College Admissions with Mark and Anna

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

Wed, 15 Jan 2020 03:04:18 +0000

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 experiences can be valuable—but so can painting a house, babysitting, publishing a blog, getting a j.o.b., learning an instrument, taking a bike apart, learning to sew, taking a daily walk, volunteering, speak (and think!) only in Spanish for a week, or becoming a street mime… can be just as valuable, when approached with the right mindset and two questions. Learn more in our newest episode.

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

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 14:16:04 +0000

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 institutional research and assessment, writer, and a consultant for colleges that wanted to get better at using data to improve student learning.

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

Mon, 18 Nov 2019 12:00:14 +0000

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 Institute, a nonprofit think tank. To learn more about Michael and check out his book, please visit https://michaelbhorn.com.

You can purchase his book, Choosing College, on Amazon.

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

Fri, 11 Oct 2019 19:07:57 +0000

Join Mark and Anna as they speak with Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Rob Kirkland of ROTC Consulting 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!

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

Sat, 07 Sep 2019 15:00:17 +0000

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 break down their top list of what to expect when starting college for the first time. Resources in this episode include:
Shipbike.com

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

Mon, 02 Sep 2019 15:00:07 +0000

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 for College 101 Facebook group.

Athletics in College Admissions with Chris Siedem

Wed, 17 Jul 2019 19:16:02 +0000

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

Thu, 16 May 2019 17:56:11 +0000

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

Sat, 27 Apr 2019 15:00:21 +0000

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 additional considerations, knowledge, experience and support for students are adds another dynamic to the application and admissions process. While college admission becomes even more complex some opportunities – like applying to specific departments – have become even more competitive, and students must consider learning environment and support with even greater intention. This includes finding the most supportive and understanding environment for each student’s academic needs.
Join our guest, Lauren Gaylord, co-founder of G2 College in Seattle and is an advocate and educational consultant for students with learning differences as we talk about how students can make the most of learning differences in the college admissions process.

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

Tue, 09 Apr 2019 13:24:00 +0000

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

Fri, 15 Mar 2019 18:00:00 +0000

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 evaluation of college applicants as well as the most important things to focus on when developing your application-and it doesn't require $500,000 or unethical actions.

ROI vs. Elite in College Admissions - A New Target

Thu, 07 Feb 2019 21:59:00 +0000

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 for undergraduate education is a bad long-term investment. Enter in the era of “ROI”! Join Mark and Anna as they explore the significance of return on investment in college selection.

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

Thu, 03 Jan 2019 23:25:00 +0000

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

Mon, 05 Nov 2018 14:48:00 +0000

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?

Tue, 02 Oct 2018 18:00:00 +0000

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?

Thu, 30 Aug 2018 20:00:00 +0000

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 classes that will deem you "more competitive" based on the university's preferences. Join Mark and Anna as they discuss how to pick classes in high school and college. From understanding whether or not different classes are weighed differently like AP Calc and AP Stats to is there such a thing as taking too many challenging courses and how to pick classes that demonstrate growth and maturity, Mark and Anna have got you covered in this new episode on course selection.

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

Tue, 10 Jul 2018 23:17:00 +0000

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 you can help your teens stay healthy - mind, body, and soul - when it comes to academics. From how to build your "framily" to whether or not to disclose any mental health challenges you may have faced, Mark and Anna have you covered on stress, anxiety, and suicide in the world of high school and college on a topic that is dear to their hearts.

What’cha Doing This Summer?

Wed, 06 Jun 2018 10:30:00 +0000

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?

Sun, 22 Apr 2018 12:30:00 +0000

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 episode. If you're narrowing down your list and it is between an academically rigorous option and another that is less so, you cannot afford to miss this episode.

Offer Letters: Rainbow of Emotions and What to Look Out For

Fri, 06 Apr 2018 10:00:00 +0000

All the work and sacrifice – applications completed, essays written, weekends lost, and joy-filled NetFlix binges missed… has finally paid off. THEY want you! Colleges want you! The golden ticket with notice of admission has been issued to you and now all you need to do is select which fabulous school you and your pet goldfish will head to in September. Join Mark and Anna as they walk you through this final step of the college admissions process - from where to check your results to what you need to look out for- Mark and Anna have you covered!

Art School Admissions with Tali Nesher

Wed, 28 Feb 2018 15:00:00 +0000

Join us as we talk to Tali Nesher, a former literary agent, NYU Tisch graduate and independent educational consultant specializing in the arts. Tali will be offering expertise on applying to different types of art programs and the value of an art education. If you're worried about your child becoming a starving artist, listen to Tali as she talks about how versatile an art degree can be, in addition to information about the process of applying for art programs. Tali Nesher graduated from New York University with a BFA in Film and Television Production. She started her career as a literary agent, representing television writers. Tali's work with writers involved reading scripts, hearing new stories, editing work, and championing her clients to studios and networks. After several years in the agency business, Tali transitioned into television production, where she worked as a camera coordinator on sitcoms and joined the Directors Guild of America (DGA). As a parent who has been through the process herself multiple times, Tali addresses both the concerns of the students and parents during this stressful and daunting experience. She's a strong believer that there is a right fit school or path for every student, and she works diligently with students and families to inform their academic, social and financial options for a personalized, optimal experience. To learn more about Tali, visit www.u-college.com.

College: Beyond Admissions

Mon, 22 Jan 2018 21:09:00 +0000

You've gotten into college. Now what? After spending most of high school preparing for this next step, what do you need to be successful in college and even in life? Join Mark and Anna as the cover the top skills you need for life in college and beyond. From accepting criticism and making healthy choices to tying a tie, Mark and Anna tackle life beyond the application.

Extracurricular Activities: What do they want from us?!

Mon, 08 Jan 2018 22:15:00 +0000

With so many people around you juggling 20 activities, you wonder..do I really need 20 activities? What is the point of these extracurricular activities? What kind of activities should I have? Is there ever too much or too few? What are the "must have" activities? Join Mark and Anna as they answer these questions and more, including whether or not family obligations count as an activity.

The Dish on Applying for Med School with Todd Faubion

Fri, 10 Nov 2017 18:41:00 +0000

With medical school acceptance rates being so low, join Mark and Anna as they talk with expert Todd Faubion on his advice on maximizing your chances for getting into medical school. He'll also cover advice on how you can prepare as a high school student and college student and discuss what you can do if you aren't accepted the first time. If you or your child is thinking about joining the health profession, this is one episode you must check out.

College Food - And Why It's Important

Fri, 06 Oct 2017 23:30:00 +0000

Food - its necessary for survival and is often an overlooked attribute. If your stomach is not satisfied, your brain will not work optimally and your academic - and social potential may take a nosedive. Join Mark and Anna as they talk about what you should be looking for when you think about college and food. From common food mistakes to where to find food and survive on a student budget, they've got you covered in this fun episode.
Todd Faubion supports individuals pursuing advanced degrees in the health sciences. He is based in Seattle but supports clients across the United States. He can be reached at academics@toddfaubion.com.

Standing Out Positively with Learning Disabilities featuring Dr. Shirag Shemmassian from Shemmassian Academic Consulting

Tue, 05 Sep 2017 18:41:00 +0000

Join us as we talk to Dr. Shirag Shemmassian, Founder of Shemmassian Academic Consulting. As a graduate of both Cornell University and UCLA, Shirag will be offering expertise on applying as a student who has faced learning challenges, in addition to sharing his own personal admissions journey as someone who has a disability. Join us for real wisdom as we tackle the biggest questions when it comes to helping families apply when the applicant has faced unique challenges and how to use it to share a compelling story with admissions. Get Shirag's FREE guide–The 10 College Admissions Secrets No One Talks About here.

Designing the College List

Mon, 31 Jul 2017 18:52:00 +0000

Congratulations… you are ready to apply to college. But which colleges do you apply to and how many? And even more importantly, how do you pick your list and narrow it down? What factors should you consider and what are some resources you can use? Join Mark and Anna as they tackle these important topics and more, including great resources to get your party/list started!

Getting into your Dream School with Jessica Yeager from Dream College Summit

Fri, 18 Aug 2017 20:00:00 +0000

Join us as we talk to Jessica Yeager, Founder of Dream College Summit and Impress the Ivies. Jessica will be dishing on her own college journey as an alumnus of both Harvard for undergrad and MIT for graduate school. She will also be covering new trends in college admissions and her best tips for getting into your dream school, especially the Ivies and other elite schools. You will get insider insight on everything from testing to interviews to financial aid and scholarships! Get your FREE ticket to Dream College Summit here.

Essays: The Good, Bad, and Ugly

Mon, 10 Jul 2017 19:35:00 +0000

College essay topics are out! Join Anna and Mark as they discuss the do's, don'ts, and their favorite essays on this episode in which they cover how to brainstorm and create a college application essay that stands out. They'll cover what colleges are looking for in the essay, what mistakes to avoid, and their favorite tips on how to come up with some memorable essays!

Real College Journeys with Aleks Stefanovska

Sat, 15 Apr 2017 14:00:00 +0000

Join us as we talk to Aleksandra (Aleks) Stefanovska, Founder of Pain Free to College and first generation college student on her college journey, where she dishes on her advice to students applying to college for the first time. She covers everything from having the right support to how to select schools and where to spend your time.

Aleksandra (Aleks) Stefanovska is a proud graduate of Georgetown University, which is located in our nation’s beautiful capitol, Washington, DC. She has two degrees from Georgetown, thus a double-hoya. She started with a a Bachelors of Arts degree in Government (International Affairs) and a minor in Economics, and followed up with a Master’s degree in Business Administration.
Aleks has more than 17 years of work experience, 15 years of which include informal mentoring high school and college students. Last year, she launched her website www.PainFreeToCollege.com to share tips to make the college admission less stressful.
When she is not working, Aleks is singing, dancing, or making silly faces with her 2 young children: Petar and Anabella.

Decisions Are In - What Do I Do Now?

Sat, 01 Apr 2017 15:35:00 +0000

College decisions are in! It can be a very exciting and confusing time for many students and their families. In this episode, Anna and Mark are here to advise on what happens when regular decision results are in. They'll cover acceptances, waitlists, and rejections and different ways to try to figure out which school you should move forward with - from March Madness brackets to campus visits to how to write a letter to admissions. Mark and Anna have got you covered in this episode.

Real College Journeys with Liz Tenety

Fri, 10 Mar 2017 16:00:00 +0000

Join us as we talk to Liz Tenety, Co-Founder of Motherly and former Washington Post writer, on her college journey, where she discusses how she decided to transfer to her dream school, despite loving the school where she went to and how it has made all the difference. If the thought of not getting into your dream school or the idea of transferring scares you, this episode and Liz's uplifting journey is for you!

College Interviews: The Myths, They Magic, The Mirth

Fri, 03 Mar 2017 17:23:00 +0000

You've finished writing essays and sent your application in. Now, you get an email about a college admissions interview. They want to meet you! In this episode, Mark and Anna cover your most common questions regarding the interview, such as how important are they really, what questions should you be prepared to answer and what should you ask at the end. We'll cover etiquette on both in-person and online interview, how long an interview should last, and more!

Going to College on OPM (Other People's Money) - Financial Aid, Merit Aid, Loans, and More

Thu, 09 Feb 2017 20:45:00 +0000

The average public school's cost of attendance can range from $25 to $45k a year. For private schools, the average university cost can be $60k to $70k! In this episode, Mark and Anna talk about ways you can go to college on OPM (other people's money) through financial and merit aid. Learn more about the process as well and how scholarships can help you cut back on loans. Additional topics covered include what goes into determining a family's expected family contribution and how to apply for aid and scholarships.

Deadlines, Results, Decisions

Sat, 14 Jan 2017 22:00:00 +0000

Now that most of the results from early action and early decision are in, its time to make sense of it all. Learn about the different deadlines, possible results, and what to do next. Also learn what types of deadlines might work best for you and your family, especially as it comes to financial and merit aid.

ROI of Using an Independent Educational Consultant

Thu, 29 Dec 2016 04:00:00 +0000

Ever consider using a consultant to help you with the college admissions process? Their more common name is IEC. Learn the benefits and values of using an IEC and who they are most beneficial for. We'll also talk about the different type of ways you can work with an IEC, how to pick one, and what the REAL costs are. Not the ones inflated by the media. Join Mark and Anna as they give you the real dirt about using someone to help with the college admissions process.

Rankings - What's the big deal and does it really matter?

Sat, 12 Nov 2016 13:00:00 +0000

There are so many lists on rankings out there. What is worth considering when looking at these lists? Do they even matter? We'll also review different types of lists out there.

For additional resources, please check out:
How to Make Sense of College Rankings
Best and Worst College Food
US News College Rankings
Forbes College Ranking Methodology
Forbes Top Colleges

Gap Year - What Are They? Why Take One?

Sat, 05 Nov 2016 12:00:00 +0000

Ever since Malia Obama decided to take a gap year, it has been a widely discussed topic in college admissions. So what is a gap year? Why take one? Learn the answers to these questions and more as we delve into what types of gap year opportunities exist, what the benefits are of taking one, how it fits with the college admissions process and how to "pitch" one to your parents in this week's podcast.

The Importance of Meeting Face to Face

Sat, 29 Oct 2016 12:00:00 +0000

While the internet has certainly made it easier to research and learn more about a school, meeting face to face and visiting a campus in person can make a big difference. Learn the benefits and what to look for when visiting campuses, when the best time to visit is, and more in this week's episode.

Niceness - The New Factor in College Admissions

Sat, 22 Oct 2016 16:00:00 +0000

Thanks to Harvard's Turning the Tide Report, more schools are being asked to evaluate how "nice" a student is in the college admissions process. Learn more about how you can genuinely demonstrate your "niceness" in today's podcast.

Join Mark Hofer and Anna Ren as they talk about the new factor in college admissions and different ways schools may be evaluating how nice a student is.