In this episode, we sit down with Molly Carroll to explore the shifting family dynamics that come with having a collegebound student. Molly shares valuable insights into the emotional and practical changes families experience during this transition. We focus on how parents can navigate this challenging shift with empathy, clear communication, and support. Through thoughtful discussion, Molly offers strategies for parents to maintain strong connections while encouraging independence, ultimately h...
May 30, 2025•51 min•Ep. 76
As more teens prepare to go to college this summer, the importance of what qualities students should develop in high school so that they can thrive in college is ever important. Join Mark and Anna as they speak with Carol Ben-Davies from College Bound Determination as she shares her decades of experience working with students at top universities on the recommendations she has to help students thrive. From self-advocacy to resilience, Carol shares the most important qualities a student can develo...
Feb 19, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 75
In this episode, we sit down with Lynne Peeples, a distinguished science journalist and author of "THE INNER CLOCK," to delve into the fascinating world of circadian rhythms and sleep. Lynne shares her journey of writing the book, emphasizing the importance of understanding our internal clocks. Lynne discusses optimal sleep and wake times, cultural differences in sleep practices, and common misconceptions about sleep, such as the fallacy of catch-up sleep. The episode also addresses the impact o...
Feb 12, 2025•53 min•Ep. 74
It's college application season! Building of school lists is into the final push for November 1st - Early Action/Decision. As students/families look for schools to apply to, there are some general but very important guiding questions to consider: What IS a GOOD school? What is a GOOD school….for YOU? Join Mark and Anna as they discuss factors to consider and how to identify which schools should make the final cut on your college list.
Aug 10, 2024•47 min•Ep. 73
While there are many consistent challenges and affirmations that teens have historically encountered during their first year of college, some major cultural/social/academic shifts have occurred in the last five years to disrupt those traditional challenges. Join Mark and Anna as they check in with current students transitioning to college after COVID about what it's like to navigate and experience a college campus as a freshman in 2024. Our freshman guests include students from Duke, Georgetown,...
Jul 03, 2024•54 min•Ep. 72
Join Mark and Anna as they talk with Daniel Curell as they get the inside school on how much college actually costs and tips for how families can try to better afford college. Dan Currell was Deputy Under Secretary of Education in the U.S. Department of Education from 2018 to 2021. He has published on various aspects of higher education public policy, including a recent article in the journal National Affairs titled The Truth About College Costs. Dan and his wife are happy empty-nesters with two...
Feb 16, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 71
With more students interested in pursuing fields in STEM, Mark and Anna invited Sydney Trahan of Worcester Polytechnic Institute or more commonly known as WPI to join us in discussing what's unique about a technical school and more specifically, WPI. Known for their project-based curriculum and test-blind admissions process, Sydney shares what they really look for in applicants and what type of students thrive at WPI in this episode. Learn more about WPI at www.wpi.edu or contact Sydney directly...
Jan 24, 2024•50 min•Ep. 70
Why is a liberal arts college education valuable, especially in an increasing AI dominated world? What's admissions like at a liberal arts college? Join Mark and Anna as they chat with Courtney Stricklin Burgan of Occidental College . Courtney is the Senior Associate Dean and Director of Admission at Occidental College, which happens to also be her undergraduate alma mater. Courtney has worked in higher education for 19 years and has been back at Oxy for more than half of that time, holding posi...
Jan 16, 2024•51 min•Ep. 69
The December 2023 SAT will be the last paper exam from the CollegeBoard as they shift to digital SATs in 2024. With such a big shift, Mark and Anna decide to sit down with Matty of Compass Education Group to help get the questions on parents and students' minds answered. From what to expect on the new digital format to whether or not super-scoring will be allowed between paper and digital tests, Mark, Anna, and Matty have you covered! Matty is a Senior Director at Compass Education Group , a pro...
Nov 15, 2023•52 min•Ep. 68
When students are asked where they want to college, many of them will list a college based on rank or brand - because that's what they are exposed to. While rankings can be a good way to start the college search, a top-ranked school doesn't necessarily equate to a successful college experience or future. After all, US News and World Report rankings were created to sell magazines. Join Mark and Anna as they chat about rank, brands and society's obsession with elite schools and how families can cr...
Oct 30, 2023•49 min•Ep. 67
With ChatGPT being used across different corners of the internet, its not surprising to hear that it is also shaking up the college admissions landscape. Whether its new essay prompts, no essay prompts, or a switch from written prompts, college admissions teams across the country are exploring new ways to get to know applicants authentically. Join Mark and Anna as they speak to Mark Cruver of Capstone Educational Consultants as they discuss the implications of AI in college admissions, including...
Aug 18, 2023•45 min•Ep. 66
What's the hardest part about the college application process? Most fun? Join Mark and Anna as we learn about the college application process through the eyes of a graduating high school teen - Kamila from College Reality Check. From essays to list building, Kamila breaks down what its really like to apply to college as a current teen in high school. Learn more about Kamila at College Reality Check - https://collegerealitycheck.com.
May 09, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 65
With total cost of attendance edging towards $90,000 a year for private universities, Mark and Anna are excited to have financial aid expert and independent educational consultant, Claire Law from Educational Avenues talk about how families can prepare for the financial aid process. From discussing 529s to the difference in financial aid applications, learn how you can have the right conversations with your family around affording college. Claire Law is an independent educational consultant, pro...
Apr 06, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 64
You've been accepted to college. Now what? Join Mark and Anna as they discuss next steps after you've gotten into college. From not getting grades below a B on your report card to playing pranks, we'll cover tips for how to manage the transition to college, including once you get to college. As per Mark's favorite topic of food, we'll cover how to ensure you stay healthy in addition to knowing where to get help when you get sick for the first time without mom and dad. This is for all the graduat...
Mar 20, 2023•49 min•Ep. 63
Ever wonder what college admissions officers really want from applicants and how students can better prepare for college applications? We went straight to the source - Rick Clark - Assistant Vice Provost and Executive Director of Undergraduate Admission at Georgia Tech. Join Mark and Anna as they answer some of your most common questions about applying for college and what Rick would change about the college admissions process in our newest episode. From how to prepare as a STEM applicant to how...
Jan 27, 2023•50 min•Ep. 62
Selecting a major…or not? Okay, let’s just get it out there…NO…you do not have to select a major and know exactly what you will do for the rest of your life. However, there may be situations in which having an idea of what to major in and preparing for it will be beneficial in high school. Join Mark and Anna as they discuss the pros and cons of having a major in mind when you apply for college and how to explore potential majors.
Jan 12, 2023•49 min•Ep. 61
With an endless "To Do" list, and the pressure to keep up with their peers, its no surprise that an increasing amount of today's teens face anxiety and depression. Join Mark and Anna as they talk with Dr. Sarah Pospos of Lifestyle Telepsychiatry to talk about "comparaitis", Imposter Syndrome, testing anxiety and more importantly, how we as parents and educators can better support our teens and help them thrive. Dr. Sarah Pospos completed her psychiatry residency as a chief resident at UCLA-Kern ...
Nov 08, 2022•49 min•Ep. 60
As tuitions rise faster than inflation, more and more students and their families may wonder what value college offers and which colleges offer the most opportunities to help set them up for success. Join Mark and Anna as they speak with Ann Marano, Executive Director for the Colleges That Change Lives organization, to discuss the value of liberal arts education and what truly sets colleges in that organization a part from the hundreds of other colleges and universities in the country, including...
Sep 12, 2022•52 min•Ep. 59
No idea what to do this summer? Join Mark and Anna as they speak with Fredrik van Huynh from Absolute Internship about finding your passion and lining up an internship that helps you explore it. Internships aren't only for college students - high school students can do it too! In this episode, you'll learn the benefits of learning multiple languages, being immersed in different cultures, and the value in building relationships through international internships. From how to find internships and h...
May 06, 2022•49 min•Ep. 58
We are entering our third year of COVID related social adjustments that have included education, social gatherings, family dynamics, job loss/gain, finances, Netflix addiction, and unknown health risks, just to name a few. Understandably, it is an especially difficult time for teens as they try to navigate a transitional period in their lives during a pandemic. Join Mark and Anna as they speak with Danit Erlich of Always Forward Coaching and Consulting, LLC as they talk about how parents and edu...
Mar 14, 2022•52 min•Ep. 57
While a student’s weighted GPA and SAT score are important, and thoughtful recommendations are significant, as are clear, concise, and cogent essays—school representatives often comment that a common attribute of the strongest and most successful applications is…consistency. Does the entire application sound like the same person? Are strong attributes and characteristics consistently highlighted, and do examples from essays, recommendations, and even extracurricular activities correlate with one...
Jan 06, 2022•44 min•Ep. 56
Letters of recommendation are one of the holistic components of the college application, but probably a component that is talked about the least, despite the weight they hold. Most college admissions officers would say that letters of recommendation do not help or hurt an application. However, strong letters of recommendation can really strengthen a college application. Join Mark and Anna as they discuss why letters of recommendation and how to prepare in obtaining a strong one. Mark and Anna wi...
Nov 08, 2021•50 min•Ep. 55
What's it like to be a teen actually going through the college admissions preparation process? Between classes, activities, college lists, and essays, our teens have A LOT on their plates. Join Mark and Anna as they speak with Kamila from the "Who Cares about College" Podcast as they talk about how they're preparing for college during a pandemic. Kamila also shares insights from her experiences interviewing students who have applied and are in college now. From testing to financial aid, join Mar...
Sep 16, 2021•57 min•Ep. 54
Ever feel like the college admissions process has gotten overwhelming and overall insane? Join Mark and Anna as they speak with Kevin Martin, author of "Surviving the College Admissions Madness", about how families can better approach the admissions process to reduce stress as well as recommended improvements they would like to see in the college admissions process. Kevin also provides helpful advice for avoiding application mistakes, building a reasonable college list, minimizing debt, identify...
Aug 30, 2021•48 min•Ep. 53
While many elite universities do not offer merit scholarships, honors colleges and programs at many public universities offer great options for high-achieving students. In addition to providing merit-based awards, they can offer specialized curriculums and unique opportunities to help students thrive in a larger school environment. Join Mark and Anna as they speak with Craig T. Cobane, Ph.D. from Western Kentucky University's Mahurin Honors College as they discuss the difference between honors p...
Jul 30, 2021•53 min•Ep. 52
It's that time of year again - writing the college admissions essay! This year, Mark and Anna are excited to share approaches to college essay writing from published author and college admissions essay coach, Molly Moynahan. Molly shares the key elements to storytelling, tips for overcoming writer's block, and more. Molly Moynahan is an expert in adolescent literacy, a novelist and a writing coach, specializing in supporting students through the writing of the personal essay for college admissio...
Jun 08, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 51
Class of 2021 faced record-low acceptance rates at many elite universities, but the truth is, there are hundreds of amazing colleges out there that will support students in their success. Join Mark and Anna as they discuss the numerous options available with special guest Lisa Fuller from College Primed as they take a deeper look at women's colleges and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and how they enable success for their students. Lisa will also share how HBCUs have transfo...
May 30, 2021•57 min•Ep. 50
Without the ability to visit campuses, applying for college and selecting where you want to spend the next four years can be more difficult than years past. Students have had to sometimes pick colleges "blindly" which has resulted in the desire for some students to transfer to new colleges. Join Mark and Anna as they speak with Deborah Shames of Personal Best College Coaching to learn more about why students transfer, how to prepare, and more details in this newest episode....
Apr 06, 2021•52 min•Ep. 49
So you think you want to go to college in Europe? Fantastic! Have you thought about the differences in the application process, the travel involved, passports, different languages, and different deadlines? There are many great reasons to study abroad, but there are also many things students and their families should know and consider before making that leap. Join Mark and Anna as they talk to Sandy Furth from World Student Support, who has successfully helped many students and families through t...
Feb 25, 2021•52 min•Ep. 48
With return on investment at a forefront in the college admissions process, its no wonder that majors related to STEM have become increasingly popoular over the years...especially during a pandemic. Mark and Anna dive into what colleges are looking for when it comes to classes, activities, recommendations and more in this fun episode with our resident expert, Mark Hofer. Join Mark and Anna as they tackle the myths related to STEM in college admissions.
Dec 10, 2020•41 min•Ep. 47
