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.

635. SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: Edison Prep AP History Boot Camps 03/28/2025

635. SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: Edison Prep AP History Boot Camps Learn everything you need to ace the AP U.S and World History Exams in One Day What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is the story behind Edison Prep AP History Boot Camps? How do Edison Prep AP History Boot Camps work? Do you need to live in Atlanta to attend Edison Prep AP History Boot Camps? What kinds of outcomes do users experience? What should someone curious about Edison Prep AP History Boot Camps know about it? ABOUT AP HISTORY BOOT CAMPS Every April, Edison Prep offers AP US and World History Bootcamps in preparation for the May AP exams. These bootcamps incorporate multiple learning activities that use actual past AP exams, effective writing strategies, and activities that keep students engaged while learning test-taking techniques. The history content portions are interspersed between the strategy and essay-writing portions of the bootcamp to maintain a lively atmosphere and to utilize real examples during the pedagogical portions. Greg Hudson and Kelsey Hudson have been teaching AP US History and AP World History, respectively, for decades. In addition to being College Board-approved AP Readers (graders), they have authored AP history questions. Greg has also served as a senior trainer for other AP History essay readers due to the depth of his grading experience. Greg and Kelsey are both scholars of the test, dissecting each year’s exams for the benefit of their future students. The students in their AP classes have done very well; over 90% of his students have passed the exam with over 2/3 having received a score of 4 or 5 on the exam. DATES: 4/26/25 or 4/27/25 (same content each day, two date options) LOCATION: Live In person (Atlanta) or remote (nationwide) To learn more, please contact LINKS 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 . Amy Seeley is the president of and . If you’re interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, feel free to . /episode/index/show/testsandtherest/id/35899970

634. DIVISION III AND IVY LEAGUE ATHLETIC RECRUITMENT 03/25/2025

634. DIVISION III AND IVY LEAGUE ATHLETIC RECRUITMENT Many student athletes (or at least their parents) dream of earning a full ride to the college of their dreams. What most applicants find is that having sports on their resumes yields different but still substantial advantages. Amy and Mike invited educational consultant Matt Arant to demystify Division III and Ivy League athletic recruitment. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Who is an athletic/admission liaison and what do they do? How does the recruitment process differ between Division III and Ivy/Patriot League schools and Division I and Division II schools? Can Division III athletes be awarded athletic scholarships? Do athletes typically apply earlier than non-athletes? How should I approach my application as a prospective DIII athlete? What are the test score requirements for DIII athletes? 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. 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 . Amy Seeley is the president of and . If you’re interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, feel free to . /episode/index/show/testsandtherest/id/35845385

633. EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: March 2025 03/21/2025

632. THE THREE CORE EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS AND TEST PREP 03/18/2025

632. THE THREE CORE EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS AND TEST PREP Traits like cognitive flexibility and impulse control strongly influence student grades and test scores to such an extent that they may be best learned in an academic context. Amy and Mike invited educator Ariel Lieberman to explore the relationship between the three core executive functions and test prep. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What are the core executive functions and why are they important? How do weak EF skills get in the way of a student’s test prep? Why is executive function best learned in a relevant academic context? What are ideal strategies to build EF skills within the framework of test prep? Does remote instruction influence the effectiveness of EF coaching? MEET OUR GUEST Ariel Akselrad Lieberman is the founder of , a tutoring company based in Westchester County, NY that helps high school students, both neurotypical and those with learning differences, master the standardized test prep process and achieve their academic goals. Prior to founding Your Best Prep, Ariel wrote SAT and AP curriculum for Ivy Consulting Group in New York City, where she also worked as a GED tutor for young adults in the criminal justice system as a member of the Ivy League Tutors Foundation. Ariel has an M.Ed from Manhattanville College School of Education, where she studied Secondary Special Education and was a recipient of the Dean’s Award for Innovative Teaching, and a B.A. in history from SUNY-Purchase College, from which she graduated summa cum laude. Ariel holds a Professional Certificate in Learning Differences (LD) and Neurodiversity with a Specialization in Executive Function through the Landmark College Institute for Research & Training. Ariel previously appeared on this podcast in episode 194 for a . Find Ariel 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 . Amy Seeley is the president of and . If you’re interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, feel free to . /episode/index/show/testsandtherest/id/35682680

631. SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: MentoMind 03/14/2025

631. SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: MentoMind Expanding your tutoring business with MentoMind with educators Amit Jain and Jeremy Bryant What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is the story behind MentoMind? How does MentoMind work to help with student outcomes? How does MentoMind work to help educators attract students? Who currently uses MentoMind? How is MentoMind helping educators transition to an AI future? ABOUT MENTOMIND is a revolutionary SAT/ACT prep platform designed to support students and help tutoring and test prep businesses thrive. It 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. Amit first appeared on the podcast in episode 539 to discuss To learn more about MentoMind, please visit or 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 . Amy Seeley is the president of and . If you’re interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, feel free to . /episode/index/show/testsandtherest/id/35682745

630. THE HIGH SCHOOL CLASS PROFILE 03/11/2025

630. THE HIGH SCHOOL CLASS PROFILE So much of the college search and application process looks forward, focusing on the destination. Where a student is coming from matters quite a bit though. Amy and Mike invited educational consultants Aly Beaumont and Meg Joyce to explain the significance of the high school class profile. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is the high school class profile? What information do school profiles contain and why does it matter? Do all high schools have a school profile? What can be done to overcome the deficiencies of a school profile or the lack of one? Why should every applicant look at their high school profile? MEET OUR GUESTS Aly Beaumont is the founder of , a family focused, affordable, one-on-one college guidance consultancy. Aly is deeply committed to making the college admissions process less stressful, and her success with this objective can be measured by both the growing number of referrals she receives as well as the repeat business of family siblings. Aly is also a founder and advisor to , a website connecting high school students with college students and recent graduates so that first-hand information and experiences can be shared. Aly is a graduate of Tufts University where she majored in History with a concentration in Modern Women and African American History, and was captain of the Equestrian Team. She lives in Wilton, CT with her husband Perry, their two dogs Buddy and Buzz and their three sons. Two of their sons are currently in college at The University of St. Andrews in Scotland and Keyon College in Ohio, and one graduated from Santa Clara University. Aly is a Professional member of IECA and she has her certificate as an Independent Educational Consultant from the University of California Irvine. Aly previously appeared on this podcast in episode 212 to discuss , in episode 341 to discuss , in episode 406 to discuss , in episode 537 to discuss , and was the subject of an . Meg Joyce works with Aly at Admissions Village, helping students and their parents navigate every step of the college search and application process. A self-professed research and detail geek, her favorite part of her job is watching students grow in skills and confidence as they work their way through high school and eventually, college applications. Meg wants every student to feel supported and heard, and most of all - special - because when students feel that, it comes through not just in their applications but in everything they do. Meg is a graduate of Georgetown University where she studied Finance and English and worked in the Alumni Office, spending hours talking to alums and learning about their time on campus. She also volunteered for many years as an alumni interviewer. Meg is the mother of four grown children, each of whom had different educational journeys. One has a masters degree in foreign service, another has a masters in creative writing, a third was a college athlete, and another has been working full time while attending community college. She is also an identical twin, so if you see her and she doesn’t say hi, she’s not being rude, it’s just her twin! Meg is an Associate member of IECA and has her certificate as an Independent Educational Consultant from the University of California Irvine. Find Aly and Meg 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 . Amy Seeley is the president of and . If you’re interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, feel free to . /episode/index/show/testsandtherest/id/35566745

THE DIGITAL SAT: HOW IT STARTED AND HOW IT’S GOING 03/04/2025

THE DIGITAL SAT: HOW IT STARTED AND HOW IT’S GOING A year ago, an innovative new digital adaptive SAT came to the United States–a year after its first appearance internationally. This is the perfect time to find out how College Board feels about both the obstacles and opportunities encountered over this historic transition. Amy and Mike invited Vice President of SAT Suite Program Maureen Forman to talk all about the digital SAT: how it started and how it’s going. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Looking back, what were the most substantial challenges in transforming the SAT to a digital adaptive test? What were the most positive outcomes from the digital transition? What is the current and projected state of the Bluebook practice tests and question bank? What is the role of Khan Academy as College Board’s Official Digital SAT Prep Partner? What can students and educators expect from College Board through 2025? MEET OUR GUEST Maureen Forman is the Vice President, SAT Suite Program and Innovation for College Board. Like many of our listeners, Maureen considers herself an educator first and began her career as a high school teacher in the School District of Philadelphia with the New Teacher Project. She earned her Masters in Education from Eastern University before moving into her work with education technology almost 15 years ago. Maureen’s earliest experiences in product management and edtech implementation consulting were with Naviance, a popular college and career readiness application designed to support high school counselors and students’ college, career, and life readiness. Maureen joined College Board in 2018 and in partnership with hundreds of dedicated College Board employees, helped to lead the digital transformation of the SAT Suite of assessments which culminated with the final delivery of the world’s last paper-based SAT in December 2023. Learn more about the SAT 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 . Amy Seeley is the president of and . If you’re interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, feel free to . /episode/index/show/testsandtherest/id/35492705

628. ADMISSIONS IMPLICATIONS OF ACADEMIC COMPETITIONS 02/25/2025

628. ADMISSIONS IMPLICATIONS OF ACADEMIC COMPETITIONS While we generally profess to celebrate all interests and contributions, the clubs and activities that mean the most to some high schoolers fail to earn the respect that other extracurriculars do, even when students receive recognition on a state or national level. Do colleges at least care? Amy and Mike invited educator Vida John to explore the admissions implications of academic competitions. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What are academic competitions, and what are some examples? Why should students consider participating in academic competitions? What do colleges think of them? What are the advantages and disadvantages of participating in these activities? What can we learn from the example of American Mathematics Competitions? MEET OUR GUEST Vida John is a math coach and tutor, specializing in students who are preparing for math contests and studying curriculum published by Art of Problem Solving. Vida grew up in Iowa where she was a high school mathlete before studying at the Stanford School of Engineering and UCSF School of Medicine. After working in Silicon Valley for a medical start up, she homeschooled her two daughters with the intent of providing an excellent education especially in math and science. She coached homeschooled math teams for 10 years, and with both daughters now attending Stanford, she continues to help students prepare for MathCounts, AMC, and other contests while building their problem solving skills. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area and runs workshops on using math contests to prepare for college level work. Vida previously appeared on this podcast in episode 255 to discuss and in episode 536 to discuss . Find Vida at . LINKS RELATED EPISODES ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our past episodes on the and keep up with our future ones by . ABOUT YOUR HOSTS Mike Bergin is the president of and founder of . Amy Seeley is the president of and . If you’re interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, feel free to . /episode/index/show/testsandtherest/id/35322710

627. EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: February 2025 02/21/2025

626. THE RISE IN AP TESTING 02/18/2025

626. THE RISE IN AP TESTING During a period of American education history where most standardized tests fell at least momentarily out of favor, one series of exams seems to be growing in popularity with no end in sight. Amy and Mike invited educator Rob Franek to explore the explosive rise of Advanced Placement testing. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What has inspired the recent increase in AP tests and testing? What is College Board’s strategy with the Advanced Placement program? Will AP tests replace the need for SAT and ACT in admission considerations? Where do these developments leave students without access to AP programs? Will digital APs be cause for applause? MEET OUR GUEST A national expert on colleges and higher education, Rob Franek is a publisher, editor, lecturer, media contributor, and author as well as a former college admissions administrator. As Editor-in-Chief at , he oversees the company’s 150+ Princeton Review books distributed by Penguin Random House. He also directs the company's annual surveys of students, parents, and school administrators. The survey findings are reported at dozens of education conferences and by hundreds of media each year. Over his 33-year career, Rob has visited more than 1,200 high schools and more than 1,000 colleges and graduate schools. It is his interactions with students, parents, and counselors that he cites as his most inspiring professional experiences. He gives more than 100 talks a year to audiences of students, parents, educators, counselors, and advisors. He has chaired panels and presented keynotes at many National Association of College Admission Counseling (NACAC) conferences and delivered commencement addresses at three universities. Rob is author of four books: ; The Best Value Colleges; ; and . He also spearheaded the publications of and . As director of The Princeton Review's surveys, Rob has polled millions of college and graduate school students for the company’s school rankings which are based on student ratings of their schools and tallied in dozens of categories. Rob also oversees the company’s annual of thousands of college applicants and their parents as well as its annual . Rob has hosted 140+ videos on The Princeton Review's . which collectively have received more than a million views. Among them: , , and . Sourced by the AP, Voice of America, New York Times, Chronicle of Higher Education , and other media, Rob has also appeared on hundreds of broadcasts including more than 30 appearances on NBC TODAY. Hoda Kotb, the show's co-anchor, has introduced him saying “ He talks. We listen!” Rob has also appeared on ABC, CBS, CNN, FOX, NPR, PBS, and NHK (Japan) as well as the Emmy-award winning show Teen Kids News. Rob earned his B.A. at Drew University (NJ) and serves on its Board of Trustees. Prior to joining The Princeton Review in 1999, he was a college admissions administrator at Wagner College (NY) for six years. A resident of Manhattan, Rob is a New York history buff and an avid runner. Rob 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 . Amy Seeley is the president of and . If you’re interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, feel free to . /episode/index/show/testsandtherest/id/35309170

625. COLLEGE TRANSITIONS AND DISTRESS TOLERANCE 02/11/2025

625. COLLEGE TRANSITIONS AND DISTRESS TOLERANCE Big life changes hit all of us differently, which is to say that not every teen is equally prepared for the dramatic academic, social, and emotional shift that comes with moving away from home. Amy and Mike invited counselor Katie Burchenal to discuss college transitions and distress tolerance. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is Distress Tolerance? What issues elevate Distress Tolerance? What are some strategies to manage Distress Tolerance and what is DBT? How can parents, educators, and counselors support students through big life changes? What are self-care strategies for parents, educators, and counselors? MEET OUR GUEST Katie Burchenal is a Licensed Professional Counselor based in Cincinnati, Ohio, and the owner of Katie Burchenal Counseling. Her private practice specializes in counseling for teens, individuals, and couples. Known for her empathetic approach, warmth, and humor, Katie connects deeply with her clients. She is dedicated to empowering individuals to pursue self-growth beyond therapy by offering solution-focused homework and practical strategies for daily life. Katie Burchenal Counseling also provides coaching services for teens, parents, and individuals nationwide. She assists teens and young adults with issues such as academic stress, social relationships, divorce, self-discovery, confidence, anxiety, communication challenges, and transitions to high school, college, and post-college life. Additionally, Katie has a strong passion for supporting student-athletes aiming for college competition. She guides them through the recruitment process, effective communication with coaches, self-marketing, and the transition to college athletics. Outside of her professional life, Katie enjoys a blended family with her husband and their eight children. Katie can be reached at . LINKS RELATED EPISODES ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our past episodes on the and keep up with our future ones by . ABOUT YOUR HOSTS Mike Bergin is the president of and founder of . Amy Seeley is the president of and . If you’re interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, feel free to . /episode/index/show/testsandtherest/id/35176505

624. THE DEMOGRAPHIC CLIFF IS HERE 02/04/2025

623. THE MOST COMMON NEUROMYTHS 01/28/2025

622. ADMISSIONS LESSONS FROM ADMISSIONS REPS 01/21/2025

622. ADMISSIONS LESSONS FROM ADMISSIONS REPS The opacity and complexity of elements of the college application process inspire endless speculation about what really matters. In many cases, though, the best place to find answers is with the colleges themselves. Amy and Mike invited educator John Durante to review admissions lessons learned from admissions representatives. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What can admissions reps share about the college admissions process that you won't find elsewhere? What are some of the things you do control in the college admissions process? What aspects of the college admissions process are out of an applicant's control? What common mistakes do students or families make when focusing on the things they can control? Why does today's admission process require so much knowledge and experience? MEET OUR GUEST Dr. John Durante, a Stony Brook University alum, has been the principal of Syosset High School for 13 years. In 2016 he was named Best Principal on Long Island from the Bethpage Federal Credit Union and is also a recipient of the PTA Founders Day Award and Jenkins Award. John started his career at Syosset High School in 1994 as a teacher of world languages and he prides himself on helping others. After helping his daughters through the college admissions process, he came up with the idea of interviewing college admissions representatives to provide students and parents with insight and advice, straight from the people who ultimately make the admissions decisions. So, he launched “The College Admissions Process Podcast” in February 2022 and has released nearly 300 episodes, while currently averaging over 10,000 downloads each month. John is the author of . John previously appeared on this podcast in episode 493 to discuss . Find John at . LINKS RELATED EPISODES ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our past episodes on the and keep up with our future ones by . ABOUT YOUR HOSTS Mike Bergin is the president of and founder of . Amy Seeley is the president of and . If you’re interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, feel free to . /episode/index/show/testsandtherest/id/34856680

621. EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: January 2025 01/17/2025

620. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AS AN UNDERGRADUATE MAJOR: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW 01/14/2025

620. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AS AN UNDERGRADUATE MAJOR: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Considering how prevalent the topic of AI has become in business, leisure, and education, it was only a matter of time before college students would choose to focus on its study. Amy and Mike invited college dean Jennifer Stephan to explore what you need to know about artificial intelligence as an undergraduate major. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What do students study when they major in AI? What are some focus areas within an AI degree? Is an AI major a replacement or improvement over a CS major? Are there non-technical pathways to contribute to AI? What majors besides AI and CS can prepare you for a career in AI? What important questions should students interested in studying AI be able to answer? MEET OUR GUEST Dr. Jennifer Stephan has held a variety of roles across top colleges and universities, including professor, academic dean, and board of admissions member, in addition to serving as a private college counselor, alumni interviewer for Johns Hopkins University, and 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 also is the founder of , a robust college counseling practice where she regularly employs insights from her experiences 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 first appeared on our podcast in episode 541 to discuss and in episode 559 for a . Find Jennifer at or . LINKS RELATED EPISODES ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our past episodes on the and keep up with our future ones by . ABOUT YOUR HOSTS Mike Bergin is the president of and founder of . Amy Seeley is the president of and . If you’re interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, feel free to . /episode/index/show/testsandtherest/id/34644830

619. POST PANDEMIC LEARNING LOSS 01/07/2025

619. POST PANDEMIC LEARNING LOSS The global onset of the coronavirus shut down schools, which interrupted the educational process for millions of students. The expectation was that deficits in fundamental areas would be made up once the world opened up again. Did that happen though? Amy and Mike invited education professional Nancy Weinstein to explore post-pandemic learning loss. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Are students really performing differently since the pandemic? Does learning loss differ based on age or gender? Were students in all parts of the United States equally impacted by the pandemic? How can students begin to repair pandemic learning gaps? What can parents, educators, and coaches do to repair pandemic learning loss? MEET OUR GUEST Nancy Weinstein founded with the perspectives of both a parent and an innovator. Realizing a need to address a common challenge for parents and educators, she drew upon her background in science and business to create Mindprint, the first ever valid at-home cognitive assessment supported with next-step strategies for growth. Nancy has an extensive background in business, including work at Goldman Sachs, The Walt Disney Company Corporate Strategic Planning, Bristol Myers Squibb, and several smaller Internet companies. Nancy has an MBA from Harvard Business School with first year honors and a BS/BSE summa cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania and Wharton School of Management and Technology Program, Bioengineering and Finance. As a mother of two, Nancy recognizes the challenges parents face today, from helping with homework, to navigating the ever-changing pace of education and technology. Nancy previously appeared on this podcast in episode 132 to discuss . Find Nancy at . LINKS RELATED EPISODES ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our past episodes on the and keep up with our future ones by . ABOUT YOUR HOSTS Mike Bergin is the president of and founder of . Amy Seeley is the president of and . If you’re interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, feel free to . /episode/index/show/testsandtherest/id/34644765

618. HOW THE COMMON DATA SET CAN HELP INTERPRET WHAT COLLEGES TELL YOU 12/31/2024

618. HOW THE COMMON DATA SET CAN HELP INTERPRET WHAT COLLEGES TELL YOU Finding your best fit school requires a lot of smart research, so don’t overlook one of the best sources of institutional information available. Amy and Mike invited independent counselor Jane Gabin to discuss how the common data set can help interpret what colleges tell you. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is the Common Data Set? How can studying the CDS help with judging the value of a school? What does a school’s graduation rate tell us about the school? How can the CDS be accessed and can anyone look at it? Are there schools that try to hide their data? MEET OUR GUEST Jane S. Gabin has been publishing articles on colleges’ over-hiring of adjunct faculty since 2015, when she wrote about the problem in “Ask the College Counselor,” her regular column for InsideSchools.com. Her writing on this subject has also appeared in Inside Higher Ed (June 24, 2019), the Academe Blog (July 2, 2019 and May 21, 2020), and The College Prep Guide (). A member of NACAC, SACAC, and the International ACAC, as well as the Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA), she currently works as an independent counselor, addressing groups such as the local NAACP Youth Council about educational opportunities, and speaking to parents and students at local public libraries. Dr. Gabin has over 20 years in the college admissions profession. She worked for 10 years for the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at UNC-Chapel Hill, where she was in charge of all international admissions and counselor relations. She followed this with 11 years in college advising at independent schools in the NYC area, primarily at the United Nations International School (UNIS). She gave a talk at the SACAC 2020 conference on “Another Way of Looking at What Makes a College ‘Good’” when she addressed this issue (in addition to suggesting a close look at colleges’ admission rate, retention rate, class size, and graduation rate). Additionally, she has given or led sessions (primarily on the essay process) at the New Jersey ACAC, the New York State ACAC, NACAC, and for KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program) in NYC. She received a Ph.D. in English at UNC-Chapel Hill and has published one novel and is working on another. As an independent scholar, she is currently researching the lives of women artists in the 19th century. Jane previously appeared on this podcast in episode 328 to discuss . Find Jane at . LINKS RELATED EPISODES ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our past episodes on the and keep up with our future ones by . ABOUT YOUR HOSTS Mike Bergin is the president of and founder of . Amy Seeley is the president of and . If you’re interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, feel free to . /episode/index/show/testsandtherest/id/34644715

617. PREPARING TEENS FOR COLLEGE: ARE THEY READY? 12/24/2024

617. PREPARING TEENS FOR COLLEGE: ARE THEY READY? Wanting to pursue higher education is not exactly the same as being ready for higher education and all that its pursuit entails, as too many students learn to their detriment. Amy and Mike invited educator Carey Dukes to explore just how prepared and ready most teens are for college. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Are students typically prepared for both the academic and emotional challenges of college? What critical skills should students develop to enhance their readiness for college life and beyond? Why does approaching college in terms of semesters make sense? Why should student persistence be a priority for colleges? What role do parents and educators play in fostering college readiness among teens? MEET OUR GUEST Carey Dukes brings a unique blend of expertise in business management and academic leadership, honed over three decades in both the corporate and educational sectors. Currently an Assistant Professor of Management at North Greenville University, Carey has a distinguished career that spans from managing large-scale transportation operations to pioneering new approaches in student retention and academic success. With a Doctorate in Business Administration and extensive experience as a CEO in multiple companies, Carey has a deep understanding of business process improvement, change management, and organizational development. His work in the trucking and logistics industry, where he specialized in fixing broken processes and leading innovation, has equipped him with practical insights into managing complex systems and driving efficiency. In academia, Carey’s focus has shifted towards addressing one of higher education's most pressing challenges: student retention. Drawing from his own experiences as a first-generation college student, Carey authored a book and developed a model aimed at improving student readiness and retention, particularly in the critical first year of college. His research identifies key variable components that predict student success, offering actionable strategies for institutions to retain more students and reduce the high dropout rates that plague universities. Find Carey at . LINKS RELATED EPISODES ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our past episodes on the and keep up with our future ones by . ABOUT YOUR HOSTS Mike Bergin is the president of and founder of . Amy Seeley is the president of and . If you’re interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, feel free to . /episode/index/show/testsandtherest/id/34543210

616. EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: December 2024 12/20/2024

615. THE IMPORTANCE OF COLLEGE INTERVIEWS 12/17/2024

615. THE IMPORTANCE OF COLLEGE INTERVIEWS How odd is it that one of the most effective ways to learn about college applicants tends to be among the least frequent steps in the process. How valuable is direct conversation for evaluating prospective members of an educational community and what might the future hold? Amy and Mike invited college admissions expert Parke Muth to explore the importance of college interviews. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is typically meant by a college interview? How common and impactful are interviews in the current admissions process? What are the best ways to prepare for college interviews? Why should interviews be used more often? What are some of the downsides of requiring more interviews? MEET OUR GUEST has worked in education for over 35 years. Most of the time he served as a Dean at the University of Virginia in the admission office and in the English Department. He now works with companies, schools, families, and students across the world but mostly focusing on Asia where he spends about 1/2 of the year. While at Virginia, Parke was, among other things, Director of Selection and Recruitment of Honors Scholars, Director of Application Assessment Training, and Director of International Admission. He’s been serving for over 25 years as a member of the Jefferson Scholars selection committee. This four-year, full scholarship is among the most elite programs in the United States. Parke also serves as an advisor for the Ron Brown Scholars Program, an elite scholars program that provides financial support and leadership training, networking, and career services for underprivileged black students. Because of his experiences in admissions, Parke is a highly sought-after speaker He has been interviewed by the New York Times, Washington Post, Forbes, U.S. News & World Report, Bloomberg, Associated Press, NBC, etc. He has had over 6 million people read his responses on the website Quora.com. He also has a blog with over 4,000 pages of content, all free, no ads or promotions: https://onlyconnectparke.blogspot.com/ Parke previously appeared on this podcast in episode 81 to discuss and in episode 148 to discuss and in episode 292 for an . Find Parke at . LINKS RELATED EPISODES ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our past episodes on the and keep up with our future ones by . ABOUT YOUR HOSTS Mike Bergin is the president of and founder of . Amy Seeley is the president of and . If you’re interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, feel free to . /episode/index/show/testsandtherest/id/34414505

614. QUALITIES OF GREAT EDUCATORS AND COACHES 12/10/2024

613. IEC PROFILE: Alison Merzel 12/07/2024

613. IEC PROFILE: Alison Merzel Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced independent educational consultant? MEET OUR GUEST Meet Alison Merzel. Alison Merzel is the founder of AHM Advising LLC, an independent educational consulting practice focused on helping high school students and families find their best-fit post-secondary educational options. Prior to launching her business in 2019, Alison was at The Ohio State University’s Fisher College of Business for 15 years, most recently as the Senior Director of Graduate Recruiting and Admissions. Alison holds a BS from Northwestern University in Communications and Spanish and a Master of Labor and Human Resources from The Ohio State University. She has a certificate in Independent Educational Consulting from the UC Irvine Division of Continuing Education. She is a Wow Writing Workshop Certified College Essay Coach and completed the Gap Year Association’s 2022 Counselor Institute. Alison is awaiting the results of her CEP assessment (Certified Educational Planner) and upon approval, will become just the 6th education professional in the state of Ohio to hold this designation. Alison is a professional member of IECA, the Independent Educational Consultants Association, where she serves as co-chair of the Jewish IEC Affinity Group and as a member of the College Tour subcommittee. She is also a member of NACAC, OACAC, and OASFAA and serves as an Advisory Board Member for College Planner Pro, software that is designed exclusively for IECs. Locally, Alison is a member of the Bexley Chamber of Commerce and sits on the Board of Trustees of Congregation Tifereth Israel where she serves as the Co-Chair of the synagogue’s Personnel Committee. Alison and her husband, Jeff, have lived in Bexley for 17 years and have three children (17, 15, and 10) The Merzel family is not complete without mention of Marvin, an Australian Labradoodle, and Toby, a Cavapoo. Find Alison at . ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our past episodes on the and keep up with our future ones by . ABOUT YOUR HOSTS Mike Bergin is the president of and founder of . Amy Seeley is the president of and . If you’re interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, feel free to . /episode/index/show/testsandtherest/id/34324980

612. IEC PROFILE: Julie Spak 12/05/2024

611. IEC PROFILE: Stef Mauler 12/04/2024

610. IEC PROFILE: Michelle Siddons 12/03/2024

609. IEC PROFILE: Feiyang Liu 12/02/2024

608. HOW TEST PREP PREPARES YOU FOR COLLEGE 11/26/2024

607. THE DIFFERENT ROLES OF SCHOOL AND PRIVATE COUNSELORS 11/19/2024

607. THE DIFFERENT ROLES OF SCHOOL AND PRIVATE COUNSELORS Teens on the road to college tend to encounter a variety of counselors positioned to support them on their journeys. However, not every one of these counselors has the same job. Amy and Mike invited educational consultant Margaret Rothe to define the different roles of school and private counselors. What are five things you will learn in this episode? In what ways are school and private college counselors the same? Do you have to be a high school counselor to be a private college counselor? What is something high school counselors do that IECs don’t or can’t do? What is something an IEC does that school counselors don’t or can’t do? What resources support all counselors supporting college applications? MEET OUR GUEST Margaret Rothe is a leading authority in higher education and student affairs policy. With over 20 years of experience, Margaret has been a driving force behind shaping institutional policies that deeply impact student communities. She was instrumental in pioneering the nation’s first live/learn communities, creating powerful connections between faculty and staff that enrich the student experience, earning both campus and national recognition for her efforts. Her expertise spans from first-year programming to balancing enrollment goals, even stepping into public safety roles when needed. After leaving university administration, Margaret brought this extensive experience into private college counseling, where she recognized a significant gap in college readiness that contributed to student attrition. There was no standard for guiding students on how to choose the right school or how to prepare academically and personally. Moreover, no software existed that was truly counselor-centric—most were built for government reporting or data extraction. This realization led her to co-create CounselMore Educational Services Management Software, a platform that combines both the art and science of college counseling to reduce counselor burnout and better serve students. CounselMore now supports over 1,000 private college counselors and has earned two EdTech Digest awards for education innovation and she was honored in 2023 with the Innovation Visionary award. Margaret can be reached at . LINKS RELATED EPISODES ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our past episodes on the and keep up with our future ones by . ABOUT YOUR HOSTS Mike Bergin is the president of and founder of . Amy Seeley is the president of and . If you’re interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, feel free to . /episode/index/show/testsandtherest/id/33975047

606. HOW GRADING POLICIES INFLUENCE GRADE INFLATION 11/12/2024

606. HOW GRADING POLICIES INFLUENCE GRADE INFLATION The fact that students are earning higher grades than ever without any appreciable increase in other assessments of academic ability should be well-known by now. Less understood are the root causes of this increasing phenomenon. Amy and Mike invited researchers Maia Goodman Young and Dan Goldhaber to dig into the data on how grading policies influence grade inflation. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is the purpose of grading? How did state policy around grading in Washington change during the pandemic? What does the research show about changes in grades throughout the pandemic? What is the current connection between grades and test scores? How does weaker rigor in grading influence student interest in academic support? Are there differences in grading in different subjects or socioeconomic status? What other grading policies might impact grade inflation? What can we make of the weaker connection between grades and test scores? Is it bad or good? MEET OUR GUESTS Dr. Maia Goodman Young is a researcher at the Center for Education Data and Research at the University of Washington and an instructor in the UW's secondary teacher education program where she teaches courses in English Language Arts methods and assessment. She is also a National Board Certified Teacher who taught for nine years in California and Washington. Maia's experience as a classroom teacher informs her research, as she worked to better understand questions of grading policies and practices, teacher preparation, and the teacher labor market. Maia can be reached at . Dr. Dan Goldhaber is the Director of the Center for Analysis of Longitudinal Data in Education Research (CALDER, ) at the American Institutes for Research and the Director of the Center for Education Data & Research (CEDR, ) at the University of Washington. Both CALDER and CEDR are focused on using state administrative data to do research that informs decisions about policy and practice. Dan’s work focuses on issues of educational productivity and reform at the K-12 level, the broad array of human capital policies that influence the composition, distribution, and quality of teachers in the workforce, and connections between students' K-12 experiences and postsecondary outcomes. Topics of published work in this area include studies of the stability of value-added measures of teachers, the effects of teacher qualifications and quality on student achievement, and the impact of teacher pay structure and licensure on the teacher labor market. Dan’s research has been regularly published in leading peer-reviewed economic and education journals such as: American Economic Review, Journal of Human Resources, Journal of Policy and Management, Economics of Education Review, Education Finance and Policy, and Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis. The findings from these articles have been covered in more widely accessible media outlets such as National Public Radio, the New York Times, the Washington Post, USA Today, and Education Week. Dan previously served as president of the Association for Education Finance and Policy (2006-2017), an elected member of the Alexandria City School Board from 1997-2002, and as co-editor of Education Finance and Policy. Dan can be reached at [email protected]. LINKS RELATED EPISODES ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our past episodes on the and keep up with our future ones by . ABOUT YOUR HOSTS Mike Bergin is the president of and founder of . Amy Seeley is the president of and . If you’re interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, feel free to . /episode/index/show/testsandtherest/id/33839087

Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast

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