Logo
    Search

    About this Episode

    In this episode you will hear: (05:25) In this week’s news, an article from Insider Higher Ed, “Judge Upholds Harvard’s Admissions Policies”, by Scott Jaschik. Federal Judge Allison Burroughs of the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts has ruled that Harvard’s approach to affirmative action does not discriminate against Asian Americans. Judge Burroughs says that Harvard is admitting very qualified applicants of color who are adding valuable diversity to the campus and that Asian-Americans are not being discriminated against. Judge Burroughs accepted Harvard’s argument that when everyone in the applicant pool is imminently qualified. Judge Burroughs said that it is not illegal for a college to emphasis non-academic factors in their evaluation. We discuss this decision and we talk about where things go from here.     (21:44) We are in chapter 90 of 171 Answers and Mark answers whether or not colleges have access to knowing all of the schools where your child applies. We talk about three different sources that many people believe can let a school know where else applicants are applying for admission in addition to their college. For each of these three sources we talk about whether this is true or whether it is urban folklore. We also discuss whether applicants should let admissions officers or interviewers know where else they are applying.     (27:23) Our special bonus content segment discusses about a half dozen recent changes to the Common Application for the 2019-2020 year. Mark likes each and every one of these changes for the current year. The Common App releases its changes in August every year.   (52:55) Mark kicks off his interview with Peter Van Buskirk, Founder of Best College Fit, and Former VP of Enrollment at Franklin and Marshall, in “Understanding how colleges act as businesses in ways that are not in your best interest”- Part 1. Peter has over 40 years of experience in college admissions and he does not hold back. Mark is confident that this will be one of the most illuminating interviews we have had in our 20 ½ months of the “Your College-Bound Kid” podcast. Mark tells our listeners, this is not an interview that you are going to want to miss. This is Part 1 of 4 interviews that will air on 10/17, 10/24, 10/31 and 11/7.   (01:01:10) Mark’s recommended resource of the week is the Common App’s 27 minute long webinar about what is new with the Common App for 2019-20. Mark opens up by sharing two additional changes to the Common App that he didn’t mention in the Bonus content discussion but then he shares this webinar which covers additional changes for the year. The webinar opens by giving a great statistical overview of the Common App. It answers questions like, how many students use the Common App; how many applications are filed every year and so much more, but the meat of the webinar is an even fuller description of changes than the ones Mark covers earlier in this episode:     (01:13:28) Our College Spotlight for the week is Hawaii Pacific University, aka as HPU.   Don't forget to send your questions related to any and every facet of the college process to: questions@yourcollegeboundkid.com If you enjoy our podcast, would you please do us a favor and share our podcast both verbally and on social media? The more people that subscribe to our podcast the more our podcast will appear at the top when people search for college admissions podcasts. We would be most grateful if you can share Your College-Bound Kid with your friends. ! We are excited to give our listeners a chance to play a role in shaping what topics we discuss, as well as what guests we have on our podcast. You can let your voice be heard by completing this survey. Just put the following link in your browser and give us your honest feedback. We thank you in advance. Every episode of Your College-Bound Kid will align with a chapter from the book 171 Answers to the Most-Asked College Admission Questions. To get a copy go to Amazon and click: If you want to place a bulk order, you will save money by purchasing this book at 171answers.com. Every penny goes to The Atlanta Mission, a Christian organization that helps over 1000 homeless residents every day.  If you want to see what future episodes will discuss in the book chapter section,  just go to 171answers.com and then click the red button "See exactly what 171 Answers covers"

    Recent Episodes from Your College Bound Kid | Admission Tips, Admission Trends & Admission Interviews

    YCBK 413: Understanding Haverford College, Swarthmore College & Marquette University

    YCBK 413: Understanding Haverford College, Swarthmore College & Marquette University
    In this episode you will hear:   (02:10) Julia and Mark planned to  talk about an article that ran in Bowdoin Orient, their student newspaper entitled: “Dean of Admissions Claudia Marroquin on the decline of male applicants to Bowdoin” but they don’t get to the article until next week but they do discuss some application tips including, should you write your Personal Statement on Your College Major? Part 1 of 2     (24:36) Question from a listener Marissa Salazar, Associate Director of Admissions at Colorado College answers a couple questions about applications from the state of Florida in our QFL section   (35:55) Interview Lydia Dagenais, a former admission officer at Haverford College and Swarthmore College is joined by Julia Esquivel, a co-host for YCBK but also a former Haverford College admission officer to discuss Haverford and Swarthmore Preview ²  Lydia shares her backstory ²  I ask Lydia, the students that pick Swarthmore over Haverford, why do they do it, and the students that pick Haverford over Swarthmore, why do they do it? ²  Julia, so what do you want our listeners to know about Lydia that she didn’t share? ²  Julia, explain the bi-co and tri-co consortium in case our listeners are not familiar with it     (41:10) Recommended Resource: Getting In    (01:00:35) Mark and Lisa talk about Marquette University in our College Spotlight section, Part 1 of 2      Recommended Resource- T  Do it yourself college rankings and and here are the dates for ScholarMatch information sessions:  (PST) 5 MST 6 CST 7 EST  (PST) 11 MST, 12 CST 1 PM EST   Here is a link to the ScholarMatch volunteer form:     Speakpipe.com/YCBK is our method if you want to ask a question and we will be prioritizing all questions sent in via Speakpipe.   You can also use this for many other purposes: 1) Send us constructive criticism about how we can improve our podcast 2) Share an encouraging word about something you like about an episode or the podcast in general 3) Share a topic or an article you would like us to address 4) Share a speaker you want us to interview 5) Leave positive feedback for one of our interviewees. We will send your verbal feedback directly to them and I can almost assure you, your positive feedback will make their day. If you have a question for one of our upcoming interviews with admissions professionals, here is a list of admissions professionals who we will interview in 2023 or 2024.   To sign up to receive Your College-Bound Kid PLUS, our new monthly admissions newsletter, delivered directly to your email once a month, just go to yourcollegeboundkid.com, and you will see the sign-up popup.   Check out our new blog. We write timely and insightful articles on college admissions:   Follow Mark Stucker on Twitter to get breaking college admission news, and updates about the podcast before they go live. You can ask questions on Twitter that he will answer on the podcast. Mark will also share additional hot topics in the news and breaking news on this Twitter feed. Twitter message is also the preferred way to ask questions for our podcast:   https://twitter.com/YCBKpodcast   1. To access our transcripts, click: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/category/transcripts/ 2. Find the specific episode transcripts for the one you want to search and click the link 3. Find the magnifying glass icon in blue (search feature) and click it 4. Enter whatever word you want to search. I.e. Loans 5. Every word in that episode when the words loans are used, will be highlighted in yellow with a timestamps 6. Click the word highlighted in yellow and the player will play the episode from that starting point 7. You can also download the entire podcast as a transcript   We would be honored if you will pass this podcast episode on to others who you feel will benefit from the content in YCBK.   Please subscribe to our podcast. It really helps us move up in Apple’s search feature so others can find our podcast.   If you enjoy our podcast, would you please do us a favor and share our podcast both verbally and on social media? We would be most grateful!   If you want to help more people find Your College-Bound Kid, please make sure you follow our podcast. You will also get instant notifications as soon as each episode goes live.   Check out the college admissions books Mark recommends:   Check out the college websites Mark recommends:   If you want to have some input about what you like and what you recommend, we change about our podcast, please complete our Podcast survey; here is the link:     If you want a college consultation with Mark or Lisa or Lynda, just text Mark at 404-664-4340 or email Lisa at or Lynda at Lynda@schoolmatch4u.com. All we ask is that you review their services and pricing on their website before the complimentary session; here is link to their services with transparent pricing: https://schoolmatch4u.com/services/compare-packages/

    YCBK 412: Many States are Admitting Students by Class Rank; is This Good or Bad?

    YCBK 412: Many States are Admitting Students by Class Rank; is This Good or Bad?
    In this episode you will hear:   o   Mark takes a look at the growing trend to guarantee admission to students based on class ranking. Mark shares six reasons opponents don’t like these plans and six reasons why proponents love these direct admit plans based on class rank o   Mark interviews Andy Stickler on the topic of, Understanding Connecticut College, Part 2 of 3     Andy Strickler Interview-Understanding Connecticut College Preview Part 2 ·        Andy talks about Connecticut Colleges’ faculty mentorship program. ·        Andy talks about the 2 different ways Connecticut College does study abroad. ·        Andy talks about the programs that students most frequently name when as reasons they come to file ·        Andy shares the rubric when they read and rate a file ·        Andy describes the kind of application they want to see apply to Connecticut College, and he also shares the type of student that maybe isn’t the best match ·        How can admissions officers discern if a student has a real love of learning? ·        How should a student decide whether to submit their test scores?       Sign up for our Q & A session with Andy Strickler  (VP of enrollment at Rhodes College) on March 3rd, 9:30 EST and 6:30 PST by going to   Here are the remaining two dates for the  ScholarMatch information sessions:  (PST)  (PST)   Here is a link to the ScholarMatch volunteer form:     You can also send in questions for our interviews by using speakpipe.com/YCBK. Our interviews are confirmed for 2024 with the following leaders at the following schools:     To sign up to receive Your College-Bound Kid PLUS, our free quarterly admissions deep-dive, delivered directly to your email four times a year, just go to yourcollegeboundkid.com, and you will see the sign up on the right side of the page under “the Listen to our podcast icons”   Follow Mark Stucker on Twitter to get breaking college admission news, and updates about the podcast before they go live. You can ask questions on Twitter that he will answer on the podcast. Mark will also share additional hot topics in the news and breaking news on this Twitter feed. Twitter message is also the preferred way to ask questions for our podcast:   https://twitter.com/YCBKpodcast   1. To access our transcripts, click: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/category/transcripts/ 2. Find the specific episode transcripts for the one you want to search and click the link 3. Find the magnifying glass icon in blue (search feature) and click it 4. Enter whatever word you want to search. I.e. Loans 5. Every word in that episode when the words loans are used, will be highlighted in yellow with a timestamps 6. Click the word highlighted in yellow and the player will play the episode from that starting point 7. You can also download the entire podcast as a transcript   We would be honored if you will pass this podcast episode on to others who you feel will benefit from the content in YCBK.   Please subscribe to our podcast. It really helps us move up in Apple’s search feature so others can find our podcast.   Don't forget to send your recommended resources and articles by recording your message at speakpipe.com/YCBK   If you enjoy our podcast, would you please do us a favor and share our podcast both verbally and on social media? We would be most grateful!   If you want to help more people find Your College-Bound Kid, please make sure you follow our podcast. You will also get instant notifications as soon as each episode goes live.   Check out the college admissions books Mark recommends:   Check out the college websites Mark recommends:   If you want to have some input about what you like and what you recommend we change about our podcast, please complete our Podcast survey; here is the link:     If you want a college consultation with Mark or Lisa or Lynda, just text Mark at 404-664-4340 to express your interest. All they ask is that you review their services and pricing on their website before the complimentary session. Their counseling website is:   Note, the purpose of the free session to review their services and not to pick their brains and get free information. You can schedule a paid session if you want answers to some questions you have. The free session to only for the purpose of discussing the one-on-one services they offer.

    YCBK 411: Tips to Get the Most out of a College Fair

    YCBK 411: Tips to Get the Most out of a College Fair
    In this episode you will hear:   (04:52) Matt Bonser, the Director of Admissions at Colorado College and a Gap year expert answers 20 questions about Gap Years in this 75-minute discussion. (Part 3 of 3) ²  Should a student reapply to the selective school they didn’t get in the next year, after taking a Gap year? Matt tells us when this can work. ²  Matt gives his thoughts of a student who takes a gap year in high school ²  Matt talks about Verto, a third-party provider of study abroad experiences and he tells us what he likes about Verto, and why CC is now a partner with Verto ²  I ask Matt to give his feedback on two concerns that I frequently hear from parents about Gap Years. ²  Matt shares what he learned about the college process by going through it as a parent this year     (25:48) Mark answers a Speakpipe question from Laura from DC where he shares tips for college fairs.    (46:25) Mark interviews Nora and Hannah, two college coaches with ScholarMatch, the CBO that matches college coaches with First Gen, under-resourced students. . They explain who ScholarMatch is and how YCBK listeners can become a volunteer college coach with ScholarMatch, even if they do not have any college counseling experience. Part 3 of 3 §  Hannah discusses how a coach builds rapport with a student virtually. §  Hannah lets us know if there is any specialized training to help coaches understand the unique challenges First-Gen and under-resourced families face. §  Hannah and Nora go into more depth about the demographics of the ScholarMatch students from a racial, ethnic and geographic background §  Nora and Hannah talk about whether college coaches get training on the University of California application. §  Hannah shares what are the frustrating parts of the coaching work §  Nora talks about what ScholarMatch recommends when a student is non-responsive to outreach from the college coach §  Nora talks about where an interested potential coach can go to get more information if this interview didn’t answer all of their questions. §  Nora shares, when will someone who applies to be a coach, will find out they are accepted as a college coach §  I make a personal commitment to ScholarMatch §  Nora and Hannah go on the hotseat in the lightning round     (01:15:20) College Spotlight, Saint Andrews University, Scotland, with International Specialist, Kevin Newton Part 2/2   (01:01:15) Recommended Resource- T  Do it yourself college rankings and and here are the dates for ScholarMatch information sessions:  (PST)  (PST) Here is a link to the ScholarMatch volunteer form:   6 areas to think through when you have quality college pptions but you do not know which college to enroll in     Brennan Barnard article about Susan Tree:   Speakpipe.com/YCBK is our method if you want to ask a question and we will be prioritizing all questions sent in via Speakpipe.   You can also use this for many other purposes: 1) Send us constructive criticism about how we can improve our podcast 2) Share an encouraging word about something you like about an episode or the podcast in general 3) Share a topic or an article you would like us to address 4) Share a speaker you want us to interview 5) Leave positive feedback for one of our interviewees. We will send your verbal feedback directly to them and I can almost assure you, your positive feedback will make their day. If you have a question for one of our upcoming interviews with admissions professionals, here is a list of admissions professionals who we will interview in 2023 or 2024.   To sign up to receive Your College-Bound Kid PLUS, our new monthly admissions newsletter, delivered directly to your email once a month, just go to yourcollegeboundkid.com, and you will see the sign-up popup.   Check out our new blog. We write timely and insightful articles on college admissions:   Follow Mark Stucker on Twitter to get breaking college admission news, and updates about the podcast before they go live. You can ask questions on Twitter that he will answer on the podcast. Mark will also share additional hot topics in the news and breaking news on this Twitter feed. Twitter message is also the preferred way to ask questions for our podcast:   https://twitter.com/YCBKpodcast   1. To access our transcripts, click: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/category/transcripts/ 2. Find the specific episode transcripts for the one you want to search and click the link 3. Find the magnifying glass icon in blue (search feature) and click it 4. Enter whatever word you want to search. I.e. Loans 5. Every word in that episode when the words loans are used, will be highlighted in yellow with a timestamps 6. Click the word highlighted in yellow and the player will play the episode from that starting point 7. You can also download the entire podcast as a transcript   We would be honored if you will pass this podcast episode on to others who you feel will benefit from the content in YCBK.   Please subscribe to our podcast. It really helps us move up in Apple’s search feature so others can find our podcast.   If you enjoy our podcast, would you please do us a favor and share our podcast both verbally and on social media? We would be most grateful!   If you want to help more people find Your College-Bound Kid, please make sure you follow our podcast. You will also get instant notifications as soon as each episode goes live.   Check out the college admissions books Mark recommends:   Check out the college websites Mark recommends:   If you want to have some input about what you like and what you recommend, we change about our podcast, please complete our Podcast survey; here is the link:     If you want a college consultation with Mark or Lisa or Lynda, just text Mark at 404-664-4340 or email Lisa at or Lynda at Lynda@schoolmatch4u.com. All we ask is that you review their services and pricing on their website before the complimentary session; here is link to their services with transparent pricing: https://schoolmatch4u.com/services/compare-packages/

    YCBK 410: 6 Questions To Ask To Help you Compare the Colleges That Admitted You

    YCBK 410: 6 Questions To Ask To Help you Compare the Colleges That Admitted You
    In this episode you will hear:   o   Susan and Mark answer a Speakpipe question that asks for advice when your student is selecting a college and he/she has two or more quality options, and they are really torn o   Mark interviews Andy Stickler on the topic of, Understanding Connecticut College, Part 1 of 3     Sign up for our Q & A session with Andy Strickler  (VP of enrollment at Rhodes College) on March 3rd, 9:30 EST and 6:30 PST by going to   Here are the remaining two dates for the  ScholarMatch information sessions:  (PST)  (PST)   Here is a link to the ScholarMatch volunteer form:     You can also send in questions for our interviews by using speakpipe.com/YCBK. Our interviews are confirmed for 2024 with the following leaders at the following schools:     To sign up to receive Your College-Bound Kid PLUS, our free quarterly admissions deep-dive, delivered directly to your email four times a year, just go to yourcollegeboundkid.com, and you will see the sign up on the right side of the page under “the Listen to our podcast icons”   Follow Mark Stucker on Twitter to get breaking college admission news, and updates about the podcast before they go live. You can ask questions on Twitter that he will answer on the podcast. Mark will also share additional hot topics in the news and breaking news on this Twitter feed. Twitter message is also the preferred way to ask questions for our podcast:   https://twitter.com/YCBKpodcast   1. To access our transcripts, click: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/category/transcripts/ 2. Find the specific episode transcripts for the one you want to search and click the link 3. Find the magnifying glass icon in blue (search feature) and click it 4. Enter whatever word you want to search. I.e. Loans 5. Every word in that episode when the words loans are used, will be highlighted in yellow with a timestamps 6. Click the word highlighted in yellow and the player will play the episode from that starting point 7. You can also download the entire podcast as a transcript   We would be honored if you will pass this podcast episode on to others who you feel will benefit from the content in YCBK.   Please subscribe to our podcast. It really helps us move up in Apple’s search feature so others can find our podcast.   Don't forget to send your recommended resources and articles by recording your message at speakpipe.com/YCBK   If you enjoy our podcast, would you please do us a favor and share our podcast both verbally and on social media? We would be most grateful!   If you want to help more people find Your College-Bound Kid, please make sure you follow our podcast. You will also get instant notifications as soon as each episode goes live.   Check out the college admissions books Mark recommends:   Check out the college websites Mark recommends:   If you want to have some input about what you like and what you recommend we change about our podcast, please complete our Podcast survey; here is the link:     If you want a college consultation with Mark or Lisa or Lynda, just text Mark at 404-664-4340 to express your interest. All they ask is that you review their services and pricing on their website before the complimentary session. Their counseling website is:   Note, the purpose of the free session to review their services and not to pick their brains and get free information. You can schedule a paid session if you want answers to some questions you have. The free session to only for the purpose of discussing the one-on-one services they offer.

    YCBK 409: College is under attack; is college worth it?

    YCBK 409: College is under attack; is college worth it?
    In this episode you will hear:   (05:06) Matt Bonser, the Director of Admissions at Colorado College and a Gap year expert answers 20 questions about Gap Years in this 75 minute discussion. (Part 2 of 3)     (30:50) Mark and Lisa answer a question about whether college is worth it?   (57:50) Mark interviews Nora and Hannah, two college coaches with ScholarMatch, the CBO that matches college coaches with First Gen, under-resourced students. . They explain who ScholarMatch is and how YCBK listeners can become a volunteer college coach with ScholarMatch, even if they do not have any college counseling experience. Part 2 of 3    (01:05:50)Recommended Resource- Start your education Abroad and and here are the dates for ScholarMatch information sessions:   (PST)  (PST)   (01:18:15) College Spotlight, Saint Andrews University, Scotland, with International Specialist, Kevin Newton   Here is a link to the ScholarMatch volunteer form:   Speakpipe.com/YCBK is our method if you want to ask a question and we will be prioritizing all questions sent in via Speakpipe.   You can also use this for many other purposes: 1) Send us constructive criticism about how we can improve our podcast 2) Share an encouraging word about something you like about an episode or the podcast in general 3) Share a topic or an article you would like us to address 4) Share a speaker you want us to interview 5) Leave positive feedback for one of our interviewees. We will send your verbal feedback directly to them and I can almost assure you, your positive feedback will make their day. If you have a question for one of our upcoming interviews with admissions professionals, here is a list of admissions professionals who we will interview in 2023 or 2024.   To sign up to receive Your College-Bound Kid PLUS, our new monthly admissions newsletter, delivered directly to your email once a month, just go to yourcollegeboundkid.com, and you will see the sign-up popup.   Check out our new blog. We write timely and insightful articles on college admissions:   Follow Mark Stucker on Twitter to get breaking college admission news, and updates about the podcast before they go live. You can ask questions on Twitter that he will answer on the podcast. Mark will also share additional hot topics in the news and breaking news on this Twitter feed. Twitter message is also the preferred way to ask questions for our podcast:   https://twitter.com/YCBKpodcast   1. To access our transcripts, click: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/category/transcripts/ 2. Find the specific episode transcripts for the one you want to search and click the link 3. Find the magnifying glass icon in blue (search feature) and click it 4. Enter whatever word you want to search. I.e. Loans 5. Every word in that episode when the words loans are used, will be highlighted in yellow with a timestamps 6. Click the word highlighted in yellow and the player will play the episode from that starting point 7. You can also download the entire podcast as a transcript   We would be honored if you will pass this podcast episode on to others who you feel will benefit from the content in YCBK.   Please subscribe to our podcast. It really helps us move up in Apple’s search feature so others can find our podcast.   If you enjoy our podcast, would you please do us a favor and share our podcast both verbally and on social media? We would be most grateful!   If you want to help more people find Your College-Bound Kid, please make sure you follow our podcast. You will also get instant notifications as soon as each episode goes live.   Check out the college admissions books Mark recommends:   Check out the college websites Mark recommends:   If you want to have some input about what you like and what you recommend, we change about our podcast, please complete our Podcast survey; here is the link:     If you want a college consultation with Mark or Lisa or Lynda, just text Mark at 404-664-4340 or email Lisa at or Lynda at Lynda@schoolmatch4u.com. All we ask is that you review their services and pricing on their website before the complimentary session; here is link to their services with transparent pricing: https://schoolmatch4u.com/services/compare-packages/

    YCBK 408: Colleges come up with very creative ways to use the ACT/SAT

    YCBK 408: Colleges come up with very creative ways to use the ACT/SAT
    In this episode you will hear:   o   Mark does a deep dive on Yale’s decision to embrace a test flexible policy o   Hillary Dickman comes on to explain how Colorado College’s non-harm test score policy works. o   Mark interviews Andy Borst, the VP of enrollment at the University of Georgia on the topic of, why do college students go out of state and why are so many heading to southern universities o   Mark shares an investment story.       Andy Borst Interview Preview Part 2 §  Andy and I continue to discuss various reasons why students are headed south for college. I ask Andy about six other reasons people some people believe helps to explain why students are headed south. §  Andy goes on the hotseat for our lightening round.   Sign up for our Q & A session with Gil Villaneuva (VP of enrollment at Rhodes College) on March 3rd, 9:30 EST and 6:30 PST by going to   You can also send in questions for our interviews by using speakpipe.com/YCBK. Our interviews are confirmed for 2024 with the following leaders at the following schools:     To sign up to receive Your College-Bound Kid PLUS, our free quarterly admissions deep-dive, delivered directly to your email four times a year, just go to yourcollegeboundkid.com, and you will see the sign up on the right side of the page under “the Listen to our podcast icons”   Follow Mark Stucker on Twitter to get breaking college admission news, and updates about the podcast before they go live. You can ask questions on Twitter that he will answer on the podcast. Mark will also share additional hot topics in the news and breaking news on this Twitter feed. Twitter message is also the preferred way to ask questions for our podcast:   https://twitter.com/YCBKpodcast   1. To access our transcripts, click: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/category/transcripts/ 2. Find the specific episode transcripts for the one you want to search and click the link 3. Find the magnifying glass icon in blue (search feature) and click it 4. Enter whatever word you want to search. I.e. Loans 5. Every word in that episode when the words loans are used, will be highlighted in yellow with a timestamps 6. Click the word highlighted in yellow and the player will play the episode from that starting point 7. You can also download the entire podcast as a transcript   We would be honored if you will pass this podcast episode on to others who you feel will benefit from the content in YCBK.   Please subscribe to our podcast. It really helps us move up in Apple’s search feature so others can find our podcast.   Don't forget to send your recommended resources and articles by recording your message at speakpipe.com/YCBK   If you enjoy our podcast, would you please do us a favor and share our podcast both verbally and on social media? We would be most grateful!   If you want to help more people find Your College-Bound Kid, please make sure you follow our podcast. You will also get instant notifications as soon as each episode goes live.   Check out the college admissions books Mark recommends:   Check out the college websites Mark recommends:   If you want to have some input about what you like and what you recommend we change about our podcast, please complete our Podcast survey; here is the link:     If you want a college consultation with Mark or Lisa or Lynda, just text Mark at 404-664-4340 to express your interest. All they ask is that you review their services and pricing on their website before the complimentary session. Their counseling website is:   Note, the purpose of the free session to review their services and not to pick their brains and get free information. You can schedule a paid session if you want answers to some questions you have. The free session to only for the purpose of discussing the one on one services they offer.

    YCBK 407: 20 answers to questions about taking a Gap Year

    YCBK 407: 20 answers to questions about taking a Gap Year
    In this episode you will hear:   (11:20) Matt Bonser, the Director of Admissions at Colorado College and a Gap year expert answers 20 questions about Gap Years in this 75 minute discussion. (Part 1 of 3)   (40:56) Mark and Susan answer a question about how being a talented classical pianist is perceived by admission officers, when a student is not planning on majoring in music.    (01:01:22) Mark interviews Nora and Hannah, two college coaches with ScholarMatch, the CBO that matches college coaches with First Gen, under-resourced students. . They explain who ScholarMatch is and how YCBK listeners can become a volunteer college coach with ScholarMatch, even if they do not have any college counseling experience. Part 1 of 3   (01:23:50) College Spotlight, Interview with VP of enrollment, Gil Villaneuva, Understanding Rhodes College Part 2 of 2   (01:11:00) Recommended Resource- and and here are the dates for ScholarMatch information sessions:   (PST) (PST)   Here is a link to the ScholarMatch volunteer form:    Speakpipe.com/YCBK is our method if you want to ask a question and we will be prioritizing all questions sent in via Speakpipe.   You can also use this for many other purposes: 1) Send us constructive criticism about how we can improve our podcast 2) Share an encouraging word about something you like about an episode or the podcast in general 3) Share a topic or an article you would like us to address 4) Share a speaker you want us to interview 5) Leave positive feedback for one of our interviewees. We will send your verbal feedback directly to them and I can almost assure you, your positive feedback will make their day. If you have a question for one of our upcoming interviews with admissions professionals, here is a list of admissions professionals who we will interview in 2023 or 2024.   To sign up to receive Your College-Bound Kid PLUS, our new monthly admissions newsletter, delivered directly to your email once a month, just go to yourcollegeboundkid.com, and you will see the sign-up popup.   Check out our new blog. We write timely and insightful articles on college admissions:   Follow Mark Stucker on Twitter to get breaking college admission news, and updates about the podcast before they go live. You can ask questions on Twitter that he will answer on the podcast. Mark will also share additional hot topics in the news and breaking news on this Twitter feed. Twitter message is also the preferred way to ask questions for our podcast:   https://twitter.com/YCBKpodcast   1. To access our transcripts, click: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/category/transcripts/ 2. Find the specific episode transcripts for the one you want to search and click the link 3. Find the magnifying glass icon in blue (search feature) and click it 4. Enter whatever word you want to search. I.e. Loans 5. Every word in that episode when the words loans are used, will be highlighted in yellow with a timestamps 6. Click the word highlighted in yellow and the player will play the episode from that starting point 7. You can also download the entire podcast as a transcript   We would be honored if you will pass this podcast episode on to others who you feel will benefit from the content in YCBK.   Please subscribe to our podcast. It really helps us move up in Apple’s search feature so others can find our podcast.   If you enjoy our podcast, would you please do us a favor and share our podcast both verbally and on social media? We would be most grateful!   If you want to help more people find Your College-Bound Kid, please make sure you follow our podcast. You will also get instant notifications as soon as each episode goes live.   Check out the college admissions books Mark recommends:   Check out the college websites Mark recommends:   If you want to have some input about what you like and what you recommend, we change about our podcast, please complete our Podcast survey; here is the link:     If you want a college consultation with Mark or Lisa or Lynda, just text Mark at 404-664-4340 or email Lisa at or Lynda at Lynda@schoolmatch4u.com. All we ask is that you review their services and pricing on their website before the complimentary session; here is link to their services with transparent pricing: https://schoolmatch4u.com/services/compare-packages/

    YCBK 406: Dartmouth requires the ACT or SAT, why students go to out of state colleges

    YCBK 406: Dartmouth requires the ACT or SAT, why students go to out of state colleges
    In this episode you will hear:   o   Mark and Julia discuss Dartmouth’s decision to be the first IVY league school to require test scores. Part 2 of 2 o   Mark interviews Andy Borst, the VP of enrollment at the University of Georgia on the topic of, Why do college students go out of state and why are so many heading to southern universities     Andy Borst Interview Preview Part 1 ²  Andy shares data on the five states where students are leaving the most and he shares where they are going’ ²  Andy shares some of the reasons that determine which colleges students are experiencing a surge in applications ²  Andy mentions the states where UGA is experiencing the greatest amount of increase in out of state applications. ²  I ask Andy about a number of the reasons I think may have contributed to growth of applications to UGA and the south in general and he tells me whether the things I list are major factors, minor factors, or non-factors ²  Andy explains why he moved from being the VP of enrollment at Illinois to the University of Georgia   You can also send in questions for our interviews by using speakpipe.com/YCBK. Our interviews are confirmed for 2024 with the following leaders at the following schools:     To sign up to receive Your College-Bound Kid PLUS, our free quarterly admissions deep-dive, delivered directly to your email four times a year, just go to yourcollegeboundkid.com, and you will see the sign up on the right side of the page under “the Listen to our podcast icons”   Follow Mark Stucker on Twitter to get breaking college admission news, and updates about the podcast before they go live. You can ask questions on Twitter that he will answer on the podcast. Mark will also share additional hot topics in the news and breaking news on this Twitter feed. Twitter message is also the preferred way to ask questions for our podcast:   https://twitter.com/YCBKpodcast   1. To access our transcripts, click: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/category/transcripts/ 2. Find the specific episode transcripts for the one you want to search and click the link 3. Find the magnifying glass icon in blue (search feature) and click it 4. Enter whatever word you want to search. I.e. Loans 5. Every word in that episode when the words loans are used, will be highlighted in yellow with a timestamps 6. Click the word highlighted in yellow and the player will play the episode from that starting point 7. You can also download the entire podcast as a transcript   We would be honored if you will pass this podcast episode on to others who you feel will benefit from the content in YCBK.   Please subscribe to our podcast. It really helps us move up in Apple’s search feature so others can find our podcast.   Don't forget to send your recommended resources and articles by recording your message at speakpipe.com/YCBK   If you enjoy our podcast, would you please do us a favor and share our podcast both verbally and on social media? We would be most grateful!   If you want to help more people find Your College-Bound Kid, please make sure you follow our podcast. You will also get instant notifications as soon as each episode goes live.   Check out the college admissions books Mark recommends:   Check out the college websites Mark recommends:   If you want to have some input about what you like and what you recommend we change about our podcast, please complete our Podcast survey; here is the link:     If you want a college consultation with Mark or Lisa or Lynda, just text Mark at 404-664-4340 to express your interest. All they ask is that you review their services and pricing on their website before the complimentary session. Their counseling website is:   Note, the purpose of the free session to review their services and not to pick their brains and get free information. You can schedule a paid session if you want answers to some questions you have. The free session to only for the purpose of discussing the one on one services they offer.

    YCBK 405: 5 Tips for Homeschool Students to Help with College Admissions

    YCBK 405: 5 Tips for Homeschool Students to Help with College Admissions
    In this episode you will hear:   (02:20) Vince and Mark discuss an article that appeared in the New Yorker entitled, How Rich or Not Rich do you need to be to get in the IVY league By Gail Cornwell. Kids whose parents make $158,200 to $222,400 a year have the worst odds of acceptance. Vince describes the article and Vince and Mark share whether they agree with the article. Part 2 of 2     (34:50) Mark and Susan each give a few tips for homeschool students in response to a Speakpipe question   (52:30) Lisa interviews Scott Barnhardt, a former Broadway actor on the topic of college admissions for musical theater majors and other performing arts majors-Part 2 of 2   Preview Part 2 of 2 Part 2-Preview §  What goes into preparing for auditions? §  Scott gives a timeline of when everything needs to be complete for performing arts majors. §  Scott answers the question, do BA programs require additions. §  Scott tells our listeners when students admitted into actual program. §  Scott shares some of the hidden gem schools that students should consider. §  Scott shares his 80/20 rule. §  Scott shares his best advice for parents and students and college counselors.     (01:04:55) Recommended Resource- DaMour’s new book: The Emotional Lives of Teenagers: Raising Connected, Capable and Compassionate Adolescents   (01:17:48) College Spotlight, Interview with VP of enrollment, Gil Villaneuva, Understanding Rhodes College   Speakpipe.com/YCBK is our method if you want to ask a question and we will be prioritizing all questions sent in via Speakpipe.    You can also use this for many other purposes: 1) Send us constructive criticism about how we can improve our podcast 2) Share an encouraging word about something you like about an episode or the podcast in general 3) Share a topic or an article you would like us to address 4) Share a speaker you want us to interview 5) Leave positive feedback for one of our interviewees. We will send your verbal feedback directly to them and I can almost assure you, your positive feedback will make their day. If you have a question for one of our upcoming interviews with admissions professionals, here is a list of admissions professionals who we will interview in 2023 or 2024.   To sign up to receive Your College-Bound Kid PLUS, our new monthly admissions newsletter, delivered directly to your email once a month, just go to yourcollegeboundkid.com, and you will see the sign-up popup.   Check out our new blog. We write timely and insightful articles on college admissions:   Follow Mark Stucker on Twitter to get breaking college admission news, and updates about the podcast before they go live. You can ask questions on Twitter that he will answer on the podcast. Mark will also share additional hot topics in the news and breaking news on this Twitter feed. Twitter message is also the preferred way to ask questions for our podcast:   https://twitter.com/YCBKpodcast   1. To access our transcripts, click: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/category/transcripts/ 2. Find the specific episode transcripts for the one you want to search and click the link 3. Find the magnifying glass icon in blue (search feature) and click it 4. Enter whatever word you want to search. I.e. Loans 5. Every word in that episode when the words loans are used, will be highlighted in yellow with a timestamps 6. Click the word highlighted in yellow and the player will play the episode from that starting point 7. You can also download the entire podcast as a transcript   We would be honored if you will pass this podcast episode on to others who you feel will benefit from the content in YCBK.   Please subscribe to our podcast. It really helps us move up in Apple’s search feature so others can find our podcast.   If you enjoy our podcast, would you please do us a favor and share our podcast both verbally and on social media? We would be most grateful!   If you want to help more people find Your College-Bound Kid, please make sure you follow our podcast. You will also get instant notifications as soon as each episode goes live.   Check out the college admissions books Mark recommends:   Check out the college websites Mark recommends:   If you want to have some input about what you like and what you recommend, we change about our podcast, please complete our Podcast survey; here is the link:     If you want a college consultation with Mark or Lisa or Lynda, just text Mark at 404-664-4340 or email Lisa at or Lynda at Lynda@schoolmatch4u.com. All we ask is that you review their services and pricing on their website before the complimentary session; here is link to their services with transparent pricing: https://schoolmatch4u.com/services/compare-packages/

    YCBK 404: How is AI impacting admissions & Thoughts on Dartmouth requiring test scores

    YCBK 404: How is AI impacting admissions & Thoughts on Dartmouth requiring test scores
    In this episode you will hear:   o   Mark and Julia discuss Dartmouth’s decision to be the first IVY league school to require test scores. o   Mark has a recommended resource in a Monday episode in the middle of the interview; it is the “Dream School” documentary by PBS and you can watch the 56 minute documentary free on You Tube o   Mark interviews Andy Borst, the VP of enrollment at the University of Georgia on the topic of, How colleges use AI in college admissions, separating truth from myths.       Andy Borst Interview Preview Part 1 ²  Andy shares his background. ²  Andy talks about an article that ran in Inside Higher Ed on AI and college admissions, entitled, “Admissions offices turn to AI for application review” that he spoke out vociferously about on social media, Andy recounts what the article says, and why he disagreed with the content of that article. ²  Andy talks about very specific ways he feels AI can be used more effectively but he says no one is doing this yet. ²  Andy talks about the risks involved in using AI detectors to screen essays. ²  Andy talks about how he feels AI can be effectively used by students. ²  I share a story from this year about my experience with AI essay detector. ²  Andy and I talk about the use of AI when it comes to administrative efficiency. ²  Andy tells us what linear and logistical regression is and how it differs from AI ²  Andy discusses predictive modelling, and he shares the three best predictors of student enrollment. ²  Andy talks about one aspect of AI that Andy is excited about and UGA is currently exploring, but he acknowledges they are not there yet ²  Andy explains why a 3.98 GPA is absolutely meaningless and he made me laugh so hard I couldn’t stop ²  Andy talks about colleges doing more testing to see how a GPA in high school projects a GPA in college ²  Andy talks about the FAFSA delays and how UGA is handling it   You can also send in questions for our interviews by using speakpipe.com/YCBK. Our interviews are confirmed for 2024 with the following leaders at the following schools:     To sign up to receive Your College-Bound Kid PLUS, our free quarterly admissions deep-dive, delivered directly to your email four times a year, just go to yourcollegeboundkid.com, and you will see the sign up on the right side of the page under “the Listen to our podcast icons”   Follow Mark Stucker on Twitter to get breaking college admission news, and updates about the podcast before they go live. You can ask questions on Twitter that he will answer on the podcast. Mark will also share additional hot topics in the news and breaking news on this Twitter feed. Twitter message is also the preferred way to ask questions for our podcast:   https://twitter.com/YCBKpodcast   1. To access our transcripts, click: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/category/transcripts/ 2. Find the specific episode transcripts for the one you want to search and click the link 3. Find the magnifying glass icon in blue (search feature) and click it 4. Enter whatever word you want to search. I.e. Loans 5. Every word in that episode when the words loans are used, will be highlighted in yellow with a timestamps 6. Click the word highlighted in yellow and the player will play the episode from that starting point 7. You can also download the entire podcast as a transcript   We would be honored if you will pass this podcast episode on to others who you feel will benefit from the content in YCBK.   Please subscribe to our podcast. It really helps us move up in Apple’s search feature so others can find our podcast.   Don't forget to send your recommended resources and articles by recording your message at speakpipe.com/YCBK   If you enjoy our podcast, would you please do us a favor and share our podcast both verbally and on social media? We would be most grateful!   If you want to help more people find Your College-Bound Kid, please make sure you follow our podcast. You will also get instant notifications as soon as each episode goes live.   Check out the college admissions books Mark recommends:   Check out the college websites Mark recommends:   If you want to have some input about what you like and what you recommend we change about our podcast, please complete our Podcast survey; here is the link:     If you want a college consultation with Mark or Lisa or Lynda, just text Mark at 404-664-4340 to express your interest. All they ask is that you review their services and pricing on their website before the complimentary session. Their counseling website is:   Note, the purpose of the free session to review their services and not to pick their brains and get free information. You can schedule a paid session if you want answers to some questions you have. The free session to only for the purpose of discussing the one on one services they offer.