College App 101: Recent Episodes
Dr. Riley
Hosted by Dr. Riley, the College App 101 podcast provides expert guidance on college applications and academics for high school students and parents. Dr. Riley has more than a decade of experience in higher education (Xavier University, University of Oregon, and The University of Texas at San Antonio) and secondary education (as Director of College & Career at a large San Antonio private high school).
Several factors are required to help a student succeed financially in higher education. FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) submission is a key factor, as is personal financial responsibility. This year's FAFSA opens on October 1. In this episode, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) provides tips on the FAFSA, cultivating financial responsibility in a student, generosity, and more.
Now that this year's admissions cycle is underway, it is fitting to hear from a college student, who recently navigated the process. In this episode, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) interviews a returning guest about her experience preparing for college apps throughout high school, with attention given to her parents' role in the process. Topics include preparation in middle school, the underclassman years, junior year, and the flurry of senior year.
Recently, Julie Ray published an article for Gallup: "Gen Z, Parents Lack Knowledge of Post-High School Options: Less awareness contributes to students feeling unprepared." The article possesses important reminders for parents of college bound students. Using Ray's research as the basis for a larger discussion, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) explains the timeframe for preparing for highly selective admissions. This Gallup article is found here: https://news.gallup.com/poll/691418/gen-parents-lack-knowledge-post-high-school-options.aspx.
College admissions offices are preparing to receive applications from members of the class of 2026 in a few weeks. Writing essays, completing applications, and submitting them are daunting tasks for a college bound high school senior. What is the role of parents, as they guide their student in writing and submitting college applications? With his typical stories and illustrations, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) addresses this topic.
What should a college bound senior in high school be thinking about at this time of the year? High school graduation and beginning college are on the near horizon. Should a senior stop applying for scholarships now that senior year is winding down? What about her official transcript - what is its relevance to the next stage? In this episode, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) uses his typical stories and illustrations to answer these and several other questions, while saluting the high school class of 2025.
It takes a lot more than cash on hand to own and run a business. Grit, determination, people skills, endurance, an aptitude for multitasking, and other attributes are required to launch and maintain a business through the daily grind, customer rejection, and periods of lean income. In today's episode, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) interviews a business owner, who possesses these characteristics.
In addition to an applicant's academic profile, college admissions recruiters are eager to know an applicant's character and personal attributes. The admissions essay is a place for an applicant to address these characteristics in a creative way. In this episode, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) uses stories and anecdotes to discuss the importance of several admirable attributes: people skills, hospitality, the ability to listen well, personal faithfulness to relationships, and more.
Personal stories of professionals in various career fields are powerful. Parents and college bound high school students do well to listen to them, in order to learn from the experiences of others. In today's episode, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) interviews two articulate graduates of The University of Texas at Austin, a Public Ivy and very selective university. These alumni speak mainly (though not exclusively) to the fields of medicine and business, addressing topics like the various paths into a business career and best practices for high school and college students, who wish to win admission to medical school in the future.
College bound seniors often find the admissions essay writing process to be difficult, frustrating, and far from satisfying. Yet the admissions essay is one of the most important features of a college application. The present episode is a continuation and conclusion to the topic of finding your voice in admissions essays. In this episode, with his typical stories and anecdotes, Dr. Riley sets forth several practical tips to help essay writers with this aspect of their prose.
The college admissions essay is an extremely important component of an application. The essay is the applicant's opportunity to showcase who he or she is in a creative and more extensive way. Because writing the essay is so difficult for many students, College App 101 regularly features tips on writing a compelling essay. In this episode, with his typical stories and anecdotes, Dr. Riley discusses the importance of voice, the student's presence in the words she or he writes.
An academically elite curriculum, College Board's Advanced Placement (AP) Program has dozens of college level courses that come with the opportunity for college bound students to earn college credit in high school. In the present episode, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) interviews an AP Scholar with Distinction. Topics in this episode include tips on preparing for May's AP exams, the self-awareness to know the AP courses to take and to avoid, strategies to prepare outside the classroom, and some college app tips from a senior in the thick of college applications.
Each year, money problems haunt countless college students. Financial awareness regarding personal savings, generosity, and college financial aid help keep them on track. In this episode, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) offers tips for personal savings, generosity, and college financial aid, specifically the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Indeed, if college students (including college bound seniors) want a financial aid package from their prospective college, they must complete the FAFSA at studentaid.gov prior to their college's financial aid deadline.
College App 101 helps college bound students achieve academic success in high school and produce compelling, competitive college applications as a senior. To inspire students, Dr. Riley regularly hosts current and former students from his career in academic advising. Today's episode features an interview between Dr. Riley and a graduate from the class of 2024. They discuss several topics, including take aways from the last college admissions cycle, tips on achieving an outstanding academic record in high school, the student-parent relationship, and more.
When a college bound high school student knows her gifts and talents, she chooses a college major and career path on the basis of her gifts. Doing so leads to a more satisfying, fulfilling, and fun experience in college and career. In this episode, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) uses his typical stories and anecdotes to explain the importance of understanding gifts and talents for college and career. This episode also explains a College App 101 service called the Career Planning Session, which is designed to help students and their families understand a student's (1) career aptitude and (2) educational opportunities associated with that aptitude.
To achieve academic success and submit excellent college apps, every college bound student should cultivate mental strength. It enables a student to write well, deal with demanding teachers, sit through boring tests, and more. Unfortunately, many habits, often within the entertainment domain, undermine a student's mental strength. In this episode, which is the second and final part of a two-part series, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) uses his typical anecdotes and stories to explain the importance of mental strength.
College admissions offices do all they can to ensure their freshman classes transition seamlessly from high school senior year to college freshman year. Yet, each spring, college bound high school seniors and their families drop a ball or two. In this episode, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) uses his typical anecdotes and illustrations to explain a number of steps college bound seniors need to take, while saluting the high school class of 2024.
Mental strength is an attribute that every college bound student should cultivate. It enables a student to avoid distractions, focus on school work, sit through multi-hour tests, and more. Unfortunately, many habits, common to high school students, undermine a student's mental strength. In this episode, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) uses his typical anecdotes and stories to explain the importance of mental strength.
The admissions essay is an opportunity for a college bound high school student to explain a personal virtue or attribute: generosity, grit, affability, work ethic. In this episode, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) uses his characteristic anecdotes and stories to explain the importance of personal commitment in college admissions.
Many college applications require applicants to select an intended college major like Engineering, Business, or Biology. Ideally, applicants have discussed potential majors with others well before applying to college during senior year fall semester. How does a student explore college majors during freshman through junior years? With his usual anecdotes and stories, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) shares several tips on choosing a college major.
Every high school semester is important. Spring semester junior year has special importance for creating a college list and looking ahead to applying to college later in the year. In this episode, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) uses his typical anecdotes and stories to illustrate this topic.
There is appeal to choosing a college major that will lead to a lucrative career. Indeed, life is expensive. This holiday episode of College App 101 takes up this and related topics. With his typical anecdotes and illustrations, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) addresses the benefits of getting rich.
When students apply to college, they need to impress the admissions committee at their prospective college. Admissions counselors constitute this committee. In this episode, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) interviews a college admissions counselor. The topics of the discussion include the specific academic characteristics that college admission recruiters seek, habits college bound high school students should form today for better college apps tomorrow, and more.
Colleges want to admit intellectually curious students, who love to learn. This attribute is inborn in some students. It needs to be developed in others. In today’s podcast, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) discusses how to develop a love for learning, by explaining the importance of November 22 in history. Indeed, today, Wednesday, November 22, 2023 is the anniversary of significant world events. Join Dr. Riley on a journey through history, as he explains November 22’s significance and, hopefully, inspires the audience’s love for learning.
A recent article, by Francie Diep and Brian O'Leary, in The Chronicle of Higher Education, has the title "How Much Money Should You Borrow for a College Education?" With his typical illustrations and anecdotes, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) discusses the content of this article and offers action steps to college bound high school students on financial savings to pay for college with cash, scholarships, and grants.
Test taking characterizes the college bound student's high school experience. Tests come in a variety of formats: written, take-home, open note, oral, closed note, standardized, and so forth. In this episode, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) uses his characteristic illustrations to offer practical strategies for success on tests.
An academically elite program, College Board's Advanced Placement (AP) curriculum has dozens of college level courses that come with the opportunity for college bound high school students to earn college credit in high school. In the present episode, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) interviews an AP Scholar. Topics in this episode include tips on preparing for May's AP exams, strengthening a student's writing skills, strategies to prepare outside the classroom, and more.
In a few days, the calendar will turn from September to October. October is PSAT month, when many schools offer the Preliminary SAT (or PSAT) to their students. The PSAT is a great way for college bound high school students to prepare for the SAT. And, for eleventh graders, the junior year PSAT is also the National Merit Scholarship® competition. In this episode, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) provides some final inspiration in the form of an excerpt from one of the most popular episodes of College App 101 season 1: Interview with a National Merit Scholar.
This fall's FAFSA (the Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is significantly different from previous years. Typically, the FAFSA opens on October 1. But due to a major redesign, the U.S. Department of Education estimates the opening will be in December. As soon as the FAFSA opens, college bound seniors and parents/guardians should plan to complete and submit it. Put simply: the FAFSA is a crucial first step toward receiving financial aid in college. In this episode, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) discusses several tips for the modified FAFSA.
In a recent College App 101 episode, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) discusses the most important part of a college application, which is a high school student's GPA. The present episode takes up the topic of the second most important component of an application, which Dr. Riley suggests is the admissions essay. Portions of this episode were published originally in October 2022. But the information is still relevant today.
A student's college application could be compared to a pie. There are several pieces in the college application pie: transcript, resume, essay(s). But the largest piece is the student's GPA (Grade Point Average). The beginning of a school year is a great time to revisit this most important component of a college application. With his typical anecdotes and illustrations, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) takes up the topic of GPA, providing practical tips to college bound students on earning a high GPA.
In a few short days, many college application platforms will begin accepting applications for Fall 2024 admission. In this episode, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) provides some final encouragement to college-bound seniors before these platforms open. Topics include the importance of being proactive, a student's personal organization, investing time with like-minded college-bound seniors, creating an application timeline, and more.
College App 101 helps college-bound students achieve academic success in high school and produce compelling, competitive college applications as a senior. A student’s extracurricular activities throughout high school enhance their college apps in a variety of ways. Today's episode features an interview between Dr. Riley and a very high achieving high school graduate. They discuss several topics, including tips on remaining academically focused while engaged in extracurriculars, a parent's role in encouraging their student's extracurricular involvement, and more.
A National Merit® Scholarship is arguably the most prestigious academic award for a high school student. Seniors win National Merit Scholarships. But the competition occurs during junior year, when juniors take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (also known as the PSAT/NMSQT®). While the PSAT has largely been unchanged for several years, the October 2023 PSAT will look different. With his typical anecdotes and illustrations, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) discusses some of the new features of this October's PSAT and provides tips on effective PSAT preparation for all high school students.
The college bound student’s principal academic goal is winning admission to their desired colleges during senior year. This objective is fulfilled by earning the right grades and participating in the right activities throughout high school. In this episode, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) explains some practical tips on general high school success drawn from his experience teaching in grammar school.
The admissions essay is a very, very important component a senior's college application and goes a long way in helping an admissions committee get to know an applicant as a person, not just a student. Now is the time for current juniors (members of the high school class of 2024) to devote time to thinking about their admissions essay and the story they want to tell in their essay. In this episode, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) uses his typical stories and illustrations to address this topic.
A college bound high school student has several guides on the path toward higher education: members of their high school faculty and staff, mentors in the community, parents, older siblings, who are already enrolled in college, etc. Within this constellation of resources, a parent deserves special attention, because a parent has known their student for the student's entire life and, therefore, has a perspective that the student finds nowhere else. In this episode and in honor of Mother's Day, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) delivers a tribute to mothers, offering tips and ideas on the role that they should play in their student's college admissions process.
As senior year winds down, a college bound senior needs to focus on exiting high school gracefully and entering higher education successfully. To ensure a seamless transition, there are several steps that a senior and their family should plan for and take. These steps include requesting the final high school transcript, meeting with a college academic adviser, and more. In this episode, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) uses his typical anecdotes and illustrations to discuss these and other steps, while saluting the high school class of 2023.
When a high school senior applies to college, they often need to submit teacher letters of recommendation or evaluation forms. College admissions offices use teacher letters and evaluations for insight into an applicant, seeking information, perspective, and stories that only come from a teacher. In this episode, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) uses his typical stories and illustrations to discuss April as an ideal month for students to broach the college letter of recommendation topic with their teachers. His comments are especially relevant to current juniors (members of the class of 2024).
Each year, during the spring, many high school seniors hear admissions decisions and receive financial aid packages from their prospective colleges. Sometimes the news is welcome; other times it is not. Some seniors find themselves at a loss, confused, and frustrated by their colleges' decisions. In this episode, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) uses the typical anecdotes and illustrations to discuss how college bound students should respond, when the news is undesirable.
A high school guidance counselor is an important resource that college bound students and their families should consult for advice and information on the path to college. Indeed, a guidance counselor's contribution to a student's college applications is multifaceted and vast. In this episode, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) uses his typical anecdotes and illustrations to discuss the March meeting that students should plan to have with their guidance counselor during junior year. His comments are especially relevant to current juniors (members of the class of 2024).
When a high school student applies to college, their academic profile understandably receives the lion's share of attention. But college admissions recruiters are eager to know more about an applicant than only their grades and standardized test scores. An applicant's character and personal attributes are also important. In this episode, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) discusses the importance of two admirable personal attributes in college admissions: (1) an applicant's people skills and (2) their ability to leverage personal strengths.
College students face many financial demands throughout the course of higher education: tuition, room, board, books, and many more. When unprepared for these demands, a student gets frustrated, overwhelmed, and even drops out sometimes, unfortunately. How should high school students and parents prepare financially for the cost of college? In this episode, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) uses his typical illustrations and anecdotes to discuss the importance of saving freshman year tuition before starting college. His comments are part of a larger series directed at members of the class of 2024, but are relevant to all high school students and parents.
Life constantly throws curveballs, challenges, and difficulties at high school students. And, sometimes, they get injured along the way. How do students move ahead without getting bogged down by their injuries? The answer: by embodying perseverance, resilience, fortitude, stamina, and willpower. In a word, they need grit. In this episode, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) discusses the importance of grit in high school, college admissions, and life, by using his typical illustrations and stories.
Successful people have learned to create goals and establish a plan to achieve them. And January is a great time for high school students to reflect on goals for the calendar year. In this episode, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) discusses small and large goals that high school students (especially members of the class of 2024) should consider for the new year.
A September 2022 College App 101 episode explains the connection between the PSAT and the National Merit Scholarship Competition. In the present episode, Dr. Riley interviews a National Merit Scholar. Episode topics include PSAT preparation tips, applying to college with National Merit Scholar status, the role of parents/guardians in PSAT preparation, financial dividends of a National Merit Scholarship, and more.
Each semester, College App 101 receives questions from students and parents about college admissions, academics, success in high school, and so forth. In this episode, Dr. Riley answers some questions from fall semester 2022. Topics addressed are optional essays on standardized tests, the benefits of applying to college earlier than later, the resume, and more.
A previous College App 101 episode provides an overview of earning college credit in high school, with special attention given to College Board's AP Program. In the present episode, Dr. Riley interviews a current AP student. An academically elite program, College Board's Advanced Placement (AP) curriculum has dozens of college-level courses that come with the opportunity for high school students to earn college credit in high school. Topics in this episode include tips on preparing for May's AP exams, budgeting time in test preparation, an explanation of May's AP exams, the AP classroom experience, and more.
Students like to take college level coursework in high school, because it is challenging, an opportunity to earn college credit before ever enrolling in college, and an honor. Parents like it, because it is often more affordable than college tuition costs. With his typical descriptive stories and anecdotes, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) provides an overview of earning college credit in high school, addressing issues like financial cost, AP, dual credit, and IB.
"Don't put all your eggs in one basket" is a famous saying that encourages people to pursue a variety or diversity of options in life. How should high school students apply this principle to college admissions and scholarships? What are the benefits of various options in college admissions/scholarships. What are the detriments of not having options? With descriptive stories and anecdotes, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) addresses these and other questions in this double episode.
The two most popular standardized tests used for admission to college are the SAT and the ACT (though there are others). What is the difference between the SAT and ACT? What does "test optional" mean in college admissions? When should a high school student take the SAT, ACT, or both? With his typical descriptive stories and anecdotes, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) addresses these and other questions in today's episode.
Colleges want to admit intellectually curious students, who love to learn. A love for learning is inborn in some students. It needs to be cultivated in others. In today’s podcast, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) discusses how to develop a love for learning, by explaining the importance of November 4 in history. Indeed, today, Friday, November 4, 2022 is the anniversary of a major world event. Join Dr. Riley on a journey through time, as he explains November 4’s significance and, hopefully, cultivates the audience’s love for learning.
The teacher is the main person in a student's schooling. And relationships with teachers require care and attention. In this podcast, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) provides several tips on staying on good terms with teachers. Topics include work ethic, class participation, letters of recommendation, and Dr. Riley's personal anecdotes and stories.
Colleges often require at least one essay as part of a student’s application. It is easy to overlook the elements that form a good essay. In this podcast, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) concludes his comments about application essays with advice on grammar, structure, content, the writing process, virtues to highlight in an essay, and more.
Colleges often require at least one essay as part of a student’s application. Many elements come together to create a good essay. In this podcast, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) discusses six distinct elements: establishing a connection with the audience, obeying the word count, keeping the essay honest, and more.
Colleges often require at least one essay as part of a student’s application. Good essays have a compelling narrative. In this podcast, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) discusses what makes an essay interesting, sample essays from the Common App, and more.
This fall's FAFSA (the Free Application for Federal Student Aid) opens on $at, Oct 1. $eniors and a parent/guardian should set aside $at, Oct 1 and $at, Oct 8 to complete and submit the FAFSA, a step toward receiving financial aid in college. In this podcast, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) discusses college billing, personal savings, avoiding student loans, "4 for 40," and more.
This fall's FAFSA (the Free Application for Federal Student Aid) opens on $at, Oct 1. $eniors and a parent/guardian should set aside $at, Oct 1 and $at, Oct 8 to complete and submit the FAFSA, a step toward receiving financial aid in college. In this podcast, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) discusses the FAFSA, tips to prepare for the FAFSA, the CSS Profile, and more.
This fall's FAFSA (the Free Application for Federal Student Aid) opens on $at, Oct 1. $eniors and a parent/guardian should set aside $at, Oct 1 and $at, Oct 8 to complete and submit the FAFSA, a step toward receiving financial aid in college. In this podcast, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) discusses college costs, searching for scholarships on goingmerry.com, personal savings, and the FAFSA.
This fall’s PSAT is on the near horizon with Oct 12, 2022 as the primary test day; alternate dates are Saturday, Oct 15, 2022 and Tuesday, Oct 25, 2022. The PSAT is important, especially for juniors, because they compete for a National Merit Scholarship® during their PSAT administration. Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) provides four tips on effective PSAT preparation for high school students.
The weeks, months, and terms of the typical high school student are filled with tests. Tests come in a variety of formats: written, take-home, open note, oral, closed note, standardized. Sometimes students use a pencil and paper; other times a computer. Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) offers practical strategies for effective test preparation for high school students.
Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) explains GPA, the most important feature of a student's college application, and provides tips on earning a high GPA.