Welcome to Real College Talk! RCT is your destination for honest and relevant college and postsecondary conversation. In this episode, Morgan dives deep into the ins and outs of college applications (and deciding if college is right for you!) with her very own college counselor, Shannon Harrison.

You know a college consultant loves their job when they compare application season to “football season" (2:10)! Since becoming a certified college advisor, Shannon has supported hundreds of students in their matriculation to the nation’s top universities, amazing community college programs, and gap year adventures alike. In #KeepItReal fashion, Shannon opens up by discussing her firm belief in the value of higher education (3:10), but also shares that her first question to all students she works with is “do you even want to go to college?” She explains that college isn’t necessarily for everyone, and then offers some key considerations and criteria that high school students should account for when determining which college (if any) is the right fit for them. For students who decide to apply to college, Shannon emphasizes the importance of creating a “balanced college list” (8:55) comprised of schools which truly match the student’s unique interests, passions, goals, personality…and budget?That’s right. Shannon discusses a major shift that has taken place in the world of college counseling over the past ~10 years in that now more than ever, high school students must consider and establish realistic expectations of the financial commitment they choose to make to their education BEFORE applying. She offers actionable tips for students to use in gaining clarity, getting prepared, and making the most responsible choice for the cost of an undergraduate education. Last but mot least, Shannon offers some rapid fire insight on the best practices, mindset hacks, and habits of the most successful students she’s worked with in college and in life (21:35). Finally, we wrap up with a deep-dive in finding “fit” between you and the colleges you’re applying to, as well as Shannon’s top resources for additional information regarding college applications and life after high school. Visit the links in the episode's YouTube description for a collection of tools, databases, and platforms to help make your post-grad decision truly your own!

Real College Talk is a podcast that you won't want to miss! To catch every episode, make sure to hit the subscribe button and turn on our notifications. You can follow us on Instagram @realcollegetalk and follow our co-hosts @morgs__anne and @nikhil.vn. We are always working on new content, so be on the lookout for our latest episodes. In the meantime, Keep It Real!