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The College Ready Blog serves students and parents in their college application journey with valuable advice based on the most unique service in the College Admissions space.
Plan for College, Grow at Home: The Parent Whisperer Podcast with Shellee Howard and Richard Ramos
When it comes to helping families thrive, few voices are as authentic and powerful as Richard R. Ramos. Raised in Northeast Los Angeles by a single mother as the youngest of five, Richard grew up surrounded by domestic violence and gang activity. Those early...
Preparing for College: Coaching Teens Through Chaos to Confidence
When it comes to preparing teens for college and life beyond the classroom, two unique perspectives come together in a powerful way. Shelley Howard, host of Parents: Is Your Teen College Ready?, sat down with former student turned coach Hunter Thompson to explore the...
Preparing Students for College: A Parent’s Guide to Raising Future-Ready Kids
SummaryIn this episode, Shellee from *Parents: Is Your Teen College Ready?* emphasizes the critical importance of early and strategic college planning for families. She highlights that while many families plan for major life events such as marriage, buying a home, or...
The College Preparedness: Building a Future Without Debt
Summary In this insightful episode, Shellee from *Parents: Is Your Teen College Ready?* emphasizes the critical importance of early and strategic planning for college, advocating that families begin this process well before high school—ideally from preschool. She...
College Ready: Smart Ways to Pay for College Without Loans
Shellee Howard, founder and CEO of College Ready and host of the Parents is Your Teen College Ready podcast, shares insights from her best-selling book The College Admissions Plan Simplified. Her primary focus is on parents, acknowledging that college admissions...
Do Ivy League Colleges Check All References on College Applications?
Do Ivy League Colleges Check All References? Do Ivy League Colleges Check All References? This is one of the most common questions asked during college planning—and the answer isn't as simple as yes or no. So, do Ivy League colleges check all references? Yes, but how...
Is the Niche Scholarship Legit? What You Need to Know.
Is the Niche scholarship legit? If you're a high school student—or a parent—trying to plan for college without piling on debt, you've probably come across the popular Niche $2,000 "No Essay" Scholarship. I'm Shellee, founder of College Ready Plan, and I’m here to...
How to Prep for College in a New Testing Landscape: Insights from Shellee Howard and Sean Ivester
In this insightful discussion, Shelley Howard interviews Sean Ivester, founder of Pivot Tutors, about the evolving landscape of college entrance testing and effective test preparation strategies. Sean explains that test prep timing depends largely on the student’s...
Do Colleges Care About Both ACT and SAT? Cracking the Code with Shellee Howard and Jackie Pollina
In this insightful and comprehensive discussion, Shelley Howard hosts Jackie Pollina, founder of J&J Test Prep and No BS SAT Prep, to explore the critical role of test preparation in high school and college admissions. Jackie shares her entrepreneurial journey...
How to Prepare for College Without Clubs or Internships: Stand Out with Initiative and Purpose
No Club? No Internship? No Problem—Here’s How Your Student Can Still Stand Out on College Applications As college admissions grow more competitive, many families worry their student is already behind. Maybe they didn't join the robotics team, land an internship, or...
Mental Wellness 101: Teaching Teens the Tools for Self-Awareness and Resilience with Shellee Howard and Raphael McMaster
In this insightful interview, Shelley Howard, founder and CEO of College Ready, hosts Raphael McMaster, a creative professional turned nonprofit leader focused on empowering youth with essential emotional and mental health tools. Raphael shares how his journey led him...
Designing Your College Journey: Admission Assistance & Success Tips with Shellee Howard and Elliot Felix
In this insightful conversation between Shelley Howard and Elliot Felix, Felix—shares valuable guidance on preparing students not just to enter college but to thrive throughout their college journey and beyond. He emphasizes the importance of community, support...
College Ready Starts Early: Inside the Mind of a Test Prep Expert with Matthew Pietrafetta and Shellee Howard
Mentoring Matters • Matthew Petrafetta founded Academic Approach in 2001 after valuing transformative mentors in literature and psychology. • He aims to replicate that coaching DNA for students’ academic growth. Passion-Driven Learning • Tutors “meet the student where...
Help with College Applications: Ben Kaplan Shares His Road to Harvard and Scholarship Success with Shellee Howard
Ben Kaplan’s background Won ~24 scholarships totaling $90,000, enabling Harvard admission. First scholarship call: “Congratulations, you’ve just won $15,000 from Discover Card.” Authored How to Go to College Almost for Free and new book Scholars and Dollars. Exploring...
Raising Confidence, Living Authentically: Shellee Howard in Conversation with Christina Lecuyer
Decision • Faith • Action “Everything is a matter of decision.” Christina’s core formula: make a choice, take massive action, and trust something greater. From Pro Golfer to Mindset Coach Former five-time All-American golfer battled eating disorders and suicidal...
Beyond Biology: Meeting College Requirements Through AP Success – Shellee Howard Talks with Michelle Purdue
Michelle Purdue’s Background 32 years teaching experience, 25 years teaching AP Biology Chose teaching to inspire future medical researchers and practitioners AP Biology Course Approach Treats AP Bio like a sports season: “I’ve been prepping them all year to get...
How to Prepare for College Academically: A Guide for High School Students
Knowing how to prepare for college can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re still navigating high school. But starting early with a solid academic plan can mean the difference between getting accepted to your dream school—or settling—and between graduating...
Strategies for Academic Success: Teaching Life Skills for the AI-Driven Future with Nitin Gour
Career Journey & Pivot Nitin Gour shares his transition from a tech background to an 18-year career in finance before founding Bloomster. He emphasizes that diverse experiences and a fast-paced environment shaped his approach to work and life. Focus on Holistic...
Highschool Internships: Why They Matter for College Applications
Navigating the college admissions process is no small feat, and over the years, I’ve had the privilege of guiding countless families through its complexities. Today’s competitive landscape requires students to distinguish themselves not only through stellar grades and...
Writing Skills for Everyday Impact: Layla Rafaat’s Research Journey with Lumiere
Guest IntroductionShelly Howard hosts Layla, a student from College Ready, discussing her research project on Alzheimer's disease. Research MotivationLayla chose to research Alzheimer's disease due to her personal connection; her great-grandmother suffered from it,...
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Students From College Ready Families Have Been Accepted At These Fine Colleges.
