Chat GPT and AI are here. It can create and essay in a fraction of the time it takes the typical high schooler and many families are looking to it to ease the college application process. Megan and Erin provide some thoughts on when to use it (and when not to) for a truly spectacular college essay.



https://www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-takes/2025/10/06/admissions-essays-written-ai-are-generic-and-easy-spot

So many changes and redesigns – what is the current information? When should we fill it out? What tax year do we report? Megan helps answer all those questions without you having to search around amongst conflicting information to be ready for financial aid!

Maria writes and asks how high school students might get valuable lab experience in order to be more competitive. What should a STEM student do if their high school doesn’t offer research opportunities? Megan and Erin discuss strategies for high school students to gain research and lab experience.

UGMA? UTMA? 529? Saving for college can be overwhelming and daunting. Erin is here with her finance experience to break down the difference between them and help you determine what is the best financial plan for your needs.

Megan and guest host Gretchen Wegner explore the concept of cognitive overload and its impact on students’ learning abilities, particularly focusing on working memory and its limited capacity.



Listen to learn about working memory which has a limited capacity and our goal in learning which involves transferring information to our long-term memories which have almost unlimited capacity. Various factors such as emotions, environmental clutter, and sensory input can overload this memory space, impacting learning and information processing. Understanding brain science and learning strategies can help students fine tune their study habits. 



You can learn more about Gretchen’s programs at https://antiboringlearninglab.com/courses

This week we are answering a listener question. Jason’s 9th and 19th graders are on track to exceed their state’s graduation requirements by the end of their third year in high school. They will also have surpassed the maximum number of AP credits many colleges accept. Should they try to start college early?



Listen as Megan and Erin discuss:




* Factors to consider behold academics



* Alternative options like dual enrollment and running start programs



* Issues to consider for the SAT/ACT and possible PSAT impacts on National Merit



* Potential issues with depth of extracurricular involvement



* Times when graduating early is the best option




If you have questions for us, please send them to collegepreppodcast@gmail.com

Writing college admissions essays is hard. We are here to help.



This week, Megan and Erin discuss strategies to produce better essays and tips for educators and parents looking to support students through this process. 




* Essays are personal— make them about YOU



* Some meaningful topics may may less effective essays because they cannot be connected to actionable outcomes. 



* It is a common mistake to approach admissions essays like school writing; the typical 5 paragraph format is generally not suitable. 



* Lots of factors go into good editing. Tools like Ctrl+F can help identify high frequency words so you can identify redundancy. 



* Sources like Connecticut College Essays That Worked are a great place to read actual student essays. 




We share lots of ideas and some cautions like don’t rely on AI and be watchful of parent over editing. 

We love getting listener questions!



Today we answer a question about universities in the UK and Canada.




* Is admission the same?



* What about majors?



* Are test scores important?



* How will costs and scholarships differ?

This week we are answering a listener question: is it feasible for a 10th grader to take two AP courses, compete in varsity swim, and still have time for everything else?



Listen as we discuss:— the rationale behind taking two social studies AP classes and the potential challenges for the student–the importance of academic rigor and extracurricular involvement but stress the need for sustainability–evaluating the student’s past performance and considering alternative courses that might better set them up for success— having a balanced schedule that includes core subjects like English, math, history, science, and a foreign language–understanding the student’s motivation for taking the classes and whether it’s driven by personal interest or peer pressure— the potential benefits and drawbacks of taking AP classes in 9th grade and the typical age range for AP classes— physical activity and the benefits of varsity sports for students— considering the student’s overall well-being and not just academic success— knowing the student and understanding their individual needs and capabilities— the importance of a balanced approach to academics and extracurricular activities for overall success



Send your college planning questions to collegepreppodcast [at] gmail [dot] com

We are seeing it already this school year— students making bad schedule choices. 



High school course selection is important. Students and parents should make informed decisions. Listen as we discus




* The value of core academic courses 



* How to balance taking challenging academic courses and having time for other activities



* Finding alternative options when a student is struggling with challenging courses (rather than avoiding it completely)



* Importance of students advocating for themselves



* Whether students should start specializing for prospective majors with their high school courses




A bad schedule choice can result in daily struggles. Avoid making decisions based on rumors; seek out accurate information from reliable sources.

As we head back to school, there are a lot of changes. We have some changes at “The College Prep Podcast” too. Listen as we discuss:



— How to decide when a big change is necessary



— How to focus on what is important as we start a new school year



— The challenge of getting clear on priorities when you feel conflicted



— Learning to STOP is as important as learning to start new things



— Our goals for the new year

UPDATE– this episode didn’t post correctly last week, so we are releasing it with the correct audio .



Most college students don’t fall behind at midterms. They fall behind starting Week 1 and it can rough to dig themselves out.



In this mini-episode, we cover:




* 3 key signs your student may already be slipping off track



* A simple reset plan to get back in control before it snowballs



* How to build strong productivity habits starting with calendar, study blocks, and weekly reviews



* Why the first weeks matter more than most students think




This is the exact kind of structure that helps students stay afloat—and ahead—all semester long.



Did you know 60% of first-year college students are underprepared to succeed? LAUNCH is a flexible, summer-before-college program that equips students with the learning, mindset, and productivity skills they need to THRIVE starting from Day 1.



Join us at almamodern.com/launch

Too often, students view community college or commuting as a last resort, but it doesn’t have to be, unless you want it. In this mini-episode, we help students and families rethink how to build a smart, balanced college list. We cover:




* Why every student should have at least one option they’d be excited to attend



* How to find affordable schools where admission is likely



* Tips for making sure your student’s college list reflects their goals and their reality




Have questions about building your college list? Email us at collegepreppodcast@gmail.com or comment on YouTube (@CollegePrepPodcast).

Students who build a support system early are more likely to succeed—and stay—in college. That’s why Alma Modern created the Three Connections Challenge: a simple way for students to build meaningful relationships in their first few weeks on campus.



In this mini-episode, we walk through how to connect with:




* One professor – Use office hours to introduce yourself and ask for a success tip



* One campus professional – Visit support services like advising, wellness, or tutoring



* One peer – Start a conversation with a classmate or club member




These aren’t just friendly gestures, they’re foundational habits for thriving socially, emotionally, and academically.



60% of first-year college students are underprepared to succeed. Make sure your student is prepared with LAUNCH, a flexible, summer-before-college program that equips students with the learning, mindset, and productivity skills they need to thrive—starting from Day 1.



Join us at almamodern.com/launch

Many parents are confused by the optional essay portion of the SAT/ACT and wonder if their student should register. Will it make them look more responsible? Will it improve their chances of admission? in short, for most students, no.



In this mini-episode, we explain:




* Why the writing portion is separate from the main test score



* How it can actually hurt performance due to mental fatigue



* Why most colleges no longer consider the essay for admissions



* The one exception: some states require it for high school graduation




Have questions about the SAT/ACT? Email us at collegepreppodcast@gmail.com or comment on YouTube (@CollegePrepPodcast).

In college, the textbook isn’t just “extra reading”, it’s a central part of how successful students learn. Skipping it can mean falling behind fast.



In this mini-episode, we explain:




* Why textbooks are key to the college learning cycle: before, during, and after class



* What to do when professors say the book “might not be necessary”



* Creative ways to access books affordably: borrow, rent, share, or use the library



* How to avoid scrambling by setting a textbook plan before Week 1 ends




A smart textbook strategy can make the difference between staying on track and playing catch-up all semester.



60% of first-year college students are underprepared to succeed. Make sure your student is prepared with LAUNCH, a flexible, summer-before-college program that equips students with the learning, mindset, and productivity skills they need to thrive—starting from Day 1.



Join us at almamodern.com/launch

Too often, college is reduced to “just get the degree.” But what truly shapes a student’s future isn’t only the diploma—it’s the experience.



In this mini-episode, we explore:




* Why atmosphere, culture, and community matter



* How challenges like roommate issues, homesickness, and self-management are part of the learning



* The value of personal growth that happens outside the classroom



* Why day-to-day experience should be a real factor in school selection




College is a major rite of passage. The degree matters, but so does who a student becomes in the process.



Questions? Email us at collegepreppodcast@gmail.com or comment on YouTube (@CollegePrepPodcast).

College brings a sudden surge in independence—and for many students, that shift reveals just how much they’ve been relying on others to manage their routines.



In this mini-episode, we explore:




* Why summer is the ideal time to practice daily and weekly routines



* The importance of identifying what habits actually work (and which don’t)



* Questions students should ask now: Who’s keeping me on track—me or someone else?



* What needs to shift before college to stay on top of wellness, time, and responsibilities




From remembering medication to setting sleep schedules, students need to own their habits before the first day of class—not after the first crisis.



60% of first year college students are underprepared to succeed. LAUNCH is a flexible summer-before-college program that equips students with the learning, mindset, and productivity skills they need to THRIVE starting Day 1.



Join us at almamodern.com/launch