Getting In: A College Coach Conversation

Confused by some of the terms you hear that describe colleges? Host Ian Fisher and his guests, College Coach colleagues Serena Frisina, formerly of Lewis & Clark University, and Zaragoza Guerra, formerly of Cal Tech and MIT, will be diving into what is meant by the descriptors “a liberal arts education” and “a polytechnic institute.” You may be surprised by the explanation. And do you know what loud budgeting is? Michelle Smoley, College Coach finance expert, explains.

Juniors, this episode is for you! Host Sally Ganga will be addressing how to ask for letters of recommendation with guest and college admissions counselor Karen Spencer as well as chatting with admissions advisor Christine Kenyon about how to find your best fit college. Hint: tune out the noise of other people’s opinions and focus on your own needs and wants. In addition, Sally will be chatting with college finance expert Beth Feinberg-Keenan about how to look at financial fit when selecting a college.

Seniors, are you unhappy with the colleges that have admitted you? Or, have you not yet applied? For this episode, our host Ian Fisher will be talking with College Coach admissions counselor Brittany Preston about what to do when you aren’t excited about your admits, and Nicole Doyle about colleges that are still taking applications. For those with younger students, College Coach finance colleague Laurie Peltier will be joining him to discuss options for saving for college.

What an exciting episode today! Our host, Shannon Vasconcelos, will be talking with author Emi Nietfeld about her memoir, Acceptance, in which she discusses growing up with a troubled mother and eventually in the foster care system, but still managing to gain admission to Harvard. She goes beyond the typical triumphant narrative, however, and discusses the personal cost of portraying herself as someone who has “overcome” these obstacles when, in important ways, she hasn’t. So tune in! Zachary Gries will also be joining Shannon to discuss why to fill out the FAFSA.

Are you considering attending a community college? Listen in, as we will be spending the full episode discussing the wonderful opportunities they provide and, of course, what to know to be a successful transfer, from admissions, educational, and financial points of view.

Go Union! This show is all about Union College in Schenectady, New York. We are lucky enough to have Matthew Maltesta, Vice-President of Enrollment, Ashok Ramasubramanian, Dean of Engineering and Co-Director of the Templeton Institute, and Linda Parker, Director of Financial Aid, on the show today. Host Ian Fisher will be interviewing all three about their roles and insight on Union. Tune in, as it’s a wonderful college that we recommend frequently to prospective students!

This will be a fun show, as College Coach admissions expert Tova Javetz will be here to answer listener questions with our host Shannon Vasconcelos. Seniors, are you considering attending some admitted student programs? College Coach veteran admission expert Steve Brennan is here to discuss the pros and cons (hint: mostly pros) with Shannon.

Juniors, are you confused about whether or not to take the SAT or ACT? You’re not alone. There have been lots of changes in recent months, and our host Beth Heaton will be joined by Megan Stubbendeck, CEO of ArborBridge, an online test prep service and one of College Coach’s trusted partners, to discuss everything you should know about standardized testing. For our seniors, we know many of you have heard from colleges or are anxiously awaiting your decision, so we’re here to help with a segment on how to choose the right college as an admitted student and what to do if you’ve been waitlisted. College Coach admissions expert Jen Simons will be talking over all of this with Beth. And we haven’t forgotten finance concerns! Our colleague Aimee Yorsaner will be here to answer questions about when it makes sense to appeal your financial aid package.

Are you interested in studying music or musical theater in college? This is a great show; host Sally Ganga interviews experts in applying to college programs in each field. First, she will be joined by Charlie Murphy, Director of the organization Musical Theater College Auditions, or MTCA. He’s using his own experience as a graduate of Carnegie Mellon’s BFA program in musical theater and as a current actor to help students who want to study Musical Theater, and is happy to provide some tips for us! Sally also talked with Kurt Isaacson, College Coach colleague, musician, and former admission officer at California Institute of the Arts, about pursuing a Bachelor’s in Music. And for the finance segment, College Coach expert Alex Bickford will discuss how to ask for more scholarship money.

Do you know that California has great universities that are not UC schools? Listen in when host ian fisher interviews College Coach colleague Gabbi Tobias about the California State University system, typically called the Cal States. Considering medical school but you’ve already graduated from college and didn’t take any of the required classes? It’s not too late! College Coach expert Lauren DiProspero, former admission officer at both Stanford and Columbia medical schools, will talk about options for taking those courses so you can still apply successfully! In addition, Chrissy Foran, College Coach finance expert, will be reviewing what to do when you don’t receive enough financial aid.

Do you know that California has great universities that are not UC schools? Listen in when host ian fisher interviews College Coach colleague Gabbi Tobias about the California State University system, typically called the Cal States. Considering medical school but you’ve already graduated from college and didn’t take any of the required classes? It’s not too late! College Coach expert Lauren DiProspero, former admission officer at both Stanford and Columbia medical schools, will talk about options for taking those courses so you can still apply successfully! In addition, Chrissy Foran, College Coach finance expert, will be reviewing what to do when you don’t receive enough financial aid.

While college campuses are, by and large, very safe places, we know that crime can happen anywhere. Host Sally Ganga will be joined by Jessica Mertz of the Clery Center, an organization dedicated to helping colleges create the safest possible environment on campus and to advising families on campus safety. Jessica will be giving Sally some tips about students should be concerned about. Hint: it isn’t what most people think about! Have you been homeschooled? Nicole Doyle, College Coach colleague, will be jumping on to discuss what homeschooled applicants and their parents need to know, not just during the application process but while they are planning their high school curriculum and extra-curricular activities. And, College Coach Finance expert Beth Feinberg-Keenan will be starting the podcast with a discussion of how to interpret your financial aid package.

While college campuses are, by and large, very safe places, we know that crime can happen anywhere. Host Sally Ganga will be joined by Jessica Mertz of the Clery Center, an organization dedicated to helping colleges create the safest possible environment on campus and to advising families on campus safety. Jessica will be giving Sally some tips about students should be concerned about. Hint: it isn’t what most people think about! Have you been homeschooled? Nicole Doyle, College Coach colleague, will be jumping on to discuss what homeschooled applicants and their parents need to know, not just during the application process but while they are planning their high school curriculum and extra-curricular activities. And, College Coach Finance expert Beth Feinberg-Keenan will be starting the podcast with a discussion of how to interpret your financial aid package.

Have you invested yourself at your current college, working hard in your classes and trying out a few extra-curricular activities, but you still feel like it isn’t the right place for you? Or maybe you’re at a community college and it’s time to move on? If so, listen in. Host Shannon Vasconcelos will be discussing the transfer process with colleague and former Hamilton College Admission Officer Jay Bonham. Shannon will also be joined by Alex Rendon, who, previous to coming to College Coach, worked in admissions at the University of California at San Diego, to discuss how to transfer into the University of California system. It’s a fairly complex process, so don’t miss this one! In addition, Shannon will be talking with Helen Faith, Director of the Office of Student Financial Aid at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, about the role of a financial aid administrator. Folks who work in financial aid offices have a tough job that is worth understanding. We hope you’ll join us!

Have you invested yourself at your current college, working hard in your classes and trying out a few extra-curricular activities, but you still feel like it isn’t the right place for you? Or maybe you’re at a community college and it’s time to move on? If so, listen in. Host Shannon Vasconcelos will be discussing the transfer process with colleague and former Hamilton College Admission Officer Jay Bonham. Shannon will also be joined by Alex Rendon, who, previous to coming to College Coach, worked in admissions at the University of California at San Diego, to discuss how to transfer into the University of California system. It’s a fairly complex process, so don’t miss this one! In addition, Shannon will be talking with Helen Faith, Director of the Office of Student Financial Aid at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, about the role of a financial aid administrator. Folks who work in financial aid offices have a tough job that is worth understanding. We hope you’ll join us!

Parents, do you have a high achieving student and are concerned about how to best support them in high school and the college process? Listen in as our host, Ian Fisher, will be talking with colleague DJ Meehan, former high school counselor, about what to do. In addition, Ian will be joined by colleague Joy Biscornet, who in a previous life was an engineering major and worked in admissions at top engineering school the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign to discuss engineering nuts and bolts (yes, pun intended!) And of course you all know already that February is Financial Aid Awareness month, but maybe you don’t know exactly what financial aid is and how families can access it. Laurie Peltier, college finance expert at College Coach and former financial aid officer will be reviewing the above with Ian.

Parents, do you have a high achieving student and are concerned about how to best support them in high school and the college process? Listen in as our host, Ian Fisher, will be talking with colleague DJ Meehan, former high school counselor, about what to do. In addition, Ian will be joined by colleague Joy Biscornet, who in a previous life was an engineering major and worked in admissions at top engineering school the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign to discuss engineering nuts and bolts (yes, pun intended!) And of course you all know already that February is Financial Aid Awareness month, but maybe you don’t know exactly what financial aid is and how families can access it. Laurie Peltier, college finance expert at College Coach and former financial aid officer will be reviewing the above with Ian.

Are you a student-athlete planning to compete in college? If so, tune-in to hear our host, Beth Heaton, talking with college finance expert and parent of a college athlete Stacey MacPhetres. They will be joined by Michael Yager, College Coach admissions expert, who will be covering the athletic recruitment process and athletic scholarships in their discussion. Ian Fisher, Getting In co-host, will be playing the role of guest in a separate segment to discuss how students can research colleges.

Are you a student-athlete planning to compete in college? If so, tune-in to hear our host, Beth Heaton, talking with college finance expert and parent of a college athlete Stacey MacPhetres. They will be joined by Michael Yager, College Coach admissions expert, who will be covering the athletic recruitment process and athletic scholarships in their discussion. Ian Fisher, Getting In co-host, will be playing the role of guest in a separate segment to discuss how students can research colleges.