Office Hours

In this episode, UPenn Vice Provost and Dean of Admission Whitney Soule discusses how to manage stress in the admissions process, stress, and busts some myths about how colleges read students' applications. Drawing on her three decades in higher education, Soule explains how selective admissions actually work and why the idea of “hyperachievement” as the only path to success is both false and harm...

College pricing has become so confusing that many families assume they can’t afford a four-year degree before they even look at their options. Sticker prices feel overwhelming, award letters are inconsistent, and actual prices are not publicized nearly as widely as the full sticker price. In this episode, Mark Salisbury explains why college costs have become so opaque and how TuitionFit can help f...

In this episode, Jordan Lee, CEO of Saving for College and founder of Backer , unpacks the power and flexibility of 529 college savings plans. He describes how families often experience 'analysis paralysis' when it comes to saving for college, and why starting small, early, and simply is better than waiting for the 'perfect' plan. He also breaks down how recent legislation has expanded the possibl...

About the Episode Sticker prices keep rising, but so do discount rates. While college may be getting more affordable for low-income students, most people believe the price is skyrocketing. So how will colleges adapt to this new marketplace and change public perception? In this episode, Sam Waterson explores this and many more issues currently facing higher ed. He argues current discount-focused mo...

In this episode, Stellic co-founder and CEO Sabih joins Scholarships360’s Will Geiger to discuss how higher education can better support students in planning and navigating their college journeys. As a first-generation college student from Pakistan, Sabih reflects on his own experiences at Carnegie Mellon. He describes how he learned to make decisions in an unstructured system, discovered the valu...

In this episode, Washington and Lee University President Dr. Will Dudley joins host Will Geiger to discuss the benefits of a liberal arts education, and why it’s more relevant than ever. Dudley explains how top liberal arts schools make themselves affordable through need-blind admissions and programs like the W&L Promise, which ensures families earning up to $150,000 pay no tuition. Dudley als...

As educational institutions continue to prioritize STEM fields over the humanities, Jeremy Tate makes the case that humanities are more important than ever. His standardized test, the Classic Learning Test , is a rising alternative to popular college admissions tests. The exam focuses on classic liberal arts principals to enrich students, not just assess them. In this episode, Jeremy breaks down h...

Students have no clear way to bridge the gap between a college's sticker price and its true cost. Some colleges with high price tags can actually be cheaper for applicants once financial aid and merit scholarships are factored in. But before they apply, students have no clear way to know. In this episode, Jim Bock guides students and their families through the admissions process to give them the t...

Rural students face unique challenges in the college admissions process. Their schools may not offer the same opportunities to impress admissions officers, whether that's advanced courses, clubs, or high-end athletic facilities. In this episode, Andrew Moe Hoffman gives some pointers to help bridge this gap. He offers some guidelines for how admissions officers should take rural students' backgrou...

In this episode, college counselor, author, and podcaster Brennan Barnard debunks the myth of “dream schools,” explains why belonging and high-impact practices matter more than prestige, and urges families to reframe how they approach the admissions process. Brennan also explores how AI is transforming both admissions offices and student support, from essay review to list building, and discusses t...

In this episode, Senior Director of Higher Education at ACT Kasey Urquídez challenges the myth of the “perfect college” and stresses that students can succeed at a wide range of institutions, not just brand-name schools. She also explains why major selection, transferable skills, and micro-credentials are increasingly important as the workforce evolves, and highlights how initiatives like Workforc...

In this episode, Vice President of Enrollment at Ithaca College Rock Hall makes the case that college should be seen as an investment rather than just a cost. He shares insights on tuition discounting, the Ithaca Commitment, and the long-term value of a liberal arts education. Rock also discusses how AI is reshaping admissions, from calculating GPAs to directing students to the proper staff to hel...

In this episode, Wellesley College economist and MyinTuition founder Phil Levine breaks down the difference between sticker price and net price, explaining why most families actually pay far less than the numbers making headlines. He highlights how misconceptions about cost can discourage students from applying and why simplifying the process is essential for improving equity in education. Phil al...

In this episode, CEO of the Coalition for College Liz Cheron debunks common misconceptions around affordability and "dream schools" and explains why tools like net price calculators and MyinTuition are critical for understanding real costs. She also describes how Coalition for College can help families making college decisions, including virtual events and a partnership with Schoolhouse.world . Sh...