530. HIGH SCHOOL INTERNSHIPS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

<p dir="ltr">We often hear that internships are a smart option for teens whether they have clear career aspirations or not. What we don’t hear are all the details about where, when, how, and why. Amy and Mike invited business development consultant Robert Khoury to review everything you need to know about high school internships.</p> <p dir="ltr">What are five things you will learn in this episode?</p> <p dir="ltr">1. How valuable is an internship to a high school student?</p> <p dir="ltr">2. What makes an internship significant?</p> <p dir="ltr">3. What are the best ways for high schoolers today to find internships?</p> <p dir="ltr">4. What are some helpful resources in finding an internship?</p> <p dir="ltr">5. What are some opportunities you have seen that may be available for a high school student?</p> <p dir="ltr">6. What else should high school students do for future college and career success?</p> <p dir="ltr">MEET OUR GUEST</p> <p dir="ltr">Robert J. Khoury is the founder and CEO of Agile Rainmakers, a high-impact business development consulting and advisory firm based in Chicago’s Gold Coast. His 20+year career in the financial industry has seen him in many roles: an equity derivatives trader, portfolio manager, corporate strategist, chief operating officer, recruiter, hedge fund executive, and private equity investor. Rob earned a BSE in Electrical Engineering at Princeton University and his MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. He takes great pleasure in supporting college students and recent graduates in making career and life choices that support the fulfillment of their life’s goals.</p> <p dir="ltr">As a member of the Princeton Club of Chicago, for over a decade he has organized intern luncheons for Princeton students eager to find opportunities in Chicago. He has hired interns over the years and has a passion for ensuring their success. Rob led personal and professional development seminars for Landmark Worldwide for several years; enjoys volunteering, philanthropy, and family vacations; and lives with his wife, Mary – a freshwater ecologist – and their two children in a downtown Chicago condo overlooking beautiful Lake Michigan. This book is the first in a series on internships.</p> <p dir="ltr">Robert can be reached at <a href="mailto:robert@agilerainmakers.com">robert@agilerainmakers.com</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">LINKS</p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/How-Intern-Successfully-Insights-Experience/dp/1956503005?tag=testbright-20"> How to Intern Successfully: Insights & Actions to Optimize Your Experience</a></p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.robertjkhoury.com/newsletter">https://www.robertjkhoury.com/newsletter</a></p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://paw.princeton.edu/article/robert-j-khoury-90-and-john-selby-68-offer-advice-intern-experience"> Robert J. Khoury ’90 and John Selby ’68 Offer Advice on the Intern Experience | Princeton Alumni Weekly</a></p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://paw.princeton.edu/podcast/pawcast-rob-khoury-90-designing-better-internships"> PAWcast: Rob Khoury ’90 on Designing Better Internships</a></p> RELATED EPISODES</p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://gettestbright.com/strategies-for-selecting-a-college-major-on-time/"> STRATEGIES FOR SELECTING A COLLEGE MAJOR ON TIME</a></p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://gettestbright.com/helping-teens-find-their-values-and-purpose/"> HELPING TEENS FIND THEIR VALUES AND PURPOSE</a></p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://gettestbright.com/college-declassified-what-high-schoolers-should-know-about-the-next-level/"> WHAT HIGH SCHOOLERS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE NEXT LEVEL</a></p> <p dir="ltr">ABOUT THIS PODCAST</p> <p dir="ltr">Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the <a href="http://testsandtherest.com">show page</a>.</p>

00:28:31

529. HOW TO PAY FOR COLLEGE

<p dir="ltr">That old truism about needing to have money to make money wasn’t necessarily coined with college in mind, but unlocking the long-term economic benefits of higher education definitely involves an investment upfront. Amy and Mike invited college finance experts Dave Peterson and Dan Cieniewicz to share insights on how to pay for college.</p> <p dir="ltr">What are five things you will learn in this episode?</p> <ol> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">What sources do you recommend utilizing to pay for college?</p> </li> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">What do the changes to the FAFSA mean for parents and students?</p> </li> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">What's the worst advice you have seen regarding scholarships?</p> </li> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">Does a student need to have perfect grades, test scores, or be a star athlete to win scholarships?</p> </li> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">Where do you find scholarships?</p> </li> </ol> <p dir="ltr">MEET OUR GUEST</p> <p dir="ltr">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 <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09WC5N3VM?tag=testbright-20">DEBT-FREE COLLEGE: Proven Strategies for Winning Scholarships and Other Tools to Help You Avoid Student Loan Debt</a>. Dave shares a new scholarship opportunity every day on his <a href="https://nodebtcollege.podbean.com/">podcast</a> and <a href="https://nodebtcollege.substack.com/">Substack</a> 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.</p> <p dir="ltr">Dave previously appeared on this podcast in episode 496 to share <a href="https://gettestbright.com/12-must-see-scholarships/">12 MUST-SEE SCHOLARSHIPS</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">Find Dave at <a href="mailto:dave@nodebtcollege.com">dave@nodebtcollege.com</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">Dan Cieniewicz works with parents of teenage children as they find themselves in a position to strategize to pay for college while also staying on track for retirement. Dan’s goal when working with clients is to explain the complexities of the financial aid & college application process and to strategize to make sure that both parents and children are set up for long-term success. </p> <p dir="ltr">Dan was born & raised in Berks County. He attended Albright College, majoring in Economics & Political Science and played on the football team. Dan has obtained the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation.</p> <p dir="ltr">Find Dan at <a href="http://www.thecollegedude.com">www.thecollegedude.com</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">LINKS</p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://my.demio.com/ref/niTiS1kiFgAPdv6c">Mastering the New FAFSA Webinar</a></p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/education-credits-aotc-llc"> Education Tax Credits--AOTC and LLC</a></p> <p dir="ltr">RELATED EPISODES</p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://gettestbright.com/colleges-that-offer-the-best-scholarships-and-financial-aid/"> COLLEGES THAT OFFER THE BEST SCHOLARSHIPS AND FINANCIAL AID</a></p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://gettestbright.com/four-scholarship-myths/">FOUR SCHOLARSHIP MYTHS</a></p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://gettestbright.com/the-better-fafsa-for-new-and-previous-filers/"> THE BETTER FAFSA FOR NEW & PREVIOUS FILERS</a></p> <p dir="ltr">**<a href="https://gettestbright.com/paying-for-college-playlist/">Check out our full Paying for College Playlist</a>**</p> <p dir="ltr">ABOUT THIS PODCAST</p> <p dir="ltr">Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the <a href="http://testsandtherest.com">show page</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">ABOUT YOUR HOSTS</p> <p dir="ltr">Mike Bergin is the president of <a href="https://chariotlearning.com/">Chariot Learning</a> and founder of <a href="https://gettestbright.com/">TestBright</a>. Amy Seeley is the president of <a href="https://seeleytestpros.com/">Seeley Test Pros</a>. If you’re interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, feel free to <a href="https://gettestbright.com/contact/">get in touch through our contact page</a>.</p>  </p>

00:25:37

528. BREAKING THROUGH TEST SCORE PLATEAUS

<p dir="ltr">Students, parents, and even teachers sometimes fall prey to the misconception that academic improvement follows a perfectly linear path with each performance a marked improvement over the last. If only! Amy and Mike invited educator Shahar Link to explore strategies for breaking through test score plateaus.</p> <p dir="ltr">What are five things you will learn in this episode?</p> <ol> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">How can you tell the difference between a score ceiling and a plateau? </p> </li> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">What are the most reliable ways to break through score plateaus?</p> </li> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">What are the most common score levels where students hit plateaus?</p> </li> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">Are there situations in which it doesn't make sense to keep trying to break through a plateau?</p> </li> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">What are a few strategies to break through plateaus on either Reading and Writing or Math?</p> </li> </ol> <p dir="ltr">MEET OUR GUEST</p> <p dir="ltr">Shahar Link, the CEO and founder of Mindspire Tutoring and Test Prep, has been at the forefront of the test preparation and academic excellence arena for over a decade. With a career spanning 25 years, Shahar has honed his expertise in high school teaching and tutoring standardized tests, including the SAT and ACT. Holding a Master’s degree in History from Stanford University, where he delved into the history of IQ testing, Shahar founded Mindspire driven by the deep reward in empowering students to exceed their own expectations and achieve remarkable success in even the most formidable academic and mental endeavors.</p> <p dir="ltr">Shahar’s exceptional contributions have not gone unnoticed. He has been featured as a quoted expert in the renowned US News & World Report and has been invited as a keynote speaker at numerous educational institutions, captivating audiences with his innovative approaches to learning. Through Mindspire Tutoring and Test Prep, Shahar has transformed the lives of countless students, providing them with invaluable strategies and guidance to conquer academic challenges and unleash their true potential. </p> <p dir="ltr">Shahar can be reached at https://www.mindspire.com.</p> <p dir="ltr">LINKS</p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.chariotlearning.com/standardized-test-preparation-checklist/"> Standardized Test Preparation Checklist</a></p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.chariotlearning.com/disappointing-results-press-on/">Disappointing Results? Press On!</a></p> <p dir="ltr">RELATED EPISODES</p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://gettestbright.com/what-to-do-when-a-test-score-disappoints/"> WHAT TO DO WHEN A TEST SCORE DISAPPOINTS</a></p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://gettestbright.com/bringing-grit-to-testing-and-admissions/"> BRINGING GRIT TO TESTING AND ADMISSIONS</a></p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://gettestbright.com/why-you-want-to-work-with-a-career-tutor/"> WHY YOU WANT TO WORK WITH A CAREER TUTOR</a></p> ABOUT THIS PODCAST</p> <p dir="ltr">Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the <a href="http://testsandtherest.com">show page</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">ABOUT YOUR HOSTS</p> <p dir="ltr">Mike Bergin is the president of <a href="https://chariotlearning.com/">Chariot Learning</a> and founder of <a href="https://gettestbright.com/">TestBright</a>. Amy Seeley is the president of <a href="https://seeleytestpros.com/">Seeley Test Pros</a>. If you’re interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, feel free to <a href="https://gettestbright.com/contact/">get in touch through our contact page</a>.</p>  </p>

00:27:39

527. DOES GROWTH MINDSET MATTER?

<p dir="ltr">Few concepts in education and performance psychology are as universally accepted as that of the power of a growth mindset. Does that mean the research is conclusive and settled? Not exactly. Amy and Mike invited journalist Jill Barshay to dig into an unexpectedly controversial question–does growth mindset matter?</p> <p dir="ltr">What are five things you will learn in this episode?</p> <p dir="ltr">1. What is growth mindset?</p> <p dir="ltr">2. How new is the concept of growth mindset?</p> <p dir="ltr">3. What is the research evidence for growth mindset?</p> <p dir="ltr">4. Is the science behind growth mindset universally accepted? </p> <p dir="ltr">5. Should growth mindset be taught?</p> <p dir="ltr">MEET OUR GUEST</p> <p dir="ltr">Jill Barshay writes the weekly “Proof Points” column about education research and data, covering a range of topics from early childhood to higher education. She taught algebra to ninth-graders for the 2013-14 school year. Previously, Barshay was the New York bureau chief for Marketplace, a national business show on public radio stations. She has also written for Congressional Quarterly, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and the Financial Times, and appeared on CNN and ABC News. She was a 2016-17 Spencer Fellow in Education Reporting. In 2019 she received the American Educational Research Association's award for excellence in media reporting on education research. A graduate of Brown University, Barshay holds master's degrees from the London School of Economics and Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism.</p> <p dir="ltr">Follow Jill by subscribing to the Proof Points newsletter at <a href="https://hechingerreport.org/newsletters/">https://hechingerreport.org/newsletters/</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">LINKS</p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://hechingerreport.org/proof-points-does-growth-mindset-matter-the-debate-heats-up/"> Does growth mindset matter? The debate heats up</a></p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://hechingerreport.org/should-taxpayers-and-schools-invest-in-growth-mindset-programs/"> Should taxpayers and schools invest in ‘growth mindset’ programs?</a></p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://hechingerreport.org/growth-mindset-guru-carol-dweck-says-teachers-and-parents-often-use-her-research-incorrectly/"> Growth mindset guru Carol Dweck says teachers and parents often use her research incorrectly Praise strategies and results, not effort alone, she says</a></p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34780237/">Thriving under pressure: The effects of stress-related wise interventions on affect, sleep, and exam performance for college students from disadvantaged backgrounds</a></p> RELATED EPISODES</p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://gettestbright.com/bringing-grit-to-testing-and-admissions/"> BRINGING GRIT TO TESTING AND ADMISSIONS</a></p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://gettestbright.com/helping-students-prepare-for-the-demands-of-college/"> HELPING STUDENTS PREPARE FOR THE DEMANDS OF COLLEGE</a></p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://gettestbright.com/how-to-become-a-ridiculously-effective-student/"> HOW TO BECOME A RIDICULOUSLY EFFECTIVE STUDENT</a></p> ABOUT THIS PODCAST</p> <p dir="ltr">Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the <a href="http://testsandtherest.com">show page</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">ABOUT YOUR HOSTS</p> <p dir="ltr">Mike Bergin is the president of <a href="https://chariotlearning.com/">Chariot Learning</a> and founder of <a href="https://gettestbright.com/">TestBright</a>. Amy Seeley is the president of <a href="https://seeleytestpros.com/">Seeley Test Pros</a>. If you’re interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, feel free to <a href="https://gettestbright.com/contact/">get in touch through our contact page</a>.</p>  </p>

00:25:29

526. ADMISSIONS NOTES FOR THE HS CLASS OF 2024

<p dir="ltr">Every year, timeless verities related to getting into college–or even what colleges a student can get into–give way to painful, new truths and exciting, new opportunities. Amy and Mike invited educational consultant Rebecca Stuart-Orlowski to return to the show with admissions notes for the HS graduating class of 2024.</p> <p dir="ltr">What are five things you will learn in this episode?</p> <ol> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">What does it truly mean to build a balanced college list? </p> </li> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">What's a good way to help manage expectations for students who are applying to highly selective colleges? </p> </li> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">How optional are test scores in the current admissions cycle?</p> </li> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">What other majors might a Computer Science student consider in light of admissions challenges for those increasingly popular programs? </p> </li> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">What should students know about the University of California admissions and what are some alternative ideas for colleges? </p> </li> </ol> <p dir="ltr">MEET OUR GUEST</p> <p dir="ltr">Rebecca Stuart-Orlowski, founder of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/OrlowskiCollegeConsulting/">Orlowski College Consulting</a>, has worked in education for 35 years and has worked as an Independent Educational Consultant for 10+ years. She has a specialized Certificate in College Counseling from UCSD, a BA in Communicative Disorders from San Diego State, and two active teaching credentials. She taught deaf, LD, and 2E students for four years and was a college counselor at a small private school for 3 years. Rebecca specializes in gifted/2E, STEM, creative, homeschooled, and transfer students.</p> <p dir="ltr">Rebecca first appeared on the podcast in episode 369 to discuss <a href="https://gettestbright.com/admissions-notes-for-the-hs-graduating-class-of-2023/">ADMISSIONS NOTES FOR THE CLASS OF 2023</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">Rebecca can be reached at <a href="mailto:r.orlowski.consulting@gmail.com">r.orlowski.consulting@gmail.com</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">LINKS</p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/help-students-manage-expectations-rebecca-stuart-orlowski/"> What Are Your Expectations?</a> </p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/rebeccastuartorlowski_manageexpectations-collegekickstart-collegeadmissions-activity-6933151390278066176-70a4/"> Admissions Trends for the HS Class of 2023</a></p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.collegekickstart.com/">College Kickstart</a></p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://youtu.be/Fma49R-_ZxU">How many reach, match, and safety schools should be on your college list?</a></p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IFdDqP5cIs">Should Today's Students Take the SAT & ACT?</a></p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://youtu.be/1LRM6Soo3B8">Should You Apply Early Decision?</a></p> <p dir="ltr">RELATED EPISODES</p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://gettestbright.com/long-term-planning-for-college/">LONG-TERM PLANNING FOR COLLEGE ADMISSIONS</a></p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://gettestbright.com/college-admissions-insanity/">COLLEGE ADMISSIONS INSANITY</a></p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://gettestbright.com/using-the-common-data-set/">USING THE COMMON DATA SET</a></p> <p dir="ltr">ABOUT THIS PODCAST</p> <p dir="ltr">Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the <a href="http://testsandtherest.com">show page</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">ABOUT YOUR HOSTS</p> Mike Bergin is the president of <a href="https://chariotlearning.com/">Chariot Learning</a> and founder of <a href="https://gettestbright.com/">TestBright</a>. Amy Seeley is the president of <a href="https://seeleytestpros.com/">Seeley Test Pros</a>. If you’re interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, feel free to <a href="https://gettestbright.com/contact/">get in touch through our contact page</a>.</p>

00:28:05

525. USING BRAIN SCIENCE TO HELP YOUR TEEN NAVIGATE THE COLLEGE PROCESS

<p dir="ltr">Every aspect of being or raising a teenager is complicated by the emotional, irrational, and idiosyncratic responses inherent to all of us. Luckily, psychologists have been piecing together some strategies for bringing order to our typical chaos. Amy and Mike invited counselor Samantha Straub to explore using brain science to help your teen navigate the college process.</p> <p dir="ltr">What are five things you will learn in this episode?</p> <ol> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">What distinguishes the teen brain from the adult brain?</p> </li> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">What are the implications that adolescent brain development has on the college process?</p> </li> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">What do all kids need from their adults during adolescence?  </p> </li> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">What do parents do to make the college process turn south?</p> </li> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">What can parents do to make the college process go well?</p> </li> </ol> <p dir="ltr">MEET OUR GUEST</p> <p dir="ltr">Samantha Straub is a licensed clinical professional counselor who treats adolescents and their parents and the owner of Teen Savvy Coaching, where she provides individual and group coaching for parents of teens and tweens. As a parenting coach, Sam helps parents of teens and tweens step into their parenting role with calm and confidence during a time of big transitions–for their kids but also for the parents! In her coaching role, she blends her training as a clinical counselor with her 26 years of experience as a classroom teacher, administrator, and school counselor to help parents tame household chaos and strengthen the parent-child connection while also maintaining healthy boundaries. She lives outside of Annapolis with her husband and two kids ages 17 and 19. She has walked one kid through the college process and is in the midst of going through it again with the second. </p> <p dir="ltr">Find Sam at <a href="https://teensavvycoaching.com">https://teensavvycoaching.com</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">LINKS</p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://teensavvycoaching.com/motivating-your-teen/">One way to increase teen motivation</a></p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Talk-Me-First-Everything-Go/dp/0738215082?tag=testbright-20"> Talk to Me First (Deborah Roffman)</a></p> <p dir="ltr">RELATED EPISODES</p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://gettestbright.com/happy-and-relaxed-teens-omnibus/">HAPPY AND RELAXED TEENS OMNIBUS</a></p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://gettestbright.com/how-do-i-motivate-my-student/">HOW DO I MOTIVATE MY STUDENT?</a></p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://gettestbright.com/how-do-you-know-if-you-are-ready-for-college/"> HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU ARE READY FOR COLLEGE?</a></p> ABOUT THIS PODCAST</p> <p dir="ltr">Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the <a href="http://testsandtherest.com">show page</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">ABOUT YOUR HOSTS</p> <p dir="ltr">Mike Bergin is the president of <a href="https://chariotlearning.com/">Chariot Learning</a> and founder of <a href="https://gettestbright.com/">TestBright</a>. Amy Seeley is the president of <a href="https://seeleytestpros.com/">Seeley Test Pros</a>. If you’re interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, feel free to <a href="https://gettestbright.com/contact/">get in touch through our contact page</a>.</p>

00:26:18

524. HOW TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN HIGH SCHOOL

<p dir="ltr">Grades 9 through 12 represent one of the most influential periods in a person’s life, a time of dramatic change and growth during which many teens determine the trajectories of their lives. Amy and Mike invited educator Flo Brett to share what parents, educators, and counselors should know about how to be successful in high school.</p> <p dir="ltr">What are five things you will learn in this episode?</p> <ol> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">What difficulties do students typically experience in their transitions into high school?</p> </li> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">What are the keys to a strong start in the freshmen year?</p> </li> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">What skills do students need to be successful in their first steps in their high school experience?</p> </li> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">What are the red flags that could indicate a student failing in their high school experience?</p> </li> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">What can parents and professionals do to assist in these transitions?</p> </li> </ol> <p dir="ltr">MEET OUR GUEST</p> <p dir="ltr">Flo Brett is the Founder and Executive Director of <a href="http://www.effectivela.org/">Effective Leadership Academy</a>. Since serving as a LEAD ICU Nurse Manager, Training and Development Lead, and Clinical Governance Manager at a hospital in the United Kingdom, Flo has been guided by her education with degrees in Nursing and Leadership Development. </p> <p dir="ltr">Flo has built a reputation for her work around managing complex cultural change, mergers, and acquisitions and has driven quality initiatives across large organizations. She has developed and implemented leadership and development programs in many diverse settings from corporate to nonprofit organizations, from board to operational level, university-level teaching, prison environments, and teaching within many Pre K-12 establishments. She became a disruptor in the Leadership Training Agenda having the opportunity to blend her two passions and founded The Effective Leadership Academy in 2008, impacting over 42,000 students to develop their most valuable assets – themselves. Flo strongly believes that your thoughts, values, and beliefs, create your reality...  They form the attitudes that drive your behavior.  If you want better results, you have to change the behavior that drives them.</p> <p dir="ltr">Find Flo at <a href="mailto:flo@effectivela.org">flo@effectivela.org</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">LINKS</p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://forklightning.substack.com/p/learn-how-to-be-smarter-with-this?utm_source=TestsandtheRest"> Learn how to be smarter with this one stupid trick</a></p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5b75fc713917ee2070a01bfb/t/5c5494a6fa0d605ae549b60c/1549046951415/Alan+Boneva+Ertac+Grit+2019.pdf"> Ever Failed, Try Again, Succeed Better: Results from a Randomized Educational Intervention on Grit</a></p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="http://www.effectivela.org/">Effective Leadership Academy</a></p> <p dir="ltr">RELATED EPISODES</p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://gettestbright.com/how-to-become-a-ridiculously-effective-student/"> HOW TO BECOME A RIDICULOUSLY EFFECTIVE STUDENT </a></p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://gettestbright.com/what-is-social-and-emotional-learning/">WHAT IS SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING?</a></p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://gettestbright.com/advocacy-for-parents-of-high-schoolers/"> ADVOCACY FOR PARENTS OF HIGH SCHOOLERS</a></p> <p dir="ltr">ABOUT THIS PODCAST</p> <p dir="ltr">Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the <a href="http://testsandtherest.com">show page</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">ABOUT YOUR HOSTS</p> <p dir="ltr">Mike Bergin is the president of <a href="https://chariotlearning.com/">Chariot Learning</a> and founder of <a href="https://gettestbright.com/">TestBright</a>. Amy Seeley is the president of <a href="https://seeleytestpros.com/">Seeley Test Pros</a>. If you’re interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, feel free to <a href="https://gettestbright.com/contact/">get in touch through our contact page</a>.</p>

00:24:28

523. WHY THIS COLLEGE, WHY THIS MAJOR?

<p dir="ltr">With all the focus on the primary personal statement, we often overlook the importance of supplemental essays in the college application. Amy and Mike invited IEC Jodi Rosenshein Atkin to explain the best ways to answer the matched questions, “Why this college, why this major?”</p> <p dir="ltr">What are five things you will learn in this episode?</p> <p dir="ltr">1. Why are supplemental essays so important in college applications?</p> <p dir="ltr">2. Why is the "Why this college?" supplemental important?</p> <p dir="ltr">3. Why is the "Why this major?" supplemental important?</p> <p dir="ltr">4. What kind of research should applicants do for these supplements?</p> <p dir="ltr">5. What extra follow-up really makes them stand out?</p> <p dir="ltr">MEET OUR GUEST</p> <p dir="ltr">Jodi Rosenshein Atkin is an independent educational consultant in private practice. She holds a BA and MA from the University of Rochester in Psychology, 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. Her practice is entering its seventh season. During that time, she has visited almost 200 college campuses in 15 different states!</p> <p dir="ltr">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.</p> <p dir="ltr">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. </p> <p dir="ltr">Jodi has appeared on this podcast in episode 32 to discuss <a href="https://gettestbright.com/making-the-most-of-college-visits/">Making the Most of College Visits</a> and in episode 160 to discuss <a href="https://gettestbright.com/demonstrating-interest-during-virtual-college-tours/"> Demonstrating Interest During Virtual College Tours</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">Find Jodi at <a href="http://www.jodiratkin.com">www.jodiratkin.com</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">LINKS</p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.collegeessayguy.com/blog/why-this-college-essay?utm_source=TestsandtheRest"> Why This College Essay Guide + Examples</a></p> <p dir="ltr">RELATED EPISODES</p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://gettestbright.com/why-optional-statements-arent-optional/"> WHY OPTIONAL STATEMENTS AREN’T OPTIONAL</a></p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://gettestbright.com/strategies-for-selecting-a-college-major-on-time/"> STRATEGIES FOR SELECTING A COLLEGE MAJOR ON TIME</a></p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://gettestbright.com/do-college-majors-matter/">DO COLLEGE MAJORS MATTER?</a></p> ABOUT THIS PODCAST</p> <p dir="ltr">Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the <a href="http://testsandtherest.com">show page</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">ABOUT YOUR HOSTS</p> <p dir="ltr">Mike Bergin is the president of <a href="https://chariotlearning.com/">Chariot Learning</a> and founder of <a href="https://gettestbright.com/">TestBright</a>. Amy Seeley is the president of <a href="https://seeleytestpros.com/">Seeley Test Pros</a>. If you’re interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, feel free to <a href="https://gettestbright.com/contact/">get in touch through our contact page</a>.</p>  </p>

00:29:42

522. HOW THE DIGITAL SAT IS SCORED

<p dir="ltr">Every time a sophisticated educational assessment changes, every aspect has to be reconsidered and possibly changed. The digital adaptive SAT is no exception, and one particular aspect of that test has transformed substantially. Amy and Mike invited educator Brenna O’Neill to explain how the digital SAT is scored.</p> <p dir="ltr">What are five things you will learn in this episode?</p> <ol> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">How does multistage adaptive scoring work on the digital SAT?</p> </li> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">Does every question count the same on the dSAT?</p> </li> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">What is Item Response Theory (IRT) and how does it apply on the dSAT?</p> </li> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">What are the advantages and challenges of using IRT in test design and scoring?</p> </li> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">How does the way the test is scored inform test-taking strategies?</p> </li> </ol> MEET OUR GUEST</p> <p dir="ltr">Brenna O'Neill is the President of <a href="https://testinnovators.com/">Test Innovators</a>. Brenna brings an intimate knowledge of private schools, standardized tests, and the admissions process. Her experience in math, English, and test prep education helps to improve student learning and inform product development at Test Innovators. Brenna is excited to ensure every student’s success through building excellent educational content, resources, programs, and tools. </p> <p dir="ltr">Brenna appeared on the podcast in episode #266 to discuss <a href="https://gettestbright.com/what-is-the-isee/">What is the ISEE?</a></p> <p dir="ltr">Find Brenna at <a href="mailto:brenna@testinnovators.com">brenna@testinnovators.com</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">LINKS</p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/digital">Digital SAT Suite of Assessments</a></p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Item_response_theory">Item response theory</a></p> <p dir="ltr">RELATED EPISODES</p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://gettestbright.com/new-sat-test-specifications/">NEW SAT TEST SPECIFICATIONS</a></p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://gettestbright.com/the-new-digital-sat-experience-a-student-perspective/"> THE NEW DIGITAL SAT EXPERIENCE: A STUDENT PERSPECTIVE</a></p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://gettestbright.com/the-new-digital-psat/">THE NEW DIGITAL PSAT</a></p> <p dir="ltr">ABOUT THIS PODCAST</p> <p dir="ltr">Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the <a href="http://testsandtherest.com">show page</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">ABOUT YOUR HOSTS</p> <p dir="ltr">Mike Bergin is the president of <a href="https://chariotlearning.com/">Chariot Learning</a> and founder of <a href="https://gettestbright.com/">TestBright</a>. Amy Seeley is the president of <a href="https://seeleytestpros.com/">Seeley Test Pros</a>. If you’re interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, feel free to <a href="https://gettestbright.com/contact/">get in touch through our contact page</a>.</p>  </p>

00:31:29

521. TEST PREP PROFILE: Keith Brown

<p dir="ltr">Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced professional in the test prep industry?</p> <p dir="ltr">MEET OUR GUEST</p> <p dir="ltr">Meet Keith Brown, Ph.D. With a strong foundation in standardized tests such as ACT, SAT, and PSAT, Keith is committed to guiding students toward academic excellence. His teaching journey commenced at CalTech, where he earned an MS and Ph.D. in Biology, amassing extensive tutoring experience exceeding 4000 hours. Having served as a Teaching Assistant, he has mastered the art of instilling self-assurance and motivation in students, nurturing their autonomy in learning. Keith holds degrees from Grambling State University and CalTech, equipping him to mentor students across diverse subjects, encompassing Biology, Genetics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. His unwavering enthusiasm for facilitating student achievements is evident as he witnesses their conquest of challenges and assimilation of novel concepts.</p> <p dir="ltr">Find Keith at <a href="mailto:keith@onlinetestpreptutors.com">keith@onlinetestpreptutors.com</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">ABOUT THIS PODCAST</p> <p dir="ltr">Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the <a href="http://testsandtherest.com">show page</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">ABOUT YOUR HOSTS</p> <p dir="ltr">Mike Bergin is the president of <a href="https://chariotlearning.com/">Chariot Learning</a> and founder of <a href="https://gettestbright.com/">TestBright</a>. Amy Seeley is the president of <a href="https://seeleytestpros.com/">Seeley Test Pros</a>. If you’re interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, feel free to <a href="https://gettestbright.com/contact/">get in touch through our contact page</a>.</p>

00:15:42