The Prepped and Polished Podcast is an educational and inspirational show that offers tutoring and test prep tips as well as interviews with celebrities and leaders in education. It is hosted by Alexis Avila, founder of Prepped and Polished LLC, a tutoring and test prep firm for K-college.

On today's show, Alexis talks college consultant and founder of Top Choice College Consulting Eric Stutman. Eric uses his research and project management skills to help his Top Choice College Consulting clients find the best fit and stay on schedule. Eric earned a BS degree from the University of Virginia School of Engineering and an MS degree from Boston University's College of Engineering.

Today, Eric gives us his tips on how to reduce the stress of the college admissions process.

For another related converation check out my interview w NY Times Best Selling Author Frank Bruni, An antidote to college admission mania

Eric’s main goal to minimizing stress: help your student attend a college where he or she will be happy and thrive

Eric’s 7 tips to reducing stress:

1. Define Roles: Important for parent and child do decide what each person will do during this process

2. Listening to each other: Parents need to listen to what child is saying about what they want from his or her college experience and children need to listen to parents, and not shut parents out.

3. Get educated to help minimize the unknowns: Get educated on things like the whole college application process and financial aid.

4. Seek outside help: Seek out your guidance counselor, family friends, college consultants, and guide books.

5. Discuss college readiness: Figure out if your student is self motivated enough to advocate for him or herself in college or will he or she need extra support while at college.

6. Plan ahead: Start college visits in the Fall beginning of junior year while students are at the school. Have an SAT and ACT plan before junior year starts. And work on college apps summer going into senior year.

7. Find academic, social, and financial fit schools: Find a great fit school and think about these three things:

1. What is an academic good fit for your student?

2. How important is diversity to you? Greek Life? School spirit? School Politics?

3. Use school calculators to see if the cost works for you.

Eric’s final advice for teens? Make smart decisions and follow the 7 tips!

Enjoy, Thanks for Listening and remember at The Prepped and Polished Podcast, We Empower You to Take Control of Your Education!

For more information visit: Prepped and Polished.com.

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