

Your College Bound Kid | Admission Tips, Admission Trends & Admission Interviews
Mark Stucker
Admission Tips, Admission Trends & Admission InterviewsAdmission Interviews
Our 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 light, easy-to-listen conversational style. We have eight co-hosts, six college counselors, and two current admissions officers, including an Admissions Dean
Our 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 light, easy-to-listen conversational style. We have eight co-hosts, six college counselors, and two current admissions officers, including an Admissions Dean
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 21, 2022 • 2h 4min
YCBK 241: More kids take gap year to seek an admissions edge
In this episode you will hear: (25:34) Mark and Julia discuss an article that appeared in the Wall Street Journal April 28th, 2002 by Alex Janin. The article is entitled, “seeking college admissions edge-more students take a gap year” They take a look at the growing trend for students to take a gap year in order to pursue a more selective college. Julia and Mark share thoughts on whether this is smart strategy. (45:32) For our question from a listener, it is bonus content time and Mark recaps a presentation he recently attended entitled, “What is it that is keeping senior admissions people up at night”. As families come to understand the pressure admissions officers are under, it will help explain why so many colleges are so creative and so aggressive in how they recruit students. (01:12:41) Our interview is with Sue Corner, the Dean of Admissions at Willamette University and someone who started as a student at Willamette in the 80’s. The interview will also serve as our Spotlight as Sue helps us to understand Willamette University (Part 2 of 2) Preview- Preview of Part 2 Preview of Part 2 Sue shares the things that have changed at Willamette since Sue was a student Sue also shares the things that have changed with the city of Salem over the years Sue talks about how Willamette and Lewis and Clark are different Sue talks about what the Northwest 5 consortium is Sue talks about who the overlap schools are Sue talks about what is unique about the admissions process at Willamette Sue talks about how an applicant is evaluated by admissions Sue talks about writing, extracurriculars and admissions interviews Sue talks about the role demonstrated interest plays in admissions decisions Sue talks about the role that test scores play in admissions decisions. Sue talks about the role test scores play in merit scholarships Sue talks about whether ability to pay impacts admission decisions Sue discusses whether Williamette offers need and merit or only merit based money Sue talks about two different fly-in visit programs that they have Sue encourages people to email her at Sue encourages people to copy email the regional admission officer Sue goes on the hot seat in our lightning round Willamette University is our College Spotlight. (Part 2/2) (01:47:53) The recommended resource is This sensational resource looks at accurate government data on cutting edge admissions topics and presents the data visually. It is the work of Jon Boeckenstadt, the VP of admissions at Oregon State. Mark will interview Jon about this resource in three months but he wants listeners to be exposed before the interview. . Please send in your questions either on Twitter at @YCBKpodcast using the Messages tab (this is our preference) or via email at for the 27 admissions interviews we are doing in the summer and fall. Our interviews are with the following people at the following schools: Confirmed interviews you can still send in questions for our guests: Bard-Mackie Siebens Mercer-Kelly Holloway Reed College-Milyon Truelove- Rice University-Tamara Siler American University-Andrea Felder Pitzer College-Yvonne Berumen Chapman University-Marcela Meija-Martinez Connecticut College-Andy Strickler* Trinity College-Anthony Berry* College of the Atlantic-Heather Albert* Spelman College-Chelsea Holley* Scripps College-Victoria Romero* Saint Louis University-Daniel Wood-(Interview is about transfer admissions, Daniel is a transfer counselor) University of Connecticut-Vern Granger* Colby College-Randi Arsenault* University of Georgia-David Graves* Washington University St Louis-Ronne Turner To sign up to receive Your College-Bound Kid PLUS, our free quarterly admissions deep-dive, delivered directly to your email four times a year, just go to yourcollegeboundkid.com, and you will see the sign up on the right side of the page under “the Listen to our podcast icons” Follow Mark Stucker on Twitter to get breaking college admission news, and updates about the podcast before they go live. You can ask questions on Twitter that he will answer them on the podcast. Mark will also share additional hot topics in the news and breaking news on this Twitter feed. Twitter message is also the preferred way to ask questions for our podcast: https://twitter.com/YCBKpodcast To access our transcripts, click: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/category/transcripts/ Find the specific episode transcripts for the one you want to search and click the link Find the magnifying glass icon in blue (search feature) and click it Enter whatever word you want to search. I.e. Loans Every word in that episode when the words loans are used, will be highlighted in yellow with a timestamps Click the word highlighted in yellow and the player will play the episode from that starting point You can also download the entire podcast as a transcript We would be honored if you will pass this podcast episode on to others who you feel will benefit from the content in YCBK. Please subscribe to our podcast. It really helps us move up in Apple’s search feature so others can find our podcast. Don't forget to send your questions related to any and every facet of the college process to: questions@yourcollegeboundkid.com. If you enjoy our podcast, would you please do us a favor and share our podcast both verbally and on social media? We would be most grateful! If you want to help more people find Your College-Bound Kid, please make sure you follow our podcast. You will also get instant notifications as soon as each episode goes live. Check out the college admissions books Mark recommends: Check out the college websites Mark recommends: If you want to have some input about what you like and what you recommend we change about our podcast, please complete our Podcast survey; here is the link: If you want a college consultation with Mark or Lisa, just text Mark at 404-664-4340 or email Lisa at lisa@schoolmatch4u.com. All they ask is that you review their services on their website before the complimentary session. Their counseling website is: https://schoolmatch4u.com/

Jul 18, 2022 • 52min
YCBK 240: Ben Baum helps us to understand St. John’s College
In this episode you will hear: Announcements Interview Benjamin Baum, VP of Enrollment, St. John’s College Ben gives his backstory What is unique about St. John’s College? The unique history of St. John’s College How do you answer the question, “What is the ROI of a St. John’s education? How does the career center place kids in jobs in the real world? What is the classroom experience and the curriculum like? What do you look for that is different as an admission officer at St. John’s versus when you recruited students at Tufts university? Does St. John’s serve kids who come from non-traditional backgrounds? How does one college with a campus in Annapolis, MD and another campus in Sante Fe, NM work? Please send in your questions either on Twitter at @YCBKpodcast using the Messages tab (this is our preference) or via email at for the 25 admissions interviews we are doing in the summer and fall. Our interviews are with the following people at the following schools: Confirmed interviews not yet completed Bard-Mackie Siebens Mercer-Kelly Holloway Reed-Milyon Truelove- Rice University-Tamara Siler American University-Andrea Felder Pitzer College-Yvonne Berumen Chapman University-Marcela Meija-Martinez Connecticut College-Andy Strickler* Trinity College-Anthony Berry* College of the Atlantic-Heather Albert* Spelman College-Chelsea Holley* Scripps College-Victoria Romero* Saint Louis University-Daniel Wood-(Interview is about transfer admissions, Daniel is a transfer counselor) University of Connecticut-Vern Granger* Colby College-Randi Arsenault* University of Georgia-David Graves* Washington University St Louis-Ronne Turner To sign up to receive Your College-Bound Kid PLUS, our free quarterly admissions deep-dive, delivered directly to your email four times a year, just go to yourcollegeboundkid.com, and you will see the sign up on the right side of the page under “the Listen to our podcast icons” Follow Mark Stucker on Twitter to get breaking college admission news, and updates about the podcast before they go live. You can ask questions on Twitter that he will answer them on the podcast. Mark will also share additional hot topics in the news and breaking news on this Twitter feed. Twitter message is also the preferred way to ask questions for our podcast: https://twitter.com/YCBKpodcast To access our transcripts, click: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/category/transcripts/ Find the specific episode transcripts for the one you want to search and click the link Find the magnifying glass icon in blue (search feature) and click it Enter whatever word you want to search. I.e. Loans Every word in that episode when the words loans are used, will be highlighted in yellow with a timestamps Click the word highlighted in yellow and the player will play the episode from that starting point You can also download the entire podcast as a transcript We would be honored if you will pass this podcast episode on to others who you feel will benefit from the content in YCBK. Please subscribe to our podcast. It really helps us move up in Apple’s search feature so others can find our podcast. Don't forget to send your questions related to any and every facet of the college process to: questions@yourcollegeboundkid.com. If you enjoy our podcast, would you please do us a favor and share our podcast both verbally and on social media? We would be most grateful! If you want to help more people find Your College-Bound Kid, please make sure you follow our podcast. You will also get instant notifications as soon as each episode goes live. Check out the college admissions books Mark recommends: Check out the college websites Mark recommends: If you want to have some input about what you like and what you recommend we change about our podcast, please complete our Podcast survey; here is the link: If you want a college consultation with Mark or Lisa, just text Mark at 404-664-4340 or email Lisa at lisa@schoolmatch4u.com. All they ask is that you review their services on their website before the complimentary session. Their counseling website is: https://schoolmatch4u.com/

Jul 14, 2022 • 1h 33min
YCBK 239: Transfer Admissions from Community College to UVA
In this episode you will hear: (07:04) Mark and Vince discuss an article in The Washington Post, entitled, ”Inside Elite Admissions from Community College to UVA”. The article was actually written on May 5th, 2022. Vince and Mark discuss how many doors Community Colleges open up for students. They discuss how well people do transferring from Community College to universities, even elite universities. https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2022/05/05/community-college-transfer-admissions-uva/ (33:00) For our question from a listener, Mark and Lisa answer the question, is it better for a student who is passionate about the arts to go to a visual art school or to a four year college with a strong Art program. (01:02:04) Our interview is with Sue Corner, the Dean of Admissions at Willamette University and someone who started as a student at Willamette in the 80’s. The interview will also serve as our Spotlight as Sue helps us to understand Willamette University (Part 1 of 2) Preview- Preview of Part 1 Sue opens up by sharing the very unique historical role Willamette University has played in the region and in the nation Sue explains what is the hallmark of what makes Willamette special Sue talks about how the location of Willamette makes it special Sue talks about the internship opportunities Willamette offers Sue talks about the different schools that comprise Willamette and she talks about a couple very exciting new programs Sue talks about how they navigate their partnership with PCNCA Sue talks about the dual degree and accelerated degree programs Willamette offers Willamette University is our College Spotlight. (Part 1/2) (01:18:00) The recommended resource is This is a great source for looking at schools that are great in the arts. A second recommended resource is your local public library. This is a treasure trove that has most of the books that we recommend every week. . Please send in your questions either on Twitter at @YCBKpodcast using the Messages tab (this is our preference) or via email at for the 27 admissions interviews we are doing in the summer and fall. Our interviews are with the following people at the following schools: Confirmed interviews you can still send in questions for our guests: Bard-Mackie Siebens Mercer-Kelly Holloway Reed College-Milyon Truelove- Rice University-Tamara Siler American University-Andrea Felder Pitzer College-Yvonne Berumen Chapman University-Marcela Meija-Martinez Connecticut College-Andy Strickler* Trinity College-Anthony Berry* Trinity University-Justin Doty-(interview about athletic recruitment process for DIII schools)-July 15th College of the Atlantic-Heather Albert* Spelman College-Chelsea Holley* Scripps College-Victoria Romero* Saint Louis University-Daniel Wood-(Interview is about transfer admissions, Daniel is a transfer counselor) University of Connecticut-Vern Granger* Colby College-Randi Arsenault* University of Georgia-David Graves* Washington University St Louis-Ronne Turner To sign up to receive Your College-Bound Kid PLUS, our free quarterly admissions deep-dive, delivered directly to your email four times a year, just go to yourcollegeboundkid.com, and you will see the sign up on the right side of the page under “the Listen to our podcast icons” Follow Mark Stucker on Twitter to get breaking college admission news, and updates about the podcast before they go live. You can ask questions on Twitter that he will answer them on the podcast. Mark will also share additional hot topics in the news and breaking news on this Twitter feed. Twitter message is also the preferred way to ask questions for our podcast: https://twitter.com/YCBKpodcast To access our transcripts, click: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/category/transcripts/ Find the specific episode transcripts for the one you want to search and click the link Find the magnifying glass icon in blue (search feature) and click it Enter whatever word you want to search. I.e. Loans Every word in that episode when the words loans are used, will be highlighted in yellow with a timestamps Click the word highlighted in yellow and the player will play the episode from that starting point You can also download the entire podcast as a transcript We would be honored if you will pass this podcast episode on to others who you feel will benefit from the content in YCBK. Please subscribe to our podcast. It really helps us move up in Apple’s search feature so others can find our podcast. Don't forget to send your questions related to any and every facet of the college process to: questions@yourcollegeboundkid.com. If you enjoy our podcast, would you please do us a favor and share our podcast both verbally and on social media? We would be most grateful! If you want to help more people find Your College-Bound Kid, please make sure you follow our podcast. You will also get instant notifications as soon as each episode goes live. Check out the college admissions books Mark recommends: Check out the college websites Mark recommends: If you want to have some input about what you like and what you recommend we change about our podcast, please complete our Podcast survey; here is the link: If you want a college consultation with Mark or Lisa, just text Mark at 404-664-4340 or email Lisa at lisa@schoolmatch4u.com. All they ask is that you review their services on their website before the complimentary session. Their counseling website is: https://schoolmatch4u.com/

Jul 11, 2022 • 52min
YCBK 238: Dr. Angela McIver explains how Trapezium Math helps students
In this episode you will hear: Mark shares five announcements in Higher Ed Interview Dr. Angela McIver, Trapezium Math Preview Angela gives her background as former math teacher and she starts with how the genesis of Trapezium started with a very successful Math Science Upward Bound program that began at Temple. The program won a lot of awards Angela shares where her program was lacking and had to make changes. She became a participant observer to see why people drop out of college math programs Angela was so compelled by this that she went and got her PHD in 2005 by studying 40 kids in middle school, 20, 6th graders and 20 8th graders who took more difficult math problems and she Angela started her first business called Math Foundations which helped teachers understand why students do not understand math Angela became a professor at the University of Pennsylvania Angela then started Trapezium that had a wait list of a year and a half old, originally the name was Monster Math club but they had trouble getting that name. Trapeziu was birthed in 2014 Angela talks about, what is the secret sauce that makes it work? She talks about how her program is different from the three most common models out there. She talks about what is different from her program and what else is out there. Angela describes the transition from an in person program to an online platform that is really serving kids well while maintaining their ethos Angela talks what age or level is the best time to start Angela talks about how her math clubs different math levels for different kids Angela talks how her program can accommodate student with learning differences Angela talks about “try before you buy” works Angela shares trapeziummath.com as the place to go before Fall session, is $47 per class One time kit purchase of $235 Angela shares her evidence to prove Trapezium works Angela shares how many students have gone through her program Please send in your questions either on Twitter at @YCBKpodcast using the Messages tab (this is our preference) or via email at for the 25 admissions interviews we are doing in the summer and fall. Our interviews are with the following people at the following schools: Confirmed interviews not yet completed Bard-Mackie Siebens Mercer-Kelly Holloway Reed-Milyon Truelove- Rice University-Tamara Siler American University-Andrea Felder Pitzer College-Yvonne Berumen Chapman University-Marcela Meija-Martinez Connecticut College-Andy Strickler* Trinity College-Anthony Berry* College of the Atlantic-Heather Albert* Spelman College-Chelsea Holley* Scripps College-Victoria Romero* Saint Louis University-Daniel Wood-(Interview is about transfer admissions, Daniel is a transfer counselor) University of Connecticut-Vern Granger* Colby College-Randi Arsenault* University of Georgia-David Graves* Washington University St Louis-Ronne Turner To sign up to receive Your College-Bound Kid PLUS, our free quarterly admissions deep-dive, delivered directly to your email four times a year, just go to yourcollegeboundkid.com, and you will see the sign up on the right side of the page under “the Listen to our podcast icons” Follow Mark Stucker on Twitter to get breaking college admission news, and updates about the podcast before they go live. You can ask questions on Twitter that he will answer them on the podcast. Mark will also share additional hot topics in the news and breaking news on this Twitter feed. Twitter message is also the preferred way to ask questions for our podcast: https://twitter.com/YCBKpodcast To access our transcripts, click: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/category/transcripts/ Find the specific episode transcripts for the one you want to search and click the link Find the magnifying glass icon in blue (search feature) and click it Enter whatever word you want to search. I.e. Loans Every word in that episode when the words loans are used, will be highlighted in yellow with a timestamps Click the word highlighted in yellow and the player will play the episode from that starting point You can also download the entire podcast as a transcript We would be honored if you will pass this podcast episode on to others who you feel will benefit from the content in YCBK. Please subscribe to our podcast. It really helps us move up in Apple’s search feature so others can find our podcast. Don't forget to send your questions related to any and every facet of the college process to: questions@yourcollegeboundkid.com. If you enjoy our podcast, would you please do us a favor and share our podcast both verbally and on social media? We would be most grateful! If you want to help more people find Your College-Bound Kid, please make sure you follow our podcast. You will also get instant notifications as soon as each episode goes live. Check out the college admissions books Mark recommends: Check out the college websites Mark recommends: If you want to have some input about what you like and what you recommend we change about our podcast, please complete our Podcast survey; here is the link: If you want a college consultation with Mark or Lisa, just text Mark at 404-664-4340 or email Lisa at lisa@schoolmatch4u.com. All they ask is that you review their services on their website before the complimentary session. Their counseling website is: https://schoolmatch4u.com/

Jul 7, 2022 • 2h 23min
YCBK 237: Do Universities Rescind Their Admissions Offers
In this episode you will hear: (19:16) Mark and Susan discuss an article in Grown and Flown, entitled, ”Do Universities Actually Rescind Their Admissions Offers”. The article was actually written on February 3rd, 2021. Susan and Mark discuss three reasons why college’s rescind admission decisions and they draw from their experience to discuss each of the three reasons . (01:10:36) It’s bonus content school and Lisa leads us in a discussion on the following topic: What is going on with college mental health centers-(Part 2 of 2) (01:27:53) Our first interview is with Sue Corner, the Dean of Admissions at Willamette University and someone who started as a student at Willamette in the 80’s. She will talk about three misconceptions about private schools in a two-part interview. In part one Sue addressed two of the three misperceptions and in this episode, Sue finishes up her discussion of reason two and then she explains reason three. Susan spends most of her time on reason three. (2 of 2) Preview- Sue addresses Myth #3-Institutional quality is best evaluated by admit rate and ranking Sue discusses various ways in which it is so easy for a school to manipulate its admit rate Sue talks about how easy it is to manipulate rankings Sue gives her advice on how to block out the noise and she shares some of the legitimate ways to judge a school’s educational quality (01:36:46) The recommended resource is the website, This website includes voluminous amounts of data on each college and the information is presented in a way that is very visually appealing and user friendly. (01:52:50) Lansing Community College is our College Spotlight. Our College Spotlight is a second interview with Dr. Steve Robinson who is the President of Lansing Community College. Steve debunks a lot of myths about Community College, but he also really articulates well the great opportunities Community College offers (Part 2 of 2) Please send in your questions either on Twitter at @YCBKpodcast using the Messages tab (this is our preference) or via email at for the 26 admissions interviews we are doing in the summer and fall. Our interviews are with the following people at the following schools: Confirmed interviews you can still send in questions for our guests: Bard-Mackie Siebens Mercer-Kelly Holloway Oregon State-Jon Boeckenstadt (Interview about a range of admission topics)-July 19th Reed-Milyon Truelove- Rice University-Tamara Siler American University-Andrea Felder Pitzer College-Yvonne Berumen Chapman University-Marcela Meija-Martinez Connecticut College-Andy Strickler* Trinity College-Anthony Berry* Trinity University-Justin Doty-(interview about athletic recruitment process for DIII schools)-July 15th College of the Atlantic-Heather Albert* Spelman College-Chelsea Holley* Scripps College-Victoria Romero* Saint Louis University-Daniel Wood-(Interview is about transfer admissions, Daniel is a transfer counselor) University of Connecticut-Vern Granger* Colby College-Randi Arsenault* Hamilton College-Peaches Valdes* University of Georgia-David Graves* Washington University St Louis-Ronne Turner University of Delaware-Darrell Edmonds To sign up to receive Your College-Bound Kid PLUS, our free quarterly admissions deep-dive, delivered directly to your email four times a year, just go to yourcollegeboundkid.com, and you will see the sign up on the right side of the page under “the Listen to our podcast icons” Follow Mark Stucker on Twitter to get breaking college admission news, and updates about the podcast before they go live. You can ask questions on Twitter that he will answer them on the podcast. Mark will also share additional hot topics in the news and breaking news on this Twitter feed. Twitter message is also the preferred way to ask questions for our podcast: https://twitter.com/YCBKpodcast To access our transcripts, click: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/category/transcripts/ Find the specific episode transcripts for the one you want to search and click the link Find the magnifying glass icon in blue (search feature) and click it Enter whatever word you want to search. I.e. Loans Every word in that episode when the words loans are used, will be highlighted in yellow with a timestamps Click the word highlighted in yellow and the player will play the episode from that starting point You can also download the entire podcast as a transcript We would be honored if you will pass this podcast episode on to others who you feel will benefit from the content in YCBK. Please subscribe to our podcast. It really helps us move up in Apple’s search feature so others can find our podcast. Don't forget to send your questions related to any and every facet of the college process to: questions@yourcollegeboundkid.com. If you enjoy our podcast, would you please do us a favor and share our podcast both verbally and on social media? We would be most grateful! If you want to help more people find Your College-Bound Kid, please make sure you follow our podcast. You will also get instant notifications as soon as each episode goes live. Check out the college admissions books Mark recommends: Check out the college websites Mark recommends: If you want to have some input about what you like and what you recommend we change about our podcast, please complete our Podcast survey; here is the link: If you want a college consultation with Mark or Lisa, just text Mark at 404-664-4340 or email Lisa at lisa@schoolmatch4u.com. All they ask is that you review their services on their website before the complimentary session. Their counseling website is: https://schoolmatch4u.com/

Jul 4, 2022 • 45min
YCBK 236: Brynn describes her college journey from Wyoming to Colgate
In this episode you will hear: Lisa talks about how the recent Supreme Court ruling on abortion may impact colleges Student Interview Brynn Burton Preview Brynn’s background The role of Scholar Match How Brynn met Lisa Challenges Brynn faced Brynn describes her college search Wisdom, advice, Brynn has for parents Brynn goes on the hot seat Please send in your questions either on Twitter at @YCBKpodcast using the Messages tab (this is our preference) or via email at for the 25 admissions interviews we are doing in the summer and fall. Our interviews are with the following people at the following schools: Confirmed interviews not yet completed Bard-Mackie Siebens Mercer-Kelly Holloway Oregon State-Jon Boeckenstadt (Interview about a range of admission topics)-July 19th Reed-Milyon Truelove- Rice University-Tamara Siler St Johns College-Benjamin Baum-This interview is on June 8th American University-Andrea Felder Texas Christian University (TCU)-Heath Einstein-This interview is on July 6th Pitzer College-Yvonne Berumen Chapman University-Marcela Meija-Martinez Connecticut College-Andy Strickler* Trinity College-Anthony Berry* Trinity University-Justin Doty-(interview about athletic recruitment process for DIII schools)-July 15th College of the Atlantic-Heather Albert* Spelman College-Chelsea Holley* Scripps College-Victoria Romero* Saint Louis University-Daniel Wood-(Interview is about transfer admissions, Daniel is a transfer counselor) University of Connecticut-Vern Granger* Colby College-Randi Arsenault* Hamilton College-Peaches Valdes* University of Georgia-David Graves* Washington University St Louis-Ronne Turner University of Delaware-Darrell Edmonds To sign up to receive Your College-Bound Kid PLUS, our free quarterly admissions deep-dive, delivered directly to your email four times a year, just go to yourcollegeboundkid.com, and you will see the sign up on the right side of the page under “the Listen to our podcast icons” Follow Mark Stucker on Twitter to get breaking college admission news, and updates about the podcast before they go live. You can ask questions on Twitter that he will answer them on the podcast. Mark will also share additional hot topics in the news and breaking news on this Twitter feed. Twitter message is also the preferred way to ask questions for our podcast: https://twitter.com/YCBKpodcast To access our transcripts, click: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/category/transcripts/ Find the specific episode transcripts for the one you want to search and click the link Find the magnifying glass icon in blue (search feature) and click it Enter whatever word you want to search. I.e. Loans Every word in that episode when the words loans are used, will be highlighted in yellow with a timestamps Click the word highlighted in yellow and the player will play the episode from that starting point You can also download the entire podcast as a transcript We would be honored if you will pass this podcast episode on to others who you feel will benefit from the content in YCBK. Please subscribe to our podcast. It really helps us move up in Apple’s search feature so others can find our podcast. Don't forget to send your questions related to any and every facet of the college process to: questions@yourcollegeboundkid.com. If you enjoy our podcast, would you please do us a favor and share our podcast both verbally and on social media? We would be most grateful! If you want to help more people find Your College-Bound Kid, please make sure you follow our podcast. You will also get instant notifications as soon as each episode goes live. Check out the college admissions books Mark recommends: Check out the college websites Mark recommends: If you want to have some input about what you like and what you recommend we change about our podcast, please complete our Podcast survey; here is the link: If you want a college consultation with Mark or Lisa, just text Mark at 404-664-4340 or email Lisa at lisa@schoolmatch4u.com. All they ask is that you review their services on their website before the complimentary session. Their counseling website is: https://schoolmatch4u.com/

Jun 30, 2022 • 1h 53min
YCBK 235: How Hillsdale college is at war with public HS
In this episode you will hear: (14:40) Mark and Dave discuss an article about Hillsdale College, entitled, How this tiny Christian college is driving the rights nationwide war against Public schools” by, Kathryn Joyce of Salon magazine. Mark and Dave has a spirited and at times fractious debate about the article. (48:05) It’s bonus content school and Lisa leads us in a discussion on the following topic: What is going on with college mental health centers-(Part 1 of 2) (01:05:52) Our first interview is with Sue Corner, the Dean of Admissions at Willamette University and someone who started as a student at Willamette in the 80’s. She will talk about three misconceptions about private schools in a two-part interview. In part one Sue addresses two of the three misperceptions that she will emphasize over the next two weeks (1 of 2) Preview- Sue gives her backstory including her education and various admission roles she has had Mark introduces the topic, “Debunking Myths about Private schools” Sue addresses Myth #1 about private colleges and universities Sue talks about some ways Willamette University has made adjustments to this myth Sue addresses Myth #2 about Private schools (01:13:07) The recommended resource is the website, This is the official admissions blog for the University of Virginia. You will find frequent entries for Dean J, (Jeannine Lalonde) but also from students. In the June 13th edition, the blog shares their new college-specific questions for 2022. UVA also has a transfer blog that is worth checking out: (01:28:37) Lansing Community College is our College Spotlight. Our College Spotlight is a second interview with Dr. Steve Robinson who is the President of Lansing Community College. Steve debunks a lot of myths about Community College, but he also really articulates well the great opportunities Community College offers (Part 1 of 2) Please send in your questions either on Twitter at @YCBKpodcast using the Messages tab (this is our preference) or via email at for the 26 admissions interviews we are doing in the summer and fall. Our interviews are with the following people at the following schools: Confirmed interviews you can still send in questions for our guests: Bard-Mackie Siebens Mercer-Kelly Holloway Oregon State-Jon Boeckenstadt (Interview about a range of admission topics)-July 19th Reed-Milyon Truelove- Rice University-Tamara Siler American University-Andrea Felder Texas Christian University (TCU)-Heath Einstein-This interview is on July 6th Pitzer College-Yvonne Berumen Chapman University-Marcela Meija-Martinez Connecticut College-Andy Strickler* Trinity College-Anthony Berry* Trinity University-Justin Doty-(interview about athletic recruitment process for DIII schools)-July 15th College of the Atlantic-Heather Albert* Spelman College-Chelsea Holley* Scripps College-Victoria Romero* Saint Louis University-Daniel Wood-(Interview is about transfer admissions, Daniel is a transfer counselor) University of Connecticut-Vern Granger* Colby College-Randi Arsenault* Hamilton College-Peaches Valdes* University of Georgia-David Graves* Washington University St Louis-Ronne Turner University of Delaware-Darrell Edmonds To sign up to receive Your College-Bound Kid PLUS, our free quarterly admissions deep-dive, delivered directly to your email four times a year, just go to yourcollegeboundkid.com, and you will see the sign up on the right side of the page under “the Listen to our podcast icons” Follow Mark Stucker on Twitter to get breaking college admission news, and updates about the podcast before they go live. You can ask questions on Twitter that he will answer them on the podcast. Mark will also share additional hot topics in the news and breaking news on this Twitter feed. Twitter message is also the preferred way to ask questions for our podcast: https://twitter.com/YCBKpodcast To access our transcripts, click: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/category/transcripts/ Find the specific episode transcripts for the one you want to search and click the link Find the magnifying glass icon in blue (search feature) and click it Enter whatever word you want to search. I.e. Loans Every word in that episode when the words loans are used, will be highlighted in yellow with a timestamps Click the word highlighted in yellow and the player will play the episode from that starting point You can also download the entire podcast as a transcript We would be honored if you will pass this podcast episode on to others who you feel will benefit from the content in YCBK. Please subscribe to our podcast. It really helps us move up in Apple’s search feature so others can find our podcast. Don't forget to send your questions related to any and every facet of the college process to: questions@yourcollegeboundkid.com. If you enjoy our podcast, would you please do us a favor and share our podcast both verbally and on social media? We would be most grateful! If you want to help more people find Your College-Bound Kid, please make sure you follow our podcast. You will also get instant notifications as soon as each episode goes live. Check out the college admissions books Mark recommends: Check out the college websites Mark recommends: If you want to have some input about what you like and what you recommend we change about our podcast, please complete our Podcast survey; here is the link: If you want a college consultation with Mark or Lisa, just text Mark at 404-664-4340 or email Lisa at lisa@schoolmatch4u.com. All they ask is that you review their services on their website before the complimentary session. Their counseling website is: https://schoolmatch4u.com/

Jun 27, 2022 • 39min
YCBK 234: Interview about CLEP courses with David Vise-Part 3/3
In this episode you will hear: Mark shares one big announcement this week from the state of Maryland. Interview David Vise, Executive Director of Modernstates.org Part 3 Preview Dave explains where the funding for Modern States is coming from Dave gives step by step detailed description of how you sign up all the way to how you get actual college credit for the courses Dave goes on the hot seat Please send in your questions either on Twitter at @YCBKpodcast using the Messages tab (this is our preference) or via email at for the 25 admissions interviews we are doing in the summer and fall. Our interviews are with the following people at the following schools: Confirmed interviews not yet completed Bard-Mackie Siebens Mercer-Kelly Holloway Oregon State-Jon Boeckenstadt (Interview about a range of admission topics)-July 19th Reed-Milyon Truelove- Rice University-Tamara Siler St Johns College-Benjamin Baum-This interview is on June 8th American University-Andrea Felder Texas Christian University (TCU)-Heath Einstein-This interview is on July 6th Pitzer College-Yvonne Berumen Chapman University-Marcela Meija-Martinez Connecticut College-Andy Strickler* Trinity College-Anthony Berry* Trinity University-Justin Doty-(interview about athletic recruitment process for DIII schools)-July 15th College of the Atlantic-Heather Albert* Spelman College-Chelsea Holley* Scripps College-Victoria Romero* Saint Louis University-Daniel Wood-(Interview is about transfer admissions, Daniel is a transfer counselor) University of Connecticut-Vern Granger* Colby College-Randi Arsenault* Hamilton College-Peaches Valdes* University of Georgia-David Graves* Washington University St Louis-Ronne Turner University of Delaware-Darrell Edmonds To sign up to receive Your College-Bound Kid PLUS, our free quarterly admissions deep-dive, delivered directly to your email four times a year, just go to yourcollegeboundkid.com, and you will see the sign up on the right side of the page under “the Listen to our podcast icons” Follow Mark Stucker on Twitter to get breaking college admission news, and updates about the podcast before they go live. You can ask questions on Twitter that he will answer them on the podcast. Mark will also share additional hot topics in the news and breaking news on this Twitter feed. Twitter message is also the preferred way to ask questions for our podcast: https://twitter.com/YCBKpodcast To access our transcripts, click: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/category/transcripts/ Find the specific episode transcripts for the one you want to search and click the link Find the magnifying glass icon in blue (search feature) and click it Enter whatever word you want to search. I.e. Loans Every word in that episode when the words loans are used, will be highlighted in yellow with a timestamps Click the word highlighted in yellow and the player will play the episode from that starting point You can also download the entire podcast as a transcript We would be honored if you will pass this podcast episode on to others who you feel will benefit from the content in YCBK. Please subscribe to our podcast. It really helps us move up in Apple’s search feature so others can find our podcast. Don't forget to send your questions related to any and every facet of the college process to: questions@yourcollegeboundkid.com. If you enjoy our podcast, would you please do us a favor and share our podcast both verbally and on social media? We would be most grateful! If you want to help more people find Your College-Bound Kid, please make sure you follow our podcast. You will also get instant notifications as soon as each episode goes live. Check out the college admissions books Mark recommends: Check out the college websites Mark recommends: If you want to have some input about what you like and what you recommend we change about our podcast, please complete our Podcast survey; here is the link: If you want a college consultation with Mark or Lisa, just text Mark at 404-664-4340 or email Lisa at lisa@schoolmatch4u.com. All they ask is that you review their services on their website before the complimentary session. Their counseling website is: https://schoolmatch4u.com/

Jun 23, 2022 • 1h 41min
YCBK 233: The Debt Trap: How student loans became a catastrophe
In this episode you will hear: (12:24) Mark and Dave discuss an article where Michel Martin interviews Josh Mitchell about his book, “The Debt Trap: How student loans became a catastrophe”. The book discusses how we got in this fiasco where we have 1.7 trillion dollars of student debt and Mark and Dave discuss these reasons. https://www.npr.org/2021/08/21/1030023061/the-debt-trap-author-on-the-generational-setbacks-from-student-loans (42:54) Diana from Wisconsin sent us an outstanding list of questions that are all designed to get some guidance about the transition to college. Mark and Lisa acknowledge that the transition to college is an area that we haven’t adequately covered. Mark and Lisa answered half of Diana’s questions in episode and they answered several others in episode 231. In our third and final part, Mark and Lisa answer the question: “Should we be advocating for our student to get tutoring if they are struggling academically?” (59:19) Our interview is with Karen Kristof, a 30+ year admission veteran who has worked at five colleges. Karen is the Dean of admissions at Colorado College. Karen gives us an overview of, “Who is Colorado College” Preview-Understanding Colorado College Karen explains the 3 P’s that Make Colorado College Special The type of student that thrives in the Block plan Karen discusses CC’s strongest program Karen shares what CC can do to improve Put Karen on the hot seat (01:17:35) The recommended resource is the website, This website provides free high quality SAT prep and math tutoring in groups of three to ten. They continue to add more subjects for there tutoring. Colorado Colleges is our College Spotlight Please send in your questions either on Twitter at @YCBKpodcast using the Messages tab (this is our preference) or via email at for the 26 admissions interviews we are doing in the summer and fall. Our interviews are with the following people at the following schools: Confirmed interviews Bard-Mackie Siebens Mercer-Kelly Holloway Oregon State-Jon Boeckenstadt (Interview about a range of admission topics)-July 19th Reed-Milyon Truelove- Rice University-Tamara Siler St Johns College-Benjamin Baum-This interview is on June 8th University Pittsburgh-Tom Becker- American University-Andrea Felder Texas Christian University (TCU)-Heath Einstein-This interview is on July 6th Michigan State University-John Ambrose-This interview is on June 10th Pitzer College-Yvonne Berumen Chapman University-Marcela Meija-Martinez Connecticut College-Andy Strickler* Trinity College-Anthony Berry* Trinity University-Justin Doty-(interview about athletic recruitment process for DIII schools)-July 15th College of the Atlantic-Heather Albert* Spelman College-Chelsea Holley* Scripps College-Victoria Romero* Saint Louis University-Daniel Wood-(Interview is about transfer admissions, Daniel is a transfer counselor) University of Connecticut-Vern Granger* Colby College-Randi Arsenault* Hamilton College-Peaches Valdes* University of Georgia-David Graves* Washington University St Louis-Ronne Turner University of Rochester-Robert Alexander* University of Delaware-Darrell Edmonds To sign up to receive Your College-Bound Kid PLUS, our free quarterly admissions deep-dive, delivered directly to your email four times a year, just go to yourcollegeboundkid.com, and you will see the sign up on the right side of the page under “the Listen to our podcast icons” Follow Mark Stucker on Twitter to get breaking college admission news, and updates about the podcast before they go live. You can ask questions on Twitter that he will answer them on the podcast. Mark will also share additional hot topics in the news and breaking news on this Twitter feed. Twitter message is also the preferred way to ask questions for our podcast: https://twitter.com/YCBKpodcast To access our transcripts, click: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/category/transcripts/ Find the specific episode transcripts for the one you want to search and click the link Find the magnifying glass icon in blue (search feature) and click it Enter whatever word you want to search. I.e. Loans Every word in that episode when the words loans are used, will be highlighted in yellow with a timestamps Click the word highlighted in yellow and the player will play the episode from that starting point You can also download the entire podcast as a transcript We would be honored if you will pass this podcast episode on to others who you feel will benefit from the content in YCBK. Please subscribe to our podcast. It really helps us move up in Apple’s search feature so others can find our podcast. Don't forget to send your questions related to any and every facet of the college process to: questions@yourcollegeboundkid.com. If you enjoy our podcast, would you please do us a favor and share our podcast both verbally and on social media? We would be most grateful! If you want to help more people find Your College-Bound Kid, please make sure you follow our podcast. You will also get instant notifications as soon as each episode goes live. Check out the college admissions books Mark recommends: Check out the college websites Mark recommends: If you want to have some input about what you like and what you recommend we change about our podcast, please complete our Podcast survey; here is the link: If you want a college consultation with Mark or Lisa, just text Mark at 404-664-4340 or email Lisa at lisa@schoolmatch4u.com. All they ask is that you review their services on their website before the complimentary session. Their counseling website is: https://schoolmatch4u.com/

Jun 20, 2022 • 50min
YCBK 232: Interview about CLEP courses with David Vise-Part 2/3
In this episode you will hear: Mark shares several announcements about major developments in Higher Education Mark takes 10 minutes to survey the college landscape and look at which colleges will require test scores, which colleges are test-optional and which courses are test-blind for 2023 Interview David Vise, Executive Director of Modernstates.org Part 2 Preview Dave gives tips for students to do well on CLEP courses Dave explains why so few people have heard of CLEP Dave explains all of the different groups that Modern states is good for Dave talks about the alliances with non-profits and corporations they have Dave explains how CLEP courses are different than MOOCs Please send in your questions either on Twitter at @YCBKpodcast using the Messages tab (this is our preference) or via email at for the 25 admissions interviews we are doing in the summer and fall. Our interviews are with the following people at the following schools: Confirmed interviews not yet completed Bard-Mackie Siebens Mercer-Kelly Holloway Oregon State-Jon Boeckenstadt (Interview about a range of admission topics)-July 19th Reed-Milyon Truelove- Rice University-Tamara Siler St Johns College-Benjamin Baum-This interview is on June 8th American University-Andrea Felder Texas Christian University (TCU)-Heath Einstein-This interview is on July 6th Pitzer College-Yvonne Berumen Chapman University-Marcela Meija-Martinez Connecticut College-Andy Strickler* Trinity College-Anthony Berry* Trinity University-Justin Doty-(interview about athletic recruitment process for DIII schools)-July 15th College of the Atlantic-Heather Albert* Spelman College-Chelsea Holley* Scripps College-Victoria Romero* Saint Louis University-Daniel Wood-(Interview is about transfer admissions, Daniel is a transfer counselor) University of Connecticut-Vern Granger* Colby College-Randi Arsenault* Hamilton College-Peaches Valdes* University of Georgia-David Graves* Washington University St Louis-Ronne Turner University of Delaware-Darrell Edmonds To sign up to receive Your College-Bound Kid PLUS, our free quarterly admissions deep-dive, delivered directly to your email four times a year, just go to yourcollegeboundkid.com, and you will see the sign up on the right side of the page under “the Listen to our podcast icons” Follow Mark Stucker on Twitter to get breaking college admission news, and updates about the podcast before they go live. You can ask questions on Twitter that he will answer them on the podcast. Mark will also share additional hot topics in the news and breaking news on this Twitter feed. Twitter message is also the preferred way to ask questions for our podcast: https://twitter.com/YCBKpodcast To access our transcripts, click: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/category/transcripts/ Find the specific episode transcripts for the one you want to search and click the link Find the magnifying glass icon in blue (search feature) and click it Enter whatever word you want to search. I.e. Loans Every word in that episode when the words loans are used, will be highlighted in yellow with a timestamps Click the word highlighted in yellow and the player will play the episode from that starting point You can also download the entire podcast as a transcript We would be honored if you will pass this podcast episode on to others who you feel will benefit from the content in YCBK. Please subscribe to our podcast. It really helps us move up in Apple’s search feature so others can find our podcast. Don't forget to send your questions related to any and every facet of the college process to: questions@yourcollegeboundkid.com. If you enjoy our podcast, would you please do us a favor and share our podcast both verbally and on social media? We would be most grateful! If you want to help more people find Your College-Bound Kid, please make sure you follow our podcast. You will also get instant notifications as soon as each episode goes live. Check out the college admissions books Mark recommends: Check out the college websites Mark recommends: If you want to have some input about what you like and what you recommend we change about our podcast, please complete our Podcast survey; here is the link: If you want a college consultation with Mark or Lisa, just text Mark at 404-664-4340 or email Lisa at lisa@schoolmatch4u.com. All they ask is that you review their services on their website before the complimentary session. Their counseling website is: https://schoolmatch4u.com/