The College Admissions Process Podcast

Join Mario Walker, an admissions counselor at Marquette University, as he shares insider insights into the college admissions process. He talks about the vibrant campus culture and academic resources that support student success. Discover tips for presenting your best self in applications and learn about the scholarship interview processes, especially the shift to virtual formats post-COVID. With advice on important deadlines, including the crucial December 1st priority deadline, this conversation is a must-listen for aspiring students!

Jeff Selingo has written about higher education for more than two decades and is a New York Times bestselling author of three books. His latest book, Who Gets In & Why: A Year Inside College Admissions, was published in September 2020 and was named among the 100 Notable Books of the year by the New York Times. A regular contributor to The Atlantic, Jeff is a special advisor for innovation and professor of practice at Arizona State University. He also writes a bi-weekly newsletter on all things higher ed called Next, and co-hosts the podcast, FutureU. He lives in Washington, DC with his family.Jeff Selingo Home PageLink to Jeff's Books-----------------------------👉 This episode is brought to you by Prep Expert, a proud sponsor of The College Admissions Process Podcast. Prep Expert offers award-winning test prep courses and strategies that have helped thousands of students improve their scores. For full details on their programs and guarantees, visit www.PrepExpert.com 🎯📚—-----------------------------Straight From The Admissions Office: Insider Strategies For College ApplicationsIf you're looking for helpful tips and insights for the college admissions process, check out my book by clicking the links below:🔗 Get the Print Copy Here🔗 Get the eBook HereAlphabetical List of All Episodes with LinksClick Here To Join The Podcast Email Listwww.collegeadmissionstalk.com

UCLA - Admission🎙️ In this episode of "The College Admissions Process Podcast," we dive into the world of UCLA with the Senior Associate Director, Karly Brockett. Gain valuable insights into UCLA's distinctive features and the nuances of the college application process. 🎙️Here is what you can expect to hear from this episode:🏫 UCLA's Uniqueness:Explore what sets UCLA apart within the University of California system. Karly provides an overview of academic programs, campus culture, and unique offerings that make UCLA a standout institution.🔍 Key Components of Application Review:Discover the key elements UCLA looks for in the application review process, including insights into building a diverse incoming freshman class.🚫 Application Mistakes:Karly sheds light on common pitfalls in the application process and offers valuable tips on how applicants can avoid them, making the journey less overwhelming.📚 Transcript and GPA Evaluation:Understand the significance of transcripts and how UCLA evaluates them. Gain insights into GPA recalculations and the role they play in the overall review process.📝 Personal Insight Questions (PIQs):Learn about the UC system's Personal Insight Questions, how applicants should approach them, and hear a memorable example that stuck with Karly.🌍 In-state vs. Out-of-state Applications:Explore the differences in the application process for in-state and out-of-state students, providing clarity for prospective applicants.🚫 Test-Free Admissions Policy:Understand the UC system's test-free policy and its impact on the application process, shedding light on how applicants are evaluated without standardized test scores.🏆 Extracurricular Activities:Uncover how extracurricular activities influence the evaluation of an applicant's community contributions, with insights into the variation based on intended courses of study.🔄 Transfer Student Considerations:Delve into the unique considerations transfer applicants face and discover how they can best prepare for a successful application to the UC system.🎓 Top Three Pieces of Advice:Karly concludes the episode with her top three pieces of advice for students and parents navigating the college admissions process.--------------------------------👉 This episode is brought to you by Prep Expert, a proud sponsor of The College Admissions Process Podcast. Prep Expert offers award-winning test prep courses and strategies that have helped thousands of students improve their scores. For full details on their programs and guarantees, visit www.PrepExpert.com 🎯📚—-----------------------------Straight From The Admissions Office: Insider Strategies For College ApplicationsIf you're looking for helpful tips and insights for the college admissions process, check out my book by clicking the links below:🔗 Get the Print Copy Here🔗 Get the eBook HereAlphabetical List of All Episodes with LinksClick Here To Join The Podcast Email Listwww.collegeadmissionstalk.com

🎓 In this episode we dive into the world of admissions with Erica Woods, Senior Associate Director in the Office of Undergraduate Admission at Villanova University. Erica shares invaluable insights into what makes Villanova stand out and offers essential advice for prospective students and parents preparing for the college journey. Here are some key takeaways:Mission-Driven Education: Discover how Villanova's rich history and mission shape its vibrant community today, setting it apart from other universities. 🏛️Fostering Engagement and Collaboration: Learn the secret behind Villanova's impressive 96% retention rate and how it fosters a collaborative and engaging learning environment both inside and outside the classrooms. 🤝Application Review Process: Erica walks us through Villanova's application review process, highlighting key components and shedding light on the university's approach to standardized test scores. 🤔Beyond Academics: Explore the qualities and experiences that Villanova values in its applicants beyond academic achievements, and discover what tends to stand out in successful applicants. 🌟Navigating Application Numbers: With a surge in applications, understand how Villanova determines the right balance of acceptances and rejections, ensuring a diverse and dynamic student body. 📈Supporting Student Success: Erica shares insights into the support systems Villanova offers its students, ensuring their continued success on campus, including accommodations for students with diverse needs. 🧑‍🎓Listen to this enlightening conversation to gain invaluable advice and insights to help you navigate the college admissions process with confidence! 🎧Villanova University - Admissions------------------------------👉 This episode is brought to you by Prep Expert, a proud sponsor of The College Admissions Process Podcast. Prep Expert offers award-winning test prep courses and strategies that have helped thousands of students improve their scores. For full details on their programs and guarantees, visit www.PrepExpert.com 🎯📚—-----------------------------Straight From The Admissions Office: Insider Strategies For College ApplicationsIf you're looking for helpful tips and insights for the college admissions process, check out my book by clicking the links below:🔗 Get the Print Copy Here🔗 Get the eBook HereAlphabetical List of All Episodes with LinksClick Here To Join The Podcast Email Listwww.collegeadmissionstalk.com

🎓 In this episode of "The College Admissions Process Podcast," we learn about the unique offerings of Duquesne University with Marisa Germinario, the Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions. Marisa speaks about everything that Duquesne offers both inside and outside of the classroom, while providing insights on the following and so much more!🏛️What Sets Duquesne Apart: Discover what makes Duquesne University stand out among other institutions and what aspects make it attractive to prospective students.🌟 Student Life: Learn about the vibrant student life at Duquesne, including activities beyond the classroom and weekend adventures.📝 Application Review Process: Marisa walks us through the process of how applications are reviewed at Duquesne, emphasizing key factors considered during evaluation.💡Top Tips: Marisa shares her top tips for students and their parents as they go through the college search process.Duquesne University: duq.eduAdmissions: Undergraduate Admissions (duq.edu)Scholarships and Affordability: https://www.duq.edu/admission-and-aid/paying-for-school/undergraduate/affordability.phpMajors: Academic Programs (duq.edu)ZeeMee App DU-specific Landing Page: https://colleges.zeemee.com/colleges/duqu/interested--------------------------👉 This episode is brought to you by Prep Expert, a proud sponsor of The College Admissions Process Podcast. Prep Expert offers award-winning test prep courses and strategies that have helped thousands of students improve their scores. For full details on their programs and guarantees, visit www.PrepExpert.com 🎯📚—-----------------------------Straight From The Admissions Office: Insider Strategies For College ApplicationsIf you're looking for helpful tips and insights for the college admissions process, check out my book by clicking the links below:🔗 Get the Print Copy Here🔗 Get the eBook HereAlphabetical List of All Episodes with LinksClick Here To Join The Podcast Email Listwww.collegeadmissionstalk.com

👉 This episode is brought to you by Prep Expert, a proud sponsor of The College Admissions Process Podcast. Prep Expert offers award-winning test prep courses and strategies that have helped thousands of students improve their scores. For full details on their programs and guarantees, visit www.PrepExpert.com 🎯📚—-----------------------------Straight From The Admissions Office: Insider Strategies For College ApplicationsIf you're looking for helpful tips and insights for the college admissions process, check out my book by clicking the links below:🔗 Get the Print Copy Here🔗 Get the eBook HereAlphabetical List of All Episodes with LinksClick Here To Join The Podcast Email Listwww.collegeadmissionstalk.com—------------------------------In this episode we had the great pleasure of welcoming back Rick Clark who is the co-author of The Truth About College Admission - 2nd Edition and the Asst. Vice Provost & Executive Director of Admission at Georgia Tech. Here are some of the things Rick and I spoke about, along with so much more:📘 Overview of "The Truth About College Admission":Rick takes us through the inspiration behind the second edition, exploring changes and trends in the dynamic world of college admissions.💡 Controlling the Controllables in College Admission Uncertainty:Rick delves into factors applicants can control, emphasizing mindfulness amid uncertainties. He sheds light on navigating the college process, focusing on what matters and accepting elements beyond control.🏛️ Institutional Priorities & Admissions Goals:Rick unravels the intricacies of institutional priorities, explaining how colleges set goals, emphasizing the impact on individual applicants, and shedding light on the evolving landscape of college admissions.📚 Holistic Admission & GPA's Role:Explore the holistic admission process and the role of GPA in context. Rick provides clarity on how colleges assess students from diverse high schools, considering the nuances of their academic journeys.📝 Avoiding Wedges in the College Process:Learn from real examples in Clark's book about avoiding family wedges during the college application process. He shares advice on fostering healthy communication and steering clear of potential pitfalls.💰 Financial Aid and Need Awareness:Rick explains the difference between need-blind and need-aware schools, offering insights into the crucial role financial aid plays in the college admission process.📊 Decoding College Rankings:Delve into the intricacies of college rankings with Clark, exploring their flaws and how individuals should approach them. Gain valuable perspectives on the often-misleading world of college rankings.🏞️ Maximizing College Visits:Clark shares key tips from his book on making the most of college visits, emphasizing their importance in determining fit and overall satisfaction with a chosen institution.🔍 Admissions Representatives' Perspectives:Explore what admissions representatives look for in applicants, understanding the significance of high school context and course offerings in the decision-making process.🎓 High School Acceptance Limitations:Clark addresses common beliefs about colleges limiting acceptances from specific high schools, providing clarity on this widely debated topic.❓ Unasked Questions & Final Insights:Clark shares additional insights and reflections, addressing any unasked questions and providing a well-rounded perspective on the college admissions journey.🌟 Top 3 Pieces of Advice for College Applicants:Discover Clark's top three pieces of advice for students and parents gearing up for the college admissions process.This is a must for anyone navigating the college process as we dived into a comprehensive exploration of college admissions realities with Rick Clark.🎙️🎓The Truth About College Admission Website

👉 This episode is brought to you by Prep Expert, a proud sponsor of The College Admissions Process Podcast. Prep Expert offers award-winning test prep courses and strategies that have helped thousands of students improve their scores. For full details on their programs and guarantees, visit www.PrepExpert.com 🎯📚—-----------------------------Straight From The Admissions Office: Insider Strategies For College ApplicationsIf you're looking for helpful tips and insights for the college admissions process, check out my book by clicking the links below:🔗 Get the Print Copy Here🔗 Get the eBook HereAlphabetical List of All Episodes with LinksClick Here To Join The Podcast Email Listwww.collegeadmissionstalk.com—------------------------------UNC Chapel Hill Admissions🎙️ In this episode of "The College Admissions Process Podcast," we dive into the heart of UNC Chapel Hill's admissions process with Jason Mc Grath, the Associate Provost and Director of Undergraduate Admissions. Gain valuable insights to navigate the complex world of college applications and understand what makes UNC Chapel Hill stand out.UNC Chapel Hill's Uniqueness:🌟 Explore the unique aspects that define UNC Chapel Hill.🎓 Learn about offerings inside and outside the classrooms that set the university apart.High Retention Rate Secrets:🤔 Uncover the secrets behind UNC's impressive 97% retention rate.🏡 Discover what keeps students happy and eager to return each year.Qualities Valued in Applicants:🎯 Understand the specific characteristics UNC values in its applicants.📚 Gain insights into what sets successful candidates apart.Holistic Application Approach:🔄 Explore the holistic approach to application review at UNC.📝 Tips for presenting a well-rounded and thorough application.Managing Increased Applications:📈 Navigate the challenge of rising application numbers.🤷‍♂️ Learn how UNC determines acceptances, waitlists, and denials.Out-of-State Admission Impact:🌍 Understand the impact of out-of-state limitations on the application process.🚀 Advice for out-of-state applicants to stand out.Legacy Considerations:🏛️ Delve into the role of legacy in the application review process.🤔 Does being a legacy candidate make a difference?Specialized Programs and Schools:🎨 Explore how application reviews differ for specific programs or schools.📓 Learn about any unique requirements for certain majors.Addressing Varied High School Offerings:🏫 Navigate the application review process for students from diverse high schools.📊 How UNC considers different high school offerings.Test-Optional Trends:📚 Explore UNC's test-optional policy and its impact.📈 Discover the percentage of admitted students who didn't submit test scores.Future of Test-Optional Admissions:🔮 Predictions on the test-optional nature of admissions in the coming years.This episode equips you with the knowledge needed to navigate the college admissions process successfully. Gain a deeper understanding of UNC Chapel Hill's unique approach and valuable advice from Jason Mc Grath for a successful college journey. 🎓✨

Saint Peter's University - Admissions------------------------------👉 This episode is brought to you by Prep Expert, a proud sponsor of The College Admissions Process Podcast. Prep Expert offers award-winning test prep courses and strategies that have helped thousands of students improve their scores. For full details on their programs and guarantees, visit www.PrepExpert.com 🎯📚—-----------------------------Straight From The Admissions Office: Insider Strategies For College ApplicationsIf you're looking for helpful tips and insights for the college admissions process, check out my book by clicking the links below:🔗 Get the Print Copy Here🔗 Get the eBook HereAlphabetical List of All Episodes with LinksClick Here To Join The Podcast Email Listwww.collegeadmissionstalk.com

👉 This episode is brought to you by Prep Expert, a proud sponsor of The College Admissions Process Podcast. Prep Expert offers award-winning test prep courses and strategies that have helped thousands of students improve their scores. For full details on their programs and guarantees, visit www.PrepExpert.com 🎯📚—-----------------------------Straight From The Admissions Office: Insider Strategies For College ApplicationsIf you're looking for helpful tips and insights for the college admissions process, check out my book by clicking the links below:🔗 Get the Print Copy Here🔗 Get the eBook HereAlphabetical List of All Episodes with LinksClick Here To Join The Podcast Email Listwww.collegeadmissionstalk.com—-------------------------------Pepperdine - Undergraduate AdmissionAcademic Advising for AP & IB CoursesCampus Visits & ToursVirtual Application WorkshopAdmission Interviews

👉 This episode is brought to you by Prep Expert, a proud sponsor of The College Admissions Process Podcast. Prep Expert offers award-winning test prep courses and strategies that have helped thousands of students improve their scores. For full details on their programs and guarantees, visit www.PrepExpert.com 🎯📚—-----------------------------Straight From The Admissions Office: Insider Strategies For College ApplicationsIf you're looking for helpful tips and insights for the college admissions process, check out my book by clicking the links below:🔗 Get the Print Copy Here🔗 Get the eBook HereAlphabetical List of All Episodes with LinksClick Here To Join The Podcast Email Listwww.collegeadmissionstalk.com—-------------------------🎓 In this episode I spoke with Dr. Susan Burns, the dynamic 6th President of the College of Mount St. Vincent.  Dr. Burns shares valuable insights into what makes the College of Mount St. Vincent a compelling choice for students seeking an enriching educational experience, and here are some of the topics we discussed:🌟 Background and Leadership Journey: Discover Dr. Burns' inspiring journey leading up to her presidency at the College of Mount St. Vincent. 🏫 Gain insights into her background and the experiences that have shaped her leadership philosophy and vision for the institution.🎓 Distinctive Features and Programs: Learn about the unique features and programs that distinguish the College of Mount St. Vincent from other institutions, attracting students seeking a nurturing and supportive academic environment. 🏛️📝 Test-Optional Policies: Dr. Burns discusses the college's stance on standardized testing in the admissions process, offering insights into the evolving landscape of test-optional policies and their impact on future admissions trends. 📊💰 Financial Aid and Scholarships: Gain valuable information about the financial aid and scholarship opportunities offered at the College of Mount St. Vincent, aimed at making education more accessible and affordable for students. 💵🌍 Support for Diversity: Dr. Burns highlights the college's commitment to supporting a diverse student body, including first-generation college students and underrepresented minorities, fostering an inclusive and welcoming campus community. 🤝🎓 Top Advice for High School Students and Parents: Dr. Burns concludes with her top three pieces of advice for high school students and their parents embarking on the college application process, offering valuable guidance and support. 🌟Listen in to gain invaluable insights into the College of Mount St. Vincent and receive expert advice for navigating the college admissions journey! 🎧College of Mount Saint Vincent Admissions Office