The Truth about College Admission

Returning from their winter breaks, Brennan and Rick go through their items to watch for in 2026, books they're reading, tips for the current application cycle, their words for the year, and preview a couple guests who will be on the show this semester.LINKS:Brennan Barnard on ForbesThe Application Trail12-Hour Walk"AI is scoring college essays" – LA TimesTruth About College Admission NewsletterHosts: Brennan Barnard, Rick ClarkProduction: Jack Purdy

Denise Pope, Ph.D., co-founder of Challenge Success and Stanford lecturer, dives deep into student well-being and the realities of college admissions. She reveals how admissions are a major stressor for teenagers, fueled by misconceptions about what colleges truly value. Denise discusses the dangers of a scarcity mindset regarding college fit and how many students overload on AP courses. She advocates for prioritizing personal fit over rankings and emphasizes the importance of authenticity in applications, while encouraging families to support students' mental health.

Lisa Keegan, Vice Provost for Enrollment Strategy at William & Mary, shares her insights on college admissions and the importance of understanding a school's culture. She reflects on her own college choice, advising families to be open-minded. Lisa discusses strategies for assessing campus life through social media and encourages juniors to explore a diverse range of schools. She emphasizes authenticity in decision-making and the need for alignment between institutional mission and student values, urging students to think beyond selective schools.

Today we highlight Brennan Barnard's visit to the Office Hours podcast where him and host Will Geiger talk about the myth of the "dream school" and how to frame the college search process before diving into the AI transformation happening in the college admissions world.LINKS:Truth About College Admissions NewsletterOffice Hours PodcastOffice Hours Host: Will GeigerOffice Hours Guest: Brennan BarnardTACA Host: Rick ClarkTACA Production: Jack Purdy

Today, we divert off the beaten path for The Truth About Admission Podcast as we highlight Rick Clark's appearance on the Something Personal podcast, where he goes into his lessons learned from multiple decades of working in college admissions, how to pay for college, and his advise on keeping perspective during the college search process.LINKS:Truth About College Admission NewsletterSomething Personal Podcast FeedSomething Personal host: Amy LaburdaSomething Personal guest: Rick ClarkTACA Production: Jack Purdy

Rick and Brennan are joined by Emily Roper Doten, Dean of Admissions at Brandeis University, to talk about her experiences in helping develop liberal arts programs for the current job economy and how her career leading up to Brandeis has influenced her ability to be a leader in her space.LINKS:Truth About College Admissions Newsletter"Brandeis Pours $25M Into Careers-Focused Liberal Arts" - Inside Higher EdHosts: Brennan Barnard, Rick ClarkGuest: Emily Roper DotenProduction: Jack Purdy

Jed Applerouth, founder of Applerouth Education and an expert in standardized testing with a PhD in educational psychology, shares insights on the evolving landscape of college admissions. He discusses the main differences between the SAT and ACT, as well as the recent shift toward digital testing. Applerouth highlights when test prep may not be necessary, emphasizing academics over testing in certain situations. He also explains the ACT's decision to drop the science section and offers strategies for effective test prep that prioritize understanding and practice.

Ken Anselment, Vice President for Enrollment Management at RHB and author of Climbing the Admissions Leadership Peak, shares insights from his extensive career in higher education. He discusses the complexities of early decision strategies, how different institutions utilize them, and the marketing trends surrounding admissions. Ken emphasizes the importance of students taking control of their admissions journey, urging them to thoughtfully construct their college lists and remember their power in the process.

Juan Espinoza, Vice Provost for Enrollment Management at Virginia Tech, discusses the integration of AI in college essay reviews. He explains how this technology helps speed up the admissions process while maintaining quality. Juan emphasizes the importance of authentic storytelling in essays, advising students to stay true to themselves. He also highlights the continuous monitoring of the AI system and the significant role humans still play in admissions decisions. Lastly, he shares tips for students to focus on genuine interests while writing.

Rick and Brennan are back from summer vacation and ready for the FOURTH(!) season of The Truth About College Admission Podcast. Today, the pair recap their summers, preview a format update to the episodes this season, and reflect on a word they're thinking about for the upcoming admissions cycle.LINKSBrennan's Substack: The Application TrailThe Truth About College Admission NewsletterHosts: Brennan Barnard, Rick ClarkProduction: Jack Purdy