In this episode, Lisa, Dave, and Mike discuss:

• How career direction and college major alignment influence scholarship success
• The role of personal narrative and authenticity in admissions and financial aid
• Strategies for early scholarship searching and intentional college preparation
• How real-world experiences and self-awareness shape stronger college and scholarship applications

Key Takeaways: 

• When applying for scholarships, students with a clear personal narrative tied to their future major consistently outperform those who list achievements without direction.
• Most universities factor “fit to major” (FTM) into admissions and aid decisions, with some high-demand majors (like nursing or computer science) closed to later transfers.
• Starting early—in both scholarship applications and career exploration—reduces stress, expands opportunities, and allows time for authentic experiences that strengthen applications.
• Real-world experiences, like internships or organizing community projects, not only clarify interests but also provide concrete material for compelling essays and scholarship submissions.

“Students that I’ve worked with, even when they’re applying to general scholarships, are still having success by having that personal narrative that relates to their future college major.” – Dave Peterson

“Authenticity should inform every aspect of the admissions process.” – Mike Bergin

About our Guests:

• Dave Peterson is the founder of Scholarship GPS, a leading scholarship strategist who helped his son earn $100,000 in awards and graduate debt-free. He now teaches families nationwide how to secure college funding without student loans.
  • Twitter: https://x.com/DaveTheScholar1
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100080949485476
  • Email: dave@nodebtcollege.com
  • Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-scholarship-gps-podcast-your-directions-to-a/id1617874078
• Mike Bergin is the founder of Chariot Learning, an ACT Certified Educator, and co-host of the Tests and the Rest podcast. With over 30 years of experience, he continues to lead the test prep industry through innovation and ethical standards.
  • Website: https://www.chariotlearning.com/
  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-bergin-7a350342/
  • Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tests-and-the-rest-college-admissions-podcast/id1468409757

Episode References:

• Download a Sample Birkman Report: https://flourishcoachingco.com/birkman
• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey: https://www.franklincovey.com/courses/the-7-habits/
• Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form: https://www.ed.gov/higher-education/paying-college/better-fafsa
• Discover your direction and purpose with Lisa’s Launch Career Clarity online course at www.flourishcoachingco.com/course

Get Lisa’s Free on-demand video: How-to guide for your teen to choose the right major, college, & career…(without painting themselves into a corner, missing crucial deadlines, or risking choices you both regret). 

flourishcoachingco.com/video 

Connect with Lisa:

Website: https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@flourishcoachingco

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flourishcoachingco/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flourishcoachingco/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flourish-coaching-co

Access the episode transcript here