The College Prep Podcast

There are 7 different types of students, in Gretchen’s experience, who have 7 different approaches to school and studying. As final exams approach, it’s a great opportunity to explore each type of student’s weaknesses in regards to studying, and what students, parents, and coaches can do to turn those blind spots around. Listen in to this as Gretchen goes into much more detail about these 7 types of students: * The Stressed Out Perfectionist* The Fade Away Student* The Brilliant-But-Bored Student* The Meh Student* The Disorganized Student* The Artist* The Athlete* BONUS (at Megan’s Suggestion): The Over-Scheduled Student This episode is from our archives, and first ran as episode 192 on December 25, 2017.

Study Smorgasbord! Gretchen lists more than 15 anti-boring strategies students can choose from as they prepare for final exams, to make sure that they’re practicing retrieval and encoding in new ways. Tune in to learn: * The 3 most important steps any student needs to take in order to study effectively* 6+ ways to teach yourself information that you don’t already know* 9+ ways to quiz yourself to see what you know and don’t know* How to save time by doing both at the same time, picking encoding practices that also serve as retrieval practices.

For students open to spending a few years in military service after college graduation, the ROTC offers generous scholarships. Join us for an interview with Lieutenant Colonel Robert Kirkland, as he explains how families might take advantage of this opportunity. Specifically, we discuss: * What is ROTC and how does one join ROTC in college?  Do you have to be on scholarship to be in ROTC?* What are the requirements to participate in ROTC in college?  How does ROTC affect a student’s schedule and activities?* What is the service obligation after you graduate and receive an officer commission?* What is the ROTC scholarship and what does it pay for?* Do you have to be in a specific major to win an ROTC scholarship?* How does one apply for an ROTC scholarship in high school?* What is the profile of a scholarship winner?* There are some schools that give room and board to ROTC scholarship winners.  How does that work?* And more! For more information, check out www.rotcconsulting.com or for Service Academy consulting https://www.gainserviceacademyadmission.com

In today’s episode, Megan responds to a mom’s question about how to choose what schools her son has a chance of getting into based on his high SAT but average GPA scores. Here’s Sandra’s question: Any tips on how to be honest about chances of a senior with very high SAT more avg GPA.SAT: 1570GPA: 3.4 UW, 4.1 W(downward trend) We want to be realistic but still include a few reaches. Should we only look at GPA when we compare him to the numbers and just hope the SAT might lead to some merit aid? Will his SAT, subject test or AP scores give him any edge at all, or just show that he’s capable but not hardworking?Thanks so much – trying to stay sane and avoid heart break but not sell him short. Here are the resources that Megan mentions in the episode: * Google “XYZ University Admitted Student Profile”* Use College Board’s College Search Tool (check specific schools—“GPA/Academics” under the “Applying” tab)* Books a. Fiske Guide b. Colleges That Change Lives by Lauren Pope c. Hidden Ivies / Public Ivies series

We love it when families reach out with questions! Today Megan and Gretchen tackle topics related to college admissions, the Duke TIP program for 7th graders, homeschooling, and more! * Switching to ACT. My son thought the SAT would be his test, but turns out he was wrong. He is scheduled to take the ACT at the end of October.  Should he wait to apply to colleges until he gets his score back?  * Homeschooling and Study. I have been thinking about how to apply the study cycle to my homeschooling situation and I realized that for me, the word “study” cycle was throwing me off since that brings to mind tests and quizzes. We aren’t quite there in our homeschooling journey as my son just entered 6th grade this year and he only gets quizzes and tests from his math teacher, who doesn’t really hold much weight to the meaning of tests since he really wants the kids to understand and remember the info long term rather than JUST striving for a high grade.  I realized that “learning cycle” spoke to me more since we are learning and not testing.  By no means am I doubting your name, I just wanted to share that one word shift for me that made your info more useful and clear to me.   Regardless, I love the structure you have created and the idea of having several study/learning tools in your toolbox.  It goes really well with the emotional toolbox idea as well!  * College Apps to Specific Schools. Our daughter is beginning the process of college applications, starting with UT, Austin.  She’s at the point where it asks her to choose her first and second choice majors, and it’s caused quite a discussion.  We’ve concluded that she should put the School of Business as her first choice and School of Communications as her second since the business school is so difficult to get into and even more difficult to transfer in to. Here’s what were hung up on – on the  ApplyTexas application it says “we consider applicants for their second-choice major in limited circumstances, including some situations related to honors programs and some in which applicants are not admitted to the major they selected as their first choice.” Does this mean that if she isn’t accepted into McCombs School of Business that she possibly won’t even be accepted into the School of Communications because there are “limited circumstances” to do so?  When otherwise she should be a sure thing for Communications? * Duke TIP for 7th Graders. Quick question… our son got an invite for Duke TIP. Family members whose kids have done it, are highly suggesting we do it. Taking the SAT or ACT in 7th grade seems crazy to me. Do you know if our 7th Grade Math even touches on SAT/ACT material. He qualified because of his Math score on our state exam, so I’m not sure how he’ll do on Reading, although he scored pretty high on Reading too. In an case, I was hoping you could shed some light. Do you think it is a good idea?

Getting students to persist through college is as — or more! — important than getting in. But families often put so much effort into the first part of the process that they forget to pay attention to the second. Gretchen and Megan chronicle six challenges that students face that families would do well to anticipate. Here are the six areas they discuss: * academic prep in high school * executive function skills * emotional and personal skills * community college — good and bad * support (or lack thereof)* navigating bureaucracy

Does college still work? Is the system designed just to protect the privileged and leave everyone else behind? Or can a college education today provide real opportunity to young Americas. Join us for an interview with journalist and author Paul Tough, who has just published The Years That Matter Most: How College Makes or Breaks Us. Specifically we discuss: * A summary of Paul’s main ideas about the huge equity gap in American higher education, and some of the contributing factors* How Paul was inspired to do such intense research about these factors* A case study from University of Texas that shows one institution’s efforts to reduce this equity gap* How Paul thinks about his own children’s education differently as a result of doing this research,* and more! Tune in, and let us know what follow up ideas/questions/concerns you have. We might be able to have Paul on again for a follow up conversation. If that happens, we’d like to include your questions!

The most common question Megan gets from families is how to choose between the ACT, SAT or both? The answer is sadly not clear cut, so Megan walks parents through a number of considerations around the following three questions: * Will either test work for my student?* Do I need to do both of them, or can I pick one?* How exactly can we tell which test is best for my kid’s unique self? Megan also shares the following three resources to help you navigate this tricky question: * How to Plan for Junior Year Tests* Is This Fall the Right Time to Take the SAT or ACT?* Compare SAT & ACT Scores

One of the hardest new habits for parents of middle and high schoolers to learn is how to talk to their students about grades. Last year in May 2019 Gretchen had an indepth email conversation with the parent of one of her 8th grade executive-function challenged clients. Tune in as Gretchen (who has a LOT of compassion for how hard parenting is) reads parts of this communication out loud. She and her co-host Megan discuss: * when to check your student’s grades online, and when NOT to* when and how to approach your student about missing work and low grades* how to become more of a coach than a vigilante* questions you can ask to support a growth mindset, rather than than shaming and blaming your student* the importance of maintaining your own calm AT ALL COSTS so that you can support your own, and your student’s, executive functions,* and more!

Gretchen’s former client Tatiana had a bumpy transition from her last two years of high school into college. She quickly dropped out of a college that she wasn’t very excited to attend, that that started a long but fruitful journey into ADHD diagnosis, community college… and yes! Into her dream school!! Tune into this heartfelt discussion with Tatiana as she reveals: * Why she originally started working with Gretchen as her academic coach* What blinders she had on as a high school student applying to college* How she discovered she had ADHD, and how that diagnosis changed her life* Exactly how she navigated community college, and made the most of her education there* How her perseverance ultimately got her into her dream school. There’s a lot of wisdom and hope in this episode, so please tune in to hear this 21 year old reflect about her journey from despair to elation…and a great education (hey! that rhymes!!).

The perfect planner is so elusive! Gretchen shares some reflections about the criteria that EVERY planner system must meet in order to help students organize their lives… especially if they executive function issues. Specifically she and Megan discuss: * Four problems with the planners that are currently on the market* Three things every planner needs to make VISIBLE to help students manage their time (hint: To Dos, Due Dates, and Time Available)* A few stories about planners-in-action with her clients. The Order Out of Chaos planner that they discuss here is available at https://www.orderoochaos.com/.

Top students think they are the top of their class — so shouldn’t their admission into top universities be a sure thing? A look at the numbers tells a different story. About 35,000 valedictorians in US– not enough seats in the freshman classes of the top 20 universities to take them all. Think about talent as you would with sports– top at school? Your town? your region? State? Could you be on the olympic team? In this episode, Megan walks you through: * what it means to be “realistic” about your chances getting into certain school* some bad news for high achieving kids and valedictorians* four suggestions for honestly assessing your admission factors, for both the high achieving and the middle-of-the-road student

It’s time for another super relevant podcast from the archives! For juniors and seniors, there are so many important dates to remember and plan around related to academics, extracurriculars, and the college search. Megan walks you through how to sit down for a few hours and map out the year on your calendar, so that you aren’t hit with last minute concerns — and can stress less through the school year. Her suggestions include: * academics– test calendar, major exams, etc* activities — performances, dates, games, etc* college concerns — SAT, ACT, PSAT, campus visits, college fairs, application deadlines (seniors), fafsa deadlines, etc* vacations / weekend travel — spring break is coming! Also, Gretchen adds some suggestions about how families can make sure that mom or dad isn’t the only one with these dates on file — but that teenagers have access to them too!

Parents: What if you know your teen needs coaching, but they simply aren’t interested? Gretchen gives you some pointers for how to get them ready to accept the idea of getting academic support. Specifically, she shares tips for how to: * Introduce the idea of coaching to your student in the first place* Ways to research and meet a coach without yet committing to getting coaching* How to help your teen see “what’s in it for them”* What not to say to your teen about coaching If you’d like to take a look at some of Gretchen’s licensed Anti-Boring Approach coaches, check out this link with your student.

The website College Confidential is problematic if it’s the main place you get your college search info. However, there are some ways it’s useful, and Megan breaks down exactly how. Specifically, she shares: * Two great things about the purpose College Confidential serves for parents and students* Two warnings about the website, and what types of folks should not be using it as their college search support* Two useful ways to use the website to help you better understand what types of students get into which school, and which programs within the university might be right for you. Listen in now!