The Education Doctor! Radio: Recent Episodes
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Helping families to be strategic and intentional about their education options is the driving force behind The Education Doctor! Radio show. We address families' questions about K-12 education and college admissions! The timeless topics covered on this program are based on Dr. Pamela Ellis' 20+ years as a researcher in education and finance executive in the private sector.
Dr. Ellis is a nationally-recognized educational consultant who advises families, K-12 school districts, and colleges/universities on student achievement. Her passion for education is enlightening and contagious! She is the principal consultant at Compass Education Strategies, LLC, a research-based, educational consulting firm. Dr. Ellis is a graduate of Stanford University and Dartmouth College.
The call-in number for this show is (714) 333-3356. You may also email your questions or show suggestions to radio@compasseducationstrategies.com.
When Jewish students are considering their options for college, they may seek those campuses with active Hillel centers as a comparison factor. How do Jewish college graduates or graduate students find support for their cultural identity when away from the college campus? One option would be Moishe House. David Cygielman, co-founder of Moishe House, will join us to talk about the role of Moishe House and what Jewish college students should know about leveraging the Moishe network after graduation.
There's a lot of excitement in the air in Yellow Springs over the revitalized Antioch College. Cezar Mesquita, Dean of Admissions, joins our show to talk about the record-breaking number of applicants this year and what the new class of students will experience over their four-year journey.
When students are being considered for any type of SAT or ACT accommodation, the review process requires comprehensive documentation. Cognitive ability tests may be required, for example, to confirm that students should be granted extra time to take the test. Pediatric Neuropsychologist, Dr. Julie Miller, will join our show to discuss these assessments. She will describe the various assessments, what the results tell us, and when to consider such an evaluation.
When you fit in the category of a middle to upper-income family, how do you get money for college? Is it worthwhile to fill out the FAFSA form? Where's the money? College and career expert (and former Wall Streeter) Deborah B. Davis, MBA of Davis Education & Career Consultants joins us for a timely conversation on merit aid. She will answer those worrisome questions about college affordability and what families can do now to pay for this major investment!
Are you considering private school? Who is making the decision about which school(s) to apply to or attend -- student or parent? How do students research schools? How important are tour guides on the campus visits? We will talk with Aimee Gruber of SSATB and Fran Ryan of Rumsey Hall about their recent survey of students who applied to and attended private/independent schools throughout the US. Their findings are insightful for families currently entering (or in the midst of) applying to private schools for 2012-2013.
The ACT is coming up soon. Get ready for this standardized test for college with tutoring expert, Jim Meany. Jim is the Founder/Director of Insight Tutors in Greenwich, CT with other 25 years of experience. We will discuss some strategies that you can apply right away as you prepare to do well on this exam!
The final SAT for 2011 is coming up soon. Are you ready? Don't fret because tonight we will do an SAT review, with tips and strategies for first-time takers, as well as re-takers. Jim Meany, Founder/Director of Insight Tutors in Greenwich, CT will share some great insight for how students can be ready for this exam . . . even at crunch time!
As students are preparing their Early Action/Early Decision admissions essays, we meet again with the Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at University of Chicago, Colin Johnson. High school seniors who want to write a compelling essay can benefit from this private session with an experienced admissions officer who reads thousands of applications each year. Application to University of Chicago is not required! Get some great tips and strategies before the Early deadlines.
This is part 2 of our discussion on the SSAT (Secondary School Admissions Test). Aimee Gruber of SSATB returns to our show to review how schools use the SSAT as part of their admissions criteria and walk us through how students and parents can interpret SSAT score report. She also addresses what the SAT predictor really means!
Independent schools around the country require the SSAT for admissions. The SSAT sounds like the SAT but is a different test taken by students in grades 5th through 11th, who are applying for grades 6-12. Are you preparing for the SSAT? Aimee Gruber of SSATB joins us to provide some practical tips to taking the SSAT, so that you can score your best and get in!
Whether a student is an introvert or extrovert can make a difference in how well the academic program of one college is a good fit or not. Although we often hear about the The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) in careers, this powerful tool can also be used when it comes to selecting colleges that are a good fit. Our guest, Claire Law, has written the defining book, "Find the Perfect College for You," on applying the MBTI to the college search. She will discuss her research and where personality, majors, and the college social environment meet. Please join us for this lively conversation.
Selecting a college that's a good fit for you takes time and attention to countless details. When applying to a selective college or university, there can be even more hand wringing for applicants, as well as parents. Colin Johnson, Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at University of Chicago, has been in admissions for 10 years and has witnessed the upward trends in the number of applicants and the heightened concerns over getting in! She joins us on The Education Doctor Radio show today to provide valuable tips and suggestions for ways that applicants can bring order and calm to this stressful time.
Stress among student starts as early as 3rd grade and extends well into college. What are students stressed about and how can parents recognize the signs of stress? How can parents balance stress and academic success, particularly for students enrolled in advanced placement and honors courses? We will address these questions and more in our talk with Denise Pope of Challenge Success at Stanford University. Dr. Pope's ground-breaking research has focused on student stress and engagement. Please join us for this eye-opening discussion for students and parents.
As college-bound students are finalizing their college lists, many may be thinking that they may want to delay college for a year. To do what? is a looming question. Parents are wondering . . ."Does this mean my son/daugher will never go to college?" The decision to take a gap year should start with a purpose. What do you want to learn, how do you want to grow, etc. Robin Pendoley of Thinking Beyond Border and Kathy Cheng of Dynamy will share insight on the youth that have participated in their programs over the years. If you're thinking about a gap year, please join us to find out the opportunities you can explore
Are you really going to stay in college? There are a number of factors that matter for how successful students are in college. Professor Eric Bettinger of Stanford University and the National Bureau of Economic Research has researched a number of these factors including financial aid, use of coaching, and predictive value of ACT scores in understanding what matters for college success. Please join us for this engaging show. You may send your questions to radio@compasseducationstrategies.com.
To avoid burnout from high school to college, an increasing number of students are taking a gap year. Interestingly, colleges such as Harvard, MIT, and Princeton even encourage incoming freshmen to defer their matriculation. There are a number of ways that students may decide to spend their gap year. Our show today will discuss gap year volunteer programs. If you are considering a gap year experience, join us as we talk with Andrew MacKenzie and Anna Walker of Africa & Asia Venture, based in England. They will share how students may benefit from such an experience and what families need to know before pursuing this type of gap year program.
It's time for entering freshman to get packed for an exciting first year of college. If you are a freshman or the parent of a freshman, please join us as we talk with Dean Julie Lythcott-Haims of Stanford University. Dean Julie is the Dean of Freshman and Undergraduate Advising and Associate Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education. She will share how freshman can get the most from their first year of college. Parents will also hear how they can support their freshman in making this life transition. This will be a great discussion for any college you're attending. Questions for Dean Julie may be emailed in advance to radio@compasseducationstrategies.com.
This is the season that many families are relocating to new communities to get ahead of the fall rush to a new school. While students will have a chance to meet new frieneds through school, it's not always easy for parents to establish a new network, make friends, and most importantly, get information on resources for their kids. Our guest, Marie Schwartz, founder of TeenLife Media, had to create a path when she relocated to Boston. On that path, she created guidebooks for new relocating families to Boston, which has led to the founding of TeenLife Media. Join us as we discuss ways for parents to get connected in their new communities.
The persistent achievement gap between white/Asian students and black students continues to haunt schools across the country. The gap is persistent because schools can't close the gap on their own. Families and communities also play an important role in strategies for closing the achievement gap. In Atlanta, the W E B Du Bois Society is taking on the achievement gap one attitude at a time. Etienne LeGrand, the co-founder, joins our show to discuss the inspiration and sweat equity in closing the achievement gap in Atlanta. What is your community doing?
High school basketball players who aspire to play in Division 1 or play for the NBA may want to bypass the graduation ceremony. Hold on! My guest, Corrie Blount, played in the NBA for eleven years, yet returned to college to graduate. He will share his journey with our listeners and tell us why it was important to earn a college degree after already achieving success.
Summer is a great time to fill in gaps in your profile or dive deeper into areas of interest for high school sophomores and juniors. Learn how to use your summers productively while still finding time to relax. Some topics covered will be interesting summer opportunities, great summer reads, and how to get ready for college applications. Beat the admissions deadlines. Our guest, Lisa Bleich, college admissions expert extraordinaire and founder of College Bound Mentor, will join us as we share our "Top 10 Smart Things for College-Bound Students to do This Summer!"
We've all heard the statistics about black males in education. This series of shows will feature the success stories among our Black male youth and what those younger can learn about staying in school and staying on track. Our show tonight highlights two high school students from California and New York to share their progression through K-12, college admissions process, and answer your questions. They speak to students and school leaders about what works!
Several years ago, early college high schools grew across the country with cash infusions from the Gates Foundation and others. A new study released shows that these programs have been successful in meeting their objectives of serving first-generation college-bound students. Judy Hennessey, superintendent of the award-winning Dayton Early College Academy (DECA) joins our show to talk about the ups, downs, and future of this national movement.
So you think you can Dance? Sing? Draw? . . . If you're considering visual or performing arts as a major or extra-curricular activity, this show is for you! How do you know if you're really that good? Learn about college options, auditions, and more. Our guest will be Halley Shefler, formerly Dean of Admissions for The Boston Conservatory and now Founder of The Arts Edge.
Don't believe the admissions hype! There are some great colleges out there and many are featured in the book Colleges that Change Lives. What is it about the colleges in this book? Are they really worth visiting? How do you choose the right college that fits YOU (not your parents or friends, but you!)? Marty O'Connell, the Executive Director of Colleges That Change Lives (CTCL) will join our show to discuss what it means to be student-centered in the college search and how students can choose the colleges that are a best fit for them to apply!
What does it take to play college baseball? What can you do to prepare? How do you get noticed? Our guest, Dan Mooney, of the Baseball Factory, began his collegiate career as a catcher at Brevard Junior College. He later transferred to North Carolina State University. After college, Dan played professionally in the Boston Red Sox organization. Dan brings his vast experience and knowledge on college recruiting for baseball. Many high schoolers will sign in April. Dan will answer these questions and more. Learn what you need to know before you even consider signing to play in college! You may email your questions to radio@compasseducationstrategies.com
Research has shown that learning chess can be an effective complement for improving problem solving, critical thinking, and focus. Want to learn more about this powerful education strategy? Join us as we meet with F. Leon Wilson, Master Instructor of Chess, founder of the Chess Learning Center and the KnightMare Chess Club. Dr. Wilson is also head of the US Chess Federation's Chess in Education Committee.
As the May 1 deadline approaches, many families may be considering how to decide on a college. This segment of The Education Doctor Radio show will focus on the steps for making this important decision. What considerations...What to do to optimize your selection...How do you compare financial aid packages? Is it OK to hedge your bets?
Join us!
These 3 sports don't typically go together, however a prep school in Minnesota, Shattuck-St.Mary's, has created athletic Centers of Excellence which make it possible for athletes in these sports to remain competitive in their sport during high school, and get a top-notch academic curriculum as they pursue collegiate athletics. As we continue our conversations on sports with month in honor of March Madness, our guest will be the Director of Admissions, Amy Wolf, from Shattuck-St. Mary's. Learn what this school is doing academically and athletically for its students.
This special edition of The Education Doctor Radio shows brings our listeners a private conversation with Dr. Gene T. Harris of Columbus City Schools. Dr. Harris brings her 10 years at the helm of Ohio's largest district to talk family engagement, graduation rates, and budget realities. Send your questions for Dr. Harris to radio at compasseducationstrategies dot com. Please join us live, on-line!
Our March Madness special shows continue this week with a focus on Golf for K-12 and College Scholarships. The First Tee, a national youth development organization, offers opportunities for students to learn golf while participating in an enriched character development program. My guest for this show will be Brian Parkhurst of the PGA and The First Tee of Greater Miami Valley. Learn more about this exiting and growing program.
It's March Madness on our show this month, so we're focusing on student-athletes, athletic resumes, NCAA recruitment, and transitioning from high school varsity to college Divisions. This first show in our series will cover the basics of getting recruited, visiting with coaches, registering in The Clearinghouse, drafting your athletic resume, etc. Joining me on the show is Pamela Pik, a fellow IECA member and athletic recruitment specialist in Darien, CT. Ms. Pik has extensive, first-hand experience with NCAA recruited athletes and previously worked at Sports Illustrated. Please send your questions to radio@compasseducationstrategies dot com or call in to the show at (714) 333-3356 for a lively discussion.
College prep schools in New Hampshire are diverse and plenteous. Hear from current students about their experiences attending several of our country's best high schools. My recent tour of New Hampshire included these schools: Brewster, Cardigan Mountain, Dublin, Hampshire Country, High Mowing, Holderness, Kimball Union, The Meeting School, New Hampton, Phillips Exeter, Proctor, St. Paul's, White Mountain, Wolfeboro, and Tilton. So check out our show to learn more about these wonderful schools. Questions may be emailed to radio@compasseducationstrategies.com or you can call-in with your questions to (714) 336-33536
Are you preparing for the SAT? Struggling with the quantitative section, perhaps? It's certainly the section that gives most students the most grief! The Education Doctor will talk with Stanford mathematician and SAT extraordinaire, Stephen Randall, about what you can do now to study for the SAT quantitative and how to improve your scores! Please email your questions or SAT math problems to radio@compasseducationstrategies.com. You can also call in to our show at (714) 333-3356.
Are you considering boarding school or curious about why families consider this option for high school? Please join us for an enlightening discussion with Peter Upham, Executive Director of The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS). Peter will share the reasons that families are choosing boarding schools, the benefits to students who attend, and the varied educational opportunities in the 300+ boardings schools nationally (they're not ALL in New England). You may email your questions for our show to radio@compasseducationstrategies.com or listen live at (714) 333-3356.
Getting into college often includes a battery of testing but we don't all test so well. We will talk in this session about the testing options for getting into college and what you can do now to prepare. Please email your questions to radio@compasseducationstrategies.com.
The summer months offer a great time for students to do community service, study a new course, or explore career options. Parents may just want their kids off the couch. Either way, join us to learn more about the amazing opportunities that students can pursue in the summer, whether they are in middle school or high. This show is the introductory program for our series of talks with program directors.
As college tuition continues rising, more families are seeking scholarships to help defray college costs. The Education Doctor will talk with noted scholarship expert, Dr. Stephen Jones of Villanova's College of Engineering, about what families should do now and how to navigate the myriad of scholarship opportunities available.
Calling all high school Juniors! . . . This show is for you. Campus visits are essential to your college application process. Make the most of your campus visit with our strategies and practical tips. Justin Bayer, founder of Welcome to College, will join our conversation. You can plan and and track your visits with www.welcometocollege.com. For more information on The Education Doctor and her work with college admissions, visit www.compasseducationstrategies.com.
For parents (and non-parents alike) who are thinking about returning to college to finish your undergrad degree or getting that grad degree that you've been dreaming about. This show is for you. The Education Doctor will review the steps you can take now to pursue your future education experiences! For more information on The Education Doctor and her work with college and graduate school admissions, visit www.compasseducationstrategies.com.
Calling all high school seniors! Get last minute college application tips and checklist before the January deadlines, in this episode. The Education Doctor is a nationally-recognized college advisor, working with students applying to best-matched colleges. Learn more at www.compasseducationstrategies.com.
January 1 is the regular deadline for many college applications. How do you stand out among the thousands of applications that will be submitted this week. Learn powerful writing tips that you can apply immediately, before you press the "Submit" button! Learn more about The Education Doctor at www.compasseducationstrategies.com.