Writing college essays is one of the most challenging aspects of the college application process. Where do students even get started? Susan Knoppow is Co-Founder & CEO of Wow Writing Workshop, where she created the Wow Method - a simple, 10-step process for writing college essays. A former executive speechwriter and copywriter, Susan is also a published poet and essayist. Hear the key elements to a successful college essay, how parents can help - not hurt - their students’ essays, how to reduce overwhelm for students when writing college essays, how to approach supplemental essays, and how to navigate AI as it relates to college essays. Connect with Susan at WowWritingWorkshop.com, on LinkedIn, and Get Your Copy of the 10-Step Wow Method, and Subscribe to College Bound Mentor on your favorite podcast platform and learn more at CollegeBoundMentor.com

What’s new with the ACT? A lot. That means students have to change how they prep for the test AND how they approach things on test day. Sean Quinn has you covered. He’s the Founder & Tutor at Onsen Education, providing one-on-one preparation tailored to your needs. He and his team have helped students across the states and in over 20 other countries. Hear what’s different about the new ACT, how the average scores compare to previous years, whether you should focus on the SAT instead, how to prepare for the new ACT test, and how to get over testing anxiety. Connect with Sean at OnsenEducation.com, on LinkedIn, and check out his blog on Understanding the New ACT: Key Changes, Concerns, and Strategic Advice, and Subscribe to College Bound Mentor on your favorite podcast platform and learn more at CollegeBoundMentor.com

The engineering field is getting increasingly competitive. How do you stand out as an engineering student today? Jyoti Jain believes the best way is to create a stellar engineering maker portfolio. Jyoti is the Founder of Jain College Consulting. She found her passion for college counseling while helping her own child through the college admissions process. Hear why engineering students should consider submitting an engineering maker portfolio, the key components involved, how to tailor your portfolio to the audience, where engineering students can find meaningful experiences outside the classroom, and why you don’t need expensive tools or big projects to make your portfolio shine. Connect with Jyoti at JainCollegeConsulting.com, on LinkedIn, and check out her article on Guiding Students in Creating a Stellar Engineering Maker Portfolio, and Subscribe to College Bound Mentor on your favorite podcast platform and learn more at CollegeBoundMentor.com

Does your college major even matter? Dr. Ned Scott Laff & Scott Carlson explore the surprising answer in their must-read book, Hacking College: Why the Major Doesn't Matter―and What Really Does. Dr. Ned Scott Laff has over 35 years of experience in college and university settings in administrative and faculty roles. Scott Carlson is a senior writer at The Chronicle of Higher Education who explores where higher education is headed. In this episode, they dive into the difference between a major and field of study, their favorite student case studies from Hacking College, what makes their process different, how to ask your aspiring college students the right questions, and what’s broken with the college advising process today. Get Hacking College on Amazon and connect with Ned & Scott on LinkedIn, and Subscribe to College Bound Mentor on your favorite podcast platform and learn more at CollegeBoundMentor.com

AI is taking over everything. College is no different. What is allowed - and should be allowed - when using AI in college classes? In this episode, we welcome on special guests Dr. Lyra Stein of Rutgers University, Dr. Nathalie Moon of the University of Toronto, and Stephanie Silberstein of Rutgers University, New Jersey City University, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Seton Hall University, and Kean University. They reveal how much students are using AI in college, the pros & cons of relying on AI for coursework, how grading & plagiarism are changing in the world of AI, how much professors are using or resisting AI, and how AI proficiency will help students throughout their careers. Connect with Lyra, Nathalie, and Stephanie on LinkedIn, and Subscribe to College Bound Mentor on your favorite podcast platform and learn more at CollegeBoundMentor.com

Passion projects are becoming a hot topic on student resumes. How important are they? In this first episode of Season 2, we welcome on special guest Dr. Liz Krider, the Founder & CEO of KSA Catalyst. She helps students (ages 14-24) find purpose through projects and internships - experiences that reveal their character to prospective colleges and employers. Hear how to find a passion project, examples of passion projects, why it helps to think local, the fine line between being persistent and being annoying, and why it’s a good thing for college and your career to learn from failure. Connect with Liz at PassionProjects.net and on LinkedIn, and Subscribe to College Bound Mentor on your favorite podcast platform and learn more at CollegeBoundMentor.com

Waitlists are one of the most unpredictable parts of the college application process - and an area we get questions on all the time. This is especially relevant now, as it’s been such a tough year for college waitlists. In this episode, you’ll hear the ins and outs of waitlists, including whether you should express your continued interest, whether changing your major can help, and why patience is key. Subscribe to College Bound Mentor on your favorite podcast platform and learn more at CollegeBoundMentor.com

Engineering programs seemingly get more & more competitive every year. How do you land a spot in that dream engineering program - or maybe one that’s an even better fit? In this episode, Lisa, Abby, and Stefanie break down the various pathways for pursuing engineering degrees. Hear how engineering works at larger public universities, how to get into an engineering school, what to expect from engineering at liberal art colleges, why applying to engineering programs is such a long process, and 3 case studies of aspiring engineering students. Subscribe to College Bound Mentor on your favorite podcast platform and learn more at CollegeBoundMentor.com

It’s no surprise the college application process can have a big impact on your teen’s mental health. On the bright side, there are plenty of things you can do as a parent to make sure they can handle anything. In this episode, we welcome on special guest Dr. Beth Watson, a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in treating children, adolescents, and adults suffering from depression or anxiety. She’s an expert in both Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) & Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Hear why there’s a lack of awareness around teen mental health & development, how to help your teens take care of their bodies & mental health, how to tell if a child is actually struggling with their mental health, the most stressful parts of the college application process, and the best ways to help your teen manage stress. Connect with Beth at BethWatsonPhD.com and on LinkedIn, and Subscribe to College Bound Mentor on your favorite podcast platform and learn more at CollegeBoundMentor.com

Summer experiences can really make your college application pop. In this episode, Lisa, Abby, and Stefanie reveal how to make the most of your summer with your college application in mind. Hear the variety of academic programs offered over the summer, how to find summer programs, why getting a summer job is one of the best things you can do, whether it’s okay to keep going to summer camp, and how to focus on making your summers productive. Subscribe to College Bound Mentor on your favorite podcast platform and learn more at CollegeBoundMentor.com