The cost of college can be not only overwhelming, but confusing if you're looking at incomplete data or misunderstanding key components. In this episode you'll learn how to simplify costs and use a valuable 15/35/45 tool for better comparisons.

Here's a condensed version in blog form with easy to follow numbers and clear graphics. Links to the three universities referenced in the second half of this episode are included for your convenience. 

• Alabama
• Michigan
• Gonzaga

Hey, sophomores! You're now halfway between the day you began high school and the time when you'll apply to college. (Really?) Let's do some math. You'll apply after junior year - that's six semesters - and you're now done with three. (Whoa.) To hear what matters most to colleges and learn three things you can do now to prepare. 

Sometimes a "no" from a college means more than you might think, and it's not just about looking for other options -- although scanning the horizon a bit more is always good practice. Students also get to say "no", but the best time to do so is NOT right now. If you or your student just heard "no", or if you live in fear of that happening one day, give this a listen. 

Here are four quick stories about three students and one family all doing amazing things. 

Kickstart the college conversation in one hour with an easy to follow, proven plan that's low risk, high fun, and includes a meal on a college campus. Everybody wins! For you note-takers out there, here are the four required components: 

1. Share a part of your story.
2. Ease into some low risk questions. 
3. Take a walk and talk about what you see. 
4. Share a meal on campus. 

And stick around until the end for a chance to win some college gear. 

Four-year curriculum plans are a simple but powerful tool found on every college website. They're a road map of required and elective courses, and can be used not just to explore majors but make apples-to-apples comparison between colleges. Learn how to find this valuable resource and then put it to good use. Email me at [email protected] for notes with easy to follow examples and tips. 

Just back from 31 campus visits in 9 states over 11 days and covering 3300 miles, here are 3 big takeaways to help your family when it's time to visit campuses (HINT: Visit early and visit often!), and to find the right colleges. 

I'm heading out to visit 33 colleges in 9 states in 11 days. Here's why I'm doing this and how it will help your family. Here's the list...Oberlin, Case Western, RIT, Rochester, Syracuse, Cornell, Hartwick, SUNY Oneonta, RPI, Middlebury, Vermont, Dartmouth, BC, BU, Berklee College of Music, Northeastern, Wentworth, Worcester Polytechnic, Trinity, Wesleyan, Fordham, Rutgers, Naval Academy, Johns Hopkins, Goucher, Swarthmore, Villanova, Lehigh, Lafayette, Penn State, Duquesne, Pitt and Carnegie Mellon.

Here are four good reasons you may choose to invest time, effort and resources into raising your ACT score, and why "the ACT doesn't count anymore" myth is false.

Learn how to have an empowering conversation with your teen about the costs of college using "models of shared responsibility" that are easy to understand and help families move forward in their search for better University of You options.