Ethan Sawyer, the College Essay Guy, returns to the show for Part 2 of his conversation with Ted. In this follow-up, they “get down to the nitty gritty” of writing an awesome college essay, detailing the four qualities that are essay must-haves. Ethan shares an example of an extremely well-written piece that has both guys saying “whooooaaaa.” (0:30)
Ethan explains how to evaluate and improve a first draft of an essay using the four necessary qualities. He and Ted discuss how to delve deeper into the Big Four while keeping the composition concise. They talk about the importance of vulnerability in writing and Ethan describes three ways to tap into that vulnerability. (11:46)
Astronomical terminology. Macroscopic verbiage. Elephantine language unit. Monolithic vocable…Big words. Whether they add to or detract from an essay depends a lot on how many are used and why they are chosen over their simpler counterparts. (26:00)
Advice on how to evaluate and give feedback on a student’s draft of their essay; what to focus on first and what to leave until later in the process. (29:00)
Have a question or comment for Ted and the show? Email and check out his website!

Ted speaks with Gail Meyer, President Emeritus of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (ICEA) and an educational consultant specializing in college admissions. Before getting into college admissions she spent 17 years as a clinical social worker specializing in working with adolescents and their families. Gail brings all of her education, skill, and passion for helping students achieve their goals to her current career.
Ted asks Gail if she has noticed colleges catering to students today more than they have in the past. She believes colleges are looking to make offers to students whose admission would be beneficial to both the student and the institution. They talk about the importance of self-assessment when a student is looking for the right match in colleges. (2:40)
As they discuss the overlap of working in the mental health field with working in education consulting, Ted and Gail agree that a student’s anxiety can be hugely detrimental to their preparation for college. Gail stresses the importance of listening to, and truly hearing, the students they work with. (5:30)
Gail shares insights on how the college admissions landscape has shifted in the last few years, e.g. financial planning, early decision admission for freshmen, and stauncher competition. Later, she and Ted get into more common misconceptions students and their families have about the admissions process. (13:25)
As Ted puts the Problem of the Day to Gail, they experience some test anxiety of their own. (23:00)
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Ted introduces Ethan Sawyer, the “College Essay Guy,” a nationally recognized college essay expert. Ethan has a degree from Northwestern in screenwriting and English, an MFA from UC Irvine, two certificates in college counseling and one in hypnotherapy. He utilizes all of this extensive education, as well as his own core values of connection and community, to help students uncover their potential and achieve their dreams. (0:50)
Ted asks Ethan about hypnotherapy and how it can help people who are struggling to construct their college essays. Ethan describes his technique and some of the amazing results that have come from this novel approach. (8:40)
The guys discuss that dreaded question: What is Your Story? Such a vague and open-ended phrase does little to stimulate one’s creativity, not to mention the reductive nature of such a query. Not to worry! Ted and Ethan have tips on thinking about this a bit differently so you can construct a successful and meaningful narrative. (13:15)
Ethan talks about his process with students and the journey of self-discovery they need to take to take to get that perfect college essay. In the process, he challenges them to identify and overcome blocks and inspires them to stay true to themselves and their values. (15:00)
Find out more about Ethan’s approach in Episode 13, where he’ll join Ted again and they’ll disclose the 4 qualities an essay needs to have to be successful. Also in the next episode, he puts Ted on the spot by asking him to go through the process that a student would while working with Ethan. (20:25)
The College Essay Guy offers a range of services, from his own podcast and free materials on his website, to live online courses, boot camps, and one-on-one sessions. He has a pay-what-you-can online course beginning in September that you can sign up for now. Check out his site and come back to hear more from Ethan and Ted in Episode 13. (25:24)
Have a question or comment for Ted and the show? Email and check out his website!

Ryan Harrison returns to discuss some of the most common SAT/ACT conspiracy theories, myths, and old wives tales out there. First, though, the guys share a few of the school-themed nightmares they’ve experienced while asleep. Ryan’s range from getting in trouble with his parents to getting lost in the hallways, while Ted’s are of a more musical variety. (4:00)
 
Myth No. 1: The tests are easier or harder depending on which test date you take them. (5:30)
Myth No. 2: Test prep is all about learning “the tricks.” (10:10)
Myth No. 3: Some colleges prefer scores from one test over the other. (20:30)
Myth No. 4: The SAT was designed to identify gifted students. (24:33)
Myth No. 5: The ACT is actually a circus put together by a band of clowns. (34:32)
Listen in as Ted asks Ryan to determine which myths are true and which are false; the answers may surprise you! They also dive into the origin stories of the tales and whether even the false ones have a kernel of truth deep within.
 
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Ted takes a field trip to Campbell Hall High School to speak with their director of college counseling, Jennifer Simpson. As a self-proclaimed “recovering life planner,” Jennifer uses her strategist superpowers to help individual students identify and prepare for their best path for after graduation. (0:43)
Jennifer shares some of the biggest misconceptions she encounters regarding the college application and admission processes. She and Ted consider the impact of perception and attitude in the experience. (6:20)
Ted asks Jennifer where she falls on his College Admission Cynicism Spectrum, and whether she believes students should be involved in activities as purely a means to an end. Hear her thoughts on such a singular approach and her impassioned plea for adults to guide their kids along a more inquiry-based path. (17:25)
Jennifer and Ted discuss the growing globalization of higher education. While this movement does create added competition for potential students, it also serves to cultivate environments of diversity and learning. Ted takes a deep dive into the cynicism whirlpool but Jennifer’s optimism pulls him back into more positive waters. (29:33)
For the Problem of the Day, Ted chooses a question from the US History SAT subject test. Jennifer, with an assist from one of her students at Campbell Hall, masterfully handles this issue of 18th century women’s rights. If you don’t have a helpful AP History student of your own, look for clues in the wording of the question to find the correct answer. (46:16)
Have a question or comment for Ted and the show? Email and check out his website!

Wes Carroll- MIT grad, podcast host, math tutor, educational coach/consultant, and Ted-proclaimed “Master Problem Solver”- joins the show for Episode 9. Wes explains how learning to problem solve is more than simply learning how to answer test questions correctly; in fact, this type of thinking is a skill that will serve students through college and beyond. Ted and Wes discuss the difference between classroom exercises and true problem solving and weigh in on which is more important to a student’s success. (0:50)
Check out Wes’ website to learn more about his tutoring and how he can help high school students become better thinkers. Also, take a listen to his podcast for more fun problem solving practice!
Ted and Wes chat about mathematician George Polya’s 1947 book How To Solve It, a guide to the principles of problem solving. Both are big fans of Polya’s strategy of making a plan and breaking a challenging problem into parts to find the answer. (9:00)
Ted asks Wes if good thinking and problem solving are things a tutor can teach and a student can develop. They discuss the self-evaluative process of a successful problem solver. Ted humbly admits he has a tendency to always immediately pick the best method to solve a problem but Wes believes there’s more to it than chance. (17:00)
After discussing the theories, quandaries, and philosophies of problem solving, Ted and Wes finally get to solving some problems! Wes has brought some interesting examples from his puzzler podcast so he and Ted work on a few to close out the show. (33:06)
Have a question or comment for Ted and the show? Email and check out his website!

Ted talks with self-professed “helicopter mom” Courtney Jane about her high-achieving children, Jamie and Cece, who were also students of Ted’s test prep program. Jamie just completed his junior year at Harvard and Cece will be starting at Brown in the fall; clearly this mom is doing something right! Courtney discusses what she thinks has made her kids so successful and shares tips on playing the ‘game of strategy’ that is getting into your dream school. (0:50)
Ted asks Courtney how much of her kids’ success is due to their own ambition and hard work and how much can be ascribed to her hands-on style of parenting. She stresses the importance of knowing a particular child’s personality and their innate ability and drive. (8:20)
Courtney and Ted acknowledge the role of good fortune when a student is admitted to an elite college. Nevertheless, there is no substitute for hard work and preparation in the process. (16:30)
Ted asks Courtney to share some of the most common mistakes she sees people make in preparing their child to apply for college. She mentions the involvement of parents, spending time in activities where a kid can shine as an individual, and having an overall strategy to focus on throughout the entire process. (23:14)
The Question of the Day: Ted’s hidden cruel streak inspires him to torture Courtney with an algebra problem from the test. Listen in to see how she fares and if Ted shows any remorse for how he treats his guest 😉 (27:45)
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Ted welcomes guest and friend Candice Frankel, a college counselor with 25 years of experience. Candice founded her own company, Frankel College Counseling, to assist students and their parents in the application process. In addition, she created The Edwin, a personalized organizational tool designed to yield fantastic college options.
As her own 10th grade daughter has recently become a client of Ted’s company, Candice reflects on her experience with college prep as a parent vs. as an administrator. Ted probes deeper into why parents might need a professional college counselor to guide them and their child in their college process. (4:35)
Candice and Ted discuss the college counselor cynicism spectrum; namely how much should a counselor or parent encourage a student to tailor their experiences to a particular college’s application. Candice sees this situation as a problem, an “upside-down” way to address a student and their goals. (9:50)
Ted and Candice discuss the best time to start thinking about college, common misconceptions about the application and admission processes, and the benefits of college tours. (16:14)
Ted asks Candice the Question of the Day, a writing and language problem from the old SAT format. This particularly tricky question reminds Ted of what he misses about the old SAT and hates about the new one. (25:14)
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Jordan Schanda, co-founder of ScholarPrep, joins Ted to discuss when and how students should begin to prepare for the college application process. ScholarPrep is centered around The Organizer, a tool that helps students set goals, track their progress and organize all of the information they will need for college and scholarship applications. Jordan’s goal is to maximize admissions and scholarships while minimizing stress. (1:15)
Ted and Jordan talk about extracurricular activities; should students choose based on their own interests or are they better off spending time only on what schools are specifically looking for? (8:40)
ScholarPrep encourages students to begin their college preparation in the summer after 8th grade. Ted asks how, at such a young age, a student can identify their goals for higher education and career. Jordan suggests some basic points these students and their parents can think about to get started with planning. (18:30)
Ted asks Jordan the Question of the Day, a wordy math problem from the No Calculator section of the SAT. (27:19)
There are many ways for students and their parents to connect with ScholarPrep; check out their main site, their facebook group, or contact them with questions.
Have a question or comment for Ted and the show? Email and check out his website!
 

Chelsea Watkins, founder and CEO of College Application Training, joins Ted for a conversation about how families can handle the staggering cost of college. College Application Training provides guidance with creating a stellar college application and assistance in filling out a FAFSA. Ultimately, they create a customized college funding plan and overall financial strategy for each family. Contact Chelsea for a free hour-long evaluation to see if she can help you. (0:50)
Ted admits he has never filled out a FAFSA before; Ted’s parents, perhaps knowing their son best, always completed the paperwork for him. Chelsea shares the basics of the process and also gives tips and tricks for families. They agree, however, that this step is important enough to bring in a professional if possible. (4:36)
The CSS profile form, required by some upper-tier schools, takes into account some assets that the FAFSA does not. Chelsea explains these holdings and who they might impact, then recommends steps for the people in this predicament. (14:15)
Retirement plan balances, non-qualified annuities, and permanent life insurance policies are sheltered assets that can be beneficial for many families preparing to apply for aid. Learn more about sheltered assets and find out which top-ranked school is asking about one in particular. (20:49)
Ted surprises Chelsea with the Question of the Day! She’s a great sport and, as a former teacher for The Princeton Review herself, she rocks this one from a past SAT. (35:29)
Last but not least, Chelsea puts Ted on the spot and forces him to choose- SAT or ACT?? Which will it be….(42:00)
Have a question or comment for Ted and the show? Email and check out his website!

Ted introduces Martha Marion: actor, writer, comedian, poet, and longest-tenured tutor at Ted’s company (take that Ryan!) Martha’s tutoring specialty is in translating intimidating math problems into more accessible narratives. She and Ted discuss PEMDAS, SOHCAHTOA, and whether or not it’s true that All Sexy Teachers Cook?! (5:00)
Ted and Martha discuss the plausibility of using a mathematical or scientific approach on the Reading section of the test. They agree that you, as the test taker, have two jobs when confronting the SAT/ACT. (19:30)
To illustrate his theory that there is a test-taking strategy out there for everyone, Ted shares a story about the lowest-scoring student he’s ever tutored. This client scored lower by answering all the math questions than he would have if he had left the answers blank. Even in this challenging case, a strategy was devised that nearly doubled the student’s score. (28:00)
In honor of Marion’s visit, the Question of the Day is a math problem featuring Combinations and Permutations. (29:23)
Have a question for the show? Email Ted or check out the website!

Episode 3 features guest Jacob Osborne, the newest member of the Tutor Ted test prep family. Jacob is a 2016 Yale graduate, actor and comedian in Los Angeles, and lifelong fan of JJ Redick. Ted asks him about growing up in a tiny town in Vermont, the pressure he might have felt from having parents that are both Ivy-league graduates, and his top-5 favorite movies.
Jacob shares the process of how he decided which colleges to apply to and the advice he received when he was feeling overwhelmed by the endless options in front of him. (7:05)
The guys delve into a discussion about the difficult task many students are facing this spring- choosing which college admittance they should accept. Ted acknowledges it is a situation where the outcomes are going to be somewhat unknown, while Jacob describes it as the first adult decision he had to make. They share their own experiences of making this choice, and give advice on what elements to focus on in this process. (19:10)
After accepting admission to Yale, Jacob decided to take a gap year. He spent this time traveling, challenging himself mentally and physically, so he could start his freshman year with more life experience to share. Jacob highly recommends taking a gap year to explore, work, travel, etc, and Ted admits he wishes he had done so himself before starting at Princeton. (34:00)
Episode 3’s Question of the Day is an Inference problem based on a rather melancholy passage. Jacob attempts to find the answer that is better than the other choices; will he make the right decision??
Have a question for the show? Email Ted or check out the website!

Episode 2 asks whether, in a world where people with means so often have an advantage over others, the test prep business is fair. This is an existential question for Ted, who loves and believes in his career but also thinks prep should be freely available to every student. Podcast guest Ryan Harrison agrees with Ted and suggests that everyone does have the tools and opportunity to prep on their own but it is the rare person that has the discipline to do so. They discuss the goals and aims of professional tutors that go beyond imparting pure strategy. (2:00)
Ted and Ryan compare content knowledge to pedagogical content knowledge (CK vs. PCK, for those in the know). They discuss their own teaching methods and what has been effective for their students. (17:28)
The last topic of the show is the recent change to the ACT essay. This alteration came as a surprise to test-takers when confronted with the prompt, again offering a potential advantage to students who worked with a tutor that was familiar with the shift. Ryan and Ted share their advice for dealing with the new essay, specifically discussing how to display critical thinking skills to the graders. (33:00)
Have a question for the show? Email Ted or check out the website!
 

In an episode of firsts, the premiere edition of Tutor Ted Talks College Admissions features the vocal renderings of Ted and Ryan, a newly minted duet To Be Named Someday Or Possibly Never Spoken of Again. They open with an acapella rendition of the classic Golden Grahams jingle, then seamlessly transition to a Steve Miller Band medley. (1:55)
The guys pit the ACT against the SAT as they discuss whether students should take one or the other, or even both. Factors like answer choice clarity, studyability, and the tests’ susceptibility to an overall prep strategy are compared. (5:53)
Ted shares a few of his own SAT/ACT anecdotes, including the feeling of achieving a perfect score and the time his undercover persona was called out at LA High School. (17:25)
Ryan and Ted consider the competitive aspect of the SAT/ACT as they deliberate who exactly a student is competing against when they take these tests. They suggest ways a test-taker can use this competition to improve his or her own score. (21:45)
The first and second Questions of the Day are from the Writing and Language section of the 7th SAT released by the College Board and Khan Academy. Ted reads all four answer choices from a question, then he and Ryan attempt to pick the correct answer using knowledge of the tendencies of the test-writers, a technique students can learn themselves. (33:25)
Have a question or comment for Ted and the show? Email and check out his website!