Inside the Admissions Office: Advice from Former Admissions Officers

On today’s episode, we chat with Erin Gu, InGenius Prep’s Chief Education Officer. Erin recently attended the 2022 National Association for College Admissions Counseling Conference. Erin and I discuss what she learned, including changes to FAFSA and the uncertainty surrounding the future of affirmative action policies. Join our Facebook group the College Admissions Corner. Check out our blog for m...

NOTE: We've received notice that it is possible to apply early to both Stanford and USC. If you have any questions, we recommend contacting their admissions offices. On today’s episode, we chat with Padya Paramita, a Columba MFA graduate, InGenius Prep Graduate Coach, and writing professor at the University of New Haven. Padya and I discuss some of the major changes in the world of college admissi...

On today’s episode, we chat with Kevin Dupont, an athletic recruitment specialist and Former Admissions Officer from UC Berkeley, Tufts, Cornell, and UCSC. Kevin and I discuss the myriad of different ways students can showcase their talents in their college applications. Kevin answers frequently asked questions about talent in college admissions such as “should I upload a portfolio?” and “is creat...

On today’s episode, we chat with Nick Strohl, a former Academic Advisor in the College of Letters and Science Honors Program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Former Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at Yale.  Nick and I discuss numerous strategies and resources that university freshmen can utilize to set themselves up for academic success. Nick highlights common mistakes and mi...

On today’s episode, we chat with Padya Paramita, a Columba MFA graduate, InGenius Prep Graduate Coach, and writing professor at the University of New Haven. Padya and I break down 11 college admissions myths and misconceptions, including: MYTH #1 - True or False: Legacy students have a better chance of admissions MYTH #2 - True or False: You can buy your way into college MYTH #3 - True or False: T...

On today’s episode, we chat with Lydia Mason, a Former Admissions Reader at and graduate of NYU. Lydia and I discuss the type of students NYU looks for and how applicants can set themselves apart. Lydia reveals the many mistakes and misconceptions admissions officers encounter during the application process. Check out our blog for more free resources: How to Get Into NYU How to Succeed with the NY...

On today’s episode, we chat with Padya Paramita, a Columba MFA candidate and InGenius Prep Graduate Coach. Padya and I discuss how students can utilize the principles of creative writing in their college applications. Padya shares examples of students she worked with, highlighting how they used creative writing to stand out from other applicants. Check out our blog for more free resources: Tips fo...

On today’s episode, we chat with Erin Gu, InGenius Prep’s Chief Education Officer. Erin and I discuss the admissions trends we’ve identified from the 2021-22 application cycle and how we think these trends will affect future applicants. Erin and I explore the role of test-optional policies, the increasing importance of the early decision round, the most competitive majors, and more! Check out our...

On today’s episode, we chat with Zak Harris, a Former Admissions Officer at Johns Hopkins University, George Washington University, Bowdoin College, and Regis College. Zak and I discuss admissions at Johns Hopkins, breaking down each component of the application. Zak reveals admissions strategies for students who hope to attend Hopkins. Check out our blog for more free resources: College Admission...

On today’s episode, we chat with Pat Williams, the former Director of Admissions at the United States Naval Academy and a current InGenius Prep counselor. Pat and I discuss the paths students can take to these service academies. Pat reveals how students can maximize their admissions odds at these prestigious schools. Check out our blog for more free resources: College Admissions 101: How to Start...

On today’s episode, we chat with Karen Kerr, a Former Admissions Officer from the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre, and Dance. Karen and I discuss how students can incorporate arts extracurriculars into their college application strategy. Karen highlights ways for these students to utilize these experiences to stand out in the admissions process. Check out our blog for more free res...

On today’s episode, we chat with Heather McCutchen, a Former Admissions Reader at Dartmouth and a current InGenius Prep counselor. Heather and I discuss what makes Dartmouth special and what kind of applicants the college looks for. Heather reviews each aspect of the application from letters of recommendation to the alumni interview. Check out our blog for more free resources: How to Approach the...

On today’s episode, we chat with Padya Paramita, an InGenius Prep Graduate Coach and Columbia MFA candidate. Padya and I discuss the experiences of students who attend highly competitive high schools, and what admissions officers expect from these students. Padya details strategies students can use to stand out from their peers in the college admissions process. Check out our blog for more free re...

On today’s episode, we chat with Victoria (Vicky) Rosenthal Madrid, InGenius Prep’s Assistant Director of Marketing and a former international student at Boston University and Florida International University and Miami Ad School. Vicky and I discuss what international students can expect when they apply to schools in the U.S. Vicky highlights key aspects of the student experience as well as postgr...

On today’s episode, we chat with a Former Admissions Officer from Columbia University. We discuss what types of students Columbia looks for and what sets it apart from the other Ivy League schools. She highlights what attributes students should showcase in their applications as well as how to tackle the supplemental essays. Check out our blog for more free resources: A Guide to the Columbia Supple...

On today’s episode, we chat with Gail Rubin Dauer, a Former Application Review Specialist, at the University of Michigan Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Gail and I discuss what type of students the University of Michigan looks for and how applicants can stand out. Gail highlights what makes UMich special and how students should approach its supplemental essays. Check out our blog for more free...

On today’s episode, we chat with Heather McCutchen, a former Admissions Reader at Dartmouth, and Mary Chobanian, a former Admissions Reader at Harvard and Barnard. Heather and Mary share the insights they gained from the 2021 National Association for College Admissions Counseling conference. They discuss everything from test-optional policies to AI in admissions. Check out our blog for more free r...

On today’s episode, we chat with Melissa Rains, a former Director of Merit Scholarships at Duke University and an InGenius Prep counselor. Melissa breaks down what goes on behind the scenes in the Duke admissions and merit scholarship offices. She also provides students with tangible advice to increase their likelihood of receiving a merit scholarship at Duke and other elite universities. Check ou...

On today’s episode, we chat with the team behind SMARTTRACK College Funding, National Program Director Cyndi Menegaz and Co-Founder & CFO Scott Greenameyer. Scott and Cyndi break down the different types of college funding and how families can maximize the aid they receive. They provide common misconceptions and mistakes to set families up for success on their college financial aid journey. Ch...

On today’s episode, we chat again with Padya Paramita, an InGenius Prep Graduate Coach and Columbia student. Padya and I discuss why students might be deferred or rejected from their early decision or early action college. Padya explains the next steps students can take, including writing a letter of continued interest if they’re deferred and applying ED II  if they’re rejected.  Check out our blo...

On today’s episode, we chat with Nick Strohl, a former Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at Yale University and an InGenius Prep counselor. Nick and I discuss what makes Yale unique compared to other Ivy League and elite colleges, and what really goes on behind the scenes in the admissions office. Nick breaks down the Yale application, including the dreaded supplemental essays, and offers ap...

On today’s episode, we chat with Daniel Valenti, InGenius Prep’s Managing Director and a graduate of the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Daniel and I discuss the MBA admissions process, and what applicants really need to do to succeed. Daniel breaks down the MBA experience, from classes to recruiting and everything in between. Check out our blog for more free resources: Everything...

On today’s episode, we chat with Natalia Ostrowski, a former Assistant Director of Admissions at the University of Chicago and a current InGenius Prep counselor. Natalia and I discuss what goes on behind the scenes in the UChicago admissions office, and what admissions officers really think about applicants. Natalia shares how students can gain that coveted UChicago acceptance as well as what make...

On today’s episode, we chat with Christina Llerena, a Former Admissions Reader at UC Berkeley and UC Santa Cruz. Christina and I discuss the University of California system and its 10 campuses across the Golden State. Christina reveals what goes on behind the scenes in a UC admissions office and how students can snag a spot at a top school like Berkeley. Check out our blog for more free resources:...

On today’s episode, we chat with Stacy Wells Shea, the former Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions at the University of Rochester. Stacy and I discuss BS/MD programs and how students can gain admission to these elite cohorts. Stacy reveals the pros and cons of these programs and what admissions officers really want from potential BD/MD students. Check out our blog for more free resources...