Get all the late, breaking news from the college admissions world! Megan highlights SAT/ACT changes, test optional vs. SAT/ACT required, auto-admission to colleges, erasing past mistakes, and Early Action/Early Decision/Restricted Early Action debates. Get caught up on all that’s coming up in the college prep world!

https://www.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2025-10-27/college-admissions-early-decision-lawsuit-students

The post 604: What’s New in College Admission (fall 2025) appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

Chat GPT and AI are here. It can create and essay in a fraction of the time it takes the typical high schooler and many families are looking to it to ease the college application process. Megan and Erin provide some thoughts on when to use it (and when not to) for a truly spectacular college essay.

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-takes/2025/10/06/admissions-essays-written-ai-are-generic-and-easy-spot

The post 603: How can I use AI and Chat GPT for College Applications? appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

So many changes and redesigns – what is the current information? When should we fill it out? What tax year do we report? Megan helps answer all those questions without you having to search around amongst conflicting information to be ready for financial aid!

The post 602: FAFSA Refresh Fall 2025 appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

Maria writes and asks how high school students might get valuable lab experience in order to be more competitive. What should a STEM student do if their high school doesn’t offer research opportunities? Megan and Erin discuss strategies for high school students to gain research and lab experience.

The post 601: LISTENER QUESTION: How to get Research and Lab Experience appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.