Inside College Admissions

Scoir strategic advisor, Peter Van Buskirk, is joined by Postsecondary Counselor, Amy Belstra of Libertyville High School, to have an important discussion about exploring the options when beginning to think of college.  Our conversation covers topics such as: distinguishing between a college and a university, public versus private colleges, lifestyle and campus considerations, and much more. This...

Peter Van Buskirk joins us for a conversation about financial aid packages. Seniors: don't miss this one! We discuss when to appeal, reading the "fine print." comparing apples-to-apples, and other strategies to help you evaluate your options.  Follow us on Instagram! Learn more about Scoir

Scoir strategic advisor, Peter Van Buskirk, is joined by Rob Springall and Bert McBrayer of Penn State University, to discuss the importance of high school course selections. Our conversation covers topics such as: how your transcript is evaluated, choosing a course load that challenges you, and ultimately, finding fulfillment in your courses. This episode was recorded on April 6, 2021. Follow us...

Ashley Smith is joined by Former Dean of Admission and Strategic Advisor to Scoir, Peter Van Buskirk, to recap conversations and key takeaways from a second session of the No Name Conference.  This episode was recorded on March 29, 2021.  Follow us on Instagram! Learn more about Scoir

If you're a student or a family member of a college-bound student looking for some clarity around how to make your final choice of college, give this conversation a listen. Former Dean of Admission and Strategic Advisor to Scoir, Peter Van Buskirk, is joined by Director of College Counseling at The Taft School, Alison Almasian, to have a timely discussion about making your final choice of col...

Scoir Superintendent-in-Residence, Robert Avossa, is joined by Dr. Dana Godek for the third episode in our series on Social and Emotional Learning. Follow us on Instagram! Learn more about Scoir

Scoir Superintendent-in-Residence, Robert Avossa, is joined by Dr. Dana Godek for the second episode in our series on Social and Emotional Learning. Chiefs for Change - https://covid.chiefsforchange.org/ Pure Edge - https://pureedgeinc.org/ American Academy of Pediatrics - https://www.aap.org/en-us/Pages/Default.aspx Follow us on Instagram! Learn more about Scoir

Scoir Superintendent-in-Residence, Robert Avossa, is joined by Dr. Dana Godek for the first episode in our series on Social and Emotional Learning. Check out CASEL, The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning, here ! Follow us on Instagram! Learn more about Scoir

Ashley Smith is joined by Former Dean of Admission and Strategic Advisor to Scoir, Peter Van Buskirk, to recap conversations and key takeaways from the recent No Name Conference.  This episode was recorded on February 1, 2021. Follow us on Instagram! Learn more about Scoir

Scoir Content Marketing Manager, Erin Barnes, is joined by Former Dean of Admission and Strategic Advisor to Scoir, Peter Van Buskirk, to discuss all things waitlist.  Our conversation covers topics such as: how to remain active on a waitlist, how waitlists are organized, when you'll have a final decision, and how to proceed. Follow us on Instagram! Learn more about Scoir

Scoir Senior Product Marketing Manager, Megan Kauffman, is joined by Assistant Dean of Admission at Bates College, Nicole Villacres-Reyes, to discuss zoom fatigue and prospective student engagement. Our conversation covers topics such as: tips for keeping students engaged during virtual recruitment events, what makes video conferencing exhausting, unique ways to connect with prospective students,...

If you're a student or a family member of a college-bound student looking for some clarity around what exactly is going on in the world of college admission testing, give this conversation a listen. Erin Barnes is joined by Former Dean of Admission and Strategic Advisor to Scoir, Peter Van Buskirk, to discuss the history of standardized testing, present circumstances, and where testing fits i...

Scoir strategic advisor, Peter Van Buskirk, is joined by Dean of Admission at Marist College, Kent Rinehart, to discuss the challenges posed to the college admission process by the coronavirus pandemic.  Our conversation covers topics such as: connecting with prospective students, deferring enrollment, applying early decision, assessing applicants, and more. This episode was recorded on December 1...

Scoir strategic advisor, Peter Van Buskirk, is joined by Dean of Admission at Texas Christian University, Heath Einstein, to discuss the challenges posed to the college admission process by the coronavirus pandemic.  Our conversation covers topics such as: enthusiasm around early applications, TCU’s policy on test-optional, financial aid packaging, admission practices and more. This episode was re...

Scoir strategic advisor, Peter Van Buskirk, is joined by Vice chancellor for enrollment at the University of Denver, Todd Rinehart, to discuss the challenges posed to the college admission process by the coronavirus pandemic.  Our conversation covers topics such as: deferring enrollment, keeping students healthy, applying early decision, assessing applicants, and more. This episode was recorded on...

Scoir strategic advisor, Peter Van Buskirk, is joined by Dean of Admission at Carnegie Mellon University, Mike Steidel, to discuss the challenges posed to the college admission process by the coronavirus pandemic.  Our conversation covers topics such as: test-optional, assessing student performance, maintaining connections, athletics, and more. This episode was recorded on December 18, 2020. Follo...

Scoir strategic advisor, Peter Van Buskirk, is joined by Vice President for Enrollment of Wake Forest University, Eric Maguire, to discuss the challenges posed to the college admission process by the coronavirus pandemic.  Our conversation covers topics such as: test-optional considerations, expressing yourself via essays, continuing your college search, asking questions, and more. This episode wa...

Ashley Smith is joined by Senior Product Marketing Manager at Scoir, Megan Kauffman, to discuss best practices and tips that colleges can use when thinking about how to better engage students . Follow us on Instagram! Learn more about Scoir

Scoir strategic advisor, Peter Van Buskirk, is joined by Vice President for Enrollment Management at University of Richmond, Stephanie Dupaul, to discuss the challenges posed to the college admission process by the coronavirus pandemic.  Our conversation covers topics such as: test-optional considerations, putting together an authentic application, meeting full financial need, and more. This episo...

Scoir strategic advisor, Peter Van Buskirk, is joined by Chief Education and Policy Officer of NACAC, David Hawkins, to discuss the challenges posed to the college admission process by the coronavirus pandemic.  Our conversation stretches over topics such as: NACAC’s role, college rankings, finding your best-fit college, financing college, and much more. This episode was recorded on January 25, 20...

Scoir strategic advisor, Peter Van Buskirk, is joined by Director of Undergraduate Admission at Georgia Tech, Rick Clark, to discuss the challenges posed to the college admission process by the coronavirus pandemic.  Our conversation covers topics such as: early action vs early decision, assessing applicants, test-optional, admission practices and more. This episode was recorded on December 8, 202...

Scoir strategic advisor, Peter Van Buskirk, is joined by Vice Provost for Enrollment of Cornell University, Jonathon Burdick, to discuss the challenges posed to the college admission process by the coronavirus pandemic.  Our conversation covers topics such as: score-free vs test-optional, application reading practices, deferring enrollment, and more. This episode was recorded on December 10, 2020....

Scoir strategic advisor, Peter Van Buskirk, is joined by Vice President and  Dean of Admissions at Swarthmore College, Jim Bock, to discuss the challenges posed to the college admission process by the coronavirus pandemic.  Our conversation covers topics such as: assessing students with or without test scores, maintaining meaningful connections, financial aid considerations, and more. This episode...

Scoir strategic advisor, Peter Van Buskirk, is joined by Executive Director for Undergraduate Admission at Penn State University, Robert Springall, to discuss the challenges posed to the college admission process by the coronavirus pandemic.  Give this episode a listen to hear Robert’s perspective on test-optional, assessing candidates without test scores, applying locally versus across state bord...

Megan Kauffman is joined by Director of College Counseling at Battleground Academy, Dustin Lynn, to discuss alternate perspectives on the common college admissions practice of buying student names and contact information.  This episode was recorded on January 6, 2021. Follow us on Instagram! Learn more about Scoir