School may be out, but the decisions that shape a student’s future do not take the summer off.The From Carpool to College Summer Series, sponsored by Lake Born Coffee, brings listeners some of our most valuable conversations about college planning, admissions, career exploration, parenting adolescents, and preparing students for life after high school.Hosted by experienced educators and college consultants Tracy Amedeo and Tara Horutz, From Carpool to College gives families practical, honest guidance from professionals who work directly with students, parents, schools, and the college admissions process.We believe families deserve clear information before important decisions are made—not after deadlines are missed, opportunities are lost, or parents are left saying, “I wish I knew then what I know now.” Pour yourself a cup of Lake Born Coffee after grabbing a 10% disacount using code CARPOOL10 and join us for conversations designed to help you:

• Understand how high school decisions affect future college options
• Build a thoughtful and realistic college list
• Navigate applications, essays, financial aid, testing, and admissions
• Explore college, career, trade, and postsecondary pathways
• Support students academically, socially, and emotionally
• Raise confident, resilient, and increasingly independent young adults

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What if the bravest thing a young person could do… wasn’t getting into the “right” college?

In one of the most profound conversations we’ve ever had on From Carpool to College, we sit down with Maggie Doyne — bestselling author, CNN Hero, founder of BlinkNow, and one of the most deeply authentic voices we’ve encountered in the world of education, purpose, and human development.

At 18 years old, Maggie took a gap year that changed the trajectory of her life forever. What began as a backpacking trip became a global mission that would ultimately transform the lives of hundreds of children in Nepal through the creation of the Kopila Valley Children’s Home and School.But this episode is about something even bigger.It’s about the dangerous pressure we place on teenagers to tether their worth to prestige, rankings, acceptance letters, and “dream schools.” It’s about fear, identity, parenting, mental health, and the courage it takes to ask a different question:“Who is this child becoming?” 

Maggie challenges nearly every assumption our culture makes about success, education, and the college admissions race, and honestly, we needed this conversation as much as our listeners will. Her wisdom is grounding, provocative, compassionate, and deeply human.This may be one of the most important episodes we’ve ever released.If you are a parent, educator, counselor, or student trying to navigate the overwhelming pressure of modern achievement culture, this conversation will stay with you long after it ends. S3, E15

Topics include:

• Gap years and “launch years”
• Redefining success
• College admissions pressure and identity
• Parenting through fear
• Mental health and achievement culture
• Why rejection can become redirection
• The questions we should really be asking young people
• Purpose, humanity, and building a meaningful life

We adore and deeply respect Maggie Doyne, not simply for what she has built, but for how courageously and compassionately she sees people.This episode felt less like an interview…and more like a wake-up call. 

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What happens when professors keep talking after the official interview ends… and the microphones are still rolling? In this special bonus episode pulled from the tail end of our AI series, Professors Tom and Dawn join Tracy, Tara, and the team for a candid, funny, and surprisingly honest conversation about what educators really see happening with today’s students.From helicopter parenting and grade inflation to the Dunning-Kruger effect and the importance of letting kids struggle before college, this off-the-record conversation became an accidental masterclass in resilience, humility, and academic readiness.The group discusses: Why failure in middle and high school can actually be a gift, What happens when students arrive at college without study skills, How inflated grades can distort self-awareness, The emotional shock many high-achieving students experience in college, Why professors care far more about learning than letter grades, How parents can better prepare students for independence and adulthoodIt’s thoughtful.

It’s cheeky. It’s occasionally brutal. And it’s probably the conversation many professors wish all parents could hear.Whether you’re raising a middle schooler, a high school senior, or a future college student, this episode may completely change the way you think about success, struggle, and preparation for life after high school. S3, E14

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Think talent alone will get your student-athlete recruited? There’s a lot more happening behind the scenes.

In Part 2 of our College Athletics Recruiting 101 series, veteran coach and recruiting expert Jerry Flora is back in the carpool with Tracy and Tara to dig deeper into what today’s student-athletes and their families need to know about the recruiting process. College athletic recruiting has changed dramatically, and many families don’t realize just how much goes into it until they’re already trying to catch up. Coach Flora walks us through showcases, combines, camps, highlight reels, social media, and the increasingly important role of networking and building relationships with college coaches.But getting recruited isn’t only about stats, speed, or what happens on game day.

We talk about character, communication, academics, work ethic, and the qualities coaches are paying attention to when they consider whether an athlete will be a good fit for their program.We also tackle some of the bigger pieces of today’s college athletics landscape, including NCAA eligibility requirements, recruiting timelines, NIL, and the transfer portal. With so many moving parts, understanding the process early can help families make better decisions and avoid spending time, money, and energy in the wrong places.And while football gives us plenty to talk about, this conversation reaches far beyond the football field.

Whether your student plays baseball, soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, or another competitive sport, many of the same recruiting lessons apply.If your student hopes to compete at the next level, Coach Flora offers a valuable reminder: getting recruited isn’t about waiting for a college coach to discover you. It’s about understanding the process, putting yourself in the right places, building genuine relationships, and finding a program where you can succeed as both an athlete and a student. (Part 2 of 2) S3, E13

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Does your high school athlete dream about playing football in college? The recruiting process can feel like a whole different college admissions system, complete with its own rules, timelines, terminology, and expectations.

In Part 1 of our two-part College Athletics Recruiting 101 series, From Carpool to College welcomes special guest Coach Jerry Flora to help families understand how college football recruiting really works.Coach Flora takes us behind the scenes of the recruiting process and helps separate reality from what parents and athletes may see on social media. We talk about what college coaches are actually looking for, how athletes get noticed, when recruiting conversations should begin, and why being a talented player is only one piece of the puzzle.We also explore the importance of academics, communication, game film, camps, exposure, and finding programs that make sense for the student both athletically and academically.

Playing college football isn't simply about getting recruited. It's about finding a school and a program where your student can realistically compete, contribute, grow, and earn a degree.And parents, this process has boundaries for us too. We talk about how families can support an aspiring college athlete without taking over the recruiting process and why students need to learn how to communicate with coaches and advocate for themselves.Whether your athlete is dreaming about Division I football or simply wondering if playing at the next level is possible, Coach Flora helps us start making sense of the recruiting landscape.This is College Athletics Recruiting 101, because before you start chasing offers, you need to understand how the game is played. (Part 1 of 2) S3, E12

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You’ve accepted. You’ve deposited. You bought the sweatshirt. Now what?

After months, and sometimes years, of college searching, applications, essays, visits, decisions, and waiting, your student has finally chosen a college. It feels like you’ve crossed the finish line, but there are still a few things to tackle before move-in day!

In this episode of From Carpool to College, Tara and Tracy talk about what happens after your student says “yes” to their college. From housing and roommate decisions to orientation, placement testing, course registration, financial details, health forms, and all those emails your student suddenly needs to start reading, there is a whole new set of responsibilities coming their way.We also talk about an important shift for parents. Up until now, you may have been heavily involved in keeping track of deadlines, paperwork, and appointments. But college is coming, and this is a great time to start handing some of that responsibility over to your student. There’s also the emotional side of this transition. The college decision may be made, but senior year isn’t over yet. Students are balancing excitement about what’s ahead with goodbyes, graduation, friendships, nerves, and the realization that life is about to change in a very big way. Parents are feeling plenty of those emotions, too.

So celebrate the decision, take the pictures, wear the college gear, and enjoy the moment. Then start preparing your student for what comes next. Because getting into college was one journey. Learning how to actually go to college is another one entirely. S3, E 11

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So your student has chosen a college essay topic. Now what? In this second episode on the college essay, From Carpool to College moves beyond brainstorming and into strategy. We take a closer look at what can turn an ordinary essay into one that gives an admissions reader a genuine sense of the student behind the application.Drawing from our professional experience and trusted resources like College Essay Guy and College Board, we break down some of the most common essay mistakes and share strategies students can use to strengthen their writing without losing their own voice in the process.

What makes an opening memorable? How much of the essay should focus on the experience versus what the student learned from it? Does the topic need to be extraordinary? And how can students stop trying to sound like what they think a college admissions officer wants and start sounding like themselves?We also talk about the mindset that can make the essay process unnecessarily stressful.

Students often believe they need a dramatic story, a life-changing experience, or the perfect topic to stand out. In reality, some of the strongest essays begin with seemingly ordinary moments and become meaningful because of the way the student reflects on them. And parents, we haven’t forgotten about you. We discuss how to offer useful feedback without rewriting, overediting, or accidentally removing the very personality that makes the essay belong to your child.If your student is staring at a blank document, rewriting the same paragraph for the tenth time, or wondering whether their essay is “good enough,” this episode offers practical direction, reassurance, and strategies to help them move forward.The goal isn’t to write the perfect college essay. It’s to write an essay that could only have been written by your student. S3, E10

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What happens when your student just doesn’t fit the traditional college mold?Maybe the typical high school-to-four-year-college path doesn’t feel right. Maybe the idea of choosing a traditional major feels limiting. Or maybe your student needs more time, more exploration, or simply a different kind of educational experience before deciding what comes next.

In this episode of From Carpool to College, we explore what can happen when families stop trying to make their student fit the path and start looking for a path that fits their student.We talk about colleges like College of the Atlantic, where education is intentionally designed around a student’s interests rather than a long list of predefined majors. For the right student, a less traditional college experience can provide the freedom to connect interests, explore possibilities, and create an education that feels meaningful and personal.We also revisit the idea of the gap year and why taking time before college doesn’t have to mean falling behind. A thoughtfully planned gap year can give a young adult the opportunity to work, travel, volunteer, explore careers, develop independence, and gain the clarity and maturity to make better decisions about what comes next. Most importantly, we talk about the kids who don’t seem to fit neatly into the boxes presented to them. Instead of asking, “How do we make this student fit?” maybe we should be asking, “Where will this student thrive?”Finding that answer sometimes requires looking beyond the traditional options and having someone in your corner who understands the alternatives.

School counselors and educators do incredibly important work, but they are often supporting hundreds of students at once. Families may need to seek out additional guidance, ask different questions, and explore possibilities they didn’t even know existed. There is no prize for taking the most conventional route. The goal is to help your student build a future that reflects who they are, what matters to them, and who they are becoming. Sometimes the kid who doesn’t fit the mold doesn’t need to change. Sometimes you just need a different mold. S3, E9

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The banners are flying, the marching band is playing, the swag is everywhere, and suddenly everyone is ready to commit. Welcome to Accepted Students Day! In this episode of From Carpool to College, Tara takes us along for the ride after attending an Accepted Students Day and shares what the experience is really like for students and parents.Once that acceptance letter arrives, colleges shift gears. They’re no longer trying to decide if they want your student. Now, they want your student to choose them. Accepted Students Day can come with plenty of excitement and fanfare, from packed auditoriums and enthusiastic student ambassadors to campus tours, information sessions, giveaways, and celebrations designed to make accepted students picture themselves on campus.But beneath all that excitement is an important opportunity. This may be one of your student’s last chances to take a serious look at a college before making a final decision.Tara shares what she noticed, what families should pay attention to, and why it’s important to look beyond the balloons and school spirit. How do the students interact with one another? Can your teen picture themselves living there? What does the campus feel like now that they’re viewing it as a potential student rather than an applicant?Accepted Students Day should be fun, but it’s also a chance to ask questions, revisit priorities, compare options, and gather the information your student needs to make a confident decision. Enjoy the celebration. Grab the free T-shirt. Take the pictures. Just remember that once the fanfare fades, the real question is still the same: Can your student see themselves calling this place home? S3, E8

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NIL is not a plan—it’s a possibility.The world of college athletics has changed—fast.With the introduction of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), student-athletes now have the opportunity to earn income, build personal brands, and leverage social media in ways that didn’t exist just a few years ago.But with opportunity comes complexity.In this episode of From Carpool to College, we sit down with Chris D’Avanzo, attorney and founder of NIL in Motion, to break down what NIL actually means for high school students and their families—and what it doesn’t.We move beyond the headlines to give parents a grounded, realistic understanding of how NIL fits into the college planning process.Because this isn’t just about sports—it’s about identity, decision-making, and long-term strategy.Because this isn’t just about sports & influencing...it’s about identity, decision-making, and long-term strategy.
 What You’ll Learn

• What NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) actually is—and why it exists
• How NCAA rule changes reshaped college athletics
• The difference between perception vs. reality when it comes to NIL money
• Why very few athletes earn significant income—and what families often misunderstand
• How social media presence can impact opportunities (and risks)
• The role of agents, collectives, and third-party organizations
• What high school athletes should be doing now if they’re interested in NIL
• How NIL fits into a broader college and career strategy—not just athletics

Our PerspectiveAt Academic Mentoring, we guide families to think beyond hype and headlines.College planning is not just about admission—it’s about helping your child develop direction, resilience, and informed decision-making in a rapidly changing landscape.NIL is one piece of that landscape—not the foundation.🔗 Resources & Next Steps

• Learn more about NIL opportunities and compliance through the NCAA
• Explore guidance and education from NIL professionals like Chris D’Avanzo
• Visit Academic Mentoring, LLC for personalized college and career planning support

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