Simply Smarter
Education Podcasts
Welcome to the Simply Smarter Podcast hosted by College Prep Expert Caleb Pierce and Marketing Director Jill Purcell. On this show, we’ll help families navigate some of the areas surrounding the college prep process by providing college and ACT related advice for students and their families. Listen each week to find out how students can score better on college placement tests, with techniques and methods that build confidence, beat test anxiety, and identify strengths within each student.
Location:
United States
Genres:
Education Podcasts
Description:
Welcome to the Simply Smarter Podcast hosted by College Prep Expert Caleb Pierce and Marketing Director Jill Purcell. On this show, we’ll help families navigate some of the areas surrounding the college prep process by providing college and ACT related advice for students and their families. Listen each week to find out how students can score better on college placement tests, with techniques and methods that build confidence, beat test anxiety, and identify strengths within each student.
Twitter:
@getsmarterprep
Language:
English
Contact:
9133223400
Website:
https://getsmarterprep.com/
Episodes
Don't Take the ACT if...
10/17/2023
On this episode, Caleb and Jill dive into the controversial topic of whether you should take the ACT/SAT, or if you might be better off without it? They'll explore scenarios in which taking a standardized test is beneficial for you or not.
Free Practice Test
College Counseling
Duration:00:20:37
The Truth with Meredith Vaughn
6/27/2023
In today's episode, Jill has the pleasure of interviewing one of our Standard-Level Tutors, Meredith Vaughn. Meredith opens up about her high school experience, her college prep process, and the honest truth about trusting yourself.
Listen to Meredith's interview to learn more.
Meredith Vaughn
Free Practice Test
Duration:00:17:02
Do I take the ACT/SAT or not?
5/10/2023
It's a question we hear often and there is a lot of talk surrounding the topic. Should students take the ACT or SAT? Caleb and Jill chat about which schools require it, which schools are test optional and which schools are test blind. Plus, within colleges which programs require an ACT/SAT.
Free ACT/SAT Practice Test
ACT Private Tutoring
Duration:00:29:15
Current Trends in College Admissions
10/26/2022
What are the current trends in college admissions? Caleb and Jill tackle some of the effects Covid-19 has had on students and learning as well as their mental well-being, stress level and test anxiety.
Free ACT/SAT Practice Test
Duration:00:32:50
GRE: In Depth Look
9/7/2022
The GRE General Test is a computer-delivered test that features question types that features question types that closely reflect the kind of thinking you'll do in today's graduate school programs. Caleb and Jill break down who takes the GRE, the timing of the test, where and when to take the test, and what the test covers.
For GRE Test Prep visit our website.
To check out the 1,300 business schools that accept the GRE click HERE.
Duration:00:37:26
ACT Advice with Audrey Hazzard
4/20/2022
Today we sit down with one of our Premier-Level Tutors, Audrey Hazzard, who has been a tutor with Get Smarter Prep for over ten years. Audrey talks about the changes she has seen in the tutoring industry over the past ten years and offers advice to high school students who are taking on more than they can handle.
Free Practice Test every Saturday morning.
Duration:00:23:59
Keep it Weird
4/13/2022
We're back! After taking a few months off, Caleb and Jill are back to talk about a few updates surrounding Get Smarter Prep as well as what current Juniors should be focusing on right now. Of course, we don't want to leave out Sophomores or Seniors, so we have some guidance as to what those students can do as well.
Also, Caleb is traveling to Austin for a big birthday celebration! Can you guess how old he is turning?
Roadmap to College
Free Practice Test
Duration:00:14:40
A Decade of Changes with Stephen Heiner: Part Two
1/12/2022
A Decade of Changes with Stephen Heiner: Part Two continues. Season Five of the Simply Smarter Podcast kicks off with a look back at all of the changes within the past 10 years, featuring Stephen Heiner. Stephen was the President of Get Smarter Prep from 2006-2012. He turns the tables on Caleb and Jill and asks them questions about how Get Smarter Prep has adapted within the decade.
Duration:00:26:22
A Decade of Changes with Stephen Heiner: Part One
1/5/2022
Season Five of the Simply Smarter Podcast kicks off with a look back at all of the changes within the past 10 years, featuring Stephen Heiner. Stephen was the President of Get Smarter Prep from 2006-2012. He turns the tables on Caleb and Jill and asks them questions about how Get Smarter Prep has adapted within the decade.
Duration:00:40:06
Approaching Deadlines
12/1/2021
On this episode, we take a look at the approaching deadlines students need to look at in the next few months. Caleb and Jill break down what students and parents will need to accomplish in December, January, and February including essays, FAFSA, letters of recommendation and more.
We've also teamed up with Tamara Day of HGTV's Bargain Mansions! We are currently helping her family with Academic Tutoring and ACT Prep and we are thrilled to be working with her and her family.
FREE Practice Tests
ACT Private Tutoring
College Counseling
Duration:00:22:11
How Many Times Do I Take the ACT?
11/17/2021
On today's episode, we break down just how many times students need to take the ACT. Here's a hint...it's different for everyone. From scholarships to Honors Programs to college admittance, your ACT will have an impact.
Listen to find out how many times you should take the ACT.
ACT Prep
Free Practice ACT Test
Duration:00:22:45
Simply Smarter Podcast
10/5/2021
Duration:00:00:33
Reading on the ACT - The Newest Question Type
9/22/2021
On today's episode, Caleb and Jill break down the newest changes within the reading section of the ACT called "Visual and Quantitative Information" questions. These new questions were recently released on the July ACT. We talk about how these VQI questions will negatively or positively affect students' scores.
Plus, stay tuned for a new program we will be releasing next summer! As always, sign up for a Free Practice ACT, which we offer every Saturday morning.
For more information regarding the college prep process, visit our website.
Duration:00:24:06
Please Welcome Stacey Jacks
6/30/2021
On today's episode, Jill gets to know Get Smarter Prep's new Director of Enrollment, Stacey Jacks. We get to know about her background, her favorites, and more about what her role at Get Smarter Prep will be. If you don't know about her interesting food choices, now is the time to enlighten your senses. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.
Duration:00:19:35
Summer Before Junior Year
5/19/2021
Today's Simply Smarter episode will cover what high school students should be thinking about between their Sophomore Year and Junior Year. What can students start doing now to prepare for college during the summer before their Junior Year? 🌞 Hint, it's not all work!
Free Practice Test
College Handcrafted
Initial ConsultationTop 5 ACT Test Podcasts
Duration:00:25:46
What's Going on with College Admissions Right Now?
4/28/2021
Do I need to take the ACT or not? Do I really need an ACT score to get into college? On today's episode, Caleb and Jill tackle a few of the questions surrounding college admissions. We seem to be hearing the same questions from different parents and we wanted to clarify what colleges are looking for, specifically for the class of 2022 and beyond.
Get Smarter Prep
Free ACT Practice Test
Duration:00:27:11
Can I Get A Scholarship for that?
4/21/2021
On today's episode, Caleb and Jill discuss the difference between Academic Scholarships and Athletic Scholarships as well as the divisions among athletic scholarships. They also point out different scholarships that may not be very common, but are available.
If you're ready to find scholarships for college, make sure to listen to today's show!
Duration:00:29:13
Happy Anniversary Get Smarter Prep
3/30/2021
This month, Get Smarter Prep celebrates our 15-Year Anniversary! To commemorate this milestone, Caleb and Jill look back over the last fifteen years to where Get Smarter Prep started. They walk through the history of Get Smarter Prep from the founder, the tutors, the partners, and to the future.
15 Year Anniversary blog
Caleb Pierce & Jill Purcell
ACT Prep Services
Duration:00:31:08
The Future of Us
1/27/2021
On today's episode, we have two very special guests from The Future of Us joining us, Brenan Latimer and Precious Awopetu. The two of them identified a disparity in the amount of college opportunities as well as support for students from more affluent communities than their own. Caleb and Jill dive into what their experiences were and discuss how they are now helping high school students achieve college success.
The Future of Us website
The Future of Us Instagram
The Future of Us Facebook
Donate to The Future of Us
Duration:00:41:51
What We're Looking Forward To
11/24/2020
On today's episode, Caleb and Jill wrap up what's left of 2020's school year and move onto 2021. They also talk about potential ACT dates that are fitting for students, creating realistic goals, and ending the year on a positive note.
If you know of a well-deserving student who would benefit from an ACT Scholarship through Get Smarter Prep, please nominate them! Moving into 2021, GSP will be awarding a student a scholarship for each ACT test date. Contact Get Smarter Prep for more information.
ACT Course Prep
ACT Private Tutoring
College Counseling
Duration:00:19:10