Your College Bound Kid | Admission Tips, Admission Trends & Admission Interviews

Latest Episodes:

YCBK 59: Social Media Presence in the Admissions Process Mar 14, 2019

Show notes

In this episode you will hear: (3:30) In this week's news, an Inside Higher article "Liberal Arts College Mega Mergers", by John Kroger. We often hear of liberal arts colleges closing their doors or cutting faculty and programs. Kroger walks through the options that these schools should consider and points out the 3 main reasons they are finding themselves in danger: they lack a great location, have small endowments, and/or don't have a national reputation. (19:08) We are in chapter 59 of 171 Answers and we're talking through what your child needs to consider about their social media presence while going through the admissions process. (33:06) This week's question is from a mom who wants to know how her daughter can stand out in the admissions process, after taking a gap year. (44:34) Mark interviews Ms. Susan Tree this week. She is the former Admissions Counselor at Bates College and former Director of College Counseling at Westtown and their conversation is: Writing the Personal Essay: Don't miss your opportunity to fill in the gaps and bring yourself to life (Part 1). (54:32) Mark's recommended resource of the week is Rachel Tour's book, "Write your way in", and the subtitle is, "Crafting an Unforgettable College Admission Essay". Don't forget to send your questions related to any and every facet of the college process to questions@yourcollegeboundkid.com Every episode of Your College-Bound Kid will align with a chapter from the book 171 Answers to the Most-Asked College Admission Questions. To get a copy visit 171answers.com and if you want to see what future episodes will cover just click the red button "See exactly what 171 Answers covers.

YCBK 58: Demonstrated Interest and Why It's Important Mar 07, 2019

Show notes

In this episode you will hear: (3:35) In this week's news, a NY Times article "They're not fact checking. How lies in college admissions can slip through the net", by Anemona Hartocollis. The pressure on prospective students to lie or embellish in their college applications has intensified, admissions officers say, and colleges are doing little in the way of fact-checking. Mark and Anika discuss what colleges are doing and what they are not doing. We also debate whether college's are partially at fault for making students feel as if they need to embellish their applications. (20:15) We are in chapter 58of 171 Answers and we're talking through what students need to know about demonstrated interest. We define demonstrated interest and we talk about why it is important. We talk about how what an AO means when they refer to demonstrated interest is different than what Mark thinks demonstrated interest is. We explain why demonstrated interest is something that it is all but impossible for an AO to be completely candid about when they are talking with students. (42:01) This week's question asks about supplemental essay prompts used by private institutions. The question asks, do these questions change every year or do they stay the same. We answer that question but we take it a step further by asking, should a student start working on their supplemental essays before they are officially released? We also explain several other terms that are used for these supplemental essays. (55:00) This week's interview is the final part of "So you want to be a doctor or a nurse, what you need to know", with Dr. David Williams. This is by far our most casual interview with Dave. Dave starts out by talking about what opportunities exist for Physician Assistants. After this, our interview gets very casual. Because I have known Dave all my life, I ask him to share some stories from his life that I believe our listeners will find interesting and even entertaining. (67:06) Mark's recommended resource of the week is the US Department of Education's website: https://www.ed.gov Don't forget to send your questions related to any and every facet of the college process to questions@yourcollegeboundkid.com Every episode of Your College-Bound Kid will align with a chapter from the book 171 Answers to the Most-Asked College Admission Questions. To get a copy visit 171answers.com and if you want to see what future episodes will cover just click the red button "See exactly what 171 Answers covers.

YCBK 57: How to Make Your Activities Stand out in Your Application Feb 28, 2019

Show notes

In this episode you will hear: (2:41) In this week's news, "New Front in College Admissions, Nudging Students to Decide Early", by Douglas Belkin in the Wall Street Journal. (21:12) We are in chapter 57 of 171 Answers and we're talking through how your student can showcase their passions for their activities they are involved in outside of school in the college admissions process. (40:42) This week's question asks for more information about open enrollment at 4 year colleges. (53:15) This week's interview is Part III of "So you want to be a doctor or a nurse, what you need to know", with Dr. David Williams. (68:35) Mark's recommended resource of the week: The K&W Guide to Colleges for Students with Learning Differences - 14th Edition: 338 Schools with Programs or Services for Students with ADHD, ASD, or Learning Differences Don't forget to send your questions related to any and every facet of the college process to questions@yourcollegeboundkid.com Every episode of Your College-Bound Kid will align with a chapter from the book 171 Answers to the Most-Asked College Admission Questions. To get a copy visit 171answers.com and if you want to see what future episodes will cover just click the red button "See exactly what 171 Answers covers.

YCBK 56: Pros and Cons of Early Decision Applications Feb 21, 2019

Show notes

(2:57) In this week's news, "Ten College Majors with the Biggest Gender Gap", by Katie Bardaro. While most attention turns toward the lack of women in STEM fields, many majors overwhelmingly experience gender imbalance and Bardaro writes that this is mostly contributed to how societal standards dictating how men and women should and should not conduct themselves still influence American society. (14:01) We are in chapter 56 of 171 Answers and we're talking through the pros and cons of applying through the early decision application. (30:55) This week is time for bonus content and Mark will share the statistical reasons why it's harder for students to get into selective schools. (51:27) This week's interview is with special guest, Dr. David Williams: "So you want to be a doctor or a nurse, what you need to know". (64:28) Mark's recommended resource of the week is Excellent Sheep-The Miseducation of the American Elite and the way to a meaningful life

YCBK 55: 15 Different Ways to Apply to College Feb 14, 2019

Show notes

In this episode you will hear: (3:02) In this week's news, "Parenting the College Admission Applicant -as an Admission Dean", by Brennan Barnard. Bernard is not just a director of college counseling, college admission manager for Harvard Graduate School, and well written columnist – he is also a parent of a teenage son getting ready to take on the college admissions process himself. For this article, he asked admission deans who recently parented a college applicant to reflect on what they have learned and to offer advice. Many of them expressed appreciation for a new viewpoint on the process. (16:40) We are in chapter 55 of 171 Answers and we're talking through the 15 different ways that your kid can apply to college. (34:29) Hear a special part II from the listener's question last week on Satisfactory Academic Progress, and Mark shares 13 questions that you want to have answered when looking at your school's SAP policies. (49:51) This week's interview is with a special guest, Dr. David Williams: "So you want to be a doctor or a nurse, what you need to know". (59:19) Mark's recommended resource of the week... Don't forget to send your questions related to any and every facet of the college process to questions@yourcollegeboundkid.com Every episode of Your College-Bound Kid will align with a chapter from the book 171 Answers to the Most-Asked College Admission Questions. To get a copy visit 171answers.com and if you want to see what future episodes will cover just click the red button "See exactly what 171 Answers covers.

YCBK 54: Different types of test optional colleges Feb 07, 2019

Show notes

In this episode you will hear: (4:14) In this week's news, we discuss an article that appeared in the Washington Post on April 7 th , 2018 by Jeffrey Selingo entitled, "The higher education divide: The 'haves' keep getting richer. Other schools? Not so much". Mark and Anika discuss the disparity of wealth and demand between most colleges and a select few. We then grapple with what if anything can be done about this. (16:47) We are in chapter 54 of 171 Answers and we are discussing the different types of test-optional and test-flexible colleges. We discuss the different wrinkles you will see amongst test optional and test flexible colleges and we dispel the myth that this is a one size fits all approach. (24:38) This week's question is from an anonymous mom in Nevada and she wants to know what does SAP mean? Mark answers this question in depth. This is part 1 of a two-part conversation on this topic. Part 2 will be in week 55. (40:37) Mark continues his interview with Elaine Griffin Rubin, Senior Contributor and Communications Specialist with Edvisors, in Part 3 of the 9 federal loan repayment options. Elaine also gives three pearls of wisdom and advice when it comes to students and parents when it comes to repaying your college debt. (49:09) Mark's recommended resource of the week is the book, "How to become a straight A Student" by Cal Newport Don't forget to send your questions related to any and every facet of the college process to questions@yourcollegeboundkid.com Every episode of Your College-Bound Kid will align with a chapter from the book 171 Answers to the Most-Asked College Admission Questions. To get a copy visit 171answers.com and if you want to see what future episodes will cover just click the red button "See exactly what 171 Answers covers.

YCBK 53: Why More Schools Are Going Test Optional Jan 31, 2019

Show notes

In this episode you will hear: (3:11) In this week's news, "As students return to college, a basic question persists: What are they learning?" by Jon Marcus. What is known publicly about what and whether college students learn is mixed. Some schools insist that measuring learning in college, and reporting the results, is surprisingly hard to do; and that translating those results in a way that laypeople can understand is even harder. (21:38) We are in chapter 53 of 171 Answers and we are discussing why more schools are selecting to go test optional. (41:09) This week's question is from a mom who wants to know how her child can know whether the major she selects is going to lead to a job she will love and be good at. (54:03) Mark continues his interview with Elaine Griffin Rubin, Senior Contributor and Communications Specialist with Edvisors, in Part II of the 9 federal loan repayment options. (69:43) Mark's recommended resource of the week is the Hechinger Report. You can access the Hechinger Report at hechingerreport.org. Don't forget to send your questions related to any and every facet of the college process to questions@yourcollegeboundkid.com Every episode of Your College-Bound Kid will align with a chapter from the book 171 Answers to the Most-Asked College Admission Questions. To get a copy visit 171answers.com and if you want to see what future episodes will cover just click the red button "See exactly what 171 Answers covers.

YCBK 52: Test Prep: Online, One-on-One, or Group? Jan 24, 2019

Show notes

In this episode you will hear: (1:54)In this week's news, "A Tale of Two Institutions: Amherst And Wisconsin Take Education Down Different Paths", by Willard Dix of Forbes. Dix draws attention to the difference in views of higher education's purpose, by contrasting a liberal arts and a public institution – one that creates individuals with the capacity for wide-ranging thought versus the creation of "worker bees" to meet industry demands. (9:52)We are in chapter 52 of 171 Answers and we are talking through whether your child would do better with online, one-on-one or group test prep. (20:05)This week's question is from a student who wants to know if his college counselor is the person responsible for sending off his test scores. (24:56)Mark welcomes back Elaine Griffin Rubin, Senior Contributor and Communications Specialist with Edvisors, and they are talking through 9 federal loan repayment options. (39:34)Mark's recommended resource of the week is the website collegeaffordabilityguide.org Don't forget to send your questions related to any and every facet of the college process to questions@yourcollegeboundkid.com Every episode of Your College-Bound Kid will align with a chapter from the book 171 Answers to the Most-Asked College Admission Questions. To get a copy visit 171answers.com and if you want to see what future episodes will cover just click the red button "See exactly what 171 Answers covers.

YCBK 51: How to Select a Test Prep or Tutoring Company Jan 17, 2019

Show notes

In this episode you will hear: (2:39)In this week's news,"Furor over Blended and Active Learning", by Mark Lieberman of Inside Higher Ed. Business students at the University of Central Florida are upset because the school has sprung a new learning model on them that has the majority of their learning time - outside the classroom - and reduces their exposure to instructors. (12:22)We are in Chapter 51 of 171 Answers and we're sharing the best ways to select a test prep or tutoring company for your kid. (16:27) This week's question is from a mom who wants to know if there is financial aid available for transfer students. (25:21) Mark continues his conversation with Rick Clark, Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Georgia Tech, but this week, Rick is sharing - what you probably don't know about Georgia Tech! (40:46) Mark's recommended resource is Inside Higher Ed's newsletter and webinars. If you want to follow Rick Clark on Twitter, go to @GTadmissions Don't forget to send your questions related to any and every facet of the college process to questions@yourcollegeboundkid.com Every episode of Your College-Bound Kid will align with a chapter from the book 171 Answers to the Most-Asked College Admission Questions. To get a copy visit 171answers.com and if you want to see what future episodes will cover just click the red button "See exactly what 171 Answers covers.

YCBK 50: The Difference Between Super-Scoring & Score Choice Jan 10, 2019

Show notes

In this episode you will hear: (3:08) In this week's news, "As student head back to campus, colleges fear a decline in international enrollment" by Sophie Quinton. Quinton reports how some schools have been cutting professors, programs, even athletic teams in response to falling international enrollments. She covers 3 main reasons why this could be happening. (12:15) We are in Chapter 50 of 171 Answers and we're talking how standardized tests can be super scored and students can elect for score choice. (27:22) To commemorate our 50th episode, listen to this special bonus section where Mark takes 20 ways that an applicant is evaluated cites if they are underrated, overrated, or properly rated by the average student and parent. (60:10) Mark continues his interview with Rick Clark, Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Georgia Tech, in their final segment on the right way to handle deferrals, denials, waitlists and acceptances. (71:20) Mark's recommended resource of the weekis the book, Admission Matters: What Students and Parents Need to Know About Getting into College 4th Edition. The book is written by Sally Springer, Jon Reider and Joyce Morgan. Don't forget to send your questions related to any and every facet of the college process to questions@yourcollegeboundkid.com Every episode of Your College-Bound Kid will align with a chapter from the book 171 Answers to the Most-Asked College Admission Questions. To get a copy visit 171answers.com and if you want to see what future episodes will cover just click the red button "See exactly what 171 Answers covers.

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