Episode Show Notes
Guest: Brian Eufinger – Co-founder of Edison Prep (13 000 + students, 40 000 + tutoring hours, multiple perfect ACT scores) Topic: How to Position Your Student for College Admission, Merit Aid & Debt-Free Graduation
🎯 Key Takeaways
| Stage | What to Focus On | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Gr 9 – 10 | • Chase the highest-possible GPA in rigorous classes • Join 1-3 activities you love (depth > breadth) |
GPA is the #1 admissions lever; activities show passion & leadership |
| Soph Spring | • Sit for diagnostic, full-length SAT & ACT (no prep) | Reveals the stronger test for focused prep |
| Junior Year | • Finish SAT/ACT by spring • Add/keep AP / IB if manageable |
Test scores + course rigor round out the “Big 5” numbers |
| Senior Year | • Maintain grades (no senioritis) • Apply broadly (aid shopping) |
Small GPA dips can kill merit aid; more offers = more leverage |
💰 Merit & Need-Based Aid Hacks
-
Most “free money” comes from the college itself. Know each school’s published GPA/SAT/ACT cut-offs.
-
State flagship guarantees – ex:
- Georgia HOPE (3.0 GPA) & Zell Miller (3.7 + 26 ACT / 1200 SAT)
- Florida Bright Futures (3.0 + 26 ACT / 1170 SAT + 75 service hours)
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AGI-based pledges – Harvard (< $65 k), Emory Advantage, WashU, etc.
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Apply to 1-2 “extra” schools: identical stats can yield wildly different aid packages.
🧪 Test-Prep Blueprint
- Start: summer after Sophomore year; treat prep like a semester class.
- Tools: TI-84 Plus CE calculator, official practice books current year, timed sections with Test Buddy (ACT) or G2 Pacing Watch (SAT).
- Goal: even a +2-3 ACT or +70-100 SAT jump leaps you over thousands of applicants.
🎒 Resources Mentioned
| Category | Link |
|---|---|
| Bios & Company | Edison Prep – About Us |
| Applications | Common App |
| Grades & Rigor | GA UGA Admissions blog – “Freshman Denies Post-Mortem” |
| Test-Optional Insight | College Transitions – Test Optional Admissions |
| Merit Programs | GA HOPE · GA Zell Miller · FL Bright Futures |
| Published Scholarship Grids | Auburn · Michigan State OOS |
| National Merit List | DIY College Rankings – 107 Colleges for NM Scholars |
| Need-Blind list | Cappex – Need-Blind Colleges |
| Practice Percentiles | ACT PDF · SAT PDF |
| Score Converter | ACT ↔ SAT Chart |
| Study Guides & Blog | Edison Prep Resources & “What a Sophomore Parent Can Do” |
| Timing Aids | Test Buddy (ACT) · G2 Watch (SAT) |
| Big-Picture Data | College Board BigFuture · College Transitions Dataverse |
🔥 Brian’s “Hot Seat” Picks
- Blogs: White Coat Investor · Financial Samurai
- Favorite Article: “The Tail End” (Wait But Why)
- Life Hack: TextExpander – saves ~200 hrs/yr.
- Advice to Younger Self: Do meaningful internships early.
🎧 Related ChooseFI Episodes
- #154 – Hacking the FAFSA (Brian Eufinger & Seonwoo Lee)
- Ep. 460 – Are You Prepared for College? (Brian Eufinger)
Action Steps:
- Map GPA & rigor targets by 8th grade.
- Schedule diagnostic SAT/ACT spring of 10th.
- Build a scholarship spreadsheet (state, institutional, external).
- Practice tests → study plan → official exams by 11th spring.
- Apply to a few extra schools to maximize merit-aid offers.