Season 1 - Episode ExTras

S1E1 | How to Begin YOUR College Search

Episode references:

Cal Newport, Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout

Some tools to help get you started:

YouScience - a skills, interests and career exploration tool

Education Planner - learning style assessment

S1E2 | Parenting & Your College-Bound Teenager

Some of our favorite resources for your college search:

Big Future, by College Board - a college planning and search tool

College Express - a college search tool with a wonderful collection of lists ranging from Alma Maters of Authors to Colleges Where Geek is Chic

College Navigator, by National Center for Education Statistics - a college search and comparative data site

College Aid Pro - a college affordability tool

S1E3 | Our Higher Ed Crystal Ball - May 12, 2025

Episode references:

The Trends Report, The Chronicle Of Higher Ed 3/14/25

University of CO, Office of Government Relations

For some fun:

Circus is my Life/Top 10 Circus Clubs, Blog from American Youth Circus Organization’s Hup Squad

S1E4 | Summer DReaming - Summer Ideas for High School STudents

Katelyn was stumped in today’s college trivia quiz. Can you guess which 7 languages are offered in the highly competitive summer NSLI-Y program, sponsored by the State Department?

 

S1E5 | College Tours

Whitney and Katelyn each visit an average of 20 colleges and universities a year - together we have seen 500 unique college campuses! Katelyn’s magnet collection represents nearly 350 of these visits.

Episode references:

The Celiac College Guide

All about architecture:

Simon Fraser University, BC Canada

A great example of brutalist architecture! Here is the covered walkway that Katelyn remembered from her tour!

The Study Architecture website is a great resource provided by the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture. This site is packed with videos, websites and even a quiz to get you started on your search of the best fit architecture program.

Trinity University’s original campus, in San Antonio TX, was designed by O’Neil Ford, is an example of a cohesive, mid-century modern style. Trinity’s Architectural Studies Minor leans into this campus history.

S1E6| College applications Big 5 Series: Part 1, Your transcript

Episode references:

University of California System GPA Calculations

Colleges with Narrative Grades or Narrative Options:

Alverno College, Evergreen State College, Fairhaven College at Western Washington University, Hampshire College, New College of FL, Prescott College, Reed College, Sarah Lawrence College

Self-Reported Academic Record - used by a small number of larger universities to help you self-report your transcript. NOTE name change to this platform beginning August 1, 2025: STARS

S1E7| College applications Big 5 Series: Part 2, Standardized Tests

Episode references:

Free full length practice SAT provided by the College Board

Free full length ACT and other test prep options provided by act.org

FairTest, test optional and testing policy resource