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

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!

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!

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!

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 to seek out that support (rather than make them feel like they can’t or shouldn’t seek additional support). The episode was simply wrong and should be removed from the public. If families want an alternative viewpoint about IECs and college admissions support for neurodivergent students, reach out to Rose College Prep (www.rosecollegeprep.com).

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.