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.

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

695. TEST PREP PROFILE: Dani Fleischer & Kevin McCormick 12/12/2025

694. TEST PREP PROFILE: Lucy Zhang 12/11/2025

693. TEST PREP PROFILE: Roman Marchenko 12/10/2025

692. TEST PREP PROFILE: Angie Kelley 12/09/2025

691. TEST PREP PROFILE: Jonah Fishel 12/08/2025

690. SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: MentoMind 12/05/2025

690. SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: MentoMind Expanding your tutoring business with MentoMind with educators Amit Jain and Chris McKenna What are five things you will learn in this episode? How are tutors using MentoMind? How is MentoMind helping tutors attract more students? How is MentoMind evolving from an SAT/ACT platform to an all-learning course platform? What kind of courses are tutors creating on MentoMind? What is the new and upcoming AI-powered toolkit "TutorHub" all about? ABOUT MENTOMIND is a revolutionary SAT/ACT prep platform designed to support students and help tutoring and test prep businesses thrive. MentoMind helps tutors attract and engage students through free diagnostic tests, practice questions, fun quizzes, and video courses. With robust white-label capabilities, freemium features, and payment gateway integration, tutors can launch their own branded platform to offer free content and sell digital subscriptions or self-paced programs. By using automated drip emails and parent communication, tutors can nurture a community of students and become their go-to choice the moment students need additional support in the form of full tutoring services. MentoMind uses AI-powered insights, adaptive learning technology, and high-quality test prep content to deliver personalized practice and strengthen student outcomes. The platform offers more than 3,500 expert-created practice questions, full-length tests, and real-time performance tracking, making it a well-rounded resource for standardized test preparation. For tutors, MentoMind streamlines time-consuming tasks such as grading, quiz creation, and student progress tracking. Its centralized dashboard lets instructors assign practice tests, monitor performance, and provide personalized feedback. It also integrates parent communication tools to support transparency and engagement. With AI-powered features, tutors can create or upload their own learning and practice materials, allowing them to focus more on teaching and student growth. One noteworthy feature of MentoMind is its AI-powered learning assistant, which offers 24/7 support to students. It provides hints and step-by-step guidance when they encounter difficulties, while keeping tutors informed of their conversations and progress. This interactive tool adapts to individual learning needs, making study sessions more engaging and effective. Beyond test preparation, MentoMind provides a holistic environment for both learners and educators. Whether you’re an independent tutor, a test prep center, or a school, MentoMind delivers the tools, insights, and automation needed to enhance student success while streamlining workflows and supporting business growth. With advanced AI capabilities, automation, and white-label flexibility, MentoMind is a forward-thinking solution for college test preparation. is an AI toolkit and content marketplace built for tutors. It enables tutors to quickly convert their existing practice worksheets into digital problem sets that are easily shared with students and graded automatically. And we’re just getting started—powerful tools for creating new content and publishing to the marketplace are coming soon. Amit first appeared on the podcast in episode 539 to discuss and in episode 631 for a . To learn more about MentoMind, please reach out to or . 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/39290900

689. LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES 101 12/02/2025

689. LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES 101 Liberal arts colleges represent what may be the most misunderstood class of higher ed institutions. What are the hallmarks of these schools, and what kinds of students should seek them out? Amy and Mike invited educational consultant Matt Arant to provide instruction in Liberal Arts Colleges 101. What are five things you will learn in this episode? How are liberal arts colleges defined in comparison to other types of schools? Is the application process different for liberal arts college applicants compared to those applying to research universities? Can you study STEM subjects at liberal arts colleges? What sort of pre-professional advising or alumni engagement programs are available at liberal arts colleges? Will I be adequately prepared for life post-graduation? How do I know if a liberal college might be a good fit? MEET OUR GUEST Matt Arant is the founder of Arant Academic Planning, LLC. Prior to becoming an independent counselor, Matt worked as an admission representative at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. At F&M, Matt was the primary athletics liaison for the Office of Admission, working closely with over two dozen intercollegiate sports throughout the entire application cycle. Matt has been invited to present on college athletic recruitment and the admissions process to public and private schools all across the country and is an active member of both the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) and Texas Association for College Admission Counseling (TACAC). He is also a current associate member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA), based in Metro Austin, Texas. Matt previously appeared on the podcast in episode 634 to discuss . Find Matt 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/39204890

688. EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: November 2025 11/28/2025

687. FOREIGN LANGUAGES AS A SUPERPOWER IN COLLEGE ADMISSIONS 11/25/2025

687. FOREIGN LANGUAGES AS A SUPERPOWER IN COLLEGE ADMISSIONS Most college-bound teens tend to focus on core English, history, science, and math classes as the keys to the schools of their dreams. Little do they know how important or influential their language studies can be. Amy and Mike invited educator Rachèle DeMeo to explore foreign languages as a superpower in college admissions. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What’s the best way for students to make their language proficiency really stand out on a college application, so it doesn’t just look like another bullet point? How can students highlight their language skills on their college applications? How can foreign language knowledge help students skip certain classes in college? How can students weave their language skills into their college experience—whether through study abroad, tutoring, campus jobs, or other opportunities that let them practice and even get paid for it? What are some of the long-term benefits of being bilingual or multilingual—not just for a student’s academic journey, but also for their personal growth and future career opportunities? MEET OUR GUEST Rachèle DeMeo was born in Nîmes, in the south of France, and raised in a multicultural family with American, British, and Italian roots. Growing up bilingual, she developed a deep love for languages and cultures, which set the stage for her lifelong mission: helping others discover the power of languages. After earning her French Baccalaureate in languages, philosophy, and literature, she moved to the United States, where she completed a B.A. in Christian Education, taught French in various institutions, and even worked on Capitol Hill. She later moved to California to teach French at the middle school, high school, and college levels, and went on to earn two Master’s degrees and a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership. With more than 20 years of teaching experience, Rachèle has taught everyone from young children to college students and professionals, both in-person and online. She is the founder and president of , a nonprofit school that provides French language and culture programs for children across the U.S., and the founder of Belle Terre Academy, which offers online language courses. She is also an author of six (published) books, an educational speaker who trains teachers worldwide, and a YouTuber with a growing community of over 18,000 subscribers. Beyond education, Rachèle is passionate about humanitarian work, having supported refugee and orphan projects around the world. She’s also a musician, a lover of travel, and a fan of extreme sports like surfing and snowboarding. Today, she and her husband are raising their two children bilingually, continuing the family tradition of celebrating languages as a bridge between cultures. Rachèle 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/39160690

686. BEST & WORST EXTRACURRICULARS FOR HIGH SCHOOLERS 11/18/2025

685. SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: STUDYSPACES 11/14/2025

684. HOW TO PLAN FOR YOUR COLLEGE TRANSFER 11/11/2025

684. HOW TO PLAN FOR YOUR COLLEGE TRANSFER Believe it or not, over one-third of college students transfer at least once while earning their degree. So why do so many students assume their first school will be their forever school? Amy and Mike invited college advisor Jaime Smith to share insights on how to plan for your college transfer. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Where do students most commonly struggle when preparing to transfer schools? How easy is it to transfer credits between colleges? What might students do in advance if a potential transfer is in their future? Do transfer students need SAT or ACT scores? Is there a difference between transferring from 2-year or 4-year colleges? MEET OUR GUEST Jaime Smith, M.A., MS.Ed., is a Certified Educational Planner with 25 years of experience in the field of education. After many years of teaching English at the middle, high school, and college levels, Jaime turned to online education and founded a virtual K-12 supplementary education program, , where she continues to teach gifted and twice-exceptional homeschooled students. As a college advisor, Jaime specializes in transfer admissions, application essays, homeschoolers, neurodiverse learners, and other non-traditional applicants. In 2023, she completed a Post-Master's Certificate in Transfer Leadership and Practice at the University of North Georgia in collaboration with the National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students. Jaime is the author of . A California native, Jaime now lives in Oregon with her husband and pet bunny. She has one daughter, a former homeschooler turned transfer student who just started grad school. Jaime previously appeared on the podcast in episode 578 to discuss . Learn more about Jaime at and follow her on . 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/38907340

683. WHAT DO FEDERAL POLICY CHANGES MEAN FOR FINANCIAL AID? 11/04/2025

683. WHAT DO FEDERAL POLICY CHANGES MEAN FOR FINANCIAL AID? The ability to pay for a college education usually depends on stable economic conditions and clear, predictable rules. But what happens when everything seems to change every day? Amy and Mike invited financial aid advisor Ed Recker to explain what federal policy changes mean for financial aid. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What federal policy changes will have the potential biggest impacts to students? What federal policy changes will have the potential biggest impacts to colleges & universities? Has the U.S. Department of Education’s reduction in force (RIF) impacted the financial aid process? Were there any changes to the FAFSA or federal student loans? Are there any benefits to completing the FAFSA early? MEET OUR GUEST Ed Recker is a Director of High School Relationship Management with Sallie Mae, serving high schools, states, and professional organizations throughout the U.S. He joined Sallie Mae in 2019, and has over 20 years’ experience in the financial aid and enrollment industry. Prior to joining Sallie Mae, Ed was a Senior Consultant within the Enrollment Division of Ruffalo Noel Levitz, held the position of Vice President for Enrollment Management at the University of Findlay, and held various financial aid positions at the University of Findlay, Terra State Community College, and Bowling Green State University. Ed holds a M.Ed. in Higher Education from the University of Toledo, and resides in Ottawa, OH with his wife Kate and daughter Evelyn. Ed appeared on the podcast in episode #492 to discuss and in episode #544 to discuss . Find Ed 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/38907280

682. CULTIVATING AND RECOGNIZING ACADEMIC CURIOSITY 10/28/2025

682. CULTIVATING AND RECOGNIZING ACADEMIC CURIOSITY The primary goal of our formative years is often seen as figuring out what we want to do with the rest of our lives. Why, then, do we focus so much on what we want to *be* instead? Amy and Mike invited educational consultant Matthew Jaskol to explore the importance of cultivating and recognizing academic curiosity. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is the development process for a curious but undecided student? Why does fostering intellectual curiosity get overlooked in traditional education systems? What are ways to encourage students to explore or engage in big problems? What’s the most important shift in mindset needed to help students pursue authentic growth, rather than just building a polished resume? Why is it important to not give up on exploration too quickly? MEET OUR GUEST Matthew Jaskol is committed to empowering young scholars from all backgrounds to think critically and create meaningful change. In 2012, he co-founded Pioneer Academics, a public benefit corporation that delivers rigorous and cutting-edge academic initiatives and is also committed to eliminating financial and geographic barriers for high-achieving, low-income students worldwide. Its two flagship institutes are: the Pioneer Research Institute—the world’s only fully accredited online research institute for high school students—and the Global Problem-Solving Institute, a virtual innovation lab where students tackle complex global challenges through interdisciplinary thinking and collaborative design. Matthew believes that when intellectual curiosity is nurtured with structure and academic rigor, it sparks extraordinary growth. His work is driven by the belief that education should be transformational, not transactional, and he remains inspired by the creativity, purpose, and depth students bring to their work. Matthew 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/38797210

681. EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: October 2025 10/24/2025

680. SCHOLARSHIPS, MAJORS, AND HOW CLARITY CAN UNLOCK MORE COLLEGE AID 10/21/2025

680. SCHOLARSHIPS, MAJORS, AND HOW CLARITY CAN UNLOCK MORE COLLEGE AID While high schoolers don’t need to know exactly what they’ll be doing with the rest of their lives, those students who make intentional, well-informed major choices before applying to college can unlock more merit-based and private scholarship opportunities–including specific awards based on intended major. Mike moderated a conversation with Dave Peterson and Lisa Marker-Robbins to explore Scholarships & Majors: How Clarity Can Unlock More College Aid. What are five things you will learn in this episode? If scholarships aren’t just awards for past achievements, how should applicants shift their mindset when searching for scholarships? How can early career clarity help prevent missteps during the application process? How does intended major help shape a personal narrative that’s compelling to scholarship committees? How early should teens tackle each of the essential components of college and scholarship applications? What are some popular majors and special scholarships associated with those majors? MEET OUR GUEST Dave Peterson, The Scholarship Coach, is the father of a rising college junior who, to date, has won over $80,000 in scholarships. Because of his son’s success with scholarships, people started asking him for advice on how their children could win scholarships. These questions prompted Dave to write the book . Dave shares a new scholarship opportunity every day on his and called “Your Daily Scholarship.” He provides one-on-one coaching for students and families to help them find and win scholarships to achieve their debt-free college dreams. Dave previously appeared on this podcast in episode #496 to share and #529 to explain . Find Dave at . Lisa Marker Robbins is an entrepreneur in Cincinnati, Ohio. Her passion and purpose throughout her career has been to serve high school students and young adults on launching into their future. With that greater purpose, she has been a classroom teacher, 23 years ago started a test prep, tutoring and independent college counseling organization that has helped thousands, and in 2021, started to guide students and young adults through her 5-part framework towards getting career clarity for what comes after graduation. Lisa first appeared on episode #119 to discuss how , in episode #227 to discuss , in #363 for a ., and, in #554, . Find Lisa 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/38513445

679. How Do Female Students Benefit From Female Educators? 10/14/2025

679. How Do Female Students Benefit From Female Educators? If learning and testing weren’t already challenging enough in and of themselves, success can often depend on the level of congruence between students and teachers. For example, is gender an influential factor in academic success? Amy and Mike invited educator Megan Fitzwater to explore how female students benefit from female educators. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What are the key differences in how girls learn when they work with female mentors? What factors likely contribute to girls feeling like bad test takers? What role do standardized tests play in shaping girls’ future opportunities in STEM or other fields? What should educators who want to better support girls in STEM and test prep keep in mind? What kind of female student most benefits from working with female educators? MEET OUR GUEST Megan Fitzwater is the founder of All Girls’ Prep, a women-led tutoring company dedicated to empowering young women in test preparation and STEM. A graduate of an all-girls high school, she experienced firsthand the confidence and community that thrive in a female-focused environment. It was there that a dedicated physics teacher recognized her talent and encouraged her to pursue the subject, inspiring her to enter the University of Colorado Boulder as a declared astrophysics major. Transitioning from that supportive, all-girls landscape into the male-dominated world of astrophysics, Megan became one of only a few women in her program. She conducted observational research and excelled academically, yet still grappled with imposter syndrome and quietly questioned whether she belonged. Everything changed when she encountered her first (and only) female physics professor in college. For the first time, she saw herself reflected in someone leading the field she aspired to join, and the impact was profound. The shift gave her a deeper confidence in herself and her abilities, one that shaped the course of her career. Since then, Megan has dedicated her work to creating the kinds of academic environments where girls can see themselves, take risks, and reach their potential. She has developed innovative SAT and ACT curricula, led courses designed to break down barriers in physics and calculus, and built a team of accomplished female tutors, from engineers to film directors, who serve as mentors as much as educators. Through All Girls’ Prep, she is committed to ensuring that young women have not only the skills to succeed but also the representation and mentorship to envision themselves in any field they choose. Megan 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/38464730

678. HOW PARENTS CAN SUPPORT (NOT DERAIL) THE COLLEGE PROCESS 10/07/2025

678. HOW PARENTS CAN SUPPORT (NOT DERAIL) THE COLLEGE PROCESS For many college applicants, the dream of higher education would be unattainable without the support of their parents and guardians. That doesn’t mean, however, that these well-meaning adults can’t become an adverse influence in admissions. Amy and Mike invited educational consultant Lisa Hillhouse to discuss how parents can support and not derail the college process. What are five things you will learn in this episode? 1. What non-negotiable terms should be established at the beginning of the process? 2. How can parents support the exploration phase of the college search process? 3. What activities should parents engage in with their student in the process? 4. How should parents model grace in challenging situations? 5. How can parents reassure their student in the process and its final outcome? MEET OUR GUEST Lt. Col. Lisa Hillhouse is an independent educational consultant and the founder of Hillhouse College and Career Advising, based in Atlanta. Prior to launching her practice, Lisa retired from the Air Force after 26 years of active duty and reserve service. Much of that time focused on officer recruitment and leadership development. Lisa began her admissions journey with a special assignment to Air Force ROTC at the University of California, Berkeley. She loved educating and mentoring young leaders and continued that work at the United States Air Force Academy as a deputy liaison officer director and admissions liaison officer. There she helped lead and manage one of the largest recruiting areas in the nation while evaluating and developing candidates for military careers. While in college, Lisa enrolled in AFROTC and went on to earn a scholarship and a commission. Lisa has a Bachelor’s degree in Politics from Assumption University, a Master’s degree in Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma, and a College and Career Planning graduate certificate from the University of California, Berkeley. Lisa is nationally recognized for her expertise and specialty of guiding and supporting students through the complex process of becoming commissioned officers. Many of her students are focused on earning ROTC scholarships, military service academy appointments, or becoming officer training school candidates. Lisa also collaborates with other consultants around the country. She frequently presents at admissions conferences and webinars and has served as a guest presenter for college advising courses. Lisa first appeared on our podcast in episode 104 to discuss and in episode 184 for . Lisa was featured in an in episode 315. You can find out more about Lisa 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/38464700

677. How Ikigai Can Help To Choose a College Major 09/30/2025

677. How Ikigai Can Help To Choose a College Major Ikigai, a Japanese concept that translates to "a reason for being" or "a reason to live," focuses on the intersection of what you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. Doesn’t that sound like a critical consideration for college students and applicants? Amy and Mike invited admissions expert V. Peter Pitts to explore how ikigai can help to choose a college major. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is IKIGAI? How can an Ikigai exercise help in narrowing down your major? Do students really need to choose a major before choosing a college? Do majors really matter? What matters more than choice of a major? What is the biggest mistake students make in choosing a major? MEET OUR GUEST V. Peter Pitts retired after 42 years in the College Admission profession, most recently with Monmouth College of Illinois. Over his 27 years at Monmouth, he recruited over 2,000 students and still keeps in touch with many of them. He is originally from Iowa and holds an undergraduate degree from Wartburg College (IA) and a Master’s degree from the University of Iowa, both in Sociology. In his retirement, Peter publishes a website––that celebrates small private colleges. He also gives presentations to high school classes about a variety of college admission topics. He is the author of , and his latest book is . Peter previously appeared on this podcast in episode 163 to discuss and in episode 347 to discuss . Peter 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/38380265

676. EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: September 2025 09/26/2025

675. Unlocking Automatic Scholarships With PSAT, SAT, & ACT Scores 09/23/2025

674. How And Why To Perform Your Best on the PSAT 09/16/2025

674. How And Why To Perform Your Best on the PSAT The PSAT/NMSQT may not influence college admissions decisions, but the test matters in more ways than you might think. Amy and Mike invited educator and author Brian Stewart to discuss how and why to perform your best on the PSAT. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What role does the PSAT play compared to the SAT or ACT? What are some of the most common mistakes students make with the PSAT and how can they avoid them? What study strategies or prep resources are most effective for the PSAT? What are some ways students can effectively use the embedded Bluebook tools to do well on the PSAT? What kind of students should focus on the SAT and PSAT at the same time? MEET OUR GUEST At the end of his first year teaching Social Studies at Dublin Jerome High School, company founder Brian Stewart thought it would make sense to do some part-time tutoring work over the summer. After all, he had done quite well on standardized tests when he was in high school and really enjoyed coming up with creative ways to explain challenging concepts to students. Other companies charged a fortune and didn’t seem to have a high-quality product. As Brian worked with more students, word spread about the quality of his tutoring services. He started to offer ACT and SAT test prep group classes, and worked with students from all over Central Ohio. In 2011, Brian left his day job to run BWS Education Consulting full time with his wife Caitlin. Applying the expertise from her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy, Caitlin has ensured that our teaching materials and methods make high-quality test preparation accessible to students of all backgrounds and ability levels. In 2012, Barron’s Educational Series contacted Brian about submitting samples of his writing as they conducted a national search for their next ACT book author. Brian was chosen to write Barron's ACT, and has gone on to write . His books have sold hundreds of thousands of copies worldwide. In 2014, BWS Education expanded to have associate tutors who teach not only the ACT and SAT, but tutor students in math, science, and writing. Brian and Caitlin personally interview and train every tutor on our staff to ensure they are the best in the business. BWS is a team of committed educators who relentlessly look for the best way to deliver educational enrichment to our clients, whether it’s test prep, academic help, or college admission counseling. Brian appeared on the podcast in episode #33 to discuss , in episode #383 to discuss , in episode #507 to discuss , and in episode #590 to discuss . Find Brian at . LINKS Brian’s PSAT Book: 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/38214755

673. Preparing For A College Admissions Interview 09/09/2025

672. From Stage To Test: What Performance Teaches Us About Test Anxiety 09/02/2025

671. EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: August 2025 08/29/2025

670. Intentionality On The Road To College 08/26/2025

670. Intentionality On The Road To College It’s been said that when we set an intention, somehow the world seems to magically come to meet us. Does that apply in college admissions? You'll never find out if you don’t try. Amy and Mike invited educational consultant Ann Cadwallader to outline the impact of intentionality on the road to college. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What does intentionality mean in the context of the high school experience? How does course selection tell a story? What really matters when choosing extracurricular activities? What does the choice to work or volunteer during high school signify? What are other facets of intentionality on the road to college? MEET OUR GUEST Ann Cadwallader, founder of , has worked in education for 35 years and has guided students through the college admissions process as an Independent Educational Consultant for nearly two decades. She holds a BS from Stanford University and an MBA from the University of Minnesota, and in 2020 earned the Certified Educational Planner designation — an achievement that reflects her deep expertise in college advising. Ann has personally visited 193 college campuses across the country, giving her firsthand insight into a wide range of schools and student experiences. Known for her calm, strategic approach, she is dedicated to reducing stress for both students and parents and helping families make smart, intentional choices—so students can tell their story with confidence and clarity. Ann 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/37936250

669. College Essay Secrets 08/19/2025

Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast

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