Getting In: A College Coach Conversation

Latest Episodes:

The Coalition App: What You Need to Know Now Jan 07, 2016

Show notes

In the fall of 2015, a coalition of US colleges and universities, including all of the Ivies and a number of other highly selective public and private institutions announced the creation of a new application. Their stated goals for the new form are to offer an alternative to the Common and Universal applications and increase access. You may be wondering what this all means for you, and we're going to tell you. We're also going to answer the most frequently asked questions about the FAFSA. Finally, we're featuring ideas for students interested in writing and English in the next segment in our Extracurricular Activities series.

High School Plan for Undergraduate Business Majors Dec 31, 2015

Show notes

New Year's Resolution: make a plan for your admissions process and another one for how you're going to pay for college. Today's episode is all about planning ahead, from preparing to complete the FAFSA to making sure you have the right courses and activities to put you in the best position to get into an undergraduate business program to extracurricular activity ideas for students who are really into video games.

Deferred in ED or EA? Here's What to Do Dec 24, 2015

Show notes

Most of those students who applied via early action or early decision programs have received their answer by now. Unfortunately, some got a definitive no and are on the regular decision. Others got a yes--very exciting!--and we'll be going over what those students need to do now. We have great advice for those who received a deferral, including tips and suggestions to better their chances in regular decision. Curious about how assets are treated in the expected family contribution—or EFC—calculation? We'll be discussing that as well.

High School Plan for Future Doctors: Preparing to be Pre-Med Dec 17, 2015

Show notes

Many of the students we meet with are already set on pursuing a pre-med track when they get to college, with the ultimate goal of attending med school. In this week's show, we'll be doing another high school plan session focusing on the best preparation inside and outside the classroom for those students. We'll also discuss how income is treated in the Expected Family Contribution calculation, and talk pharmacy program options and admissions. Don't miss it!

You Didn't Get In Early: Now What? Dec 10, 2015

Show notes

So you sent in a few early applications and figured you were done. Now you've gotten the results and they're not good: no acceptances and mostly denials. Don't panic--Kara Courtois is here to help! Join us for advice about finding some safer options and triaging the application process so that you can get some more applications out within the next few weeks and get better news in the spring. Future doctors may be investigating BS/MD programs that allow them to combine undergrad and grad admissions into one process. Mary Sue Youn will drop by to discuss how that works. Finally, Jeanne Mahan will walk us through some additional things to consider as you enter the education loan payment phase.

College You Can Afford: Finding a Financial Safety Dec 03, 2015

Show notes

Much of the college process seems to focus on either getting into college or paying for it, as if these two things are mutually exclusive. In this episode, we'll be addressing how to think about how to craft a list with an eye towards both admissions and finance at the same time. We're also introducing a new series called the High School Plan, in which we'll discuss the ideal high school preparation for a variety of college majors. This week, we're focusing on the best groundwork for engineering admissions. Finally, for students interested in studying in the UK, we'll be walking you through the UCAS application, their version of the Common App

Should Wealthy People Apply for Financial Aid? Nov 19, 2015

Show notes

You've run the numbers on the net price calculators and it's pretty clear--you're not going to qualify for any financial aid. Should you apply anyway? We'll tackle that question in this week's show. We're also going to ponder the pros and cons of befriending your admissions officer, including how much contact is too much contact and whether or not you should even try. If you or your student hasn't gotten very involved in extracurricular activities yet, we have some last minute ideas for seniors (and maybe even juniors) to jumpstart that resume.

I've Applied EA and/or ED: Now What? Nov 12, 2015

Show notes

With the November 1 Early Action and Early Decision application deadlines behind them, many students and parents are wondering what they should do now that the applications are in. Sit back and relax? Get really stressed out while waiting for an answer? Pepper the admissions offices with emails and phone calls to determine if your applications have been received and to restate your interest? On this week's show, we'll offer suggestions for the best use of families' time now that some apps are in. We'll also discuss what happens on the college finance front after the EA and ED deadlines. Finally, for those of you who haven't done one thing related to your college applications, you're in luck (if a little short on time)--we're going to be running through the steps you can take now through the end of the year to get on track and get those applications in.

Submitting Test Scores: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know, And More! Nov 05, 2015

Show notes

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 and fewer schools are offering them to applicants, interviews are still part of the process at many schools. We're going to help listeners prepare. Finally, the FAFSA recently announced major changes for the 2017/2018 season, including what information you'll be including and when the form will be available. It's a must-listen if you'll be applying for financial aid next year.

Will My Child Even Get Into College?: Admissions for B Students Oct 29, 2015

Show notes

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 on every college's website, we'll be looking into those as well. Finally, in another segment in our series on college supplements, this week we're diving into Stanford and University of Wisconsin, Madison.

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