Finding your way through college admissions often requires a team of supporters. This episode differentiates the role of high school counselors from that of an independent advisor to help you build your best support system.

Bridget and Kyla cover:

→ The key responsibilities of school counselors, from writing recommendation letters to hosting college reps and creating school profiles

→ How students at large public schools can advocate for themselves — even with limited access to their counselors

→ What independent college advisors can (and can’t) do — and why ethical boundaries matter

→ Why starting early with low-pressure planning can help students stay ahead and avoid last-minute stress

→ How to get quality support for essays, college lists, and early strategy — even without a private advisor

Knowing where the role of school counselor stops and independent advisor begins can make all the difference. That distinction isn’t just about titles — it’s about the strategy, structure, and support behind a student’s success.

📝 Download our free checklists for 9th, 10th, and 11th graders at scholarco.com/services

💬 Questions? Drop them in the comments — and don’t forget to subscribe!

In this episode of Not Your Mom’s Admissions, Bridget and Kyla offer a practical breakdown of how students — no matter their goals, bandwidth, or interests — can approach summer planning across 9th, 10th, and 11th grades.

They discuss:

→ The difference between maximalist and minimalist summer strategies, especially for rising seniors

→ How students can secure research, internship, and academic program opportunities (including when and how to start outreach)

→ Why part-time jobs and service work carry weight

→ Flexible approaches that help students discover, experiment, and stay competitive

Whether students are deep into college prep or just starting to discover their interests, this episode offers clear next steps for intentional summer planning.

🎧 Tune in wherever you get your podcasts, and visit scholarco.com for more insights.

Building a compelling college application isn’t about cramming senior year. It’s about consistent effort across all four.

In Episode 11 of Not Your Mom’s Admissions, Bridget and Kyla outline three foundational steps that help students stand out — no matter their goals or profile. From GPA and course selection to test-taking and volunteering, they explain how early, consistent choices can add up to a successful admissions outcome.

🎧 Tune in to get ahead — and visit scholarco.com for more tools and advice.

What should students do after being deferred from Early Action or Early Decision schools?

This episode of Not Your Mom’s Admissions breaks down post-deferral strategy—what works, what doesn’t, and what to avoid.

🎯 Actionable takeaways include:

→ Confirming submission of first semester grades

→ Crafting a compelling (but concise) Letter of Continued Interest

→ Knowing when late test scores or extra letters help and when they don’t

→ Navigating midyear course changes and how to notify colleges (not recommended!)

Bridget and Kyla offer calm, clear advice grounded in experience—plus one key reminder: don’t undo good work by overreacting.

This episode is a must-listen for families navigating Early Decision or Early Action deferrals.

Explore more insights at scholarco.com

📬 Early round admissions results are in — and they’re revealing more than just yes or no.

In Episode 9 of Not Your Mom’s Admissions, Bridget and Kyla break down what they’re seeing across Early Decision 1 (ED1) and Early Action (EA) outcomes in the 2025 admissions cycle.

They cover:

→ Why ED1 remains a strategic advantage for applicants

→ Why EA may not offer the same benefit — and what to do if you’re deferred

→ What early admissions trends suggest for Regular Decision (RD) strategy

Whether you’re celebrating, deferred, or still waiting, this episode offers insight and strategy to help you move forward with confidence.

🎧 Listen now and explore more at scholarco.com

Not all supplemental essays are created equal. Some are vague, some are overly specific, and many feel impossible to answer well — especially under pressure.

In this episode of Not Your Mom’s Admissions, Bridget and Kyla break down five of the most confusing prompt types students encounter, along with strategies to tackle each one:

→ Too many questions, too little space

→ The open-ended prompt: what are we answering again?

→ The hard pivot — shifting topics mid-response

→ Prompts written by committee (yes, it shows)

→ The oddly specific or downright random asks

They also offer key advice for juniors: use spring and summer to identify gaps in your academic or extracurricular narrative, and give yourself time to reflect on potential prompts before it’s time to write.

Listen now and explore more strategy at scholarco.com

College admissions comes with its own set of terms — and no one hands out a glossary (until now).

In Episode 7 of Not Your Mom’s Admissions, Bridget and Kyla define the phrases and acronyms students and families are most likely to hear as they navigate the process.

They explain:

→ What ED, EA, REA (and more!) mean

→ The difference between AP and IB — and between an “academic solid” and an elective

→ What qualifies as an “impacted major” and what “demonstrated interest” actually is

Whether you’re applying or advising, it’s worth brushing up on the basics. Tune in for a no-pressure guide to the jargon.

Explore more insights at scholarco.com

The college process your parents/grandparents went through? It’s not the one students face today.

In Episode 6 of Not Your Mom’s Admissions, Bridget and Kyla explore how the admissions landscape has evolved—from academic expectations to narrative strategy and application volume.

They unpack:

📈 The rise in GPA, rigor, and test score benchmarks

📬 How college lists have grown from 6-8 schools to 12+

🧭 Why the “hook” has taken the place of being “well-rounded”

Understanding the why behind these changes helps students and families make smarter, more strategic choices today.

Explore more insights at scholarco.com

✉️ Early results are in — now what?

In Episode 5 of Not Your Mom’s Admissions, Bridget and Kyla break down how to navigate the post–early admissions phase with strategy and clarity:

📌 What to know about Restrictive Early Action (REA), Single Choice Early Action (SCEA), Early Decision (ED), and Early Action (EA)

🧭 What steps to take once decisions are released

📬 How to approach Regular Decision with composure and intention

One result doesn’t define the journey — this episode helps you make the next move count.

Explore more insights at scholarco.com

Hey, Juniors! While college apps may still feel far off, now’s when strategy starts to matter.

This episode of Not Your Mom’s Admissions zeroes in on the key actions that quietly shape standout applications later on:

📝 Testing: Why taking the SAT/ACT this year pays off later

🎯 Building a narrative: Programs, internships, and exploration that signal real interest

🏫 Creating a college list that actually fits and how to approach campus visits without overthinking it

If you’re wondering when the college process really begins — the answer is now.

Explore more insights at scholarco.com