collegepreppodcast's podcast

Join Megan and Erin as they discuss how students can compare and make decisions about college offers, focusing on financial considerations and program offerings. It can be difficult to make that final decision. Families can start evaluating offers by

• create a pros and cons list for each school, considering factors like location, specialized programs, and affordability
• evaluate the financial aid packages, including renewable grants and loans, and to consider long-term debt implications
• attend admitted students' events, such as overnights

Having multiple good choices is the goal of your college application process. Congratulations! Now take the time to evaluate all of the options as you make your final decision.

Questions?

If you have questions, feedback, or ideas for an upcomming show, we'd love to hear from you. You can email us at collegepreppodcast (at) gmail (dot) com

More about the hosts

Megan Dorsey is a parent, educator, and SAT/ACT prep expert. She graduated from Rice University and has over 25 years of experience helping students earn better scores and put together strong applications. Megan lives in Sugar Land, Texas and works with students in-person and on Zoom. You can find out more at CollegePrepResults.com.

Erin Tempest is the founder of Seattle Success Coaching where she and her team help families with a wide range of issues. Let Erin take the frustration out of learning with her academic support, exectuvie function coaching, and social/life skills packages. Her goal is to help parents get back to enjoying their kids. You can find out more at SeattleSuccessCoaching.com.

Join Megan and Erin as they discuss strategies for maximizing college scholarship dollars while avoiding scams.

Megan and Erin discussed scholarship search tools, with Megan recommending several legitimate scholarship aggregators and advised listeners to be cautious of sites that charge fees for applications, as legitimate scholarship programs do not require payment to apply.

Megan and Erin discussed strategies for effectively applying for scholarships:

• creating separate email accounts for scholarship applications to manage the influx of information
• clicking through to the actual scholarship websites to verify current details, as requirements can change
• setting specific goals, such as applying for a set number of scholarships or spending a certain amount of time on application
• reusing essays for multiple applications, though Megan noted that some scholarships may require unique content.

Megan and Erin agree that local scholarships, school counselors, and local organizations, places of worship, and employers are often overlooked sources worth exploring. Megan highlighted that many students stop applying for scholarships after their freshman year of college, despite the availability of scholarships for current students. Megan recommended checking with the financial aid office and department for specific major-related scholarships.

Overall, be proactive in seeking scholarships, avoid scams, and take advantage of available opportunities.

Questions?

If you have questions, feedback, or ideas for an upcomming show, we'd love to hear from you. You can email us at collegepreppodcast (at) gmail (dot) com

More about the hosts

Megan Dorsey is a parent, educator, and SAT/ACT prep expert. She graduated from Rice University and has over 25 years of experience helping students earn better scores and put together strong applications. Megan lives in Sugar Land, Texas and works with students in-person and on Zoom. You can find out more at CollegePrepResults.com.

Erin Tempest is the founder of Seattle Success Coaching where she and her team help families with a wide range of issues. Let Erin take the frustration out of learning with her academic support, exectuvie function coaching, and social/life skills packages. Her goal is to help parents get back to enjoying their kids. You can find out more at SeattleSuccessCoaching.com.

simply sending application material and essays to the admissions office. This week Megan is joined by Darren Sacks, a professional double bassist and music college admissions expert to discuss key aspects of music education and the audition preparation.

Darren shares:

• the importance of early music lessons and private instruction quality
• participation in youth orchestras and summer festivals
• the significance of developing musical maturity, technical proficiency, and consistent practice systems
• guidance on selecting appropriate instructors and maintaining professional standards throughout the application process
• the significance of choosing appropriate pieces that showcase a student's current level without being too challenging

Darren discusses the importance of finding a balance between coaching and consulting when selecting a one-on-one music instructor for students, emphasizing the need for instructors to demonstrate and provide practical examples alongside guidance. He shared his approach of combining tough love with empathy to help students improve, using examples like helping a student win an all-states competition after an initial setback.

If you are interested in learning more, you can find Darren at:

• Home Page: www.darrensacksbasscoach.com
• Instagram: @darrensacks.bostonbass

Specifically parents of double bassists or students interested in orchestral double bass, if parents click on the "Work With Me" page, they can schedule a phone call with Darren to book a Zoom Audition Strategy Call + 30-Minute Playing Session for their child.

In this episode, Megan and Erin dive into practical financial literacy topics students need to understand before and during college. Their discussion centers on managing money in an increasingly cashless world, avoiding common student loan mistakes, and building credit responsibly.

Using real-life examples from their own families and experiences with students, they highlight how small financial decisions in college can have long-term consequences.

• Know what student loan money can and cannot be used for
  • Student loan funds can often cover living expenses such as rent, groceries, or transportation, and Erin notes that some students even use loan refunds to buy a car.
  • However, these choices increase total debt, and student loans cannot be discharged in bankruptcy, making overspending especially risky.
• Understand 529 plan restrictions
  • Erin explains that 529 money must be used for qualified education expenses and properly documented.
  • Using a 529 account without matching receipts can cause reimbursement problems and potential tax issues.
• Be cautious with cashless payment apps
  • Apps like Apple Pay, Venmo, and Cash App make spending feel frictionless, which can lead students to lose track of where their money is going.
  • Erin points out that these platforms may not offer the same protections as credit cards if money is sent to the wrong person or a transaction is disputed.
• Local banks still serve a purpose
  • Even in a cashless society, having a local bank can help students deposit cash, resolve account issues in person, or access short-term support.
  • Erin mentions tools like Greenlight as a way parents can help students manage spending while learning financial independence.
• Debit cards vs. credit cards
  • Debit cards pull directly from checking accounts, so overspending can immediately drain funds or trigger overdraft fees.
  • Credit cards, when used carefully, offer more fraud protection and help establish a credit history.
• Build credit with small, intentional habits
  • Erin recommends using a low-limit credit card for a recurring bill such as a streaming service or phone payment.
  • Paying that balance in full each month builds credit without encouraging unnecessary spending.
  • She shares a personal story about buying a house to illustrate how strong credit history impacts major life purchases.
• Set realistic expectations for spending money
  • Megan shares that her son spent about $12 per week while on a campus food plan, showing how limited discretionary spending can still work. (This is not typical; her daughter definitely spent more!)
  • They contrast this with examples of students overspending on food delivery services like DoorDash, emphasizing the need for clear budgeting conversations.

This episode helps families understand how everyday financial choices—payment apps, loan usage, and credit cards—can shape a student's financial future, and sets the stage for deeper conversations around responsible money management in college.

Questions?

If you have questions, feedback, or ideas for an upcomming show, we'd love to hear from you. You can email us at collegepreppodcast (at) gmail (dot) com

More about the hosts

Megan Dorsey is a parent, educator, and SAT/ACT prep expert. She graduated from Rice University and has over 25 years of experience helping students earn better scores and put together strong applications. Megan lives in Sugar Land, Texas and works with students in-person and on Zoom. You can find out more at CollegePrepResults.com.

Erin Tempest is the founder of Seattle Success Coaching where she and her team help families with a wide range of issues. Let Erin take the frustration out of learning with her academic support, exectuvie function coaching, and social/life skills packages. Her goal is to help parents get back to enjoying their kids. You can find out more at SeattleSuccessCoaching.com.

Megan and Erin break down how students and families can turn college fairs into a genuinely useful part of the college search process. Drawing on both student and admissions-side perspectives, they emphasize that preparation, smart engagement, and follow-up are what separate an overwhelming fair from a productive one. The conversation covers how to approach admissions representatives, what kinds of questions actually matter, and how to use college fairs to start meaningful connections with schools.

• Prepare in advance
  • Research participating colleges ahead of time and identify schools you want to prioritize.
  • Register early, bring a fully charged phone or charger, and consider bringing a notebook or using your phone to take notes.
  • Know basic facts so you can ask questions that go beyond what's on the website.
• Be strategic at the fair
  • Start with less crowded booths to build confidence, especially for younger students.
  • Listen in on conversations at busy booths to learn common questions and useful answers.
  • Talk to admissions representatives who are alumni or current students when possible for more authentic insights.
• Ask smart, specific questions
  • Focus on topics that aren't easily Googleable, such as campus culture, student support services, research or internship access, and typical class schedules.
  • Ask questions that help you understand fit, including geography, climate, and day-to-day student life.
• Engage thoughtfully
  • Take notes during or immediately after conversations to remember key details.
  • Be respectful of representatives' time while still showing genuine interest.
• Follow up after the fair
  • Send a brief, personalized email to admissions representatives you connected with.
  • Reference your conversation to reinforce interest and begin building a relationship.

Overall, Megan and Erin emphasize that college fairs are most valuable when students approach them with intention. With the right preparation and follow-up, these events can provide clarity, confidence, and meaningful connections in the college search process.

Here are some resources for finding fairs in your area:

• Colleges That Change Lives: https://ctcl.org/info-sessions/
• NACAC: https://www.nacacnet.org/wp-content/uploads/NCF-Spring-2026-Schedule.pdf
• Music: https://www.musicadmissionsroundtable.org/collegefairs
• Thespians: https://www.aada.edu/news-events/college-fairs-thespian-festivals/

Questions?

If you have questions, feedback, or ideas for an upcomming show, we'd love to hear from you. You can email us at collegepreppodcast (at) gmail (dot) com

More about the hosts

Megan Dorsey is a parent, educator, and SAT/ACT prep expert. She graduated from Rice University and has over 25 years of experience helping students earn better scores and put together strong applications. Megan lives in Sugar Land, Texas and works with students in-person and on Zoom. You can find out more at CollegePrepResults.com.

Erin Tempest is the founder of Seattle Success Coaching where she and her team help families with a wide range of issues. Let Erin take the frustration out of learning with her academic support, exectuvie function coaching, and social/life skills packages. Her goal is to help parents get back to enjoying their kids. You can find out more at SeattleSuccessCoaching.com.

In this episode, Megan and Erin break down effective college application strategies, using insights from a U.S. News article featuring Rice University's Dean of Admissions. Rice says it wants to see

• Academic excellence and intellectual curiosity
• Community engagement and contributions
• Students who really want to be here

Listen as Megan and Erin discuss

• How students can demonstrate intellectual curiosity
  • Curiosity can be shown through self-directed learning, independent research, summer programs, or exploration outside formal coursework
  • Letters of recommendation can reinforce curiosity and engagement with ideas and learning
• Community impact beyond traditional service
  • Community contribution can take many forms, including collaboration, leadership, and using personal strengths to support others
  • Rice values students who actively choose to engage with its collaborative and caring campus culture
• Evaluating college fit beyond prestige
  • Students should research course offerings, campus culture, and day-to-day student life
  • Campus visits help students determine whether a school aligns with their academic and social preferences

Here's the U.S. News article featuring Rice's Dean of Admissions:(https://www.usnews.com/education/getting-in/articles/2026-01-07/rice-university-college-applicants-advice).

Questions?

If you have questions, feedback, or ideas for an upcomming show, we'd love to hear from you. You can email us at collegepreppodcast (at) gmail (dot) com

More about the hosts

Megan Dorsey is a parent, educator, and SAT/ACT prep expert. She graduated from Rice University and has over 25 years of experience helping students earn better scores and put together strong applications. Megan lives in Sugar Land, Texas and works with students in-person and on Zoom. You can find out more at CollegePrepResults.com.

Erin Tempest is the founder of Seattle Success Coaching where she and her team help families with a wide range of issues. Let Erin take the frustration out of learning with her academic support, exectuvie function coaching, and social/life skills packages. Her goal is to help parents get back to enjoying their kids. You can find out more at SeattleSuccessCoaching.com.

Building a college list can feel overwhelming—and it's easy to get it wrong. In this episode of The College Prep Podcast, Megan and Erin break down the most common mistakes students and families make when creating a college list and explain how to avoid last-minute stress and disappointment.

Rather than focusing on the "perfect" way to build a list, the hosts walk through how not to do it. They discuss why waiting until senior year is a recipe for panic, why rankings and prestige don't tell you whether a school is actually a good fit, and how ignoring financial realities can derail the process later. Megan and Erin also unpack risky strategies like applying to only one or two schools, choosing colleges for superficial reasons or location alone, and basing an entire list on a prospective major—even though many students change majors once they're enrolled.

The conversation also tackles relationship-driven decisions, such as following friends or romantic partners to college, and why those choices so often lead to regret. Along the way, the hosts share real stories from their work with students and families to illustrate what can go wrong when the college list isn't built thoughtfully.

This episode is a must-listen for parents and students who want to start the college search earlier, make realistic and informed choices, and build a balanced list that reflects fit, finances, and flexibility—not panic or prestige.

Questions?

If you have questions, feedback, or ideas for an upcomming show, we'd love to hear from you. You can email us at collegepreppodcast (at) gmail (dot) com

More about the hosts

Megan Dorsey is a parent, educator, and SAT/ACT prep expert. She graduated from Rice University and has over 25 years of experience helping students earn better scores and put together strong applications. Megan lives in Sugar Land, Texas and works with students in-person and on Zoom. You can find out more at CollegePrepResults.com.

Erin Tempest is the founder of Seattle Success Coaching where she and her team help families with a wide range of issues. Let Erin take the frustration out of learning with her academic support, exectuvie function coaching, and social/life skills packages. Her goal is to help parents get back to enjoying their kids. You can find out more at SeattleSuccessCoaching.com.

When should students take the SAT or ACT—and how many times is enough? In this episode of The College Prep Podcast, Megan and Erin break down the ideal testing timeline and clear up common misconceptions that cause unnecessary stress for families.

They explain why junior year is the sweet spot for SAT and ACT testing, how many times students typically take these exams, and why finishing testing before senior year can make the college application process far less overwhelming. The conversation also covers strategic retakes, including why second attempts often lead to higher scores and how fee waivers and school-day testing can reduce costs.

Listeners will learn when test prep actually makes sense (and why starting too early can backfire), how to use the PSAT effectively in 10th grade, and what really matters when choosing between the SAT and ACT. Megan also shares practical guidance on scheduling tests around math coursework, AP exams, extracurricular commitments, and student motivation.

This episode provides a clear roadmap for parents and students who want to make smart, low-stress decisions about standardized testing—without falling for rumors or over-preparing too soon.

Questions?

If you have questions, feedback, or ideas for an upcomming show, we'd love to hear from you. You can email us at collegepreppodcast (at) gmail (dot) com

More about the hosts

Megan Dorsey is a parent, educator, and SAT/ACT prep expert. She graduated from Rice University and has over 25 years of experience helping students earn better scores and put together strong applications. Megan lives in Sugar Land, Texas and works with students in-person and on Zoom. You can find out more at CollegePrepResults.com.

Erin Tempest is the founder of Seattle Success Coaching where she and her team help families with a wide range of issues. Let Erin take the frustration out of learning with her academic support, exectuvie function coaching, and social/life skills packages. Her goal is to help parents get back to enjoying their kids. You can find out more at SeattleSuccessCoaching.com.

In this episode of The College Prep Podcast, hosts Megan and Erin tackle a question that causes a great deal of stress and confusion for students and parents alike: What do colleges really want from applicants? Moving beyond myths about perfect GPAs, nonstop leadership titles, and extreme extracurriculars, they explain how colleges evaluate students across a wide range of institutions, from community colleges to highly selective universities.

Megan and Erin break down the key factors colleges consider, including a student's ability to handle academic rigor, how well an applicant aligns with a school's institutional goals, and the ways students are likely to contribute to campus life. They discuss why transcripts matter more than just grades, how colleges think about fit, and why leadership and contribution look different for every student. The conversation also addresses less talked about realities of admissions, such as institutional priorities, rankings, financial considerations, yield, and the unavoidable role of chance in selective admissions.

The episode concludes with practical guidance on how families should use this information, especially when building a balanced college list. Megan and Erin emphasize focusing on mutual fit rather than prestige, understanding that rejection is not a personal failure, and choosing schools where students can both succeed academically and belong meaningfully.

Questions?

If you have questions, feedback, or ideas for an upcomming show, we'd love to hear from you. You can email us at collegepreppodcast (at) gmail (dot) com

More about the hosts

Megan Dorsey is a parent, educator, and SAT/ACT prep expert. She graduated from Rice University and has over 25 years of experience helping students earn better scores and put together strong applications. Megan lives in Sugar Land, Texas and works with students in-person and on Zoom. You can find out more at CollegePrepResults.com.

Erin Tempest is the founder of Seattle Success Coaching where she and her team help families with a wide range of issues. Let Erin take the frustration out of learning with her academic support, exectuvie function coaching, and social/life skills packages. Her goal is to help parents get back to enjoying their kids. You can find out more at SeattleSuccessCoaching.com.

Paying for college can feel overwhelming, especially for families who do not qualify for need based financial aid. In this episode, Megan and Erin break down how merit based scholarships really work and how families can be more strategic about reducing the cost of college.

What We Cover in This Episode

• The difference between need based aid and merit based scholarships • Why income level does not disqualify students from scholarship opportunities • How families should think about affordability when building a college list • The importance of choosing schools that want your student academically or talent wise • Megan's three step framework for maximizing scholarships – Identify your student's strengths and academic profile – Find colleges where your student is a strong match – Stay flexible and compare offers at the end • Why being a "big fish in a smaller pond" can be an advantage academically and financially • How GPA, rigor, and test scores are evaluated for scholarships • Why weighted GPA matters far less than most families think • Where private schools often have more flexibility than public universities • How to use college fairs, school counselors, and college websites to identify scholarship friendly schools • Why most scholarships are about getting more for less, not going to college for free • Alternative cost saving paths including community college, transfer options, and tuition reciprocity programs • Why private outside scholarships are usually supplemental rather than the main source of aid

Key Takeaway

Most scholarship money comes directly from colleges trying to attract the right students. Families who are open minded, realistic about fit, and strategic about school selection often see the biggest financial wins.

Have Questions About Scholarships?

Send your questions to [email protected] and let us know what topics you want us to cover next.

More about the hosts

Megan Dorsey is a parent, educator, and SAT/ACT prep expert. She graduated from Rice University and has over 25 years of experience helping students earn better scores and put together strong applications. Megan lives in Sugar Land, Texas and works with students in-person and on Zoom. You can find out more at CollegePrepResults.com.

Erin Tempest is the founder of Seattle Success Coaching where she and her team help families with a wide range of issues. Let Erin take the frustration out of learning with her academic support, exectuvie function coaching, and social/life skills packages. Her goal is to help parents get back to enjoying their kids. You can find out more at SeattleSuccessCoaching.com.