: What Do Colleges Think When A Student Doesn't Have Any Service Hours 08.05.2025 48:56
In this episode you will hear: (01:36) Question from a listener: Mark and Hillary continue giving tips for college fairs but then they discuss how it lands when a student doesn't have any service hours. (17:33) Interview: Mark Stucker and Nate Haveman, VP of enrollment of Hope College Preview of Part 2 of 4 v Nate and I talk about why college costs so much these days v Nate goes back to Hope Forwa...
YCBK 532: Awards Are Given Out To Texas Universities in 25 Different Categories 05.05.2025 46:13
In this episode you will hear: Mark gives out awards in 25 different categories to the 11 colleges he visited in Texas in his 3 weeks he spent in Texas in April. Mark interviews John Pollard, Dean of Admissions of Franke Honors College at the University of Arizona, Topic, Understanding the University of Arizona Preview of Part 1 of 2 · John gives his backstory · John shares what changes he has see...
YCBK 531: What is your advice for a student who is content getting B's 01.05.2025 1:29:44
In this episode you will hear: (02:30) In The News Vince Garcia and Mark Stucker discuss observations from admission decisions from this year's class. Part 3 of 3 (16:55) Question from a listener: Mark and Susan answer a question from a listener who wants advice for student who is content getting B's (50:00) Interview: Mark Stucker and Nate Haveman, VP of enrollment of Hope College Preview of Part...
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