Tom Talks College Tue, 26 May 2026 15:48:45 -0500 https://tomtalkscollege.buzzsprout.com en-us © 2026 Tom Talks College yes 06769d55-9c24-5d36-8c42-17c74fb9a4a5 Tom Kleese (Owner of OnCampus College Planning) episodic false Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Tom Kleese (Owner of OnCampus College Planning) https://storage.buzzsprout.com/fkd11b6rlwmrzhn1ujotxjdq984g?.jpg Tom Talks College Episode 27 - Liberal arts colleges make sense Episode 27 - Liberal arts colleges make sense Don't sleep on ther power of a liberal arts college as you search for your University of You colleges. With a focus on undergraduate teaching and a culture where students naturally explore multiple interests, liberal arts college punch above their weight in opportunities and come with surprisingly affordable costs after merit scholarships.

]]> Don't sleep on ther power of a liberal arts college as you search for your University of You colleges. With a focus on undergraduate teaching and a culture where students naturally explore multiple interests, liberal arts college punch above their weight in opportunities and come with surprisingly affordable costs after merit scholarships.

]]> Tom Kleese (Owner of OnCampus College Planning) Buzzsprout-19244722 Tue, 26 May 2026 15:00:00 -0500 956 4 27 full false Episode 26 - ACT Mythbusters: What’s Actually True in 2026 Episode 26 - ACT Mythbusters: What’s Actually True in 2026 If the ACT feels more confusing than ever, you’re not imagining it. Between headlines, group chats and “someone told us…,” it’s hard to know what’s actually true in 2026 and what’s just noise. So let's clear things up by debunking 5 myths that will help your family make choices based on your needs, not hearsay, urban myths and just plan B.S. 



]]> If the ACT feels more confusing than ever, you’re not imagining it. Between headlines, group chats and “someone told us…,” it’s hard to know what’s actually true in 2026 and what’s just noise. So let's clear things up by debunking 5 myths that will help your family make choices based on your needs, not hearsay, urban myths and just plan B.S. 



]]> Tom Kleese (Owner of OnCampus College Planning) Buzzsprout-18515047 Thu, 15 Jan 2026 14:00:00 -0600 1202 4 26 full false Episode 25 - The Power of Planning Essays and Applications Together Episode 25 - The Power of Planning Essays and Applications Together While the snow is still on the ground, take a moment to schedule a 30-45 day work window with your junior to tackle the dreaded but over-hyped college admissions process. And consider adding OnCampus to the team to avoid spending your summer editing your student's essays. 

]]> While the snow is still on the ground, take a moment to schedule a 30-45 day work window with your junior to tackle the dreaded but over-hyped college admissions process. And consider adding OnCampus to the team to avoid spending your summer editing your student's essays. 

]]> Tom Kleese (Owner of OnCampus College Planning) Buzzsprout-18320858 Mon, 08 Dec 2025 16:00:00 -0600 1048 3 25 full false Episode 24 - How do I find the right colleges, and where do we start? Episode 24 - How do I find the right colleges, and where do we start? Not sure where or how to start? Here are the two best ways to jumpstart your search for the University of You. Head over to the OnCampus blog for the graphic version of the U. of You Matrix. 

]]> Not sure where or how to start? Here are the two best ways to jumpstart your search for the University of You. Head over to the OnCampus blog for the graphic version of the U. of You Matrix. 

]]> Tom Kleese (Owner of OnCampus College Planning) Buzzsprout-17039306 Thu, 24 Apr 2025 16:00:00 -0500 799 3 24 full false Episode 23 - How do college applications work? Episode 23 - How do college applications work? The first installment of our Hey, Juniors series helps students take a simple but powerful first step by choosing their 30-45 day "work window" for college applications. A condensed version of this episode can be found in this blog which includes the easy to follow graphic and a nice nod to Dwight Schrute. 

]]> The first installment of our Hey, Juniors series helps students take a simple but powerful first step by choosing their 30-45 day "work window" for college applications. A condensed version of this episode can be found in this blog which includes the easy to follow graphic and a nice nod to Dwight Schrute. 

]]> Tom Kleese (Owner of OnCampus College Planning) Buzzsprout-16829874 Thu, 20 Mar 2025 13:00:00 -0500 377 3 23 full false Episode 22 - 8 Takeaways from 11 Campus Visits Episode 22 - 8 Takeaways from 11 Campus Visits Just back from my Pacific Northwest Expedition, I have 8 takeaways: time-tested, Tom-tested pro tips for better campus visits and college exploration. 

  1. Your backup may be a better fit than your top choice.
  2. A sunny day on campus is just one sunny day. 
  3. Comparisons = connections 
  4. Listen to what they’re saying. 
  5. Get off campus. 
  6. Every campus visit is about being a college student. 
  7. Spend some time now where you’ll spend a lot of time later. 
  8. Visit early. Visit often. 
]]> Just back from my Pacific Northwest Expedition, I have 8 takeaways: time-tested, Tom-tested pro tips for better campus visits and college exploration. 

  1. Your backup may be a better fit than your top choice.
  2. A sunny day on campus is just one sunny day. 
  3. Comparisons = connections 
  4. Listen to what they’re saying. 
  5. Get off campus. 
  6. Every campus visit is about being a college student. 
  7. Spend some time now where you’ll spend a lot of time later. 
  8. Visit early. Visit often. 
]]> Tom Kleese (Owner of OnCampus College Planning) Buzzsprout-14773971 Tue, 26 Mar 2024 15:00:00 -0500 2020 2 22 full false Episode 21 - Pacific Northwest Expedition (or How I Traded My Credit Card Miles for Campus Visits) Episode 21 - Pacific Northwest Expedition (or How I Traded My Credit Card Miles for Campus Visits) It's been a minute since you've heard from me, and even longer since I've visited any new campuses. Time to kill two birds with one stone on a three-day, eleven college tour of Washington and Oregon. View my itinerary and campus visit wish list in the accompanying blog. 

]]> It's been a minute since you've heard from me, and even longer since I've visited any new campuses. Time to kill two birds with one stone on a three-day, eleven college tour of Washington and Oregon. View my itinerary and campus visit wish list in the accompanying blog. 

]]> Tom Kleese (Owner of OnCampus College Planning) Buzzsprout-14687473 Wed, 13 Mar 2024 20:00:00 -0500 938 2 21 full false Episode 20 - Why Essays Matter Episode 20 - Why Essays Matter Here's the skinny: 

  1. Why and how much essays matter
  2. Essay myths, misconceptions and harmful half-truths
  3. The real reasons colleges make you write essays
  4. Two primary types of essays 
  5. Two quick tips for every writer
]]> Here's the skinny: 

  1. Why and how much essays matter
  2. Essay myths, misconceptions and harmful half-truths
  3. The real reasons colleges make you write essays
  4. Two primary types of essays 
  5. Two quick tips for every writer
]]> Tom Kleese (Owner of OnCampus College Planning) Buzzsprout-13487386 Mon, 28 Aug 2023 19:00:00 -0500 1640 2 20 full false Episode 19 - Three Reasons NOT to Freak Out in the College Admissions Process Episode 19 - Three Reasons NOT to Freak Out in the College Admissions Process When a Mom asks for your help, you better deliver. Here's something parents can share with stressed, panicky students pondering seriously scary college and life decisions.  

]]> When a Mom asks for your help, you better deliver. Here's something parents can share with stressed, panicky students pondering seriously scary college and life decisions.  

]]> Tom Kleese (Owner of OnCampus College Planning) Buzzsprout-13139501 Fri, 30 Jun 2023 11:00:00 -0500 2212 2 19 full false Episode 18 - Estimating College Costs with Net Price Calculators Episode 18 - Estimating College Costs with Net Price Calculators Part 3 of our College + Money series digs into a tool you can find on (almost) any college website called a Net Price Calculator. The best versions help you estimate merit and need-based aid, and I'll show you how to spot the good, the bad, and the potentially game-changing ones.   

As with parts 1 and 2, you can access key information on our blog and get an added bonus of "why my fictitious third son is going to Vanderbilt on a sweet deal". 

 


]]> Part 3 of our College + Money series digs into a tool you can find on (almost) any college website called a Net Price Calculator. The best versions help you estimate merit and need-based aid, and I'll show you how to spot the good, the bad, and the potentially game-changing ones.   

As with parts 1 and 2, you can access key information on our blog and get an added bonus of "why my fictitious third son is going to Vanderbilt on a sweet deal". 

 


]]> Tom Kleese (Owner of OnCampus College Planning) Buzzsprout-12809603 Mon, 08 May 2023 16:00:00 -0500 2213 2 18 full false Episode 17 - Merit Aid: Your Teen's Best Part-Time Job Episode 17 - Merit Aid: Your Teen's Best Part-Time Job Merit aid is the best tool you have to reduce the cost of college, and it expands options you didn't know existed. It's also one of the least understood pieces of the college admissions process, so here's a quick introduction into what it is, where to find it, and how to lower costs by turning in your homework. 

This is part 2 of a 3-part series on College + Money and just like episode 16 "College Costs Simplified", you'll find a condensed version with all links and graphics on our blog. 

I'm proud to report that Tom Talks College was just named to the 15 Best College Planning Podcasts by FeedSpot. Thank you, loyal listeners!


]]> Merit aid is the best tool you have to reduce the cost of college, and it expands options you didn't know existed. It's also one of the least understood pieces of the college admissions process, so here's a quick introduction into what it is, where to find it, and how to lower costs by turning in your homework. 

This is part 2 of a 3-part series on College + Money and just like episode 16 "College Costs Simplified", you'll find a condensed version with all links and graphics on our blog. 

I'm proud to report that Tom Talks College was just named to the 15 Best College Planning Podcasts by FeedSpot. Thank you, loyal listeners!


]]> Tom Kleese (Owner of OnCampus College Planning) Buzzsprout-12715102 Mon, 24 Apr 2023 16:00:00 -0500 1705 2 17 full false Episode 16 - College Costs Simplified: The 15/35/45 Rule Episode 16 - College Costs Simplified: The 15/35/45 Rule The cost of college can be not only overwhelming, but confusing if you're looking at incomplete data or misunderstanding key components. In this episode you'll learn how to simplify costs and use a valuable 15/35/45 tool for better comparisons.

Here's a condensed version in blog form with easy to follow numbers and clear graphics. Links to the three universities referenced in the second half of this episode are included for your convenience. 

]]> The cost of college can be not only overwhelming, but confusing if you're looking at incomplete data or misunderstanding key components. In this episode you'll learn how to simplify costs and use a valuable 15/35/45 tool for better comparisons.

Here's a condensed version in blog form with easy to follow numbers and clear graphics. Links to the three universities referenced in the second half of this episode are included for your convenience. 

]]> Tom Kleese (Owner of OnCampus College Planning) Buzzsprout-12581198 Mon, 03 Apr 2023 16:00:00 -0500 1879 2 16 full false Episode 15 - Creating a Timeline for Sophomores Episode 15 - Creating a Timeline for Sophomores Hey, sophomores! You're now halfway between the day you began high school and the time when you'll apply to college. (Really?) Let's do some math. You'll apply after junior year - that's six semesters - and you're now done with three. (Whoa.) To hear what matters most to colleges and learn three things you can do now to prepare. 

]]> Hey, sophomores! You're now halfway between the day you began high school and the time when you'll apply to college. (Really?) Let's do some math. You'll apply after junior year - that's six semesters - and you're now done with three. (Whoa.) To hear what matters most to colleges and learn three things you can do now to prepare. 

]]> Tom Kleese (Owner of OnCampus College Planning) Buzzsprout-12254950 Tue, 14 Feb 2023 18:00:00 -0600 1922 2 15 full false Episode 14 - Both sides of "no" in college admissions Episode 14 - Both sides of "no" in college admissions Sometimes a "no" from a college means more than you might think, and it's not just about looking for other options -- although scanning the horizon a bit more is always good practice. Students also get to say "no", but the best time to do so is NOT right now. If you or your student just heard "no", or if you live in fear of that happening one day, give this a listen. 

]]> Sometimes a "no" from a college means more than you might think, and it's not just about looking for other options -- although scanning the horizon a bit more is always good practice. Students also get to say "no", but the best time to do so is NOT right now. If you or your student just heard "no", or if you live in fear of that happening one day, give this a listen. 

]]> Tom Kleese (Owner of OnCampus College Planning) Buzzsprout-12166417 Wed, 01 Feb 2023 17:00:00 -0600 1229 full false Episode 13 - My Most Rewarding Moments: +8 ACT, Chem Nerd, Cultural Connections, and One Fun Family Episode 13 - My Most Rewarding Moments: +8 ACT, Chem Nerd, Cultural Connections, and One Fun Family Here are four quick stories about three students and one family all doing amazing things. 

]]> Here are four quick stories about three students and one family all doing amazing things. 

]]> Tom Kleese (Owner of OnCampus College Planning) Buzzsprout-11698434 Tue, 15 Nov 2022 09:00:00 -0600 1051 2 13 full false Episode 12 - The Low Risk, High Fun, One Hour College Kickstarter Plan Episode 12 - The Low Risk, High Fun, One Hour College Kickstarter Plan Kickstart the college conversation in one hour with an easy to follow, proven plan that's low risk, high fun, and includes a meal on a college campus. Everybody wins! For you note-takers out there, here are the four required components: 

  1. Share a part of your story.
  2. Ease into some low risk questions. 
  3. Take a walk and talk about what you see. 
  4. Share a meal on campus. 

And stick around until the end for a chance to win some college gear. 

]]> Kickstart the college conversation in one hour with an easy to follow, proven plan that's low risk, high fun, and includes a meal on a college campus. Everybody wins! For you note-takers out there, here are the four required components: 

  1. Share a part of your story.
  2. Ease into some low risk questions. 
  3. Take a walk and talk about what you see. 
  4. Share a meal on campus. 

And stick around until the end for a chance to win some college gear. 

]]> Tom Kleese (Owner of OnCampus College Planning) Buzzsprout-11611511 Tue, 01 Nov 2022 14:00:00 -0500 1280 2 12 full false Episode 11 - Test Drive Majors with Four-Year Curriculum Plans Episode 11 - Test Drive Majors with Four-Year Curriculum Plans Four-year curriculum plans are a simple but powerful tool found on every college website. They're a road map of required and elective courses, and can be used not just to explore majors but make apples-to-apples comparison between colleges. Learn how to find this valuable resource and then put it to good use. Email me at tom@oncampuscollegeplanning.com for notes with easy to follow examples and tips. 


]]> Four-year curriculum plans are a simple but powerful tool found on every college website. They're a road map of required and elective courses, and can be used not just to explore majors but make apples-to-apples comparison between colleges. Learn how to find this valuable resource and then put it to good use. Email me at tom@oncampuscollegeplanning.com for notes with easy to follow examples and tips. 


]]> Tom Kleese (Owner of OnCampus College Planning) Buzzsprout-11487779 Wed, 12 Oct 2022 14:00:00 -0500 1014 2 11 full false Episode 10 - Campus Visits, Cilantro and Rodney Dangerfield: How my 3 big takeaways from 31 colleges in 11 days can help your family find the right colleges Episode 10 - Campus Visits, Cilantro and Rodney Dangerfield: How my 3 big takeaways from 31 colleges in 11 days can help your family find the right colleges Just back from 31 campus visits in 9 states over 11 days and covering 3300 miles, here are 3 big takeaways to help your family when it's time to visit campuses (HINT: Visit early and visit often!), and to find the right colleges. 

]]> Just back from 31 campus visits in 9 states over 11 days and covering 3300 miles, here are 3 big takeaways to help your family when it's time to visit campuses (HINT: Visit early and visit often!), and to find the right colleges. 

]]> Tom Kleese (Owner of OnCampus College Planning) Buzzsprout-10365201 Sat, 02 Apr 2022 10:00:00 -0500 1817 1 10 full false Episode 9 - 33 colleges + 9 states + 11 days = The Great College Road Trip Episode 9 - 33 colleges + 9 states + 11 days = The Great College Road Trip I'm heading out to visit 33 colleges in 9 states in 11 days. Here's why I'm doing this and how it will help your family. Here's the list...Oberlin, Case Western, RIT, Rochester, Syracuse, Cornell, Hartwick, SUNY Oneonta, RPI, Middlebury, Vermont, Dartmouth, BC, BU, Berklee College of Music, Northeastern, Wentworth, Worcester Polytechnic, Trinity, Wesleyan, Fordham, Rutgers, Naval Academy, Johns Hopkins, Goucher, Swarthmore, Villanova, Lehigh, Lafayette, Penn State, Duquesne, Pitt and Carnegie Mellon.

]]> I'm heading out to visit 33 colleges in 9 states in 11 days. Here's why I'm doing this and how it will help your family. Here's the list...Oberlin, Case Western, RIT, Rochester, Syracuse, Cornell, Hartwick, SUNY Oneonta, RPI, Middlebury, Vermont, Dartmouth, BC, BU, Berklee College of Music, Northeastern, Wentworth, Worcester Polytechnic, Trinity, Wesleyan, Fordham, Rutgers, Naval Academy, Johns Hopkins, Goucher, Swarthmore, Villanova, Lehigh, Lafayette, Penn State, Duquesne, Pitt and Carnegie Mellon.

]]> Tom Kleese (Owner of OnCampus College Planning) Buzzsprout-10193828 Sat, 05 Mar 2022 12:00:00 -0600 1184 1 9 full false Episode 8 - Why the ACT still matters Episode 8 - Why the ACT still matters Here are four good reasons you may choose to invest time, effort and resources into raising your ACT score, and why "the ACT doesn't count anymore" myth is false.

]]> Here are four good reasons you may choose to invest time, effort and resources into raising your ACT score, and why "the ACT doesn't count anymore" myth is false.

]]> Tom Kleese (Owner of OnCampus College Planning) Buzzsprout-9719747 Tue, 14 Dec 2021 12:00:00 -0600 1537 1 8 full false Episode 7 - How, why and when to talk with teens about the costs of college Episode 7 - How, why and when to talk with teens about the costs of college Learn how to have an empowering conversation with your teen about the costs of college using "models of shared responsibility" that are easy to understand and help families move forward in their search for better University of You options.

]]> Learn how to have an empowering conversation with your teen about the costs of college using "models of shared responsibility" that are easy to understand and help families move forward in their search for better University of You options.

]]> Tom Kleese (Owner of OnCampus College Planning) Buzzsprout-9533659 Thu, 11 Nov 2021 15:00:00 -0600 2214 1 7 full false Episode 6 - FAFSA in 5 Episode 6 - FAFSA in 5 Here's a brief overview of the FAFSA with some helpful tips and a few words of encouragement for hesitant first-timers from a college planner who is also a parent (and also doesn't like to fill out the FAFSA...but he does).  Download our FAFSA in a Nutshell PDF for quick reference when you begin the process. 

]]> Here's a brief overview of the FAFSA with some helpful tips and a few words of encouragement for hesitant first-timers from a college planner who is also a parent (and also doesn't like to fill out the FAFSA...but he does).  Download our FAFSA in a Nutshell PDF for quick reference when you begin the process. 

]]> Tom Kleese (Owner of OnCampus College Planning) Buzzsprout-9457941 Fri, 29 Oct 2021 16:00:00 -0500 1243 1 6 full false Episode 5 - October Game Plan for Seniors = One Hour Next Week + Five Minutes Every Other Day Episode 5 - October Game Plan for Seniors = One Hour Next Week + Five Minutes Every Other Day With one month remaining before most Early Application deadlines, Tom helps seniors take small steps in the college application process while also carving out critical time to pause, adjust and be courageous as they build their University of You college list. 




]]> With one month remaining before most Early Application deadlines, Tom helps seniors take small steps in the college application process while also carving out critical time to pause, adjust and be courageous as they build their University of You college list. 




]]> Tom Kleese (Owner of OnCampus College Planning) Buzzsprout-9289351 Thu, 30 Sep 2021 16:00:00 -0500 1827 1 5 full false Episode 3 - The Importance of a Great Safety School in Your College List Episode 3 - The Importance of a Great Safety School in Your College List What exactly is a 'safety school' and why is it so important for your college list? How should I categorize my list of college options? We're tackling these questions and more in this week's episode of the OnCampus Podcast as we explore the best ways to build a solid college list.



]]> What exactly is a 'safety school' and why is it so important for your college list? How should I categorize my list of college options? We're tackling these questions and more in this week's episode of the OnCampus Podcast as we explore the best ways to build a solid college list.



]]> Tom Kleese (Owner of OnCampus College Planning) Buzzsprout-9288744 Thu, 30 Sep 2021 14:00:00 -0500 1368 1 3 full false Episode 2 - How to Make the College Search Process Actually Fun Episode 2 - How to Make the College Search Process Actually Fun Our first 'real' episode of the OnCampus College Planning Podcast is out now! In this episode, Tom takes a deep dive into how to turn the college search process, which many people dread, fear and avoid, into a fun (yes, FUN) student-parent journey.

]]> Our first 'real' episode of the OnCampus College Planning Podcast is out now! In this episode, Tom takes a deep dive into how to turn the college search process, which many people dread, fear and avoid, into a fun (yes, FUN) student-parent journey.

]]> Tom Kleese Buzzsprout-8595897 Wed, 26 May 2021 19:00:00 -0500 2209 1 2 full false