Many HBCU grads expect that their children will follow their path. Whether it’s a family tradition or a desire for a once-in-a-lifetime educational experience, many HBCU alums encourage their kids to pour into the rich legacy.

But what if it’s not what the child wants to do? 

Even better, what if you’re a college advisor who knows more about colleges and college admissions than most and all you want is for your child to find themselves and their academic happy place. 

Meet Lisa Fuller, a first-generation college student and founder of College Primed, LLC an educational consultant company offering personalized college planning and admissions advising for 8th-12th graders and their parents. Lisa is also the mom of two college graduates (both from PWIs) who wholeheartedly believes that Black students should explore a range of colleges to find places where they feel they can thrive. She was recently quoted in New York Times article: Why Students Are Choosing H.B.C.U.s: ‘4 Years Being Seen as Family’ 

As an active Spelman alumna, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated member, and Associate of Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated, Inc., Lisa personally knows the value of and proudly advocates for HBCUs. She also co-moderates the “Parents of Black and Brown and College Bound” Facebook group, a forum for families that works to demystify the college search process and offers first-hand information on an expansive list of colleges. 

If college admissions experience was embodied in a person, that person would be Joe Montgomery. A 20-year veteran of the profession with varied experiences in higher education, makes Joe an expert in how parents (oh yeh, he's a father too), counselors and admissions folks need to think about the process. Starting with his work at University of Miami, North Carolina A&T, College Board and he now serves as the Vice President of Enrollment at Tuskegee University, he has both analytical and anecdotal examples of how success and college can be aligned. He’s offering food for thought and we want you to take in.

Serving on the Board of Directors for NACAC (National Association of College Admissions Counselors), Joe joins us to share very personal insights about both his and his children's educational experiences as well as sagacious college admission advice that Black families need to know. He knows his stuff and is a believer in access and equality for all. Have a listen and be informed.

While no college experience is identical, some are simply better than others. Too many adults regret what they didn’t do during their four years, and whether it’s not taking full advantage of the academic opportunities or not doing enough outside of the classroom, most of us can agree that college is too short not to do it all.

Currently residing in the United Kingdom, meet heroine Chelsea Jackson. She’s an activist, Rhodes Scholar, Delta and just a phenomenal human being. She’s determined to use her youth — and college experience — to leave no stone unturned. Her story of being a child of HBCU parents and choosing a PWI is fascinating and inspiring. She followed her gut, understands her purpose and is poised to shine on every platform she steps on.

You’re in for a treat!!!

Mother's Day Edition! 

There’s a secret to college admissions success and this week’s guest, Tracie Wilson Payne is going to tell you what it is. As a mother of three, she’s helped steer her kids to Morehouse, UNC Chapel Hill, Spelman and now Harvard Law.

As a fourth-generation college grad, she has always stressed education to her kids and now they’re reaping the rewards of their hard work and Tracie and her husband’s sacrifices.

Tracie has a story to tell (well, actually, stories) so sit back and listen with a pen and notebook in hand. College admissions success means having an open mind and a plan.

Pre-Order: The Black Family's Guide to College Admissions: A Conversation about Education, Parenting, and Race

Junior year is the most important year of high school. With harder classes, standardized tests, colleges to visit, and lots of (mis) information flying around, it’s time to get the truth about what 11th graders need to be doing now.

Enter college admissions Swiss-army-knife Brandi Smith. Name anything in the college admissions profession and she’s done it. Worked in admissions? Vanderbilt. Check. Been a school counselor? Public or Independent, she has done both. Check. Community based organization? Yes, she’s done that too. Check. She is one of the biggest names and “personalities” in College Admission!

Listen in as Brandi shares what families, especially Black families,  need to be doing now to get ahead in the college process.

**Production note this episode was recorded prior to North Carolina System changing back to being test-optional for the upcoming year. 

College is expensive and few things matter more in building a college list and deciding where to go more than cost. In this episode, seasoned higher education professional and the founder of the financial aid app, FinAide - https://finaideapp.com/ - , shares how this revolutionary tool helps students, parents, and schools learn the REAL cost of college.

By breaking down financial aid award letters step by step, Jason and his app share how much each semester of each year will cost. This is exactly what families need to know about how to make the best financial decisions for their children’s college education.

From their forthcoming book, the Black Family’s Guide to College Admission: A Conversation About Education, Parenting and Race, Tim and Shereem highlight a few of the book’s gems about "The Black Ivies" and "Sports Arts, and Special Talents." The book is set to spark conversations that all college-bound Black families need to discuss so buckle up and get a little taste of what’s to come! 

They also talk about the appointment of Supreme Court Justice Nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson and how her school counselor told her "you will never get into Harvard." #howyoulikemenow 

As always they will also introduce you to some new schools that you may want to consider as you are building your child's college list. 

Meet the Application to Admission hosts, Tim Fields, and Shereem Herndon-Brown, and listen to their unique style of explaining how college admissions really works as well as their take on all the current news in the college admissions landscape. As an extension of their Understanding the Choices brand, the hosts give you the real and raw options that students and families have as children approach adulthood.

What is Understanding the Choices? It’s a mission and a movement that aims to lead the discussions about reimagining what educational success looks like for Black families. This first episode serves as a notice of the evolution of education and how parents need to approach college admissions and understand the choices for their children.