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

Dr. Arundhati Ghosh, a surgeon and educator, discusses the challenges and journey into medicine, emphasizing the importance of mentorship. She explores the significance of soft skills and analytical skills in medicine, and the qualities needed for success in the field. The podcast also highlights the power of mentorship in the journey of becoming a doctor.

This podcast discusses the recent SCOTUS decision on affirmative action and its implications for college admissions. It explores changes colleges are making, such as ending legacy admissions and diversifying early application programs. The pressure of discussing hardships in applications is addressed, as well as tips for writing a 'diversity' essay. The importance of authentic storytelling and reflecting on personal experiences is emphasized.

Welcome back everyone! Today, I kick off back to school season with an interview with my dear friend and colleague, Holly Schrieber. Holly is one of the few people at Signet who does “all the things” - and this makes her an incredible insightful advisor and supporter for parents and students alike. Tune in to hear about the life experiences she draws on to connect and build trusting relationships with even the most independent and help-averse students. 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/.

We’re on a break for all of July, but I just had to pop in to share some brief thoughts on the affirmative action ban’s impact on college admissions.We’ll be back in August - enjoy your summer! 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/.

Scholar, author, leader, and mom Urvashi Bhatnagar discusses the importance of cross-functional learning and the risks of siloing oneself. She highlights the need for a broad skill set and diverse opportunities for success, emphasizing the negative effects of solely focusing on one area of expertise. Bhatnagar also reflects on her career choices and the pursuit of meaningful work in healthcare.

More and more, our kids are anxious, afraid to make mistakes, and deeply shame-filled when they do. Our kids are refusing to try, and shutting down when things feel hard. What's a parent to do?I'm pleased to host fellow Chief and resiliency specialist Talia Kovacs to the podcast to discuss her work and her Resilience Building Framework. BioTalia Kovacs is a former teacher, CEO of LitLife, and literacy expert, and member of Chief since 2019. She runs Calm Connected, a childhood resilience coaching program where she works with families to raise resilient kids. Talia has been featured in Forbes, Today, Newsweek, Scholastic, Pearson, VeryWell Family, The EveryMom, NY Metro Parents among other publications talking about the importance of developing a resilient mindset and how to overcome your child's timidness, unwillingness to try, and discomfort with new things. https://www.linkedin.com/in/taliakovacs/For a free gift, please visit: Taliakovacs.com/giftAccess 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 talk with Signet's Director of Operations and senior academic coach, Andrea West about the benefits of combining traditional college admissions consulting with coaching. Coaching can not only improve a student's academic performance, but it can also shift them into more of a growth mindset and self-knowledge, two things which are vitally important in having a positive experience in the college process. Andrea shares how even high achieving students can benefit from this approach. Tune in to hear about some of the transformations she's witnessed and had a hand in, and the joy that comes from sending a young adult off to college with full confidence that they can handle whatever they may face.Bio:Andrea is Signet’s Director of Operations and one of our top academic coaches. In her administrative role, Andrea makes sure Signet always runs smoothly and is a fun and productive place for all of our employees. When she works as a coach, she takes a student driven approach to encourage introspection and reflection. Her students flourish both inside and outside of the classroom, developing a deeper sense of who they are through coaching.Before joining Signet, Andrea earned a degree in Psychology from Endicott College and minored in Dance. She still dances and performs in the community and is an acting board member for a local movement company. Andrea currently volunteers for Minds Matter Boston, a local nonprofit offering support to students applying to college, and she previously spent two years volunteering on Boston’s Samaritans crisis line. In her spare time, Andrea enjoys the Food Network, podcasts, Nintendo games, and finding cats to pet. Follow Andrea at https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-west-594676171/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/.

Writing experts discuss college essays, including finding the perfect topic, brainstorming content, understanding a school's ethos, becoming a better writer through revision, navigating off-limits topics, crafting effective hooks, writing process/timeline, and challenges faced by admissions officers.

Does standardized testing help or hurt your college admission chances?When it comes to standardized tests for college applications, your high school Freshman or Sophomore has choices looming in front of them you never had to face, and you’re not sure how to help them make the right decision. Should they take the SAT or the ACT? Or both? Or neither? What about the digital SAT? Do colleges prefer one type of test over the other? If a college has a “test optional” policy, do they mean it? Or does opting out give them a bad impression?   These questions can be overwhelming! And the last thing you want to do is overload your child unnecessarily.  If they’re going to have to go through the pressure and stress of standardized testing, you want to be sure it’s going to be worth it. So tune into this episode, where I take the guesswork out of this confusing process and provide practical guidelines for making data-based decisions you can feel good about.Follow me on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheilaakbar/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/.

Marie Bigham, Founder & Executive Director of ACCEPT, joins to talk with us about issues of equity and access in college admissions, and the work that her non-profit has undertaken to make the system work better for everyone. Bio:Marie Bigham is the Founder and Executive Director of ACCEPT (Admissions Community Cultivating Equity & Peace Today), a nonprofit organization that is removing racism from college admissions. Recently named a “Global Game Changer” by Facebook, Marie is a national leader in college admission redesign and reform. In 2018, ACCEPT received the Excellence in Education Award from the National Association for College Admissions Counseling, awarded to “those who use their prominence to advance equity and access in education”. Marie’s lifelong commitment to racial justice has informed her professional path. With almost 25 years in the college admissions ecosystem, Marie has served on the Board of Directors for the National Association of College Admission Counseling (NACAC); as Vice Chair and Director of Communication for Association of College Counselors in Independent Schools (ACCIS); and on the Board of Directors of Texas Association of College Admissions Counseling (TACAC). Marie entered admissions at her alma mater, Washington University in St. Louis (Class of 1995), where she earned a BA in Political Science and Women’s Studies and a minor in Glassblowing. She served as Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Washington U, as Associate Director of College Counseling at Riverdale Country School (NY), and as Director of College Counseling at The Bishop’s School (CA), Greenhill School (TX), and Isidore Newman School (LA). Follow Marie at https://www.linkedin.com/in/marie-bigham-accept/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/.