The College Spy Podcast

Michelle McAnaney

College admissions is confusing and complex. Host Michelle McAnaney breaks down the admissions and application process for parents and students, With over 20 years of experience and over 240 college campuses visited, The College Spy helps your family navigate the college admissions process with confidence and excitement. Listen for expert college admissions advice to help your college-bound student prepare, apply, get in and thrive! read less
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#9 Great Advice for Future Engineers: An Interview with Sol Rosenbaum of The Engineering Mentor
Mar 20 2023
#9 Great Advice for Future Engineers: An Interview with Sol Rosenbaum of The Engineering Mentor
In this episode, Michelle McAnaney interviews Sol Rosenbaum, an engineer and founder of The Engineering Mentor about the soft skills engineers need that aren't taught in college, as well as various factors a high school student could consider as they search for a perfect college, such as ABET certification and the ability to sit for the professional licensing exam. They also discuss whether selectivity is important when choosing an engineering program. Also in this episode: *** Admissions Tip of the Day: Reasons High School Students Need a Resume *** College Spotlight: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology *** 1:32: Main Segment: Interview with Sol Rosenbaum *** 27:04: Help with College Visits from the Talking College™ Campus Visits card deck *** 28:00: Admissions Tip of the Day: Reasons High School Students Need a Resume *** 28:44: College Spotlight Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology: 28:44 ***  The Engineering Mentor website: https://www.theengineeringmentor.com ***  Podcast Transcript -- Go to Episode 9 Transcript ***  Learn more about The College Spy and the admissions advisory services offered by Michelle and her team -- Go to The College Spy Website *** Contact Michelle McAnaney at michelle@thecollegespy.com
#9 Great Advice for Future Engineers: An Interview with Sol Rosenbaum of The Engineering Mentor
Mar 20 2023
#9 Great Advice for Future Engineers: An Interview with Sol Rosenbaum of The Engineering Mentor
In this episode, Michelle McAnaney interviews Sol Rosenbaum, an engineer and founder of The Engineering Mentor about the soft skills engineers need that aren't taught in college, as well as various factors a high school student could consider as they search for a perfect college, such as ABET certification and the ability to sit for the professional licensing exam. They also discuss whether selectivity is important when choosing an engineering program. Also in this episode: *** Admissions Tip of the Day: Reasons High School Students Need a Resume *** College Spotlight: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology *** 1:32: Main Segment: Interview with Sol Rosenbaum *** 27:04: Help with College Visits from the Talking College™ Campus Visits card deck *** 28:00: Admissions Tip of the Day: Reasons High School Students Need a Resume *** 28:44: College Spotlight Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology: 28:44 ***  The Engineering Mentor website: https://www.theengineeringmentor.com ***  Podcast Transcript -- Go to Episode 9 Transcript ***  Learn more about The College Spy and the admissions advisory services offered by Michelle and her team -- Go to The College Spy Website *** Contact Michelle McAnaney at michelle@thecollegespy.com
#8 How School Counseling differs from Independent Educational Consulting: An Interview with Piet Lammert of DiriGo College Consulting
Feb 28 2023
#8 How School Counseling differs from Independent Educational Consulting: An Interview with Piet Lammert of DiriGo College Consulting
In this episode, Michelle McAnaney speaks school counselor and independent educational consultant, Piet Lammert, about the differences between school counselors and independent educational consultants, how to use your school counselor more effectively and reasons to hire an independent educational consultant. Also in this episode: *** Admissions Tip of the Day: Estimating the Cost of College with Net Price Calculators *** College Spotlight: Bowdoin College *** 1:29: Main Segment: Interview with Piet Lammert. *** 35:46: The College Spy Can Speak at Your School. *** 36:23: Admissions Tip of the Day: Net Price Calculators. *** 37:06: College Spotlight Bowdoin College. *** Dirigo College Consulting Website: https://www.dirigocollegeconsulting.com *** Podcast Transcript -- Go to Episode 8 Transcript *** Listen to a recording of The College Spy’s Extracurricular Activities Webinar HERE *** Learn more about The College Spy and the admissions advisory services offered by Michelle and her team -- Go to The College Spy Website *** Contact Michelle McAnaney at michelle@thecollegespy.com
#7 The Transition to College: An Interview with Dale Troy of Crush College Stress
Jan 27 2023
#7 The Transition to College: An Interview with Dale Troy of Crush College Stress
In this episode, Michelle McAnaney speaks with Dale Troy about the transition to college. They talk about a proactive approach to parenting teens that will help teens develop the independent skills and confidence and thrive in college. Also in this episode: *** Admissions Tip of the Day: Reasons to tour colleges early (before grade 11). *** College Spotlight: DePauw University. *** 2:40:  Main Segment: Interview with Dale Troy. *** 31:53:  College Admissions 101. *** 33:11:  Admissions tip of the day: Tour colleges early. *** 33:37:  College Spotlight: DePauw University. *** Crush College Stress Website: https://crushcollegestress.com *** Dale Troy’s Facebook Group, College Parent Support Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CollegeParentSupportCommunity *** Podcast Transcript -- Go to Episode 7 Transcript *** Learn More about College Admissions 101: https://thecollegespy.com/coursesandcamps/college-admissions-101 *** Learn more about The College Spy and the admissions advisory services offered by Michelle and her team -- Go to https://thecollegespy.com/ *** Contact Michelle McAnaney at michelle@thecollegespy.com
#6 Holiday Gift Guide for Parents of Teens
Dec 13 2022
#6 Holiday Gift Guide for Parents of Teens
In this episode, Michelle McAnaney, college admissions expert and founder of The College Spy, gives you a list of holiday gifts that teens really want and need. Michelle developed this list based on her conversations with students and her knowledge of what students need both to get into college AND be successful once they get there. Also in this episode: *** Admissions Tip of the Day: Why you need to be careful building a college list if your GPA is boosted by elective courses. *** College Spotlight: University of Pittsburgh *** 1:32: Main Segment: Holiday Gift Guide for Parents of Teens8:45: The College Spy's College Admissions 101 10:03: Admissions tip of the day: Electives and GPA11:05: College Spotlight: University of Pittsburgh *** For the Holiday Gift Guide in Writing -- Go to https://thecollegespy.com/blog *** For a transcript of this episode -- Go to https://thecollegespy.com/s/The-College-Spy-Podcast-Episode-6-Transcript.pdf *** To learn more about The College Spy and the admissions advisory services offered by Michelle and her team -- Go to https://thecollegespy.com/ *** Contact Michelle McAnaney at michelle@thecollegespy.com
#5 The College Essay
Nov 28 2022
#5 The College Essay
In this episode, Michelle McAnaney, college admissions expert and founder of The College Spy, discusses the college essay and how it fits into the college application as a whole. Learn about the purpose of the college essay, how to choose a topic, off-limit topics, and The College Spy's tips for writing an effective essay. Michelle also discusses how to determine what part of the application is most important to each college. Also in this episode: *** Admissions Tip of the Day:  Optional Essays *** College Spotlight:  Vassar College *** 1:43:  Main Segment: The College Essay11:25:  How The College Spy can help with college essays12:20:  Admissions tip of the day: Optional essays 13:29: College Spotlight: Vassar College *** Learn more about college essays -- Go to https://thecollegespy.com/blog/the-role-of-the-essay-in-your-college-application *** Podcast Transcript -- Go to https://thecollegespy.com/s/The-College-Spy-Podcast-Episode-5-Transcript-The-College-Essay.pdf *** Learn more about The College Spy and the admissions advisory services offered by Michelle and her team -- Go to https://thecollegespy.com/ *** Contact Michelle McAnaney at michelle@thecollegespy.com
#4 College Application Deadlines
Jun 1 2020
#4 College Application Deadlines
In this episode, Michelle McAnaney, the founder of The College Spy, and her co-host, Justin McAnaney, discuss the five types of college application deadline: Early Decision, Early Action, Restrictive Early Action, Regular Decision and Rolling Decision. As students plan for college, an understanding of how each type of application deadline can affect their admissions chances as well as how a deadline at one college can limit the deadline choice at another college should be a key part of planning the admissions process.  For more information on this topic, see: *****  The College Spy Blog: 5 Types of College Application Deadlines ***** The College Spy Guide: College Application Deadlines
#3 College Letters of Recommendation
May 2 2020
#3 College Letters of Recommendation
In this episode, Michelle McAnaney, the founder of The College Spy, and her co-host, Justin McAnaney, discuss letters of recommendation. We review where the letter fits into the college admissions process and how, from whom and when to ask for a letter recommendation. We address strategies for working with school counselors, teachers and others to obtain strong recommendation letters and some pitfalls to avoid as students work through this key element of the college application.
#2 Test Optional College Admissions
Apr 14 2020
#2 Test Optional College Admissions
In this episode, Michelle McAnaney, the founder of The College Spy, and her co-host, Justin McAnaney, discuss test optional college admissions policies.  We review what "test optional" means for the student and the college and why colleges are increasingly adopting these policies, especially in connection with the COVID-19 virus. We address how students should plan for admissions to test optional colleges and universities.   For a list of the 1,000+ test optional colleges and universities in the United States and additional information on standardized testing, see: The National Center for Fair and Open Testing:  https://www.fairtest.org
#1: COVID-19 and College Admissions
Apr 2 2020
#1: COVID-19 and College Admissions
In this episode Michelle McAnaney, the founder of The College Spy, and her co-host, Justin McAnaney, discuss the impact COVID-19 is having on college admissions and how high school juniors and seniors will need to move forward with their college search and selection process despite the disruption caused by the virus. This is a developing topic that changes day-to-day as colleges, standardized testing providers and high schools continue to update their responses to the virus. The following are key resources for parents and students as they navigate college planning and admissions at this challenging time: College Virtual Tours: https://www.campusreel.org https://www.youvisit.com College Search Resources: https://www.niche.com https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ For information about the SAT, SAT Subject Tests and AP Exams:  https://www.collegeboard.org For information about the ACT: https://www.act.org For information about Test Optional admissions policies: http://www.fairtest.org/university/optional