Episodes
Feb. 18, 2021
Standardized Test Policies for 2021/2022; Listener Q&A
When COVID hit in March 2020, it disrupted life for everyone across the globe, including college admissions. Standardized test dates were cancelled, rescheduled, and cancelled again, and ultimately more than 1200 colleges and...
Feb. 11, 2021
Affirmative Action; Financial Aid Awards; Too Late to Apply?
There have been a few recent court cases related to the use of affirmative action in college admissions. But what is affirmative action in this case, and how is it really used in admissions? Jamiere Abney, Coordinator of Outr...
Feb. 4, 2021
Ivy League Admits; Employer-Funded Degrees; In-State Tuition
We often mention the difference between being competitive in a highly selective applicant pool versus being compelling, which is the difference between who gets in and who does not. We’re sharing actual examples of compelling...
Jan. 28, 2021
Who Gets In and Why: A Year In College Admissions
Have you read Jeff Selingo’s book, Who Gets In and Why: A Year in College Admissions? Well our team has, and we’ll be reviewing the book in this week’s episode. Find out what we think he got right and if we think he missed so...
Jan. 21, 2021
Scholarship Offers; Med School Gap Years; Associates to Bachelors
As admissions decisions start to come in, you may receive scholarship offers from some of your schools. Did you know you can negotiate for more? Learn more about the dos and don’ts of this process. We also have details on why...
Jan. 14, 2021
Admissions Bloopers; Listener Q&A
We talk a lot about what to do as part of your college admissions process. This week, we have some cautionary tales of mistakes some have made in the hopes that you can avoid making similar bloopers. In Officer Hours, we’re a...
Jan. 7, 2021
Applications Are In: Now What?; Tips for Juniors Getting Started
Seniors: your applications are in. What can you do now? We’ll talk about steps you can take on the admissions and finance side while you wait for your decisions. Juniors: you’re up! We have advice for starting the college pro...
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...