YCBK 655: Why is it Hard to Get a Straight Answer: Are My Test Scores Are Good Enough?
Release Date: 07/09/2026
YCBK 665: Cal Tech’s Fraud Squad is Going After Students Who Misrepresent Themselves
Your College-Bound Kid
In this episode you will hear: (09:56) Mark and Chris discuss an article that appeared in the Wall Street Journal recently entitled, “The Fraud Squad at Cal Tech Will Catch You If You Lie On Your Application” (36:22) Mark interviews New York Times best selling author, Bill Deresiewicz on his book, “Excellent Sheep” Part 1 of 2 Preview of Part 1 of 2 µ Bill Deresiewicz gives his backstory and his transparency is at times riveting µ Bill explains the circuitous path he took to get to where he is now µ Bill explains his...
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YCBK 664: Students At Elite Schools Are Often Like Sheep: Following the Herd
Your College-Bound Kid
In this episode you will hear: Mark and Chris answer a question from a dad from Denver about applying early. Update on our new website, YouTube Channel and our new Instagram Christina and Mark interview Andrea Saadi on how experts evaluate whether a college’s financials are stable Preview of Part 3 of 3 µ Andrea discusses how Athletic expenses impacts colleges budget µ Andrea gives her opinion on whether she is expecting Widespread closures µ Andrea discusses How the report she generates is used µ Andrea...
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YCBK 663: Why Are So Many Colleges Dropping Their College-Specific Essays?
Your College-Bound Kid
In this episode you will hear: (04:23) Mark and Hillary discuss a few reasons so many colleges are dropping their custom prompts, aka supplemental college essays Update on our new website, YouTube Channel and our new Instagram Admissions Tip, Admissions Vernacular and Big Number (32:41) Christina and Mark interview Andrea Saadi on how experts evaluate whether a college’s financials are stable Preview of Part 2 µ Andrea gives us some things to look for to know whether a college is really in trouble µ Andrea shares some...
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YCBK 662: How to Make a Few Activities Really Stand Out in Your Application
Your College-Bound Kid
In this episode you will hear: We play three messages that listeners sent in Mark and Hillary share a tip that can really make your activity list stand out Update on our new website, YouTube Channel and our new Instagram Christina and Mark interview Andrea Saadi on how experts evaluate whether a college’s financials are stable Preview of Part 1 µ Andrea gives her background µ Andrea assesses the financial challenges colleges are facing µ Andrea distinguishes between a budget crunch and a budget crisis ...
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YCBK 661: Changes Colleges Are Making Because of their Enrollment Shortage
Your College-Bound Kid
In this episode you will hear: (03:30) Mark and Christina answer a question from a listener who wants to know how colleges are coping with their enrollment challenges (34:16) Mark shares an admissions tip, an admission vernacular and a big number Update on our new website, YouTube Channel and our new Instagram (50:20) Jed Applerouth answers questions listeners sent in about the ACT and the SAT Preview for Part 2 µ Jed answers a question about when the ACT will improve its Digital exam µ Jed answers the question, does a higher math score...
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YCBK 660: Answers to Tough Questions our Parents Submitted about the SAT & ACT
Your College-Bound Kid
In this episode you will hear: Mark answers a question Barbara from California sent in about an idea for the SAT and the ACT. Update on our new website, YouTube Channel and our new Instagram Jed Applerouth answers questions listeners sent in about the ACT and the SAT Preview for Part 2 µ Jed talks about the return to required standard testing µ We talk about grade inflation µ Jed answers a question from a listener who wants to know what Jed thinks about the Classical Learning Test? µ Jed answers a question from a listener about whether to...
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YCBK 659: We Are a Full-Pay Family; Will Our Privilege Hurt My Kid In The Admissions Process
Your College-Bound Kid
In this episode you will hear: (05:14) Christina Lopez joins Mark to discuss a question from a mom from south Florida about how colleges will view their family’s full-pay status in the admissions process (17:55)Jed Applerouth answers questions listeners sent in about the ACT and the SAT Part 1 of 3 µ Jed answers the question, should students take the ACT with Science now that it is optional? µ Jed goes over the major changes with the ACT and the SAT µ Should students take the ACT on paper or digital? µ Jed talks about if the ACT is making...
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YCBK 658: Is Getting a Liberal Arts or Humanities Degree Very Risky In This Job Market
Your College-Bound Kid
In this episode you will hear: Susan Tree joins Mark to take a very thoughtful question from Katie who wants to know if we think it is just too risky to get a liberal arts or humanities degree when STEM degrees lead to higher pay. Mark interviews Owen Blight, Dean of Admissions and Acting Associate VP of Enrolment at Providence College in Providence, Rhode Island-4 of 4 Mark and Owen continue to discuss how Providence makes admission decisions. We close with Owen going on the hotseat in our lightning round. Recommended Resources Colleges that allow self-reporting...
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YCBK 657: My Student Is Not Excited About Going To College: What do I do?
Your College-Bound Kid
In this episode you will hear: (05:28) Guest host Chris Teare joins Mark to discuss a question from a mom who doesn’t know what to do because her student is not excited to go to college. Mark shares an An Admissions Tip, An Admissions Vernacular and a Big Number (31:45) Mark interviews Owen Blight, Dean of Admissions and Acting Associate VP of Enrolment at Providence College in Providence, Rhode Island-3 of 3 Mark and Owen discuss some more perceptions of Providence but most of segment three is dedicated to talking about Providence College’s admissions...
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YCBK 656: How Do I Get a Spike, so I Can Be a Competitive Applicant for Selective Colleges
Your College-Bound Kid
In this episode you will hear: Carter and Mark take a question from Ben, a 10th grader in Texas. Ben wants to know how he can get a spike so he can be competitive in the most selective colleges? Mark reads an article from the Chronicle of Higher Ed about the “Higher Ed Budget Crunch” Mark interviews Owen Blight, Dean of Admissions and Acting Associate VP of Enrolment at Providence College in Providence, Rhode Island Mark shares some perceptions his students have had about Providence College, and Owen elaborates on the student perceptions ...
info_outlineIn this episode you will hear:
(03:06) Mark answers a question from a listener about, how to know if your test scores are good enough?
(21:48) Hilary and Mark take a second question from a listener about whether a poor grade can be dropped from a transcript
Mark reads an article from the Chronicle of Higher Ed about the “Higher Ed Budget Crunch”
(35:08) Mark interviews Owen Blight, Dean of Admissions and Acting Associate VP of Enrolment at Providence College in Providence, Rhode Island
Recommended Resources
JG Talks: Helping prospective and current college students achieve success
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
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Check out the college admissions books Mark recommends: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/recommended-books/
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