Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast

Welcome to THE college admissions industry podcast! Join Mike Bergin and Amy Seeley as they discuss the latest issues in testing, admissions, learning, and education with leading experts. Tests and the Rest is perfect for parents, students, counselors, educators, test prep professionals, college consultants, and just about anyone engaged in the college admissions process. You can subscribe to this podcast or stream it online via any podcast app, including iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and TuneIn Radio. YOUR HOSTS Mike Bergin is the president of Chariot Learning and founder of TestBright. Amy Seeley is the president of Seeley Test Pros and Leap. Between the two of us, expect over 60 years of industry insight, expertise, insider news, and a bit of sarcasm.

725. TAKING A MEDICAL LEAVE OF ABSENCE FROM COLLEGE 05/05/2026

725. TAKING A MEDICAL LEAVE OF ABSENCE FROM COLLEGE As much as every student anticipates four or more years of perfect health during their undergraduate studies, life happens. Luckily, illness or injuries don’t need to mean an end to your academic journey, especially if you know the right way to take a pause. Amy and Mike invited college advisors Jennifer Stephan and Karen Flood to explain the process of taking a medical leave of absence from college. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is a medical leave of absence (MLOA), and how do colleges actually use medical leaves? What is the typical timeline for a leave request? How do you know when a medical leave is the right decision versus trying to push through? How do students return from a medical leave, and what are colleges really looking for in that process? What does a medical leave mean for a student’s future? MEET OUR GUESTS Dr. Jennifer Stephan has held a variety of roles at top colleges and universities, including professor, academic dean, and board of admissions member, in addition to serving as a private college counselor, an alumni interviewer for Johns Hopkins University, and a parent of three. She holds a BS degree in electrical engineering from Johns Hopkins University, as well as an MS and a PhD in electrical and computer engineering from Carnegie Mellon University. Jennifer is currently the Dean of Academic Advising and Undergraduate Studies for the School of Engineering at Tufts University. Prior to joining Tufts in 2016, she spent over two decades serving as a dean and a professor of Computer Science at Wellesley College, where she collaborated with colleagues at MIT, Olin College of Engineering, and Babson College to support students pursuing engineering. While at Wellesley, Jennifer served on the College’s Board of Admissions, reading and evaluating approximately one hundred transfer applications each year. Jennifer is also the founder of , a robust college counseling practice where she regularly draws on insights from her experience leading in higher education to help students develop their college lists and shape competitive, authentic applications. Jennifer specializes in STEM, computer science, engineering, undecided, and transfer students. She is a member of the National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC) and a professional member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA). Jennifer appeared on the podcast in episode 620 to discuss , in episode 541 to discuss , and in episode 559 for an . Find Jennifer at jennifer@lanterncollege.com or . Dr. Karen Flood is the founder of , which provides one-on-one support to help students thrive in college. With deep insider knowledge of universities, Karen supports students in their transition to college-level academics, helping them develop organizational and time-management skills and a stronger sense of self-efficacy. Before founding Riverside College Coaching, Karen spent three decades at Harvard University as Associate Dean of the Harvard Summer School, a Resident Dean of Harvard College, Director of Undergraduate Studies, First-Year Adviser, and Lecturer. In these roles, she counseled hundreds of students navigating academic and personal difficulties. Karen has a BA from Yale University and a PhD from Harvard University and has received multiple teaching distinctions at Harvard, including the Jan Thaddeus Teaching Prize. Karen can be reached at . LINKS RELATED EPISODES ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the . ABOUT YOUR HOSTS Mike Bergin is the president of and founder of , , and . Amy Seeley is the president of and . If you’re interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, . /episode/index/show/testsandtherest/id/41126820

724. HOW DATA IS TRANSFORMING THE WAY STUDENTS NAVIGATE COLLEGE DECISIONS 04/28/2026

724. HOW DATA IS TRANSFORMING THE WAY STUDENTS NAVIGATE COLLEGE DECISIONS How often does a thorough college search process involving hours of research and weeks of onsite college visits take an unexpected last minute twist because of fuzzy criteria and gut feelings? Shouldn’t certain statistics inform better choices? Amy and Mike invited ed tech entrepreneurs Braden and Cooper Weissman to explore how data is transforming the way students navigate college decisions. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Why does the college admissions process feel more complicated today? How can counselors help students think about choosing a college beyond rankings and prestige? What are the risks of relying on guesswork or outdated information during the admissions process? Where do students tend to struggle most when applying to colleges and making school decisions, and how can counselors help address those gaps? How might data and technology improve the college search process? MEET OUR GUEST Braden Weissman is the co-founder and Co-CEO of Nerd Apply. A competitive athlete and team builder at heart, Braden brings a performance-driven mindset to everything he works on. He was named Arizona’s Student and Athlete of the Year in 2021 and carried that same discipline and leadership to the University of Michigan, where he co-founded multiple ventures alongside his brother, including Dorm Doctor AI, Dynamic Purchasing Solutions, and WEIDEV. Braden was later accepted into the University of Miami’s four-year MD/MBA program, but chose to defer to fully commit to building Nerd Apply. He is passionate about creating tools that reward collaboration, integrity, and real-world outcomes. Braden lives in New York City, where he enjoys staying active and spending time with close friends. Cooper Weissman is the co-founder and Co-CEO of Nerd Apply. A lifelong builder, Cooper began teaching himself to code at a young age and launched businesses while still in high school, some of which had to be registered in his older brother’s name because he was not old enough to open a bank account himself. At Dartmouth College, Cooper immersed himself in entrepreneurship and leadership, serving as a student leader at the Magnuson Center and winning the Global Venture Capital Investment Competition. His curiosity and systems-oriented thinking continue to shape Nerd Apply’s product vision today. Cooper lives in New York City and is driven by experimentation, thoughtful problem-solving, and building communities around shared ideas. Find Braden and Cooper at . LINKS RELATED EPISODES ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the . ABOUT YOUR HOSTS Mike Bergin is the president of and founder of , , and . Amy Seeley is the president of and . If you’re interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, . /episode/index/show/testsandtherest/id/41011520

723. EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: April 2026 04/24/2026

722. GETTING READY FOR THE AP BIOLOGY EXAM 04/21/2026

721. WHEN ACADEMIC PRESSURE TURNS INTO BEHAVIORAL ISSUES 04/14/2026

720. WHAT MOTIVATES STUDENTS IN TEST PREP? 04/07/2026

720. WHAT MOTIVATES STUDENTS IN TEST PREP? It’s been said that pain in life is inevitable, but we can choose whether to suffer the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. How can we help learners make the right choice when enthusiasm or available time wanes? Amy and Mike invited educator Athena Savino to explore what motivates students in test prep. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What's the biggest misconception tutors and parents have about what motivates students to engage? What is the best way to assess student needs and sequence instruction? Why should goals and expectations set the foundation for preparation and coaching? What time frames work best to maintain enthusiasm and focus? What separates the students who hit their goals from the ones who don't, and how much of it is within a tutor's control? MEET OUR GUEST Athena Savino is the founder of , a platform that partners with tutoring centers to help students achieve better outcomes on the SAT, ACT, HSPT, SHSAT, ISEE, and PSAT through smarter practice and data-driven instruction. The daughter of immigrant parents who came to the US to expand educational opportunities for their family, Athena grew up with a deep appreciation for what access to the right tools and support can do. She earned her undergraduate degree from UC Berkeley and her MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. She began tutoring while pursuing her MBA and discovered that what actually moved the needle for students was simple but underappreciated: repetition and the motivation to keep improving with each attempt. That observation led her to build TopMarksPrep, which now provides tutoring centers with a student-facing study platform and an admin platform that delivers actionable, insightful data — helping tutors and center directors enhance every session and personalize instruction at scale. Athena lives in Chicago with her husband and is expecting her first son in April 2026. Athena can be reached at or LinkedIn. LINKS RELATED EPISODES ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the . ABOUT YOUR HOSTS Mike Bergin is the president of and founder of , , and . Amy Seeley is the president of and . If you’re interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, . /episode/index/show/testsandtherest/id/40707445

719. IEC PROFILE: Brooke Daly 04/03/2026

718. IEC PROFILE: Sarah Abaza 04/02/2026

717. IEC PROFILE: Ingrid Latham 04/01/2026

717. IEC PROFILE: Ingrid Latham Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced independent educational consultant? MEET OUR GUEST Meet Ingrid Latham. Ingrid has been advising students on the college process since 2004. She enjoys learning about her students’ activities and how those might relate to ideas for majors and careers. Navigating the college process can be more manageable with Ingrid’s assistance in creating timelines for completing each task. In addition to college applications and essays, Ingrid also helps with high school and college course selection, which can be an excellent opportunity for students to explore different interests. Many of her students return for Ingrid’s advice on preparing their LinkedIn profiles and practicing for internship interviews. Ingrid has a B.S. in Environmental Engineering from Northwestern University, during which time she worked as a math and chemistry tutor. After working in engineering for seven years, Ingrid decided to follow her true calling of helping young adults to fulfill their dreams. Having lived and worked in a variety of settings, Ingrid has an extensive network of former colleagues and students who serve as great connections when her current clients want to learn firsthand information about a college or career. Originally from Ohio, Ingrid was the captain of her high school’s swim team, a newspaper editor, and a baton twirler. Ingrid now lives in Wisconsin, where she enjoys nature, walking her dog, reading, rollerblading, and singing in a local chorus. A fun fact about Ingrid is that she was an announcer for her son’s high school and college lacrosse teams! Find Ingrid at . ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the . ABOUT YOUR HOSTS Mike Bergin is the president of and founder of , , and . Amy Seeley is the president of and . If you’re interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, . /episode/index/show/testsandtherest/id/40657115

716. IEC PROFILE: Steve Tapper 03/31/2026

716. IEC PROFILE: Steve Tapper Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced independent educational consultant? MEET OUR GUEST Meet Steve Tapper, who serves clients nationwide through Tapper College Counseling. Steve obtained his College Counseling Certificate with Distinction from UCLA and then served as a seasonal reader with the Emory University admissions office, where he analyzed students’ curriculum rigor and grades and assessed applications as a partner in the Committee-Based Evaluation process. Steve then worked as an essay specialist for College Essay Guy and with another college counseling firm before founding Tapper College Counseling. Steve received a B.A. with Honors from Brown University, where he was on the swimming team, and a J.D. from Vanderbilt Law School. He also served as an alumni admissions interviewer for Brown. As an independent college counselor, Steve loves helping students position themselves for success (including taking the right classes and finding meaningful extracurricular activities), find great-fit colleges, and tell their stories in college applications. Steve is a professional member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA), and a member of the Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA) and the Southern Association for College Admission Counseling (SACAC). He also attended HECA’s Professional Development Institute and is certified by the Myers-Briggs Company to administer the Strong Interest Inventory and Strong Interest Inventory 244 assessments. Steve lives in Atlanta with his wife. They have two children, a recent college graduate and a rising college senior, and a standard poodle named Zeke. Find Steve at or steve@tappercollegecounseling.com ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the . ABOUT YOUR HOSTS Mike Bergin is the president of and founder of , , and . Amy Seeley is the president of and . If you’re interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, . /episode/index/show/testsandtherest/id/40657025

715. IEC PROFILE: Beth Kraemer 03/30/2026

714. EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: March 2026 03/27/2026

713. THE IMPACT OF DIVORCE ON COLLEGE ADMISSIONS AND FINANCIAL AID 03/24/2026

712. HOW BUSINESS-MINDED STUDENTS CAN STAND OUT IN COLLEGE ADMISSIONS 03/17/2026

712. HOW BUSINESS-MINDED STUDENTS CAN STAND OUT IN COLLEGE ADMISSIONS College admissions is serious business, doubly so if you want to study business at a selective institution. Fortunately, the very traits that presage corporate or entrepreneurial success contribute mightily to the application process. Amy and Mike invited independent education consultant Evan Green to explore how business-minded students can stand out in college admissions. What are five things you will learn in this episode? When a high school student is interested in business, how should they approach college applications? What are good extracurricular activities that high school students interested in business can pursue? How can high school students interested in business position themselves to stand out in the college admissions process? Should applicants address business school or program-specific essays differently? How can business-minded students maximize their opportunities once they get to college? MEET OUR GUEST Evan Green is co-founder of Green College Consulting, an IECA-member college admissions consulting firm, and founder of Corporate Liberation, an entrepreneurship consultancy that helps corporate employees become entrepreneurs. In his prior career, he spent 17 years as an enterprise sales executive at several large technology companies. He has a particular focus on helping business-minded college students get into the right schools and pave the way for a successful business career. Evan holds a BSBA in New & Small Business Management from the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University and a JD from the University of San Francisco School of Law. Evan can be reached at . LINKS RELATED EPISODES ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the . ABOUT YOUR HOSTS Mike Bergin is the president of and founder of , , and . Amy Seeley is the president of and . If you’re interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, . /episode/index/show/testsandtherest/id/40458375

711. HOW TO WIN SCHOLARSHIPS 03/10/2026

711. HOW TO WIN SCHOLARSHIPS Yes, of course college students want scholarships. Who wouldn’t want their education funded in part or entirely with funds that don’t need to be paid back? But an astonishingly deep well of free money seems inaccessible to most applicants. Amy and Mike invited educator Leia LeMaster Horton to explore how to win scholarships. What are five things you will learn in this episode? When should students start going after scholarships? What are the three types of scholarships? Which major private, merit-based scholarships are most strategic to target? What preparation should a student complete before seriously applying for scholarships? What are the three most common scholarship essay prompts students should prepare for? MEET OUR GUEST Leia LeMaster Horton, M.Ed., is the founder of Horton Test Prep and a nationally recognized Test Prep Professional and Scholarship Expert in the college prep industry. She is a featured speaker at homeschool conferences and college fairs across the country, including events at UC Berkeley, UT Austin, Clemson, Johns Hopkins, and Columbia University, and has been on numerous podcasts and webinars guiding families through the often stressful college preparation process. As a founding member of the National Test Prep Association, a scholarship judge, certified test prep instructor, and creator of the digital course Secrets to Earning Scholarships, Leia is passionate about helping students raise their ACT, CLT, and SAT scores, unlock scholarship opportunities, and make their dream schools a reality. Leia previously appeared on the podcast in episode 248 for a . Leia can be reached at or on Instagram @LeiaLeMasterHorton. LINKS RELATED EPISODES ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the . ABOUT YOUR HOSTS Mike Bergin is the president of and the founder of , , and . Amy Seeley is the president of and . If you’re interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, . /episode/index/show/testsandtherest/id/40274970

710. UNPACKING AND SOLVING MATH ANXIETY 03/03/2026

709. EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: February 2026 02/27/2026

708. WHAT MAKES A GREAT COLLEGE TOWN? 02/24/2026

707. OVERLOOKED TEST TAKING SKILLS 02/17/2026

707. OVERLOOKED TEST TAKING SKILLS Every exam is designed to assess an obvious array of knowledge and skills. However, much more than the obvious is often needed to truly excel. Amy and Mike invited educator Mike Settele to review overlooked test-taking skills. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What are the obvious or well-known test-taking skills? What are some classic test-taking skills that influence the score? What are some overlooked test-taking skills? Are any of these skills hard or impossible to improve during the test prep timeline? What is the most important test-taking skill? MEET OUR GUEST Mike Settele is the founder of Settele Tutoring, an SAT prep company that specializes in creating user-friendly SAT resources. Mike has published thousands of hours of SAT lessons on his YouTube channel, which are watched every day by students around the world. Mike began his SAT career while an undergraduate at Johns Hopkins University, where he studied political science and philosophy. He started as a Writing section tutor for Capital Educators, a test-prep company that offers courses in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. After graduating, Mike became a full-time program director for Capital Educators, but he eventually found his true passion in helping to create their curriculum for the new SAT in 2016. After the new test was released, Mike moved to Los Angeles and founded Settele Tutoring, shifting his focus to private tutoring so he could create new SAT materials. He has since published the “SAT Packets” study guides for both the Reading and Math sections of the exam, with new editions coming soon for the digital SAT. In fact, when he’s not tutoring, Mike can often be found sitting on Santa Monica Beach, writing SAT questions. Mike previously appeared in episode 573 for a . Find Mike at or his . LINKS RELATED EPISODES ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the . ABOUT YOUR HOSTS Mike Bergin is the president of and founder of , , and . Amy Seeley is the president of and . If you’re interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, . /episode/index/show/testsandtherest/id/40042155

706. COACHING FOR ACADEMIC SUCCESS 02/10/2026

706. COACHING FOR ACADEMIC SUCCESS When you need expert individual support with skill, strategy, behavior, or body of knowledge, you’ll probably reach out to a tutor or coach. How do those roles differ, and how can you get the most out of them? Amy and Mike invited test prep professional Scott Clyburn to define coaching for academic success. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Is there a difference between teaching and coaching? What are simple conversation habits that keep students in the driver’s seat in learning? What is the best way to benchmark executive function skills? Why is it valuable to look at habits you want to change as experiments? What are the most common pitfalls when tutors try to shift to a coaching approach? MEET OUR GUEST Scott Clyburn holds degrees from the University of Virginia and Yale University and is the founder and director of North Avenue Education, a premier test-preparation and study-skills firm based in Portland, Oregon. Originally from Houston, Texas, Scott has taught in both secondary and higher education and has been a professional tutor since 2005. He sees tutoring as an opportunity for any student to become a better learner. Scott specializes in coaching students with LD and is motivated by seeing his students transform their potential into action. Scott is the author of the , which will be published this winter and licensable by tutors and orgs in 2026. Scott previously appeared on the podcast in episode 97 to discuss . Find Scott at scott.clyburn@northaveeducation.com or https://northaveeducation.com. LINKS RELATED EPISODES ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the . ABOUT YOUR HOSTS Mike Bergin is the president of and founder of , , and . Amy Seeley is the president of and . If you’re interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, . /episode/index/show/testsandtherest/id/40042065

705. HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU NEED A COLLEGE CONSULTANT? 02/03/2026

705. HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU NEED A COLLEGE CONSULTANT? 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 consultant? What role do family dynamics play in the need for external support? What kinds of services do college consultants typically offer? 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 , in episode 160 to discuss , and in episode 523 to discuss Find Jodi at LINKS RELATED EPISODES ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the . ABOUT YOUR HOSTS Mike Bergin is the president of and founder of , , and . Amy Seeley is the president of and . If you’re interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, . /episode/index/show/testsandtherest/id/39959500

704. EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: January 2026 01/29/2026

703. THE IMPORTANCE OF CALCULATORS ON THE SAT & ACT 01/27/2026

703. THE IMPORTANCE OF CALCULATORS ON THE SAT & ACT 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 use DESMOS? Should test takers download useful programs into their calculators in advance? MEET OUR GUESTS Vinny Madera is the guy who shapes and helps the team determine the most effective and efficient ways to get the results students need. Tutoring in some capacity since college, Vinny decided in 2007 to become a full-time tutor and works directly with over 800 students per year through his classes and individual students. Aiding numerous school districts, private institutions, and tutoring companies, Vinny has developed all Test Prep Wizards’ reporting software and has written the company’s SAT and ACT manuals, which have been licensed by many school districts as an efficient, low-cost means of helping their students. Vinny is a huge nerd fan of data and statistics, moonlighting as a math enthusiast at Fairfield University, where he teaches a variety of math courses and freshman experience workshops. He brings this love of numbers and trends to Test Prep Wizards in the form of its state-of-the-art analysis programming. Vinny is the author of . Vinny first appeared on the podcast on episode 141 to discuss , in episode 225 to discuss , in episode 340 for a , and in episode 511 to discuss . Find Vinny at or vinny@testprepwizards.com. Tony Miglio is the owner of and a nationally sought-after test prep expert specializing in the math section of the ACT. He has worked with students both locally in the Greater Cincinnati area and also with students throughout the US and Europe. He works with students in person and virtually; in groups, and 1-1, and is able to help build a rapport with each of his students to help students grow in confidence, along with growing their ACT Scores. Tony is a former teacher and has been an ACT tutor for more than 15 years, with the last 10 specializing in helping students improve their ACT Math Scores. His specialty is customizing the mental approach for each student based on their score to drive success on the test. Tony first appeared on the podcast on episode 48 to discuss , and in episode 225 to discuss . Find Tony at nkytutoring@gmail.com or . LINKS RELATED EPISODES ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the . ABOUT YOUR HOSTS Mike Bergin is the president of and founder of , , and . Amy Seeley is the president of and . If you’re interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, . /episode/index/show/testsandtherest/id/39888475

702. WHAT IS THE CSS PROFILE? 01/20/2026

702. WHAT IS THE CSS PROFILE? 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 reveal or disregard? How do you value your farm, business, and real estate, and how do you discount the values properly with documentation? Are you able to amend the CSS after submission? MEET OUR GUEST Brian Eyster, CCFS®, ELA™, LIC, is the visionary founder of the G.R.A.D. Process™, a groundbreaking system created to help families navigate the challenge of paying for their children's college education without sacrificing their retirement goals. Over his 27-year career, Brian has developed a profound understanding of the financial needs of families. His personal experiences with college planning for his own kids have shaped his approach to wealth management, risk mitigation, resource allocation, and college funding strategies. As a highly sought-after speaker, Brian shares his knowledge on Creative Funding for College, Cash Flow Design, Income Planning, Risk Management, and Tax-Advantaged Strategies. Clients trust and respect Brian for his commitment to delivering exceptional service. Brian lives in Metro Detroit with his wife, two kids, three cats, and enough guitar and softball equipment to last three generations. Brian can be reached at . LINKS RELATED EPISODES ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the . ABOUT YOUR HOSTS Mike Bergin is the president of and founder of , , and . Amy Seeley is the president of and . If you’re interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, . /episode/index/show/testsandtherest/id/39770415

701. TEST SCORES: THE COLLEGE ADMISSIONS EDGE 01/13/2026

701. TEST SCORES: THE COLLEGE ADMISSIONS EDGE 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 college applications? What are the benefits and drawbacks of test-optional policies? How has the importance of test scores in college admissions evolved over the past five years? What steps should students who are struggling with standardized tests but still aspire to attend competitive colleges take? MEET OUR GUEST Philip Bates is a lifelong learner and educator with an unwavering passion for equipping educators with the tools and strategies to help students transition from the classroom to college success. As Director of College Readiness at and host of the From Classroom to Campus podcast, he draws on 18+ years of experience as a teacher, principal, and education leader to equip educators with the knowledge and strategies to help students succeed in higher education. A dynamic speaker and advocate for college preparedness, Philip is committed to making the path to college more accessible and achievable for all learners. Phillip can be reached at , through the podcast, and on LinkedIn. LINKS RELATED EPISODES ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the . ABOUT YOUR HOSTS Mike Bergin is the president of and founder of , , and . Amy Seeley is the president of and . If you’re interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, . /episode/index/show/testsandtherest/id/39687530

700. CELEBRATING OUR 700TH EPISODE 01/06/2026

699. BEST COLLEGES FOR YOUR TUITION DOLLARS 12/30/2025

698. WHAT DOES PUBLIC EDUCATION OWE TO ADVANCED STUDENTS? 12/23/2025

698. WHAT DOES PUBLIC EDUCATION OWE TO ADVANCED STUDENTS? 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? Why shouldn't families be responsible for providing enrichment? How does supporting advanced students align with the purpose of public education? MEET OUR GUEST Dr. Kenneth A. Shores is an associate professor specializing in education policy in the School of Education at the University of Delaware, and he is affiliated with the UD Center for Research in Education and Social Policy. His research is focused on educational inequality and encompasses both descriptive and causal inference. To this end, his work addresses racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in test scores, school disciplinary policy, classification systems, and school resources. In addition, he has examined how improvements to school finance systems can reduce educational inequality and how vulnerabilities in school finance systems can contribute to it. Dr. Shores was a National Academy of Education/Spencer Dissertation Fellow, a Philanthropy and Civic Society Fellow, a Stanford Graduate Fellow, and an Institute of Education Sciences (IES) Predoctoral Fellow. In 2018, he was the co-recipient of the National Council on Measurement in Education’s Annual Award for exceptional achievement in educational measurement. He received his Ph.D. in education policy analysis from Stanford University. Prior to graduate school, he was a middle school teacher on the Navajo Nation. Kenneth can be reached at or . LINKS RELATED EPISODES ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the . ABOUT YOUR HOSTS Mike Bergin is the president of and founder of , , and . Amy Seeley is the president of and . If you’re interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, . /episode/index/show/testsandtherest/id/39462575

697. EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: December 2025 12/19/2025

696. NEW WAYS TO USE YOUR 529 PLAN 12/16/2025

Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast

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