The College Essay Guy Podcast: A Practical Guide to College Admissions

615: Rethinking “Best” Colleges: Tools, Tips, and Mindset Shifts for a Better College List with Jay McCann and Dr. Steven Antonoff, Co-Authors of The College Finder

Sep 16, 2025

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Hi friends, and welcome back to the podcast. In today’s episode, I’m joined by two special guests: Dr. Steven Antonoff and Jay McCann, co-authors of the newly updated 5th edition of The College Finder: Your comprehensive guide to finding colleges that fit YOUR unique path.

In this conversation, we dig into some of the biggest questions students and families face in the college search today, including:

What—if anything—are rankings good for in 2025?
Beyond starting salaries, which outcome metrics actually indicate value?
What’s a responsible way for students to use AI in the search phase—and what should they avoid?
How do you plan a high-yield campus visit (or a virtual substitute) that actually informs fit?
What’s the most productive role for parents at each stage of the process?

Jay McCann is co-author of The College Finder, now in its fifth edition since Steve’s original publication in 1993. He earned his graduate degree at San Diego State University, where he was part of the Native American Scholars and Collaborators grant, focusing on education and community engagement. Jay began his counseling career in Denver Public Schools, where he served as department chair, before moving to Valor Christian High School and now The Westminster Schools in Atlanta. He is also the founder of Future to Find College Consulting, and he lives in Atlanta with his wife, Erin, and their three young children.

Dr. Steven Antonoff has more than 30 years of experience in higher education. He is the author of College Match and The College Finder, both highly regarded resources for students and counselors. Steve holds a PhD in Human Communication Studies, an MA in Education from the University of Denver, and a BS in Psychology from Colorado State University. He is the former Dean of Admission & Financial Aid, Executive Director of Admissions & Student Affairs, and Dean of Students at the University of Denver. A founding chair of the American Institute for Certified Educational Planners, he helped launch the first certification program, training initiatives, and textbook for IECs. His work supports low-income and first-generation students through IB programs, Denver’s Latino Association, and College Summit. He is the recipient of IECA’s Professional Achievement Award, now named in his honor.

We hope you enjoy!

Play-by-Play:

4:37 – What do students need to understand about themselves before they start their college search?
5:45 – What are some common gaps between what students say they want and the schools they choose?
7:37 – How much time should students spend reflecting on what they want in a college?
11:23 – What, if anything, are rankings good for in 2025?
15:42 – Beyond starting salaries, which outcome metrics actually indicate value?
19:15 – How can students evaluate the strength of a specific program at a college?
22:49 – How can students get a real sense of campus culture?
27:12 – How should students (and counselors) categorize colleges when building a list?
32:44 – How many colleges should students apply to?
33:53 – What’s a responsible way for students to use AI in the search phase—and what should they avoid?
38:14 – How should students and families think about Early Action and Early Decision?
42:34 – What’s the most productive role for parents in this process?
45:46 – What’s one action step seniors should take before applying?
48:12 – What are a few must-have resources for the college search and application process?

Resources:

Books, Guides, and Tools

The College Finder
3 Step Guide to Choosing a College That's Right for You
Fiske Guide to Colleges
SchoolBuff (Dr. Antonoff’s website)
Future to Find (Jay’s website)

College Research Platforms

Reflection + College Planning