Simply Smarter
Welcome to the Simply Smarter Podcast hosted by College Prep Expert Caleb Pierce and Marketing Director Jill Purcell. On this show, we’ll help families navigate some of the areas surrounding the college prep process by providing college and ACT related advice for students and their families. Listen each week to find out how students can score better on college placement tests, with techniques and methods that build confidence, beat test anxiety, and identify strengths within each student.
Episodes
46 episodes
The One-Point Trick: How to Turn $3,000 in Test Prep Into $24,000 in Scholarships
In July 2025, everything changed for families planning for college. New legislation now allows you to use 529 College Savings Plans for ACT and SAT test prep—completely tax-free. But here's what makes this really exciting: quality test prep typ...
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Season 6
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Episode 3
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12:57
ACT FLEX Course
The ACT changed—and so did we. Following our deep dive into the new ACT format (catch that episode if you missed it!), we're excited to unveil something revolutionary: the ACT FLEX Course, designed specifically for students who need maximum res...
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Season 6
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Episode 2
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14:10
Changes to the ACT
The ACT just underwent its most significant transformation in decades, and the changes are game-changing for college-bound students. With July 12th marking the last chance to take the old format, it's time to understand what's coming this Septe...
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Season 5
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Episode 1
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33:37
Don't Take the ACT if...
On this episode, Caleb and Jill dive into the controversial topic of whether you should take the ACT/SAT, or if you might be better off without it? They'll explore scenarios in which taking a standardized test is beneficial for you or not. ...
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Season 5
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Episode 7
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20:37
The Truth with Meredith Vaughn
In today's episode, Jill has the pleasure of interviewing one of our Standard-Level Tutors, Meredith Vaughn. Meredith opens up about her high school experience, her college prep process, and the honest truth about trusting yourself. <...
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Season 5
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Episode 7
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17:02
Do I take the ACT/SAT or not?
It's a question we hear often and there is a lot of talk surrounding the topic. Should students take the ACT or SAT? Caleb and Jill chat about which schools require it, which schools are test optional and which schools are test blind. Plus, w...
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Season 5
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Episode 6
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29:15
Current Trends in College Admissions
What are the current trends in college admissions? Caleb and Jill tackle some of the effects Covid-19 has had on students and learning as well as their mental well-being, stress level and test anxiety.
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Season 5
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Episode 5
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32:50
GRE: In Depth Look
The GRE General Test is a computer-delivered test that features question types that features question types that closely reflect the kind of thinking you'll do in today's graduate school programs. Caleb and Jill break down who takes the GRE, th...
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Season 5
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Episode 4
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37:29
ACT Advice with Audrey Hazzard
Today we sit down with one of our Premier-Level Tutors, Audrey Hazzard, who has been a tutor with Get Smarter Prep for over ten years. Audrey talks about the changes she has seen ...
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Season 5
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Episode 3
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23:59
Keep it Weird
We're back! After taking a few months off, Caleb and Jill are back to talk about a few updates surrounding Get Smarter Prep as well as what current Juniors should be focusing on right now. Of course, we don't want to leave out Sophomores or Sen...
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Season 5
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Episode 2
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14:40
A Decade of Changes with Stephen Heiner: Part Two
A Decade of Changes with Stephen Heiner: Part Two continues. Season Five of the Simply Smarter Podcast kicks off with a look back at all of the changes within the past 10 years, featuring Stephen Heiner. Stephen was the President of...
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Season 5
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Episode 1
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26:22
A Decade of Changes with Stephen Heiner: Part One
Season Five of the Simply Smarter Podcast kicks off with a look back at all of the changes within the past 10 years, featuring Stephen Heiner. Stephen was the President of Get Smarter Prep from 2006-2012. He turns the tables on Caleb and ...
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Season 5
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Episode 1
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40:06
Approaching Deadlines
On this episode, we take a look at the approaching deadlines students need to look at in the next few months. Caleb and Jill break down what students and parents will need to accomplish in December, January, and February including essays, FAFSA...
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Season 4
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Episode 9
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22:11
How Many Times Do I Take the ACT?
On today's episode, we break down just how many times students need to take the ACT. Here's a hint...it's different for everyone. From scholarships to Honors Programs to college admittance, your ACT will have an impact. Listen to find o...
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Season 4
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Episode 8
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22:45
Reading on the ACT - The Newest Question Type
On today's episode, Caleb and Jill break down the newest changes within the reading section of the ACT called "Visual and Quantitative Information" questions. These new questions were recently released on the July ACT. We talk about how t...
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Season 4
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Episode 7
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24:06
Summer Before Junior Year
Today's Simply Smarter episode will cover what high school students should be thinking about between their Sophomore Year and Junior Year. What can students start doing now to prepare for college during the summer before their Junior Year...
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Season 4
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Episode 5
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25:46
What's Going on with College Admissions Right Now?
Do I need to take the ACT or not? Do I really need an ACT score to get into college? On today's episode, Caleb and Jill tackle a few of the questions surrounding college admissions. We seem to be hearing the same questions from different parent...
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Season 4
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Episode 4
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27:11
Can I Get A Scholarship for that?
On today's episode, Caleb and Jill discuss the difference between Academic Scholarships and Athletic Scholarships as well as the divisions among athletic scholarships. They also point out different scholarships that may not be very common, but ...
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Season 4
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Episode 3
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29:14
Happy Anniversary Get Smarter Prep
This month, Get Smarter Prep celebrates our 15-Year Anniversary! To commemorate this milestone, Caleb and Jill look back over the last fifteen years to where Get Smarter Prep started. They walk through ...
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Season 4
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Episode 2
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31:08
The Future of Us
On today's episode, we have two very special guests from The Future of Us joining us, Brenan Latimer and Precious Awopetu. The two of them identified a disparity in the amount of college op...
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Season 4
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Episode 1
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41:51
What We're Looking Forward To
On today's episode, Caleb and Jill wrap up what's left of 2020's school year and move onto 2021. They also talk about potential ACT dates that are fitting for students, creating realistic g...
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Season 3
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Episode 13
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19:10
Moving Forward
What happens next? What does moving forward look like for the Class of 2021 or the Class of 2022? On today's episode, Caleb and Jill discuss tangible steps for High School Seniors, Juniors, and Sophomores to take within the next few months.&nbs...
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Season 3
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Episode 12
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29:06