In this episode you will hear: (5:36)  In this week’s news, a NY Times article “4 Years of College, $0 in Debt: How Some Countries Make Higher Education Affordable” by Lara Takenaga of the New York Times. Student debt in the US has reached $1.5 trillion while many recent graduates in other countries have graduated debt free. Takenaga’s article shares from a selection of over 800 college students from around the world who shared how they were able to achieve $0 to minimal debt from their college degrees. Some of respondents are from countries like Taiwan, New Zealand, Turkey, Ireland, Brazil, Philippines, Scotland, and Denmark. (25:35) We have some bonus content this week. It starts as we continue our conversation of hooks. We take a look at former IVY league admission officer Harry Bauld’s theory that everyone in the applicant pool can be divided into two groups: those who have a built in lobby group in the admission office and what he calls, “Just Folks”. We then transition to Chapter 75 of 171 Answers and Mark and Anika discuss the four main reasons why colleges rescind acceptances. (38:42) This week’s question is from a listener who wants to know if there are any bad questions to ask an admissions counselor. Mark and Anika have a robust discussion of five or six different categories of bad questions. (51:46) Mark wraps up his interview with Steve Schwartz, host of the College of Admissions Toolbox podcast, in the final part of extracurricular activities and other factors that admissions offices use to decide who gets in. Steve has his own college admissions podcast and website which you can access here: http://CollegeAdmissionsToolbox.com https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/college-admissions-toolbox-podcast-college-applications/id1016715810 (67:41)Mark’s recommended resource of the week is the book, “The Gift of Failure, how the best parents learn to let go so their children can succeed by Jessica Lahey.   (1:20:19) Our College Spotlight for the week is Harvard Summer Admissions Institute     Don’t forget to send your questions related to any and every facet of the college process to   Every episode of Your College-Bound Kid will align with a chapter from the book 171 Answers to the Most-Asked College Admission Questions. To get a copy visit  and if you want to see what future episodes will cover just click the red button “See exactly what 171 Answers covers.