
The Truth about College Admission
The college admission experience can be overwhelming and complicated. This podcast helps students and the adults who support them cut through the noise around searching for, applying to, and deciding on a college. In each episode, you can expect guests who are national experts working in the field of college admission and enrollment who will give you honest takes, helpful perspective, and in many cases some much needed levity and solace. https://www.truthaboutcollegeadmission.com/
Latest episodes

Sep 5, 2023 • 12min
The Truth about College Admission Season 2 Trailer
Season 2 of The Truth about College Admission podcast is here! This season, our hosts Brennan Barnard and Rick Clark bring on another great roster of guests to discuss many of the current topics dominating the college admissions space, from AI to testing to the recent Supreme Court case. Along with those topics, this season will once again bring insight from working face to face with high school students and counselors, advice on how to understand what colleges are thinking and doing when they recruit prospective students, and guidance on how to have healthy conversations for families going through the admissions process. On September 5, 2023, the second edition of the Brennan Barnard and Rick Clark's book, The Truth about College Admissions, is available to purchase at Johns Hopkins University Press, Amazon, or wherever you buy your books. The Truth about College Admission website includes details about speaking engagements, books, podcast, other writing, resources, and more. The Truth about College Admissions is exclusively sponsored by Johns Hopkins University Press, and in partnership with Grown and Flown. Hosts: Rick Clark, Brennan BarnardProduction: Jack Purdyhttps://www.truthaboutcollegeadmission.com/

Jun 8, 2023 • 35min
The Truth About Using AI in Academics and Admission - David Joyner
Join hosts Rick and Brennan in an engaging episode of "The Truth About College Admission" as they're joined by David Joyner to delve into the fascinating and ever-evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) and its use in academics and college admission. David Joyner is Executive Director of Online Education & OMSCS in Georgia Tech's College of Computing. | https://www.davidjoyner.net/Read David's recent tweet thread about the language he's adopting in his course syllabi regarding AI assistants | https://twitter.com/DrDavidJoyner/status/1657569489330876417

May 3, 2023 • 24min
The Truth About Return on Investment in College and Major Choice - Jeff Selingo
This week, Jeff Selingo joins Brennan and Rick to discuss return on investment and value across types of colleges, degrees, and skill-building opportunities in college.Burning Glass Report, Making the Bachelor's Degree More Valuable.College ScorecardSee more from Jeff here

Apr 13, 2023 • 27min
The Truth About Understanding and Discussing Financial Aid Packages - John Leach
John Leach, Associate Vice Provost for Enrollment and University Financial Aid at Emory University, joins Rick today to break down college financial aid. He discusses financial aid terminology and the basic calculations that go into determining a package, as well as how and when students and families can discuss and anticipate cost of attendance. Additionally, John shares what students can anticipate when appealing financial aid or receiving a package after admission from a waitlist.

Mar 22, 2023 • 20min
The Truth About Focusing on What You Can Control in College Admission - Jon Boeckenstedt
This week, Rick and Brennan are joined by Jon Boeckenstedt, Vice Provost for Enrollment Management at Oregon State University. Jon shares thoughts and data on test optional policies as well as behind the scenes insights on admission decision making, that put into perspective why it's so important to focus on the things you can control in your college application and decision. https://jonboeckenstedt.net/2022/12/13/why-you-were-denied/@JonBoeckenstedthttps://www.highereddatastories.com/Paradox of Choice by Barry Schwartz

Mar 8, 2023 • 20min
The Truth About Burnout and Finding Joy Again - Angel Pérez
This week Angel Pérez, CEO of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), joins Rick and Brennan for a conversation about his personal journey of experiencing burnout and a discussion of his article where he shared how he found personal and professional joy again. Angel shares insights for college applicants, parents, and professionals who may also be experiencing burnout, and important reminders and resources (see below) for those learning to put themselves first again as they find their way out of the "fog". Resources: Angel Pérez's Article: One CEO's Story of Executive BurnoutMore about Angel PérezNACACNACAC Committee on Mental Health and Equity in the Transition to Postsecondary EducationAmerican School Counselor AssociationSchoolSafety.gov

Feb 22, 2023 • 21min
The Truth About Mindful Communication Between Families and Their Students - Allison Slater Tate
This week, Allison Slater Tate joins Rick and Brennan to gives tips on supportive messaging and expectation setting between families and their students, as well as reminders about reprioritizing student contentment in college selection. Allison Slater Tate is a college counselor and a freelance writer and editor in Florida specializing in parenting and college admissions. Check out these pieces on Grown & Flown and MSNBC for more from Allison.

Feb 1, 2023 • 19min
The Truth About Character Development for College Applicants - Angela Duckworth
In this episode, Rick and Brennan are joined by Angela Duckworth, co-founder, chief scientist, and a board member of Character Lab and Rosa Lee and Egbert Chang Professor at University of Pennsylvania. Angela shares insights on character development for high school students and finding inner confidence in times of self-doubt, as well as important reassurances for students in the midst of receiving college admission decisions. Learn more about Angela's work

Jan 18, 2023 • 11min
The College Admission Year Ahead In Songs and Stereograms
This week, Rick and Brennan discuss their goals and priorities for the year, as well recent pieces on priorities juniors might have as they prepare for their admission experience ahead.College Admission Year In Preview: A PlaylistJuniors, College Admission Is A Stereogramemail your questions: holisticadmission@gmail.com

Dec 27, 2022 • 16min
The Truth As We Each See It, AKA Admissions Festivus '22
Happy Festivus 2022! In our final episode of 2022, we walk through a few of the issue as we see them in college admission, including:College SearchGrade InflationSelf- Reported GradesMore on our two different perspectives on a variety of issues:Forbes 2022HuffPost 2017