College and Career Clarity

• The Top 3 Scholarship Essays That Win Money with Leia LeMaster Horton

  In this episode, Lisa and Leia discuss:Strategies for crafting effective scholarship essaysHow early planning influences scholarship successUnderstanding the types of scholarships availableMaintaining consistency and organization throughout the scholarship processKey Takeaways: Focusing on three core essays—the personal statement, community impact, and scholarship impact—addresses six of the ten most common prompts, saving time and enhancing application quality.Starting the personal statement by December of junior year gives a competitive edge for early scholarships and time to refine it for both scholarships and college applications.Consistent community involvement, like volunteering or leading initiatives, boosts chances of winning scholarships, especially local ones that value impact over academics.Students who establish a weekly scholarship routine, applying consistently and tracking deadlines while tailoring core essays, are more likely to win multiple awards without feeling overwhelmed. “If they start December of junior year, they have a year and a half to really learn how to do it well, consistently, once a week….So if they learn at home and contribute toward college, they'll keep earning scholarships. What I've seen: if mom and dad pay for everything, the students just stop.” – Leia LeMaster HortonAbout Leia LeMaster Horton: Leia LeMaster Horton, founder of Horton Test Prep and an experienced educational consultant, specializes in SAT, ACT, and CLT test prep. With a passion for helping students achieve their dream scores and secure financial aid, she has guided hundreds in improving their test results. A classical educator with over 20 years of experience, Leia focuses on key strategies, shortcuts, and formulas for success. Her commitment goes beyond test scores, helping students earn scholarships and excel academically.Episode References:Lisa’s Career Advising Course: https://flourishcoachingco.com/courseLeia’s Free E-book Download: https://flourishcoachingco.com/scholarship-ebookScholarship Course:President Coolidge Scholarship https://coolidgescholars.orgDistinguished Young Women Scholarship https://www.distinguishedyw.org/scholarships Get Lisa's Free on-demand video: How-to guide for your teen to choose the right major, college, & career...(without painting themselves into a corner, missing crucial deadlines, or risking choices you both regret). flourishcoachingco.com/video Connect with Leia:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leialemasterhorton/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hortontestprep/Website: https://www.hortontestprep.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leia-lemaster-horton-m-ed-test-prep-professional-25917138/Connect with Lisa:Website: https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@flourishcoachingcoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/flourishcoachingco/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flourish-coaching-co

  --------  

  33:07
• Building Math Confidence for Better Career Options with Ben Orlin

  In this episode, Lisa and Ben discuss:The impact of math confidence and mindset on educational and career pathsHow math anxiety can steer students away from valuable opportunitiesThe importance of data literacy and real-world applications of mathStrategies for building confidence and persistence in learning mathKey Takeaways: Developing math confidence hinges more on persistence, curiosity, and the ability to ask questions than on natural speed or accuracy, enabling students to thrive across diverse fields beyond traditional STEM.Concepts like calculus, though often abstract in the classroom, are deeply tied to real-world thinking in areas like economics and business, where understanding small changes leads to big insights.Recognizing the range of math intensity required across different careers—from basic data literacy to complex statistical modeling—helps students avoid limiting their options due to unnecessary fear or avoidance.Students who shift their mindset from avoiding difficulty to embracing challenge build essential problem-solving and resilience skills that serve not only in academics but throughout their careers and lives. “To be able to look at something that you're struggling with and say, 'I am struggling with this, and I know that, and I'm not going to stop until I get it.' It can be a hard mindset switch to make, but it's sort of an all-powerful one.” – Ben OrlinAbout Ben Orlin: Ben Orlin loves math and cannot draw. He is the author of four badly drawn books, including Math with Bad Drawings, which has sold over 100,000 copies worldwide. He has taught middle school, high school, and college math. He lives in the Twin Cities with his wife, their two daughters, and his lifelong fervor for desserts.Episode References:#119 How to Change Your College Major Successfully with Kaci Kortis: https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/119#027 Differences between Engineering & Engineering Technology Majors & Jobs: https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/027Download a Sample Birkman Report: https://flourishcoachingco.com/birkman Change Is the Only Constant: https://www.amazon.com/Change-Only-Constant-Wisdom-Calculus/dp/0316509086Math for English Majors: https://www.amazon.com/Math-English-Majors-Universal-Language/dp/0762499818Get Lisa's Free on-demand video: How-to guide for your teen to choose the right major, college, & career...(without painting themselves into a corner, missing crucial deadlines, or risking choices you both regret). flourishcoachingco.com/video Connect with Ben:Instagram: https://instagram.com/mathwithbaddrawingsFacebook: https://facebook.com/mathwithbaddrawingsWebsite: https://mathwithbaddrawings.comConnect with Lisa:Website: https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@flourishcoachingcoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/flourishcoachingco/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flourish-coaching-co

  --------  

  32:13
• Behind the Scenes: What Makes a College Application Fall Flat with Amanda Leszczuk

  In this episode, Lisa and Amanda discuss:A holistic admissions review that looks beyond grades and test scoresWriting authentic, personal essays that reflect a student’s true identityStrategically crafting supplemental essays to show university fit and motivationPreparing for campus visits to gather insights for stronger applicationsKey Takeaways: Application readers carefully evaluate every part of a submission, typically spending 5 to 30 minutes depending on the depth, creativity, and authenticity demonstrated.Essays generated by AI are often easily recognized by admissions professionals; they tend to be generic and impersonal, lacking the student’s genuine voice and lived experience.Strong supplemental essays require in-depth research into a university’s distinctive programs, faculty, and opportunities—showing a thoughtful and specific connection beyond surface-level familiarity.Capturing impressions immediately after a campus visit—including personal reflections, standout moments, and detailed program insights—provides rich, authentic content for compelling “Why Us?” essays. “Have fun with [the college essays]. Be creative. It truly is the creative ones that are fun.” – Amanda LeszczukAbout Amanda Leszczuk: Amanda Leszczuk recently retired from Mariemont High School after 19 years as Director of College and Career Counseling, where she created their college and career program. Over her 35-year education career, she has helped thousands of students across districts with the college application process, including essays. Involved in organizations like the Ohio Association for College Admissions Counseling and serving on admissions boards at four universities, she has contributed to her field and presented at conferences. Now an independent educational consultant, she also teaches the Post-Secondary Career Planning and College Advising course at the University of Cincinnati, helping aspiring counselors set up their college programs. Amanda has read many college essays, including evaluating university applications, and provides students with tips to improve their essays.Episode References:How to Find College Supplemental Essays: https://flourishcoachingco.com/find-essaysCommon App Essay Prompts: https://www.commonapp.org/apply/essay-promptsGet Lisa's Free on-demand video: How-to guide for your teen to choose the right major, college, & career...(without painting themselves into a corner, missing crucial deadlines, or risking choices you both regret). flourishcoachingco.com/video Connect with Amanda:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-d-leszczuk-a9152454Email: [email protected] with Lisa:Website: https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@flourishcoachingcoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/flourishcoachingco/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flourish-coaching-co

  --------  

  34:20
• AI and College Essays: What Families Need to Know with Susan Knoppow

  In this episode, Lisa and Susan discuss:How AI impacts the essay-writing process for studentsMistaken beliefs about what makes a strong application essayCrafting essays that truly reflect a student's voice and experiencesHelpful strategies and tools that can assist in writing a strong college essayKey Takeaways: AI should not be used to generate or refine college essays. It can assist with research, but all information must be verified, and the writing must be entirely the student's own.Admissions officers value essays that show a student's true personality and experiences over overly polished or generic ones. They seek real people who will contribute to the college community, not just applicants with strong credentials.Essays should reflect the voice of a 17 to 18-year-old. Unnecessarily formal or complex language can make an essay feel inauthentic; clear and honest communication is more important.Rather than focusing on structure or a single moment, strong essays thoughtfully respond to the prompt, offering meaningful personal insights that reveal the student's true character. “You don't have to create a persona that you think will be appealing to your reader. You need to answer the question and show who you really are.” – Susan KnoppowAbout Susan Knoppow: Focused, incisive, and creative, Susan can turn the most daunting writing challenge into a series of simple steps; she conceptualized and developed the Wow Method for teaching writing.A former executive speechwriter and copywriter, Susan is also a published poet and essayist. She holds a BA in Psychology from the University of Michigan and an MFA in Writing from Vermont College.When she's not running Wow, Susan likes to garden, cook, and go on adventures with her husband and their dog, Luna. She has three adult children who are all talented creative writers as well.Episode References:College Essay Resources from WOW https://flourishcoachingco.com/essays#066 Everything You Think You Know About College Essays Is Wrong with Susan Knoppow: https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/066Says Who? by Anne Curzan: https://www.amazon.com/Says-Who-Kinder-Funner-Everyone/dp/0593444094Get Lisa's Free on-demand video: How-to guide for your teen to choose the right major, college, & career...(without painting themselves into a corner, missing crucial deadlines, or risking choices you both regret). flourishcoachingco.com/video Connect with Susan:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wowessayexperts/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wowwritingWebsite: https://wowwritingworkshop.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanknoppow/Connect with Lisa:Website: https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@flourishcoachingcoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/flourishcoachingco/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flourish-coaching-co

  --------  

  37:18
• The Hidden Impact of College Major Selection on Admissions with Rick Clark

  In this episode, Lisa and Rick discuss:How a student’s choice of future intended major impacts their college admissions chancesThe role of holistic review in determining “Fit To Major” (FTM)The challenges students face when trying to change majors after admissionWhy flexibility is essential in the college application processKey Takeaways: Colleges often evaluate whether a student’s academic choices and extracurricular activities align with their intended major, so applying without evidence of interest in that field can weaken an application, even at schools that do not directly admit by major.Some universities, particularly for highly competitive majors like computer science and business, have strict policies that prevent or limit students from switching into these programs after enrollment, making initial major selection a critical decision.Admissions officers look for patterns of demonstrated interest, expecting engineering applicants to take advanced math and science courses or business applicants to show entrepreneurial involvement, which helps determine if a student is truly prepared for their chosen major.Students who remain open to alternative entry pathways—such as summer admissions, starting at a different campus, or transferring later—increase their chances of reaching their academic and career goals, even if they don’t initially get into their first-choice program.“The more kids can put themselves in a position where they have choices and options, the better off they’re going to be.” – Rick ClarkAbout Rick Clark: Rick Clark is Georgia Tech’s inaugural Executive Director for Strategic Student Access, leading efforts to expand enrollment, access, and affordability through key partnerships. Previously, he spent 15 years as AVP and Executive Director of Undergraduate Admission, strengthening Tech’s brand, academic profile, and enrollment. He serves on national councils, including NACAC’s Committee on Leadership in College Admission, and speaks at U.S. embassies on higher education. Rick is the creator of the GT Admissions blog, co-author of The Truth About College Admission, and co-host of its podcast. A native of Atlanta, he holds degrees from UNC-Chapel Hill and Georgia State and has worked at Georgia State, The McCallie School, and Wake Forest University.Episode References:Blueprint to Understanding Admissions by Major: https://flourishcoachingco.com/majorsThe Truth about College Admission by Brennan Barnard & Rick Clark: https://www.amazon.com/Truth-about-College-Admission-Together/dp/142143637XThe College Admissions Process Podcast by John Durante: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-college-admissions-process-podcast/id1608682810Get Lisa's Free on-demand video: How-to guide for your teen to choose the right major, college, & career...(without painting themselves into a corner, missing crucial deadlines, or risking choices you both regret). flourishcoachingco.com/video Connect with Rick:Twitter: https://x.com/Clark2CollegeLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raclarkatl/The Truth about College Admission Podcast: Connect with Lisa:Website: https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@flourishcoachingcoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/flourishcoachingco/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flourish-coaching-co

  --------  

  41:24

More Education podcasts

Trending Education podcasts

About College and Career Clarity