YCBK 596: A Debate About Early Decision and a Debate About the Value of Prestige
Release Date: 12/15/2025
YCBK 609: Are College Parent Facebook Groups Helpful or Toxic?
Your College-Bound Kid
In this episode you will hear: (04:08) In the News-Hilary and Kate join Mark to discuss an article that appears in USA Today that asks the question, “Are parent Facebook groups helpful or toxic”? Rachel Hale is the author of the article, which is entitled: “College, parent Facebook groups and when helicopter parenting goes too far” (27:35) Mark interviews Lisa and Lynda about their new book, “The Calm College Method “Part 2 of 2 v Lynda explains who the book is good for v Lisa and I talk about the practicality of the book, and I share some of...
info_outline
YCBK 608: How to Avoid Getting $2000-$7000 Unexpectedly Added to Your College Bill
Your College-Bound Kid
In this episode you will hear: Jennifer Mandel, a college counselor with Mark at School Match 4U, joins Mark to discuss how college policies differ when it comes to requiring you to sign up for their health care plan, or how to notify them that you already have health care coverage. Peter Pitts interview-Part 2 of 3 v Peter shares the number one thing he feels allow colleges to have a distinctive experience unmatched elsewhere v Peter talks about how his book, “Small College Magic” is different from some other books on colleges v Peter has a beef with something that Jeff...
info_outline
YCBK 607: How the Calm College Method Reduces Student & Parent Stress
Your College-Bound Kid
In this episode you will hear: (02:54) Mark interviews Lisa and Lynda about their new book, “The Calm College Method” (27:18) Susan joins Mark to answer a question from Andrew, a listener from Oregon (54:27) Interview-Susan Brisson-Olin College of Engineering Preview of Part 2 v Susan talks about the level of math Olin is looking for and she discusses the admission requirements v Susan talks about the individual in-person evaluative interview Olin has v Susan tells us what some red flags are students in admissions v Susan shares...
info_outline
YCBK 606: How many colleges should your student apply to?
Your College-Bound Kid
In this episode you will hear: Mark answers the question, how many colleges should your student apply to: Peter Pitts Peter Pitts interview-Part 1 of 3 v Peter gives his backstory v Peter shares why he didn’t like being a Director of Admissions v Peter talks about what he loved about a Regional admissions officer and we just have a good conversation being a regional admission officer v Peter explains where his passion for admissions work comes from v Peter walks us through all of the books he has written v Peter begins to make the case for why...
info_outline
YCBK 605: How Being Low-Income Impacts Admission Decisions at Need-Blind Colleges
Your College-Bound Kid
In this episode you will hear: (36:18) Mark shares some different policies that colleges have for deferred applicants. (03:26) Susan joins Mark to answer a question from a listener about how being a low-income impacts decisions at need-blind schools. (01:10:18) Interview-Susan Brisson-Olin College of Engineering Preview of Part 1 v Susan gives her backstory v Susan gives us the basics about Olin v Susan explains why you will see the name Olin on so many different colleges v Susan explains what makes Olin different from...
info_outline
YCBK 604: Is Selectivity Important When Selecting a College?
Your College-Bound Kid
In this episode you will hear: Mark has a discussion about the role of selectivity when selecting a college Mark interviews Kate Stricklan on How Some Colleges Shape Their Class o Kate tells us what shaping is and how it applies to admission file reading o Kate talks about how students go in and out of the admitted class o Kate shares why colleges do not reveal they can share all of their admit data with the public o Kate shares when you should not send your test...
info_outline
YCBK 603: What Is The Best Time To Send a Letter of Continued Interest?
Your College-Bound Kid
In this episode you will hear: (01:45) Mark and Julia discuss, what do you do if you find out that you were deferred or wait-listed from a college. When is the best time to send in a letter of continued interest? (28:04) QFL and Interview: Matt Beatty, VP of enrollment at Luther College in Decorah in Iowa Preview • Matt gives his bio, and he tells us about the location of Luther College in Decorah, Iowa • Matt shares what he feels is the most special thing...
info_outline
YCBK 602: What Does a Seasonal Admission Officer Do, and How Do You Become One?
Your College-Bound Kid
In this episode you will hear: Mark has a discussion about the role of prestige when selecting a college Mark interviews Kate Stricklan on the Role of the Seasonal Admission Officer o What is going on in the admission office now o What is the role of the operations team that is mission-critical o We discuss the difference between seasonals and regionals, and Kate gives us a lot of details about seasonals o Kate talks about the training that is done for the...
info_outline
YCBK 601: You Just Got Deferred or Waitlisted? What Do You Do Now?
Your College-Bound Kid
In this episode you will hear: (03:12) Mark and Julia discuss, what do you do if you found out that you were deferred or waitlisted from a college (39:38) Interview: Mark interviews Kev Sanders, Associate Director of Admissions, University of Utah Preview of Part 3 o Kev addresses one other concern that a pacific northwest family has about the University of Utah o Kev addresses one concern that one of my families who visited Utah had after leaving their visit ...
info_outline
YCBK 600: Tips that Helped Me With Admissions That I Want to Share
Your College-Bound Kid
In this episode you will hear: Twenty of our listeners share tips that have helped them with the college process that they want to share with others. Recommended Resources Colleges that allow self reporting of test scores Great source for questions about finances and college FAFSA Walkthroughs Mark recommends CSS PROFILE Walkthroughs Speakpipe.com/YCBK is our method if you want to ask a question and we will be prioritizing all questions sent in via Speakpipe. Unfortunately, we will NOT answer questions on the podcast anymore that are emailed in. If you...
info_outlineIn this episode you will hear:
We welcome a new member to our podcast, Carter Delloro, Co-Director of College Counseling at the Marymount School of New York. Carter will discuss a New Yor Times article, “The Early Decision Option Is a Racket. Shut It Down” and then a listener, Sean Elliott sends in a message in support of Early Decision and Carter shares his perspective on Sean’s perspective.
New Interview-Evan Mandery-How America's Elite Colleges Breed High-Status Careers—and Misery
Preview of Part 3 of 3
² Evan and Mark spend almost the entire segment debating whether you need to go to an elite college to have limitless career opportunities, he says some things Mark totally agrees with, and others Mark pushes back on, but we think you will find it interesting; honestly, the truth is somewhere between his view and my view
² Evan shares what are the next writing projects he is working on
² Evan shares his concerns about where our country is at
² Evan closes by picking Mark’s brain about his own kids and their educational journey and satisfaction with their college choices
Recommended Resources
Colleges that allow self reporting of test scores
Colleges that Allow Self-Reporting of SAT and ACT Scores
Great source for questions about finances and college
Edvisors: Financial Aid, Student Loans, Scholarships and Money Management
FAFSA Walkthroughs Mark recommends
Complete FAFSA 2026‑2027 Walkthrough | From Start to Submit
2023-2024 FAFSA Walkthrough Video English
CSS PROFILE Walkthroughs
MEFA Institute: A Deep Dive into the CSS Profile
Speakpipe.com/YCBK is our method if you want to ask a question and we will be prioritizing all questions sent in via Speakpipe. Unfortunately, we will NOT answer questions on the podcast anymore that are emailed in. If you want us to answer a question on the podcast, please use speakpipe.com/YCBK. We feel hearing from our listeners in their own voices adds to the community feel of our podcast.
You can also use this for many other purposes: 1) Send us constructive criticism about how we can improve our podcast 2) Share an encouraging word about something you like about an episode or the podcast in general 3) Share a topic or an article you would like us to address 4) Share a speaker you want us to interview 5) Leave positive feedback for one of our interviewees. We will send your verbal feedback directly to them and I can almost assure you, your positive feedback will make their day.
To sign up to receive Your College-Bound Kid PLUS, our new monthly admissions newsletter, delivered directly to your email once a month, just go to yourcollegeboundkid.com, and you will see the sign-up popup. We will include many of the hot topics being discussed on college campuses.
Check out our new blog. We write timely and insightful articles on college admissions: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/category/blog/
On X for our podcast:
https://twitter.com/YCBKpodcast
1. To access our transcripts, click: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/category/transcripts/
2. Find the specific episode transcripts for the one you want to search and click the link
3. Find the magnifying glass icon in blue (search feature) and click it
4. Enter whatever word you want to search. I.e. Loans
5. Every word in that episode when the words loans are used, will be highlighted in yellow with a timestamps
6. Click the word highlighted in yellow and the player will play the episode from that starting point
7. You can also download the entire podcast as a transcript
We would be honored if you will pass this podcast episode on to others who you feel will benefit from the content in YCBK.
Please follow our podcast. It really helps us move up in Spotify and Apple’s search feature so others can find our podcast.
If you enjoy our podcast, would you please do us a favor and share our podcast both verbally and on social media? We would be most grateful!
If you want to help more people find Your College-Bound Kid, please make sure you follow our podcast. You will also get instant notifications as soon as each episode goes live.
Check out the college admissions books Mark recommends: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/recommended-books/
Check out the college websites Mark recommends: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/recommended-websites/
If you want to have some input about what you like and what you recommend, we change about our podcast, please complete our Podcast survey; here is the link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScCauBgityVXVHRQUjvlIRfYrMWWdHarB9DMQGYL0472bNxrw/viewform
If you want a college consultation with Mark just text Mark at 404-664-4340 or email at mark@schoolmatch4u.com. All we ask is that you review their services and pricing on their website before the complimentary session; here is link to their services with transparent pricing: https://schoolmatch4u.com/services/compare-packages/