Episodes
Jan. 3, 2019
Roth IRA to Pay for College; Resolutions; Group/Faculty Interview
Colleges do not consider retirement savings in their financial aid calculations, but you can use a Roth IRA to pay for college. We’ll share more about who can take advantage of this option and factors to consider. If you’re f...
Dec. 27, 2018
Applications: Submitting and Follow Up; How to Pay In-State Tuition
If you’re about to submit all of your applications or your last few, we’ll take you through the nuts and bolts of submitting your applications and necessary follow up. Students recently accepted or considering applications to...
Dec. 20, 2018
Co-Op Programs; Essay Prompts for Wash U and Barnard College
As students and families look to get more work experience while they’re in college, co-ops are becoming a more popular option. We’ll share more details about co-ops, including what they are, and the financial aspects of the p...
Dec. 13, 2018
What to Do if You re Deferred Admissions and College Finance QandA
You applied early in the hopes that you’d have some decisions before the end of the year, and you got…deferred. What now? We’ll tell you all about how to best handle this non-decision. We’re also answering your questions in a...
Dec. 6, 2018
ED, EA, and Priority Results; Repaying Loans; BC and Colgate Essays
The results from early decision, early action, and priority admissions programs are starting to come in, and we’re here to help! We’ll discuss what to expect, how to prepare, and how to handle whatever comes your way. We’re d...
Nov. 29, 2018
Engineering VS. Math Science Majors; Repay Student Loans Essays
Students who excel in math and science are often pushed to consider engineering. Conversely, students who love science or math might be considering a degree in one of those disciplines, overlooking the possibilities available...
Nov. 15, 2018
What if your Student Already Wants to Transfer? Listener Q and A
While most parents will be thrilled to have their college students home for the holiday season, what happens if the main topic of conversation is around transferring? Listen in as we talk through the reasons behind this pheno...
Nov. 8, 2018
The UC app, CA Financial Aid; Carnegie Mellon and Syracuse Essays
Come learn more about all things UC application, as one of our resident California experts breaks down what you need to know. We’ll also look at state financial aid programs in California and offer advice about approaching th...
Nov. 1, 2018
Disciplinary Issues; Life Insurance Savings; Admissions Anxiety
Students who have been suspended, expelled, or been subject to disciplinary action of some kind will likely need to address this infraction in their college applications. Tune in to learn more about the potential consequences...
Oct. 25, 2018
To Disclose or Not Disclose; When to Press Submit; Student Loans
One of the most frequent questions we get involves disclosing challenges that students have faced while going through high schools. We’ll touch on a few of these, including learning differences, ADD/ADHD, and Autism. In Offic...
Oct. 18, 2018
Early Decision Trends; Fast Applications; Listener Questions
Binding Early Decision, ED for short, isn’t for everyone. But it’s important to understand the trends in how colleges are using these programs and what that can mean for your chances at an institution that presents it as an o...
Oct. 11, 2018
Choosing a Major, the CSS Profile, Submitting Test Scores
Last week we covered the FAFSA, and this week we’re diving into what you need to know about completing the CSS Profile, required in addition to the FAFSA by a number of colleges. We’re also going to explore what it means to s...
Oct. 4, 2018
Coalition Application; Study Abroad; Completing the FAFSA
The FAFSA is out, and it’s time to get it done! We’re offering insight into the form and tips for completing it. A number of colleges and universities have begun to accept the Coalition Application, sometimes as the only way ...
Sept. 27, 2018
Early Action; Aid at Northeastern; Emory and Georgia Tech Essays
We’re all about early action on today’s first segment. We’ll tell you what EA is, discuss the pros and cons, and help you figure out if it’s the right choice given your personal situation. A former financial aid officer at No...
Sept. 20, 2018
Top 5 Application Mistakes; Admission and College Finance Questions
As admissions professionals, we’ve seen students make lots of mistakes when it comes to college applications. We’ve selected our top 5 and are sharing them with you this week. In Office Hours, we’re answering your college fin...
Sept. 13, 2018
Filling Out the FAFSA; Demonstrated Interest; Humanities Degrees
The FAFSA can seem very daunting—where do you go if you have questions? We know, and we’re sharing those resources on today’s show. We’re also welcoming a small business owner and marketing professional who happened to major ...
Sept. 6, 2018
Finding the Best College Value; Freshmen Challenges; Aid Refunds
Ever wonder how to determine which colleges will be the best investment? Edmit is a college comparison-shopping resource designed to help families better understand the value of their college investment, with proprietary soft...
Aug. 30, 2018
'Packaging' Yourself; Extracurriculars; Financial Aid Eligibility
While it’s important to use college applications as an opportunity to translate your accomplishments in the most impactful way, too much “packaging” can be problematic. We’ll share more about what the looks like and why it’s ...
Aug. 23, 2018
Letting Go: Sending Kids to College; Listener Questions
Our podcast focuses on getting in to college, but what happens when it’s finally time to send your students off to school? A current college parent shares her thoughts on how to let go with grace. We’re also answering your co...
Aug. 16, 2018
A College Student's Perspective; Early Decision; the College Bill
We’re excited to welcome a current college student to the podcast to share her reflections on her college admissions process—what went well, what went wrong, and how it all ended up. In Office Hours, we’re looking at the pros...
Aug. 9, 2018
When to Take the SAT/ACT; Merit Scholarships; Supplemental Essays
Timing is everything, especially when it comes to the college admissions process. This week we’re providing tips and suggestions on the best time to take standardized tests. We’ll also explain why merit-based scholarship awar...
Aug. 2, 2018
Accelerated Degrees; Need-Based Financial Aid; 2018-19 Common App
There are a number of accelerated degree programs offering students the chance to complete advanced degrees in either fewer years than it would normally take or without the hassle of applying to graduate school. Tune in to he...
July 26, 2018
First Year Abroad Programs; College Finance and Admissions Q and A
A handful of colleges have begun offering special programs in which students spend the first year studying abroad. If you’re wondering what they’re all about and whether or not they’re right for you, we’re sharing more about ...
July 19, 2018
Financial Aid and the Ivies; Choosing Courses; Subject Tests
If you aspire to the most selective colleges in the country and will need financial help to attend, don’t miss our segment on how financial aid works at the Ivies. For those getting ready to head to college in the fall, we’ll...