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

Mark Stucker

College Admissions

Financial Aid

Standardized Testing

Holistic Admissions

Mental Health

Scholarships

Athletic Recruiting

Early Decision

Personal Statements

Teacher Recommendations

Enrollment Management

Higher Education

Demonstrated Interest

College Counseling

University Of Georgia

Common App

FAFSA

College Aid Pro

Polygence

Duke University

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	Twice weekly	Episodes	661	Founded	8 years ago
Number of Listeners		Categories	Kids & FamilyEducationEducation for KidsSelf-Improvement

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Latest Episodes

YCBK 660: Answers to Tough Questions our Parents Submitted about the SAT & ACT

In this episode you will hear: Mark answers a question Barbara from California sent in about an idea for the SAT and the ACT. Update on our new website, YouTube Channel and our new Instagram Jed Applerouth answers questions listeners sent in about th... more

Yesterday • 42 min

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

In this episode you will hear: (05:14) Christina Lopez joins Mark to discuss a question from a mom from south Florida about how colleges will view their family's full-pay status in the admissions process (17:55)Jed Applerouth answers questions listen... more

23 Jul 2026 • 43 min

YCBK 658: Is Getting a Liberal Arts or Humanities Degree Very Risky In This Job Market

In this episode you will hear: Susan Tree joins Mark to take a very thoughtful question from Katie who wants to know if we think it is just too risky to get a liberal arts or humanities degree when STEM degrees lead to higher pay. Mark interviews Owe... more

20 Jul 2026 • 57 min

YCBK 657: My Student Is Not Excited About Going To College: What do I do?

In this episode you will hear: (05:28) Guest host Chris Teare joins Mark to discuss a question from a mom who doesn't know what to do because her student is not excited to go to college. Mark shares an An Admissions Tip, An Admissions Vernacular and ... more

16 Jul 2026 • 58 min • Most popular

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Number of Listeners

Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

The Truth about College AdmissionJohns Hopkins Press

The College Admissions Process PodcastJohn Durante

Getting In: A College Coach ConversationBright Horizons College Coach

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

Inside the Admissions Office: Advice from Former Admissions OfficersInGenius Prep

Recent Guests

Owen Bly

Dean of Admission at Providence College

Providence College

Episode: YCBK 657: My Student Is Not Excited About Going To College: What do I do?

Mary Lachance

Co-founder of College App Pro

College App Pro

Episode: YCBK 657: My Student Is Not Excited About Going To College: What do I do?

Micki Meyer

Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs at Rollins College; 20-year veteran at Rollins

Rollins College

Episode: YCBK 652: Correcting Misunderstandings about the University of Chicago

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

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

Christina Lopez

Admissions leader, Dean of Enrollment Management at Barnard College (former)

Dean's Desk / Your College Bound Kid

Episode: YCBK 647: Dean Christina Lopez Explains A Major Change for Colleges Coming In July

Pryor Gilbert

Student athlete at Wake Forest University

Wake Forest University

Episode: YCBK 643: The Pros and Cons of Colleges With 500 or Less Students

Suzanne Hanna

Founder of Suzanne Hanna Coaching; focus on helping young women transition to college and sorority guidance

Suzanne Hanna Coaching

Episode: YCBK 641: Why Some College Info Is Too Sensitive To Share with Parents

Kevin Newton

International Admissions Expert; discusses studying abroad for grad school and cross-border considerations

An Education Abroad

Episode: YCBK 641: Why Some College Info Is Too Sensitive To Share with Parents

Hosts

Mark Stucker

Founder and producer; host

Carter DeLauro

Co-host of the show

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 Statesa month 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.

Consistently helpful for families navigating complex admissions timelines and financial aid discussions.

Listeners appreciate the mix of expert guests and real student perspectives.

Some episodes are praised for transparency and honest talk about admissions nuances, though a few critics call out perceived biases in certain topics.

Quality guest lineup and actionable strategies keep listeners coming back for more.

The show provides practical, in-depth college admissions guidance that you can act on right away.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts	#20	United States/Kids & Family/Education for Kids
Apple Podcasts	#89	United States/Kids & Family
Apple Podcasts	#116	Canada/Kids & Family/Education for Kids
Apple Podcasts	#157	United Kingdom/Kids & Family/Education for Kids
Apple Podcasts	#24	Saudi Arabia/Kids & Family/Education for Kids
Apple Podcasts	#35	Chile/Kids & Family/Education for Kids

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.

YCBK 655: Why is it Hard to Get a Straight Answer: Are My Test Scores Are Good Enough?

Q: Should applicants focus on the admitted score range or the enrolled score range at a school?

In practice, admissions often look at admitted data as the primary reference, but it's crucial to unpack data with context because enrolled scores are lower and can mislead if taken in isolation; the final judgment should weigh multiple factors beyond raw numbers.

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

Q: What's your view on spikes or pointy activities and how they can help a student stand out?

The key is to move away from what colleges might want and toward what genuinely excites the student, showing authentic, long-term engagement and real impact rather than a choreographed project.

YCBK 635: What Can You Do If You Have Only Had One Activity in High School

Q: How should a student approach requesting letters of recommendation when dealing with anxiety or mental health challenges during junior year?

Be transparent with teachers and guidance counselors about what to disclose or not disclose, provide guidance on what the letters should convey (observed behavior, growth, readiness to access support), and suggest including a narrative about self-advocacy and future preparedness rather than diagnostic details unless the student and school deem it essential.

YCBK 652: Correcting Misunderstandings about the University of Chicago

Q: What is your best advice for parents, students, and counselors?

Her closing advice is that it's going to be okay and not to sweat the small stuff, recognizing that individual 'small stuff' varies by person and that growth comes through navigating challenges.

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?

The show centers on college admissions, counseling, and student life, offering practical guidance for families navigating applications, financial aid, and campus choices. Across episodes, expect expert interviews, candid industry discussions, and student spotlight segments that illuminate how schools evaluate applicants, manage recruitment, and support transitions to college. Notable strengths include a steady stream of practical tips (from resumes to major exploration), a willingness to tackle controversial topics, and a recurring focus on real-world pathways—from transfers and study abroad to holistic admissions and campus culture. A standout trait is the consistent involvement of experienced counselors and admissions professionals, paire... 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 Truth about College Admission
2. The College Admissions Process Podcast
3. Getting In: A College Coach Conversation
4. The College Essay Guy Podcast: A Practical Guide to College Admissions
5. Inside the Admissions Office: Advice from Former Admissions Officers

How many episodes of Your College Bound Kid are there?

Your College Bound Kid launched 8 years ago and published 661 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. Owen Bly
2. Mary Lachance
3. Micki Meyer
4. Dr. Tricia Seifert
5. Dr. Tricia Siefert
6. Christina Lopez
7. Pryor Gilbert
8. Suzanne Hanna

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