Episodes
March 12, 2020
One Year Post Varsity Blues; ABCs of EFC
The Varsity Blues scandal hit the country on March 12, 2019. One year after the news exploded across this country and the world, we’re taking a look at what has changed, what has stayed the same, and how to avoid making these...
March 5, 2020
BFA vs. BA; Gap Years; Cash for College Expenses
For students with an interest in the arts, whether visual, music, theatre, dance, and more, there are two primary college program options, the bachelor of fine arts, and the bachelor of arts. In this segment, we will take a c...
Feb. 27, 2020
State of College Admissions; Spring Break; Maximizing Tax Breaks
Every year, the National Association of College Admissions Counseling releases a report on the state of college admissions. Join us to learn more about the growth in application volume, the national average college acceptance...
Feb. 20, 2020
International Students Applying to US Colleges; Listener Q&A
Applying to US colleges can be complicated. The process can be even more difficult if you are coming from another country. We have advice designed specifically for international students who hope to attend college in the US. ...
Feb. 13, 2020
5 Things Juniors Should Do Now; Free Test Prep Resources
Test prep can be an expensive undertaking, yet we recommend that every student do some prep before they take the ACT or SAT. We’ll be discussing free test prep resources—what’s out there and which options are best. For junior...
Feb. 6, 2020
Fifth Anniversary Show!
If you can believe it, we’ve been bringing college finance and admissions information to you every single week since we launched Getting In: A College Coach Conversation on February 5, 2015. Join us for a celebration as we sh...
Jan. 30, 2020
High School Counselors; Local Scholarships; The Last Semester
Our country is suffering from a ratio of students to school counselors that averages about 455 to 1. In no surprise to anyone, too few counselors is having a negative impact on students. We welcome Harvard professor Mandy Sav...
Jan. 23, 2020
The Transfer Process; Listener Q&A
You want to transfer. We want to help. Check out this week’s show for insight into the transfer application process, from what’s required to when you need to get those applications submitted. We’re also answering listener que...
Jan. 16, 2020
College Advice for Twins/Multiples; Plan for Seniors Starting Now
For twins and multiples, the college process is twice (or more) intense than for everyone else, from deciding where to apply, doing college visits, writing essays, and figuring out how to pay for it all. We’re offering insigh...
Jan. 9, 2020
Test Optional, MBAs, Don't Take the First College Offer You Get
After spending hours on your applications, filling out financial aid forms, and waiting for what might feel like an eternity to get an answer, it can be tempting to accept the first offer that comes along. They like you, they...
Jan. 2, 2020
Applications Are In: Now What?; College Admissions Resolutions
Post-January 1 can be super challenging for seniors. After the crush of finalizing and submitting applications, have nothing left to do but wait—and that can be tough. We have some suggestions for actions you can take once al...
Dec. 26, 2019
Common Data Set; Listener Questions
In today’s post-holiday show, we’re exploring the Common Data Set, including what it is and why you need to know about it. We’re also answer listener questions on college finance and admissions.
Dec. 19, 2019
New Landscape Tool; VA Tech & Santa Clara Essays; Winter Savings
The College Board made a splash a few months ago with its new Adversity Score. After some negative backlash and bad press, they scrapped the score and replaced it with their new Landscape tool. Tune in to find out what all th...
Dec. 12, 2019
Admissions Myths; Paying for College; Colleges That Change Lives
Have you had The Talk with your kids yet? No, not that talk. The one about how much you can afford to pay for college! We have advice for why this talk is important, how to discuss it, and the best time to broach the subject....
Dec. 5, 2019
Mental Health Issues & Support in College; Application Countdown
Mental health issues are a significant and growing concern on college campuses throughout the United States. In this week’s show, we welcome Courtney Joly-Lowedermilk, NITEO Manager at the BU Center for Psychiatric Rehabilita...
Nov. 21, 2019
Coalition Prompts and University of Maryland Essay; Listener Q&A
The Coalition Application is similar to the Common App in that it is one application students can fill out that is accepted at multiple schools. While some of the essay prompts overlap with the Common App in theme and approac...
Nov. 14, 2019
Gap Years, What to Do if You Are Deferred, Repaying Student Loan
When college students graduate, they have a grace period of a few months before they need to start repaying their student loans. As that grace period is coming to an end, we have some thoughts on getting started on the repaym...
Nov. 7, 2019
Top 5 College Application Mistakes; Too Many Applications
Every year we read about students who apply to far too many schools, topping out at 20, 30, and even 40 or more applications. While we appreciate the temptation to do more given how uncertain the process can feel, our experie...
Oct. 31, 2019
UC Personal Insight Essays; Last Minute Tips; College Selection
November 1 marks one of the biggest early application program deadlines of the year, and many students will submit at least one application by that day. But what if you’re a senior and you’re just getting started thinking abo...
Oct. 24, 2019
University of California Application; Listener Q&A
More than 200,000 students will apply to the University of California system this year using the UC application. That’s bound to generate a lot of questions, and we have a lot of answers for you. We’re also answering your oth...
Oct. 17, 2019
Merit Scholarships; Early App Deadlines; Mindfulness in Test Prep
People who can write a check for $50,000 or $75,000 to pay for college make up a pretty small group, and not many colleges can or will offer that much aid even to those who qualify for it. If you’re not sure where the money t...
Oct. 10, 2019
Underclassmen Goals; Your School Counselor; Costs of Applying
One of your biggest allies in the college process is your school counselor. Whether writing a letter of recommendation, sending out a transcript or directing you to local scholarship resources, there are many, many ways in wh...
Oct. 3, 2019
Bloopers, Early College Programs, Learn to Live Like a Student
Love watching blooper reels for your favorite TV shows? We’re offering our own blooper reel of mistakes we saw students and parents making when we were admissions officers. Don’t be them! We’re also welcoming the associate di...
Sept. 26, 2019
Listener Q&A; Johns Hopkins and UC Boulder Supplemental Essays
If you’ve been staring at a blank computer screen wondering how to craft an answer to the supplemental writing prompts for Johns Hopkins and UC Boulder, you’ve come to the right place! We’ll talk through appropriate approache...