Episodes

You may have thought that the most challenging thing about standardized testing was taking the actual tests. Many families are discovering that submitting the scores can be even tougher. On this week's episode, we'll take listeners through all the details of score submission, including how to do it, when to do it, which scores to send where, when or if to rush scores, what to do if there is a screw up on the testing organizations' side. It's also the season for college interviews. While fewer an...

If you follow admissions in the news, you might be under the assumption that all students earn As and get rejected from every college to which they apply. Hopefully you have realized that this can't possibly be the case--why would we be racking up so much college debt if no one is getting in? On this week's show, we're going to be talking about college admissions and the average student--you know, the ones earning mostly B's. If you're wondering how to use those net price calculators you'll find...

How much does the audition matter? Do grades even count? What role does the portfolio play? If you are wondering exactly how admissions works at performing and visual arts programs, College Coach expert Kyra Tyler is here to share her insight gained from years assisting students going through the process and her own experience as a flute performance major. Jonathan Fink, Vice President for Research and Strategic Partnerships and Professor of Geology at Portland State University, will also join t...

Ever wondered what colleges mean when they say they are need blind or need aware? Or, more importantly, how those terms affect admissions chances? We'll discuss what the true definition of these terms and investigate the links between financial aid policies and admissions. We'll also look into the practice of gapping in financial aid packages and continue our series on Common App supplemental essays with a deeper dive into the prompts for Boston College.

It's peak admissions season here at Getting In! If financial aid is in your future, you need to know the difference between the FAFSA and the CSS Profile. This week's show will take us through why there are two forms, how they're different, and what that means for you. We'll also continue our series on different schools' Common Application supplemental essay prompts with segments on Tufts, Lehigh, and Syracuse. This week's show will take us through why there are two forms, how they're different,...

You may have heard about how important it is to have a balanced list of colleges that includes some reaches, some matches, and some safeties. We're welcoming a student to the show today who ended up with different choices than she envisioned--and ended up at a college that was perfect for her. In another segment in our series on popular applications, we'll be going through the Apply Texas app. Finally, if you've ever wondered what financial aid questions you should be asking when you visit colle...

Ever wonder what colleges mean by the phrase: holistic admissions process? Curious about what really happens around the selection committee table in a college admissions office? In this week's episode, Ian Fisher, Becky Leichtling, and Laurie Peltier are going to take listeners through a mock admissions session. Using case studies we’ve put together, they'll offer insight into some of the ins and outs of the process at the more selective level, looking at admissions and the role that financial a...

While most of our content focuses on the almost 3,000 four year colleges and universities in the United States, there are lots of options for advanced study in Canada as well. In this week’s show we’re going to talk about the Canadian university system from both the admissions and finance side of things. We’ll talk about the differences in our systems in terms of the admissions process, what to expect as a student and how much more—or less—expensive the universities really are. We’re also going ...

Did you know that the College Board will give students a preview of the new SAT this October when they sit for the PSAT? Designed as a practice for the real thing, the PSAT will roll out a shorter version of the test that will debut in March 2016. Jake Neuberg of Revolution Prep will join us to go through the changes and what they mean for students taking the test this fall. If you're already in college, we'll be talking about looking for scholarships while you're an enrolled student. And in the...

Much of what we see, read, and hear about college admissions seems to imply that even the very best students will struggle finding an institution to accept them. Once you step back from the craziness that surrounds admissions, you realize there are lots of options for many students. But is that true for students routinely earning C's or even D's? On this week's episode, we'll explore the college process for those students who are less than high achievers. We're also going to take a closer look a...

Did you know that the University of California system will start accepting applications on November 1 and stop accepting them on November 30? If so, congratulations--you have at least one of the basics covered. But if you haven't sat down to fill out the actual UC application, you may not be aware that it generates a lot of student (and parent!) questions. In this week's episode, my California-based colleague, Steve Brennan, is going to answer as many of them as he can in the first two show segm...

As many of you may be aware, there are some great alternatives to highly selective private colleges and universities for very bright students, Those are the honors programs and colleges at some public universities. We’re going to be discussing the benefits of those programs. We're also going to discuss another type of offering that might appeal to some students—same sex colleges. What are the positives of an all women's or all men's college? Finally, we’ll cover how college students can best man...

Have you or your student ever had a disciplinary issue that led to a suspension, an expulsion, or even a visit to court? Former Swarthmore senior admissions officer Kennon Dick will join us to share his thoughts about how to best address disciplinary issues in the college process. For those of you getting ready to apply for financial aid, college finance expert Beth Feinberg Keenan will walk us through understanding colleges’ financial aid policies. Finally, former Babson senior admissions offic...

The Common App for the 2015-2016 application season made it's official debut this past weekend on August 1. Before you rush to start filling it out, tune in to Getting In as Elyse Krantz and I walk through it and offer information and advice section by section. College finance expert Shannon Vasconcelos will also return to talk to us about what NOT to do when paying for college.

The Common Application is the application of choice for more than 500 colleges and universities in the US and abroad, which makes it fairly common for many students applying to college to use it. Each year the application goes live on August 1, and each year there are a few minor and sometimes major changes. Elyse Krantz, who writes a fabulous series of blogs each year the cover everything you need to know about the Common App, will share her practical insight and great tips on completing this y...

It's hard to read any account of the college admissions process these days without hearing about how important extracurricular activities are. What is less widely discussed is that the ways in which you present those activities is almost as important as doing them in the first place. On this week's show, we'll answer your questions about how to make the most of those activities on your applications. We're also excited to have a representative from the Common App join the show to discuss changes ...

Early decision is a way for students to show commitment to their top choice college and get an early answer at the same time. But you may not be aware that there can be significant financial implications to this binding option. We'll dig into what applying under this program can mean for financial aid and scholarships. We’re also going to wrap up our four-part segment on the high school years with a final piece on what to focus on senior year. Finally, we’re going to cover the impact of learning...

Ever heard that junior year is the most important of all when it comes to college admissions? In part three of our four-part series on what to be thinking about each year of high school, we'll tackle this question and offer insight into what is important to accomplish in this third year of high school. We'll also cover establishing a budget as a teenager, something that will come in very handy in the transition to college (and life!). We'll also delve into majors and the college process, includi...

Many colleges require a personal essay in which applicants share something important about themselves. But did you know that some also ask for an essay that, in essence, asks Why this college? It's incredibly important to get this one right, and on today's show we'll walk students through this essay--what it's about, why colleges ask for it, and how to best approach it. We'll also discuss ways to establish credit as a college student--and tips for avoiding credit mishaps during those four years....

This week's show is all about getting an early start. For starters, we’re introducing the first segment in a four-week series covering everything you need to be thinking about relating to college admissions for each year of high school. We’ll start where you start—with ninth grade. We’re also going to discuss getting an early start on college finance, including looking for scholarships and whether or not it's a good idea to move assets around to increase financial aid. We'll finish off our serie...

Do you have college admissions and finance questions? We have answers! Join us on June 18, when we invite our listeners to call in and talk to us live on air. Have a question about whether or not to drop French after sophomore year? We can answer that. Curious about whether or not to cash in your entire 529 plan in the first year? We can answer that. Wondering if you should write your college essay about your once-a-year visit to the soup kitchen? We can answer that. Give my guests Sally Ganga a...

For all those rising seniors out there, summer is a great time to start work on your college applications! If you're currently stuck staring at the Common App prompts and wondering where to go from there, don't miss this episode! In part one of a two part series, Ian Fisher will be offering tips and suggestions for approaching the first two prompts on the Common App. We'll also welcome Fordham's Monica Esser to offer her perspective on international admissions to US colleges. Stacey MacPhetres w...

While 529 savings plans and pre-paid tuition options get a great deal of coverage in the media, there are actually quite a few different ways to save for college. In this week's episode, we'll explore using a Roth IRA for just this purpose. We'll also explain the science behind all of those college marketing materials currently flooding your mailbox and inbox and help you understand what it all means to you. And for the artists in the audience, we'll be welcoming photographer and artist Lisa Sor...

Ever wonder if it makes sense to select different majors at each school to improve the odds of acceptance? Maybe you heard that admissions officers really like essays that focus on an example of doing good in the community? On this week’s show we’re going to address the issue of tailoring the applicant to the college in a segment on presenting your authentic self in those applications with former Reed admissions officer Ian Fisher. If you or anyone you know is suffering from a severe case of sen...