Your College Bound Kid | Admission Tips, Admission Trends & Admission Interviews

YCBK 575: How College Works: Results of a 10-year million dollar research project

Oct 2, 2025
Daniel Chambliss, a sociologist and author, shares fascinating insights from his decade-long research on what drives student success in college. He emphasizes the critical role of peer relationships and practical faculty strategies to foster student engagement. Grant Gosselin, Chief Enrollment Officer at Boston College, highlights the unique programs and the inclusive community at BC, pointing out the absence of Greek life and the importance of an extensive alumni network. Together, they explore how college experiences shape student persistence and the value of authentic connections.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
INSIGHT

Early Decision Reduces Financial Comparison

  • Early decision concentrates admissions and reduces applicants' ability to compare financial aid offers.
  • That structure can advantage wealthier families and change admission competition dynamics.
ADVICE

Clarify ED Financial Exceptions First

  • Ask colleges how they present ED commitments and whether they clearly explain the financial-hardship exception.
  • Consider delaying ED if you suspect a materially better financial package is possible elsewhere.
ANECDOTE

Donor-Funded Pipelines Shape Admissions

  • Granted philanthropic programs can steer many applicants and create informal ED-like commitments.
  • Mark described the KIPP donor-funded pipeline that resulted in dozens of admits to Duke and Penn.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app