Shows / Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
Welcome to THE college admissions industry podcast! Join Mike Bergin and Amy Seeley as they discuss the latest issues in testing, admissions, learning, and education with leading experts. Tests and the Rest is perfect for parents, students, counselors, educators, test prep professionals, college consultants, and just about anyone engaged in the college admissions process. You can subscribe to this podcast or stream it online via any podcast app, including iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify…
Episodes
- Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
715. IEC PROFILE: Beth Kraemer
Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced independent educational consultant? MEET OUR GUEST Meet Beth Kraemer. Beth is the…
- Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
714. EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: March 2026
The Tests and the Rest podcast consistently focuses on exploring important topics in testing, admissions, education, and learning with amazing expert guests…
- Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
713. THE IMPACT OF DIVORCE ON COLLEGE ADMISSIONS AND FINANCIAL AID
While the pain divorce can cause everyone involved is well known, less understood are the problems that only pop up when the FAFSA is due. Amy and Mike invited…
- Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
712. HOW BUSINESS-MINDED STUDENTS CAN STAND OUT IN COLLEGE ADMISSIONS
College admissions is serious business, doubly so if you want to study business at a selective institution. Fortunately, the very traits that presage corporate…
- Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
711. HOW TO WIN SCHOLARSHIPS
Yes, of course college students want scholarships. Who wouldn't want their education funded in part or entirely with funds that don't need to be paid back? But…
- Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
710. UNPACKING AND SOLVING MATH ANXIETY
Of all the subjects taught in school, mathematics is most certainly the most common source of stress. But what's so mind-numbing about numeracy? Amy and Mike…
- Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
709. EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: February 2026
The Tests and the Rest podcast consistently focuses on exploring important topics in testing, admissions, education, and learning with amazing expert guests…
- Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
708. WHAT MAKES A GREAT COLLEGE TOWN?
Tremendous amounts of interest and anxiety are expended on answering the question of where a student might go to college. Usually, though, the focal point is…
- Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
707. OVERLOOKED TEST TAKING SKILLS
Every exam is designed to assess an obvious array of knowledge and skills. However, much more than the obvious is often needed to truly excel. Amy and Mike…
- Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
706. COACHING FOR ACADEMIC SUCCESS
When you need expert individual support with skill, strategy, behavior, or body of knowledge, you'll probably reach out to a tutor or coach. How do those roles…
- Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
705. HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU NEED A COLLEGE CONSULTANT?
A DIY attitude can not only open the mind to new experiences and illuminate hidden strengths but also save a dollar or two. But we may not want to tackle every…
- Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
704. EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: January 2026
The Tests and the Rest podcast has always been relentlessly focused on exploring important topics in testing, admissions, education, and learning with amazing…
- Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
703. THE IMPORTANCE OF CALCULATORS ON THE SAT & ACT
There's not a single question on the SAT or ACT that absolutely requires a calculator to solve. So are these powerful tools even necessary, and if so, where do…
- Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
702. WHAT IS THE CSS PROFILE?
The old saying that you won't receive what you don't ask for definitely applies to college financial aid. Nobody likes paperwork, but there's one critical…
- Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
701. TEST SCORES: THE COLLEGE ADMISSIONS EDGE
Even as many competitive colleges are returning to test score requirements for admissions, many others remain at least nominally optional. What does the near…
- Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
700. CELEBRATING OUR 700TH EPISODE
After 699 episodes devoted to amazing conversations about testing, admissions, education, and learning, it's time for something completely different. Amy and…
- Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
699. BEST COLLEGES FOR YOUR TUITION DOLLARS
An assortment of institutions as diverse and differentiated as colleges and universities can be ranked and sorted in any number of ways. If not all listing…
- Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
698. WHAT DOES PUBLIC EDUCATION OWE TO ADVANCED STUDENTS?
Public schools are mandated to provide educational opportunities to all students and generally work very hard to support learners with profound deficits or…
- Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
697. EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: December 2025
EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: December 2025 The Tests and the Rest podcast has always been relentlessly focused on exploring important topics in testing, admissions…
- Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
696. NEW WAYS TO USE YOUR 529 PLAN
Every dollar saved for college is a dollar you won't have to borrow. But even if you can save, what's the best way to put money aside for higher education? Amy…
- Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
695. TEST PREP PROFILE: Dani Fleischer & Kevin McCormick
Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced professional in the test prep industry? MEET OUR GUESTS Kevin S. McCormick is a…
- Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
694. TEST PREP PROFILE: Lucy Zhang
Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced professional in the test prep industry? MEET OUR GUEST Lucy Zhang is the owner of A+…
- Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
693. TEST PREP PROFILE: Roman Marchenko
Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced professional in the test prep industry? MEET OUR GUEST Meet Roman Marchenko. After 15…
- Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
692. TEST PREP PROFILE: Angie Kelley
Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced professional in the test prep industry? MEET OUR GUEST Meet Angie Kelley. Angie is the…
- Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
691. TEST PREP PROFILE: Jonah Fishel
Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced professional in the test prep industry? MEET OUR GUEST Meet Jonah Fishel. Jonah has…
- Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
690. SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: MentoMind
Expanding your tutoring business with MentoMind with educators Amit Jain and Chris McKenna What are five things you will learn in this episode? How are tutors…
- Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
689. LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES 101
Liberal arts colleges represent what may be the most misunderstood class of higher ed institutions. What are the hallmarks of these schools, and what kinds of…
- Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
688. EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: November 2025
The Tests and the Rest podcast has always been relentlessly focused on exploring important topics in testing, admissions, education, and learning with amazing…
- Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
687. FOREIGN LANGUAGES AS A SUPERPOWER IN COLLEGE ADMISSIONS
Most college-bound teens tend to focus on core English, history, science, and math classes as the keys to the schools of their dreams. Little do they know how…
- Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
686. BEST & WORST EXTRACURRICULARS FOR HIGH SCHOOLERS
The choices a high schooler makes about how to spend their time outside of classes tell prospective schools a lot about what kind of college student they'll…
- Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
685. SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: STUDYSPACES
What if your PDFs could grade and track themselves? with educator Jam Mirzakhalov What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is the story behind…
- Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
684. HOW TO PLAN FOR YOUR COLLEGE TRANSFER
Believe it or not, over one-third of college students transfer at least once while earning their degree. So why do so many students assume their first school…
- Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
683. WHAT DO FEDERAL POLICY CHANGES MEAN FOR FINANCIAL AID?
The ability to pay for a college education usually depends on stable economic conditions and clear, predictable rules. But what happens when everything seems…
- Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
682. CULTIVATING AND RECOGNIZING ACADEMIC CURIOSITY
The primary goal of our formative years is often seen as figuring out what we want to do with the rest of our lives. Why, then, do we focus so much on what we…
- Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
681. EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: October 2025
The Tests and the Rest podcast is always focused on exploring essential topics in testing, admissions, education, and learning with amazing expert guests…
- Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
680. SCHOLARSHIPS, MAJORS, AND HOW CLARITY CAN UNLOCK MORE COLLEGE AID
While high schoolers don't need to know exactly what they'll be doing with the rest of their lives, those students who make intentional, well-informed major…
- Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
679. How Do Female Students Benefit From Female Educators?
If learning and testing weren't already challenging enough in and of themselves, success can often depend on the level of congruence between students and…
- Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
678. HOW PARENTS CAN SUPPORT (NOT DERAIL) THE COLLEGE PROCESS
For many college applicants, the dream of higher education would be unattainable without the support of their parents and guardians. That doesn't mean…
- Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
677. How Ikigai Can Help To Choose a College Major
Ikigai, a Japanese concept that translates to "a reason for being" or "a reason to live," focuses on the intersection of what you love, what you're good at…
- Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
676. EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: September 2025
The Tests and the Rest podcast has always been relentlessly focused on exploring important topics in testing, admissions, education, and learning with amazing…
- Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
675. Unlocking Automatic Scholarships With PSAT, SAT, & ACT Scores
The process of applying to college can be so cumbersome and time consuming that applicants have little time left over for elaborate scholarship applications…
- Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
674. How And Why To Perform Your Best on the PSAT
The PSAT/NMSQT may not influence college admissions decisions, but the test matters in more ways than you might think. Amy and Mike invited educator and author…
- Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
673. Preparing For A College Admissions Interview
Someone once said that interviewing is tough, especially if you don't know what you're looking for. Another complicating factor is having no answer to…
- Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
672. From Stage To Test: What Performance Teaches Us About Test Anxiety
All the world's a stage, which means that performance anxiety can be debilitating in a variety of contexts. What does it take to silence your inner critics and…
- Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
671. EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: August 2025
The Tests and the Rest podcast has always been relentlessly focused on exploring important topics in testing, admissions, education, and learning with amazing…
- Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
670. Intentionality On The Road To College
It's been said that when we set an intention, somehow the world seems to magically come to meet us. Does that apply in college admissions? You'll never find…
- Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
669. College Essay Secrets
Few writing assignments loom as large or feel as significant as the application essay does to a college-bound teen. But what if the keys to a statement that…
- Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
668. STRATEGIES FOR THE COMPUTER-BASED ACT
Starting in September 2025, the ACT will be administered nationally both on paper and on digital devices. Should you take the ACT on a computer? If so, what do…
- Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
667. THE IMPACT OF DUAL ENROLLMENT
Imagine two models of education, one of which reserves opportunities for college credit for college students and another which allows high schoolers to also…
- Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
666. EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: July 2025
The Tests and the Rest podcast has always been relentlessly focused on exploring important topics in testing, admissions, education, and learning with amazing…
- Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
665. HOW TO MANAGE PROCRASTINATION IN THE ADMISSIONS PROCESS
Procrastination does not necessarily stem from laziness or disorganization. Sometimes, we put off important tasks to cope with negative emotions associated…
- Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
664. TESTING GAMEPLAN FOR THE CLASS OF 2027
When tests change, so should the conventional wisdom about timelines and options. How will the Enhanced ACT factor into your admissions exam plans? Amy and…
- Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
663. ADMISSIONS NOTES FOR THE HS GRADUATING CLASS OF 2026
Every year, new calculations and complications impact the college application process. Amy and Mike invited educational consultant Rebecca Stuart-Orlowski to…
- Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
662. COLLEGE ADMISSIONS FOR THE STUDENT ATHLETE
The path for high school athletes seeking to play at the next level becomes more uncertain every year. The increasing complexity of college sports recruitment…
- Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
661. SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: VEGA AI
AI-first data-driven platform to build, deploy, analyze, and personalize any course. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is the story…
- Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
660. HOW ARE POLITICAL CHANGES SHAPING HIGHER ED?
The walls of academia have always seemed distant and distinct from the corridors of political power. But even the ivory tower isn't safe during periods of…
- Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
659. HOW MUCH AI IS JUST RIGHT IN THE COLLEGE ESSAY?
Smart college applicants know not to let artificial intelligence agents write their entire personal statement but might shudder at the idea of ignoring these…
- Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
658. EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: June 2025
The Tests and the Rest podcast has always been relentlessly focused on exploring important topics in testing, admissions, education, and learning with amazing…
- Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
657. DOES IT MATTER IF YOU TAKE CALCULUS IN HIGH SCHOOL?
If you're applying as a STEM major or looking at selective colleges, there's no question that you should consider taking advanced or accelerated math courses…
- Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
656. HOW TO PLAN A GAP YEAR
Most students matriculate directly from high school to college. But what if you're not like most students? Amy and Mike invited education consultant Julia…