Episodes

#069 – The information in your high school transcripts is the first element of your college application that will be scrutinized by the college admission officers of the colleges to which you will apply. The classes you took, the grades you earned, and your GPA, will all come together to give them an idea of …

How to Build a Strong Academic Record. Your Academic Record Will Define How Your Application Will Be Viewed by the Schools to Which You Apply. [How the University of Pennsylvania Reviews the Academic Record of Each Applicant] Read More »

# 068 – On this episode, Jankel and I, continue outlining the habits of successful and overachieving students by going over habits number 4 to 6. We begin by describing what “owning the course material” means and the ways in which students can do so, in ways that affect their academic performance. We also uncover …

The Habits of Successful and Overachieving Students (Part 2). How to Increase Your Understanding of Everything Your Learn in Your Courses, and the Essential Role That Reverse-Engineering and Prioritizing will Play in Your Success Read More »

# 067 – In my life as a professor I have had the sweet privilege of seeing a number of students who went on to accomplish and surpass their goals. These are the students I refer to as successful and overachieving. Their paths were crafted with care and their steps were taken with absolute precision. …

The Habits of Successful and Overachieving Students (Part 1). Vision is Absolutely Vital to Achieving College Success. How to Create Your Own Vision for Success While in High School Read More »

#066 – On this episode we dive into the details of Advanced Placement courses, including the importance of having a number of them reflected in your transcripts, especially if you are planning to apply to highly selective colleges and universities. There may be departments or programs within colleges or universities that will expect to see …

Advanced Placement Courses. How to Figure Out How Many and Which AP Courses to Take. The Right Mix of Courses to Have in Your Academic Record. The Role of Holistic Admissions. [Columbia University and the USC Marshall School of Business] Read More »

#065 –Today, on this Career Episode, we present Industrial Engineering, one of the hottest careers for the period between 2020 and 2030. Jankel and I begin our conversation by explaining what industrial engineers do and highlighting their utility in diverse industries and organizations throughout the world. As I define industrial engineering as “Project Management on …

[Careers] Industrial Engineering. A Vital Profession Today. Personal Characteristics Required and Important High School Courses to Take. Pay and Job Prospects for the Next 10 Years. [IE Program at the Georgia Institute of Technology] Read More »

#064 – Selective Colleges and universities want to give admission to applicants who have a demonstrated record of great academic performance. One of the ways in which college admission officers are able to gauge the academic abilities of applicants is by scrutinizing the information provided in their transcripts. The more high-level classes students take and …

Selective Colleges will Prefer to See Higher-Level High School Courses in Your Transcripts. Build a Strong Schedule by Taking the Ones You Can Safely Handle. Here is What that Means and How to Do it Read More »

#063 – Each year, thousands of students find themselves in the unfortunate position of not being ready for college, even as they get close to graduating high school. On this episode, I talk about the different reasons why students fall behind on their college preparation, even as some of them do all that they think …

How to Successfully Carry Out Your College Plans, Even If You Have Little Support, Very Few Resources, and a Low College Preparation Read More »

#062 – Misinformation about college admissions is widespread and constant. And, although poor and downright wrong information is often circulated with the best of intentions, it has the potential of taking you down a path that does not help your college goals. On this episode, I uncover the truth behind six popular myths, having to …

6 Myths About Colleges and College Admissions That May Hurt You. Some are 100% False Read More »

#061 – Today, on this solo episode, we uncover the default assumptions colleges and universities make about First-Generation College Students (FGCS). Those assumptions aim to guide the efforts higher education institutions make to support applicants who are considered FGCS. They have to do with the applicants’ academic preparation, ability to afford college, and the ability …

The Truth About How Colleges See First-Generation College Students (FGCS). What Most Colleges Do to Help. How This Could Benefit Your Chances for Admission Read More »

#060 – Becoming a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine is a goal that requires full commitment and dedication. Our guest today is Dr. Jonathan David Dear, professor of medicine and epidemiology at one of the premier veterinary programs in the world, the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Dear is also very involved in the …

The Path to Becoming a Veterinarian. Our Guest Today is Dr. Jonathan Dear, Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine Read More »