In this episode of Don’t Chuck It Up, host Chuck sits down with Scott Garbini, an independent educational consultant and expert in LGBTQ+ college resources. Together, they dive into the unique challenges and essential considerations for LGBTQAI+ students and their families during the college application process.

From identifying inclusive campuses to understanding when and how to "come out" in a college essay, Scott provides actionable advice for finding a school where students can truly be themselves. Whether you are looking for gender-neutral housing, LGBTQ+ student organizations, or simply a safe and accepting campus culture, this episode is a must-listen for navigating the higher education journey with confidence.

Scott Garbini is the founder of Garbini Education and Career Consulting. As a seasoned independent educational consultant, Scott specializes in helping students find non-linear paths to success and identifying inclusive environments for LGBTQ+ youth. http://www.garbinied.com

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Are you navigating the complex world of the college search and wondering if an Engineering major is the right path? In this essential episode of "Don't Chuck It Up," host Chuck brings in expert Independent Educational Consultant Dr. Jennifer Stephan to demystify the most popular and challenging field in college planning. We explore the critical differences between a traditional Engineering degree and an Engineering Technology degree, clarifying which path leads to more theoretical design versus hands-on learning and implementation. Dr. Stephan provides key insights on why ABET accreditation is fundamental for certain professional engineering careers and how to choose an environment that fosters true creative problem-solving—a necessary skill for every aspiring engineer. This is a must-listen for families seeking clarity on this high-demand degree. (https://www.lanterncollegecounseling.com/ ) (https://www.lanterncollegecounseling.com/insights/which-type-of-engineering-is-right-for-you)

Don't wait until junior year to start the college planning process! In this essential episode of the Don't Chuck It Up Podcast, host Chuck sits down with Independent Educational Consultant and Certified Education Planner Kristina Dooley to discuss starting the college search as early as eighth grade and ninth grade. Learn how to navigate the complex journey of applying to colleges and the often-overlooked financial realities. Kristina emphasizes that families must explore the cost of college early on, utilizing tools like price calculators and understanding the difference between merit awards and need-based aid to ensure the school is actually in the family's budget. Tune in for expert guidance to make the journey of college application less stressful. If you'd like to learn more about Kristinas work! (http://www.estrelaconsulting.com)

Tune in to the "Don't Chuck It Up" podcast episode for an essential guide to higher education in the United Kingdom! Host Chuck welcomes Certified Educational Planner and Independent Educational Consultant, Terry Mady-Grove, to demystify the process for American students considering studying in the UK. Terry provides expert insight into the differences between the US college search and applying through the UCAS system, a crucial step for UK universities. They also dive deep into student life and the reality of UK housing, explaining the differences between US-style "dorm life" and the UK concepts of "accommodations" and "catered" versus "self-catered halls", helping you navigate your college application journey without breaking a sweat. (http://www.uscollegeconsulting.com) Learn more here if you enjoyed the conversation today!

In this episode of "Don't Chuck It Up," host Chuck welcomes Independent Educational Consultants Holly Ramsey and Dr. Michele Evard to share expert college application tips for homeschooling parents. As homeschooling grows, applying to college presents unique documentation challenges for families. Holly and Michelle, both experienced homeschool parents, dive into their 10 great tips for navigating the process. They provide actionable advice on how to correctly categorize activities and academics on the Common App , create a concise, one-page official transcript , and determine the appropriate GPA (recommending a weighted, high ethical GPA). The experts also emphasize the importance of rigor and validation through outside sources like dual enrollment or AP classes, and crafting clear, compelling, and brief course descriptions (avoiding 72-page summaries!). Finally, they detail why parents acting as the school counselor should include a homeschool profile to explain their educational philosophy, grading scale, and provide crucial context about educational partners. For more in-depth guidance, listeners are encouraged to check out their book, College Unmazed. (https://www.collegeunmazed.com/homeschool)

This episode of "Don't Chuck It Up" features host Chuck and guest Amy Trinnaman, an independent educational consultant and certified career counselor, discussing the critical role of career exploration and assessments in the college admissions process. Amy highlights the stress teens face when asked to decide on a career with limited exposure to the work world and emphasizes that the goal is to find directionality and build intention rather than a final destination. The conversation focuses on two key tools: the evidence-based Myers-Briggs Strong Interest Inventory, which explores natural interests that may change over time, and the Highlands Ability Battery (HAB), which assesses hardwired, natural aptitudes and personal styles that are unlikely to change. These career counseling tools help students understand themselves better, leading to more authentic college applications and better-informed choices about potential college majors. Chuck and Amy also stress the importance of exploring options beyond core academics, utilizing resources like CareerOneStop.org, and developing durable skills (like problem-solving and communication) that are vital for future career pivots. The biggest myth debunked is that applying undecided is a bad choice, especially since 75% of students change their majors. https://www.at-edconsulting.com/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-trinnaman-b6601814)

Tune into Don't Chuck It Up for an essential guide on applying to the University of California (UC) and Cal State University (CSU) systems, featuring Independent Educational Consultant Evelyn Jerome-Alexander. In this episode, host Chuck and Evelyn dive deep into the often-confusing world of California public university systems' admissions, clarifying key differences between the UC application and the CSU application processes. They emphasize that simply meeting the A-G minimum requirements for subjects like foreign language or math is insufficient for freshman admission competitiveness at the UCs, which evaluate students based on a high count of A-G semesters throughout all four years of high school. This critical discussion is designed to help students and families successfully navigate the rigorous college admissions landscape and apply strategically, especially when considering highly selective or impacted majors and campuses in California. (https://magellancounseling.com/the-california-conundrum/ AND https://magellancounseling.com/uc-advice/) (https://magellancounseling.com/college-counselor-evelyn-jerome-alexander/)

This essential episode of the Don't Chuck It Up podcast is your comprehensive guide to the college search and admissions journey for aspiring dancers. Host Chuck welcomes dance specialist Kathy Hain-de Jong to demystify the distinct collegiate paths, analyzing the key differences between the rigorous BFA dance major—ideal for pre-professional training—and the more flexible BA in dance, which provides room for a double major. Discover effective strategies for combining dance with challenging academic pursuits like engineering or pre-med. The conversation also unpacks the growing popularity and evolving landscape of the college dance team path, stressing the non-negotiable importance of strong academic requirements for all prospective dancers, ensuring your college application is strong enough to secure your spot and launch your post-graduate dance career. (https://danceintocollege.com/)