
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

Aug 9, 2021 • 29min
38. What an MIT Admissions Officer Really Looks For
On today’s episode, we chat with DJ Rock, the Former Assistant Director of Admissions for Multicultural Recruitment at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. DJ and I discuss what an MIT admissions officer really looks for in college applications and how students can gain that coveted acceptance. Along the way, DJ reveals priceless insight into the admissions process and breaks stereotypes about what makes a student a good fit for MIT.
Check out our blog for more free resources:
How to Write the MIT Application Essays 2021-2022
A Step-By-Step Guide to the MyMIT Application Portal
Caltech vs MIT
Register here for our upcoming free webinar on expert tips to raise your SAT score, hosted by Jake Adams, the owner of Simplifi EDU and a test prep expert, on Wednesday, August 18, 2021 at 5pm PDT/8pm EDT.
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!

Jul 26, 2021 • 29min
37. 2020-2021 College Admissions Application Cycle Debrief
On today’s episode, we chat with Erin Gu, InGenius Prep’s Chief Education Officer. Erin and I discuss the admissions trends and changes she identified in the 2020-2021 college application cycle. Erin offers her forecast for the 2021-2022 admissions cycle and suggests strategies for the Class of 2022 to follow to navigate the changing admissions landscape.
Check out our blog for more free resources. Resources we discussed in the episode include:
How to Write the Activities List: Everything You Need to Know
Tips for Choosing Target Schools: What's the Right Fit For You?
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!

Jul 12, 2021 • 36min
36. Conquer the LSAT with Professional LSAT Coach Steve Schwartz
On today’s episode, we chat with Steve Schwartz, CEO and Founder of LSAT Unplugged. Steve and I discuss upcoming changes to the LSAT in August 2021. Steve breaks down studying and testing strategies to gain a T14-worthy LSAT score.
Check out our blog for more free resources.
Learn more about LSAT Unplugged or check out their Youtube channel.
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!

Jun 21, 2021 • 53min
35. SAT, ACT, WTF: Navigating Testing Changes in College Admissions
On today's episode, we chat with Zak Harris, the Assistant Director of College Counseling and Communications at InGenius Prep and a Former Admissions Officer at top schools like Johns Hopkins and Bowdoin. Zak and I discuss what the future of standardized testing in college admissions looks like post-COVID. Zak offers his advice on how to strategize your applications with test-optional policies.
Check out our blog for more free resources.
Find a running list of testing policies at different schools 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!

Jun 14, 2021 • 44min
34. College Admissions for Student Athletes
On today’s episode, we chat with Yosepha Greenfield, the former Captain of Yale’s women’s basketball team and InGenius Prep’s Co-Founder and COO. Yosepha and I discuss college admissions for student athletes. Yosepha breaks down the college athletic recruiting process and advises students on how to frame their athletic involvement, even if they don’t plan to pursue their sport in college.
Check out our blog for more free resources.
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!

May 31, 2021 • 38min
33. How to Maximize the Summer Before 12th Grade for College Admissions
On today’s episode, we chat with Kathryn Scherer, InGenius Prep’s Director of Counselor Management. Kathryn and I discuss strategies for scheduling the summer before your senior year to get a head start on the college admissions process. Kathryn describes the ideal timeline for how high-achieving rising seniors should prepare for college applications during the summer.
Check out our blog, and the resources we mentioned in the episode including:
“22 Summer Programs That Count”
“Summer Plans During Coronavirus: How to Spend Your Break Strategically”
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!

May 17, 2021 • 30min
32. Waitlist 101: How to Get Off the Waitlist and Into College
On today’s episode, we chat with Padya Paramita, a Graduate Coach from Wellesley and Columbia and the Digital Content Specialist at InGenius Prep. Padya and I unwrap the mystery that are college admissions waitlists and discuss everything you need to know about how they work. Padya offers her top tips for getting off the waitlist and onto campus.
Check out our blog, and the resources we mentioned in the episode including:
“Waitlisted at Your Dream School: What Your Next Steps Should Look Like.”
“College Waitlist Chances: What Your Odds Look Like.”
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 9, 2020 • 40min
31. College Life: Women’s College, International Students, and Liberal Arts Colleges
On today's episode, we chat with Padya Paramita, a Graduate Coach from Wellesley and Columbia. Padya shares her experiences applying to college as an international student, what it was like attending a women's college, and how her undergrad prepared her to apply for graduate school.
Check out our blog.
Sign up for a free consultation with an admissions expert by clicking HERE.
Questions or comments? Email us at contact@ingeniusprep.com
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Nov 9, 2020 • 27min
30. How to Stand Out and Be Remembered
On today's episode, we chat with Jenny Deren, a Former Admissions Officer from Williams College. Jenny discusses what it takes to stand out in the admissions process and explains the concept of an "Application Persona."
Check out our article on the Application Persona.
Check out our blog.
Sign up for a free consultation with an admissions expert by clicking HERE.
Questions or comments? Email us at contact@ingeniusprep.com
InGeniusPrep.com

Oct 26, 2020 • 33min
29. Applying to College as an Arts Student
On this week's episode, we chat with Danielle McColgan, a Former Admissions Officer from NYU's Tisch School for the Arts. Danielle explains the admissions process for arts students, what your portfolio/audition should look like, and the importance of academics.
Check out our blog.
Sign up for a free consultation with an admissions expert by clicking HERE.
Questions or comments? Email us at contact@ingeniusprep.com
InGeniusPrep.com