College Admissions Insider

Latest Episodes:

Episode 92: Attending College Far From Home, Pt. 2 Jul 16, 2025

Show notes

For some students, college is just a short drive away. For others, it means crossing time zones, states or even coasts.

In this episode of College Admissions Insider, we’re diving into what it’s really like to attend a college far from home. From culture shock to homesickness to learning how to fly solo (literally and figuratively), we’re sharing stories and insights that can help you decide just how far you’re willing — or excited — to go.

Our guests are Bucknell students Clara Carroll, a senior from Sacramento, Calif., and Terian Williams, a sociology major originally from Atlanta. Both have first-hand experience navigating college life far from home, and they’re here to talk travel, campus life, friendships and how going the distance helped them grow.

🎙️ In this episode, you’ll hear about:

How Clara and Terian approached their college searches and landed at Bucknell.
What it’s like to make cross-country moves — and the family conversations behind them.
The travel logistics and support available to far-from-home students.
How students stay connected to family while building community on campus.
Cultural surprises, homesickness and the unexpected joys of a new environment.
The financial and emotional considerations of attending college far from home.
Why going outside your comfort zone might be the key to discovering your full potential.

Whether you’re considering schools nearby or nationwide, this episode offers candid advice and plenty of encouragement for students ready to explore beyond their hometowns.

Read a transcript for this episode.

If you have a question, comment or idea for a future episode, email podcast@bucknell.edu.

Please note: Information presented in this episode was accurate at the time of recording, but may have since changed. Participants may have changed roles or no longer hold positions at Bucknell University.

Links:

Episode 91: Attending College Far From Home, Pt. 1 Jun 27, 2025

Show notes

For some students, their dream school might be right down the road. While for others, it's a road trip, train or plane ride away.
On today's episode of College Admissions Insider, we'll talk about attending school far from home, what that means for your college search, and more importantly, your college experience.
Our guest is with my colleague Cameron Walsh, a regional associate director of admissions at Bucknell.

Read a transcript for this episode

If you have a question, comment or idea for a future episode, email podcast@bucknell.edu.
Please note: Information presented in this episode was accurate at the time of recording, but may have since changed. Participants may have changed roles or no longer hold positions at Bucknell University.
Links:

Episode 90: How to Use Outcomes in Your College Search Jun 03, 2025

Show notes

When so much of the college search is about what you'll do during university, it can be easy to push off what comes after until, well, after.

But knowing what graduates go on to accomplish can be a powerful tool when deciding which schools are on your list. In this episode of College Admissions Insider, we're diving into outcomes.

We'll discover how universities manage and share outcomes data, the best time to start thinking about careers, how parents and families can best support their students' post-graduate goals and more.

Our guest is Pam Keiser, executive director of career services at Bucknell.

Read a transcript for this episode

If you have a question, comment or idea for a future episode, email podcast@bucknell.edu.

Links:

When you visit campus for a preview session and guided tour, chat with our student ambassadors, or experience an interactive virtual tour of campus, you'll have a front-row seat as you explore this place we call home.
This combination of in-person and virtual visit offerings means you can learn more about Bucknell in the way that fits you and your family best.

Episode 89: Building Your College List May 18, 2025

Show notes

Whether you're just now thinking about college or have been visiting campuses for months, there's a step in the college process that all students arrive at: Building a college list.

With thousands of colleges and universities in the U.S., choosing the ones you'd like to attend can feel like a tall order. Good news is you don't have to do it alone.

In this episode of College Admissions Insider, we'll discuss how to find schools that match your interests, how to organize the colleges that make your list, how parents can play a supporting role and more.

Our guest is Stacey Hewitt, a school counselor at Downingtown STEM Academy in eastern Pennsylvania.

Read a transcript for this episode

If you have a question, comment or idea for a future episode, email podcast@bucknell.edu.

Links:

Minisode: Waitlists Apr 21, 2025

Show notes

Spring is officially here, and with it, those long-awaited responses from college admissions.
You may think there's only two options. “Congrats, you're in,” or, “We regret to inform you.” But plenty of students will receive a third message, offering them a spot on the waitlist.
In this minisode, we'll chat about the most important tips for navigating that outcome.

Read a transcript for this episode.
If you have a question, comment or idea for a future episode, email podcast@bucknell.edu.
Please note: Information presented in this episode was accurate at the time of recording, but may have since changed. Participants may have changed roles or no longer hold positions at Bucknell University.
Links:

Episode 88: Community-Based Organizations Feb 27, 2025

Show notes

From Google to mobile apps to podcasts like this, there are countless resources out there to help students find the school that's right for them and craft a strong application.

Many students might find that the ultimate college support is right in their own backyard. On today's episode of College Admissions Insider, we're exploring community-based organizations.

We'll define what community-based organizations are, who they serve and the difference they can make in a student's admissions journey.

Our guest is Adam Navarro-Jusino, associate dean of admissions for access & outreach at Bucknell.

Read a transcript for this episode

If you have a question, comment or idea for a future episode, email podcast@bucknell.edu.

Links:

Episode 87: Pre-College Programs Jan 29, 2025

Show notes

Websites, brochures and social media can only tell you so much about what a college is like. While visiting in person is an excellent way to get a feel for campus life, there are even more immersive opportunities.
Today on College Admissions Insider, we're diving into pre-college programs. We'll learn what pre-college programs offer prospective students, what the experience looks like at Bucknell, and how it can help you decide where you'd like to attend.
Our guests are Carrine Phillips, senior assistant director of admissions at Bucknell, and Elena Mohan '27.
Read a transcript for this episode
If you have a question, comment or idea for a future episode, email podcast@bucknell.edu.

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Episode 86: Tackling the Application Essay Dec 20, 2024

Show notes

Tell us about a challenge you faced and how you overcame it.

Reflect on a moment when your actions made a difference for others.

Describe one of your passions and why it lights you up.

These aren't just ideas for your next journal entry. They're prompts you might see when you sit down to write your college essay — one of the only places on the application where students use their own voice to tell an admissions committee about themselves.

In this episode of College Admissions Insider, we chat about crafting a strong outline, how to keep your reader engaged, mistakes to avoid in the essay and more.

Our guest is Jennifer Hilborn, a former high school English teacher and current admissions reader at Bucknell.

Read a transcript for this episode

If you have a question, comment or idea for a future episode, email podcast@bucknell.edu.

Links:

Episode 85: Breaking down the FAFSA and CSS Profile Nov 22, 2024

Show notes

There's no shortage of acronyms in higher education, but perhaps none are more important for prospective students than FAFSA and CSS.
For students and families seeking financial aid, these are the essential forms you'll need to submit. Today we'll break down these financial aid forms, the differences between them and some tips for using the FAFSA and CSS to secure aid at the schools on your list.
Our guest is Erin Wolfe, Director of Financial Aid at Bucknell.
Read a transcript for this episode
If you have a question, comment or idea for a future episode, email podcast@bucknell.edu.

Minisode: Minimum Requirements for College Nov 08, 2024

Show notes

In this minisode of College Admissions Insider, Brooke and Becca dive into minimum requirements. You'll learn what minimum requirements are, how they might differ between schools, and ways that you can ensure you're on the right preparation track for college.

Read a transcript for this episode

If you have a question, comment or idea for a future episode, email podcast@bucknell.edu.

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