Navigating Middle School
From Getting In: A College Coach Conversation by Bright Horizons College Coach
June 4, 2026 · 1h 1m
About this episode
The episode discusses how families can navigate the middle school years while preparing for college and explores financial aid opportunities in California.
Host Sally Ganga kicks off this episode with members of the Bright Horizons College Coach High School Planning Team — Lauren Randle, Caroline Damon, and Robin Khadduri —for a conversation focused on how students and families can make the most of the middle school years . They discuss how to strike the right balance between early preparation for potentially competitive college paths and avoiding unnecessary pressure too soon. The team emphasizes an important takeaway: what students do in middle school has little direct impact on college admissions , making this an ideal time for exploration, skill-building, and simply enjoying being a kid . In the second segment, Sally is joined by finance expert Patricia Pineiro‑Goodenberger for a closer look at California-based financial aid opportunities , including the Cal Grant and the Middle Class Scholarship Program . Patricia explains who may qualify for Cal Grants, how much aid they can provide, and key timelines to maximize eligibility . She also breaks down the Middle Class Scholarship, including who qualifies and where it can be used , helping families better understand how these programs can make college more affordable.
People in this episode
Host: Sally Ganga
Guests: Lauren Randle, Caroline Damon, Robin Khadduri, Patricia Pineiro‑Goodenberger
Topics covered
- middle school
- college preparation
- financial aid
- California scholarships
- student exploration
Keywords
- middle school
- college admissions
- financial aid
- Cal Grant
- Middle Class Scholarship
- student exploration
- skill-building
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Bright Horizons College Coach
More episodes of Getting In: A College Coach Conversation
- Financial Tips for Collegebound HS Seniors & Their Parents · June 11, 2026 · 55 min
- Happy (Early) National Saving for College Day! · May 28, 2026 · 55 min
- Who Wore It Better? Consortium Style · May 21, 2026 · 52 min
- How to Become a Professional Athlete & Baseball Scout · May 14, 2026 · 53 min
- What Do I Do If I Haven't Saved Enough to Pay for All Four Years of College? · May 7, 2026 · 51 min
- The Waiting Game: What To Do About Waitlists · April 30, 2026 · 60 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Getting In: A College Coach Conversation podcast page.