694. TEST PREP PROFILE: Lucy Zhang

694. TEST PREP PROFILE: Lucy Zhang

Author: Amy Seeley & Mike Bergin December 11, 2025 Duration: 16:35

Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced professional in the test prep industry?

MEET OUR GUEST

Lucy Zhang is the owner of A+ Test Prep and Tutoring, a 30+ year–old company helping students boost SAT/ACT scores and academic performance. She also co-founded SetSail, an online tutoring company connecting U.S. tutors with students abroad, and now runs both organizations. Lucy is focused on growing her impact by bringing additional tutoring teams into the fold, so more students can access high-quality, one-on-one support.

Find Lucy on LinkedIn.

ABOUT THIS PODCAST

Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

ABOUT YOUR HOSTS

Mike Bergin is the president of Chariot Learning and founder of TestBright, Roots2Words, and College Eagle. Amy Seeley is the president of Seeley Test Pros and LEAP. If you're interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, get in touch through our contact page.

 


Navigating the complex world of college admissions can feel like a maze with ever-shifting walls. Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast, hosted by Amy Seeley and Mike Bergin, serves as a reliable guide through that maze. Instead of generic advice, their conversations delve into the nuanced realities of testing, admissions strategies, learning differences, and broader educational trends. They bring in leading experts to provide depth and clarity on the issues that matter most right now. Whether you're a parent trying to support your student, a counselor shaping guidance, or an educator within the system, this podcast offers substantive discussion that goes beyond the surface. Each episode aims to demystify the process, offering practical insights and thoughtful analysis. You'll hear honest talk about standardized tests, application essays, financial aid, and the many factors that shape decisions on both sides of the admissions desk. For anyone invested in understanding the journey to higher education-from students to consultants-this is a vital resource. Tune in for a consistently informative and straightforward take on an industry that affects so many futures.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
Podcast Episodes
686. BEST & WORST EXTRACURRICULARS FOR HIGH SCHOOLERS [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:13
The choices a high schooler makes about how to spend their time outside of classes tell prospective schools a lot about what kind of college student they'll be. However, in terms of admissions, not all activities are cre…
685. SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: STUDYSPACES [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:35
What if your PDFs could grade and track themselves? with educator Jam Mirzakhalov What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is the story behind StudySpaces? How does StudySpaces work? Who currently uses S…
684. HOW TO PLAN FOR YOUR COLLEGE TRANSFER [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:12
Believe it or not, over one-third of college students transfer at least once while earning their degree. So why do so many students assume their first school will be their forever school? Amy and Mike invited college adv…
683. WHAT DO FEDERAL POLICY CHANGES MEAN FOR FINANCIAL AID? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:26
The ability to pay for a college education usually depends on stable economic conditions and clear, predictable rules. But what happens when everything seems to change every day? Amy and Mike invited financial aid adviso…
682. CULTIVATING AND RECOGNIZING ACADEMIC CURIOSITY [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:43
The primary goal of our formative years is often seen as figuring out what we want to do with the rest of our lives. Why, then, do we focus so much on what we want to *be* instead? Amy and Mike invited educational consul…
681. EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: October 2025 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:04
The Tests and the Rest podcast is always focused on exploring essential topics in testing, admissions, education, and learning with amazing expert guests. Sometimes, though, we enjoy an unstructured opportunity to discus…
679. How Do Female Students Benefit From Female Educators? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:08
If learning and testing weren't already challenging enough in and of themselves, success can often depend on the level of congruence between students and teachers. For example, is gender an influential factor in academic…
678. HOW PARENTS CAN SUPPORT (NOT DERAIL) THE COLLEGE PROCESS [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:37
For many college applicants, the dream of higher education would be unattainable without the support of their parents and guardians. That doesn't mean, however, that these well-meaning adults can't become an adverse infl…
677. How Ikigai Can Help To Choose a College Major [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:10
Ikigai, a Japanese concept that translates to "a reason for being" or "a reason to live," focuses on the intersection of what you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. Doesn't tha…