Getting In: A College Coach Conversation

Latest Episodes:

Conversion Charts and the New SAT; Tax Refunds for Loans; Visits Mar 01, 2018

Show notes

Whenever major changes are made to a standardized test, there's a transition period during which colleges are receiving scores from both the old and new tests. If you're wondering how colleges handle that, tune in this week for a discussion of conversion charts—why they exist and how they're used. ArborBridge test prep's senior director of instruction, Megan Stubbendeck is our expert guest. In Office Hours, we'll look at the nuts and bolts of college visits. And finally we'll talk through using your tax refund to make a dent in your student loans.

How Important Is Your Major to Your Career?; Listener Questions Feb 22, 2018

Show notes

If you assume that all future doctors should major in biology, future PR practioners should major in communications, and future business leaders should major in business, you don't want to miss this week's segment exploring the connection between major and career. Guest Michael Sherman of Graduate to Employment will share his expertise on what truly makes someone a good candidate for a position. In Office Hours, we're answering listener questions on college finance and admissions.

Summer Series: Arts; Tax Breaks; Senior Year Transitions Feb 15, 2018

Show notes

Ever think that being the parent of a student in college should come with a tax break? You're in luck—it does, and we're going to tell you all about them in this week's show. In our Summer Program series we're looking at opportunities in the arts. Finally, Office Hours will cover everything you need to think about related to senior year transitions.

Summer Series: Volunteer; Early Trends; Scholarship Negotiation Feb 08, 2018

Show notes

This week's Summer Program series segment is all about the wide variety of options available in volunteering. Doing good for free is easier than you think! We'll also walk through negotiating scholarships and explore trends and statistics from the early action, early decision, and priority decision rounds.

Summer Series: Sports; Aid Appeals; Understanding EA Decisions Feb 01, 2018

Show notes

The latest segment in our Getting In series on summer programs focuses in on all the options available to students interested in sports, whether playing, refereeing, managing, etc. We'll also help families understand how to best appeal a financial aid award. Office Hours is all about early action decisions—why certain colleges might make the decisions they do, what a deferral can mean for regular decision, and more.

Summer Series: Internships; Your Finance and Admissions Questions Jan 25, 2018

Show notes

This week in the Summer Program series: internships. These can be a great way to investigate a variety of careers, and we'll talk through how to find them! We'll also answer your college finance and admissions questions.

Summer Series: Writing; Fordham Admissions; 529 vs Prepaid Plans Jan 18, 2018

Show notes

If you're trying to decide between saving for college in a 529 plan or a prepaid tuition plan, this is the show for you. We'll look at the differences between them and offer suggestions for deciding which is the right one for you. We'll also take you inside the admissions office at Fordham University to explore how their process works and learn more about what might resonate in an applicant. The latest in the Summer Program series will investigate formal programs and ideas for spending a summer developing or refining writing skills.

Summer Series: STEM; Helping Students Manage Money; Office Hours Jan 11, 2018

Show notes

Introducing a new Getting In series: Summer Programs! We're kicking off the inaugural episode with a focus on summer programs for students interested in STEM. Tune in to learn more about what to look for and how to find math, science, and engineering summer opportunities. We also have the latest apps and resources to help college students better manage their money. Office Hours is covering all bases for seniors—tips on what to do if you've submitted all your applications or haven't even started applying yet.

Early Action Results; What's An Award Letter; 2018 Resolutions Jan 04, 2018

Show notes

Early action results are coming in, and we have some insight into the trends we seeing at places like Stanford, Harvard, and other highly selective schools, as well as some of the publics like Michigan. Wondering what is in a financial aid award letter, or even what that is? We'll tell you all about it. Finally, we're discussing the New Year's Resolutions we'd like to make—or see you make—for the coming year.

Improving Chances via Gap Years; Office Hours: Listener Questions Dec 28, 2017

Show notes

Students who are turned down by their first choice college sometimes hatch a plan to take a gap year and reapply in the hopes of a different decision. We'll discuss the pros and cons of this approach. In Office Hours, we'll be answering your college finance and admissions questions.