In this episode of the Don't Chuck It Up podcast, host Chuck—a professional college counselor—sits down with former student Cameron Chudacoff to explore the real-world student experience of navigating the college search and application process. Cameron, now a sophomore at the University of Tampa, shares valuable college admissions advice for high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors looking to build a realistic strategy for higher education. The conversation dives into the transition from being a high school student-athlete in Appleton, Wisconsin, to finding academic success as an accounting major and aspiring entrepreneur in Florida. Whether you are looking for tips on student recruitment, career planning, or how to find the right college match, this episode provides the clarity and confidence needed to succeed in the competitive 2026 admissions landscape.

In this episode of Don't Chuck It Up, college counselor Chuck interviews former student Elijah Greene, who shares his journey from an unmotivated high schooler in Wisconsin to an elite senior at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Despite a "shaky" academic start and a 3.16 high school GPA, Elijah found his drive by focusing on his lifelong dream of becoming an airline pilot, eventually earning straight A's his senior year and writing a standout college essay. Elijah discusses the importance of visiting college campuses to find the right "vibe" and explains how he navigated a "no" from admissions by enrolling in a summer bridge program to prove his capability. Now graduating a full year early with a degree in Aeronautical Science and a minor in Meteorology, Elijah reflects on balancing 19-credit semesters, flight training in 737 simulators, and joining a fraternity. His story serves as an inspiring guide for students interested in aviation careers and the college application process, proving that passion and persistence can overcome early academic hurdles.

In this episode of Don't Chuck It Up, college counselor Chuck returns from a holiday hiatus to kick off 2026 with a deep dive into the 2025 podcast data and essential advice for the year ahead. Chuck reveals that since its October 2024 launch, the podcast has reached nearly 3,000 streams across 30 countries, with a global audience particularly active on YouTube. The episode transitions into a candid discussion about the college search and application process, emphasizing that it is a marathon, not a sprint.

Chuck acknowledges the high stress levels fueled by social media "perfection," confusing application portals, and the heavy influx of university communications. To combat this, he outlines six actionable strategies for families: taking a breath away from social media, organizing the campus visit calendar, meticulously reading college communications, dealing with the reality of rejection, understanding financial aid costs, and maintaining optimism. Whether you are a senior facing the May 1st deadline or a junior just starting, this episode provides the clarity and confidence needed to navigate the journey to higher education.

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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 Check 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)