705. HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU NEED A COLLEGE CONSULTANT?
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
Release Date: 02/03/2026
705. HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU NEED A COLLEGE CONSULTANT?
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
A DIY attitude can not only open the mind to new experiences and illuminate hidden strengths but also save a dollar or two. But we may not want to tackle every important task alone, particularly one as complex and chancy as a competitive college application. Amy and Mike invited independent educational consultant Jodi Rosenshein Atkin to help assess how to know if you need a college consultant. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Does every student need outside help in applying to college? What does a student’s high school have to do with the need for a college...
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704. EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: January 2026
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
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 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 did Mike travel? What are Amy and Mike’s favorite family meals?...
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703. THE IMPORTANCE OF CALCULATORS ON THE SAT & ACT
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
There’s not a single question on the SAT or ACT that absolutely requires a calculator to solve. So are these powerful tools even necessary, and if so, where do they make a difference? Amy and Mike invited educators Vinny Madera and Tony Miglio to explore the importance of calculators on the SAT and ACT. What are five things you will learn in this episode? How important is a calculator on the SAT and ACT? What are the best calculators to use on the tests? What skills are helpful to know for using DESMOS on the SAT and ACT? Is it better to take the digital ACT in order to be able to...
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702. WHAT IS THE CSS PROFILE?
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
The old saying that you won’t receive what you don’t ask for definitely applies to college financial aid. Nobody likes paperwork, but there’s one critical financial aid form that unlocks access to more than $14 billion in nonfederal aid. Amy and Mike invited financial planner Brian Eyster to explain exactly what the CSS Profile is. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is the CSS Profile, and how does it differ from the FAFSA? Do all private universities require the CSS? How can I find out which colleges? Which assets and which income(s) do you need to...
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701. TEST SCORES: THE COLLEGE ADMISSIONS EDGE
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
Even as many competitive colleges are returning to test score requirements for admissions, many others remain at least nominally optional. What does the near future hold for testing, and who stands to gain from improved exam performance? Amy and Mike invited educator Phillip Bates to explore the college admissions edge of test scores. What are five things you will learn in this episode? How significant are standardized test scores in today's increasingly holistic college admissions landscape? What strategies can students employ to maximize their test scores and gain a competitive edge in...
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700. CELEBRATING OUR 700TH EPISODE
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
After 699 episodes devoted to amazing conversations about testing, admissions, education, and learning, it’s time for something completely different. Amy and Mike invited educator Scott Greenspan to help celebrate our 700th episode. What are five things you will learn in this episode? How did Tests and the Rest start, and how has it changed over time? What impact has the podcast had so far? What are Amy and Mike’s theme songs, mentors, and dream vacations? Who else would Amy and Mike be willing to host TATR with? What might the future hold for the National Test Prep...
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699. BEST COLLEGES FOR YOUR TUITION DOLLARS
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
An assortment of institutions as diverse and differentiated as colleges and universities can be ranked and sorted in any number of ways. If not all listing criteria are equally relevant, which ones should you trust to find your best fit schools? Amy and Mike asked Washington Monthly editor-in-chief Paul Glastris to clarify his rankings for the best colleges for your tuition dollars. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What's wrong with the metrics that U.S. News and similar ranking systems use to rate colleges? What alternative metrics would be better to rate colleges? ...
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698. WHAT DOES PUBLIC EDUCATION OWE TO ADVANCED STUDENTS?
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
Public schools are mandated to provide educational opportunities to all students and generally work very hard to support learners with profound deficits or differences. But what about learners who require enrichment rather than accommodations? Amy and Mike invited Kenneth Shores to examine the question of what public education owes to advanced students. What are five things you will learn in this episode? In theory, what is the purpose of public education? Why has public education struggled to support advanced students? Does harm occur when enrichment is withheld from thriving students? ...
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697. EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: December 2025
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: December 2025 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 education. Catch up with us in the latest episode of EXTEMP with Amy & Mike. What are five things you will learn in this episode? How was the NTPA Winter Workshop? What are Amy and Mike’s plans for...
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696. NEW WAYS TO USE YOUR 529 PLAN
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
Every dollar saved for college is a dollar you won’t have to borrow. But even if you can save, what’s the best way to put money aside for higher education? Amy and Mike invited financial expert Joanne Dashiell to explore new ways to use your 529 plan. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What exactly is a 529 plan, and how does it work? Can you talk about the two different types of 529 plans, savings and prepaid? What are some of the tax advantages associated with using a 529 plan? How have 2025 policy changes expanded 529 plan flexibility? What is the one message...
info_outlineA DIY attitude can not only open the mind to new experiences and illuminate hidden strengths but also save a dollar or two. But we may not want to tackle every important task alone, particularly one as complex and chancy as a competitive college application. Amy and Mike invited independent educational consultant Jodi Rosenshein Atkin to help assess how to know if you need a college consultant.
What are five things you will learn in this episode?
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Does every student need outside help in applying to college?
-
What does a student’s high school have to do with the need for a college consultant?
-
What role do family dynamics play in the need for external support?
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What kinds of services do college consultants typically offer?
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What does it take to do it yourself?
MEET OUR GUEST
Jodi Rosenshein Atkin is an independent educational consultant in private practice. She holds a BA and an MA in Psychology from the University of Rochester and has over 20 years of experience in educational and clinical settings. Her first career focused on working with individuals and families living with learning challenges. She is a professional member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association, as well as a member of the National Association of College Admissions Counselors, New York State Association of College Admissions Counselors, and Higher Education Consultants Association. Jodi has visited over 300 college campuses in 17 different states and 3 countries!
Jodi is committed to finding a “best fit” school for every student, considering academic, financial, social and cultural factors. It’s about more than the mascot and the sweatshirt; it’s about finding the places that each student can thrive and grow, making the most of their higher education investment. Finding the right school is a journey, not a race to some imaginary finish line.
Jodi is a frequent guest speaker at libraries, schools, podcasts, and webinars. Her insights have been featured in publications nationally, including the Wall Street Journal, Rochester Democrat & Chronicle, Teen Vogue, Rochester Business Journal, and The Deseret News (Utah). She has also presented to professional groups, including the NYS Association of College Admissions Counselors. She and her husband, Louis, have four adult children and live in Rochester, NY with their golden doodle, Dustin.
Jodi has appeared on this podcast in episode 32 to discuss Making the Most of College Visits, in episode 160 to discuss Demonstrating Interest during Virtual College Tours, and in episode 523 to discuss Why This College, Why This Major?
Find Jodi at www.jodiratkin.com
LINKS
When Should You Engage a College Admissions Consultant?
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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.