Mindful Admissions: Recent Episodes
Strive to Learn
The Strive to Learn team demystifies college admissions topics that can confound even the savviest of students: financial aid, SAT/ACT testing, educational planning, college admissions essay writing, scholarships, and much, much more. Press play to hear from our expert college counselors as well as frequent guest stars and guiding voices in the field of college admissions!
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 Borrman 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.
In this episode, Josefine met with Alexia Bass and Julia Rogers to discuss their gap year experiences, and to share exactly what a gap year is all about.
In this episode, Lily interviews Josefine about how accepted college applicants can decide on which college to attend, after all the application drama is over.
In this episode, Amanda talks financial aid award letters with expert Claire Law, founder of Educational Avenues, author, speaker, and seasoned college mom. Get the scoop on navigating financial aid and leveraging your financial position to your advantage.
In this episode, Lily and the college counseling team get personal, discussing their own less-than-traditional college journeys, and giving advice on how to avoid falling into a self-worth spiral during acceptance season.
In this episode, Lily and Josefine talk about how and when to take the standardized tests (the SAT or ACT) required by some colleges in their application.
In the season three premiere, the college counseling team gathers to discuss the largest college admissions scandal in history.
In this episode, Josefine looks back at how another year of COVID has affected the college admissions landscape. (Recorded live at College Info Night 2021)
In this episode, William teaches financial aid literacy, covering loans, merit aid, need-based aid, appeals, and more. (Recorded live at College Info Night 2021)
In this episode, Josefine and Amanda discuss how and when to visit colleges during your application process. (Recorded live at College Info Night 2021)
In this episode, Josefine explains how to make your supplemental essays shine through in your college application. (Recorded live at College Info Night 2021) Click here to view Josefine's slides and resources!
In this episode, Rachel explains what the UC Personal Insight Questions are, and how to take advantage of them by writing excellent responses. (Recorded live at College Info Night 2021) Click here to view Rachel's slides and resources!
In this episode, Josefine visits the Newport Beach Public Library to give a talk on the UC Application, and how to create an application that serves you best. Click here to view Josefine's slides from the presentation!
In this episode, Lily interviews Melinda with questions about building a dynamic and punchy activities list, as well as a high-quality student resume.
In this episode, Lily interviews Josefine about how to write the personal statement essay, and the pair demonstrate how to get started, as well as share some before-and-after essay drafts. Click here to read along as they analyze the sample essays!
In this episode, Josefine hosts a live Q&A, discussing the impact of COVID-19 on the college admissions process, standardized testing, and educational in general. Visit our website to view the free resources she mentions, including our blog!
In the Season 2 premiere episode, the whole gang relates their key takeaways from the 2021 UC Counselor Conference, a counselors-only event that parents may be interested to sneak a peek into.
In this episode, William interviews financial aid expert Pamela Walker to talk about loans, scholarships, and cutting college costs overall. Part 2 of the Cutting College Costs series.
In this episode, William interviews College Options LLC Founder Katelyn Klapper about building affordability into your college list with FAFSA and financial aid. Part 1 of the Cutting College Costs series.
In this episode, William interviews special education law expert Janey Brunson to talk about how parents and students can learn their rights and advocate for themselves.
In this episode, William and Lily tackle the COVID-19 Common App essay prompt, and talk about how students should (and shouldn't) answer it.
In this episode, Josefine and Lily discuss college application deadlines and decode all the complex acronyms: EA, ED, RD, and more.
In this episode, Josefine and Melinda answer Lily's questions about how parents can support their kids - emotionally, academically, and financially - during college applications season.
In this episode, we tackle the good-fit college list, and explain why fit is so important in selecting a college. This episode could also be called "I know you want me to go to Harvard, Mom, but that might not actually be the best fit for me". Check out the Good Fit College Criteria Spreadsheet!
In this episode, our college counseling team takes a break from work to reminisce about their own education, and to offer some helpful (and hard-won) advice to students.
In this episode, Josefine hosts a webinar at NBPL, debunking test myths, guiding participants in exercises, and discussing all the most recent changes in testing policy. Plus, she answers some of College Essay Guy's 100 Brave and Interesting Questions!
In this episode, Strive to Learn Founder Josefine Borrmann is joined by Kristina Dooley, the founder of Estrela Consulting, to discuss mindfulness in college admissions (something we care about deeply, in case you hadn't noticed).
An introduction to the Strive to Learn college counseling team, including sneak peeks into future topics.