As we hit the third anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic, I’ve invited two guests, Amy Seeley and Cristiana Quinn, to discuss the effects it has had on college admissions. This includes both how students apply to college and how colleges determine who to admit. The last three years have felt like the wild west to those who work with college-bound families, so we know it feels even more so to you. Our conversation details the changes we’ve made to the advice we share with parents navigating the sometimes-bumpy road of helping their students get into college.

EPISODE NOTES:

With the rise of test-optional policies, the college admissions process has become more unpredictable for colleges, who are trying to determine which students will be successful on their campus. The average number of applications that students submit has greatly increased since 2020 and therefore colleges are inundated with applications making their job even more challenging.

On the college side, dealing with more applicants has made demonstrated interest and yield protection play a bigger role. Each college has a different idea of what they want their freshman class to look like: in-state and out-of-state students, international students, diversity, athletes, and legacy students to fill their roster. These priorities may change yearly based on leadership changes and more.
Families and colleges alike are taking more strategic approaches with early action, early decision 1 and 2, and regular decision. Early decision has become more selective since COVID, with acceptance rates dropping and more colleges filling a higher percentage of their seats during early decision. There have been new challenges in securing on-campus housing. It’s important to pay close attention to the changing rules around housing and enrollment deposit deadlines.

In addition to housing, your family ought to carefully check the admissions and financial aid pages of each school's website for important information about merit aid and other deadlines. Listen in and your family will have expert advice on reducing stress during the application process, minimizing the college list, and engaging with standardized testing despite the prevalence of test-optional policies.

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Launch College & Career Clarity Course

College Admission Advisors, LLC

Seeley Test Pros

Tests and the Rest

Podcast Episodes Mentioned:

#037 ACT-SAT Test Optional Admission Data

#042 Will Grade Inflation Hurt Your Teen?

#052 Demonstrated Interest: How It Can Help Guide Your College Search

TIMELINE:

[00:53] Intro
[02:15] Introducing The Episode Guests
[02:55] Changes To The College Application Proces

Connect with Lisa:
Website: https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@flourishcoachingco
Facebook: https://www.facebooke.com/flourishcoachingco/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flourishcoachingco/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flourish-coaching-co

It’s the end of an era for standardized testing. For the past 90 years, students have taken their SATs in a pencil-to-paper format. However, as ACT and SAT expert David Blobaum shares, 2023 is the final year of the paper SAT.  In March 2024, the SAT will be an all-digital test and it will become adaptive. David explains what a digital-adaptive test is and gives advice for how your teen can best adapt to this change.

EPISODE NOTES
We’ll soon say goodbye to the paper SAT. Yes, you heard me correctly. 2023 is the last year of the paper SAT. The first 2024 test on March 9 will be a fully-digital test. And I'm sure you're already wondering, what does this mean to your teen's college-bound journey?

David Blobaum is a graduate of the University of Chicago and co-founder of Summit prep; his expertise is in college entrance testing.

In addition to being a digital test, the SAT will be adaptive to your teen. Each student will have the same first verbal section. Then, depending on your teen’s performance in that section, the next section will adapt based on ability. The same is true for the math portion. The good news is this means a shorter test moving from the current three-hour test to only two hours which is a win for students.

Unfortunately with any change in the middle of an academic year, the high school class of 2025, current sophomores, are caught in the crosshairs of change and will have to plan strategically. David recommends if your teen will be a junior in the 2023-24 school year and want to take the SAT instead of the ACT they should complete SAT testing by the end of 2023. 

David does give some encouragement with the fact that for students doing SAT prep, the content of what is tested will remain very similar to the paper version; the major difference is the reading portion. If your teen has not completed algebra 2 before the junior year, David suggests considering the ACT instead of the SAT. One issue with the new SAT is there will be a shortage of materials to use when preparing and practicing for the SAT while the ACT has a lot of practice material available.
Will change be good? Time will tell and it will be a while before we know. In the meantime, college-bound families are encouraged to think strategically and plan ahead.

TIMELINE
[1:05] Introduction
[2:50] The end of an era with paper SATs
[4:25] Adaptive testing
[7:22] Current sophomores need to plan strategically
[13:21] Recruited athletes
[18:11] PSATs
[21:56] Parting words of advice from David
[23:30] Conclusion

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Get your College Planning Timeline

Launch College & Career Clarity Course

Connect with David at Summit Prep

Episode #022 The College-Bound Student Athlete

Episode #053 ACT Data and the Story It Tell for Your Student

Connect with Lisa:
Website: https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@flourishcoachingco
Facebook: https://www.facebooke.com/flourishcoachingco/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flourishcoachingco/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flourish-coaching-co

Forensic accounting brings some excitement to the career path of accounting. My guest, professor Jim Vogt, shares it is multidisciplinary and is about much more than just accounting. In this episode, we discuss the types of students who might enjoy learning forensic accounting skills as well as the different career paths in this field. Students who show natural curiosity, perseverance, tenacity, and an analytical mind could benefit from making forensic accounting the aim of their college experience.

SHOW NOTES

In this episode of the "College and Career Clarity" podcast, Lisa Marker-Robbins talks with Jim Vogt, who teaches accounting and fraud at San Diego State University and the University of Colorado Denver. Vogt has had an exciting accounting career working with businesses in fraud protection and prevention. He talks about the multidisciplinary nature of forensic accounting and the importance of skills such as natural curiosity, perseverance, analytical thinking, and excellent communication skills.

Vogt emphasizes that forensic accounting is not just about numbers; it also involves skills in interviewing techniques and identifying if someone is being deceptive. He addresses the misconception that accounting is a boring field and shows how forensic accounting can be a great fit for those with accounting degrees, as well as those with other degrees.

While accounting is the most common and probably the best path to take for a career in forensic accounting, Vogt explains that there are other degrees and certifications that can be helpful, such as finance or business degrees, and certifications such as Certified Fraud Examiner. He also suggests that an internship or work experience can be helpful in getting a foot in the door, especially for organizations such as the FBI, which hires forensic accountants and agents with accounting degrees.

Vogt discusses the full spectrum of the career path in forensic accounting, which includes prevention, detection, investigation, and legal resolution. He notes that organizations often overlook the prevention and detection side of forensic accounting, which leads to more cases requiring investigation and legal resolution. He also mentions the broad field of forensic accounting, which includes business valuation, commercial damages, and other areas outside of fraud investigation and examination.

In terms of where forensic accountants might find work, Vogt suggests that banks and financial institutions are great places to start, as almost all of them have someone working in consumer fraud, credit card fraud, or check fraud. Other potential employers include law enforcement agencies, accounting firms, and consulting firms.
Overall, the episode provides valuable insights into the diverse and exciting field of forensic accounting and highlights the skills and attributes that are essential for a successful career in this area.

Launch College & Career Clarity Course
FBI Jobs
FBI Student Opportunities
Stay in touch with Jim on LinkedIn

Connect with Lisa:
Website: https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@flourishcoachingco
Facebook: https://www.facebooke.com/flourishcoachingco/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flourishcoachingco/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flourish-coaching-co

Computer science is currently one of the hottest college majors. The job opportunities are plentiful and promise a great return on your investment in your child’s college education. But demand has made CS programs competitive. Is it the right program for your child? And if so, what can your teen do to maximize their chance of being accepted? Jennifer Stephan is a university dean of academic advising and a private college counselor working primarily with STEM-focused students. She breaks down what colleges look for in teens applying to computer science programs.

EPISODE NOTES

Over the past decade and a half, the job market and economy have seen their fair share of ups and downs. As a parent, you want to know when your child graduates from college, they’ll be able to get a well-paying job in their field. This starts with choosing the right major. Studying computer science can open many doors for your student after graduation, and CS has become one of the most highly sought-after majors. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most competitive majors, with several top programs boasting admissions rates in the single digits.

Jennifer Stephan is a Dean of Academic Advising and Undergraduate Studies at Tufts University’s School of Engineering and an independent college admissions counselor. We discuss computer science as a discipline, course of study, and career to determine what kind of student is equipped to thrive in this field. Of course, a solid background in math and science is a must, but if you’ve got a creative teen on your hands, computer science might be an avenue they want to explore.

If your student has already demonstrated an interest in computer science, it’s important to help them develop a college application that will help them stand out from a crowd of other highly qualified applicants. The key is authenticity. Computer science-oriented coursework and extracurriculars are an excellent place to start. Still, to get into some of the best computer science programs, your student will need to demonstrate intellectual curiosity, creative problem-solving, and genuine interest throughout their application.

Links Mentioned in this Episode:
Launch College & Career Clarity Course

Lantern College Counseling Website

TIMELINE
[00:44] Introduction 
[01:57] computer science’s popularity boom
[03:41] It’s all about creative problem solving
[06:53] The competitiveness of computer science programs
[12:09] Giving your application a strong CS fingerprint 
[17:01] Demonstrate intellectual curiosity 
[19:29] Considering majors outside computer science 
[21:36] Pursue what you really love

Connect with Lisa:
Website: https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@flourishcoachingco
Facebook: https://www.facebooke.com/flourishcoachingco/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flourishcoachingco/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flourish-coaching-co

At many schools, like the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, prospective students must apply to a specific major when applying to college during the high school senior year. Since this is not standard at all colleges, it can be a confusing hurdle for many high schoolers and their families - but it doesn’t have to be. What does this mean for your teen? In this episode with Andy Borst, UIUC’s Director of Undergraduate Admissions, you’ll learn how college major-based admissions works and how to set your teen up to successfully navigate the process.

EPISODE NOTES

Although it can sometimes seem like it, admissions officers aren’t in the business of crushing your teen’s dreams. In fact, they want to make things possible for as many students as they can, and that’s where a college major-based admissions process can come into play. Each university can only accommodate a certain number of students in each program, so this type of application can help admissions staff focus on the students that are truly interested in the major and most likely to thrive.
 
When it comes to schools that admit by major, you might be surprised to learn that certain majors at these schools might be restricted to your student applying only as a 12th grader. For instance, if your child wants to study Computer Science at UIUC, they can only be admitted as a freshman or a transfer from another school. This means it’s crucial that your student does the work in high school to identify a college major that aligns to their wiring.

Andy warns not to try to take a shortcut into these highly competitive majors by applying for a different major in the hopes of transferring into your student’s desired field later. Trying to game the system isn’t wise. In these cases, your teen will be better off attending a different university where they have an assured start in their top choice major.
 
Of course, this kind of application process can feel unfair to your high schooler who is just on the cusp of adulthood. That’s where the Flourish Coaching course Launch Career Clarity comes in. In our online course with live support, our goal is to help your teen discover the right college major so your teen finds the right college and has more favorable outcomes.

Links mentioned in this episode

Launch College & Career Clarity Course
UIUC Tool on Majors

Timeline

●  [00:17] - Introduction
●  [02:21] - How applications to individual majors work
●  [06:19] - The role that capacity plays in the admissions process
●  [07:07] - What do universities look for?
●  [08:58] - How important are extracurriculars?
●  [10:56] - Can students change majors later on?
●  [14:57] - How common are restricted majors?
●  [18:17] - Transparency in the process
●  [21:19] - Finding your fit at Illinois

Connect with Lisa:
Website: https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@flourishcoachingco
Facebook: https://www.facebooke.com/flourishcoachingco/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flourishcoachingco/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flourish-coaching-co

Your teen will go to college to both live and learn, so it’s important to find a campus that is a good social fit along with academic programs and financial aid offerings to match your student. How do you tell which colleges might be a good match for your high school student? In this episode, Anita Gajula, an independent college counselor, and I give you insights into finding the best home away from home for your child.

EPISODE NOTES
When your teen starts window shopping for colleges, it can be tempting to hold out for the perfect match. However, I firmly believe and teach that there are no soulmate colleges. So while the “perfect” school may not exist, there are likely many places where your child can thrive if given they give it a chance.

Anita Gajula and I arm your family with ways to start your search in this episode. Since your teen has never attended a university before, we provide guidance on how you can use their high school experience to frame their search. Asking the right questions is key to determining if a college is a good option.

Anita also shares additional strategies to guide your search like how to people-watch on campus and we list our favorite apps and platforms you can use to weed out colleges that are poor matches, along with choosing which schools to invest in a visit.

Your family will be wise to also remember that college, like many other things in life, will be what you make of it. Sometimes the right mindset can matter more than the right school. That’s why, to avoid disappointment, starting your college search knowing every school will have its quirks and drawbacks will serve your family well.  Remember not to let perfect become the enemy of good!

Links mentioned in this episode:

Launch College & Career Clarity Course

Episode #031 Your College List: Social Fit

CollegeWise Website

College Search Sites:

Niche

Loper

Campus Reel

College Scoops

Timeline

[00:17] Introduction
[01:57] A campus should be your child’s home away from home
[02:49] Don’t expect perfection or a soulmate match
[04:53] Start considering colleges through the lens of the high school experience
[07:33] Start window shopping at local college campuses
[12:27] Resources for finding potential college matches
[14:31] Follow college social media accounts
[17:29] How much does social fit matter?
[21:22] Sign-off

Connect with Lisa:
Website: https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@flourishcoachingco
Facebook: https://www.facebooke.com/flourishcoachingco/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flourishcoachingco/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flourish-coaching-co

Regardless of your family’s financial situation, the thought of paying more than necessary for college is a less-than-desirable prospect. With a variety of scholarships available to students, families of all income levels are wise to take advantage of any opportunities they can. It may feel like the odds are stacked against you and your high school student when it comes to knowing where to look for scholarships, how to apply, and whether or not it is worth your teen investing the time to apply. In this episode, my expert guest, Jennifer Finetti answers these questions and gives great advice for your family.

EPISODE NOTES

My guest Jennifer Finetti has supported over 12,000 college-bound students who are trying to figure out how to fund college. Her expertise is from her own journey with her children, the work she does with ScholarshipOwl.com, and her background in counseling and psychology. There are three types of scholarships that students can apply for, and Jennifer does a fantastic job of breaking down the three categories, as well as the advantages and downsides of each type. She provides great tips for when and how your teen should apply, as well as how to determine which applications are worth the effort. Not all scholarship opportunities are created equal.

High school can of course be a very busy and sometimes stressful period for you and your student. Jennifer believes, and I tend to agree, that it’s important for your teen to carry some responsibility for paying for their college education. Whether this means working a job and building their savings or applying for as many scholarships as they can, many students are going to have to find some way of easing the financial burden of college. This is generally true regardless of your family’s financial situation. Thankfully, there are many available funding options, so the more your student is able to get out there and find that free money, the easier it will be to find the school that will truly be their best financial fit. With thousands of 4-year universities, there is a fit for everyone regardless of your budget. I hope this episode gives you a few more tools to help you find common-sense ways to achieve your teen’s post-graduation goals.

Links mentioned in this episode

Launch College & Career Clarity Course

Launch College and Career Clarity Facebook Community

ScholarshipOwl Website

The ScholarshipOwl Community on Discord

Find ScholarshipOwl on social channels @scholarshipowl

TIMELINE

[2:36] Students should take some responsibility toward paying for their own college education.

[4:33] How to find a school that is a good financial fit.

[6:30] Why setting financial parameters, and staying within (or even below) your means is important from the outset.

[10:00] How students can save money and avoid taking out student loans.

[11:58] The three different types of scholarships and how to apply for them

[15:89] How much work does it take to get scholarships, and is it worth it?

[20:0

Connect with Lisa:
Website: https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@flourishcoachingco
Facebook: https://www.facebooke.com/flourishcoachingco/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flourishcoachingco/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flourish-coaching-co

High school course selection always feels tricky balancing the needs and wants of the student, figuring out the proper level of rigor, and understanding what colleges expect. Whether your student is picking their classes this month or the next, it’s important to have those conversations now. Whether your student’s GPA, their future college admissions, or fulfilling prerequisites for future courses, the high school curriculum they choose can have a big impact. I invited my colleague Julie Spak, an independent college counselor, to discuss the choices your teen will soon be making and how you can best support them in choosing and pursuing their future goals.

EPISODE NOTES

The classes your student takes in high school can have a major impact on both their high school and college careers. And there’s more to strategic course selection than just loading up on AP classes. It’s important to consider which classes will be relevant to your teen’s interests and future college major. Plus, taking a rigorous course load is only impressive on a college application if the student can handle the workload and thrive. That’s why it’s vital to really consider which classes will be best for a student’s long-term goals.

In this episode, I speak with my friend and colleague, Julie Spak, about the best ways for your family to approach selecting courses for your teen. To start, it’s always a good idea to learn as much as possible about the curriculum offered each school year - expect changes from year to year. This might mean attending informational meetings, academic fairs, or simply reading the course catalog online.

We advise once you start selecting courses, it’s important that you think about future school years as well. This means that even freshman students should consider what they want to study in their senior year. After all, they don’t want to be prevented from signing up for a vital class later because they didn’t take the prerequisites.

And if your teen will be a junior next year, it’s important to remember their senior year is not for slacking! Colleges will look at senior year transcripts, so you don’t want to skip that fourth year of math, load up on fluff, or fail to take your coursework seriously.

Ultimately, every class a student takes in high school will be important to their future. That’s why taking the course selection process seriously is so essential. Fortunately, if you need a little guidance, this episode is full of insights, tips, and tricks.

Links mentioned in this episode

Launch College & Career Clarity Course
Launch College and Career Clarity Facebook Community
Find Julie on LinkedIn
Julie at LEAP

Timeline

[0:42] Intro

[2:22] When do high schools start scheduling courses?

[3:30] Should families attend the school’s informational meetings about course selection?

[5:33] Why you should pay attention to the curriculum guides

[7:50] Plan for future semesters by taking prerequisites

[9:35] Review college websites for their high

Connect with Lisa:
Website: https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@flourishcoachingco
Facebook: https://www.facebooke.com/flourishcoachingco/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flourishcoachingco/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flourish-coaching-co

You may have heard in the news that ACT scores dipped to a 30-year low in 2022. This episode explores the implications of the ACT test: what it measures, what it means in terms of college entrance, and how even a less-than-ideal score can serve as a roadmap to help your student find where they are to where they want to be in the future.

EPISODE NOTES:

You may have heard in the news that ACT scores dipped to a 30-year low in 2022. At the same time, many studies have shown that high school GPAs seem to have reached an all-time high as grade inflation continues to climb. What does this mean for your student, and how do you ensure they are properly equipped for the road ahead? My guest Rose Babbington currently works as the senior director for ACT state partnerships, and she has many insights to share that help simplify this often stressful and intimidating area of college readiness.

Even though the ACT gives an overall score as a metric to predict success during the first year of college, in reality, there are four separate areas contributing to the overall average, and these scores often give a more accurate assessment of what’s going on with your student’s high school achievement and future college success. ACT includes college readiness benchmark scores as well. High scores can show your student’s strengths, but consistently low scores don’t necessarily need to be a cause for dismay. In fact, they can serve as useful markers to create a successful strategy going forward. These may be identifying learning gaps in your child’s education where they may need extra support. Identifying these things early on are important ways to ensure success in college and beyond, and as it turns out, the ACT is an excellent, data-driven way to do just that.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Episode #042: Will grade inflation hurt your teen?

Launch College & Career Clarity Course

ACT Website

Gradclass 2022

TIMELINE SUMMARY

0:32: ACT scores for the class of 2020 reach a 30-year low

2:22: ACT data and its importance for students and families

11:27: High number of students not meeting college readiness benchmarks

12:18: Proponent of students starting early on the ACT test

13:03: ACT score report breaks down subject areas for improvement

14:13: The value of getting test booklets back for improvement

15:20: ACT test reflects a student's performance on a single day.

Connect with Lisa:
Website: https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@flourishcoachingco
Facebook: https://www.facebooke.com/flourishcoachingco/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flourishcoachingco/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flourish-coaching-co

In this episode, Sylvia Borgo and I discuss how a student’s demonstrated interest in a college can create an admission advantage for your teen and how you can determine which colleges don’t care about demonstrated interest. Sylvia also shares how she advises high school students to consider the value demonstrating interest brings to their college-bound journey.

EPISODE NOTES

The second half of 10th grade is the ‘sweet spot’ for your teen to start their research on colleges, starting perhaps with schools in your area. And if your family has not started by junior year, it’s time to get hustling!

Demonstrated interest is when your teen engages with a college prior to applying. Many colleges track how much your student demonstrates interest. From a college’s standpoint, they want your student to engage as they know they are more likely to attend if admitted. Therefore, for colleges that do track demonstrated interest, your teen’s engagement with them can lead to an admission advantage. If you want to find out if a college doesn’t care or track demonstrated interest, look at the common data set, section C-7. When tracking demonstrated interest the colleges are checking whether you are engaging and responding to the communications they send, visiting their website, opening the emails they send, visiting their campus, and more. This metric helps colleges understand if you are serious about attending their institution.
Other ways for demonstrating interest include getting on the school’s mailing list, visiting the college, or meeting with a regional rep when they visit your high school. You can also have your teen write an email to the rep. They must do it themselves because the colleges can tell when the parents write the email. The colleges want to hear from your student. Your teen will get excited when they hear back from a regional rep or professor!

Alternatively, suppose your student is overwhelmed with mail after taking the PSAT. In that case, you can make it a weekly task to unsubscribe to all emails from colleges they aren’t interested in for whatever reason. From your student's standpoint, showing demonstrated interest is part of the process of making an informed decision on where to go to college.

Links mentioned in this episode

Launch College & Career Clarity Course

How-to video: Demonstrated Interest: How to find it on the Common Data Set

Get your email templates: Tips for Sending Student Emails that get a Reply

Sylvia on Instagram 

DJ Educational Consulting on FB

Sylvia on LinkedIn

Timeline

[0:38] Intro
[2:43] What is demonstrated interest
[3:34] Why Colleges use demonstrated interest
[4:35] Why admissions look lower than they used to 
[6:19] Ways to demonstrate interest 
[8:10] Campus visits & pre-prep for regional rep visits. 
[9

Connect with Lisa:
Website: https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@flourishcoachingco
Facebook: https://www.facebooke.com/flourishcoachingco/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flourishcoachingco/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flourish-coaching-co