This podcast episode talks about the ramification of a majority of colleges going test-optional, which colleges have changed their minds and is requiring SAT or ACT scores for 2023 applications, as well as some of the benefits that students gain when submitting their scores and who should consider studying for these tests. We also talk about the unintended benefits that students can gain from preparing for the SAT or ACT test that impacts their lives far beyond just a score they can submit to college We interview our former student and podcast host, Lily, about her experience increasing her ACT test score from the low 20's to 32 and how that impacted her ability to be admitted into a prestigious college (and what kind of timeline did it really take to get that kind of score growth).

In this interview with Strive to Learn's founder, Josefine Borrmann, we discuss the qualities that have helped her small business of 5-8 people win Best of Orange County in tutoring for seven years. In this interview, we talk about how mentorships and self-efficacy help high schoolers succeed. How empathy and holistic approaches help reduce employee turnover, and how the best tutors and college admissions consultants aren't necessarily the kids who got perfect SAT and ACT scores and graduated from elite colleges.

Which UC PIQ prompt should you pick? In this episode of Mindful Admissions, college consultant Amanda Merrifield helps students overcome the hurdle of procrasto-perfectionism (where you procrastinate because you are a perfectionist) by outlining the steps that she uses to help students break through writer's block and craft compelling and vulnerable Personal Insight Responses.

In this episode, college counselors Josefine Borrmann and William Giacchi from Strive to Learn discuss the latest changes made in the University of California's college application, and share best practices that students should follow so that they can present the best application that helps them stand out.

This episode covers:

• UC application conditional logic in the About Me section

• How to approach your application (what do you need to start)

• Fees and fee waivers

• Test scores

• Getting UC scholarships

• What to put in the Activites section

• Missed oppertunites under the "Other Coursework" section

• The importance of getting your academic history right

• How to avoid misclassifying DACA students as international students

In this episode, Amanda, Rachel, and Lily compare study abroad experiences, share advice and fun facts, and discuss the challenges of striking out on your own.

In this episode, William and Lily discuss how students with learning differences can navigate the college landscape successfully.

In this episode, William and Lily discuss five unique colleges that are worth looking into in your college search.

In this episode, Lily and Josefine bust some community college myths, debunking some of the most common misconceptions about choosing to attend a community college.