College App 101

Life constantly throws curveballs, challenges, and difficulties at high school students. And, sometimes, they get injured along the way. How do students move ahead without getting bogged down by their injuries? The answer: by embodying perseverance, resilience, fortitude, stamina, and willpower. In a word, they need grit. In this episode, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) discusses the importance of grit in high school, college admissions, and life, by using his typical illustrations and stories. 

Successful people have learned to create goals and establish a plan to achieve them. And January is a great time for high school students to reflect on goals for the calendar year. In this episode, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) discusses small and large goals that high school students (especially members of the class of 2024) should consider for the new year.

A September 2022 College App 101 episode explains the connection between the PSAT and the National Merit Scholarship Competition. In the present episode, Dr. Riley interviews a National Merit Scholar. Episode topics include PSAT preparation tips, applying to college with National Merit Scholar status, the role of parents/guardians in PSAT preparation, financial dividends of a National Merit Scholarship, and more.

Each semester, College App 101 receives questions from students and parents about college admissions, academics, success in high school, and so forth. In this episode, Dr. Riley answers some questions from fall semester 2022. Topics addressed are optional essays on standardized tests, the benefits of applying to college earlier than later, the resume, and more.

A previous College App 101 episode provides an overview of earning college credit in high school, with special attention given to College Board's AP Program. In the present episode, Dr. Riley interviews a current AP student. An academically elite program, College Board's Advanced Placement (AP) curriculum has dozens of college-level courses that come with the opportunity for high school students to earn college credit in high school. Topics in this episode include tips on preparing for May's AP exams, budgeting time in test preparation, an explanation of May's AP exams, the AP classroom experience, and more.

Students like to take college level coursework in high school, because it is challenging, an opportunity to earn college credit before ever enrolling in college, and an honor. Parents like it, because it is often more affordable than college tuition costs. With his typical descriptive stories and anecdotes, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) provides an overview of earning college credit in high school, addressing issues like financial cost, AP, dual credit, and IB. 

"Don't put all your eggs in one basket" is a famous saying that encourages people to pursue a variety or diversity of options in life. How should high school students apply this principle to college admissions and scholarships? What are the benefits of various options in college admissions/scholarships. What are the detriments of not having options? With descriptive stories and anecdotes, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) addresses these and other questions in this double episode. 

The two most popular standardized tests used for admission to college are the SAT and the ACT (though there are others). What is the difference between the SAT and ACT? What does "test optional" mean in college admissions? When should a high school student take the SAT, ACT, or both? With his typical descriptive stories and anecdotes, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) addresses these and other questions in today's episode. 

Colleges want to admit intellectually curious students, who love to learn. A love for learning is inborn in some students. It needs to be cultivated in others. In today’s podcast, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) discusses how to develop a love for learning, by explaining the importance of November 4 in history. Indeed, today, Friday, November 4, 2022 is the anniversary of a major world event. Join Dr. Riley on a journey through time, as he explains November 4’s significance and, hopefully, cultivates the audience’s love for learning.

The teacher is the main person in a student's schooling. And relationships with teachers require care and attention. In this podcast, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) provides several tips on staying on good terms with teachers. Topics include work ethic, class participation, letters of recommendation, and Dr. Riley's personal anecdotes and stories.