Anonymous
05/14/2025 10:41
Subject: Best new podcasts?
Anonymous wrote:There's a type of consultant whose style seems to make people more anxious on purpose. They talk fast, are pessimistic, complain a lot, and want you to think the deck is rigged against you, especially if you are are someone most people would call privileged.
If you dig, they have no experience, but a huge following because they tap into people's fears. They do absolutely nothing to make people less anxious.
I don't think a single one of them got into college counseling to help people. They got into this because they saw an opportunity to make money. They're not scam artists per sa, but they use the same tactics as them.
I think they just see it not “working out” for a lot of people. So they prescribe a formula or a process for it to work, but they keep all the secrets close to heart?
Anonymous
05/14/2025 10:31
Subject: Best new podcasts?
There's a type of consultant whose style seems to make people more anxious on purpose. They talk fast, are pessimistic, complain a lot, and want you to think the deck is rigged against you, especially if you are are someone most people would call privileged.
If you dig, they have no experience, but a huge following because they tap into people's fears. They do absolutely nothing to make people less anxious.
I don't think a single one of them got into college counseling to help people. They got into this because they saw an opportunity to make money. They're not scam artists per sa, but they use the same tactics as them.
If you dig, they have no experience, but a huge following because they tap into people's fears. They do absolutely nothing to make people less anxious.
I don't think a single one of them got into college counseling to help people. They got into this because they saw an opportunity to make money. They're not scam artists per sa, but they use the same tactics as them.
Anonymous
05/14/2025 10:15
Subject: Best new podcasts?
Anonymous wrote:I find this guy annoying. I think it's a case of making things sound complicated so you need an "expert".
But I do think it's interesting that he said school can't see how many times you've taken the SAT, which is what I've always thought. But I was in an admissions sessions one time when I asked the AO there if they could see, and he said they could. Which I thought was ..not possible. And then I heard somewhere .. maybe YBK .. that some colleges will give a side eye to an applicant with a high SAT score if they've taken it more than 3 times.
On this one point, I'd be interested. My first kid took it twice, was fine with it. My second kid doesn't understand why you wouldn't take it a half dozen times if you can afford it. He's like, I'm def not studying for it more but I'm also not doing anything else productive on a Saturday morning and some of this is luck - either I hit a problem I dont know or I hit 5 problems I dont know.
If you self report, they can’t see how many times.
But not all colleges allow self-reporting. See what the requirements are by college.
Anonymous
05/14/2025 10:06
Subject: Best new podcasts?
I find this guy annoying. I think it's a case of making things sound complicated so you need an "expert".
But I do think it's interesting that he said school can't see how many times you've taken the SAT, which is what I've always thought. But I was in an admissions sessions one time when I asked the AO there if they could see, and he said they could. Which I thought was ..not possible. And then I heard somewhere .. maybe YBK .. that some colleges will give a side eye to an applicant with a high SAT score if they've taken it more than 3 times.
On this one point, I'd be interested. My first kid took it twice, was fine with it. My second kid doesn't understand why you wouldn't take it a half dozen times if you can afford it. He's like, I'm def not studying for it more but I'm also not doing anything else productive on a Saturday morning and some of this is luck - either I hit a problem I dont know or I hit 5 problems I dont know.
But I do think it's interesting that he said school can't see how many times you've taken the SAT, which is what I've always thought. But I was in an admissions sessions one time when I asked the AO there if they could see, and he said they could. Which I thought was ..not possible. And then I heard somewhere .. maybe YBK .. that some colleges will give a side eye to an applicant with a high SAT score if they've taken it more than 3 times.
On this one point, I'd be interested. My first kid took it twice, was fine with it. My second kid doesn't understand why you wouldn't take it a half dozen times if you can afford it. He's like, I'm def not studying for it more but I'm also not doing anything else productive on a Saturday morning and some of this is luck - either I hit a problem I dont know or I hit 5 problems I dont know.
Anonymous
05/14/2025 09:56
Subject: Best new podcasts?
None of these “tips” matter for schools outside the T25.
For those schools yes, everyone already knows, you do need a compelling story or narrative tied to your academic area.
For those schools yes, everyone already knows, you do need a compelling story or narrative tied to your academic area.
Anonymous
05/14/2025 09:55
Subject: Best new podcasts?
Anonymous wrote:I guess to differentiate oneself from all the other college counseling grifters one has to make outlandish TikTok worthy claims.
"Don't play a sport!"
"Don't take advanced math!"
"Don't submit an SAT below 1580!"
Isn’t this guy’s schtick that you must take advanced math?
And must submit scores?
Anonymous
05/14/2025 09:37
Subject: Best new podcasts?
Anonymous wrote:I guess to differentiate oneself from all the other college counseling grifters one has to make outlandish TikTok worthy claims.
"Don't play a sport!"
"Don't take advanced math!"
"Don't submit an SAT below 1580!"
You're probably right. College counseling field seems pretty saturated and they're in the business to make money. Praying off fears works.
Anonymous
05/14/2025 09:33
Subject: Best new podcasts?
I guess to differentiate oneself from all the other college counseling grifters one has to make outlandish TikTok worthy claims.
"Don't play a sport!"
"Don't take advanced math!"
"Don't submit an SAT below 1580!"
"Don't play a sport!"
"Don't take advanced math!"
"Don't submit an SAT below 1580!"
Anonymous
05/14/2025 00:25
Subject: Best new podcasts?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Wow, this is insane.
So don't play a sport and keep your body and mind healthy - just do research or other sedentary things.... sounds like he's trying to keep the healthcare and pharma industries booming.
But I get it - his job is to get you into these schools. He's not being hired to keep your kid healthy or alive past middle age, or to keep them happy and mentally stable and socially connected.
-signed a middle aged physician who feels very sad for this next generation
Don’t feel sad for this reason, feel sad for other reasons (climate change, AI, economic upheaval…).
More kids play sports than ever before. Generation Youth Sports
PP- Yes, I definitely feel sad for those reasons too.
Especially climate change.
Anonymous
05/14/2025 00:20
Subject: Best new podcasts?
Anonymous wrote:Wow, this is insane.
So don't play a sport and keep your body and mind healthy - just do research or other sedentary things.... sounds like he's trying to keep the healthcare and pharma industries booming.
But I get it - his job is to get you into these schools. He's not being hired to keep your kid healthy or alive past middle age, or to keep them happy and mentally stable and socially connected.
-signed a middle aged physician who feels very sad for this next generation
Don’t feel sad for this reason, feel sad for other reasons (climate change, AI, economic upheaval…).
More kids play sports than ever before. Generation Youth Sports
Anonymous
05/13/2025 23:07
Subject: Best new podcasts?
Wow, this is insane.
So don't play a sport and keep your body and mind healthy - just do research or other sedentary things.... sounds like he's trying to keep the healthcare and pharma industries booming.
But I get it - his job is to get you into these schools. He's not being hired to keep your kid healthy or alive past middle age, or to keep them happy and mentally stable and socially connected.
-signed a middle aged physician who feels very sad for this next generation
So don't play a sport and keep your body and mind healthy - just do research or other sedentary things.... sounds like he's trying to keep the healthcare and pharma industries booming.
But I get it - his job is to get you into these schools. He's not being hired to keep your kid healthy or alive past middle age, or to keep them happy and mentally stable and socially connected.
-signed a middle aged physician who feels very sad for this next generation
Anonymous
05/13/2025 22:23
Subject: Best new podcasts?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:What about playing a fall and a spring varsity sport? Why would that be bad?
Does your kid have time to do other more relevant stuff? That’s his point.
Only as it relates to T20.
Exactly. Your application isn't as strong as it COULD be if you weren't playing all 3 seasons. Play 1 school sport and travel maybe....but you need time to "resume build" is his point. Not stay at practice late and go to matches until late evening....
Anonymous
05/13/2025 22:17
Subject: Best new podcasts?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I kinda adore YCBK. It comes out enough and is so bonkers long that I can skip a ton of it (I completely skip some cohosts) and still get a lot out of it.
He did an episode last year with Vince that was a post mortem on the admissions cycle that I enjoyed so much I had my kid listen to it. It really helped to show him that, beyond what he could do for his own application, there were forces outside his control. You gotta do your best and then, let the chips just fall. It's not personal. It's a complicate and evolving landscape. I think they're doing that again.
PS I worry Mark has given up on his weight loss, which is too bad. It was another thing I skipped over, but I like Mark and wish him well. Take the GLP1s, Mark!
I want Mark to take GLP1s as well. Dedicated listener that has a lot of affection for Mark.
I haven't been listening as regularly as I have in the past, but I was wondering how his weight loss was going, too. I hope he takes the GLP1s, too. He seems like such a good guy. I don't think the primary reason he does the podcast is to market his business. He spends an incredible amount of time on these podcasts. It's obvious that it is his passion, and he is happy to help people. I don't know how he hasn't burnt out.
Former client here and be aware he's a podcaster not an effective counselor. He was unprofessional, didn't remember what was covered in the last meeting, and my kid had to schedule meetings because Mark is too busy to keep up with clients. When he says he's not tech savvy on the podcast you should believe him. More than once someone else would show up in the Zoom because he doesn't know how to use a waiting room. It's not amusing when you pay for his time. Love the podcast but the man is a disappointment.
+1
I had similar experiences as a client. I would avoid.
Are you both referring to Mark from YCBK or the guy from The Game?
Omg - the dude from The Game with the vocal fry - dropped a new episode….its been 6 months.
Has anyone listened to it?
Thanks for the tip. I’ve been waiting for 6 months!
Anonymous
05/13/2025 22:08
Subject: Best new podcasts?
Anonymous wrote:my kids are at a private school in nyc w no APs and it hurts kids 0%. we have unhooked kids who go to top 5 schools. we have dozens who go to T10 schools.
he belongs to this group of consultants who thinks everyone should apply early but not to a SCEA school (HYP) unless hooked. I know this type. they really push their clients to lock up a UChicago or Northwestern. It''s good advice - but in a "dont dream too big" way.
maybe. i def see the "scary" CC types so that may be it.
A bit of a different view from our non-DMV private. No APs, small progressive, yes, kids go to top 5 and many go to T10, and many more to T25. Can be considered a feeder in many ways to many T20.
But rarely MIT and rarely for CS (though a lot more engineering to schools like WashU, GT, UCLA, Michigan etc).....Why? I think the humanities and social sciences kids get into the T10s, etc. School maxes out at BC, there is no MV or linear algebra/diff equations. So kids have a harder time in that space - and I think it IS bc of the curriculum.
Anonymous
05/13/2025 21:45
Subject: Best new podcasts?
Anonymous wrote:my kids are at a private school in nyc w no APs and it hurts kids 0%. we have unhooked kids who go to top 5 schools. we have dozens who go to T10 schools.
he belongs to this group of consultants who thinks everyone should apply early but not to a SCEA school (HYP) unless hooked. I know this type. they really push their clients to lock up a UChicago or Northwestern. It''s good advice - but in a "dont dream too big" way.
I agree. He’s pushing his clients to apply ED1 to schools where their odds are good, because that’s how he gets to say “all our clients got into T20s.” Kids who want to shoot for a T5 in the SCEA round and are willing to risk landing at a T40 in RD mess up his numbers. Hence the scare tactics.