The Admissions Club

Being a parent is all about transitions. You become a master of one season of life and then it all changes and you need to adjust to the next. In this episode, Elizabeth talks with Julie Swafford about a parent’s perspective during this college transition time. While this can be a sad time for parents, it is also a time filled with joy as you have set your child up for their future life. Tune in t...

What do you do if you’ve chosen the wrong college? Maybe you’ve switched majors and they don’t have your new major. Maybe the school is not a good financial fit. Maybe you thought you would love this college, but you are miserable. Transferring to another college is not easy, but it is not the end of the world. Education is full of change and sometimes those changes can be full of success. If you...

When choosing a college, there are so many things to consider from price to location to the programs offered. It’s overwhelming to say the least. Student support is a key facet of the college experience that is often overlooked when applying and choosing a future university, but it may be the most important element driving student success in college. In this episode, Elizabeth talks with student s...

S.T.E.M. is all the rage these days, but even with its popularity, girls still lag behind boys in pursuing S.T.E.M. based careers. How do we resolve this gap and encourage young women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math? Research notes that around age 12, girls who were previously interested in S.T.E.M. begin to fade away from it. In today’s episode, Elizabeth talks with...

Many people have the intention to go to college, but haven’t thought much more beyond that acceptance letter. Speaking of intention, colleges are also intentional in the experience they design for students. Some colleges go overboard in their desire to attract and retain students. Did you know that LSU students have a lazy river as part of their campus? In this episode, Elizabeth talks with Jude K...

Demonstrated interest. What is that? You might even be thinking, what does demonstrated interest have to do with college admissions? Demonstrated interest is showing colleges and universities you are not only interested in them, but serious about pursuing your higher education there. As good English teachers say, “Show Me, Don’t Tell Me.” In this episode, we will explore the different ways you can...

College can be described as 4 years of incubated growth- it is truly an immense time of learning! So many changes are experienced by college students during their 4 years that often parents don’t recognize the kid who comes home to visit them. In this episode, my friend and former teacher, Bill Lee , shares his 6 E’s for success in college. Bill is currently a professor at SUNY-Cortland who starte...

Private college counselors - also known as Independent Educational Consultants (IECs) - are definitely an investment, but so worth it to set your student up for the best possible college experience! In this episode, I am sharing all the ins and outs on IECs, including how private college counselors are different from high school and admissions counselors, what to look for in an IEC, and when it’s...

The admissions process can be overwhelming and stressful for both students and their families. Mindfulness is a great way to help recognize, acknowledge, and manage that stress. In this episode, my friend Lorree Riley, LCMHC , is joining us to share her best tips for practicing mindfulness and staying in yourself during the admissions process. Lorree is a Counselor, Coach, and Consultant at Envisi...

Have you ever wondered how a college admissions counselor personally approaches each student’s application? In this episode, my friend Matt Provost, an Admissions Counselor for Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire, joins us to share his perspective on what he looks for when evaluating a potential student. From their admissions essay to their interactions at college fairs and on campus...

Community college can be an amazing way to transition from high school to a 4-year college or university, and Lydia Ryan is proof of that. Lydia is one of the wonderful students I met and still keep in touch with from my days at Central Piedmont Community College. In this episode, Lydia shares her journey of attending CPCC before transferring to East Carolina University, and how she grew into a co...

Supplemental essays are a college’s way of truly gauging your interest in attending their school, so it’s crucial that you are intentional and strategic in your approach to writing them. In this episode, I’m sharing my best tips on writing strong supplemental essays so you can put your best foot forward in your application.  Some key takeaways on supplemental essay writing include: There are three...

Your college admissions essays are a key part of the application process. They give you an opportunity to share your personality, character, and storytelling skills with admissions counselors, which can absolutely set you apart… if you write them well. In this episode, I’m sharing my best tips and guidance for writing your college admissions essays, including the most common essay pitfalls and how...

Are you or your female student interested in STEM careers? In this episode, Jennifer Mathews , Associate Vice Provost for Academic Administration at the University of Rochester, joins us to share her perspective on the opportunities for women and girls to excel in STEM fields. Jennifer has spent her career studying and teaching pharmaceutical sciences, and her view of how STEM has changed for wome...

Traveling abroad is an educational experience, whether you’re traveling for school or just for fun. It’s something that I highly recommend to my students because there are so many opportunities for learning skills in your field in addition to crucial life skills that will set you up to be a resilient and well rounded adult. In this episode, I’m sharing all the different ways you can learn from tra...

College housing can be expensive, and it’s not even guaranteed on all campuses for first year students. In this episode, Kim Venable, Senior Mortgage Planner with Fairway Mortgage, joins us to share her experience and expertise on purchasing a home for college housing. If you can afford it, not only is this solution more affordable and cost effective for your student and their roommates, but you’l...

While I love sharing my personal admissions experience, I’m so excited to share my conversation with a recent college graduate about his admissions, college, and post-graduate experiences. My nephew, Robert Brockway, graduated from Clarkson University in 2021 and is now in graduate school. In this episode, he shares his college application strategy, how he made the most of his college experience,...

I shared my professional background and how I became an admissions consultant, but this episode is the story of how I applied to colleges back in the day! There are some crucial lessons I learned in that journey, including how tenacious and hard working I can be when I’m on a mission. If you think this expert had a cakewalk as her college admissions journey, think again! Some key takeaways from th...

I recently read an article about how Al Roker helped recruit students to attend his alma mater, SUNY Oswego. Applications to the school are on the rise after Roker endorsed them, sharing that he uses what he learned there every single day. This type of loyalty cannot be bought. It requires the perfect match between a student and a school where they truly belong. In this episode, I’m sharing how to...

Summertime is for relaxation, vacation, and… college admissions prep. If you’re a rising high school senior, the summer before senior year is a great time to get a few things in order before you apply to school. I know it might sound cruel, but taking care of these during your free time will prevent a scramble to balance applications with your senior workload in the fall. If you need any help look...

I started my college admissions consulting company as a side hustle while I was teaching, but my decade of college admissions experience before that sets me apart from the rest. In this inaugural episode of The Admissions Club podcast, I’m sharing my background in college admissions, higher education, and various types of colleges and universities. Some key takeaways from my experience are: Throug...

There are several colleges and universities that bring prestige with their names, but they may not be a good fit for your student. Your student’s happiness in college is a huge part of their success. If they feel like they belong on campus, they will get better grades, be more productive, and seek out more opportunities. In this episode, I’m sharing stories of how a “misfit” college match can affe...

College campus visits are such a fun opportunity to travel, learn more about prospective schools, and spend time with your family before your student heads off to college. They’re also an opportunity to ask questions of your admissions counselor or tour guide that may reveal deal breakers for you. In this episode, I’m sharing my top five essential questions to ask on your next campus visit! As a d...

The Admissions Club Podcast is your one-stop shop for all things college admissions, complete with a nostalgic 80s playlist and Gen X vibes. It’s hard to believe that we’ve traded in scrunchies and Bruce Springsteen posters for walking our kids through the college admissions process!  But, I’m here to share my 25 years of higher education experience, with 10 years of direct college admissions expe...