Getting In: A College Coach Conversation

Host Ian Fisher welcomes three experts for a practical conversation designed to help students and families get organized and make informed decisions about their college application process.
 
In Segment 1, longtime College Coach counselor Marj Southworth breaks down the various early rounds of college admissions, including Early Decision, Early Action, and Rolling Admission. Marj explains the strategic considerations behind each option, discusses the benefits and limitations of applying early, and explores situations where students may be better served by waiting rather than rushing to meet an Early Action "soft" deadline.
 
Next, first-time guest Shaniqua Marlowe joins the show to share her professional background and discuss Getting Organized: Coordinating the Application Process. Shaniqua walks listeners through the many moving pieces involved in submitting college applications, including transcripts, recommendations, test scores, essays, and other application requirements. She offers practical advice for creating timelines, tracking deadlines, and managing responsibilities so students can stay on top of the process without feeling overwhelmed.
 
Finally, Finance Expert Chrissy Foran focuses on Getting Organized Financially for the Admissions and College Payment Process. From understanding financial aid forms and scholarship opportunities to keeping track of important financial deadlines, Chrissy outlines the steps families should take to prepare for college costs. She also discusses the financial implications of Early Decision.

Host Sally Ganga is joined by College Coach counselors Joy Biscornet and Robin Khadduri, along with finance expert Aimee Yorsaner, for a discussion of The Anxious Generation by social psychologist Jonathan Haidt. In his bestselling book, Haidt explores how the rise of smartphones, social media, and a shift away from real-world experiences have contributed to increasing levels of anxiety and mental health challenges.
 
The panel examines how the themes of the book intersect with today's college admissions process. From the pressures of building a resume and maintaining a social media presence to navigating academic expectations, extracurricular involvement, and the cost of college, students face a unique set of challenges that contribute to stress.
 
Whether you're a parent, student, or educator, this episode offers practical strategies for fostering resilience, maintaining perspective, and supporting students as they navigate one of the most important transitions of their lives. Tune in for an engaging conversation about mental health, technology, and how to help students thrive during the college admissions journey.

Host Kyra Tyler takes a deep dive into two of the largest and most popular public university systems in the country, providing essential updates for students applying to California colleges this year. From application requirements and recent changes to financial aid considerations, this episode offers a helpful guide for families navigating the University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) application processes.
 
In the first segment, Kyra is joined by College Coach Cesar Contreras for a UC Application Refresher & Updates. Cesar reviews the key components of the application and highlights recent updates that applicants should be aware of while sharing strategies for effectively presenting their achievements and experiences.
 
Next, College Coach Gabbi Tobias joins Kyra for a Cal State Application Refresher & Updates. Gabbi breaks down the CSU application process, explaining what students need to know about eligibility requirements, academic reporting, impacted majors, and campus-specific considerations. She also discusses recent updates to the application and offers practical advice to help students avoid common mistakes.
 
The episode concludes with finance expert Patricia Pineiro-Goodenberger, who provides a Cal State & UC Financial Application Overview & Update. Patricia explains the financial aid processes that students and families should understand when applying to California public universities, including key forms, timelines, and considerations for maximizing aid eligibility. She also reviews recent developments related to financial aid and shares tips for staying organized throughout the process.

The college application season is underway, and with each new cycle come updates that students and families need to know. On this episode of Getting In: A College Coach Conversation, host Dina Birmingham sits down with several College Coach colleagues to break down some of the most important application changes for the year ahead.
 
First, College Coach Mikhail Filarski joins the show to discuss updates to the Common Application, which mainly occurred in the Activities & Experiences List and making which colleges accept fee waivers more transparent.
 
Next, College Coach Landis Fryer tackles supplemental essays in a segment called "What's Supp?" Landis reviews key supplemental essay updates and trends emerging this admissions cycle. While future episodes will take a deeper look at the essay requirements for specific colleges, this conversation provides a broad overview of the changes students should be aware of.
 
Finally, Finance Expert Russell Seidelmann addresses merit scholarships. Are separate applications required? When do students need to apply? He shares what families should know about the process and how to maximize opportunities for scholarship consideration.

Host Ian Fisher examines the realities of admission and affordability at the nation's most selective colleges, separating headlines and misconceptions from the facts families need to know. From admission trends and testing policies to financial aid and paying the bill, this episode takes a practical look at the institutions often referred to as the "Ivy Plus" colleges.
 
In the first segment, Ian is joined by College Coach Scott Alexander to discuss admission trends among the Ivies and other highly selective institutions. Together, they cut through the noise surrounding elite college admission and focus on what the data actually shows. Scott explains what colleges are typically included in the "Ivy Plus" category, explores recent admission trends, and discusses the growing movement among many highly selective institutions to return to standardized testing requirements. The conversation also tackles one of the most talked-about topics in higher education: the U.S. News & World Report rankings. Scott breaks down what these rankings do and do not measure, helping families understand how much weight they should really give to rankings when building a college list.
 
In the second segment, finance expert Parisa Salavitabar addresses a question many families ask after seeing attention-grabbing headlines: Can you really get free tuition at an Ivy? Parisa takes a closer look at the increasingly generous financial aid announcements coming from Ivy League and other highly selective institutions, helping listeners understand the fine print behind the press releases. She explains who typically qualifies for these programs, how colleges define family income and assets, and why "free tuition" does not always mean "free college."
 
The episode concludes with finance expert Michelle Smoley, who examines how families pay for an Ivy League education when they do not qualify for the most generous financial aid programs. Michelle reviews the range of options available, including savings, current income, payment plans, student and parent loans, and other funding strategies. She also explains why private scholarships, while valuable, are often not the most effective strategy for covering the full cost of attendance at highly selective colleges.