Best Lisa Marker Robbins Podcasts (2025)

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Extra Credit: How to Handle the Why College/Why Academic Interest Essay with Lisa Marker-Robbins 30:18

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19d ago30:18

30:18

Some of the trickiest essays to pin down on college applications are the Why College/Why Academic Interest essays. This has never been more true than today, so we wanted to bring back our interview with special guest Lisa Marker-Robbins, Founder of Flourish Coaching, who’s helped over 4,000 high school students and young adults gain the insight, ex…

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A Conversation with Parents: College Admissions Trends 2025 34:02

5d ago34:02

34:02

Want to know the key trends & takeaways in college admissions for 2025? We’ve got you covered. In this webinar, hear why the demographic cliff is real, how schools are using AI in admissions, how to show you’re a great fit for your major, why standardized testing is making a comeback, and what’s happening with supplemental essays. Watch the webinar…

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Applying to College without Going Broke with Jeff Levy 53:02

1M ago53:02

53:02

What’s new with financial aid? A lot. In this episode, we welcome back returning guest Jeff Levy, Co-Founder of Big J Educational Consulting, who’s been an educational consultant since 2007. Hear the latest changes impacting financial aid, the key deadlines for the FAFSA application and CSS Profile, how common full ride scholarships actually are, t…

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Dream School: Finding the College That's Right for You with Jeff Selingo 42:27

2M ago42:27

42:27

What’s more important: where you go to college, or what you do in college? Jeff Selingo has written about colleges and universities for more than 25 years and is a New York Times bestselling author of four books. His latest, Dream School: Finding the College That’s Right for You, draws on more than two years of research and a survey of some 3,000 p…

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Peeling Back the Curtain on Highly-Selective College Admissions with Dr. Andrew Hoffman 1:05:32

2M ago1:05:32

1:05:32

There are some tough, tough colleges to get into these days. Why is that the case? And how can your student crack the code? Dr. Andrew Hoffman is a College Admissions Strategist who’s worked in college admissions since college, including being the Director of Admissions for Swarthmore College and the Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions a…

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Putting the Wow in Your College Essays with Susan Knoppow 49:35

3M ago49:35

49:35

Writing college essays is one of the most challenging aspects of the college application process. Where do students even get started? Susan Knoppow is Co-Founder & CEO of Wow Writing Workshop, where she created the Wow Method - a simple, 10-step process for writing college essays. A former executive speechwriter and copywriter, Susan is also a publ…

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New ACT & Testing Tips with Sean Quinn 59:54

3M ago59:54

59:54

What’s new with the ACT? A lot. That means students have to change how they prep for the test AND how they approach things on test day. Sean Quinn has you covered. He’s the Founder & Tutor at Onsen Education, providing one-on-one preparation tailored to your needs. He and his team have helped students across the states and in over 20 other countrie…

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Creating a Stellar Engineering Maker Portfolio with Jyoti Jain 32:12

3M ago32:12

32:12

The engineering field is getting increasingly competitive. How do you stand out as an engineering student today? Jyoti Jain believes the best way is to create a stellar engineering maker portfolio. Jyoti is the Founder of Jain College Consulting. She found her passion for college counseling while helping her own child through the college admissions…

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Hacking College with Dr. Ned Scott Laff & Scott Carlson 1:03:24

4M ago1:03:24

1:03:24

Does your college major even matter? Dr. Ned Scott Laff & Scott Carlson explore the surprising answer in their must-read book, Hacking College: Why the Major Doesn't Matter―and What Really Does. Dr. Ned Scott Laff has over 35 years of experience in college and university settings in administrative and faculty roles. Scott Carlson is a senior writer…

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AI Did My Homework with Dr. Lyra Stein, Dr. Nathalie Moon, and Stephanie Silberstein 55:40

4M ago55:40

55:40

AI is taking over everything. College is no different. What is allowed - and should be allowed - when using AI in college classes? In this episode, we welcome on special guests Dr. Lyra Stein of Rutgers University, Dr. Nathalie Moon of the University of Toronto, and Stephanie Silberstein of Rutgers University, New Jersey City University, Fairleigh …

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Passion Projects with Dr. Liz Krider 1:00:19

5M ago1:00:19

1:00:19

Passion projects are becoming a hot topic on student resumes. How important are they? In this first episode of Season 2, we welcome on special guest Dr. Liz Krider, the Founder & CEO of KSA Catalyst. She helps students (ages 14-24) find purpose through projects and internships - experiences that reveal their character to prospective colleges and em…

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College Waitlist Tips 23:45

6M ago23:45

23:45

Waitlists are one of the most unpredictable parts of the college application process - and an area we get questions on all the time. This is especially relevant now, as it’s been such a tough year for college waitlists. In this episode, you’ll hear the ins and outs of waitlists, including whether you should express your continued interest, whether …

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Engineering Pathways 40:12

7M ago40:12

40:12

Engineering programs seemingly get more & more competitive every year. How do you land a spot in that dream engineering program - or maybe one that’s an even better fit? In this episode, Lisa, Abby, and Stefanie break down the various pathways for pursuing engineering degrees. Hear how engineering works at larger public universities, how to get int…

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Teen Mental Health with Dr. Beth Watson 34:29

7M ago34:29

34:29

It’s no surprise the college application process can have a big impact on your teen’s mental health. On the bright side, there are plenty of things you can do as a parent to make sure they can handle anything. In this episode, we welcome on special guest Dr. Beth Watson, a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in treating children, adolesc…

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How to Make the Most of Summer 37:43

8M ago37:43

37:43

Summer experiences can really make your college application pop. In this episode, Lisa, Abby, and Stefanie reveal how to make the most of your summer with your college application in mind. Hear the variety of academic programs offered over the summer, how to find summer programs, why getting a summer job is one of the best things you can do, whethe…

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Class Planning Tips 32:26

8M ago32:26

32:26

How do you make the right class selections ahead of each year of high school? And how much will they actually impact your college application? In this episode, Lisa, Abby, and Stefanie talk everything you need to know when selecting classes for freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior year of high school. Hear which year should be the most challengi…

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Trends from Early Action & Early Decision Results 37:00

9M ago37:00

37:00

The Early Action (EA) & Early Decision (ED) results are in. In this episode, Lisa, Abby, and Stefanie reveal the latest trends based on the results. Hear why you need a testing strategy, whether safety schools exist anymore, the most competitive majors, how campus culture is driving college decisions, and how ChatGPT is impacting college essays. Su…

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The Score, Ep 12 Homeschooling and College Admissions with Rebecca Stuart-Orlowski 24:20

9M ago24:20

24:20

In this episode, host Dave Walker explores college admissions for homeschooled students with professional college counselor Rebecca Stuart-Orlowski. Drawing from her 25 years of homeschooling experience and extensive work as an Independent Educational Consultant, Rebecca provides valuable insights for homeschooling families and anyone interested in…

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SAT & ACT Accommodations with Jordan Schwartz 41:54

9M ago41:54

41:54

There’s a lot to consider when it comes to SAT & ACT accommodations. But, they can be well worth your time if they’re relevant to you. In this episode, we welcome on special guest Jordan Schwartz, Founder & CEO of Green Light Education. He’s been teaching the SAT, ACT, and LSAT since 2016 and manages a team of highly-skilled academic & test prep tu…

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Athletic Recruiting with The Student-Athlete Advisors 51:11

10M ago51:11

51:11

Want to continue your athletic career into college? It can set the stage for the experience of a lifetime - or turn into a nightmare, if you’re not careful. In this episode, we welcome on special guests Katie Andersen & Reid Meyer of The Student-Athlete Advisors. They’re part of the team of experienced consultants, former coaches, and former studen…

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Extra Credit: What Happens if You Don’t Get Into Your ED (Early Decision) School? 27:33

10M ago27:33

27:33

Now that Early Decision (ED) results are back - and students are either thrilled or disappointed - we wanted to look back at our first interview with a student, Zoe, who shares her experience not getting into her first choice Early Decision school. She reveals her feelings when she first got denied, why it was actually a blessing in disguise, and h…

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Getting into Medical School - Even if You Don't Start Out Pre-Med with Sam Goldman 33:14

11M ago33:14

33:14

Applying for Medical School (aka Med School) is one of the most stressful times for future doctors. Is it possible to go that route while taking a non-traditional path? In this episode, we welcome on special guest Sam Goldman, who’s a living case study of resilience & dedication. She’s currently in the process of interviewing for med schools after …

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The Military March to College with Lisa Hillhouse 49:39

12M ago49:39

49:39

Considering a military academy or ROTC? We have the answers to all your questions. In this episode, we welcome on special guest Lisa Hillhouse, an independent college and career advisor specializing in military service academies & ROTC. Hear the biggest differences between military academies & ROTC, what a day in the life is like for each, how to a…

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The Score, Ep. 11 Mastering the Scholarship Game: A Strategic Approach to College Funding with Scholarship Coach Dave Peterson 32:57

12M ago32:57

32:57

Expert Insights into Winning College Scholarships from the Founder of Scholarship GPS In this value-packed episode, Dave Peterson of Scholarship GPS returns to share his expert insights on navigating the college scholarship landscape. Drawing from his vast experience in the field—including his own success story of helping his son secure over $95,00…

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The Truth about Financial Aid with Jeff Levy 47:27

12M ago47:27

47:27

Financial aid can make a huge impact on your college potential & college experience. Want to find out all you need to know about financial aid? In this episode, we welcome on special guest Jeff Levy, Co-Founder of Big J Educational Consulting, who’s been an educational consultant since 2007. Hear some myths and truths about financial aid, how to fi…

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Webinar: College Admissions Trends 35:54

1y ago35:54

35:54

Want to hear the latest trends in college admissions? In this episode, Lisa, Abby, and Stefanie share the webinar they presented on everything that’s new with college admissions. Hear the biggest changes over the past year when it comes to college admissions, which schools are becoming harder to get into, how schools are using technology to assess …

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A Lawyer’s Case Study: Jenn Arnold, University of Michigan Law School 30:59

1y ago30:59

30:59

Considering going to law school or pursuing a career in law or public policy? This is the episode for you. We welcome on special guest Jenn Arnold, a “Double Wolverine” from the University of Michigan Law School and undergrad who now works in the Legislative Counsel for a member of the House of Representatives. Hear what to consider when looking at…

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How to Create a Compelling College Application: All Components Count 29:37

1y ago29:37

29:37

How do you stand out in college admissions? It all goes back to your college application. In this episode, Lisa, Abby, and Stefanie put together all the puzzle pieces that make up the college application puzzle. Hear the components of the college application, the most important component, whether to submit your test scores, how to handle letters of…

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Finding a Queer-Friendly College, Part 2 22:14

1y ago22:14

22:14

Feeling safe and supported on a college campus is important for any student. For students in the LGBTQ+ community, it can be an even more important factor when deciding where to go to college. In this Part 2, Stefanie interviews a college student, Ben, about his experience being a member of the queer and Modern Orthodox Jewish community on a colleg…

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Transitioning to College: A Student Panel 36:38

1y ago36:38

36:38

Heading off to college is one of the most exciting - and scary - moments in your life. We want to make sure you have all the helpful information you need to make your freshman year a slam dunk. In this episode, we interview a panel of college students who have survived freshman year at 3 different universities. Hear Nina, Lily, and Michael share th…

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How to Handle the Why College/Why Academic Interest Essay with Lisa Marker-Robbins 44:36

1y ago44:36

44:36

Some of the trickiest essays to pin down on college applications are the Why College/Why Academic Interest essays. In the first part of this episode, we share why these essays are frustrating, the format of these essays, and how to write them. We then welcome on special guest Lisa Marker-Robbins, Founder of Flourish Coaching, who’s helped over 4,00…

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So You Think You Can Dance or Sing or Act? 44:28

1+ y ago44:28

44:28

You can use a special talent like dancing, singing, or acting to your advantage to help stand out in college admissions. In the first part of this episode, we break down why special talents are helpful, how an Arts Supplement works, and how to frame your application. We then feature an interview with a college student, Brandon, who shares his exper…

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The Score, Ep. 10 The Hidden Formula for SAT Score Gains 25:12

1+ y ago25:12

25:12

Unlocking the Code for Substantial, Lasting Score Increases on the SAT (and ACT) In this episode of The Score, Dave Walker, founder of Walker Prep, delves into the hidden formula for achieving significant score gains on the SAT and ACT. With the release of the digital SAT, Dave focuses on the SAT but notes that the principles discussed apply equall…

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The Score, Ep. 9 Does Choice of Major Affect College Admissions? Insights from Lisa Marker-Robbins 29:03

1+ y ago29:03

29:03

Unlock College Admissions Success: Why Choosing a Major Matters In this episode of The Score, Dave Walker, founder of Walker Prep, welcomes Lisa Marker-Robbins, an independent educational consultant and founder of Flourish Coaching. With over 25 years of experience and having guided over 4,000 students, Lisa draws from a wealth of insight into how …

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Not All A’s Are Equal: Grade Inflation and Standardized Testing with Dr. Jed Applerouth 46:44

1+ y ago46:44

46:44

Grades are going up, and standardized test scores are going down. How should we handle this as students and parents? In this episode, we welcome special guest Dr. Jed Applerouth to talk all things grade inflation and standardized testing. Jed is a teacher, educational innovator, and the Founder and President of Applerouth, an expert college admissi…

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The Score, Ep. 8 The Art of Storytelling for College Admissions and Beyond with Sam Severn 27:15

1+ y ago27:15

27:15

Why Stories Matter Now More than Ever: Insights from Award-Winning, New York Times Best-Selling Ghostwriter, Book Doctor, Screenwriter and Writing Coach Sam Severn Walker Prep founder Dave Walker sits down with Sam Severn, a renowned ghostwriter, book doctor, screenwriter, and writing coach. They explore Sam's fascinating career and how his experti…

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The Score, Ep. 7 The 'Meta' of Test Prep with Mike Bergin, Founder of Chariot Learning 25:24

1+ y ago25:24

25:24

The Game Behind the Test: How Understanding the 'Meta' Can Help You Win Big on the ACT and SAT Walker Prep founder Dave Walker sits down with Mike Bergin, president of the National Test Prep Association and founder of Chariot Learning. They delve into the 'the meta' of standardized tests, exploring how shifting your paradigm to fit the "game behind…

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Finding a Queer-Friendly College, Part 1 33:27

1+ y ago33:27

33:27

Feeling safe and supported on a college campus is important for any student. For students in the LGBTQ+ community, it can be an even more important factor when deciding where to go to college. In this Part 1, we interview a panel of college students and recent alums about their experience finding a queer-friendly college. Hear the red flags and pos…

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The Score, Ep. 6 Why Practice Is (almost) Enough with ACT & SAT Expert Rob Schombs 40:54

1+ y ago40:54

40:54

Join Walker Prep founder Dave Walker as he talks with ACT and SAT expert Rob Schombs about why, when it comes to test prep, practice is (almost) all you need. Asked and Answered: *Why online tutoring can be better than in-person tutoring. *If practice is so important, who needs test prep tutors? *What's the difference between practice that works an…

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The Score, Ep. 5 How to Get a Debt Free College Degree with Dave The Scholarship Coach 28:41

1+ y ago28:41

28:41

Dave the Scholarship Coach helped his child win over $95,000 in college scholarships. Tune in to hear his incredible story and invaluable insights. Plus, a special announcement you don't want to miss! In this episode of The Score, Dave Walker sits down with Scholarship GPS founder Dave the Scholarship Coach, who now dedicates his time to coaching s…

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How to Successfully Transition to College with Dr. Andrea Malkin Brenner 44:37

1+ y ago44:37

44:37

Transitioning from high school to college is one of the biggest changes in a student’s life. And that can be incredibly intimidating - for both students and parents. In this episode, we welcome special guest Dr. Andrea Malkin Brenner to make sure students and parents have the smoothest transition to college possible. Andrea has 25 years of experien…

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How to Perfect the Personal Statement - By Not Making It Perfect! 29:02

1+ y ago29:02

29:02

There are lots and lots of myths about the Personal Statement. What should you actually believe? In the first part of this episode, we detail what a Personal Statement is, how to choose a topic to write about, and how to be yourself. We then feature an interview with a student, Alexandra, who shares her experience writing a stellar Personal Stateme…

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What Happens if You Don’t Get into Your ED (Early Decision) School? 32:53

1+ y ago32:53

32:53

Early Decision (ED) and Early Action (EA) are two of the biggest considerations when applying to college. In the first part of this episode, we break down what Early Decision and Early Action are, the different types of each, and restrictions on each. We then feature our first interview with a student, Zoe, who shares her experience not getting int…

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College Waitlists and Case Study: Jack for Michigan Ross 35:02

1+ y ago35:02

35:02

Waitlists are one of the most unpredictable parts of the college application process - and an area we get questions on all the time. In the first half of this episode, you’ll hear the ins and outs of waitlists, including how waitlists work, how schools differ by their waitlists, and how to write a letter of continued interest. In the second half of…

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College Admissions Trends for 2024 33:16

1+ y ago33:16

33:16

Welcome to College Bound Mentor! Lisa, Abby, and Stefanie know college. They also know students. With over 30 years combined experience mentoring young people, they’ll show you why understanding yourself is the key to finding the right college. In this pilot episode, you’ll hear what to expect from this podcast going forward, the most surprising tr…

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The Score, Ep. 4 Why Too Much Practice Is Hurting Your ACT or SAT Score 14:54

1+ y ago14:54

14:54

Are your ACT or SAT scores going nowhere fast? Learn why the key to achieving your dream score may be to practice less! Struggling to improve your SAT or ACT scores despite endless practice? You're not alone. Many students find themselves stuck in a rut, mindlessly grinding through practice tests without seeing significant improvements. In this epi…

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The Score, Ep. 3 Is It Actually Possible to "Game" the SAT or ACT? 29:54

1+ y ago29:54

29:54

Are You Gambling with Your ACT or SAT Scores? In this Episode of The Score, Walker Prep Founder Dave Walker Explains Why "Vegas Tactics" Might Be a Risky Bet. Discussed in this Episode: What Are Vegas Tactics? The Downside of Playing the Percentages Common Bogus "Strategies" to Avoid Should Vegas Tactics Ever Be Used? For even more in-depth answers…

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The Score, Ep. 2 How Does Digital SAT Scoring Work? 23:10

1+ y ago23:10

23:10

Feel left in the dark about digital SAT scoring? You're not alone! In this episode of The Score, Dave Walker, founder of Walker Prep, breaks open the "black box" of digital SAT scoring and guides you through the complexities of the new system. Discussed in this Episode: The Differences Between the Paper SAT's "Classical Test Theory" and the Digital…

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The Score, Ep.1 "Easy" Ways to Increase Your ACT or SAT Score: Learning Question Types 33:15

1+ y ago33:15

33:15

In this episode of The Score, ACT and SAT tutor Dave Walker from Walker Prep explains why learning to identify question types is a relatively painless way to increase both your confidence and your score. Walker Prep has been helping students achieve exceptional gains on the ACT and SAT since 2014. In the Walker Prep podcast, Dave draws from his exp…