Got a student studying for the SAT? Today’s episode is a must listen!

Join us as Michelle McAnaney of The College Spy speaks with Heathery Krey, co-owner of World Class Tutoring. With Bachelor’s degrees from Lehigh University in Engineering and Psychology and multiple master’s degrees, Heather tutors students across all subjects covered in the SAT and ACT. Her services have been incredibly helpful to many students from The College Spy, helping them to boost their scores with current testing strategy and hands on practice.

In this episode, we’ll cover:

Also in this episode:

Admissions Tip of the Day: If your acceptance letter came with a merit scholarship, make sure you ask these two questions:

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College Spotlight: Champlain College

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Key points in this episode

2:34 Meet Heather Krey of World Class Tutoring

4:42 What is the digital SAT and how does it differ from the prior version

5:03 SAT then and now

6:06 Desmos, the digital graphing calculator

7:21 The four modules of the SAT and how the test adapts to each student

13:03 Recommendations for students taking upcoming tests

20:50 How the SAT and ACT have diverged

21:10 All about World Class Tutoring

23:41 Admissions Tip of the Day

24:04 College Spotlight on Champlain College

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Learn more about World Class Tutoring:  https://worldclasstutoring.com/

Read the podcast transcript.

Register for the next College 101 session: https://thecollegespy.com/coursesandcamps/college-admissions-101

Learn more about The College Spy and the admissions advisory services offered by Michelle and her team -- Go to The College Spy Website

Contact Michelle McAnaney at [email protected]

Join us for an interview with Aaron Basko, author of “Find Your Purpose. Manage Your Career.” As a higher education leader, speaker and author, Aaron has led four different colleges to enrollment turnarounds and been quoted in Forbes, Inside Higher Ed and the Chronicle of Higher Education. Today, we’ll be talking about his practical book full of hands-on advice to help students discover where their passions lie and turn that into a rewarding career.  Also in this episode:

Admission Tip of the Day: There is a wide range of competitiveness in college athletics from Division I to club sports to intramural sports. If sports have been an important and positive part of your high school career, look for ways that it can be part of your college life too! There will be a level where you are ‘good enough’ to play!

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College Spotlight: American University

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Key points in this episode

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2:58 Aaron’s favorite way to help people maximize their potential

3:15 The 3 reasons why Michelle loved Aaron’s book

4:30 The 3 keys to a career fit: design, desire and demand

6:14 Why grade 10 is a good place to start

8:06 Why “find your passion” isn’t enough

11:49 Michelle’s love/hate relationship with assessments

17:25 Managing your ‘brand’ in the admissions process

19:33 Aaron’s insider tip on triangulation

21:22 What typical career paths look like today

22:42 The power of informational interviews

26:58 How to get Aaron’s book

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Read the podcast transcript

Learn more about Aaron Basko on LinkedIn

Order Aaron’s book on Amazon

Register for the next College Admissions 101 session: https://thecollegespy.com/coursesandcamps/college-admissions-101

Learn more about The College Spy and the admissions advisory services offered by Michelle and her team -- Go to The College Spy Website

Contact Michelle McAnaney at [email protected]

Join us for an interview with Lisa Delfino, The College Spy’s academic coach for students with learning differences. As a Nationally Board Certified (NBCT) Exceptional Needs Specialist, Lisa is certified to teach students with mild and moderate learning differences. Listen to learn how to help your student during the third quarter slump (hint: It’s on their back!). You’ll also discover the best time to start academic coaching and how to shift your goals to prioritize independence and organization over grades and exams. 

Also in this episode:

Admission Tip of the Day: On campus visits, always ask about upcoming changes planned for the campus. This is a quick way to learn what is important to this college now and where they will make investments going forward. 

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College Spotlight: College of Charleston

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Key points in this episode

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2:56 Meet Lisa Delfino

3:51 How to help your neurodivergent student stay motivated through the year (especially 3rd quarter)

4:57 The first place to help your student get organized - “Let’s clean out your backpack!”

6:58 How to make a checklist to help students deal with feelings of overwhelm

9:11 Lisa and Michelle’s thoughts on digital vs. paper tools

11:20 What is academic life coaching - learning, time management, anxiety

15:25 Reminding parents that ‘all kids grow up’

16:09 Why 10th grade is the sweet spot for starting academic coaching

21:54 Helping parents pull back

24:15 Redefining success from grades to practicing independence

26:44 College Admissions 101 details

28:49 College Spy Tip of the Day

29:16 College Spotlight: College of Charleston

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Read the podcast transcript: https://thecollegespy.com/s/The-College-Spy-Podcast-Episode-13-Transcript.pdf

Learn more about Lisa Delfino: https://thecollegespy.com/meet-the-team

Register for the next College Admissions 101 session: https://thecollegespy.com/coursesandcamps/college-admissions-101

Learn more about The College Spy and the admissions advisory services offered by Michelle and her team -- Go to The College Spy Website

Contact Michelle McAnaney at [email protected]

Join us for our interview with Diane Dempster (CPC, PCC, MHSA) of Impact Parents. As a coach, educator and speaker, Diane works with parents of complex kids of all ages to figure out how to allow their students to become more independent. Diane shares the four roles that parents can take on - director, collaborator, supporter, champion - and helpful advice for parents to shift their style as kids grow and mature. You’ll also learn why connecting and building trust with your student is fundamental to having those meaningful conversations and how this applies to the college admissions process.

Also in this episode:

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Admission Tip of the Day: Make a list of the resources you think you will need on campus like a writing lab, math tutor or internship support. Make sure that your list of target universities includes these resources and pay them a visit while you are on campus.

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College Spotlight: Rhode Island School of Design

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Key points in this episode

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2:15 Meet Diane Dempster of Impact Parents

3:55 The four types of parenting roles (director, collaborator, supporter, champion)

6:05 Why working with someone who is not the parent can be helpful

9:27 Why kids say ‘I don’t know’

10:24 Setting a day to talk college

14:08 What coaching requires

15:22 ‘Getting help’ as an adulting skill

16:36 How to get help from Impact Parents

20:32 The College Spy’s Tip of the Day

21:21 College Spotlight on the Rhode Island School of Design

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Read the podcast transcript: https://thecollegespy.com/s/The-College-Spy-Podcast-Episode-12-Transcript.pdf

Get your free guide from Impact Parents: https://impactparents.com/spy

Learn more about Diane and Impact Parents: https://impactparents.com/

Register for the next College Admissions 101 session: https://thecollegespy.com/coursesandcamps/college-admissions-101

Learn more about The College Spy and the admissions advisory services offered by Michelle and her team -- Go to The College Spy Website

Contact Michelle McAnaney at [email protected]

In this spring episode, Michelle covers a hot topic - academic rigor. As parents and students look to make course selections for the upcoming school year, this episode provides useful guidance and considerations they may not have though of yet when choosing classes.

Learn what colleges are looking for regarding academic rigor. Dive into what academic rigor means and why it’s not just AP and IB courses. Why do colleges want to see students who are choosing to challenge themselves in high school? And what does it predict about future college success? This episode will help parents and students make smart choices for their fall high school classes. 

Also in this episode:

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Admission Tip of the Day: On college visits, let your child express their opinion first and then you, as the parent, chime in afterwards. To find out what they really think,  let your child process the experience on their own and form an opinion before you voice yours.

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College Spotlight: Vanderbilt University

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Key points in this episode

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1:48 Definition of academic rigor

2:56 The job of an admissions advisor

4:04 The qualities that strong academic rigor demonstrates

5:01 The College Spy’s recommendation on academic rigor

5:42 Common concerns from families 

9:10 How to get your specific college admissions questions answered

9:39 All about College Admissions 101

11:40 Tip of the Day

12:27 College Spotlight: Vanderbilt University

15:02 Interesting facts about Vanderbilt

15:46 Interview with a Vandy student

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Read the podcast transcript: https://thecollegespy.com/podcast

Register for the next College 101 session: https://thecollegespy.com/coursesandcamps/college-admissions-101

Learn more about The College Spy and the admissions advisory services offered by Michelle and her team -- Go to The College Spy Website

Contact Michelle McAnaney at [email protected]

In this episode, Michelle McAnaney of The College Spy interviews Elliot Felix, author of “How to Get the Most Out of College: 127 Ways to Make Connections, Make it Work for You, and Make a Difference.” We discuss spaces on campus like libraries and residence halls that can help prospective students decide which college would be the best for them. We also discuss the shift from papers to projects, the importance of experiential learning and research tips to navigate college websites to find out what you really want to know.

Elliott combines his background in architecture with his graduate education to help universities create their future campus design and student experience. He founded Right Spot Strategy, a higher ed consultancy and has worked with over 100 universities on the entire student experience including Carnegie Mellon, MIT, NYU, NC State, and the University of Virginia.

Also in this episode:

Admission Tip of the Day

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College Spotlight: Williams College

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Key points in this episode

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2:33 Main Segment: Interview with Elliot Felix

8:20 How libraries are changing from places to access information to places to create information

8:53 The transformation from papers to projects

10:53 How using the library is linked to students graduation rates

16:20 How to engage with helpful services on campus

18:05 Students concerns about making friends and getting along with roommates

19:20 Funding on campus and how that connects to choosing a college

22:40 College 101 by The College Spy covering how to build a college list, how to choose from the ACT & SAT, the college application timeline and an overview of financial aid

24:08 Tip of the day about listing hobbies on college applications

24:45 College Spotlight: Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts

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Read Elliot Felix’s book: https://www.elliotfelix.com/book

Listen to Elliot’s podcast: https://www.elliotfelix.com/podcast

Read the podcast transcript: https://thecollegespy.com/podcast

Register for the next College 101 session: https://thecollegespy.com/coursesandcamps/college-admissions-101

Learn more about The College Spy and the admissions advisory services offered by Michelle and her team: https://thecollegespy.com/

Contact Michelle McAnaney at [email protected]

In this episode, Michelle McAnaney interviews Sol Rosenbaum, an engineer and founder of The Engineering Mentor about the soft skills engineers need that aren't taught in college, as well as various factors a high school student could consider as they search for a perfect college, such as ABET certification and the ability to sit for the professional licensing exam. They also discuss whether selectivity is important when choosing an engineering program.

Also in this episode:

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Admissions Tip of the Day: Reasons High School Students Need a Resume

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College Spotlight: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

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1:32: Main Segment: Interview with Sol Rosenbaum

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27:04: Help with College Visits from the Talking College™ Campus Visits card deck

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28:00: Admissions Tip of the Day: Reasons High School Students Need a Resume

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28:44: College Spotlight Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology: 28:44

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The Engineering Mentor website: https://www.theengineeringmentor.com

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Podcast Transcript -- Go to Episode 9 Transcript

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Learn more about The College Spy and the admissions advisory services offered by Michelle and her team -- Go to The College Spy Website

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Contact Michelle McAnaney at [email protected]

In this episode, Michelle McAnaney speaks school counselor and independent educational consultant, Piet Lammert, about the differences between school counselors and independent educational consultants, how to use your school counselor more effectively and reasons to hire an independent educational consultant.

Also in this episode:

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Admissions Tip of the Day: Estimating the Cost of College with Net Price Calculators

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College Spotlight: Bowdoin College

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1:29: Main Segment: Interview with Piet Lammert.

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35:46: The College Spy Can Speak at Your School.

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36:23: Admissions Tip of the Day: Net Price Calculators.

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37:06: College Spotlight Bowdoin College.

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Dirigo College Consulting Website: https://www.dirigocollegeconsulting.com

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Podcast Transcript -- Go to Episode 8 Transcript

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Listen to a recording of The College Spy’s Extracurricular Activities Webinar HERE

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Learn more about The College Spy and the admissions advisory services offered by Michelle and her team -- Go to The College Spy Website

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Contact Michelle McAnaney at [email protected]

In this episode, Michelle McAnaney speaks with Dale Troy about the transition to college. They talk about a proactive approach to parenting teens that will help teens develop the independent skills and confidence and thrive in college.

Also in this episode:

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Admissions Tip of the Day: Reasons to tour colleges early (before grade 11).

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College Spotlight: DePauw University.

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2:40:  Main Segment: Interview with Dale Troy.

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31:53:  College Admissions 101.

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33:11:  Admissions tip of the day: Tour colleges early.

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33:37:  College Spotlight: DePauw University.

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Crush College Stress Website: https://crushcollegestress.com

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Dale Troy’s Facebook Group, College Parent Support Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CollegeParentSupportCommunity

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Podcast Transcript -- Go to Episode 7 Transcript

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Learn More about College Admissions 101: https://thecollegespy.com/coursesandcamps/college-admissions-101

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Learn more about The College Spy and the admissions advisory services offered by Michelle and her team -- Go to https://thecollegespy.com/

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Contact Michelle McAnaney at [email protected]

In this episode, Michelle McAnaney, college admissions expert and founder of The College Spy, gives you a list of holiday gifts that teens really want and need. Michelle developed this list based on her conversations with students and her knowledge of what students need both to get into college AND be successful once they get there.

Also in this episode:

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Admissions Tip of the Day: Why you need to be careful building a college list if your GPA is boosted by elective courses.

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College Spotlight: University of Pittsburgh

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For the Holiday Gift Guide in Writing -- Go to https://thecollegespy.com/blog

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For a transcript of this episode -- Go to https://thecollegespy.com/s/The-College-Spy-Podcast-Episode-6-Transcript.pdf

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To learn more about The College Spy and the admissions advisory services offered by Michelle and her team -- Go to https://thecollegespy.com/

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Contact Michelle McAnaney at [email protected]