Episodes
Dec. 31, 2020
Admissions Resolutions; Attending & Paying for College as Adults
Just in time for the new year, we have some new year’s resolutions for college admissions. We’re also sharing two team stories this week: attending college as an adult and paying for college as an adult.
Dec. 24, 2020
Post-Bacc Programs; Spending Resolutions; Regular Decision Lists
In another segment in our Med School Series, we’ll consider post-baccalaureate programs, including what they are and who would benefit. We’ve been giving a lot of attention to early action, early decision, and priority decisi...
Dec. 17, 2020
Attending a Women’s College; Listener Q&A
In another story from our team, Jen Simons will share her experience choosing and attending a women’s college. We’ll also answer your questions on college finance and admissions.
Dec. 10, 2020
Deferrals; Keeping Scholarships & Aid; Elon & UMiami (FL) Essays
Early action, early decision, and priority admissions decisions have already started coming in, and many more will be released throughout December and into January and February. Many students applying under these plans will g...
Dec. 3, 2020
Is Bribery the Only Way In to an Ivy?; Early Round Results; Preparing for Student Loan Payments
With the latest admissions scandal, it might feel like the only way to get into an Ivy or similarly selective university is through bribery. We’re going to discuss the reality of getting into these highly selective institutio...
Nov. 19, 2020
Supplemental Essays for Notre Dame; Listener Q&A
Working on your Notre Dame application and stumped by the supplemental essays? We’re here to help! We’ll also be answering listener questions on college finance and admissions.
Nov. 12, 2020
Seniors Starting Now; Transfer Planning; Harvard & Tufts Essays
Thinking about transferring colleges? If costs are a consideration, we have advice on how to start preparing financially for this transition. While many seniors have already submitted some or all of their college applications...
Nov. 5, 2020
Financial Aid Apps In—Now What?; Choosing a Public Honors College; Purdue & UIUC Supplemental Essays
Wondering what to do now that you’ve submitted your financial aid applications? We’ve got you covered. Hear from a College Coach team member about her choice to attend a public honors college. And in Office Hours, we’re revie...
Oct. 29, 2020
University of Washington and Arizona State Honors and Supplemental Essays; Listener Q&A
In this week’s episode, we have more supplemental essay advice, this time for the University of Washington and Arizona State. We’re also answering your college admissions and finance questions.
Oct. 22, 2020
Biggest Admissions and College Finance Myths in 2020; When Are You Ready to Submit?
Myths surrounding getting into and paying for college abound, and this year is no different. In fact, the current challenges created by COVID have only increased the misinformation being shared. We’ll counter the biggest admi...
Oct. 15, 2020
Why This College Essays for the Ivies; EFC and the College List; Evaluating Your College List
We’ve covered what colleges are looking for in Why This College essays in a podcast a few weeks ago. But given how many of the Ivies have different versions of this essay, we are dedicating another segment to these supplement...
Oct. 8, 2020
Maximizing Sections of the Common App; CSS Profile; Supplemental Essays for Georgia Tech and UGA
Ever wonder what goes into the additional information section on the Common App—or if you even have to fill it out? How about what to include in the honors section? We have advice on maximizing these and other areas of the ap...
Oct. 1, 2020
Should I Report My Test Scores? Filing the FAFSA; Missing Out On Your First Choice College
Standardized test date cancellations across the world have led many universities to institute temporary and permanent test optional policies. This week we’ll help you decide whether or not to report your test scores to the co...
Sept. 24, 2020
Pre-Med Student Advice; Listener Q&A
For those students interested in pursuing med school post-college, engaging with your pre-med advisor will be an important part of the process. Our resident med school admissions expert, Lauren DiProspero, will offer her sugg...
Sept. 17, 2020
UC Personal Insight Questions; Early Decision versus Early Action; Financial Impact of ED versus EA
The University of California application differs from other platforms in that it requires students to respond to four out of eight personal insight questions with four essays no longer than 350 words each. This week, we will ...
Sept. 10, 2020
FAFSA and CSS Profile Preview; Georgetown Essays; Applying to College From Abroad
In another in our series of stories from our team, Sai Samboon will share his decision to apply to and attend college in the United States despite growing up in Thailand. We’re also offering tips for the Georgetown applicatio...
Sept. 3, 2020
Supplemental Essays & Why This College Prompts; COVID’s Impact on College Finance; Goals for Juniors
In theory, applications like the Common App, The Universal Application, and the Coalition App allow students to write one essay for all colleges. In practice, many colleges also require supplemental essays. We’ll tell you wha...
Aug. 27, 2020
Fall Standardized Testing Update; Listener Q&A
In terms of the college application process, almost nothing has been impacted quite as significantly by COVID-19 as standardized testing. A testing expert joins us to share her insights into what to expect when it comes to th...
Aug. 20, 2020
Top 5 Series: Advice for Senior Year Admissions and Financial Aid Applications; Senior Timeline
This week is all about applications! Our Top 5 Series is back, and we have two top 5’s for listeners: advice for seniors heading into application season (especially in the age of COVID) and for getting organized and ready for...
Aug. 13, 2020
COVID’s Impact on SNHU; Tips for Online Learning; Using College Savings Plans to Pay College Bills
Southern New Hampshire University President Dr. Paul LeBlanc joined the show this week to offer his thoughts on how SNHU is responding to COVID-19, tips for online learning, and what he sees as the overall disruption to highe...
Aug. 6, 2020
COVID’s Impact on UCLA Admissions; Finance Conversations to Have Before Starting College
UCLA Senior Associate Director, Evaluation and International Admission Ffiona Rees joins the show this week to share information on how the UC-specific changes brought about by COVID-19 are shaping the UCLA admissions process...
July 30, 2020
Common App Essay; Tuition Payment Plans; Strengths Coaching
For most people, writing a check for the tuition bill is a frightening prospect. What if you could spread those payments out? We have information on tuition payment plans offering an installment plan. We’ll also take a close ...
July 23, 2020
Pre-Med Activities; Listener Q&A
Many students enter their undergraduate years with their sights set on medicine. We have suggestions for pre-med activities that can positively impact med school applications. In our second and third segments, we’re answering...
July 16, 2020
Maximizing Common App Activities Section; Engineering in Liberal Arts College; FERPA
One of the most important parts of the Common App is the section in which students list their activities. Involvement outside the classroom is a major selection component for many universities, and this is the primary opportu...