Getting In: A College Coach Conversation

The FAFSA is out, and it's time to get it done! We're offering insight into the form and tips for completing it. A number of colleges and universities have begun to accept the Coalition Application, sometimes as the only way to apply. We'll tell you more about it and who should consider using it. Finally, lots of students, colleges, and parents talk about study abroad, but what does that really mean? We're exploring the options and offering suggestions for researching opportunities.

We're all about early action on today's first segment. We'll tell you what EA is, discuss the pros and cons, and help you figure out if it's the right choice given your personal situation. A former financial aid officer at Northeastern University also joins the show to share her insights into what goes on behind the scenes. In Office Hours, we're taking you through the supplemental essay questions for Emory and Georgia Tech.

As admissions professionals, we've seen students make lots of mistakes when it comes to college applications. We've selected our top 5 and are sharing them with you this week. In Office Hours, we're answering your college finance and admissions questions.

The FAFSA can seem very daunting—where do you go if you have questions? We know, and we're sharing those resources on today's show. We're also welcoming a small business owner and marketing professional who happened to major in art history to discuss how her humanities degree has translated to work in the real world. In Office Hours, we're explaining what demonstrated interest is, why it matters, and how to actually do it.

Ever wonder how to determine which colleges will be the best investment? Edmit is a college comparison-shopping resource designed to help families better understand the value of their college investment, with proprietary software that generates a personalized financial-fit score based on a college's affordability, value, and post-graduation earnings. Learn more about our collaboration with Edmit on the show. We're also talking to a communications expert about ways to prepare for the challenges of freshman year. And finally, we're sharing information on financial aid refunds, including what they are and how to best use them.

While it's important to use college applications as an opportunity to translate your accomplishments in the most impactful way, too much "packaging" can be problematic. We'll share more about what the looks like and why it's an issue. We're also offering tips for how to best highlight extracurricular activities in supplemental essays that don't simply regurgitate your resume. Finally, did you know there are rules about making satisfactory academic progress in order to maintain financial aid eligibility? We'll tell you all about them.

Our podcast focuses on getting in to college, but what happens when it's finally time to send your students off to school? A current college parent shares her thoughts on how to let go with grace. We're also answering your college finance and admissions questions in our Office Hours Q&A segment.

We're excited to welcome a current college student to the podcast to share her reflections on her college admissions process—what went well, what went wrong, and how it all ended up. In Office Hours, we're looking at the pros and cons of early decision to help you decide if it's the right choice for you. We'll also offer advice for reviewing your college bill and figuring out what you owe and when it's due.

Timing is everything, especially when it comes to the college admissions process. This week we're providing tips and suggestions on the best time to take standardized tests. We'll also explain why merit-based scholarship awards will look very different depending on the institution granting them. Finally, Office Hours covers the who, what, where, when, and why of supplemental essays.

There are a number of accelerated degree programs offering students the chance to complete advanced degrees in either fewer years than it would normally take or without the hassle of applying to graduate school. Tune in to hear about the pros, cons, and special considerations of these unique programs from a current student. We're also explaining why need-based financial aid awards can vary so much from school to school. In Office Hours, we're sharing the changes to this year's version of the Common Application.