Episodes

📬 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 influent...

📬 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 counselor...

👉 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 SAT,...

🎓 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 access, se...

🎙️ 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 adm...

🎙️ 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 Take...

🎙️ 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 for...

🎓 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, ...

🎙️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 share...

🎙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 resi...

🎓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 sens...

🎙️ 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 stude...

🎙️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 inform...

🎙️ Episode: Wayne State University — Dr. Charles Cotton, Vice Provost for Strategic Enrollment Management In this episode of The College Admissions Process Podcast , John Durante talks with Dr. Charles Cotton III about what makes Wayne State University unique: its urban location, research opportunities, student supports, career connections, and affordability. Wayne State is a top public research university and is classified as a Carnegie R1 (very high research activity). Wayne Today+1 3 key take...

🎙️ Episode: Inside Admissions with Todd Rinehart, Vice Chancellor for Enrollment at the University of Denver Join me as I welcome back Todd Rinehart for an insightful conversation on major updates at the University of Denver (DU) and practical advice for students navigating the college application process. Todd reminds us that students control two-thirds of the admissions transaction — a powerful mindset shift for applicants everywhere. 💡 Highlights Include: 🏒 University Updates & the 4D Experie...

🎙️In this episode, host John Durante sits down with KirstyNicole Bocado , an Admissions Counselor at Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) , to uncover what makes this New Jersey-based university a powerful choice for students seeking a global, personalized, and transformational education . With campuses in Florham and Metropolitan NJ, plus an international campus at Wroxton College in England , FDU is a university that blends academic rigor with individualized support , and a commitment to prepa...

🎙️ Episode: From Long Island to the Ivy League – A Student-Athlete’s Journey at Columbia University In this special episode of The College Admissions Process Podcast , I had the honor of speaking with Katelyn , a sophomore at Columbia University 🦁 and a member of the women’s lacrosse team 🥍. Katelyn takes us inside her journey as both a student and an athlete, sharing her path from Syosset, NY to the Ivy League, and the lessons she learned along the way. Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode ...

🎙️In this insightful episode, Conner Stanfield, Assistant Director of Admission & Coordinator of Campus Visits at Grinnell College joins us to dive deep into the student experience at one of the most academically rigorous and intentionally student-centered liberal arts colleges in the country. 🏫 Whether you're just starting your college search or narrowing down highly selective schools, this conversation will benefit all students and families navigating the admissions process. ⭐️ Top 4 Takeaways...

🎙️ Real Talk with College Students – Reflecting on the College Search Journey Welcome to a special episode in our 🎓 College Student Reflection Mini-Series on The College Admissions Process Podcast ! In this episode, host John Durante sits down with a current college student who has completed at least one full year to reflect on their personal college admissions experience — from researching and applying to adapting to life on campus. Whether you're a high school student, a parent, or a college c...

🎙️In this episode, Kurtis Kalagher, Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions from Quinnipiac University joins us to pull back the curtain on what makes Quinnipiac a standout choice for students looking for a close-knit, opportunity-rich college experience. 🎓 From understanding how Quinnipiac reviews applications holistically to the range of academic and support services offered, this episode is packed with insights that will benefit all students and families navigating the college admissio...

🎙️ Real Talk with College Students – Reflecting on the College Search Journey Welcome to a special episode in our 🎓 College Student Reflection Mini-Series on The College Admissions Process Podcast ! In this episode, host John Durante sits down with a current college student who has completed at least one full year to reflect on their personal college admissions experience — from researching and applying to adapting to life on campus. Whether you're a high school student, a parent, or a college c...

🎓 I had the privilege of speaking with two current students from Deep Springs College, an incredibly unique institution that blends rigorous academics with hands-on labor and self-governance. These students share their first-hand experiences of life at Deep Springs, providing invaluable insight into what makes this remote college in California so extraordinary. Here are the top highlights you don’t want to miss in this episode! 🌟 1. A Life-Changing Educational Model 🧑‍🎓💼 Deep Springs College off...

🎙️ Real Talk with College Students – Reflecting on the College Search Journey Welcome to a special episode in our 🎓 College Student Reflection Mini-Series on The College Admissions Process Podcast ! In this episode, host John Durante sits down with a current college student who has completed at least one full year to reflect on their personal college admissions experience — from researching and applying to adapting to life on campus. Whether you're a high school student, a parent, or a college c...