Getting In: A College Coach Conversation

Join us today for a return of our parent panel! Learn more about how our team of college experts navigated the college process for their own students, what they learned, and what they found challenging when host Sally Ganga interviews College Coach colleagues Karen Spencer, Mary Sue Youn, and Jay Bonham. And to kick off the program, Laurie Peltier will be explaining to Sally when parents are borrowing too much to pay for college and how to avoid that. Learn More About Bright Horizons College Coach

Students, have you heard that colleges want you to take AP exams even if you haven't taken the class? Are you confused about whether you will be required to report the scores? Host Shannon Vasconcelos will be talking with College Coach colleague Blair Dixon about all things Advanced Placement. Juniors may also be concerned about asking for letters of recommendation. How many are necessary? Who should you ask? Colleague Karen Spencer will be there to answer those questions. And last, College Coach colleague Jenn Willcox is joining the pod to give tips to students on finding scholarships. Learn More About Bright Horizons College Coach

Are you and your senior student unsure of how you will pay for college? Listen in to this segment, when host Sally Ganga interviews College Finance expert Michelle Smoley about developing a strategy for paying for colleges using creative finance. Some seniors are also coping with unwanted decisions from colleges, like being denied from their top choice, or waitlisted. College Coach colleague Scott Alexander is here to discuss the practical steps to take if you've been waitlisted, and colleague Christine Kenyon is here to address the emotional side of being waitlisted or denied, and how to be kind to others if you have received good news. Learn More About Bright Horizons College Coach

Are you unsure of your major? Or, have you picked your major based solely on what you want as your future career? Listen in, as the connection between majors and careers is not always linear and direct. Host Ian Fisher will interview College Coach colleagues Taryn, Andrea, former high school counselor and advisor at Boston University, and Leigh Pinkston, former Assistant Director of Career Development at Smith College, about how students can make themselves career ready from a broad variety of majors. In addition, if you haven't yet applied to college for the fall of 2025, our colleague Gabbi Tobias will be here to let you know about institutions still taking applications. Last, finance Expert Chrissy Foran will answer the question of whether it's too late to ask colleges for more financial support.

Seniors, after those admit letters roll in, you'll also start receiving invitations to admitted student programs. College Coach colleague Sara Calvert-Kubrom is joining host Shannon Vasconcelos to discuss why you should attend and what questions you should ask. College Finance expert Jan Combs will also be there to suggest what to ask about finances at those events. Last, College Coach colleague Sara Calvert-Kubrom will be there to answer listener questions.

Right around now, juniors are trying to figure out where they will be applying to college. But how? Is it all about the nicest dorm and best food? College Coach colleague Nial Rele will be joining host Ian Fisher to discuss what is important in choosing a college and why. In many cases, cost will be a very big factor, so College Finance Expert Aimee Yorsaner will be discussing how to use your college list to get the best bang for your buck. In addition, some juniors might be wanting to get started on their college essay! If that's you, listen in as Brittany Preston gives tips for brainstorming a great topic.

Is your student looking for a research opportunity? Our host Ian Fisher will be joined by Jun Yun Chow, co-founder of Polygence, a research mentorship program for teens. Next, in honor of March Madness, Ian will interview College Coach colleague Michael Yager about tips for being an athletic recruit, and also talk with College Coach Finance Expert Alex Gonzalez about athletic scholarships.

Have you heard that there are changes to the ACT? Not sure how that will impact you or your student? Host Sally Ganga will be joined by Dr. Megan Stubbendeck, Senior Director of Instruction at Arborbridge, a test prep company that is one of College Coach's trusted partners. She will then be joined by College Coach colleague Lisa Albro to discuss why your major matters less than you think, and finally, by colleague and finance expert Alex Bickford to discuss changes to the 529 plan which allows rollovers to Roth IRAs. All the more reason to save for your child's education!

It's safe to say that 90% or more of us are concerned about college costs, and today's show is all about paying for college, whether through merit scholarships, appealing financial aid awards, and comparing awards from different colleges and universities. Our host Shannon Vasconcelos will be joined by College Coach Finance Expert and colleague Michelle Smoley for the discussion.

Are you interested in starting your own business? Learning the pluses and the possible pitfalls? Host Sally Ganga has the great fortune to interview three different people who have followed non-traditional paths. She'll be interviewing Steve "Nookie" Postal, a Chef and cookbook author, Jess McDaniel, a professional photographer who has her own business, and Kevin Heald, owner and head beer and cheese monger at the restaurant Malt & Mold on the Lower East Side of New York.