719. IEC PROFILE: Brooke Daly

719. IEC PROFILE: Brooke Daly

Author: Amy Seeley & Mike Bergin April 3, 2026 Duration: 16:17

Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced independent educational consultant?

MEET OUR GUEST

Meet Brooke Daly. Brooke is the founder and CEO of Advantage College Planning, a nationally recognized college counseling firm that has helped thousands of families navigate the admissions process with clarity and confidence. With more than 20 years of experience in college admissions and financial aid, Brooke works closely with students to develop thoughtful college lists and authentic applications that reflect their strengths and goals.

Brooke is an instructor in the College Counseling Certificate Program at the University of California, Berkeley, a past president of the Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA), and the co-founder (along with her husband) of CollegePlannerPro, a widely used software platform for independent college counselors. She currently serves as Vice President of Education and Training for the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA).

Through her work with families, counselors, and national organizations, Brooke is passionate about helping students find colleges where they will thrive!

Find Brooke at advcp.com or 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: 50

Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
Podcast Episodes
741. WHAT IS AN IEC AND WHO NEEDS ONE? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:17
Most people know–or at least think they know–the role of a school-based counselor. What about all of the professionals in private practice who support families on their admissions journeys and more? Amy and Mike invited…
740. DECODING STUDENT LOANS [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:32
Paying for college poses serious challenges for most families, but should understanding the rules around borrowing really be one of the hardest parts? Amy and Mike invited financial aid expert Will McGinley to offer guid…
739. SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: Desmos SAT Math Course [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:42
Know everything that the SAT Desmos calculator can do for you. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is the story behind the Desmos SAT Math Course? How does the Desmos SAT Math Course work? Who shoul…
738.WHAT COLLEGES AREN'T TELLING YOU [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:06
If you think the massive amount of information colleges expect applicants to absorb is too much, think about the equally essential insights that are left unsaid. Amy and Mike invited ed tech professional Reetu Gupta to d…
737. TAKING A HIGH-STAKES TEST AT HOME [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:09
Much of the stress involved with taking an important exam is related to testing in a proctored environment surrounded by your anxious peers. What happens when you shift to more familiar ground? Amy and Mike invited educa…
736. EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: June 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:07
The Tests and the Rest podcast consistently focuses on exploring important topics in testing, admissions, education, and learning with amazing expert guests. Sometimes, though, we enjoy an unstructured opportunity to dis…
735. BEACH READS FOR BETTER SCORES [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:40
According to Henry Ward Beecher, there is a temperate zone in the mind, between luxurious indolence and exacting work; and it is to this region, just between laziness and labor, that summer reading belongs. Teens willing…
734. COLLEGE ENROLLMENT TRENDS FOR 2026 AND 2027 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:27
If you've been paying attention over the last year, you've observed tremendous change, chaos, and uncertainty roiling higher education. Behind the scenes, things are even crazier than they seem, which affects every singl…
733. SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: The Gauntlet [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:43
The Gauntlet: Harder Questions, Higher Scores What are five things you will learn in this episode? What's the story behind The Gauntlet, and what problem inspired it? How does The Gauntlet solve the challenge of managing…
732. STRATEGIZING YOUR TESTING AND ADMISSIONS TIMELINE [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:54
A great many tasks need to be accomplished successfully in order to secure a seat at a selective college. Luckily, they don't all need to be done at once, but proper timing makes a world of difference. Amy and Mike invit…