The College Prep Podcast

Chat GPT and AI are here. It can create and essay in a fraction of the time it takes the typical high schooler and many families are looking to it to ease the college application process. Megan and Erin provide ... Read More » The post 603: How can I use AI and Chat GPT for College Applications? appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

So many changes and redesigns – what is the current information? When should we fill it out? What tax year do we report? Megan helps answer all those questions without you having to search around amongst conflicting information to be ... Read More » The post 602: FAFSA Refresh Fall 2025 appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

Maria writes and asks how high school students might get valuable lab experience in order to be more competitive. What should a STEM student do if their high school doesn’t offer research opportunities? Megan and Erin discuss strategies for high ... Read More » The post 601: LISTENER QUESTION: How to get Research and Lab Experience appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

UGMA? UTMA? 529? Saving for college can be overwhelming and daunting. Erin is here with her finance experience to break down the difference between them and help you determine what is the best financial plan for your needs. The post 600: College Investment Information appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

Megan and guest host Gretchen Wegner explore the concept of cognitive overload and its impact on students’ learning abilities, particularly focusing on working memory and its limited capacity. Listen to learn about working memory which has a limited capacity and ... Read More » The post 599: Cognitive Overload in Student Learning with Gretchen Wegner appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

This week we are answering a listener question. Jason’s 9th and 19th graders are on track to exceed their state’s graduation requirements by the end of their third year in high school. They will also have surpassed the maximum number ... Read More » The post 598: Pros & Cons of Early College Entry appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

Writing college admissions essays is hard. We are here to help. This week, Megan and Erin discuss strategies to produce better essays and tips for educators and parents looking to support students through this process. We share lots of ideas ... Read More » The post 597: Supporting Students with College Essay Writing Strategies appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

We love getting listener questions! Today we answer a question about universities in the UK and Canada. The post 596: Universities in the UK & Canada: Is admission the same? appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

This week we are answering a listener question: is it feasible for a 10th grader to take two AP courses, compete in varsity swim, and still have time for everything else? Listen as we discuss:— the rationale behind taking two ... Read More » The post 595: Is Two AP Classes + Varsity Sport Too Much? appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

We are seeing it already this school year— students making bad schedule choices. High school course selection is important. Students and parents should make informed decisions. Listen as we discus A bad schedule choice can result in daily struggles. Avoid ... Read More » The post 594: Bad schedule choices based on rumor appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

As we head back to school, there are a lot of changes. We have some changes at “The College Prep Podcast” too. Listen as we discuss: — How to decide when a big change is necessary — How to focus ... Read More » The post 593: Another School Year– Goals and Outlook for Fall appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

UPDATE– this episode didn’t post correctly last week, so we are releasing it with the correct audio . Most college students don’t fall behind at midterms. They fall behind starting Week 1 and it can rough to dig themselves out. ... Read More » The post 591: Three Warning Signs Your Student Is Behind (and how to fix it) appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

Most college students don’t fall behind at midterms. They fall behind starting Week 1 and it can rough to dig themselves out. In this mini-episode, we cover: This is the exact kind of structure that helps students stay afloat—and ahead—all ... Read More » The post 591: Three Warning Signs Your Student Is Behind (and how to fix it) appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

Too often, students view community college or commuting as a last resort, but it doesn’t have to be, unless you want it. In this mini-episode, we help students and families rethink how to build a smart, balanced college list. We ... Read More » The post 590: Community College Doesn’t Have to Be Your Backup Plan appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

Students who build a support system early are more likely to succeed—and stay—in college. That’s why Alma Modern created the Three Connections Challenge: a simple way for students to build meaningful relationships in their first few weeks on campus. In ... Read More » The post 589: The Three People Students Need to Succeed in College appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

Many parents are confused by the optional essay portion of the SAT/ACT and wonder if their student should register. Will it make them look more responsible? Will it improve their chances of admission? in short, for most students, no. In ... Read More » The post 588: Is the Optional SAT/ACT Essay REALLY Optional? appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

In college, the textbook isn’t just “extra reading”, it’s a central part of how successful students learn. Skipping it can mean falling behind fast. In this mini-episode, we explain: A smart textbook strategy can make the difference between staying on ... Read More » The post 587: Do You Really Need to Buy Textbooks? (Yes—Here’s Why) appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

Too often, college is reduced to “just get the degree.” But what truly shapes a student’s future isn’t only the diploma—it’s the experience. In this mini-episode, we explore: College is a major rite of passage. The degree matters, but so ... Read More » The post 586: College is MUCH More Than Earning a Piece of Paper appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

College brings a sudden surge in independence—and for many students, that shift reveals just how much they’ve been relying on others to manage their routines. In this mini-episode, we explore: From remembering medication to setting sleep schedules, students need to ... Read More » The post 585: Is Your Student Prepared to Function in College Without You? appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

Imagine your student getting into their dream school, only to realize your family can’t afford to send them. It’s a soul-crushing reality that can be avoided with proper planning and communication. In this mini-episode, we cover: Questions? Email us at ... Read More » The post 584: Don’t Wait Until Decision Day to Talk About College Cost appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.