College App 101

A college bound student has important relationships with several people during high school. When it comes to academics and the role of academics in creating compelling college applications, the most important is the student-teacher relationship. In this episode, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) addresses the student-teacher relationship, offers tips on enhancing it, and describes an ideal teacher letter of recommendation. Other topics include goal setting, current opinions on free speech among undergraduates, and more. 

High achieving college bound students easily get overwhelmed by extracurricular activities, part-time work, a robust social calendar, not to mention academics. In this episode, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) shares some stories and tips to help students avoid getting overwhelmed. Other topics include the current climate in college admissions, America's view on the importance of a college education, what parents want for their children after high school, and more. 

Financial savings to pay college expenses is a daunting topic. Yet it is crucial that parents and college bound students address finances before attending college, so everyone's expectations are realistic. In this episode, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) tackles financial savings and related topics like the FAFSA, being proactive, avoiding the victim mindset, and much more. 

The 2027-2028 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA) opens on October 1, 2026. Current college bound seniors and their parents must submit the FAFSA if they wish to be considered for federal, state, and many college financial aid programs. In this episode, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) provides an overview of the FAFSA, offers several tips on financial success in college, addresses some current events in higher education, and suggests some time management strategies. 

The typical college student has quick access to many talented professionals on a college campus. These professionals devote their days to assisting college students achieve their goals. In this episode, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) continues to explain this topic. Other topics covered in this episode include current events in higher education and tips on time management. 

A college campus is a veritable goldmine with extraordinary resources at students' fingertips. One resource is very talented people, who are eager to help college students achieve their goals. In this episode, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) uses typical illustrations and anecdotes to explain this topic, framing it as one of his reasons why he helps college bound students win admission to college.

To be human is to err and make mistakes. People do well, when they find ways to see the good in past failures, setbacks, and loss. In this episode, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) uses the life of Sir Winston Churchill to conclude this topic. Though extremely successful in life, Churchill also endured several setbacks. This episode focuses on the bright side of some of them and is encouragement for college bound students to focus on the bright side of their own failures. 

Failures, weaknesses, defeats, and loss characterize the human experience. In this episode, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) uses the life of Sir Winston Churchill to introduce this topic. It is true that Churchill enjoyed many successes, but setbacks also were his reality. College bound students do well, when they learn to leverage their failures and mistakes throughout high school and in their college applications. 

Over the years, College App 101 podcasts have provided many tips on taking the Preliminary SAT, also known as the PSAT. Elite performance on the PSAT during junior year can result in arguably the most prestigious academic honor for high school students: National Merit status. In the present episode, Dr. Riley interviews Elliot, a National Merit student from the high school class of 2026, giving special emphasis to the role of a classical, great books, liberal arts education in preparing testers for the PSAT. Episode topics include PSAT preparation tips, applying for scholarships and college with National Merit status, the role of parents in PSAT preparation, and more. 

Over the years, College App 101 podcasts have provided many tips on taking the Preliminary SAT, also known as the PSAT. Elite performance on the PSAT during junior year can result in arguably the most prestigious academic honor for high school students: National Merit status. In the present episode, Dr. Riley interviews Caroline, a National Merit student from the high school class of 2026, giving special emphasis to the role of a classical, great books, liberal arts education in preparing testers for the PSAT. Episode topics include PSAT preparation tips, applying for scholarships and college with National Merit status, the role of parents in PSAT preparation, and more.