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Megan and Erin discussed how to build a rigorous but manageable high school schedule that balances academic rigor with student well-being. College Course Planning Strategy Megan and Erin discussed building a rigorous but manageable school schedule, emphasizing that colleges evaluate both grades and course difficulty when reviewing applications. They highlighted the importance of balancing strong grades with challenging classes, noting that simply achieving high grades in easy courses doesn't guarantee college admission. The conversation focused on addressing common misconceptions about course selection and academic planning for college preparation. High School Course Structure Planning Megan outlined the ideal high school course structure, which includes English, Math, History, Science, and Foreign Language as core subjects, with students taking at least one rigorous course per year. She advised students to evaluate their ability to handle higher-level classes like honors, IB, AP, or accelerated courses rather than focusing solely on personal preference. Megan emphasized the importance of forward-thinking and considering academic challenges when making course selection decisions. Academic Course Level Discussion Megan shared an anecdote about a student who struggled in advanced pre-calculus due to emotional attachment to being labeled as a "smart kid," rather than accepting that the class was too challenging. Megan explained that colleges typically prefer seeing students succeed in regular-level courses rather than fail repeatedly in honors classes. She advised that it's okay to excel in some subjects while struggling in others, and suggested that stepping up to more challenging courses is often easier than stepping down, contrary to parents' concerns about starting with easier courses. Course Selection Strategy Advice Megan advised Erin to choose more challenging courses when in doubt, emphasizing that it's easier to reduce rigor later if needed. She recommended filling core course requirements first, then considering other mandatory credits like arts or theology requirements. Megan noted that students often make the mistake of trying to create a college-like course schedule rather than focusing on the basic requirements first. High School Specialization Challenges Megan and Erin discussed the challenges of specializing in high school subjects, noting that most high school requirements focus on core academic courses, leaving limited room for specialization. They emphasized that colleges expect a broad liberal arts education rather than early specialization. The conversation then shifted to the importance of balancing academics with other commitments, including extracurricular activities, and the need to assess the feasibility of a proposed schedule before making requests to the school. Academic-Extracurricular Balance Discussion Megan and Erin discussed the balance between academic and extracurricular commitments, emphasizing that it should be a family decision tailored to each student's individual circumstances. Megan highlighted that while some students can successfully manage heavy loads of AP courses, sports, and extracurricular activities, others may become overly stressed, affecting their performance across all areas. They agreed that parents know their children best and should consider their child's well-being and ability to manage multiple demanding activities when making decisions about course load and involvement in extracurriculars. College Preparation Mistake Discussion Megan and Erin discussed common student mistakes regarding college preparation and course selection. They highlighted how students sometimes prioritize sports over academic preparation, even when the sport will end soon, and how others choose courses based on perceived college requirements rather than personal interests or career goals. The conversation focused on the importance of aligning course choices with students' actual interests and future plans rather than following unverified rumors about college admissions preferences. Course Scheduling for College Applications Megan advised Erin to align her course schedule with her college application goals, emphasizing that taking advanced classes like AP courses is crucial for applying to highly selective academic institutions. Megan explained that students cannot expect to be competitive for certain colleges while choosing easier courses and maintaining off periods. She recommended prioritizing core academic courses and required credits like PE and arts, suggesting that once these are scheduled, the remaining course choices become more manageable.

Megan and Erin discussed a challenging college admission situation involving a student with strong academic credentials (1520 SAT, 4.0 GPA, all A's) who was rejected by highly competitive schools despite thorough preparation and professional guidance. The student ultimately gained admission to a school with rolling admissions that better suited his needs, though his parents and mentor experienced disappointment and felt personally invested in his success. Megan emphasized that highly competitive schools (accepting less than 20% of applicants) are becoming increasingly difficult to gain admission to, and advised building a diverse college list with some safety schools that still offer quality education. The conversation highlighted the emotional impact on both students and professionals when well-qualified applicants are rejected, and the importance of having alternative options that can ultimately be positive outcomes.

Megan and Erin discussed the importance of utilizing PSAT results to identify areas for improvement and prepare for future standardized tests. They explain how to access and interpret PSAT scores, focusing on analyzing specific subject areas rather than just the overall score. Megan emphasizes the value of reviewing results early, particularly for high-achieving students who could potentially qualify for National Merit Scholarships. PSAT Results Review Discussion Megan and Erin discussed the importance of reviewing PSAT results and establishing a feedback loop beyond just taking the test. Megan explained that while schools provide digital access to results through College Board accounts, many students may not check them due to forgetting about the test or not understanding their relevance. They emphasized that even late in the school year, reviewing PSAT scores can provide benefits for students' preparation. Accessing and Using PSAT Scores Megan explained how to access and use PSAT scores, starting with logging into the College Board account and potentially creating a new login if needed. She noted that students may need a code from their school counselor to match the test taken at school with the account. Megan emphasized the importance of noting login credentials, as they will be used for multiple years, including for AP coursework and college applications. She also mentioned that PSAT scores are similar to SAT scores and not the primary focus. PSAT Scoring System Explanation Megan explained the scoring system for the PSAT, noting that the perfect score has been reduced to 1520, down from 1600. She advised focusing on the detailed breakdown of performance across four categories in reading and four in math, particularly highlighting the math categories: algebra, advanced math (including quadratics and Algebra 2), data, and geometry. Megan used an example of a 9th grader's PSAT results to illustrate how to analyze the breakdown of scores. Knowledge Maintenance and SAT Preparation Megan and Erin discussed challenges in maintaining knowledge across different subjects. Megan advised that reviewing lost concepts requires more effort than casual review, especially if a student was completely lost in a subject due to poor teaching or lack of engagement. Digital Test Feedback Limitations Megan discussed the limitations of current test results, noting that students no longer receive detailed feedback on missed questions as they did with paper exams. She explained that while digital tests provide basic information about content areas where students struggled, they lack the ability to review specific incorrect answers, which was previously helpful for understanding mistakes. Test Results Review Strategy Megan advised focusing on percentile rankings rather than numerical scores when reviewing test results, emphasizing that students should aim to be in the top half rather than the bottom. She suggested using test results as an early warning system to identify areas needing improvement, rather than waiting until junior year to address gaps in academic abilities. Megan also mentioned that students can focus their studying on specific weak areas once they receive their results, rather than trying to improve everything at once. PSAT Results and Scholarships Megan explained how to interpret PSAT results, particularly focusing on the selection index and its relevance to National Merit Scholarship qualifications. She noted that while 9th and 10th grade scores are valuable for identifying strong test-takers, only 11th grade PSAT scores count toward National Merit Scholarship consideration, with candidates typically needing to be in the top 3% of their state with a score around 220 or higher. Megan also mentioned that while prestigious universities may not offer significant incentives for National Merit scholars, many other colleges provide financial benefits to attract these students. Score Baseline Discussion Megan and Erin discussed the importance of using PSAT scores to establish a baseline for academic performance and determine study focus areas. Megan advised against taking the SAT unprepared to establish a baseline, as the PSAT serves this purpose effectively. Megan offers suggestions for students who don't have access to the PSAT at school prior to 11th grade. PSAT Practice and Preparation Strategies Megan suggested using College Board's online practice PSAT tests, which include automatic grading and detailed feedback to help students understand their mistakes and improve their performance. She emphasized the benefits of taking a preliminary PSAT, whether in 9th or 10th grade, to get familiar with the digital platform and identify areas for improvement. Megan encouraged anyone with questions about PSAT scores or National Merit to email the College Prep podcast team at collegeprepodcast(at)gmail.com.

Megan and Erin discussed Erin's recent experience at South by Southwest, where she attended sessions focused on AI in education and executive function coaching. Executive Function Coaching Certification Discussion Erin and Megan discussed the importance of using accurate vocabulary when talking about executive function and the challenges of identifying qualified coaches. Erin shared insights from a conference about a questionable board certification for executive functioning and recommended asking potential coaches specific questions about their approach to identifying and addressing executive function issues. They also discussed a course on mastering executive functioning that parents could take to better understand and support their children's needs. Simulating Learning Disabilities Experience Erin and Megan discussed an educational activity where they experienced simulating dyscalculia, dysgraphia, and dyslexia. During the activity, Erin and former cohost Gretchen had a conflict over following instructions, which escalated into general frustration among participants. Megan observed that the exercise highlighted how educators might forget what it's like to be a struggling student and noted the lack of nervous system regulation techniques provided at the end of the session. Student Competition and Recognition Challenges Erin shared her experience of feeling competitive and cheating during a classroom exercise where students had to trace and replicate signatures. Despite getting a good score of 4 out of 10, Erin felt disappointed that her achievement wasn't recognized, highlighting how students often don't receive acknowledgment for their efforts. Megan reflected on the importance of educators and parents putting themselves in students' positions to better understand their experiences and provide appropriate support and grace. Educational Technology Tool Sharing Erin shared two educational technology tools she found interesting. The first was Share the Board, which allows teachers to record whiteboard lessons while capturing and displaying the content on screen, enabling students to review and interact with the material later. The second tool was Banter Box, an app that enables interactive conversations with historical texts and primary documents, allowing users to ask questions and have discussions with characters like Hamilton or Frederick Douglass. Megan inquired about the app's ability to provide sources for its responses, to which Erin was unsure but believed it might indicate when it couldn't answer specific questions. Educational Technology Conference Insights Erin shared insights about two educational technologies she encountered at a conference. She discussed Banter Box, which uses AI to make historical texts more engaging by allowing users to interact with them, and Florio, a VR system designed for special needs classrooms to help students practice real-life skills in a safe environment. The conversation highlighted how these technologies can help students with various challenges, including nonverbal communication and trauma recovery, while also sparking discussions about responsible screen time and technology implementation in education. Resources: Here are links to the resources Erin mentioned: JST Coaching's article on how to choose a good Executive Functioning Coach Connected Pathways Coaching Executive Functioning Course Share the Board Banter Box Floreo VR

Megan and Erin discussed five key actions families can take throughout high school to make college admissions easier, emphasizing actions families can take from freshman year through junior year. Megan highlighted the importance of consistent planning and outlined key tasks for each year, while Erin shared insights and actionable items. They agreed on the value of starting early and maintaining a steady approach throughout high school to streamline the college application process. High School GPA Tracking Guide Megan advised on high school grade tracking, emphasizing the importance of calculating and recording unweighted GPAs annually. She suggested keeping a running document of semester averages and cumulative totals, using either digital tools or traditional methods, to help students and families better understand and manage academic performance. Unweighted GPAs are more relevant to colleges and can prevent surprises during the application process, as demonstrated by Erin's recent experience with a student who misunderstood their GPA. College Application Resume Planning Megan and Erin discussed the importance of maintaining an updated resume for college applications and other opportunities. They suggested creating a "dump list" of all activities and experiences, which can then be curated for specific purposes. They emphasized the value of including unique skills, honors, awards, and service activities, even if they seem minor. College Planning Strategy Discussion Megan and Erin discussed college planning, emphasizing the importance of starting early, particularly in 9th grade, by visiting 2-3 local colleges annually. Megan advised taking notes on likes and dislikes during visits to build a college list later. They highlighted the need to avoid last-minute planning, especially for juniors, and suggested exploring schools online if in-person visits are not feasible. Megan also recommended planning noteworthy activities each year, such as summer programs, to enhance college applications. Summer Meaningful Activities Discussion Megan discussed the importance of engaging in meaningful activities during the summer, emphasizing personal enrichment over resume-building. She suggested that these experiences could serve as inspiration for college admissions essays, encouraging students to pursue activities that are personally noteworthy. Megan also proposed organizing a family meeting to discuss this further. Family College Planning Meeting Erin and Megan discussed the importance of holding a family meeting to align on college-related expectations, including affordability, potential out-of-state attendance, and academic preferences. They emphasized the need to address these topics early to avoid future complications, such as limiting college choices due to financial constraints or academic preferences. Questions? If you have questions, feedback, or ideas for an upcomming show, we'd love to hear from you. You can email us at collegepreppodcast (at) gmail (dot) com More about the hosts Megan Dorsey is a parent, educator, and SAT/ACT prep expert. She graduated from Rice University and has over 25 years of experience helping students earn better scores and put together strong applications. Megan lives in Sugar Land, Texas and works with students in-person and on Zoom. You can find out more at CollegePrepResults.com. Erin Tempest is the founder of Seattle Success Coaching where she and her team help families with a wide range of issues. Let Erin take the frustration out of learning with her academic support, exectuvie function coaching, and social/life skills packages. Her goal is to help parents get back to enjoying their kids. You can find out more at SeattleSuccessCoaching.com.