Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast

33:27

745. WHY ARE SOUTHERN COLLEGES SO POPULAR?

Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast ·

2026/08/11

While higher education is grappling with the implications of a demographic shift among applicants, an equally important trend of a decidedly geographic nature is creating winners and losers on opposite sides of the Mason-Dixon Line. Amy and Mike invited independent education consultant Mark Stucker to explain why Southern colleges are currently so popular. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Are Southern colleges and universities really outpacing other schools in popularity, and

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27:19

744. HOW TO DEFINE A DREAM SCHOOL

Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast ·

2026/08/04

Young adults should always be encouraged to dream big when imagining their futures. When the time comes to actualize those aspirations, though, practical details matter most. Amy and Mike invited author Jeff Selingo to clarify how to define a dream school. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is the "Top 25 or bust" mentality and why do so many families still equate selectivity with quality? Do you need to attend a top-ranked school to get an exceptional college

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35:37

743. EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: July 2026

Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast ·

2026/07/31

The Tests and the Rest podcast consistently explores important topics in testing, admissions, education, and learning with amazing expert guests. Sometimes, though, we enjoy an unstructured opportunity to discuss our own takes on major issues, upcoming events, and our endeavors at the intersection of business and education. Catch up with us in the latest episode of EXTEMP with Amy & Mike. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What have Mike and Amy been up to this month? How did

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27:16

742. WHY COLLEGE FLASH ISN'T FIT

Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast ·

2026/07/28

How many bad relationships begin because people prioritize superficial qualities over true virtues? Whether you are looking for a partner or applying to college, your deeper values should inform your decisions. Amy and Mike invited educational consultant Ann Cadwallader to explain why college flash isn't fit. What are five things you will learn in this episode? In terms of both college admissions and dating, what does it mean to say "flash isn't fit?" Why do students and families get pulled

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24:17

741. WHAT IS AN IEC AND WHO NEEDS ONE?

Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast ·

2026/07/21

Most people know–or at least think they know–the role of a school-based counselor. What about all of the professionals in private practice who support families on their admissions journeys and more? Amy and Mike invited IECA CEO Stephanie Simpson to learn what an Independent Educational Consultant (IEC) is and who needs one. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What role do Independent Educational Consultants (IECs) play in a student's academic journey, and how do they How can

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29:32

740. DECODING STUDENT LOANS

Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast ·

2026/07/14

Paying for college poses serious challenges for most families, but should understanding the rules around borrowing really be one of the hardest parts? Amy and Mike invited financial aid expert Will McGinley to offer guidance into decoding student loans. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Why are student loans such an important topic? How much do students borrow on average for their undergraduate degrees? What is the difference between federal DL, PLUS, and Private education

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16:42

739. SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: Desmos SAT Math Course

Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast ·

2026/07/10

Know everything that the SAT Desmos calculator can do for you. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is the story behind the Desmos SAT Math Course? How does the Desmos SAT Math Course work? Who should use the Desmos SAT Math Course? What kinds of outcomes does the Desmos SAT Math Course deliver? What should someone curious about the Desmos SAT Math Course know about it? ABOUT THE DESMOS SAT MATH COURSE A complete self-paced video course covering every calculator

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26:06

738.WHAT COLLEGES AREN'T TELLING YOU

Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast ·

2026/07/07

If you think the massive amount of information colleges expect applicants to absorb is too much, think about the equally essential insights that are left unsaid. Amy and Mike invited ed tech professional Reetu Gupta to dive into what colleges aren't telling you. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What are colleges actually looking for today that they weren't before? Why is "minimum to compete" an important consideration for applicants? What should parents thinking "my kid has

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34:09

737. TAKING A HIGH-STAKES TEST AT HOME

Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast ·

2026/06/30

Much of the stress involved with taking an important exam is related to testing in a proctored environment surrounded by your anxious peers. What happens when you shift to more familiar ground? Amy and Mike invited educator Brian Eufinger to explore the experience and implications of taking a high-stakes test at home. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What are the technical and logistical requirements of an in-home exam? What security measures prevent widespread cheating?

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31:07

736. EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: June 2026

Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast ·

2026/06/26

The Tests and the Rest podcast consistently focuses on exploring important topics in testing, admissions, education, and learning with amazing expert guests. Sometimes, though, we enjoy an unstructured opportunity to discuss our own takes on major issues, upcoming events, and our endeavors at the intersection of business and education. Catch up with us in the latest episode of EXTEMP with Amy & Mike. What are five things you will learn in this episode? How was the NTPA National Conference in

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26:40

735. BEACH READS FOR BETTER SCORES

Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast ·

2026/06/23

According to Henry Ward Beecher, there is a temperate zone in the mind, between luxurious indolence and exacting work; and it is to this region, just between laziness and labor, that summer reading belongs. Teens willing to spend time in this region will benefit from much more than just the sheer pleasure of a good book. Amy and Mike invited test prep professional Marina Yalon to dive into beach reads for better scores. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What's wrong with the

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33:27

734. COLLEGE ENROLLMENT TRENDS FOR 2026 AND 2027

Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast ·

2026/06/16

If you've been paying attention over the last year, you've observed tremendous change, chaos, and uncertainty roiling higher education. Behind the scenes, things are even crazier than they seem, which affects every single applicant. Amy and Mike invited educational consultants Aly Beaumont and Meg Joyce to unpack college enrollment trends for 2026 and 2027. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is the big theme for college admissions right now? What two pathways do students

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17:43

733. SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: The Gauntlet

Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast ·

2026/06/12

The Gauntlet: Harder Questions, Higher Scores What are five things you will learn in this episode? What's the story behind The Gauntlet, and what problem inspired it? How does The Gauntlet solve the challenge of managing prep material and what's actually in the library? How does the new tutor dashboard streamline day-to-day student management? What is The Gauntlet's pricing model, and how does it alleviate changes in student utilization. For tutors who are already invested in different

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26:54

732. STRATEGIZING YOUR TESTING AND ADMISSIONS TIMELINE

Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast ·

2026/06/09

A great many tasks need to be accomplished successfully in order to secure a seat at a selective college. Luckily, they don't all need to be done at once, but proper timing makes a world of difference. Amy and Mike invited educator Eric Greenberg to discuss the finer points of strategizing your testing and admissions timeline. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Why is it important for students and parents to assess testing plans by the end of 10th grade? By when should students

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24:32

731. FINANCIAL AID HORROR STORIES

Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast ·

2026/06/02

Getting into your top choice college may feel like a dream come true, but figuring out how to pay for it can turn into a nightmare, especially when you don't know what you're doing. Amy and Mike invited financial aid expert Howard Freedman to recount some financial aid horror stories. What are five things you will learn in this episode? How can transferring assets to reduce assisted living costs hurt a student? How can failing to report reportable assets on a financial aid form reduce financial

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19:51

730. SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: StudySpaces & Assessiv

Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast ·

2026/05/29

What if your PDFs could grade and track themselves? with educator Jam Mirzakhalov, Vinny Madera, and Aaron Golumbfskie What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is the story behind StudySpaces? How does StudySpaces work? What is the story behind Assessiv? How did the StudySpaces and Assessiv collaboration come together? How is this combination a net benefit for everyone in test prep? ABOUT STUDYSPACES AND ASSESSIV StudySpaces is the home of modern tutoring, the one

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27:38

729. HOW COLLEGES USE AI IN ADMISSIONS

Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast ·

2026/05/26

With everyone in the world angling to access the benefits of artificial intelligence without succumbing to the plentiful pitfalls of excessive automation, you'd expect higher ed administrators to explore every way possible to harness tech for more accurate and efficient student selection. And you'd be right. Amy and Mike invited ed tech professional Ashish Fernando to examine how colleges use AI in admissions. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What does AI actually look like

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35:03

728. EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: May 2026

Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast ·

2026/05/22

The Tests and the Rest podcast consistently focuses on exploring important topics in testing, admissions, education, and learning with amazing expert guests. Sometimes, though, we enjoy an unstructured opportunity to discuss our own takes on major issues, upcoming events, and our endeavors at the intersection of business and education. Catch up with us in the latest episode of EXTEMP with Amy & Mike. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What have Amy and Mike been up to this month

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27:57

727. BUSINESS VS ENGINEERING MAJORS FOR TECH-MINDED...

Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast ·

2026/05/19

High schoolers who show advanced aptitude and interest in science and math often seem destined to concentrate on STEM in college. Surprisingly, though, many choose a more financially focused track. Amy and Mike invited college counselor Mike Hammer to explore business vs engineering majors for tech-minded students. What are five things you will learn in this episode? If a student is talented in math and science, and interested in both business and engineering, which one should they go for? If a

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34:47

726. NEW TRENDS IN SAT READING & WRITING

Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast ·

2026/05/12

While the SAT changed in a very big way during the digital transition, the exam has continued to evolve in a way that test takers need to understand. Amy and Mike invited educator Lori Goldstein to review new trends in SAT Reading & Writing. What are five things you will learn in this episode? How have the Words in Context questions changed? What is the new way in which "weaken the claim" questions are appearing? What is the new twist in the Transitions questions? What have been important

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