For those who want to attend business or grad school, whether you are newly graduated from college or you have several years of  work experience, applicants have to put their best foot forward in their application. Applying to college and applying to graduate or business school are two different games, but Alison Merzel, a former admissions counselor and founder of AHM Advising, provides advice to help applicants throughout the process. Alison also touches on how demonstrated interest factors into the application and the importance of connecting with your admission counselors to give you the edge in your application.

Networking is a key life skill and one that can start in high school. It all comes down to connections in life and as a high school or college student there are plenty of opportunities for growing your network locally at first. Lee Norwood shares her top five tips for how to grow your network.

What makes a great mentor? Someone who helps us when we are stuck, encourages us when we are excelling, and provides a sounding board when we need one. Mentors provide a new perspective on situations with a fresh set of eyes. Jake Horne founded The Student Compass to support young adults as they prepare to transition to our ever-changing and transforming new world. An increasing percentage of students are entering the workforce unprepared. The traditional way of teaching needs to change in order for students to be competitive in the marketplace. Experiential learning is one way students can strengthen and demonstrate their communications, critical thinking, problem solving and analytical skills. Jake shares his thoughts as an agent of change in the field of education. 

As we approach our 100th podcast, the College Scoops Team reflected on all the incredible advice and insights we have gathered through our outreach and interviews with experts in the college and career arena. Today, we are going to take a look back at some of their answers to a few of our favorite questions: What did you wish you knew before attending college? If you could go back to college and change one thing, what would it be? So stay-tuned to hear an awesome podcast!

There have been many discussions about how we can teach in a different way that fosters curiosity, critical thinking, problem solving skills, and discovery to demonstrate a true understanding and knowledge of concepts and material. Creating an atmosphere where teachers can get students engaged and curious is a challenge. The traditional tests and assessments administered in education at every grade are not indicative of what students actually know and understand. Quizzes and tests that ask students to regurgitate what they read does not necessarily mean they have mastered the material. Batsheva wants to help change the way we think about education. She hopes to influence how teachers can teach students in a way that focuses on authentic and creative assessments.

The average amount of time an admissions officer has to read your entire application is five minutes. How can students capture and keep the attention of an admissions officer (or interviewer) in such a short amount of time? How do you tell your story without ever meeting the person who’s deciding whether or not to admit you? What’s the story you want to tell? Students have spent three-four years working hard to compile an impressive application that will stand out to a college admissions team but five minutes is all you’ve got before you lose the reader or interviewer. It sounds like an impossible task but Eleanora Ferrante joins us to share how students can break this task down and accomplish what seems like the impossible.

As parents, getting our teens to talk to us can be challenging especially during the high school years. At times, it may seem like your son or daughter talks to everyone BUT you. Building a healthy relationship with your kids takes time, energy and patience. It is also a two-way street. We have to be open to listening even when it may be inconvenient for us. Dr. Tara Egan joins us today to share strategies on how parents and families can build healthy relationships by focusing on developing strong communication skills.

If getting one student through the college admission process is a feat of its own, imagine working with dozens at the same time! Wendy Andreen is a former high school college counselor who has done exactly that. She shares some of the advice that she has learned along her career: the perks of going to college fairs, the benefit of community resources, and even some insight from her own book, the Three “IN” Factors in College Admissions. She also talks about the Birkman Method, an empirical test that can help students in their fact-finding journey of what they might want to be in the future.

Have you heard of the high school whirlpool effect? It’s when students and parents get barraged with rumors and speculation about how to approach the college application process by others. Sheila Akbar, President and COO of Signet Education, works with students and parents to stay out of that frenzy and instead effectively plan how to make the application experience manageable. Sheila asks students the important questions, making sure that student’s goals and interests are reflected in their application.

From supplemental essays to SAT and ACT preparation, the college application process may seem like a daunting task for many students and parents. Beth and Greg Langston, founders of College Flight Plan, assist students through this stressful period and beyond. Beth and Greg take a holistic approach to the college application process, helping students find their purpose and passion along the way. Beth and Greg will share helpful tips on how to elevate one’s college experience, imparting the knowledge they have accumulated over the years as educators and business people.