All Episodes
Episodes
Didn’t Get Into Your ED School? Here’s What to Do
Early Decision rejection, deferral, and next steps—what to do when your top-choice college says no.
In this episode of College Coffee Talk, Andy & Pearl Lockwood break down what happens when you don’t get into...
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5 College Planning Tips Parents Wish They Knew Earlier
College planning tips, early admissions strategy, and financial aid planning for families with Class of 2027 students and younger.
In this episode of College Coffee Talk, Andy & Pearl Lockwood share five smart...
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5 Secrets Colleges Won’t Tell You About Early Decision
Early Decision secrets, admission strategy myths, and what colleges really gain when students commit early.
In this episode of College Coffee Talk, Andy & Pearl Lockwood expose five closely-guarded truths about...
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Top 5 College Planning Mistakes to Avoid in 2025
College planning mistakes, financial aid pitfalls, and application strategy errors that cost families time and money. Here are the five most common problems and how to avoid them. In this episode of College Coffee...
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The Untold Truth About Breaking Early Decision
Early Decision can feel like a promise, but what if you change your mind? Can you really back out?
In this episode of College Coffee Talk, Andy & Pearl Lockwood unpack a real case study of what happened when a...
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The Common App Essay Trick Most Students Miss
College essays, Common App mistakes, and the most important question students never realize they’re supposed to answer.
In this episode of College Coffee Talk, Andy & Pearl Lockwood reveal what they call the...
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Why Your College List Needs A Reality Check
College list season is here, and a lot of students are getting it wrong. Too many reaches. Not enough merit aid. No financial safety nets. Sound familiar?
In this episode of College Coffee Talk, Andy & Pearl...
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Does Your College List Suck? Fix It Before It’s Too Late
Too many students build college lists that are unrealistic, unbalanced, and way too expensive. Here’s how to fix that before it's too late.
In this episode of College Coffee Talk, Andy Lockwood goes full...
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What You’re Not Told About Elite College Admissions
College admissions myths, prestige pressure, and the truth about what really makes a college “good.”
In this episode of College Coffee Talk, Andy and Pearl Lockwood tackle the obsession with “rear window sticker...
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The College Advice Your Guidance Office Won’t Give
Back to school means College Nights, info sessions, and sugar-coated admissions advice. Here’s what they won’t tell you… and what families actually need to hear.
In this episode of College Coffee Talk, Andy and Pearl...
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College Admissions After DEI: What Changes Now?
Colleges are stripping out DEI and race‑based preferences—and it’s shaking up admissions and aid strategy for everyone.
In this episode of College Coffee Talk, Andy & Pearl Lockwood unpack how the end of...
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Behind the Scenes: Ivy League Financial Aid Mistake
In this episode of College Coffee Talk, Andy and Pearl Lockwood break down a real case study from one of their clients whose financial aid package from Columbia was completely off. This behind-the-scenes look reveals...
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