The College Checklist Podcast is back with a very special update. Since the Higher Scores Test Prep family is growing with a baby on the way, this year has been devoted to revamping the Higher Scores Test Prep courses. With fresh courses recorded and my due date just days away, I am here to share what’s coming next for The College Checklist and give you a way to stay up-to-date with some of the changes that are coming over the next few months. Listen Now: A Special Update for College...

In this episode of The College Checklist Podcast, Kelly Queijo, founder of Smart College Visit and Smart College Consulting, provides excellent advice on how to plan campus visits, how to save money on your college visits,  and how to get the most benefit from the experience. Remember: campus visits are a fact-finding mission about your home for the next 4 years. It’s also a great way to demonstrate your genuine interest in your favorite colleges. Take Kelly’s campus visit tips to heart to...

We are in for a special treat on this episode of The College Checklist Podcast with our first three-peat guest, Jodi Okun! Jodi has a wealth of knowledge on all things paying for college – including student loans. In the past, Jodi has helped us understand the bird’s eye view of the financial aid process, the changes that came to the FAFSA in 2016, and now she’s back to help us understand how families can wisely leverage student loans to help pay for college. For some families, taking out...

In my final feature of a Higher Scores Test Prep student from the high school class of 2016, I am thrilled to include one of my very first online students, Madeleine. At the time of recording, Madeleine had just graduated from high school and was planning to attend Mt. Holyoke College. In this episode of The College Checklist Podcast, Madeleine takes us through the plan she developed and the steps she took to get in to the college of her dreams. I was struck by Madeleine’s poise and...

In this episode of The College Checklist Podcast, I interview Off-Trail On Purpose founder Leslie Frey about the benefits of defying the status quo in college admissions and why taking the long view of what you want from life can help you find the perfect-fit college. Leslie’s background as a teacher and Outward Bound leader gives her a unique perspective on the college admissions process. She provides insights as to why finding a career choice before a college choice is so important. She...

In this episode of The College Checklist Podcast, I interview Road 2 College founder Debbie Schwartz about the best ways to leverage some of the wonderful, free college research tools available these days. When her own child was getting ready to plan for college, Debbie came to realize how little college financial planning assistance there was for families.  Debbie is dedicated to helping families understand the complexities of college financial planning by starting at the source of many...

In this episode of The College Checklist Podcast, Brenden, a former ACT prep student of mine, and his mom, Jeanne share their best tips as practical a guide to college admissions. The hallmark off their experience was staring early and doing plenty of research and planning. Brenden also explains how he balanced work, outside activities, and school. This journey had a very happy destination as Brenden was accepted to his first choice college: Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Listen Now:...