Don't Force It: How to Get into College without Losing Yourself in the Process

In today's episode, Holly and I dive deep into the world of applying to graduate school. Whether you're contemplating a Ph.D. or an academic-focused master's program, these essential insights will empower you to craft a compelling application and embark on an enriching academic journey.BioHolly has tutored for over a decade and specializes in undergraduate and graduate admissions and is also an expert coach and test prep tutor. She received her BA in Russian from Bowdoin College and her PhD in Comparative Literature and American Studies from Indiana University. She has worked as a tenure track professor at the University of Maine, serving as a MA/PhD advisor and on the graduate admissions committee. Before and during her time with Signet, she has helped over 100 students navigate application essays, program selection, and testing. She loves acting and comedy. Her familiarity with executive function support, standardized testing, writing, and admissions makes her a great holistic advisor to both parents and students alike. She is funny, patient, and meticulously organized.How to Get Into College (Circle Community): https://how-to-get-into-college.circle.so/homeAccess free resources and learn more about Sheila and her team at Signet Education at signeteducation.com or on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheilaakbar/.

In this episode, I sit down with high school college counselor Sharon Genicoff to explore the art of crafting an authentic personal brand for your college applications. Our conversation empowers students to present their unique qualities in a meaningful way, ensuring their college applications stand out and reflect their genuine selves. Tune in for invaluable insights on creating a compelling college application that truly represents who you are.BioSharon Genicoff, a highly accomplished high school counselor in New Jersey, possesses invaluable expertise in guiding students through the complex college admissions process. With a successful background as a Public Relations executive in Manhattan, Ms. Genicoff has catered to prestigious Fortune 500 companies and groundbreaking technology startups in Silicon Valley. This prior experience in marketing and public relations equips her with a remarkable advantage as a college counselor, allowing her to offer a distinctive approach that encourages students to shape their own brand as aspiring young professionals. Sharon graduated from Syracuse University with a Bachelor's Degree in Communication and Rhetorical Studies. Additionally, she holds a Master's Degree in School Counseling from Montclair State University and possesses a Certificate of College Counseling from the esteemed University of California, Los Angeles.She lives in New Jersey with her husband, two young daughters, and two cats. Follow Sharon on LinkedIn. Access the Identity Exercise here.Be a part of Signet’s New Parent Support Community!Access free resources and learn more about Sheila and her team at Signet Education at signeteducation.com or on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheilaakbar/.

In today’s episode, I speak with one of Signet's Principal Tutors, Alberto Naviera. We discuss Alberto’s unique approach to STEM tutoring, his empathetic connections with students, and how he empowers them to conquer the challenges of learning science. Tune in to learn more about how we meet students where they are at Signet!BioAlberto joined the Signet team in 2021 with 5 years of prior tutoring experience. He specializes in STEM subjects and music. He graduated from MIT with a degree in Biological Engineering and is currently pursuing a second bachelor’s in Music Production at the Berklee College of Music.Alberto stands out because:He works at the Office of Minority Education at MIT, leading exam reviews and workshops as well as tutoring on STEM topics.He got a perfect score on the math section of the SAT.He was in MIT's premier co-ed a cappella group, the Chorallaries.Clients and students love Alberto because:He is kind and compassionate towards his studentsHe has an impressive and wide reaching STEM backgroundTestimonial:“I have already recommended Signet several times. You guys do a great job across the board. Thank you for all your help. ” - recent clientAccess free resources and learn more about Sheila and her team at Signet Education at signeteducation.com or on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheilaakbar/.

Today I sit down with longtime friend, Bob Schaeffer. Bob is an incredible source of knowledge around how the testing landscape has changed in the last several decades and the work that he and his team at FairTest do is invaluable. Tune in to hear about the test optional movement in college admissions and more!Bob Schaeffer is currently the Public Education Director of FairTest, the National Center for Fair & Open Testing, where he has coordinated the organization’s university admissions reform program for several decades. He served as the organization’s Executive Director or co-Executive Director for five years.Previously, Mr. Schaeffer was the Research Director of the Massachusetts Legislature's Joint Committee on Human Services, Editorial Writer at the NBC-TV affiliate in Boston and talk show host at a regional NPR affiliate. He also worked at the Education Research Center of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he was both an undergraduate and graduate student. Bob Schaeffer is a featured contributor to the Teachers College Press book The Scandal of Standardized Tests: Why We Need to Drop the SAT & ACT. He also coauthored many FairTest publications, such as Standing Up to the SAT, Test Scores Do Not Equal Merit, Standardized Tests and Our Children, Implementing Performance Assessments, and The SAT Coaching Cover-Up.Bob is frequently quoted by major media outlets, including the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, Associated Press, NPR, and CNN as well as trade publications such as Education Week, Education Dive, Inside Higher Education, and Diverse Issues in Higher Education. He has also spoken at many conferences sponsored by the National Association for College Admissions Counseling, Education Writers Association, Higher Education Consultant Association, Independent Education Consultant Association, American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, SouthernChristian Leadership Conference, and Southern Education Foundation. Access free resources and learn more about Sheila and her team at Signet Education at signeteducation.com or on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheilaakbar/.

Today’s episode is a special one: I get to talk to a mom and her daughter about their experience with the college process. Navigating college admissions is hard for anyone, and for people with minority backgrounds, there are additional factors to consider. Tune in to learn how one family listened to their values and found the right fit for their student.Bio:Mai Moore is an Award-Winning Social Impact Leader, Co-Founder of EYEJ: Empowering Youth, Exploring Justice, Founder of Setting Off Social Impact, and Boss Me In. Mai helped two tech start-ups go public; Travelzoo Inc. and United Online.  Mai believes in diverse women, BIPOC persons, and our young people to help create a more equitable and inclusive world. Mai is from Cleveland Heights, Ohio.  Follow Mai on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maimoore/Yumi Ndhlovu is a second-year student at New York University studying International Relations (pre-law) with minors in Economics and Foreign Languages. Yumi is passionate about international law, politics, and economics and plans to work for an international organization in international law reform or on an international court. Currently, Yumi is working with New York City Council Majority Leader, Keith Powers as an intern writing policy, helping with constituent cases, and aiding in community events. Yumi is originally from Cleveland, Ohio but is now based in New York City.Access free resources and learn more about Sheila and her team at Signet Education at signeteducation.com or on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheilaakbar/.

Today, I sit down with Dr. Arundhati Ghosh, a great friend of Signet's, to talk about her journey in medicine, and how she advises students interested in pursuing the medical path. This episode is a must listen for any parents and students thinking about this path! Dr. Arundhati Ghosh currently works at the Cambridge Health Alliance, Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, and is the surgery curriculum director for the Harvard Medical School Cambridge Integrated Clerkship. She does innovative work in curriculum development and teaching methods. Her most recent publication is 'Structuring Medical Education for Workforce Transformation: Continuity, Symbiosis, and Longitudinal Integrated Clerkships'. Follow Dr. Arundhati Gosh on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arundhati-ghosh-7454126/To get in touch with Dr. Ghosh, email her at [email protected] free resources and learn more about Sheila and her team at Signet Education at signeteducation.com or on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheilaakbar/.

In today’s episode, I recap the SCOTUS decision on affirmative action and break down what it means for students and families, particularly when it comes to writing essays on “diversity” and related topics. Tune in to learn how colleges are reacting to the decision, what we expect they will do as we move forward, and how to address these tricky essay questions that many colleges are adding this year.How to Get Into College (Circle Community): https://how-to-get-into-college.circle.so/homeAccess free resources and learn more about Sheila and her team at Signet Education at signeteducation.com or on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheilaakbar/.

Welcome back everyone! Today, I kick off back to school season with an interview with my dear friend and colleague, Holly Schrieber. Holly is one of the few people at Signet who does “all the things” - and this makes her an incredible insightful advisor and supporter for parents and students alike. Tune in to hear about the life experiences she draws on to connect and build trusting relationships with even the most independent and help-averse students. BioHolly has tutored for over a decade and specializes in undergraduate and graduate admissions and is also an expert coach and test prep tutor. She received her BA in Russian from Bowdoin College and her PhD in Comparative Literature and American Studies from Indiana University. She has worked as a tenure track professor at the University of Maine, serving as a MA/PhD advisor and on the graduate admissions committee. Before and during her time with Signet, she has helped over 100 students navigate application essays, program selection, and testing. She loves acting and comedy. Her familiarity with executive function support, standardized testing, writing, and admissions makes her a great holistic advisor to both parents and students alike. She is funny, patient, and meticulously organized.How to Get Into College (Circle Community): https://how-to-get-into-college.circle.so/homeAccess free resources and learn more about Sheila and her team at Signet Education at signeteducation.com or on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheilaakbar/.

We’re on a break for all of July, but I just had to pop in to share some brief thoughts on the affirmative action ban’s impact on college admissions.We’ll be back in August - enjoy your summer! Access free resources and learn more about Sheila and her team at Signet Education at signeteducation.com or on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheilaakbar/.

This week, I sit down with scholar, author, leader, and mom Urvashi Bhatnagar to talk about her educational journey and the importance of learning skills and knowledge from outside your career silo. BioAs a mission driven strategist, Urvashi advises clients in the private and government healthcare sector on how to stay ahead of key industry trends, identify opportunities to become more efficient, and strategically innovate how healthcare is accessed and delivered to communities that require it the most.  Prior to her work in the United States, she led healthcare advocacy and education initiatives related to Poliomyelitis and Tuberculosis in some of the poorest states of India and improved patient access to care, particularly in the field of orthopedics. By way of her international public health and domestic impact on population health, she recognizes that global total wellness can only occur by way of sustained, systematic and intentional investment in social and environmental determinants of health. In addition to her consulting work, Urvashi regularly serves as a strategic advisor to payors, providers, startups, and serves as a board member for several firms in the healthcare realm. She leverages market and non-market strategies to facilitate population health strategies and utilizes healthcare analytics to refine quantitative analysis for optimized reporting. Urvashi’s prior roles as a program director in both clinical operations and regulatory affairs has led to her being a sought-after expert across industries, firm-types, and geographic locations. Follow Urvashi at https://www.linkedin.com/in/urvashibhatnagarmba/Access free resources and learn more about Sheila and her team at Signet Education at signeteducation.com or on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheilaakbar/.