The College Admissions Process Podcast

Latest Episodes:

337. College Student Mini-Series - Josh, UC Irvine Oct 08, 2025

Show notes

🎙️ Real Talk with College Students – Reflecting on the College Search Journey

Welcome to a special episode in our 🎓College Student Reflection Mini-Series on The College Admissions Process Podcast! In this episode, host John Durante sits down with a current college student who has completed at least one full year to reflect on their personal college admissions experience — from researching and applying to adapting to life on campus.

Whether you're a high school student, a parent, or a college counselor, this candid conversation is packed with firsthand insights that can help guide your journey with clarity and confidence. 🚀

💬 What We Cover in This Episode:

✅ Where the student is from, where they went to high school, and where they’re currently enrolled

🧠 When they started thinking seriously about college — and how they approached the process

🎯 Who helped them (school counselor, private counselor, or DIY?)

🏫 Key decision-making factors: location, size, vibe, majors, and more

🚌 How many colleges they visited — and how those visits shaped their choices

⭐ Their top 3 schools and how the final decision came together

🎉 The biggest surprises after arriving on campus

🔁 What they wish they did differently

🎓 Honest advice for students applying to their college

💡 What they wish they knew during the application process

📣 Final advice for students and families just starting the college journey

🎁 Why This Episode Matters:

This episode offers an authentic, unfiltered perspective straight from a college student who's been there. From eye-opening surprises to practical advice, listeners will gain real-world takeaways that demystify the process and encourage thoughtful decision-making. 🙌

If you’re looking to understand what matters most — and what really plays out after enrollment — this is the conversation you’ve been waiting for.

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👉 This episode is brought to you by Prep Expert, a proud sponsor of The College Admissions Process Podcast. Prep Expert offers award-winning test prep courses and strategies that have helped thousands of students improve their scores. For full details on their programs and guarantees, visit www.PrepExpert.com 🎯📚

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Straight From The Admissions Office: Insider Strategies For College Applications

If you're looking for helpful tips and insights for the college admissions process, check out my book by clicking the links below:

🔗 Get the Print Copy Here

🔗 Get the eBook Here

Alphabetical List of All Episodes with Links

Click Here To Join The Podcast Email List

www.collegeadmissionstalk.com

336. Quinnipiac University - Kurtis Kalagher - Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions Oct 06, 2025

Show notes

🎙️In this episode, Kurtis Kalagher, Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions from Quinnipiac University joins us to pull back the curtain on what makes Quinnipiac a standout choice for students looking for a close-knit, opportunity-rich college experience.

🎓 From understanding how Quinnipiac reviews applications holistically to the range of academic and support services offered, this episode is packed with insights that will benefit all students and families navigating the college admissions journey.

⭐️ Top 4 Takeaways from the Episode:

🎯 Holistic Review with a Personal Touch:

Quinnipiac looks beyond GPAs and test scores to find students who will thrive both academically and socially. The admissions team places a strong emphasis on rigor, growth over time, and the impact students have made in their communities. Whether you submit test scores or not, your story matters.

🌱 A Supportive, Student-Centered Campus Culture:

With a student-faculty ratio of 11:1 and average class sizes of just 20, Quinnipiac fosters an environment where mentorship, advising, and belonging are core priorities. Students receive personalized academic advising and career prep — from their first year to graduation.

🧠 Exceptional Resources for Neurodiverse Students:

Quinnipiac is known for its strong support systems, especially for students with learning differences. From application through graduation, dedicated services and staff work with students with IEPs and 504s to ensure they receive accommodations and thrive inside and outside the classroom.

💸 Transparent and Balanced Approach to Financial Aid:

Quinnipiac offers a mix of merit scholarships and need-based aid, and they encourage families to understand the true net cost of attendance. The university provides clear tools and personalized financial guidance to support families at every stage of the process.

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🏫 Quick Facts About Quinnipiac University:

📍 Located in Hamden, Connecticut, nestled between New York City and Boston

🎓 Offers 100+ academic programs across the liberal arts, business, health sciences, engineering, and communications

📈 97.4% of graduates employed or in grad school within six months

🏥 Known for strong career pathways in health sciences, law, nursing, and media

🌎 Active and inclusive campus with 140+ student-run organizations

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Straight From The Admissions Office: Insider Strategies For College Applications

If you're looking for helpful tips and insights for the college admissions process, check out my book by clicking the links below:

🔗 Get the Print Copy Here

🔗 Get the eBook Here

Alphabetical List of All Episodes with Links

Click Here To Join The Podcast Email List

www.collegeadmissionstalk.com

335. College Student Mini-Series - Emma, University of Pittsburgh Oct 01, 2025

Show notes

🎙️ Real Talk with College Students – Reflecting on the College Search Journey

Whether you're a high school student, a parent, or a college counselor, this candid conversation is packed with firsthand insights that can help guide your journey with clarity and confidence. 🚀

💬 What We Cover in This Episode:

✅ Where the student is from, where they went to high school, and where they’re currently enrolled

🧠 When they started thinking seriously about college — and how they approached the process

🎯 Who helped them (school counselor, private counselor, or DIY?)

🏫 Key decision-making factors: location, size, vibe, majors, and more

🚌 How many colleges they visited — and how those visits shaped their choices

⭐ Their top 3 schools and how the final decision came together

🎉 The biggest surprises after arriving on campus

🔁 What they wish they did differently

🎓 Honest advice for students applying to their college

💡 What they wish they knew during the application process

📣 Final advice for students and families just starting the college journey

🎁 Why This Episode Matters:

If you’re looking to understand what matters most — and what really plays out after enrollment — this is the conversation you’ve been waiting for.

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—-----------------------------

Straight From The Admissions Office: Insider Strategies For College Applications

If you're looking for helpful tips and insights for the college admissions process, check out my book by clicking the links below:

🔗 Get the Print Copy Here

🔗 Get the eBook Here

Alphabetical List of All Episodes with Links

Click Here To Join The Podcast Email List

www.collegeadmissionstalk.com

334. Deep Springs College - Current Students Tosca & Walker Sep 29, 2025

Show notes

🎓I had the privilege of speaking with two current students from Deep Springs College, an incredibly unique institution that blends rigorous academics with hands-on labor and self-governance. These students share their first-hand experiences of life at Deep Springs, providing invaluable insight into what makes this remote college in California so extraordinary.

Here are the top highlights you don’t want to miss in this episode! 🌟

1. A Life-Changing Educational Model 🧑‍🎓💼

Deep Springs College offers a truly one-of-a-kind educational experience, combining a robust liberal arts curriculum with hands-on work in farming, ranching, and self-governance. With approximately 26 students on campus at any given time, this close-knit community creates a personalized educational environment unlike any other. The students shared how the intense academic challenge is complemented by the hard work they do on the ranch 🐄🌱 and how this unique blend has shaped their educational journey.

2. Labor + Self-Governance = Transformation 💪🏽🚜

The students discussed how labor is an integral part of their experience at Deep Springs. From working on the college’s ranch to helping with kitchen duties 🍳 and maintaining the farm 🌾, they emphasized how this hands-on work is more than just chores—it’s part of their education. What sets Deep Springs apart is the emphasis on self-governance: students play a direct role in decision-making for the college, ensuring that they develop leadership skills while learning how to run a community. 🗳️🤝

3. Accessibility Through Full Scholarships 💰🎓

One of the most compelling aspects of Deep Springs College is its commitment to accessibility. As the students shared, the college offers a fully funded education—there’s no tuition, and all students receive scholarships that cover everything, from tuition and room/board to travel costs 🌍. Deep Springs operates on a need-blind admission policy, ensuring that financial barriers don’t prevent talented students from attending. 💸✨

Episode Highlights:

Hear from current students about how Deep Springs blends academics, labor, and leadership 🧑‍🏫💪🏽
Learn about the labor component of the college experience, from working the farm to running student government 🐄🌾🗳️
Get the scoop on how full scholarships make this elite education accessible to students of all financial backgrounds 🌍💰

This episode is perfect for anyone curious about nontraditional colleges that prioritize community, personal growth, and real-world experiences. If you're seeking a college where every student is highly involved in shaping their environment and educational journey, Deep Springs College is an institution to consider.

Deep Springs College Admissions

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Straight From The Admissions Office: Insider Strategies For College Applications

If you're looking for helpful tips and insights for the college admissions process, check out my book by clicking the links below:

🔗 Get the Print Copy Here

🔗 Get the eBook Here

Alphabetical List of All Episodes with Links

Click Here To Join The Podcast Email List

www.collegeadmissionstalk.com

333. College Student Mini-Series - Neal, Indiana University Kelley School to Babson Sep 24, 2025

Show notes

🎙️ Real Talk with College Students – Reflecting on the College Search Journey

Whether you're a high school student, a parent, or a college counselor, this candid conversation is packed with firsthand insights that can help guide your journey with clarity and confidence. 🚀

💬 What We Cover in This Episode:

✅ Where the student is from, where they went to high school, and where they’re currently enrolled

🧠 When they started thinking seriously about college — and how they approached the process

🎯 Who helped them (school counselor, private counselor, or DIY?)

🏫 Key decision-making factors: location, size, vibe, majors, and more

🚌 How many colleges they visited — and how those visits shaped their choices

⭐ Their top 3 schools and how the final decision came together

🎉 The biggest surprises after arriving on campus

🔁 What they wish they did differently

🎓 Honest advice for students applying to their college

💡 What they wish they knew during the application process

📣 Final advice for students and families just starting the college journey

🎁 Why This Episode Matters:

If you’re looking to understand what matters most — and what really plays out after enrollment — this is the conversation you’ve been waiting for.

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—-----------------------------

Straight From The Admissions Office: Insider Strategies For College Applications

If you're looking for helpful tips and insights for the college admissions process, check out my book by clicking the links below:

🔗 Get the Print Copy Here

🔗 Get the eBook Here

Alphabetical List of All Episodes with Links

Click Here To Join The Podcast Email List

www.collegeadmissionstalk.com

332. Wellesley College - Rebecca Simons - Director of Admission Sep 22, 2025

Show notes

🎙️ In this episode of The College Admissions Process Podcast (The CAPP), host John Durante welcomes Rebecca Simons, Director of Admission at Wellesley College, to unpack the application process and what makes a Wellesley education truly transformative.

Whether you're wondering how test-optional policies are handled, what really matters in the essay, or how financial aid works at one of the nation’s top liberal arts colleges, this conversation is a must-listen for any student considering a women’s college—or any college, really.

🔍 What You’ll Learn:

📌 Wellesley’s holistic approach to evaluating applications: no GPA recalculations, no unfair comparisons.
📝 What makes an essay resonate—and what doesn’t.
🧑‍🏫 What teachers' recommendations reveal beyond your transcript.
📚 How course rigor is considered in the context of your high school.
🧭 Why Wellesley transitioned from the "Wellesley 100" to a new, reflective supplemental essay prompt.
📉 Wellesley’s test-optional philosophy—and when it’s best to submit scores.
💰 What you need to know about need-based aid (and why Wellesley offers no merit scholarships—proudly).
🌍 How institutional priorities like diversity, major interest, and geography influence admissions.
💬 The power of a women’s college experience—from leadership to confidence-building.
💡 Rebecca’s top 3 tips for families navigating the college process (including the underrated power of setting boundaries and using the MyIntuition calculator).

🔗 Resources Mentioned:

👂 Why Listen:

This episode goes beyond application mechanics and into what really matters: finding the right fit and making empowered choices. If you're even considering applying to a selective liberal arts college, Rebecca's advice will ground and guide you.

🔁 Follow + Share:

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen! And don’t forget to share with a student or family navigating the college process. 🎓✨

💬 What We Cover in This Episode:

✅ Where the student is from, where they went to high school, and where they’re currently enrolled

🧠 When they started thinking seriously about college — and how they approached the process

🎯 Who helped them (school counselor, private counselor, or DIY?)

🏫 Key decision-making factors: location, size, vibe, majors, and more

🚌 How many colleges they visited — and how those visits shaped their choices

⭐ Their top 3 schools and how the final decision came together

🎉 The biggest surprises after arriving on campus

🔁 What they wish they did differently

🎓 Honest advice for students applying to their college

💡 What they wish they knew during the application process

📣 Final advice for students and families just starting the college journey

🎁 Why This Episode Matters:

If you’re looking to understand what matters most — and what really plays out after enrollment — this is the conversation you’ve been waiting for.

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—-----------------------------

Straight From The Admissions Office: Insider Strategies For College Applications

If you're looking for helpful tips and insights for the college admissions process, check out my book by clicking the links below:

🔗 Get the Print Copy Here

🔗 Get the eBook Here

Alphabetical List of All Episodes with Links

Click Here To Join The Podcast Email List

www.collegeadmissionstalk.com

330. Jeff Selingo - Author, Journalist & Higher Ed. Thought Leader Sep 15, 2025

Show notes

🎙️ I had the great honor of welcoming back Jeff Selingo, New York Times bestselling author, journalist, and higher ed thought leader, for a follow-up conversation on the ever-changing world of college admissions. Jeff’s newest book, Dream School: Finding the College That’s Right for You, challenges families to think differently about what makes a college a “good fit.”

Here’s what we covered in this insightful episode ⬇️

✨ Key Topics Discussed

📈 Application Inflation: Same number of students, but more applications than ever.
📝 Test-Optional Policies: Why they’ve fueled stress for students — and why STEM/business applicants may need to submit scores.
🎯 Yield Management: How colleges manage uncertainty with deferrals, waitlists, and early admissions.
💰 Full-Pay Families: The “golden ticket” reality for certain institutions, especially small liberal arts colleges.
🔎 Institutional Priorities: Why it’s critical to research what a college truly values.
📊 Return on Investment: Using tools like the College Scorecard to weigh cost vs. career outcomes.
🏫 Hidden Gems: 75 schools delivering strong outcomes beyond the rankings.
🧭 Advice for Juniors: Start by identifying what you want in a college experience before making a list.
🛠️ Advice for Seniors: Be open to course corrections — plans may shift, and that’s okay.

🌟 Jeff reminds us: finding a “dream school” is about fit, belonging, and opportunity — not just rankings or name recognition.

📚 Learn more about Jeff and his work: jeffselingo.com

https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/

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—-----------------------------

Straight From The Admissions Office: Insider Strategies For College Applications

If you're looking for helpful tips and insights for the college admissions process, check out my book by clicking the links below:

🔗 Get the Print Copy Here

🔗 Get the eBook Here

Alphabetical List of All Episodes with Links

Click Here To Join The Podcast Email List

www.collegeadmissionstalk.com

329. College Student Mini-Series - Jake, Binghamton to UNC Chapel Hill Sep 10, 2025

Show notes

🎙️ Real Talk with College Students – Reflecting on the College Search Journey

Whether you're a high school student, a parent, or a college counselor, this candid conversation is packed with firsthand insights that can help guide your journey with clarity and confidence. 🚀

💬 What We Cover in This Episode:

✅ Where the student is from, where they went to high school, and where they’re currently enrolled

🧠 When they started thinking seriously about college — and how they approached the process

🎯 Who helped them (school counselor, private counselor, or DIY?)

🏫 Key decision-making factors: location, size, vibe, majors, and more

🚌 How many colleges they visited — and how those visits shaped their choices

⭐ Their top 3 schools and how the final decision came together

🎉 The biggest surprises after arriving on campus

🔁 What they wish they did differently

🎓 Honest advice for students applying to their college

💡 What they wish they knew during the application process

📣 Final advice for students and families just starting the college journey

🎁 Why This Episode Matters:

If you’re looking to understand what matters most — and what really plays out after enrollment — this is the conversation you’ve been waiting for.

—----------------------------

—-----------------------------

Straight From The Admissions Office: Insider Strategies For College Applications

If you're looking for helpful tips and insights for the college admissions process, check out my book by clicking the links below:

🔗 Get the Print Copy Here

🔗 Get the eBook Here

Alphabetical List of All Episodes with Links

Click Here To Join The Podcast Email List

www.collegeadmissionstalk.com

328. University of Kentucky - Cara Franke - Executive Director of Strategic Recruitment Sep 08, 2025

Show notes

🎙️ In this episode of The College Admissions Process Podcast, I had the pleasure of interviewing Cara Franke, Executive Director of Strategic Recruitment at the University of Kentucky (UK). Cara offers invaluable insights into UK’s holistic admissions process, the student experience at a large public university, and how applicants — especially out-of-state students — can stand out. Whether you're considering UK or just want to better understand how flagship public institutions make admissions decisions, this episode is a must-listen for students, parents, and counselors alike.

🔑 Top 4 Takeaways:

🎯 Holistic Admissions with Purpose

UK uses a comprehensive, student-centered review process. GPA, curriculum rigor, essays, and involvement all matter — and for test-optional applicants, there's ample opportunity to shine through storytelling and substance.

🏫 Big School, Small Feel

Despite having over 30,000 students, UK places a strong focus on community, connection, and individualized support, especially in a student’s first year through programs like Living Learning Communities and First-Year Experience initiatives.

💵 Affordability + Aid

UK offers robust merit-based scholarships — some awarded automatically — and generous financial aid opportunities. Students and families are encouraged to explore the Scholarship Universe platform 💸 and not overlook stackable awards.

💬 Stand Out by Being Genuine

Cara shares what makes personal statements memorable — authenticity and reflection over perfection. Letters of recommendation also matter most when they speak to a student’s character and growth. ✅

📘 Fast Facts About the University of Kentucky:

📍 Location: Lexington, KY
🎓 Enrollment: ~31,000 students
🧪 Top-tier Research: R1 research institution
💙 School Spirit: Home of the Wildcats! 🐱
🏫 Over 200 academic programs, with nationally recognized programs in business, engineering, health sciences, and equine studies.

🧭 Offers exploratory studies for undecided students and strong academic advising to help students discover their path.

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—-----------------------------

Straight From The Admissions Office: Insider Strategies For College Applications

If you're looking for helpful tips and insights for the college admissions process, check out my book by clicking the links below:

🔗 Get the Print Copy Here

🔗 Get the eBook Here

Alphabetical List of All Episodes with Links

Click Here To Join The Podcast Email List

www.collegeadmissionstalk.com