Getting In: A College Coach Conversation

Latest Episodes:

Performing and Visual Arts Program Admissions Oct 22, 2015

Show notes

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 the show to discuss undergraduate research opportunities at colleges and universities. We'll also welcome college finance expert Shannon Vasconcelos back to the show to talk about student loan forgiveness for students in public service.

Need Blind and Need Aware: Financial Aid and Admissions Oct 15, 2015

Show notes

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.

FAFSA Vs. CSS Profile: What's the Difference? Why Should You Care? Oct 08, 2015

Show notes

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, 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.

One Student's Story: What Happens When You DON'T Get Into Your First Choice College Oct 01, 2015

Show notes

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 colleges, our finance experts have some suggestions for you!

Holistic Admissions Process: A Behind-the-Scenes Look Sep 24, 2015

Show notes

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 aid can play in the selection process. This is a rare opportunity to peek behind the curtain!

Oh Canada!: Attending and Paying for College North of the Border Sep 17, 2015

Show notes

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 to continue our series on supplemental essays with a segment on prompts from the University of Notre Dame and the University of Michigan.

The New PSAT: What's Changing and Why It Matters Sep 10, 2015

Show notes

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 next in a series on the supplementary essay prompts required by a number of colleges, we'll take a look at Wake Forest's five additional required essays.

College for C/D Students: Are There Even Options? Sep 03, 2015

Show notes

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 at the National Merit Scholarship process, and round out the show with a in-depth analysis of how to approach MIT's essay questions for the 2015-2016 application.

Applying to the UCs: Tips and Expert Advice Aug 27, 2015

Show notes

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 segments. In addition, College Coach finance expert (and ROTC mom) Laurie Peltier will join us to talk all things ROTC.

Public Honors Colleges: Excellent Alternative to the Ivies? Aug 20, 2015

Show notes

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 manage the money they spent all summer earning.

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