College and Career Clarity
Lisa Marker Robbins
Subscribe
If you are overwhelmed with the college-bound journey, confused by how much things have changed, or frustrated by having more questions than answers, then College and Career Clarity is the compass you need, when you need it most. Weekly episodes with Lisa Marker-Robbins and her guests provide families with strategic guidance to resource your student to make informed choices that align with their passions, purpose, and potential future. You’ll be informed to be able to have intentional & productive family conversations grounded in guidance and broken into actionable steps to move from overwhelmed and confused to motivated, clear, and confident about your teen’s future.
Available episodes
Newest first
Oldest first
1 day ago
College Admission Strategies for Homeschool Families with Rebecca Stuart - Orlowski
Is it really challenging for homeschooled students to get admitted to college? Regardless of whether the student attended a public, private, or homeschool, as long as they have strong communication skills, the student will be fine. In this episode, Rebecca Stuart-Orlowski shares how to positively present homeschooled students through the college application process.
*HIGHLIGHTS:*
* Strong communication skills by both the parent and student are essential for homeschooled families
* How to overcome barriers for homeschooled students applying to college
* Special considerations in the college application process for homeschool families
* Advice for college-bound homeschools families around test-optional policies
* What families with 10th and 11th graders can do to make the future application process easier
*Meet Our Guest*
Rebecca Stuart-Orlowski has a Specialized Certificate in College Counseling from UCSD, a BA in Communicative Disorders from SDSU, and two active teaching credentials: Multiple Subjects w/ a Multicultural Emphasis and Communicatively Handicapped. She taught deaf, deaf/blind, LD, and twice-exceptional students for four years in Chula Vista and San Diego, and was an educational consultant for a small private Catholic PSP (Private Satellite Program) for three years. She has been an IEC since August 2012.
Long before Rebecca moved into her career as an IEC, she was honing her communication skills that currently serve her so well. Rebecca performed professionally as a jazz dancer for over 20 years for the likes of The Beach Boys, Bill Gates and Microsoft, and Visionary Dance Theatre, where she was a choreographer, teacher, and soloist. Her final choreographic piece can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJ85xnwK0as Performing and interacting with professionals from all backgrounds lends itself well to her job as an IEC.
Rebecca is a professional member of IECA, co-chair of the IECA Homeschool Affinity Group, and a member of NACAC and WACAC. She is the parent of two Davidson Young Scholar Alums and presented at a Davidson Young Scholar Summit on 2E children in 2021. Each fall, she speaks to homeschoolers and their parents on the topic of homeschooling and college admissions for her local homeschool co-op. She has been independently homeschooling for 25 years and will graduate with her third and last child in June 2023. She specializes in gifted/2E, STEM, creative, homeschooled, and transfer students.
* Listen on…**the Flourish Site**,** Spotify**,** Apple**,** Google**,** Amazon Music**,** Stitcher**, or your favorite platform. *
*“College & Career Clarity with Lisa is so helpful!” ← Is that you? If so, please consider rating and reviewing my show so I can resource more families and eliminate overwhelm. Thank you!!*
* Links mentioned in this episode:*
*Launch College & Career Clarity Course*
*Launch College and Career Clarity Facebook Community*
*Rebecca on LinkedIn*
* Access the episode transcript here.*
* *
playlist_add
Mar 21, 2023
Gap Year: Is it a better freshmen start?
Is the gap year for your teen? While only about 1% of American high school students currently take a gap year, the wildly popular custom in Europe is on the rise in the United States. Gap years can help your teen learn about the world, and different types of people, gain confidence and mature a little bit before they step onto a college campus.
*EPISODE NOTES*
March is the perfect time to talk about the gap year option, even if your teen is younger and isn’t gearing up for their freshman year of college quite yet. There are many reasons a graduating high school senior might opt for a gap year – a break from formal education and disappointment in their college acceptances are just two of the possible reasons.
A gap year is when a high school senior who intends to enroll in college decides to take a year off. About 20% of European students do this, compared to about 1.2% of American students. Students in the U.S. should consider this as an option because it can have great outcomes. While you might be concerned that a gap year would lead to your teen not making it to college, research shows about 90% of students who do take a gap year end up heading to college. The other 10% may discover that college isn’t the best path for them.
One university, Middlebury College, is a big supporter of the gap year, and they suggest your teen apply to colleges in their senior year of high school, and if they decide to take a gap year, they can defer for a year. Some 89% of colleges and universities in the U.S. have a deferment policy. Double-check that the colleges they’re applying to will allow this - there are some exceptions for those on waitlists.
The key to a successful gap year is to ensure the pause in your teen’s education is intentional. The Gap Year Association conducted a survey of students who took a gap year, and their most valuable experiences included learning how to interact with people from different backgrounds, people from other countries, and people different from themselves. Your teen can gain confidence and maturity from this character-building experience. *Links mentioned in this episode*
Launch College & Career Clarity Course
Launch College and Career Clarity Facebook Community
Episode #013 The Many Advantages of a Gap Year*Timeline*
[00:00] Introduction
[02:02] What is a Gap Year?
[03:01] Gap Year Concerns
[04:48] When do you figure out that you want to do a gap year?
[08:44] What are the benefits of a gap year?
[10:43] How to design an intentional gap year
[14:01] How a gap year can be life-changing
[17:38] Four outcomes to think about
[20:23] Conclusion
playlist_add
Mar 14, 2023
COVID Impact on College Admissions with Amy Seeley and Cristiana Quinn
As we hit the third anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic, I’ve invited two guests, Amy Seeley and Cristiana Quinn, to discuss the effects it has had on college admissions. This includes both how students apply to college and how colleges determine who to admit. The last three years have felt like the wild west to those who work with college-bound families, so we know it feels even more so to you. Our conversation details the changes we’ve made to the advice we share with parents navigating the sometimes-bumpy road of helping their students get into college.
*EPISODE NOTES:*
With the rise of test-optional policies, the college admissions process has become more unpredictable for colleges, who are trying to determine which students will be successful on their campus. The average number of applications that students submit has greatly increased since 2020 and therefore colleges are inundated with applications making their job even more challenging.
On the college side, dealing with more applicants has made demonstrated interest and yield protection play a bigger role. Each college has a different idea of what they want their freshman class to look like: in-state and out-of-state students, international students, diversity, athletes, and legacy students to fill their roster. These priorities may change yearly based on leadership changes and more.
Families and colleges alike are taking more strategic approaches with early action, early decision 1 and 2, and regular decision. Early decision has become more selective since COVID, with acceptance rates dropping and more colleges filling a higher percentage of their seats during early decision. There have been new challenges in securing on-campus housing. It’s important to pay close attention to the changing rules around housing and enrollment deposit deadlines.
In addition to housing, your family ought to carefully check the admissions and financial aid pages of each school's website for important information about merit aid and other deadlines. Listen in and your family will have expert advice on reducing stress during the application process, minimizing the college list, and engaging with standardized testing despite the prevalence of test-optional policies.
*LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:*
*Launch College & Career Clarity Course*
*College Admission Advisors, LLC*
*Seeley Test Pros*
*Tests and the Rest*
*Podcast Episodes Mentioned:*
#037 ACT-SAT Test Optional Admission Data
#042 Will Grade Inflation Hurt Your Teen?
#052 Demonstrated Interest: How It Can Help Guide Your College Search
*TIMELINE:*
[00:53] Intro
[02:15] Introducing The Episode Guests
[02:55] Changes To The College Application Process Post-Covid
[04:37] Admissions Changes And Their Causes
[05:08] Definition of Yield
[07:18] What Drives Yield Protection Efforts
[08:21] The Effects of Grade Inflation & Test-Optional Admissions
[12:47] How Many Schools a Student SHOULD Apply To
[13:49] College Application Best Practices
[16:23] Early Decision, Regular Decision & How They Affect Scholarships
[23:25] How Admission Fluctuations Affect Housing
[25:10] Demonstrated Interest Can Help
[26:19] Minimizing Stress Can Help
[27:55] Final Thoughts
playlist_add
Mar 7, 2023
Say Goodbye to the Paper SAT Test with David Blobaum
It’s the end of an era for standardized testing. For the past 90 years, students have taken their SATs in a pencil-to-paper format. However, as ACT and SAT expert David Blobaum shares, 2023 is the final year of the paper SAT. In March 2024, the SAT will be an all-digital test and it will become adaptive. David explains what a digital-adaptive test is and gives advice for how your teen can best adapt to this change.
*EPISODE NOTES*
We’ll soon say goodbye to the paper SAT. Yes, you heard me correctly. 2023 is the last year of the paper SAT. The first 2024 test on March 9 will be a fully-digital test. And I'm sure you're already wondering, what does this mean to your teen's college-bound journey?
David Blobaum is a graduate of the University of Chicago and co-founder of Summit prep; his expertise is in college entrance testing.
In addition to being a digital test, the SAT will be adaptive to your teen. Each student will have the same first verbal section. Then, depending on your teen’s performance in that section, the next section will adapt based on ability. The same is true for the math portion. The good news is this means a shorter test moving from the current three-hour test to only two hours which is a win for students.
Unfortunately with any change in the middle of an academic year, the high school class of 2025, current sophomores, are caught in the crosshairs of change and will have to plan strategically. David recommends if your teen will be a junior in the 2023-24 school year and want to take the SAT instead of the ACT they should complete SAT testing by the end of 2023.
David does give some encouragement with the fact that for students doing SAT prep, the content of what is tested will remain very similar to the paper version; the major difference is the reading portion. If your teen has not completed algebra 2 before the junior year, David suggests considering the ACT instead of the SAT. One issue with the new SAT is there will be a shortage of materials to use when preparing and practicing for the SAT while the ACT has a lot of practice material available.
Will change be good? Time will tell and it will be a while before we know. In the meantime, college-bound families are encouraged to think strategically and plan ahead.
*TIMELINE*
[1:05] Introduction
[2:50] The end of an era with paper SATs
[4:25] Adaptive testing
[7:22] Current sophomores need to plan strategically
[13:21] Recruited athletes
[18:11] PSATs
[21:56] Parting words of advice from David
[23:30] Conclusion
*LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE*
Get your College Planning Timeline
Launch College & Career Clarity Course
Connect with David at Summit Prep
Episode #022 The College-Bound Student Athlete
Episode #053 ACT Data and the Story It Tell for Your Student
playlist_add
Feb 28, 2023
Career Close-Up: Accounting Doesn't Have to be Boring with Jim Vogt
Forensic accounting brings some excitement to the career path of accounting. My guest, professor Jim Vogt, shares it is multidisciplinary and is about much more than just accounting. In this episode, we discuss the types of students who might enjoy learning forensic accounting skills as well as the different career paths in this field. Students who show natural curiosity, perseverance, tenacity, and an analytical mind could benefit from making forensic accounting the aim of their college experience.
*SHOW NOTES
*
In this episode of the "College and Career Clarity" podcast, Lisa Marker-Robbins talks with Jim Vogt, who teaches accounting and fraud at San Diego State University and the University of Colorado Denver. Vogt has had an exciting accounting career working with businesses in fraud protection and prevention. He talks about the multidisciplinary nature of forensic accounting and the importance of skills such as natural curiosity, perseverance, analytical thinking, and excellent communication skills.
Vogt emphasizes that forensic accounting is not just about numbers; it also involves skills in interviewing techniques and identifying if someone is being deceptive. He addresses the misconception that accounting is a boring field and shows how forensic accounting can be a great fit for those with accounting degrees, as well as those with other degrees.
While accounting is the most common and probably the best path to take for a career in forensic accounting, Vogt explains that there are other degrees and certifications that can be helpful, such as finance or business degrees, and certifications such as Certified Fraud Examiner. He also suggests that an internship or work experience can be helpful in getting a foot in the door, especially for organizations such as the FBI, which hires forensic accountants and agents with accounting degrees.
Vogt discusses the full spectrum of the career path in forensic accounting, which includes prevention, detection, investigation, and legal resolution. He notes that organizations often overlook the prevention and detection side of forensic accounting, which leads to more cases requiring investigation and legal resolution. He also mentions the broad field of forensic accounting, which includes business valuation, commercial damages, and other areas outside of fraud investigation and examination.
In terms of where forensic accountants might find work, Vogt suggests that banks and financial institutions are great places to start, as almost all of them have someone working in consumer fraud, credit card fraud, or check fraud. Other potential employers include law enforcement agencies, accounting firms, and consulting firms.
Overall, the episode provides valuable insights into the diverse and exciting field of forensic accounting and highlights the skills and attributes that are essential for a successful career in this area.*Links mentioned in this episode*
Launch College & Career Clarity Course
FBI Jobs
FBI Student Opportunities
Stay in touch with Jim on LinkedIn
AICPA Forensic Accounting
playlist_add
Feb 21, 2023
Navigating the Competitive Landscape of Computer Science Admissions
Computer science is currently one of the hottest college majors. The job opportunities are plentiful and promise a great return on your investment in your child’s college education. But demand has made CS programs competitive. Is it the right program for your child? And if so, what can your teen do to maximize their chance of being accepted? Jennifer Stephan is a university dean of academic advising and a private college counselor working primarily with STEM-focused students. She breaks down what colleges look for in teens applying to computer science programs.
*EPISODE NOTES*
Over the past decade and a half, the job market and economy have seen their fair share of ups and downs. As a parent, you want to know when your child graduates from college, they’ll be able to get a well-paying job in their field. This starts with choosing the right major. Studying computer science can open many doors for your student after graduation, and CS has become one of the most highly sought-after majors. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most competitive majors, with several top programs boasting admissions rates in the single digits.
Jennifer Stephan is a Dean of Academic Advising and Undergraduate Studies at Tufts University’s School of Engineering and an independent college admissions counselor. We discuss computer science as a discipline, course of study, and career to determine what kind of student is equipped to thrive in this field. Of course, a solid background in math and science is a must, but if you’ve got a creative teen on your hands, computer science might be an avenue they want to explore.
If your student has already demonstrated an interest in computer science, it’s important to help them develop a college application that will help them stand out from a crowd of other highly qualified applicants. The key is authenticity. Computer science-oriented coursework and extracurriculars are an excellent place to start. Still, to get into some of the best computer science programs, your student will need to demonstrate intellectual curiosity, creative problem-solving, and genuine interest throughout their application.
*Links Mentioned in this Episode:*
*Launch College & Career Clarity Course*
*Lantern College Counseling Website*
*TIMELINE*
[00:44] Introduction
[01:57] computer science’s popularity boom
[03:41] It’s all about creative problem solving
[06:53] The competitiveness of computer science programs
[12:09] Giving your application a strong CS fingerprint
[17:01] Demonstrate intellectual curiosity
[19:29] Considering majors outside computer science
[21:36] Pursue what you really love
playlist_add
Feb 14, 2023
College Admission by Major with Andy Borst
At many schools, like the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, prospective students must apply to a specific major when applying to college during the high school senior year. Since this is not standard at all colleges, it can be a confusing hurdle for many high schoolers and their families - but it doesn’t have to be. What does this mean for your teen? In this episode with Andy Borst, UIUC’s Director of Undergraduate Admissions, you’ll learn how college major-based admissions works and how to set your teen up to successfully navigate the process.
*EPISODE NOTES
*
Although it can sometimes seem like it, admissions officers aren’t in the business of crushing your teen’s dreams. In fact, they want to make things possible for as many students as they can, and that’s where a college major-based admissions process can come into play. Each university can only accommodate a certain number of students in each program, so this type of application can help admissions staff focus on the students that are truly interested in the major and most likely to thrive.
When it comes to schools that admit by major, you might be surprised to learn that certain majors at these schools might be restricted to your student applying only as a 12th grader. For instance, if your child wants to study Computer Science at UIUC, they can only be admitted as a freshman or a transfer from another school. This means it’s crucial that your student does the work in high school to identify a college major that aligns to their wiring.
Andy warns not to try to take a shortcut into these highly competitive majors by applying for a different major in the hopes of transferring into your student’s desired field later. Trying to game the system isn’t wise. In these cases, your teen will be better off attending a different university where they have an assured start in their top choice major.
Of course, this kind of application process can feel unfair to your high schooler who is just on the cusp of adulthood. That’s where the Flourish Coaching course Launch Career Clarity comes in. In our online course with live support, our goal is to help your teen discover the right college major so your teen finds the right college and has more favorable outcomes.
*Links mentioned in this episode
*
Launch College & Career Clarity Course
UIUC Tool on Majors
*Timeline
*
● [00:17] - Introduction
● [02:21] - How applications to individual majors work
● [06:19] - The role that capacity plays in the admissions process
● [07:07] - What do universities look for?
● [08:58] - How important are extracurriculars?
● [10:56] - Can students change majors later on?
● [14:57] - How common are restricted majors?
● [18:17] - Transparency in the process
● [21:19] - Finding your fit at Illinois
playlist_add
Feb 7, 2023
Finding College Campuses that Fit Your Teen with Anita Gajula
Your teen will go to college to both live and learn, so it’s important to find a campus that is a good social fit along with academic programs and financial aid offerings to match your student. How do you tell which colleges might be a good match for your high school student? In this episode, Anita Gajula, an independent college counselor, and I give you insights into finding the best home away from home for your child.
*EPISODE NOTES*
When your teen starts window shopping for colleges, it can be tempting to hold out for the perfect match. However, I firmly believe and teach that there are no soulmate colleges. So while the “perfect” school may not exist, there are likely many places where your child can thrive if given they give it a chance.
Anita Gajula and I arm your family with ways to start your search in this episode. Since your teen has never attended a university before, we provide guidance on how you can use their high school experience to frame their search. Asking the right questions is key to determining if a college is a good option.
Anita also shares additional strategies to guide your search like how to people-watch on campus and we list our favorite apps and platforms you can use to weed out colleges that are poor matches, along with choosing which schools to invest in a visit.
Your family will be wise to also remember that college, like many other things in life, will be what you make of it. Sometimes the right mindset can matter more than the right school. That’s why, to avoid disappointment, starting your college search knowing every school will have its quirks and drawbacks will serve your family well. Remember not to let perfect become the enemy of good!
*Links mentioned in this episode:
*
*Launch College & Career Clarity Course*
*Episode #031 **Your College List: Social Fit*
*CollegeWise Website*
*College Search Sites:*
*Niche*
*Loper*
*Campus Reel*
*College Scoops*
*Timeline*
[00:17] Introduction
[01:57] A campus should be your child’s home away from home
[02:49] Don’t expect perfection or a soulmate match
[04:53] Start considering colleges through the lens of the high school experience
[07:33] Start window shopping at local college campuses
[12:27] Resources for finding potential college matches
[14:31] Follow college social media accounts
[17:29] How much does social fit matter?
[21:22] Sign-off
playlist_add
Jan 31, 2023
Scholarships: Where to Find & How to Win Them with Jennifer Finetti
Regardless of your family’s financial situation, the thought of paying more than necessary for college is a less-than-desirable prospect. With a variety of scholarships available to students, families of all income levels are wise to take advantage of any opportunities they can. It may feel like the odds are stacked against you and your high school student when it comes to knowing where to look for scholarships, how to apply, and whether or not it is worth your teen investing the time to apply. In this episode, my expert guest, Jennifer Finetti answers these questions and gives great advice for your family.
*EPISODE NOTES*
My guest Jennifer Finetti has supported over 12,000 college-bound students who are trying to figure out how to fund college. Her expertise is from her own journey with her children, the work she does with ScholarshipOwl.com, and her background in counseling and psychology. There are three types of scholarships that students can apply for, and Jennifer does a fantastic job of breaking down the three categories, as well as the advantages and downsides of each type. She provides great tips for when and how your teen should apply, as well as how to determine which applications are worth the effort. Not all scholarship opportunities are created equal.
High school can of course be a very busy and sometimes stressful period for you and your student. Jennifer believes, and I tend to agree, that it’s important for your teen to carry some responsibility for paying for their college education. Whether this means working a job and building their savings or applying for as many scholarships as they can, many students are going to have to find some way of easing the financial burden of college. This is generally true regardless of your family’s financial situation. Thankfully, there are many available funding options, so the more your student is able to get out there and find that free money, the easier it will be to find the school that will truly be their best financial fit. With thousands of 4-year universities, there is a fit for everyone regardless of your budget. I hope this episode gives you a few more tools to help you find common-sense ways to achieve your teen’s post-graduation goals.
*Links mentioned in this episode*
*Launch College & Career Clarity Course*
*Launch College and Career Clarity Facebook Community*
*ScholarshipOwl Website*
*The ScholarshipOwl Community on Discord*
*Find ScholarshipOwl on social channels @scholarshipowl
TIMELINE*
[2:36] Students should take some responsibility toward paying for their own college education.
[4:33] How to find a school that is a good financial fit.
[6:30] Why setting financial parameters, and staying within (or even below) your means is important from the outset.
[10:00] How students can save money and avoid taking out student loans.
[11:58] The three different types of scholarships and how to apply for them
[15:89] How much work does it take to get scholarships, and is it worth it?
[20:00] When is the right time to apply for scholarships?
[20:58] How to apply for private, external scholarships
[23:23] At what age should students start applying for scholarships?
playlist_add
Jan 24, 2023
High School Course Selection Tips with Julie Spak
High school course selection always feels tricky balancing the needs and wants of the student, figuring out the proper level of rigor, and understanding what colleges expect. Whether your student is picking their classes this month or the next, it’s important to have those conversations now. Whether your student’s GPA, their future college admissions, or fulfilling prerequisites for future courses, the high school curriculum they choose can have a big impact. I invited my colleague Julie Spak, an independent college counselor, to discuss the choices your teen will soon be making and how you can best support them in choosing and pursuing their future goals.
*EPISODE NOTES*
The classes your student takes in high school can have a major impact on both their high school and college careers. And there’s more to strategic course selection than just loading up on AP classes. It’s important to consider which classes will be relevant to your teen’s interests and future college major. Plus, taking a rigorous course load is only impressive on a college application if the student can handle the workload and thrive. That’s why it’s vital to really consider which classes will be best for a student’s long-term goals.
In this episode, I speak with my friend and colleague, Julie Spak, about the best ways for your family to approach selecting courses for your teen. To start, it’s always a good idea to learn as much as possible about the curriculum offered each school year - expect changes from year to year. This might mean attending informational meetings, academic fairs, or simply reading the course catalog online.
We advise once you start selecting courses, it’s important that you think about future school years as well. This means that even freshman students should consider what they want to study in their senior year. After all, they don’t want to be prevented from signing up for a vital class later because they didn’t take the prerequisites.
And if your teen will be a junior next year, it’s important to remember their senior year is not for slacking! Colleges will look at senior year transcripts, so you don’t want to skip that fourth year of math, load up on fluff, or fail to take your coursework seriously.
Ultimately, every class a student takes in high school will be important to their future. That’s why taking the course selection process seriously is so essential. Fortunately, if you need a little guidance, this episode is full of insights, tips, and tricks.
*Links mentioned in this episode
*Launch College & Career Clarity Course
Launch College and Career Clarity Facebook Community
Find Julie on LinkedIn
Julie at LEAP
*Timeline
*[0:42] Intro
[2:22] When do high schools start scheduling courses?
[3:30] Should families attend the school’s informational meetings about course selection?
[5:33] Why you should pay attention to the curriculum guides
[7:50] Plan for future semesters by taking prerequisites
[9:35] Review college websites for their high school course selection recommendations
[11:20] The common data set
[12:29] Why senior year classes are just as important
[14:50] Check the AP and dual enrollment credit policy for each college you are interested in
[17:48] The importance of senior year math classes
[21:23] Choosing when you should take an AP class
[23:39] The benefits of taking foreign language classes
[26:17] What defines a fluff class, and why should you avoid them?
[28:14] Julie’s contact information
[28:46] Wrap-up
playlist_add
Jan 17, 2023
ACT Data & the Story It Tells for Your Student with Rose Babington
You may have heard in the news that ACT scores dipped to a 30-year low in 2022. This episode explores the implications of the ACT test: what it measures, what it means in terms of college entrance, and how even a less-than-ideal score can serve as a roadmap to help your student find where they are to where they want to be in the future.
*
EPISODE NOTES:*
You may have heard in the news that ACT scores dipped to a 30-year low in 2022. At the same time, many studies have shown that high school GPAs seem to have reached an all-time high as grade inflation continues to climb. What does this mean for your student, and how do you ensure they are properly equipped for the road ahead? My guest Rose Babbington currently works as the senior director for ACT state partnerships, and she has many insights to share that help simplify this often stressful and intimidating area of college readiness.
Even though the ACT gives an overall score as a metric to predict success during the first year of college, in reality, there are four separate areas contributing to the overall average, and these scores often give a more accurate assessment of what’s going on with your student’s high school achievement and future college success. ACT includes college readiness benchmark scores as well. High scores can show your student’s strengths, but consistently low scores don’t necessarily need to be a cause for dismay. In fact, they can serve as useful markers to create a successful strategy going forward. These may be identifying learning gaps in your child’s education where they may need extra support. Identifying these things early on are important ways to ensure success in college and beyond, and as it turns out, the ACT is an excellent, data-driven way to do just that.
*Links mentioned in this episode:*
Episode #042: Will grade inflation hurt your teen?
Launch College & Career Clarity Course
ACT Website
Gradclass 2022
*TIMELINE SUMMARY*
0:32: ACT scores for the class of 2020 reach a 30-year low
2:22: ACT data and its importance for students and families
11:27: High number of students not meeting college readiness benchmarks
12:18: Proponent of students starting early on the ACT test
13:03: ACT score report breaks down subject areas for improvement
14:13: The value of getting test booklets back for improvement
15:20: ACT test reflects a student's performance on a single day.
playlist_add
Jan 10, 2023
Demonstrated Interest: How It Can Help Guide Your College Search with Sylvia Borgo
In this episode, Sylvia Borgo and I discuss how a student’s demonstrated interest in a college can create an admission advantage for your teen and how you can determine which colleges don’t care about demonstrated interest. Sylvia also shares how she advises high school students to consider the value demonstrating interest brings to their college-bound journey.
*
EPISODE NOTES*
The second half of 10th grade is the ‘sweet spot’ for your teen to start their research on colleges, starting perhaps with schools in your area. And if your family has not started by junior year, it’s time to get hustling!
Demonstrated interest is when your teen engages with a college prior to applying. Many colleges track how much your student demonstrates interest. From a college’s standpoint, they want your student to engage as they know they are more likely to attend if admitted. Therefore, for colleges that do track demonstrated interest, your teen’s engagement with them can lead to an admis…
playlist_add
Jan 3, 2023
Navigating the College Bound Journey: Tips for On-Time Completion
We’re halfway through the academic year! That means some college-bound students and their families may feel like they’ve fallen a bit behind with their college prep. However, others might be diligently sticking to a tight timeline. Which one are you? Regardless of where you are in the process, maintaining the right approach can be key as you move forward. In this episode, I’ll give you tips for catching up, keeping up, and inspiration so that you can make timely progress with your goals and deadlines.
*EPISODE NOTES*
Your dreams can be an amazing source of motivation. By harnessing their power, you can be propelled down the path to accomplishing your goals. However, it’s important to not let your expectations become too rigid. Not only does life not always go according to plan, but sometimes being flexible can actually be beneficial for you and your college-bound student in the long run. That’s why approaching the college journey with an open mind is going to be key.
You n…
playlist_add
Dec 27, 2022
Best of 2022: ACT-SAT Test Optional Admission Data
Covid brought about the rapid growth of SAT and ACT test-optional for college admissions, which has been great for some students. As we move past Covid, should your teen be taking the tests now? My friend Brooke Hanson from Supertutor Media Inc and SupertutorTV says in most cases yes! In this episode she shares the data to demonstrate that among top selective colleges they are accepting more students who took a test, even when those schools loudly claim to be test-optional. Listen to the episode for the inside scoop on why this once test optional supporter has reconsidered the value of testing. Her students will be taking the test and you may just discover your teen should too.
*EPISODE NOTES*
SupertutorTV's Brooke Hanson has been a supporter of test-optional for many years, but recently changed her mind based on data discovered from school admissions reports and her own belief in the positive mindset shift that comes from test prep and testing. There are some high school students fo…
playlist_add
Dec 20, 2022
Best of 2022: A Game Changer - Career Counseling in High School
We all know that college is expensive, so parents don’t like the idea of their students wasting time on majors; they end up changing while trying to figure out their career path. Vicki Weisbrod is a counselor at Bishop Fenwick High School in Ohio and along with her team, they are the first high school to work with Lisa in the Launch Career Clarity Course.
Find out how Lisa’s program coupled with the Birkman personality test has become a GAME CHANGER for Fenwick H.S. and helps students and parents look for college majors and careers that students can excel in according to their personal interests, values, and wiring. They discuss the importance of adding career to the conversation around future planning.
*Highlights:*
(2:59) The difference between roles of being a high school counselor and college counselor and how her career has changed in those roles.
(4:05) How the team works with families to address the academic, social, and emotional college and career aspects of high schoo…
playlist_add
Dec 13, 2022
Best of 2022: Building Motivation & Stress Tolerance for Happy Teens
As parents, what we want the most is for our kids to lead happy lives. However, even though our hearts are in the right place, we sometimes struggle to say the right thing to help our children in moments of stress and crisis. This is especially true when it comes to parenting and motivating college-bound teens. Navigating these moments can be challenging, but my guest today, Ned Johnson, has some advice that can help. He’s literally co-authored a book on it - twice- and he has some great insights on empathy and validation, as well as strategies to help support your teen in an effective manner.
*EPISODE NOTES*
Ned Johnson is an expert in promoting success in teens. He’s spent thousands of hours tutoring college-bound students and helping them manage their stress and anxiety, as much as their academics. He’s also co-authored two books with William Stixrud, Ph.D., on the neuroscience behind motivating your kids and setting them up for success. So it’s safe to say, he has some pr…
playlist_add
Dec 6, 2022
The Neurodivergent College-Bound Journey with Eric Endlich
What does the college-bound journey look like for neurodiverse students who have ADHD, Autism spectrum disorder, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, and other learning disabilities? What should parents of high school students with learning differences keep in mind as they navigate the road toward college and career? My guest in this episode is Eric Endlich, a clinical psychologist and educational consultant who has worked with his organization, Top College Consultants, serving families with neurodivergent students to create a successful college bound strategy.
*EPISODE NOTES*
If you have a child with learning differences, you probably already know that their path in life often looks a little different from that of their neurotypical peers. So when it comes to creating a college-bound strategy, it should come as no surprise that this is also going to require some outside the box thinking. If your child has ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, or other learning disabilities, what can…
playlist_add
Nov 29, 2022
How to Recession Proof Your College Bound Journey
Today’s uncertain financial atmosphere likely has you nervous about the future. From higher prices at the gas pump and in the grocery stores to a rapidly fluctuating stock market, families all over the country are having to make tough financial choices. Today, I am joined by two good friends of mine who work closely with college-bound families, Beth Walker, a Registered Financial Advisor, and Beatrice Schultz, a Certified Financial Planner, to discuss why college should remain on the table, and how families can help their college-bound students succeed in these challenging times.
*EPISODE NOTES
*Are we in a recession? I’m not a financial expert, so I honestly don’t know.
I do know that these uncertain financial times we are currently living in are having a massive impact on the families of the college-bound students that I work with and as a mother, I know what it feels like to navigate the process of paying for my child’s college education without knowing for certain what t…
playlist_add
Nov 22, 2022
Career Close-Up: Commercial Photography with Ali Wolfe
I love being able to have people on the show who are great at what they do, and are able to share their expertise and insight with my listeners. Ali Wolfe is a professional photographer in the greater Cincinnati area and I am a huge fan of her work. In fact, she just finished up a photo shoot with us here at Flourish and I just love what she has created! In this episode, Ali shares with us what it’s like to work in a creative field, and why a college degree can be an important part of what it takes to become a good photographer.
*EPISODE NOTES*
While careers in STEM fields are growing all the time, it can be easy to forget to look into other areas when planning for the future, especially when it comes to artistic careers like photography or other visual arts. But if you have a teen who has artistic abilities and passions, they will benefit from hearing what Ali has to say about how to build skill as an artist. She also makes a strong case for a college degree when pursuing photogra…
playlist_add
Nov 15, 2022
Student Guide to Acing Interviews with Julie Crenshaw
No matter how old you are or where you’re at in life, meeting new people and building a network can be intimidating. For young students just starting out on their journey, it can be downright terrifying. But it doesn’t have to be. In this episode, I’m speaking with Julie Crenshaw, author of the bestselling book Navigating & Avoiding Awkward Conversations, and she has some beneficial tips to share that can give your teen a confidence boost as they begin to connect with future employers and educators.
*EPISODE NOTES*
No matter how thorough your high school student’s college list may be or how detailed the plan is, it’s impossible to achieve any of their goals without reaching out and connecting with other people. Whether it’s emailing a college admissions officer, requesting a job shadow, or sitting for an interview, it can be scary for your teen to put themself out there. Sometimes though, as Julie reminds us, all it takes is a shift in perspective to help get rid of some…
playlist_add
Nov 8, 2022
College Major Identification with the Birkman Method
In this episode, it’s my great privilege to sit down with someone who has been a dream guest of mine for quite some time. Sharon Birkman is the former CEO of Birkman International and currently serves as the chairwoman of the board. She is the daughter of Dr. Roger Birkman, the creator of the Birkman Method. This revolutionary personality assessment harnesses the power of positive psychology to help people find their best career fit, and I personally have been using this method for more than a decade to advise over 3600 students and currently use it in my Launch Career Clarity course to help guide students to their best fit future college major and career.
*EPISODE NOTES*
As a parent, you are likely similar to me and want your child to grow up to be a successful and well-adjusted adult. But even more, you want them to be happy and fulfilled. After all, isn’t that the truest measure of success? But when it comes to choosing a college and career path for your teen, there seems to b…
playlist_add
Nov 1, 2022
Will grade inflation hurt your teen? with Brian Eufinger
High school grade and GPA inflation has become rampant since COVID, and families can be caught off guard when they realize that when it comes to GPA, pretty good is no longer good enough. Brian Eufinger explains how we got here and gives tips on how to best navigate your family’s college-bound journey in the current climate so your teen can avoid roadblocks when applying to college.
*EPISODE NOTES*
Brian Eufinger is my guest today. He is a test prep and tutoring provider for the Greater Atlanta area, and he has some shocking statistics to share with you as well as some helpful advice. While test scores are certainly important, even impressively high scores are not going to be enough for many schools if your student’s grades are not up to snuff. Like it or not, grades are the most significant factor in college admissions decisions.
The reality is that because of grade inflation, the GPA that got you as a parent into college decades ago may not even be considered passable for your…
playlist_add
Oct 25, 2022
Nursing Program Admissions with Jon Rice
Nursing program admission is highly competitive which is reason enough to investigate closely before applying to college so your teen is making informed decisions. In this episode, you’ll learn about the different pathways to becoming a nurse, and what your family can be doing right now to secure a spot in this highly competitive and rigorous field of study.
*EPISODE NOTES*
Interest in nursing is sky-high, and as a result, institutions have become more and more selective in admitting students into their nursing programs. In this episode, Jon Rice shares the different pathways available to students who may be interested in pursuing a degree in this field.
Jon works in admissions at the University of San Francisco, and he has a wealth of information on the ins and outs of what it takes to get into their coveted direct-entry program as well as other programs throughout the US. I really appreciated his take on the direct entry approach. I’ll admit, I’ve often thought these types o…
playlist_add
Oct 18, 2022
Building Motivation & Stress Tolerance for Happy Teens with Ned Johnson
As parents, what we want the most is for our kids to lead happy lives. However, even though our hearts are in the right place, we sometimes struggle to say the right thing to help our children in moments of stress and crisis. This is especially true when it comes to parenting and motivating college-bound teens. Navigating these moments can be challenging, but my guest today, Ned Johnson, has some advice that can help. He’s literally co-authored a book on it - twice- and he has some great insights on empathy and validation, as well as strategies to help support your teen in an effective manner.
*EPISODE NOTES
*Ned Johnson is an expert in promoting success in teens. He’s spent thousands of hours tutoring college-bound students and helping them manage their stress and anxiety, as much as their academics. He’s also co-authored two books with William Stixrud, Ph.D., on the neuroscience behind motivating your kids and setting them up for success. So it’s safe to say, he has some pre…
playlist_add
Oct 11, 2022
Career Close-Up: Forensic Scientist with Antoinette Campbell
If your teen has ever been curious about forensics after a late night binging CSI or Law & Order, this episode is for your family. Not only has my guest, Antoinette Campbell, worked in crime labs for more than two decades, but she’s also the founder of a program in Philadelphia that is designed to help young people explore the field of forensic science. She’ll walk us through realities about the profession and how it compares to the TV portrayals, while also explaining how diverse the field is (spoiler: it’s more than just crime scenes!). Plus she gives some great advice for any student interested in preparing for a forensics career.*Episode Notes*
Crime dramas have helped inspire many teens to become interested in forensic science. While these shows are very entertaining, they don’t actually give a complete picture of the field. In this episode, my guest, Antoinette Campbell, from the Association of Women of Forensic Science, dissects what it really means to be a forensic sci…
playlist_add
Oct 4, 2022
How to Get Financial Aid Now with Stuart Siegel
Financial aid season is upon us yet again. However, if you’ve got a high school student who is entering college, don’t hit ‘submit’ on your FAFSA or CSS Profile applications just yet. You’ll want to be sure to listen to Stuart Siegal, founder of Financial Aid Now, for his advice on everything you need to know to maximize your child’s aid. He also offers some keen insight into common mistakes you as parents might make on the FAFSA or other forms, which can wind up costing you thousands in potential aid.
EPISODE NOTES
Like many other parents sending their first child to college, Stuart Siegal struggled to maximize the potential of his oldest’s financial aid applications. However, unlike many others, Stuart was also a licensed financial planner. So to prepare for his next children’s applications, he supplemented his existing knowledge with in-depth research to learn how to make the most of the available financial aid. Now, he uses his system, Financial Aid Now, to help o…
playlist_add
Sep 27, 2022
ACT-SAT Test Optional Admission Data with Brooke Hansen
Covid brought about the rapid growth of SAT and ACT test-optional for college admissions, which has been great for some students. As we move past Covid, should your teen be taking the tests now? My friend Brooke Hanson from Supertutor Media Inc and SupertutorTV says in most cases yes! In this episode she shares the data to demonstrate that among top selective colleges they are accepting more students who took a test, even when those schools loudly claim to be test-optional. Listen to the episode for the inside scoop on why this once test optional supporter has reconsidered the value of testing. Her students will be taking the test and you may just discover your teen should too.
*EPISODE NOTES*
SupertutorTV's Brooke Hanson has been a supporter of test-optional for many years, but recently changed her mind based on data discovered from school admissions reports and her own belief in the positive mindset shift that comes from test prep and testing. There are some high school students fo…
playlist_add
Sep 20, 2022
How to Know if a College is Giving Their Best Price with Mark Salisbury
With the high cost of college, don’t you wish you could pull back the curtain on college pricing to be sure you are getting their best offer for your teen? My guest, Mark Salisbury, created TuitionFit to gather information and put it into a “Kelly Bluebook” of college pricing. Whether your student is just starting to consider and visit colleges or they’ve already applied or even been excepted, the data Mark will provide you for free will help you know if you are getting a good deal or perhaps it’s worth asking for a bigger discount. Mark gathers student profiles and financial award letters to create a data set with amazing benefits for your student and their family. Price transparency means you can get the best price for higher education, so I hope you listen to the episode!
*EPISODE NOTES*
Did you know that only 1 in 10 freshmen pays the advertised sticker price at their university? That is just one reason why my guest Mark Salisbury created TuitionFit, a crowdfunded data…
playlist_add
Sep 13, 2022
How my course helps with college visits, lists, apps, essays, & more
How well does your teen know themself? When seeking college major and career clarity, the most important thing to understand is what aligns with who your teen is. That's how they'll find careers perfectly suited for them. In this solo episode, I’m sharing about my Launch Career Clarity course, which is now available for a limited time and is only available for enrollment twice a year. My step-by-step framework helps your high school student with improving their extracurriculars, writing personal statements and essays, and comes with a lot of other useful information. Keep listening to learn how my course not only helps identify the best fit major and career but will set your student up to save time on future college applications and stand out from the crowd.
*EPISODE NOTES*
My Launch Career Clarity course is designed to help teens understand themself and what college majors and careers align with them, I provide my proprietary system to research careers and provide up-close experie…
playlist_add
Sep 6, 2022
Overcoming College Major Confusion with Natalie Schwartzkopf
In this episode of College & Career Clarity, Natalie Schwartzkopf, a former student of mine who’s pursuing a chemical engineering bachelor’s degree from the University of Dayton, shares her success story. She shares invaluable insights and encouragement on how to overcome obstacles while inspiring others with her journey to college major-career clarity and successful college career.
*EPISODE NOTES*
Natalie’s transformative experience from high school student to a college junior all started when she worked with me on finding the “right fit.” As you know, I’m a huge proponent of ensuring the upcoming college curriculum and career trajectory fits who your teen is as a person. There are many important aspects to fit. Still, one of the most significant parts can be matching your teen’s natural talents and wiring to their future job.
Natalie did just that by utilizing a personality assessment that allowed her to see just how much activity and movement she needed in her futur…
playlist_add
Aug 30, 2022
Your College List: Majors & Careers with Katie Bauer
College truly is an investment, often at least one of hundred thousand dollars and sometimes quite a bit more. As a parent, you’re willing to help your teen with this investment because you know college can set them on the path toward a successful, independent, happy adult life. A significant part of that happiness is finding the right college major that leads to a best-fit career path. In this week’s podcast, I sit down with Katie Bauer, the strategic partnership coordinator for Lakota Local Schools. We discuss how to cultivate experiences that will help your teen hone in on the right major for their future career.
EPISODE NOTES
Katie Bauer, the strategic partnership coordinator for Lakota local schools in the Greater Cincinnati, Ohio area, has worked with thousands of families throughout her career and recognizes the importance of guiding students into one of the four E’s- employment, enlistment, enrollment, or entrepreneurship - for after high school graduation. Through her…
playlist_add
Aug 23, 2022
Your College List: Financial Fit with Dr. Abigail Sussman
*EPISODE SUMMARY*
Before you head into what is likely to be a six figure investment into your child’s future, you’ll want to catch this episode with Dr. Abigail Sussman, professor at the University of Chicago, as she shares with us some of her knowledge about the psychology of money. She has some great advice on how to think about paying for college so you can avoid busting the budget and going into unnecessary debt or sacrificing other important financial priorities.
*EPISODE NOTES*
Dr. Abigail Sussman is a professor of marketing at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Her work is to study how economics and finances intersect with human psychology. It’s easy to think of money and budgeting as numbers on a page, and because of that you might forget to plan for the emotional aspect. This is especially helpful to keep in mind as you make plans to invest in your child’s future, a season which is so charged with emotion already.
If there’s one thing I’ve seen…
playlist_add
Aug 16, 2022
Your College List: Social Fit with Grace Yi
*EPISODE SUMMARY*
My guest today is Grace Yi, who recently completed her freshman year at Boston College. During high school, Grace had a lot of stress and anxiety when it came to assessing her social fit on campus and where she should apply. In this episode, she shares how she overcame her doubts and offers advice and encouragement for you and your teen. This episode is the second of a four-part series on building your teen’s best-fit college list.
*EPISODE NOTES*
When looking for a college that will be a good fit, there are certain things to keep in mind that will be non-negotiable. Is it a good fit academically? Financially? How does it fit your teen’s chosen career path? But what about social needs? As we work through this series on building your teen’s unique college list, we’re going to explore how to find a social fit both before and after college life begins.
I loved getting Grace’s perspective on what college social life can be like. So often, our high schoolers…
playlist_add
Aug 9, 2022
Your College List: Academic Fit with Cyndy McDonald
*EPISODE SUMMARY*
The Four Pillars of Building a College List kicks off with finding a school with a good academic fit. In this episode, I sat down with Cyndy McDonald, a highly connected independent college counselor, to discuss how students can ensure they find the right fit before applying to college. Cyndy talked about ensuring a student gets admitted because, without that, the rest of the pillars of a college list don’t hold much weight.
When you’re a college-bound family, taking the time to research and build your high school student’s college list is a crucial part of getting admitted in the end. But what does a “good academic fit” mean? In this episode of the College & Career Clarity podcast, we find out.
*EPISODE NOTES*
Setting your teen up for success in college and putting together their list of colleges where they’ll apply to can be broken down into four pillars- Academic Fit, Social Fit, Financial Fit, and College Major & Career Fit. Each of these aspects i…
playlist_add
Aug 2, 2022
Decision Coaching Tips for College Bound Families with Kirsten Parker
Today, we’re kicking off our August series by speaking with Kirsten Parker about how to create a solid framework for decision-making so you and your teen can move forward with confidence during the often stressful college-bound journey.
EPISODE NOTES
I’ve never done a series on the podcast before, and I’m excited my very first is focused on how to build a college list so that you know where your family should visit and where your student ultimately apply. But before you even begin this process, it’s important to take stock of your core values so your family can be intentional about your decisions going forward. That’s why I’ve invited Kirsten Parker to share her nuggets of wisdom with us on how to coach yourself and your teen through these tough and important choices.
Kirsten works as a decision coach, and while she generally works with adults, I think she has a lot to offer to you as a parent and to your teen or young adult as you all face a mountain of choices during…
playlist_add
Jul 26, 2022
What Extracurriculars Should Your Teen Pursue?
*Episode Summary*
Time is your and your teen’s most valuable asset. Eventually, your teen will share on college applications how they spend their time outside of the classroom. And how that time is invested impacts if they get admitted. This solo episode is all about extracurriculars that eventually land in the Activities section of their Common Application going to the colleges. Which ones are the “good” ones? Are there any bad ones? What if you don’t have many? I hope that you can walk away from this episode with a better understanding of what gives an extracurricular activity more value for your teen and then pursue those. *Episode Notes*
We all know that extracurricular activities are important for your student’s high school experience. They help make your teen’s college application unique and interesting as well as showcase who they are, but what exactly are colleges looking for? Should your teen be signing up for anything and everything they can before senior year?…
playlist_add
Jul 19, 2022
Differences between Engineering & Engineering Technology Majors & Jobs with Matt Franchetti
*EPISODE SUMMARY*
Do you know the difference between engineering science and engineering technology? Are you aware of the variety of majors and careers available in these fields? What kind of GPA is required to qualify for these often competitive programs? Dr. Matt Franchetti joins the podcast to answer these questions for us and more, as he shares his insight and experience as Associate Dean of the Engineering College at the University of Toledo.
*EPISODE NOTES*
If you have a teen who loves math and has an aptitude for it, chances are they may be considering engineering as a possible major. And while students may be familiar with this field, I’ve found most parents often don’t know much about a similar field, engineering TECHNOLOGY which is different than engineering (science). That’s why I invited Dr. Franchetti to help us understand some of the ins and outs of engineering education and careers so that your teen can be better equipped to make good decisions about their futur…
playlist_add
Jul 12, 2022
Creating Your College Bound Calendar
*Episode Summary*
In this episode, I’m doing something a little different and going solo! We need to be intentional when it comes to planning for the future with our college-bound kiddos. I’ll be sharing lots of ideas and resources for how to get it all done, even and especially when life gets overwhelming. By the end of this episode, you’ll be ready to sit down as a family and not just identify what needs to be accomplished in the next year, but you’ll have a plan for when so you can stay on track to beat deadlines. *Episode Notes*
With Flourish and Launch, one of my main objectives is to give parents a sense of clarity as to where they’re headed with their kids, and to provide positive momentum to keep going all the way through each school year. One of the best ways to make that happen is to approach each year with a clear sense of intention.
In this episode, I will give you a step-by-step framework for planning your college-bound calendar for the next school year and b…
playlist_add
Jul 5, 2022
Student Success Story: Steps for Teens Creating Their Own Extracurricular
*Episode Summary*
In this episode, I’m talking with Sophia Chabris about an extracurricular project she created while still a sophomore at Indian Hill High School in Cincinnati, Ohio. Now a graduate, she is headed to Boston University in the fall with a clearer vision of who she is and where she’s headed. I hope that when you hear her story, you and your teen will be inspired to create something that can help them build the skills they need to succeed, and learn more about themselves in the process.*Episode Notes*
Sophia Chabris was a sophomore in high school when the coronavirus pandemic changed the way we go to school. As a self-described extrovert, she began to feel the pain of social isolation, not being able to hang out with friends or even to go to school in the same way she was used to. As the 2019-20 school year came to an end, she knew there would be a number of students who wouldn’t return to in-person school in the fall, and she knew there would be other kids like he…
playlist_add
Jun 28, 2022
Tools for Raising Thriving Teens with Mandy Fontaine
*Episode Summary*
In this episode, Mandy Fontaine, former collegiate athlete and licensed school counselor, talks about the importance of a growth mindset and how understanding what a developing brain can and can’t do can significantly improve your teen’s success. She uses her training and experience to coach and educate teens about personal development and fostering the right mindset.*Episode Notes*
Embracing a growth mindset needs to start young. As I speak with Mandy about her work with 16-25-year-olds, she elaborates on just how much development a young brain is still going through. She gives her tips and tricks to understanding teens’ brains from a neuroscience perspective and how self-awareness can lead to real growth and success.
Mandy showcases how working with teens to get them ready for college and life is about so much more than test prep and ensuring they know how to do laundry (though that is important). Encouraging them to grow their emotional intelligence and ma…
playlist_add
Jun 21, 2022
College Visit Tips from the College Spy with Michelle McAnaney
EPISODE SUMMARY
Today, Michelle McInerney, “The College Spy,” and an independent educational consultant, talks about making the most of your prospective college student’s campus visit. She’s visits over 40 campuses each year doing in-depth reconnaissance so that she can pass on that knowledge and help students before, during, and after their college tour.
EPISODE NOTES
There are so many options when it comes to colleges. Planning out your tours and trips when your student is making a decision will help you put each one in perspective and collect valuable information. Michelle is an expert when it comes to learning critical information about a school in just one college visit. With her years of experience and insight, her advice will provide you with the framework for enjoying a successful trip to your teen’s perspective universities.
There are four key “fits” you’ll want to ensure feel right when you and your teen are checking out prospective campuses. These tips fr…
playlist_add
Jun 14, 2022
The College Bound Student Athlete Process with Katie Anderson
We know that finding the academic and financial fit for colleges to go along with your career goals is challenging enough. And for student athletes who are considering playing in college, there’s another layer of complexity. If your teen is a student athlete, you don’t want to miss my conversation with Katie Anderson who is a private college counselor specializing in student athletes. She shares the unique process athletes need to follow and what questions your family will want to consider while you are on the college-bound journey.
Katie reveals a proven timeline guided by the NCAA and provides some important resources that might help your teen eliminate schools off of their list of prospects. You’ll learn the different athletic divisions of colleges and be confident with the rules around communication with coaches at the college level.
Her tips and tricks to keep up with school work around a busy sports schedule and how to handle co-ops, and test optional schools is pure gold…
playlist_add
Jun 7, 2022
Career Close-up: Psychologist with Dr. Robin Arthur
Have you ever wondered why so many students who major in psychology and intend to work in the field land elsewhere in their career? I noticed this trend when I was recently interviewing candidates to work at my company and the job had nothing to do with psychology!
Dr. Robin Arthur joined me on the podcast to not only explore and answer this question but she also shares the challenges and rewards of a career in Psychology. She reveals the necessary skills and many opportunities in the field depending on a student's wiring, self awareness, and goals.
You’ll learn the pathway to being a doctor of psychology as well as alternate pathways for therapists.
Robin is very passionate about helping teens and young adults navigate mental health challenges that are always present, but more prevalent and complicated in the wake of Covid. Her current work, in addition to being a practicing psychologist, is easily accessible tools she shares so you’ll be equipped to help your teen. Highlights…
playlist_add
May 31, 2022
Teaching Your Teen “How to College” with Dr. Andrea Brenner
Are you worried about the day you drop your teen at college and leave them to “adult” on campus without you?
Dr. Andrea Malkin Brenner, sociologist and co-author of “How To College”, joins Lisa to share insights gained from her decades of work with college students at American University. By starting early while still in high school, her suggestions will help get both you and your student be ready for this major life transition.
Dr. Malkin Brenner directs your family to the many resources available to your child on campus and you’ll learn about first year experience (FYE) programs available at most universities to support your student. American University has a unique program different from other FYE’s and she’ll tell you why she create it to be different. By understanding this, you’ll know to research those outlets during campus visits and before high school graduation.
Learn why Andrea cautions against assuming a high IQ means your teen can manage campus life and w…
playlist_add
May 24, 2022
College Essay Help from an Expert with Betsy Cadel
If you have a soon to be high school senior, it’s college essay time of year! Betsy Cadel joins Lisa to reveal the best way to approach writing college admission essays without the overwhelm. You’ll have her proven timeline to set you up for success and Betsy’s going to tell us what admissions officers are looking for in the essays your student writes for college applications.
You’ll learn the what essays your teen can expect to write for the colleges, and a successful way to to dive into researching and understanding what each college values.
By following Betsy’s 4 C’s framework, your student will be set up for success and to help them stand out from the thousands of other applicants in an ever increasingly competitive college admission process. *Highlights *
* The prompts for required college essays
* The difference between resume building and character building
* Get a timeline for completing essays for applications
* The 4 C’s Betsy recommends having in you…
playlist_add
May 17, 2022
How to Get Freshman Year Free with David Vise
Freshman year for free….what’s the catch? You’ll be delighted to find there’s no catch! Pulitzer Prize winner David Vise shares how Modern States Education Alliance’s free program has saved college students over 75 million dollars in tuition.
Modern States quality courses are taught by college professors and coupled with CLEP exams. David’s asserts this actually an easier path to college credit while in high school than AP courses and exams. With most high schools charging for AP courses and exams, it’s also less expensive! Your student can start as early as 9th grade while also reinforcing their high school course curriculum. As Lisa points out, this is like built-in free tutoring for students!
While the intent of Modern States is to increase access and affordability of higher education, it also provides your student with the opportunity to curate their experiences around their schedule and interests. Highlights
* Different paths to college credit during high school…
playlist_add
May 10, 2022
Your Teen's Summer To-Do List
In this episode, Lisa Marker-Robbins shares helpful ideas for your teen to keep the momentum of their college-bound journey going over the summer while still enjoying some lazy days and much-needed downtime.
This episode takes a year-by-year journey. If your student is an upperclassman, don’t fast forward just in case you missed a critical deadline in the past and need to use summer to catch-up. And you won’t want to hit “pause” once your student’s year is covered as knowing what is coming down the road is crucial to your successful planning for your family.
From ACT/SAT planning and testing to unearthing a summer reading list and learning how a summer job can benefit your child beyond just the paycheck, as well as how to start planning those future visits - it’s all here! When following Lisa’s proven framework outlined in this podcast and on her free College Planning Timeline PDF, you’ll prevent parent nagging and can thank her later!
Be application and graduation r…
playlist_add
May 3, 2022
Career Close-Up: Architecture with Maria Pastorelli & Emily Khalid Zand
If your teen likes Legos, sketching, or Minecraft, they might consider a career in architecture. In this episode, friends and hosts of the “Open Plan” podcast, Emily Khalid Zand and Maria Pastorelli, are speaking about their paths which crossed while they were pursuing their Master’s of Architecture from Georgia Tech.
They’ll share about the high school experiences that helped them find alignment with their chosen careers, the differences between the “4+2” and 5-year programs, and the required parts of obtaining a professional license in architecture. You’ll also hear how some of their friends are faring in careers when they didn’t become licensed by the National Architecture Accrediting Board.
Emily and Maria explain how the curriculum differs depending on the campus and confirm how important it is to research the programs available at different schools. You might be surprised by the level of drawing skills as well as math and science aptitudes required if your child…
playlist_add
Apr 26, 2022
Unplanned Career Paths with Mike Bergin
Chariot Learning founder, podcast host, and test prep certification educator Mike Bergin opens up about his unplanned career path. Test prep is an example of an industry that generates billions of dollars a year but it’s not necessarily the career that Mike planned for. In my conversation with Mike, we do some deep thinking about unplanned turns on the career journey.
There’s no way anyone can figure out their entire life, especially as a young adult, right? Mike’s starting point was he liked education and knew he wanted to be a life-long learner, but he didn’t want to teach in a classroom. He’ll share with you how he was able to land on the ultimate career for him while taking jobs along the way that moved him closer to what best aligns to him. I caught some glimpses from his story early on that were pointing the way all along. You might just notice similar early hints in your teen.
We ruminate on why getting through the journey requires continuous growth while figuring ou…
playlist_add
Apr 19, 2022
Undergrad and Master’s Business Programs with Linda Abraham
If your student is considering a future in business this episode is required listening. Linda Abraham leans on her experience advising students since 1994. Business Insider named her the MBA admissions consult “to know if you want to get into a top business school”. You’ll walk away understanding the differences between a business degree in undergrad or earning an MBA or other graduate degrees. And you’ll understand what timing is important.
Linda identifies important skills and traits to develop along with suggesting which extracurriculars will be helpful in both high school and college. Learn which entrance exams to concentrate on and how both GPA and scores work with the extracurriculars and work history to determine who will be admitted.
Linda share important research that determines the ROI on investing in a business school education to help determine if it’s the right path for your student. Highlights
* Considerations when deciding between business as an undergradu…
playlist_add
Apr 12, 2022
The Many Advantages of a Gap Year with Holly Bull
*If you’ve always subscribed to the rule that students can’t take a year off after high school or they’ll lose interest in college, you might change your mind after listening to this episode. Gap year expert, Holly Bull who is president of **The Center for Interim Programs**, explains what she calls “Gap Time” and outlines a variety of times and lengths your student may want to consider using an interim program. *
*You’ll learn how gap time can lead to more mature, rested, and focused students any time, but how it can be especially helpful during Covid. The statistics she shares on how gap time impacts student success in college and what you as a parent pay for college may just leave you considering this option for your student. *
*Beyond the benefits of taking gap time, Holly provides numerous examples of different programs at home and abroad. Her examples will help you and your student come up with not only ideas for how gap time can be spent, but also ways to curate ex…
playlist_add
Apr 5, 2022
Advice from Empowered Career Women with Joshua Morgan
Secondary education teacher Josh Morgan caught our attention when he posted about looking for female professionals and leaders he could connect with to interview about their successful careers. He had 694 comments to his LinkedIn post that asked for suggestions on who he should interview. At the time of our discussion, Josh has had 57 interviews to date which he is recording for his students learn about what a day would look like in these various careers as well as advice for students as they think about what comes after graduation. Now he’s sharing this wealth of wisdom in his own podcast, “Empowering Her”, that he hopes will make a meaningful impact on students and adults.
Josh explains why his passion project is focused on females but how anyone can benefit from the insights he’s sharing from those interviews. He also shares the common traits, themes, and advice he’s gathered from the interviews. When applied, these nuggets of wisdom will help put your teen on a successfu…
playlist_add
Mar 29, 2022
Student Spotlight: Kate’s High School Internships with Kate & Alyssa Louagie
We visit with high school junior Kate Louagie and her Mom, Alyssa, to talk about the opportunities that Kate’s found to explore a future career in photography we get a peek into a real-life student success story. While Mom takes a back seat, Kate explains how she’s using real-world experiences to find clarity on her future path after high school graduation.
Kate shares an experience that resonates with what Lisa Marker-Robbins teaches, “Just because you can do something, doesn’t mean you should do it”. Kate’s experiences of gaining good exposure to careers and thinking deeply as well as making connections to build her network early will leave you with ideas for your own family even if your student’s interests and aptitudes differ from Kate’s.
Alyssa reveals her part in playing a supporting role while Kate takes the lead. This is a great model for conversations that families should be having at home. Be sure to check out the links below to access the tools mentioned in…
playlist_add
Mar 22, 2022
Tips for Sending Student Emails that Get a Response
Sending emails to strangers or acquaitances can feel risky for teens and young adults who aren’t sure what to say or how to say it. Lisa Marker-Robbins pulls a page out of the Launch College & Career Clarity Course to share with parents how you can support your student as they learn how to communicate intelligently, appropriately, and courageously with colleges as well as adults and professionals.
Lisa will lay out research proven tips to help your student write important emails, including how to start the greeting and salutation, how to research and ask questions, and what to do if you don’t see a response. This advice works in more areas than college admissions. You'll soon understand another important step for parents to move to the back seat and put the student in the driver’s seat throughout the process of launching kids into a flourishing future.
Click here to get your free Tips, Tricks, and Templates to help as you and your student plan for a successful future. *Highligh…
playlist_add
Mar 15, 2022
How Smart Parents Find the Right School for the Right Price with Beth Walker
“Be smarter about slaying the college planning dragon!” is financial planner, Beth Walker’s advice to smart parents who want to preserve their wealth, limit college debt, or both. She joins the podcast to speak about the critical components required to begin college planning to help your student get what they need academically, socially, and emotionally. She says, “even smart families with the means to pay for college can always do better.”
Beth’s approach is with the mind of a financial planner but the heart of a parent. Her unconventional message is a game-changer for smart parents who don’t want to overpay for college and explains how to solve the college cash flow challenge. You’ll hear why it has to be a team effort and why the process is much like painting a room.She says that while it’s not necessarily fun, the outcome is worth it.
Beth Walker is the author of Never Pay Retail for College - How Smart Parents Pay for College at the Right Price. She’s been cr…
playlist_add
Mar 8, 2022
A NASA Research Scientist's Geology Career Pathway with Kyra Kim
Could you really work at NASA even if you don’t naturally excel at math and science? Kyra Kim joins the College and Career Clarity podcast to tell us how to overcome preconceived limitations. She’s had an interesting journey from taking the LSAT while still in high school in South Korea, to now working as an earth scientist at CalTech and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab in California.
She tells us how she figured out what was intuitive for her and what wasn’t so she could not only choose her path but work hard to get there. Driven by an interest in human rights, Kyra explains how and why she decided on geology over law. She’ll talk about the key qualities of a research scientist and how she learned the importance of humility.
Kyra’s passion is to inspire more female students to pursue career paths in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). She’s revealing the truth behind some of the preconceived notions of working in those fields. Even if you or your student might…
playlist_add
Mar 1, 2022
Set Your Student Up to Crush College Stress with Dale Troy
Statistics are driving home the importance of managing your child’s stress at college. Dale Troy joins the College and Career Clarity Podcast to tell parents how they can help their child maneuver through the pressure and stress that can overwhelm them at college.
With a 30% dropout rate and less than 60% of students able to complete a degree within 4 years, parents are often surprised when they discover that their child wasn’t ready for living on campus. Dale tells us what signs to look for before anxiety, depression, and stress derail them and the skills you can help your child start mastering in high school in order to prepare. And her information will help parents whose kids are still in high school position them for a successful transition to college.
Dale Troy is a College Success Coach and Certified Health Coach, who helps teens successfully transition to college. Dale's coaching program provides the life-skills that students need in college to have academic and social suc…
playlist_add
Feb 22, 2022
Sneak Peek of the Launch Career Clarity Course
Things have changed so much since you decided what college and career direction to go in. In this episode, you’ll hear how the Launch Career Clarity Course can assist you to hold your child’s hand and then eventually let go of their hand as they start their journey to the future. This is an opportunity to alleviate the stress that inevitably comes along with what happens in the fall of Senior year.
You’ll go behind the scenes of the course which teaches students how to know themselves and know what careers are out there in order to find alignment with who they are, and then understand the path to get into that career. You’ll learn more about the Birkman personality assessment, what happens inside the course, and how to manage what your child can do to maximize momentum towards progress.
Hear about the proven resources that come with the course, the community you’re joining and how to prepare. Launch Career Clarity Course repels the overwhelm you and your child might be feel…
playlist_add
Feb 15, 2022
Advice for Students Considering Medicine and Healthcare Careers with Luisa Rabe
For over 20 years, admissions expert, Luisa Rabe, has been working with students interested in the medical field and has helped nearly 1,000 students gain acceptance into medical schools of their choice. And when working with her a student discovers in the process that medical school isn’t for them, she helps guide them in a better direction that fits their wiring.
Luisa reveals what you’ll need to get into med school and how to discover if your teen really wants to be a scientist, healer, and educator in the medical field. You’ll learn the skills and qualities a good doctor embodies and recommended high school and college extracurriculars, college GPA and majors that are recommended for future medical school admission.
If you don’t know what her recommended “glide year” is, you’ll definitely want to consider it in your planning. Highlights
* (3:53) Other healthcare careers to consider in addition to doctor
* (4:55) Students who start investigating medicine, but fi…
playlist_add
Feb 8, 2022
Getting the Scoop on College Visits with Moira McCullough
Moira McCollough talks to Lisa about what should be the fun part of the college-bound journey, finding a “social fit”. Her expertise is how to assess fit through the eyes of the students attending the school, not the college itself.
The college will show you the highlight real, but students will give a close-up real look at campus life and the surrounding community.
Her tips will have your family well prepared for in-person and virtual visits and she provides answers on how your family can learn what students do on a Friday night, where they can work out, the best restaurants in the area, and more.
Moira is a mom of three college students and through her own trials, errors, and successes that she shares with us, you’ll be empowered to help your student have more meaningful visits which will enable your teen to make an informed final decision on where they will call home for four years.
Her advice and own experiences with her kids will give you ideas on how to get your own stu…
playlist_add
Feb 1, 2022
Career Close-Up: Cybersecurity with Mike Schuetter
In this Career Close-Up episode, Mike Schuetter, a chief information security officer for a regional IT company, joins us to talk about his varied computer career path that eventually led to working in cybersecurity which wasn’t even a career field when he started college.
As a teenage boy who loved playing video games (sound familiar, parents?) Mike turned from his gaming obsession to creating video games which led to majoring in computer engineering at the University of Toledo. But he had no idea exactly where he’d land with his career in computers. Mike shares with us how a foundation was laid, tools were mastered, he tried on different computer specialties then it all came together developing into a career that truly fits him.
You’ll learn the importance of your teen getting into the room by doing some professional networking and will learn what differentiates different computer fields and how he defends computers from malicious use of technology. Even if you’ve never tho…
playlist_add
Jan 25, 2022
How to Raise an Adult with Julie Lythcott Haims
When is it appropriate to step in and help your college-aged kid talk to their professor, fill out a form, nail a job interview, or even cut their own meat? Julie Lythcott Haims, a former dean of freshman students at Stanford University and New York Times critically acclaimed and best-selling author of “How to Raise an Adult,” joins the podcast to talk about raising our kids to take care of themselves by using good judgment and empowering them to make their own decisions.
She believes many students are applying to too many colleges and gives her insight into the problems that “highly rejective” and other colleges are having as a result of how parents are watching their kids using the blue dot in many of the apps that tell you exactly where your teen is at any time.
Julie reveals the issues that arise when parents are afraid to let their children learn by failing and what the metrics of over-parenting are. You will be talked out of the trap that undermines your kid’s skill d…
playlist_add
Jan 25, 2022
A Game Changer - Career Counseling in High School with Vicki Weisbrod
We all know that college is expensive, so parents don’t like the idea of their students wasting time on majors; they end up changing while trying to figure out their career path. Vicki Weisbrod is a counselor at Bishop Fenwick High School in Ohio and along with her team, they are the first high school to work with Lisa in the Launch Career Clarity Course.
Find out how Lisa’s program coupled with the Birkman personality test has become a GAME CHANGER for Fenwick H.S. and helps students and parents look for college majors and careers that students can excel in according to their personal interests, values, and wiring. They discuss the importance of adding career to the conversation around future planning.
*Highlights:*
(2:59) The difference between roles of being a high school counselor and college counselor and how her career has changed in those roles.
(4:05) How the team works with families to address the academic, social, and emotional college and career aspects of high schoo…
playlist_add
Jan 14, 2022
Welcome to College & Career Clarity
If you are overwhelmed with the college-bound journey, confused by how much things have changed, or frustrated by having more questions than answers, then College and Career Clarity is the compass you need, when you need it most.
Weekly episodes with Lisa Marker-Robbins and her guests, provide families with strategic guidance to resource your student to make informed choices that align with their passions, purpose, and potential future.
You’ll be informed to be able to have intentional & productive family conversations grounded in guidance and broken into actionable steps to move from overwhelmed and confused to motivated, clear, and confident about your teen’s future.
*Series premiere: January 25, 2022*
playlist_add