Don't Force It: How to Get into College without Losing Yourself in the Process

In this episode, Chris LaTempa, a seasoned college counseling expert, discusses athletic recruiting for college, the decision to not pursue college athletics, the option of a Post Grad year, common mistakes in college athletics, and factors to consider when choosing a school.

Educational consultant Jaime Smith discusses transfer admissions, homeschoolers, and non-traditional applicants in the evolving higher education landscape. They delve into the benefits of community college transfer admissions, the impact of brand on college admissions, and the potential of transfer students to maintain diversity. They also explore the rise of homeschooling during the pandemic and the advantages of online education in providing individualized learning experiences.

In this episode, Annie Tulkin, the founder of Accessible College, and I discuss the world of college transition support for students with disabilities. Don't miss this insightful conversation that sheds light on the path to college success for all students.BioAnnie Tulkin is the Founder and Director of Accessible College, as well as an educator, author and public speaker. She is an expert in the area of college preparation and transition for students with physical disabilities and health conditions. She supports students and families across the country. Annie was the Associate Director of the Academic Resource Center at Georgetown University for nearly 6 years. In that position she supported undergraduate, graduate, and medical students with physical disabilities and health conditions and oversaw academic support services for the entire student body. Annie has worked in the disability field for her entire professional career including positions as a Regional Disability Coordinator for Humanitas, Inc. working on the Job Corps disability support contract for The Department of Labor, and as a Project Specialist with the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) where she worked with both the National Service Inclusion Project (NSIP) and University Centers of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) Technical Assistance projects. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Secondary Education from DePaul University, a Masters in Special Education from The University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a Certificate in Health Coaching from Georgetown University. Annie was a Peace Corps Volunteer (Mongolia, ‘03-’05) and a Fulbright Fellow (Mongolia, ‘07-’08). She resides in Silver Spring, MD with her husband and daughter.  Website: www.accessiblecollege.com Facebook: @AccessibleCollege Twitter: @AcssCollegeInstagram: AccessibleCollegeConnect with me on LinkedIn and become a part of our Circle community.Access free resources and learn more about Sheila and her team at Signet Education at signeteducation.com or on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheilaakbar/.

Explore the importance of self-reflection skills and achieving better outcomes in academics, relationships, health, and college admissions. Learn how to navigate the college admissions process with reduced stress and fostering inspiration. Discover the harmful effects of toxic achievement culture on students and the dangers of substance abuse and mental health issues. Emphasize the importance of supporting children's goals and fostering independence and reflection in the college admissions process. Gain guidance on foundational skills and habits for college admissions.

Hanna Stotland, an educational crisis manager, discusses her personal journey of failing high school and later succeeding at Harvard. She highlights the achievement culture in the education industry and ways to rehabilitate academic records. They explore reasons why students leave school, handling challenging situations, evaluating student applications with disciplinary issues, and demonstrate admiration for the guest's work.

In today's episode, Holly and I dive deep into the world of applying to graduate school. Whether you're contemplating a Ph.D. or an academic-focused master's program, these essential insights will empower you to craft a compelling application and embark on an enriching academic journey.BioHolly has tutored for over a decade and specializes in undergraduate and graduate admissions and is also an expert coach and test prep tutor. She received her BA in Russian from Bowdoin College and her PhD in Comparative Literature and American Studies from Indiana University. She has worked as a tenure track professor at the University of Maine, serving as a MA/PhD advisor and on the graduate admissions committee. Before and during her time with Signet, she has helped over 100 students navigate application essays, program selection, and testing. She loves acting and comedy. Her familiarity with executive function support, standardized testing, writing, and admissions makes her a great holistic advisor to both parents and students alike. She is funny, patient, and meticulously organized.How to Get Into College (Circle Community): https://how-to-get-into-college.circle.so/homeAccess free resources and learn more about Sheila and her team at Signet Education at signeteducation.com or on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheilaakbar/.

High school college counselor Sharon Genicoff shares her expertise on personal branding in college admissions. The podcast explores the importance of values in the admissions process, strategies for finding the best fit colleges, and tips on customizing applications. It also delves into the challenge of differentiating between colleges and the significance of forming an emotional connection with the school.

In today’s episode, I speak with one of Signet's Principal Tutors, Alberto Naviera. We discuss Alberto’s unique approach to STEM tutoring, his empathetic connections with students, and how he empowers them to conquer the challenges of learning science. Tune in to learn more about how we meet students where they are at Signet!BioAlberto joined the Signet team in 2021 with 5 years of prior tutoring experience. He specializes in STEM subjects and music. He graduated from MIT with a degree in Biological Engineering and is currently pursuing a second bachelor’s in Music Production at the Berklee College of Music.Alberto stands out because:He works at the Office of Minority Education at MIT, leading exam reviews and workshops as well as tutoring on STEM topics.He got a perfect score on the math section of the SAT.He was in MIT's premier co-ed a cappella group, the Chorallaries.Clients and students love Alberto because:He is kind and compassionate towards his studentsHe has an impressive and wide reaching STEM backgroundTestimonial:“I have already recommended Signet several times. You guys do a great job across the board. Thank you for all your help. ” - recent clientAccess free resources and learn more about Sheila and her team at Signet Education at signeteducation.com or on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheilaakbar/.

Today I sit down with longtime friend, Bob Schaeffer. Bob is an incredible source of knowledge around how the testing landscape has changed in the last several decades and the work that he and his team at FairTest do is invaluable. Tune in to hear about the test optional movement in college admissions and more!Bob Schaeffer is currently the Public Education Director of FairTest, the National Center for Fair & Open Testing, where he has coordinated the organization’s university admissions reform program for several decades. He served as the organization’s Executive Director or co-Executive Director for five years.Previously, Mr. Schaeffer was the Research Director of the Massachusetts Legislature's Joint Committee on Human Services, Editorial Writer at the NBC-TV affiliate in Boston and talk show host at a regional NPR affiliate. He also worked at the Education Research Center of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he was both an undergraduate and graduate student. Bob Schaeffer is a featured contributor to the Teachers College Press book The Scandal of Standardized Tests: Why We Need to Drop the SAT & ACT. He also coauthored many FairTest publications, such as Standing Up to the SAT, Test Scores Do Not Equal Merit, Standardized Tests and Our Children, Implementing Performance Assessments, and The SAT Coaching Cover-Up.Bob is frequently quoted by major media outlets, including the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, Associated Press, NPR, and CNN as well as trade publications such as Education Week, Education Dive, Inside Higher Education, and Diverse Issues in Higher Education. He has also spoken at many conferences sponsored by the National Association for College Admissions Counseling, Education Writers Association, Higher Education Consultant Association, Independent Education Consultant Association, American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, SouthernChristian Leadership Conference, and Southern Education Foundation. Access free resources and learn more about Sheila and her team at Signet Education at signeteducation.com or on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheilaakbar/.

Today’s episode is a special one: I get to talk to a mom and her daughter about their experience with the college process. Navigating college admissions is hard for anyone, and for people with minority backgrounds, there are additional factors to consider. Tune in to learn how one family listened to their values and found the right fit for their student.Bio:Mai Moore is an Award-Winning Social Impact Leader, Co-Founder of EYEJ: Empowering Youth, Exploring Justice, Founder of Setting Off Social Impact, and Boss Me In. Mai helped two tech start-ups go public; Travelzoo Inc. and United Online.  Mai believes in diverse women, BIPOC persons, and our young people to help create a more equitable and inclusive world. Mai is from Cleveland Heights, Ohio.  Follow Mai on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maimoore/Yumi Ndhlovu is a second-year student at New York University studying International Relations (pre-law) with minors in Economics and Foreign Languages. Yumi is passionate about international law, politics, and economics and plans to work for an international organization in international law reform or on an international court. Currently, Yumi is working with New York City Council Majority Leader, Keith Powers as an intern writing policy, helping with constituent cases, and aiding in community events. Yumi is originally from Cleveland, Ohio but is now based in New York City.Access free resources and learn more about Sheila and her team at Signet Education at signeteducation.com or on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheilaakbar/.