Getting In: A College Coach Conversation

Latest Episodes:

Top 5 College Lists and College Cost Savings Strategies; Deferring Your Enrollnment Apr 30, 2020

Show notes

Already know that you'd like to defer your enrollment for next year, whether for a specific reason or just to take a break? We have guidance on the who, what, where, and when of requesting a deferral. We'll continue our Top 5 series with our top five things to keep in mind when putting together a college list and top five college cost savings strategies.

Pursuing ROTC; Biggest Myths: Admissions and College Finance Apr 23, 2020

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Interested in participating in Reserve Officer Training Corps—ROTC for short—in college? We're welcoming Rob Kirkland, author of The Insider's Guide to the Army ROTC Scholarship for High School Students and Their Parents, to share his thoughts on applying to these programs. In another in our Biggest Myths series, we'll look at some myths in both admissions and college finance.

Making the Final College Decision; Financial Fit; Don't Like Your College Options? Apr 16, 2020

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While some colleges have pushed back their reply date from May 1 to June 1 or even later (we see you, Iowa State!), many students will need to commit to their college of choice within the next few weeks. We have suggestions for how to approach this decision, especially since visiting campus is not an option this year. We will also look into using financial fit as part of the college selection process. In Office Hours, we'll offer options for students who don't like any of the colleges that accepted them.

COVID-19 Questions and Impact on College Finance; Listener Q&A Apr 09, 2020

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COVID-19 has had a significant impact on high school seniors and underclassmen, and on college finance. In today's show, we'll be tackling the question of how to get a feel for a college campus without visiting in person, and answering some of the questions (what if I don't get any grades for the second half of my freshman, sophomore, or junior year) we're getting from underclassmen. We'll also walk you through the impact on every phase of college finance, from saving for college to paying for it to handling the loans once you graduate. Finally, we're doing a listener Q&A to answer some additional COVID-19 questions and some that are completely unrelated.

Financial Aid Appeals; Finding the Best Program; One Student's Transfer Story Apr 02, 2020

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In a world in which everything seems to have changed overnight, what you have available to pay for college may have shifted drastically over the last few weeks. Appealing your financial aid offer may be more important than ever, and we have advice on the best way to go about that. For those students thinking about transferring, we have a personal transfer experience story to share. In Office Hours, we're offering tips for determining which college program is the "best" one for you.

COVID-19 & the Admissions Process; Comparing Financial Aid Awards Mar 26, 2020

Show notes

Congrats seniors: admissions season is in the homestretch. But just when you thought you would cross the finish line with no more issues, here comes COVID-19! We're interviewing a senior who is in the middle of receiving admissions decisions and trying to figure out her next steps when she can't visit any colleges to help her make her final choice. Another topic that's top of mind this and all years are financial aid awards. We'll take a look at how to compare them across different schools. Finally, for those underclassmen who are unexpectedly at home right now, we have thoughts on how to use some of this time to get ahead in the process.

Computer Science Programs; Questions to Ask on Campus Tours Mar 19, 2020

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Computer science programs and majors grow in popularity every year. We'll explain what they are, who they are for, and what they look for in applicants. In Office Hours, we're talking through questions to ask on campus tours, whether you're collecting information to determine which schools should end up on your college list or to figure out how you can afford to pay for them.

One Year Post Varsity Blues; ABCs of EFC Mar 12, 2020

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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 same mistakes moving forward. In college finance, we review the details of expected family contributions, or EFC for short

BFA vs. BA; Gap Years; Cash for College Expenses Mar 05, 2020

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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 close look at the benefits and drawbacks of each option and discuss which option might best suit students' individual goals. In Office Hours, we're discussing gap years. Including why students might opt for one and things to consider if you plan to pursue a gap year. Finally, we offer tips on identifying cash flow that might help you reduce the amount you need to borrow to pay for college.

State of College Admissions; Spring Break; Maximizing Tax Breaks Feb 27, 2020

Show notes

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 rate, increases in early decision, early action, and waitlist activity, and more. It's also tax time, and we're covering what you need to know now to maximize your tax breaks. In Office Hours, we're talking about planning ahead to make the most of spring break (and that doesn't include Cancun!).