Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast

Amy Seeley & Mike Bergin
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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. 6H AGO

    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

  2. 3D AGO

    Unlocking Automatic Scholarships With PSAT, SAT, & ACT Scores

    The process of applying to college can be so cumbersome and time consuming that applicants have little time left over for elaborate scholarship applications. Luckily, students can qualify for abundant merit aid just by excelling on admissions tests they should be prepping for anyway! Amy and Mike invited educator Shaan Patel to explore how to unlock automatic scholarships with PSAT, SAT, & ACT scores. What are five things you will learn in this episode? How directly do SAT and ACT scores translate into guaranteed scholarship money? How does the PSAT connect to the National Merit Scholarship program? What score ranges typically unlock the biggest automatic scholarships at public and private universities? How can families use their College 529 Savings Plans for test preparation?   What are the most effective strategies for students to maximize both their scores and scholarship opportunities? MEET OUR GUEST Dr. Shaan Patel is the Founder and CEO of Prep Expert. On ABC’s Shark Tank, he closed a deal with Mark Cuban for an investment in Prep Expert. He created Prep Expert to help high school students achieve their own dreams. Prep Expert has helped more than 100,000 students improve their SAT and ACT scores, get into top colleges, and win over $100 million in scholarships. Prep Expert offers online SAT and ACT courses, academic tutoring, and college admissions consulting. Shaan can be reached at prepexpert.com. LINKS Merit Aid Grids National Merit Scholarship RELATED EPISODES THE ROLE OF TEST SCORES IN COLLEGE MERIT AID FLORIDA BRIGHT FUTURES SCHOLARSHIP PSAT AND THE NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP PROCESS 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.

    26 min

  3. SEP 16

    How And Why To Perform Your Best on the PSAT

    The PSAT/NMSQT may not influence college admissions decisions, but the test matters in more ways than you might think. Amy and Mike invited educator and author Brian Stewart to discuss how and why to perform your best on the PSAT. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What role does the PSAT play compared to the SAT or ACT? What are some of the most common mistakes students make with the PSAT and how can they avoid them? What study strategies or prep resources are most effective for the PSAT? What are some ways students can effectively use the embedded Bluebook tools to do well on the PSAT?   What kind of students should focus on the SAT and PSAT at the same time? 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, in episode #507 to discuss The New Digital PSAT, and in episode #590 to discuss How To Prep For The 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 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, 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.

    30 min

  4. SEP 9

    Preparing For A College Admissions Interview

    Someone once said that interviewing is tough, especially if you don't know what you're looking for. Another complicating factor is having no answer to predictable questions–a regrettably common occurrence for higher ed applicants. Amy and Mike invited educator Alison Slater to explore the importance of preparing for a college admissions interview. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Why is it important to prepare before an interview? Are interviews impactful considering that many schools don’t offer them? Should students who are offered interviews take them? Who should prep for interviews and when? How can students prepare for all the interviews they are likely to have coming up?  What are some questions applicants should be prepared for? MEET OUR GUEST Alison Slater graduated from Bucknell University and worked in selective college admission for fifteen years. Interviews were her favorite part of the college application process, but she found they were often missed opportunities when students arrived nervous or unprepared. They were checking a box, not maximizing an opportunity. Alison founded Interview Prep to help students make strong impressions by preparing thoughtfully and approaching each interview with confidence and a plan. Alison can be reached at interviewprepllc.com. LINKS Interview Tips for Students Common interview questions RELATED EPISODES THE IMPORTANCE OF COLLEGE INTERVIEWS HOW TO PREPARE FOR A COLLEGE ADMISSIONS INTERVIEW HOW TO SPEAK TO A COLLEGE ADMISSIONS REP 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

  5. SEP 2

    From Stage To Test: What Performance Teaches Us About Test Anxiety

    All the world’s a stage, which means that performance anxiety can be debilitating in a variety of contexts. What does it take to silence your inner critics and do your best when only your best will do? Amy and Mike invited educational consultant Christine Gangelhoff to explore what performance teaches us about test anxiety. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What are the core similarities between test anxiety and performance anxiety in musicians or athletes? How can students pace their test prep the way performers pace their practice to avoid last-minute panic? What breathing or physical regulation techniques used by performers could help test-takers stay grounded? How can students build “performance stamina” to sustain focus during longer exams or high-stakes testing environments? What mindset strategies from the performing arts can help students shift from fear to focus during a test? MEET OUR GUEST Dr. Christine Gangelhoff is an internationally recognized expert in performing arts college admissions and the founder of SoundPath Consulting, a specialized educational consultancy focused on guiding students through the audition-based college application process. With a background as a music professor, performer, arts administrator, and scholar, she brings a deeply informed perspective to arts education and career development. Christine first appeared on our podcast in episode 478 to discuss Admissions Considerations For Musicians. Find Christine at mysoundpath.com. LINKS Yerkes–Dodson law How to Breathe When Feeling Stressed Test anxiety: Can it be treated? RELATED EPISODES HOW STRESS AFFECTS TEST PERFORMANCE HOW TO BREATHE DURING STRESSFUL SITUATIONS OVERCOMING TEST ANXIETY 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.

    29 min

  6. AUG 29

    EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: August 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 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? How has the addition of the September SAT affected test prep calendars? What special call did Amy recently receive? When will the first TestBright Tutor Training sessions run? What does the next month hold 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 The Case for the September SAT RELATED EPISODES EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: July 2025 EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: June 2025 EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: May 2025 EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: April 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

  7. AUG 26

    Intentionality On The Road To College

    It’s been said that when we set an intention, somehow the world seems to magically come to meet us. Does that apply in college admissions? You'll never find out if you don’t try. Amy and Mike invited educational consultant Ann Cadwallader to outline the impact of intentionality on the road to college. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What does intentionality mean in the context of the high school experience? How does course selection tell a story? What really matters when choosing extracurricular activities? What does the choice to work or volunteer during high school signify? What are other facets of intentionality on the road to college? MEET OUR GUEST Ann Cadwallader, founder of My University Coach, has worked in education for 35 years and has guided students through the college admissions process as an Independent Educational Consultant for nearly two decades. She holds a BS from Stanford University and an MBA from the University of Minnesota, and in 2020 earned the Certified Educational Planner designation — an achievement that reflects her deep expertise in college advising.  Ann has personally visited 193 college campuses across the country, giving her firsthand insight into a wide range of schools and student experiences. Known for her calm, strategic approach, she is dedicated to reducing stress for both students and parents and helping families make smart, intentional choices—so students can tell their story with confidence and clarity.  Ann can be reached at ann@myuniversitycoach.com. LINKS Making Intentional Decisions: Questions to Ask Yourself. RELATED EPISODES FINDING YOUR AUTHENTIC SELF IN THE PATH TO COLLEGE  THE COLLEGE PLEASING EPIDEMIC HOW CAN PAST POOR DECISIONS AFFECT 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, 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. AUG 19

    College Essay Secrets

    Few writing assignments loom as large or feel as significant as the application essay does to a college-bound teen. But what if the keys to a statement that makes a difference were both simple to understand and easy to implement? Amy and Mike invited educational consultant Susan Knoppow to reveal valuable college essay secrets. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is the real essay prompt every applicant needs to respond to? How are college essays used in the admissions process? Do they really matter? What are the biggest mistakes students make when writing college essays? How many editors are too many? How much guidance should counselors provide students on what to write? MEET OUR GUEST Susan Knoppow is CEO of Wow Writing Workshop, a college essay coaching company that teaches students and professionals a streamlined, ethical essay coaching process. The ten-step Wow Method has been used by thousands of students to get into their top choice colleges, and is the go-to system for independent educational consultants, school counselors, and other admissions professionals. A former corporate trainer and executive speechwriter, Susan can turn any task into a series of simple steps. She is a published poet and essayist with a BA in Psychology from the University of Michigan and an MFA in Writing from Vermont College. When she's not running Wow, Susan likes to garden, cook, and go on adventures with her husband and their dog, Luna.  Susan can be reached at wowwritingworkshop.com or  susan@wowwritingworkshop.com. LINKS 10 Step Wow Method RELATED EPISODES MAKING YOUR COLLEGE ESSAYS COUNT COLLEGE ESSAYS IN THE AGE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE HOW MUCH AI IS JUST RIGHT IN THE COLLEGE ESSAY? 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, 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
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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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