Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced professional in the test prep industry?

MEET OUR GUEST

Eric Rath is the founder and president of Rath Tutoring, where he's spent the last decade building a remote test-prep and academic tutoring practice. His career in test prep goes back nearly twenty years, with senior business and instruction roles at some of the field's best-known names — Applerouth, ArborBridge, and Revolution Prep — before he struck out on his own in 2016. A UC Berkeley graduate, Eric is a frequent speaker on testing, assessment, and education, presenting everywhere from individual high schools to admissions-industry organizations like NACAC and IECA. He works with students across the full range of exams — the SAT, ACT, and TOEFL; graduate tests like the GRE, GMAT, LSAT, and MCAT; and private high school entrance exams — and he's known for a calm, practical, jargon-free approach that takes the anxiety out of the process.

Find Eric at [email protected].

ABOUT THIS PODCAST

Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

ABOUT YOUR HOSTS

Mike Bergin is the president of Chariot Learning and founder of TestBright, Roots2Words, and College Eagle. Amy Seeley is the president of Seeley Test Pros and LEAP. If you're interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, get in touch through our contact page.

Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced professional in the test prep industry?

MEET OUR GUEST

Meet Amy Brooks, the founder of Amy Brooks Tutoring, an academic tutoring and test prep practice serving K–12 students and families both in person and online. With over 30 years of experience in education, Amy specializes in standardized test prep for the PSAT, SAT, ACT, and ISEE, along with academic tutoring and educational consulting for families from homeschool, private school, and public school backgrounds.

Amy graduated from Baylor University with a degree in Political Science and a minor in Spanish. Her professional background includes corporate IT consulting and training, classroom teaching in both public and private schools, directing an area homeschool group, and enjoying 15 years of homeschooling her own four children.

She is a member of the National Test Prep Association and is committed to providing the highest level of professionalism and expertise in test prep coaching, helping students develop both the strategies and confidence needed to succeed on standardized exams.

Amy and her husband, Taylor, have been married for 31 years. Their four children graduated from their homeschool and went on to attend Texas A&M University and Abilene Christian University. Today, Amy enjoys being a lifelong learner and encouraging students to grow in academic confidence as they discover how they learn best and pursue their future goals. She and Taylor are also delighted in their newest role as grandparents.

Find Amy at https://www.amybrookstutoring.com.

ABOUT THIS PODCAST

Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

ABOUT YOUR HOSTS

Mike Bergin is the president of Chariot Learning and founder of TestBright, Roots2Words, and College Eagle. Amy Seeley is the president of Seeley Test Pros and LEAP. If you're interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, get in touch through our contact page.

Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced professional in the test prep industry?

MEET OUR GUEST

Meet Bobby Nicholson. Bobby is the founder of Outliers ACT Prep, a Knoxville-based education company helping students achieve measurable, life-changing score increases on the ACT. What began as one-on-one tutoring has grown into a multi-coach, team-based program used by students and schools across the region, known for its data-driven diagnostics, proprietary coaching app, and five-point composite score guarantee.

Beyond test prep, Bobby is building a broader ecosystem around education, character development, and long-term human flourishing. He is a co-contributor of the FLOY project (Future Leaders of Yesterday), a multi-decade project to design a practical "life curriculum" that teaches young people how to think clearly, build strong relationships, contribute meaningfully to their communities, and pursue lives that are happy, free, and fit for the good of others.

Bobby is an entrepreneur, systems-builder, and lifelong student of learning science, psychology, and philosophy, with a particular interest in how motivation, meaning, and skill-building intersect. When he's not working with students or building new education programs, he enjoys endurance training, cooking ambitious meals, reading widely, and designing new tools to help people grow.

Find Bobby at [email protected].

ABOUT THIS PODCAST

Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

ABOUT YOUR HOSTS

Mike Bergin is the president of Chariot Learning and founder of TestBright, Roots2Words, and College Eagle. Amy Seeley is the president of Seeley Test Pros and LEAP. If you're interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, get in touch through our contact page.

Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced professional in the test prep industry?

MEET OUR GUEST

Meet Mishkaat Rawjee. Mishkaat is the owner of Mishmath, a solo tutoring business that focuses on one-on-one academic and test prep tutoring for the SAT, ACT, GRE, and K–12 math. She has an undergraduate and master's degree in computer science, but quickly realized that sitting at a desk all day wasn't for her. Tutoring started as a way to make extra money and naturally turned into a full-time career—and she's been doing it ever since.

Mishkaat understands today's students and the constant distractions they're navigating with social media and the internet. She genuinely enjoys finding new ways to learn and teach, and she believes tutoring has to evolve with the times. When a student recently introduced her to an AI-based SAT platform, she encouraged it rather than dismissing it—seeing it as part of the future of education and something that can be used thoughtfully to support learning.

Running her own tutoring business has given Mishkaat the freedom to explore, travel, and design a lifestyle that works for her. She works roughly half the year in the U.S. and half in India, using different time zones to her advantage while teaching students around the world. The flexibility tutoring offers, both professionally and personally, is something she deeply values.

When she's not tutoring, Mishkaat enjoys traveling, hiking, long walks, and cooking.

Find Mishkaat at https://mishkaatrawjee.com/.

ABOUT THIS PODCAST

Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

ABOUT YOUR HOSTS

Mike Bergin is the president of Chariot Learning and founder of TestBright, Roots2Words, and College Eagle. Amy Seeley is the president of Seeley Test Pros and LEAP. If you're interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, get in touch through our contact page.

Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced professional in the test prep industry?

MEET OUR GUEST

Meet Myles Múnera-Keating. Myles graduated early from Stanford University with a BS in Mathematical and Computational Science, concentrating on statistics and machine learning. His deep enthusiasm for numbers and probability, coupled with talents in writing and standardized testing, makes him a versatile educator who supports students across a wide array of domains from math and science to the humanities to college applications. Myles's approach is not only about helping students master content: he coaches them through developing the effective learner habits essential for academic success.

Bringing an incredible breadth and depth of knowledge to the table, Myles has a unique ability to demystify even the most challenging subjects, making learning both accessible and enjoyable. He equips students with executive functioning skills they can rely on both in and out of the classroom, fostering a mindset and skill set that enables them to engage meaningfully with material, manage their workload, and thrive.

While Myles tutors in many subject areas, his favorite kind of engagements involve working closely and holistically with students experiencing significant emotional and academic challenges.

Find Myles at [email protected] or https://nowtestprep.com/contact.

ABOUT THIS PODCAST

Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

ABOUT YOUR HOSTS

Mike Bergin is the president of Chariot Learning and founder of TestBright, Roots2Words, and College Eagle. Amy Seeley is the president of Seeley Test Pros and LEAP. If you're interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, get in touch through our contact page.

While higher education is grappling with the implications of a demographic shift among applicants, an equally important trend of a decidedly geographic nature is creating winners and losers on opposite sides of the Mason-Dixon Line. Amy and Mike invited independent education consultant Mark Stucker to explain why Southern colleges are currently so popular.

What are five things you will learn in this episode?

1. Are Southern colleges and universities really outpacing other schools in popularity, and why?

2. How did the pandemic influence admissions trends?

3. Are there any particular schools drawing more applicants?

4. Are students happy at Southern colleges once they get there?

5. What should students who aren't from the South know about attending Southern colleges?

MEET OUR GUEST

Mark Stucker has spent more than 25 years helping students and families navigate one of life's most important decisions: finding the right college fit. Throughout his career, he has worked in college admissions, boarding school admissions, and college counseling across independent, public, and charter schools, as well as in private practice, guiding more than 2,000 students from all 50 states through the admissions process. His philosophy is simple but powerful: every student deserves a college that is both the right academic and personal fit—and one that is financially attainable for their family.

Mark's career has included leadership roles at Westtown School, where he served as Associate Director of Admissions, chaired the admissions committee for five years, and worked extensively in college counseling. He later spent more than a decade with KIPP Metro Atlanta, building and leading college counseling programs that helped approximately 70 students each year successfully transition to college. In 2010, he founded School Match 4U, an educational consulting firm dedicated to helping students identify their best educational opportunities.

Widely recognized as a trusted voice in college admissions, Mark is the author of 171 Answers to the Most-Asked College Admissions Questions and the founder, co-host, and producer of the Your College-Bound Kid podcast, which has become Apple's most-listened-to podcast in the Education for Kids category. His expertise is informed by visits to more than 350 college campuses and professional involvement with organizations including IECA, NACAC, and SACAC. He is also a graduate of the Harvard Summer Institute for College Admissions and Stanford University's Counselor Outreach Program.

When he's not talking college admissions, Mark enjoys traveling, golfing, gardening, reading, exploring different cuisines, and following college and professional sports. He and his wife of 35 years are the proud parents of two successful daughters, and his passion for helping students discover their futures continues to shape the advice and insight he shares with families across the country.

Mark can be texted at 404-664-4340.

LINKS

The Lure of the South: Why More Students Are Heading South for College

The Rising Popularity of Southern Colleges

RELATED EPISODES

THE FLUTIE EFFECT IN ADMISSIONS

ATTENDING A LARGE PUBLIC UNIVERSITY

THE BENEFITS OF JOINING A FRATERNITY

ABOUT THIS PODCAST

Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

ABOUT YOUR HOSTS

Mike Bergin is the president of Chariot Learning and founder of TestBright, Roots2Words, and College Eagle. Amy Seeley is the president of Seeley Test Pros and LEAP. If you're interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, get in touch through our contact page.

Young adults should always be encouraged to dream big when imagining their futures. When the time comes to actualize those aspirations, though, practical details matter most. Amy and Mike invited author Jeff Selingo to clarify how to define a dream school.

What are five things you will learn in this episode?

1. What is the "Top 25 or bust" mentality and why do so many families still equate selectivity with quality?

2. Do you need to attend a top-ranked school to get an exceptional college education?

3. How do you define fit, and what specific factors should families consider when evaluating whether a college is truly the right match for a student?

4. What is a hidden gem college and what characteristics do these institutions tend to share?

5. What indicators should families look for when assessing a college's ability to prepare students for meaningful careers?

MEET OUR GUEST

Jeff Selingo is a New York Times bestselling author of four books on education and the job market, including his newest, Dream School: Finding the College That's Right for You (September 2025). Based on more than two years of research and a survey of some 3,000 parents, the book gives families permission to think more broadly about what signals a "good" college and then the tools to discover their dream school. His previous book, Who Gets In & Why: A Year Inside College Admissions, was named one of the New York Times's 100 Notable Books of the Year in 2020.

For more than twenty-five years, his in-depth reporting and storytelling have provided practical insight about the future of higher education and the workforce to university leaders, corporate executives, as well as students and parents.

Jeff has talked before scores of colleges, businesses, healthcare organizations, and financial services companies and helped leaders understand what's next for education and how companies can better compete for talent, especially among today's Gen Z. He has appeared at the Milken Global Institute, LinkedIn, Ohio State University, Salesforce, Spain's Bankinter Innovation Foundation, the Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions, and Deloitte, as well as before the boards of Carnegie Mellon University, the Duke Endowment, and Amherst College, among others.

As both an observer of higher education and an insider with an academic appointment at one of the largest universities in the country, Jeff occupies a unique position to explain the intersection between work, life, and learning. He writes regularly for The Atlantic, the Washington Post, the New York Times, and the Wall Street Journal.

His research focuses on the changing nature of work and its impact on education, paying for college, the student experience, and shifting expectations for what the public and employers want from colleges. He is co-host of the podcast, Future U., and writes a biweekly newsletter, Next.

Jeff is a special advisor to the president and professor of practice at Arizona State University, where he is the founding director of the Academy for Innovative Higher Education Leadership. He has also served as a visiting scholar at Georgia Tech's Center for 21st Century Universities. In addition, Jeff regularly counsels universities and organizations on strategy.

Previously, Jeff was the top editor of the Chronicle of Higher Education, where he worked for sixteen years in a variety of reporting and editing roles. His work has been honored by the Education Writers Association, Society of Professional Journalists, and the Associated Press.

He received a bachelor's degree from Ithaca College and a master's degree from Johns Hopkins University. He is a member of the board of trustees at Ithaca College and the board of directors of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). He lives with his wife and two daughters near Washington, D.C.

Jeff previously appeared on this podcast in episode 126 to discuss Shaping an Admissions Class.

Find Jeff at https://www.jeffselingo.com/.

LINKS

Dream School: Finding the College That's Right for You

RELATED EPISODES

FINDING YOUR COLLEGE FIT

FINDING YOUR AUTHENTIC SELF IN THE PATH TO COLLEGE

COLLEGE ADMISSIONS INSANITY

ABOUT THIS PODCAST

Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

ABOUT YOUR HOSTS

Mike Bergin is the president of Chariot Learning and founder of TestBright, Roots2Words, and College Eagle. Amy Seeley is the president of Seeley Test Pros and LEAP. If you're interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, get in touch through our contact page.

The Tests and the Rest podcast consistently explores important topics in testing, admissions, education, and learning with amazing expert guests. Sometimes, though, we enjoy an unstructured opportunity to discuss our own takes on major issues, upcoming events, and our endeavors at the intersection of business and education. Catch up with us in the latest episode of EXTEMP with Amy & Mike.

What are five things you will learn in this episode?

1. What have Mike and Amy been up to this month?

2. How did Mike work with ACT recently?

3. What has Amy been philosophizing about?

4. Is a perfect test score worth working for?

5. What's coming up in the next month for Amy and Mike?

We definitely want to respond to listener questions in our next EXTEMP episode, so reach out to us on social media or get in touch through our contact page. Let's get this Tests and the Rest mailbag rolling!

LINKS

Understanding the ACT: Foundations and Tools for Student Success

RELATED EPISODES

EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: June 2026

EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: May 2026

EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: April 2026

EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: March 2026

ABOUT THIS PODCAST

Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

ABOUT YOUR HOSTS

Mike Bergin is the president of Chariot Learning and founder of TestBright, Roots2Words, and College Eagle. Amy Seeley is the president of Seeley Test Pros and LEAP. If you're interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, get in touch through our contact page.

How many bad relationships begin because people prioritize superficial qualities over true virtues? Whether you are looking for a partner or applying to college, your deeper values should inform your decisions. Amy and Mike invited educational consultant Ann Cadwallader to explain why college flash isn't fit.

What are five things you will learn in this episode?

1. In terms of both college admissions and dating, what does it mean to say "flash isn't fit?"

2. Why do students and families get pulled toward what looks impressive when building a college list?

3. How does the idea of "potential" show up in the college process, and why can it be misleading?

4. What do students needing to define their own criteria actually look like in practice?

5. If a student is building a list right now, what important mindset shift should they adopt?

MEET OUR GUEST

Ann Cadwallader, founder of My University Coach, has worked in education for 35 years and has guided students through the college admissions process as an Independent Educational Consultant for nearly two decades. She holds a BS from Stanford University and an MBA from the University of Minnesota, and in 2020 earned the Certified Educational Planner designation — an achievement that reflects her deep expertise in college advising.

Ann has personally visited 193 college campuses across the country, giving her firsthand insight into a wide range of schools and student experiences. Known for her calm, strategic approach, she is dedicated to reducing stress for both students and parents and helping families make smart, intentional choices—so students can tell their story with confidence and clarity.

Ann previously appeared on this podcast in episode 670 to discuss Intentionality On The Road To College.

Ann can be reached at [email protected].

LINKS

Flash Isn't Fit: What Dating Reminded Me About College Admissions

RELATED EPISODES

SELECTING YOUR FOREVER SCHOOL

FINDING YOUR COLLEGE FIT

FINDING YOUR AUTHENTIC SELF IN THE PATH TO COLLEGE

POWER DYNAMICS IN COLLEGE ADMISSIONS

ABOUT THIS PODCAST

Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

ABOUT YOUR HOSTS

Mike Bergin is the president of Chariot Learning and founder of TestBright, Roots2Words, and College Eagle. Amy Seeley is the president of Seeley Test Pros and LEAP. If you're interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, get in touch through our contact page.

Most people know–or at least think they know–the role of a school-based counselor. What about all of the professionals in private practice who support families on their admissions journeys and more? Amy and Mike invited IECA CEO Stephanie Simpson to learn what an Independent Educational Consultant (IEC) is and who needs one.

What are five things you will learn in this episode?

1. What role do Independent Educational Consultants (IECs) play in a student's academic journey, and how do they

2. How can IECs complement the contributions of school counselors, especially in districts where high counselor-to-student ratios make individualized support difficult?

3. At what point in a teen's academic journey can IECs be most valuable?

4. What else do IECs offer beyond application coaching?

5. What does a qualified, ethically grounded IEC practice look like in today's landscape, and how should educators and school counselors help families evaluate who they choose to work with?

MEET OUR GUEST

Stephanie Simpson is the Chief Executive Officer of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA), the leading professional organization representing independent private college and career counselors who support students and families navigating postsecondary education pathways. Previously, she served as CEO of the Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE), the world's largest and oldest professional association dedicated to helping middle school educators cultivate the potential and possibilities of young adolescents.

Stephanie's nearly 15 years of association leadership experience includes senior roles at the American College of Cardiology and the American Psychiatric Association. She holds a JD from Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law and a BA from DePaul University.

Stephanie can be reached on LinkedIn.

LINKS

Independent Educational Consultants Association

IEC profile Archives - TestBright

RELATED EPISODES

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU NEED A COLLEGE CONSULTANT?

HOW TO CHOOSE A COLLEGE COUNSELOR

THE DIFFERENT ROLES OF SCHOOL AND PRIVATE COUNSELORS

HOW SCHOOL AND PRIVATE COLLEGE COUNSELORS CAN WORK TOGETHER

ABOUT THIS PODCAST

Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

ABOUT YOUR HOSTS

Mike Bergin is the president of Chariot Learning and the founder of TestBright, Roots2Words, and College Eagle. Amy Seeley is the president of Seeley Test Pros and LEAP. If you're interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, get in touch through our contact page.

Paying for college poses serious challenges for most families, but should understanding the rules around borrowing really be one of the hardest parts? Amy and Mike invited financial aid expert Will McGinley to offer guidance into decoding student loans.

What are five things you will learn in this episode?

1. Why are student loans such an important topic?

2. How much do students borrow on average for their undergraduate degrees?

3. What is the difference between federal DL, PLUS, and Private education loans?

4. Which student loan option is best for most students?

5. When should someone start applying for their loans?

MEET OUR GUEST

Will McGinley is an Account Executive for the PHEAA Keystone and PA Forward student loan programs. He brings nearly 20 years of financial aid experience to the role, most recently serving at Baldwin Wallace University, Ashland University, and Liberty University, in roles ranging from loan processing to Director of Financial Aid. His career has provided extensive experience presenting to students, families, and higher education colleagues on a variety of topics, including financial literacy, the financial aid process, and gap financing. He has also served on committees for the NCAA and OASFAA.

Will and his wife of 19 years enjoy spending time with their 2 teenage sons, coaching, hiking, and playing with their French bulldog, Pierre.

Will can be reached at [email protected].

LINKS

EducationPlanner.org

MySmartBorrowing.org

Keystone Student Loans

RELATED EPISODES

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT STUDENT LOANS

THE TRUTH ABOUT STUDENT LOAN DEBT

THE PRICE YOU REALLY PAY FOR COLLEGE

UNDERSTANDING YOUR COLLEGE TUITION BILL

ABOUT THIS PODCAST

Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

ABOUT YOUR HOSTS

Mike Bergin is the president of Chariot Learning and founder of TestBright, Roots2Words, and College Eagle. Amy Seeley is the president of Seeley Test Pros and LEAP. If you're interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, get in touch through our contact page.