Getting In: A College Coach Conversation

Interested in Emory University, or just want to hear from the Director of Admissions at a highly selective university about what is happening right now in undergraduate admissions? On this episode, we have the remarkable good fortune to interview Dr. Mark Butt of Emory for our first two segments. In addition, host Sally Ganga will be joined by finance College Coach colleague Michelle Clifton to discuss an update on the federal student loan program.

Given that it's still cold out, you might think it's too early to be looking at summer programs, but we're here to encourage you to start now! Host Beth Heaton will be speaking with College Coach admissions counselor Landis Fryer about how to begin. Beth will also be speaking with Brendan Nelson of EdAssist, also part of the Bright Horizons family of services, about how to earn a degree paid for by your employer. Yes, there are companies that will pay for much of your undergraduate degree! In addition, College Coach finance colleague Beth Feinberg-Keaton will discuss how to balance work and school when your employer is helping to pay your tuition.

Seniors, have you submitted your applications? Feeling a bit anxious and wondering what to do now? You've entered a waiting period that can feel almost as stressful as completing the applications themselves, but if you listen in, you will hear the wise words of Kyra Tyler, College Coach veteran, who is addressing this topic with our host Shannon Vasconcelos. In addition, College Coach finance expert Jennifer Willcox will be there to talk about using this time to brush up on life skills in preparation for living away from your parents for the first time. There will also be one of our very fun Listener Question and Answer segments with College Coach admissions consultant Tova Javetz. And remember, you can always submit questions to us using one of our social media accounts, like LinkedIn, Facebook, or Instagram.

Join Lisa Albro, a seasoned college admissions coach, Michelle Smoley, a college finance expert, and Julia Jones, a college coach counselor, as they dive into actionable insights for high school juniors and their parents. Discover why it's crucial for juniors to kickstart their college search and how to assess campuses effectively. Michelle shares strategies for parents to foster independence in their teens while Julia emphasizes the importance of genuine extracurricular involvement and goal-setting. This lively discussion is packed with tips for a smooth transition to college life!

Did you apply Early Decision to a college? Were you deferred or denied? If so, you may be wondering what to do next. Host Ian Fisher will be talking with College Coach admissions counselor Brian Swann, formerly of Carleton College, about next steps. Seniors, are you considering a post-graduate or gap year? Either can be a wonderful option, but it's important to plan carefully. Listen in when Ian talks with Jay Bonham, college admissions coach from Hamilton College. In addition, finance colleague Dina Birmingham will be answering the top finance questions from high school underclassmen and parents right now.

Does your student have an IEP or 504 in high school? Is it possible they may use accommodations in colleges, for learning disabilities or health conditions? If so, you may find this episode very helpful. In segment one, host Sally Ganga will be interviewing Sydney Ruff, Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at Landmark College about how her institution assists neurodiverse students to succeed in college, either through a four-year Bachelor's degree at Landmark or through one of their transitional programs. Then, Sally will be joined by Sara Calvert-Kubrom, College Coach admissions consultant, and they will discuss how to research accommodations at colleges that don't have specialized support structures. Last, Sally will be joined by Laurie Peltier, College Coach finance consultant, who will answer some of the top questions her team is hearing about paying for higher education right now.

Interested in liberal arts colleges? Or, maybe unsure of what liberal arts colleges have to offer? Listen in as host Ian Fisher does a deep dive into Trinity College, a small liberal arts college in Connecticut. He interviews Matthew Hyde, Dean of Admissions and Financial aid, and Joseph Catrino, Executive Director of Career, Life and Design. They'll answer the question of what you can do with a liberal arts degree! Ian will also be talking with College Coach finance expert Jennifer Willcox about federal loans; yes, the grace and on-ramp periods are over, and it's time to start repaying them!

Host Beth Heaton is so pleased to be welcome Harry Feder, the Executive Director of Fair Test, the organization that has been advocating for test optional admissions for students for many years. Feder will be talking about the organization itself as well as the state of testing in undergraduate admissions today. In addition, seniors will soon be receiving decisions from many colleges if they applied early decision or early action. College Coach admissions consultant Christine Kenyon will discuss how to be intentional when you open your admission decision. It's important to consider how to be kind to others when doing so! Last, did you know that November 18 through the 24th is National Apprenticeship week? College Coach finance expert Jan Combs will be joining Beth to discuss how to earn while you learn through an apprenticeship.

Have you thought about attending a college with a co-op program? Host Beth Heaton will be interviewing College Coach admissions consultant Kennon Dick about Drexel University where he formerly worked as an admission officer. In addition, College Coach admissions consultant Kristine Sawicki, formerly of Reed College and Stanford University, will share college interview strategies. College finance expert Michelle Smoley joins us to provide personal finance tips for young adults regarding shopping on holidays like Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Applying to Carnegie Mellon? Or Georgetown? You're in luck, as our host Ian Fisher will be interviewing former admission officers from both those institutions. We're very lucky to have Lauren Savage, previously an admission officer at Carnegie Mellon, on our show. College Coach Lauren Randle, previously an admission officer at Georgetown, joins us as well. In addition, College Coach finance expert Michelle Clifton will be addressing federal student loans by providing updates on the SAVE plan and the federal court injunction regarding it.