College Admissions Insider

Since 2020, we've pulled back the curtain on all things admissions, sharing expert advice for your college journey. Today, we're celebrating our 100th episode of College Admissions Insider by tackling our biggest topic yet: the state and future of higher education. What better guest to invite than someone who's dedicated their career to championing lifelong learning? That person is...

Senior year is finally here, and with it comes all of the excitement and nervousness about what comes next. For students with their eyes set on college, now is the time to get to work on submitting your very best applications to your dream schools.  In this last episode in our College Planning Timeline series, Becca and Brooke cover tips, tricks and application insights for high school seniors.  R...

When it comes to the college search process, it can feel like all eyes are on junior year. From the classes you take and the grades you earn, to the steps you take to explore colleges and universities, your junior year in high school might be the most essential. In this episode of our college planning timeline series, we're offering advice for making the most of it. Read a transcript for this...

After nearly 100 episodes, we've learned that it's never too early to start planning for college.   In our College Planning Timeline series, Becca and Brooke are offering a step-by-step action plan to take you from 9th through 12th grade and beyond.  Today, we'll cover tips and best practices for students who are sophomores in high school. Read a transcript for this episode. If you...

Applying to college may seem like one big step toward your future, but you'll be more successful — and less stressed — if you instead see that journey as dozens of smaller steps.  In the next four episodes of College Admissions Insider , Becca and Brooke will be walking you through our college planning timeline, offering a step by step action plan to take you from 9th grade through 12th grade...

If there's one thing that's always constant, it's change. Nowhere is that more true than in the field of technology. Like many industries, higher education is transforming in the midst of the newest tech revolution: Artificial intelligence. In this episode of College Admissions Insider , we'll explore some of the ways colleges are implementing AI assistance, how that impacts th...

Submitting your application is the ultimate way you'll tell a college you want in. But that's just the end of the story. In the years before you apply, many admissions offices will be on the lookout for something called demonstrated interest. In this episode, we talk about why demonstrated interest has become increasingly important in recent years, what counts as meaningful engagement, a...

The application is the main way colleges and universities get to know you as an applicant. But it's not the only way. At some schools, students are invited to share their story in-person through an admissions interview. In this episode of College Admissions Insider , we'll learn why interviews are valuable in the admissions process, what you can do to practice and prepare, and how buildi...

For some students, college is just a short drive away. For others, it means crossing time zones, states or even coasts. In this episode of College Admissions Insider , we’re diving into what it’s really like to attend a college far from home. From culture shock to homesickness to learning how to fly solo (literally and figuratively), we’re sharing stories and insights that can help you decide just...

For some students, their dream school might be right down the road. While for others, it's a road trip, train or plane ride away. On today's episode of College Admissions Insider, we'll talk about attending school far from home, what that means for your college search, and more importantly, your college experience. Our guest is with my colleague Cameron Walsh, a regional associate d...

When so much of the college search is about what you'll do during university, it can be easy to push off what comes after until, well, after .  But knowing what graduates go on to accomplish can be a powerful tool when deciding which schools are on your list. In this episode of College Admissions Insider , we're diving into outcomes. We'll discover how universities manage and share...

Whether you're just now thinking about college or have been visiting campuses for months, there's a step in the college process that all students arrive at: Building a college list. With thousands of colleges and universities in the U.S., choosing the ones you'd like to attend can feel like a tall order. Good news is you don't have to do it alone.  In this episode of College Ad...

Spring is officially here, and with it, those long-awaited responses from college admissions. You may think there's only two options. “Congrats, you're in,” or, “We regret to inform you.” But plenty of students will receive a third message, offering them a spot on the waitlist. In this minisode, we'll chat about the most important tips for navigating that outcome. Read a transcript...

From Google to mobile apps to podcasts like this, there are countless resources out there to help students find the school that's right for them and craft a strong application.  Many students might find that the ultimate college support is right in their own backyard. On today's episode of College Admissions Insider , we're exploring community-based organizations.  We'll define...

Websites, brochures and social media can only tell you so much about what a college is like. While visiting in person is an excellent way to get a feel for campus life, there are even more immersive opportunities. Today on College Admissions Insider , we're diving into pre-college programs. We'll learn what pre-college programs offer prospective students, what the experience looks like a...

Tell us about a challenge you faced and how you overcame it. Reflect on a moment when your actions made a difference for others. Describe one of your passions and why it lights you up.  These aren't just ideas for your next journal entry. They're prompts you might see when you sit down to write your college essay — one of the only places on the application where students use their own vo...

There's no shortage of acronyms in higher education, but perhaps none are more important for prospective students than FAFSA and CSS. For students and families seeking financial aid, these are the essential forms you'll need to submit. Today we'll break down these financial aid forms, the differences between them and some tips for using the FAFSA and CSS to secure aid at the schools...

In this minisode of College Admissions Insider , Brooke and Becca dive into minimum requirements. You'll learn what minimum requirements are, how they might differ between schools, and ways that you can ensure you're on the right preparation track for college. Read a transcript for this episode If you have a question, comment or idea for a future episode, email podcast@bucknell.edu . Ple...

At schools like Bucknell that receive thousands of applications every year, there’s a good chance some applicants will have similar grades, academic rigor, and extracurricular involvement. But there's a place where applicants can stand out — something guaranteed to be found in their application and no other. We're talking about the college essay — an applicant's best opportunity to...

While it may be the student who gets admitted to college in the end, they aren't the only ones with a hand in the process. From those initial Google searches to campus visits and beyond, parents and families are discovering and learning right alongside their student. On this episode of College Admissions Insider , we're taking a closer look at the parent and family experience. We'll...

No two college journeys are the same. For some, it might mean attending college right in their hometown, while others might travel halfway or even to the other side of the country for school. Then, there are those who take their education beyond borders. At the request of one of our listeners, in this episode of College Admissions Insider , we are exploring options for attending college outside of...

After choosing where to enroll, the next major decision in the college process is, “What is going to live with you in your home away from home?” In this College Admissions Insider minisode, we're sharing some tips and considerations to keep in mind when packing for your first year of college. Read a transcript for this episode If you have a question, comment or idea for a future episode, emai...

If you've been listening to College Admissions Insider for a while, the title of this episode might ring a bell. In some of our early episodes, we invited real admissions counselors here to talk about how reading applications really works. Today, we're doing it all again. We'll be chatting about the process front to back — and then some. Our guest is Kevin Mathes '07, associate...

Your grades, extracurriculars and essay responses paint a picture of who you are. But there's another part of your application that colleges and universities pay special attention to:  your intended major. On this episode of College Admissions Insider , we're providing tips on identifying the primary discipline you'll study throughout your four years. We'll discuss when student...

There's only so much you can learn about a school from Google. One of the best ways to get to know a college is to experience it for yourself. An in-person visit can push a college into dream school territory, or send it falling off your list entirely. In this episode of College Admissions Insider , we're exploring how you make the most of a college visit from the options available to se...