How Strategic Planning Led One Student to His Dream College
From Parents: Is Your Teen College Ready? by Shellee Howard
January 9, 2026 · 20 min · Episode 131
About this episode
Ryan Obanoff shares his journey to college success through strategic planning and guidance.
Ever wonder how some students confidently land their dream schools? In this episode, Shellee Howard chats with Ryan Obanoff, a UC Santa Barbara freshman, about his journey from high school to college success. Ryan shares how strategic planning, smart class choices, and personalized guidance from College Ready helped him maximize his GPA, craft standout essays, and navigate the college admissions process with confidence. 🎓 Learn how early planning, targeted extracurriculars, and the right support can make all the difference — and what parents can do now to set their teens up for success. Perfect for parents of high school students who want to turn college dreams into reality without stress. 🎁 Episode Gift & Contact 🎓 College Planning Support for Parents Want help organizing next steps and avoiding costly college mistakes? 📘 Workbook Gift: https://go.collegereadyplan.com/podcast-gift-workbook 🤝 Interested in Collaborating with College Ready? Email Julienne at julienne@collegereadyplan.com
People in this episode
Host: Shellee Howard
Guest: Ryan Obanoff
Topics covered
- college admissions
- strategic planning
- high school success
- GPA maximization
- personalized guidance
- extracurricular activities
Keywords
- college readiness
- dream college
- college planning
- GPA
- college essays
- admissions process
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: College Ready
Places: UC Santa Barbara
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