Getting In: A College Coach Conversation

Host Ian Fisher hosts several staff members from Oglethorpe University during a deep dive exploration of the school. In the first segment, Ginger Fay , Vice President of Enrollment, and Dr. Gabriel Barreneche , Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs explore what makes Oglethorpe unique as a small university rather than a college and how the university's Core Experience shapes students' aca...

Host Shannon Vasconcelos opens this episode with College Coach Blair Dixon and finance expert Chrissy Foran for a deep dive into Early Decision . They explore how to determine whether applying ED makes sense for you or your student from both an admissions and financial perspective. It can sometimes be the bump a student needs to be admitted, but committing to one college so early requires sacrific...

Host Kyra Tyler kicks off this episode with College Coach Brian Swann , who introduces listeners to the Classical Learning Test (CLT) . Brian explains what the CLT covers, who it's designed for, how it assesses students—and why its flexible format (including the option to take it at home) makes it an appealing alternative for some families. In our second segment, Kyra welcomes College Coach Michae...

Host Sally Ganga wraps up another pivotal admissions cycle with a two-part Year in Review episode, tackling the questions and trends families cared most about over the past year. In Segment 1 , Sally is joined by finance expert Michelle Smoley to revisit the most common financial planning questions families asked throughout the admissions process. They break down whether applying Early Action or E...

Host Ian Fisher kicks off this episode with finance expert Pati Pineiro‑Goodenberger to unpack some California‑specific financial aid and residency questions. She explains how the Cal State and UC systems determine California residency , how the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) program interacts with California colleges, and whether UCs offer merit scholarships .   In our second segment, Ian w...

Host Shannon Vasconcelos kicks off this episode with College Coach Lauren DiProspero , who pulls from her experience in both undergraduate admissions as well as her work with Columbia and Stanford's medical schools . Lauren breaks down BS/MD programs (accelerated pathways where students are admitted to both a Bachelor of Science program and medical school simultaneously) and explains why they're s...

Host Ian Fisher kicks off this episode with BH finance expert Marina Zaretskiy , who shares what financial aid offices wish rising senior families understood before application season begins. From emphasizing that they are accessible to families with questions or who have updates to their financial situations to the differences between the applications, she offers a helpful behind‑the‑scenes look...

Host Ian Fisher kicks off this episode with BH College Coach Carrie Lewis , who answers a question many families have this time of year: Are colleges still accepting applications? Carrie walks listeners through the process of applying outside the traditional fall and early‑spring deadlines, which usually involves rolling admission.   In our second segment, Ian welcomes colleague Kennon Dick for a...

Host Kyra Tyler kicks off this episode with BH College Coach Caroline Damon , who breaks down February admit programs—those special events colleges host for admitted students to help them dig deeper into academics, campus life, and overall fit as they make their final decision about where to enroll. In our second segment, Kyra welcomes colleague Lisa Albro to tackle a question many families are as...

Host Ian Fisher kicks off this episode with BH College Coach Cesar Contreras , who talks about what juniors should be doing right now in the spring semester to stay on track. Spoiler alert: It's definitely not the time to slack off.   In our second segment, Ian welcomes colleague Karen Spencer for a similar discussion, but this time focused on seniors in their last semester. You may have guessed i...

Are you one of the 99% concerned about how to pay for college ?  If so, the g reat news  is that  this episode of Getting In is devoted entirely to that topic.   Host Shannon  Vasconcelos will be joined by  College Coach finance colleagues Michelle Sm o ley  and  Chrissy Foran   to discuss financial aid methodologies, appeals ,  and ,  in honor of February : F inancial  A id  A wareness  M onth, ...

Here at College  Coach  we have a resident college list expert, Nial  Rele, who is joining our host, K y ra Tyler , to discuss how to create  your l ist  of colleges . This is more complicated than you may  anticipate , as it should include colleges that are  r ea ch  schools , target schools, and safety schools,  and figuring out  which is which  can be challenging .   In addition , colleague Chr...

If you are interested in attending an HBCU (historically black college or university) or being in Washington, D.C. for your college years, be sure to tune in to this show when host Sally Ganga will be interviewing Associate Director of Undergraduate Admission Rahsaan Ellis and student Aniyah Gaffney from the University of the District of Columbia. In addition, Sally will be welcoming College Coach...

Today's podcast is very exciting because host Ian Fisher will be interviewing Hillary Powell, Director of Admissions at Pacific Lutheran University, to discuss both Pac Lu and explain what direct admissions is. Direct admissions is increasingly being used by colleges as a process by which applicants are essentially pre-admitted to colleges without even having to apply, thus greatly reducing the st...

Are you considering applying to schools in the United Kingdom? If so, definitely listen in on this episode when Host Ian Fisher interviews Mubarik Ibrahim of University of York, Amanda Lunberg of University of Roehampton London and Haley Drogus from The University of Sheffield, all schools within the UK. Our guests will be discussing completing the UK application and other important information ab...

While college campuses are, by and large, very safe places, we know that crime can happen anywhere. Host Sally Ganga will be joined by Jessica Mertz of the Clery Center, an organization dedicated to helping colleges create the safest possible environment on campus and to advising families on campus safety. Jessica will be giving Sally some tips about students should be concerned about. Hint: it is...

Join us for an in-depth conversation on navigating the college admissions process and financial planning. In this episode: Common App Deep Dive with Michaela Acorn from Common App – Learn tips and strategies to make your application stand out. D3 Athletic Recruitment: The Ins and Outs with Dylan Sanchez – Understand what it takes to succeed in Division III recruitment. Having "The Talk" on Who Pay...

Merry Christmas!  As soon as  you're  done opening presents, consider your New Year ' s Resolutions with host Sally Ganga and College Coach colleague Kimberly Asselta, who will be addressing  2026  goals for high school students.    Also, are you undecided?  Or,  have you picked a major because you think you need  to  but  you aren't sure  it's  right for you? College Coach colleague Christine Ken...

Are you interested in  experiential,  educational travel?  Listen in, as host Kyra Tyler will be talking with Durban Rose Ripley of EF Language Abroad programs  about their philosophy and offerings, which include trips all over the world , inclusive of both service and culture focused tours.  In addition, College Coach  f inance expert Laurie Peltier will be discussing the National Merit Scholarsh...

Did you know t here is a college whose mascot is the Banana Slugs? And another whose mascot is the Poet? Listen in to the December 11 th show when host Shannon Vasconcelos discusse s college mascots with College Coach colleague Tova Javetz . They aren't all eagles, lions, and wolves.   Early Decision round one results are out. New College Coach colleague Jenni Gargano, former Associate Director of...

Are you looking for a big university with of lots of school spirit but also small class sizes and lots of research opportunities? An honors college at a large university may be your best bet. Listen in as host Shannon Vasconcelos, herself a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Honors College, talks about what honors colleges are and their benefits with colleague Jen Simons. Then,...

Many students are interested in an engineering career, but some  don't  know  what studying to be an engineer  requires  or about the  different kinds  of engineering, from traditional ones like mechanical  to newer fields like biomedical. Host Sally Ganga will be joined by colleague Mary Sue Youn, who has been advising  aspiring engineers professionally on their college applications for year s. B...

Hopefully you caught our first edition of College Admissions in the Media, which went live on June 12 th of 2025 . Today host Kyra Tyler is continuing that conversation with colleagues Blair Dixon and Aysha Wong. In addition, College Coach f inance colleague Chrissy Foran will be joining Kyra to discuss choosing colleges which offer merit aid for your college list.    Learn More About  Bright Hori...

Are you a high-achieving, low-income student? Listen in as our host Ian Fisher discusses the Questbridge Scholarship with College Coach Finance expert Alex Gonzalez. Have you heard that all college admission essays must have a "hook"? Confused about what the colleges want in these essays? New College Coach educator Shayla Bezjak-Martinez, formerly of Harvey Mudd and Worcester Polytechnic Institute...

Working frantically to finish up your Early Decision application? Host Shannon Vasconcelos will be joined by College Coach colleague Karen Spencer to d iscuss putting the final touches on your Common Application.    Are you still trying to decide whether you should apply Early Action to a school? Listen in, as College Coach colleague Brittany Preston will tell you what to consider in making the de...