YCBK 629: Understanding How Admissions Buckets Impact Admission Decisions
Release Date: 04/09/2026
YCBK 629: Understanding How Admissions Buckets Impact Admission Decisions
Your College-Bound Kid
In this episode you will hear: (02:33) Mark and Susan and Hilary continue their discussion about some of the intangibles that make a student stand out in a competitive admissions process-4 of 5 o We discuss how admission buckets impact admission reads and admission decisions (24:51) In our Question from a Listener-Susan and Hilary join Mark to answer a question from Michael, a student about how he should communicate with admissions about a D he received in Algebra 2. (41:58) College Spotlight-Lisa and Lynda discuss State Tech in...
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YCBK 628: How Can My Student Stand Out in a Competitive Applicant Pool-3 of 5
Your College-Bound Kid
In this episode you will hear: Carter, Susan and Mark recorded a conversation for over 90 minutes on what standard strong students can do to excel once they get to campus Part 3 of 5 o Susan and Carter and I continue our conversation about how applicants can stand out in a highly selective college admission process and we have some real straight talk in part 3 of 5 o Carter shares what he doesn’t like about the term passion project o We talk about what are some practical things students can do Lisa interviews Jennifer...
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YCBK 627: How Can My Student Stand Out in a Competitive Admission Pool
Your College-Bound Kid
In this episode you will hear: (03:04) In our Question from a Listener-Susan joins Mark to answer a series of questions about the role of the territory manager in admissions decisions (29:28) Mark and Susan and Carter continue their discussion about some of the intangibles that make a student stand out in a competitive admissions process-2 of 5 o We have a robust conversation between the difference between a resume application and a representational application o We talk about how colleges assess impact, and how...
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YCBK 626: Important Skills Students Need to Excel Academically In College
Your College-Bound Kid
In this episode you will hear: Carter, Susan and Mark recorded a conversation for over 90 minutes on what standard strong students can do to excel once they get to campus Part 1 of 5 o Susan describes the dilemma students face and she gives a preview of the content we are going to cover for the next 5 weeks o Susan shares a few admissions vernacular words for us, what is a 3/3? What is “bread and butter” o Susan defines Standard Strong for us o We begin a conversation that will...
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YCBK 625: Does Taking a Gap Year Increase Your Chances of Getting in College
Your College-Bound Kid
In this episode you will hear: (02:35) In our Question from a Listener-Carter joins me to ask a question from a college counselor from New York who wants to know if taking a gap year increases a student’s chances of college admission. (29:02) Mark interviews Barbara Kalmus about how the words we often use when describing our college list are detrimental to student mental health Part 2 of 2 o Barbara talks about how things have changed since the 1990’s o Barbara talks about institutional priorities ...
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YCBK 624: 15 Questions to Ask When Deciding Who To Ask for a Teacher Rec
Your College-Bound Kid
In this episode you will hear: Mark shares 15 questions to ask yourself when you are trying to decide who to ask for your teacher recommendation Interview-Student Athlete Advisors-Part 4 of 4 o Our 4 experts answer three questions that one listener sent in via Speakpike o We talk about NIL and college athletics o We discuss the difference between the timed sports and the observation sports o Katie lets you know how about some of the resources that Student Athlete Advisors has available and how you can partner with...
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YCBK 623: Do Colleges Treat an A at a Rigorous HS the Same as an A at a Typical HS
Your College-Bound Kid
In this episode you will hear: (02:08) In Our Question from a Listener-Hilary joins me to ask a question about how colleges can use GPA to evaluate students when the high schools can vary so much in rigor, selectivity and grade inflation. (25:01) Mark interviews Barbara Kalmus about how the words we often use when describing our college list are detrimental to student mental health Part 1of 2 o Barbara Kalmus gives her backstory o Barbara talks about student mental health o ...
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YCBK 622: Tips Athletes Need If They Want to Play Their Sport in College-Part 3
Your College-Bound Kid
In this episode you will hear: Mark shares insights from a few articles that discuss which jobs AI will displace and which ones AI will not replace. Mark shares what is going on with changes ot the University of Florida and their admission policy Interview-Student Athlete Advisors-Part 3 of 4 o Amy talks about what she wants in a coaches recommendation letter and when does she want to receive this o Joe talks about how essential it is to send customized letters to each college but how you have to be creative o Joe talks about how...
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YCBK 621: What Can I Learn from a College Based on How They Communicate with Me
Your College-Bound Kid
In this episode you will hear: (02:48) In Our Question from a Listener-Susan joins Mark to answer a question from an anonymous mom who wants to know if the way a college communicates with me is an indication of what my experience will be like when I arrive at the college (21:24) Mark interviews Stephen Burd, senior writer and researcher about his latest article that appears at newamerica.org on the topic of 41 colleges that are saddling a high percentage of low- income students with Parent PLUS loans-Part 3 of 3 Part 3 v Stephen talks about what he would change if...
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YCBK 620: Tips Athletes Need If They Want to Play Their Sport in College-Part 2
Your College-Bound Kid
In this episode you will hear: Mark shares 10 Speakpike messages from listeners and he has a little commentary on each message Interview-Student Athlete Advisors-Part 2 of 4 o Amy discusses how a player can find out the level that they can play at o Joe talks about how much you can learn from studying the rosters of the students o Reid talks about the best way to reach out to colleges once you know you are interested in them o Reid talks about the importance of video and the importance of having an effective call to...
info_outlineIn this episode you will hear:
(02:33) Mark and Susan and Hilary continue their discussion about some of the intangibles that make a student stand out in a competitive admissions process-4 of 5
o We discuss how admission buckets impact admission reads and admission decisions
(24:51) In our Question from a Listener-Susan and Hilary join Mark to answer a question from Michael, a student about how he should communicate with admissions about a D he received in Algebra 2.
(41:58) College Spotlight-Lisa and Lynda discuss State Tech in Linn, Missouri
Recommended Resource Guide to help first year students complete the Common Application- Application guide for first-year students
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