The College Prep Podcast

Between economic uncertainty, political shifts, and institutional changes, students and families planning for college in 2025 are facing new pressures—and many old ones that have become more urgent. In this episode, we explore how current events are directly impacting college-bound ... Read More » The post 571: Planning for College in Uncertain Times: How Current Headlines Affect College Choice appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

When families start thinking about college admissions, they often focus on test scores, extracurriculars, and essay strategies. But the most essential factor in getting accepted to college is so obvious that it’s often overlooked: your high school transcript. Colleges don’t ... Read More » The post 570: The #1 Factor in College Admissions That Families Often Overlook (College Admissions Essentials #2) appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

Many students rely on ineffective study habits—like highlighting, rereading, and cramming—without realizing they don’t work. In this episode, we bust 7 common study myths and reveal research-backed strategies that actually improve learning. 🔎 What You’ll Learn: • Why rereading and ... Read More » The post 569: 7 Study Myths Holding Students Back (and What Actually Works!) appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

Everyone who wants to go to college can. (And not just community college!) Despite the headlines and fear-driven narratives, the truth is that most students get into one of their top three choices—and many even their first choice. According to ... Read More » The post 568: Debunking the Fear: The Reality of College Acceptance Rates (College Admissions Essentials #2) appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

When in doubt, eliminate! The Process of Elimination (POE) is one of the most powerful strategies for SAT, ACT, and multiple-choice test success—but are students using it the right way? In this episode, we break down: —What the Process of ... Read More » The post 567: Mastering the Art of Elimination – A MUST-KNOW Test-Taking Strategy appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

Taking notes isn’t just about writing things down—it’s about learning effectively. Yet, many students fall into ineffective note-taking habits that make studying harder instead of easier. In this episode, we break down a crucial study skill: how to take better ... Read More » The post 566: 3 Common Note-Taking Mistakes (And How to Fix Them) appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

Today we’re diving into a lister question! A parent asks: How can students decide if AP, IB, or dual credit classes are worth taking? With so many options, it can be confusing to know which courses will actually count for ... Read More » The post 565: Earning College Credit in High School: Are AP, IB & Dual Credit Classes Worth It?! appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

Should legacy admissions still exist in 2025? For decades, many colleges have given special consideration to applicants with alumni parents, but now, this practice is under fire. With more schools eliminating legacy preferences, critics argue that it unfairly benefits privileged ... Read More » The post 564: Who Deserves a Spot? The Future of Legacy Admissions appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

Did you know your professors are one of the most underutilized resources on campus? In this episode, we explore why building a relationship with your professors is a game-changer for your college success. You’ll learn: Your professors want to see ... Read More » The post 563: Professors: the Underutilized Key to College Success appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

Summer break is just around the corner! Don’t let it slip away. This episode is packed with valuable advice for high school and college students (and their parents/educators) on how to make the most of their summer break. We explore ... Read More » The post 562: Level Up Your Summer: 6 Ways Students Can Prep for College appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

A new semester means new beginnings, but you don’t need to revamp your entire process to reach your goals this semester. In fact, just a few small changes to daily habits can make a HUGE difference in how students learn ... Read More » The post 561: Small Habits, Big Results: Unlock Your Academic Potential This Semester appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

Get ready to tackle the SAT or ACT in 2025! In this episode, we break down the latest changes to these college entrance exams and provide expert guidance on how to prepare for success. Learn about: Whether you’re a student, ... Read More » The post 560: SAT/ACT Tips and Updates for 2025: What You NEED to Know appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

If you’re ready to tackle the new year and achieve your academic goals in 2025, your syllabus holds the key! In this episode, we break down how to use your syllabus as a powerful planning tool for a successful semester. ... Read More » The post 559: Your Semester Success Plan: It’s On the Syllabus appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

Join us for a thought-provoking conversation about the impact of cell phones on student mental health and learning. Inspired by “The Anxious Generation” by Jonathan Haidt, we explore: —The rise of anxiety among today’s youth —The potential link between cell ... Read More » The post 558: Unpacking the Impact of Cell Phones on Students: “The Anxious Generation” Recap appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

Regardless of how fall semester went, the winter break is a great time to prepare students to succeed in spring and finish the school year strong. In this episode we explore the power of mid-year reflection. We’ll share a simple ... Read More » The post 557: Mid-Year Reset: Reflect on Fall Semester to Thrive in Spring appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

Feeling lost in the maze of college financial aid? This episode breaks down the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) clearly and concisely. Join us as we discuss: —What is the FAFSA and who needs to fill it out? ... Read More » The post 556: Financial Aid 101: Expert tips for navigating the FAFSA and paying for college appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

Finals week can be a pressure cooker for most students. But conquering exam season doesn’t have to involve all-nighters and endless anxiety! In this episode, we break down three actionable tips to help students stay calm, focused, and productive during ... Read More » The post 555: The Stress-Less Guide to Finals: Three Simple Tips to Stay Calm and Focused appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

The transition from the rigid structure of high school to the freedom of college can shock the system. Many students struggle to manage their time effectively when suddenly faced with unscheduled days and the responsibility of deciding how to spend ... Read More » The post 554: Beyond the Bell Schedule: Equipping Students to Survive the Time Freedom of College appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

How do we guide the student who almost has too many interests and too many passions? They are likely feeling overwhelmed by the endless possibilities of majors, campuses, and careers, especially in the run-up to admissions letters. In this episode, ... Read More » The post 553: How to Guide Multi-passionate Students to Choose the Right Campus or Major appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

Overwhelmed by what to do after receiving college acceptance letters? In this episode, we tackle a listener question about the pressure to commit to a university, especially when facing a mountain of options and looming deadlines. We’ll uncover why schools ... Read More » The post 552: Beyond Accepted: Navigating the College Decision Maze appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.