In this episode you will hear: (03:00) In this week’s news, an article from Pro-Publica, “The Admission Arms Race: Six Ways Colleges Game Their Numbers” by Marian Wang. Colleges are gaming their numbers through what the writer calls strategically achieved statistics. College-bound students often look at stats to weigh their options, and colleges are using tactics such as fast apps, the common application, early applicants, and moving toward test optional to skew the rise in their applicant pools and selectivity. (31:32) We are in Chapter 81 of 171 Answers and Mark talks through some common mistakes that international students make when applying to US colleges. (40:49) This week’s question is from a mom who wants to know if LinkedIn could be useful in the college application process. (51:52) Mark returns with Ms. Chika Nwosu a recent high school graduate and she updates us on her college admission process. (01:08:17) Mark’s recommended resource of the week is the book: How to Raise an Adult: Break Free of the Over parenting Trap and Prepare Your Kid for Success by Julie Lythcott-Haim (1:25:10) Our College Spotlight for the week is Smith College Please complete our podcast survey so we can improve our podcast and meet your needs. Here is the link:   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.