757. THE WORLD IS YOUR OYSTER: EXPLORING INTERNATIONAL ADMISSIONS
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
Release Date: 09/22/2026
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
About 66% of American students FAIL to earn their bachelor’s degrees in four years. Yet, those extra years of college come at a tremendous cost. Amy and Mike invited educational consultant Edie Steele to explore the benefits and challenges around finishing a four-year degree on time. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Why does finishing a four-year degree on time matter? What academic issues keep students from finishing college on time? What credit and career planning issues keep students from finishing college on time? What role do or should...
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In the age of artificial intelligence, more and more communication is crafted by sophisticated models–and it shows. Critical messages should be composed by a person for a person. Amy and Mike invited college essay specialist Barak Rosenbloom to discuss how to write the college essay that AI cannot. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is the consensus view on AI and college essays? What do people—students, adults, professionals, even teachers—miss out on when they use AI, and what does it do to communication between people? What do people need to know, and what...
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Far too often, we evaluate math ability in high schoolers solely on the basis of grades and level of math learned. A more accurate assessment of a student’s potential on challenging math tasks--including those posed on tests like the SAT and ACT--should consider mathematical maturity. Amy and Mike invited author and test prep professional Dr. Steve Warner to define what this means and explain the link between mathematical maturity and test success. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is mathematical maturity? How can you determine your "level" of...
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Obviously, accomplishing big things requires energy and intention. But should admission to a specific school really be the ultimate focus of a child’s K-12 journey? Amy and Mike invited college advisor Beth Gelles to analyze what college admissions culture is doing to our kids. What are five things you will learn in this episode? How early does college admissions pressure start in the worst cases? When should parents actually start talking to their kids about college? When does wanting your child to succeed start doing more harm than good? How do we stop turning everything kids...
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How can we succeed in the moment when we’re so burdened by thoughts of the past and anxious over fears of the future? The practice and application of mindfulness can keep a person fully focused on the present. Amy and Mike invited author and test prep professional Logan Thompson to discuss powerful strategies for using mindfulness for test and school success. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is mindfulness? What is “the other half of test prep” and how can mindfulness help prep? What are the “passengers” that steer us wrong in stressful moments? ...
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It is often said that intention is one thing, but execution is another. That observation is little comfort to students who study and prepare with the best intentions yet still fail to reach their goals. Amy and Mike invited test prep professional Bobby Nicholson to unpack the regrettably common question, “Why didn’t my test score increase?” What are five things you will learn in this episode? When students say, “I know the material—I’m just a bad test taker,” what is usually preventing them from scoring higher? Why isn’t taking more practice tests enough, and what should...
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The Tests and the Rest podcast consistently focuses 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 education. Catch up with us in the latest episode of EXTEMP with Amy & Mike. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What have Amy and Mike been up to this month? Where in the world is Amy today? How many podcasts has Mike been on this month? What...
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Is any aspect of college admissions more mystifying than the determination of financial aid? The concept of “need” and how different schools consider need in both admissions and aid decisions goes deeper than most people realize. Amy and Mike invited admissions consultant Jona Jacobson to bring clarity to the topic of need blind and need aware admissions. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What do the terms “need,” “need blind,” and “need aware” mean in college admissions? What is gapping? Do all colleges meet 100% of need? Does need...
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With thousands of colleges and universities at home, few American students ever consider studying abroad. Amy and Mike invited independent education consultant Alan Sheptin to explain why he says the world is your oyster when you’re willing to explore international admissions. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What are the benefits and disadvantages of studying outside the U.S.? What is the cost of a non-US education? Can you decide what you want to study, or do you have to declare a major before entering school? What kind of student thrives when studying abroad? ...
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Security at testing centers is almost as tight as screening at American airports. Yet some test takers still find ways to cheat on the ACT or at least raise suspicions. Amy and Mike invited school counselor Desiree Rodriguez-Gould to explore the process of ACT score review and validation. What are five things you will learn in this episode? How does ACT, Inc. handle score review and validation? What roles can counselors and test prep professionals play in the review process? How badly can ACT score cancellation impact some students? In what ways does the SAT score review...
info_outlineWith thousands of colleges and universities at home, few American students ever consider studying abroad. Amy and Mike invited independent education consultant Alan Sheptin to explain why he says the world is your oyster when you’re willing to explore international admissions.
What are five things you will learn in this episode?
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What are the benefits and disadvantages of studying outside the U.S.?
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What is the cost of a non-US education?
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Can you decide what you want to study, or do you have to declare a major before entering school?
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What kind of student thrives when studying abroad?
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How does the application process differ from the United States?
MEET OUR GUEST
Alan Sheptin is the owner of Sheptin Tutoring Group (STG). He has been a professional member of IECA since 2017 and became a Certified Educational Planner in 2020. He earned a BA in Computer Mathematics from the University of Pennsylvania, an MBA in Finance from Fordham University, and a Certificate in College Consulting from UCLA. Prior to establishing his company in 2007, Alan was an Assistant Vice President and Actuary with AXA, specializing in actuarial product development and management. He attained Associateship in the Society of Actuaries and has completed several exams toward Fellowship.
In addition to his college consulting expertise, Alan is a respected Mathematics tutor, successfully working with students at all levels of Math. He is most sought out for his expertise in Algebra II, Precalculus, and Calculus. He teaches both Precalculus and Calculus at Iona College. He has also undertaken long-term consulting assignments teaching BC Calculus and Precalculus at John Jay and Fox Lane High Schools in Westchester County.
Alan first became interested in college admissions when he was the NYC Secondary School Chairman of Alumni Interviewing for the University of Pennsylvania, training alumni interviewers and serving as a liaison between Penn’s admissions office, interviewers, and prospective freshmen. He has leveraged this expertise, plus his extensive knowledge of US and international colleges and universities, to counsel students on the optimal admissions strategy. To date, he has visited over 130 colleges and universities in seven countries.
Alan’s “alumni” are present at all of the top 50 US universities and colleges, as well as at universities in the UK and Canada.
Additionally, Alan has been preparing students for the SAT and ACT examinations for 30 years. He is widely respected for his in-depth expertise in maximizing test scores, as well as his ability to make intrinsically difficult concepts in all areas of Mathematics (from pre-Algebra through Calculus) easier to grasp. Many of Alan’s students have continued to work with him in college classes and as they prep for the GRE and GMAT exams. He and his outstanding team of 35 teachers and tutors can offer support in any academic area in middle or high school. He constantly revamps materials and lessons to ensure students receive the most up-to-date exam information.
Sheptin Tutoring Group maintains offices in Chappaqua, New York, and New York City. Its clients come from as close as the tri-state area to as far away as China, the United Kingdom, and Nigeria.
Alan previously appeared on the podcast in episode 289 for an IEC Profile.
Alan can be reached at 914-232-3743 or alan@sheptin.com.
LINKS
Why Not Consider a Degree Outside of the US?
Degrees from the Start-Up Nation: A Guide to Israeli Universities – IECA
RELATED EPISODES
ATTENDING UNIVERSITY IN EUROPE
STOP MAKING $EN$E: THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT PROBLEM
ABOUT THIS PODCAST
Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.
ABOUT YOUR HOSTS
Mike Bergin is the president of Chariot Learning and founder of TestBright, Roots2Words, and College Eagle. Amy Seeley is the president of Seeley Test Pros and LEAP. If you’re interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, get in touch through our contact page.