The College Checklist Podcast

Today, I had the pleasure of chatting with Kelly Johnson. Kelly is an in-school counselor and also serves as Communications Chairman of the Indiana School Counselors Association.

In this episode, Kelly helps us understand the changing role of the in-school counselor. She also gives parents and students alike insight on how to best leverage the excellent resources available in their high school’s college counseling office.

 

Listen Now: Getting To Know Your In-School Counselor

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About Kelly Johnson

Kelly Johnson is a licensed, professional school counselor who has worked at both the elementary and high school level in Northwest Indiana. She holds College Admissions Specialist, Legal and Ethical Specialist, and Bullying Prevention Specialist certifications from the American School Counseling Association and is the Communications Chair of the Indiana School Counselor Association. She was also an Indiana High School Counselor of the Year nominee in 2015.

Show Notes

Just For Fun

Hear Lou Mongello and I talk about our favorite snacks in Disneyland. Head over to wdwradio.com/447 to take a listen!

Quotable Quotes

“We offer more than just guidance. We counsel in the social, emotional, and academic domains.”

“Students don’t always come to the counselor when they could get the help they need.”

“One common mistake families make is not saving enough for college.  Another is not understanding the admission requirements of our 4 year colleges.”

Lightning Round Q&A

Q1: What’s your best piece of advice for families as they begin this journey?

A1: Reach out to your school counselor and show them a little bit of love.

Q2: What is your favorite college admissions book, blog, or tool that no family should be without?

A2: The College Solution by Lynn O’Shaughnessy*

Q3: What should a family who is overwhelmed by the college admissions process focus on?

A3: Parents should be sure their student is working as hard as they can.

Q4: What are your all-time favorite books?

A4: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee* and Hard Choices by Hillary Clinton*

*These links are affiliate links through Amazon. You will not pay extra; however, we do receive a small reimbursement if you purchase through our links. Thank you for your support of The College Checklist Podcast!

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Today, I’m pleased to welcome Thomas Frank as a guest on The College Checklist Podcast. Thomas is the geek behind the popular blog, podcast, and YouTube channel College Info Geek. He provides advice for college students on how to study, how to get the jobs they want, and how to build a solid financial base.

In this episode, Thomas shares with us his tips on how college students should prepare to land their dream job.

Listen Now: How To Land Your Dream Job

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About Thomas Frank

Thomas Frank is the geek behind College Info Geek – a blog, podcast, and YouTube channel dedicated to helping college students do 3 things: hack their learning and get smarter, pay off their student debt and keep more dolla bills in the bank, and promote themselves and get every job they want. Thomas is a 2013 graduate of Iowa State University and a decided Ravenclaw – which this Gryffindor gal respects mightily.

Show Notes

Resources Mentioned

* How to be a High School Superstar by Cal Newport*

*This link is an affiliate link through Amazon. You will not pay extra; however, I do receive a small reimbursement if you purchase through my link. Thank you for your support of The College Checklist Podcast!

Quotable Quotes

“College is a time when opportunities are more concentrated.”

“Get involved with whatever on campus organizations align with your interests.  They will arrange trips to conferences.”

“Start looking for internships early in the school year so you will have one that you want for summer.”

“To present yourself you still need a paper resume and business cards if you have something to show, but the best thing to do is build your own website.”

Get In Touch With Thomas

* CollegeInfoGeek.com

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Today we have a very special guest! My mom, Francine Verbarg, makes her College Checklist Podcast debut! Our family has always been very focused on community service and Mom is the reason for that. She’s volunteered for various organizations from a very young age and shares her tips for getting involved in charity work.

In this episode, we share tips to help you begin service in your community that will help others while also building your authentic story for the college admissions process.

We also debut our new initiative here at Higher Scores Test Prep. Starting this year, 11% of our profits will be donated to our newly founded charity, Team Bobby V.

Team Bobby V is our family fundraising mission dedicated to raising $300,000 by 2025 for Progressive MS research. My dad, Higher Scores’ CFO Bob Verbarg was diagnosed with Progressive MS in 2010. We’re banding together with family and friends to find a cure for this terrible autoimmune disease by funding research sponsored in part by the Progressive MS Alliance and the National MS Society.

If you’d like to learn more about our mission, please visit TeamBobbyV.org.

Our Sponsor: SABRE Personal Safety Equipment

Did you know that 1 in 5 women is sexually assaulted on her college campus? 

SABRE is the #1 safety brand that is trusted by police and consumers worldwide.  SABRE specializes in personal safety equipment such as pepper spray and pepper gel. SABRE also offers standalone alarms for dorm rooms and apartments, as well as safety education with its Personal Safety Academy.

Use the code HIGHERSCORES to get a 20% discount code on all SABRE products. 

For less than $15, you can have peace of mind for your college student’s safety.

Purchase your campus safety products using the code HIGHERSCORES on SABRE’s website today.

Listen Now: Community Service and the College Admissions Process

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About Francine Verbarg

While raising two wonderful children and living in three states of this great country, Francine became a highly organized and structured leader of the household.  She further honed these skills as an advertising sales associate at the Los Angeles Times. She currently serves as the Higher Scores Test Prep delivery leader while continuing to volunteer with numerous community service organizations.

 

Show Notes

Resources Mentioned

* VolunteerMatch.org

* TeamBobbyV.org

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