Episodes

🎙️ UC Berkeley Admissions with Jua Howard — Assistant Director of Admissions returns with powerful insights you won’t want to miss. 💛💙 ⭐ What Makes Berkeley Stand Out UC Berkeley isn’t just the UC flagship — it’s a global powerhouse in research, innovation, and public service. 🌎 📚 Academics That Push Boundaries 150+ majors across top colleges, a brand-new College of Computing, and elite dual-degree programs like M.E.T. (Engineering + Business). Plus: student-taught Decal classes (yes, e...

🎙️In this episode of The College Admissions Process Podcast, I sit down with Jennifer Gayles to unpack what makes Sarah Lawrence College one of the most distinctive liberal arts environments in the country. We dive into SLC’s interdisciplinary, writing-intensive curriculum and its signature four-year faculty mentorship model that supports every student from day one. 📚🧠 Jennifer also opens the door to SLC’s holistic admissions review, breaking down how essays are evaluated, the importance of o...

🎙 Episode Summary: Join Alyson Remsing - Assistant Vice President of Enrollment Management at Drew University as she gives an inside look at the "University in the Forest"—and its holistic admissions process. From Early Decision perks to maximizing your application, this episode is packed with insights for students and families. 🌳 Key Highlights: Campus + City: Safe, green campus in Madison, NJ, just 50 minutes from NYC, with programs at Wall Street and the UN. Early Decision Benefits: Pr...

🎙️ Spotlight on Carleton College Guest: Adam Webster, Senior Associate Dean and Director of Admissions In this episode, Adam Webster shares insight into Carleton College’s distinctive academic culture and holistic admissions process. 📚 The Trimester Advantage Carleton’s 10-week trimester system allows students to focus on three courses at a time, encouraging depth, engagement, and resilience. 🔬 A True Liberal Arts Experience While over half of students major in STEM fields, Carleton rem...

Navigating the Modern College Admissions Landscape with Rick Clark In this episode of The College Admissions Process Podcast, I welcome back Rick Clark, Vice Provost for Enrollment Management at Georgia Institute of Technology and co-author of The Truth About College Admissions. With decades of experience leading enrollment at one of the nation’s premier STEM institutions, Rick offers thoughtful insight into the seismic shifts reshaping college admissions — and what families must understand to n...

🎙️ On this episode I sat down with Dr. Kerr C. Ramsay III, Senior VP for Enrollment at High Point University (HPU), for a deep dive into HPU’s educational philosophy, its focus on life skills, and what truly makes an applicant stand out. Dr. Ramsey breaks down HPU’s four pillars, explains why who you become matters just as much as your academics, and shares clear, practical tips for transcripts, recommendations, and supplementals. If you want real insight into how a values-driven, future-f...

🎙️ I had the pleasure of sitting down with Pamela Pillo, Assistant Vice President of Undergraduate Admissions at Sacred Heart University (SHU), to give students, parents, and counselors valuable insights into SHU and the admissions process as a whole. Here are 3 key highlights from our conversation that you won’t want to miss: ✨ Holistic Review Process – Pamela breaks down how SHU evaluates applications, including the weight given to GPA, essays, extracurriculars, and demonstrated interest...

📬 Join my email list for practical college tips - and a free gift SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS 👉 This episode is brought to you by Prep Expert, a proud sponsor of The College Admissions Process Podcast. Prep Expert offers award-winning test prep courses and strategies that have helped thousands of students improve their scores. 🎯 Special Offer for Listeners: Use the code COLLEGETALK (one word) at checkout to receive 20% off. 📚 For full details on their programs and guarantees, visit www.PrepExpert...

📬 Join my email list for practical college tips - and a free gift SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS 👉 This episode is brought to you by Prep Expert, a proud sponsor of The College Admissions Process Podcast. Prep Expert offers award-winning test prep courses and strategies that have helped thousands of students improve their scores. 🎯 Special Offer for Listeners: Use the code COLLEGETALK (one word) at checkout to receive 20% off. 📚 For full details on their programs and guarantees, visit www.PrepExpert...

📬 Join my email list for practical college tips - and a free gift SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS 👉 This episode is brought to you by Prep Expert, a proud sponsor of The College Admissions Process Podcast. Prep Expert offers award-winning test prep courses and strategies that have helped thousands of students improve their scores. 🎯 Special Offer for Listeners: Use the code COLLEGETALK (one word) at checkout to receive 20% off. 📚 For full details on their programs and guarantees, visit www.PrepExpert...

📬 Click here to join my email list for college tips and insights! In this episode of The College Admissions Process Podcast, host Dr. John Durante sits down with Dr. Angel Perez, CEO of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), for a powerful conversation about college admissions, access, affordability, and authenticity. Dr. Perez shares his inspiring journey from growing up in the South Bronx as a first-generation college student to becoming one of the most influenti...

📬 Click here to join my email list for college tips and insights! 🎙️ In this episode of The College Admissions Process Podcast, host John Durante welcomes Rachel Marlowe, Admissions Counselor at Franklin & Marshall College, to explore how F&M supports students through a deeply personalized, community-first approach to admissions. ❤️📚 From transparent financial aid to what “fit” really means at a liberal arts college, this conversation is packed with value for students, families, and counselors n...

👉 This episode is brought to you by Prep Expert, a proud sponsor of The College Admissions Process Podcast. Prep Expert offers award-winning test prep courses and strategies that have helped thousands of students improve their scores. 🎯 Special Offer for Listeners: Use the code COLLEGETALK (one word) at checkout to receive 20% off. 📚 For full details on their programs and guarantees, visit www.PrepExpert.com ------------------------------------------------------- 🎙️ Navigating the Digital ...

🎓 Podcast Show Notes: Colorado State University (CSU) Guest: Heather Daniels, Executive Director of Admissions, Colorado State University Host: Dr. John Durante, The College Admissions Process Podcast 📍 About Colorado State University Located in Fort Collins, Colorado, about an hour north of Denver and at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. A land-grant university known for agriculture, engineering, business, natural resources, and liberal arts. Mission-driven with a strong focus on ...

🎙️ In this episode of The College Admissions Process Podcast, host John Durante sits down with Megan Starling, Director of Admission at Rhodes College 🎓 — a nationally recognized liberal arts institution located in the heart of Memphis, Tennessee. Known for its tight-knit community and powerful blend of classroom learning and real-world experience, Rhodes offers students a unique place to learn, grow, and thrive. Whether you're a student building your college list or a parent navigating the a...

🎙️ In this insightful episode, we welcome back the University of Oregon to the podcast! Joelle Rankins Goodwin provides an inside look at what’s new on campus since their last feature in 2023, what joining the Big Ten means beyond athletics, and how students can strategically navigate the UO admissions process. Whether you're applying this fall or just beginning your college research, this episode is packed with relevant, timely, and honest insights for all students and families 🧠💡. 🟢 Top 4 T...

🎙️ Inside Sewanee Admissions – What You Need to Know! 📍 Guest: Sarah Butler, Assistant Dean of Admission, Office of Admission & Financial Aid Are you considering a liberal arts college that combines academic rigor, strong community, and stunning natural surroundings? 🌲📚 Don’t miss this insightful conversation with Sarah Butler from Sewanee: The University of the South, where we unpack what makes Sewanee unique — and what students and families need to know before applying. 🔑 TOP 3 TAKEAWAYS...

🎓 In this episode of The College Admissions Process Podcast we welcome back the College of Charleston 🌴, this time featuring Ashley Holdridge, Regional Assistant Director of Admissions. Building on the college’s original appearance in Episode 195 📚, Ashley offers fresh insight into what continues to make Charleston a vibrant and attractive destination — especially for students from the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions 🗺️. Ashley shares a compelling overview of academic life at Charleston, w...

🎙️In this return visit to the podcast, Kelli Nienstedt — formerly in the admissions office and now Assistant Director of Student Activities — brings a unique dual perspective on what makes the Marist University experience stand out 🦊. Whether you’re applying to college, supporting your student, or guiding others through the process, this episode is filled with helpful insights, student support strategies, and admissions tips you won’t want to miss. 🔑 Top 3 Takeaways for Students & Families: 1...

QuestBridge Home Page QuestBridge National College Match QuestBridge Resource Library Feel free to reach out to Taylor with any questions at: taylor.admissions@nd.edu Notre Dame Admissions Home Page 🎙️QuestBridge National College Match with Taylor Erickson (Notre Dame Admissions) In this episode, Dr. John Dante speaks with Taylor Erickson, a QuestBridge Scholar alumna and admissions counselor at the University of Notre Dame, about navigating the QuestBridge National College Match. Taylor shar...

🎙In this episode of The College Admissions Process Podcast, host John Durante is joined by Paola Franco, Assistant Dean of Admissions and Transfer Coordinator at Pomona College, to dive into what truly sets this elite liberal arts college apart — both academically and culturally. As a proud Pomona alumna, Paola offers a compelling inside view into the student experience, academic innovation, and collaborative environment that define Pomona. From 13-person average class sizes to a deeply resid...

🎓In this episode of The College Admissions Process Podcast, host John Durante welcomes back Jarvis Dieujuste, Admissions Advisor at Hunter College, for an insightful and energizing conversation on how one of the flagship schools of the CUNY system supports students from all backgrounds — before, during, and after the admissions process. Jarvis shares valuable updates about new programs at Hunter, unpacks the college’s holistic review process, and dives deep into how Hunter fosters a strong se...

🎙️ The College Admissions Process Podcast (The CAPP) Episode: Salve Regina University: Mission, Holistic Review & the Value of a Private Education Guest: Jim Fowler, VP for Enrollment Management, Salve Regina University Host: Dr. John Dante www.salve.edu 🌊 About This Episode In this episode, John speaks with Jim Fowler from Salve Regina University in beautiful Newport, Rhode Island. Jim shares what makes Salve stand out — from its mission-driven education and holistic review process to how...

🎙️In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Nick Galli, an Admissions Counselor at Florida Institute of Technology (Florida Tech), located in sunny Melbourne, Florida 🌴. Florida Tech is nationally recognized for its STEM-focused programs, commitment to hands-on learning, and required standardized testing admissions policy — a perspective not often heard today. Whether you’re aiming for engineering, aerospace, cybersecurity, or marine biology, this conversation is packed with informati...