College App 101

Highly selective colleges want to admit young scholars to their student ranks. A love for learning and intellectual curiosity characterize such scholars. These attributes flow naturally from some learners, but need to be cultivated in others. In today’s podcast, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) discusses these topics with special reference to the importance of March 15 in history. Indeed, today, Sunday, March 15, 2026 is the anniversary of a significant world event. Join Dr. Riley on a journey into the ancient world, as he explains March 15’s significance and, hopefully, inspires a love for learning.

Conversations between parents and their college bound students about prospective college majors should happen throughout a student's high school experience. It is true that many college applications require applicants to declare an intended major prior to submitting an application. In this episode, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) interviews a current college freshman about her major, her path toward that major, her current experience in the major, and her professional hopes for the future. 

Mistakes are a part of life. Yet, some common mistakes made during freshman, sophomore, and junior years can work against compelling college applications during senior year. In this episode, using his typical anecdotes and illustrations, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) explains how college bound high school students tend to go astray in GPA, standardized tests, and extracurricular activities. 

Parents want their high school senior to win admission to dream colleges. Oftentimes, these institutions are elite (Ivy League, Public Ivies, and other top-tier colleges). When an applicant demonstrates that she is a scholar (as opposed to a student), her chances of admission increase. In this episode, using his typical anecdotes and illustrations, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) explores (1) how a learner becomes a scholar and (2) the role that wonder plays in that process. 

Today, parents have an array of K-12 schooling options for their student. Public, private, traditional, homeschool, online, charter, parochial, and more. In this episode, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) interviews a classical school teacher, who also attended a classical high school and liberal arts/great books college. The classical model is an outstanding option for parents, who are interested in developing and sustaining their student’s (1) sense of virtue and (2) wonder in the classroom.

Problems pervade a high school student's academic experience: too little time to study, disappointing grades, relationship troubles with teachers, and more. Many students are skilled enough to find solutions to their problems. But in too many cases, these solutions are good for today, not tomorrow. In this episode, Dr. Riley (from collegeapp101.com) provides tips on identifying and implementing solutions that are good for the short-term and long-term. 

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...

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...

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.