In this episode, host Chuck catches up with his former student Calvin Keesler, a fifth-year senior at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, to look back at his college search and athletic journey. As a high school student juggling baseball and multiple career interests, Calvin ultimately chose St. Olaf—a picturesque, undergraduate-focused liberal arts college nestled on a scenic campus hill—for its incredible academic support, strong community vibe, and chance to play varsity baseball. Calvin shares how his unique path as a kinesiology major on a pre-dental track allowed him to complete dental prerequisites while pursuing hands-on research, including a biomechanical analysis project with the Minnesota Timberwolves. He also highlights the value of St. Olaf's financial aid and career center funding, which helped support his summer internship opportunities away from home. Ultimately, the episode offers an encouraging look at how small private colleges can successfully balance rigorous academics, athletics, and personalized mentorship for students navigating the college admissions process.

This episode of the Don’t Chuck It Up podcast features host Chuck, a friendly college counselor, catching up with his former student Sam Buono. Sam, a Northern California native and former multi-sport high school athlete, reflects on his journey from an all-boys Catholic high school to becoming a second-year undergraduate at Indiana University (IU). During high school, Sam initially struggled to find a major—considering options ranging from fire science and journalism to history—before realizing he could combine his love for athletics and science into a degree in kinesiology and exercise science. Guided by Chuck through a wide-ranging college search, Sam balanced his preferences for school size, athletic culture, and financial considerations. Ultimately choosing IU over options like CU Boulder, Sam shares his experiences adjusting to Midwestern weather and culture, handling roommate transitions, participating in campus life—including club Jiu-Jitsu, Greek life, and the Intracollegiate Emergency Medical Service (ICEMS)—and preparing for a future career in physical therapy.

In this episode of Don't Chuck It Up, host Chuck Erickson sits down with Cassie Cunningham, Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at the University of Akron, to unpack why this midsize public research university in Northeast Ohio is a top hidden gem for higher education. Highlighting the university's motto of "Yes", Cunningham explains how students can pursue flexible academic pathways without sacrificing experiential learning, affordability, or vibrant campus life. The conversation showcases unique degree programs—including Polymer Engineering, Sports Analytics (in partnership with the Cleveland Browns), Criminal Intelligence Analysis, and Applied Artificial Intelligence—alongside real-world opportunities like Formula One design teams, study abroad research, and hands-on nursing clinicals. Through compelling student success stories, the episode demonstrates how the University of Akron blends Division 1 athletics, career co-ops with major industry employers, and dedicated faculty support to prepare students for college admissions and future career success.

In this episode of Don't Chuck It Up, host Chuck speaks with Rebecca Stuart-Orlowski (Orlowski College Consulting) about supporting non-traditional students through the college admissions process.

Highlights:

• Who is Non-Traditional? Beyond adult learners over 23, this includes homeschooled students, online degree seekers, gap-year takers, and anyone taking an unconventional path.

• Flexible Degree Options: Exploring part-time college, accelerated 3-year bachelor's degrees, and credit for work experience.

• Transcripts & Financial Aid: Why you must submit transcripts from every school attended—and why admissions offices are forgiving of past academic bumps.

• The Community College Advantage: Using local colleges to reset GPAs, gain accommodations, and successfully transfer to a 4-year university.

No matter the detour, there is always a clear path to finishing your degree!

#CollegeCounseling #HigherEducation #NonTraditionalStudents #CollegeApplicNonation #TransferStudent

In this episode of the Don't Chuck It Up podcast, host Chuck sits down with Dr. Eric Endlich—a clinical psychologist, independent educational consultant, and founder of Top College Consultants—to discuss navigating the college search and transition process for neurodivergent students, including those with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and executive functioning challenges. The conversation dives deep into the critical distinction between getting admitted to college and true college readiness, emphasizing how non-academic independent living skills like time management, self-advocacy, and daily routines often determine long-term success. Dr. Endlich explains the differences between legally mandated, fee-free disability accommodations and specialized, comprehensive support programs that offer dedicated executive functioning coaches and peer cohorts, while also tackling the cost considerations and alternative options like external academic success coaching.

Beyond campus support systems, the discussion highlights practical steps parents and high school students can take to build confidence and independence well before move-in day. The hosts explore how high schoolers can leverage their genuine special interests—whether through unique hobbies, summer programs, or digital portfolios featured on college applications—to stand out in admissions without needing to fit the outdated mold of a "well-rounded" student. Finally, Dr. Endlich highlights the value of post-grad gap years and summer bridge experiences, explaining how giving a student's brain extra time to mature can help them explore career paths, develop essential life skills, and ensure they thrive once they arrive on campus.

In this episode of Don't Chuck It Up, host Chuck Erickson sits down with independent educational consultant Gerene Keesler (owner of Admissions Untangled) to demystify the college search for neurodivergent students, including those with ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, and hidden learning differences. Highlighting her own journey of being diagnosed with fetal autism spectrum disorder and epilepsy while in college, Gerene shares powerful insights on shifting from feeling ashamed to embracing accommodations early on. Together, they offer crucial college planning advice for parents and students navigating disability services, exploring campus accessibility, and distinguishing between being "college capable" and truly "college ready". From practical campus tour strategies—like asking current students about professor accessibility and test-driving physical campus layouts—to managing FERPA privacy rights and emergency contact plans, this discussion equips families with the tools to reduce stress and find the right higher education fit.

Whether you are a high school student learning to self-advocate or a parent supporting a student with unique learning styles, this conversation illuminates how accessibility offices, virtual info sessions, and reasonable accommodations in housing and academics can transform the college transition into an empowering experience. By taking proactive steps—like securing accommodations before freshman year starts and exploring tailored writing workshops—families can skip the "first-year slump" and build a seamless path toward college success.

In this episode of Don't Chuck It Up, host Chuck sits down with Mark Talaga, a licensed professional counselor and director of the Center for Identity Potential, to discuss navigating the college search and transition process for gifted, talented, twice-exceptional (2E), and neurodivergent students. They dive deep into the unique challenges these complex learners face—especially asynchronous development, where high academic capability masks critical gaps in executive functioning, emotional regulation, and independent living skills. The conversation reframes gifted education as a form of special education, highlighting why traditional college prep often falls short for students whose "simple is complex and complex is simple." Packed with actionable college admissions strategies and parenting tips, the episode explores how families and high school counselors can proactively set neurodivergent teens up for post-secondary success. Mark Talaga and Chuck discuss practical solutions like gap year programs, practicing real-world tasks (such as drafting emails to professors or doing dry-runs of campus navigation), utilizing accessibility offices, and shifting focus from GPA perfection to long-term well-being. Whether you are a parent supporting an intense learner or a counselor looking for targeted student guidance, this episode offers vital insights into removing shame, building executive function skills, and choosing the right college fit for asynchronous students.

Navigating the modern college admissions process doesn't have to be overwhelming, and in this episode of the Don't Chuck It Up podcast, host Chuck Erickson teams up with test prep expert Eric Rath (founder of Rath Tutoring) to demystify ACT vs. SAT prep, changing test-optional policies, and effective college entrance exam strategies. Aimed at helping high school students and parents reduce stress, the discussion breaks down how test-optional landscapes are shifting in 2026, why high schoolers shouldn't fear being "bad test takers," and how selecting the right standardized test comes down to student preference rather than regional myths. From creating a realistic 15-month test prep timeline and managing study burnout to treating standardized testing like a skill-building sport rather than an IQ test, this episode delivers actionable college planning advice to help families build confidence, maximize scores, and smoothly navigate the journey to higher education.