
Inside the Admissions Office: Advice from Former Admissions Officers
Need help navigating the college admissions process? We’re here to help! Every other Monday we’ll bring you exclusive interviews with Former Admissions Officers, graduates from top universities, and admissions experts. Each episode will be filled with application tips and first-hand experiences that will help you get into your dream school. Brought to you by InGenius Prep, the world’s largest team of Former Admissions Officers.
Questions or comments? Email us at contact@ingeniusprep.com
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Latest episodes

Feb 28, 2022 • 41min
48. Future of College Admissions: 2021 National Association for College Admission Counseling Conference
On today’s episode, we chat with Heather McCutchen, a former Admissions Reader at Dartmouth, and Mary Chobanian, a former Admissions Reader at Harvard and Barnard. Heather and Mary share the insights they gained from the 2021 National Association for College Admissions Counseling conference. They discuss everything from test-optional policies to AI in admissions.
Check out our blog for more free resources:
2022 Test Optional Colleges: Changes in Light of COVID-19
Register for one of our upcoming webinars to learn more from our Former Admissions Officers.
Questions or comments? Email contact@ingeniusprep.com
Visit us at ingeniusprep.com to learn more. See you every other Monday!

Feb 7, 2022 • 30min
47. What a Duke University Merit Scholarships Director Really Wants from Applicants
On today’s episode, we chat with Melissa Rains, a former Director of Merit Scholarships at Duke University and an InGenius Prep counselor. Melissa breaks down what goes on behind the scenes in the Duke admissions and merit scholarship offices. She also provides students with tangible advice to increase their likelihood of receiving a merit scholarship at Duke and other elite universities.
Check out our blog for more free resources:
Analyzing the Duke Supplemental Essays 2021-2022
College Admissions 101: How to Start the Application Process
Register for one of our upcoming webinars to learn more from our Former Admissions Officers.
Questions or comments? Email contact@ingeniusprep.com
Visit us at ingeniusprep.com to learn more. See you every other Monday!

Jan 24, 2022 • 44min
46. The ABCs of College Financial Aid: Scholarships, Loans, and More
On today’s episode, we chat with the team behind SMARTTRACK College Funding, National Program Director Cyndi Menegaz and Co-Founder & CFO Scott Greenameyer. Scott and Cyndi break down the different types of college funding and how families can maximize the aid they receive. They provide common misconceptions and mistakes to set families up for success on their college financial aid journey.
Check out our blog for more free resources:
How to Increase Your Chances of Maximizing Financial Aid for College
Financial Prep for College: A Guide for High Schoolers
Learn more about SMARTTRACK College Funding and access the resources Cyndi discussed here.
Questions or comments? Email contact@ingeniusprep.com
Visit us at ingeniusprep.com to learn more. See you every other Monday!

Dec 13, 2021 • 20min
45. What to Do If You’re Deferred or Rejected from Your Early Decision or Early Action School
On today’s episode, we chat again with Padya Paramita, an InGenius Prep Graduate Coach and Columbia student. Padya and I discuss why students might be deferred or rejected from their early decision or early action college. Padya explains the next steps students can take, including writing a letter of continued interest if they’re deferred and applying ED II if they’re rejected.
Check out our blog for more free resources:
Letter of Continued Interest for Deferrals
Should You Apply to an Early Decision II School?
Looking for an extra set of eyes on your application? Click here to sign up for a free consultation to discuss our final review services, where one of our Former Admissions Officers will provide comprehensive feedback on your application.
Questions or comments? Email contact@ingeniusprep.com
Visit us at ingeniusprep.com to learn more. See you every other Monday!

Nov 22, 2021 • 43min
44. What a Yale Admissions Officer Really Wants from Applicants | Yale University
On today’s episode, we chat with Nick Strohl, a former Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at Yale University and an InGenius Prep counselor. Nick and I discuss what makes Yale unique compared to other Ivy League and elite colleges, and what really goes on behind the scenes in the admissions office. Nick breaks down the Yale application, including the dreaded supplemental essays, and offers applicants his best advice.
Check out our blog for more free resources:
How to Approach the Yale Supplemental Essays 2021-2022
How to Get Into Yale
Click here to sign up for a free consultation with an admissions expert.
Questions or comments? Email contact@ingeniusprep.com
Visit us at ingeniusprep.com to learn more. See you every other Monday!

Nov 8, 2021 • 44min
43. The Ultimate Guide to MBA Admissions and the MBA Experience
On today’s episode, we chat with Daniel Valenti, InGenius Prep’s Managing Director and a graduate of the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Daniel and I discuss the MBA admissions process, and what applicants really need to do to succeed. Daniel breaks down the MBA experience, from classes to recruiting and everything in between.
Check out our blog for more free resources:
Everything You Need to Know About Business School Essays
Building Your List of Business Schools
Who Should Write Your MBA Recommendation Letters
Click here to sign up for a free consultation with an admissions expert.
Questions or comments? Email contact@ingeniusprep.com
Visit us at ingeniusprep.com to learn more. See you every other Monday!

Oct 18, 2021 • 54min
42. What a UChicago Admissions Officer Really Wants | University of Chicago
On today’s episode, we chat with Natalia Ostrowski, a former Assistant Director of Admissions at the University of Chicago and a current InGenius Prep counselor. Natalia and I discuss what goes on behind the scenes in the UChicago admissions office, and what admissions officers really think about applicants. Natalia shares how students can gain that coveted UChicago acceptance as well as what makes it such a special and exclusive school.
Check out our blog for more free resources:
A Guide to the UChicago Supplemental Essays 2021-2022
How to Get Into UChicago
Click here to sign up for a free consultation with an admissions expert.
Questions or comments? Email contact@ingeniusprep.com
Visit us at ingeniusprep.com to learn more. See you every other Monday!

Oct 4, 2021 • 45min
41. Applying to the UCs: A Comprehensive Guide
On today’s episode, we chat with Christina Llerena, a Former Admissions Reader at UC Berkeley and UC Santa Cruz. Christina and I discuss the University of California system and its 10 campuses across the Golden State. Christina reveals what goes on behind the scenes in a UC admissions office and how students can snag a spot at a top school like Berkeley.
Check out our blog for more free resources:
How to Answer the UC Personal Insight Questions
How to Get into UC Berkeley
Which University of California Essays Should You Write? Questions to Ask Yourself
A Step-by-Step Guide to the University of California Application
Click here to sign up for a free consultation with an admissions expert.
Questions or comments? Email contact@ingeniusprep.com
Visit us at ingeniusprep.com to learn more. See you every other Monday!

Sep 6, 2021 • 52min
40. Complete Guide to BS/MD College Admissions and Applications
On today’s episode, we chat with Stacy Wells Shea, the former Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions at the University of Rochester. Stacy and I discuss BS/MD programs and how students can gain admission to these elite cohorts. Stacy reveals the pros and cons of these programs and what admissions officers really want from potential BD/MD students.
Check out our blog for more free resources:
A Guide to Combined BS/MD Programs
The Best Colleges for Pre-Med Students
Click here to sign up for a free consultation with an admissions expert.
Questions or comments? Email contact@ingeniusprep.com
Visit us at ingeniusprep.com to learn more. See you every other Monday!

Aug 23, 2021 • 52min
39. Writing and Essay Strategies for College Applications
On today’s episode, we chat with Shannon Beddingfield, an InGenius Prep Graduate Coach and writing instructor at Yale University. Shannon and I discuss strategies for writing college application essays. Shannon explores the differences between the personal statement and supplemental essays and gives students concrete examples and activities to help them get started on their own application essays.
Check out our blog for more free resources:
How to Write the Common App Personal Statement Prompts 2021-2022
InGenius Prep’s Guides to College Supplemental Essays 2021-2022
Join Shannon on Wednesday, September 1st at 5pm PDT/8pm EDT for a free webinar on supplemental essay essentials. Register here.
Click here to sign up for a free consultation with an admissions expert.
Questions or comments? Email contact@ingeniusprep.com
Visit us at ingeniusprep.com to learn more. See you every other Monday!