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 Spotlights on a College. Every Monday, we have a second episode to discuss a "hot topic" and interview a "thought leader" in the admissions or college life world. YCBK combines "in-depth knowledge" with a light, easy-to-listen conversational style. We have eight co-hosts, six college counselors, and two current admissions officers, including an Admissions Dean
Chart trend
Position in the Education for Kids chart (US), last 90 days.
#1#16#31JunJulAugSep
#11
all-time peak
619
days in the top 50 since Jan 2025
Latest episodes
Showing 20 · updated from the feed
YCBK 673: Understanding Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington
#34 trending · Education for Kids
In this episode you will hear: (08:53) Mark interviews Mitch Gordon and Jennifer Ziegenfus-Verto Education Part 3 of 5-Preview Jen and Mitch talk about the growth of st
Sep 10 52 min
YCBK 672: How Can I Know What My Actual Miscellaneous College Expenses Are
In this episode you will hear: Mark interviews Mitch Gordon and Jennifer Ziegenfus-Verto Education Part 2 of 5-Preview v Jennifer goes in some depth explaining when and h
Sep 7 58 min
YCBK 671: How Verto Education Became the World's Largest Transfer Pathway to College
In this episode you will hear: (22:15) Mark interviews Mitch Gordon and Jennifer Ziegenfus-Verto Education Part 1 of 5-Preview v Mitch Gordon shares his backstory v Mitch
Sep 3 50 min
YCBK 670: Understanding Clemson University
In this episode you will hear: Mark interviews Dr. Rick Barth, Director of Undergraduate Admissions Part 4 of 5 and 5 of 5 µ Rick talks about extracurriculars, and whethe
Aug 31 1 h 02 min
YCBK 669: If My Student Checks the Box For Aid, Does It Decrease Their Admissions Chances
In this episode you will hear: (11:38) Mark and Christina answer a question from a listener about how, "checking the box" impacts admissions at a "Need-Aware" college (34
Aug 27 59 min
YCBK 668: Co-Hosts Debate "What Advice We Should Be Giving to Students" 2 of 2
In this episode you will hear: Mark and Carter debate an article Brennan Barnard wrote in Forbes entitled: "College Admissions Maxing: A Troubling Trend Mark reads the ar
Aug 24 1 h 17 min
YCBK 667: Two Co-Hosts Debate "What Advice We Should Be Giving to Students"
In this episode you will hear: (17:44) Mark and Carter debate an article Brennan Barnard wrote in Forbes entitled: "College Admissions Maxing: A Troubling Trend (44:36) M
Aug 20 1 h 10 min
YCBK 666: The Best Career Advice You Are Going To Hear In Your Life
In this episode you will hear: Mark and Chris have a good back and forth discussion about the book "Class Matters" and the theory that race-based affirmative action got i
Aug 17 1 h 20 min
YCBK 665: Caltech'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 Caltech Will Catc
Aug 13 1 h 06 min
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 Instag
Aug 10 1 h 04 min
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 o
Aug 6 1 h 05 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
Aug 3 1 h 07 min
YCBK 661: Changes Colleges Are Making Because of their Enrollment Shortage
In this episode you will hear: (03:30) Mark and Christina answer a question from a listener who wants to know how colleges are coping with their enrollment challenges (34
Jul 30 1 h 02 min
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 a
Jul 27 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
Jul 23 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 art
Jul 20 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 t
Jul 16 58 min
YCBK 656: How Do I Get a Spike, so I Can Be a Competitive Applicant for Selective Colleges
In this episode you will hear: Carter and Mark take a question from Ben, a 10th grader in Texas. Ben wants to know how he can get a spike so he can be competitive in the
Jul 13 56 min
YCBK 655: Why is it Hard to Get a Straight Answer: Are My Test Scores Are Good Enough?
In this episode you will hear: (03:06) Mark answers a question from a listener about, how to know if your test scores are good enough? (21:48) Hilary and Mark take a seco
Jul 9 1 h 03 min
YCBK 654: Why Admissions Has Been the "Wild Wild West" Since 2019
In this episode you will hear: Updates on our YouTube Channel Christina Lopez discuss "double deposits", what are they, whey they occur and are they wrong? Mark reads an
Jul 6 52 min
Chart positions
Where Your College Bound Kid | Admission Tips, Admission Trends & Admission Interviews ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Sep 13, 2026).
A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.
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!
ilgirl51 · Feb 2026
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!
CometgirlK · Aug 2025
Mark and the YCBK team provide deep insights into all aspects of college admissions. I never miss an episode, and even look forward to Mondays (and Thursdays) for new content. Sometimes, I even think this team is reading my mind. The topics go deeper than any other resource I have found. Thank you YCBK!
JLite pod · Jun 2025
I cannot overstate how amazing all this free, specific, in-depth information about every topic college admissions.
Stuck has top experts, a deep look at a variety of colleges, and a calming mix of realism and idealism that is unique and grounding.
Murder Mystery 1932 · Feb 2025
I’m writing as a listener and a parent of two students in college who graduated from an independent day school in Southern California. Both of my children worked closely with two different experienced and highly ethical independent educational consultants (IECs), and I can say without hesitation that these professionals provided more consistent, personalized, and supportive guidance than what was available through their school-based counselor—despite her being capable and well-intentioned.
That’s why I was both disappointed and troubled by the tone and content of the recent podcast episode. The comments made about IECs came across as mean-spirited, petty, and misinformed. I understand that critical discussion is necessary, but what aired felt less like a thoughtful critique and more like a blanket dismissal of an entire profession.
This kind of framing is both misleading and unhelpful to families trying to make informed choices. I’m glad this didn’t air years ago when my two children were beginning the process, I would have never sought the valuable support we needed.
Perhaps parts 2 and 3 of this segment will provide more balance after the host and co-host receive feedback from listeners. But, based on what was said in part 1, it’s hard to imagine a meaningful shift.
FloatDownTheLiffy · Jul 2025
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