In this season-finale episode of From Classroom to Campus, we’ve curated the best college readiness advice shared by educators, school leaders, admissions professionals, and AP® experts throughout our first season.This episode features actionable insights on:- How educators can better prepare students for college success- College and career readiness strategies that actually work- What colleges value beyond GPA and test scores- AP® courses, rigor, and building critical thinking skills- Supporting diverse learners and closing opportunity gapsWhether you’re a teacher, counselor, administrator, or instructional leader, this episode is a perfect starting point if you’re new to the podcast — and a powerful recap if you’ve been with us since the beginning.We’re incredibly grateful for your support. Every view, subscribe, like, and comment truly makes a difference. We've come a long way since our launch in August, and your engagement helps us continue building a platform that elevates educators and celebrates the important work happening in schools every day.🎧 Season 2 launches in January — subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next.Until then, wishing you a restful and happy holiday season.00:00 – Best College Readiness Advice of the Season00:35 – Stop the College Checklist Mentality01:42 – What Colleges Actually Look for in Essays02:50 – Depth Over Breadth in AP Courses03:49 – Helping Students Discover Their Path04:37 – Why College Readiness Starts Earlier Than You Think05:19 – College Fit Matters More Than Prestige06:45 – Life Skills Students Need for College Success07:55 – SAT & ACT Prep That Actually Works09:58 – How AVID Builds College Readiness11:49 – Why GPA Alone Isn’t Enough14:00 – Why AP Courses Prepare Students for College14:44 – What Makes a Great AP Teacher17:14 – AP vs SAT: What Predicts College Success?19:29 – Grade Inflation and College Admissions21:41 – How Colleges Evaluate AP Course Loads24:10 – Advice for First-Generation College Students26:40 – Final Takeaway: College Admissions Is Human#CollegeReadiness #AdvancedPlacement #APCourses #APTeachers #collegereadiness #CollegeAdmissions #HighSchoolCounselors #SATPrep #ACTPrep #AVID #CollegePlanning #EducationLeadership #StudentSuccess #AcademicRigor #FirstGenStudents #FromClassroomToCampus

Carl Brown has taught it all — AP® Psychology, AP U.S. Government, and the groundbreaking AP African American Studies course, which he helped create. A veteran AP teacher, College BoardⓇ consultant, and nationally recognized presenter, Carl brings a wealth of wisdom to students, educators, and school leaders alike. 

In this episode of “From Classroom to Campus,” we explore how AP courses contribute to college readiness, why critical thinking is more important than ever, and what it takes to prepare the next generation of leaders. Whether you’re an AP teacher, counselor, or administrator, you’ll find strategies to help students excel on AP exams and strengthen the skills colleges value most.

Learn more about supporting students and teachers with UWorld’s Courses for AP:

https://collegereadiness.uworld.com/

With over 1 million students, the New York City Department of Education is the nation’s largest school system and a proving ground for innovations that ripple across the country.  Join Ainsley Rudolfo, executive director for programs and partnerships, as we explore how NYC is expanding access to college and career pathways, and how these equity-driven strategies can inspire educators everywhere.

Whether your students are eyeing Southern Methodist University or any other top university, this episode of “From Classroom to Campus” offers educators and counselors an insider’s look at what really happens in college admissions. 

Host Philip Bates sits down with Dante Branch from SMU Admissions to uncover what makes applicants stand out, the common pitfalls students should avoid, and how teachers can craft recommendation letters that truly make a difference. Packed with actionable insights and real-world tips you can’t look up on the internet, this episode empowers educators to better guide their students toward success on any campu

In this episode, Philip Bates dives into the growing wave of cell phone bans in schools, exploring why over half of U.S. states are implementing bans and what this means for student attention, academic performance, and mental health. Drawing on recent statistics, studies, and educator perspectives, we unpack how restricting phones isn’t just about reducing distractions; it’s about creating environments that foster real face-to-face interaction, reduce cyberbullying, and improve learning outcomes — key factors that strengthen students’ college readiness. Whether you're a teacher, parent, or school leader, this episode offers the data and insight to rethink how and why all states should restrict phones in schools.

What do educators really need to know about dyslexia and literacy? Dr. Anna Middleton from Scottish Rite for Children joins host Philip Bates to bust the biggest myths, share what effective support looks like in high school and college, and explain how the science of reading can transform student success.

AI is here—and it’s not going away. In this solo episode of From Classroom to Campus, host Philip Bates explores how Artificial Intelligence can shift from a source of fear to a tool for college readiness, equity, and student success. From cheating concerns to classroom innovation, Philip shares practical tips, real talk, and bold ideas for using AI responsibly in education. Whether you're a teacher, parent, or student, this episode will get you thinking—and rethinking—how we prepare learners for the future.

Corporate marketer-turned-educator Saki Milton shows how GEMS Camp (Girls interested in Engineering, Mathematics, and Science) crushes the middle-school cliff with hands-on projects, powerful role models, first-gen-friendly supports, and industry panels (Microsoft, Cummins) — plus fresh AI/prompt-engineering lessons educators can use right away.

Learn More about The GEMS Camp: https://www.thegemscamp.org/

Visible Learning by John Hattie:

https://www.amazon.com/-/de/dp/0415476186?&linkCode=sl1&tag=visiblelearni-20&linkId=feea8d562e6780e85593bc5c98ba9b66&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

In this episode, host Philip Bates is joined by Stacy Carroll, executive director of advanced academics and world languages, to talk about how school districts can identify hidden potential and build systems that propel students into rigorous, college-ready pathways.  

From supporting Advanced Placement® (AP®) teachers to nurturing gifted and talented learners, Stacy shares the behind-the-scenes strategies that are shaping the future of academic excellence.Learn More About Supporting Students & Teachers with UWorld's Courses for AP®: https://collegereadiness.uworld.com/ap/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=pardot&utm_campaign=cr_2025_fc2c%20podcast-b2b

In the first episode of our new series, “(Education) Things That Make You Go Hmmm,” we’re diving into the oddities of the education system—those head-scratching rules and traditions that leave everyone asking, “Wait… what?!”From confusing policies to unintended consequences, we’re unpacking issues like absenteeism and grade inflation with equal parts insight and humor.It’s part exposé, part educator therapy, and 100% designed to make you think (and laugh).Learn More: https://collegereadiness.uworld.com/ap/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=pardot&utm_campaign=cr_2025_fc2c%20podcast-b2b