Episodes

🎓 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...

🎙️ In this episode of The College Admissions Process Podcast (The CAPP) , host John Durante welcomes Rebecca Simons , Director of Admission at Wellesley College , to unpack the application process and what makes a Wellesley education truly transformative. Whether you're wondering how test-optional policies are handled, what really matters in the essay, or how financial aid works at one of the nation’s top liberal arts colleges, this conversation is a must-listen for any student considering a wom...

🎙️ 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 great honor of welcoming back Jeff Selingo , New York Times bestselling author, journalist, and higher ed thought leader, for a follow-up conversation on the ever-changing world of college admissions. Jeff’s newest book, Dream School: Finding the College That’s Right for You , challenges families to think differently about what makes a college a “good fit.” Here’s what we covered in this insightful episode ⬇️ ✨ Key Topics Discussed 📈 Application Inflation : Same number of students, ...

🎙️ 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 of The College Admissions Process Podcast , I had the pleasure of interviewing Cara Franke , Executive Director of Strategic Recruitment at the University of Kentucky (UK). Cara offers invaluable insights into UK’s holistic admissions process , the student experience at a large public university, and how applicants — especially out-of-state students — can stand out. Whether you're considering UK or just want to better understand how flagship public institutions make admissions...

🎙️ 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 must-listen episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Nilvio Perez, Director of Admissions at Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU). Whether you're a student, parent, or college counselor, this conversation offers valuable, honest, and strategic insight into the admissions process at a public university — while spotlighting what makes Southern a compelling choice for many. 📍Located in New Haven, Connecticut , SCSU is a mid-sized regional public university that blends academi...

🎙️ 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...

Alphabetical List of All Episodes with Links 🎙️Join me in this episode with David duKor-Jackson who is the Director of Admissions at MIT. We’re diving into essential topics like how to find the right fit in your college search and what you can expect from MIT’s holistic review process. Let’s get into it! 🌟 Key Highlights: Cross-Disciplinary Spirit at MIT : David shares how the collaborative and interdisciplinary culture at MIT encourages students to merge different fields to innovate and solve r...

🎙️ In this special panel episode, John Durante sits down with five dedicated professionals from Roger Williams University (RWU) to give you a comprehensive look into the application process, student life, academic support, and how RWU sets students up for long-term success. Whether you're a student, parent, or counselor, this episode delivers insider strategies and advice directly from the people shaping the RWU experience every day. 💡 Top Takeaways from This Episode with the Roger Williams Univ...

🎙️ In this powerful and wide-ranging conversation, I'm joined by Scott Anderson, Admissions Representative at the University of Kansas (KU). A KU alumnus, proud Kansan, and longtime educator, Scott shares his insider knowledge and infectious enthusiasm for all that KU has to offer. From test-optional admissions and merit scholarships to mental health support , campus safety , and Jayhawk spirit , this episode is full of valuable information for students, families, and counselors navigating the c...

Alphabetical List of All Episodes with Links 👉 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. For full details on their programs and guarantees, visit www.PrepExpert.com 🎯📚 —----------------------------- Straight From The Admissions Office: Insider Strategies For College Applications If you're looking for helpful...

🎙️In this episode, I welcome back Chris Richards , Director of Admissions at The University of Maine —the state’s flagship public research institution located in beautiful Orono, Maine 🌲🐻. With over 100 majors, a strong commitment to research and sustainability, and one of the most affordable flagship tuition rates in the country 💸, UMaine offers a compelling option for students seeking a comprehensive college experience. Chris shares insider insights on the current admissions landscape and offe...

🎙️ In this episode of The College Admissions Process Podcast , I welcome back Nick Hervatin, Minnesota Recruitment & Senior Admissions Counselor at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, for an insightful conversation about what’s new on campus and what students and families need to know about applying to this top-ranked public research university. Here are 3 of the most important takeaways you won’t want to miss: 🔍 What Makes a Golden Gopher? Nick explains how the University of Minnesota defi...

Alphabetical List of All Episodes with Links Cornell University - Office of Undergraduate Admissions ------------------------------ 👉 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. For full details on their programs and guarantees, visit www.PrepExpert.com 🎯📚 —----------------------------- Straight From The Admis...

🎙️ Why Nassau Community College May Be the Smartest First Step: Insights from David Follick, Assistant VP at NCC 🎧 Episode Summary : In this value-packed episode of The College Admissions Process Podcast , John Durante sits down with David Follick , Assistant Vice President for Academic Student Services at Nassau Community College (NCC) , to uncover why starting at a community college—especially one in the SUNY system —can be a smart, strategic move. Whether your goal is to transfer to a four-ye...

🎙️ The University of Michigan Deep Dive with Admissions Expert Jody Gore! 〽️ Join host Dr. John Durante for an insightful one-on-one conversation with Jody Gore, Assistant Director of Admissions at the University of Michigan! In this must-listen episode, Jody unpacks all the latest updates and demystifies the admissions process at this prestigious Big 10 institution. 🎓 What’s New at UMich? 🎉 • 🆕 Early Decision is Here! For the first time ever, UMich is offering an Early Decision option with a 🗓️...

Alphabetical List of All Episodes with Links 🎙In this insightful conversation with Dr. Ramon Blakley, Interim Director of Admissions, University of Texas at Austin, we explore the University of Texas at Austin's approach to admissions, academic offerings, and support for students. Whether you're considering UT Austin or just navigating the college application process, this episode is packed with actionable advice and key takeaways for students and parents alike. 🔑 Some Key Takeaways 1️⃣ Retentio...

🎙️ This episode of The College Admissions Process Podcast features a panel of representatives from Big Ten universities discussing the academic and admissions landscape. The conversation covers the 🎯 holistic review process in admissions, the importance of 🌍 diversity, institutional goals 🏛️, and the latest trends in college applications 📈. Panelists share insights on how to best support students in their college search 🔍, the significance of understanding institutional needs 📚, and the value of...

Alphabetical List of All Episodes with Links 🎙️In this episode, we dive deep into the admissions process, academic offerings, and student resources at USC with Kirk Brennan, Associate Dean and Director of Undergraduate Admission. Whether you're a student, parent, or counselor, you’ll gain valuable insights to help you navigate the college admissions process. 🎓 🎯 Key Takeaways from This Episode : USC’s Unique Programs and Opportunities 🌍🎭📚 USC is renowned for its interdisciplinary approach, offer...

🎙️ In this episode I’m joined by Savannah Bowman , Assistant Director of Admissions at Muhlenberg College , for a comprehensive conversation packed with actionable tips and meaningful insight into what makes Muhlenberg a distinctive liberal arts experience. 🎓❤️ Located in Allentown, Pennsylvania , Muhlenberg is known for its tight-knit community , strong support for student success , and flexible academic pathways —especially for those exploring the arts, sciences, and pre-professional programs....

Alphabetical List of All Episodes with Links 👉 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. For full details on their programs and guarantees, visit www.PrepExpert.com 🎯📚 —----------------------------- Straight From The Admissions Office: Insider Strategies For College Applications If you're looking for helpful...