Getting In: A College Coach Conversation

Latest Episodes:

The Cal State Application; University of California PIQ's; Federal & Private Education Loans: Credit Underwriting Differences Oct 23, 2025

Show notes

Celebrating our 500th (!!) episode

If you're applying to the Cal States or University of California schools, listen to today's show. Host Kyra Tyler will be interviewing colleague Steve Fernandez-Brennan about how to fill out the Cal State Application, and then Kyra will be joined by Cesar Contreras, who just came to us from the admission office at UCLA, to discuss the University of California Personal Insight Questions.

In addition, College Coach Finance Colleague Jennifer Wilcox will be there to discuss credit underwriting differences between federal and private education loans.

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What's Supp, Columbia, Barnard and University of Chicago; Understanding Financial Aid Acronyms Oct 16, 2025

Show notes

Applying to Columbia University, Barnard College, or the University of Chicago? Host Sally Ganga, who worked in admissions at the University of Chicago, will be interviewing colleague Mary Sue Youn, who worked at Barnard, about Barnard and Columbia's supplemental essays. Then Mary Sue Youn will turn the tables and interview Sally about Chicago. Let's see if Sally can handle the change in roles.

In addition, College Coach Finance Colleague Chrissy Foran will be there to help us understand what all the many financial aid acronyms, like FAFSA, FSAID, SAI, etc, mean.

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Studying Abroad: Parent POV; Tackling Tough Supplements; Financial Focus Areas for Seniors Oct 09, 2025

Show notes

Is your student considering studying abroad in college? Host Kyra Tyler will be joined by College Coach colleague Jay Bonham, who will give a parent's perspective on his experience when his son studied abroad.

Interested in applying to Yale, Harvard, or Stanford? Colleague Jen Simons will be there to give tips on completing their challenging supplements.

In addition, College Coach finance colleague Zach Gries will be there to discuss what the families of high school seniors should focus on now.

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ArborBridge Standardized Testing Updates; Harvey Mudd & CalTech Essay Strategies; CSS Profile Tips Oct 02, 2025

Show notes

Here it is, thanks! Interested in Cal Tech and Harvey Mudd, but not sure how to approach their supplemental essays? Host Shannon Vasconcelos will be joined by Kimberly Ortiz, a College Coach colleague who is also a former admission officer at both institutions. Also, if you are looking for updates on the ever-changing world of standardized testing for college admissions, in addition to some tips and tricks, friend of the pod Meghan Stubbendeck of Arborbridge will be there to fill us all in. Last but not least, if you're applying for financial aid at an institution that requires the CSS Profile, you'll want to listen in on finance colleague Beth Feinberg-Keenan's explanation of the methodology used by the College Board for that form.

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Experimenting With Extracurriculars; Social Media in the Admissions Process; FAFSA Facts You Need to Know Sep 25, 2025

Show notes

Students, are you beginning high school and trying to think ahead about your extracurricular activities? Concerned that you have to choose all your activities now? Colleague Tova Javetz is happy to let Host Ian Fisher know that the early years of high school is the perfect time to experiment with a variety of pursuits in order to find out which you find most fulfilling. Once you've established your preferences, it's okay to drop some of them!

Ian will also be chatting with colleague Serena Frisena about how to use, and not use, social media in the admission process. It has a place, but caution is advised.

Last, finance colleague Aimee Yorsaner will be there to provide five facts about the FAFSA.

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Rethinking Popular Majors; Funding Career & Trade Programs Sep 18, 2025

Show notes

We're very excited for the return of Taryn Andrea, College Coach's career expert. She'll be talking with host Ian Fisher about alternatives to saturated and very popular majors in fields like healthcare, engineering, law, and computer science, some of which will not require a full four year or Bachelor's degree.

In addition, College Coach finance expert Michelle Smoley will join Ian to talk about financial resources for career, trade, and apprenticeship programs.

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Demonstrated Interest: What Colleges Really Want; Supplemental Essays: What's the Point?; One Big Beautiful Bill's Impact on Student Loans Sep 11, 2025

Show notes

Today we go over some frequently asked questions about admissions. Ever wonder what colleges mean when they say they track demonstrated interest? Think that maybe sending weekly emails to the college admissions representative at your favorite college is a good idea? Host Sally Ganga is welcoming colleague Gabbi Tobias, who will not only define "demonstrated Interest," she'll tell you how much "interest" is too much and how much is just right. In addition, she'll cover colleges that do not track interest. (Hint: Stanford and Harvard are two of them.)

Sally will also be talking with colleague Jen Simons about the purpose and some of the different kinds of supplemental essay topics, and Michelle Clifton, college finance expert, will be giving updates regarding the One Big Beautiful Bill's impact on student loans.

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Part-Time Jobs, Lifelong Impact; Admission Interview Tips; One Big Beautiful Bill Finance Updates Sep 04, 2025

Show notes

Do you know that college admission officers value part-time jobs on a students resume? Host Shannon Vasconcelos will be joined by new College Coach colleague Shayla Bezjak-Martinez to talk about how part-time jobs can set you up for success in many ways, not just for college. In addition, Shannon will be talking with colleague Jonathan Wickremasinghe-Kuhn about admission interviews. Are they required? How do you prepare? Last, finance colleague Laurie Peltier will be there to discuss finance updates from the federal One Big Beautiful Bill.

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Jenny West Anderson, Author of The Disengaged Teen Aug 28, 2025

Show notes

Host Ian Fisher has the remarkable good fortune to welcome guest Jenny West Anderson, author of The Disengaged Teen. If you're a parent, this episode is a must-listen, especially if you've seen any indication that your student is losing their excitement for learning or is in danger of academic burnout. Our guest will help you identify your student's attitudes towards learning and give strategies to help them find their spark. In addition, College Coach Finance Consultant Chrissy Foran will join Ian to clarify the difference between the sticker price versus the net price of a college education.

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President of Kettering University; Getting Organized for the School Year; Saving Smart at College Orientation Aug 21, 2025

Show notes

For this episode, Host Sally Ganga is so honored to have guest Dr. Robert K. McMahan, here to tell us about the institute where he is president, Kettering University in Michigan. Formerly General Motors Institute, Kettering continues to focus on engineering, computer science, and business and is known for it's coop program in which students get two and a half years of paid work experience before graduating. Perhaps there's no surprise, then, that it's also recognized for student innovation.

Next, for the high school juniors and seniors listening, College Coach colleague Elyse Krantz is joining Sally to discuss how to get organized before starting your school year. Elyse is an organizational marvel, so listen in!

And last, College Finance Consultant Dina Birmingham will be here to talk about getting the best bang for your buck at your college orientation. How do you chose the best bank? What about in-network ATMs? And all the other seemingly little decisions that can add up.

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