Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast

Amy Seeley & Mike Bergin
  • 4.7 (44)
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Welcome to THE college admissions industry podcast! Join Mike Bergin and Amy Seeley as they discuss the latest issues in testing, admissions, learning, and education with leading experts. Tests and the Rest is perfect for parents, students, counselors, educators, test prep professionals, college consultants, and just about anyone engaged in the college admissions process. You can subscribe to this podcast or stream it online via any podcast app, including iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and TuneIn Radio. 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. Between the two of us, expect over 60 years of industry insight, expertise, insider news, and a bit of sarcasm.

  1. 1d ago

    WHAT COLLEGE ADMISSIONS CULTURE IS DOING TO OUR KIDS

    Obviously, accomplishing big things requires energy and intention. But should admission to a specific school really be the ultimate focus of a child's K-12 journey?  Amy and Mike invited college advisor Beth Gelles to analyze what college admissions culture is doing to our kids. What are five things you will learn in this episode? How early does college admissions pressure start in the worst cases? When should parents actually start talking to their kids about college? When does wanting your child to succeed start doing more harm than good? How do we stop turning everything kids do into something for college admissions and give them the space to figure out who they are and what they actually care about? How can parents help kids build resilience before they leave for college? MEET OUR GUEST Beth Heller Gelles co-founded Acceptance Ahead, a college admissions counseling firm, in 2012, and she is the author of Crazy for College: The Stories, The Secrets, & The Shot of Sanity You Need to Make It Through Admissions. After working with hundreds of students and families and visiting more than 160 college campuses, Beth wrote Crazy for College to help families navigate the process with less stress and keep the parent-child relationship intact. A graduate of Harvard College and Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management, Beth spent over a decade in advertising and marketing before entering the college admissions world. Beth can be reached at http://crazyforcollege.com. LINKS Are we sacrificing our youth for college admissions? Crazy for College: The Stories, The Secrets, & The Shot of Sanity You Need to Make It Through Admissions RELATED EPISODES HOW PARENTS CAN SUPPORT (NOT DERAIL) THE COLLEGE PROCESS THE ROLE OF PARENTS IN THE COLLEGE PROCESS COLLEGE ADMISSIONS INSANITY ADVOCACY FOR PARENTS OF HIGH SCHOOLERS 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, Roots2Words, and College Eagle. 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, get in touch through our contact page.

  2. 4d ago

    THROWBACK: USING MINDFULNESS FOR TEST AND SCHOOL SUCCESS

    How can we succeed in the moment when we're so burdened by thoughts of the past and anxious over fears of the future? The practice and application of mindfulness can keep a person fully focused on the present. Amy and Mike invited author and test prep professional Logan Thompson to discuss powerful strategies for using mindfulness for test and school success.  What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is mindfulness? What is "the other half of test prep" and how can mindfulness help prep? What are the "passengers" that steer us wrong in stressful moments? How can simple acknowledgment of negative self-talk create better outcomes? What can educators, counselors, and parents do to help cultivate mindfulness? MEET OUR GUEST Logan Thompson scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT®, GRE®, and GMAT®. He has studied and practiced mindfulness since 2008. After earning his MBA from Vanderbilt University, Thompson lived at the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA, for two and a half years, spending several months in silent mindfulness retreats. He also participated in a two-year mindfulness teacher-training program by Inward Bound Mindfulness Education (iBME). Thompson holds a Masters of Education in Human Development and Psychology from Harvard University and is an adjunct psychology professor. He has spent the past several years teaching both mindfulness and test prep for Manhattan Prep. Logan is also the author of Beyond the Content: Mindfulness as a Test Prep Advantage. LINKS Ten Percent Happier app Mindfulness and Concentration in Testing RELATED EPISODES HOW TO BREATHE DURING STRESSFUL ACADEMIC SITUATIONS HOW STRESS AFFECTS TEST PERFORMANCE MENTAL TECHNIQUES FOR PEAK TEST PERFORMANCE 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, Roots2Words, and College Eagle. 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, get in touch through our contact page.

  3. Sep 29

    WHY DIDN'T MY TEST SCORE INCREASE?

    It is often said that intention is one thing, but execution is another. That observation is little comfort to students who study and prepare with the best intentions yet still fail to reach their goals. Amy and Mike invited test prep professional Bobby Nicholson to unpack the regrettably common question, "Why didn't my test score increase?" What are five things you will learn in this episode? When students say, "I know the material—I'm just a bad test taker," what is usually preventing them from scoring higher? Why isn't taking more practice tests enough, and what should students actually do with the questions they miss? What separates test preparation that feels productive from preparation that produces meaningful score increases? What is the most productive response when official scores don't match practice test scores? What should parents look for–and be skeptical of–when comparing test prep options? MEET OUR GUEST Bobby Nicholson is the founder of Outliers ACT Prep, a Knoxville-based education company helping students achieve measurable, life-changing score increases on the ACT. What began as one-on-one tutoring has grown into a multi-coach, team-based program used by students and schools across the region, known for its data-driven diagnostics, proprietary coaching app, and five-point composite score guarantee. Beyond test prep, Bobby is building a broader ecosystem around education, character development, and long-term human flourishing. He is a co-contributor of the FLOY project (Future Leaders of Yesterday), a multi-decade project to design a practical "life curriculum" that teaches young people how to think clearly, build strong relationships, contribute meaningfully to their communities, and pursue lives that are happy, free, and fit for the good of others. Bobby is an entrepreneur, systems-builder, and lifelong student of learning science, psychology, and philosophy, with a particular interest in how motivation, meaning, and skill-building intersect. When he's not working with students or building new education programs, he enjoys endurance training, cooking ambitious meals, reading widely, and designing new tools to help people grow. Bobby previously appeared on this podcast in episode 748 for a Test Prep Profile. Find Bobby at bobby@oaprep.com. LINKS Why Does So Much ACT Prep Fail—and What Actually Works? Standardized Test Preparation Checklist RELATED EPISODES WHAT TO DO WHEN A TEST SCORE DISAPPOINTS WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A BAD TEST TAKER? BRINGING GRIT TO TESTING 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, Roots2Words, and College Eagle. 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, get in touch through our contact page.

  4. Sep 25

    EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: September 2026

    The Tests and the Rest podcast consistently focuses on exploring important topics in testing, admissions, education, and learning with amazing expert guests. Sometimes, though, we enjoy an unstructured opportunity to discuss our own takes on major issues, upcoming events, and our endeavors at the intersection of business and education. Catch up with us in the latest episode of EXTEMP with Amy & Mike. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What have Amy and Mike been up to this month? Where in the world is Amy today? How many podcasts has Mike been on this month? What do your hosts think are red and green flags about themselves? What's coming up in the next month for Amy and Mike? We definitely want to respond to listener questions in our next EXTEMP episode, so reach out to us on social media or get in touch through our contact page. Let's get this Tests and the Rest mailbag rolling! LINKS Mike on Your College-Bound Kid with Mark Stucker Mike on Edtech Frontiers with Jam Mirzakhalov Amy on the Dr. Joe | SupportED podcast Mike on the Dr. Joe | SupportED podcast RELATED EPISODES EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: August 2026 EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: July 2026 EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: June 2026 EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: May 2026 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, Roots2Words, and College Eagle. 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, get in touch through our contact page.

  5. Sep 24

    NEED BLIND AND NEED AWARE ADMISSIONS

    Is any aspect of college admissions more mystifying than the determination of financial aid? The concept of "need" and how different schools consider need in both admissions and aid decisions goes deeper than most people realize. Amy and Mike invited admissions consultant Jona Jacobson to bring clarity to the topic of need blind and need aware admissions.  What are five things you will learn in this episode? What do the terms "need,"  "need blind," and "need aware" mean in college admissions? What is gapping? Do all colleges meet 100% of need?  Does need or the lack thereof influence admissions decisions? What does it mean when schools claim that x% of students receive financial aid? MEET OUR GUEST Jona Jacobson is an independent educational consultant who coaches students on choosing colleges and completing their college applications and essays. A former attorney and substitute teacher, Jona is in her seventh year of advising students and families through the college application process, both locally and nationally. Find Jona Jacobson at http://collegeadvisorusa.com. ADDITIONAL LINKS Information on how much students can borrow through guaranteed student loans FAFSA4Caster Student Loan Calculator RELATED EPISODES FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF THE BETTER FAFSA THE BETTER FAFSA FOR NEW AND PREVIOUS FILERS WHAT IS A NET PRICE CALCULATOR? 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, Roots2Words, and College Eagle. 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, get in touch through our contact page.

  6. Sep 22

    THE WORLD IS YOUR OYSTER: EXPLORING INTERNATIONAL ADMISSIONS

    With thousands of colleges and universities at home, few American students ever consider studying abroad. Amy and Mike invited independent education consultant Alan Sheptin to explain why he says the world is your oyster when you're willing to explore international admissions. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What are the benefits and disadvantages of studying outside the U.S.? What is the cost of a non-US education? Can you decide what you want to study, or do you have to declare a major before entering school? What kind of student thrives when studying abroad? How does the application process differ from the United States? MEET OUR GUEST Alan Sheptin is the owner of Sheptin Tutoring Group (STG). He has been a professional member of IECA since 2017 and became a Certified Educational Planner in 2020. He earned a BA in Computer Mathematics from the University of Pennsylvania, an MBA in Finance from Fordham University, and a Certificate in College Consulting from UCLA. Prior to establishing his company in 2007, Alan was an Assistant Vice President and Actuary with AXA, specializing in actuarial product development and management. He attained Associateship in the Society of Actuaries and has completed several exams toward Fellowship. In addition to his college consulting expertise, Alan is a respected Mathematics tutor, successfully working with students at all levels of Math. He is most sought out for his expertise in Algebra II, Precalculus, and Calculus. He teaches both Precalculus and Calculus at Iona College. He has also undertaken long-term consulting assignments teaching BC Calculus and Precalculus at John Jay and Fox Lane High Schools in Westchester County. Alan first became interested in college admissions when he was the NYC Secondary School Chairman of Alumni Interviewing for the University of Pennsylvania, training alumni interviewers and serving as a liaison between Penn's admissions office, interviewers, and prospective freshmen. He has leveraged this expertise, plus his extensive knowledge of US and international colleges and universities, to counsel students on the optimal admissions strategy. To date, he has visited over 130 colleges and universities in seven countries. Alan's "alumni" are present at all of the top 50 US universities and colleges, as well as at universities in the UK and Canada. Additionally, Alan has been preparing students for the SAT and ACT examinations for 30 years. He is widely respected for his in-depth expertise in maximizing test scores, as well as his ability to make intrinsically difficult concepts in all areas of Mathematics (from pre-Algebra through Calculus) easier to grasp. Many of Alan's students have continued to work with him in college classes and as they prep for the GRE and GMAT exams. He and his outstanding team of 35 teachers and tutors can offer support in any academic area in middle or high school. He constantly revamps materials and lessons to ensure students receive the most up-to-date exam information. Sheptin Tutoring Group maintains offices in Chappaqua, New York, and New York City. Its clients come from as close as the tri-state area to as far away as China, the United Kingdom, and Nigeria.  Alan previously appeared on the podcast in episode 289 for an IEC Profile.  Alan can be reached at 914-232-3743 or alan@sheptin.com. LINKS Why Not Consider a Degree Outside of the US? Degrees from the Start-Up Nation: A Guide to Israeli Universities – IECA RELATED EPISODES ATTENDING UNIVERSITY IN EUROPE STOP MAKING $EN$E: THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT PROBLEM  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, Roots2Words, and College Eagle. 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, get in touch through our contact page.

  7. Sep 17

    THROWBACK: ACT SCORE REVIEW AND VALIDATION

    Security at testing centers is almost as tight as screening at American airports. Yet some test takers still find ways to cheat on the ACT or at least raise suspicions. Amy and Mike invited school counselor Desiree Rodriguez-Gould to explore the process of ACT score review and validation.  What are five things you will learn in this episode? How does ACT, Inc. handle score review and validation? What roles can counselors and test prep professionals play in the review process?  How badly can ACT score cancellation impact some students? In what ways does the SAT score review process differ? What are some possible ways to avoid ACT and SAT score review? MEET OUR GUEST Desiree Rodriguez-Gould, M.Ed., born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, is a first-generation Latina college graduate and is passionate about college admissions and educational opportunities for all.  She was a College Counselor at St. Edward High School. Desi is married to Matt and has three beautiful children, plus an adorable Labradoodle, Riff. With a background in college counseling and strong involvement in professional development organizations and university advisory boards, Mrs. Rodriguez-Gould is an eager student and higher education advocate.  LINKS ACT-Test Security-Procedures for Conducting Individual Score Review What should you do if your ACT score is under review? A lawyer answers. 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, Roots2Words, and College Eagle. 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, get in touch through our contact page.

  8. Sep 15

    GUIDANCE FOR WRITING A STRESS-FREE COLLEGE ESSAY

    Students often approach their college applications as if each essay is the most important piece of prose they've ever written, which leads to overthinking and anxiety. There is a better way! Amy and Mike invited essay specialist Jill Margaret Shulman to share guidance for writing a stress-free college essay. What are five things you will learn in this episode? 1. What are myths that exist in essay writing? 2. What stops students from getting started with their essay in the first place? 3. What techniques help empower students to write? 4. What are some positive steps if a student gets stuck? 5. What is the one piece of advice about personal essay writing that every student needs to hear? MEET OUR GUEST Jill Margaret Shulman is the author of College Admissions Cracked: Saving Your Kid (and Yourself) from the Madness and College Essay Confidence: Conquer Blocks, Free Your Voice, and Write a Knockout Application Essay. She's also the founder of In Other Words, a college essay coaching service. She has spent decades shepherding families through the college admissions process and has evaluated applications at elite colleges. Shulman has also taught writing at The New School, City University of New York, and NYU and has been featured in Forbes, LA Times, The New York Times, Parents, and elsewhere. She lives in the higher education mecca of Western Massachusetts.  Jill can be reached at jillshulman.com. LINKS College Essay Confidence: Conquer Blocks, Free Your Voice, and Write a Knockout Application Essay RELATED EPISODES COLLEGE ESSAY SECRETS MAKING YOUR COLLEGE ESSAYS COUNT DESTRESSIFYING THE COLLEGE ADMISSIONS PROCESS 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, Roots2Words, and College Eagle. 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, get in touch through our contact page.

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About

Welcome to THE college admissions industry podcast! Join Mike Bergin and Amy Seeley as they discuss the latest issues in testing, admissions, learning, and education with leading experts. Tests and the Rest is perfect for parents, students, counselors, educators, test prep professionals, college consultants, and just about anyone engaged in the college admissions process. You can subscribe to this podcast or stream it online via any podcast app, including iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and TuneIn Radio. 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. Between the two of us, expect over 60 years of industry insight, expertise, insider news, and a bit of sarcasm.

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