The College Metropolis Podcast: College Admissions Talk for High School Students and Parents

Personal Preferences to Consider When Making Your List of Colleges (Part 1). Differences in Urban, Suburban, and Rural Campus Locations. New York University, Villanova University, and Pacific Union College

Sun, 23 Apr 2023 22:00:00 -0700

#119 – On this episode, we begin a series of episodes about the steps to follow as you make your list of schools to which you will apply. Be begin by presenting academics, social, and affordability, as the 3 areas in which the schools that make you list should provide you a good match. We continue by highlighting the importance of the experience that you will enjoy in a school, as being central to your education. In essence, your college education will be more than the collection of classes you take, and will include all other extracurricular activities carefully drafted by the schools themselves. Jankel and I present the 5 steps that we will present in the following episodes, starting with Step # 1: Uncovering Your Personal Preferences. On this step, we begin by discussing the importance of choosing schools in locations appropriate to you. We describe the differences between urban, suburban, and rural campuses, and the experiences students will enjoy at each. We also present New York University, Villanova University, and Pacific Union College as examples of each. You will find the show notes for this episode at https://www.collegemetropolis.com. You can help our podcast greatly by giving us a 5-star rating and leaving us a positive review on the podcast platform you used to download this episode. That kind gesture will go a long way in helping us reach out to more students and parents. Thank you!

The key to choosing the right colleges or universities (Part 2). Comparing Elite Private Institutions, Liberal Arts Colleges, Women’s Colleges, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Roman Catholic Institutions, and Conservative or Liberal Schools

Mon, 03 Apr 2023 11:00:00 -0700

#118 – On this episode we continue our conversation about the different types of colleges and universities you will encounter as you prepare to make a list of colleges and universities to which you will apply. Jankel and I begin by discussing the very important issue of affordability. We proceed to uncover different types of colleges, including those that are considered to be elite institutions, liberal arts colleges, women’s colleges, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Roman Catholic institutions, and what students will find at conservative or liberal colleges and universities You can access the show notes for this episode at https://www.collegemetropolis.com. Please help us reach a wider audience by giving us a 5-star rating and leaving us a positive review. That is the best way you can help our efforts. We truly appreciate it! Thank you!

Different types of colleges and universities (Part 1). Comparing private and state colleges, and large and small campuses. Expectations you may find in Honors Programs and Residential Colleges. Discover the types of schools that meet your needs

Wed, 22 Mar 2023 13:00:00 -0700

#117 – There will be a time in the life of the college-bound high school student when making a list of colleges and universities will be a priority. The schools in the list will be the ones to which he or she will be sending an application for admission. On this episode, we begin a series of episodes that explores the different types of colleges and universities available to students. Not all colleges are the same. We begin by uncovering the differences between each different type and give you an understanding of what students in those institutions may experience. In truth, there is no institution that is perfect for every student. While some institutions offer a great fit to some students, for other students with different needs and wants, those same institutions may not be ideal. This is an important point to consider because, for some students, attending an institution that is not ideal may prove to be an obstacle to learning. After listening to this episode, you will be able to discern the differences between the different schools, and begin to identify the types of schools that offer you or your kid a better fit. You can access the show notes for this episode at https://www.collegemetropolis.com. Please help our podcast by giving us a 5-star rating and leaving us a positive review on the podcast platform you used to download this episode. That kind gesture will go a long way in helping us reach out to more students and parents. Thank you!

Handle Possible Admission Rejections Properly by Preparing Ahead. 7 Points to Help Your Family Take the Right Steps and Come Out Ahead

Thu, 02 Mar 2023 14:00:00 -0800

#116 – Today, we talk about a difficult reality that that many high school students and families experience each year, receiving rejections from colleges that those students aspired to attend. Although rejections (a word I do not like to use in college admissions) are a normal part of the application process, they are never easy to deal with.

For the majority of students, applying to college usually comes after hard work and years of dedication throughout high school. By the time they turn in their applications, those students would have gotten to know, and even love, some of the schools to which they apply.

Rejections from those institutions comes as a hard blow to those students, and to their parents, who suddenly find themselves witnessing what seems to be the dreams of their kids being crushed. On this episode, Jankel and I share valuable gems from the Forbes magazine article titled, “Parenting the Disappointed College Applicant,” by Brennan Barnard.

We go over some of the most important points in the article, and present them along with our personal and professional insights and observations. And it is those insights and observations that we present as the “7 Points to Help Your Family Take the Right Steps and Come Out Ahead.”

As the article mentions, the college admission process is not fair, nor was it meant to be. Rejections are possible and, in some cases, should be expected. However, there are ways to prepare for them, and when they present themselves, there are steps to take to ensure the applicant remains in the right frame of mind and forges ahead.

You can access the show notes for this episode at https://www.collegemetropolis.com. Please help us reach other high school students and parents by giving us a 5-star rating, and leaving us a positive review. That will truly help us be found more easily in the different podcasting platforms.

Thank you!

What to Do If You are Waitlisted by a College or University You Wish to Attend. Here are Six Important Steps to Increase Your Chances for Admission and to Avoid Costly Financial Mistakes

Mon, 13 Feb 2023 11:00:00 -0800

#115 – On this episode, Jankel and I give you six steps to take and points to consider if you are “waitlisted” by a college or university that you absolutely want to attend. We begin the episode by explaining how a wait list works and how students get selected by from a wait list. Throughout the episode, we uncover the chances you will have to be admitted from a wait list, the steps that can be taken to help yourself if you are ever placed in one, and the ways in which accepting admission from a wait list could end up costing you financially. We end the episode by sharing three actions to take to minimize some of those possible financial costs. You can access the show notes for this episode at https://www.collegemetropolis.com. Please help us increase our reach by giving us a 5-star rating, and leaving us a positive review. We will truly appreciate it. Thank you!

What to Do After Receiving Acceptance Letters from the Colleges to Which You Applied. Steps to Help You Evaluate Which School Offers You the Best Opportunities, Including Which Is the Most Affordable. The Importance of May 1st

Mon, 23 Jan 2023 22:00:00 -0800

#114 – There will be a time, usually a few weeks after you turn in your college applications, when you will begin to receive responses from the colleges and universities to which you applied. The responses may say you have been given admission, placed on a waitlist, or denied admission. On this episode we walk you through the steps you should take for the schools that give you admission. These steps will help you narrow down your choice to the one school, from among the schools that accepted you, that you absolutely feel is the best one for you. Additionally, we talk about the Financial Aid Award Letter that you will receive from each school that gives you admission, and highlight important areas of it that will help you understand how affordable each school will be. We will give you several pieces of practical advice to help you make wise choices. You can access the show notes for this episode at https://www.collegemetropolis.com. We invite you to please give us a 5-star rating and to leave us a positive review on your podcasting platform of choice. In doing so, you would be helping us grow our community. Thank you!

Why do well qualified students get rejected, while less qualified students get accepted into highly selective schools? How are admission decisions made? Here are 5 points to understand what drives admission officers. Hint: There is no foolproof formula

Sun, 15 Jan 2023 23:00:00 -0800

#113 – The reasons why highly selective schools give admission to some students, while rejecting others students who may appear to be better qualified baffles the minds of a great many families each year. On this episode, we present you with the behind-the-scenes activities and processes that highly selective schools follow as they sort through the many applications they receive, and decide on which students will be admitted. We highlight the reasons why there is no possible foolproof formula to gain admission into highly selective school. Jankel and I uncover the term, “Institutional Priorities,” and use it to explain why colleges and universities may look for a slightly different type of students to admit each year. Throughout the episode we make several general statements about what to expect when applying to a highly selective institution. These statements are not meant to dissuade you or persuade you to apply to one. Rather, we make those statements to give information that will help you find the right frame of mind. For example, we state and give the reasons why no student should count of admission to any highly selective school as a “sure thing”, regardless of academic and non-academic preparation. Towards the end of the episode we encourage you to spend the time and energy that is necessary to make a list of colleges that is well balanced, with a number of schools to which you will have a very good chance of admission based on your qualifications, a number of schools to which admission is likely but not sure (50-50), and a number of schools to which admission is a stretch (highly selective schools). We also remind you of the importance of applying to schools that offer “you” a good fit. You can access the show notes for this episode at https://www.collegemetropolis.com. Please help our efforts by giving us a 5-star rating, and leaving us a positive review. We thank you in advance!

What Selective Schools Look for When SAT Scores are Not Required. Advice from Caltech on How to Show Your Academic Preparation and What to Do to Make Your Application Stand Out

Tue, 13 Dec 2022 22:00:00 -0800

#112 - On this episode, we present advice given by the California Institute of Technology for students seeking admission into selective colleges and universities. We focus on what Caltech says students should do, especially when standardized tests are not part of the admission requirements. We begin by describing what is mean by having great academic preparation, the importance of math and humanities courses for research institutions, and what to do to ensure that your application stands out. This episode is a continuation from the previous episode in which Caltech presented advice on how to prepare during the summer breaks. You can access the show notes for this episode at https://www.collegemetropolis.com. Please help us by giving us a 5-star rating, and leaving us a positive review. That will go a long way in helping us other parents and students who will also find this information useful. Thank you!

The California Institute of Technology (Caltech), a school with a 3.9% admission rate, has a lot of advice on how to prepare to apply to highly-selective schools. Caltech’s recommendations to high school students on how to use summer breaks effectively

Sun, 04 Dec 2022 20:00:00 -0800

#111 - On this episode, we provide helpful information for all of you who are interested in applying to highly-selective colleges and universities. Rather than sharing information out of our knowledge and experience, we decided to let Caltech do all the talking. Caltech has a wealth of advice to give high school students on how to best prepare to present yourselves as competitive applicants. Although this advice is being presented by Caltech, they make it available to you so you could prepare for other schools that also have small admission rates. This information is also very helpful in helping you prepare for schools that have selective admission criteria that may not be as strict as that of highly-selective schools. Jankel and I present Caltech’s advice on what students should do in their high school summers. That is to say, not just what to do during the summer immediately before applying to college, but during all summers. Additionally, this episode will give you a deeper understanding of what admission officers at schools of the caliber of Caltech will expect to see in each application. You can access the show notes for this episode at https://www.collegemetropolis.com. Please help our efforts by giving us a 5-star rating, and leaving us a positive review. That kind gesture will go a long way in helping us other parents and students who will also find this information useful. Thank you!

How to Find the Colleges and Universities that are a Good Match to You (Part 2). The Pros and Cons of the Ways High School Students Typically Select the Schools to Which They Will Apply

Sat, 19 Nov 2022 16:00:00 -0800

#110 – Today, Jankel and I continue presenting the factors students should condering when selecting the colleges and universities that should make it to their final list of schools. That is the list of schools to which admission applications will be submitted. Additionally, we go over the typical ways in which students select colleges and analyze the pros and cons of each. You can access the show notes for this episode at https://www.collegemetropolis.com. Please help our efforts by giving us a 5-star rating, and leaving us a positive review. That kind gesture will help us reach many other high school students and parents around the world. Thank you!

The University of Washington is a School You Should Know. This Impressive and Highly Recognized Research Powerhouse has an Accessible Admission Rate, Top Notch Academic Opportunities, and Vast Extracurricular Activities

Thu, 17 Nov 2022 21:00:00 -0800

#109 – Today, we begin our series of episodes in which we highlight colleges and universities we feel you should know about. These are the institutions we consider to be the gems of our higher education system. On this episode, we present the University of Washington, a highly-recognized research powerhouse. Founded in 1861, the UW is one of the top public research universities in the country. Jankel and I begin by discussing the school’s location and information related to its programs and majors. We continue by presenting its great many accolades, including its many high-ranking programs. We also discuss the UW student to faculty ratio and very high retention rate. I continue by providing examples of the great research being conducted at the university. Jankel talks about what it takes to be admitted to the UW by showcasing admission information for the 2021-22 freshman incoming class. We end the episode by discussing the different schools that make up the University of Washington, the vast number of extracurricular activities available to students, and information about Greek life. The UW is a great institution truly focused on making the world a better place and preparing students to make their mark in that process. You can access the show notes for this episode at https://www.collegemetropolis.com. Please help us reach other high school students and parents by giving us a 5-star rating and leaving us a positive review. Thank you!

How to Find the Colleges and Universities that are a Good Match to You (Part 1). The Factors to Consider to Determine Which Schools Can Better Meet Your Needs and Wants. Your Success May Depend on It.

Sun, 13 Nov 2022 22:00:00 -0800

#108 – Today, Jankel and I talk about the importance of finding the colleges and universities that better meet your needs, as you begin to create the list of schools to which you will apply. We present some of the factors that may be considered, including whether you meet the admission requirements, you are able to afford attending the school, the school offers the programs and majors you are interested in. We also highlight the importance of analyzing whether the campus culture, size, and location meet your needs. Lastly, we talk about the importance of assessing whether the teaching style employed by the faculty is appropriate to you, and whether the school will offer you the type of outside-the-classroom activities that are important to you. We will continue our list of factors to consider in episode #110. You can access the show notes for this episode at https://www.collegemetropolis.com. Please help our podcast by giving us a 5-star rating, and leaving us a positive review. We sincerely thank you for your support!

Important Steps to Take After Your FAFSA is Submitted. How Your Financial Aid Will Be Calculated. Who Will Do the Calculation, and Why Some Schools Will Offer You More Financial Aid Than Others

Sun, 30 Oct 2022 17:00:00 -0700

#107 – Today, we present three steps to take after completing the FAFSA. These are easy-to-follow steps that will ensure that you receive your financial aid as soon as possible. Additionally, we walk you through a detailed description of the steps taken to award you need-based and non-need-based financial aid. As the episode progresses, you will gain an understanding of what your Student Aid Report will tell you and what it will not tell you. You will also understand the meaning of Cost of Attendance and your Expected Family Contribution. On this episode, Jankel and I go to great lengths to try to demystify what goes on behind the scenes as your financial aid is processed, and attempt to give you an optimistic outlook, reminding you of the many advantages that will be available to you when it comes to helping you pay for college. You can access the show notes for this episode at https://www.collegemetropolis.com. Every link we talked about on this episode will be listed on the episode page. We are grateful that you are part of our College Metropolis community. Please help our efforts by telling others about us, giving us a 5-star rating, and leaving us a positive review. We sincerely thank you!

The Steps to Apply for Financial Aid Successfully. How to complete the FAFSA, What to Do If Your Financial Situation Changes After Submitting the Form, and More

Sun, 23 Oct 2022 16:00:00 -0700

#106 – On this episode, Jankel and I present the six steps that are necessary to apply for and receive financial aid. We highlight the details of the first two, including, the information that will be necessary to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, and how to complete the form. During our conversation, we also discuss ways to avoid mistakes that students and parents can make, which can slow down the process of securing aid. Jankel talks about what to do if your family’s financial situation changes after submitting the FAFSA. These steps are very important as they may lead to a change in the amount of financial aid you receive, one that more accurately reflects your current financial situation. We also talk about different family structures and how students can find out which parent’s financial information they are supposed to use on the FAFSA. In some cases, the answer may not be as straight forward as it might first appear. You can access the show notes for this episode at https://www.collegemetropolis.com. Every link we talked about on this episode will be listed on the episode page. We thank you for being part of our College Metropolis community. Please help us reach a wider audience by giving us a 5-star rating and leaving us a positive review. That will be very helpful to our efforts and we will truly appreciate it!

10 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Applying for Financial Aid. Also, What to Do If You Cannot Afford Your EFC (Expected Family Contribution), the Amount of Money You are Responsible to Pay Out-of-Pocket After Financial Aid is Awarded to You

Mon, 10 Oct 2022 22:00:00 -0700

#105 – On this episode we present the 10 most common mistakes students and parents/guardians make when filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Although some of these mistakes are easily avoidable, some can be more difficult to catch. We talk about several elements related to applying for financial aid, and highlight the importance of keeping track of the 3 different types of deadlines and applying early. Jankel also gives advice to students and parents/guardians whose Expected Family Contribution may be more than they could afford. She follows her advice with a story in which she helped a close friend lower her family’s Expected Family Contribution. You can find the show notes for this episode, including several important links on our website at https://collegemetropolis.com. Please help us reach a wider audience by giving our podcast a 5-star rating and leaving us a positive review. We greatly appreciate it. Thank you!

Have a Low GPA? Four Steps You Can Take to Salvage Your Chances for Admission into a Selective College or University. Two Alternatives to Keep in Mind. Advice from Wayne State University and West Texas A&M University

Mon, 03 Oct 2022 21:00:00 -0700

#104 – Today, we share 4 steps students can take if they find themselves having a low grade point average (GPA), and the time to apply to college is around the corner. The advice we provide today is particularly helpful for students whose dream is to attend a selective college or university. Additionally, we provide 2 alternative ways in which students who do not meet the GPA requirements, may be able to gain admission into selective institutions. You can find the show notes for this episode, including important links on our website at https://collegemetropolis.com. Please help us reach a wider audience by giving us a 5-star rating and leaving us a positive review. That kind gesture would help us reach other high school students and parents who are in need of this content. Thank you!

The Personal Essay (Part 7). Questions to Ask to Get Valuable Feedback on Your Essay. The Steps to Create Your 5th, 6th, and Final Draft. Your Personal Essay Would Then Be Completed!

Mon, 26 Sep 2022 21:00:00 -0700

#103 – On this episode, we conclude our 7-part series on the personal essay. Today, Jankel and I begin by introducing the importance of seeking feedback on your 4th draft. We talk about the people in your life who would be great participants in this feedback-seeking exercise. We go over 7 questions to ask those individuals and present ways to gather even more information from them. The resulting 5th draft will undergo an additional adjustment, and the results will be the 6th draft. The only step left to take after that is to have the essay be read by another person, another set of eyes, to ensure that it is mechanically perfect. The resulting 7th draft would be the final essay. Time to celebrate! Please go to our show notes on https://collegemetropolis.com to print a copy of the questions we present on this episode. Please help us grow by giving our show a 5-star rating and leaving us a positive review. We sincerely thank you!

The Personal Essay (Part 6). Steps to Create Your 4th Draft. How to Avoid Making the Wrong Impression on College Admission Officers. Ensuring Your Essay Communicates Your Intended Message

Mon, 19 Sep 2022 21:00:00 -0700

#102 – Today, we reach the next step in crafting the personal essay. Jankel and I uncover the process of calibrating the 3rd draft in such a way that it becomes a message that communicates the intended message. We go over the questions to ask to guide that calibration. In the first half of the episode we talk about a mistake some students make when writing their personal essay. Unfortunately for them, that mistake garners them negative attention from college admission officers. The good news is that it is easy for students to avoid making that mistake. We will tell you all about it. Once the 4th draft is completed, it will be ready to be presented to others for reading and providing feedback. Please go to our show notes on https://collegemetropolis.com to print a copy of the questions we present on this episode. We ask you to please help our show by giving our show a 5-star review on the podcasting platform you use and leaving us a positive review. That will go a long way in helping us be found by others like you. Thank you!

The Personal Essay (Part 5). The 12 Questions and Pieces of Advice to Create Your Third Draft. The Importance of Your Attention-Grabbing Story, Tone, Voice, Details, Organization, and Flow

Sun, 11 Sep 2022 20:00:00 -0700

#101 – On this episode we give you 12 questions and pieces of advice that will help you turn the information you created on your second draft into a workable third draft. Jankel and I talk about what to do to grab the attention of the college admission representatives reading your essay, and how to get them to become immersed in your story. As we share those steps you should take and things you should do, we also share plenty of what you should not do as a writer. Some of what you will do as you write your third draft will seem counterintuitive, and may feel as though you will be violating the rules of writing you have learned in high school. We will explain when and how this happens, and why it is okay to do it in your personal essay. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/101. You can help our show greatly by giving us a 5-star rating and leaving us a positive review. That is the best way you can help our podcast. We will truly appreciate it. Thank you!

The Personal Essay (Part 4). Questions to Ask to Turn the Brainstorming Session of the First Draft into a Workable Second Draft. Your Personal Essay Begins to Take Shape

Sun, 28 Aug 2022 20:00:00 -0700

#100 – Today, we uncover the process of turning the first draft of your personal essay into your second draft. Jankel and I go over eight questions to ask about the information on your first draft, so that at the end, you are left with the building blocks you will use to write the body of your personal essay. At the beginning of the episode, we talk about two pieces of advice I often share with parents about some of the ways they could best support their kids in high school. We also let students know how they could use that same piece of advice to benefit themselves in their college preparation. You can find the show notes for this episode, including the eight questions we presented on this episode, at https://collegemetropolis.com/100. You can help us greatly by giving us a 5-star rating and leaving us a positive review. That kind gesture will go a long way in helping us reach out to many other parents and students in need of the information we share. Thank you!

The Personal Essay (Part 3). How to Write Your First Draft and Topics to Stay Away From. Advise from Vanderbilt University on How to Write Your Essay

Sun, 14 Aug 2022 21:00:00 -0700

#099 – Today, Jankel and I continue giving you insights on how to write your personal essay. We begin by going over the importance of the essay as an integral part of your college application, review the prompts that you will find in the Common App, and highlight the beauty of the essay as the only part of the application in which you control 100% of the narrative. We also present 10 different topics you should stay away from, or at the very least, be very careful with, when writing your essay. After the midpoint of the episode, we present you with the steps to take to write your first draft. We finish by sharing tips directly from Vanderbilt University on how to write your personal essay. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/99. You can help our show greatly by giving us a 5-star rating and leaving us a positive review. That is the best way you can help our podcast. We will truly appreciate it. Thank you!

The Steps All 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th Graders Should Take Before the December Break. Follow Your Checklist to Continue Strengthening Yourself for Admission into Selective Colleges and Universities

Sun, 07 Aug 2022 22:00:00 -0700

#098 – Can you believe we are already starting a new school year? On this episode we explore the steps that each high school student should take during the fall to continue their college prep and finish the semester (or trimester) strong. There are timely steps that must be taken each year of high school. These are important because in many instances, the steps to take throughout high school are sequential, meaning that one has to be taken before the next one can be taken. Therefore, missing a step may keep a student from being able to meet the admission requirements for a selective college or university. Today, we talk about the steps each student should take before the winter break. Be prepared to take good notes on this important episode! You can find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/98. Please help us by giving our podcast a 5-star rating and leaving us a positive review on your favorite podcasting platform. In doing so, you would be helping our efforts greatly. Thank you!

The Personal Essay (Part 2). How to Select a Prompt from the Common App. 17 Questions that Will Help You Create Content for Your Essay. The Writing Requirements for Admission into Brown University

Mon, 25 Jul 2022 18:00:00 -0700

#097 – On this episode, we continue talking about the personal essay or the personal statement. We begin by reminding you of a few very important facts to keep in mind about the essay, and analyze precisely what it is that you will be asked to do as you tackle this very important component of your college application. Jankel and I continue our conversation by going over the steps to follow when choosing the prompt from the Common App that you will use to write your own personal statement. We provide a vivid example by analyzing the writing requirements for Brown University as they are presented on the Common App. Brown University is an institution that requires both a personal statement and a writing supplement. We end the episode by presenting 17 questions you can answer to help you develop the material you will need to as you answer the prompts from the Common App. You can find the show notes for this episode, including the full list of the 17 questions presented on the episode, at https://collegemetropolis.com/97. You can help our show greatly by giving us a 5-star rating and leaving us a positive review on your favorite podcasting platform. That is the best way you can help us reach a wider audience. Thank you!

The Personal Essay (Part 1). Why It Is Important in Your College Application. Two Things Admission Officers Want to Learn About You from Reading Your Essay. What the University of Chicago Wants You to Know About It

Sun, 17 Jul 2022 09:00:00 -0700

#096 - Today, we begin a multi-episode series focused on the personal essay, that is the part of the application where you will have a chance to present yourself in a way that makes a positive and direct impact in your chances for admission into a college or university. That is especially true for the more selective ones, who historically have given more weight to the importance of the personal essay. The episode begins by highlighting the fact that the entirety of the college application will, in some ways, tell a story about you. College admission officers will look at the academic and non-academic components of your application and begin to form ideas about who you are. But, it is on the personal essay, where you, the person who you truly are, have a chance to tell your story in your own voice. This gives you an amazing chance to make a great impression on them. Jankel presents information from the University of Chicago, in which they tell students who are applying directly from high school, exactly how they should write the essay, what they are trying to learn about you as they read your essay, and the great chance this gives you to connect with such a great institution. We give you pointers on the essay, how to approach it, what to do and, in some ways, what not to do when it comes to writing it. We urge you to begin writing it early, be honest, and above all, to not stress about it, but instead see it as a great opportunity to tilt the scales in your favor. The essay is one of your best friends when it comes to your college admission path. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/96. Please help our efforts by giving us a 5-star rating and leaving us a positive review on your favorite podcasting platform. That would go a long way in helping us be found more easily by other high school students and parents who are also looking for college admission content. Thank you!

25 College Survival Skills You Should Learn in High School to Succeed in College. The Quicker You Learn Them, the Higher Your Chances for Success (Part 3)

Sat, 09 Jul 2022 23:00:00 -0700

#095 – On this, the last episode on our 3-part series, we conclude our list of the 25 skills that every high school student should learn prior to going to college. Jankel and I talk about the importance of taking notes, what to do when you share notes from a classmate, seeking permission from the instructor prior to recording a lecture, and what to do with the recorded lecture. Additionally, we share plenty of personal experiences in the different subjects we present. We conclude the episode by highlighting the importance of asking questions during or after class, socializing and networking with your peers, and taking time to reward yourself. The 25 habits we presented in this and the previous 2 episodes will help high school students as they transition to college. The faster they begin to put these habits to use while in high school, the better they will be able to carry them out in college. You can access the resources mentioned on this episode on our show notes at https://collegemetropolis.com/95. We ask that you please give us a 5-star rating and leave us a positive review. That will go a long way in helping us reach a wider audience. We would truly appreciate it. Thank you!

25 College Survival Skills You Should Learn in High School to Succeed in College. The Quicker You Learn Them, the Higher Your Chances for Success (Part 2)

Mon, 27 Jun 2022 11:00:00 -0700

#094 - Today, we continue on our list of the 25 skills and habits that every high school student should begin to practice in high school so that, by the time they transition to college, those habits and skills are part of their normal way of operating. The quicker students integrate them into their lives, the quicker they will be able to put them into practice while in high school, and the higher the chances they will have to succeed as they transition to college. You can access the resources mentioned on this episode on our show notes at https://collegemetropolis.com/94. As always, please help our show grow by giving us a 5-star rating and by leaving us a positive review. We would truly appreciate it. Thank you!

25 College Survival Skills You Should Learn in High School to Succeed in College. The Quicker You Learn Them, the Higher Your Chances for Success (Part 1)

Mon, 20 Jun 2022 14:00:00 -0700

#093 – The transition from high school to college is one that every student must learn, practice, and prepare for, to do it properly. The sooner that preparation begins in high school, the higher the chances that the transition will be a successful one. There are several expectations that will be placed on new college students by their professors. For example, they are expected to practice self-monitoring, and do everything else that is expected of them, at the college level. While some colleges are better than others at helping students with this transition, it is extremely helpful for students to learn early on, the behaviors and steps needed to take to ensure a successful transition. On this episode, we present the first 10 of 25 college survival skills that we have compiled, to help high school students prepare for college. These college survival skills are some of the steps and behaviors needed for a successful transition. The quicker students learn these skills, and the quicker they put into practice those that are applicable while in high school, the higher their chances will be for college success. You can access the resources mentioned on this episode on our show notes at https://collegemetropolis.com/93. Please help our show grow by giving us a 5-star rating and giving us a positive review on the podcast platform you used to download this episode. We would truly appreciate it. Thank you!

What Every Selective School Wants to Find in Your Extracurricular Activities (Part 2). Passion and Leadership. How to Present a Job in Your Application. Admission Requirements for the University of Southern California, USC

Mon, 13 Jun 2022 16:00:00 -0700

#092 – On this episode we conclude our two-part conversation about extracurricular activities by focusing on the different activities that can be included in the college application. Although we discuss participation in clubs, volunteering, and other similar activities, we focus our conversation on ways applicants could present any jobs they may have had while in high school. The experiences gathered in these jobs could be presented in the application in ways that greatly benefit applicants. We go over several examples of how to do it. Jankel and I also talk about the main reason why students should become involved in extracurricular activities, and what these tell college admission officers about students who actively participate in those activities. We also present the meaning of “Passion” and “Leadership” as it regards extracurricular activities. At the beginning and towards the end of the episode we also cover the admission requirements for the University of Southern California, with a special emphasis on the non-academic requirements. You can access the resources mentioned on this episode on our show notes at https://collegemetropolis.com/92. Please help our show grow by giving us a 5-star rating and giving us a positive review. We would your efforts to help our podcast. Thank you!

What Every Selective School Wants to Find in Your Extracurricular Activities (Part 1). How to Best Present Your Extracurriculars in Your Application. What Cornell University Looks for in Candidates

Tue, 07 Jun 2022 13:00:00 -0700

#091 – Today, we uncover the admission requirements for Cornell University, focusing deeply on the non-academic factors. For selective universities, high academic achievement is expected and cannot be counted on to differentiate you as a candidate. Rather, it is the non-academic factors of your application that will set you apart. Cornell University, a school with a 10% admission rate, looks for several factors in their applicants, including character, community involvement, and their reasons for choosing Cornell, in addition to intellectual potential. Jankel and I talk about the ways in which selective schools review an applicant’s extracurricular activities, and provide you with the reasons why they do it, namely, to gain a good idea of who you are as a person and what is truly important to you as an individual. We go over the importance of having alignment between your college essay, your extracurricular activities, and what you say are your passions. Additionally, we talk about the college interview, the step in the admission process in which questions will be asked about your extracurricular activities. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/91. Please help our efforts by giving us a 5-star rating and leaving us a positive review on your favorite podcasting platform. That would go a long way in helping us be found more easily by other high school students and parents who are also looking for college admission content. Thank you!

How Commitment to Your Vision Is Necessary to Overcome Obstacles. Also, the Many Advantages Offered by Honors Colleges at State Universities, and a Deep Look at Barrett, the Honors College at Arizona State University

Mon, 30 May 2022 11:00:00 -0700

#090 – On this episode, Jankel and I begin by highlighting the ways in which high school students can increase their chances for success by overcoming the inevitable obstacles and challenges that will present themselves throughout the college path. This conversation is, at the core, about personal leadership. As the episode continues, we present honors colleges found within state universities and the many advantages found in them. These give students the ability to enjoy the many benefits of attending some of the largest Research I institutions, while enjoying important advantages usually found only in private institutions. We explore Barret, the Honors College at Arizona State University. We uncover important academic and non-academic information about Barret, including, admission requirements, available housing, research opportunities, and other important advantages. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/90. Please help our efforts by giving us a 5-star rating and leaving us a positive review. Doing so will make it easier for other high school students and parents to find us. Thank you!

Questions College Admission Officers Ask About You and Your High School to Estimate Your Potential for Success in College. How the ‘Summer Melt’ Can Help You Gain Admission and Get More Financial Aid. How Many APs to Take for Selective Schools

Sun, 22 May 2022 22:00:00 -0700

#089 – On today’s episode, I present the meaning of the “Summer Melt” and the ways in which it could help you gain admission to college, while at the same time allowing you to negotiate more institutional aid for yourself. Changes in the rules that guide how colleges and universities recruit students now allow colleges to poach students away from other colleges, even after May 1st, commonly known as Commitment Day. This has increased the level of competition among colleges as they seek to fill every available admission slot. I present a couple of ways in which this increased level of competition benefits students greatly. As the episode continues, I discuss the questions that college admission officers at selective colleges ask about your high school and about you to gauge whether or not you challenged yourself as much as you could have while in high school, and to estimate your chances for success in college. Towards the end of the episode, I talk about the number of AP courses students should take if they plan to apply to selective colleges, and facts to consider when selecting the AP courses you will take. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/89. If you would like to communicate with us, you may reach us through the Contact Us section at the bottom of our website, https://www.collegemetropolis.com, or by leaving us a voice message using the Send a Voicemail tab on the site. Please help our show by leaving us a 5-star rating and by leaving us a positive review. That is the best way you can show your support for our podcast. Thank you!

What Gets Students Accepted to MIT? Here Is What MIT Admission Officers Have to Say. This Will Help Your Chances of Admission into Any Schools, Specially the More Selective Ones

Thu, 12 May 2022 13:00:00 -0700

#088 – Today, we explore the admission criteria at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, better known as MIT. We begin by analyzing admission information about the most recent freshman class, highlighting the admission rate, standardized test scores, and other academic and non-academic factors considered by MIT Admission Officers as they offer or deny admission to students every year. This episode centers on the one component of the application that is the most important to MIT. Regardless of academic prowess, if that component is not evident in a student’s application, admission to MIT is not given. The information you will learn on this episode will be very important to you because you will be able to utilize it as you apply to the different colleges and universities on your list. At the beginning of the episode, I reminisce about the reasons why The College Metropolis Podcast was created, and ask our listeners to help us grow and reach a wider audience. You can access the resources mentioned on this episode on our show notes at https://collegemetropolis.com/88. Please help our show grow by giving us a 5-star rating and giving us a positive review on the podcast platform you used to download this episode. We would truly appreciate it. Thank you!

What Every College Admission Officer Will Look for in Your Application (Part 2). –Select the Courses You Take in High School Wisely. Taking Advanced Courses Is Crucial, Especially When Applying to Selective Colleges and Universities

Sun, 01 May 2022 18:00:00 -0700

#087 - Today, we continue our conversation focused on the most important portions of your college application that will garner the attention of College Admission Officers. Depending on what they find on your application, they will decide to continue exploring your qualifications, or not simply deny you admission to that college or university. On this episode, Jankel and I present a very important way to present yourself in a way that impresses Admission Officers, giving you a great chance to succeed as an applicant. This particular way to stand out is, in fact, extremely important and should be part of your college admission strategy. It is so important that for selective colleges and universities, it carries more weight than having a very high grade point average. We also continue our list of key points to remember as you learn to think as a College Admission Officer, so that with that information in hand, you could give yourself the best chance to succeed. At the beginning of the episode, I share with you some of the heartbreaking stories I have been told by some of the high school students with whom I have had an opportunity to speak. These stories highlight the disadvantage that the vast majority of high school students currently face, namely, navigating the college admission process in high school with very little information or support in school or at home. We present the activities we carry out at The College Metropolis as a way to help our high school students make informed decisions and carry out their college admission goals. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/87. To communicate with us, please reach out to us through the Contact Us section at the bottom of our website, https://www.collegemetropolis.com, or by leaving us a voice message through the Send a Voicemail tab. We reply to each message we receive. Please help our show by leaving us a 5-star rating and by leaving us a positive review. We will truly appreciate that very kind gesture. Thank you!

What Every College Admission Officer Will Look for in Your Application (Part 1). Core Course Requirements for Virginia Tech and UT Austin. Update on Our Recent Trip to UC Berkeley, Stanford University, and UC Santa Barbara

Fri, 22 Apr 2022 20:00:00 -0700

#086 – This is a very special episode in which I am joined by my son who will share with us some of his observations about a recent trip we took to visit some of the schools to which he will apply. These include, UC Berkeley, Stanford University, and UC Santa Barbara. Although his ultimate goal is to do graduate work in vertebrate paleontology, his undergraduate degree will be in geology. The trip was very informative. As the episode progresses, I share ways in which students can learn to think like college admission officers, and in doing so, use that information to help their chances for admission, especially into the more selective schools. While I present the first portion of the application that catches the attention of admission officers, I uncover the three very important questions they try to answer as they explore each application. By the end of the episode, you will know those three very important questions, and you will be better prepared to present yourself in the best light possible. Additionally, I contrast the core course requirements for Virginia Tech and UT Austin, as well as additional requirements for the UT Austin School of Architecture and the Cockrell School of Engineering. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/86. Please feel free to reach out to us through our homepage at CollegeMetropolis.com. Please help us reach a wider audience by giving us a 5-star rating and leaving us a positive review. That kind gesture would help us reach other high school students and parents. Thank you!

The One Extremely Important Characteristic That Every College You Apply to Must Have. The Ability of a College to Engage You is Necessary for You to Achieve Your Best Outcomes

Sun, 27 Mar 2022 10:00:00 -0700

#085 - This is the third episode in a series that deals with some of the most common misconceptions about college admissions. On the previous two episodes we talked about the fallacy of the “Best-College Rankings” and what research shows is the connection between the level of selectivity of a college or university and the quality of education students receive in those institutions. Spoiler alert, there is no connection! On this episode, we conclude with a presentation of what different types of research show is the one characteristic that all the schools that have allowed students to enjoy the best outcomes is, namely, engagement. I had an opportunity to reminisce about three professors in my college career who were very engaging and played a very important role in the person and the professional I became. They are, Dr. Nabil Razzouk, Dr. Florence Pollard, and Dr. Krone, whose name escaped me during the recording of the episode. Schools that allow for students to connect with professors and the school in meaningful ways, provide students with the best opportunity to succeed. Jankel presents six ways in which engagement happens. We also talk about the importance of engagement as students create a group of questions to ask as they attempt to create a list of colleges to which they will apply. In all, this episode cites 13 different research articles and books written on this subject. You can easily access every resource we mention on this episode by visiting our episode webpage at https://collegemetropolis.com/85. Please help us reach other parents and high school students who may need the information we provide, by giving us a 5-star rating and leaving us a positive review. We would be very appreciative and grateful to you for that bit of support. Thank you!

Will Attending Highly-Selective Colleges Lead to Superior Learning, Increased Job Satisfaction, and Much Higher Economic Opportunity? Here Is What Research Shows

Sat, 19 Mar 2022 21:00:00 -0700

#084 – The perceived complexity of the college admission process makes it easier for students and parents to believe misinformation, as they attempt to gather as much information to do it right. On the previous episode, we debunked the idea that Best-College Rankings are true indicators of the quality of education offered by a college or university. On this episode, we will visit another common misconception, one that has to do with what many expect enjoy as a result of attending a highly-selective college or university. This episode is based on a white paper produced by CollegeSuccess, a non-profit organization affiliated with the Stanford University Graduate School of Education. Following the order in which the white paper is written, I will uncover what research shows is the link between attending a highly-selective college and the overall level of preparation a student receives (learning), job satisfaction & general well-being after graduation, and economic opportunity (a salary comparison of graduates of highly-selective colleges and graduates of colleges with open admission policies. Please visit our episode webpage at https://collegemetropolis.com/84 for sources used or mentioned on this episode, including the different research articles mentioned on the episode, and the link to the ChallengeSuccess white paper. Remember, you can help us reach a higher number of parents and high school students by giving us a 5-star rating and leaving us a positive review. We will truly appreciate that kind bit of support. Thank you!

Do You Know How Colleges and Universities are Ranked Each Year? What the Rankings Measure May Surprise You. It Is Time to Rethink the Idea of “Best Colleges”

Fri, 04 Mar 2022 11:00:00 -0800

# 083 – Today, I uncover the fallacy of common methods of ranking colleges and universities. On any day, it is very common to hear talk about so-called best colleges, top colleges, ranked colleges, highly-ranked colleges, top-10 colleges, etcetera. These designations are usually based on rankings published every year, mostly by newspapers and magazines, such as, The Wall Street Journal, Barron’s, and The U.S. News & World Report, as well as The Princeton Review, better known for providing test prep and tutoring services. On this episode I shed light on the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Rankings, the most popular of all. I begin the episode by going over what most people believe the rankings indicate, namely, that the higher a college or university ranks, the better the quality of education students receive in those institutions. At least, that is what a logical person would gather after hearing the term “Best Colleges Rankings.” As the episode progresses, I go over some of the factors used in the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Rankings, and allow you to gauge for yourself whether these rankings should be taken seriously. Prepare to be surprised. Although I do not go over all the factors, it is very easy to see that the factors that are given the most weight in the rankings, are highly subjective, in which college administrators are asked to give their opinions about other colleges and universities, even those they have never visited before. You will also find it easy to see that the factors that are more objective, meaning that they are based on data, are factors that cannot be used to determine the level of quality of education in any institution. Please visit our episode webpage at https://collegemetropolis.com/83 for sources used or mentioned on this episode, including the U.S. News & World Report, Colleges That Change Lives, and ChallengeSuccess. Please help us by giving us a 5-star rating and leaving us a positive review. That kind gesture would be very helpful to our podcast and would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

What is a Teaching Institution? Questions to Ask to Determine If You Should Apply to Teaching Universities or Research Universities. The Experience Students Receive at Amherst College in MA

Sun, 06 Feb 2022 21:00:00 -0800

#082 – Today, we uncover the characteristics of teaching institutions, which in many ways, are different from research institutions. We begin by presenting an article that appeared on the Chicago Tribune, which criticized the state of higher education at the time, from the perspective of the author. The article exposed colleges and universities in which teaching was not a priority, and as such, students received an education that greatly differed from what many students set out to receive. Jankel and I continue by introducing a research project undertaken by three professors at DePaul University in Chicago, which came as a result of that original Chicago Tribune article. The research project resulted in an article that was published in the Journal of Academic Administration in Higher Education, and presented the qualities that teaching institutions must have. In addition of presenting some of the article findings, we followed up with reasons why each finding is so important and the ways in which each would benefit students in teaching institutions. We had a great time as we took time to reminisce on some of the experiences we enjoyed at the teaching institution we attended as undergrads. We finished the episode by sharing some of the factors that will help you decide whether you should apply to research or teaching institutions, and by exploring one of the most renown teaching institutions in the country, Amherst College in Massachusetts. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/82. Please help our efforts by giving us a 5-star rating and leaving us a positive review on your favorite podcasting platform. That would go a long way in helping us be found more easily by other high school students and parents who are also looking for college admission content. Thank you!

What are Research Universities? Qualities Students Need to Succeed in Them. Harvard University Research Findings and the Many Research Opportunities for Undergraduate Students at UC Irvine

Fri, 28 Jan 2022 21:00:00 -0800

#081 – On this episode, Jankel and I begin by outlining some of the major differences between research universities and teaching universities. We begin by sharing some Jankel’s experience doing geological research in the Pisco Basin of Peru, while at Loma Linda University. We then dive deep into the characteristics of research universities and the advantages of attending one. We also uncover the qualities and abilities that students should have to do well in research universities. As the episode progresses, we highlight the importance of research to the world, and give an example of a recent findings that came from a research project at Harvard University. Those findings will surely make a huge impact in the world of medicine, and will make a positive difference in the lives of the almost 3 million people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis around the world. We also talk about research opportunities that are available to undergraduate students in some universities, and go over the many opportunities available at one of the premier state universities in California, UC Irvine. Towards the end, we talk about the classification system that exists to rank universities according to their commitment to research. This is a classification system that you can use as you make your lists of schools, if you are interested in research. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/81. Please help us by giving us a 5-star rating and leaving us a positive review. In doing so, you would be helping us be found more easily by other high school students and parents who are also looking for this type of content on the different podcasting platforms. Thank you!

Important Questions That All High School Students Should Ask Their High School College Counselors for Success in College Admissions. Be Proactive and Exercise Your Personal Leadership On This!

Sat, 22 Jan 2022 22:00:00 -0800

#080 – On this episode, Jankel and I present a very important person in the college admission aspirations of high school students, the high school college counselor. We discuss the enormous workloads that are placed on the desks of counselors, who on the average are assigned with guiding 500 students through their college admission process. In some states, high school college counselors are assigned as many as 1,200 students. Considering the huge time and resource limitations in which counselors have to carry out their duties, we provide advice for high school students to follow to create the best working relationship with their counselors. Additionally, we go over 15 questions that all high school students should ask their high school college counselors, regardless of their grade level. These questions are designed to ensure that students achieve a successful college preparation and are able to meet or exceed the admission requirements of the colleges and universities to which they want to apply. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/80. Please help our efforts by giving our show 5 stars and by leaving us a positive review on the platform you used to download this episode. Your review will ensure that we reach more high school students and parents who need the information we share each week. Thank you!

Essential Info from Guests During Our First Year. What to Communicate in Your College Essay, How to Get More Financial Aid, Ways to Stand Out to Highly Selective Schools, and More!

Fri, 14 Jan 2022 17:00:00 -0800

#079 – As we kick off our episode line-up for 2022, we begin by recapping some of the most memorable guests we had during the past year. These are guests that shared very valuable information in matters related to college admissions and college life. The content we revisit today is broad and covers the college essay, the advantages some private colleges offer over state schools, and ways to secure more financial aid than initially offered. Additionally, you will hear about ways to prepare a high school kid for the social challenges that may be experienced in a college setting. One of our guests shares how he used the courses he took in college while in high school as part of the dual enrollment program, to help his application stand out to college admission officers. That was one of the factors that contributed to his acceptance into Stanford University. You will also learn about a myth that is prevalent among students with plans to go to medical school, and ways in which your passion can help you mitigate some of your application shortcomings. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/79. Please help us reach a wider audience by giving us a 5-star rating and leaving us a positive review. That is a kind gesture that we will greatly appreciate. Thank you!

The Importance of College Interviews and How They Will Affect Your Chances for Admission. When Your College Interviews Will Happen, Who Will Interview You, What You Should Be Ready to Answer, and What You Should Ask.

Wed, 22 Dec 2021 13:00:00 -0800

#078 – Today, we dissect a part of the college admission process that many applicants find very challenging, the college interview. Jankel and I dive into the details of the interview, which for some schools is a required portion of the application, while for others it is optional or not considered at all. We begin the episode by tracing the steps you will take beginning the senior year of high school. These steps include turning your college applications and scheduling your college interviews where they are required or made optional. We present important facts about your college interviews, and what you can do to find out whether or not the schools you will be applying to will require an interview. Additionally, we will go over some of the questions you may be asked. The questions we present are some of the questions you should expect to be asked. This is by no means an episode that presents all the questions you may be asked, but rather, it gives you a great idea of what to expect on your interview, how to prepare for it, and what to do after each interview. We also present two very important sets of information you should have ready with you. One is to be used throughout the interview, and the other at the end of the interview. By the time you get to the end of this episode, you will understand the purpose of college interviews, know how important they really are to your chances for admission, have a plan to prepare to do great in them, and know how to stand out by having a good follow-up response after each interview. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/78. Please help us reach more high school students and parents by giving us a 5-star rating and leaving us a positive review. We will truly appreciate it. Thank you!

The Colleges You Apply to May Be Test Optional, Test Flexible, or Test Blind. Here Is What These Terms Mean, and How They Have Changed What Is Expected From You on Your College Applications

Sat, 11 Dec 2021 19:00:00 -0800

Ep. 077 – On this episode, we begin by reading a very kind and warm review that was given to our podcast by a parent who is a listener. Towards the end of the review, she asked whether we could talk about college interviews. Jankel and I talked about our plans to talk about that subject on the next episode. But in the meantime, we went over three very important and very commonly asked questions during college interviews. Additionally, we mentioned the importance of sprinkling in information about your accomplishments to the interviewer during the interview, and the need to have questions prepared ahead of time for the interviewer. We then begin the episode by presenting some of the changes brought on by COVID-19 to the college admission process of many colleges and universities, including the fact that a great many of them became Test Optional. We talk about the meaning of that term, and we answer the question of whether the college admission process is easier now that SAT or ACT scores are not required at Test Optional schools. We continue the episode uncovering the meaning of Test Flexible, and Test Blind or Test Free schools. You will be surprised to hear how some of these schools give applicants more control of the process of applying for admission. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/77. Please feel free to reach out to us through our homepage at CollegeMetropolis.com. You can leave us a voice message, or use the Contact Us page to send us an email. We would love to hear from you. Please help us reach a wider audience by giving us a 5-star rating and leaving us a positive review. That would help our efforts greatly. Thank you!

How Selective Colleges and Universities Determine Which Students Get Admitted or Rejected Each Year. A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the 13 Admission Criteria Used by UCLA. Understand Them to Increase Your Chances for Admission into Selective Schools

Fri, 26 Nov 2021 19:00:00 -0800

#076 - Admission into selective colleges and universities requires more than a stellar academic record. Most selective schools follow a holistic admissions approach, in which they consider other aspects of their applicants, including character, talent, work history, community service, and other elements to get to know the applicants as individuals. To them, it is important to know each applicant beyond academics, and to use what they learn about those applicants through their applications to gauge what each of those applicants will potentially add to the college body. To learn the specifics of how colleges and universities carry out a holistic admissions approach, on this episode, we explore the 13 admission criteria followed by the University of California, Los Angeles. UCLA is the #1 university in the country in the number of applications received each year, surpassing the 108,000 mark. Out of that number, the university only admits a little more than 14,000 students, and rejects about 94,000 of them. Jankel and I will go over each element of the admission criteria, and uncover precisely what they want to see in the students who they accept each year. UCLA is a good example of what most competitive schools look for in applicants. Understanding the UCLA admissions criteria will help you understand what the selective schools in your college list will be looking for when they review your admission application. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/76. You can help us reach out to a wider audience by giving us a 5-star rating and leaving us a positive review. We will be very grateful to you!

All About Class Rank. What It Is and How It Is Used in College Admissions. The Reason Why Some Schools Do Not Use It. How Important Class Rank Is for Harvard, Brown, Princeton, Stanford, and UCLA

Sat, 13 Nov 2021 15:00:00 -0800

# 075 – Class rank is one of the factors considered for admission decisions by college admission officers in some colleges and universities. Because class rank is so important to those institutions, it is important that you understand everything about class rank. On this episode, I talk about what class rank is, how it is computed, and how it is used in the college admission process. Additionally, I present some of the reasons why some high schools choose not to rank students. For example, in cases where the GPAs of several students in a grade level are high but also very close together, it is not unusual for students to be left out of a percentage category by mere fractions of a GPA point. I also explore the difference between weighted and unweighted class rank, and point out which of the two offers you a better opportunity to rank higher. As the episode crosses the mid-point, I re-introduce a document reported by colleges and universities, which you can use to find out how important class rank is to those schools, or if they consider it at all. It is at that point in the episode, that I explore whether class rank is important for Harvard University, Brown University, Princeton University, Stanford University, and UCLA. In fact, as I present that information on the episode, I make a decision to go over the importance each of those universities place on the different academic and non-academic factors of the admission application. You will be very surprised to hear which institutions do not care at all about class rank, and which does not make use of letter of recommendation. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/75. Please help us reach more high school students and parents by giving us a 5-star rating and leaving us a positive review. We will truly appreciate it!

The Importance of Grades in Your College Application. Weighted and Unweighted GPA. How to Find GPA Requirements for Colleges and Universities. What to Do If Your Grades are Too Low for Admission Into Your Dream School. GPA Data for UCLA

Fri, 05 Nov 2021 21:00:00 -0700

# 074 – Your academic record will be the first part of your application to be checked by the college admission officers of the schools to which you will apply. The courses you take and the grades you receive make up a big part of your academic record. On this episode, we focus on the importance of grades as part of your transcripts, and how they are reported as a Grade Point Average. Jankel and I uncover the difference between unweighted and weighted GPA, and the reason why most schools, especially the more selective ones, will pay particular attention to weighted GPA. As the episode reached the mid-point, we present examples of two students who took various courses, including one who took higher-level courses. Through these examples, we analyze the importance of taking high-level courses, and the effect these have on weighted GPA. Towards the end, we present the steps students could take if they graduate from high school with grades that are too low to get into the colleges or universities they dream of attending. There is a very important step they could take, which may make their dreams a reality. You can access the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/74. Please help us reach a wider audience by giving us a 5-star rating and leaving us a positive review. That, plus telling your friends about us, is the best thing you can do to help our podcast. Thank you!

How to Figure Out Whether a College or University is a Reach, Target, or Safety School for You. The Importance of Creating a Balanced List of Schools. Analyzing University of California, Berkeley and University of California, Riverside

Fri, 29 Oct 2021 09:00:00 -0700

# 073 – After listening to this episode, you will be able to analyze whether a college or university is a Reach, Target, or a Safety school for you. One of the most important things you will do as part of the college admission process is to create a list of schools that is balanced. That is, a list that has a number of schools that will likely accept you, some that may or may not accept you, and some that, more than likely, will not accept you, but you still apply to them because they are part of your dream college list and because they may have accepted people with some of your non-academic characteristics in the past. Jankel and I uncover the easiest way to decipher for yourself whether a school will be a Reach, Target, or Safety school for you. Additionally, we present a document that will allow you to know the level of importance every school gives to each academic and non-academic component of your application. We finish the episode by analyzing the most recent admission data for UC Berkeley and UC Riverside, and the GPA and SAT or ACT scores that would make them Reach, Target, or Safety schools for an applicant. You will be surprised to see how differently each school views application requirements, even though they are part of the same university system. You can access the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/73. You can help our podcast greatly by giving us a 5-star rating and leaving us a positive review on the podcast platform you used to download this episode. That kind gesture will go a long way in helping us reach out to more students and parents. Thank you!

The Habits of Successful and Overachieving Students (Part 4). Organizational Skills, Keeping the Brain Engaged, Embracing Feedback, and Participating in School Activities

Wed, 20 Oct 2021 12:00:00 -0700

# 072 – Today, on this episode, we conclude our series on the habits of successful and overachieving students. Jankel and I embark on a conversation about how important it is for students to have excellent organizational skills to do well in high school and carry out the college admission process successfully. Jankel tells a story about one of her students, whose organizational skills made a big impression on her. That student is now completing medical school. Our conversation also touches on the importance of having the commitment required to acquire these habits. We compare this process to everything that successful athletes have to endure to achieve their goals. Additionally, we discuss the ever-present level of activity in successful students, in academic and non-academic areas. We call them Predictable Doers. That level of activity arises from a connection to topics that stimulate their brains. I provide an example of a high school student who shared with me a piece of artwork that he created and dealth with the ancient motif of Chaoskampf. As our episode crosses the mid-line, we talk about the last three habits of successful and overachieving students. One plays a role on their self-esteem of successful students, while the others allow them to establish fruitful relationships with faculty and staff in their high schools, and continuously participate in school activities. The episodes on this series were fun and very positive. You can access the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/72. You can help our show grow by giving us a 5-star rating and leaving us a positive review on the podcast platform you used to download this episode. That is a gesture we would truly appreciate. Thank you!

The 5 Pages You Should Explore on a College Website to See If that School is a Good Fit for You. Today, We Explore Cornell University

Wed, 13 Oct 2021 11:00:00 -0700

#071 - One of the most important things you will do in high school, is to make a list of colleges to which you will apply. Making that list will be a challenging exercise because there are a great many colleges and universities from which to choose. Although they all share some characteristics, they are also very different in many other important ways. It is important that you recognize the elements of a college or university that are important to you. On episodes 10, 11, 13, and 14, we shared with you the questions to ask about every college, so that, at the end, you are left with the ones that meet your needs in terms of location, academics, campus culture, and cost of attendance, among other factors. On this episode, Jankel and I talk about the 5 pages on every college or university website, that you should look at to see if a school appears to meet your needs. Although this is not the only activity you will do to see if a school is a good match for you, exploring these 5 pages will allow you begin your list of schools in an efficient way. These 5 pages will quickly help you realize whether that school has what you need, or not. One of the 5 pages will also help you understand how well you compare to the most recent freshman class admitted to that school. It will allow you to see the average GPA, SAT or ACT scores, class rankings, and financial aid received, for those students admitted to that school directly from high school. During the episode, we share with you the important information we found in those 5 pages within the Cornell University website. We believe that after listening to this episode, you will appreciate the wealth of information found within these pages, and be very well prepared to begin your list of colleges. You can access the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/71. You can help our show greatly by giving us a 5-star rating and leaving us a positive review on the podcast platform you used to download this episode. Thank you!

The Habits of Successful and Overachieving Students (Part 3). How to Generate Self-Motivation and Intellectual Curiosity. The Importance of Your Inner Circle, Developing Endurance, and Keeping Your Emotions in Check

Wed, 06 Oct 2021 20:00:00 -0700

# 070 – Today, on our next-to-last episode of in our Habits of Successful Overachieving Students, Jankel go over five habits and activities that historically have produced positive results in the lives of students in the past. As we begin our conversation highlighting the importance of intellectual curiosity, we transition into the ways in which successful students find self-motivation. Inner self-motivation is a necessary must-have for anyone interested in pursuing a worthwhile cause. Jankel continues emphasizing the importance of having the right people in your inner circle. That is a point that I truly value and wish more high school students understood and valued. The wrong crown can easily derail the best laid plans in a young person. I continue our conversation by uncovering how important it is for successful students to move on in their path, even when giving up may seem like the logical thing to do. Jankel finishes the episode by detailing a common activity in successful students, keeping their emotions in check. Although it is harder to do than one may initially think, especially for a high school student, the ability to keep emotions in check is an extremely valuable component of many stories that led to success. You can access the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/70. Please help our show grow by giving us a 5-star rating and giving us a positive review on the podcast platform you used to download this episode. We would truly appreciate it. Thank you!

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]

Sat, 02 Oct 2021 14:00:00 -0700

#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 prepared you are for college. On this episode, Jankel and I explore this and everything else related to your academic record. At the beginning of the episode, we explore the reasons why your academic record is so important to your chances for admission. We also discuss the choices a student has if the academic record of that student has not been the best. The truth is, even when students have had a poor academic record, there is a lot they can do to fix it and strengthen themselves academically, to enjoy much better chances for admission. We continue our talk by going over a very important and often-misunderstood subject; the required high school courses for different colleges and universities, may be slightly different. Not knowing those differences may severely limit a student’s chance for admission. We compare the course requirements to grauate from high school in California, as well as the high school course requirements for admission into schools within the California State University system, UCLA, and Stanford University. Towards the end, we explore a video presented by the Admissions Department at the University of Pennsylvania, which explains the details of how they analyze each applicant’s academic record and their overall preparation for success at the university. The video was very rich and confirmed plenty of the information we have been sharing with our audience since our first episode. You can find the show notes to this episode at https://www.collegemetropolis.com/69. You can help our show greatly by telling others about us and by leaving us a positive review and 5-star rating on the platform you used to download this episode. That will be very helpful to our efforts to help high school students and parents through the college admission process. Thank you!

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

Wed, 29 Sep 2021 13:00:00 -0700

# 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 an often-automatic and very positive action that overachieving students take, that is reverse engineering the many seemingly unsurmountable tasks that are part of the high school and college experience. We end the show by discussing the importance of prioritizing and establishing a system that will allow you to prioritize. In our talk, we ask our listeners to grab pen and paper to create an Eisenhower Matrix with us. That is one of the most effective tools to prioritizing, because it allows you to categorize the many items on your to-do list as urgent and important, important but not urgent, not important but urgent, and neither important nor urgent. Jankel and I talk about what to do with the items in each category. We also provide examples of the types of tasks that may be placed in each of the categories. Our hope is that you can gain an appreciation for these habits, if they are not already part of your daily routine, and that you may also be a very successful and overachieving student. You can access the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/68. Would you please help us reach out to more high school students and parents? You can do so by leaving us a 5-star rating and giving us a positive review on the podcast platform you used to download this episode. That kind gesture will be very helpful and much appreciated. Thank you!

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

Fri, 24 Sep 2021 12:00:00 -0700

# 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. Some of them went on to complete their bachelor and graduate degrees at great universities. Today, they are successful professionals, each making the world better within their own domain. I have also seen my share of students who coasted along to graduate and do something with their degree. These are students who, perhaps, saw their education as a means to a small promotion at work, or to secure a better job. And lastly, I have seen my share of students who never achieved their goals. This episode is a first in a series of episodes, in which I highlight and outline the habits inherent of those students who I consider to be my successful overachievers. Although I identified the majority of these from my personal observations of these students, I also included essential habits that I have learned about in training seminars and workshops, and from studies and literature related to success in higher education. The habits I present today are all founded on the importance of having a vision. With vision as the starting point, the habits that follow are as coherent as they are essential for success. You can access the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/67. Please help us reach out to more high school students and parents by leaving us a 5-star rating and giving us a positive review on the podcast platform you used to download this episode. You help will be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

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]

Sat, 18 Sep 2021 10:00:00 -0700

#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 specific AP courses on your academic record. An example of this may be Engineering Programs expecting to see a number of AP math and science courses in your transcripts. Jankel and I go over the different AP courses available, the number of AP courses you should take, the necessary scores to pass your AP Exams, the effect that a holistic approach employed by some admission departments will have on your application, and the one person in your high school who is prepared to help you with any AP questions you may have. That person can help you take the courses that will help you become a strong candidate for admission into the schools to which you will apply. We also explore the unit credit that colleges and universities may give you for taking AP courses and passing the AP Exams in those courses. Lastly, we analyze how Advanced Placement courses are managed at the Undergraduate Admission Office at Columbia University, and at the University of Southern California (USC) Marshall School of Business. There was a moment on this episode when I addressed an issue as a parent. The vast and challenging amounts of work that high school students have to do, especially when they are taking advanced courses. I mentioned I see it with my son, who currently is a sophomore in high school. The huge amounts of work are impossible to get done within a time that allows for appropriate rest for a teenager. You will hear my thoughts on that issue and what we are doing to make sure we support our son as he maintains his sanity. We think you will find this episode to be very supportive and helpful. You can find our show notes at https://collegemetropolis.com/66. You can help our podcast greatly by telling others about us, by giving us a 5-star rating, and by a leaving us a positive review. We will greatly appreciate it. Thank you!

[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. Industrial Engineering Program at the Georgia Institute of Technology

Wed, 15 Sep 2021 13:00:00 -0700

#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 Steroids,” we uncover the robust activities that industrial engineers perform on a daily basis, from using computer simulation to decide on the best way for passengers to board planes at United Airlines, to performing quality control at Hershey Food to minimize candy breakage on its way to retail stores, and to doing the job of project manager at the Walt Disney Company to develop pickup and drop-off schedules for trains and shuttle busses. The work that industrial engineers do is highly necessary and without it, elements, such as, production, efficiency, quality control, and innovation, decrease or outright cease to exist. We also go over the Industrial Engineer Program at Georgia Tech, one of the best IE programs in the country. We go over data from the most recent freshman class, courses that a student interested in industrial engineering should take in high school, areas of specialization, the 5-year path that leads to a Master’s Degree in IE, and the benefits of the Co-op model used as a means to provide students with real experience. You can find the show notes and links to everything we mentioned on this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/65. Please help us by giving us a 5-star rating and leaving us a great review. In doing so, you will ensure that more high school students and parents find us and benefit from the information we provide. Thank you!

Selective Colleges will Look For Higher-Level Classes in Your Transcripts. Build a Strong Schedule by Taking the Ones You Can Safely Handle. Comparing Regular, Honors, and Advanced Placement Classes

Fri, 10 Sep 2021 21:00:00 -0700

#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 do well in, the more favorable they will be perceived as applicants. On this episode, Jankel and I go over the different levels of classes offered in high schools across the country. These include regular classes, honors classes, and advanced placement classes. Each type of class is different, some are more challenging than others, are more demanding, and require for students to apply more time and effort to do well in them. Because of those differences, the sum total of the different types of classes students take in high school tell a story about those students. During the episode we present the effect of each type of class has on weighed GPA. Doing well in some of the higher-level classes may lead to a GPA above 4.0. Additionally, we present the steps to take to receive possible college credit for advance placement classes. We will talk about the stories those classes tell about students, what students can do to create course schedules that are challenging and result in amazing transcripts, always keeping in mind that they should only take classes at a level they know they can handle. We dive into the details of all of these topics. By the end of this episode you will be able to differentiate between the different levels of classes, select those that will help build your high school transcript, and know what to do if you want to take those that are at higher level. You can access the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/64. You can also help our show greatly by leaving us a 5-star rating and a positive review on the podcast platform you used to download this episode. You help will be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

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

Wed, 08 Sep 2021 12:00:00 -0700

#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 they should be doing in addition to their academic work. There are two pieces of advice I introduce, based on my personal experience, research on this topic, and years of participating in workshops and seminars devoted to helping high school students succeed in the college admission process, even when they have low resources, very little college-admissions related support, and low college preparation. This information is very valuable, especially for students who may feel lost in the college admission process, as they will learn where to secure the information, guidance, and accountability they need to successfully prepare for and succeed in college. During my talk, I introduce the importance of intentionally choosing a peer group of like-minded individuals, protecting the optimal hours of productivity, and the value of the Federal TRIO Programs. I conclude the episode by going over two examples of TRIO Programs in California and Maryland. Ones is offered by the University of California, Riverside, and the other is carried out John F. Kennedy High School in Silver Springs, MD. These TRIO programs have been a catalyst for success for a great many thousands of students since they were instituted several decades ago. My hope is that these can help you as well. You can find the show notes to this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/63. Please help us reach a wider audience by letting your favorite podcast platform know that you like our show. You can do this by leaving us a 5-star rating and a positive. We will greatly appreciate it! Thank you!

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

Thu, 02 Sep 2021 12:00:00 -0700

#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 do with preparing and applying to highly selective colleges and universities, the affordability of a private college education, school rankings, the role that legacy and networking play in college admissions, whether some people simply cannot succeed in college, and the value of community colleges. Using a combination of personal experience, the use of reputable outside resources, and examples, I outline the facts that debunk those myths. Some contain pockets of truth, while others are vehemently false. My hope is that by understanding these prevalent myths, you can accurate decisions and take the steps that will get you closer to achieving your college admission goals. You can find the show notes to this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/62. You can help our show greatly by telling others about us and by leaving us a positive review and 5-star rating on the platform you used to download this episode. That will be very helpful to our efforts to help high school students and parents through the college admission process. Thank you!

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

Fri, 27 Aug 2021 22:00:00 -0700

#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 to manage the college admission process and college success. As the episode progresses, I present the different ways in which First-Generation College Students are defined, each depending on the college or organization doing the defining. This presents problems to students who may be classified as FGCS under one definition, but not under another. This issue gains importance as I reveal the ways in which most colleges and universities have taken steps to support FGCS. For many students, college success hinges on access to that support. Additionally, I talk about the reason why colleges and universities make such important efforts to assist FGCS, why it is important for students to find out if they fit the definition, and the simple way colleges re able to know the educational history of their applicants’ parents. Towards the end of the episode, I provide ways for FGCS to present the challenges most of them have to endure, in ways that allow them to shine during the college admission process. You can find the show notes to this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/61. Please help our show by telling others about our show and by leaving us a 5-star rating and a positive review on the podcast platform you used to download this episode. That will go a long way in helping us reach other high school students and parents. Thank you!

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

Wed, 25 Aug 2021 18:00:00 -0700

#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 SVM’s admission board. That is the group of people who are in charge of selecting the applicants who will become part of the veterinary medicine program for a given academic year. He shared extremely important details related to the path to becoming a veterinarian and tips students should follow in the admission process. Although the information is related to the doctor of veterinary medicine program, the information provided can be used by students who will pursue other majors and educational programs. Dr. Dear talked about the steps to becoming a veterinarian, pre-requisites to apply for the program, and the traits veterinary medicine schools are looking for in applicants. Additionally, he highlighted the one thing all applicants should do, which a lot of them do not do, and as a result miss a great opportunity to stand out. Dr. Dear also shared the steps he took while in high school to prepare for a career in veterinary medicine. These included a volunteering opportunity that eventually became a job, and which played an important role as he applied to college. This was an interview and conversation in which we covered a lot of important information, useful for students interested in veterinary medicine and other majors. Dr. Dear received a Bachelor of Science degree from Emory University, a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Georgia, and a Master of Applied Science degree from UC Davis, and a certificate from the University of California Extension at Davis. During my episode introduction, I introduced information related to veterinarians, including median pay, typical level of entry-level education, number of veterinary jobs in 2019, and job outlook for the ten-year period between 2019 and 2029. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/60. Please share this episode with other students and parents who may benefit from it. You can also help us greatly by giving our show a 5-star rating and a positive review on your favorite podcasting platform. Thank you!

[Careers] Physician. How to Become a Medical Doctor. Pre-Med Courses and the MCAT. What Medical School is Like. Admission Requirements and Expected Competencies for the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA

Wed, 18 Aug 2021 18:00:00 -0700

#059 – On this episode, we wrap up our discussion about medicine as a field of study and as a profession. Today, we expand on areas related to medical school that were introduced during our previous episode. The path to becoming a physician is very challenging and requires a high level of commitment for a long period of time. Students who successfully get admitted and succeed in medical school often begin their preparation many years before graduating high school. Jankel and I have a profound appreciation and respect for the path that leads to becoming a doctor. That is a path that lends itself to plenty of misinformation, and because of that, we decided to talk about the most important steps and requirements that lead a student to become a medical doctor. We begin our discussion by uncovering quick facts related to the medical profession and the different medical specialties that await a medical student upon graduation from medical school. We also dive into the education required to apply to medical school, including the successful completion of the pre-med program courses. Jankel and I go into the details of the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), and what is considered a good score. Additionally, we give you an idea of what medical school is like. Towards the end of the episode, we uncover the requirements for admission to one of the most coveted medical schools in the country, the David Geffen Medical School at UCLA. This episode will help you gain a deeper understanding of the college admission process from the perspective of a medical student. If becoming a medical doctor is your goal, you will be further equipped to make the right decisions and take the right steps to get to your ultimate education goal. You can find the show notes and links to everything we mentioned on this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/59. Please help our show be found more easily by giving us a 5-star rating and leaving us a great review. In doing so, you will ensure that more high school students and parents find us and benefit from the information we provide. Thank you!

How to Get Accepted into Medical School. Our Guest is Dr. Shirag Shemmassian, a Foremost Expert in Medical School Admissions

Fri, 06 Aug 2021 16:00:00 -0700

#058 – Today, we begin a couple of episodes focused on the path to becoming a medical doctor. This is a topic often filled with misinformation. To dispel myths and do away with bad information, Dr. Shrag Shemmassian joins us today to talk about medical school admissions. Dr. Shemmassian is one of the world’s foremost experts, not just on medical school admissions, but also on college admissions and graduate school admissions. During our conversation, we discussed various elements related to getting into medical school, including, the steps to take after high school to become a doctor, whether there are college majors that facilitate admission into medical school, information about the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and how to prepare for it, and the biggest mistakes applicants make as they apply to medical school, among others. I truly enjoyed my conversation with Dr. Shemmassian, who was very down-to-earth, honest, and committed to helping students achieve their educational dreams. For nearly 20 years, he has helped thousands of students get into medical school and to top colleges and universities. With a B.S. in Human Development from Cornell University, a Ph.D, in Clinical Phychology from UCLA, and 2 decades of experience guiding students into top colleges at unprecedented rates, Dr. Shemmassian provided us with a wealth of practical and very valuable information. Dr. Shemmassian has been featured on The Washington Post, NBC, The New York Post, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, and The Harvard Crimson. This is an episode you cannot miss, even if you are not interested in attending medical school. You can find the show notes for this episode, including several links to great resources provided by Dr. Shemmassian, at https://collegemetropolis.com/58. If you would like to help us reach a wider audience, you can do so by sharing the show with someone you know and by leaving us a 5-star rating with a positive review. We would be very grateful for that kind gesture. Thank you!

How Safe is the College of Your Dreams? Campus Safety Is Extremely Important. How to Check the Campus Crime Stats for the Schools to Which You Will Apply

Fri, 30 Jul 2021 14:00:00 -0700

#057 – Campus safety is one of the most important factors to consider when making the list of colleges to which you will apply. On this episode, Jankel and I share the importance of practicing situational awareness, the ways in which the local population may affect a college campus, the strong efforts made by college campuses to keep you safe, and tips for you to remain safe in the college campus that will be your home for some years. We also go over statistics from the Institute of Education Sciences about college crime from 2017. We also share a magnificent tool created by the U.S. Department of Education, that will very easily allow you to check and compare the crime statistics of all the colleges to which you will apply. In essence, the odds are very high that you will be safe during your college years, but to do so it is very important that you practice situational awareness and practice some of the tips we provide you on this episode. You can find the show notes for this episode, including important links, at https://collegemetropolis.com/57. Please help our show by telling others about us and by leaving us a 5-star rating and a positive review. That will go a long way in helping us reach other high school students and parents. Thank you!

How to Become an Airline Pilot. Our Guest is Dr. Kenneth Byrnes, Professor, Assistant Dean, and Chairman of the Flight Department at the Embry- Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach Campus [Updated Episode]

Fri, 23 Jul 2021 15:00:00 -0700

#056 – On this episode we uncover the path that leads to becoming an airline pilot. Dr. Kenneth Byrnes outlines the steps students must take to succeed in the aviation program at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, a highly respected university in the country. The airline industry has begun to rebound and is expected to reach the pre-COVID levels of 2019 in short order. Additionally, from reports presented by the Federal Aviation Administration, the Boeing Company, and airlines, such as American and United, we can forecast a high demand for airline pilots by diverse airlines in the near future and for the next couple of decades. Dr. Byrnes presented the attributes necessary for aviation students to succeed. These have to do with the level of commitment, leadership, and maturity of each student. He also presented a quick synopsis of Embry-Riddle’s quick approaching 100-year history. Dr. Byrnes shared the close relationship the school has with major airlines and the fact that some of them often hire students while still in their sophomore year. That fact highlights the need airlines have for good pilots, and how important it is for students to do their very best since the beginning of their aviation training and coursework. Dr. Byrnes also informed us of the advantages students enjoy when they graduate from the aviation program earlier. In short, airline pilots must retire by age 65, so it to students’ advantage to graduate as early as they can, so they can work as many years as they can before they reach that age. This gains more importance as they realize that airline pilots with that level of seniority usually earn salaries within the $300K and $400K range. This was a very fun interview for me to do. As a passionate aviation enthusiast, I enjoyed every minute of it. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/56. You can help our show in a big way by sharing it with someone you know and by leaving us a 5-star rating and a positive review. We would be very grateful for your help. Thank you!

Study Abroad Programs. Take College Courses in Another Country. Your Financial Aid Can Be Used to Pay for It [University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill]

Fri, 16 Jul 2021 05:00:00 -0700

#055 – Today, we share our love for Study Abroad Programs. These are programs that offer students a great opportunity for personal, academic, and even, professional growth. We begin the episode by uncovering the details of Jankel’s experience as a participant in a study abroad program that took her to Italy. The experiences she had there were extremely positive, and continue to play a role in her life today. We continue our deep dive into Study Abroad Programs by sharing details of the program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. That program that makes a great number of opportunities throughout the world available to its students. In our conversation, we shed light on what Study Abroad Programs are, provide examples of available opportunities for students, and talk about how students usually finance Study Abroad activities. For the vast majority of students who have studies abroad, the outcomes they experienced went beyond academics. We are truly thankful for these programs, and we feel that after listening to this episode, you will gain a great appreciation for them as well. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/55. Would you please help our show by sharing with someone you know and needs it, by leaving us a 5-star rating and a positive review? That token of appreciation will go a long way in helping us reach other high school students and parents. We would be very grateful for your help. Thank you!

Strategies to Make Your College Application Stand Out (Part 3). How to Frame Your Job, the Advantage of Internships, and the Importance of Showcasing Your Personal Interest Project

Fri, 09 Jul 2021 12:00:00 -0700

#054 – Today, we finish our series on strategies to use to help your college application stand out. Jankel and I begin the episode by putting into context the episodes that were part of this series. We continue our conversation by highlighting the importance of being mindful as you complete each section of your college applications, keeping in mind that the information you provide gives college admission officers a picture of who you are. In college admission parlance we say that everything you provide your college admission officer as part of your application is the narrative you provide about who you are, who you want to be, and how the university fits into that vision. They will make decisions to grant or deny you admission based on the images they will generate about you based on the information you provide them on the application. We present three ways to set yourself apart. The first will be useful to you if you are one of the many kids who are employed during high school. We will show you ways to frame your employment, so that you can set yourself apart, especially if you are applying to the more competitive colleges and universities. Our discussion continues with the value placed on internships, and why they can help your college admission efforts. Lastly, we talk about personal interest projects in which you can display the passion, knowledge, and appreciation you have for the areas of study in which you may be deeply interested. Knowing how to put all the knowledge you may have already acquired may be very valuable and helpful to others in your community, while at the same time becoming one of the distinguishing characteristics of your college application. You can find the show notes and links to everything we mentioned on this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/54. Please help our show be found more easily by giving us a 5-star rating and leaving us a great review. In doing so, you will ensure that more high school students and parents find us and benefit from the information we provide. Thank you!

Strategies to Help Your College Application Stand Out (Part 2). Show Your Grit by Taking College Courses. Enroll in Your Local Community College and Take Free Online Courses by Top Colleges and Universities

Fri, 02 Jul 2021 12:00:00 -0700

#053 - On this episode, Jankel and I continue to present steps you can take to help your college applications stand out. We begin the show by highlighting the fact that College admission officers favor students who, in addition to being smart, are also interesting. That means that they welcome students who grab their attention with their academic and non-academic accomplishments. They like to see applications that tell a congruent story, in which students not only mention their passions for subjects and fields of study, but also provide evidence by listing the steps they took to broaden their knowledge and understanding about those subjects and fields of study. We present two ways in which you can provide that evidence. They involve the use of organizations that are respected, free, and even prestigious. One involves top colleges and universities, such as Harvard University, Dartmouth, Georgetown, Cornell, NYU, and about 150 great institutions. The activities we present on this episode can make an important difference in the college applications you will send in to the schools to which you will apply. We will show you a way to truly stand out. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/53. Please help us reach more high school students and parents by giving our show a 5-star rating, and by leaving us a positive review on the platform you used to download this episode. That would be very helpful to our show. Thank you!

Strategies to Help Your College Application Stand Out (Part 1). How to Create Activities in High School That Make a Real Difference and Highlight Your Leadership Abilities. Ways to Catch the Attention of College Admission Officers

Fri, 25 Jun 2021 20:00:00 -0700

#052 – With this episode, we begin a series of episodes that will give you non-academic ideas you can put into practice, so that your college application can stand out to the colleges and universities to which you will apply. This is especially important if you are planning to apply to the more selective colleges and universities. Today we talk about ways display leadership skills in projects that can be very helpful to those around you, while at the same time catching the attention of college admission officers and college admission boards. As Jankel and I present easy ways to use what is around you to generate project ideas, we re-introduce a very useful website that will help you launch your project, or participate in existing projects, all while being entered for a chance to receive scholarships. The types of projects we introduce in this episode are very important because they are an integral part of the college application process, as they help present you are a thinker, a doer, a leader, and an agent for positive change. Those are the qualities that colleges and universities want to see in the students that seek to gain admission and become part of their student body. During our conversation, I talk about the time the great majority of students in my high school began a riot, a school-wide fight on campus along racial lines. As I reminisce on the unfortunate events that took place that day, I highlight an opportunity that I could have used to launch a great project, based on all that transpired. It would have been very helpful to all, it would have made a difference in the lives of the students and faculty on our high school, it could have been used by other students in the country, and it could have generated plenty of media attention. If only I had a time machine. You can find our show notes at https://collegemetropolis.com/52. Please help our show be found more easily by giving us a 5-star rating and leaving us a great review. That meaningful gesture will go a long way in helping other high school students and parents find us and have access to the information we provide. We will greatly appreciate it. Thank you!

High School Sports and Your College Application. A Comparison of Sports to Other Extracurricular Activities. How College Admission Officers Perceive Participation in High School Sports

Fri, 18 Jun 2021 17:00:00 -0700

#051 – The percentage of high school students that receive scholarships to Division I and Division II NCAA teams is surprisingly low. That leaves millions of high school kids without the opportunity to benefit from them each year. But does that mean that students who do not receive scholarships wasted valuable time participating in sports throughout high school? On this episode, we answer this and other questions related to high school sports. We will give you a hint, high school sports provide a big window through which college admission officers and college admission boards can learn about the character of a student, their ability to commit to an end result, and their level of resilience, among other qualities. Jankel and I talk about the different ways in which students can help their chances for admission to college through successful participation in high school sports, playing in varsity teams, and holding positions of leadership in a team. We also explain how high school sports may tell an altogether different story to college admission officers when compared to other extracurricular activities. Towards the end of the episode, I share a little of what was my experience with high school sports. You can find our show notes at https://collegemetropolis.com/51. You may help us efforts greatly by sharing our podcast with other people you know, who may benefit from the content we create each week. You can also help us greatly by giving us a 5-star rating, and a leaving us a positive review. We will greatly appreciate it. Thank you!

[Careers] Computer Science. 7 High-Paying and High-Demand Jobs for Graduates. Hot Topics: Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Cybersecurity, and Others. Bachelor’s Degree in CS. [Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, or Virginia Tech]

Thu, 10 Jun 2021 23:00:00 -0700

#050 – Today, Jankel and I present the Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science. This is a degree that leads to a number of careers that are and will continue to be in high demand, are very well-paid, and are extremely important to organizations of all types. The episode begins with a discussion on the important role computer science plays in the modern world, and the continue importance it will yield in the future. We present some of the hot topics related to computer science, including, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics, Bioinformatics, Computer-Assisted Education, and Cybersecurity. Jankel presents the skills necessary for a person to succeed in a career in computer science. We dive deep into the Bachelor of Science degree of Computer Science at Virginia Tech, a university with one of the best computer science programs in the country. Our exploration of Virginia Tech also goes over admission data for the 2021-2021 academic year. As the episode crosses the midpoint, we introduce 7 occupation titles available to computer science graduates. For each, we provide the amount of professionals that are believed will be needed by the year 2029, median salary, and an explanation of the responsibilities a professional in one of those careers is expected to carry out. We also present one popular career for which the job outlook is negative by almost 10%, in other words, by the year 2029 there will be a need for 10% less professionals that were needed in 2019. The reason for such a decrease is the easiness with which that job may be outsourced to professionals in other countries. After listening to this episode, you will understand the importance of computer science to society and organizations around the world, and the number of great high-responsibility, well-paid, and high-demand positions that a computer science graduate may occupy, even when lacking job experience. You can find our show notes at https://collegemetropolis.com/50. Please help us reach other high school students and parents by giving us a 5-star rating, and a leaving us a positive review. We will also be very grateful to you if you could tell others in your social circles about us. We will greatly appreciate it. Thank you!

The Truth About College Admissions. There are Different Types of Colleges for “All” High School Graduates, Regardless of Academic or College Preparation. [Columbia University, Boston College, University of Oregon, Southwestern U., and Miami Dade College]

Sun, 06 Jun 2021 18:00:00 -0700

#049 – Today, Jankel and I talk about the different types of colleges available to high school graduates. The truth is that all high school kids, with different levels of academic preparation, can obtain a college education immediately after high school, if they choose to do so. There are a variety of types of colleges in the United States that exist to serve students from different levels of academic achievement and preparation. That also includes those students who had what may be considered an abysmal high school preparation. On this episode, we explore the different types of colleges, starting with those that are highly-selective (private and state), and transition to state schools that have a higher admission rate, private schools that are not highly selective, and community colleges. We also present the minimum requirements for admission into each type of institution. During our talk, Janekl and I debunk myths about two very inclusive and helpful types of institutions, state and community colleges. At the beginning of our conversation, we uncover the meaning of highly-selective, selective, and competitive colleges and universities. We also talk about the marked effect Mr. Loren Pope had in the world of college admissions in America. His writings, including Colleges That Change Lives, have led to changes in the way students, parents, and counselors approached the college admissions process. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/49. You can help us reach many other high school students and parents who could also benefit from our content, by giving this podcast a 5-star rating, by leaving us a positive review on the platform you used to download this episode, and by sharing our show with others. We will be very grateful to you for your valuable help. Thank you!

Senior Year Checklist (Part 8). Five Important Steps to Take During the Summer Before College Begins. The Summer Reading List. Preparing to Participate in Events and Activities Outside the College Classroom [UCLA, USC, UT Austin, and U of Miami]

Sun, 30 May 2021 13:00:00 -0700

#048 – On this episode, we conclude the senior year checklist with part 8. Jankel and I talk about a very important step to take during the summer before college begins, using the reading list that your college or university has prepared for you. College reading lists are all different, depending on the institution, what society may be going through at the time, and other factors that the school may find to be important. Some professors will teach class with the assumption that students read material from the reading list, and the school may have a series of activities that coincide with its theme. Because of that is important that incoming freshman students get a hold of the reading list and utilize it. We also go over a very important step in financial aid, which when not taken properly may keep a student from being able to register for classes. We continue our discussion with the many activities and organizations that your college or university will prepare for you. It is important to actively participate in them to broaden your horizons. We will go over these activities and will show you how they are playing out at UCLA, the University of Southern California, University of Texas Austin, and the University of Miami. A great part of your college education will take place outside of classrooms. We feel you will appreciate the importance of having the right mindset prior to beginning college, after listening to this episode. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/48. Please help us reach others who may benefit from this information by telling your friends about us, by giving our show a 5-star rating, and by leaving us a positive review on the platform you used to download this episode. We will be very thankful to you for your valuable help. Thank you!

[Careers] Mechanical Engineering. Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering. The Interesting and Diverse Work That Mechanical Engineers Do, Skills and Characteristics Needed, Required Education, Pay, Employment Prospects, and Other Important Data

Wed, 26 May 2021 19:00:00 -0700

#047 – Today, on this midweek episode, we present very interesting information about one of the most fascinating careers today, mechanical engineering. Although we start by going over some quick facts about this field of engineering, we quickly dive into some of the most interesting mechanical engineering projects going on today, including, the construction of a mechanical arm to operate on the moon, where temperatures easily drops to 292º Fahrenheit, the work that Purdue University is conducting in its Resilient Extra Terrestrial Habitats Institute, the introduction of advanced augmented reality into the cockpits of military aircrafts so pilots can practice managing different scenarios, and work conducted at MIT that led to the discovery of what makes coronaviruses so infectious and deadly, and the ability to weaken the infectiousness of the virus greatly. We also covered other valuable areas to students interested in finding out more about mechanical engineering, such as the essential qualities necessary for anyone considering becoming a mechanical engineer, specific about what they do on a daily basis, the courses to take in a bachelor degree program in mechanical engineering, pay, and employment prospects to the year 2029. There is so much we talked about that we are sure you will find very interesting, even if a career in mechanical engineering is not one for you. You can find our show notes at https://collegemetropolis.com/47. You can help our podcast greatly by telling others about us, giving us a 5-star rating, and a leaving us a positive review. We will greatly appreciate it. Thank you!

Senior Year Checklist (Part 7). Five Important Steps to Take During the Summer Before College Begins. Getting a Dorm and Choosing Your Roommate

Fri, 14 May 2021 19:00:00 -0700

#046 - Today, we highlight a very important step to take during the summer before college begins, securing your dorm and choosing your roommate. Getting your student housing set up and being matched with a great roommate will make a difference in your college experience. It may also influence your academic performance. We will tell you how the typical process of securing your dorm is carried out, and two steps that are usually taken to be properly matched with a roommate. The first step is filling out your personal bio, while the second is answering a questionnaire with your preferences about a roommate. We will go over some of the typical questions in the roommate questionnaire. Throughout this episode, we feature examples from two beautiful institutions, Florida International University and Northern Arizona University. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/46. Please help us reach more high school students and parents by giving our show a 5-star rating, and by leaving us a positive review on the platform you used to download this episode. That would be very helpful to our show. Thank you!

[Careers] Registered Nursing. Bachelor’s in Nursing Programs. The Life of a Registered Nurse, Skills and Characteristics Needed, Required Education, Pay, Employment Prospects, and Other Important Data

Thu, 13 May 2021 01:00:00 -0700

#045 – On this Midweek Episode Jankel and I begin the first career deep dive by focusing on Registered Nursing. We uncover important information that will give high school students a well-informed idea of all that entails earning a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing, and working as a Registered Nurse (RN). In our conversation, we go over essential qualities that are necessary for a person interested in becoming an RN, the duties and responsibilities associated with this profession, the different patient groups with whom RNs may work, the educational path to follow to earn a BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) degree. Additionally, we explore the components of the typical Nursing Program pre-requisites and explore those of the undergraduate nursing program at Loma Linda University. We also discuss the NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination and other licensing requirements. The episode ends with a look at statistical data related to pay and employment prospects for registered nurses, and the five reasons why this profession is expected to grow at almost twice the percentage average of other professions. We hope this episode allows all high school students in our audience to gain an appreciation for this noble, stable, and much-needed occupation. We also hope it gives all parents in our audience important information they may use to have meaningful career-related conversations with their kids. These types of episodes will continue to be posted in the middle of the week, while our episodes related to college admissions will continue to appear on Fridays. You can find our show notes at https://collegemetropolis.com/45. Please help our podcast by giving us a 5-star rating and a leaving us a positive review. We will greatly appreciate it. Thank you!

Senior Year Checklist (Part 6). Five Important Steps to Take During the Summer Before College Begins. Reasons Why Your Last High School Summer Job is Key and Attending Your New Student Summer Orientation is Crucial

Mon, 10 May 2021 19:00:00 -0700

#044 - Today, we continue our senior year checklist discussing the first two of five important steps to take during the summer before college begins. Jankel and I will talk about the first two, starting with the importance of securing a job that allows you to save as much money as you can for several expenses you will need to make during your first term. During our discussion, we debunk a myth that many students believe about the problems that may arise if they earn too much money during the last high school summer of the high school year. We continue with the second step, attending the student summer orientations that your college or university will make available for you. Student orientations are very important in helping you start the first school term strongly. Additionally, we go over the reasons why it is very important to attend one of the orientations scheduled early in the summer. There is a lot to gain by being one of the first students to attend. Jankel begins the episode by asking me an important an unexpected question that helped emphasize some of the important points examined during the episode, What type of students do I prefer to teach? There is a lot we packed into this episode. You can find our show notes at https://collegemetropolis.com/44. You can help our show greatly by giving us a 5-star rating and a leaving a positive review for our show. That will help others find us more easily. Thank you!

Senior Year Checklist (Part 5). How do to Analyze the Letters of Admission from the Colleges That Accept You. The Steps to Follow to Find Out Which Offers You the Most Financial Aid. Additional Important Items to Consider to Make Your Final School Choice

Fri, 30 Apr 2021 19:00:00 -0700

#043 – What do you do after you apply to all the colleges that made it to your final list and some of them respond granting you admission, actually saying yes, we want you to be one of our students? How do you choose the one whose admission you will accept? In today’s episode, we give you the steps to follow as you read the acceptance letters you receive from each of the college and universities to which you applied, and how to decipher the contents of the Financial Aid Award letters in them to figure out what each college is willing to do for you. In our conversation, we uncover the elements of the typical award letter, including grants, scholarships, work-study program opportunities, and loans. Jankel and I also read a real letter that was sent to a student in the recent past. We will also let you know how to ask a school for more than it is offering you, especially when that school is your top school, but it isn’t offering you as much financial aid as other schools are offering you. We end the episode by discussing other important steps to take after receiving letters of acceptance. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/43. Please help our show grow by letting others know about us and by giving us a 5-star rating. That will ensure that we reach many other high school students and their parents, and that they benefit from the information we share on the podcast. We would really appreciate it. Thank you!

Special Episode. President Biden Presented His "American Families Plan" Today. Here Is What This $1.8 Trillion Plan Means to High School Students Who Will Attend College in the Near Future

Wed, 28 Apr 2021 19:00:00 -0700

#042 – On this special episode, I pinpoint important elements of the $1.8 trillion plan that president Biden presented today to help American families. There are many elements of this plan that will positively affect high school students who will begin their college careers in the near future. The plan proposes free tuition for the first two years of college, increases to the amount of funds that students will receive through the Pell Grant, and a number of new important services to be offered to students enrolled in community colleges. I will talk about the requirements students need to meet to receive these benefits. Additionally, I will uncover what the plan will do for students eligible for assistance in Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and Minority-Serving Institutions. My hope is that this information gives you a clear idea of the many benefits and advantages you may be presented with soon. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/42. Please help us reach more high school students and their parents by giving our show a 5-star rating, and by leaving us a positive review on the platform you used to download the show. Thank you!

Senior Year Checklist (Part 4). Steps to Take After Turning in Your College Applications. Sending Back Your Formal Admission Acceptance Responses. Ways to Tilt the Scales in Your Favor If You are Waitlisted

Fri, 23 Apr 2021 20:00:00 -0700

#041 – Today, we present the steps to take after the college applications have been sent in. Jankel and I talk about what you should do around your winter break to ensure that your application packet is complete for each of the universities and colleges to which you applied. Although turning in your college applications is a huge and monumental milestone, it is not the last step in your college admission process. There are also very easy and important steps you are expected to take for those schools that grant you admission. Those steps are important because failing to act on them may result on those colleges rescinding your admission, and that is something no student wants to happen. We also talk about what to do if one of your top schools places you on a waitlist. Our discussion uncovers whether that is a good or bad thing, and the steps you can take to tilt the scale in your favor. We value and appreciate everything you are doing as a student to prepare have the best possible outcome in your college path. We also treasure what parents of our audience do by listening to each episode to be better prepared to help their kids through this process. You all are the reason why we create every episode and we welcome and embrace each of you as part of this beautiful College Metropolis community. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/41. We would like to ask you for a little help reaching other high school students or parents who could benefit from this podcast. Please share us with others on your social media platforms or through word of mouth. We will truly appreciate that kind gesture. Thank you!

[Interview] AdventHealth Global Missions Program Director, Andrea Ward. The Path to Finding Professional Fulfillment While Improving the Lives of People Around the World. From Community College to a Master's Degree in Non-Profit Management

Wed, 21 Apr 2021 22:00:00 -0700

#040 – On this midweek episode, we feature Andrea Ward, Program Manager for AdventHealth Global Missions Department, which exists to bring health and healing to people around the world. An example of the projects which this department carries out is Operation Sunshine, through which healthcare leaders and medical professionals help almost 600 children who lost their parents during the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. Through Operation Sunshine provides it, the department provides medical care to every kid and cover all medical costs. On this candid interview, Jankel asks questions that prompt Andrea to share important details of what became her professional path, one that today allows her to feel professionally fulfilled today. Andrea began her higher education in a community college, transferred to and graduated from La Sierra University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, and eventually received a Master’s Degree in Non-Profit Management from the University of Central Florida. Andrea talked about the profound influence her parents had in the decisions she made regarding higher education, and in the professional path she chose thereafter. Andrea was very open about not having a precise idea of what she wanted to after college, although she always remained loyal to her desire to do something in which she helped people. That desire allowed her to apply for an internship that took her across the country, got her immediately hired, and gave her the initial platform for what today is a very successful and fulfilling career. There are many valuable lessons that students will gain from this episode related to college plans, career path, and professional advancement. Parents will gain important insights on how to help their kids find their college and professional paths. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/40. You can help our show greatly by telling others about our show and by leaving us a 5-star review. That kind gesture will help other high school students and their parents find us more easily. Thank you!

Senior Year Checklist (Part 3). Make Sure You Meet the Financial Aid Eligibility Requirements for the Schools to Which You Will Apply. Apply for Financial Aid on Time. Financial Aid Requirements for UCLA and California State University Los Angeles

Fri, 16 Apr 2021 22:00:00 -0700

#039 – We continue covering two elements of the senior year checklist that have everything to do with financial aid. It is in the senior year when students apply for financial aid. Different colleges and universities have different financial aid eligibility requirements, and they must be taken into consideration when applying for financial aid. These include, but are not limited to Grade Point Average and number units taken during a quarter or semester. Jankel provides an explanation of the different financial aid elements that may be available to students, including, different grants, scholarships, work-study jobs, and student loans. She also goes over expectations placed on colleges and universities that receive Title IV funds, by the U.S. Department of Education. We cover basic eligibility criteria for financial aid, including the need for male applicants to register with the Selective Service System. Additionally, provide examples of the differences in financial aid eligibility requirements of two popular universities in Southern California. These are UCLA and California State University, Los Angeles. We finish the episode by going over some of the steps to take to apply for financial aid by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/39. Please help us reach more high school students and parents by giving our show a 5-star rating, and by leaving us a positive review on the platform you used to download this episode. We would truly appreciate it. Thank you!

[Interview] From the NETFLIX Series Last Chance U: Basketball, 5-Time Coach of the Year, Coach John Mosley. Lessons to Achieve Your Goals for College and Beyond

Wed, 14 Apr 2021 19:00:00 -0700

#038 – Coach John Mosley is our guest on this special episode. We discuss several topics related to his successful approach to coaching, which has led several accomplishments inside and outside the basketball court. Coach Mosley was very generous with us as he gave us a behind-the-scenes look at several of the steps he takes each year to make sure his players achieve personal and collective goals, that result in success. Although our conversation took place within the context of basketball, the parallels with the college admission process are palpable. Everything coach Mosley shared with us related to personal leadership is absolutely applicable to each member of our audience. Coach Mosley talked about the need to secure small successes to reach big successes and the importance of helping students find stability as they navigate the highs and lows of their performance. He also explained how important it is for his players to experience winning every day. That is, winning at doing the small things that, in the end, allow them to achieve a positive mindset and a winning attitude. There is a lot that high school students and parents of high school students will get from this episode. My hope is that you get as much out of it as I did. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/38. Please help us reach more high school students and their parents by giving our show a 5-star rating, and by leaving us a positive review on the platform you used to download the show. That kind gesture will help us a ton. Thank you!

How to Overcome the Challenges That Come Your Way as You Get Ready for College. The Key to Resilience and the Role Vision Plays in the Process. Also, Jankel’s Story of Resilience After the Horrific Car Accident She Endured as a Senior in High School

Fri, 09 Apr 2021 23:00:00 -0700

#037 – Long term success requires the ability to practice resilience, the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties. Students can count on experiencing difficulties as they go through high school, carry out the college admission process, and as they become college students. Difficulties are part of life. On this episode, Jankel and I talk about the importance of developing resilience early in high school to go through the many obstacles that will surely present themselves. We also highlight the essential role that having a vision plays in developing resilience. That is, the ability for high school students to visualize what they ultimately want to become, and the major role college plays in that process. Vision creates resilience, and resilience empowers students to triumph over the many challenges they may face through their path to college and beyond. At the end of the episode, Jankel shares her own story in which resilience allowed her to remain strong in her commitment to go to college, even after narrowly surviving the horrific head-on collision that nearly took her life, while she was a high school senior. This episode is full of very important and timely information. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/37. We will be very grateful if you would give our show 5 stars, and leave us a positive review on the platform you used to download the show. That will help us reach out to more high school students and their parents. Thank you!

[Careers] The Path to Earn a Law Degree. Interview with Attorney Joel Peterson. The Path He Took to Earn Degrees in Business and Communication, to Graduating from Law School, and Passing the Bar Exam in His First Try. Advice from a Pro!

Thu, 08 Apr 2021 14:00:00 -0700

#036 - This is first of our Midweek Episodes, which feature professional profiles of people in what are considered to be the hottest careers in the next 10 years. These are not episodes that will take the place of our regular college admission episodes. They will simply add to the content we present to you. These career-focused episodes will appear in the middle of the week. While our regular episodes will continue to be posted on Fridays. Today, we highlight the legal profession. California attorney, Joel Peterson, is in the studio, where he shares information about his upbringing, the role his high school education played in his career, and his experience as an undergrad student in Northern California, at Pacific Union College. Joel also talks about the business career he enjoyed before going becoming accepted into Western State College of Law, and the willingness of his employer to pay for a portion of his legal education. That is something Joel suggests people take advantage of in the real world. In a very candid manner, Joel shares how, after graduating from law school, his titled changed to Legal Counsel. This is a great interview for any student to listen to, because Joel gives plenty of general advice, as well as advice to those students interested in becoming attorneys. Towards the end of this episode, Joel name the skills that any person interested in going to law school should have. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/36. Please help our show grow by telling others about our show and by leaving us a 5-star review. That will help many other high school students and their parents find us much more easily. Thank you!

Senior Year Checklist (Part 2). Filling Out and Submitting the College Application. Information Students Will Need to Complete It. Details About the Common App. And, an Important Announcement About a New Mid-Week Segment of Our Podcast

Fri, 02 Apr 2021 17:00:00 -0700

#035 – We have reached one of the most important parts of the senior year checklist, filling out the college application. Today, we explore every area of the application and provide you with advice that will you avoid some of the pitfalls that, in the past, have affected others at this stage in the process. We will discuss the information you will need to fill out the application, including personal information and information about your parents. We also go over elements about your academic history and achievements that you may have been earned while in high school, which will also be included in your application. Our discussion also uncovers details about the Common App, which will more than likely be used by the colleges and universities to which you will apply. We suggest students pay particular attention to three components of the application that necessitate the input of other people, and therefore, may hold back the application itself. That is something we do not want for any student to experience. And lastly, we make an important announcement about a new episode of our podcast that will be uploaded in the middle of the week, and will concentrate on the hottest careers and professions now and in the near future. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/35. Please help our show grow by letting others know about us and by giving us a 5-star rating. That will ensure that we reach many other high school students and their parents, and that they benefit from the information we share on the podcast. We would really appreciate it. Thank you!

Senior Year Checklist (Part 1). Steps to Take Before Turning in Your College Applications. Making Your Final College List, Deadlines, How to Get Last-Minute Letters of Recommendation, Early Decision & Early Action, and Communicating with Your HS Counselor

Fri, 26 Mar 2021 22:00:00 -0700

#034 – Today, we begin a series of episodes that focus on the senior year checklist. We will cover all that seniors should do during that very important last year of high school. On this episode, we will go over the things that students must do before they turn in their college applications. These are things high school seniors should do before the month of November, the month in which many college applications are due. Jankel and I talk about the number of schools that should be part of the final list of colleges and universities, the importance of having a balanced list, important deadlines to follow, what to do if a student needs a last-minute letter of recommendation, the meaning of Early Decision and Early Action, and two reasons why it is important of communicate with the high school guidance counselor early in the senior year. During the introduction, I talk about two original and recently released Netflix projects that deal with the college world. One is the documentary Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admission Scandal, which covers more than just the scandal and provides viewers with an understanding of the Ivy League myth that is consuming so many parents and kids today. The other is the Last Chance U: Basketball docuseries, which was filmed on the campus of the college where I have been teaching since 2004, East Los Angeles College. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/34. Please help us reach more high school students and parents by giving our show a 5-star rating, and by leaving us a positive review on the platform you used to download this episode. We would truly appreciate it. Thank you!

Junior Year Checklist (Part 7). Visiting Colleges to Narrow Down Your List to Those to Which You Will Apply. What to Do Before, During, and After Each Visit, Questions to Ask 3 Key People at Each School, and What to Do If You Cannot Visit Schools

Fri, 19 Mar 2021 22:00:00 -0700

#033 – On this final episode of the junior year checklist, we focus on a very important step all high school students must do in the junior year. That is, narrowing down their big list of colleges, so at the end, they arrive to their final list, with only the colleges to which they will apply. We present visiting colleges and universities, as a way to gauge whether a school is a good fit and should make the cut to become part of the final list. We talk about the schools that should be visited, how to prepare before visiting schools, the best time to schedule a visit, and the questions to ask 3 of the people that will be encountered on every visit. We also uncover what a student can do if visiting schools is outside the realm of possibilities. Although you may not be able to visit schools now because of the pandemic, soon things will go back to how they used to be, and you will be able to put into practice what we share with you on this episode. On the introduction to the episode we mention something we forgot to talk about on the actual episode. It is something that can make school visits easier and more affordable to make. There is a lot we share here today. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/33. Please help us reach out to more high school students and parents by leaving us a positive review and a 5-star rating on the platform you used to download this episode, or on our website, www.collegemetropolis.com. We will really appreciate it. Thank you!

13 Things Every High School Student Should Do for a Smooth Transition and Success in College. My Advice After 17 Years of Teaching New College Students

Fri, 12 Mar 2021 22:00:00 -0800

#032 - Today, we talk about the 13 things high school students should to transition smoothly from high school to college. This is advice I am offering after 17 years of teaching freshman and sophomore level students, who just a few months before taking my classes were finishing high school. These pieces of advice have to do with having the right mindset, how to manage college classes, the differences in classroom management between high school teachers and professors, and the different expectations that are placed on students since the first day of class. Additionally, we go over different ways in which students can get the most out of their college years. It is true that the college years are usually the happiest in the life of a person. It is also true that college life is very different from high school life. Those differences are felt the moment a new college student sets foot on a college campus. That is why it is so important to be able to adapt quickly and make a smooth transition. Our goal on this episode is to empower high school students with advice that will make them better prepared to succeed in college. We also aim to provide parents of high school kids with information that will allow them to further prepare their kids for life in college. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/32. Please help us reach more high school students and their parents, by writing a positive review for our show and leaving us a 5-star rating. We will really appreciate it! Thank you!

Junior Year Checklist (Part 6). Who Should Write Your Letters of Recommendation, and the Importance of Asking Them Long Before the Rush Begins. How to Ask Properly, and What to Do When They Accept or Decline

Fri, 05 Mar 2021 17:00:00 -0800

#031 – The letters of recommendation are an important part of the college application for any student seeking admission into most institutions, especially those that are selective. On this episode, we talk about the differences in requirements regarding letters of recommendation that most colleges and universities have, and specific teachers and other individuals who a student should ask to write those important letters for them. We dive into the importance of asking them to write these letters early enough to beat the rush, that is when most students overwhelm teachers trying to get those letters in on time to make the different application deadlines. The truth is, teachers are not obligated to write letters of recommendation for anyone. Those who do it, do it out of their desire to help students succeed. Because of that, we share the importance of asking for letters in a proper way, and what to do when a teacher declines to write a letter, and what to do when one accepts. Throughout the episode, we repeat the need for students to ask for letters of recommendation at a specific time during the junior. We uncover this and more in this very important episode. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/31. If you would like to help us reach out to more high school students and parents, you can do so by leaving us a positive review and a 5-star rating on our website, www.collegemetropolis.com, or on the platform you used to download this episode. We will really appreciate it. Thank you!

Junior Year Checklist (Part 5). Narrowing Down Your List of Schools and Defining Your Reach, Target, and Safety Schools. Also, Analyzing Admission Data from Occidental College, and the Importance of Attending College Fairs

Fri, 26 Feb 2021 13:00:00 -0800

#030 - On this episode, we will go over a very important step you will take as a high school student who is planning to go to college, narrowing down the list of colleges to which you want to apply, by selecting only colleges that are a good fit for you. This is something you should do during the junior year. We will talk about how to make sure the list is well balanced, meaning, it has three types of schools. These are schools to which getting admitted is a stretch, schools to which you will possibly be admitted, and schools that will surely grant you admission. We will go over admissions data for Occidental College in Pasadena, California, and will tell you how a student can determine his or her chances for admission there. You will be able to use that information to find your own chances for admission into any college. Lastly, we share with you another step you should take in the junior year, attending college fairs, which for now you can do online. We will let you know where you can go to participate in some of those college fairs, and the importance of establishing good relationships with the college reps you will meet in those fairs. There is a lot in this episode that you will find interesting and valuable. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/30. We will be very grateful if you would give our show 5 stars, and leave us a positive review on the platform you used to download the show. That will help us reach out to more high school students and parents. Thank you!

Junior Year Checklist (Part 4). How to create a system to keep your important college admission documents organized and, most importantly, meet all your deadlines. Organization is a big part of your personal leadership and success

Fri, 19 Feb 2021 20:00:00 -0800

#029 - Today we talk about something very important in the college admissions process, creating a system that allows you to maintain the many documents and information that will be part of your college application. This is especially true for juniors, who suddenly find themselves having to gather a great many important documents that will be part of their college applications, all with their own and different deadlines. We share with you why this is so important. Maintaining a system for organization reduces the level of anxiety in students. Additionally, regardless of how qualified a student is and how much that student meets the admission requirements for a great college or university, if he or she is not organized, don’t gather the right necessary documents, and don’t turn them in by the many deadlines, that student will have the same chances for admission as someone who is totally unqualified for admission. We want you to be successful and because of that we will give you ways to maintain the organization you need in this hectic process, and very importantly, one that helps you maintain important deadlines. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/29. You can also help us a lot by writing a positive review for our show and leaving us a 5-star rating. In doing so, you will make it easier for other parents to find our show. Thank you!

10 Tips Teenagers Need to Hear from Their Parents Before Heading Off to College. Interview with Experienced Parenting Coach, Teen Expert, and founder of The Impactful Parent, Kristina Campos!

Fri, 12 Feb 2021 20:00:00 -0800

#028 - Today on the show, we are joined by a very special guest, Kristina Campos. She is the experienced parenting coach, teen expert, and founder of The Impactful Parent. Kristina shared with us 10 very important tips that parents need to share with their kids as they get ready to go to college. These are very important pieces of practical advice that kids will be able to easily put into practice to avoid many of the negative situations that kids may encounter in college and beyond. This is an episode Jankel and I truly enjoyed, not just as co-hosts of this podcast, but as parents of a young man who will soon be heading off to college. Knowing how to deal with those occurrences will help our kids make the right decisions, stay the course, and most importantly, remain safe. Kristina explains the importance of helping our kids envision some of the negative scenarios they will likely encounter I college while on their own, and guiding them through some of the likely responses they can bring to each of those situations. That is a great exercise that will prepare our kids to properly respond to those likely threatening occurrences. Kristina also provided an important free resource, a downloadable PDF titled, “50 Skills Your Child Needs to Learn Before Leaving for College.” We have the links to the free PDF, as well as links to The Impactful Parent’s website, social media pages, and podcast on our show notes for this episode. You can find these at https://collegemetropolis.com/28. We urge you to please help our show by writing a positive review for our show and leaving us a 5-star rating. In doing so, you will make it easier for other parents to find our show. Thank you!

Special Episode. President Biden's Plan for Higher Education. Everything That May Be Coming Your Way Soon, Including, Free Community College and State University Tuition, Increased Pell Grant Amounts, and More

Fri, 05 Feb 2021 21:00:00 -0800

#027 - Welcome to another special episode of The College Metropolis Podcast. Today, we are stepping away from our normal episode line-up to make you aware of important information that will affect you if you are a high school student planning to go to college, or if you are the parent of one. We will go over president’s Biden’s Plan for Education Beyond High School, the document in which he spelled out what he intends to do help students get a higher education. Although the document is lengthy, I dissect only the areas that will affect high school students. Those are the areas that I consider to be the most important and consequential parts of the document as they regard your or your kid’s college future. You may be surprised to hear that the president’s plan includes free tuition for community colleges and state universities, as well increasing the amount of the Pell grant everyone will receive, even doubling it. This is not an episode about politics, that is something I will never allow on the College Metropolis. This is about informing you about important benefits that may be coming your way soon. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/27. You can help us a lot by writing a positive review for our show and leaving us a 5-star rating. In doing so, you will make it easier for other parents to find our show. Thank you!

Junior Year Checklist. Conquer the SAT by Preparing on Khan Academy, the 100% Free, Official SAT Prep Partner of the Makers of the SAT! (Part 3)

Fri, 29 Jan 2021 14:00:00 -0800

#026 - This episode is very important because in it we present a way for high school students to create a well thought out plan of action to prepare for the SAT. The SAT is extremely important, especially to gain admission into the more selective schools. We introduce Khan Academy as that great tool to help students prepare for the test. In addition to being absolutely free, it is the official SAT prep partner for The College Board, the organization that puts together the SAT. Jankel and I go over the best ways to use Khan Academy, and some of the most important features of the website, including the ability for a student to upload PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT10, PSAT8/9, or older SAT scores to Khan Academy, or take a diagnostic test to receive a customized preparation plan that focuses on strengthening the areas in which that student may not be so strong. They can also receive a personalized 16-week preparation calendar based on the date in which the SAT will be taken. We go over the many features of Khan Academy, including those made especially for parents, so they can be informed of the progress their kids are making. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/26. If you would like to help us reach more high school students and their parents, you can do so by writing a positive review for our show and leaving us a 5-star rating. That will go a long way in ensuring the podcast platforms help others find us more easily. Thank you!

Special COVID-19 Episode. Hidden Advantages and Threats Brought by the Pandemic. Specific Steps to Benefit Your College Plans During These Challenging Times. Also, the End of the SAT Essay and Subject Tests, How to Ask for More Financial Aid, And More

Sat, 23 Jan 2021 21:00:00 -0800

#025 - This is a special and timely episode that will give you important information to help you manage your college admission path within the changes brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. You will understand how most college admissions departments are gearing up for the next academic year, the pressures that are guiding what they do, and the ways that can be used to give you an advantage. We also discuss whether you should take the SAT, which has been made optional for admission into most colleges and universities. We talk about the importance of requesting a Professional Judgement Review to receive more financial aid, what to do after you receive an acceptance and before you commit to a school, and the two plans you should have for the fall of 2021. Additionally, we will go over the most recent changes from The College Board, the disappearance of the Optional SAT Essay and the SAT Subject Tests. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/25. You can also help us a lot by writing a positive review for our show and leaving us a 5-star rating. That will help us reach out to more parents and students. Thank you!

Junior Year Checklist (Part 2). The Steps Every 11th Grader Should Take to Build a Strong College Application

Sun, 17 Jan 2021 23:00:00 -0800

#024 - On this episode, we continue uncovering the steps every high school junior should take to succeed in the college admission process. We go over one of the most important components of the college application, scores from the standardized test. This is one of the 3 kings of the college admission process, the other two being the courses students take in high school and the grades they receive in those courses. We highlight the different elements that make up the SAT and the ACT, the two standardized tests generally accepted by universities and colleges. We also talk about the differences between the two tests, and the advantages students can gain from those differences. One of the biggest differences is in the math section, with one exam having half the number of questions, whose level of complexity does not exceed math problems found in an Algebra II high school course. We also talk about whether standardized exams will be permanently eliminated from the college admission process, and the one thing every student in high school should be afraid of when getting ready to take the SAT or the ACT. Here is a hint. It has nothing to do with the exams themselves. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/24. You can also help us a lot by writing a positive review for our show and leaving us a 5-star rating. In doing so, you will make it easier for other parents to find our show. Thank you!

Junior Year Checklist (Part 1). The Steps Every 11th Grader Should Take to Build a Strong College Application

Tue, 12 Jan 2021 16:00:00 -0800

#023 - Today, we begin a series of episodes about the junior year of high school, one of the most influential in the college admission process. There is a lot that goes on in the eleventh grade that gives college admissions people a good idea of the ability of an applicant to handle the workload that is typical in a college or university. Because of that it is important that high school students do well in the junior year. We will talk about the importance of high grades and standardized test scores, especially when applying to the more selective schools. We shed light on the importance of registering for and taking the PSAT/NMSQT early in the junior year, general sources of help to get better grades, the need to do well in courses from which a student will gather letters of recommendation, and the relation between grades and financial aid. We also highlight an often overlooked factor in college admissions; college admissions people make a decision on whether or not to grant admission to an applicant based on incomplete information. We will tell you all about it. We end our episode by sharing the details of a trip I recently took with my 14-year-old son, in which we toured a large university. That was a very valuable experience for him, based on the vision he was able to gain from it. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/23. You can also help us a lot by writing a positive review for our show and leaving us a 5-star rating. In doing so, you will make it easier for other parents to find our show. Thank you!

Sophomore Year Checklist (Part 2). The Steps Every 10th Grader Should Take to Build a Strong College Application

Sun, 03 Jan 2021 22:00:00 -0800

#022 - Today, we analyze the last four of seven steps that high school sophomores should take to build a strong college application. We will go over the different types of official Preliminary SAT assessments and the different ways in which students benefit from them. You will gain an understanding of the PSAT10, the PSAT/NMSQT, and the importance of the SAT in your college admission process. You will also get to know different ways in which sophomores can create their own SAT practice strategy. We also share the value Khan Academy offers high school students as they prepare for the SAT and the different preliminary assessments. The episode begins by highlighting the importance of parents practicing intentional parenting. I tell the story of the time my mother practiced intentional parenting by telling me something as she took me to school on my first day of first grade. That comment made a huge difference in my life, as it set the foundation for everything I achieved in college. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/22. You can also help us a lot by writing a positive review for our show and leaving us a 5-star rating. In doing so, you will make it easier for other parents to find our show. Thank you!

Sophomore Year Checklist (Part 1). The Steps Every 10th Grader Should Take to Build a Strong College Application

Tue, 29 Dec 2020 13:00:00 -0800

#021 - Today, we analyze the first three of seven steps that high school sophomores should take to build a strong college application. We will go over the importance of grades and ways students can earn a grade point average above 4.0. You will learn about the first three items that all college admission officers look at in each application to decide whether a student should continue in the selection process. You will also uncover the story that your grades tell about your kid and the one thing no college or university wants to see in an applicant. At the beginning of the episode I share my communication with my son’s high school guidance counselor. You will be amazed at how easy it is to ensure your kid is enrolled in the right courses as a college-bound student. You will also learn about the 4 things students should do during each year of high school to ensure they maximize their college preparation. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/21. You can help us a lot by writing a great review for our show and leaving us a 5-star rating. In doing so, you will make it easier for other parents to find our show. Thank you!

Freshman Year Checklist. The Steps Every 9th Grader Should Take to Build a Strong College Application

Sun, 13 Dec 2020 21:00:00 -0800

#020 - This episode is the first in a series that will take you through all the steps your kid should take during each year of high school, to build a strong college application in all areas, and maximize the chances for admission. The freshman year is a very important one. College admission officers look at what each student has accomplished during all the years of high school, not just the junior and senior years. We will go through a combination of 11 very important steps and things you should keep in mind to make sure your kid begins to build the portions of the college application that begin during the freshman year, strongly. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/20. You can help us a lot by writing a great review for our show and leaving us a 5-star rating. In doing so, you will make it easier for other parents to find our show. Thank you!

The 7 Things Every Parent of a College-Bound Teen Should Do. Advice from a College Professor (Part 2)

Sun, 06 Dec 2020 22:00:00 -0800

#019 –On this solo episode, I conclude my talk about the seven most valuable pieces of advice I commonly share with parents of college-bound teens, by going over the remaining three. As you may remember, these are seven pieces of advice I share with personal friends who are parents of kids in high school who want to go to college. I am sharing them with you hoping these can help you add value to your kid’s college prep and admission process. Today you will hear the reason why it is important to reach out to your kid’s high school guidance counselor early in high school (or early in the school year, whichever year it may be), the importance of being thoroughly informed before talking to your kids about matters related to the college admission process, and ways to help your kid with volunteering opportunities. You will hear me talk about two ways you may help your kid showcase his or her academic interests or passions through blogs and podcasts. It was a different experience for me to record this and the last episode by myself. If you like these solo episodes, let us know and I will continue to do them, as well as the regular episodes with my co-host. We welcome your questions and comments. You can get in touch with us by leaving us a voice message on our homepage at collegemetropolis.com, or by sending us an email through our contact link at the bottom of the page. You can also find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/19. Also, we will be very grateful if you would write a great review for our show and leave us a 5-star rating. In doing so, you would be helping us greatly. Thank you!

The 7 Things Every Parent of a College-Bound Teen Should Do. Advice from a College Professor (Part 1)

Sun, 29 Nov 2020 13:00:00 -0800

#018 – On this solo episode, I cover the first four of the seven most valuable pieces of advice I commonly share parents of college-bound teens. As a parent, you have the opportunity to exert a profound influence in your kid’s college admission process. Today, you will learn about your ability to lower your kid’s anxiety about college, the role you play in the college admission process, the importance of outlining every course your kid will take in high school, and the importance of becoming and remaining involved with your kid’s high school. You will hear some of what I have experienced with my own on, who is a college-bound high school student with a strong interest in paleontology. I think you will find this to be a very interesting episode. We welcome your questions and comments. You can get in touch with us by leaving us a voice message on our homepage at collegemetropolis.com, or by sending us an email through our contact link at the bottom of the page. You can also find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/18. Also, we will be very grateful if you would write a great review for our show and leave us a 5-star rating. In doing so, you would be helping us greatly. Thank you!

The Reasons Why It Is Crucial to Map the Right Courses Early In High School, Especially If Applying to Highly Selective Colleges. Analysis of Course Requirements for Admission Into California State University Los Angeles, UCLA, and Stanford University

Sun, 22 Nov 2020 20:00:00 -0800

#017 – On this episode we uncover the importance of planning the courses that a student will take throughout the 4 years of high school. Different schools, including those with open admission policies and those that are highly selective, each requires a slightly different amount of courses to be presented in the transcripts. Missing important courses will severely weaken an applicant’s chances for admission. That is a mistake that can be easily avoided by following advice we share today. Remember, you can get in touch with us on our homepage at collegemetropolis.com, by leaving us a voice message, or by sending us an email through our contact link at the bottom of the page. You can also find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/17. We will be very grateful if you would write a great review for our show and leave us a 5-star rating. In doing so, you would be helping us greatly. Thank you!

Important Differences Between Private and Public Colleges and Universities, and How Each Affects Students (Part 2)

Sun, 15 Nov 2020 19:00:00 -0800

#016 – We continue our conversation about the differences between private and public colleges and universities, starting with the number of students in the larger classes, and following with differences in campus culture, student support, availability of undergraduate research opportunities, number of degree programs, student diversity, perceived prestige, access to the alumni network, and the likelihood of students graduating on time. All of these are important components of the college experience and can make a sizeable difference in the educational life and future professional career of every student. Remember, you can contact us on our homepage at collegemetropolis.com, by leaving us a voice message, or by sending us an email through our contact link at the bottom of the page. You can also find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/16. We will be very grateful if you would write a great review for our show and leave us a 5-star rating. In doing so, you would be helping us greatly. Thank you!

Important Differences Between Private and Public Colleges and Universities, and How Each Affects Students (Part 1)

Mon, 09 Nov 2020 13:00:00 -0800

#015 - On this episode we highlight the differences between private and public colleges and universities. These marked differences will affect your kid’s college opportunities and experience in several ways. It is important to understand them so that your son or daughter knows how prepare for them. Today, we will talk about differences on how private and public colleges are funded, differences in tuition cost and available financial aid, and differences in the size of their campuses. Each type of institution has great advantages and disadvantages, depending on what each student applicant is looking for. This episode will help you guide your kid to the schools that better meet their needs. Remember, you can contact us on our homepage at collegemetropolis.com, by leaving us a voice message, or by sending us an email through our contact link at the bottom of the page. You can also find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/15. We will be very grateful if you would write a great review for our show and leave us a 5-star rating. In doing so, you would be helping us greatly. Thank you!

How to Choose a College That Is a Good Fit for You (Part 4). Questions About Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid. Also, How to Ask for Institutional Aid and Using Your Summers Wisely While in College

Sun, 01 Nov 2020 20:00:00 -0800

#014 – On this episode we cover that very important question every parent asks, “Can my kid afford going to the school he or she wants to attend?” We uncover the real cost of going to college and go over the elements that your kid will receive as part of his or her financial aid. We also talk about the importance of finding out the potential aid your kid may receive from a college or university itself, also called Institutional Aid, and the efficacy of asking for it. Remember, you can contact us on our homepage at collegemetropolis.com, by leaving us a voice message, or by sending us an email through our contact link at the bottom of the page. You can also find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/14. We will be very grateful if you would write a great review for our show and leave us a 5-star rating. That would help other parents find us more easily. Thank you!

How to Choose a College That Is a Good Fit for You (Part 3). Questions About Campus Culture, Social Life, Housing, Extracurricular Activities, and Campus Safety

Sun, 25 Oct 2020 20:00:00 -0700

#013 – On this episode, we help you identify the colleges or universities that meet your needs by asking questions related to life on campus. We dive deep into the importance of applying to schools with a campus culture that provides you with a good fit, and offers the right type of social life. Our discussion will present you with questions to ask yourself about the type of facilities you will like to find in a school, including, types of libraries, labs, technology, gyms, and medical facilities, among others. We will cover the question of whether or not you will want to live at home while attending college. That is a very important question! We will also go over questions related to housing and the meal-plans you may need in college, questions about choosing a dorm, the importance of finding out for how long dorm assignments are guaranteed, and whether or not you will initially be made to share your living facilities with other freshman students. Our conversation will also uncover the different types of extracurricular activities that may be offered to your kid depending on the school you attend, and we finish our conversation by talking about an extremely important subject, campus safety. You will find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/13. Remember, you can contact us on our homepage at collegemetropolis.com, by leaving us a voice message, or by sending us an email through our contact link at the bottom of the page. We will be very grateful if you would write a great review for our show and leave us a 5-star rating. That would help us tremendously. Thank you!

[Interview] Andrews University Professor, Dr. Anthony Bosman. From a Small High School in Florida to Stanford University. Our Guest Today Tells Us How He Did It and Shares the Qualities Highly Selective Schools Look for in High School Applicants

Sun, 18 Oct 2020 16:00:00 -0700

#012 – Dr. Anthony Bosman, professor of Mathematics at Andrews University in Michigan, joins us to share his experience and insights on his path from Forest Lake Academy, a small Seventh-day Adventist School in Florida with less than 400 high school kids, to Stanford University. Dr. Bosman talks about the steps he took while in high school, and the one program he took advantage of, which gave him an advantage on his way to Stanford. The program he talks about is free and available to the vast majority of high school kids in the country. He shares with us the qualities that highly selective schools look for in candidates, and talks about the importance of seeing the college application process as an opportunity for kids to reflect on their goals and where they want to be in the long run. Dr. Bosman was very generous with us in this interview. You will gain plenty of insights from someone who was accepted to one of the most selective universities in the country. Remember, you can contact us on our homepage at collegemetropolis.com, by leaving us a voice message, or by sending us an email through our contact link at the bottom of the page. You can also find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/12. We will be very grateful if you would write a great review for our show and leave us a 5-star rating. That would really help us tremendously. Thank you!

How to Choose a College That Is a Good Fit for You (Part 2). Questions About Academics, Admission Requirements, Degrees Offered, Student Population Size, Student-Faculty Ratio, Class Size, Research Opportunities, Academic Support, and More

Mon, 12 Oct 2020 15:00:00 -0700

#011 – On this episode, continuing our theme of important questions to ask to uncover the colleges or universities that are a good fit for your kids, we go over questions related to academic fit. No college or university is a good fit for every student, and that is extremely important to consider when it comes to academic fit. Every school has its own academic culture, and that culture brings along with it certain expectations on its students. When there is a good fit between a school’s academic culture and a student, that student will get every opportunity to thrive. When there is not a good fit, a student will find it difficult to simply do well. That is not something any parent wants for a kid. We will go over different questions that will allow you to help your kid identify schools that offer them a good academic fit. You can contact us on our homepage at collegemetropolis.com, by leaving us a voice message, or by sending us an email through our contact link at the bottom of the page. You can also find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/11. We will be very grateful if you would write a great review for our show and leave us a 5-star rating. That would really help us tremendously. Thank you!

How to Choose a College That Is a Good Fit for You (Part 1). Questions About Location

Sun, 11 Oct 2020 15:00:00 -0700

#010 – After listening to this episode, you will be able to help your kids make a list of colleges or universities to apply to, by asking questions that will get them to pinpoint the colleges that are a good fit to them according to their location. When location is a good fit, it can make the educational experience better, when it isn’t, it can become a difficult obstacle to overcome. Because of that, choosing a college that is a good fit is extremely important. No college or university is a good fit for every student, regardless of how prestigious or high-ranking that school may be. Every kid is different, therefore what can be a good fit for one kid, may not be a good fit for another. To get the most out of a higher education, it is important for kids to be sure the colleges or universities they apply to are those that offer them a perfect fit. You can contact us on our homepage at collegemetropolis.com, by leaving us a voice message, or by sending us an email through our contact link at the bottom of the page. You can also find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/10. We will be very grateful if you would write a great review for our show and leave us a 5-star rating. That would really help us tremendously. Thank you!

[Interview] Dr. Miguel Dueñas, Dean of Student Services at East Los Angeles College. How to Start College While Still in High School with Dual Enrollment Programs. The Importance of Transfer Programs in Community Colleges

Sun, 04 Oct 2020 18:00:00 -0700

#009 - Today on the show we are joined by the Dean of Student Services at East Los Angeles College, Miguel Dueñas, who shares with us important information about the new role of community colleges, and the value of Transfer Centers and Dual Enrollment Programs. Dean Dueñas talks about students who have graduated from East Los Angeles College, and other community colleges like it, with AA degrees a week before graduating from high school. He talks about what the staff at Transfer Programs do, including helping students by guiding and mentoring them, while ensuring that they stay on track to complete the requirements to transfer to important 4-year colleges and universities. Dean Dueñas give us his perspective on the ways the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting higher education, and how he, and others like him, are playing an active role in ensuring students stay the course. He will also give parents of high school and college kids advice on how to provide them the one thing they constantly need, support. You will come out of this episode feeling very positive. And you will see why I respect Dean Dueñas so much, and why students love him. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/9. We will be very grateful if you give us a 5-star rating and leave us a positive review on the platform you used to download this episode. Thank you!

Transfer Programs Offer Huge Advantages. Students Start at Community Colleges and Transition to Great 4-Year Colleges and Universities

Sun, 27 Sep 2020 19:00:00 -0700

#008 – Transfer Programs in Community Colleges across the country allow students to complete a number of courses that result in a seamless transition into 4-year colleges and universities. On this episode, we describe the different types of transfer programs, and talk about the value they have to offer beyond helping students transition to other institutions. For many students, these programs are a metaphorical academic lifeline and the only way they can get into some of the most popular and respected universities. We dispel a myth surrounding community colleges, and explore the Transfer Center at East Los Angeles College, one of the most successful in the state of California. We also uncover the many valuable services that this, and other community colleges like it, provide their students. You will surely end the podcast with a renewed appreciation for community colleges and these programs. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/8. We will be very grateful if you give us a 5-star rating and leave us a positive review on this platform. Thank you!

How to Get Accepted Into the More Selective Colleges and Universities. Analysis of Admission Data for Students Accepted Into the University of Southern California, UCLA, and Stanford University

Sun, 20 Sep 2020 19:00:00 -0700

#007 – The more selective a college or university is, the more requirements they have, and the higher the level they expect each requirement to be completed. On this episode, we talk about the qualities these schools are looking for in applicants to be considered for admission. These are qualities that go beyond grades, test scores, and academic ability in general, and spill over into areas outside the high schools themselves. We talk about each of those requirements. We also share information related to students who were admitted to two selective schools and one highly selective school, the University of Southern California, UCLA, and Stanford University. We go over the Grade Point Averages, and SAT and/or ACT test scores those students presented in their admission applications. This is very useful information for high school students making a list of colleges to which to apply, since it allows them to gauge their chances for admission. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/7. We will be very grateful if you would give us a great rating and leave us a positive review here on Apple Podcasts!

[Interview] Gene Edelbach, Vice President at Pacific Union College. Important Advantages Students Get at Smaller Private Colleges, the Importance of Campus Culture, and The Surprising Affordability of Private Institutions

Sun, 13 Sep 2020 19:00:00 -0700

#006 - On this episode, we continue our conversation about colleges with higher admission rates by exploring Pacific Union College, or PUC as it is more commonly known, an institution with a 55% admission rate. Gene Edelbach, vice president at PUC with more 30 years of experience in higher education, joins us in the studio to share detailed information about the many benefits students experience when they attend a small private college like PUC. Mr. Edelbach talks about the importance of choosing a college or university that is a good fit for a student, the surprising affordability of private colleges, and provides parents advice on what they can do to properly guide their kids through the college admission process. Pacific Union College is a Christian college located in Northern California, and is ranked #4 by the U.S. News and World Report in 2020 as a Best Value School. PUC has an admission rate of 55%, is located in Angwin, CA, and it is a school that is truly loved by its graduates. If you would like to get links and show notes for this episode, please head to: https://www.collegemetropolis.com/6. Please help our efforts by giving us a great review on the platform you used to download this episode!

Applying to Colleges and Universities That Accept a Higher Number of Students. Analyzing Student Admission Data for High School Kids Who Were Accepted Into California State University Los Angeles, and Azusa Pacific University

Sun, 06 Sep 2020 19:00:00 -0700

#005 – On this episode you will learn about the admission requirements at colleges and universities with more lenient admission policies. You will discover the benefits students receive at these schools, which are typically designed to help them strengthen their academic skills. We will analyze the admission requirements at two institutions in the Los Angeles area, California State University, Los Angeles, and Azusa Pacific University. Although one school is public, while the other is private, they share similar admission policies. We will also go over admission data for the incoming freshman class during the 2018-2019 academic year at both schools. You will see the average GPA and overall academic preparation of students admitted there. That will give you an idea of the type of application packet your kid would have to submit to gain admission into similar schools. If you would like to get links and show notes for this episode, please head to: https://www.collegemetropolis.com/5. You can help our efforts by giving us a great review on the platform you used to download this episode. Thank you!

The Importance of the First Two Years of College, and How the Extracurricular Activities Offered in College May Influence Your Kid Forever

Sun, 30 Aug 2020 19:00:00 -0700

#004 – We talk about what the first two years of college look like for most students pursuing a 4-year degree and dive deep into the general education curriculum. We discuss the surprising and positive lifelong effects these courses usually have in the future personal and professional lives of students.

We present the different extracurricular activities that are strategically prepared by colleges and universities for students to experience. Those activities usually make impressions in the minds of students, which will help form the professionals they become. This highlights the importance of researching colleges and universities properly to ensure they are a good fit for your kids.

Anthony shares some of the outside-the-classroom experiences he had in college and how they affected him deeply, causing him to modify aspects of his faith, and rethink his understanding of the world. Jankel reminisces about the one college class that continues to influence her today.

We had plenty of fun recording this episode. We hope this information helps you give your kid a vision of what the first two years of college will look like, and helps guide you and your kid as you set out to select colleges to which to apply.

Don’t forget to join our College Metropolis community by hitting “Subscribe” on our website.

If you would like to get links and show notes for this episode, please head to:

https://www.collegemetropolis.com/4

[Interview] Keegan Ash, College Admissions Consultant. How to Avoid Common Mistakes Parents Make While Helping Teens In the College Admission Process. The Importance of Listening to Your Teen, and the Significance of Scheduling a Weekly “Game Day.”

Sun, 23 Aug 2020 19:00:00 -0700

#003 – On this episode of the CMP we speak with experienced college consultant and all-around great guy, Keegan Ash from Ash College Consulting. Keegan offers advice to parents and students to avoid the college admissions mishaps he has witnessed through the years.

We talk about the important role “listening” plays in connecting with kids and the value of establishing a “Game Day” with your teen. You will be surprised to find that is not what you may think it is! However, it is very important in establishing good communication with your teen in matters related to college admissions.

Keegan also talks about the difficult job high school guidance counselors in public schools have as each tries to help hundreds of students get into college, how important it is for parents to uncover their motivations for the college advice they give their kids, and the $40,000 mistake he made years ago when he was getting ready to go to college. To learn more about Keegan, please go to:

https://ashcollegeconsulting.services

We had a great time speaking with Keegan. We are sure you will find enjoy our conversation. Don’t forget to join our family and hit subscribe!

If you would like to get links and show notes for this episode, head to:

https://www.collegemetropolis.com/3

Your Teen May Need You to Adjust Your Parenting Style During the College Admission Process. How to Apply Intentional Parenting While Avoiding Helicopter Parenting. Allowing Your Teen to Lead the Process Is a Necessary Part of His or Her Education

Sun, 16 Aug 2020 19:00:00 -0700

#002 – Did you ever wonder how many steps teens have to take to apply to college while in high school? I counted 15. That is, in addition to all that they have to do to do well in high school and as they deal with the turmoil that the teenage years bring to their lives.

On this episode, we talk about the challenges faced by college-bound teens, and the ways parents can adapt their parenting style to offer their teens support they need as they go through the college prep and admission process. We also talk about the differences between intentional parenting and helicopter parenting, and how to approach your teen so your input is well received.

We hope you enjoy this important episode as we have, and that you envision the best way to guide and support your kid as he or she goes through the college admission process. Join our family and hit subscribe!

If you would like to get links and show notes for this episode, head to:

https://www.collegemetropolis.com/2

[Interview] Dr. Uchenna Umeh, Nationally Recognized Pediatrician and Teen Expert. How Anxiety Affects Kids Getting Ready for College. The Role Expectations Play and the Importance of Validation From Parents In Their Lives

Sun, 09 Aug 2020 19:00:00 -0700

#001 – On this episode, we uncover the scientific reason why some teens are unable to apply skills necessary to the college admission process, such as being able to plan ahead, problem-solve, apply good judgement, and being self-aware. These inabilities jeopardize chances of gaining admission into the more selective colleges and universities. There is a role parents play in ensuring their teens stay on track and maximize their chances for admission. This discussion is based on the following research study on brain development published on the Neuroscience and Behavioral Reviews Journal: “Brain Development in Children and Adolescents: Insights from Anatomical Magnetic Resonance Imaging.” Dr. Umeh, talks to us about the anxiety teens feel when they are getting ready to transition to college life. We talk about the role that three different types of expectations plan in the minds of teens, and what all teens want from their parents. What is it? I will give you a hint. It is free and always available. Parents who are able to figure it out foster closer relationships with their kids. We hope you enjoy this important episode as we have, and that you envision the best way to guide and support your kid as he or she goes through the college admission process. Don't forget to join our family by clicking on the "Subscribe" button! To access links related to Dr. Umeh, and other important content mentioned on this episode, please head to our show notes at https://www.collegemetropolis.com/1. You can help our podcast reach a wider audience by leaving us a 5-star rating and giving us a very positive review. Thank you!

How a College Professor and a College Admission Pro Got Together to Make College Admissions Easier for Parents of High School Kids

Sun, 02 Aug 2020 19:00:00 -0700

#000 – Welcome parents, guardians, and every person who is devoted to the success of college-bound high school kids! Anthony and Jankel Cadavid, along with guests experienced in the world of colleges and universities, are here come together to bring you what you need to know properly guide, support, and empower your teen as he or she goes through the college admission process. You can learn more about our mission at:

https://www.collegemetropolis.com/about/

We had a lot of fun recording this episode because it forced us to think about everything we have done in higher education for almost two decades, and how we will encapsulate that experience to benefit families who listen to the show. Jankel’s experience has been on the frontlines of running colleges, while mine has been inside college classrooms, teaching kids who recently graduated from high school.

Getting ready for college is far more than simply filling out an application. We welcome you to our show, where you can learn everything you need to know so your kid can have a great admission experience. Don’t forget to join our College Metropolis community and hit subscribe!

If you would like to get links and show notes for this episode, head to:

https://www.collegemetropolis.com/None