Test prep expert Akil Bello quickly realized he was good at taking tests. But when it came to college, he says he did everything the wrong way. What's his advice when it comes to admissions testing? And what one thing is more important than two extra hours of test prep for your child? Akil's perspective and advice is why this is one of our favorite episodes from Season 1.   Guest: @akilbello   If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps us spread the word and continue to get great guests.   Music: Lonely in Café by Dmitriy Diomores, Please Listen Carefully by Jahzzar, Crown by Kuzzo, Maipen Lei by Beltone, Air by Ilya Truhanov. All music aside from Jahzzar from Icons8.com

Before he was on The Daily Show, Bob Wiltfong was growing up in Nebraska with no idea how to follow his dream. How do you make a path when you don't see one? And what do you do when the advice you get changes everything, for better and for worse?  That is why this episode is one of our favorites. Plus, a listener asks how much does your high school's name and reputation matter in the admissions process? Guests: Bob Wiltfong Chad Fulton, Associate Director of College Counseling, St. Andrew's Episcopal School, Austin, TX Music: Surrender by Uncleboris (Icons8.com), Please Listen Carefully by Jahzzar, Maipen Lei by Beltone (Icons8.com), Air by Ilya Truhanov (Icons8.com), E Tude in E Major by Ilya Truhanov (Icons8.com), Waterfalls by Samsara (Icons8.com), Rainy Sun by The Owl (Icons8.com), V by Weary Eyes (Icons8.com)

Princeton rower turned Princeton admissions officer Kim Digilio talks about self-loathing in high school, getting into the only school she applied to, and how a wart made her change her major. Her openness and honesty make this a must-listen and one of our favorite episodes. Guest: Kim Digilio www.sentfromthefuture.com Music: Andromeda's Nebula by Backspace, Maipen Lei by Beltone (Icons8.com), Please Listen Carefully by Jahzzar, V by Weary Eyes (Icons8.com)

Who gets in and why? Those are the crucial questions when it comes to college admissions and it's the title of Jeff Selingo's new book.  What are the most important parts of your application? What are schools looking for? How does COVID impact everything? And does your application really only get reviewed for eight minutes? This is a must-listen for parents and students in the college admissions process.  Guest: Jeff Selingo (@JeffSelingo) If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps us spread the word and continue to get great guests. Music: Sleepless Night by Bimbotronic, Please Listen Carefully by Jahzzar, Back You by Bimbotronic, Andromeda's Nebulla by Backspace, Soliloquy by Dream Machine, Maipen Lei by Beltone, Oceanarium by Dream Machine, Epicly by Nordgroove All music, aside from Jahzzar, available on Icons.com  

Isa Watson is an award-winning chemist, an accomplished pianist, and the founder of Squad. She skipped two grades and holds three degrees, so why was she told she wasn't college material? And how did she respond when she was? Plus, info on Squad's 2020 Orientation for college students.  Guest: Isa Watson (@isadwatson), Founder of @withyoursquad If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps us spread the word and continue to get great guests. Music: Last Day of Winter by Trees Die Standing, Please Listen Carefully by Jahzzar, Autumn Nights by Anchors and Seagulls, Sunrise by Ilya Marfin, Maipen Lei by Beltone, Epicly by Nordgroove, Surrender by Uncleboris, Good Tone by Nordgroove. All music, aside from Jahzzar, available on Icons.com

When J.A. Adande left ESPN to go back to his alma mater, it spoke to what Northwestern means to him. How he got to Northwestern, and the impact it had on his career and life, is a fascinating story that he's about to tell, particularly why "college is a time to fail." Guest: J.A. Adande @jadande If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps us spread the word and continue to get great guests. Music: Surrender by Uncleboris, Please Listen Carefully by Jahzzar, Sunrise by Ilya Marfin, Lifestream by Dream Machine, Summer Lights by Anchors and Seagulls, Maipen Lei by Beltone, Air by Ilya Truhanov. All music, aside from Jahzzar, available at Icons8.com

Fear/anxiety expert Kristen Ulmer started college at 15 and was the best female big mountain extreme skier in the world for 12 years. So what can jumping off a cliff on skis teach you about your relationship with fear? You're about to find out in one of our favorite episodes from Season One. Guest: Kristen Ulmer For more info on her work, and a free fear assessment, go to kristenulmer.com If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps us spread the word and continue to get great guests. Music: Waterfalls by Samsara, Please Listen Carefully by Jahzzar, Voiceless by Stage Engine, Everything by Max Sergeev, Air by Ilya Truhanov, Maipen Lei by Beltone. All music, aside from Jahzzar, is from Icons8.com

When NC State Associate Vice Provost Dr. Stephanie Helms Pickett went to college, she planned to study radio and tv broadcasting and become the next Oprah. Instead, she fell in love with the college environment and never left. But that doesn't mean it was easy. This is one of the most emotional episodes from the first season and one of the best. Guest: @drhelmspickett If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps us spread the word and continue to get great guests. Music: Music: Andromeda's Nebula by BackSpace, Please Listen Carefully by Jahzzar, Everything by Max Sergeev, Maipen Lei by Beltone, Air by Ilya Truhanov. All music from Icons8.com, aside from Jahzzar

"I went to something like 10 or 11 schools before I got to grad school." That's just the start of producer Rand Getlin's journey to Oregon. The rest of it is even better, which is why it's one of our favorites from Season 1. Plus, how do you make sure that college essay doesn't sound like a teenager trying to be a 40-year-old? Guests: Rand Getlin @randgetlin Liz Pleshette, Director of College Counseling, Latin School of Chicago If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps us spread the word and continue to get great guests. Music: Andromeda's Nebula by Backspace, Maipen Lei by Beltone, Please Listen Carefully by Jahzzar, V by Weary Eyes, Lifestream by Dream Machine, Step One by El Kirpitch. All music, aside from Jahzzar, available on Icons8.com

Next in our rundown of favorite epsiodes from Season 1: What do you do when you have a dream school, or a dream of what college should look like, but you go somewhere else? How do you make a new dream? Ashley Spencer is living proof. Plus, when is the right time for parents to talk to their kids about the role of finances in the college decision? Guests:  Ashley Spencer @ashleyyspencer Chad Fulton, Associate Director of College Counseling, St. Andrew's Episcopal School, Austin, TX If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps us spread the word and continue to get great guests. Music: Summer Lights by Anchors and Seagulls (Icons8.com), Maipen Lei by Beltone (Icons8.com), Please Listen Carefully by Jahzzar, Waterfalls by Samsara (Icons8.com), Lifestream by Dream Machine (Icons8.com), Air by Ilya Truhanov (Icons8.com)