The College Essay Guy Podcast: A Practical Guide to College Admissions

This is the second of two episodes on homeschooling and self-directed learning. My guest is writer, speaker, and fellow podcaster Blake Boles, whose work invites students and families to re-evaluate the traditional schooling model--are the typical high school and college experiences really the best ways to spend your time? On this episode we discuss:  Can you (really) quit high school and not totally ruin your life? Why is this the best time ever for self-directed learning? How can we all be more self directed learners?  Why you should: Google everything, Email strangers, and Find your nerd clan The benefits of skipping college (or at least taking a gap year) How to know if you’re making a decision for you (and not your parents)? A warning: Listen too closely to this episode and it could mean that this is the very last College Essay Guy podcast episode you listen to… and that could be a very cool thing. Resources: Average is Over A Case Against Education Off Trail Learning Podcast The Self Driven Child Dumbing us Down The Teenage Liberation Handbook Unschooled Penelope Trunk Excellent Sheep The Nurture Assumption The Alliance of Self-Directed Education Not Back to School Camp Camp Stomping Ground Unschooled Adventures

This is the first of two episodes on homeschooling and self-directed learning, something that as the father of a four year-old I am way into. My guest is Becca Orlowski, a teacher and consultant with more than two decades of experience in the independent homeschooling world. On this episode we talk about:  What are some common homeschooling myths?  Is it true, for example, that homeschooling is “too much work” for any parent in their right minds? Are colleges biased towards homeschoolers… against… neither or both? What kinds of folks choose to homeschool and can parents homeschool and work?  Different homeschooling styles, how homeschooling academics differ from public schools, and even nitty gritty tips like the practical differences for homeschoolers applying to college and the amount of detail homeschoolers need in their transcripts As always, lots of resources and recommendations... Links mentioned in this episode: Brave Writer Outschool Pennsylvania homeschoolers Bluetent Thinkwell CTY  Online G3 Michael Clay Thompson OpenCourseware Coursera Classical Homeschooling The Well Trained Mind HSLDA sample docs HS2COLL homeschool to college yahoo group S.E.A secular homeschooling CA College Homeschool Seekers - Facebook group in CA The Davidson Young Scholars Teach Your Own - book Creative Homeschooling - a resource guide for smart families Dumbing Us Down  The Brave Learner

This is the last episode in a three-part series on paying for college. My guest is Joan Liu, a college counselor who has a giant heart to go with her giant brain. In this episode she draws on her years of experience helping international students who need financial aid in order to attend college in the US. We cover a range of topics that will apply to both students and counselors, including:  How is the application process different for students who need full financial aid? For counselors, how is working with a full-financial aid students different than other students? What are common mistakes students (and counselors) make in applying for financial aid? What do students need to know about getting full financial aid in the US? How do students figure out which schools meet full need? What can students and counselors do if a student doesn’t get their need met? Where do students begin? Relevant Links: Find your local Education USA office Big J Educational Consulting List of ED and RD Acceptance Rates - Jenny Kent

Lauren Schandevel, a determined 4th year Public Policy student from the University of Michigan, joins to discuss her impactful 'Being Not-Rich' Guide aimed at helping low-income students navigate college. She shares the inspiration behind the guide and how it addresses the inequities faced by disadvantaged students. They delve into the challenges these students encounter at institutions unsympathetic to their needs and provide tips for creating similar resources. A must-listen for anyone looking to empower themselves or others in the education system!

My guest for this first episode is Dr. Sara Goldrick-Rab, Professor of Higher Education Policy & Sociology at Temple University, author of Paying the Price: College Costs, Financial Aid, and the Betrayal of the American Dream. On this episode we discuss: Why has paying for college become such a problem?  Which students are most impacted by needs insecurity and why don’t students tell their stories of struggle? How is the current financial aid system broken, and what are some solutions? How can students avoid getting into debt without getting a degree? Advice for students currently applying A really specific way that you, dear listener, can make a difference. Links:  Paying the Price: College Costs, Financial Aid, and the Betrayal of the American Dream

On this episode, which is part 3 of 3 in my series on access and equity in the college admissions process, I sit down with their Chief Strategy Officer of Strive for College, Matt Rubinoff, who for years has been advocating for first-generation and low-income students. We discuss, among other things: What’s so special about being first anyway? Why first-generation students should take a “What’s in it for me?” approach Resources for first-generation students and their counselors, including (one of my all-time favorites) the “I’m First! Guide to College,” which highlights resources and opportunities available to first-gen students at hundreds of colleges and universities Questions first-gen students and parents should ask when researching colleges The importance of not just getting to college, but getting through it How first-generation and low-income students can receive not only free mentoring but also free test prep! Links Mentioned in this episode: I’mFirst.org Strive for College  Remember to use the code COLLEGEESSAYGUY when purchasing the "I'm First" Guide for 30% off!  

Hi friends! This is the first time on the podcast that I discuss the “what comes next” of the college admissions process--and who better to do it than Harlan Cohen, author of the NY Times bestseller, The Naked Roommate: And 107 Other Issues You Might Run Into In College--a book I’ve had on my bookshelf for many years. On this podcast Harlan offers so much great advice from: A simple exercise to help set you up for a great freshman year How to find your people on campus Whether or not you should break up with your high school sweetheart (what Harlan says might surprise you) Three great questions to put on your contract with your roommate On-campus resources that he (and I!) wish we’d known more about when we were in college Harlan’s “three-box” strategy for packing Harlan Cohen is a New York Times bestselling author, nationally syndicated advice columnist, and speaker who has visited over 500 high school and college campuses.  He is the author of six books including, The Naked Roommate: And 107 Other Issues You Might Run Into In College, The Naked Roommate: For Parents Only, and Dad’s Expecting Too!  Harlan is a frequent guest on television and radio programs.   He is the founder of Best First Year, an online college readiness and success program for high school and college students. You can find him on social media @HarlanCohen and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HelpMeHarlan and you can watch his TEDx talk at www.HarlanCohen.com/TEDx

  For this episode, which is Part 2 of 3 on my series on access and equity, I interview Marie Bigham of ACCEPT. Marie and I jam on 30 practical ways that you can increase your participation in equity and justice in the world of college admissions and beyond. Whether you’re a parent, student, counselor, or admissions rep, you’ll find something for you.   Marie Bigham is the founder of ACCEPT: Admissions Community Cultivating Equity and Peace Today, a social media-based action group for the admissions profession, which received the Excellence in Education Award from the National Association for College Admissions Counseling AND was honored by Facebook at the 2017 Facebook Community Summit With over 20 years in the profession, Marie has served on the Board of Directors for the National Association of College Admission Counseling (NACAC); as Vice Chair of the Board for Association of College Counselors in Independent Schools (ACCIS); and on the Board of Directors of Texas Association of College Admissions Counseling (TACAC). Marie is also the Director of College Counseling at Isidore Newman School in New Orleans.   On this episode we discuss: Why you should maybe consider not using the word “ally” How to stand up for others, even when -- or especially when -- it’s most uncomfortable 10 specific ways counselors and colleges can help build a more inclusive environment on their campuses Where anyone can find a treasure trove of resources on racial equity   Hope this inspires! For more information, and to download a PDF of these resources, head over to https://collegeessayguy.squarespace.com/blog/30-ways-center-justice-equity  

This episode is part one of three on access and equity in the college counseling community. Today we meet Joan Liu, a counselor at a high school in Southeast Asia, who has been working on the front lines of access and equity issues during her career. When over 60 Nepali students suddenly lost their full-tuition scholarships in April of last year, Joan decided to do something about it. That story--and what happened next--is what we discuss on this podcast. This story was picked up by the Washington Post and the Chronicle of Higher Ed. They are seeking help for these students--we’ll let you know at the end how you can get involved. Enjoy.

In this episode you’ll hear Adam’s take on: What’s a “good” score? How much do SAT scores matter? Do students even need standardized tests? When should students take the test? What’s the difference between the SAT and the ACT? Do students need the optional essay? The most important things to know about subject tests A few words about the PSAT Important notes for students with learning differences How students should define success in college admissions testing