Podcast-Reihe „Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Industry Podcast“

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THE ROLE OF TEST SCORES IN COLLEGE MERIT AID

We all know that getting into and paying for college represent two very different challenges. But what if you could focus on factors that improve your odds of accomplishing both at the same time? For a surprising number of schools, you can! Amy and Mike invited educator Brian Eufinger to explain the role of test scores in college merit aid. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What's the difference between need-based aid and merit aid? Can people with incomes too high for need-based aid still qualify? What are merit aid grids? How have they evolved over the last 20 years? How much merit aid can students earn based on ACT, SAT, or PSAT scores? Does every college offer merit aid based on test scores? How can students maximize the chances of merit aid? MEET OUR GUEST Brian Eufinger graduated with honors from Washington University in St. Louis in May 2004. While an undergrad, he enjoyed working as a teaching assistant for Political Science 101, a resident advisor (RA) and as a volunteer paramedic with WashU’s Emergency Support Team. Brian is frequently invited to speak about test prep, college admissions, and scholarships at PTSA meetings at Atlanta-area high schools as well as Edison Prep’s free parent meetings. Brian serves on the Board of Directors of the National Test Prep Association. He is an active member of Washington University’s Young Alumni chapter in Atlanta, as well as the WashU Alumni Admissions Interviewer Program. Brian was our guest to discuss THE REALITY OF GRADE INFLATION (#28), SELF-PREP FOR THE SAT & ACT (#131), and SHOULD I TAKE THE ACT WRITING TEST? (#271) TESTING GAMEPLAN FOR THE CLASS OF 2025 (#432) and STATE OF TEST OPTIONAL ADMISSIONS IN 2024 (#550). He hosted the show CELEBRATING OUR 500TH EPISODE and facilitated our 2019-20 ACADEMIC YEAR IN REVIEW (#100). Find Brian at https://www.edisonprep.com. LINKS meritaidgrids.com RELATED EPISODES PSAT AND THE NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP FOUR SCHOLARSHIP MYTHS FLORIDA BRIGHT FUTURES SCHOLARSHIPS ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page. ABOUT YOUR HOSTS Mike Bergin is the president of Chariot Learning and founder of TestBright. Amy Seeley is the president of Seeley Test Pros and LEAP. If you’re interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, feel free to get in touch through our contact page.

25 Min.

17. SEPT.

592. MAKING YOUR COLLEGE ESSAYS COUNT

As short as college application essays have to be, they still contribute heavily to holistic admissions decisions. Don’t waste a single word! Amy and Mike invited educational consultant Sheree Gravely to discuss how to make your college essays count. What are five things you will learn in this episode? When should students start the college essay writing process? How can students find great ideas to write about? How are the common app essay topics different from supplemental essays? Should parents participate in the writing process? What topics should students avoid writing about? MEET OUR GUEST Sheree Gravely is the founder of Gravely Group College Advising and an IEC since 2014. Before becoming an IEC, she worked in marketing for Kraft Foods, HJ Heinz, and Arthur Anderson & Co. Sheree has a passion for helping students discover their interests and to use that to find great college options. Years of experience in private industry, education, and as a parent make her ideal as an independent college counselor. A 1986 graduate of the University of Virginia, she was heavily involved in counseling undergrads as a Resident Assistant and Dorm Resident Manager in UVA's Residential Life program. She attended Northwestern University’s Evening Managers Program and holds a Certificate in College Admissions Counseling from UC - Riverside. Sheree is co-chair of the Midwest College Advisors Virtual Group, which includes over 40 members from OH, MI, IN, KY, and Western PA. The group meets with college admissions offices throughout the year. She is a member of the premier association of college advisors, IECA (Independent Educational Consultants Association), constantly attends higher-ed training opportunities, and is always visiting college campuses to gather the most up-to-date information for her students and families. Sheree is passionate about education. She volunteered for Chagrin Falls Unite for Education election campaign and worked on the Chagrin Falls School District’s 5-year strategic plan, as well as was a member of the committee on Instructional Practices, Resources, Curriculum, and Professional Development. She served as a member of the local advisory board for Hackett Catholic Prep HS (MI) which consulted on matters of school governance, including curriculum, marketing, and extra-curricular programming. She worked on a project for the principal to rebuild Hackett’s college counseling curriculum. During her children’s school years, Sheree volunteered in a variety of capacities including instructor and coordinator for Global Reading competitions, Writing Workshops, and Junior Achievement. As a member of the American Woman’s Club of Oakville (Canada), she researched and authored a curriculum comparison between US and Canadian education standards that was used by families and companies to evaluate education decisions for ex-pat students. She has lived in a variety of cities in the US and Canada and is married to Alan. They have a daughter and two sons. Sheree loves to play Mahjong and read as well as to travel, scuba dive, ski and be active! Sheree previously appeared on the podcast in episode 353 for an IEC Profile. Sheree can be reached at https://www.gravelygroupcollegeadvising.com. LINKS 7 Steps to a Terrible College Essay RELATED EPISODES WHY THIS COLLEGE, WHY THIS MAJOR? UTILIZING A REFLECTION JOURNAL TO PREPARE FOR A COLLEGE ESSAY WRITING RHETORICALLY IN ADMISSIONS ESSAYS TABOO ESSAY TOPICS ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page. ABOUT YOUR HOSTS Mike Bergin is the president of Chariot Learning and founder of TestBright. Amy Seeley is the president of Seeley Test Pros and LEAP. If you’re interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, feel free to get in touch through our contact page.

26 Min.

10. SEPT.

ADMISSIONS NOTES FOR THE HS GRADUATING CLASS OF 2025

Every year, the conventional wisdom about getting into college gives way to painful, new truths and exciting, new opportunities. Amy and Mike invited educational consultant Rebecca Stuart-Orlowski to return to the show with admissions notes for the HS graduating class of 2025. What are five things you will learn in this episode? How are colleges and students using AI and AI detectors in college admissions and college essays? Are more colleges requiring test scores this application cycle? If so, why? Why is there a dearth of SAT centers despite more colleges requiring tests, and what can students do about it? How will AP’s recalibration of scores influence admissions decisions? Will the FAFSA be a disaster like it was for the Class of 2024? MEET OUR GUEST Rebecca Stuart-Orlowski, founder of Orlowski College Consulting, has worked in education for 35 years and has worked as an Independent Educational Consultant for 10+ years. She has a specialized Certificate in College Counseling from UCSD, a BA in Communicative Disorders from San Diego State, and two active teaching credentials. She taught deaf, LD, and 2E students for four years and was a college counselor at a small private school for 3 years. Rebecca specializes in gifted/2E, STEM, creative, homeschooled, and transfer students. Rebecca first appeared on the podcast in episode 369 to discuss ADMISSIONS NOTES FOR THE CLASS OF 2023 and in episode 526 to discuss ADMISSIONS NOTES FOR THE HS GRADUATING CLASS OF 2024. Rebecca can be reached at r.orlowski.consulting@gmail.com. LINKS U.S. Department of Education Announces Schedule and New Process to Launch 2025-26 FAFSA Form Is next year’s FAFSA already off the rails? Incorporating AI into the Admissions Process Testing Policies in the Spotlight I live in Northern California. Why do I have to travel hundreds of miles to take the SAT? Colleges are using AI in admissions. How can they do it right? RELATED EPISODES HOW STUDENTS USE GENERATIVE AI WHAT DO TRULY TEST OPTIONAL COLLEGES FOCUS ON? BIG CHANGES TO AP TESTS IN 2025 FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF THE BETTER FAFSA ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page. ABOUT YOUR HOSTS Mike Bergin is the president of Chariot Learning and founder of TestBright. Amy Seeley is the president of Seeley Test Pros and LEAP. If you’re interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, feel free to get in touch through our contact page.

28 Min.

3. SEPT.

HOW TO PREP FOR THE DIGITAL PSAT

Every October, the PSAT is administered in high schools. Even though the test has no bearing on admissions, college-bound students should still take–and prepare–for it. Amy and Mike invited educator Brian Stewart to explore how to prepare for the digital PSAT. What are five things you will learn in this episode? How has the PSAT changed over the past couple of years? What are some resources students can use for PSAT preparation? Besides "test prep," how can students improve their PSAT readiness? What are some of the most common mistakes high-achieving students make on the PSAT? Why is familiarity with the format so important on the PSAT? MEET OUR GUEST At the end of his first year teaching Social Studies at Dublin Jerome High School, company founder Brian Stewart thought it would make sense to do some part-time tutoring work over the summer. After all, he had done quite well on standardized tests when he was in high school and really enjoyed coming up with creative ways to explain challenging concepts to students. Other companies charged a fortune and didn’t seem to have a high-quality product. As Brian worked with more students, word spread about the quality of his tutoring services. He started to offer ACT and SAT test prep group classes, and worked with students from all over Central Ohio. In 2011, Brian left his day job to run BWS Education Consulting full time with his wife Caitlin. Applying the expertise from her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy, Caitlin has ensured that our teaching materials and methods make high-quality test preparation accessible to students of all backgrounds and ability levels. In 2012, Barron’s Educational Series contacted Brian about submitting samples of his writing as they conducted a national search for their next ACT book author. Brian was chosen to write Barron's ACT, and has gone on to write several ACT, SAT, and PSAT books with Barron's Educational Series. His books have sold hundreds of thousands of copies worldwide. In 2014, BWS Education expanded to have associate tutors who teach not only the ACT and SAT, but tutor students in math, science, and writing. Brian and Caitlin personally interview and train every tutor on our staff to ensure they are the best in the business. BWS is a team of committed educators who relentlessly look for the best way to deliver educational enrichment to our clients, whether it’s test prep, academic help, or college admission counseling. Brian appeared on the podcast in episode #33 to discuss PSAT and the National Merit Scholarship, in episode #383 to discuss Should You Prepare for the PSAT, and in episode # 507 to discuss The New Digital PSAT. Find Brian at https://www.bwseducationconsulting.com. LINKS Brian’s PSAT Book: Barron's PSAT/NMSQT 1520 Why take the PSAT? PSAT and Scholarships PSAT/NMSQT Study Guide, 2023: 4 Practice Tests + Comprehensive Review + Online Practice (Barron's Test Prep) Colleges that offer Full-Rides for National Merit Information on the New Digital PSAT RELATED EPISODES RESOURCES FOR THE DIGITAL SAT ALL ABOUT DIGITAL SAT READING & WRITING ALL ABOUT DIGITAL SAT MATH THE NEW DIGITAL SAT EXPERIENCE: A STUDENT PERSPECTIVE ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page. ABOUT YOUR HOSTS Mike Bergin is the president of Chariot Learning and founder of TestBright. Amy Seeley is the president of Seeley Test Pros and LEAP. If you’re interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, feel free to get in touch through our contact page.

26 Min.

27. AUG.

THE ROLE OF RAPPORT IN EDUCATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

When learners work with teachers, tutors, consultants, and coaches, developing domain mastery and a strategic plan is an obvious component of success. Less obvious, however, is the instrumental roles personality and chemistry play in the learning process. Amy and Mike invited Jagmohan Durganandan to explore the role of rapport in educational relationships. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What does rapport mean in an educational or coaching context? Why does rapport matter? How can educators and coaches cultivate effective rapport? What is the role of students in building rapport? In what instances can rapport be harder to establish? MEET OUR GUEST Jag Durganandan, a civil engineer turned educator, found his true calling in teaching after a brief stint in construction. From 2012 to 2016, he explored entrepreneurship, launching ventures from subscription-based meal services to FMCG distribution. In 2017, he joined EdisonOS, progressing from Sales to Marketing. As the host of "The Knowledge Entrepreneurs Show," Jag shares insights from diverse educational thought leaders. Passionate about education, he continues to teach Math and Physics to high school students worldwide, engaging young minds with his dynamic approach. Jag can be reached at jagmohandurganandan.online or on LinkedIn. LINKS Tutor: Caring Improves Coaching - TestBright NLP Rapport | 5+ Ways To Build A Great Connection Building Rapport with Students - 10 Strategies RELATED EPISODES TUTORING TREASURES: TIPS FOR TEACHING TEENS WHY STUDENTS SHOULD GET TO KNOW THEIR TEACHERS SELF-ADVOCACY IN EDUCATION AND ADMISSIONS ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page. ABOUT YOUR HOSTS Mike Bergin is the president of Chariot Learning and founder of TestBright. Amy Seeley is the president of Seeley Test Pros and LEAP. If you’re interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, feel free to get in touch through our contact page.

31 Min.

20. AUG.

BIG CHANGES TO AP TESTS IN 2025

Advanced Placement courses have set the standard for accelerated subject studies in many high schools, but next year’s offerings may look very different from what teachers and students are used to. Amy and Mike invited educator John Moscatiello to explain the big changes–both in testing platforms and course options–in AP tests in 2025. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Why did the College Board revise the scoring of AP tests? How has the College Board recalibrated AP test scores? What new AP tests will be available in the 2024-2025 school year? How is digital testing affecting AP testing? Which tests? What potential changes could be on the horizon for the AP program? John Moscatiello has been a leader in the education space for the past two decades. His career began at the Princeton Review, where he taught the SAT, ACT, SAT Subject Tests, AP Exams, ISEE, SSAT, SHSAT, GRE, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT Verbal, and TOEFL. At the Princeton Review, John went on to train hundreds of teachers, write content for 13 test preparation books, and work as a college admissions consultant. In his capacity as the National Director of Tutoring from 2007 and 2009, John managed thousands of teachers and tutors, supporting them with online professional development and the creation of an online community. From 2015 to 2016, John starred in more than 200 educational videos for the Princeton Review’s SAT, ACT, and GRE self-paced courses. John’s academic career began as a Spanish major at New York University, where he realized the value of the AP Program by using credits to graduate a full year early. He then pursued graduate degrees in history from Fordham University and the University of Notre Dame, where he won awards for his undergraduate teaching. He was a Fulbright scholar to Spain in 2012 and worked at the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) in Madrid. John’s academic research has been published in both English and Spanish. He currently teaches part-time at a private high school in Princeton, New Jersey. John has supported thousands of students by building and implementing programs for underserved communities through the Peter Jay Sharp Foundation, TEAK Fellowship, NYC Service, Corporate and Social Responsibility at Proskauer Rose LLP, and the Aga Khan Development Network. John’s tutoring and NGO work has taken him to more than 10 states and 25 countries around the world, especially in Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and East Africa. In 2018, John founded Marco Learning in order to address the lack of high-quality AP resources and to better support AP teachers and their students. John previously appeared on this podcast in episode 241 to discuss The Future Of AP Exams and episode 448 to discuss Controversies Around New AP Programs. Find John at https://marcolearning.com. LINKS Advanced Placement Program AP Score Changes: 2024 The Great Recalibration of AP Exams RELATED EPISODES CHOOSING BETWEEN AP AND IB PROGRAMS HIGH SCHOOL COURSE SELECTION AND ACADEMIC RIGOR HOW IMPORTANT IS GPA IN COLLEGE ADMISSIONS? ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page. ABOUT YOUR HOSTS Mike Bergin is the president of Chariot Learning and founder of TestBright. Amy Seeley is the president of Seeley Test Pros and LEAP. If you’re interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, feel free to get in touch through our contact page.

30 Min.

13. AUG.

SHOULD I APPLY EARLY DECISION OR EARLY ACTION?

SHOULD I APPLY EARLY DECISION OR EARLY ACTION? When applying to highly selective schools, every advantage makes a difference. Why, then, would a student pass up one of the biggest multipliers in acceptance rate? Amy and Mike invited education consultant David Parker to explore the existential college admissions question: should I apply Early Decision or Early Action? What are five things you will learn in this episode? What are all of the ways to apply early and why do colleges offer so many options? What are the differences between early decision and early action? What are the benefits and drawbacks to applying early? How should a student know what is right for them? By when should students have their target test scores for ED/EA applications? MEET OUR GUEST David Parker received his BA degree at Furman University and finished his MA and PhD at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, all in English. With twenty years of teaching in the English Department at Gardner-Webb University and ending as a department chair, he learned volumes about the college admissions process by visiting and talking to prospective students and their parents. David served for years on scholarship committees where he combed through applicants’ files, read their essays, and eventually interviewed the highest-ranking applicants. He attended “behind closed doors” meetings where decisions were made about six-figure scholarship packages. After all those years of sitting on scholarship committees, he knows what makes one student stand out from the crowd. Most importantly, year after year, David got to know first-year students. Some had chosen the perfect school for themselves and spent four marvelous years at Gardner-Webb. Some chose poorly, or hastily, or out of convenience, and were deeply unhappy at a school that didn’t fit. These students usually left: some went to other schools, and some, frustrated, never finished college. In 2017, David left Gardner-Webb and in 2019 established Parker Educational Consulting. After many years in academia, it was the students, much more than the subject matter, that became his passion. He cares about their intellectual and emotional development and their preparation for the world beyond graduation. Parker Education Consulting’s purpose is to introduce the right schools to students and then present those students in the best light to schools. The goal is to find that "good fit match" that David saw throughout his teaching career. David has a wife, Emily, and one son in college at SCAD and another who is a rising high school senior. He is not a bad guitar player and occasionally opens for traveling acts that come through Shelby, and plays at farmers' markets and private events Find David at davidreedparker@gmail.com. LINKS Early Decision and Early Action – Counselors | College Board Parker Educational Consulting RELATED EPISODES EARLY DECISION AND EARLY ACTION POWER DYNAMICS IN COLLEGE ADMISSIONS LETTERS OF CONTINUED INTEREST ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page. ABOUT YOUR HOSTS Mike Bergin is the president of Chariot Learning and founder of TestBright. Amy Seeley is the president of Seeley Test Pros and LEAP. If you’re interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, feel free to get in touch through our contact page.

29 Min.

6. AUG.

WHAT DOES THINKING CRITICALLY IN COLLEGE MEAN?

The standard high school education covers a broad and deep array of state-mandated subjects but doesn’t necessarily cultivate strong critical reasoning skills. That’s a shame, because those skills are essential to success in higher education. Amy and Mike invited college dean Louis Newman to explore what thinking critically in college means. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Do teens typically arrive at college with sufficient critical thinking skills? What does critical thinking mean in an academic context? What kinds of critical thinking do college professors expect students to do in their courses? How can parents best support their students in college? How can learners improve their critical thinking skills? MEET OUR GUEST Louis E. Newman is the former Dean of Academic Advising and Associate Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education at Stanford University. His responsibilities at Stanford included overseeing an extensive residential advising program, the pre-law and pre-med advising programs, transfer and co-term student advising, new student orientation programs, a summer bridge program, and the university's academic progress review system. At Stanford, he grew the advising program, promoted a holistic approach to academic advising, and advocated for liberal education. He is also the John M. and Elizabeth W. Musser Professor of Religious Studies, Emeritus, at Carleton College, where he taught for thirty-three years. During his tenure at Carleton, he also served as an Associate Dean of the College, which included expanding the advisor training program and launching new programs to support advisors. He served for a term as Director of the Perlman Center for Learning and Teaching, which sponsored weekly programs for faculty and staff on all aspects of pedagogy, academic policy, and trends in higher education. In this role he functioned as the informal mentor to the faculty at Carleton, which is consistently rated by US News & World Report as #1 for undergraduate teaching. He is also an internationally recognized scholar in the field of Jewish ethics and has written and co-edited several books in that field, as well as dozens of articles. He was the first president of the Society of Jewish Ethics and the co-founder of its journal. Louis Newman completed his B.A. in Hebrew and Philosophy and his M.A. in Philosophy at the University of Minnesota, and received his Ph.D. in Religious Studies from Brown University. Throughout his career, hundreds of students and colleagues have attested to the profound impact he had on their learning and their lives as a gifted teacher and as a trusted advisor and mentor. Find Louis at info@thinkingcritically.us. LINKS Thinking Critically in College: The Essential Handbook for Student Success Collegiate Learning Assessment College Success Coaching RELATED EPISODES COLLEGE READINESS ADVICE FROM A COLLEGE PROFESSOR HOW TO BE A SUCCESSFUL COLLEGE FRESHMAN THE UNWRITTEN RULES OF COLLEGE SUCCESS ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page. ABOUT YOUR HOSTS Mike Bergin is the president of Chariot Learning and founder of TestBright. Amy Seeley is the president of Seeley Test Pros. If you’re interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, feel free to get in touch through our contact page.

27 Min.

Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Industry Podcast

THE ROLE OF TEST SCORES IN COLLEGE MERIT AID

592. MAKING YOUR COLLEGE ESSAYS COUNT

ADMISSIONS NOTES FOR THE HS GRADUATING CLASS OF 2025

HOW TO PREP FOR THE DIGITAL PSAT

THE ROLE OF RAPPORT IN EDUCATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

BIG CHANGES TO AP TESTS IN 2025

SHOULD I APPLY EARLY DECISION OR EARLY ACTION?

WHAT DOES THINKING CRITICALLY IN COLLEGE MEAN?

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Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Industry Podcast

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THE ROLE OF TEST SCORES IN COLLEGE MERIT AID

592. MAKING YOUR COLLEGE ESSAYS COUNT

ADMISSIONS NOTES FOR THE HS GRADUATING CLASS OF 2025

HOW TO PREP FOR THE DIGITAL PSAT

THE ROLE OF RAPPORT IN EDUCATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

BIG CHANGES TO AP TESTS IN 2025

SHOULD I APPLY EARLY DECISION OR EARLY ACTION?

WHAT DOES THINKING CRITICALLY IN COLLEGE MEAN?

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