College Admissions with Mark and Anna artwork

College Admissions with Mark and Anna

71 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 month ago - ★★★★ - 23 ratings

Applying for college is more complex and often times more confusing than it used to be. In addition, there are so many resources out there. How do you know which is the right one? The best one? Shouldn't everyone have access to the best information out there, regardless of price?

That's what we believe! We believe in giving everyone their best chance by providing them with real insight from the college admissions industry. On this podcast, we share real and relevant topics in college admissions to provide you with a fresh perspective and truly actionable takeaways that you can use as you prepare to apply for college.

We look forward to answering your questions and assisting you on your college admissions journey!

Courses Education college admissions applying for college college applications
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Episodes

Real Cost of College: Financial Aid, Scholarships, and Loans with Daniel Curell

February 16, 2024 23:09 - 1 hour - 58.1 MB

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 wi...

College Admissions with Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI)

January 24, 2024 20:37 - 49 minutes - 45.5 MB

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 dir...

Liberal Arts College Admissions with Occidental College

January 16, 2024 20:57 - 50 minutes - 46.6 MB

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 p...

The Future of Testing: Digital SAT with Compass Prep

November 15, 2023 17:13 - 51 minutes - 47.2 MB

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...

Ranks, Brands - Colleges beyond the Ivies

October 30, 2023 15:02 - 48 minutes - 44.7 MB

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 ca...

AI in College Admissions with Mark Cruver

August 18, 2023 15:52 - 44 minutes - 41.1 MB

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, inclu...

College Application through the Lens of a High School Senior with Kamila

May 09, 2023 14:14 - 1 hour - 57.1 MB

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.

Financial Aid and Affording College in 2023 with Claire Law

April 06, 2023 17:17 - 1 hour - 56.4 MB

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,...

Do's and Don't After Getting Accepted to College

March 20, 2023 18:28 - 48 minutes - 44.7 MB

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 gr...

Applying to College with Rick Clark of Georgia Tech Admissions

January 27, 2023 18:08 - 50 minutes - 46 MB

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 t...

To Major or Not

January 12, 2023 04:01 - 48 minutes - 44.7 MB

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.    

Rise of Mental Health Issues in Teens with Dr. Sarah Pospos

November 08, 2022 23:51 - 48 minutes - 44.6 MB

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...

Colleges that Change Lives with Ann Marano

September 12, 2022 20:36 - 51 minutes - 47.3 MB

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, inclu...

Unforgettable Value of International Internships with Fredrik van Huynh

May 06, 2022 19:33 - 48 minutes - 44.5 MB

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...

Helping Teens Move Forward with Danit Erlich

March 14, 2022 20:41 - 51 minutes - 42.4 MB

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...

Holistic College Admissions 2021

January 06, 2022 00:28 - 44 minutes - 38.2 MB

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...

College Letters of Recommendation During COVID

November 08, 2021 20:27 - 50 minutes - 44 MB

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 Ann...

College Admissions through a Teen Lens with Kamila from "Who Cares About College"

September 16, 2021 15:41 - 56 minutes - 48.3 MB

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...

Surviving College Admissions Madness with Kevin Martin

August 30, 2021 11:00 - 47 minutes - 39.1 MB

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, i...

Seizing Opportunities at Honors Programs and Colleges

July 30, 2021 17:00 - 52 minutes - 44.8 MB

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 hono...

Powerful Storytelling for the College Essay with Molly Moynahan

June 08, 2021 16:00 - 1 hour - 57 MB

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 ad...

College Options: Deeper look at HBCUs

May 30, 2021 21:43 - 56 minutes - 51.9 MB

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 tra...

Applying as a Transfer Student with Deborah Shames

April 06, 2021 14:00 - 51 minutes - 40.3 MB

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. 

Applying to European Colleges and Universities from America

February 25, 2021 15:28 - 52 minutes - 44.5 MB

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 throu...

What Works and What Doesn't for STEM College Admissions

December 10, 2020 15:00 - 41 minutes - 31.6 MB

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.

Permission to Feel and College Admissions with Dr. Marc Brackett

October 05, 2020 14:42 - 50 minutes - 37.1 MB

Join Mark and Anna as they talk about the importance of acknowledging, expressing, and regulating emotions with Dr. Marc Brackett, the author of Permission to Feel, and the Founder and Director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and a Professor in the Child Study Center of Yale University.  As anxiety and depression are at all time highs for our teens, we are thankful to be able to have Dr. Brackett address how we can better support our teens in becoming happy and successful membe...

College for the Musically Inclined with Dave Best

September 19, 2020 12:00 - 51 minutes - 37.9 MB

Do you have a talented musician who wants to pursue their passion for it in college? Have questions on how to best prepare for the music college admissions process? Join Mark and Anna as they speak to Dave Best, Founder of Best College Consulting where they orchestrate the college search for talented students. 

COVID 2020 vs. College Essay

July 31, 2020 13:00 - 36 minutes - 27.8 MB

College essays have always been an important part of the college application process; however, this year—the year that COVID arrived and stayed for a while—provides a perfect storm for buoying up the importance of the college essays. Yes, that is essays, plural. While the personal statement essay has always been the focus for most students—and it remains to be an important part of the application—many schools weigh their supplemental and proprietary essays as even more important in the over...

Starting Early: The Long-View Set Up

July 01, 2020 16:00 - 49 minutes - 36.9 MB

College consultants often get asked “How early do you start working with students in the college application process?” This question almost always comes from parents. Sometimes they are just curious, but increasingly, they are serious.  Can, should, their 8th grader start preparing for college applications? If we are really honest, and take a step back, we must admit that we currently don’t know what colleges and universities will use as metrics for evaluation in the coming one to five year...

College Admissions in the Time of Covid

May 21, 2020 16:00 - 53 minutes - 40.2 MB

What a strange and unprecedented time this is. Schools—ALL schools—are closed for what will be months. How many months this closure will last has yet to be determined. College and Universities…closed, and many considering a “virtual start” in September. K-12 schools also closed and not reopening before the next school year…and possibly longer. This is unprecedented.  All of these things provide a lot of uncertainty about our education system for 2020 – 2021. This is really stressful if you ...

How to Win Scholarships for College

March 07, 2020 14:00 - 45 minutes - 41.9 MB

Ever hear that crazy story of how someone wins a ton of money for college? Even when they already have money and didn't qualify for financial aid? Or have you heard stories of how some families can't afford college because colleges didn't provide them enough money to attend? If so, you're in luck, because Anna and Mark will be chatting with Monica Matthews, the author of How to Win College Scholarships, to talk about how families can earn money for college through private scholarships.  Mon...

Yes, But What Have You Learned? (What to do on breaks?)

January 15, 2020 03:04 - 49 minutes - 45.2 MB

It’s the holiday season…and there are always vacations and breaks. What to do, what to do? One of the most common questions consultants hear from students and parents is: “What should I do during vacation… you know, to look good on college applications?” Join Mark and Anna as they discuss how high school and college students can best utilize their breaks. While families often think they should attend a summer program or conduct research, etc, there are other options out there. Each of these...

Getting your Best Price on College with TuitionFit's Mark Salisbury

December 04, 2019 14:16 - 55 minutes - 50.7 MB

Join Mark and Anna as they speak with Mark Salisbury from TuitionFit to discuss something revolutionary - transparent college pricing. Learn about how TuitionFit helps students and their families feel empowered in college admissions and get the best value from college for free. Mark Salisbury started his career in higher education as a soccer coach in 1995. After a decade, he transitioned to admissions and then, after earning a PhD in higher education, became a researcher, director of insti...

Motivations and Healthy Decisions in Choosing College with Michael B. Horn

November 18, 2019 12:00 - 55 minutes - 43.2 MB

Join Mark and Anna as they speak with Michael B. Horn, one of the authors of Choosing College, as they discuss how to put students and families in the driver's seat of their future so that they understand why they want to go to school and make better decisions around the college admissions process. Michael Horn, the coauthor of the new book, Choosing College, is the chief strategy officer at the Entangled Group, an education venture studio, and the cofounder of the Clayton Christensen Insti...

ROTC: What to Expect, How to Apply and more with Rob Kirkland

October 11, 2019 19:07 - 52 minutes - 47.7 MB

Join Mark and Anna as they speak with Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Rob Kirkland of Gain Service Academy Admission as they cover the benefits of joining ROTC in college (both monetary and not), how to apply for scholarships that help you afford college, the military expectations upon graduating, how you can earn 'free ride' including room and board, and more!  Lieutenant Colonel Kirkland was one of the few officers ever to lead two separate Army ROTC programs–Claremont McKenna College from 2...

The Unexpected. The Un-talked about.The Blindsiders...of Starting College

September 07, 2019 15:00 - 47 minutes - 41.6 MB

Join Mark and Anna as they talk about what new college students should actually be thinking about and preparing for that are often glossed over or just missed in the conversation. This goes for parents too. Now that you've gotten off the roller coaster cycle of Find School, Apply to School, Get Accepted to School, Select School, Finish High School, Pack Up for College, Travel to College, Unpack and Prepare for Life in College cycle, here are some things you may have missed. Mark and Anna br...

Paying for College with Debbie Schwartz of Road2College and Paying for College 101

September 02, 2019 15:00 - 46 minutes - 40.3 MB

Join Mark and Anna as they speak with guest, Debbie Schwartz. Debbie Schwartz is a former financial services marketing executive with expertise in personal finance. She’s also a parent, with 3 children and has had the personal experience of navigating college admission and paying for it for her own children. From her experience with her oldest child, she knew families needed better information and tools to make smarter college decisions. To learn more about Road2College or join the Paying f...

Athletics in College Admissions with Chris Siedem

July 17, 2019 19:16 - 1 hour - 70.6 MB

Ever wonder if playing sports makes a difference in college admissions? Or what type of sport? Or how good you have to be? Join Mark and Anna as they talk with Dr. Chris Siedem from Perfect College Match as they discuss what's important to focus on as it related to playing athletics in college, what the recruiting process is like and how to best present yourself as an athlete in college admissions. Learn more about Chris at http://perfectcollegematch.com/

Dream College Summit 2019 with Jessica Yeager

May 16, 2019 17:56 - 45 minutes - 39.4 MB

Mark and Anna are excited to welcome Jessica Yeager from Dream College Summit back again to learn about what new insights are available for Dream College Summit 2019, including top trends, art schools, athletics, applying to STEM schools and more! Mark and Anna also grill Jessica on why she chose Harvard over MIT for her undergraduate degree. Make sure you get your free ticket to Dream College Summit happening in May 2019.

Making the Most of Learning Differences in High School and College

April 27, 2019 15:00 - 56 minutes - 48.2 MB

Educational consulting addresses many common issues of the application process; however, applications for students with learning disabilities and the schools that support them is an incredibly important – but often underrepresented and often misunderstood – area of educational consulting. Working with high school students applying to colleges requires an increasing number of steps and areas for consideration. However, schools that understand and support learning disabilities provide addition...

Scandal, Designing Activities, and More with College Admissions Toolbox's Steve Schwartz

April 09, 2019 13:24 - 47 minutes - 42.5 MB

Join Mark and Anna as they co-host a special episode with Steve Schwartz from College Admissions Toolbox as they discuss the college admissions scandal, designing activities, and letting passion guide your way to the perfect resume! Learn more about College Admissions Toolbox at http://www.collegeadmissionstoolbox.com.

College Admissions Scandal vs. College Admissions Reality Show

March 15, 2019 18:00 - 1 hour - 58.4 MB

The college admissions scandal has stormed the media! While everyone enjoys a good scandal, join Mark and Anna as they offer perspective on the scandal but also true practices (for better or worse) in college admissions. While Mark and Anna chat about some of the issues associated with the college application and admissions process that have fallen from grace, more importantly, they are going to refocus on those components of the college application process that are most important in the ev...

ROI vs. Elite in College Admissions - A New Target

February 07, 2019 21:59 - 50 minutes - 45.9 MB

With college loan debts increasing far beyond any healthy, logical, or sustainable level—approaching 1.6 Trillion dollars, and the average student accruing $37,000 of debt by graduation—the illogical and unsupported quest to pursue and attend only a handful of elite schools with less than 15% acceptance rates and COAs over $70,000 a year… may finally be in recession. Many students and parents are paying attention to the mounting research and overwhelming evidence that shows going into debt f...

Top Takeaways on Admissions, Testing, Tours and more from the LA IECA Conference

January 03, 2019 23:25 - 48 minutes - 43.6 MB

Anna and Mark recently attended the IECA National Conference in sunny Los Angeles, California—and took over the house! Okay, maybe not so much as took over as rolled through. Join Mark and Anna as they give you the dirt that they received straight from admissions themselves and cut down on the stress as they discuss tours of LA schools, admissions thoughts on test scores and the factors that actually get you in vs. qualifying you.

Making the Most Out of Campus Visits

November 05, 2018 14:48 - 45 minutes - 41.5 MB

Heading out for some school tours? From figuring out fit, culture, and where to find comfort food to demonstrating interest, learn how to make the most of campus visits as Anna and Mark cover questions to ask, what to look out for, what to do, and who to talk to.

Too Young to Prepare for an Alma Mater?

October 02, 2018 18:00 - 47 minutes - 44 MB

As college applications and admissions becomes more competitive each year and the financial ramifications of choosing the right school is even more important and daunting… parents desperately recognize that preparing earlier is better than later. But how early is too early? Join Mark and Anna as they discuss when and how to start preparing for college admissions so that you are on track to deliver "what schools want."

Course Selection vs. Finding Your Path?

August 30, 2018 20:00 - 49 minutes - 46.6 MB

Whether you are a sophomore thinking about college, a junior/senior stepping into the application/admissions arena or a recent graduate who is headed to college for further academic enrichment and excitement… selecting courses and classes seems to be almost an afterthought for many students. This seems backwards, doesn’t it? It's back to school and you're wondering what classes you should pick? Should you try taking that harder class? Should you stick to classes related to your major or cla...

Staying Healthy (Mentally, Emotionally, Physically) in College Admissions

July 10, 2018 23:17 - 46 minutes - 41.1 MB

A majority of students can make it through high school and college, and some will do so with incredibly high grades while achieving amazing things. However, increasingly more high school and college students are finding the stresses of academics to be overwhelming. High School and college counselors are reporting the number of students seeking help for depression and anxiety is increasing at an alarming rate, higher than most have seen in their careers. Join Mark and Anna as they tackle how ...

What’cha Doing This Summer?

June 06, 2018 10:30 - 57 minutes - 52.8 MB

School is almost out and its time to figure out what to do this summer, besides soaking in the sun with your friends. While we've talked about activities in general, summer offers a unique opportunity to focus on development. Join Mark and Anna as they discuss the different types of activities you can dive into, how to use summer for "two-fers" and what are some not so great ideas for how to spend your summer.

Big Fish in Little Pond: What’s the Lure?

April 22, 2018 12:30 - 53 minutes - 47.8 MB

Inspired by Malcolm Gladwell's book, David and Goliath, Mark and Anna discuss how to assess "big fish in a little pond" opportunities. As you look at schools, narrow your list, and make decisions, this is another factor to keep in mind. Join Mark and Anna as they revisit "best fit" and encourage students to consider the long-term impacts of being pushed to the edge academically, intellectually vs. learning comfortably, and reflecting on life and its many paths to fulfillment in this latest e...