Did you know that 80% of high school students nationally chose their college based on where their friends are going? Don’t let that be your student. The Cut Throat College Planning podcast is your all-in-one, start-to-finish guide to get your student on the right path for life after high school. We want to welcome parents, students, teachers, and any high school staff interested in helping students plan for their next step into adulthood. Choosing a college or not to go to college, can be on ...
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College Experience | Earning a Bachelors in 3 Years
37:20
37:20
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In this episode of Cut Throat College Planning, Kayla and Hector continue their College Experience Series, and this time, it's Hector's turn to share his story. Takeaways: Start entertaining the thought of what could be your career as young as possible Community college could be the stepping stone you need Sometimes longer college stints aren't for…
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College Experience | Working Full-Time & Earning A Degree
39:19
39:19
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Takeaways - The College Experience series aims to provide real-life examples of college journeys to help students understand the challenges and opportunities of college. - Choosing the right learning environment is crucial for success in college. - Kayla's experience highlights the importance of understanding how you learn best and finding a colleg…
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College Finances | Exposing All The HIDDEN FEES In College
30:50
30:50
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Takeaways: - Parents should help their children develop a budget and create an emergency savings fund for - unexpected expenses in college. - Open conversations about emergencies and when to use the emergency fund are important. - Having a good relationship with academic advisors can help students navigate course requirements and avoid unnecessary …
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College Finances | This Is EXACTLY How To Budget In College
33:42
33:42
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Takeaways Know your values and understand your needs versus wants when it comes to spending money. Use resources like the Bean Game and a budgeting template to track your expenses. Consider taking CLEP exams to earn college credits and save time and money. Take advantage of campus transportation, discounts, and free events. Shop where you can earn …
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The Fictional World of Campus Tours & "The Cookie Monster"
10:47
10:47
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Takeaways Parents should ask their children questions about their college tours to understand what they are really looking for in a school. Students often focus on superficial aspects like cookies or the appearance of other students, rather than the academic programs or majors offered. It is important for parents to guide their children in making i…
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College Finances | How The Government Can Help Pay For College
26:25
26:25
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Takeaways The government offers various programs and aid to help students pay for college, including grants, loans, military programs, and AmeriCorps. It is important to understand the financial implications of taking out loans and consider alternative options before resorting to loans. Participating in AmeriCorps and other service programs can pro…
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College Finances | FASFA EXPLAINED, Everything You Need to Know For Your Future
34:56
34:56
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Takeaways: The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is a crucial application for receiving financial aid for college. Parental involvement is essential in the FAFSA process, and special circumstances can impact the aid received. The financial aid department at colleges can provide valuable assistance in navigating the FAFSA and special …
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College Finances | SCHOLARSHIPS, How To Win The Most Money
35:13
35:13
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In this episode, Hector and Kayla discuss scholarships and how they work. They explain that scholarships are money that you apply for and don't have to pay back. They clarify that scholarships are not handed out as physical checks, but are directly sent to the school to cover tuition and other expenses. They also discuss the wide range of scholarsh…
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College Finances | All The Ways You Can Pay For College
29:26
29:26
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Navigating the payment process for college shouldn't require a degree in finance, and this episode is your cheat sheet to owning it. We dissect the myriad of options to foot those bills—think work-study, scholarships, grants, and yes, even the road less traveled like Americorps or military service. Get the inside scoop on what funding methods are o…
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Ever find yourself scratching your head, wondering how to navigate the college maze without drowning in debt or regret? That's where we come in—Hector Lopez and Kayla Record—your unconventional guides through the thickets of higher education. Imagine having over-experienced, no-cost guidance counselors at your disposal—well, that's us, minus the of…
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College Applications | Early Decision, Last Tips, Series Wrap Up
37:09
37:09
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Ever wondered how to outsmart the college application clock and not just meet deadlines but strategically beat them? That's exactly what Hector Lopez and I, Kayla Record, unpack in this revealing episode of Cut Throat College Planning. We share the inside scoop on why early application submissions can be a game-changer, diving into the benefits of …
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College Applications | The BIGGEST SECRET to Stand Out in Your College Application
37:21
37:21
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This journey of college planning isn't just about ticking boxes; it's a collaborative adventure involving Post-it notes and a dash of creativity. We guide you through an interactive activity designed to map out your ideal recommenders, illuminating a spectrum of achievements that will make your application glow. Kayla and I share insights on how to…
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College Applications | NAILING Your Application Interview
29:57
29:57
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Ever wondered what it takes to nail a college application interview? Tune in as Kayla Record and I, Hector Lopez, share crucial strategies for making a lasting impression on admissions committees. We delve into the nuances of interviews across various academic scenarios, highlighting their pivotal role in both specialist programs and competitive sc…
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Ever felt like your college essay might just be another drop in the application ocean? Kayla and I will change that perception forever as we tie up our enlightening series with a toolkit of strategies designed to make your essay the beacon that guides admissions officers to your shores. We're tossing the five-paragraph essay overboard and navigatin…
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Application Essays | DON'T MAKE THESE MISTAKES
17:53
17:53
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Ever found yourself staring at a blank document, the cursor blinking mockingly as you attempt to start your college application essay? Fear not, as Hector Lopez and I, Kayla Record, swoop in with our latest episode to save you from the common blunders that could send your essay to the reject pile. We'll teach you how to ditch the essay title and in…
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Application Essays | How a "Toilet Essay" got me into COLLEGE
21:06
21:06
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Ever found yourself staring at a bullfight and realizing it's the perfect metaphor for your college application essay? That's the kind of unexpected twist we explore as I, Hector Lopez, team up with Kayla Record to break down the do's and don'ts of standout introductions. We're flipping mundane into magnificent, urging you to ditch the clichés and …
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3 Costly College App Mistakes & Transferable Skills
29:48
29:48
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Join Hector Lopez and me, Kayla Record, as we shed light on the common blunders that could torpedo your college aspirations before they even set sail. We're here to arm you with the know-how to avoid redundancies, repeat performances of the same leadership spiel, and initiative statements that lack punch. Our conversation is a treasure trove of str…
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College Applications | What You Wish You Knew
18:44
18:44
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Unlock the secrets to mastering the college application maze with our esteemed guides, Hector Lopez and Kayla Record. Through their expert lens, we illuminate the path for those venturing into the competitive arenas of theater, music, and state school applications, where every detail counts. This episode is a treasure trove of insider tips, from pi…
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Navigating the Confusion of College Applications
16:42
16:42
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Ever felt like you're swimming upstream in the river of college applications? We've been through it and we're here to guide you. This episode has everything you need, starting right from the Common App, program-specific applications, and even the unique process for athletes rooting for D1 and D2 athletic scholarships. We're also handing out a free …
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Narrowing Down College Decisions Based on Campus Tours
21:29
21:29
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What if one simple question could make all the difference in your college decision? This episode of Cutthroat College Planning is an essential listen for any parent or student navigating the treacherous waters of college selection. We conclude our insightful Campus Tour series with a wealth of advice on how to prepare for, experience, and evaluate …
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Ever wondered how to squeeze the most out of your college campus tour? Are you curious about what hidden truths a tour guide's answer may reveal? Fear not, we've got you covered. In this episode of Cutthroat College Planning, we, Hector Lopez and Kayla Record, take you on a deep dive into the crucial questions to ask on a college tour. Questions th…
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Have you ever wondered about the true significance of SAT and ACT scores in your college application? Are these tests really the gatekeepers of your future or are they an outdated tradition? We're your hosts, Hector Lopez and Kayla Record, and in this episode, we're pulling back the curtain on the relevance of these dreaded exams and the shifting l…
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Get ready to master the vital actions to take after completing a campus tour, from thank you notes to comparing schools. Join hosts Hector Lopez and Kayla Record as they walk you through a meticulously curated post-tour checklist, providing crystal clear guidance on what to do after your campus tour. In this insightful episode, we shed light on the…
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