College Knowledge-The podcast where college admissions meets family financial strategy.
Are you trying to understand how financial aid actually works, how to get into the best fit college, why some students receive merit scholarships, or how families can pay for college without jeopardizing retirement?
On the College Knowledge Podcast, we break down the financial side of college—how colleges price tuition, how financial aid packages are built, and how families make smart decisions about getting into and paying for higher education.
Hosted by experts from Elite Collegiate Planning, Paradigm Financial Group, and College Planning Network, the show features conversations with admissions leaders, financial aid professionals, and higher education experts including voices like Jeff Selingo & Michael B. Horn.
Each episode helps families understand the real economics of college, financial aid strategy, and how to navigate the admissions process without making costly financial mistakes.
College Knowledge-The podcast where college admissions meets family financial strategy.
177. Choosing the Right College in a Broken System with Michael B. Horn
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In this episode of the College Knowledge Podcast, hosts Joe Kerns and Dave Kozak sit down with author, speaker, education futurist, and innovation expert Michael B. Horn to unpack one of the biggest questions families face today: How do you choose the right college — and is the traditional system still working?
Drawing from his book Choosing College, Michael shares why so many students end up at the wrong school, the hidden reasons behind rising dropout rates, and why “prestige” alone can lead families down the wrong path. Together, they explore the importance of understanding a student’s “why,” identifying what isn’t the right fit, and approaching the college search with a consumer mindset.
The conversation also dives into the future of higher education — from co-op programs and gap years to the growing disconnect between college curriculum and real-world workforce demands in the age of AI.
Listeners will walk away with practical strategies for evaluating colleges beyond rankings, avoiding costly mistakes, and helping students make smarter, more intentional decisions about their future.
Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation on college fit, career readiness, and the evolving future of higher education.
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