KC360's Navigating College Search and Admission Podcast

The University/College Essay Summer Work

What if the best college essay your student ever writes is hiding in an ordinary summer?  In this episode, Kristi breaks down how a single summer experience — a job, a trip, a creative project, or even a season of quiet caregiving — becomes the foundation of a college essay that actually sounds like the student who wrote it.  You'll learn:  • Why "unimpressive" summers often produce the strongest essays  • The three-part anatomy of every great college essay (and how to apply it to your own experience)  • A real example: how a student turned a plant nursery job into a standout Common App essay  • Three journal prompts students can use this week to start mining their summer for essay material  • A direct word to parents about the most powerful thing they can do right now   Work on your essay with Kristi this summer: https://kc360.co/course/college-essay-summit/.  [https://kc360.co/course/college-essay-summit/] Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2025401/fan_mail/new] Unlock the secrets to scholarships for college! Do you want to know how to find funding to offset your financial position for college? I'm here to help you make it happen! Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2025401/support]

Ivy Track vs. Every Track (Considering Summer Activities for Your College App)

What does a great college-prep summer actually look like — and does the answer change depending on where your student wants to apply?  In this episode, we walk through two versions of the same student's summer: one optimized for highly selective schools, and one perfectly suited for a great-fit college at any tier. Neither path is wrong — but intentionality is non-negotiable.  You'll learn:  • What highly selective schools are actually looking for in summer activities  • Why a part-time job and consistent service can be just as powerful as a prestigious program  • The one question every student should be able to answer before September  • A special word for globally mobile and expat families navigating an unconventional summer   Want summer ideas? Download the free KC360 Summer Student Guide HERE. [https://kc360co-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/kristi_kc360_co/IQC4TTdIS13tSpIIpTNXQbDfAdUs4DWpBjoyDCZvV6-DCUU?e=tY0Gh5] (Please remember these are ideas and are not a directive for your whole summer!) Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2025401/fan_mail/new] Unlock the secrets to scholarships for college! Do you want to know how to find funding to offset your financial position for college? I'm here to help you make it happen! Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2025401/support]

The UK Personal Statement

Listen in on tips for how to build your UK personal statement!  https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/ [https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/] Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2025401/fan_mail/new] Unlock the secrets to scholarships for college! Do you want to know how to find funding to offset your financial position for college? I'm here to help you make it happen! Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2025401/support]

The Case to Consider Liberal Arts in the Netherlands

What does Liberal Arts look like in the Netherlands? Listen in to find out the GREAT resources available for consideration of university here!  https://universitycollege.nl/discover-the-colleges/erasmus-university-college/ [https://universitycollege.nl/discover-the-colleges/erasmus-university-college/] https://universitycollege.nl/ [https://universitycollege.nl/] https://www.studielink.nl/ [https://www.studielink.nl/] Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2025401/fan_mail/new] Unlock the secrets to scholarships for college! Do you want to know how to find funding to offset your financial position for college? I'm here to help you make it happen! Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2025401/support]

You are Mighty! (Yes, You Are!)

Listen as Sharon McMahon encourages students (and all of us!) as we do "the next needed thing."  The Small and the Mighty book here: https://a.co/d/01ok8BR7 [https://a.co/d/01ok8BR7] NEW Children's Book: We are Mighty book here: https://a.co/d/06IrpfaE [https://a.co/d/06IrpfaE] Sharon's website: https://sharonmcmahon.com/ [https://sharonmcmahon.com/] Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2025401/fan_mail/new] Unlock the secrets to scholarships for college! Do you want to know how to find funding to offset your financial position for college? I'm here to help you make it happen! Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2025401/support]