Summer is the time to create student passion. Here’s how-- without spending much. The Gender Gap is Real. Here’s one reason girls outperform boys in school. The Gap Year— a great strategy for students seeking their passion before starting colle

Is College Too Pricey?

Apr 22nd, 2018 19m 54s

What is the biggest concern for families and students? Debt. Don’t let it happen to you.Is College Too Expensive? Some say yes. We say, “Only for uninformed college shoppers."College should not created indebtedness— it should create fina

Scholarship Strategies that Work

Apr 15th, 2018 19m 57s

7 Ways Parents Can Get Ready for College & where to find those scholarships. 4 Ways to maximize scholarships. Don’t be confused. How to calculate that financial aid offer.

Midwest Colleges Cost Less

Apr 8th, 2018 19m 36s

Lessons learned by this year’s seniors— don’t do this if you’re applying to colleges and on a budget. Merit aid is rare if you apply to schools on the East or West Coast. Plus, Midwest Colleges cost less. Where can you find merit-based aid (th

Job One: Fix Student Apathy

Apr 1st, 2018 20m 23s

20% of U.S. States have an average ACT score below 20.0. It’s not intelligence-- it’s effort. Let’s attack student apathy. Here’s how to attack student apathy at home and in schools, & OTC’s 3 keys to getting into a selective college: have a pr

Negotiate Your College Offers

Mar 25th, 2018 20m 2s

Becoming a two or four-year college grad with minimal debt is a choice, Yes, it’s feasible and critical. Yes you CAN negotiate that college offer. Here’s how.The 4 keys to successful college negotiations: prepare, determine your annual budge

Episode #141: Negotiate Your College Offers

Mar 25th, 2018 20m 2s

Segment 1: Becoming a two or four-year college grad with minimal debt is a choice, Yes, it’s feasible and critical.Segment 2: Yes you CAN negotiate that college offer. Here’s how.Segment 3: The 4 keys to successful college negotiations: pre

Episode 140: Screenagers

Mar 14th, 2018 21m 7s

Segment 1: Screenagers— half admit to being addicted. Parents-- we all need to put the the screens away and connect daily with our children— not just to help them attain a degree but to attain so much more.Segment 2: Two strategies for unfocu

Screenagers

Mar 14th, 2018 21m 7s

Screenagers— half admit to being addicted. Parents-- we all need to put the the screens away and connect daily with our children— not just to help them attain a degree but to attain so much more.Two strategies for unfocused high school senio

Don’t be a Debt Slave

Mar 4th, 2018 21m 13s

Hate Mail— JB responds to a skeptical student. How does answering ACT questions help create two- and four- year college graduates with minimal debt?Graduating with minimal debt is a choice. Don’t add (more than $5k a year) to the $1.4 trill

Episode 139: Don’t be a Debt Slave

Mar 4th, 2018 21m 13s

Segment 1: Hate Mail— JB responds to a skeptical student. How does answering ACT questions help create two- and four- year college graduates with minimal debt?Segment 2: Graduating with minimal debt is a choice. Don’t add (more than $5k a ye

The Gap

Feb 25th, 2018 21m 6s

This scandal illustrates why 2 and 4-year college graduation rates should be a key metric for assessing school districts. Hint: they aren't.Spring game plan for HS sophomores, juniors, and seniors: what matters and what tests to take and when

Making Music

Feb 18th, 2018 21m 30s

Civil Unrest Imminent, so claims a U.S. Presidential Candidate. The reason: AI. Students: be prepared, not scared.Examples of how to best choose extra-curriculars: the power of music.Graduating from HS early: many do it wrong, but here’s ho

Avoid Debt Slavery

Feb 14th, 2018 21m 23s

Two skills that double the likelihood of college graduation, according to a 19-year study.Curb the college dropout rate: Top ten list for Freshmen Year Success in College.Don’t become a debt slave: another value college debunks the myth tha

Test Talk

Feb 4th, 2018 21m 26s

Another myth: certain test dates mean higher ACT or SAT scores.When it makes sense to take both the ACT & SAT.Two colleges for under $10k a year: Berea College and College of the Ozarks.

Middle School Meaning

Jan 28th, 2018 21m 17s

Why we can expect more from Middle School— so students can avoid the high school expectation ‘cliff'Grit, Impulse Control, & Finding Productive Passions— three goals when doing Middle School and beyond A 51% college drop out rate— specific

Winter Meeting

Jan 21st, 2018 21m 14s

Seniors- Yes, there’s still time to get to the right, affordable college next fall. Here’s how.Seniors- Here are two of so many examples of affordable four-year colleges still available to you: Dakota Wesleyan and Dakota State.Juniors- The

Writing the Wrongs

Jan 14th, 2018 21m 20s

The reason qualified applicants often don’t get into their top selective college: the essay. Here’s how to write a better one.How the online ACT differs from the paper ACT test.Rural Ohio high schools demonstrate that expecting college grad

Episode #132: Writing the Wrongs

Jan 14th, 2018 21m 20s

Segment 1: The reason qualified applicants often don’t get into their top selective college: the essay. Here’s how to write a better one.Segment 2: How the online ACT differs from the paper ACT test.Segment 3: Rural Ohio high schools demons

Saving Your College

Jan 6th, 2018 21m 22s

JB met these great restaurant waiters, hard-working high school students who need to realize that they have more affordable options than community colleges.529 College Savings Plans— the good and the bad. Get started early.Another great col

Episode #131: Saving Your College

Jan 6th, 2018 21m 22s

Segment 1: JB met these great restaurant waiters, hard-working high school students who need to realize that they have more affordable options than community colleges.Segment 2: 529 College Savings Plans— the good and the bad. Get started ear

Get Your Teen The Money Talk This Weekend

Dec 10th, 2017 21m 18s

Know your college’s CDR— don’t dare join the 11%! CDR: a critical measure to know before saying YES to any college.Tough love— all parents need to have the Money Talk with their teens. Here’s how.Good and bad U.S. News Study Tips and The Ca

Episode #130: Get Your Teen The Money Talk This Weekend

Dec 10th, 2017 21m 18s

Segment 1 - Know your college’s CDR— don’t dare join the 11%! CDR: a critical measure to know before saying YES to any college.Segment 2 - Tough love— all parents need to have the Money Talk with their teens. Here’s how.Segment 3 - Good and

The To-Do List for HS Seniors

Dec 3rd, 2017 21m 6s

Timely To-Do List for High School Seniors. Take care of these tasks ASAP.The Secretary of Education wants to celebrate two-year colleges. It’s about time.Three Ohio Colleges I love: Ohio Wesleyan, Denison, and Wooster— each a New England Li

Episode #129: The To-Do List for HS Seniors

Dec 3rd, 2017 21m 6s

Segment 1: Timely To-Do List for High School Seniors. Take care of these tasks ASAP.Segment 2: The Secretary of Education wants to celebrate two-year colleges. It’s about time.Segment 3: Three Ohio Colleges I love: Ohio Wesleyan, Denison, a