From Uncertain Freshman to USC Admit: Chase Ott's College Readiness Journey
From Parents: Is Your Teen College Ready? by Shellee Howard
June 4, 2026 · 18 min · Episode 144
About this episode
Chase Ott shares his journey from uncertainty to admission at USC's engineering program, highlighting the importance of exploration and passion in college readiness.
Many parents worry that their teen doesn't know what they want to do after high school. In this inspiring student spotlight episode, Shellee Howard sits down with College Ready senior Chase Ott to discuss his journey from an uncertain freshman exploring different career options to earning admission to USC's highly competitive engineering program. Chase shares how passion projects, leadership opportunities, internships, and consistent effort helped him discover his interests and build a strong college application. He also reflects on what he wishes he had done earlier, how he explored STEM fields before choosing engineering, and why finding direction matters more than having everything figured out. If your student feels unsure about their future, this conversation offers practical insights and encouragement for both parents and teens navigating the college planning process.
People in this episode
Host: Shellee Howard
Guest: Chase Ott
Topics covered
- college readiness
- student journey
- STEM fields
- college application
- career exploration
Keywords
- college readiness
- USC
- engineering
- career options
- student spotlight
- internships
- leadership opportunities
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: USC, engineering program
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