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In this episode of College Planning Simplified, Arielle breaks down four key tasks every rising senior should tackle before senior year begins. From starting your Common App and building a strong activity list to brainstorming your personal statement and balancing your college list, she'll walk you through how starting early sets you up for a smoother, more confident application season.

✅ Actionable advice you can use today—so you’re not scrambling later.

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In this episode of College Planning Simplified, Arielle is joined by Jamie Pack, Director of Content and a college consultant at Advantage College Planning, to discuss the nuances of writing college essays. Jamie highlights the value of an authentic voice in essays and provides practical advice on brainstorming and drafting compelling personal statements. The episode also offers guidance for parents on how to support their children without overshadowing their voice. Listeners receive tips for overcoming writer's block.

00:00 Introduction to College Planning Simplified
01:20 The Role and Importance of Supplemental Essays
02:34 Diving into the Personal Statement
05:35 The Significance of Authenticity in Essays
12:08 Common Mistakes in College Essays
19:04 Parental Support in the Essay Writing Process
23:30 Encouraging Self-Reflection in Students
27:11 Overcoming Writer's Block
28:29 Finding Unique Essay Topics
35:55 Conclusion and Additional Resources

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In this episode of College Planning Simplified, Arielle is joined by Clay Alexander from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, to discuss the evolving admissions landscape at UTK. They cover key topics like what the admissions review process looks like, how students can stand out beyond GPA and test scores, and what out-of-state applicants should know, especially in light of Tennessee’s auto-admit policy for in-state students. You’ll also hear about UTK’s most popular majors and how the university is managing a surge in applications.