))
Welcome to THE college admissions industry podcast! Join Mike Bergin and Amy Seeley as they discuss the latest issues in testing, admissions, learning, and education with leading experts. Tests and the Rest is perfect for parents, students, counselors, educators, test prep professionals, college consultants, and just about anyone engaged in the college admissions process. You can subscribe to this podcast or stream it online via any podcast app, including iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, St ...
…
continue reading
From TestTakers, this is the #PREPPED Podcast, a podcast dedicated to helping parents and students learn the secrets and strategies of SAT standardized test preparation and college admissions. Hosted by Directors Andrew 'Naka' Nanayakkara and Jeremy Freed, #PREPPED helps reduce stress, answers the most important questions, and guides parents to help their students succeed during this important time in high school. With over 30 years of student success stories, TestTakers provides weekly insi ...
…
continue reading
Welcome to Learning by Design, the podcast that explores innovative ideas, actionable strategies, and inspiring stories to transform education and workforce development. Hosted by Krishna Cart and presented by The Masterpiece Academy, this podcast is designed for parents, educators, and business leaders looking to create impactful learning experiences. Join us as we dive into topics like personalized learning, leadership development, academic success, mentorship, and future-ready education. ...
…
continue reading
We dive into the wild world of government surplus and uncover the creative ways people are utilizing the items they win at auctions. From a city bus transformed into a luxurious RV, to an ambulance repurposed as a work truck, and even a used car dealership thriving by winning auctions and reselling decommissioned police vehicles, we've got some amazing stories to share.
…
continue reading
1
Confused to College Ready Podcast: Unlocking the Secrets to Your College Search
Courtney Kountz
2
84
Unlocking the Secrets to Your College Search*****Top 10% Podcast and Top 25 for Education How To*****Are you tired of feeling stressed about the college search and college admissions? Do you feel like you’re on information overload and are sure you’ll miss something? Wonder where to start or what to do next? Is there a wrong school or path for your student? Do you wish you could be confident in understanding your college admission journey? Would an organization system help you keep track of ...
…
continue reading
Episode 6: PSAT to Paycheck – Scholarships That No One Talks About ️ Episode 6 of the Learning by Design Podcast: Think the PSAT is just another standardized test? Think again! In this episode, we uncover the hidden financial opportunities tied to the National Merit Scholarship Program—scholarships that could turn your test scores into tuition doll…
…
continue reading
In Episode 6 of the Learning by Design podcast, we take a deep dive into the National Merit® Scholarship Program—one of the most prestigious academic awards for high school students in the United States. If you’re a student aiming for this recognition or a parent looking to support your child’s academic journey, this guide is packed with essential …
…
continue reading
Expanding your tutoring business with MentoMind with educators Amit Jain and Jeremy Bryant What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is the story behind MentoMind? How does MentoMind work to help with student outcomes? How does MentoMind work to help educators attract students? Who currently uses MentoMind? How is MentoMind helping …
…
continue reading
So much of the college search and application process looks forward, focusing on the destination. Where a student is coming from matters quite a bit though. Amy and Mike invited educational consultants Aly Beaumont and Meg Joyce to explain the significance of the high school class profile. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What i…
…
continue reading
Navigating high school can be overwhelming, but with the right plan, success is within reach! In this episode of the Learning by Design podcast, host Krishna Cart breaks down a step-by-step roadmap for students and families, guiding them through each year of high school—from 9th to 12th grade—to ensure they are well-prepared for college admissions,…
…
continue reading
A year ago, an innovative new digital adaptive SAT came to the United States–a year after its first appearance internationally. This is the perfect time to find out how College Board feels about both the obstacles and opportunities encountered over this historic transition. Amy and Mike invited Vice President of SAT Suite Program Maureen Forman to …
…
continue reading
️ Applying to the Academies of Loudoun? Here’s your ultimate admissions guide! In this episode of Learning by Design, host Krishna Cart dives deep into the Academies of Loudoun admission process, offering expert insights into application requirements, STEM pathways, and strategies for success. Whether you’re a student or parent, this episode provid…
…
continue reading
While we generally profess to celebrate all interests and contributions, the clubs and activities that mean the most to some high schoolers fail to earn the respect that other extracurriculars do, even when students receive recognition on a state or national level. Do colleges at least care? Amy and Mike invited educator Vida John to explore the ad…
…
continue reading
Getting into Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) is no easy feat—but we’ve got you covered! In this episode of Learning by Design, we break down the TJ admissions process, reveal insider strategies, and share expert tips to help students stand out. What You'll Learn: ✅ The key criteria TJHSST looks for in applicants ✅ A…
…
continue reading
The Tests and the Rest podcast has always been relentlessly focused on exploring important topics in testing, admissions, education, and learning with amazing expert guests. Sometimes, though, we enjoy an unstructured opportunity to discuss our own takes on major issues, upcoming events, and our endeavors at the intersection of business and educati…
…
continue reading
During a period of American education history where most standardized tests fell at least momentarily out of favor, one series of exams seems to be growing in popularity with no end in sight. Amy and Mike invited educator Rob Franek to explore the explosive rise of Advanced Placement testing. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Wha…
…
continue reading
In this inspiring episode of Learning by Design, hosts Krishna Cart and Kyla Pizana welcome special guest Kunal Saxena. From his early days at Young Scholar Circle to his experiences at the prestigious TJHSST and beyond, Kunal shares valuable lessons on mentorship, resilience, and the power of giving back. Discover how his journey from student to S…
…
continue reading
Big life changes hit all of us differently, which is to say that not every teen is equally prepared for the dramatic academic, social, and emotional shift that comes with moving away from home. Amy and Mike invited counselor Katie Burchenal to discuss college transitions and distress tolerance. What are five things you will learn in this episode? W…
…
continue reading
In our very first episode of Learning by Design, we’re honored to spotlight Ana Saxena and her family. Ana, a dedicated mom, shares the inspiring story of her sons, Kunal and Ishaan, and their academic journeys shaped by personalized learning. From Kunal’s success as a TJHSST graduate to Ishaan’s pursuit of his academic dreams, their story exemplif…
…
continue reading
The entire edifice of higher education and industry depends on a steady flow of students coming in and qualified graduates flowing out. What happens to the system when the crucial input of applicants drops dramatically? Amy and Mike invited journalist Jon Marcus to answer that very question, because the dreaded demographic cliff is here. What are f…
…
continue reading
A widely held belief about brain function is that very little is truly understood in modern science. Unfortunately, most people probably know even less than they think! Amy and Mike invited education professional Gretchen Wegner to explore and debunk the most common neuromyths. What are five things you will learn in this episode? 1. What exactly is…
…
continue reading
The opacity and complexity of elements of the college application process inspire endless speculation about what really matters. In many cases, though, the best place to find answers is with the colleges themselves. Amy and Mike invited educator John Durante to review admissions lessons learned from admissions representatives. What are five things …
…
continue reading
A new year brings new excitement. The Tests and the Rest podcast has always been relentlessly focused on exploring important topics in testing, admissions, education, and learning with amazing expert guests. Sometimes, though, we enjoy an unstructured opportunity to discuss our own takes on major issues, upcoming events, and our endeavors at the in…
…
continue reading
Considering how prevalent the topic of AI has become in business, leisure, and education, it was only a matter of time before college students would choose to focus on its study. Amy and Mike invited college dean Jennifer Stephan to explore what you need to know about artificial intelligence as an undergraduate major. What are five things you will …
…
continue reading
The global onset of the coronavirus shut down schools, which interrupted the educational process for millions of students. The expectation was that deficits in fundamental areas would be made up once the world opened up again. Did that happen though? Amy and Mike invited education professional Nancy Weinstein to explore post-pandemic learning loss.…
…
continue reading
Finding your best fit school requires a lot of smart research, so don’t overlook one of the best sources of institutional information available. Amy and Mike invited independent counselor Jane Gabin to discuss how the common data set can help interpret what colleges tell you. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is the Common D…
…
continue reading
Wanting to pursue higher education is not exactly the same as being ready for higher education and all that its pursuit entails, as too many students learn to their detriment. Amy and Mike invited educator Carey Dukes to explore just how prepared and ready most teens are for college. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Are students…
…
continue reading
The Tests and the Rest podcast has always been relentlessly focused on exploring important topics in testing, admissions, education, and learning with amazing expert guests. Once in a while, though, we enjoy an unstructured opportunity to discuss our own takes on major issues, upcoming events, and our endeavors at the intersection of business and e…
…
continue reading
How odd is it that one of the most effective ways to learn about college applicants tends to be among the least frequent steps in the process. How valuable is direct conversation for evaluating prospective members of an educational community and what might the future hold? Amy and Mike invited college admissions expert Parke Muth to explore the imp…
…
continue reading
Just about anyone can become an educator or coach, but can anyone become great at it? Amy and Mike invited educator Dan Lerman to enumerate the qualities of great educators and coaches. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What are the foundational qualities of a great tutor or coach? What can be taught to tutors and how? How do you…
…
continue reading
Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced independent educational consultant? MEET OUR GUEST Meet Alison Merzel. Alison Merzel is the founder of AHM Advising LLC, an independent educational consulting practice focused on helping high school students and families find their best-fit post-secondary educational options. Pr…
…
continue reading
Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced independent educational consultant? MEET OUR GUEST Meet Julie Spak. Since 1985, Julie has been connecting students to their futures in her work as a College Admissions Officer, Financial Aid Officer and Honors Program Counselor at the University of New Hampshire, where she recei…
…
continue reading
Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced independent educational consultant? MEET OUR GUEST Meet Stef Mauler, founder of the Mauler Institute™ and author of The Complete Candidate™. She began working in Ivy League admissions over 30 years ago. She met thousands of high school students and their families as they went th…
…
continue reading
Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced independent educational consultant? MEET OUR GUEST Meet Michelle Siddons. Michelle is an Associate Member of IECA, a new member of NTPA, and has her Masters in Education from Seton Hall and undergraduate degree from Colgate University. Michelle has been helping high school stude…
…
continue reading
Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced independent educational consultant? MEET OUR GUEST Meet Feiyang Liu. As a naturally introverted high school student, Feiyang felt immense pressure to adopt a bubbly, inauthentic persona for my college applications. This led to a lack of fulfillment and a realization that pretend…
…
continue reading
The successful outcome of preparing for the SAT & ACT can yield a massive return on investment, but the real value lies in the process itself. Amy and Mike invited educator Rob Pollak to explore how test prep prepares you for college. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Is test prep all about tips and tricks? How is standardized te…
…
continue reading
Sophomores and juniors who recently took the PSAT/NMSQT exam likely just received their scores. Today, we will talk about what the exam is, who is eligible to take it, why it is helpful to take the test, score reports, and how those scores will help you prepare for the SAT! This show is for confused college applicants and their families to learn si…
…
continue reading
Teens on the road to college tend to encounter a variety of counselors positioned to support them on their journeys. However, not every one of these counselors has the same job. Amy and Mike invited educational consultant Margaret Rothe to define the different roles of school and private counselors. What are five things you will learn in this episo…
…
continue reading
If you're like some of the students I work with, they wonder if they are too late to apply to colleges now that many early application and early decision deadlines have passed. The good news is it's not too late at all! Learn how to be confident in your student's application and some tips and tricks! This show is for confused college applicants and…
…
continue reading
The fact that students are earning higher grades than ever without any appreciable increase in other assessments of academic ability should be well-known by now. Less understood are the root causes of this increasing phenomenon. Amy and Mike invited researchers Maia Goodman Young and Dan Goldhaber to dig into the data on how grading policies influe…
…
continue reading
The Tests and the Rest podcast has always been relentlessly focused on exploring important topics in testing, admissions, education, and learning with amazing expert guests. Once in a while, though, we enjoy an unstructured opportunity to discuss our own takes on major issues, upcoming events, and our endeavors at the intersection of business and e…
…
continue reading
Choosing a major and career can feel overwhelming! Learn more about helpful hints and strategies to help your student explore their interests, identify potential majors, and if they can change majors once they get to college! This show is for confused college applicants and their families to learn simple and effective strategies to help you find th…
…
continue reading
The ACT has been remarkably stable since the last time the exam was “enhanced” in 1989. However, significant changes are coming more quickly than you might think to this influential college admissions exam. Amy and Mike invited ACT representative Catherine Hofmann to share all the details about the ACT Test Enhancements. What are five things you wi…
…
continue reading
Choosing where to attend college is exciting -- and sometimes overwhelming! How do you build a balanced list of colleges to apply to? Let's talk about the different factors to include as you look at colleges and feeling confident in your next steps! This show is for confused college applicants and their families to learn simple and effective strate…
…
continue reading
You don’t need to be a future business major to bring some marketing acumen to your application to higher education. Amy and Mike invited marketing professional Stacey Ross Cohen to review how to build a winning brand to ace college admissions. What are five things you will learn in this episode? How are college admissions and personal branding rel…
…
continue reading
The current college admissions dynamic where selective schools routinely receive 10, 15, or even 20 times as many applications as they have available seats has been a tremendous source of stress for applicants and their families. But how are the professionals who have to manage these applications holding up? Amy and Mike invited author Teege Mettil…
…
continue reading
The Tests and the Rest podcast has always been relentlessly focused on exploring important topics in testing, admissions, education, and learning with amazing expert guests. Once in a while, though, we enjoy an unstructured opportunity to discuss our own takes on major issues, upcoming events, and our endeavors at the intersection of business and e…
…
continue reading
After 599 episodes devoted to amazing conversations about testing, admissions, education, and learning, it’s time for something completely different. Amy and Mike invited educator Susan Powers to help celebrate our 600th episode. Get ready to hear from the ghosts of podcasts past, present, and future along with a modified Colbert questionnaire! Wha…
…
continue reading
Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced professional in the test prep industry? MEET OUR GUEST Meet Sara Kohn, who was raised in South Florida and attended Florida State University, where she obtained a degree in marketing. She later pursued a master's degree in exercise science. About two decades ago, She began tutor…
…
continue reading
Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced professional in the test prep industry? MEET OUR GUEST Meet Reema Chitalia, a dedicated test prep expert passionate about shaping the futures of students pursuing education abroad. After earning her Master's degree in the United States and working as a consultant at Deloitte, sh…
…
continue reading
Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced professional in the test prep industry? MEET OUR GUEST Meet Dan Cozzens. Dan has worked at Bespoke Education for almost twenty years: first as a Tutoring Associate, then Operations Director and now COO and Head of Tutoring. Building on individual subject tutoring mastery (includ…
…
continue reading
Preparing for college can feel daunting. Today, we are discussing what your student can focus on each year of high school to help them be set up for success as they navigate the roadmap to college. This show is for confused college applicants and their families to learn simple and effective strategies to help you find the BEST college for your stud…
…
continue reading
Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced professional in the test prep industry? MEET OUR GUEST Meet Mary Bassey, a multi-passionate professional whose education and experience has spanned multiple subjects and standardized test types in the tutoring industry, in traditional education, in presenting literature from neu…
…
continue reading
Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced professional in the test prep industry? MEET OUR GUEST Meet Kate Fisher, who grew up in Englewood, NJ, and graduated cum laude from Horace Mann School, where she remains an active part of the community and is a member of the Alumni Council. Private tutoring is not Kate's side hu…
…
continue reading
