Parents: Is Your Teen College Ready?

By Shellee Howard

Your teen is in middle school or high school, and college is on the horizon! Do you know where to begin? It can be overwhelming! Which college will be a good fit? Can you afford it? What is my teen pa... more

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FAQs about Parents: Is Your Teen College Ready?:

How many episodes does Parents: Is Your Teen College Ready? have?

The podcast currently has 159 episodes available.

Parents: Is Your Teen College Ready? episodes:

August 27, 2026How to Stand Out in College Admissions: Leadership, Essays & Strategy with Seth Skaff
What separates a strong college application from a collection of good grades, activities, and accomplishments?
College Ready student Seth Skaff joins Shellee Howard to share what he learned while navigating a highly competitive college admissions season. Seth is a high school senior involved in student government, Model United Nations, his school newspaper, Academic Decathlon, and varsity golf. Academically, he has taken an extensive schedule of AP exams and community college courses.
But Seth's story demonstrates an important lesson for families: standing out isn't simply about doing more. It's about pursuing activities you genuinely care about and creating a cohesive story around who you are.
Seth shares how he approached his applications strategically, including choosing majors based on his experiences and goals, researching individual universities, preparing for essays early, and considering the opportunities and career outcomes different colleges could provide. At the time of this conversation, Seth had already earned acceptances to multiple UC campuses, including UCLA, UC San Diego, UC Irvine's honors program, UC Davis, UC Santa Barbara, UC Riverside, UC Merced, and UC Santa Cruz, with Regents Scholarships at UC Davis and UC Santa Barbara and a scholarship at UC Merced.
In this episode, you'll hear about:
Why students don't need to fill their schedules with activities just to impress colleges

How genuine interests can develop into meaningful leadership

Why a student's activities, intended major, and application story should make sense together

How Seth approached major selection at different universities

Why students should research the rules around changing majors before applying

The value of seeing college essay prompts well before senior-year deadlines

How early preparation made the application process easier

What Seth learned from working with College Ready

Why having an experienced advisor helped clarify confusing admissions questions

How Seth evaluated colleges based on opportunities and career outcomes

What he wishes he had started earlier

How students can use AI for brainstorming and feedback while keeping their essays authentically their own
One of Seth's biggest lessons for younger students is simple: you probably can't start too early. College planning isn't about knowing your entire future in middle school or freshman year. Starting early gives students time to explore their interests, develop meaningful experiences, understand themselves, and eventually tell a much stronger story when application season arrives.
🎧 Listen to hear about the college admissions process directly from a student who has just lived it and what he believes made the biggest difference.
🎁 Episode Gift & Contact

🎓 College Planning Support for Parents
Want help organizing next steps and avoiding costly college mistakes?

📘 Workbook Gift:
https://go.collegereadyplan.com/podcast-gift-workbook

🤝 Interested in Collaborating with College Ready?
Email or call [email protected] (949)235-7350
...more
21min
August 20, 2026 Overwhelmed by College Applications? What Parent Rocky Dendo Wishes He Knew Before Senior Year
College admissions have changed dramatically, and for many parents, figuring out where to begin can be one of the hardest parts.
In this episode of Parents: Is Your Teen College Ready?, Shellee Howard talks with College Ready parent Rocky Dendo about his family’s experience navigating the college application process.
Rocky’s family began working with College Ready in January 2023. He shares how having a structured plan helped his daughter stay organized, work ahead of deadlines, strengthen her essays and activities list, and identify meaningful opportunities that supported her interests.
They also discuss how the process helped his daughter develop skills that extend beyond college admissions—including time management, prioritization, responsibility, and independence.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
• Why the modern college application process can feel so overwhelming
• The value of beginning college planning before senior year
• How meaningful extracurriculars, service, and leadership can strengthen a student’s story
• Why identifying a genuine interest can help students make more intentional choices
• How organization and accountability can reduce application-season stress
• The importance of starting essays and applications well before the deadline
• How thoughtful feedback can strengthen essays and activities lists
• Why high school counselors may not have the capacity to provide individualized college-planning support
• How the college planning process can help students become more independent and college-ready
• Rocky’s advice to parents who are just beginning the process
Rocky also shares some of the results his daughter had received at the time of the conversation, including college acceptances and partial scholarship offers, and why his family felt confident about the applications they submitted.
🎓 Not sure where your student stands?
Take College Ready’s FREE 2-Minute Assessment to get a clearer picture of where your student is now and what to focus on next:
https://collegereadyplan.com/?utm_source=twpp_podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=aug2026&utm_content=show_notes
🎁 Episode Gift & Contact

🎓 College Planning Support for Parents
Want help organizing next steps and avoiding costly college mistakes?

📘 Workbook Gift:
https://go.collegereadyplan.com/podcast-gift-workbook

🤝 Interested in Collaborating with College Ready?
Email or call [email protected] (949)235-7350
...more
31min
August 13, 2026How to Protect Your College Investment From the Unexpected — with John Fees
College planning usually focuses on admissions, scholarships, housing, and tuition. But there’s another question families should be asking:
What happens to the money we’ve invested if something unexpected prevents our student from finishing the semester?
In this episode of Parents: Is Your Teen College Ready?, Shellee Howard sits down with John Fees, co-founder of GradGuard, to discuss some of the financial risks families may overlook when sending a student to college.
John explains why he helped create GradGuard and how tuition insurance can provide protection when a student has to withdraw for a covered reason. He and Shellee also discuss the realities students can face once they’re living independently—from illness and mental health challenges to stolen belongings, dorm damage, accidents, and other unexpected disruptions.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why families should understand a college’s tuition refund policy before the semester begins

How an unexpected withdrawal can create a significant financial loss

How tuition insurance may help when a student must leave school for a covered medical or mental health reason

Why John believes mental and physical health should be treated with equal importance

What parents should know about renters insurance for students living on campus

Why FERPA and other important documents deserve attention when a student turns 18

How families can check for potential duplicate health insurance charges

Why it may be worth contacting your auto insurer when your student leaves for college

How travel insurance can factor into planning when a student attends college far from home

Why financial preparedness is part of helping students successfully navigate college life
Shellee and John also share an important reminder: preparing for unexpected situations isn’t about creating more fear around sending a student to college. It’s about understanding the risks, asking better questions, and knowing what protections are available before you need them.
The takeaway: College is too significant an investment to understand the financial risks only after something goes wrong.
Before your student starts the semester, learn the school’s refund policies, review your family’s existing insurance coverage, understand what you would be responsible for financially, and determine whether additional protection makes sense for your family.
🎁 Episode Gift & Contact

🎓 College Planning Support for Parents
Want help organizing next steps and avoiding costly college mistakes?

📘 Workbook Gift:
https://go.collegereadyplan.com/podcast-gift-workbook

🤝 Interested in Collaborating with College Ready?
Email or call [email protected] (949)235-7350
...more
24min
August 06, 2026Can Buying a Condo Save You Thousands on College? | Kathi Jesse Explains
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why college housing is often one of the largest out-of-pocket expenses for families

How buying a property near your student's college may help build equity instead of paying rent

The benefits of FHA "Kitty Condo" loans and low down payment financing options

How 1031 exchanges can help families preserve and grow their real estate investments

Potential tax advantages of owning student housing

Whether a condo or single-family home makes the best investment for college students

What to do if your student changes schools—or decides not to attend college

How real estate can become part of a long-term family wealth strategy

Questions parents should ask before investing in college housing

College planning considerations that can help families minimize debt and maximize financial flexibility
🎁 Episode Gift & Contact

🎓 College Planning Support for Parents
Want help organizing next steps and avoiding costly college mistakes?

📘 Workbook Gift:
https://go.collegereadyplan.com/podcast-gift-workbook

🤝 Interested in Collaborating with College Ready?
Email or call [email protected] (949)235-7350
...more
24min
July 31, 2026How AI Is Changing College Majors and Careers: What Every Parent Should Know | Kevin Zhu
Why AI is advancing faster than most people realize

The truth about choosing a college major today

Which careers may be most vulnerable to AI

Why human skills matter more than ever

How students can become future-ready

The importance of AI literacy for every family

Opportunities for students interested in AI research
🎁 Episode Gift & Contact

🎓 College Planning Support for Parents
Want help organizing next steps and avoiding costly college mistakes?

📘 Workbook Gift:
https://go.collegereadyplan.com/podcast-gift-workbook

🤝 Interested in Collaborating with College Ready?
Email or call [email protected] (949)235-7350
...more
37min
July 17, 2026The 3 Questions Every Parent Should Help Their Teen Answer Before College | Featuring James McLamb
In This Episode, You'll Learn:
The three questions every teen should be able to answer before leaving for college

Why anxiety, peer pressure, and loneliness are often symptoms of deeper issues

How to start meaningful conversations with your teen—without making them feel interrogated

Why identity, belonging, and purpose are essential for long-term success

How parents can reconnect with their teen, even if they feel like they've missed opportunities in the past

Ways to help high-achieving students avoid burnout while staying motivated

Why college readiness is really about preparing students for adulthood
Whether your teen is in middle school, high school, or getting ready to head off to college, this conversation will give you practical tools to build a stronger connection and help them develop the confidence and resilience they'll need for the future.
🎁 Episode Gift & Contact

🎓 College Planning Support for Parents
Want help organizing next steps and avoiding costly college mistakes?

📘 Workbook Gift:
https://go.collegereadyplan.com/podcast-gift-workbook

🤝 Interested in Collaborating with College Ready?
Email or call [email protected] (949)235-7350
...more
28min
July 16, 2026 Helping Your Teen Stand Out for College Through Purpose & Impact | Featuring Aishani Sheth
In This Episode, You'll Learn:
• Why meaningful experiences matter more than résumé-building
• How students can develop leadership and problem-solving skills before college
• What admissions officers value beyond GPA and test scores
• Why purpose-driven projects create stronger college essays and interviews
• How students gain mentorship from professionals at companies like Google, Bain, McKinsey, Goldman Sachs, and Deloitte
• The future-ready skills every student needs in an AI-driven world
• What parents can do to help their teen find direction without adding more pressure
🎁 Episode Gift & Contact

🎓 College Planning Support for Parents
Want help organizing next steps and avoiding costly college mistakes?

📘 Workbook Gift:
https://go.collegereadyplan.com/podcast-gift-workbook

🤝 Interested in Collaborating with College Ready?
Email or call [email protected] (949)235-7350
...more
21min
July 03, 2026From Robotics to Cornell: A Father-Son Blueprint for College Success with Aarav & Ritesh Kumar
In this episode, we discuss:
Aarav's path from a passion for robotics to Cornell Engineering

Building a college application around authentic interests instead of trying to impress admissions officers

How parents can support their students while encouraging independence

The importance of essays, extracurricular activities, leadership, and community service

Why starting the college planning process early creates more opportunities and reduces stress

How organization and mentorship can simplify the admissions process

Lessons Aarav wishes he had known before his senior year

Advice from both Aarav and Ritesh for families preparing for college admissions
🎁 Episode Gift & Contact

🎓 College Planning Support for Parents
Want help organizing next steps and avoiding costly college mistakes?

📘 Workbook Gift:
https://go.collegereadyplan.com/podcast-gift-workbook

🤝 Interested in Collaborating with College Ready?
Email or call [email protected] (949)235-7350
...more
22min
July 02, 2026The Hidden College Credit Strategy That Could Save Your Family Thousands with Josh See
Why college planning should begin long before senior year

The difference between AP, CLEP, and dual enrollment

How students can earn college credit before graduation

The hidden college credit program that's been around for over 50 years

How to avoid mistakes that could impact scholarships and financial aid

Why researching college credit transfer policies is essential

How earning early college credit can build confidence and reduce college costs
🎁 Episode Gift & Contact

🎓 College Planning Support for Parents
Want help organizing next steps and avoiding costly college mistakes?

📘 Workbook Gift:
https://go.collegereadyplan.com/podcast-gift-workbook

🤝 Interested in Collaborating with College Ready?
Email or call [email protected] (949)235-7350
...more
26min
June 25, 2026 The Truth About Financial Aid: Why Some Families Pay Less for College Than You Think with Jack Wang
In this episode, you'll learn:
• Why financial aid isn't based solely on income
• The difference between being accepted and being wanted by a college
• Why some families earning six figures still qualify for aid
• Common FAFSA misconceptions that cost families money
• How colleges determine scholarship and aid offers
• When a financial aid appeal makes sense
• Why every family should complete the FAFSA
• How to think strategically about student loans
• The importance of understanding your Student Aid Index (SAI)
• How to avoid costly college planning mistakes
🎁 Episode Gift & Contact

🎓 College Planning Support for Parents
Want help organizing next steps and avoiding costly college mistakes?

📘 Workbook Gift:
https://go.collegereadyplan.com/podcast-gift-workbook

🤝 Interested in Collaborating with College Ready?
Email or call [email protected] (949)235-7350
...more
31min

FAQs about Parents: Is Your Teen College Ready?:

How many episodes does Parents: Is Your Teen College Ready? have?

The podcast currently has 159 episodes available.