Inside College Admissions
102 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 months ago - ★★★★★ - 20 ratingsWe believe that higher education is the gateway to expanded opportunities for advancement, which is why we're bringing you this podcast to help make the admissions process more transparent and attainable for all. You'll hear from a variety of Scoir team members who will host conversations with industry experts and thought leaders. Join us as we share advice from students, supporters, counselors, colleges, and more!
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Episodes
Navigating Higher Education Budgeting Amid the Changing Admissions Landscape
February 28, 2024 18:00 - 37 minutes - 25.5 MBBy 2027, the number of names nationally available for search will drop by 38%, according to Forbes. A shifting public perception of college and post-high school plans along with a drop in the young adult population has shrunk the pool of college applicants. With these enrollment and search cliffs, colleges are faced with the challenge (and opportunity) of diversifying their lead generation strategies and tapping into true content personalization. Perhaps an even greater challenge is settin...
4 Essential To-Dos Before Junior Year
January 17, 2024 16:00 - 37 minutes - 25.9 MBBack by popular demand, Tom from College Essay Guy Team joins us for this fun episode! We'll share 5 of the most essential tasks we recommend you complete BEFORE your junior year. So if you're a freshman, sophomore, or even a junior, listen for tips you won't want to miss! College Essay Guy Resources: College Essay Guy Website Explore 1-on-1 Services Begin Personal Statement Course Learn How to Apply to College Follow us on Instagram! Learn more about Scoir
5 Essential To-Dos Before Junior Year
January 17, 2024 16:00 - 37 minutes - 25.9 MBBack by popular demand, Tom from College Essay Guy Team joins us for this fun episode! We'll share 5 of the most essential tasks we recommend you complete BEFORE your junior year. So if you're a freshman, sophomore, or even a junior, listen for tips you won't want to miss! College Essay Guy Resources: College Essay Guy Website Explore 1-on-1 Services Begin Personal Statement Course Learn How to Apply to College Follow us on Instagram! Learn more about Scoir
5 Essential To-Dos Before Senior Year
January 10, 2024 22:00 - 43 minutes - 30 MBWhat do Olivia Rodrigo and college application culture have in common? 🤔 In this episode, Tom from the College Essay Guy Team joins Elena to talk about this and much more! If you're an underclassman (freshman, sophomore, or junior) or even a senior, listen for the 5 essential things to complete BEFORE senior year. College Essay Guy Resources: College Essay Guy Website Explore 1-on-1 Services Begin Personal Statement Course Learn How to Apply to College Follow us on Instagram! Learn mor...
5 Essential To-Do's Before Senior Year
January 10, 2024 22:00 - 43 minutes - 30 MBWhat do Olivia Rodrigo and college application culture have in common? 🤔 In this episode, Tom from College Essay Guy Team joins Elena to talk about this and much more! If you're an underclassman (freshman, sophomore, or junior) or even a senior, listen for the 5 essential things to complete BEFORE senior year. College Essay Guy Resources: College Essay Guy Website Explore 1-on-1 Services Begin Personal Statement Course Learn How to Apply to College Follow us on Instagram! Learn more ab...
Getting to Know Colleges from Campus or the Couch
December 12, 2023 14:00 - 46 minutes - 32 MBIn this episode we're joined by Scoir team member with a background in admissions, Liz McGonigle! We dive into how college fairs and events typically work, how to engage with college reps, and fun ways to explore schools right from your couch! Follow us on Instagram! Learn more about Scoir
5 Things to Do During the Second Half of Senior Year
December 06, 2023 17:00 - 45 minutes - 31.6 MBBy winter break, you may have checked off a lot of your senior year To-Do list: applying to college, studying for exams, and of course, making memories! Wondering what to do with the rest of your senior year? In this episode, Elena from Scoir and Tom from College Essay Guy Team share their top 5 essential checklist items for you! College Essay Guy Resources: Explore 1-on-1 Services Begin Personal Statement Course Learn How to Apply to College Essay Tracker Sample How to Combine Your Co...
The Ins and Outs of Applying with Scoir
August 23, 2023 12:00 - 36 minutes - 25 MBCurious about what applying with Scoir is like? Want to hear what's new this year? This episode is for you! We'll dive into the ways applying with Scoir streamlines your college applications and the exciting updates we made to the experience this year! Follow us on Instagram! Learn more about Scoir
From Counselor to Counselor: How to Prep for the School Year
August 09, 2023 12:00 - 32 minutes - 22.2 MBHello August! A new school year is quickly approaching and we're excited to share some advice for our counselor community. In this episode, we're joined by previous college counselor with experience working in both private and public schools, Kelly Weber. During our conversation, we share ways counselors can prepare for back-to-school season, tips for each class year, how to manage large caseloads, and even advice for newer counselors as they begin their career! Follow us on Instagram! Lear...
Thrifty College Tips: How To Dorm Shop on a Budget
August 02, 2023 15:00 - 30 minutes - 20.9 MBLoad up your shopping cart because, with these tips, you can get more of what you need for your dorm on a budget! In this episode, Elena and her sister Andrea talk about what they love most: finding things you need for less. We'll give you suggestions for where to shop, what student discount apps to download, and dorm tips we learned FROM college that can help you now! Follow us on Instagram! Learn more about Scoir
The Digital SAT and Everything You Need to Know about Testing This Year
July 26, 2023 12:00 - 28 minutes - 19.6 MBIn this episode, we sit down with Celena from Test Innovators, our test prep partner! We cover the testing landscape, the main differences between the digital and paper SATs, how to prep, what colleges require, how to determine which test you should take (SAT v ACT), managing test day anxiety, and the role parents/guardians play in the testing process. Check out these resources from Test Innovators: SAT Prep for Students ACT Prep for Students Test Prep for Your High School The Student...
A Temperature Check on Admissions: Summer 2023
July 12, 2023 14:00 - 52 minutes - 36.2 MBIn this episode we're joined by former Dean of Admission, Peter Van Buskirk, who shares key takeaways from this year's No Name Conferences. We dive into the digital SAT, upcoming changes to the FAFSA, the impact of ChatGPT, learning environments, and more! Follow us on Instagram! Learn more about Scoir
The Youth Mental Health Crisis: How We Can Help Our Students
May 24, 2023 15:00 - 48 minutes - 33.3 MBIn this episode we're joined by SEL experts, Dr. Dana Godek and Kelly Dolan Sapp for a conversation about the youth mental health crisis. We dive into what this means, how parents/guardians can approach checking in with their students, and practices we can take advantage of to support our students. Find Dr. Dana Godek & Kelly Dolan Sapp at edu-solve.com (@weareedusolve). Helpful Resources: Surgeon General Teen Social Media Advisory EduSolve Article on Adult SEL Follow us on Instagram!...
What To Ask On A College Visit
May 10, 2023 12:00 - 18 minutes - 12.7 MBGRWM for a college visit 🤪 jk it's your college visit BUT I will be sharing questions that I definitely wish I had asked on my college visits! Whether you're listening in the car or are prepping in advance, this episode will give you things to look out for and questions to ask on your tour! Follow us on Instagram! Learn more about Scoir
The Final Choice of a College: Tips for Getting It Right
April 19, 2023 14:00 - 40 minutes - 28.1 MBCollege Decision Day is right around the corner! Still making your final choice? We've got tips for you! ⭐ We'll talk with college expert and former Dean of Admissions, Peter Van Buskirk, about what to do if you've been admitted OR are on the waitlist for schools, important things to consider (like fit and the financial aspect), and what you can do NOW before making your final decision! Follow us on Instagram! Learn more about Scoir
5 Keys to Keep Your Student Debt to a Minimum
April 19, 2023 14:00 - 25 minutes - 17.8 MBBefore you make your final choice for college, listen to this episode! We are debunking the myth that students have to accrue a mountain of debt to go to college. 🙅♀️💰 Together with college expert and former Dean of Admissions, Peter Van Buskirk, we'll share tips and exactly what you and your family can do NOW in order to avoid burdensome college loan debt! Follow us on Instagram! Learn more about Scoir
Family Bootcamp: Financial Aid 101
April 12, 2023 21:00 - 40 minutes - 28.1 MBGet your pen and paper out because in this episode, we're pulling back the curtain on all things financial aid! 💰 In this fifth and final episode of our family mini-series, Elena and Peter Van Buskirk will share Financial Aid terms, helpful strategies, and even the exact questions you need to ask in this financial aid process. IMPORTANT NOTE: Since recording this episode, the Department of Education has announced changes that will be made to financial aid and the calculations used for the F...
Family Bootcamp: Tips for Building a Productive College List
April 05, 2023 17:00 - 33 minutes - 23.3 MBIs your junior beginning to build a college list? This episode is a great place to get started! 🌟 In this fourth episode of our family mini-series, Elena and Peter Van Buskirk will discuss how you can advise your student, with lots of tips including what kinds of colleges and how many students should have on their lists! Follow us on Instagram! Learn more about Scoir
Family Bootcamp: Strategies for Managing the SAT/ACT Experience
March 29, 2023 13:00 - 28 minutes - 19.4 MBTo test or not to test? That is the question! 📝 In this third episode of our family mini-series, we explore how you can advise your student in the standardized testing experience! We'll go over the difference between the SAT and ACT, what super scoring and self-reporting mean, and tips for test preparation. Follow us on Instagram! Learn more about Scoir
Family Bootcamp: Why Course Selections Matter in the College Admissions Process
March 22, 2023 15:00 - 24 minutes - 16.9 MBShould my student take another year of language classes? What about AP and Honors classes? 🤔 We'll answer these questions and more in this second episode of our family mini-series! Elena and Peter Van Buskirk will explore how your student's selection of high school classes can benefit them in college, and how they can help their academic record to stand out! Follow us on Instagram! Learn more about Scoir
Family Bootcamp: Keys to Getting Started with College Planning
March 15, 2023 13:00 - 43 minutes - 30.1 MBWant to guide your student in their college application journey but aren't sure where to start? With this episode (the first in our Family Bootcamp mini-series), you'll learn about the best way to engage your student, important things to look for on college campuses, and mistakes to avoid as both students and parents/guardians! Follow us on Instagram! Learn more about Scoir
How to Make the Most of Your Winter Break
December 14, 2022 15:00 - 27 minutes - 18.8 MBWinter break may be short but there are a LOT of fun things to do! ❄️ In this episode, Elena and her sister, Andrea, talk about how your favorite songs can help with scholarship apps and how the childhood magic of sledding can make your winter break :,) Follow us on Instagram! Learn more about Scoir
Why You Should Celebrate Submitting Your College Applications
November 02, 2022 15:00 - 27 minutes - 18.9 MBThrough a conversation with Admissions Mom, we talk about why it's important to celebrate the big milestone of submitting your applications (and not just celebrating acceptances). Join us as we discuss ways to celebrate, what you can learn from this experience, and more! Admissions Mom Website Admissions Mom on Instagram Admissions Mom on Reddit ApplyingToCollege Reddit Community Follow us on Instagram! Learn more about Scoir
The Don't Sweat It's & Don't Forget It's of Your College Application
October 26, 2022 12:00 - 52 minutes - 36.3 MB⚠️ TIME TO BE REAL ⚠️ in your college application! It turns out you can use humor and show your personality in your application (?!) and we'll tell you how! In this episode, Elena and Tom (from College Essay Guy Team) talk about the secret things you're probably worrying too much about and the things you don't want to forget in your college apps. Tom Campbell is a Community Manager with the College Essay Guy Team. With years of admissions experience at Pomona College and College of the Hol...
How the 'Little Things' Make your College Essay Stand Out
October 19, 2022 22:00 - 29 minutes - 20.5 MBLooking for that unique twist to make your college essay stand out? 🌟 It might be in your niche laptop stickers or celeb fandom! In this episode, we'll talk with Tom from the College Essay Guy Team about how the little things in your life can be essay inspiration, and small tweaks to make your essay really stand out. Tom Campbell is a Community Manager with the College Essay Guy Team. With years of admissions experience at Pomona College and College of the Holy Cross, Tom brings such valua...
Applying to College in the US: Advice for International Students [Part Two]
September 07, 2022 15:00 - 34 minutes - 23.5 MBAre you looking to study someplace new? In this episode, Elena and Tushar continue their conversation about Tushar's experience studying in the U.S. from India! Plus, Tushar will share his advice for other international students beginning the application process! 🌏 The information and recommendations shared in this episode are based on Tushar's personal experience, and your experience may be different; nonetheless, we hope it is helpful to hear from someone who's been through the process! ...
Applying to College in the US: Advice for International Students [Part One]
August 17, 2022 15:00 - 21 minutes - 14.7 MBApplying to college in the U.S.? 🌏 We're here for you! In this episode, Elena chats with her friend, Tushar, who is studying in the U.S. from India. They’ll talk about the motivations, challenges, and positive mindset that you may find as you begin applying! Stay tuned for part two! Follow us on Instagram! Learn more about Scoir Follow us on Instagram! Learn more about Scoir
Applying to College in the US: Advice for International Students
August 17, 2022 15:00 - 21 minutes - 14.7 MBApplying to college in the U.S.? 🌏 We're here for you! In this episode, Elena chats with her friend, Tushar, who is studying in the U.S. from India. They’ll talk about the motivations, challenges, and positive mindset that you may find as you begin applying! Stay tuned for part two! Follow us on Instagram! Learn more about Scoir
How to Make the Most of Your Summer
June 22, 2022 16:00 - 14 minutes - 10.3 MBSummer is for pizza bagels, long drives with friends, and doing... something cool? Not sure how to spend your summer? In today's episode, Elena chats with a recent grad (aka her sister, Andrea!) about how to get creative with your summer plans! Check out this blog to learn more about making the most of your summer! Follow us on Instagram! Learn more about Scoir Follow us on Instagram! Learn more about Scoir
Dorm Room Essentials Part 2: What to Bring to College
June 08, 2022 15:00 - 22 minutes - 15.5 MBDorm Essentials is BACK with new additions to your Ultimate College Packing List! In this episode, we talk about college must-haves, like photos from home, microwavable food (hello Kraft Mac & Cheese!), and more. :) Timestamps below! 0:58 Conversation with D’Lanna about how pictures can make a space feel like home and always making sure you have medicine. 7:43 Conversation with Ashley about saving space with storage bins and having water on-hand. 13:14 Conversation with Noah about getting...
Dorm Room Essentials: What to Bring to College
June 01, 2022 19:00 - 21 minutes - 15 MBHere’s the tea about college: your Future Self will thank you for packing bandaids and a box of Cheez-its, and you’ll NEED to bring flip flops for the shower! 🙏 In today’s episode, we’re spilling the Dorm Room Essentials and the things you’ll definitely want to bring with you to college! Timestamps below: 2:22 Conversation with Caroline about bringing the right snacks to school with you. 5:25 Conversation with Shohom about the importance of shower shoes and keys to making your dorm mattr...
Dorm Room Essentials Part 1: What to Bring to College
June 01, 2022 19:00 - 21 minutes - 15 MBHere’s the tea about college: your Future Self will thank you for packing bandaids and a box of Cheez-its, and you’ll NEED to bring flip flops for the shower! 🙏 In today’s episode, we’re spilling the Dorm Room Essentials and the things you’ll definitely want to bring with you to college! Timestamps below: 2:22 Conversation with Caroline about bringing the right snacks to school with you. 5:25 Conversation with Shohom about the importance of shower shoes and keys to making your dorm mattr...
Everything You Need to Know about the Current State of College Admissions
May 25, 2022 20:00 - 40 minutes - 28 MBScoir welcomes back Peter Van Buskirk to the podcast with a discussion about how colleges are continuing to evolve through COVID, how they're evaluating students, waitlists, the pending enrollment cliff, and more. Follow us on Instagram! Learn more about Scoir Follow us on Instagram! Learn more about Scoir
COLLEGE 101 // Part 2
May 11, 2022 16:00 - 21 minutes - 14.7 MBCollege 101 is BACK with more of the secret tips that colleges definitely didn't tell you on the tour! We reveal the truth about late nights at the library, getting creative with your meal plan, and the secret to sleep in college. Timestamps below! 1:07 Conversation with Caroline about the importance of sleep and how making lists can help you stay on track. 6:17 Conversation with Paul about meal plan alternatives. 9:56 Conversation with Noah about the best time to buy (or not buy) textb...
COLLEGE 101 // What they definitely didn’t tell you on the tour
May 04, 2022 15:00 - 27 minutes - 18.7 MBWe're bringing you to college early with today's episode about College Hacks and the secret tips that colleges definitely didn't tell you on the tour. We'll talk with grads about how to spice up classic dining hall meals, the class times to absolutely avoid, and the truth about switching majors. Timestamps below! 2:11 Conversation with D’Lanna about organizing and taking advantage of a fresh start. 7:58 Conversation with Shohom about make your schedule (and reconsidering that Friday 8am) ...
Parents' Role in the Admissions Process with Admissions Mom
April 20, 2022 14:00 - 39 minutes - 27.2 MBJoin us and our special guest, Carolyn Caplan (aka Admissions Mom), for a discussion about how parents and students can come together for a meaningful, collaborative, and transparent admissions journey. Admissions Mom Website Applying to College (A2C) subreddit Admissions Mom on Reddit Email Carolyn: [email protected] Follow us on Instagram! Learn more about Scoir Follow us on Instagram! Learn more about Scoir
What I Wish I Knew Before College: Part 2
March 30, 2022 16:00 - 39 minutes - 27 MBAnd we're back with Part 2 of "What I Wish I Knew Before College!" Y'all loved our first episode in this series so in today's episode, we talk with 5 more college grads about their biggest tips & advice for you. Time stamps below! Time Stamps: 1:10 Conversation with Shohom: 1:45 Social media 6:30 Not getting caught up in what you think you’re “supposed” to be doing 12:20 Conversation with D’Lanna: 12:50 Tips for introducing yourself to your professors 16:09 Changing friends througho...
What I Wish I Knew Before College: Episode 1
March 16, 2022 15:00 - 38 minutes - 26.7 MBHere’s the tea: the dining hall food may be trash and you might *actually* miss your hometown, but you WILL make friends and join really cool clubs. In today’s episode, we talk with 4 college grads about what they wish they knew before college! Time stamps below! Time Stamps: Conversation with Caroline: 1:55 - 13:40 2:22 Not letting the idea of being a "freshman" get to your head 5:04 Tips for building up confidence when starting at a new school 10:46 Finding a great study spot on campu...
What I Wish I Knew Before College: Part 1
March 16, 2022 15:00 - 38 minutes - 26.7 MBHere’s the tea: the dining hall food may be trash and you might *actually* miss your hometown, but you WILL make friends and join really cool clubs. In today’s episode, we talk with 4 college grads about what they wish they knew before college! Time stamps below! Time Stamps: Conversation with Caroline: 1:55 - 13:40 2:22 Not letting the idea of being a "freshman" get to your head 5:04 Tips for building up confidence when starting at a new school 10:46 Finding a great study spot on campu...
Building Meaningful Connections Through Personalization
January 24, 2022 17:00 - 23 minutes - 15.9 MBSenior Product Marketing Manager at Scoir, Megan Kauffman is joined by Scoir's Chief Experience Officer, Matt Pitone, to discuss how colleges can leverage data and content to create scalable personalized experiences for students during the college search process and why it matters. Follow us on Instagram! Learn more about Scoir
Being a Partner for Your Child in the College Process
January 17, 2022 17:00 - 25 minutes - 17.5 MBScoir Product Marketing Manager, Erin Barnes, is joined by Former Dean of Admission and Strategic Advisor to Scoir, Peter Van Buskirk, to discuss the challenges of effectively parenting your child through the college process. www.scoir.com Follow us on Instagram! @scoirinc Follow us on Instagram! Learn more about Scoir
Thinking Through The Cost of College: Tips for Discussing Finances with Your Family
January 10, 2022 17:00 - 34 minutes - 23.8 MBFormer Dean of Admission and Strategic Advisor to Scoir, Peter Van Buskirk, is joined by Director of College Partnerships for Mastery Charter Schools, Lance Dronkers, to offer tips for talking finances with your family. This interview was conducted on November 4, 2021. Follow us on Instagram! Learn more about Scoir
Early Decision Rejection
December 02, 2021 17:00 - 37 minutes - 25.7 MBAshley Smith from Scoir talks with special guest Carolyn Caplan (Admissions Mom) about early decision rejection, how to cope, and what to focus on to find your "Dream You." Admissions Mom Website: https://admissionsmom.college/ Blog on Emotional Planning: https://admissionsmom.college/college-decisions/seniors-if-you-applied-early-this-fall-its-time-for-some-emotional-planning-spoiler-youre-gonna-be-ok/ Blog on if Early Decision Didn't go Your Way: https://admissionsmom.college/college-dec...
Advice for Underclassmen: Applying With a Sense of Purpose, Testing, and Course Selection
November 27, 2021 19:00 - 31 minutes - 21.9 MBFormer Dean of Admission and Strategic Advisor to Scoir, Peter Van Buskirk, is joined by Director of College Counseling & Student Services at University Prep, Kelly Herrington, to discuss tips for underclassmen! Our conversation covers topics such as: applying with a sense of purpose, self-reflection, testing, and course selection. This interview was conducted on October 15, 2021. Follow us on Instagram! Learn more about Scoir
Evaluating Your College List: When are You Ready to Submit?
November 18, 2021 14:00 - 35 minutes - 24.1 MBScoir Strategic Advisor, Peter Van Buskirk, is joined by Director of College Counseling at Jackson Preparatory School, Malika Lindsay, to discuss building your college list, applying, and making a "plan b" if Early Decision/Early Action did not pan out as expected. This episode was recorded on October 28, 2021. Follow us on Instagram! Learn more about Scoir
Supplemental Essays, Personal Statements and Other Types of College Essays
November 11, 2021 16:00 - 32 minutes - 22 MBFormer Dean of Admission and Strategic Advisor to Scoir, Peter Van Buskirk, is joined by Diane Anci, Dean of Admission and VP for Enrollment at Kenyon College, to discuss college essays. Our conversation covers topics such as: demonstrating your voice with honesty, the importance of the essay, investing time writing about topics that you enjoy, and much more. This interview was conducted on October 13, 2021. Follow us on Instagram! Learn more about Scoir
A Conversation With the Authors of The Truth About College Admission Workbook: A Family Organizer for Your College Search
October 18, 2021 13:00 - 38 minutes - 26.7 MBJoin Ashley Smith from Scoir for a conversation with Brennan Barnard, the director of college counseling at the Derryfield School, and Rick Clark, the director of undergraduate admission at the Georgia Institute of Technology, where they discuss their new book, who it's for, and how it can help students and families better navigate the college search experience. Get your copy of the book here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1421442639/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_DJ16ZRYS11GGNZKD1THT Follow us o...
Money Matters: A Walkthrough of Financial Aid for College
September 27, 2021 16:00 - 46 minutes - 32 MBFormer Dean of Admission and Strategic Advisor to Scoir, Peter Van Buskirk, is joined by Varo Duffins, Director of FA at Swarthmore and Lynell Engelmyer of The Hamilton Scholars to discuss student financial aid options. Lynell Engelmyer has worked in college admissions and financial aid for 25 years. She served as a Director of Financial Aid at a small liberal arts college before joining the staff of Alexander Hamilton Scholars, a non-profit that serves talented, low-income college-bound s...
Applying Early: Tips and Advice from a College Counselor
September 16, 2021 18:00 - 39 minutes - 26.9 MBFormer Dean of Admission and Strategic Advisor to Scoir, Peter Van Buskirk, is joined by Director of College Counseling at the Hill School, Ellen Deitrich, to discuss early application strategies and tips. Our conversation covers topics such as: when and why to apply early, different types of early applications, and much more. This interview was conducted on September 2, 2021. Follow us on Instagram! Learn more about Scoir
Senior Year Timeline: Admission Advice, Financial Aid Tips, and More!
August 26, 2021 14:00 - 28 minutes - 19.4 MBFormer Dean of Admission and Strategic Advisor to Scoir, Peter Van Buskirk, is joined by Scoir Counselor in Residence, Julie Kampschroeder, to discuss the senior year timeline. Our conversation covers topics such as: when to apply for financial aid, getting those letters of recommendation, general timeline advice, and much more. This interview was conducted on August 19, 2021. Follow us on Instagram! Learn more about Scoir