Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast

Amy Seeley & Mike Bergin
  • 4.8 (41)
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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. 3D AGO

    WHAT DO FEDERAL POLICY CHANGES MEAN FOR FINANCIAL AID?

    The ability to pay for a college education usually depends on stable economic conditions and clear, predictable rules. But what happens when everything seems to change every day? Amy and Mike invited financial aid advisor Ed Recker to explain what federal policy changes mean for financial aid. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What federal policy changes will have the potential biggest impacts to students? What federal policy changes will have the potential biggest impacts to colleges & universities? Has the U.S. Department of Education's reduction in force (RIF) impacted the financial aid process? Were there any changes to the FAFSA or federal student loans? Are there any benefits to completing the FAFSA early? MEET OUR GUEST Ed Recker is a Director of High School Relationship Management with Sallie Mae, serving high schools, states, and professional organizations throughout the U.S. He joined Sallie Mae in 2019, and has over 20 years' experience in the financial aid and enrollment industry.  Prior to joining Sallie Mae, Ed was a Senior Consultant within the Enrollment Division of Ruffalo Noel Levitz, held the position of Vice President for Enrollment Management at the University of Findlay, and held various financial aid positions at the University of Findlay, Terra State Community College, and Bowling Green State University. Ed holds a M.Ed. in Higher Education from the University of Toledo, and resides in Ottawa, OH with his wife Kate and daughter Evelyn. Ed appeared on the podcast in episode #492 to discuss The Better FAFSA For New And Previous Filers and in episode #544 to discuss First Impressions Of The Better FAFSA. Find Ed at Edward.Recker@salliemae.com. LINKS FAFSA 2026-27 - How to Apply for Financial Aid FAFSA Simplification: A Better FAFSA Process Means a Better Future for Borrowers | Federal Student Aid - Financial Aid Toolkit RELATED EPISODES HOW ARE POLITICAL CHANGES SHAPING HIGHER ED UNDERSTANDING YOUR COLLEGE TUITION BILL WHAT IS A NET PRICE CALCULATOR? THE PRICE YOU REALLY PAY FOR COLLEGE 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.

    28 min

  2. OCT 28

    CULTIVATING AND RECOGNIZING ACADEMIC CURIOSITY

    The primary goal of our formative years is often seen as figuring out what we want to do with the rest of our lives. Why, then, do we focus so much on what we want to *be* instead?  Amy and Mike invited educational consultant Matthew Jaskol to explore the importance of cultivating and recognizing academic curiosity. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is the development process for a curious but undecided student? Why does fostering intellectual curiosity get overlooked in traditional education systems? What are ways to encourage students to explore or engage in big problems? What's the most important shift in mindset needed to help students pursue authentic growth, rather than just building a polished resume?  Why is it important to not give up on exploration too quickly? MEET OUR GUEST Matthew Jaskol is committed to empowering young scholars from all backgrounds to think critically and create meaningful change. In 2012, he co-founded Pioneer Academics, a public benefit corporation that delivers rigorous and cutting-edge academic initiatives and is also committed to eliminating financial and geographic barriers for high-achieving, low-income students worldwide. Its two flagship institutes are: the Pioneer Research Institute—the world's only fully accredited online research institute for high school students—and the Global Problem-Solving Institute, a virtual innovation lab where students tackle complex global challenges through interdisciplinary thinking and collaborative design. Matthew believes that when intellectual curiosity is nurtured with structure and academic rigor, it sparks extraordinary growth. His work is driven by the belief that education should be transformational, not transactional, and he remains inspired by the creativity, purpose, and depth students bring to their work. Matthew can be reached at matthew.jaskol@pioneeracademics.com. LINKS The Global Problem-Solving Institute | Pioneer Research Why 'Find your passion!' may be bad advice | Stanford Report The Newest College Admissions Ploy: Paying to Make Your Teen a "Peer-Reviewed" Author The Dip: A Little Book That Teaches You When to Quit (and When to Stick) RELATED EPISODES WHAT DOES UNHOOKED MEAN IN ADMISSIONS? FITTING IN AND STANDING OUT FINDING YOUR AUTHENTIC SELF IN THE PATH TO COLLEGE 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.

    26 min

  3. OCT 24

    EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: October 2025

    The Tests and the Rest podcast is always focused on exploring essential 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 and ongoing adventures 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? How busy was last month for Amy and Mike? How can educators balance work and family? Should high school prepare teens for the work world? What is the status of TestBright Tutor Training? 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 Is High School Meant to Be Job Training? The New Hire Readiness Report 2025: Insights from Hiring Managers on Entry-Level Workforce Preparedness ACT WorkKeys – Job and Career Assessments RELATED EPISODES EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: September 2025 EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: August 2025 EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: July 2025 EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: June 2025 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.

    32 min

  4. OCT 21

    SCHOLARSHIPS, MAJORS, AND HOW CLARITY CAN UNLOCK MORE COLLEGE AID

    While high schoolers don't need to know exactly what they'll be doing with the rest of their lives, those students who make intentional, well-informed major choices before applying to college can unlock more merit-based and private scholarship opportunities–including specific awards based on intended major. Mike moderated a conversation with Dave Peterson and Lisa Marker-Robbins to explore Scholarships & Majors: How Clarity Can Unlock More College Aid. What are five things you will learn in this episode? If scholarships aren't just awards for past achievements, how should applicants shift their mindset when searching for scholarships? How can early career clarity help prevent missteps during the application process? How does intended major help shape a personal narrative that's compelling to scholarship committees? How early should teens tackle each of the essential components of college and scholarship applications? What are some popular majors and special scholarships associated with those majors? MEET OUR GUEST Dave Peterson, The Scholarship Coach, is the father of a rising college junior who, to date, has won over $80,000 in scholarships. Because of his son's success with scholarships, people started asking him for advice on how their children could win scholarships. These questions prompted Dave to write the book DEBT-FREE COLLEGE: Proven Strategies for Winning Scholarships and Other Tools to Help You Avoid Student Loan Debt.  Dave shares a new scholarship opportunity every day on his podcast and Substack called "Your Daily Scholarship." He provides one-on-one coaching for students and families to help them find and win scholarships to achieve their debt-free college dreams. Dave previously appeared on this podcast in episode #496 to share 12 MUST-SEE SCHOLARSHIPS and #529 to explain HOW TO PAY FOR COLLEGE. Find Dave at dave@nodebtcollege.com. Lisa Marker Robbins is an entrepreneur in Cincinnati, Ohio. Her passion and purpose throughout her career has been to serve high school students and young adults on launching into their future. With that greater purpose, she has been a classroom teacher, 23 years ago started a test prep, tutoring and independent college counseling organization that has helped thousands, and in 2021, started Flourish Coaching to guide students and young adults through her 5-part framework towards getting career clarity for what comes after graduation. Lisa first appeared on episode #119 to discuss how HOW TEST PREP PROS AND FINANCIAL PLANNERS CAN WORK TOGETHER, in episode #227 to discuss STRATEGIES FOR SELECTING A COLLEGE MAJOR ON TIME, in #363 for a SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: Launch College & Career Clarity Course., and, in #554, HOW COLLEGES ADMIT BY MAJOR. Find Lisa at https://flourishcoachingco.com. LINKS Scholarships for the 6 Most Competitive Majors "Do I Have To Fill Out the FAFSA?" RELATED EPISODES HOW IKIGAI CAN HELP TO CHOOSE A COLLEGE MAJOR UNLOCKING AUTOMATIC SCHOLARSHIPS WITH PSAT, SAT, & ACT SCORES FOUR SCHOLARSHIP MYTHS 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.

    56 min

  5. OCT 14

    How Do Female Students Benefit From Female Educators?

    If learning and testing weren't already challenging enough in and of themselves, success can often depend on the level of congruence between students and teachers. For example, is gender an influential factor in academic success? Amy and Mike invited educator Megan Fitzwater to explore how female students benefit from female educators. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What are the key differences in how girls learn when they work with female mentors? What factors likely contribute to girls feeling like bad test takers? What role do standardized tests play in shaping girls' future opportunities in STEM or other fields? What should educators who want to better support girls in STEM and test prep keep in mind? What kind of female student most benefits from working with female educators?  MEET OUR GUEST Megan Fitzwater is the founder of All Girls' Prep, a women-led tutoring company dedicated to empowering young women in test preparation and STEM. A graduate of an all-girls high school, she experienced firsthand the confidence and community that thrive in a female-focused environment. It was there that a dedicated physics teacher recognized her talent and encouraged her to pursue the subject, inspiring her to enter the University of Colorado Boulder as a declared astrophysics major. Transitioning from that supportive, all-girls landscape into the male-dominated world of astrophysics, Megan became one of only a few women in her program. She conducted observational research and excelled academically, yet still grappled with imposter syndrome and quietly questioned whether she belonged. Everything changed when she encountered her first (and only) female physics professor in college. For the first time, she saw herself reflected in someone leading the field she aspired to join, and the impact was profound. The shift gave her a deeper confidence in herself and her abilities, one that shaped the course of her career. Since then, Megan has dedicated her work to creating the kinds of academic environments where girls can see themselves, take risks, and reach their potential. She has developed innovative SAT and ACT curricula, led courses designed to break down barriers in physics and calculus, and built a team of accomplished female tutors, from engineers to film directors, who serve as mentors as much as educators. Through All Girls' Prep, she is committed to ensuring that young women have not only the skills to succeed but also the representation and mentorship to envision themselves in any field they choose. Megan can be reached at megan@satprepct.com. LINKS Why does teacher gender matter? The Myth of the "Girl-Friendly" Test The Impact of Tutor Gender Match on Girls' STEM Interest, Engagement, and Performance Gender gap in standardized tests: What are we measuring? Academic performance and single-sex schooling: Evidence from a natural experiment in Switzerland Student–Teacher Gender Matching and Academic Achievement Student–teacher gender congruence and student performance: The role of context RELATED EPISODES WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A BAD TEST TAKER? COMPETITIVE MINDSET IN TESTING WHY PROFESSIONALISM IN TUTORS MATTERS 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.

    26 min

  6. OCT 7

    HOW PARENTS CAN SUPPORT (NOT DERAIL) THE COLLEGE PROCESS

    For many college applicants, the dream of higher education would be unattainable without the support of their parents and guardians. That doesn't mean, however, that these well-meaning adults can't become an adverse influence in admissions. Amy and Mike invited educational consultant Lisa Hillhouse to discuss how parents can support and not derail the college process. What are five things you will learn in this episode? 1. What non-negotiable terms should be established at the beginning of the process? 2. How can parents support the exploration phase of the college search process? 3. What activities should parents engage in with their student in the process? 4. How should parents model grace in challenging situations? 5. How can parents reassure their student in the process and its final outcome? MEET OUR GUEST Lt. Col. Lisa Hillhouse is an independent educational consultant and the founder of Hillhouse College and Career Advising, based in Atlanta. Prior to launching her practice, Lisa retired from the Air Force after 26 years of active duty and reserve service. Much of that time focused on officer recruitment and leadership development. Lisa began her admissions journey with a special assignment to Air Force ROTC at the University of California, Berkeley. She loved educating and mentoring young leaders and continued that work at the United States Air Force Academy as a deputy liaison officer director and admissions liaison officer. There she helped lead and manage one of the largest recruiting areas in the nation while evaluating and developing candidates for military careers. While in college, Lisa enrolled in AFROTC and went on to earn a scholarship and a commission. Lisa has a Bachelor's degree in Politics from Assumption University, a Master's degree in Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma, and a College and Career Planning graduate certificate from the University of California, Berkeley. Lisa is nationally recognized for her expertise and specialty of guiding and supporting students through the complex process of becoming commissioned officers. Many of her students are focused on earning ROTC scholarships, military service academy appointments, or becoming officer training school candidates. Lisa also collaborates with other consultants around the country. She frequently presents at admissions conferences and webinars and has served as a guest presenter for college advising courses. Lisa first appeared on our podcast in episode 104 to discuss Applying To A Military Academy and in episode 184 for Demonstrating Leadership In College Applications. Lisa was featured in an IEC Profile in episode 315. You can find out more about Lisa at www.HillhouseCollegeAdvising.com. LINKS How Parents Can Support (Not Derail) The College Process How parents can be involved in the college admissions process—without overstepping College Planning Timeline RELATED EPISODES THE ROLE OF PARENTS IN THE COLLEGE PROCESS HOW PARENTS CAN BEST SUPPORT STUDENTS IN TEST PREP THE PARENT TRANSITION FROM HIGH SCHOOL TO COLLEGE 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.

    28 min

  7. SEP 30

    How Ikigai Can Help To Choose a College Major

    Ikigai, a Japanese concept that translates to "a reason for being" or "a reason to live," focuses on the intersection of what you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. Doesn't that sound like a critical consideration for college students and applicants? Amy and Mike invited admissions expert V. Peter Pitts to explore how ikigai can help to choose a college major. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is IKIGAI? How can an Ikigai exercise help in narrowing down your major? Do students really need to choose a major before choosing a college? Do majors really matter? What matters more than choice of a major? What is the biggest mistake students make in choosing a major? MEET OUR GUEST V. Peter Pitts retired after 42 years in the College Admission profession, most recently with Monmouth College of Illinois. Over his 27 years at Monmouth, he recruited over 2,000 students and still keeps in touch with many of them. He is originally from Iowa and holds an undergraduate degree from Wartburg College (IA) and a Master's degree from the University of Iowa, both in Sociology. In his retirement, Peter publishes a website–https://www.lifechangingcolleges.com–that celebrates small private colleges. He also gives presentations to high school classes about a variety of college admission topics.  He is the author of Common Sense Guide to Choosing a College---Making a Case for Small Residential College, and his latest book is Choosing Your College Major: The Ikigai Approach. Peter previously appeared on this podcast in episode 163 to discuss Do College Majors Matter? and in episode 347 to discuss Attending A Small College. Peter can be reached at vpeterpitts@gmail.com. LINKS Choosing Your College Major: The Ikigai Approach Why majors don't matter | Kai Kight Common Sense Guide to Choosing a College---Making a Case for Small Residential College RELATED EPISODES HOW COLLEGES ADMIT BY MAJOR WHY THIS COLLEGE, WHY THIS MAJOR? STRATEGIES FOR SELECTING A COLLEGE MAJOR ON TIME 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.

    25 min

  8. SEP 26

    EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: September 2025

    The Tests and the Rest podcast has always been relentlessly focused 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 adventures did Mike and Amy have in Montana? How was the NACAC conference in Columbus? Top 2 favorite TV shows of all time and top 2 favorite movies of all time What is the topic of the next Tests and the Rest webinar? 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 Tutor Training - TestBright Scholarships & Majors: How Clarity Can Unlock More College Aid RELATED EPISODES EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: August 2025 EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: July 2025 EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: June 2025 EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: May 2025 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.

    28 min
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4.8
out of 5
41 Ratings

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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