In this episode, Megan and Erin break down effective college application strategies, using insights from a U.S. News article featuring Rice University's Dean of Admissions. Rice says it wants to see

• Academic excellence and intellectual curiosity
• Community engagement and contributions
• Students who really want to be here

Listen as Megan and Erin discuss

• How students can demonstrate intellectual curiosity
  • Curiosity can be shown through self-directed learning, independent research, summer programs, or exploration outside formal coursework
  • Letters of recommendation can reinforce curiosity and engagement with ideas and learning
• Community impact beyond traditional service
  • Community contribution can take many forms, including collaboration, leadership, and using personal strengths to support others
  • Rice values students who actively choose to engage with its collaborative and caring campus culture
• Evaluating college fit beyond prestige
  • Students should research course offerings, campus culture, and day-to-day student life
  • Campus visits help students determine whether a school aligns with their academic and social preferences

Here's the U.S. News article featuring Rice's Dean of Admissions:(https://www.usnews.com/education/getting-in/articles/2026-01-07/rice-university-college-applicants-advice).

Questions?

If you have questions, feedback, or ideas for an upcomming show, we'd love to hear from you. You can email us at collegepreppodcast (at) gmail (dot) com

More about the hosts

Megan Dorsey is a parent, educator, and SAT/ACT prep expert. She graduated from Rice University and has over 25 years of experience helping students earn better scores and put together strong applications. Megan lives in Sugar Land, Texas and works with students in-person and on Zoom. You can find out more at CollegePrepResults.com.

Erin Tempest is the founder of Seattle Success Coaching where she and her team help families with a wide range of issues. Let Erin take the frustration out of learning with her academic support, exectuvie function coaching, and social/life skills packages. Her goal is to help parents get back to enjoying their kids. You can find out more at SeattleSuccessCoaching.com.

Building a college list can feel overwhelming—and it's easy to get it wrong. In this episode of The College Prep Podcast, Megan and Erin break down the most common mistakes students and families make when creating a college list and explain how to avoid last-minute stress and disappointment.

Rather than focusing on the "perfect" way to build a list, the hosts walk through how not to do it. They discuss why waiting until senior year is a recipe for panic, why rankings and prestige don't tell you whether a school is actually a good fit, and how ignoring financial realities can derail the process later. Megan and Erin also unpack risky strategies like applying to only one or two schools, choosing colleges for superficial reasons or location alone, and basing an entire list on a prospective major—even though many students change majors once they're enrolled.

The conversation also tackles relationship-driven decisions, such as following friends or romantic partners to college, and why those choices so often lead to regret. Along the way, the hosts share real stories from their work with students and families to illustrate what can go wrong when the college list isn't built thoughtfully.

This episode is a must-listen for parents and students who want to start the college search earlier, make realistic and informed choices, and build a balanced list that reflects fit, finances, and flexibility—not panic or prestige.

Questions?

If you have questions, feedback, or ideas for an upcomming show, we'd love to hear from you. You can email us at collegepreppodcast (at) gmail (dot) com

More about the hosts

Megan Dorsey is a parent, educator, and SAT/ACT prep expert. She graduated from Rice University and has over 25 years of experience helping students earn better scores and put together strong applications. Megan lives in Sugar Land, Texas and works with students in-person and on Zoom. You can find out more at CollegePrepResults.com.

Erin Tempest is the founder of Seattle Success Coaching where she and her team help families with a wide range of issues. Let Erin take the frustration out of learning with her academic support, exectuvie function coaching, and social/life skills packages. Her goal is to help parents get back to enjoying their kids. You can find out more at SeattleSuccessCoaching.com.

When should students take the SAT or ACT—and how many times is enough? In this episode of The College Prep Podcast, Megan and Erin break down the ideal testing timeline and clear up common misconceptions that cause unnecessary stress for families.

They explain why junior year is the sweet spot for SAT and ACT testing, how many times students typically take these exams, and why finishing testing before senior year can make the college application process far less overwhelming. The conversation also covers strategic retakes, including why second attempts often lead to higher scores and how fee waivers and school-day testing can reduce costs.

Listeners will learn when test prep actually makes sense (and why starting too early can backfire), how to use the PSAT effectively in 10th grade, and what really matters when choosing between the SAT and ACT. Megan also shares practical guidance on scheduling tests around math coursework, AP exams, extracurricular commitments, and student motivation.

This episode provides a clear roadmap for parents and students who want to make smart, low-stress decisions about standardized testing—without falling for rumors or over-preparing too soon.

Questions?

If you have questions, feedback, or ideas for an upcomming show, we'd love to hear from you. You can email us at collegepreppodcast (at) gmail (dot) com

More about the hosts

Megan Dorsey is a parent, educator, and SAT/ACT prep expert. She graduated from Rice University and has over 25 years of experience helping students earn better scores and put together strong applications. Megan lives in Sugar Land, Texas and works with students in-person and on Zoom. You can find out more at CollegePrepResults.com.

Erin Tempest is the founder of Seattle Success Coaching where she and her team help families with a wide range of issues. Let Erin take the frustration out of learning with her academic support, exectuvie function coaching, and social/life skills packages. Her goal is to help parents get back to enjoying their kids. You can find out more at SeattleSuccessCoaching.com.