Your College Bound Kid | Admission Tips, Admission Trends & Admission Interviews

Mark Stucker

College Admissions

Financial Aid

Holistic Admissions

Early Decision

Mental Health

Athletic Recruiting

Scholarships

Standardized Testing

Personal Statements

Teacher Recommendations

Higher Education

Demonstrated Interest

College Counseling

Common App

University Of Georgia

FAFSA

Enrollment Management

Polygence

Duke University

Peer Pressure

Admission Tips, Admission Trends & Admission InterviewsAdmission Interviews Our mission is to "make college knowledge available to all." Each Thursday, the "Your College-Bound Kid" podcast will discuss a hot college topic in the news; we will answer a question or two that listeners send in, we will interview a "thought leader" in the world of college admissions, and do a "deep-dive," we call Spotl... more

452 ratings

Publishes	Daily	Episodes	666	Founded	9 years ago
Number of Listeners		Categories	Education for KidsEducationKids & FamilySelf-Improvement

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Latest Episodes

YCBK 665: Cal Tech's Fraud Squad is Going After Students Who Misrepresent Themselves

In this episode you will hear: (09:56) Mark and Chris discuss an article that appeared in the Wall Street Journal recently entitled, "The Fraud Squad at Cal Tech Will Catch You If You Lie On Your Application" (36:22) Mark interviews New York Times be... more

13 Aug 2026 • 1 hr 6 min • Most popular

YCBK 664: Students At Elite Schools Are Often Like Sheep: Following the Herd

In this episode you will hear: Mark and Chris answer a question from a dad from Denver about applying early. Update on our new website, YouTube Channel and our new Instagram Christina and Mark interview Andrea Saadi on how experts evaluate whether a ... more

10 Aug 2026 • 1 hr 4 min • Popular

YCBK 663: Why Are So Many Colleges Dropping Their College-Specific Essays?

In this episode you will hear: (04:23) Mark and Hillary discuss a few reasons so many colleges are dropping their custom prompts, aka supplemental college essays Update on our new website, YouTube Channel and our new Instagram Admissions Tip, Admissi... more

6 Aug 2026 • 1 hr 5 min

YCBK 662: How to Make a Few Activities Really Stand Out in Your Application

In this episode you will hear: We play three messages that listeners sent in Mark and Hillary share a tip that can really make your activity list stand out Update on our new website, YouTube Channel and our new Instagram Christina and Mark interview ... more

3 Aug 2026 • 1 hr 7 min

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Number of Listeners

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Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

The College Essay Guy Podcast: A Practical Guide to College AdmissionsEthan Sawyer

Admittedly: College Admissions with Thomas CaleelThomas Caleel

The Truth about College AdmissionJohns Hopkins Press

The College Admissions Process PodcastJohn Durante

Getting In: A College Coach ConversationBright Horizons College Coach

Recent Guests

Bill Deresiewicz

New York Times best-selling author, former Yale/Columbia professor

Author, Excellent Sheep; The End of Solitude

Episode: YCBK 665: Cal Tech's Fraud Squad is Going After Students Who Misrepresent Themselves

Joe (Denver)

Dad listener who submitted a question

Listener / Admissions topic hobbyist

Episode: YCBK 664: Students At Elite Schools Are Often Like Sheep: Following the Herd

Andrea Saadi

Municipal credit research analyst

Episode: YCBK 663: Why Are So Many Colleges Dropping Their College-Specific Essays?

Jed Applerouth

Test prep expert and interview guest

Applerouth Test Prep

Episode: YCBK 659: We Are a Full-Pay Family; Will Our Privilege Hurt My Kid In The Admissions Process

Owen Bly

Dean of Admissions and Acting AVP at Providence College

Providence College

Episode: YCBK 656: How Do I Get a Spike, so I Can Be a Competitive Applicant for Selective Colleges

Micki Meyer

Assistant VP for Student Affairs, Rollins College

Rollins College

Episode: YCBK 650: The Importance of the First Six Weeks of the Freshman Year!

Dr. Tricia Seifert

Professor at Montana State University

Montana State University

Episode: YCBK 649: How To Use A Game to Help You Successfully Transition to College

Christina Lopez

Former Dean of Admission at Barnard College; joined the team

The Dean's Desk / Go To College NY

Episode: YCBK 649: How To Use A Game to Help You Successfully Transition to College

Dr. Tricia Siefert

Professor at Montana State University, Dean of the College of Education, Health and Human Development, game designer

Montana State University

Episode: YCBK 648: Can AO Tell if Parent's Fingerprints are on the Student's Activities & Essays

Hosts

Mark Stucker

Founder and producer; primary host guiding discussions and interviews

Christina Lopez

Co-host and counselor contributor; enrollment strategy leader

Carter Delloro

Co-host of Your College Bound Kid; provides student-family perspectives

Micki Meyer

Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs; expert on student transition and onboarding

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 452 ratings

Hot and cold.
Best when the pieces are focused on facts. U Chicago piece was fluff and marketing. Susan tried to be objective about her alma mater but the mom was pure marketing and fluff. Pushed the school way too hard.
Please no more of mom’s pumping their kid’s school. Brings down the credibility of the podcast which is otherwise so credible.
Apple Podcasts
1
DragonDay90
United States2 months ago
Great College Admissions Podcast
I found this podcast a few months ago, and I’ve listened to a bunch of the current and past episodes. I appreciate the way Mark and the other hosts break down a big process into smaller pieces. My daughter is currently a junior, so I’ve taken a bunch of notes! Thanks for all you do!
Apple Podcasts
5
ilgirl51
United States6 months ago
YCBK ROCKS!
As an IEC I follow a lot of companies and podcasts. The ones I trust snd respect are listed on our website for our students. YCBK has been in the #1 spot now for almost 600 episodes! Thank you Mark and your amazing team!
Apple Podcasts
5
GoAKALA
United States9 months ago
Best College Admissions Podcast
I love YCBK podcast. It is an interesting listen and covers a full range of topics. The hosts are very personable. They give great insight into the college admissions process. I am constantly referencing their podcast when other parents are looking for info. Very timely topics with honest insights. Highly recommend!
Apple Podcasts
5
CometgirlK
United Statesa year ago
So angry…. Remove your IEC episode!!
I am writing as a listener, parent of an autistic/ADHD son, and IEC, who loves working with neurodivergent students.
I am writing with unbelievable disappointment and anger with the latest episode about IECs. It was wildly misinformed and harmful to all families, particularly those that have children with different/specific/special needs.
My son is autistic and has ADHD and I believe it is important to validate parents who want additional support for their children and offer options for them ... more
Apple Podcasts
1
greensami3
United Statesa year ago

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Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many hear valuable, up-to-date insights and a steady stream of useful interviews.

Listeners praise deep dives into admissions topics and practical tips they can use now.

Some critics highlight perceived bias or overly strong opinions on certain issues.

Parents appreciate realistic, actionable guidance and expert guests.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts	#25	United States/Kids & Family/Education for Kids
Apple Podcasts	#118	United States/Kids & Family
Apple Podcasts	#93	Canada/Kids & Family/Education for Kids
Apple Podcasts	#21	Indonesia/Kids & Family/Education for Kids
Apple Podcasts	#23	Chile/Kids & Family/Education for Kids
Apple Podcasts	#26	India/Kids & Family/Education for Kids

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

YCBK 664: Students At Elite Schools Are Often Like Sheep: Following the Herd

Q: If a family can't afford to apply ED, does submitting early still move the needle at top schools?

The experts suggest there is no broad advantage to early submission unless the student and family align head, heart, and wallet with the school, but regular decision submitted early may offer limited or no extra advantage; focus should be on the overall fit and financial viability.

YCBK 665: Cal Tech's Fraud Squad is Going After Students Who Misrepresent Themselves

Q: Do you think the emphasis on selecting for high-status careers harms students' long-term fulfillment?

Yes, because the culture pushes students toward predictable, lucrative tracks, often at the expense of discovering their own passions, which can lead to unfulfillment and life choices that don't align with who they are.

YCBK 665: Cal Tech's Fraud Squad is Going After Students Who Misrepresent Themselves

Q: What motivates you to write Excellent Sheep and to discuss elite education in depth?

It grew from long hours with students who were intelligent and hardworking yet disillusioned by a system that rewards performance over genuine interest, leading me to explore how education can better help students find authentic paths rather than merely chasing status.

YCBK 661: Changes Colleges Are Making Because of their Enrollment Shortage

Q: When might the ACT improve its digital exam, and will the ACT ever implement adaptive testing like the SAT?

The adaptive testing path is uncertain; current guidance suggests the SAT uses adaptive mechanisms while the ACT remains linear, and changes hinge on broader strategic and technical considerations rather than a simple switch.

YCBK 653: Are My Test Scores Good Enough To Submit to a Test-Optional Selective College

Q: When should a student submit their SAT or ACT scores if the school is test-optional but requires some consideration of scores?

It depends on the college's admitted vs. attending profile and their stated policy on score submission; if the school is comfortable with non-submitters and the attending score is still competitive given the high school context, submitting may not be necessary, but if the score is strong relative to the school's median, submitting can strengthen the application. Always verify through direct outreach to the admissions office.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Your College Bound Kid

What is Your College Bound Kid about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A practical, teacherly take on college admissions and financing, with a steady cadence of interviews from admissions leaders, counselors, and higher-ed experts. Episodes cover current trends in applications, testing, financial stability of colleges, and strategies families can use to navigate timelines, fit, and cost. A recurring strength is pairing actionable advice (how to craft spikes, submit scores, and evaluate financial risk) with candid perspectives from veteran insiders, making complex decisions feel more manageable for parents, students, and counselors. Noteworthy is the show's emphasis on authenticity, search for genuine student impact over prestige, and thoughtful discussions about equity, budget pressures, and the evolving colle... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Your College Bound Kid?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Your College Bound Kid:

1. The College Essay Guy Podcast: A Practical Guide to College Admissions
2. Admittedly: College Admissions with Thomas Caleel
3. The Truth about College Admission
4. The College Admissions Process Podcast
5. Getting In: A College Coach Conversation

How many episodes of Your College Bound Kid are there?

Your College Bound Kid launched 9 years ago and published 666 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Your College Bound Kid?

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What guests have appeared on Your College Bound Kid?

Recent guests on Your College Bound Kid include:

1. Bill Deresiewicz
2. Joe (Denver)
3. Andrea Saadi
4. Jed Applerouth
5. Owen Bly
6. Micki Meyer
7. Dr. Tricia Seifert
8. Christina Lopez

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